Can they win it all? Why not?
Posted June 6th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
San Antonio — So are the Cavs just happy to be here in the NBA Finals? Well, let’s see, when the Spurs finished practice today at the AT&T Center, they did their media interviews and left. When the Cavs were ushered onto the arena floor, Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall were shooting video, Damon Jones was walking around sporting a Li Ning hat to get on camera, Anderson Varejao was wearing sunglasses, and athletic trainer Max Benton was taking pictures of everybody taking pictures. So, in a word, yes.
Only one guy on the Cavs has been here before, Eric Snow, so of course they are taking in the scene and having a good time. No doubt this will be interpreted as they think they’ve already accomplished their goal by some. Whatever, as Zydrunas Ilgauskas said this week, "If you can’t enjoy this, then why are you working so hard for it." True that, Z.
Varejao was taken a little aback when the Argentinian media horde that had come to interview Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto started asking him questions in Spanish. He hadn’t done Spanish interviews in awhile. Ginobili, meanwhile, answered questions in English, Spanish and Italian. Show off. You know you’re at the NBA Finals for the All-Star Game when a guy from China butts in to break up a Spanish-only interview to ask a question in English.
I keep getting asked by all these media types and on an unending string of radio interviews if I think the Cavs have a snowball’s chance of beating the Spurs. You can see my in-depth matchups here for the nuts and bolts. Of course the Spurs are favored. Of course they should win, but I’m not picking against the Cavs anymore. Since I picked the Pistons to win, I figure I’m not allowed to pick anymore. The Spurs have the better team, the experience and the homecourt advantage. The Cavs have a great defense, momentum and in my opinion the best player on the floor.
Just let me say this, with this team now, my answer to every question including the big one is: Why not? Why not, indeed.
June 6th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
The Spurs don’t have a player that can check
Lebron on his own. So they will sag and double team just like the Pistons. So
Damona better Li Ning some threes and if
Donyell wants some love in his swansong he
better hit some too. Boobie better lock and
load and Eric and Sasha have to make Ginooobli miserable. Need 1 in SA. Billy
wherever you went one fervent prayer for
our team. And a pox on Tucker and the Spurs.
June 6th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Obviously the Cavs have LeBron, and he’s the biggest factor by far, but the Cavs also have another X-Factor. They just might be young and “stupid” enough not to realize that they aren’t supposed to beat the Spurs. Youth, combined with a ****load of confidence is a dangerous combination….
FTS
http://www.fearthesword.com
June 6th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Hey Brian,
Then why’d you pick the Spurs in 7 in one of your column for tomorrow’s paper? Or did the editor twist your arm to make a choice? I prefer the “why not” prediction, but that’s because I’m trying to stay optimistic until we see what we’re facing.
Great column on David Wesley, and sad what he’s had to go through.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I have compare this series to the Lakers and the Bulls, in MJ early years, no one gave the Bulls a chance against magic, worthy, cooper and kareem, but as we know the Bulls won and I feel the samething is going to happen in this series, we will win when anyone least expect it. in the word of ali, “WE SHOOK UP THE WORLD”.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Cavs can’t get no respect: ESPN had a column today on why the Cavs are the worst team ever in the NBA Finals. Here’s hoping that in a few weeks that reads: worst team ever to win the NBA Finals, haha. Am I missing something or do I just not see the huge mismatch the experts are projecting? Are the Spurs that much more dangerous a team than the Pistons? They definitely deserve to be favored given their experience and all-around team play … but can you imagine what could happen if Bron can get in and stay in a zone like he was in against the Pistons in Game 5? I don’t know what will happen, but I like the James Gang playing the role of underdog. Take one in SA, come back to three straight home games tied 1-1 and I like our odds.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
The Cavs are right where they want to be. They’re enjoying themselves, nothing is expected of them, they’ve already over-achieved based on expert predictions so there’s no pressure. Everyone’s saying if they get swept, win a few games, either way it’ll be good for them. I agree- the CAVS are in the best position to win, so why not? We’ve got the best player in the world and nothing to lose… sounds pretty good to me!
June 6th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
The cavs are not going to beat the Spurs all the cavs have is lebron, game five he scored what the last 29 out of 30 and you can actually get excited about him scoring 48, all you morons need to get off his **** and realize that he is not anything but a ballhog
June 6th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
I guess you know you’ve gotten somewhere when the trolls come out. Too bad they don’t know how to watch Games 3, 4, and 6.
Game 1 of the Finals can’t come soon enough.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:32 am
HEY CHRIS, TWO WORDS FOR U, “YOUR MAMA”
June 7th, 2007 at 4:59 am
Brian,
Love the blog… However, you just put your name on a match up review claiming Mike Brown “Has the most complex play calls in the league”. I really think you (or your anom. scout) intended to say “least”. Please fix… If for no other reason then some random guy in C-bus is going to accidentally think you are an idiot instead of the best reporter in the biz…
The Cavs have three plays: (1) LBJ do something, (2) LBJ just stand there (DONT MOVE), and (3) Somebody just throw one up so Z can get 6 Off. Rebs. in one possession.
That said I think we win in 6. Only downside?… 3 play Mikey gets a contract extension…
June 7th, 2007 at 5:57 am
Why are scouts always anonymous? And if they’re worried about retaining their anonymity, why do they talk to the press?
And in honor of our banned or dearly departed friend Alan, one more question: Why is this particular anonymous scout the only NBA observer I’ve seen who completely agrees with BW and raves about Big Z’s toughness and strength?
June 7th, 2007 at 7:15 am
On Monday, I predicted that the Cavaliers would win in 5 games. My reasoning? Why Not?
And so I’m not stealing from Brian when I say that I am formally adopting “Why Not?” as the two-word slogan for the NBA Finals. We’ve had “Rise Up.” We’ve had “Beat Detroit.” And now, when the Cavs are facing overwhelming odds against a tested and seasoned opponent, when no one outside of Cleveland thinks they have a chance, when all of Cleveland’s sports history is weighing down on all of us, it’s time for a simple, nothing-left-to-lose battle cry.
Why Cleveland? WHY NOT!
I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m a little overwhelmed. And I’ve never been happier.
When you get a chance, head over to http://www.fearthesword.com. Say hi, leave a comment, share the love.
Go Cavs. Rise Up. Why Not?
Mike C.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:50 am
So is called pure luck that the Cavs made it to the end? Basicly, nobody has respect for the Cavs, Browns, and Indians. It’s Cleveland that nobody had respect for. And yes, if it wasn’t for Labron, Cavs wouldn’t of made it nor made it to the playoffs. Right?
June 7th, 2007 at 9:07 am
It’s the NBA finals, and as we all know the first time for the cavs. If the cavs defense can contain wake forest’s Tim Duncan, then the cavs win in six. If we can’t, this will be a 4 or 5 game series in the spurs favour. However, we now have a new tangent on our side in Daniel “boobie” AKA tits Gibson. The spurs do not have a lot of scouting on this kid and are not sure of what he can do.
Go Cavs
June 7th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
to stupid 4 being a fan :
umm , kareem was retired during that ‘91 series against the bulls , that was vlade’s rookie year
June 7th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Why not? I’ll tell you why not. Mike Brown can only coach one half of the floor, James cannot maintain his so-called killer instinct for two games in a row, let alone four, and against the spurs that will be a major problem since Lebron’s garbage teammates won’t be able to bail him out. Spurs in five at worst,four at best.
The good news Cavs fans is that because this team is out of money, so therefore out of options,and stocked with bottom feeders that can’t be traded, the Cavs won’t be able to repeat their miracle run next season. Then frustration will set in and then the king will start looking for a new throne room. Hopefully New York! Go spurs!
June 7th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Larry,
“Toughness and strength” wouldn’t have been the adjectives I would have used for Z, either.
That said, he has been a solid player in this year’s postseason. He’s upped his scoring by a couple points (while shooting no more often), he’s been a high percentage shooter (when usually percentages drop in the postseason), and he’s been a good rebounder.
All in all, these playoffs have been a redemption for him (thus far) after a dismal postseason last year.
You’d agree with that, wouldn’t you?
June 7th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Is it just me, or does ABC suck at camera angles?
June 7th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
we will win this game, now that was a good set without lbj stop giving him the ball at the top of the key, let him run off picks
June 7th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
hey eric, two words, “YOUR MAMA”
June 7th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
OKAY DONYELL THATS IT, AND SASHA, ITS ABOUT TIME, HELL WE COULD AND WILL BEAT THIS TEAM
June 7th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
WHAT THE HELL COULD SNOW BE TELLING BOOBIE, SOMEBODY PLEASE KEEP SNOW OUT OF BOOBIE EARS.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
CAVS SUCK!!! THEY CANT EVEN MAKE A SHOT DURING THIS GAME. LEBRON CANT MAKE A JUMPER IF HIS LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!!
June 7th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
OK everybody, I’m back. See, I told you the Cavs (and the Eastern conference) are WAY overrated!!! Z is rediculously untalented. 2 points and 1-8 from the field. And Larry Hughes is kicking some SA butt too eh? And oh yea, we are witnessing a Lebron suckfest.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Just a thought, Coach…maybe Boobie ought to be on the floor at all times to give the Cavs at least ONE player who can hit an open jump shot or who can drive fearlessly to the hoop. Does Cleveland even HAVE any offensive plays, or is it just pot luck?
June 7th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
u r not the real alan tucker, but nice try. any way sowhat we lost, there is at least 3 more games,and i do not care we will win this series in 7 games. mark my post.any yeah, i think there offense is pot luck, but it did get them in the final and they will win with a pot luck offense and great defense.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Well, I just saw Brown being interviewed after the game 1 loss to San Antonio. It seems that the reporters would make a better coach than Brown. Asked repeatedly if Gibson would start instead of Hughes, Brown kept saying “no”. And that, my friends, is why Cleveland needs a new coach. Gibson can steal the ball, play good defense, AND SCORE. Which of those can Hughes do? Certainly not the last one. Brown is an idiot, and that’s why San Antonio will win this series in 4 or 5 games. Oh, and by the way, whatever Brown says to the players at half time sure ain’t working either. Brown is pitiful…
June 7th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Spurs win!!!!! What happened to LeBrick James? You call that a King? There was a king on the court and LeBrick meet him…his name is King Duncan. This series is going to be shorter than a Paris Hilton jail time!!!! Go Spurs Go!!!
June 7th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Wow. Why would a Spurs fan spend time to find a Cavs beatwriter’s blog and troll? I would kinda understand if this is the official cavs board… but Windhorst’s blog? lol… Get a life dude, your team won a game,it’s not like you have just accomplished anything in your life….
June 7th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Even if Brown were going to make a lineup change, why in the world would he announce it to the world at a press conference? That’s just ridiculous. There are other ways to deal with those changes, and he of all coaches would never call out a player during a media session.
If Brown leaves Hughes in for as many minutes in Game 2 and has him cover Parker ineffectively, you can call him stupid. But I guess having a coach get his team to the finals for the first time in franchise history isn’t good enough for some fans. Let’s see what Brown does to adjust in the series before blaming him for everything the Cavs did wrong tonight. He’s not responsible for Z and LeBron not having their shot tonight.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
StayInMedina-
“But I guess having a coach get his team to the finals for the first time in franchise history isn’t good enough for some fans.”
I more or less agree with your post… but, crediting Mike Brown for this feat doesn’t hold much more weight than crediting Eric Snow. Lebron has been amazing, in so many aspects that Mike Brown has nothing to do with.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Bron-Bron choked! Just like you loser Cleveland fans can choke on my big, sweaty, moist cock!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
MJ teammates on the 91 team that beat the lakers, when no one gave them a chance, cartwright, paxson, grant, pippen, who ave 20.8 in the finals bj armstrong, scott williams, will purdue, cliff levingstion and craig hodges, now look at lebron roster for his first finals, okay enough said, will they please stop comparing lebron to micheal. look at michaels support then look at lebron support.
June 8th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Kevin:
Yes I’d agree with your assessment of Big Z’s play this postseason. He has been a contributor and solid part of the big man rotation (until last night).
I was just wondering who this mysterious scout is.
June 9th, 2007 at 11:14 am
yeah the cavs showed their true colors in game one and will continue to lose, the spurs will beat them in spurs in 4
June 11th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
The Cavs and Lebron and a “good” team but the SPURS are a “GREAT” team. We are the only team that has the Big 3!!!!
GO SPURS GO
June 12th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
“lebroom”