Links To The Present: April 15, 2010

“Coach Mike Brown’s stated goal, once the Cavs clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs, was to avoid injury. That was about the only thing accomplished over the season’s last 10 days — which mercifully ended with a listless 99-83 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.” [Brian Windhorst’s Game Recap]

“Heard a lot of things and read a lot of things over the last couple of days talking about how Michael Jordan always played all 82 games and how James personally owed refunds to fans for not playing. One writer said he was not going to vote for James for MVP because James sat out several games at the end.  Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant skipped games tonight, they apparently will not be on that ballot, either.” [Brian Windhorst’s Beat Blog]

“At the very least, you know they are going to be on the floor if they’re physically able. LeBron James will be the league’s MVP, but he could learn something from Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy and  the rest of the Orlando Magic.” [Mike Biachi – Orlando Sentinel]

Scout’s Pick: The Bulls” constant threat is to get the other team to play into their style and they can win when that happens. In a playoff series, however, it is easier to guard against it. The Cavs have the overall talent advantage, homecourt advantage plus four scoring options that will put pressure on the Bulls to score. Pick: Cavs in 5.

Hollinger’s Take: Cleveland needs a tuneup to work Shaquille O’Neal back into the mix, and the Cavs will get one with the Bulls. While Chicago rallied to make the playoffs and has proved to be a feisty opponent in the teams’ regular-season meetings, I have trouble seeing the Bulls providing much of an obstacle in the postseason. We have more important stuff to talk about, so let’s not dwell on this one. Pick: Cavs in four

And against the Magic: “My numbers like Orlando because of its dominance down the stretch of the season, but Cleveland was with the Magic step for step in the Power Rankings until Shaq and Anderson Varejao went out. We still haven’t seen what the Cavs are capable of with Antawn Jamison, Varejao and O’Neal on the court together, but I suspect the answer is “awesomeness.”  Most importantly, the Cavs have the best player in the league. A year ago, James’ 38-8-8 series averages weren’t enough because Cleveland couldn’t stop the Magic at the other end. This time around, he has more help, and I think he gets it done in a seven-game slugfest.”

J.A. Adande’s Take: More important, there’s acceptance of roles. Shaquille O’Neal called himself a “high-level role player,” an admission he wouldn’t have made as recently as last season even if it were true. Zydrunas Ilgauskas lost his starting spot to O’Neal and then was traded to the Washington Wizards, and still was willing to come back after a 30-day furlough for less money than he could have made elsewhere. Antawn Jamison was rescued from the sinking HMS Washington Wizards. The team is filled with players who accept their positions and want to be there — for now, in LeBron’s case. Just kidding, Clevelanders.

Hollinger’s Chat Wrap: If you’re talking about Playoff Odds, obviously they don’t know that the Cavs rested LeBron for several games down the stretch, which hurt their power rating. But the biggest reason it rates Cleveland’s odds so low is because Orlando is such a formidable obstacle; no team in the West presents such a daunting task. By the way, Utah’s championship odds (9.6) are still less than Cleveland’s (12.9)

Potvak wasn’t kidding: “As you might have guessed, this one wasn’t very close. LeBron managed to get all but one of our first place votes, and ran away with this one in a landslide.”

FoxSports’s Burning Question: Will Shaq Diesel slow down the Cavs?
With LeBron James possessing the ability to run opposing teams into the ground, it’s assumed that Shaquille O’Neal’s presence dials back Cleveland’s transition potential. But in playoff basketball, guys like LeBron and Coach Mike Brown are more interested in slowing things down — Brown because he likes it that way and LeBron wants to make sure the next shot is either his or created by him. OK, so the Cavs probably won’t need O’Neal to thrive against the Bulls in Round 1. With the Celtics looming as Round 2 opponents, Shaq might come in handy. And if Cleveland finds itself in a rematch with Orlando in the East finals, O’Neal gives them six more fouls to use against Dwight Howard.”

Cavs.com’s ALL TOGETHER Site

“That’s why this is a good team for us because it’ll shake us back into that killer instinct. Everyone knows about the bad blood between LeBron and Noah. And Noah has diarrhea of the mouth anyway. So it’s going to be a good situation for us. And it’s going to come down to how we handle their backcourt. It’s going to come down to their backcourt against our frontcourt.” [Austin Carr’s Blog]

“As the “Q” showcases official playoff banners, across the street on the side of Nick’s bar, it’s the fans’ turn to send a message. Years in the making, this Saturday a billboard will hang in downtown Cleveland asking LeBron to stay here.” [Landcaster Gazette]

Sabathia, seriously, what the heck…

Does Tim Potvak have dirt on David Stern?  Stern knows about the injuries to Brandon Roy, Andrew Bogut, and Chris Bosh.  He knows that KG’s injury last year hurt the Celtics.  And yet, Stern has THIS to say in lieu of all that.

I had fun reading this, if only because of Deshawn Stevenson’s award.  Also, I feel bad for Sasha, I think he should be having a better career than he is but has been derailed by some bad luck.

Commentor Colin Zvosec made some really cool playoff videos yesterday.

Tweets To The Present: (follow me @tompestak)

“Mike Woodson just asked the officials if they’d let him put asst. coach Mark Price in the game.” [Brian Windhorst]

“Denver-Utah…it’s SO on! Haha RT @TyLawson3: is deron’s hair really that wavy or is it a whole bottle of grease” [J.A. Adande]

“Watching Basketball Wives on VH1. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna sue Shaunie O’Neal and VH1 to get this half hour of my life back.” [George M. Thomas]