Scorching Hot Takes Episode 6: Who runs the world? Hot Takes.
June 1, 2015Phil Steele names eight Buckeyes to his preseason All-American teams
June 1, 2015
Everything about this Cavaliers playoff run feels lucky. The way it’s gone down since Kevin Love got his arm yanked makes everything the Cavaliers have achieved feel like a bonus. Even as far back as the beginning of the season, the Cavs weren’t supposed to be here, despite the return of LeBron James. They definitely weren’t supposed to be here after Kevin Love got hurt. J.R. Smith got himself suspended for what turned out to be the toughest challenge in the Eastern Conference portion of the playoffs when he missed two games against the Bulls. And they most definitely weren’t supposed to be here after Kyrie Irving became hobbled thereafter.
Yet here they are. The Cleveland Cavaliers — bolstered by some unlikely heroes and maybe even some anti-heroes — find themselves four wins away from breaking the cycle of losing in Cleveland that has lasted longer than most of our lives.
Somehow, some way, they’ve been able to field a team that’s combined three-point shooting, defense and timely performances from secondary players to push them into the NBA Finals, and it’s really changed the gravity of it all for me. Rather than being wound tightly and nervous the way I was the last few times the Cavaliers were making their playoff runs, I’ve been surprisingly calm even as the anticipation builds toward Game 1 Thursday. This has just been so much fun. I want to savor it all without ruining it by expecting or fearing the worst. This might all come off as excuse-making or a strange exercise in reverse psychology depending on how you read it. I can sense that you might say to yourself, “Is he really just building in a bunch of excuses in case they lose? What a loser.”1 I could see that, but I can’t deny the way I’m feeling about this Cavs team or this series. It’s kind of just fun to be here and to partake in it all.
None of this means that I think the Cavaliers can’t win, by the way. I understand why they’re underdogs. Golden State is a good team and they’re healthier than the Cavaliers. They also have home court advantage, and it’s not just an on-paper home court advantage. Those Oracle Arena fans get after it better than most NBA crowds. It makes sense to me that the Warriors are five- or six-point favorites in the series opener.
Then again, I’m thinking that five or six points is two clutch threes by J.R. Smith, for example. Five or six points is two missed threes for Steph Curry with Iman Shumpert’s hand in his face. Five or six points can be made up over the course of the four offensive rebounds per game that Tristan Thompson is averaging in the playoffs. None of this even speaks to LeBron James, who can make up five or six points for the Cavaliers by himself on any given night — and throughout these playoffs, seemingly on every given night.
And all of that possibility is bolstered by the idea that this Cavaliers team is playing with house money. I keep obsessing over the Vegas odds, because I want to make sure that I’m not just being a homer when I say that the Cavaliers have a chance to win. I really do think the Cavaliers have a chance because of how much of a defensive team they’ve become with the losses of Kevin Love and of Kyrie Irving’s minutes and mobility. It’s forced the Cavaliers to play a lineup consisting of their best defenders, which just isn’t a bad thing when it comes to a Finals matchup with such a prolific scoring team like the Warriors.
In the end, the Cavaliers might lose. That’s not alright with me, of course, but it doesn’t feel like the end of the world. This Cavaliers team isn’t playing at full strength and they haven’t even played together for a full season together. This feels like the start of something as opposed to the end, despite all the talk people want to do regarding Kevin Love’s future.
I’m sorry for saying it in a lot of ways, but this trip to the Finals feels like a bonus. Like the last time the Cavs went to the Finals, we all know how quickly the pressure can mount from “lucky to be there” to “can’t get over the hump.” It’s a risky proposition to ever waste an opportunity, and I obviously don’t want the Cavaliers to waste this one either, but it’s all gravy.
If the Cavaliers can play as loose and easy as I’m feeling about the team and their chances, then maybe, just maybe this — one of the unlikeliest of chances to win it all – might just be the one. It all feels so fun, and lucky and yes, even possible.
- We already discussed, at length, that I’m a loser, so to that I say, “guilty.” [↩]
18 Comments
I don’t believe necessarily in luck sure there could be a lot of “what ifs” but for me the current Cavaliers have earned their spot in the finals. Not only that but unlike the last time they were in the finals this team just feels/looks different to me. I’ve been saying it and will keep saying it: I am more then happy with the season so far win or lose. The Cavs haven’t come this far for nothing so why not win it all. In the words of Stephon Curry, “Why not us?”
I feel much the same. At first I thought it was because injuries to two of the Big 3 made getting to the Finals seem like a huge accomplishment and probably more than even LeBron expected (see “patience,” The Letter).
But now I think my attitude tracks that of the players. None of them are playing shy or scared. LeBron seems way more in control of every game than I remember him when he was faster and more physically dominant 5 years ago. I’m not nervous and edgy because I don’t see a scared Mo Williams face in HD. There’s an unusual vibe to this team, both determined and relaxed. Not sure it means they’ll win it but it sure feels like guys will play their best. And win or lose, I’d be fine with that.
apparently I watched a different playoff run. Cleveland was dominant the last 50 games of the season and Steamrolled 2 playoff opponents and won convincingly against the Bulls. The warriors are a Great team, but so are the Cavs and we have a legit shot at winning this. I agree that in November they didn’t look great, but that was a lifetime ago.
Warriors are “lucky” to have avoided major injuries as seemingly every other major contender got hit with. So I can’t feel as though we are the lucky ones to be here. Fact is, both are deserving to be here. This went according to the prophecies.
12-2 isn’t luck, it’s a team dominating the competition.
To have five defenders balling out, moving properly to defend against a screen, calling out proper switches, directing players to help defenders, avoiding dumb fouls, sealing out for rebounds, getting help on the glass from guards…. is now lucky?
The Cavs played some of the best sustained team defense in franchise history. Defense alone doesn’t win titles and GSW is a worthy opponent… but dismissing that performance as luck is at best, peculiar.
$83 / h0ur @mk12
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—-https://IncentiveMilesNet.com/123/careers…
typical work from a Cavs fan. I’m still looking for some legit reasons why the Cavs may win it.
I know the Cavs have LeBron, and you can’t name one in the league that can stop that man. The Cavs play only one way, not a triangle offense, a give-the-ball-to-lebron-and-he-will-create-for-us play. The Celtics aren’t talented enough to even compete with the Cavs, but they were close. The Bulls only played defense, yet they won a couple of games, lastly, the Hawks were just like the Celtics, lack of talent, and got swept. I don’t know, I’m not saying its impossible, just other than LeBron, I don’t see a legit reason why the Cavs would win.
not gonna argue, you need some luck to be at the finals, and some luck to win it. but the Warriors are playing with injuries, comparing to the Cavs, the Warriors don’t have 3 great stars and role players, the whole team can compete at a high level.
The Hawks dont have talent ? Come on. the Cavs made them look that that way. not saying this is going to be easy but….. Defense could definitely win this series
The last run was about hiding deficiency. I just dont see them hiding this time. if need be they can pull people off the bench that can fill roles. my only question is does Blatt have the guts to do it. im a huge huge Kyrie fan but I can see him needing to come off the bench because of his injury. an injured Kyrie off the bench makes us lethal
The healthy Cavs were good enough to win it all? As it is, not sure we have the goods against what has clearly been the best team in the league this season. But the Buckeyes taught me not to write anything off entirely.
I can’t imagine any scenario where KI comes off the bench if anything Blatt pulls him sooner rather then later. Quite possibly you see him used like he was in the clinching win verse Atlanta which was in limited short burst minutes.
It will be interesting to watch the chess match all series between the two teams. I personally would go back to the lineup where JR started allowing Shump to come off the bench. This forces Thompson to have to play defense while allowing Shump to come in for defense for either Curry or Thompson if needed.
I totally relate to the “nonchalant” attitude towards the Cavs playoffs and Finals, Craig. It feels like gravy at this point. Maybe it’s because there’s less suspense as back in the 2007 era. Back then, we saw Lebron grow season after season, the team’s chemistry change, the players shuffled, and each year we got better, closer to the Finals, more deserving of a championship… just to be let down.
This time it’s different. This team was a hodgepodge assembly in 1 season’s time. We barely know them. Turns out, the added ingredients after the Big 3 were small, but EXACTLY what was needed, instead of close-enough. Role players flourish by accepting they ARE role players… and even better, they aren’t threatened by playoff atmosphere & competition. They relish in it, actually. Every night a new guy steps up, one you may not even expect. It’s a true TEAM.
It’s amazing we’re here, and it’s equally amazing how zen I am about it.
You’re right… the Hawks don’t have talent they have a freaking starting team of All-Stars.
But what they didn’t have and you’ll be hard pressed to win a Finals without is a legit superstar.
Here are the reasons why Cleveland will win (in six):
1. Lebron James and James Jone – each with Finals presence and will be on the floor.
2. David Blatt….yes, I said it – His defensive scheme against the Warriors last go around in the regular season is the blueprint for how to beat GS.
3. JR, James Jones, Kyrie and Delly – all capable three point shooters to play catch up to when Steph and Klay go nuts.
4. Matchups – LeBron/TT pose a matchup problem for GS. There are matchup issues for CLE as well, but this one is key in that it pulls Green away from the basket allowing TT to continue his assault on offensive rebounds which are crucial in second chance points for this series.
Craig I’m becoming increasingly concerned at your abundance of seemingly troll articles.
Maybe it’s the tone in which I read these words, maybe it’s the glasses I always look at Cleveland through (the city will never be satisfied until the Browns win it all) but this article from you drips with; “Yeah, well ya know, we could win”
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 4 wins away from it’s first ever NBA Title, the city’s first championship in 50 years and the prodigal son fulfilling his promise sealing his legacy as one of the greatest in the game.
The excitement in me is electric, my heart races faster as we get towards Thursday night, this team has left it all on the court to bring us to this moment.
And as for “luck”…..that may have been what brought this team together in the beginning but it’s far from what’s made them the team of who they are now.
I’m not writing this to take a stand against you Craig, but I am writing this to say HEY CLEVELAND, WAKE THE EFF UP…..IT’S FINALS WEEK.
1. I’ll give it to LeBron, but not James Jones sorry.
finals presence don’t count when you didn’t play.
2. David Blatt, come on man. you serious?
the Griz knows how to beat the Warriors, they just didn’t have enough left in the tank. we all know, it’s to stop the splash bros, because they are going to shoot regardless how you play D.
3. Capable don’t mean nothing, it’s the finals, you have to prove yourself first, I only give credit where credit is due.
4. I agree with you on this one, but that’s why it’s a team game isn’t it?
Each team is different, different problems are created for the other team, like you said, the Warriors creates matchup problems for the Cavs too, and are those good enough problems to win it all?
I don’t think so.
It’s all gonna go down to if the Splash Brothers would grow in these games, the faster they grow, the earlier they would close series, if not, Warriors in 7.