Hedo is 30. Lewis is 29. They're not going to wear out.

 

Pierce, Allen and Garnett were all 30 or older last year and they got stronger as the playoffs progressed.

 

They're professional basketball players that are still at or near their prime and they're in great shape. I don't buy the tired legs excuse for a team like Orlando.

 

They'll feel the burn around game 4 or 5 because they'll be staring at a 3-0 or 3-1 deficit.

I see no team that doesn't have Kobe right now as having around equal talent to James and the Cavs. Maybe if DWade had more players around him. Those 3 players put their rosters on another level as far as talent. Howard is the best big in the league, but his impact can only go so far. He cannot consistently score outside of 5 feet, and is prone to foul trouble. Not saying the Magic cannot win, but the only way the Magic win is if they are lights out.

 

Matchup wise

 

Howard >> Illgauskus- No contest. Big Z has played well, but he's no Howard

 

R.Lewis = Varajao- I say push, equally valued in different ways

 

Hedu

 

Lee

 

Alson

 

Bench play is really a wildcard.

 

I would take Joe Smith and Ben Wallace just slightly over Battie and Gortat right now. Could go either way.

 

Gibson and Reddick = twins, Reddick may start to spread the floor, in which case West is a big upgrade overall from him.

 

Wally Z and Pavlovic probably don't equal Pietrus collectively, let alone when you add Johnson.

 

Coaching= Cavs +100000000000000

Talent= Cavs > Magic

Shooting= Magic > Cavs (closer than you may think)

Rebounding= Cavs > Magic ( Howard obviously is the best rebounder in the league though)

Defense= Cavs > Magic (Outside of Howard's inside presence it's not close)

 

I see the Magic can take advantage of Howard in the middle, three point shooting, and a few spots off the bench. If they shoot well and hold their own on the boards it will be a series, if not expect this one to go 5 at the max. I think it will go 6.

 

 

No way is Varajao as good as Lewis.

 

Lee is every bit the player West is as well.

 

The bench play for Orlando is heads and shoulders above Cleveland's IMO.

No way is Varajao as good as Lewis.

 

Lee is every bit the player West is as well.

 

The bench play for Orlando is heads and shoulders above Cleveland's IMO.

 

I definitely agree with the first sentence. Not even close. I'd give West a slight edge because of his experience, but I think Lee is probably more talented.

 

But, you can't analyze Cleveland based on player by player matchups for two reasons.

 

1. Lebron James is so much better than anyone else on the court, he can erase a lot of matchup shortcomings.

 

2. The team is constructed to complement James. It's not about individual talent. It's filling in the pieces around the best player on the planet and they've done a nice job of that in Cleveland.

 

Think about the great Bulls teams. I'd guess there were numerous teams who had a better PG, PF, C and bench...the problem was Jordan was light years ahead of the competition, Pippen was the best SF in the game, and the team was constructed well around them.

 

I think Cleveland is a better TEAM. Orlando isn't quite there yet. Maybe they'll get there, but I wouldn't count on it. I could see Orlando being like the Cavs, Pacers and Knicks used to be trying to knock off Chicago....losing to Cleveland nearly every year. So close, yet so far away.

^I feel that with a healthy Jameer Nelson, Orlando is every bit as good as Cleveland. I still think they are very close even without him.

 

What the Magic really lack is the legit 4. Lewis is and has been playing out of position all year for them. Just taking a brief look at the potential FA market this offseason, I would like to see them make a play for one of the following:

 

Carlos Boozer

Rasheed Wallace

Drew Gooden

Jermaine O'Neal

David Lee

Mehmet Okur

 

If they shore up the 4 spot, I see them being the team to beat going forward, unless of course, DWade and LeBron really did make a pact to play in NYC in 2010...

Hedo is 30. Lewis is 29. They're not going to wear out.

 

Pierce, Allen and Garnett were all 30 or older last year and they got stronger as the playoffs progressed.

 

They're professional basketball players that are still at or near their prime and they're in great shape. I don't buy the tired legs excuse for a team like Orlando.

 

They'll feel the burn around game 4 or 5 because they'll be staring at a 3-0 or 3-1 deficit.

 

Those players are completely different, with possibly the exception to Ray Allen. Pierce and Garnett are not spot up shooters. Shooting, especially 3 point shooting depends on fresh legs. That is what the Magic need, and I don't know that they will have it all series against a stingy defense.

 

No way is Varajao as good as Lewis.

 

Lee is every bit the player West is as well.

 

The bench play for Orlando is heads and shoulders above Cleveland's IMO.

 

Well one on one no, I'd take Lewis. As for fitting into their teams role, they are even. Varajao is a true post player, outside of LBJ I think he is the key to the Cavs. He takes charges, gets rebounds and hustles. Lewis is not tough in the post, but can really stretch the defense. For their teams they are even. Which I believe I prefaced that.

 

And what did I say about the West/Lee match up? I said experience is the key. Would you rather have someone who has played in the playoffs or a rookie?

 

Skill wise the Magic are better in most positions, the Cavs roster though does their job better for the most part. Outside of LBJ and Mo, the Cavs are out-talented at every position, but that doesn't always mean you have the better team.

 

^I feel that with a healthy Jameer Nelson, Orlando is every bit as good as Cleveland. I still think they are very close even without him.

 

What the Magic really lack is the legit 4. Lewis is and has been playing out of position all year for them. Just taking a brief look at the potential FA market this offseason, I would like to see them make a play for one of the following:

 

Carlos Boozer

Rasheed Wallace

Drew Gooden

Jermaine O'Neal

David Lee

Mehmet Okur

 

If they shore up the 4 spot, I see them being the team to beat going forward, unless of course, DWade and LeBron really did make a pact to play in NYC in 2010...

 

I say that of the people you mentioned only Boozer and Lee makes alot of sense.

Rasheed will need a big contract and is on the down side of his career.

Gooden just isn't any good.

Jermaine O'Neal, well who knows what he has left in the tank?

Okur- might as well keep Rashard Lewis.

 

I would get David Lee. He is high energy, which is something you need. He is a tough player.

I definitely agree with the first sentence. Not even close. I'd give West a slight edge because of his experience, but I think Lee is probably more talented.

 

But, you can't analyze Cleveland based on player by player matchups for two reasons.

 

1. Lebron James is so much better than anyone else on the court, he can erase a lot of matchup shortcomings.

 

2. The team is constructed to complement James. It's not about individual talent. It's filling in the pieces around the best player on the planet and they've done a nice job of that in Cleveland.

 

Think about the great Bulls teams. I'd guess there were numerous teams who had a better PG, PF, C and bench...the problem was Jordan was light years ahead of the competition, Pippen was the best SF in the game, and the team was constructed well around them.

 

I think Cleveland is a better TEAM. Orlando isn't quite there yet. Maybe they'll get there, but I wouldn't count on it. I could see Orlando being like the Cavs, Pacers and Knicks used to be trying to knock off Chicago....losing to Cleveland nearly every year. So close, yet so far away.

 

That's kind of how I see it. I think the Magic's shortcoming in this series will be that they don't have a go to scorer. No one can consistently match what LeBron will bring for the Magic. Actually, I don't really know that anyone outside of Hedu can bring what Mo brings consistently either.

Is nobody watching this? Lebron is one FIRE!!

Is nobody watching this? Lebron is one FIRE!!

 

It's been a heck of a game thus far, as I knew it would be. Superman has been unreal.

Howard is having his way down low.

Not real sure what Lebron is doing. That's like 4 of 5 possession he has just held it till the shot clock got under 10.

Not real sure what Lebron is doing. That's like 4 of 5 possession he has just held it till the shot clock got under 10.

 

He's scared....:lol:

He's scared....:lol:

 

I doubt that, but it was weird.

I'm really liking what the Magic are doing tonight....These are going to be some fun Conference Finals to watch.

I don't know why Howard didn't take a charge there.

Wow! That's pathetic.