Cavs-Hawks Second round series

[purplehaze1213]

Originally Posted by billmac91

ATL played the Cavs tough all year. Bibby, Johnson, Smith, and Horford are nothing to sneeze at.

Then again, I hated playing Detroit in round 1 and it was a joke. I just hate a few match-ups we face against ATL. They have a way of scoring with our bigs away from the hoop, and Johnson/Bibby seem to play well aganst us down the stretch.

Yeah, I didn't mean to make it sound like I think the Hawks are terrible or anything. They definately have some talent. Joe Johnson can be a nightmare when he's on, and if Smith ever learned how to apply his athleticism he could be one of the premiere wings in the league. But, for whatever reason, they just don't seem like a team that is able to take that step from being good to being great.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by purplehaze1213

Yeah, I didn't mean to make it sound like I think the Hawks are terrible or anything. They definately have some talent. Joe Johnson can be a nightmare when he's on, and if Smith ever learned how to apply his athleticism he could be one of the premiere wings in the league. But, for whatever reason, they just don't seem like a team that is able to take that step from being good to being great.

they took an amazing Boston squad to 7 last year........I just hate some of the issues they present the Cavs. I'd have rather seen a 1 man team in Miami than a squad that can attack from multiple positions.

Horofrd is able to neutralize Z, b/c he is atletic enough to slide from the paint out to the perimieter. Josh Smith is a handful whether Andy or Ben or Joe Smith try and handle him. Joe Johnson will likley be guarded by LeBron/ and West...just depends on how Brown wants to handle LeBron's energy.

Bubby is lethal when left alone. Hopefully, we can limit Atlanta's secondary breaks where they swing it around to Johnson or Bibby.

Mt biggest fear is falling into a 0-1 hole b/c of a 9 day rest. Tomorrow night is huge...I think it creates a 5 game series vs. a 7game series.

[purplehaze1213]

Originally Posted by billmac91

they took an amazing Boston squad to 7 last year........I just hate some of the issues they present the Cavs. I'd have rather seen a 1 man team in Miami than a squad that can attack from multiple positions.

Yeah I would have preferred Miami too. Oh well, let's just hope the Cavs are able to take care of business. It's been so damn long since they've played that I'm just happy we finally get to watch them again.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by purplehaze1213

Yeah I would have preferred Miami too. Oh well, let's just hope the Cavs are able to take care of business. It's been so damn long since they've played that I'm just happy we finally get to watch them again.

agreed.

Some of the things I'm interested in following:

1. Does Delonte or Mo guard Bibby?

2. Does Atlanta concede the outisde shot to LeBron, and in turn concede outside shots to Mo, Delonte, Z?

3. Does Ben Wallace bring anything to this series or does Mike Brown rely heavily on Anderson, Smith, and Z?

4. How much does Cleveland run to try and beat Atlantas's sagging defense down the court?

I hope we crush Atlanta obviously....I think they provide some problems. It's critical the role players step up because Atlanata, just as they did in the regular season, will not let LeBron single handedly beat them. This is Mo Williams time, IMO.

[purplehaze1213]

Originally Posted by billmac91

agreed.

Some of the things I'm interested in following:

1. Does Delonte or Mo guard Bibby?

2. Does Atlanta concede the outisde shot to LeBron, and in turn concede outside shots to Mo, Delonte, Z?

3. Does Ben Wallace bring anything to this series or does Mike Brown rely heavily on Anderson, Smith, and Z?

4. How much does Cleveland run to try and beat Atlantas's sagging defense down the court?

I hope we crush Atlanta obviously....I think they provide some problems. It's critical the role players step up because Atlanata, just as they did in the regular season, will not let LeBron single handedly beat them. This is Mo Williams time, IMO.

Those are interesting questions. As far as Atlanta conceeding the jump shot...I don't think they have a choice. I'm pretty sure Marvin Williams (their best perimeter defender and the only guy who had half a chance of stopping LeBron) is out, so they're just gonna have to sag off of LeBron and hope his jumper is off.

Totally agree about it being Mo Williams time. He should be able to absolutely destroy Bibby off the dribble and either get some easy hoops, or penetrate into the lane and kick to a wide open shooter.

Defensively its gonna be trickier. Cavs backcourt is pretty undersized, so there are gonna be some matchup problems there, especially against Johnson, who's 6'7''...maybe LeBron guards him...I'm not sure.

[exhawg]

I'm just pumped that the Cavs are finally playing again. It's been a very long week.

[Brutus1]

Originally Posted by billmac91

agreed.

Some of the things I'm interested in following:

1. Does Delonte or Mo guard Bibby?
Mo

2. Does Atlanta concede the outisde shot to LeBron, and in turn concede outside shots to Mo, Delonte, Z?

No. They will try to stick on LBJ and eventually, they'll lose focus on the others.

3. Does Ben Wallace bring anything to this series or does Mike Brown rely heavily on Anderson, Smith, and Z?

Offensively? Heck no. I think his pt depends on the game situation. He'll see pt in the first half of games, but then spot defensive duty in second halves.

4. How much does Cleveland run to try and beat Atlantas's sagging defense down the court?

Only on turnovers. They've going to keep the pace slow so the Hawks can't develop a rhythm.

I hope we crush Atlanta obviously....I think they provide some problems. It's critical the role players step up because Atlanata, just as they did in the regular season, will not let LeBron single handedly beat them. This is Mo Williams time, IMO.

LeBron won't try to single handedly beat them. He won't need to. I just want to see alot of LBJ in the lane, either getting fouled or tossing back out to the open guy.

As far as the Lakers and their layoff, I just think it's more of Houston being such a great defensive team. Yao, Artest and Battier play such great defense. They're a better team without T-Mac.

[OHSportsFan9]

LBJ cuts his MVP speech short saying the fans have been waiting for Cavs basketball for long enough already.

[purplehaze1213]

Charles Barkley was just asked what Atlanta has to do to win...

His answer: "Shoot LeBron James"

[NFBuck]

Definately some rust here...

[OHSportsFan9]

Yeah, TNT, lets just stick a cameraman right on the sideline where a ref will be running up and down.

[purplehaze1213]

Josh Smith is really good when he's got his head straight.

[OHSportsFan9]

Cavs lead 25-21 after the 1st.

James with 16.

Definitely rusty on D. Cavs allowed 13 points in the first 4 minutes and only 8 the final 8 minutes.

[aurorabuckeye13]

When Delonte and Mo are on this team is unbeatable.

[NFBuck]

Well, about 6-8 minutes of rust, followed by domination...34-21 good guys.