ECF: Cavs 4 - Hawks 0

[Sticker114]

So the Atlanta forum is making me wish I was still reading the Bulls Realgm. Absolutely no bball content to be found in any of their posts


Anyways, I do see this series as being close, probly 6-7 games. We played our best playoff defense against a Bulls team that had Noah on the floor for the better part of the game. We were basically defending 5 on 4. Our defense has to step up a notch. That said, the Hawks only have one quality shot creator (sorry schroeder) as compared to the Bulls having two. Shump will be fully committed to making life hell for Teague. Defense should really be able to tighten up and not require a ton of help rotations. Then again, Kyrie, if hobbled, will be harder to hide on defense against this team. Even with his recent shooting, I still like Korver to be more lethal on offense than Dunleavy. But once again, the series boils down to the Hawks answer to Lebron. Short and sweet, Carroll is not as good a defender as Butler, nor is he anywhere close to the scorer Butler is (No, his 25pts last game doesn't count for shit). In summation, LeBron has a slightly easier time on the offensive end, and he gets to save energy on defense. Don't expect to see the same struggles from the Lebron like in the Chicago series. Expect a full-on, rape-and-pillage, drink-the-blood-of-his-enemies Lebron

 

[QuadrupleDouble]

Dunleavy is and has always been a Cavs killer. I don't know why but I always feel he's laying cheap shots and hitting shots out of his mind against us.

I expect Korver to give the same production as Dunleavy without the flailing acting for foul calls, the purposeful cheap shots that look innocent (he backed into an undercut on Thompson on that big foul, I'm just saying he's always somehow involved).

I don't expect the Hawks to try to out-tough or muscle us, and that's going to be their downfall. Cavs just came out of two very physical series. They're bruised and battered for it, but they've also had to show a lot more grit than the Hawks have had to.

Hawks are about to face some diversity, and they're not going to be mentally prepared or talented enough to overcome it. I'm excited and scared to see what Blat throws at them.

 

[brownindian]

Atlanta can be a problem if they start making the shots. I know they have not been at their offensive best but they can be lethal if those shots go in and they start gaining confidence. Plus the HAwks seem relatively healthier overall than the Cavs. As long as we dont get unlucky and do not underestimate them, We will be good.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Atlanta can be a problem if they start making the shots. I know they have not been at their offensive best but they can be lethal if those shots go in and they start gaining confidence. Plus the HAwks seem relatively healthier overall than the Cavs. As long as we dont get unlucky and do not underestimate them, We will be good.

That's what I worry most about - the Hawks getting hot from 3 and turning into 2009 Orlando Redux. I don't think their shooters are on steroids, though, and I don't think Horford sets as many moving screens as Dwight. I also think that Kyrie has a bigger ball-sac than Mo, JR isn't *quite* as crazy as Delonte, Mozzy's a better defender than Z, Shump can do more than Boobie, and Delly can do more than Wally. So, we're facing a less-dirty team with a better team. Only advantages that team had were a 24yo LeBron and more front-court depth, with Smith and Wallace. If TT and Moz get in trouble, we've the corpse of Kendrick Perkins, and that's about it...

 

[Scholar]

So, following recent history, when does Horford have his yearly pectoral injury?

 

[Tornicade]

They keep talking on the radio about how the Hawks have no superstars.. They do have 4 all stars so its not exactly a case of guys playing above their talent. It just shows you can rebuild a team into a better team without blowing it up or fishing the NBA lottery.

I have concerns about Milsap applying his vetran wiles on Thompson as he has done in the past.

I also have concerns about Korver coming in cold from the arc as one would think he would start hitting those shots at some point.

Horford and mozgov will be interesting matchup but i wouldnt be surprised to see the Cavs go small with Thompson on Horford and lebron on Milsap and the Cavs bringing in Shumpert or smith for carrol. I really Hope Irving is mobile enough to defend because there is nowhere to hide him against the hawks

Schroder and Bazemore are dangerous off the bench we will eed the bench to play like they did in game 6 every game on the defensive end

 

[aldamon]

Is there a remote chance we can watch this series and not completely despise the other team as fans, get into provoked fights on the court, or lose players to cheap shot injuries? Could do with a clean series while we advance handily. Just good basketball please.

 

[Mdog1]

I see Atlanta as a giant threat. If we had KL, and a healthy KI, my tune would be the exaxt opposite. I just don't feel good about this one.

We have the best player in the series, by far, hopefully that counts for something. If we get into a physical series I think it favours us, if it's a clean series with tight whistles, it favours them. Prove me wrong team, go Cavs.

 

[gigabyte056]

This is a series between two distinct styles, Hawks are an assist based team, the cavs are a hero based team, it might be LBJ, Kyrie or even Del.
Both teams aren't top scorers, botי are under a 100 (99.8 ATL vs 99.6 for the cavs)

Add into the mix that this is the first time this set of players (Hawks) are in the ECF and we have a fighting chance.

Just need to split in ATL,do that and we can break them early on, it is up to our guys to break them, and I believe we can.

 

[Gus Zing]

I see Atlanta as a giant threat. If we had KL, and a healthy KI, my tune would be the exaxt opposite. I just don't feel good about this one.

We have the best player in the series, by far, hopefully that counts for something. If we get into a physical series I think it favours us, if it's a clean series with tight whistles, it favours them. Prove me wrong team, go Cavs.

We do. But he really needs to play like it and then some.
Where we could beat the Bulls with LeBron shooting 40% and doing other things. I think he's going to need to be more efficient and score more this series and hopefully the finals.

We need 50% from the floor 29 to 30 pts a game LeBron.

For his career. He usually dominates in the ECF. His only off year was last year.

He should be due for a better shooting series. I hope so.

 

[Tornicade]

This is a series between two distinct styles, Hawks are an assist based team, the cavs are a hero based team, it might be LBJ, Kyrie or even Del.
Both teams aren't top scorers, bot are under a 100 (99.8 ATL vs 99.6 for the cavs)

Add into the mix that this is the first time this set of players (Hawks) are in the ECF and we have a fighting chance.

Just need to split in ATL,do that and we can break them early on, it is up to our guys to break them, and I believe we can.

Cavs have been attacking the boards as a team on both sides of the court. James and Irving (before he got hobbled) were working on a nice double attack PNR that was simply viscous.

Weve seen lebron in the Chicago series have a 38% usage with a 46.9 Assist percentage. Absolutely amazing numbers.

Cavs have the best point guard in the league and it isnt Kyrie Irving.

its a bt more than "hero" ball although James can sometimes get himself in trouble when he gets over assertive.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Is there a remote chance we can watch this series and not completely despise the other team as fans, get into provoked fights on the court, or lose players to cheap shot injuries? Could do with a clean series while we advance handily. Just good basketball please.

One hopes. It would also be nice if we could watch a series where the refs and the media don't slobber over the other team.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Cavs have been attacking the boards as a team on both sides of the court. James and Irving (before he got hobbled) were working on a nice double attack PNR that was simply viscous.

Weve seen lebron in the Chicago series have a 38% usage with a 46.9 Assist percentage. Absolutely amazing numbers.

Cavs have the best point guard in the league and it isnt Kyrie Irving.

its a bt more than "hero" ball although James can sometimes get himself in trouble when he gets over assertive.

Turnover percentage was also high, I imagine. Though he cleaned it up in his last two games.

 

[Tornicade]

One hopes. It would also be nice if we could watch a series where the refs and the media don't slobber over the other team.

Your gonna se a 180 on the Hawks coverage if they are remotely competitive let alone get a win in game 1. Budenhulzer will be the golden child and the 4 all stars will get praised for anything positive they do against the two superstars.

Cavs meanwhile if they come out and dominate will get little to no credit as the media will diminish Atlanta's Talent and point out that They thought this was a pretender team all along.

T

 

[mhi]

I really Hope Irving is mobile enough to defend because there is nowhere to hide him against the hawks

My one concern going into this series. Caroll or Korver, if he stays cold, are your only two options. The latter is just asking for trouble.