Sir Charles : " Cavs won't get past C's if it is the Lebron show"

[celticinorlando]

we need to win game 3 first. boston has been in this spot quite a bit and lost game 3...then the series got tougher

[TitleMaster]

As for the '08 Cavs series, I believe Ray Ray and for the most part, even Pierce, were offensively challenged during the series, until PP's famous game 6 duel.

This year, I suspect that Ray will do a lot better and the C's defenses can keep Jamison and Varajao out of the 'lights out' category for much of the series. Thus, it's basically a draw and it'll eventually get down to another LBJ vs 5 type of slug fest.

It looks like Barkley's covered his bets well.

[Mike-Dub]

As for the '08 Cavs series, I believe Ray Ray and for the most part, even Pierce, were offensively challenged during the series, until PP's famous game 6 duel.

Game 7 duel .

[TitleMaster]

Game 7 duel

Sorry, end-of-work day dyslexia.

[Jon]

Ray and Rondo are going to be a big part of this series.  Pierce, KG, and Perk (plus Wallace and BBD) are going to have their hands full with LeBron, Jamison, and Shaq.  However, Cleveland doesn't have anything close to an answer for Ray and Rondo should be able to destroy Mo William on both ends of the court.  Hopefully the C's exploit this matchup and hopefully Ray is shooting like he did two nights ago most of the series. 

Also, I worry a little about who guards LeBron when Pierce is out.  TA's got some muscle, but he's a good 4 inches shorter than him.  I wonder if Doc might try Daniels or Finley on him.  If it is TA, it might work out OK.  TA should be able to stick with him athletically and if anything, the height advantage might encourage LeBron to shoot over him, and shooting isn't LeBron's strong suit. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

The only thing that worries me about Cleveland are the corner threes. We've been poor guarding them against them, and they've always broken our backs. Keep an eye on Williams and Parker.

[More Banners]

This thread concerns me...if the team is thinking the same way: toward the next series rather than the next game.  If JO has a throwback 18/8/3blk game, Beasley shows his potential, and shooters get hot, D-Wade has all the support he needs to put the C's through the ringer.

I definitely like our chances against Miami, but it ain't over yet.

One day at a time.

First things first.

Easy does it.

[slamtheking]

Ray and Rondo are going to be a big part of this series.  Pierce, KG, and Perk (plus Wallace and BBD) are going to have their hands full with LeBron, Jamison, and Shaq.  However, Cleveland doesn't have anything close to an answer for Ray and Rondo should be able to destroy Mo William on both ends of the court.  Hopefully the C's exploit this matchup and hopefully Ray is shooting like he did two nights ago most of the series. 

Also, I worry a little about who guards LeBron when Pierce is out.  TA's got some muscle, but he's a good 4 inches shorter than him.  I wonder if Doc might try Daniels or Finley on him.  If it is TA, it might work out OK.  TA should be able to stick with him athletically and if anything, the height advantage might encourage LeBron to shoot over him, and shooting isn't LeBron's strong suit. 

I don't think TA on Bron is necessarily all that bad.  TA can keep in front of him and make Bron shoot jumpers.  lesser of 2 evils there.

[rondohondo]

Ray and Rondo are going to be a big part of this series.  Pierce, KG, and Perk (plus Wallace and BBD) are going to have their hands full with LeBron, Jamison, and Shaq.  However, Cleveland doesn't have anything close to an answer for Ray and Rondo should be able to destroy Mo William on both ends of the court.  Hopefully the C's exploit this matchup and hopefully Ray is shooting like he did two nights ago most of the series. 

Also, I worry a little about who guards LeBron when Pierce is out.  TA's got some muscle, but he's a good 4 inches shorter than him.  I wonder if Doc might try Daniels or Finley on him.  If it is TA, it might work out OK.  TA should be able to stick with him athletically and if anything, the height advantage might encourage LeBron to shoot over him, and shooting isn't LeBron's strong suit. 

I don't think TA on Bron is necessarily all that bad.  TA can keep in front of him and make Bron shoot jumpers.  lesser of 2 evils there.

Yea it still amazes me that Lebron has hardly developed any low post moves. He could abuse a shorter player like TA down low, but prefers to get the ball at the top of the key on almost every possesion. He is so strong he should be able to get at least 5 fg's a game just by posting up smaller players.

[Cman]

Saw this over on the ESPN Boards

The context in which he said it was when he & Cowherd were discussing a potential Orl. vs. Cle matchup.  Charles said, "Cleveland will not even beat Boston they continue playing 1 vs. 5 with LBJ as their first option every time down the floor.

Someone (Barkley) has certainly changed his tune...

[soap07]

Ray and Rondo are going to be a big part of this series.  Pierce, KG, and Perk (plus Wallace and BBD) are going to have their hands full with LeBron, Jamison, and Shaq.  However, Cleveland doesn't have anything close to an answer for Ray and Rondo should be able to destroy Mo William on both ends of the court.  Hopefully the C's exploit this matchup and hopefully Ray is shooting like he did two nights ago most of the series. 

Also, I worry a little about who guards LeBron when Pierce is out.  TA's got some muscle, but he's a good 4 inches shorter than him.  I wonder if Doc might try Daniels or Finley on him.  If it is TA, it might work out OK.  TA should be able to stick with him athletically and if anything, the height advantage might encourage LeBron to shoot over him, and shooting isn't LeBron's strong suit. 

Good points. I think what it basically comes down to: Every Celtic has to be in A+ form for the C's to have a chance. You can't have Ray have another off series like he sometimes have. Same Paul, TA, Rondo and everyone else on the roster.

[jdub1660]

didn't he say not too long ago that the Cavs would win the title?  talk about backpedaling.  if the C's turn in a stinker in this series, we'll see if Charles flipflops again.

When he made those comments though(goin off rough memory here) it was with Shaq sidelined and the TEAM was rolling through it opponents. But towards the end of the season, and even against a sorry Bulls team, the Cavs live and die by Lebron. If Noah would stop shooting that horrid wanna be mid range clunker, Hinrich or Deng could catch fire, then the Bulls would have had a chance. Then Rose could slash more and create more mismatches forcing the Cavs to run the 2nd half of the their playbook - "Give it to LeBron"

With a healthy Celtics squad, I like the match ups. Ray Allen can destroy Parker. Rondo can destroy MoWill. Perk matches up well with Shaq, not well against. A mobile KG can contain Jamison, and dominate him in the post, and Pierce/Lebron are a wash in the playoffs. Bench units could be the key, with Nate getting sporadic time and Sheed...being Sheed this year.

[rondohondo]

So the last couple of games in the Cavs VS Bulls series Lebron has put up 40 and 39 points and if you add in his assists he is responsible basically 50% of the Cavs scoring for the last 2 games. Shaq looked horrible and out of shape the last few games only putting up 6 points last night.

The Cavs are still a one man team.......

[Hoops]

Ray and Rondo are going to be a big part of this series.  Pierce, KG, and Perk (plus Wallace and BBD) are going to have their hands full with LeBron, Jamison, and Shaq.  However, Cleveland doesn't have anything close to an answer for Ray and Rondo should be able to destroy Mo William on both ends of the court.  Hopefully the C's exploit this matchup and hopefully Ray is shooting like he did two nights ago most of the series. 

Also, I worry a little about who guards LeBron when Pierce is out.  TA's got some muscle, but he's a good 4 inches shorter than him.  I wonder if Doc might try Daniels or Finley on him.  If it is TA, it might work out OK.  TA should be able to stick with him athletically and if anything, the height advantage might encourage LeBron to shoot over him, and shooting isn't LeBron's strong suit. 

Even with the height disadvantage, I'm starting to gain confidence that TA could do a decent job on LeBron. Daniels is another good suggestion. Wasn't that part of the reason they brought him to Boston in the first place - as a defender to spell Pierce?

[Who]

Also, I worry a little about who guards LeBron when Pierce is out.  TA's got some muscle, but he's a good 4 inches shorter than him.  I wonder if Doc might try Daniels or Finley on him.  If it is TA, it might work out OK.  TA should be able to stick with him athletically and if anything, the height advantage might encourage LeBron to shoot over him, and shooting isn't LeBron's strong suit. 

Doc can't put Finley on LeBron. There is no way that Finley can defend him. Too quick, too strong and too talented vs too slow, too weak and very poor man-to-man defense. It would be one of the easiest matchups LeBron has had all season.

I think Tony Allen gets first crack at LeBron. If he struggles, then Daniels should be called into service but I expect TA will do a reasonable enough job.