Talking Cavs with Spencer and Jared
With the Cleveland Cavaliers on their way to the NBA Playoffs our two guys, Spencer and Jared, took some time to talk Cavs. The two have done this back and forth a few times now and readers have really gotten into it so we wanted to give it another go before Playoff season. Join in the conversation in the comments section or connect on social media:
Spencer, the Cavs are rolling right now toward the Playoffs, what is your biggest concern for the team?
SD: I think there is very little to be concerned about. The Cavs are a team that has excellent chemistry, defends well and shoots the lights out of the ball. Just about everyone has contributed in their roles and the best part is- they are having fun while doing it.
If I had to come up with something to be cautious of with Cleveland in the postseason, it’d be the lack of playoff experience. Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Harris have never played in a playoff game before. However, the multiple veteran presences on the Cavalier bench should at least balance that postseason inexperience out.
Another potential concern is that the team might have hit its peak already. The fact that Cleveland marched into Memphis and routed the Grizzlies on their home court by 30 points only to fall in Brooklyn (even though they’re a hot team) and struggle against the Sixers at the Q tells me that they’re just waiting for the postseason. A lot of other contenders in the league have had struggles with “inferior” opponents as well though, so it’s nothing to look too far into.
How do you feel about the Cavs potentially taking on the red-hot Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs, Jared?
JM: The Nets don’t worry me as much as the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat, in that order, but they do create some concerns. For the Cavs, the series would not be in doubt but the physical toll could be a bad start to the NBA Playoffs for them.
The Nets can give the Cavs trouble at multiple positions but the addition of Thaddeus Young, whom the Cavs help facilitate to the T’Wolves this summer in the Kevin Love deal, is huge. Young is athletic enough to cause Love trouble and can shoot enough to keep the team honest.
Obviously Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are also concerns. The team’s lack of depth and having Jarrett Jack as their backup point guard will be their downfall but can they steal 2 games from the Cavs? That could cause trouble as the Playoffs roll on.
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Speaking of depth, who do you think will be more important for the Cavs coming off the bench in the Playoffs, Iman Shumpert or Tristan Thompson?
SD: That’s a hard one to answer and because of that, I say both will be equally as vital in their reserve role.
Iman Shumpert has received an uptick in minutes and sometimes plays back up point guard, something that I feel we will see more often come postseason.
With David Blatt seemingly favoring smaller lineups, Tristan Thompson gets the majority of fourth quarter minutes over Timofey Mozgov as it stands now; and if that doesn’t change, he will play one of the biggest roles on the team.
What’s your opinion on the media circus as far as Kevin Love’s situation goes?
JM: I think based on Love’s personality this has become an issue. He tends to have a loner presentation. He isn’t a rah rah type and he isn’t really a style guy. If he was putting up better numbers, this wouldn’t be an issue. Because he isn’t, still putting up good numbers, his facial expressions and lack of fitting in with the Style Clique has made him a target.
It is very similar to what happened with Chris Bosh, even though everyone knew Bosh was close with Wade and LeBron. I bet we could do some media snooping and find articles from 4 years ago about Bosh regretting his decision, the Heat thinking about trading him and other non-sense. Love has done nothing that would give me any concern that he was planning on leaving.
His back is a far bigger concern for me.
If not Love, who do you think would be the best Big 3 partner for LeBron and Kyrie?
SD: Are we talking about currently on the team, or anyone in the league?
For who is already on the team, Timofey Mozgov has to be my pick. His constant cutting, improved hands and aggressive moves to the basket have dramatically improved the Cavs’ inside game on both ends of the floor.
As for somebody else that isn’t already on the team, that question is too hard to answer for me. There is so much talent in the NBA nowadays, it’s almost impossible to decide who would fit in the best with the two.
Which Cavalier is going to be the surprise player to make an impact in the postseason?
JM: Wow, now that is a great question. I can’t narrow it down more so I will say that I think one of James Jones, Mike Miller or Shawn Marion really impacts the team in the playoffs.
Obviously, due to playing time currently, Jones seems like he would be that guy. His ability to come off the bench and shoot is great. He has shown far more effort, ability on the defensive end than I ever saw in Miami and his teammates trust him.
Miller could provide very similar things as Jones but hasn’t seen the light of day in games that matter in months. Marion is the guy that I think Blatt might dust off. Defense travels, defense is capable at a moments notice. Once Marion gets back into cardio shape, I think he will be deployed in the post-season to cause havoc. The Cavs could role out JR or Delly, Iman, LeBron, Marion and either Timo or Tristan and really lock down on defense. That could be huge against the likes of Atlanta or Golden State.
Speaking of Atlanta, if the Cavs meet them in the ECF, what is your confidence level in a game between the Cavs and Hawks?
SD: Talk about an entertaining conference championship playoff series! Confidence wise, Cleveland has had trouble with the Hawks this season, dropping the last three games against Atlanta and three out of four overall. On paper, the Cavs have more talent and athleticism; but Mike Budenholzer’s group has top notch shooting and really focuses their effort on the defensive end of the ball.
If this series happens (and it should- unless Paul George and the Pacers surge and lock up the eighth seed), it will go to seven games with Cleveland coming out on top. It will be a set of grind-it-out, competitive matchups- and if the Cavs win, it will be because of their perimeter defense.
Other than the teams you’ve mentioned, do you see anyone coming out of nowhere in the East that could give the Cavs a headache?
JM: I really don’t. I think the Cavs are just firing on all cylinders. Basically as long as Kevin Love’s back holds up, and no other major injuries, I think the Cavs have too many ways to beat you and too many talented players to do it with. If Shumpert starts to hit his 3s with consistency, with his form I think it is coming, I feel very good about their chances in the East.
You are exactly right about the Hawks. They pulled off a Spurs like team very quickly. They have people who play their roles and are very good at them. The system itself is so important. The players fit the system and do what they are suppose to do.
Could the Spurs and the Spurs-East put LeBron out two years in a row?
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Finally, we both have some confidence the Cavs will make the Finals but what chances would you give them in the NBA Finals:
JM: 55%
While the West is very good the team coming out should be far more beat up than the Cavaliers. The Cavs should get some time to rest while the West team slugs out a couple 6 or 7 game series. I probably feel more than 55% confident but I am a fan so I had to take the crazy out of my number and analyze it rationally.
SD: 50%
Cleveland clearly has an easier path over any team in the West to get to the NBA Finals, that’s obvious. However, when it comes to the playoffs and level of competition, it might not exactly be a cakewalk. It all honestly depends on who comes out of the Western Conference. If it’s San Antonio, I grow less confident because it’s LeBron James’ personal version of kryptonite. The Portland Trailblazers are another team that I feel could give the Cavs issues in a Finals matchup.
So it all depends on everything that happens up until that point. Until then, Cleveland should focus on winning one game at a time. If the team does that, there should be no reason why they shouldn’t make the NBA Finals and inevitably win that well-sought after NBA Championship for the city of Cleveland.
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