LeBron James

[amazon123]

Yesterday was SO enjoyable. The Cavs played like a TEAM! I posted before the Bulls series, that Chicago would be the biggest mental challenge of any playoff run. Tight games, buzzer beaters, questionable refereeing... And yet, on to the ECF. I didn't expect the degree of contribution we are getting and likely will continue to get from Shump, JR, TT and Moz (and, oh yea, Delly! -- I was a critic; it appears I was mistaken). Truly "next man up" basketball. Whether Rockets, Clippers or Warriors (Grizz likely done), I think we run the table and bring home the title.

We'll see how the Cavs fare against the Hawks, who are a lesser version of the Warriors. I still think the Cavs would suffer against an elite 3 point shooting team. The Bulls missed a LOT of open 3s, a team like the Warriors or Hawks would make the Cavs pay for those.

 

[brownsbuck6]

We'll see how the Cavs fare against the Hawks, who are a lesser version of the Warriors. I still think the Cavs would suffer against an elite 3 point shooting team. The Bulls missed a LOT of open 3s, a team like the Warriors or Hawks would make the Cavs pay for those.

Keep in mind that is by design. Our defense will emphasize the perimeter more with perimeter oriented teams. Chicago is not a good shooting team and we defended them accordingly.

 

[amazon123]

Keep in mind that is by design. Our defense will emphasize the perimeter more with perimeter oriented teams. Chicago is not a good shooting team and we defended them accordingly.

I can't believe that, no one on the Bulls was good at getting to the hoop, it was pretty much a jump shooting team. In fact, they didn't even bother guarding Noah when he was on the floor, so it was a little disheartening to see wide open 3s for Dunleavy and Mirotic

 

[tocov]

What if Lebron doesn't think about what he's doing, gets past Butler but Pau/Noah are waiting for him and trap him? Throughout the Bulls series, Thibs had been alternating between single coverage with Butler vs. a mini trap where a big man slid over to provide help vs James. If all Lebron did was crash into the lane, chances are he would rack up in the turnovers, which has already been a problem for him in the playoffs. If you didn't notice yesterday, the role players went off because Lebron initiated the offense by reading and reacting to the defense. You won't get that playing a D'Antoni style offense.

The plays are designed to scramble the D, and leave an open lane for just enough time for LBJ to act. You trust the play. Every time he did that, it worked. Whether he drove right away, or took a quick fadeaway - he more often than not got it right.
Of course you need to react, and if help comes when he drives, that's why we have shooters spacing the floor.

Every play has several options, if the help comes right away, you kick it out. You obviously choose the best option for every trip.
But I am sure standing motionless for 8 seconds and then pulling up a jumpshot is not one of the options.
Yes, he needs to read and react, but he needs to do it quick. That's why he's the best player in the world. Be decisive, decide what you're gonna do and do it. Standing around is not an option (most of the time).

 

[brownsbuck6]

I can't believe that, no one on the Bulls was good at getting to the hoop, it was pretty much a jump shooting team. In fact, they didn't even bother guarding Noah when he was on the floor, so it was a little disheartening to see wide open 3s for Dunleavy and Mirotic

There were some defensive breakdowns for sure.. I'm not saying there weren't. But I believe the strategy was to pack the paint and own the boards against their tall front line. I just believe the defensive strategy will be tweaked some against better shooting teams or I agree, we will not be successful because Kyle Korver or the splash brothers aren't going to shoot that poorly wide open.

 

[tocov]

There were some defensive breakdowns for sure.. I'm not saying there weren't. But I believe the strategy was to pack the paint and own the boards against their tall front line. I just believe the defensive strategy will be tweaked some against better shooting teams or I agree, we will not be successful because Kyle Korver or the splash brothers aren't going to shoot that poorly wide open.

That's a classic case of picking your poison. Their shots weren't falling, but Butler and Rose cutting to the basket is a very high percentage play. We chose the outside shooting poison and got it right.
I am sure different teams will get different defensive treatment.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

.

Joe Harris just awkwardly drinking his beer

H-hey guys the plane is in motion I think we should all be sitting with our seatbelts fastened

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

I can't believe that, no one on the Bulls was good at getting to the hoop, it was pretty much a jump shooting team. In fact, they didn't even bother guarding Noah when he was on the floor, so it was a little disheartening to see wide open 3s for Dunleavy and Mirotic

The Bulls are a shitty jump shooting team besides Dunleavy and Butler. Their only chance was Rose playing aggressive and driving. We defended that. I will live with any non Dunleavy or Butler Bull taking open 3's. And sometimes the Bulls just ran good plays to get Dunleavy open. Happens when KI is guarding him on hurt wheels

 

[amazon123]

The Bulls are a shitty jump shooting team besides Dunleavy and Butler. Their only chance was Rose playing aggressive and driving. We defended that. I will live with any non Dunleavy or Butler Bull taking open 3's. And sometimes the Bulls just ran good plays to get Dunleavy open. Happens when KI is guarding him on hurt wheels

They are an even worse paint team. TT basically manhandled their front line 4v1. Gasol is more of a pick and pop player these days and the Cavs didn't really pack the paint. The issue is Blatt's switching defense doesn't work well against elite perimeter teams because the defense will get confused of their assignments when the ball moves around the perimeter.

 

[mrbeaks]

Do the Hawks or Wiz have anyone who can slow LeBron down? I imagine he'll play much better in the next series in terms of efficiency.

The Hawks did, but the NYPD took care of that for us.

 

[Pioneer10]

Personally havent watched a ton of Hawks game but when I watched it didn't look like Sefolasha was that important but the numbers suggested otherwise. The playoffs suggest the numbers were out. Hawks defense has not been good in the playoffs

If Lebron can guard Milsap without getting in foul trouble the Hawks are going to have a hellish time guarding small ball

 

[castor777]

The last time LeBron played the Hawks in a playoff series:

And when LeBron and Arenas had the epic 4th quarter in the Cavs-Wizards first matchup:

 

[CHIMOCHIS]

Remember when you youngstas were questioning his leadership

Just shocked the world beating the Bulls

Without love Andy, and Kyrie most of it

Not to mention jr

Best player and leader in the nba

 

[theSTEREO.]

View: https://vine.co/v/emLn79OKLX0


WATCH WITH SOUND!

 

[theSTEREO.]

Do the Hawks or Wiz have anyone who can slow LeBron down? I imagine he'll play much better in the next series in terms of efficiency.

Jimmy Butler is by far the toughest test that Lebron will face in this playoffs outside of maybe Draymond green if that's how GSW would run it.

I actually think Atlanta is the easier matchup for the Cavs. Shump and Lebron can fairly easily shutdown the ball movement in the backcourt, and Moz and TT should do fine with Horford. Also, last time we played ATL, JR played Korver almost to a standstill, and Korver is playing like a shell of himself anyway for the last month and a half.


And if the Clippers or the Rockets claw their way into the Finals somehow, my god we might win a title this year.