It looked inevitable as soon as the playoff pairings were announced for the NBA following the regular season. The Conference Finals in the East would be a rematch of last year’s hard fought seven game series between the Cavs and Pistons. The two teams will get together starting tonight with a berth in the NBA Finals at stake. Can the wine and gold pull off an upset to win the East for the first time in team history? Here are some things that would help.
The Pistons have made one major change in their starting lineup, replacing Ben Wallace, who left as a free agent, with Chris Webber. Webber is a better offensive option, but weaker on defense. The Cavs must exploit this by going to Zydrunas Ilgauskas. If the former Michigan player can’t handle Z, Antonio McDyess will be forced to play more minutes, and Jason Maxiell will have to contribute as well. Neither player is as good as Webber when the Pistons have the ball. CWebb is an accomplished passer. However, if he’s in the game, Mike Brown has to make Detroit pay defensively.
Last year, Eric Snow did a good job defending Chauncey Billups and I expect we will see more of the same this year. To start though, I would play Sasha Pavlovic on Billups and let Larry Hughes take Rip Hamilton. Billups uses his size to gain an advantage against smaller guards and Sasha is a better physical match up. Snow will play quite a bit, though. Unfortunately for the Cavs, Ilgauskas doesn’t have a good match with any of the Detroit bigs, who all play away from the basket. This makes the big Lithuanian’s lack of quickness stand out. Look for a Drew Gooden/Anderson Varajao combination defensively late in games.
When the Cavs have the ball, they must make Rasheed Wallace work. Make him guard the post as much as he can by getting the ball to Gooden and even LeBron James down near the basket. This tactic may also get the former Tar Heel in some foul trouble, and maybe even some technical foul problems. Notice that was the first time I mentionned the Cavs’ #23. The Pistons will go into their new version of the so-called "Jordan Rules" to defend LeBron, which will include double and triple teaming him. This is where the Pavlovics, Goodens, and Ilgauskas’ must step up and make open shots. They will certainly get their share of open looks.
The wine and also have to match the physicality of the Pistons. Wallace, in particular, appears to be in the collective heads of the Cavs. They have to look him in the eye immediately and show they will not be intimidated. A hard foul or a dunk in his face would send a message that Rasheed has to respect Cleveland. It’s amazing he still doesn’t have it after last year’s seven game set. I believe Mike Brown should start lobbying about Hamilton’s endless benefit of the doubt from officials on contact plays. Most times, the former UConn star initiates the contact and then goes to the line.
Can the Cavs win? Of course. I compare it to the Cavs-Bulls match ups in the early 90’s. The Pistons have the better team, but the Cavs have the best player on the floor. This gives the Cavs a fighting chance. Despite the extra men guarding him, James must continue to battle for his points, and there is no doubt he will. However, he will need help from Hughes, Pavlovic, and Gooden for the Cavs to take the next step. If they can step up their games, Cleveland could make it’s first appearance in the Finals.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 