This was posted over at the mothership, but I think it deserves it's own mention here, along with some commentary(in italics) from me....
16.7 . . . Average Cavaliers' margin of victory through the first eight games of the postseason.
Might be the most impressive number of all, sure the most important. The Cavaliers have not allowed teams to even believe they can compete. Against teams like Detroit and Atlanta that is exactly how the Cavaliers should handle their business.
5.0, 6.4 . . . Points below their season average that Delonte West held Rip Hamilton and Joe Johnson, respectively.
Sure, LeBron James was 2nd in the DPOY voting, but Delonte West is as good a perimeter defender as there is in the NBA. He doesn't get the publicity, but great interior defense starts on the perimeter. We keep hearing how the Lakers beat the Cavaliers twice. Just remember, D-West missed both games.
78.7 . . . Points per game the Cavaliers are allowing through the postseason, the lowest playoff mark in the shot-clock era.
The main reason the Cavs won 66 games, and why they can win games like Game 4 against Atlanta. When the offense isn't there, the Wine and Gold can hang their hat on the stifling defense.
2:11 . . . Total amount of time in each series that Detroit and Atlanta had leads in the second half.
One word...Domination!
.750 . . . Mike Brown's winning percentage in close-out games on the road.
Mike Brown still has his detractors, but give the guy credit. He has LeBron completely sold on the system, and very quietly he is becoming a finisher when it comes to series clinching strategy. Winning on the road is key in the Playoffs, and Mike Brown's Cavaliers are becoming very, very good at it.
4.5, 2.2 . . . Improvement in points (28.4 – 32.9) and rebounds (7.6 – 9.8) for LeBron James during the postseason.
The MVP has risen his level of play as the Playoffs have gone on. All the great ones get 'that look' this time of year, especially before they win their first one. LeBron has that look, and the Cavs are rolling.
1 . . . Number of Cavaliers in franchise history (not named LeBron) who’ve been names First Team All-NBA (Mark Price – 1992-93).
If LeBron James retired today, he'd be the greatest Cavalier ever. When it is all said and done, he might be the best basketball player ever. Anywhere.
.315 . . . Shooting percentage for the Hawks in Game 4; the lowest mark Cleveland’s held an opponent to in team history.
This team continues to pile up the records.
29.8 . . . Points per game that Cavaliers starting backcourt of Mo Williams and Delonte West averaged during the Atlanta series.
Lebron James was the MVP of the NBA, but Mo Williams might be the MVP of the Cavaliers. What he has brought, in terms of leadership and all-handling, along with his cold-as-ice shooting late in games gives the Cavaliers something they haven't had during the LeBron Era -- a legitmate scoring threat other than #23.
20-1 . . . Cavaliers postseason record since 2006 when scoring 94 points or more.
We all know how dominant the Cavaliers are when they score 100. The fact that they get even better during the post-season, 20-1 when they score 94, is amazing. That will be put to the test, however, with possible matchups against teams that can score on the horizon.
49.5 . . . Combined points, rebounds and assists per game for LeBron James in the postseason.
MVP, MVP, MVP
13.7 . . . Average per-game rebounding advantage in four games against the Hawks.
For a team that supposedly doesn't have an effective front court, the Cavaliers seem to get it done on the glass. I think people out west are going to be pretty surprised at how effective the Cavaliers bigs are now that the team is as healthy as it has been all season.
19 . . . Straight opponents the Cavaliers have held below 90 points in the playoffs under Mike Brown.
Another staggering number. For a team that can score like the Cavs, holding a team under 90 points should be an automatic W.
.862 . . . Delonte West’s free throw percentage this postseason.
Another example of why D-West is so important. He is another guy that can handle the ball as well, allowing LeBron and Mo Williams to get to their spots. He also will atack, and when he gets to the line, he hits the free throws.
13.1 . . . Trips to the line LeBron has averaged in the postseason.
Some will say this is because the refs like to blow their whistles when LeBron gets touched. Those who actually watch the games and know baskteball know the truth. Each of these 13 trips per game has been earned because LBJ has been in attack mode. Plus, if it wasnt for LeBron NOT getting calls, I wouldn't know the term 're-directed' when it comes to calling a foul.