Category Archives: Playoffs vs. Atlanta (2009)

The Cavs welcome the break — as they should

There's nothing wrong with a few days off. Who doesn't enjoy a few days off, relaxing on the chaise lounge, sipping a Vitamin water (who actually drinks that stuff?). A few days off for the Cavs means only that they've … Continue reading

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I agree

More praise for the Cavs: "Game 3 in Atlanta was the best game their opponent has played thus far, and the Cavs won that game by 15 points. Game 4 on Monday was the worst the Cavs have played themselves, … Continue reading

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A take on the Cavs defense

How important has the Cavs defensive effort been? Consider this from ESPN's TrueHoop: "Cleveland has whittled its 99.4 points/100 possessions defensive rating (3rd best out of 30), down to a minuscule 90.8/100 in its two postseason series." No, it's not … Continue reading

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Cavs sweep another series, thanks to their defense

Do we focus on the big picture, the little picture, or worry about the offensive flaws the past two games exposed? Perhaps all the above — though when a team sweeps consecutive series and the team's standout appears for his … Continue reading

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Apparently LeBron wasn't the only one with a party planned Saturday night

Zaza Pachulia also had plans. Check out the (pretty humorous) link from waitingfornext year.com. Wonder if his ejection affected the party.

Posted in Cavs, McManamon, Playoffs vs. Atlanta (2009) | 2 Comments

A critic trashes the Cavs chances

At last … a naysayer. Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com is not overly impressed with the Cavs front-court (or, in the present-day vernacular, the "bigs"). He loves LeBron James, but says the idea of the Cavs winning a championship is not … Continue reading

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LeBron gets away with fouls? Deal with it

ESPN has joined the wailing that LeBron James is given preferential treatment by officials. Truth be told, I thought James deserved four fouls in Game 2, and three in Game 3. He got one in each. It is pretty amazing to think … Continue reading

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The Cavs look ahead to Game 4 and a sweep

Some highlights from interviews Sunday with the Cavs: There was a lot of discussion about LeBron James' 47-point game, and the decision to let him go. Players and coach Mike Brown admitted that won't happen every game, but James was … Continue reading

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LeBron enters new territory with 47, 12 and 8 in Game 3 win over Atlanta

The Cavs tell us that no player in NBA history has had a playoff game with 47 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Until LeBron James did it Saturday night in Atlanta. Apparently Michael Jordan had one with 45, 10 … Continue reading

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The view from Atlanta

Pretty straightforward: "If the Hawks can't muster any more energy or healthy bodies at Philips Arena, there's no reason to believe they'll make a return trip here next week for Game 5."

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"It has to be a team thing"

"They're out there laughing and joking and having fun. And that in itself is demoralizing — when you have a team full of guys just playing together and picking you apart. "It doesn't matter if it's the first quarter  or the … Continue reading

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A "hoops utopia" has sprung in Cleveland

I've been saying since the playoffs started that the Cavs have something special going in their building. It's an event. It's a happening. It's a party where they just happen to play a baskeball game. Chris Broussard has been to … Continue reading

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Cavs make it look ridiculously easy beating Atlanta

Mike Brown doesn't want his team to get ahead of itself after two easy wins over the Atlanta Hawks. Good luck. The Hawks started Game 2 without Al Horford and Marvin Williams, then they lost Joe Johnson in the third … Continue reading

Posted in Cavs, LeBron, McManamon, Playoffs vs. Atlanta (2009) | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Atlanta sounds like it's planning for an early exit

Doesn't sound like the folks in Atlanta (or with the Hawks) are overflowing with confidence heading into tonight's game. "The Hawks must decide," Mark Bradley writes in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "if they're willing to pay the heavy price to trade blows … Continue reading

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The ever-so-efficient Cavs

Chris Broussard of ESPN.com has it right about the Cavs: "I'm getting bored." He continues: "Tuesday's 99-72 rout of Atlanta was the fifth Cavs playoff game I've covered and not once has their opponent come within single digits of them. … Continue reading

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Elias has numbers on the Cavs

From the Elias Sports Bureau following the Game 1 win over Atlanta: The Cavs matched the largest margin of victory in the opening game of a conference semifinal in the last nine years. The Cavs lost by 27 to Detroit … Continue reading

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Cavs first win in Round 2 was not that difficult

Game 1 of the Cavs-Hawks didn't provide a lot to grab hold of, so let's grab hold of this: The Cavs have won all five of their playoff games by double digits. They become the fifth team in NBA history … Continue reading

Posted in Ben Wallace, Cavs, Delonte West, LeBron, McManamon, Playoffs vs. Atlanta (2009) | 1 Comment

More love for the Cavs

The Hawks biggest issue in this series: Who defends LeBron James. Which really is the biggest issue for any team the Cavs face. Charley Rosen of Fox offers: "Play him soft on defense, and let him shoot as many jumpers as … Continue reading

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Guess there's no need to even play the Series

AOL has given the Series to the Cavs. Already. Tim Povtak writes: "(Magic coach Stan) Van Gundy chuckled at the notion that the Magic would take greater joy in beating the most storied franchise in league history on their way … Continue reading

Posted in Cavs, McManamon, Playoffs vs. Atlanta (2009) | 1 Comment

Magic: "I believe that Atlanta will win a game"

Magic Johnson does a lot of TV during the playoffs. Here he appears on ESPN, chuckling at the most painfully staged ad lib this side of Ryan Seacrest coming from Jon Barry. Magic's take on the Cavs-Hawks: "I believe that … Continue reading

Posted in Cavs, McManamon, Playoffs vs. Atlanta (2009) | 3 Comments

Well … they'll get him

Hawks fans chanted "Bring on LeBron" during Atlanta's Game 7 win over Miami on Sunday. Don't you wonder how many chanted that? Was it 80? 800? 8,000? Four guys at the hot dog stand? The Hawks' version of the Scream … Continue reading

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