Perspective

[MMacOH]

A couple people have asked me what the perception of the Cavs is in cleveland right now.  This guy right here (it is not me) does a pretty good job summing it up.  The 'E' word is in the piece, but not used as an excuse. 

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/05/04/10/Cavaliers-Complacency-is-a-Startling-Con/landing_sargent_quarters.html?blockID=228565&feedID=5612

Also, following PDCavsInsider on Twitter will give you lots of good Cavs updates

[Edgar]

I like Dan Wetel article a little better

“Plain and simple, they kicked our behind,” Brown said. “It’s not good enough for me. It’s not good enough for anybody in that locker room.”

Brown sees it. Brown senses it.

LeBron needs to in a hurry.

“I understand we have to play with more urgency,” James said. “[But] for me to come up here with head low makes no sense.”

Maybe, maybe not. Something’s got to give though.

This wasn’t the Celtics stealing a game on the road. This was a full annihilation, one far more focused and far more tenacious team manhandling a casual opponent. The Celts won the rebounding battle by 11, dished 13 more assists and even saw Rasheed Wallace(notes) pour in 17 points. In the Celtics’ postgame locker room, Tony Allen(notes) was recalling how he got a steal on LeBron and how James responded by chewing on his mouthpiece.

Confident? Oh, Boston is all about confidence. They absolutely believe they are the better team in this series. When they let Game 1 slip away in a late Cavs flurry “they were angry,” said coach Doc Rivers. They clearly saw Cleveland didn’t share that emotion Monday.

and for this one..

“We’ve been here before,” said veteran center Shaquille O’Neal.  “We’re a very resilient team.  We have to go up to Boston and win one or two games.  We’ll be fine.”

well see.

[Roy Hobbs]

The problem for Cleveland is that Boston has a "switch", too.  They've turned theirs on, and I think they're better than the Cavs (whether Cleveland is motivated or not).

If the Cavs are taking it easy on the Celts because they underestimated us, shame on them.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since Boston always plays them close, but if they thought we'd be a walkover, the team is full of morons.

[MMacOH]

The problem for Cleveland is that Boston has a "switch", too.  They've turned theirs on, and I think they're better than the Cavs (whether Cleveland is motivated or not).

If the Cavs are taking it easy on the Celts because they underestimated us, shame on them.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since Boston always plays them close, but if they thought we'd be a walkover, the team is full of morons.

I think their late runs they made on the Celtics may have gone to their heads.  They played the entire second half of the season with a very pedestrian intensity for the first 3 quarters and then turned it on in the 4th quarter. 

The comebacks during game 1 and on Easter probably made things worse. 

I don't think Boston is better than Cleveland when the Cavs are at their best.  Their best against Boston means keeping Shaqs slow behind on the bench and using their athleticism.

There was a reason they were +2 with Andy on the floor last night (he left when the Cavs were down by more than 20), it's because the Cavs are much more effective against the Celtics when they go small.

[csfansince60s]

The problem for Cleveland is that Boston has a "switch", too.  They've turned theirs on, and I think they're better than the Cavs (whether Cleveland is motivated or not).

If the Cavs are taking it easy on the Celts because they underestimated us, shame on them.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since Boston always plays them close, but if they thought we'd be a walkover, the team is full of morons.

Roy,as usual, I agree with most of what you say, especially the "moron" part. However, I can't blame them for thinking that we were going to roll over by the soft way we played on Saturday. Rondo got "marinated" many times, and we weren't physical in return. You can tell Pierce especially was angry with how soft he played Saturday, especially with the 3 fouls and the Mo Wms slam that he allowed to be uncontested which ignited the morons.

We got physical last night and we won. If we play every game like that, and still lose to them, so be it. At least we died on our feet rather than living on our knees!!

[Roy Hobbs]

The problem for Cleveland is that Boston has a "switch", too.  They've turned theirs on, and I think they're better than the Cavs (whether Cleveland is motivated or not).

If the Cavs are taking it easy on the Celts because they underestimated us, shame on them.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since Boston always plays them close, but if they thought we'd be a walkover, the team is full of morons.

Roy,as usual, I agree with most of what you say, especially the "moron" part. However, I can't blame them for thinking that we were going to roll over by the soft way we played on Saturday. Rondo got "marinated" many times, and we weren't physical in return. You can tell Pierce especially was angry with how soft he played Saturday, especially with the 3 fouls and the Mo Wms slam that he allowed to be uncontested which ignited the morons.

We got physical last night and we won. If we play every game like that, and still lose to them, so be it. At least we died on our feet rather than living on our knees!!

True.  I think some of the softening up was a natural reaction to the fouls being called, but I agree:  it's better to pick up fouls than to let a team walk all over you.

[PosImpos]

The problem for Cleveland is that Boston has a "switch", too.  They've turned theirs on, and I think they're better than the Cavs (whether Cleveland is motivated or not).

If the Cavs are taking it easy on the Celts because they underestimated us, shame on them.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since Boston always plays them close, but if they thought we'd be a walkover, the team is full of morons.

I think their late runs they made on the Celtics may have gone to their heads.  They played the entire second half of the season with a very pedestrian intensity for the first 3 quarters and then turned it on in the 4th quarter.  

The comebacks during game 1 and on Easter probably made things worse.  

I don't think Boston is better than Cleveland when the Cavs are at their best.  Their best against Boston means keeping Shaqs slow behind on the bench and using their athleticism.

There was a reason they were +2 with Andy on the floor last night (he left when the Cavs were down by more than 20), it's because the Cavs are much more effective against the Celtics when they go small.

The question is why the hell doesn't Mike Brown see that?  Hickson + Varejao should be the frontcourt Brown goes to considering how things have gone so far.  None of the Celtics' bigs seem to be able to cover either player.

Hey, I'm not complaining.  I hope Brown sticks with the Shaqtus till the Cavs are home in June.

[Neurotic Guy]

Game 1 rested on 2 players and neither were named Lebron James.   Delonte West and Mo Williams were the difference makers.  They got hot at different times and they prevented the C's from extending their double digit leads.   In addition, they made Boston pay more attention to them than Boston wanted to. 

It didn't happen in Game 2 and the C's won big. 

Lebron NEEDS his motley cast of characters to perform or the Cavs are done.  The worry from Cav-nation would be that every Cav other than LJ is inconsistent.  Lebron needs his teammates to step up.  If they do, the floor opens for him and he will dominate.   If they don't, the C's will soon be battling the Magic for the Eastern Confernence Championship.

[MMacOH]

The problem for Cleveland is that Boston has a "switch", too.  They've turned theirs on, and I think they're better than the Cavs (whether Cleveland is motivated or not).

If the Cavs are taking it easy on the Celts because they underestimated us, shame on them.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since Boston always plays them close, but if they thought we'd be a walkover, the team is full of morons.

I think their late runs they made on the Celtics may have gone to their heads.  They played the entire second half of the season with a very pedestrian intensity for the first 3 quarters and then turned it on in the 4th quarter.  

The comebacks during game 1 and on Easter probably made things worse.  

I don't think Boston is better than Cleveland when the Cavs are at their best.  Their best against Boston means keeping Shaqs slow behind on the bench and using their athleticism.

There was a reason they were +2 with Andy on the floor last night (he left when the Cavs were down by more than 20), it's because the Cavs are much more effective against the Celtics when they go small.

The question is why the hell doesn't Mike Brown see that?  Hickson + Varejao should be the frontcourt Brown goes to considering how things have gone so far.  None of the Celtics' bigs seem to be able to cover either player.

Hey, I'm not complaining.  I hope Brown sticks with the Shaqtus till the Cavs are home in June.

Brown is ridiculously stubborn and it almost got him fired after the Orlando series last year (he was very close to being fired), and will most certainly get him fired this year if the Cavs lose to Boston without putting their best team out on the floor.  

Brown still believes in having a big center that you work the ball into and control tempo with.  Well, that works against some teams, but is playing into the hands of Boston.  Brown refuses to adjust, instead trying to prove he can win his way without adjusting.

[MMacOH]

Game 1 rested on 2 players and neither were named Lebron James.   Delonte West and Mo Williams were the difference makers.  They got hot at different times and they prevented the C's from extending their double digit leads.   In addition, they made Boston pay more attention to them than Boston wanted to. 

It didn't happen in Game 2 and the C's won big. 

Lebron NEEDS his motley cast of characters to perform or the Cavs are done.  The worry from Cav-nation would be that every Cav other than LJ is inconsistent.  Lebron needs his teammates to step up.  If they do, the floor opens for him and he will dominate.   If they don't, the C's will soon be battling the Magic for the Eastern Confernence Championship.

Lebron actually did not show up last night either.  He is usually setting guys up for wide open looks or on cuts to the rim....this didn't happen last night

[PosImpos]

Game 1 rested on 2 players and neither were named Lebron James.   Delonte West and Mo Williams were the difference makers.  They got hot at different times and they prevented the C's from extending their double digit leads.   In addition, they made Boston pay more attention to them than Boston wanted to. 

It didn't happen in Game 2 and the C's won big. 

Lebron NEEDS his motley cast of characters to perform or the Cavs are done.  The worry from Cav-nation would be that every Cav other than LJ is inconsistent.  Lebron needs his teammates to step up.  If they do, the floor opens for him and he will dominate.   If they don't, the C's will soon be battling the Magic for the Eastern Confernence Championship.

Lebron actually did not show up last night either.  He is usually setting guys up for wide open looks or on cuts to the rim....this didn't happen last night

Well, I'd bet you about $1000 that LeBron won't have another lackluster performance like that.  In fact, I expect him to score at least 40.

[MMacOH]

Game 1 rested on 2 players and neither were named Lebron James.   Delonte West and Mo Williams were the difference makers.  They got hot at different times and they prevented the C's from extending their double digit leads.   In addition, they made Boston pay more attention to them than Boston wanted to. 

It didn't happen in Game 2 and the C's won big. 

Lebron NEEDS his motley cast of characters to perform or the Cavs are done.  The worry from Cav-nation would be that every Cav other than LJ is inconsistent.  Lebron needs his teammates to step up.  If they do, the floor opens for him and he will dominate.   If they don't, the C's will soon be battling the Magic for the Eastern Confernence Championship.

Lebron actually did not show up last night either.  He is usually setting guys up for wide open looks or on cuts to the rim....this didn't happen last night

Well, I'd bet you about $1000 that LeBron won't have another lackluster performance like that.  In fact, I expect him to score at least 40.

I am going to dub Game 5 the 'elbow legitimacy test.'  If Bron blows up on Friday then this elbow thing was all hype no substance.  If he is pedestrian Friday then he may actually be hurt.

I think it is hype.  His chase down block of Tony Allen last night was pretty emphatic and with his right hand.  Not sure you ca do that with a hurt elbow.

[Chris]

Game 1 rested on 2 players and neither were named Lebron James.   Delonte West and Mo Williams were the difference makers.  They got hot at different times and they prevented the C's from extending their double digit leads.   In addition, they made Boston pay more attention to them than Boston wanted to. 

It didn't happen in Game 2 and the C's won big. 

Lebron NEEDS his motley cast of characters to perform or the Cavs are done.  The worry from Cav-nation would be that every Cav other than LJ is inconsistent.  Lebron needs his teammates to step up.  If they do, the floor opens for him and he will dominate.   If they don't, the C's will soon be battling the Magic for the Eastern Confernence Championship.

Lebron actually did not show up last night either.  He is usually setting guys up for wide open looks or on cuts to the rim....this didn't happen last night

Well, I'd bet you about $1000 that LeBron won't have another lackluster performance like that.  In fact, I expect him to score at least 40.

I am going to dub Game 5 the 'elbow legitimacy test.'  If Bron blows up on Friday then this elbow thing was all hype no substance.  If he is pedestrian Friday then he may actually be hurt.

I think it is hype.  His chase down block of Tony Allen last night was pretty emphatic and with his right hand.  Not sure you ca do that with a hurt elbow.

Why does it matter though?  Even if it is legitimate, he is on the floor, therefore, it can't be that bad.  Everyone has bumps and bruises.  If he can not only play through it, but put up the numbers he has in the first two games (he was shooting just fine from distance in game 1), then it certainly isn't that bad.

Besides, if people aren't talking about KG playing with a staple in his knee why should it matter if Lebron has a boo boo on his elbow?

[Andy Jick]

Perspective?  Mike Brown will be fired following this season...  This team is UNDERachieving & Brown is not what I would consider an upper-tier coach.

[PosImpos]

Perspective?  Mike Brown will be fired following this season...  This team is UNDERachieving & Brown is not what I would consider an upper-tier coach.

Mike Brown is a glorified assistant.  LeBron is the real coach of that team (just like Manning is the coach of the Colts).  Everybody knows it, including Mike Brown.