Cavs have 4 bigs, we have 2 - Analysis

[Vermont Green]

I think the reason that the Cavs are still in this series (ignoring the officiating disparity for now) is that they have 4 very functional bigs.  They can rotate them and keep them fresh.  They all are playing spirited defense and are all fresh enough to hustle for rebounds on every position.  Their bigs' defense has been great both trapping pic and roles (on and off the ball) and their defense has been great in the lane against our bigs (and our medium's) and also against our little guys when they are able to penetrate.  We are fine with whatever match-up KG has but he has to play 40 min plus but their guys are rotated and kept fresher.  I also think Perk is doing fine (for his 24 minutes) but that is only 2.  Our other "bigs" PJ, BB, and Leon are just not doing it consistently.

Yes, I know Pierce has had turnovers and Ray has had trouble getting shots but I think the Cav's bigs have something to do with this as well.  Pierce is being smothered by LBJ on the perimeter and when he does get in the paint, his shots are being well challenged.  With Ray, watch how much help they give Wally when Ray comes off his weak-side picks.  This is these 4 bigs again.

It is no big secret or discovery to point out the the Celtics are thin up front.  After KG and Perk, we have 2 inexperienced, undersized, 2nd round players with big hearts and a 38 year old guy who has lost a step (or two) and frankly is now reduced to a fairly soft player.

I think we are still a better team and should be able to win game 7.  We play right to their strength though when we stand around for 10 seconds trying to set up a pick and role.  We have to move the ball more and rely less on the strict pick and role.  I know this is obvious too last but night we forced the pick and role over and over again.  I don't get it.

[Redz]

Where's Pollard when we need him?

[Hrvoje]

Where's Pollard when we need him?

I've said before the playoffs that we've gonna miss him

[Vermont Green]

I agree, a healthy Pollard would be making a difference against this team in particular and I guess that was Danny's plan.

[wdleehi]

Here is what to remember, the four Cleveland bigs and two Boston bigs have played the same roles all year.  They know their roll and roughly how much time they could get.


The three other big men on Boston bench have no clue what their roll will be game to game.  No clue about minutes. 

[Who]

I think PJ does a better a better job than Pollard

[Vermont Green]

There is certainly some truth in what wdleehi says but part of the reason for the inconsistency in their roles is due to the inconsistency in their play and ultimately their limitations as players.  You can "get away with" playing Powe in certain match-up but these guys are seriously exposing that both Powe and BB are undersized.  They are having trouble both rebounding and getting shots off against the Cle 4 bigs.

[wdleehi]

There is certainly some truth in what wdleehi says but part of the reason for the inconsistency in their roles is due to the inconsistency in their play and ultimately their limitations as players.  You can "get away with" playing Powe in certain match-up but these guys are seriously exposing that both Powe and BB are undersized.  They are having trouble both rebounding and getting shots off against the Cle 4 bigs.

With young guys especially, having well defined rolls will help them play better. 


The yanking and guessing done by the coach leads to the occasional good game, but usually, an over matched young guy. 

[Who]

Here is what to remember, the four Cleveland bigs and two Boston bigs have played the same roles all year.  They know their roll and roughly how much time they could get.


The three other big men on Boston bench have no clue what their roll will be game to game.  No clue about minutes. 

I think PJ's role is fairly solid. It's the third big, the first one of the bench that is inconsistent. Normally Powe, the odd occassion like yester it was BBD. Their minutes have been inconsistent because their play has been inconsistent. Doc neeeds to pick one (I'd pick Powe) and roll with it, I don't like shuffling of the deck all the time.

I said it after Cassell and PJ signed, and every so often since then, this is an extrememly difficult bench. There's lots of talent and depth but there's no clear pecking order and every few games that gets shown up. That's why you have different posters all over the blog calling for different players.

Cleveland's group is a lot easier because they're reliable and their veterans and they need 4 different players for significant minutes each night because of Z's and Joe's age and because of Varajeo's and Wallace's minutes. Likewise their rotations get set because of Andy's and Ben's flaws. It's easier, there's a natural order there.

[wdleehi]

Here is what to remember, the four Cleveland bigs and two Boston bigs have played the same roles all year.  They know their roll and roughly how much time they could get.


The three other big men on Boston bench have no clue what their roll will be game to game.  No clue about minutes. 

I think PJ's role is fairly solid. It's the third big, the first one of the bench that is inconsistent. Normally Powe, the odd occassion like yester it was BBD. Their minutes have been inconsistent because their play has been inconsistent. Doc neeeds to pick one (I'd pick Powe) and roll with it, I don't like shuffling of the deck all the time.

I said it after Cassell and PJ signed, and every so often since then, this is an extrememly difficult bench. There's lots of talent and depth but there's no clear pecking order and every few games that gets shown up. That's why you have different posters all over the blog calling for different players.

Cleveland's group is a lot easier because they're reliable and their veterans and they need 4 different players for significant minutes each night because of Z's and Joe's age and because of Varajeo's and Wallace's minutes. Likewise their rotations get set because of Andy's and Ben's flaws. It's easier, there's a natural order there.

Is it?  It should be. 


But Powe was ahead of him at the begining of the series.  Then PJ became that guy.  Last night, it was Davis's turn. 

[Who]

Here is what to remember, the four Cleveland bigs and two Boston bigs have played the same roles all year.  They know their roll and roughly how much time they could get.


The three other big men on Boston bench have no clue what their roll will be game to game.  No clue about minutes. 

I think PJ's role is fairly solid. It's the third big, the first one of the bench that is inconsistent. Normally Powe, the odd occassion like yester it was BBD. Their minutes have been inconsistent because their play has been inconsistent. Doc neeeds to pick one (I'd pick Powe) and roll with it, I don't like shuffling of the deck all the time.

I said it after Cassell and PJ signed, and every so often since then, this is an extrememly difficult bench. There's lots of talent and depth but there's no clear pecking order and every few games that gets shown up. That's why you have different posters all over the blog calling for different players.

Cleveland's group is a lot easier because they're reliable and their veterans and they need 4 different players for significant minutes each night because of Z's and Joe's age and because of Varajeo's and Wallace's minutes. Likewise their rotations get set because of Andy's and Ben's flaws. It's easier, there's a natural order there.

Is it?  It should be. 


But Powe was ahead of him at the begining of the series.  Then PJ became that guy.  Last night, it was Davis's turn. 

I think his role has been very consistent. He gets 6-9 minutes. He defends their biggest guy. Does the same thing each night, gets similar minutes each night.

The only game that went away from that was when he started nailing a couple of jumpers in the fourth quarter so Doc stock with him. That's the only game he got more than 10 minutes that wasn't a blowout.

That's consistent enough for me. It's not going to be identical each night, close and consistent is good enough.

[IdahoGreen]

I think we should use Leon as our Lebron-killer at the 3 or 4.  They're about the same size, and Powe could try to muscle him.  Drawing fouls wouldn't matter as much, and Pierce could take over on offense.

[Redz]

I think we should use Leon as our Lebron-killer at the 3 or 4.  They're about the same size, and Powe could try to muscle him.  Drawing fouls wouldn't matter as much, and Pierce could take over on offense.

Lebron at prospect of Powe covering him:

[Vermont Green]

I don't buy the argument that if Powe got more consistent minutes or more defined role that he would play better (and I definitely don't buy that he could cover LBJ).  In this series, when Powe has been in there, he has been ineffective due to his lack of length.  Unless more minutes made Powe longer, it isn't going to help with these match-ups.  The other side of it is that he is not quick enough to gain an advantage as some smaller players would be able to do against Cle's bigs.  I would rather see Posey at PF as he could sit outside and create a match up problem for them.  Powe creates no problem for Cleveland.

[wdleehi]

I don't buy the argument that if Powe got more consistent minutes or more defined role that he would play better (and I definitely don't buy that he could cover LBJ).  In this series, when Powe has been in there, he has been ineffective due to his lack of length.  Unless more minutes made Powe longer, it isn't going to help with these match-ups.  The other side of it is that he is not quick enough to gain an advantage as some smaller players would be able to do against Cle's bigs.  I would rather see Posey at PF as he could sit outside and create a match up problem for them.  Powe creates no problem for Cleveland.

He had a good first game.