Which team in the west is the biggest threat to the Cavs?

[gourimoko]

Guess you confuse me, how you can say that about the best day stuff but then favor the Cavs in a series.

Sorry...

Put it simply, if you simulate conditions for a Cavs Warriors matchup, then plot the outcomes of those matchups on a graph, the Warriors winning plots would be predominantly grouped in more favorable areas of the graph, on average, than Cavaliers plots. Furthermore, since more of those plots would exist in areas of the plane where we would consider conditions favorable, they are probably less likely, if not outright lucky.

In essence, the Cavaliers have more paths to victory than Golden State, but Golden State is more likely to win if both teams are given equally favorable conditions (which is unlikely).

This is why I say "on their best day" Golden State is nearly unbeatable. Whereas on an average day, the Cavaliers are the better of the two teams, in a 7-game series. And I qualify that because I don't think either team is generally better than the other with respect to the regular season.

If one teams best is better than another team's in your mind (no matter who the two teams are..) - then doesn't it stand to reason you just feel that team is simply better?

Perhaps. I think, in my mind, the "better" of two teams is the one that can consistently perform at a higher level than the other, in generally reasonable conditions.

It's why I've said since the start of the season, the Bulls were never a threat, because without Derrick Rose, they don't have enough firepower to beat the Cavaliers. At their "best" would mean, with Derrick Rose? But how likely is that to happen, and with him in peak condition? Not very. So their window of favorable likely outcomes is far smaller than ours.

I mean, if you do, that's fine- it's certainly a defendable position. Golden State is TOUGH.

They are.

 

[davedugan43]

I honestly believe we are the best team in the NBA. I fully expect to beat both Indy and Houston, get to 39 wins, and be elevated in the national media's eyes. This is the team I've been waiting all my life to see.


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[SteelSmack]

I'm really surprised there aren't more votes for the Rockets (only one was mine when I cast my ballot). LeBron is always scared to drive on Dwight. Always has been. A LeBron scared to play in the paint isn't nearly as dangerous or effective. My other vote was the Spurs.

 

[All4One1ForAll]

In order:
1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Mavericks
4. Grizzlies
5. Warriors

 

[Cavsfan161]

Rockets? Mavericks? Cmon guys they ate first round and out teams

 

[The Oi]

The Grizzlies don't worry me, because they aren't going to be in the Finals.

OKC worries me because they have two of the five best players in the NBA, have played a lot of playoff games and can be elite on both ends. They're due.

 

[secund2nun]

We match up well with Golden State imo. They only have one post presence in Bogut and no one else. He can only play limited minutes and has durability concerns. Yes their offense is great, but their defense won't doesn't matchup well against our offense because of their lack of big men. Also jump shooting teams generally don't do that well in the playoffs. People forget that when the Spurs dominated Miami last year they had a big advantage in the paint. They can't slow down Lebron and that's not a recipe for beating a Lebron James team.

I'd say the Spurs (thankfully I don't see them making the finals if they remain in the 6th-8th seed area)

 

[TwoPistols]

Not a lot of love for the Blazers? I wouldn't write them off either. They actually scare me more than Golden State. Golden State is too perimeter oriented for me, while Blazers have a plethora of 3 point shooters to go with Aldridge, who the Cavs have no answer for. They are the 2nd best 3pt defensive team in the league and 2nd best in opposing FG%, so they are no slouches defensively either. They can play inside-out unlike Memphis and Golden State.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

I think there's a qualitative difference in the way GS gets their points vs that Orlando team we faced in 09. I'm more scared of that 09 team, even though they didn't have Curry. Gilbert Arenas used to shoot quick, deep bombs like Curry too, and we saw how that attack is ultimately a less than perfect option to repeatedly turn to.

Dwight pulling two defenders into the lane made for rhythm jumpers.

Golden State takes a lot of hero 3's. I know they play the numbers, and it often favors them.

I just don't buy that being a sustainable attack in the playoffs. Sure it can win a game or two if they strike hot. Those types of shots don't win you 7 games.

Those shots Orlando took were fundamentally different. Bogut is not Dwight, he doesn't attract that same level of urgency, that is what opened up all those perfect shot opportunities.

That Orlando team had the 3pt personnel and the sustainable ability to generate quality looks.

I don't think you can win with a jump shooting team unless you have the dynamic that Orlando had. Even with less 3pt power, San Antonio has won so many titles because they have a well balanced team starting in the middle.

We have the best player in the game shooting for his biggest career achievement while his prime slowly winds down..... with the most talent he's probably ever played with.

Can't forget that guys.

 

[Stark]

The Grizzlies (my vote), Spurs, Blazers, Warriors, Mavericks, and healthy Thunder all would be a tough best of 7 for us.

The West is lethally good.

 

[WorldBoFree]

The Grizzlies don't worry me, because they aren't going to be in the Finals.

OKC worries me because they have two of the five best players in the NBA, have played a lot of playoff games and can be elite on both ends. They're due.

Yeah, but their coach is god awful, and they have to rely on Dion to play well.....cough..... I mean, make shots, play something that resembles defense , and not be an all around knucklehead cancer.

They really need to get rid of Brooks. Can you imagine that team with Carlisle, Pop, Thibs, Van Gundy, Vogel, Spo, etc?

 

[jlegg21]

OKC is a threat on talent alone, but this year has been a trainwreck for them... add this to the list:

@ChrisMannixSI 12m
Russell Westbrook had surgery to address a fracture in his right cheek, OKC says. Westbrook is out on Sunday, will be reevaluated next week.

 

[LoveStan]

Thunder easily, their frontcourt has gone from a weakness to a strength. Ibaka, Adams, Kanter, McGary. That team can beat the Cavs if healthy.

 

[godfather]

I came out of the GS game a little less impressed with them. They have a very talented team, but I agree with Barkley, they still lack toughness to me. I can't disqualify them completely though.

The Spurs, they're just too old. You can cross them off the list.

So who does that leave? Memphis? Nah, sorry, not buying it.

I would say Portland.

If I am being honest though, I am not sure any team in the West really scares me really. The teams with really good front lines like the Clippers and Memphis, I just don't see coming out of the West. Memphis would cause us some problems, since they do have a nice front line, and they could slow the pace down against us.

Teams like GS and even the Thunder, are still more perimeter orientated, and I find it hard to believe their perimeter players will dominate a series against 'Bron and Kyrie.

Kanter is good, but he's not Shaq or anything. Mozzy's height would cause him problems. He's an undersized center compared to Mozzy.

Portland has the right balance that could be a threat to us. Alridge is the kind of guy that could go off on us, and we'd have nothing to counter against him.

 

[jlegg21]

I came out of the GS game a little less impressed with them. They have a very talented team, but I agree with Barkley, they still lack toughness to me. I can't disqualify them completely though.

The Spurs, they're just too old. You can cross them off the list.

So who does that leave? Memphis? Nah, sorry, not buying it.

I would say Portland.

If I am being honest though, I am not sure any team in the West really scares me really. The teams with really good front lines like the Clippers and Memphis, I just don't see coming out of the West. Memphis would cause us some problems, since they do have a nice front line, and they could slow the pace down against us.

Teams like GS and even the Thunder, are still more perimeter orientated, and I find it hard to believe their perimeter players will dominate a series against 'Bron and Kyrie.

Kanter is good, but he's not Shaq or anything. Mozzy's height would cause him problems. He's an undersized center compared to Mozzy.

Portland has the right balance that could be a threat to us. Alridge is the kind of guy that could go off on us, and we'd have nothing to counter against him.

You're sleeping on Memphis. They win ugly but they're ruthless and battle tested. Perfectly built for the playoffs, and they know what they're doing when they get there.

Portland is definitely a darkhorse now that they've addressed their bench with the Afflalo trade. Deep and talented.

I've written off the Spurs before and it's always been a mistake. I wont believe they're done until someone cuts their head off.

With all the injuries to OKC, they could easily finish in the 8 spot, and I'm rooting for that to happen. Golden State/OKC might be the most entertaining first round series ever (assuming OKC has everyone healthy by then).

I'm glad we're in the East...