I believe that if we win the first two games, the Cavs will fold.

[TitleMaster]

My belief is that unlike the popular press, LeBron is not the kind of guy who shines, being down in a series. He's the type of person, where when things are going for him, he shines. Otherwise, he mails it in and then, ask for some trades to bring in better role players.

Thus, I believe that if BS's adjustments can grind out the first two games to a 'W', for the remainder of series, the Cavs will put in a lackluster effort and we'll dispatch with them in roughly 6 games. In at least two of those remaining contests, LeBron will post 40 to 50 pts, to pad his playoff stats, but in the end, he'll see that it was his teammates who'd let him down.

If the first two games are a split, all bets are off. The Cavs will most likely advance. The key is to psychologically beat them in the beginning. The rest will take care of itself.

[HomerSapien]

I think this is my favorite optimistic thread of the week.    

I can't wait for a Celtics sweep!

[Roy H.]

I think the "Lebron folds in the clutch" stuff is outdated. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7kkbpcgXI8

2013 Game 6 vs. Spurs: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
2013 Game 7 vs. Spurs:  37 points, 12 rebounds

LeBron is not the kind of guy who shines, being down in a series. He's the type of person, where when things are going for him, he shines. Otherwise, he mails it in

In at least two of those remaining contests, LeBron will post 40 to 50 pts, to pad his playoff stats

I'm confused about how scoring 40 to 50 points is mailing it in.

Regardless, I think it's an academic conversation.  As much as I enjoy watching this team, I think the odds of going up 2-0 on Cleveland's home floor are astronomical.

[mahcus smaht]

I mean I guess I agree. Lebron isnt mentally weak or bad in the clutch or any of those outdated thing lebron haters (myself included) used to say about him. I dont like the way he plays, acts, thinks, presents himself, but he isnt gonna crumble at the sight of adversity, not anymore at least.

That being said, if we win two games in Cleveland, then yes we have a good chance. Unfortunately thats [dang] near impossible. I mean I would almost say that is less likely than us winning the series which is also very unlikely.

Im hoping to steal game one then hope Kyrie, Love, Thompson etc all get rattled and then we take both in Boston and go into game 5 up 3 to 1.

This is also [dang] near impossible, Im not trying to act like we have a legit shot, but that format seems the most realistic way to go. no way Cleveland folds like that in back to back games

[jpotter33]

I mean I guess I agree. Lebron isnt mentally weak or bad in the clutch or any of those outdated thing lebron haters (myself included) used to say about him. I dont like the way he plays, acts, thinks, presents himself, but he isnt gonna crumble at the sight of adversity, not anymore at least.

That being said, if we win two games in Cleveland, then yes we have a good chance. Unfortunately thats [dang] near impossible. I mean I would almost say that is less likely than us winning the series which is also very unlikely.

Im hoping to steal game one then hope Kyrie, Love, Thompson etc all get rattled and then we take both in Boston and go into game 5 up 3 to 1.

This is also [dang] near impossible, Im not trying to act like we have a legit shot, but that format seems the most realistic way to go. no way Cleveland folds like that in back to back games

I'm extremely interested in seeing their young guys compete, too. Love has always been known as a choker in clutch time, especially when he was with Minny. Kyrie seems like a big game player, though.

That's one thing I really like about our young guys. Turner, IT, Smart, and Bradley have all shown flashes of not folding under pressure. If we double Lebron and make the others beat us, I think we give ourselves the best chance at winning a couple of games.

[fairweatherfan]

If we win the first two games the Cavs will definitely fold, because that means it's a dream and I'm an optimist.

[Snakehead]

The LeBron hate has died down but it is still alive.

Love has always been known as a choker in clutch time, especially when he was with Minny.

He played in basically 0 meaningful games.  He has not earned any sort of label like that.

I hesitate to even argue this though because people said it about James for years when it wasn't true.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

My belief is that unlike the popular press, LeBron is not the kind of guy who shines, being down in a series. He's the type of person, where when things are going for him, he shines. Otherwise, he mails it in and then, ask for some trades to bring in better role players.

Thus, I believe that if BS's adjustments can grind out the first two games to a 'W', for the remainder of series, the Cavs will put in a lackluster effort and we'll dispatch with them in roughly 6 games. In at least two of those remaining contests, LeBron will post 40 to 50 pts, to pad his playoff stats, but in the end, he'll see that it was his teammates who'd let him down.

If the first two games are a split, all bets are off. The Cavs will most likely advance. The key is to psychologically beat them in the beginning. The rest will take care of itself.

yeah he sure mailed it in down 3-2 to us back in 2012 huh??

SMH

[Beat LA]

1). It's not 2010, and even at that time, what occurred in the first 2 games was completely unexpected, and 2). This stuff is getting ridiculous, imo.  Even Gorman said that the Celtics will win the series in 6 games. I love you, Mike, and the excitement for this team is understandable, but come on.  Reality is going to hit us like a ton of bricks, kind of like what happens to the basket when Lebron shoots a jumper, lol. Just kidding.  His shot is much better now, unfortunately. Sigh.

[TitleMaster]

My belief is that unlike the popular press, LeBron is not the kind of guy who shines, being down in a series. He's the type of person, where when things are going for him, he shines. Otherwise, he mails it in and then, ask for some trades to bring in better role players.

Thus, I believe that if BS's adjustments can grind out the first two games to a 'W', for the remainder of series, the Cavs will put in a lackluster effort and we'll dispatch with them in roughly 6 games. In at least two of those remaining contests, LeBron will post 40 to 50 pts, to pad his playoff stats, but in the end, he'll see that it was his teammates who'd let him down.

If the first two games are a split, all bets are off. The Cavs will most likely advance. The key is to psychologically beat them in the beginning. The rest will take care of itself.

yeah he sure mailed it in down 3-2 to us back in 2012 huh??

SMH

That's Doc, the one who's got no plans, other than playing his aged stars, all of the time. Now, it's Brad's time to shine.

[TitleMaster]

I'm confused about how scoring 40 to 50 points is mailing it in.

It's the hero ball contest, where he takes the shots for the rest of the team. And thus, he'll have the numbers but the rest of the Cavs will be sitting around, waiting for him to finish the possession.

[Beat LA]

I think this is my favorite optimistic thread of the week.    

I can't wait for a Celtics sweep!

Lol, TP - and ditto.

[SparzWizard]

If we still had Pierce, KG, Allen, Rondo, and Perkins then we'd definitely steal either game 1 or 2.

Too bad the 2010 roster and 2015 roster are so much different. Aside from management, everything else has changed.

[Chris22]

I believe that the refs mollycoddling of Lebron James will prevent us from winning the first two games.

[Beat LA]

I believe that the refs mollycoddling of Lebron James will prevent us from winning the first two games.

Fixed. Don't forget the disparity in talent, either, lol. Ugh.  This is going to be painful.