What's Next? And a Far-fetched Idea

A few things. One, I’m holding to my theory that the Cavs have been “experimenting,” if you will. They’re using these games even still to take full stock of what they have when faced with their biggest challenge: Orlando. We’re playing around with matchups and minutes and, as a result, it may seem like we’re out of sync. We’ve been learning. We’ve learned that none of our guards can handle a player like Rondo, so I expect to see LeBron on him a lot more. I think Parker/Delonte can do a good job holding off Pierce. As for Shaq, we’re trying to see just how much we can get out of him. In reality, we don’t need him to score big point against Orlando. We need him to give Howard a hard time in the paint, which he is fully capable of doing. I fully believe we’ll be playing at the highest level starting with game 5.

As for your second point, I absolute don’t buy it for a second. Regardless of what LeBron does this summer, these guys are playing for a ring this year. Nothing else should matter, and I’d bet my life savings that it doesn’t matter to the guys on the court.

If it takes a guy starting the game 8-10 to beat the Celtics, then the Cavs don’t deserve to win. The one thing the Cavs need to do is learn how to defend again if they want a shot at winning the series. I still say keep Rondo out of the paint (which the Cavs did fairly well in game 3), and make him shoot jumpers instead of making him look like Oscar Robertson. Damn it, Rondo is a good player, but there is no frigging way he should be putting up those numbers on ANY team, not the Nets, and certainly not the Cavs.

19 % shooting from the backcourt was killer. Celtics clogged the paint daring LBJ to drive…(he wasn’t hitting his shots to boot)…so we had nothing from our guards, no room for LBJ to maneuver in the lane and poof! A team that scores 102 or more a game gets 87.

Despite his absurd game, Rondo did not beat us. The Celtics scored less than 100 and, if our backcourt trio hits their average, we win that game.

We don’t need wholesale changes that put LeBron on Rondo. We just need the backcourt to play “decent”. Be agressive, proactive and play our game instead of reacting to what the Celtics are doing. These are the keys to winning this round.

IF the cavs get through boston..it will help them tremendously vs the magic. the magic haven’t played anyone. this is what champions need to do….go through the fire. i do think a ton of people overlooked the celtics in this series. but the cavs will be better because of the celtics and this series

game 5 is big as will be game 6. it is an old school best of 3. putting LBJ on rondo would open up PP. i believe pierce would absolutely abuse parker in that match up. and ray allen can get whatever he wants if mo williams plays him…the post…the 3…whatever…mo cannot run through screen after screen to keep up with allen. i think you sprinkle LBJ on rondo…but most of rondo’s damage comes in transition where anyone has to pick him up. LBJ cover him bringing it up the floor really doesn’t concern me. plus it will make james work twice as hard on defense. as pierce can testify by covering LBJ…that effects your offense.

the key to stopping rondo is rebounding. when the C’s defense forces one shot and out and rondo can get going in the open court…they are tough to stop. in game 3…boston let the cavs have whatever they wanted and didn’t really board. if the cavs out rebound the Celtics..esp on the offensive glass getting second shots…they win the series.

you are experimenting your asses out of the playoffs

good luck!

On my video blog, I break down exactly what’s wrong with the Cavaliers – and I don’t think it’s anything they’ll be able to fix before the series is over.
If LeBron can go off like he did for Game 3, then the Cavs might have a chance – but the Celtics consistently get better shots – a good recipe for a series win. Check out what I’m talking about at:
http://bballbreakdown.com

Why Does Shaq even have an opinion?

He was brought in to handle Dwight.

Shut up old timer.

I am being serious.

Because I will tell you right now there is nothing in this world from stopping a rematch of the ECF.

Here’s how I’d break it down:

Play with some urgency, like it actually means something. We were very dull yesterday. Not Game 2 dull, but disinterested.

LeBron needs to attack the rim early and often. If Shaq was five or more years younger, I’d agree with starting the game throwing it down to him. But he’s not the guy that needs to find his rhythm; LeBron is. I know — fouls. But how many Celtics fouled out? And LeBron draws fouls, too.

Stop the ball, and make Rondo pay. Every time. He’s their best player. Make him shoot jumpers, and when he comes into the lane, would one our four centers, with 24 fouls between them, be there to meet him? Please?

Win on the boards. If we don’t win this battle, frankly, it’s because we aren’t trying hard enough, because we are being outworked. No excuse.

I still think we can win the next two and take this series. But we have to want it; we need to be hungrier. We are the better team out there.

it is sad to say that the Cavs could just as easily be facing elimination on Tuesday with 1 blowout win if not for a big comeback in Game 1.