Finals Game 2
Cleveland v San Antonio (Spurs up 2-0) – It probably turned out to be a good thing that most of America watched the finale of ‘The Sopranos’ rather than Game 2 of the NBA Finals. I don’t think there’s any doubt that the disparity in talent between the two conferences has been exposed big time thus far. SA’s offense is just picking apart the Cavaliers vaunted defense to the tune of the Spurs shooting 46.71% as a team. Conversely, Cleveland has yet to crack SA’s defense as the Cavs are shooting a paltry 41.72% combined. I hope everyone can get used to having a German league MVP (Dirk Nowitzki) and a French Finals MVP, because Tony Parker (28.5 points on 58.14% shooting in this series) pretty much has it wrapped up already.
Cleveland coach Mike Brown has done his best to hamstring his club beyond their lack of experience and talent. Playing Larry Hughes seems like a good idea on paper, but I believe the law of diminishing returns in effect now. Meaning that Hughes’ presence on the court (1-10 FG total in 21.5 minutes per game) is now hurting his squad more than helping. Meanwhile rookie Daniel Gibson is lighting it up, shooting 61.91% from the field and 50% from three while averaging 15.5 points in 30 minutes per game. It’s time for Larry to move to the pine permanently, “Boobie” to start and Damon Jones & Eric Snow to be Gibson's back ups. The other quibble I have with coach Brown is sitting LeBron James for the final 9:04 of the 1st quarter in Game 2. I understand that James had two fouls, but Bron ended the game with just three total, and certainly should have been back in the game a little after mid-way through the 1st quarter.
As the Finals shift to Quicken Loans Arena I can’t help but think that the Cavs confidence is majorly shaken. Their 57 to 35 4th quarter scoring margin aside (both games have been decided more or less before the 4th), Cleveland has not shown they can compete with the Spurs when SA is into the action and firing on all cylinders. My remedy for the Cavs to salvage some type of respect is to start outworking SA. Cleveland has lost the battle of the boards in both contests so far and seemed to be resigned to their fate early on in Game 2. If the Cavs can use their home crowd to convert a few extra put backs on the offensive glass, get to more loose balls and generate some easy open court/fast break opportunities, that might be enough to regain some of their lost swagger and make this a series. Otherwise I have a hard time seeing Cleveland winning even one game.
Cleveland coach Mike Brown has done his best to hamstring his club beyond their lack of experience and talent. Playing Larry Hughes seems like a good idea on paper, but I believe the law of diminishing returns in effect now. Meaning that Hughes’ presence on the court (1-10 FG total in 21.5 minutes per game) is now hurting his squad more than helping. Meanwhile rookie Daniel Gibson is lighting it up, shooting 61.91% from the field and 50% from three while averaging 15.5 points in 30 minutes per game. It’s time for Larry to move to the pine permanently, “Boobie” to start and Damon Jones & Eric Snow to be Gibson's back ups. The other quibble I have with coach Brown is sitting LeBron James for the final 9:04 of the 1st quarter in Game 2. I understand that James had two fouls, but Bron ended the game with just three total, and certainly should have been back in the game a little after mid-way through the 1st quarter.
As the Finals shift to Quicken Loans Arena I can’t help but think that the Cavs confidence is majorly shaken. Their 57 to 35 4th quarter scoring margin aside (both games have been decided more or less before the 4th), Cleveland has not shown they can compete with the Spurs when SA is into the action and firing on all cylinders. My remedy for the Cavs to salvage some type of respect is to start outworking SA. Cleveland has lost the battle of the boards in both contests so far and seemed to be resigned to their fate early on in Game 2. If the Cavs can use their home crowd to convert a few extra put backs on the offensive glass, get to more loose balls and generate some easy open court/fast break opportunities, that might be enough to regain some of their lost swagger and make this a series. Otherwise I have a hard time seeing Cleveland winning even one game.
posted by D$ at 8:45 AM
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