Game 64 3/6/15: Cleveland at Atlanta

[godfather]

We were never good enough to win a title in LeBron James' first era, so whatever happen then is irrelevant now.

We were relevant because of how great he is, and a team that meshed really well with him. That didn't mean we had the talent to get it done though.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

They beat two shitty ass teams before they played the Magic. Come on, Mo was our second best player. No disrespect to him, but I never imagine us ever winning a title with him as our second best player.

They were a good team, that's it. Not a team that was destine to win a title. We'd have gotten smoked by the Lakers if we played them.

We tell ourselves that, to take the sting out of the Orlando loss. Truth is, the Cavs could have won titles in either '09 or '10, or both. They just didn't. Just like the Browns could have won the Super Bowl in '80, '86, or '87. They just didn't.

 

[godfather]

We tell ourselves that, to take the sting out of the Orlando loss. Truth is, the Cavs could have won titles in either '09 or '10, or both. They just didn't. Just like the Browns could have won the Super Bowl in '80, '86, or '87. They just didn't.

I have no idea why you really think that. They got beat, pretty evidently in those years.

 

[All4One1ForAll]

Don't underrate that '09 Cavs team. There's a reason we won 66 games. The team was set up so perfectly with shooters and defenders that all complimented Lebron. Honestly, I think right now they would kick our ass if we played a game against them.

 

[NorthCoastBias]

EDIT: Point was made on previous page.

 

[Pioneer10]

-Wish we had Marion for this one: would have been fun to move Lebron to PF as I think he can guard Milsap and Horford.
-Horford was a tough matchup for Moz and Tristan.
-Actually like how Love defended one on one in the second half.
-Schroder is a tough matchup with Delly. A pure scorer off the bench would have helped in this game

To counter there all 3 ball lineup, I would consider going with Lebron at the 4. This will force them to go away from that double big attack on offense or make Milsap and Horford try to defend Lebron outside. Either move would be a big positive for us.

 

[tain316]

We tell ourselves that, to take the sting out of the Orlando loss. Truth is, the Cavs could have won titles in either '09 or '10, or both. They just didn't. Just like the Browns could have won the Super Bowl in '80, '86, or '87. They just didn't.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. I mean you can say this about practically any team that goes deep in the playoffs. It doesn't change the fact that it didn't happen which is all that matters.

 

[Harley Rider]

A computer model shows the 09 team beating the 15 team in a 7 game championship series , largely because of Defense & a Much Younger Lebron

 

[Rondo]

you can tell ATL clearly scouted us and had time to prepare and we didnt. Seems like they might have exposed themselves a bit. I mean they were double teaming Kyrie in the first couple minutes of the game. No team has really done that all season. I think some of the stuff they did tonight was things that you would expect in the playoffs, not the regular season. They showed their cards too early and it will give us the advantage in the long run.

 

[Sebastian]

Would have liked the win, but meh. It's not like Atlanta isn't a great team.

On the road, crowded 10 days etc. When you have a high-milage player like LeBron, rest is a factor no matter what people say.

 

[AuxiliaryPie]

A computer model shows the 09 team beating the 15 team in a 7 game championship series , largely because of Defense & a Much Younger Lebron

i... wha...sure?

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. I mean you can say this about practically any team that goes deep in the playoffs. It doesn't change the fact that it didn't happen which is all that matters.

My point is that you that people tell themselves "It wasn't meant to be" all they want. The point is, that in almost every other city, the luck evens out. Sometimes you have bad luck and lose. Sometimes you have good luck and win. It's just that the second part is never true for NE Ohio. Unless you count the Buckeyes. Everything broke right for the Buckeyes this year, in the end. And maybe in 2003, too. The Buckeyes could have lost both championships, and it wouldn't have been because "It wasn't mean to be."

 

[Andrew]

That was a major letdown in my eyes. Wow at the lack of hustle and any sort of winning mentality in that first half. The Hawks were just getting everything they wanted, didn't help that they were getting the calls early on. Obviously, calls balanced out in the long run but they exerted so much energy to get back into the game, they were just gassed and couldn't get over the hump.


We, as fans, want the highest seed possible in the playoffs so this game had extra meaning especially when realizing the 2 teams you are virtually tied with both lost. I am starting to think the team doesn't care what seed they are, just in the top 4. It's a toss up to me, if they get the 2 seed they either get Miami or Charlotte, and Miami would be no cake walk but rather have them than Washington, even despite their recent struggles.

I think when it's all said and done, tonight's game is a preview of the conference finals. Regular seasons mean nothing when you face the same team 7 times in 10 days. Plus the officiating would be evened out and I doubt it's ISO for an entire half come a playoff game.

I am not saying Cavs will beat Hawks, but I like their chances. Regular season matchups mean very little, rather have LBJ on my side than any or all of the Hawks.

I sure hope by then Blatt makes rotations that suit the tone of the game. I mean it was stupid to rest LBJ to start the 4th with how close it was, mix it up. And for the love of the basketball gods put Perkins in when it gets testy, rather see some Hawks get some elbows in their faces for a chance.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

After seeing lebron gassed in this game I am thinking we need to prioritize him being rested for the playoffs over seeding.

It's always obvious when he is fatigued because he turns the ball over, settles, etc

 

[Tornicade]

Cavs arent gonna win any playoff series with Love taking 10 threes and one shot inside the perimeter.

You have to attack the hawks with your big men.

Atlanta shot 28% from the three. 14 turnovers from James and Irving didnt really help the cause.

Any other Market Horford is a superstar. Milsap is crafty high iq basketball player who gets the job done. Teague has matured and Korver does a bit more than just shoot threes.

These guys Are familiar with each other and have chemistry. I definitely dont see a division title game against them as a walk in the park.

Theres another level this cavs team has the capability of reaching that they havent yet. hopefully they get there by the time the playoffs come around