A rather popular sports site has decided to take on a rather anti-Cavalier sentiment the past couple of days (see Simmons and Jones of that other web page). Thus, I find it necessary to defend the Cavalier name.
Yes, after clinching a #2 seed in the playoffs, the Cavs (50-32) were favored to win the first two rounds. But, in most people's eyes, Cleveland was not supposed to beat Detroit . Yet, the Cavs overcame the Pistons--the team that knocked them out last year--in order to get to the Finals. How about the Spurs (58-24)? They were likely hiding smiles as the Mavericks, the team that knocked them out last year, were stunned by former Coach Don Nelson and the Warriors. The Mavs were eliminated by a team that finished 25 games behind them this year. So much for win-loss record.
In the second round, the Cavs triumphed over the Nets, the team that lowered the Bulls to a #5 seed. Sure, the Nets are on the decline, but Vince Carter's complaining had no legitimate foundation beyond being frustrated that he hurt his leg. In actuality, the Cavs simply played good physical defense on him. On the other hand, the Spurs got much riskier in their physical defense on Steve Nash. Nash was bloodied (albeit accidentally on that incident), kneed below the belt (while possibly accidental, looked intentional), and hipchecked into the sideline (while intentional, definitely blown out-of-proportion). As the Suns lost Nash for most of the end of game 1 and Stoudemire and Diaw sat out game 5, Bowen saw no punishment from the league and Horry's suspension was more of a formality because, by rule, Stoudemire and Diaw had to be suspended. Amidst all this, the Suns were never clearly proclaimed as a favorite over the Spurs. With that said, these sportswriters want to say that the Cavs were the ones catching lucky breaks?
Lastly, the Cavaliers took the season series 2-0. While the games took place before All-Star Break, the Cavaliers continued their solid play against the West. Their 19-11 clip was best in the East. Meanwhile, the Spurs only did them one better at 20-10 against the East, where 0-2 head-to-head takes precedence. Furthermore, although the Spurs played much better after the Break, so did the Cavs. After Break, LeBron decided to put away his ill-advised jump shots and resumed attacking the basket as he did in last year's playoffs, while his teammates steadily found grooves and continue to do so heading into the Finals.
All in all, the Spurs are the most-experienced, highest winning percentage team left, and they are pretty good. However, even a top-flight team like the Spurs knows how to capitalize like the lucky Cavaliers.
Yes, after clinching a #2 seed in the playoffs, the Cavs (50-32) were favored to win the first two rounds. But, in most people's eyes, Cleveland was not supposed to beat Detroit . Yet, the Cavs overcame the Pistons--the team that knocked them out last year--in order to get to the Finals. How about the Spurs (58-24)? They were likely hiding smiles as the Mavericks, the team that knocked them out last year, were stunned by former Coach Don Nelson and the Warriors. The Mavs were eliminated by a team that finished 25 games behind them this year. So much for win-loss record.
In the second round, the Cavs triumphed over the Nets, the team that lowered the Bulls to a #5 seed. Sure, the Nets are on the decline, but Vince Carter's complaining had no legitimate foundation beyond being frustrated that he hurt his leg. In actuality, the Cavs simply played good physical defense on him. On the other hand, the Spurs got much riskier in their physical defense on Steve Nash. Nash was bloodied (albeit accidentally on that incident), kneed below the belt (while possibly accidental, looked intentional), and hipchecked into the sideline (while intentional, definitely blown out-of-proportion). As the Suns lost Nash for most of the end of game 1 and Stoudemire and Diaw sat out game 5, Bowen saw no punishment from the league and Horry's suspension was more of a formality because, by rule, Stoudemire and Diaw had to be suspended. Amidst all this, the Suns were never clearly proclaimed as a favorite over the Spurs. With that said, these sportswriters want to say that the Cavs were the ones catching lucky breaks?
Lastly, the Cavaliers took the season series 2-0. While the games took place before All-Star Break, the Cavaliers continued their solid play against the West. Their 19-11 clip was best in the East. Meanwhile, the Spurs only did them one better at 20-10 against the East, where 0-2 head-to-head takes precedence. Furthermore, although the Spurs played much better after the Break, so did the Cavs. After Break, LeBron decided to put away his ill-advised jump shots and resumed attacking the basket as he did in last year's playoffs, while his teammates steadily found grooves and continue to do so heading into the Finals.
All in all, the Spurs are the most-experienced, highest winning percentage team left, and they are pretty good. However, even a top-flight team like the Spurs knows how to capitalize like the lucky Cavaliers.