SportsAndLady;1858920 wrote:Cavs don't blow a 6 pt lead at home in the final 2 min and we're getting ready to play a game 6 at home. Then a winner take all game 7.

Let's not pretend like GS is completely unbeatable. They're obviously great, but the cavs are pretty damn good too. With an improved bench, they could definitely beat GS.

They blew that game for a reason, though. Lebron and Kyrie played 46 and 44 minutes while Durant and Thompson played 41 (Curry/Green <40). Lebron was gassed at the end and it showed by him making a couple dumb mistakes. Their stars didn't have to play full throttle the entire game/series like Lebron and Kyrie did. So they didn't just completely choke to dumb luck. Exhaustion was a theme all series.

Improving the bench would help with that but how? Livingston and Iguodala (If they resign) off their bench is already going to be tough to beat given the Cavs limitations. Plus Golden State's strategy is going to be similar - acquire old vets who can contribute here or there and try to win a ring.

I don't think GSW is unbeatable but there's a lot of limitations on improving the bench.

friendfromlowry;1858923 wrote:They blew that game for a reason, though. Lebron and Kyrie played 46 and 44 minutes while Durant and Thompson played 41 (Curry/Green <40). Lebron was gassed at the end and it showed by him making a couple dumb mistakes. Their stars didn't have to play full throttle the entire game/series like Lebron and Kyrie did. So they didn't just completely choke to dumb luck. Exhaustion was a theme all series.

Improving the bench would help with that but how? Livingston and Iguodala (If they resign) off their bench is already going to be tough to beat given the Cavs limitations. Plus Golden State's strategy is going to be similar - acquire old vets who can contribute here or there and try to win a ring.

I don't think GSW is unbeatable but there's a lot of limitations on improving the bench.

If the cavs had a DECENT bench, this series is either 3-2 cavs or 3-2 warriors.

I trust David griffin can put together a decent bench.

I would look no further than the bench. This starting 5 is just fine. The bench is trash. Korver is fine, in my opinion, if the rest of the bench is stronger.

SportsAndLady;1858920 wrote:Cavs don't blow a 6 pt lead at home in the final 2 min and we're getting ready to play a game 6 at home. Then a winner take all game 7.

Let's not pretend like GS is completely unbeatable. They're obviously great, but the cavs are pretty damn good too. With an improved bench, they could definitely beat GS.

Agreed 100%. I think the bench needs the most work so I'll let Griffin do his magic.

A major area of need, to me, is someone who can give quality minutes when Lebron takes a breather....Hell, just a bench that can weather the storm until the starters return....keep a lead or deficit intact instead of turning a 3 point lead into a 14 point deficit.

This is what Deron Williams/Korver was supposed to help with but obviously they completely flopped in the Finals.

BR1986FB;1858921 wrote:I'm starting to agree that a (drastically, not tweaked) bench will give the Cavs a decent chance against GSW next year.

Kerr's system is pretty much "plug & play" where they don't really miss a beat when their reserves come in. It helps that they usually have 2 of their 4 guys on the floor at all times. The Cavs don't have this and they really don't have a system.

Why can't the Cavs have a "plug & play" system?

Commander of Awesome;1858987 wrote:Why can't the Cavs have a "plug & play" system?

Probably could, if they got a new coach. Lue's philosophy seems to be "let's outscore them and screw the defense."

When Kerr's health & his future were brought up, he made a comment to the effect of "this team can run on autopilot." They put in their reserves and they don't miss much of a beat. Going into that series, on paper, I think many thought the Cavs had an advantage with their bench. Cavs may have had better players but the Warriors play better within that system.

BR1986FB;1858992 wrote:Probably could, if they got a new coach. Lue's philosophy seems to be "let's outscore them and screw the defense."

When Kerr's health & his future were brought up, he made a comment to the effect of "this team can run on autopilot." They put in their reserves and they don't miss much of a beat. Going into that series, on paper, I think many thought the Cavs had an advantage with their bench. Cavs may have had better players but the Warriors play better within that system.

Lue's "Screw the Defense" mentality must have been honed as Cav's defensive coach in 2015-2016 seasons (before he was promoted to head coach). At that time Cavs were a top 5 defensive team. Maybe our team is missing guys like Delly and Moz and a healthy shump who could be defensive minded players. Instead we got old slow guys who can hit 3's. Hard to play defense with Love, Korver and Kyrie out there. Have to play to your strengths.

I will say the Cavs offense, with about 4 guys contributing, was plenty to win. If they went eith bench guys who are more defenders vs shooters, I think they will be in a better spot. Not sure who is available, but that would be where I'd start

I heard Wiggins is a good defender...

ernest_t_bass;1859043 wrote:I heard Wiggins is a good defender...

The cavs got a title last year, and Love played a big part in that. For that, I can't be mad at that trade.

However, I think in 5-10 years from now we'll look back and say that trade was a mistake.

SportsAndLady;1859046 wrote:The cavs got a title last year, and Love played a big part in that. For that, I can't be mad at that trade.

However, I think in 5-10 years from now we'll look back and say that trade was a mistake.

You and I were both pretty on the keep wiggins bandwagon, and I agree it's possible we'll regret the trade. I also can't forget how great Love played this post season, leading up to the finals. No QQing from him, etc.. I like him.

Laley23;1859028 wrote:I will say the Cavs offense, with about 4 guys contributing, was plenty to win. If they went eith bench guys who are more defenders vs shooters, I think they will be in a better spot. Not sure who is available, but that would be where I'd start

Four guys contributing happened once in that series.

friendfromlowry;1859056 wrote:Four guys contributing happened once in that series.

Not the point at all. Point is, LeBron, Kyrie, Love and some random were plenty on offense.

Commander of Awesome;1859055 wrote:You and I were both pretty on the keep wiggins bandwagon, and I agree it's possible we'll regret the trade. I also can't forget how great Love played this post season, leading up to the finals. No QQing from him, etc.. I like him.

Yeah I have no problem with Love. People are mad that he disappeared in game 5. But forget he played very well leading up to it. Also, he's our third option. I don't expect 25 pts every single game from our 3rd option. He's going to have some shitty scoring games, unfortunately it came in game 5.

The Warriors averaged 121/ppg in the finals. Putting up 6, 9, 15 points as our third best option isn't going to cut it.

SportsAndLady;1859096 wrote:Yeah I have no problem with Love. People are mad that he disappeared in game 5. But forget he played very well leading up to it. Also, he's our third option. I don't expect 25 pts every single game from our 3rd option. He's going to have some shitty scoring games, unfortunately it came in game 5.

And, hypothetically, if they did trade for Paul George, he'd likely be the third option, in the same boat as Love, although better defensively. PG wouldn't be putting up 25 ppg either (not that you said he would).

Finals just ended Monday and is anyone already sick of the Lebron will be joining the Lakers/Clippers" crap?

One big difference. PG-13 can create himself. He can carry an offense without anyone getting him the all in perfect spot. That would be HUGE for the bench and for LeBrons rest.

I would venture if PG was on Cavs, all 3 of them average over 20ppg.

BR1986FB;1859113 wrote:And, hypothetically, if they did trade for Paul George, he'd likely be the third option, in the same boat as Love, although better defensively. PG wouldn't be putting up 25 ppg either (not that you said he would).

Finals just ended Monday and is anyone already sick of the Lebron will be joining the Lakers/Clippers" crap?

I haven't looked at any media shit since Monday night. Glad I'm not now that I know they're saying lebron is going to the fucking clippers. Smh

Woj is reporting that "people around the league" believe that Bron will join the Lakers or Clippers.

Woj is the best, but come on.

wildcats20;1859152 wrote:Woj is reporting that "people around the league" believe that Bron will join the Lakers or Clippers.

Woj is the best, but come on.

Well he is joining ESPN now, so he probably has to do this shit.

SportsAndLady;1859143 wrote:I haven't looked at any media shit since Monday night. Glad I'm not now that I know they're saying lebron is going to the fucking clippers. Smh

You're smart. Stay away from it for awhile. The media are having a huge circle jerk over the Warriors right now and the Lebron speculation is already heating up.

Nice read on what could be the downfall of this potential Warriors "dynasty."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/potential-pitfall-warriors-burgeoning-dynasty-140717749.html

Can someone explain to me what "Bird rights" means?

ernest_t_bass;1859157 wrote:Can someone explain to me what "Bird rights" means?

In essence, the Larry Bird exception allows teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free agents, at an amount up to the maximum salary. To qualify as a Bird free agent, a player must have played three seasons without being waived or changing teams as a free agent.

wildcats20;1859152 wrote:Woj is reporting that "people around the league" believe that Bron will join the Lakers or Clippers.

Woj is the best, but come on.

Also keep in mind that Lebron isn't exactly on the best terms with Woj. When LBJ left for Miami, Woj was one of those who lead the charge, and sided with the fans, ripping Lebron for the move. Might have been part of the reason LBJ went with Lee Jenkins to break the story of his return over someone better connected, like Woj.