Now we can enjoy Pierce destroying him.
Lebron guards Pierce. End of story.
Go ahead and downplay the Cavs talent outside of Lebron. Whatever makes you feel better about next year
I think the Cavs do have some nice talent around Lebron. My only issue is that unless Shaq plays like he did last year (which is obviously not out of the question), it is still Lebron and a bunch of roleplayers. Given the way other teams have really stocked up on legit, all-around players, it just means that Lebron needs to be even more otherworldly...which he may be able to be.
Mo Williams is a great regular season player, who can be exploited in the playoffs due to his streaky shooting, and terrible defense.
Varajao is a nice (but not great) defensive player, and decent (but not even above average) offensive player.
Delonte West is another streaky shooter, who is a decent defender, but can be exploited by bigger, or quicker players, and can be stopped on offense if you stay on his shooting hand, and don't give him his left.
Both Moon and Parker are also decent offensive players, and decent defenders. They definitely give them more length than they had last year on the wing, but they are not a huge upgrade talentwise over someone like West, or even Pavlovic when he is healthy.
Z is also a nice player, but obviously has some huge holes in his game. He is admittedly one of the better Centers in the NBA. But that is mostly by default.
The bottom line is the Cavs have 2 players who IMO are "stars". Lebron and Shaq. But then they have about 6 other guys who would be legit rotation players, but on many historical championship teams would be better served as bench players in Williams, West, Parker, Moon, Z, and Andy.
You compare that to the C's, who have 5 guys who could be legit stars (Rondo, Pierce, Allen, KG, Wallace). The Magic have 4 (Nelson, Howard, Carter, Lewis). The Spurs have 4 (Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Jefferson). The Lakers have 4, with the potential of 5 (Kobe, Gasol, Odom, Artest...Bynum has the potential).
Of course Lebron IS good enough to make up the difference. But until they bring in another star, who is closer to their prime than Shaq, I am no more afraid of Cleveland than I was last year, or two years ago....and that is still afraid, but I think the C's have at least an even chance to beat them.
