Playoff Podcap: Cavs 87, Celtics 79 (or, “Then I Will Make It Happen”)
2018-05-28
https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-174-then-i-will-make-it-happen
So, how do you top an epic Game 6 to stave off elimination? Well, against all odds… you will your team to a grind it out defensive gem of a victory in a place where the home team was previously undefeated in ten tries. Or, just another day at the office for LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Finals. Yes, our well of superlatives ran dry about two years ago when King James delivered a title to a city and fanbase that desperately needed one. Now, we’re almost forced to invent new words to describe his greatness. After yet another incredible Game 7 in Boston, where he once again ripped out the hearts of the Celtics and their fans with 35 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and two gigantic blocks while playing the entire 48 minutes, LeBron showed that he can make anything happen.
To praise The King and his supporting court, Nate, Tom and EG hopped in the booth and were anything but short and precise in breaking down this epic Game 7 that resulted in LeBron’s eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals. They also covered everything Green… from Uncle Jeff’s contributions to the sickly look on the faces of those in Boston that witnessed this muzzling of their young team. There were kudos to go around for Tristan, George, JR and Kyle too, and even some kind words for Ty Lue (not to mention some relief for EG that he can go another year without tipping a cap to a certain President Genius). There was also some speculation on who the next opponent might be… but more of that to come in the days ahead.
For now, we were just happy to echo our C:tB Angolan fan’s sentiments… that our greatest desire is to know King LeBron… then he can make it happen… in the Finals and wherever else he wants.
As always, you can catch us above, on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
Griff had some really interesting things to say on NBA radio this morning… his focus was mostly on how big the Iggy injury will be if he can’t return since he’s the primary LBJ defender on the Warriors. Also that “impossible odds” have been the Cavs’ sweet spot historically. He added that it might not be the worst thing if Love can’t go early in the series because he really believes the Cavs found something with their ultra-switchy D in Games 6&7 of the ECF. Griff wasn’t without flaws, but he was still a terrific GM and it’s great to… Read more »
Love missing Game 1 and then coming off the bench in game 2 would add an interesting wrinkle to the series that we haven’t seen in the last 3 matchups. It’s tough for him to come off the bench because he’s such a rhythm player, but honestly, he never gets the chance as a starter, so maybe he’d have better luck off the bench. And you gotta remember that the Dubs have a really weird bench this year with all those centers, so sticking him and Nance with Korver against their second unit could present some fun matchups.
Forget basketball. Make it a wrestling match. Be as physical as possibly. Everyone should use their fouls. Everyone should be bloody and bruised.
HOPE LEBRON POINTS RIGHT AT DAMARIOUS RANDALL– ( POINTS HIM OUT )– ON NATIONAL T .V WHEN LEBRON SLAMS THE DUBS AT HOME ——-DAMARIOUS—HINT :—NOT A REAL GOOD WAY TO MAKE FANS / BE WELCOMED HERE ” IN THE LAND “
this is probably ‘crazy ‘ — CAN SEE LNJ/ JORDAN / YES POSSIBLY ‘UTAH HOOD ‘ giving solid minutes against the warriors——just think they are familiar / comfortable playing against that style of play —-hey what do we have to lose (other than an NBA CHAMPIONSHIP ) —-GIVE THESE GUYS A CHANCE / EVEN CEDI ——-see what they can produce or not —–think ty has to ‘gamble ‘ somewhat / trust these guys in order to stand a chance of winning ——kerr has ‘the MIGHTY QUINN’—playing minutes —so why not do the same with our players
Cavs in 6
Agree with Joeyb. Probably the first time ever.
If the Cavs have a chance, I think it goes something like this: 1) Iggy injury continues to linger. 2) Dubs get overconfident. Play lazily in the furst half figuring they can turn it on in the 3rd quarter. 3) LeBron goes all hyper efficient and does not allow it. Dubs never get to front running mode, & the Cavs steal one in Oracle. 4) At that point, we actually get competent officiating (no moving screens for Curry, Dubs not allowed to maul drivers or undercut 3PT shooters). 5) We get a JR en fuego game (or two). A Kyle… Read more »
Iguodala would most probably out. Draymond is hurt and listed day to day. Curry sprained ankle yesterday. Looney has a toe injury. No excuses as I am sure as most players from either team wouldn’t be 100% either but Cavs if they play their best, they can steal one at Oracle. Cavs should watch the defense of Rockets, how they guarded the passing lanes and hindered dubs passing with active hands. If Cavs do their best, they can take Dubs to 6 or 7 games, of course best means Lue has to make some in game adjustments on the fly… Read more »
Pretty cogent analysis.
So you think the cavs have a better shot and will be more competitive without Kyrie after what we just saw in the eastern playoffs?
Cavs are worse and Warriors are not as strong as last year. All I am saying is that Cavs give warriors a series by winning a game or two. Cavs after all have the best player in NBA. Once you win a game or two, the series will look much closer. If Cavs won 3rd game instead of 4th last year, the series would have been closer. I am sucker for a good game.
Me too and I hope you are right for aesthetic reasons and for the future of the cavs. I just don’t see it though. I could be wrong. I was wrong about Philly. I thought we could/should win going into the Boston series, but that they could push us to six or seven games. They did, but at one point I expected to lose to them after game five. So basically I am saying, that intellectually, I thin the evidence points to a sweep or gentlemen sweep, but, in actuality I have no clue what will happen. This cavs team… Read more »
About the same. 4-1.
That’s a pretty long list for Santa.
Cavs should try to junk it up and keep the score low, if at all possible. Rod Hood may also need to find his shot.
On a practice court. Play cedi.
Also, call me crazy but I would prefer Love not starting in this matchup. He makes so much worse on D. Green when engaged like he was in game 7 is excellent and can even guard Durant. I think the starting lineup should be: Hill, JR, Lebron, Green, TT. Bring Love and KK off the bench when Curry rests. Love should not play more than 25 minutes in this matchup. I know the starting lineup I suggested lacks shooting, but if history has proven anything is the only chance you stand against Golden State is if you caveman-ball the games.… Read more »
As far as the Finals are concerned, the health of Iguodala is really important. He is the only guy on Golden State that can legit guard Lebron. Green can have a go, but he is much more valuable to them as a help defender that it would be a huge win for us if he were to check James and that is the reason I am sure he won’t. Durant will try too, but he is not a great individual defender and you would want him exerting all that energy on D, because guarding James takes a huge toll on… Read more »
That Ryan Anderson sub was an absolute disaster as was their inability to adjust their defensive scheme. Shot selection and D’antoni’s coaching doomed them.
Not sure what the defensive scheme against 28 ft step backs is. Rockets just weren’t going to win without Paul.
Totally disagree. They switched for no gd reason. Rockets missed a boatload of shots and took bad ones. They completely collapsed.
Live by the 3 die by the 3.
I kept screaming in my head, “Attack the basket.”. But somehow, clanking 3’s off, one after the other after the other, was a better offensive scheme.
MD totally blew it. The only player on the rockets they seemed to care was Gordon.
Sucks that cp3 went down, but that was a winnable game for Houston. They just collapsed when the 3’s didn’t fall.
Same old story with Harden, too…goes foul hunting, and it’s just turnovers if refs don’t bail him out…he looks really ordinary when he doesn’t get calls…
Ariza played 42 minutes and had 0 points.
Why would D’Antoni keep him in? That was a Lue coaching moment there.
Yeah, he was terrible offensively, but he was defending KD….I assume they felt he was their best options. They were only playing 6-7 guys, really…
He was hounding KD and is their best wing defender. That is why.
+1. CP3 has little to do with missing 27 3s in a row. They actually finished at high %age inside and they were leading by 15. But, guess, they might have fatigued too much to attack the basket.
No, I think missing, what, 27 threes in a row may have contributed. Not adjusting their offensive scheme, Harden playing like crap after the first quarter, and CP3 being out is what doomed them.
No? Ryan Anderson sub wasn’t a disaster? Switching for no reason wasn’t a disaster? Harden playing like crap and missing 27 shots in a row had nothing to do with shot selection? I love how you tell me I’m wrong then repeat what I said back to me in less summarized form.
I can’t stand when Curry drives down the lane, turns left or right, drops the ball off to one of these no-names on their team, and both defenders rush that person while he hands the ball back to Curry now on the three point line. Whoever is guarding Curry needs to stick with him and stop taking that bait. It’s how they go on these insane scoring spurts.
Amen
I’m always baffled as to why Curry’s defender, whoever that is, thinks it’s right to leave him and defend someone else. Why would you do that?????
We’re all really impressed, Warriors. Good work choking away games 4 and 5 to give thr illusion that you are vulnerable
Please break this team up after they rout the Cavs. It’s just obnoxious to have the 3 most dangerous shooters in the league on one team, along with the best overall defender
Line is up to -1200 warriors to win series
Cavs +755
Brutal.
For good reason. Vegas saw how the cavs struggled in the east. They are facing the same warriors team as last year minus Iggy for some of the series.
Wonder if Bill Simmons will have time for another one on one KD podcast before the finals where he asks him hard hitting questions such as how did he get so awesome…
I have a theory that Durant has graduated from fake social media accounts to paying for favorable coverage. SB Nation had a laugher the other week about his “sacrifice” (https://www.sbnation.com/2018/5/21/17375594/kevin-durant-warriors-highlights-sacrifice-rockets-nba-playoffs), and since Durant started appearing on BS podcast, he’s their favorite son over at The Ringer. I’m waiting for him to come out on Cambridge Analytica’s client list.
I’m sure everyone here will enjoy the egregious contact GS has been getting away with the last two games…
The jersey grabbing by that team is insane. Refs definitely favored GS in this one.
What a horrible game by Harden. He quit on the team by the middle of the third quarter. How could he possibly be considered for MVP?
And btw, total b!tch move by Kerr/GS on hacking Capela. A total disgrace by a team with 4 all-stars and 2 hof’s.
Congrats to the warriors. Cavs gotta play them tough and physical and beat them up. They can do it.
this is ammmaazing
That’s awesome.
So who guards Durant? Can’t have LeBron do it the whole time. I would guess Jeff Green. Does he start regardless if Love is back or not?
Green and LeBron.
This is where not having Crowder kind of hurts, but they don’t get here without George Hill, and I still question whether Crowder could ever do anything against Durant at his height. That said, I’m surprisingly ok with Jeff Green guarding Durant 1-on-1 because his strength and 7-2ft wingspan will at least make it tough, but worried about him getting switched onto Klay or Curry because he’s a space cadet off the ball. Also would be nice to have DWade with his 7 ft wingspan and crafty veteran defense, or if Lue had developed Cedi a little bit, he’s scrappy… Read more »
Lue’s choice will be interesting if Love is back. If Iggy is out (so no Hamptons Five) I think Love, Green, Bron, JR, & Hill can work. Switches are going to be rough on Curry. May need a different strategy there (blitz eon’t work either). But there are places to hide on D. Green. Bell/Looney. Iggy. I think our only shot is to try to play MORE guys. The effort required on D just wears guys out if you play 7-8. Cedi & Hood should play 5-10. 3-5 per half. Longer if it works. Try to bait KD into iso/post… Read more »
random thoughts.. losing to the young celtics (minus hayward and kyrie) would have been nasty, very nasty.. for LBJ, and for the city of cleveland,.. as i have been saying, with many “meh.. not impressed” responses.. the celtics (who i am not a currently a fan of, but used to be, when i lived in boston) are going to be very very good for a very very long time.. they will be the 2020s gs warriors.. 5 championships, maybe more.. being a celtics fan next decade is going to be fun fun fun.. they have youth, stars, a bunch of… Read more »
oops.. no prayer necessary.. lottery already set..but you guys knew that.. welcome trae young.. sad, so sad
and trade love.. you can’t build anything of worth around him
lottery time is back.. enjoy..
go forth LBJ and slay that ghost..thx for the effort and the memories
actually, if LBJ leaves to chase the ghost, which i expect and support, i would unload EVERYBODY.. except cedi, zizic, and nance.. go young.. unload them all.. JR, TT, Love, Hill, Clarkson.. the whole lot
So are you a Cavs’fan or…?
These guys are going to be very very good for a very very long time.
that was on mgmt and the owner.. not the players
My point is you have no idea what the future holds. If you did, you wouldn’t be wasting your time here.
Kyrie’s got an extension coming up, and Anthony Davis is coming up on free agency. He has to be careful what he’s getting into with Ainge because the second his extension or new contract kicks in, he becomes a tradable asset. I’m sure Gordon Hayward is already on the trading block with Jaylen Brown and Tatum playing so well.
Not going to get much for Irving. His trade demand no doubt lowered his trade value throughout the league. If you can’t be certain he won’t pull the same thing, it makes it difficult to stomach giving up major assets. Plus I have no doubt his injury set back has raised red flags in many front offices.
Hate to say it but that is if Kyrie and Hayward are the same players after injury. Not convinced Kyrie will ever be healthy or the same again. Most teams are probably wary of him now. Not likely to get much return in a trade.
Plus Kyrie is an obvious head case.
Maybe we win game 3 or 4 if the Dubs decide they want the party at Oracle.
post game interview: “Steph tell me what it was like when Kevin Durant joined this team”
Cavs in 6.
Now I am the one laughing. Methinks you are seeing thru wine & gold colored glasses.
Wanna wager?
Why would you wager against your own team? That’s dumb.
That’s a hedge.
Bah. Just enjoy the ride, man.
If you are willing to throw money away (that’s dumb), it would be stupid of me not to take it.
Hedging has nothing to do with it.
im with the wine and the gold
oh well… GS will kill us…. sweep likely… Bron had a great season though.. and hope he leaves for a good young team for 2-3 more champ chances… he deserves it .. no ill feeling this time for me..
I bet you’re a hit at parties.
too old for parties man… just live in reality and appreciate what that man has done for the city and kids… who cares what ill minded fans might think if he leaves… it’s his life… and yes, we will not win against GS… if you think we have a chance, then so be it… you are entitled to dream
seriously lol cavs just punched their ticket to the championship round and yall are acting like it’s kent state in the elite 8
Correct, whatever team he goes to, I want him to be able to get a total of 6 rings he deserves it.
Game 1:
Prediction on scoring for our starting 5:
Lebron-35, Green-18, Hill-12, TT-10, JR-3. That’s 78 from the starters without Love, maybe we can get 10-16 points from the bench. GOLDEN STATE IS GOING TO NOT ONLY WANT TO BEAT THE CAVS BUT WORSE EMBARRASS THEM!
and they will.. w/o a doubt
i don’t get to watch Harden much in reg. season but how is he the MVP? he stinks….
Harden should be embarrassed to receive the MVP trophy this coming June. He quit very early.
I am out. Rockets played a good half.
Just too cold shooting, not smart enough on O, and another MVP who proves he is not the best player.
We might be outscored by 50 in some third quarter in the Finals.
Live by the three, die by the three
Or
If you’re gonna come with the three, you best not miss 27 in a row
Yes. Also, with all those threes from both teams, that was kinda boring to watch.
Tristan practicing his FTs?
CAVS VS WARRIORS IN THE FINALS!
We are in for a long Finals. And not in a good way.
When they get ahead, GSW shoots a lot better.
Dantoni ought to be fired after this. Man I hate durant.
durant smells blood in water – then realizes its his own tampon
Smart move by Kerr.
Oof. Back to 10. 4 min.
man, I hate this team.
Dubs or Rockets or both?
Still time. Down to 6.
Rockets finally doing what they should’ve been doing this entire playoffs.
A 10 point lead against the Warriors feels like 20
Hockey time.
I’ve never seen anything like this. Rockets just mentally weak.
I wonder if it so bad that CP3 thinks about walking.
Last shot for banana boat.
There is definitely something to that, I’m afraid to say…
GSW front running now. 4 on Steph.
6/39 from deep. What were the Celtics the other night?
Not looking good.
Hopefully the Rockets rally after blowing the lead. They need a 3 to fall so everyone can exhale.
rockets rufkm. man i hate gsw
Amazing how ice cold the Rockets have gone. They’re desperately missing CP3 to create easier buckets.
This would be a game if the Rockets could shoot.
Harden finally attacking. Misses FT.
Caps/Knights tied midway through third
Down 7. -18 third quarter.
If they can make a shot and the refs decide to enforce the rules.
Get a stop!
23 straight misses from deep.
The calls are getting ridiculous here.
Curry going. Game over.
Hou with 9 pts this quarter.
Seriously? GS is allowed to jump up and down and scream on left corner shooters?
I’ve never seen a team miss so many open shots. If I was in that arena I would be livid. They had this game!!
Refs are horrible.
That Klay foul on Harden should had been a 4pt play. Bell bulldozing Harden out the way should had been plenty obvious. Gordon getting hammered by Green was also blatant.
Wtf????
REFS ARE TRASH. How much is Foster getting paid???
Ask Donaghy. Prolly got a call at half.
Refs not helping Houston. Onvious as hell moving screen.
NBA officiating is the worst.
Rockets choking.
17 misses in a row from deep for Hou.
That’s better drive the ball Harden.
Harden shooting three’s with the defender all over him will not work.
Hou 6/29 from deep. Down to 5.
Danger Will Robinson.
Rockets just missing wide open looks.
WIDE OPEN looks.
Houston is actually a better defensive team than offensive. These shot selections are atrocious. Does Dantoni’s playbook just say “YOLO”?
Call me old school or whatever, but I see a lot of bad basketball being played in these playoffs.
Especially shot selection & turnovers.
Refs allowing Dubs to maul drivers again.
Harden not attacking Thompson is driving me crazy. It is just dumb.