Saving their best for last

[barefacedmonk]

KG "might" have not been the best defensive player, I think he was, in 2008. Howard might have had more of an impact even at that point.

He might not have been the best defensive player(as an individual). But it was his impact on the team that won him that award. He made the whole team play good defense. He was our defensive director on court....We were ranked 18th when it came to defensive efficiency in the 2006-2007 season. We went on to become the best defensive team the next season and KG was a major factor in all this. Howard on the other hand plays better individual defense.

[Onslaught]

You can't turn it on in the NBA like a light switch. I just finished reading "Red and ME" and Bill Russell says that Red Auerbach told him that. I recall this because when I saw that this team was the first thing that came to mind.

I had no doubts (other then the strange first round) that this team was the best and would win in 08.

I have no doubts that this is not the best team anymore. And they are going to have to show something they haven't to prove otherwise. Time will tell but they are running out of time.

[Chris]

I wouldn't mind two losses if they were close games throughout in which the C's played well.

What I'd really like to see is two blowout comfortable wins and then one or two closer games that they pull out in the end.

Yeah, I definitely need to see that the C's can take a good opponent or two, like top 8-10 in the league. and just beat them pretty convincingly

No blowout necessary

Just go out and control the game throughout and win by a very comfortable margin

They've only done this two times since late December, Christmas Day versus the Magic and that west coast game at Portland

I would take a 1 point win on the last shot in double overtime.  I just want to see them beat an elite team. 

I'll take any win but for me to change the much lowered expectations I have for this team and start getting me pumped for a playoff run again, it's going to have to take showing that they can, in fact, show they were just saving it all for now and turn it on and start beating some good teams with a bit of authority

One win on a last second shot in 2OT could well be looked at as luck and I want to see the skill and effort to beat teams not the luck to hang with them and then win a game

See, I could still argue that the playoffs have not started yet, so they haven't turned it on yet.

As far as I am concerned, anything that happens right now, is pretty much irrevalent to the playoffs.  Either they are healthy, and find a way to turn it on, or they don't.  Whose to say they don't blow the Cavs out on Easter, and then fall apart in the first round of the playoffs?

I understand that you want to feel better about their chances, but i think it is all pointless at this point.  The only thing that matters right now is wins, losses, and staying healthy.  Everything else can change way too quickly to extrapolate it to the playoffs.

[barefacedmonk]

You can't turn it on in the NBA like a light switch. I just finished reading "Red and ME" and Bill Russell says that Red Auerbach told him that. I recall this because when I saw that this team was the first thing that came to mind.

I had no doubts (other then the strange first round) that this team was the best and would win in 08.

I have no doubts that this is not the best team anymore. And they are going to have to show something they haven't to prove otherwise. Time will tell but they are running out of time.

I agree with that part of your post. Its not easy to just turn it on in any sport..not just NBA. However, no player on this team has claimed that they can turn it on. This is something the outsiders (ex players/media/etc.)have thrown out. I remember Paul, Kevin and Perkins say the same thing...you can't turn it on like a switch. Having said that, I believe all is not lost, not yet. If our team can get it together and play with focus then we have enough talent to bag a championship. Its a clean slate once playoffs start. Best record doesn't guarantee a championship...the Cavs are all witnesses.

[Onslaught]

You can't turn it on in the NBA like a light switch. I just finished reading "Red and ME" and Bill Russell says that Red Auerbach told him that. I recall this because when I saw that this team was the first thing that came to mind.

I had no doubts (other then the strange first round) that this team was the best and would win in 08.

I have no doubts that this is not the best team anymore. And they are going to have to show something they haven't to prove otherwise. Time will tell but they are running out of time.

I agree with that part of your post. Its not easy to just turn it on in any sport..not just NBA. However, no player on this team has claimed that they can turn it on. This is something the outsiders (ex players/media/etc.)have thrown out. I remember Paul, Kevin and Perkins say the same thing...you can't turn it on like a switch. Having said that, I believe all is not lost, not yet. If our team can get it together and play with focus then we have enough talent to bag a championship. Its a clean slate once playoffs start. Best record doesn't guarantee a championship...the Cavs are all witnesses.

Well some players have used words like "bored" and waiting for the playoffs and things like that. So to many that makes it look like some think they can turn it on when it matters.
If anyone of them or us think that then it will be a rude awakening coming soon.

[barefacedmonk]

You can't turn it on in the NBA like a light switch. I just finished reading "Red and ME" and Bill Russell says that Red Auerbach told him that. I recall this because when I saw that this team was the first thing that came to mind.

I had no doubts (other then the strange first round) that this team was the best and would win in 08.

I have no doubts that this is not the best team anymore. And they are going to have to show something they haven't to prove otherwise. Time will tell but they are running out of time.

I agree with that part of your post. Its not easy to just turn it on in any sport..not just NBA. However, no player on this team has claimed that they can turn it on. This is something the outsiders (ex players/media/etc.)have thrown out. I remember Paul, Kevin and Perkins say the same thing...you can't turn it on like a switch. Having said that, I believe all is not lost, not yet. If our team can get it together and play with focus then we have enough talent to bag a championship. Its a clean slate once playoffs start. Best record doesn't guarantee a championship...the Cavs are all witnesses.

Well some players have used words like "bored" and waiting for the playoffs and things like that. So to many that makes it look like some think they can turn it on when it matters.
If anyone of them or us think that then it will be a rude awakening coming soon.

I don't remember any player saying they were bored of the regular season...maybe Rasheed might have but he is always an exception. I can't recollect anybody else on the team saying that. Some outsiders have indicated that we look bored...and if the team really thinks that they are good enough to just show up in the playoffs and win it all then they will be severly disappointed with the result. But, again..if we play hard and with focus then we have what it takes to win another championship. Age is not going to hold back this team if they bring it every night in the playoffs.

[housecall]

Im more optimistic to especially after watching/listening to KG on "Game Time"last night after the Detriot game answer questions from E.Snow&S.Mitchell...KG without all the one-liners,snappy swear words he usually give the Boston media.He sounded sincere,and clear for a change about what might have been wrong with this team and what he feels they need to do in this last push towards the playoffs.I didn't know he could complete a sentence without swearing until last night.He sounds like he has more respect,and talked more openly to veteran players turned media when asked questions...Players know most of those regular media guys are only looking for a story to possibly make a headline the next day.  

TP caught that as well.  I hope more people got a chance to see KG like that.  He sounded very reasoned with his responses.  It gave me a pretty good outlook on the situation.

So far our optimism is paying off,hope it continues.I will say no more about it,don't want to jinx it.