Playoff Podcap: Cavs 87, Celtics 79 (or, “Then I Will Make It Happen”)
2018-05-28
https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-174-then-i-will-make-it-happen
So, how do you top an epic Game 6 to stave off elimination? Well, against all odds… you will your team to a grind it out defensive gem of a victory in a place where the home team was previously undefeated in ten tries. Or, just another day at the office for LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Finals. Yes, our well of superlatives ran dry about two years ago when King James delivered a title to a city and fanbase that desperately needed one. Now, we’re almost forced to invent new words to describe his greatness. After yet another incredible Game 7 in Boston, where he once again ripped out the hearts of the Celtics and their fans with 35 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and two gigantic blocks while playing the entire 48 minutes, LeBron showed that he can make anything happen.
To praise The King and his supporting court, Nate, Tom and EG hopped in the booth and were anything but short and precise in breaking down this epic Game 7 that resulted in LeBron’s eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals. They also covered everything Green… from Uncle Jeff’s contributions to the sickly look on the faces of those in Boston that witnessed this muzzling of their young team. There were kudos to go around for Tristan, George, JR and Kyle too, and even some kind words for Ty Lue (not to mention some relief for EG that he can go another year without tipping a cap to a certain President Genius). There was also some speculation on who the next opponent might be… but more of that to come in the days ahead.
For now, we were just happy to echo our C:tB Angolan fan’s sentiments… that our greatest desire is to know King LeBron… then he can make it happen… in the Finals and wherever else he wants.
As always, you can catch us above, on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
Another awesome Lee Jenkins piece on LBJ…
https://www.si.com/nba/2018/05/30/lebron-james-nba-finals-preview-cavaliers-warriors-heat
I wonder if Jenkins will write LBJ’s biography when it’s all over…
thank you evil for posting the dunk—-and yes I do have confidence —LNJ/ JORDAN/ AND YES EVEN HOOD —( IF GIVEN THE CANCE )—can provide positive minutes against familiar west coast opponent———just a feeling !
Was looking back at the three games the Lakers played against the Warriors before the trade deadline… on the plus side, Clarkson had a 21/8/6 line against them in the first meeting that went to OT, and Nance Jr. had that early candidate for dunk of the year slam on KD… unfortunately, the other two meetings didn’t go nearly as well for those new Cavs…
Man… Twitter proving once again to be the electronic equivalent of a loaded gun… just ask Eric Jr Colangelo and R Barr…
Send stupid tweets, win stupid prizes…
Most people should not be in social media.
Coangelo = stupid (allegedly).
Roseanne = racist.
Tweeting on different levels.
Yes, but both stupid.
… and lose jobs unless you are the POTUS
For all the Cavs in 6ers:
Cavs outscored Dubs by 13 pts/100 when Bron was on the floor & Iggy was not in last year’s Finals.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbaplayoffpreview23646470/warriors-versus-cavaliers-biggest-mismatch-modern-finals-history
Of course, that was with Kyrie & Love out there. But still, worthy of a little:
Cavs v Dubs Episode IV: Some new Hope.
Just read that. Iggy hurt is huge. On the other hand, we had Kyrie last year, so there’s that problem.
What would be great is if Iggy tries to come back not fully healthy and is ineffective.
Hill can guard Curry better than Kyrie
If true, think this would p!ss Embiid off a ton and discourage FAs (LeBron) from signing there.
Of course, it would also help Boston by hurting Philly, hence I tend to doubt The Ringer’s reporting.
If only Windy had extolled the virtues of how well the Sixers organization was run…
I had to restrain myself from posting that infamous LBJ Heatles introduction…
In terms of that for us, looking at Houston’s cap sheet, they would have to gut the team to sign James the old fashioned way. Assuming CP3 re-signs. And find someone to take Ryan Anderson for 2 years at $40 million.
For us it is all about the Finals. For the rest of the league, it is draft (June 21), & silly season time (Offer sheets, vet min, rookie deals July 1, UFA’s July 6).
And secret twitter accounts . . .
Nice! Lol.
I hope LeBron doesn’t need a “feel out” game in Game 1. I think it’s our best chance of stealing one in Oracle. Last year, the Cavs were scared of the Warriors until Game 3 and the team sure as hell doesn’t have enough firepower to get out of a big hole this year. Also, for the Cavs to have a chance, the starting backcourt has to show up. Whoever gets switched onto Curry needs to attack him – can’t let him get away with standing in the corner conserving energy while guarding JR. I’m hoping Hill’s length gives Curry… Read more »
Pretty crazy Ringer article about Coangelo. Wonder if it leads to him being fired. I just don’t see how players can take him seriously anymore.
Just read that. Pretty crazy.
That story is insane and hilarious. “That collar is totally normal. Move on, find a new slant”
If I was Lue I’d roll out the lineup below as my starters and then have Korver and Love as the first 2 off the bench. I know it’s not the time of the year to be tinkering with things but this is it and you are a massive underdog. You have to try and see if you can cause some sort of disruption that can keep GSW on their heels a bit. With Nance in the lineup there is the constant threat of a roller to the hoop who can finish. Lebron can constantly look for mismatches and certain… Read more »
I agree with experimenting. I think it was Cowherd yesterday who said if you try to play the Warriors straight up, like the Cavs did in 2017, you’re going to get crushed. I still don’t understand why they did that last year when in 2016 they controlled the games in the second half of the series.
Percent of Cavs’ playoff minutes
2017 —> 2018
86% James last season —> 86% this season
56% Smith —> 66%
67% Love —> 61%
76% Irving —> 51% Hill
38% Korver —> 51%
32% Shumpert —> 49% Green
65% Thompson —> 37%
30% Deron Williams —> 30% Clarkson
18% Frye —> 28% Nance
21% Jefferson —> 23% Hood
Even though Clarkson’s not shooting nearly as well as Williams did, I think I’d still rather have Clarkson.
Jefferson over Hood, though.
Deron was very good until the Finals. Maybe Clarkson does the opposite?
Percent of Warriors’ playoff minutes 2017 —> 2018 69% Draymond Green last season —> 76% this season 69% Thompson —> 75% 62% Durant —> 74% 70% Curry —> 45% 48% Igoudala –> 41% 25% Clark —> 40% Looney 25% Livingston –> 34% 7 % Barnes —> 20% Cook 6 % McAdoo —> 19% Young 26% West —> 17% 2 % Jones —> 14% Bell 17% McGee —> 12% 25% Pachulia —> 2% 21% McCaw —> 1% Was Ian Clark really that good? Other than however long Igoudala is out, I’m not seeing why Golden State would be considered to lack… Read more »
well i mean steph is injured
agreed—-think LNJ matches up well with Durant / knows how/ confident on defending him——still remember that HIGHLIGHT DUNK LNJ HAD ON DURANT—–WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FEW REPEATS THIS SERIES !!!
Nance would foul out in 10 mins against Durant. Unfortunately it has to be lebron, green, and cedi if Lue can stomach it.
Nance could be an interesting Durant option for stretches.
if I am ty —I am “rolling the dice / experimenting ” with line ups / players —yes free cedi—give LNJ / JORDAN AND ‘UTAH HOOD –more time —–let ante go at za-za for a few minutes ————————Not cavs related but SO HAPPY FOR M. BRANTLEY—STAYING HEALTHY AND PLAYING / HITTING LIKE HE DID 3 YRS AGO—–HE DE -SERVES THAT !!!
The Cavs are playing for the championship. I’m with Nate: Enjoy the ride. But how do the Cavs avoid being blown out in the first two games, like they were the past two years? (Losing by an average of 25 points.) –To adjust to the Warriors’ tempo on offense — how they move bodies and the ball — and their length and activity on defense, the Cavs should find the longest, most athletic college players in California to scrimmage against, even if it’s just for 10 minutes tomorrow. –Don’t forget to target Curry. They did it and won in 2016;… Read more »
If I’m Ty Lue, I start the following lineup in Game 1 and play them each all 48 minutes – GS won’t see it coming:
PG – Hill
SG – Zizic
SF – Cedi
PF – LeBron
C – Perkins
So Kerr told Chuck, Kenny, Shaq and Ernie that McGee, Zaza and West we’re essentially benched due to match ups vs HOU…
Do the Dubs go BIG and play more bully ball vs the Cavs? Dare our inconsistent shooters to shoot and gum up the lane for Bron/drivers? Bron has been kinda shy when guarded by the Bayneses of the world…
Dubs in 6 (boy do I hope that I’m wrong…)
Kerr will consider playing Zaza in this series, I think, given Zaza’s success against TT.
Also if he needs him to sweep the leg like he did against Kawahi
Pretty sure there will be head hunting… I’m thinking Love in particular. Bron will get punishment at the rim but he’s unbreakable (knock on adamantium…)
Get rid of TT, JR, Clarkson, Hill, Green- Add Chris Paul and Paul George this summer. Plus draft pick, LBJ and Love- we’re good to go.
I’m sure this plan will come together…
Sounds great, but we are not the Warriors lol
It can’t be understated the value of championship level role players. JR and Tristan know how to make the big game-winning plays in tight situations. You can’t just automatically assume you could insert someone else and the same would happen.
So I’m prolly in the minority, but I say keep TT and JR.
Keep TT and JR, which in this (entirely unlikely) scenario would mean you don’t get both CP3 and PG13, because they are “championship level role players.” Really?
Listen, I like those guys, but do really CP3 and PG-13 come up in big moments? Do you really trust those guys to make the right play in the big moment? Chris Paul can’t last a whole season anyways.
hahahah
This is so true.
Warriors in 3, sorry but I don’t like to lie to myself.
To me the Cavs chances of winning maybe one or two games are if they defend the Warriors the same way the Rockets did (being very physical against them), play an extremely slow pace on offense to try to save some energy and try just grind out games. Try to keep the game close and try to pull it out at the end.
Cavs in six. With no Kyrie to hog the ball, LeBron goes into full chess master general mode and sends the band wagoners to a premature grave.
Last time Love missed a game in the finals due to concussion we won a championship just saying
I do like the idea of Love coming off the bench and matching up against Livingston or Bell. Feel like the 2 man game with him and Korver could dominate GSW when they don’t have their 5 starters in. Lue needs to be creative……
He really just needs to play guys. You can’t beat these Warriors going 7 deep. It’s too tiring. He can’t go away from Nance, and he has to use Cedi for short stretches, just to get Lebron some rest. Sure, it’d be nice if Hood was playable, but he’s not, and at least you know what you’re getting from Cedi. I’ve never understood why he doesn’t get minutes on a wildly inconsistent (effort and shooting) team that’s in desperate need of guys like that.
MAYBE AN “ANGRY SMURF ‘ APPEARANCE IN GAME 1 —-JUST TO SET THE TONE FOR DRAYMOND !!
klove questionable for game 1—-and YES THERE ARE STILL ‘MORONS “– ( AND I AM BEING POLITE )–QUESTIONING HIS TOUGHNESS—-WTF !!!