Open Discussion (Cavs + related issues)

[Derek]

Agreed. That's why I don't quite understand those who predict that a worse Raptors team that took us to 6 games last year is going to get swept this year.

I think the Raptors were not only better last year, but they were also playing above their heads against us.

Cavs in 4

 

[cavsfever]

Don't forget also that Jonas Valuncianis was hurt last year, healthy this year. If you think of them losing just Biyombo and adding a healthy JV, Tucker, Ibaka then on paper they are a lot more talented

I do think we will take them more seriously this year. I think they won the two against us after we had handled them easily at home and then let our guard down. But still, doubt this one will be easy at all.

In fact, if we win this one, especially in less than 7, I will be pretty confident that we're going to the Finals.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I think the Raptors were not only better last year, but they were also playing above their heads against us.

What does that phrase even mean? People use it all the time, but I've never quite understood it in the context of basketball unless you're talking about a particular player getting crazy hot and shooting way above his career average. But in a six-game series? They played that well because they were capable of playing that well. Heck, if anything, Lowry's terrible performance in that series was the biggest statistical anomaly.

Or to put it differently, why aren't they just as capable of "playing over their heads" this year as they were last year?

 

[Derek]

What does that phrase even mean? People use it all the time, but I've never quite understood it in the context of basketball unless you're talking about a particular player getting crazy hot and shooting way above his career average. But in a six-game series? They played that well because they were capable of playing that well. Heck, if anything, Lowry's terrible performance in that series was the biggest statistical anomaly.

Or to put it differently, why aren't they just as capable of "playing over their heads" this year as they were last year?

I thought, in the games we lost at Toronto, they made a lot of shots they don't normally make. Their shooting percentages on contested midrange shots was through the roof in those two losses.

They are definitely capable of playing over their heads again, but the odds are against that.

 

[godfather]

If Lowry's back is not right, that could be a big deal. He played well in game 5, but he wasn't featured that much and was playing off everyone else.

He won't able to just do that against us. We're not the Bucks.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

If Lowry's back is not right, that could be a big deal. He played well in game 5, but he wasn't featured that much and was playing off everyone else.

He won't able to just do that against us. We're not the Bucks.

On the other hand, we're guarding him with Kyrie....

 

[Nphan]

They can't be us in a 7 game series.

 

[godfather]

On the other hand, we're guarding him with Kyrie....

I'm not as worried about Kyrie guarding Lowry, if he's healthy. Guards like Lowry don't give him as much issues as the faster point guards like Teague and Wall.

I'm not suggesting Kyrie will shut him down, or won't have bad defensive moments against him. He had inconsistent results against him last year. But overall, was okay IMO. Lowry had a few good games, but those games he was just red hot.

 

[bigfoot5415]

They can't be us in a 7 game series.

At the end of the day, this is all that matters.

Anyone think Bos/Chi will atleast make the Wiz series competitive?

 

[Real Deal]

 

[wuck]

Tristan entirely focused on singing along more than that machine.

Felder looks like he needs a kid-size version.

 

[czvo]

The one big thing that Biyombo did though was rebound, and that's where he really neutralized (and honestly outplayed) Tristan.

Ibaka is not nearly the problem on the glass that Biyombo was. In fact, he's subpar. I believe he's somebody we can exploit rather than someone we should fear.

I just can't agree with this at all. As good as Biyombo was defensively, he could be totally ignored on offense. You can't do the same to Ibaka. He is so much tougher to gameplan for than Biyombo.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

At the end of the day, this is all that matters.

Anyone think Bos/Chi will atleast make the Wiz series competitive?

The Wizards are in trouble. They are getting nothing outside of Wall/Beal/Porter. Atlanta has been scoring at will for the last 3 games.

Atlanta is very capable of stealing that series.

 

[bigfoot5415]

The Wizards are in trouble. They are getting nothing outside of Wall/Beal/Porter. Atlanta has been scoring at will for the last 3 games.

Atlanta is very capable of stealing that series.

I haven't watched more than game 4, but I can only hope lol.

 

[ACisKING]

Tristan entirely focused on singing along more than that machine.

Felder looks like he needs a kid-size version.

I forgot Felder was still a Cavalier.