The Cavs Make the Playoffs!
The Cleveland Cavaliers wrapped up a playoff spot after last night’s win against a tempestuous Mavericks team that was so embarassed during the third quarter that they resorted to thuggery. The Cavs put up 35 points in the third to Dallas’ ice cold 16 and that is when the hard fouls started coming. DJ Mbenga came in the game and seemed to start swiping at people almost as if that is what his instructions might have been. And if you think that I am making it up, Lebron James ended up being the subject of two pretty hard flagrant fouls, so the refs must have been on board too.
Regardless, the Cavs are in the playoffs for the first time since 1998. While they have been streaky, the Cavs have played well this year. Their prospects for the playoffs aren’t that huge. If the playoffs were to start today, the Cavs would play the Wizards. I would give them a slightly better than 50-50 chance of getting out of the first round. They have the ability to win a series or two, but they would have to be streaking the right way. They are a well-rounded team with pretty good depth, but they have lapses where they don’t play solid enough defense and turn the ball over on offense.
One thing that could definitely have an effect on the playoff chances is the return of Larry Hughes. Hughes has been out since early January when he had finger surgery. He had a second surgery in mid-February and all indications are that he will miss the rest of the regular season, but could be back just in time for the playoffs. Depending on what his level of play is after such a long layoff, this could be great news for the Cavs who also strengthened their team at the trade deadline with the addition of Ronald “Flip” Murray from the Seattle Sonics. It would certainly be nice to have a rotation including Damon Jones, Eric Snow, Flip Murray, Donyell Marshall, and Larry Hughes.
Either way, it is just nice to be in the playoffs. I won’t say that it wouldn’t be disappointing to get knocked out in the first round, because it would. But the Cavs have to get there the first time before they can think about advancing. I am not naive enough to think that anyone in the east has a great chance to take down the Pistons, but stranger things have happened. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself talking about the Pistons.
It’s just nice to have the playoffs back in Cleveland.
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Amen to that, welcome back to the NBA Cleveland. Feels good.
Yeah, it’s been since Mike Fratello since the Cavs made it to the playoffs. John Lucas, Randy Whitman, Paul Silas and others.
And the draft picks…
Trajan Langdon, Desegana Diop, Dujuan Wagner, Chris Mihm and others.
Blech..
BTW, theMike is now linked in the sidebar.
theCavs theSuck. theFirstround will be theLast. the2007season
Stranger things have happened? Are you kidding me? Name one.
The Pistons would be about an 80% chance to sweep the Cavs, and about 100% to close them out in 5 or less.
The NBA is synonymous with NO UPSETS. The only one I can ever remember was Mutombo beating the Sonics, and the Sonics might have been the most underachieving team of the 90s.
I know you didnt say youd beat the Pistons, but id expect to get swept and work from there.
Thats if you beat a Wizards team that has a better record over the last 40 games and the experience of winning a playoff series.
Chris D.
Sometimes I really hate you. You go out of your way to smash what I said even though I did so pretty carefully and realistically.
If I am going to get treated like a fanboy, I might as well just act like one.
GO CAVS! WHOOOOOOO!
Mission accomplished. I knew thatd pissed you off.
You are a fanboy, though. While I admit you do a great job appearing objective and cautiously optimistic, I feel it is my job to extract the “homer-isms” that you subtlely place throughout your sports posts.
I guess it just depends on expectations because my team is the 3 seed and I know we cant beat Miami or Detroit. The NBA is a reality check.
Until the Cavs get a real coach and and legit number 2 guy( and no, Larry Hughes is not a legit number 2 guy), Id follow the NFL draft and see who Romeo takes.
Chris D.