WestEnd
look ma no shoelaces, and I'm down with the KIIING
I can't help but being jacked up that the cavs are FINALLY back in the playoffs. They are so much more fun to watch than the regular season .... BUT, I'm not so sure the cavs are going to have that easy of a time with the wizards here. Don't get me wrong, I definately see the cavs taking this series, but I think the wizards frontcourt is a real tough matchup for the cavs.
Reason being, Haywood, Thomas, and Jamison are quicker, stronger, and more athletic than Gooden, Z, and Varejeo. The two players who are going to really show what they are made of this series are Drew Gooden and Andy Varejeo. I have faith in Z playing well, but he's gonna need some good help D to be effective. But it's hard to say whether the playoff intensity is going to be what wakes Drew Gooden up and makes him consistantly play with fire and intensity, or causes him to fold like the mentally weak player so many people think he is. On the other hand, I kind of worry about Varejeo being so fired up that he plays a little too out of control and gets himself into foul trouble. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Personally I think the playoffs are really going to give Varejeo a stage to shine on, and be more important for his development than any other player on the cavs, (yep even more than lebron). I hope the same happens for Drew Gooden, but I'm not as confidant.
Having Larry Hughes available to keep track of Gilbert Arenas is going to be a HUGE advantage for the cavs. If he can do nothing else besides hound Arenas the whole series, that will be enough of a contribution for him. Flip Murray is COLD-BLOODED and will play great, I have no doubt, so I'm not that worried about Hughes getting into the flow of the offense. LeBron is Lebron, and in the end, he'll be what takes the cavs to the second round. I can't wait to see what kind of game he's going to bring to the playoffs.
In the end, I see Varejeo being the key guy stepping up to help minimize the wizards frontcourt advantage and allow the cavs to get through this series in a tough 6.
Thoughts?
Reason being, Haywood, Thomas, and Jamison are quicker, stronger, and more athletic than Gooden, Z, and Varejeo. The two players who are going to really show what they are made of this series are Drew Gooden and Andy Varejeo. I have faith in Z playing well, but he's gonna need some good help D to be effective. But it's hard to say whether the playoff intensity is going to be what wakes Drew Gooden up and makes him consistantly play with fire and intensity, or causes him to fold like the mentally weak player so many people think he is. On the other hand, I kind of worry about Varejeo being so fired up that he plays a little too out of control and gets himself into foul trouble. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Personally I think the playoffs are really going to give Varejeo a stage to shine on, and be more important for his development than any other player on the cavs, (yep even more than lebron). I hope the same happens for Drew Gooden, but I'm not as confidant.
Having Larry Hughes available to keep track of Gilbert Arenas is going to be a HUGE advantage for the cavs. If he can do nothing else besides hound Arenas the whole series, that will be enough of a contribution for him. Flip Murray is COLD-BLOODED and will play great, I have no doubt, so I'm not that worried about Hughes getting into the flow of the offense. LeBron is Lebron, and in the end, he'll be what takes the cavs to the second round. I can't wait to see what kind of game he's going to bring to the playoffs.
In the end, I see Varejeo being the key guy stepping up to help minimize the wizards frontcourt advantage and allow the cavs to get through this series in a tough 6.
Thoughts?
