CLEVE-LAND BAS-KET-BALL

 

They did it!  The Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in their history with a resounding victory over the Pistons on Saturday night.  After his 48 point performance in Game 5, LeBron James knew he was going to be double and triple teamed in the sixth game and he needed someone to step up.  Rookie Daniel Gibson answered the call, scoring 31 points by hitting 5 of 5 three point shots in the third and fourth quarters to put the game on ice.  I only wish the fans in attendance had started chanting "Cleve-land Bas-ket-ball" toward the end of the game to send Detroit fans a message that their era is over.

 

Although there is no question James is the superstar of this team, he does need help to win games.  He has received that help, although it is not always the same guy.  One night it’s Drew Gooden, another it’s Daniel Gibson, still another it’s Sasha Pavlovic.  He doesn’t have a Scottie Pippen, but he does have a bunch of players who can make solid contributions.  If one of them does, it’s usually enough for the wine and gold to get a victory, even against elite teams.  By the way, Kenny Roda, does Z still stink?

 

It’s on to The Finals, where the Cavs will take on a truly great team in the San Antonio Spurs.  Tim Duncan is one of the game’s all time great, and has led the Spurs to three titles in the last nine years.  They are looking for a fourth ring.  Besides Duncan, who might be the best player in the league, the Spurs have two very good players in Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.  They have productive veterans in Michael Finley, Brent Barry, and Robert Horry.  They have one of the league’s best defenders in Bruce Bowen.  Sounds bleak, doesn’t it?

 

There are two keys for the Cavs.  One, they cannot be satisfied with getting to the Finals.  If they are, the series will not be close.  I don’t think that will be the case.  LeBron isn’t complacent, so the rest of the team won’t be either.  The second key is defense on Parker.  The Cavs have to keep him out of the lane as much as possible.  If Parker can break down Mike Brown’s defensive scheme, there will be too much pressure on the Cavs’ big men to keep both the point guard and The Big Fundamental under control. 

 

The thing in Cleveland’s favor is their younger legs.  Although Parker is young, the rest of the squad is older.  The Cavs feature several players under 25 years old:  James, Pavlovic, Gibson, Varajao.  So, the Cavs can win the series.  However, because of the 2-3-2 format in the final series, it is imperative that the wine and gold get one of the first two in the Alamo city.  I doubt the Cavs can beat the Spurs three times in a row at the Q.  So, to win the series, the Cavs need to win twice in San Antonio.  Can it be done, of course it can.  The further along the playoffs go, the less home court advantage means.  LeBron and company had a chance to win all three games in Detroit. 

 

The Cavs are four wins away from Cleveland first major sports championship in 43 years.  The Indians got to the World Series twice in three years, and were expected to win both times.  This time, it’s the Cleveland team flying under the radar.  Nationally, the wine and gold are big underdogs.  The Spurs play in the mighty West, the Cavs in the JV-like Eastern Conference.  The Spurs have three titles, this is LeBron & Co.’s first visit to the Finals.  It seems like it’s stacked against the Cavaliers.  Hopefully, for Cleveland, the third time is the charm.

 

JK