Stopping Teague and Schroeder's penetration was huge and absolutely necessary. As for Lebron? It was either brass balls or two quick fouls and a twisted ankle. After a season of riding Lebron big minutes, I don't see the coaches suddenly changing policy voluntarily in the playoffs as part of a pre-planned strategy.
Not to single you out here Oi, but it is my opinion that the average poster in this thread is attributing a significantly higher percentage of the team's success on the actions of David Blatt than we might see in many areas outside of Cleveland or perhaps even the team's front office. But it's all good after a big win and 7 more wins is all that matters.
I'm not sure...
This is a team who's success in the regular season was largely attributed to a dynamic and unstoppable offense. Our defense got better as the season went on, but I think the most optimistic would have called it average.
Now we're into the third round of the playoffs missing Love and having Irving almost unable to force any semblance of dribble penetration. James' jumpshot is streaky, and he's had as many off nights as on nights.
This is a team which was regarded as having the weakest bench going into the playoffs who lacked lateral speed on the Defensive end. Even guys like Delly were expected to be exposed by the faster more athletic guards who fill the NBA.
Yet here we are, 9-2 so far in our playoff run. How did we get there? Via adjustments, and significant ones not even game to game but quarter to quarter. We have seen this team defend the pick and roll by switching, doubling, showing a high hedge, or running through or underneath, all in the same game. We've found a way to keep shooters off their spots, and trap guys who aren't particularly big threats but are poor ball handlers in the hopes of forcing mistakes. (Seriously, the way they attacked Korver in game 1 is not being appreciated nearly enough. Forcing him to put the ball on the floor was pure comedy).
And offensively? We won game 1 as you attest to JR. How about game 6 against the Bulls? Fucking Delly. Game 2 against the Bulls? Shumpert.
We've seen games where Mozgov dominates and games where he is marginalized. And we've seen a coach that had handled his minutes appropriately depending on what's happening that night. The sign to me that Blast deserves much more credit than he's getting is the fact that he is willing to make so many adjustments, even after coming off wins. He's the right blend of proactive and reactive with his lineups. And that we're getting contributions from so many players over each series is very telling.
Yes, we won in large part due to JR's performance last game, but if he hadn't stepped up, someone else likely would have. After all, Kyle Korver has to guard someone.
Blatt is handling his business, and is one key factor for our success.