The Cleveland Cavaliers
I am on record as saying that if the Cleveland Cavaliers end up facing the Charlotte Bobcats in the first (or maybe even second–but definitely the first) round of the playoffs, they will get beat. It’s a match-up that the Cavaliers want no part of. Especially if Shaq is still coming off injury and working himself back into shape and ironing out on-court chemistry with his teammates.
I also think the Milwaukee Bucks could give the Cavaliers all they wanted in a series too. The Bobcats are improving their hold on the 7th seed (2 1/2 games ahead of the 8th seeded Raptors–who seem intent on not making the playoffs at all). And the Milwaukee Bucks, unless they hold on to their 5th seed, could end up in the the lower half of the Eastern bracket.
The stars are aligning for the Cavaliers. While a Magic-Cleveland series is by no sense a hand-me win for the Cavaliers, it’s a series that the Cavs should win.
The Cavs have a 6’9″, 280 lbs, Small Forward who simply can’t be guarded by one man. It takes a team effort to contain James, and because of that, Cleveland has done a good job at surrounding him with dead-eye shooters. The Antwan Jamison shake-down that the Cavs put on the Wizards gives them a guy to throw at the likes of Lamar Odom and Rashard Lewis. Simply put, LeBron can no longer hide behind the “inferior supporting cast” argument. This is a talent built around him, to play off of his strengths and to take pressure off of him.
The Cavs will probably come out of the East. I think last year’s debacle was a needed an experience for James–although it remains to be seen if he took it to heart. He spent this summer promoting his movie and wearing an “MVP” shirt. Kobe Bryant, in contrast, has realized his athleticism has slipped in recent years. Taking after Jordan, who extended his career by dominating guards in the post, Kobe went to Houston and learned post-moves from Hakeem Olajuwon.
I am desperately yearning for a Cavs-Lakers finals. And apparently, that’s what Kobe wants too. This will be the year David Stern makes this happen. I don’t think the Cavs will win, but they certainly could.
Status: #1 Contenders
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