Podcast: Death Lineups, Kobe’s Farewell, & The Cavs Playoff Identity
2016-04-14https://soundcloud.com/dayton-radio/tom-pestak-cavstheblogcom-joins-mark-neal-talking-all-things-cavs-on-dss
Mark and I discussed the final night of the season, the Warriors’ death lineups, LeBron’s elevated play, playoff match-ups, and even discussed the dichotomy between the Browns and Bengals. It’s playoff time.
NBATV is calling it “effective line-ups” than death line-ups. lol Not sure why. They did mention the Cavs effective line-up does not include Kyrie Irving and they went ooo’s & ouches to that. Then they showed clips as to why. What you mentioned on the podcast of how Delly gets Lebron off the ball were the clips. It was compelling. TT, Love , Delly, Lebron & JR was the effective line-up. But Cavs were not the only example of teams were a starter was not on the effective line-ups. It wasn’t many though. Most people tuned into the Kobe farewell… Read more »
So much going on at CtB lately and too many topics to cover! This was a nice listen though. As tough as you (and many of us) can be on the Cavs here, you paint a positive and realistic picture as far as LeBron, rest, and the #1 seed. Funny how so many of us grab our crosses and holy water at the mere mention of his name, but your comment that Mark Jackson helped make the Warriors tough is ironic for a fanbase that has regularly questioned the Cavs’ toughness all season. I think it’s the same guy every… Read more »
It’s been refreshing to hear you consistently accept that the Warriors are almost certainly winning the title this year, Tom. I’m right with you, and I’ve been there since the MLK day massacre. People get excited when they lose a game, or ALMOST lose a game, and act like they’re beatable now. But they don’t seem to get how freaking hard it is to ALMOST beat that team. In a single game. Nobody is beating them 4 out of 7. I’d love to be wrong, but I’m pretty sure I’m not. Next year might be the year they can be… Read more »
I totally agree. I think GSW has been incredible. They have to be the biggest favorites to win — maybe of all time. They really should slice right through the playoffs. They have just been so dominant.
My only hope is Cavs are there in the Finals to meet them. With LBJ as massive underdog (which is what he will be –vjust absolutely massive massive underdog against the amazing Ws), it will be fun to watch. I think the matchup will happen, and its going to great. Or, in the words of Cols, awesome.
Andre Iguodala played a bit out of his mind in last year’s finals and David Lee swung a game himself – so it’s possible the LeBron affect will be harder to counter this year.
And yes, injuries. If Thompson and Green to down the Warriors are very beatable.
And who knows – never bet against Gregg Popovich.
I’m excited for the playoffs.
I think if either Green or Curry go down, we could make a series of it. Iguodola did indeed play out of his mind in last year’s finals, but I still would have voted for James for MVP. The vote was close and Jason Lloyd proved he isn’t a homer by voting for Iguodala.
I think we can beat them at full strength. Slow the pace, lots of ISO with LBJ and KI doing drive and kick, and intense defense. We just need to what we did last year but have KI take some of the burden off of LBJ so he doesn’t get exhausted, and have JR, KI, Love, Frye, Delly make a few more threes than the role players made last year. But we will be major major ‘dogs.
I’m not really arguing with your points, Tom, but even though Iggy was great in the finals last year, he’s been so good for them in general. I just don’t think his finals performance was really much out of the norm for him with the Warriors. You can really see the effect on them when he’s out with some injury. The Spurs certainly have a chance, but I think Pop looks at that team and knows they don’t really have any magical answers. I think they’d need LMA to somehow abuse Green at the offensive end, maybe get him in… Read more »
This is basically the first time in his career that LeBron has been a major underdog and shoved off center stage (wouldn’t have it any other way in CLE). Maybe it brings out the best in him when backed into a corner. I’ve been saying all season that this is the year we find out whether LeBron is “only” an all-time great or challenger for GOAT. Either way, the Warriors will end up being either the worst or the best thing that ever happened to Bron.
Always a great listen – thanks again Tom.
Thanks Simmo!
I know the audience isn’t really CtB but it’s NBA talk, right?