NBA Finals: Spurs vs. Cavs

[skippy3481]

No bowen wont cover lebron... hell just be trailing him when he blows by. lebron is the type of person that bowen cannot lock down. I think the spurs are a better team, but being a betting man, I'll take the 7.5 points in game 1.

Originally Posted by skippy3481

No bowen wont cover lebron... hell just be trailing him when he blows by. lebron is the type of person that bowen cannot lock down. I think the spurs are a better team, but being a betting man, I'll take the 7.5 points in game 1.

Bowen has not really shut down any of the players I mentioned. He just makes them work... constantly. He is aggravating. I cant think of another player I would rather have on Lebron. Bowen does not have to worry about offense like others who are assigned to cover the stars. Lebron will get points. Many. Just got to make him work his tail off.

I guarantee you Lebron will not get two straight dunks going the same way in the last 50 seconds of a game though. You will not see the Spurs all staring each other "who was supposed to help" like Detroit. He will have to go to the line. He will be met before he goes airborne in the last 50 seconds. That was absolutley horrible team defense by Detroit in the last part of regulation of game 5.

Lebron is way too strong for Bowen to handle alone. Alone... who can handle him alone? I would not be suprised to see Parker pester him out high occasionally if he brings the ball up at the end of a game. Detroit had no speed to stay with him and at least pester. The Spurs do.

[horseofcourse]

I am a Cav homer so temper these comments...but 3 years ago, the Pistons were supposedly to be absolutely zero match for the Lakers, and the Lakers were extremely lucky to win the one game they did. The next year the Pistons took the Spurs to game 7 and last year, the Heat beat the Mavs in 6. For a supposedly way overmatched conference the East I would say has held their own in the finals.

What is always overlooked by everyone is how well the Cavs play defense. Brown is a Popovich disciple and that is what Brown bashers completely overlook which is how significantly the team's defense has improved since Brown took over the job. It is all about the defense with him, and the criticism he takes on here is unconscionable as he has the team in the finals for the first time in the 37 year history of the team. In 16 playoff games, only 1 time has a team reached 100 points against them in regulation...the Wizards in game 2. They play defense, they rebound and they will have the best player in the gym. I will be absolutely shocked if they get swept as some are suggesting.

I'll concede when the Spurs beat them 4 times!!

[alysheba4]

spurs in 4, hell i will be surprised if any game is close. garden said it about bowen....... he makes you work to GET the basketball, it wont be that olay crap the pistons showed.

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Originally Posted by horseofcourse

I am a Cav homer so temper these comments...but 3 years ago, the Pistons were supposedly to be absolutely zero match for the Lakers, and the Lakers were extremely lucky to win the one game they did. The next year the Pistons took the Spurs to game 7 and last year, the Heat beat the Mavs in 6. For a supposedly way overmatched conference the East I would say has held their own in the finals.

What is always overlooked by everyone is how well the Cavs play defense. Brown is a Popovich disciple and that is what Brown bashers completely overlook which is how significantly the team's defense has improved since Brown took over the job. It is all about the defense with him, and the criticism he takes on here is unconscionable as he has the team in the finals for the first time in the 37 year history of the team. In 16 playoff games, only 1 time has a team reached 100 points against them in regulation...the Wizards in game 2. They play defense, they rebound and they will have the best player in the gym. I will be absolutely shocked if they get swept as some are suggesting.

I'll concede when the Spurs beat them 4 times!!

Detroit was supposed to beat the Spurs. They had taken out the "mighty" injured Shaq Lakers that took the Spurs out the year before.

No way the Spurs beat them in 4 straight imo.

And EGAN was the key coach brought from the Spurs for Cleveland's defense. As I already mentioned, Egan helped Popovich a great deal with their defensive philosophy given the new rules. Cleveland plays a very good help rotating defense.

Spurs are happy Cleveland ended it early. Not as long a wait. The Worry is rust. The Spurs were playing top notch, and 8 days off is not relished. The team was told to take the first two days off. Bowen was working out. I wonder if Pop has found this out as he has planned hard practices.

[skippy3481]

You have to remember the cavs have already beat the spurs twice this year, once in SA. True it was not the playoffs, but still lends creedence to the fact that the cavs can play with them. Bowen makes you work, but thats never been lebrons problem. The closer you play up on him, the easier it is for him to go by you.

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Spurs in 4.

I cant see The Spurs sweeping the Cavs. The Spurs really have no answer for LeBron. Then again, the Cavs have no answer for Duncan. Both teams play good defense, but The Spurs offense is a little better. I do think The Spurs will win the series. In the finals it is 2-3-2. The Cavs held The Spurs to 81 and 78 pts during the regular season and beat them both times.

Originally Posted by skippy3481

You have to remember the cavs have already beat the spurs twice this year, once in SA. True it was not the playoffs, but still lends creedence to the fact that the cavs can play with them. Bowen makes you work, but thats never been lebrons problem. The closer you play up on him, the easier it is for him to go by you.

I think Bowen, Parker, Ginobili are much faster than any of Detroit's Defenders. So Lebron starting from halfcourt dribbling all the way to the hole is much more difficult. The Cavs other players will have to pull some Gibson like nights.

All the Spurs have ever tried to do is make great offensive players work. What more can you do? The more Lebron dribbles, the better. He will get tired just like any mortal. Bowen has always covered the best players, every night. The key is he never gives up, even if he is lit up. He is as mentally tough as they come. He will make dribbling hard.
Bowen is no match for Lebron physically as he was not for Carmello. So he tries to make them dribble. And Lebron will not dribble casually by Parker like he did Billups when they brought Billups out high to make Lebron work more.

Again, two dribble drive dunks in the last 50 seconds of a game is inexcusable when the a team is actually trying to stop the opponent, not just let them dunk because the game is over. That wont happen with the Spurs.

But the nation will be rooting for the Cavs. I would too. I have been a San Antonio fan since their first season in the ABA so I will not. If the Spurs have to lose to a team, I would like it to be a team with a kid like Lebron, and a San Antonio coaching staff. And an ex-UT player Gibson (who I did not think would make it in the NBA)

[Cannon Shell]

Spurs are far from a dominant team. They are a good team and a deserving favorite but hardly unbeatable. The x factor is of course Duncan. Cleveland has a matchup problem there because Duncan can step back and shoot that little bank shot that most big men cant. Parker must be controlled and with Hughes hobbling and Gibson's defense suspect he can be a problem also. LeBron certainly will be a problem for the Spurs because Bowen is overmatched and will be in foul trouble early which forces SA to double. The reason why NBA teams dont double much is it leaves guys wide open and even average players like Gooden can hit wide open 15 footers all night. What SA has that Detroit lacked is poise. Cleveland has virtually no experienced playoff hardend guys with the exception of Snow who is too much of an offensive liability (sorry Morty/Hal) to play more than a few minutes. Clveland will need to dominate the boards and limit SA's second chance points to win games. They must also limit the secondary break and keep Finley and Ginobilli from getting out in transition where they excel. Cleveland must try to turn the games into physical, grinding games because they dont have the transition type players that can keep up with SA. I think SA will win the series but I dont think it will be easy.

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Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Spurs are far from a dominant team. They are a good team and a deserving favorite but hardly unbeatable. The x factor is of course Duncan. Cleveland has a matchup problem there because Duncan can step back and shoot that little bank shot that most big men cant. Parker must be controlled and with Hughes hobbling and Gibson's defense suspect he can be a problem also. LeBron certainly will be a problem for the Spurs because Bowen is overmatched and will be in foul trouble early which forces SA to double. The reason why NBA teams dont double much is it leaves guys wide open and even average players like Gooden can hit wide open 15 footers all night. What SA has that Detroit lacked is poise. Cleveland has virtually no experienced playoff hardend guys with the exception of Snow who is too much of an offensive liability (sorry Morty/Hal) to play more than a few minutes. Clveland will need to dominate the boards and limit SA's second chance points to win games. They must also limit the secondary break and keep Finley and Ginobilli from getting out in transition where they excel. Cleveland must try to turn the games into physical, grinding games because they dont have the transition type players that can keep up with SA. I think SA will win the series but I dont think it will be easy.

I agree with most of this. When the Spurs beat the Knicks in 1999, I knew there was no way for the Knicks to score against Robinson and Duncan. This was a far more dominant team than this Spurs team.
I knew the Spurs would have very little difficulty with the Nets in 2003. Detroit in 2005, we took it from them in the last 4 minutes of game 7. It was Detroit's series and we took it from them.

The point not mentioned above is that the Spurs are much quicker on Defense than Detroit. Much more. Passing lanes that were open against Detroit for Lebron will close up much quicker. Cleveland knows this. Brown knows this. Another factor is the Spurs are much longer than Detroit inside. Elson, Horry, and Duncan are all very long armed. They can block shots without having to time a jump. Horry is especially valuable in this respect.

If Cleveland makes too many turnovers, they will get blown out because the Spurs have much more speed on the break than Detroit. If Cleveland gets this thing halfcourt without making turnovers, we will have a series. If Parker and Ginobili play well in either case, the Spurs will roll. If Parker drives and hits the 17 foot jumper consistently, and Ginobili hits his 3's and plays his instinctive defense, its the Spurs easily.

Anyways I am happy the city of Cleveland has some relief from their depressing run. This city loves their teams. Very loyal group.
And of course if I make it up to Saratoga if Sumwon runs, I will bring everyone Spurs hats as I know they will be thrilled to wear such attire.

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I agree with most of this. When the Spurs beat the Knicks in 1999, I knew there was no way for the Knicks to score against Robinson and Duncan. This was a far more dominant team than this Spurs team.
I knew the Spurs would have very little difficulty with the Nets in 2003. Detroit in 2005, we took it from them in the last 4 minutes of game 7. It was Detroit's series and we took it from them.

The point not mentioned above is that the Spurs are much quicker on Defense than Detroit. Much more. Passing lanes that were open against Detroit for Lebron will close up much quicker. Cleveland knows this. Brown knows this. Another factor is the Spurs are much longer than Detroit inside. Elson, Horry, and Duncan are all very long armed. They can block shots without having to time a jump. Horry is especially valuable in this respect.

If Cleveland makes too many turnovers, they will get blown out because the Spurs have much more speed on the break than Detroit. If Cleveland gets this thing halfcourt without making turnovers, we will have a series. If Parker and Ginobili play well in either case, the Spurs will roll. If Parker drives and hits the 17 foot jumper consistently, and Ginobili hits his 3's and plays his instinctive defense, its the Spurs easily.

Anyways I am happy the city of Cleveland has some relief from their depressing run. This city loves their teams. Very loyal group.
And of course if I make it up to Saratoga if Sumwon runs, I will bring everyone Spurs hats as I know they will be thrilled to wear such attire.

Parker is the guy that worries me the most. I think he is their biggest matchup problem. Billups really wasn't a problem for them to cover. With Hughes and his foot ailing a bit....I think that is worrisome as Parker has about 8 more gears than Billups...and I'm not sure about Gibson on Parker either. Duncan is Duncan. They won't stop him but I think they are big enough inside to manage defensively. Parker scares the life out of me and what they'll do to contain him. Kidd and Billups are good, but speed wise...they are not Parker or even close.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Spurs in 5.

Why?

Because, quite frankly, Stephen A. Smith says so.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Spurs in 5.

Why?

Because, quite frankly, Stephen A. Smith says so.

Steven A. Smith also said any self respecting black man should root for Tyson over Evander Holyfield in their first match up... Explaination implied Tyson has suffered the true life of many black men.

I wonder if he remembers that little statement. Kiss of death for the Spurs.

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

Parker is the guy that worries me the most. I think he is their biggest matchup problem. Billups really wasn't a problem for them to cover. With Hughes and his foot ailing a bit....I think that is worrisome as Parker has about 8 more gears than Billups...and I'm not sure about Gibson on Parker either. Duncan is Duncan. They won't stop him but I think they are big enough inside to manage defensively. Parker scares the life out of me and what they'll do to contain him. Kidd and Billups are good, but speed wise...they are not Parker or even close.

Tony Parker is actually slower than he used to be. He has really been beaten up. But he still is blazing fast. The big difference is he has become a finisher. When he drives he now finishes... gets fouled, scores, or both. When he was really fast he could not do that. And then when the drives work and the jumper is on, he is very hard to stop. Cleveland must close the lane and make him hit the 17 foot jumper.

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Spurs in 4.

Originally Posted by pgardn

Detroit was supposed to beat the Spurs. They had taken out the "mighty" injured Shaq Lakers that took the Spurs out the year before.

No way the Spurs beat them in 4 straight imo.

And EGAN was the key coach brought from the Spurs for Cleveland's defense. As I already mentioned, Egan helped Popovich a great deal with their defensive philosophy given the new rules. Cleveland plays a very good help rotating defense.

Spurs are happy Cleveland ended it early. Not as long a wait. The Worry is rust. The Spurs were playing top notch, and 8 days off is not relished. The team was told to take the first two days off. Bowen was working out. I wonder if Pop has found this out as he has planned hard practices.

Ok so we beat them in 4. But not easily.
Pillow and Sheba nailed it.