LeBron is good. Jesus... 37-14-12. Wow.
I'm a little concerned about the 1 v 5 offense, but at least he was catching the ball around the stripe. He can take one dribble and get to the rim. And if he settles? It's a jumper he's been knocking down all series (and it's not a long trey).
They have to play faster for the whole game. And I'd STILL move LeBron to Turkoglu. He's just too big for Delonte. Hopefully they can continue the early offense and allow LeBron to expend some energy guarding Hedo. I simply don't think they win in Orlando without a defensive switch.
Also, this whole "well, if LeBron is doing that then what can you do? we'll just shake his hand after the game" goes both ways. Yes, LeBron was insane down the stretch, scoring or assisting on Cleveland's last 31 points. And if you're Orlando, yes, you just gotta tip your hat and say good game.
But the Magic have had these moments throughout this entire series. If Mickael Pietrus keeps hitting ridiculous shots, Rafer Alston is banking treys and Dwight Howard goes 14-19 from the stripe... well, you gotta tip your hat too.
Yes, the Cavs "barely" won with James going nuts down the stretch. But the Magic dropped 17 treys in Game 4 and had to win in overtime. These games have all been really close! These are both really really good teams!! It's going to take an extraordinary effort to advance to the NBA Finals.
Things feel a bit better, right? You believe they got a shot in Game 6, no? Before the series started, if I had asked you if you thougth the Cavs would have to win a road game to move on, you probably would've agreed, no? The Cavs were going to have to win a game in Orlando to get to the Finals.
Now, they've got no choice.
7 comments:
LeBron James is so absurdly awesome.Can't believe we're losing this series while he's having one of the best postseasons ever.
I'm pretty fearful the role players won't show up on the road, but that could just be the NE Ohioan in me. If just Mo shows up we would probably be OK though.
Here's hoping Delonte's ok. Windhorst reported he has a hip pointer, which has slowed him down periodically throughout his career. Figures this happens after he's been playing pretty well lately (outside of that corner three spot).
Delonte might sleep for about a week once the season ends. Roker absolutely plays him to death. I guess that's what happens when there is no one else on the roster who can replicate what Delonte does, even for short stretches.
Still, Delonte and Mo both had good games, and the Cavs won. There is a definite cause-and-effect.
LeBron is so incredible, I don't think he needs a ton of help to win these last two games. But he needs SOME. One guy to get 20 and make some clutch buckets down the stretch. Mo has been the missing X-factor. If he starts coming through down the stretches of games, the Cavs are going to be in great shape.
This is the eastern conference finals...you are going to have to win a road game in the NBA playoffs once you get to the deeper rounds...not sure why you would have thought each series would be won in 7 games with the Cavs not having to win one game on the road.
I agree with you guys, Lebron is the MAN
i think you read his post wrong lenny, he was saying that we have to win a game on the road at some point to advance to the finals. It just happens that we have to do it in an elimination game...cavs will be fine.
Ya, just reread it again, my fault...
Go Cavs- See you in Cleveland Monday.
Ya, I figured they'd have to win a game in Orlando to advance anyways, so here we go.
At the end of the day, the Magic stole Game 1 and the Cavs have spent the rest of the series trying to climb out of that hole.
I think Gibson is gonna have to play- he at least has the moxie to step up in big games.
I think that the Magic are fixated on stopping our 1 v 5 with LBJ at the line/elbow.. this is their first foray into the world of adjustments... We MUST stay with them in the first half.
Some ideas: Post Z up, drive at Howard as if he had 4 or 5 fouls the entire game, Let Delonte post up Alston, keep the pace up, call time outs when we have some stretches where we get bad offensive possessions, simply get hands in 3 point shooter faces........
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