June 04, 2007

Cavaliers 0: - Spurs 0

Conference Final Results:
Spurs 4 - Utah 1
Cavaliers 4 - Pistons 2





posted by lilnemo to basketball at 06:41 PM - 30 comments

Dear god these playoff's never end...

posted by Drood at 04:23 AM on June 05, 2007

Well now i may actually watch the finals if it was detroit-san antonio i would have just skipped it this year.

posted by livewire at 07:11 AM on June 05, 2007

lABRON, LABRON, LABRON, LABRON, LABRON, LABRON, spurs, LABRON,LABRON,LABRON. Has the NBA ever heard of overkill?

posted by Rattler's 76 at 07:59 AM on June 05, 2007

I could've sworn his name was LeBron. When did he change it?

posted by BornIcon at 08:08 AM on June 05, 2007

Wow we waited almost three weeks for all of that Rattler. You may want to check these out, they are here so that we all can enjoy the site.

posted by jojomfd1 at 08:14 AM on June 05, 2007

The Magic can still come back. Goooooo Magic!

posted by LostInDaJungle at 09:45 AM on June 05, 2007

Spurs in 6 - Lebron makes it interesting. And we should all thank the sweet basketball Jesus that he prevented an ungodly Pistons Spurs match-up. I'll watch it now.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:09 AM on June 05, 2007

The Pistons vs Spurs match up would've been one for the ages. With LeBron and his Cavs in the Finals, it'll be good for the league as far as bringing in money and making the transition with LeBron as the face of the NBA. The problem is, I can give the Cavs a pretty decent chance of beating the Spurs since no one actually thought they would beat the Pistons and we all know what happened there. Having the Pistons vs Spurs would've been just as good considering these are 2 of the 3 teams that have been on top of the NBA for the past few years (the Heat being the third). The only thing is waiting 5 days for the Finals to actually be played. It's just way too long to have these games played.

posted by BornIcon at 11:18 AM on June 05, 2007

The Pistons vs Spurs match up would've been one for the ages. I can't imagine a more boring match-up. I'm so glad it didn't happen. At least with LeBron playing, we might end up seeing something spectacular. Of course, with Bowen covering LeBron, we might just see what other dirty trick Bowen has up his sleeves.

posted by bperk at 11:25 AM on June 05, 2007

lABRON, LABRON, LABRON, LABRON, LABRON, LABRON, spurs, LABRON,LABRON,LABRON. Has the NBA ever heard of overkill? Have you?

posted by tommybiden at 12:58 PM on June 05, 2007

Of course, with Bowen covering LeBron, we might just see what other dirty trick Bowen has up his sleeves. I don't think Bowen can cover him. LeBron is about 40 pounds heavier, has a few inches and is faster to boot. No - I think the only person who stops LeBron is LeBron. Unless Bowen does his patented undercut on a perimeter jumper and injures his ankle. But the rest of the Cavs just don't cut it. I can't believe how badly the Pistons imploded at the first sign of resistence. I really was surprised. They're a much better team than the Cavs up and down the lineup. Frankly - there is no way they should have lost like that.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:43 PM on June 05, 2007

Obviously, there was a way for Detroit to lose the series. The Pistons under estimated the rest of the cavaliers; so Gibson hits 31 pts. All season teams thought to double Lebron was the answer; and they paid the price. The Cavs have alot of talent; it's just young talent or players that did'nt fit the scheme on the previous teams they were with. Like Z, when the Spurs tried to slow Lebron with dubbs, Z hit 23 pts while two other Cavs hit high double digits. The Pistons are not a better team up and down the line; show me stats and I'll show you the inconsistencies. Also, before anyone starts dropping names; players names don't matter when you're down on the scoreboard.

posted by fourthreeforty at 03:14 PM on June 05, 2007

Lets see;Wings lose in six,Pistons lose in six,now the Tigers can lose their playoffs in six and my goddamn year will be complete.( And don't even suggest the Tigers won't make the playoffs).

posted by sickleguy at 03:53 PM on June 05, 2007

The Cav's have a legitimate shot here....alot of people underestimated them before and paid...aka Detroit! Also keep in mind the cavs beat the spurs two out of two this season, so they can compete with them. The only thing not in their favor is homecourt advantage...so I say if they can win one in san antonio, this have the potential to be a very exciting series. Be happy for any Cleveland sports program...we are due!

posted by brownindian at 04:05 PM on June 05, 2007

The Pistons are not a better team up and down the line; show me stats and I'll show you the inconsistencies. You got it backwards there, Hoss. You're the one who wants to prove the point, you go get the stats. Unless, of course, the stats don't say what you want them to.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:23 PM on June 05, 2007

Thank you Cavs for beating the Pistons (avenging the Bulls ha ha ha!) and keeping the finals from being the lowest rated event on TV. I could'nt stand watching it a couple years back.

posted by TelamarketersBeware at 04:41 PM on June 05, 2007

My point was proven when the Cavs spanked the Pistons four straight. All the non-believers, who after the fact try to say the Pistons are the better team, show me. Try this stat: Cavs 4 - Pistons 2. The all powerful, "better team" up and down Pistons. If it were just one game during the regular season; ok the Cavs got "lucky". But, four straight from being two down in the"playoffs"; the time of the season when "the great teams up and down RISE UP to claim victory. No Hoss, you show me. Give credit, lick your wounds, move on. Tune in Thursday @9:00 p.m. est to watch the saga continue.

posted by fourthreeforty at 05:06 PM on June 05, 2007

We'll see how talkative you are once the Cavs get bounced in five.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:38 PM on June 05, 2007

I'm just asking for the credit due the Cavs without all the excuses; Billups finger was hurting, the Pistons just had an off series, there's no way they should have lost, if coulda woulda. You all know it, like I know it; four straight was very impressive. This Cavs team that most refuse to give it's due; played the same amount of regular season games as the Pistons and Spurs etc....., and have done the things necessary to go to the finals i.e....score more points than the other team and be ahead on the scoreboard when time runs out. I'm a fan for life, I live and die with Cleveland teams. If the Cavs go down in five; I'll take on the chin. (Or) I'll talk about how: Lebron had a cold, the refs sided with Duncan, there's no way the Spurs should have won, the basket at the Cavs end of the court looked alitte warped (give me a break). Even Duncan himself gave Cleveland the credit for the two regular seasons wins; and noted that this team has grown up. Duncan also said, that they will have to give attention to the whole squad not just Lebron.

posted by fourthreeforty at 07:49 PM on June 05, 2007

The Cav's have a legitimate shot here....alot of people underestimated them before and paid...aka Detroit! A few reasons I like the Spurs: 1) Duncan. He's easily a better inside defender than any of the Pistons. Plus, he's not super chaotic and will yell REDRUM drawing a double technical when you're still in the game and your team needs you (This is the only area I don't Cavs credit far. He's fuckin insane and needs some bloody anger management classes). 2) Coaching. Pop > Flip. It's not even close. I just don't see Brown being able to mentally keep up with Pop. In the previous series, Saunders didn't do the best job coaching and Brown didn't overthink it. He had his team continue to play stifling defense and and let LB win the games. 3) PG play. IF Parker doesn't loose all his ability to play and throw away the ball for unimaginable reasons, the Spurs win. If the Cavs can rattle Parker like a vaunted certain PG in the previous series, then the Cavs have a chance. If Parker's on like he has been the past few series, I don't see the Cavs having a chance. This is an area I'm not sure about- I think the Cavs did a great job on Billups annoying him with those double teams early in the series. Even when they stopped doubling later in the series, it looked like he was trying to play .5 second too fast with the potential double in the back of his mind. I think Parker's more illusive and has the ability to score off the double, but we'll see.

posted by jmd82 at 08:51 PM on June 05, 2007

What happened to TEAM? LeBron is a one man show. I can't deny his greatness, but even Jordan had Pippen, Grant and Kerr. Why all the Spurs haters in the media? There's a reason they've won 3 Championships. When are they going to get credit for being a great NBA TEAM?

posted by opt2003 at 10:14 PM on June 05, 2007

They're a much better team than the Cavs up and down the lineup. Frankly - there is no way they should have lost like that. Yes they should have. Know why? Two words: Flip Saunders

posted by brainofdtrain at 10:19 PM on June 05, 2007

Fourthreeforty, you should get yourself to Las Vegas. The San Antonio Spurs are a 1 to 5 favourite to win the series, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are paying a massive 3.75 to 1. For those unsure how to read those figures: You risk $5 to win $1 on the Spurs. You win $3.75 for every $1 you risk on the Cavs. It's a lot of juice, but I think the smart money will be on Tim, Tony, and the rest of Pops' gang.

posted by tommybiden at 10:21 PM on June 05, 2007

opt to say that LJ is a one man team makes me think you only saw one game of that last series. You may want to check out the box scores from game four and game six. Of course he is going to out score the other players on the team more often than not. That is why they pay him that much more( and other reasons too.) 4340, it is nice to finally have a cleveland team in the finals again(Tribe WS 1997.) It is even better since it is the Cavs first appearance there ever, but come on man! Act like we've been there before. The Spurs are no joke in the playoffs, yes the Cavs beat them twice this year, but that was how long ago now? I would love to see LeBron and the rest of the team win it all too. But if that is not to be, at least lets see a good series! I would just hate to see you have to eat crow for the next five years, simply due to a couple of threads here on spofi!

posted by jojomfd1 at 01:05 AM on June 06, 2007

..."Also keep in mind the cavs beat the spurs two out of two this season, so they can compete with them." I think the Spurs have improved some since their last Cleveland defeat on Jan. 2nd. Best record in the NBA since the All Star break.

posted by Newbie Walker at 01:38 AM on June 06, 2007

I would just hate to see you have to eat crow for the next five years, simply due to a couple of threads here on spofi! D'oh! Too late.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:13 AM on June 06, 2007

I've been eating crow for along time now cheering for Cleveland teams. The Cavs are on the brink of ending the drought; so I think I'll take some gravy with my crow. Next season win, lose or draw; I'll be right back on the saddle. Until then, Black_Hand pass the gravy please. TOMMYTRUMP, I'VE ALREADY DROPPED "5K" ON THE CAVS TO WIN THE SERIES! I got it to burn. Let it roll. Come strong or don't come at all. Shhhhh! Don't tell my wife. I luv you guys; this site always makes my day. Be safe all. Have a pleasant day and a even better tomorrow. (I just made that up. Really I did.)

posted by fourthreeforty at 08:07 AM on June 06, 2007

Yes they should have. Know why? Two words: Flip Saunders
This is absolutely true. It is possible for a team to look better on paper but get trounced because of bad coaching. Saunders ostensibly benched Maxiell after their 2 wins and gave some of his minutes to Nazr Mohammed. Let me repeat that. Nazr Mohammed. Flip also went to the zone a bit too often, which seemed to mess up their man-to-man assignments. Kevin Arnovitz has a good breakdown over at Clipperblog.
No ones arguing that the Cavs didn't deserve to win. Nobody is saying that the Cavs didn't earn their berth into the Finals. But we are saying that the Pistons did not play up to their potential (which is always sad to see). That may not have mattered, as well as the Cavs have played of late, but it was noticeable and therefore worthy of comment. Having said that, congrats to the Cavs and their fans.

posted by lilnemo at 01:10 PM on June 06, 2007

Another brilliant decision by Saunders. When the Pistons were down going into the fourth quarter of game six their guards were Flip Murray and Lindsay Hunter. Never mind the fact that the Piston's starting guards are both All-Stars and the team is on the brink of elimination. I cannot believe Saunders will be back for another season.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:06 PM on June 06, 2007

Let me repeat that. Nazr Mohammed. Frickin Nazr started for the Hawks. *cries* I agree with the Maxiell point. He brought that extra oomph and energy to the Pistons dearly lacking otherwise.

posted by jmd82 at 07:08 PM on June 06, 2007

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