Is Cleveland really the better TEAM?

[birdwatcher]

I hate to give any credit to Denis & Callaghan, but they illustrated a great way to determine if the Cavs are a better team than the Celts:

Take the two team's rosters and throw them together, then assign a player to each team, swapping turns and picking the best player available until all players have been picked and you have two equal teams, just like we would on the school yard.

or better in my opinion, rate each player by arranging them starting with the best at number 1, the worst at 30. How many Celtics end up in the top 15?

This certainly doesn't prove anything, other than the potential on paper--and it is all completely arbitrary. But what does make Cleveland a better team? 61 wins? Lebron? Their bench? Their defense?

Doc has said he endured some strenuous times trying different combos and changing roles for guys who were stepping up for injuries. He talked about playing some terrible basketball while trying to establish chemistry. It really does tie in to what the vets on this team have been saying since January--regular season games just don't mean that much. Instead of working to simply win each game, they worked on getting things right and tightening the screws for the playoffs. It actually shows. Maybe Cleveland isn't the better team.

[Reggie's Ghost]

They have the best player.  They are a better regular season team.

We have the 2nd-5th best players in the series and we have a much better coach.  We are a better playoff team IMO.

[Roy Hobbs]

I disagree with the strategy of picking the team who has more players in the top 15. 

Teams can be constructed in lots of different ways.  I mean, look at the Lakers last year; there were other teams that would have more players selected in the top 15, but the duo of Kobe and Gasol was enough to get it done.  In other years, champions will be a lot deeper. 

The Cavs may not be a better team than the Celtics, but it has nothing to due with simply taking the players on each roster and assigning them a rank, in my opinion.

[Vermont Green]

I find it interesting that there really hasn't been a close game all series.  I have never seen two teams that are both so hot and cold.  The criticism of the C's was that the could not sustain effort or intensity but lately it is the Cav's that have an even bigger problem with this.  When the Cav's play hard, they dominate the Celtics.  They seem to be able to do it for 5 or 6 quarters (end of game 2 through all of game 3) but then don't put up any fight for 2 games.  I don't get it.  I actually think the Cavs are the better team top to bottom but just haven't been sustaining it.  Kind of like the Celtics against the Hawks in 2008.  I don't know if it is the coaching, the elbow or what but I am still concerned that they may wake up and really play for 2 games.

I still remember all the "are they really that good" stuff when the Cavs lost what, their first 3 games of the season or something like that.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Hell no

[FallGuy]

I think it's pretty clear that the team that has one superstar and plays one on five is the best team. Or am I the only person reading ESPN lately?

[RockinRyA]

well you could argue that they are a better collection of individuals. but team? i think not.

its just like fashion, you buy expensive ties, suit, slacks, shoes etc. the question is, do they go well together? do they fit?

[FallGuy]

well you could argue that they are a better collection of individuals. but team? i think not.

its just like fashion, you buy expensive ties, suit, slacks, shoes etc. the question is, do they go well together? do they fit?

They're not even a better collection of individual players. Not even close. Take Lebron off that team and it squeaks into the playoffs. Maybe. Take anyone of our big four away and we still might go to the conf. finals.

[xmuscularghandix]

No they aren't... and the fact that some analysts refuse to admit this makes me sick.

KG is what makes our team run, and during the season he played less than 30 minutes per game. And he shot right around 10 shots a game.

Leads would disappear as we let our superstars rest... now they're rested and ready to play, and you can tell.

The Boston Celtics aren't trying to win the regular season trophy, we aren't trying to push products, we aren't trying to be individual superstars, we want to WIN.

[RockinRyA]

well you could argue that they are a better collection of individuals. but team? i think not.

its just like fashion, you buy expensive ties, suit, slacks, shoes etc. the question is, do they go well together? do they fit?

They're not even a better collection of individual players. Not even close. Take Lebron off that team and it squeaks into the playoffs. Maybe. Take anyone of our big four away and we still might go to the conf. finals.

i dont believe it as well, i was just saying that for the sake of argument.

[BballTim]

well you could argue that they are a better collection of individuals. but team? i think not.

its just like fashion, you buy expensive ties, suit, slacks, shoes etc. the question is, do they go well together? do they fit?

They're not even a better collection of individual players. Not even close. Take Lebron off that team and it squeaks into the playoffs. Maybe. Take anyone of our big four away and we still might go to the conf. finals.

  We're not going to beat the Cavs without Rondo or without KG. No way, no how.

[j804]

Right everyone says they have more talent, where? How?

[billysan]

They have some nice pieces and had a better regular season record. 1-8 we look better on paper and have had three games where we had 'it' together where they had 2 so far in this series.

As we have seen and experienced, one man teams are often inconsistent if the supporting cast isnt used to being involved. Our bench prior to KG/Ray was not able to keep us in games very often if Pierce wasnt scorching the net. The Cavaliers have the same problem with Lebron.

Stop or slow down the superstar and it disrupts the team. The same holds true if the bench and supporting crew is shutdown. Now that we have a big 4, any one or two can have a mediocre nite and the other 2 can still carry the team. That theoretically makes us better IMO.

[FallGuy]

well you could argue that they are a better collection of individuals. but team? i think not.

its just like fashion, you buy expensive ties, suit, slacks, shoes etc. the question is, do they go well together? do they fit?

They're not even a better collection of individual players. Not even close. Take Lebron off that team and it squeaks into the playoffs. Maybe. Take anyone of our big four away and we still might go to the conf. finals.

  We're not going to beat the Cavs without Rondo or without KG. No way, no how.

You and I could take the Cavs team that showed up last night.

[Who]

Yes, I think so ... but the Celtics starting lineup is better than the Cavs starting lineup.