NBA Play-off Preview: Cleveland (4) vs. Washington (5)
April 18, 2008
Before I start, allow me to fly my Cavaliers fan flag once more. I think that the Cavaliers’ performance in the play-offs last year deserved more credit than it received. First, the Cavaliers imposed their will on a veteran Detroit team, sweeping them 6-0 (ok, 4-2, but it felt like 6-0 if you watched the games). Then, people keep forgetting that Larry Hughes, the second-best player on the team, was injured for the Finals. Tony Parker is a great player, but Larry Hughes on two good legs could have slowed him down a little bit. Larry tried to play anyway, and I respect him for that. But in the end, the Spurs had too much experience to be denied.
Unfortunately, that’s the last time I wave my Cavalier fan flag in this preview. Read why after the jump.
I will not give you a player-by-player comparison, because you can read that on mainstream sports sites, and they do a better job of it than I would. Let me explain why the Wizards have so much talent for a 43-39 team:
First, everyone knows that the Wizards have three of the best players in the league in Caron Butler, Gilbert Arenas, and Antawn Jamison. Don’t forget, that record is so poor because the Wizards lacked Arenas for most of the year. I am especially impressed by the game of Caron Butler. The photo above depicts him with Kobe and Lamar Odom…he might be seeing them again in 6 weeks in the Finals if he keeps up his 20 ppg along with decent averages in rebounds, assists, and steals. Also, look at how Antawn put up 30+ on this same Cleveland front line last year in the first round of the play-offs. They knew he was getting the ball, and they still couldn’t stop him. Don’t be so sure that Cleveland has the frontcourt advantage in this series; and because Washington has superior guards to match up with the Cavs, I believe they will defeat Cleveland.
As for some of the other pieces–Haywood shut down Z two years ago against the Wizards, and I am concerned that he can do it again.Nick Young, Andray Blatche, and Roger Mason all are valuable assets off the bench. I happen to believe that the play-offs are not just the property of the veteran teams; although certainly experience helps. Look at how the youthful Cavaliers took the Pistons out last year, or how the Warriors took out Dallas.
The only reason I hesitate to give the series to Washington was the Cavs beating Washington while starting D-Leaguers. It showed that the Cavs have tremendous ability under adversity, even if the talent surrounding Lebron is less than stellar. And, quite honestly, it showed that for all that talent, the Wizards can lack heart and determination. The other reason the Cavaliers are dangerous is their rebounding advantage. Z, Varajeo, and Ben Wallace each average over 8 rebounds per game. A slightly below average game from the floor is trouble for Washington; however, their stellar free-throw shooting (top 7 regulars all 75%+) should be enough to make up for that.
I believe the Wizards have enough firepower to take this series, and advance at least to the Eastern Conference Finals. If they win this series, they face Boston, who they beat 3-1 in the season series. If they win again and face Detroit, I believe their guard depth and height could be enough to tire out the Pistons guards. All the backcourt players in the world can’t help you if your guards keep turning the ball over and can’t score. And who does Tayshaun guard, Caron or Gilbert? However, if they get past Detroit, it will probably be more of Detroit’s mental lapses than the Wizards winning. Still, the Pistons have shown a surprising ability to be weak just when they should win a series, and expect a letdown from Rasheed if he doesn’t get Kevin Garnett in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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