All of those teams had way better supporting casts. Cleveland has nobody to get shots for themselves or anyone else other than Lebron. They also don't have anyone good enough to guard other really good players so Lebron has to do that every trip too. Lebron's biggest problem to me is he doesn't have the desire to win that Kobe has or Jordan had. I thought the bitter taste from last year and seeing Kobe work the summer before would push him over the top this year. Seemingly that hasn't happened.

All of those teams had way better supporting casts. Cleveland has nobody to get shots for themselves or anyone else other than Lebron. They also don't have anyone good enough to guard other really good players so Lebron has to do that every trip too. Lebron's biggest problem to me is he doesn't have the desire to win that Kobe has or Jordan had. I thought the bitter taste from last year and seeing Kobe work the summer before would push him over the top this year. Seemingly that hasn't happened.

I agree. I am not sure he will ever develop that gene either.

I was typing mine as you posted, Cats. You copied.

 

:thumb:

 

I am not saying they could not be more talented, but they have been the favorites going in to the tournament the past two seasons winning more games in the regular season these past two years by a long shot. They can't be as horrible as many portray.

 

They aren't horrible, but they aren't very good either. Kobe is phenominal and never did anything like take a team to the finals like LBJ did a few years back. Kobe has 4 players on his team I'd take before taking a Cav. Howard has 3 or 4 players I'd take, and Rondo has at least 3 players I'd take.

 

The biggest argument I think anyone could make against him is does he care enough about losing? Right now I'd say no.

I agree. I am not sure he will ever develop that gene either.

 

I don't think he will. I think he'll surround himslef w/ another really good player and a few role players to win a few titles. I think he has the tools to win at least 6, but won't.

All of those teams had way better supporting casts. Cleveland has nobody to get shots for themselves or anyone else other than Lebron. They also don't have anyone good enough to guard other really good players so Lebron has to do that every trip too. Lebron's biggest problem to me is he doesn't have the desire to win that Kobe has or Jordan had. I thought the bitter taste from last year and seeing Kobe work the summer before would push him over the top this year. Seemingly that hasn't happened.

 

Who on the Pistons could create a shot outside of Billups? Hamilton is a guy that can only go off screens. Sheed is best on the low block, but also spots up. Ben couldn't score and neither can Tayshaun. The Cavs have one of the best defensive teams in the league statistically, and most besides Williams, Shaq and Jamison are known for their defense.

 

The Cavs had two guys on the All-defensive teams for crying out loud. It's just more and more excuses SSC!!!!

Ok then it's been 16 years and the best player in the league was on a suspension. I'd still probably take the Dream's supporting cast that year over LBJ's, but we're acknowledging it's only happened once in the last how many years?

 

I always thought MJ was serving out a secret suspension too.

Who on the Pistons could create a shot outside of Billups? Hamilton is a guy that can only go off screens. Sheed is best on the low block, but also spots up. Ben couldn't score and neither can Tayshaun. The Cavs have one of the best defensive teams in the league statistically, and most besides Williams, Shaq and Jamison are known for their defense.

 

The Cavs had two guys on the All-defensive teams for crying out loud. It's just more and more excuses SSC!!!!

 

That Pistons team to me pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time in the Finals after getting through a weak Eastern Conference. Whoever you consider their best player I'd take at least the next 3 before any current Cav though.

That Pistons team to me pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time in the Finals after getting through a weak Eastern Conference. Whoever you consider their best player I'd take at least the next 3 before any current Cav though.

 

Wow. I'd say after Billups, it's a straight up toss up. You can't convince me that Rasheed or Ben were that much better than Mo Williams, this Shaq or Jamison individually. That Pistons team played team basketball though, something the Cavs no nothing about when the chips are down. They're not a selfish team, but their playoff offense is just stand around and watch LeBron or throw it in to Shaq so he can't shoot a hook shot that probably isn't going to go in.

Going back to the Mike Brown thing: The Cavs were at their best when Shaq didn't play this season. They are better playing small and fast. I think they will try it in game 6. Either way he's done in Cleveland IMO.

Wow. I'd say after Billups, it's a straight up toss up. You can't convince me that Rasheed or Ben were that much better than Mo Williams, this Shaq or Jamison individually. That Pistons team played team basketball though, something the Cavs no nothing about when the chips are down. They're not a selfish team, but their playoff offense is just stand around and watch LeBron or throw it in to Shaq so he can't shoot a hook shot that probably isn't going to go in.

 

What does Williams do well? He can't defend other guards or set up teammates. He's supposed to be able to shoot, but doesn't shoot well against good teams in the playoffs. Jamison can't defen 4's and his advantage on them should be outside shooting, but he isn't shooting well.

 

The team thing is on Brown just as much as LBJ. When your identity is playing good D and rebounding you need an offensive plan that doesn't involve get out of one players way the entire game. Every team plays hard D and rebounds in the playoffs.

Going back to the Mike Brown thing: The Cavs were at their best when Shaq didn't play this season. They are better playing small and fast. I think they will try it in game 6. Either way he's done in Cleveland IMO.

 

I think the Cavs best lineups to go quick are:

 

James, Williams, West, Hickson & Varajao

or

James, Williams, Parker, Moon & Varajao. With LeBron on the block.

 

Those lineups get exploited in long stretches, but Cleveland is better with they have their athletic bigs in IMO, or when they go small and post LeBron for 5-6 minutes at a time.

What does Williams do well? He can't defend other guards or set up teammates. He's supposed to be able to shoot, but doesn't shoot well against good teams in the playoffs. Jamison can't defen 4's and his advantage on them should be outside shooting, but he isn't shooting well.

 

The team thing is on Brown just as much as LBJ. When your identity is playing good D and rebounding you need an offensive plan that doesn't involve get out of one players way the entire game. Every team plays hard D and rebounds in the playoffs.

 

Brown's biggest problem is that he plays Williams, Shaq and Jamison together IMO. That is a horrible defensive team even with LeBron on the floor. Shaq and Williams should start with Hickson (like they played for most of the season), with Jamison coming off the bench as a scorer. Playing Hickson with Shaq and Varajao with Jamison maintains that there is always a guy they like to go to for scoring and a capable defender in the post.

Delete.

I made a playoff tree earlier on NBA2K10 identical to this years tree. I simulated all the games and it had Cleveland beating Boston in 7 and the Lakers winning in the finals over the Magic. I think that is gonna be the way it plays out.