Cleveland will not win a championship title

[Celtics4ever]

Both those teams had good defenders on them but were not defensive juggernauts, as I said.  Saying only defense can win a title is a fallacy.

They are good defenders and the Spurs play great team defense.

[Smitty77]

Do not discount Varejao and Waiters defensively, especially Waiters.  I think playing next to James will do wonders for Waiters on both ends of the floor.  If they can land Marion, they will add another credible defender as well.  Center could be a real problem for them as Varejao is always hurt and Haywood just isn't very good, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see plenty of lineups with James at the 4 and Love at the 5 and frankly against most teams that won't be a problem at all.

Chicago, even with a healthy Rose, will not beat Cleveland.  They just have no one to defend James.  He will have a triple double field day all day long.  Not to mention, even Gibson will struggle to hang with Love.  On the other end of the floor I fully expect James to totally shut down Rose, leaving them in a bit of trouble offensively. 

Frankly I think Miami might pose more of a challenge as I really expect Bosh to go off.  That said the team to watch in the east is Washington as they are the only team that could pose a real problem for Cleveland in the East if everything comes together for them and Pierce can stay relatively fresh for the playoffs.  They have the players 1-3 to pose difficulties for the Cavs on both ends of the floor and their big athletic big guys should also do reasonable well on both ends of the floor, especially Gortat down low.  That is the only match-up in the East that I would be interested in watching as that is the only team I see with a good chance at beating Cleveland.

Why does EVERYONE seem to sleep on the FACT that the Bulls signed Gasol??  He is still around a +20 player in this league with years and years of playoff experience, not to mention rings.  Also, Jimmy Butler made the All-NBA defensive team this year, yet the Bulls allegedly have NO ONE to defend James??  Really now.  Let's give Jimmy the respect he has earned please.

Smitty77

[Snakehead]

Both those teams had good defenders on them but were not defensive juggernauts, as I said.  Saying only defense can win a title is a fallacy.

They are good defenders and the Spurs play great team defense.

So why can't Cleveland again?

By the way they just signed Marion too.  They are fine.

More than half you guys call LeBron "LeBroid" so I guess your agendas are clear.

[Onslaught]

This post makes me think of the Cavs owner saying that Cleveland would win a championship before the Heat would with James. People are mad and some hate James so they say things like "never" and can't". We see how well that turned out the last time.

I don't care if he wins three or more in Cleveland. We won't be in a possession to win for a few years and as long as the Lakers aren't winning championships I could care less what other team wins.

[Moranis]

Do not discount Varejao and Waiters defensively, especially Waiters.  I think playing next to James will do wonders for Waiters on both ends of the floor.  If they can land Marion, they will add another credible defender as well.  Center could be a real problem for them as Varejao is always hurt and Haywood just isn't very good, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see plenty of lineups with James at the 4 and Love at the 5 and frankly against most teams that won't be a problem at all.

Chicago, even with a healthy Rose, will not beat Cleveland.  They just have no one to defend James.  He will have a triple double field day all day long.  Not to mention, even Gibson will struggle to hang with Love.  On the other end of the floor I fully expect James to totally shut down Rose, leaving them in a bit of trouble offensively. 

Frankly I think Miami might pose more of a challenge as I really expect Bosh to go off.  That said the team to watch in the east is Washington as they are the only team that could pose a real problem for Cleveland in the East if everything comes together for them and Pierce can stay relatively fresh for the playoffs.  They have the players 1-3 to pose difficulties for the Cavs on both ends of the floor and their big athletic big guys should also do reasonable well on both ends of the floor, especially Gortat down low.  That is the only match-up in the East that I would be interested in watching as that is the only team I see with a good chance at beating Cleveland.

Why does EVERYONE seem to sleep on the FACT that the Bulls signed Gasol??  He is still around a +20 player in this league with years and years of playoff experience, not to mention rings.  Also, Jimmy Butler made the All-NBA defensive team this year, yet the Bulls allegedly have NO ONE to defend James??  Really now.  Let's give Jimmy the respect he has earned please.

Smitty77

Pau isn't much better than Boozer though.  A bit more efficient and a bit better defensively (though he is dropping off on that end of the floor).  Pau isn't a difference maker for the Bulls since he basically replaced someone with similar production as him.

[Jailan34]

Do not discount Varejao and Waiters defensively, especially Waiters.  I think playing next to James will do wonders for Waiters on both ends of the floor.  If they can land Marion, they will add another credible defender as well.  Center could be a real problem for them as Varejao is always hurt and Haywood just isn't very good, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see plenty of lineups with James at the 4 and Love at the 5 and frankly against most teams that won't be a problem at all.

Chicago, even with a healthy Rose, will not beat Cleveland.  They just have no one to defend James.  He will have a triple double field day all day long.  Not to mention, even Gibson will struggle to hang with Love.  On the other end of the floor I fully expect James to totally shut down Rose, leaving them in a bit of trouble offensively. 

Frankly I think Miami might pose more of a challenge as I really expect Bosh to go off.  That said the team to watch in the east is Washington as they are the only team that could pose a real problem for Cleveland in the East if everything comes together for them and Pierce can stay relatively fresh for the playoffs.  They have the players 1-3 to pose difficulties for the Cavs on both ends of the floor and their big athletic big guys should also do reasonable well on both ends of the floor, especially Gortat down low.  That is the only match-up in the East that I would be interested in watching as that is the only team I see with a good chance at beating Cleveland.

Why does EVERYONE seem to sleep on the FACT that the Bulls signed Gasol??  He is still around a +20 player in this league with years and years of playoff experience, not to mention rings.  Also, Jimmy Butler made the All-NBA defensive team this year, yet the Bulls allegedly have NO ONE to defend James??  Really now.  Let's give Jimmy the respect he has earned please.

Smitty77

While I love the signing Pau hasn't averaged 20ppg since 06-07. Though hes consistently been around 17-18 ppg the past few years.

[loco_91]

missing from this conversation is Bulls acquisition of Nikola Mirotic from spain. Best player in the world not in the NBA, probably better than Pau at this point. This guy can reeeaaaaaly shoot the ball. They will have a phenomenal frontcourt rotation.

[wdleehi]

missing from this conversation is Bulls acquisition of Nikola Mirotic from spain. Best player in the world not in the NBA, probably better than Pau at this point. This guy can reeeaaaaaly shoot the ball. They will have a phenomenal frontcourt rotation.

A rookie that still has to prove themselves in the NBA.   


The Bulls, it is all about Rose.  With MVP level Rose, they are a contender.  Without Rose, they were a 1st round victim. 

[Moranis]

missing from this conversation is Bulls acquisition of Nikola Mirotic from spain. Best player in the world not in the NBA, probably better than Pau at this point. This guy can reeeaaaaaly shoot the ball. They will have a phenomenal frontcourt rotation.

A rookie that still has to prove themselves in the NBA.   


The Bulls, it is all about Rose.  With MVP level Rose, they are a contender.  Without Rose, they were a 1st round victim.

Exactly and frankly if Mirotic is as good as Deng the Bulls would be ecstatic.  They also added McDermott.  But as you say it is all about Rose.

[Neurotic Guy]

I don't care if he wins three or more in Cleveland. We won't be in a possession to win for a few years and as long as the Lakers aren't winning championships I could care less what other team wins.

This is my feeling exactly.   If not the C's, I am fine with anyone but the Lakers.

[Ogaju]

I don't care if he wins three or more in Cleveland. We won't be in a possession to win for a few years and as long as the Lakers aren't winning championships I could care less what other team wins.

This is my feeling exactly.   If not the C's, I am fine with anyone but the Lakers.

I totally disagree with this sentiment. It is okay to hate on the Lakers but the Celtics can never and should never be relegated to the point that we worry more about the Lakers than we do about ourselves. We are too storied for that. When we get to the point of looking up the Laker score because a Laker loss will make us feel better than a Celtic loss makes us feel bad, then we have already lost.

I want the Celtics to dominate, I couldnt care less what the Lakers do as long as the Celtics are winning, and that is what I want the Celtics winning, and winning and winning. A Laker loss feels a lot better when the Celtics win. Is all about the Celtics.

[Smitty77]

Do not discount Varejao and Waiters defensively, especially Waiters.  I think playing next to James will do wonders for Waiters on both ends of the floor.  If they can land Marion, they will add another credible defender as well.  Center could be a real problem for them as Varejao is always hurt and Haywood just isn't very good, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see plenty of lineups with James at the 4 and Love at the 5 and frankly against most teams that won't be a problem at all.

Chicago, even with a healthy Rose, will not beat Cleveland.  They just have no one to defend James.  He will have a triple double field day all day long.  Not to mention, even Gibson will struggle to hang with Love.  On the other end of the floor I fully expect James to totally shut down Rose, leaving them in a bit of trouble offensively. 

Frankly I think Miami might pose more of a challenge as I really expect Bosh to go off.  That said the team to watch in the east is Washington as they are the only team that could pose a real problem for Cleveland in the East if everything comes together for them and Pierce can stay relatively fresh for the playoffs.  They have the players 1-3 to pose difficulties for the Cavs on both ends of the floor and their big athletic big guys should also do reasonable well on both ends of the floor, especially Gortat down low.  That is the only match-up in the East that I would be interested in watching as that is the only team I see with a good chance at beating Cleveland.

Why does EVERYONE seem to sleep on the FACT that the Bulls signed Gasol??  He is still around a +20 player in this league with years and years of playoff experience, not to mention rings.  Also, Jimmy Butler made the All-NBA defensive team this year, yet the Bulls allegedly have NO ONE to defend James??  Really now.  Let's give Jimmy the respect he has earned please.

Smitty77

While I love the signing Pau hasn't averaged 20ppg since 06-07. Though hes consistently been around 17-18 ppg the past few years.

He averaged 17 and 10 and shot a very respectable 48% from the floor.  That is solid.

[Onslaught]

I don't care if he wins three or more in Cleveland. We won't be in a possession to win for a few years and as long as the Lakers aren't winning championships I could care less what other team wins.

This is my feeling exactly.   If not the C's, I am fine with anyone but the Lakers.

I totally disagree with this sentiment. It is okay to hate on the Lakers but the Celtics can never and should never be relegated to the point that we worry more about the Lakers than we do about ourselves. We are too storied for that. When we get to the point of looking up the Laker score because a Laker loss will make us feel better than a Celtic loss makes us feel bad, then we have already lost.

I want the Celtics to dominate, I couldnt care less what the Lakers do as long as the Celtics are winning, and that is what I want the Celtics winning, and winning and winning. A Laker loss feels a lot better when the Celtics win. Is all about the Celtics.

The Lakers are won ring away from us. The only thing more important than us winning is them NOT winning. All other teams championships are just "cute" to me.

[Neurotic Guy]

I don't care if he wins three or more in Cleveland. We won't be in a possession to win for a few years and as long as the Lakers aren't winning championships I could care less what other team wins.

This is my feeling exactly.   If not the C's, I am fine with anyone but the Lakers.

I totally disagree with this sentiment. It is okay to hate on the Lakers but the Celtics can never and should never be relegated to the point that we worry more about the Lakers than we do about ourselves. We are too storied for that. When we get to the point of looking up the Laker score because a Laker loss will make us feel better than a Celtic loss makes us feel bad, then we have already lost.

I want the Celtics to dominate, I couldnt care less what the Lakers do as long as the Celtics are winning, and that is what I want the Celtics winning, and winning and winning. A Laker loss feels a lot better when the Celtics win. Is all about the Celtics.

Not sure that we disagree.   If the C's are winning, I am much less concerned about the Lakers.  While the C's are losing, I definitely care if Lakers  win another championship.  The C's rebuild is where I put 95% of my thinking, not Laker losing.  But Laker losing does matter. 

[Moranis]

Do not discount Varejao and Waiters defensively, especially Waiters.  I think playing next to James will do wonders for Waiters on both ends of the floor.  If they can land Marion, they will add another credible defender as well.  Center could be a real problem for them as Varejao is always hurt and Haywood just isn't very good, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see plenty of lineups with James at the 4 and Love at the 5 and frankly against most teams that won't be a problem at all.

Chicago, even with a healthy Rose, will not beat Cleveland.  They just have no one to defend James.  He will have a triple double field day all day long.  Not to mention, even Gibson will struggle to hang with Love.  On the other end of the floor I fully expect James to totally shut down Rose, leaving them in a bit of trouble offensively. 

Frankly I think Miami might pose more of a challenge as I really expect Bosh to go off.  That said the team to watch in the east is Washington as they are the only team that could pose a real problem for Cleveland in the East if everything comes together for them and Pierce can stay relatively fresh for the playoffs.  They have the players 1-3 to pose difficulties for the Cavs on both ends of the floor and their big athletic big guys should also do reasonable well on both ends of the floor, especially Gortat down low.  That is the only match-up in the East that I would be interested in watching as that is the only team I see with a good chance at beating Cleveland.

Why does EVERYONE seem to sleep on the FACT that the Bulls signed Gasol??  He is still around a +20 player in this league with years and years of playoff experience, not to mention rings.  Also, Jimmy Butler made the All-NBA defensive team this year, yet the Bulls allegedly have NO ONE to defend James??  Really now.  Let's give Jimmy the respect he has earned please.

Smitty77

While I love the signing Pau hasn't averaged 20ppg since 06-07. Though hes consistently been around 17-18 ppg the past few years.

He averaged 17 and 10 and shot a very respectable 48% from the floor.  That is solid.

It also isn't much better than Boozer, which is what I was getting at.  Gasol is a slightly better Boozer.  He won't add much to the Bulls in the scheme of things.