Here’s why it doesn’t matter who the Cavs play next

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has hit a new plateau of greatness and has  completely mastered the game. Perhaps that’s why it doesn’t matter who the Cavs play next.

Why would it matter who wins between the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics if LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to play their best and are 8-0 in the playoffs?

When the media gathered to ask James to describe the events of Game 4 and the aftermath, one reporter asked James who he would prefer to play in the Eastern Conference Finals.

James’ answer didn’t include an arrogant tone but it was, indeed, an arrogant answer.

It didn’t surprise me.

James’ answer was that he enjoys the opportunity to represent the franchise and themselves as a team and players but that it “doesn’t matter” who they play.

James is saying that out of respect for both clubs, as both the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards played the Cleveland Cavaliers tough in the regular season with the Celtics even edging out the Cavs for the top seed in the Eastern Conference by the end of the regular season.

However, the Cleveland Cavaliers went 3-1 in the regular season series with the Celtics and 2-1 in their regular season series against the Wizards.

Isaiah Thomas and John Wall, the point guards and leading men for their ball clubs, are two players who could also give the Cleveland Cavaliers fits in the Eastern Conference Finals with their speed and scoring ability. It’s not even the thought Kyrie Irving, who is simply not the level of athlete that they are, won’t be able to keep up defensively.

With Wall’s quickness, speed, ball-handling ability, court vision and aggressive style of play, nobody will be able to defend him. The Cavs would be best off letting Wall be a one-man band. With Thomas’ quickness, scoring ability, grit and a height, he can slip past defenders no matter who they are and get buckets for his team. He’s another player the Cavs should just decide to make a one-man band.

If the Cavs opt to have Wall or Thomas try to beat them by their lonesome, note this:

James is putting on an otherwordly performance this postseason while Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have yet to hit a groove. Despite this truths, the Cavs are 8-0 on their playoff run.

It’s not like they weren’t playing world-beaters in the first two rounds either, with Paul George and DeMar Derozan being every bit as talented as Wall and Thomas are.

So if the Cavs are undefeated and have experience with teams of a similar level of talent on their roster, why should it matter who they play next? Especially if the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t played their best to this point.

How could the Cavs improve?

Irving being a bit more efficient from the field and consistently play with the same defensive effort he had in Game 4 against the Raptors would be the difference between the Cavs looking like a team with one all-time great to two all-time greats. He’s already grown tremendously this season on the offensive end, being more careful with his shot selection and being hell-bent on finding his teammates.

He’s currently averaging 23.8 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game for the Cavs this postseason. He had three games where he recorded at least 9 assists and three games where he had at least two steals during the Cavs sweep of the Raptors. In his finale, Irving scored 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to help the Cavs seal the deal across the border.

He finished with 27 points, 9 assists and 4 steals.

The only problem with Irving’s game this postseason is he’s been inefficient. A problem that goes beyond the stats and into the flow of the game. If Irving isn’t hitting his shots, it’s a lot easier for teams to stay within striking distance and even take a lead in the game. In the Eastern Conference Finals, there’s nobody that’s going to be expected to stop James. If they can’t stop Irving either then it spells doom for the Cavs’ opponents.

What are you going to do? Double James with Irving right there? Double Irving with James right there? Double either with all of the shooters they have around?

No. You’re just going to lose.

It doesn’t even matter who “you” are.

Even if Irving can’t improve from shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from three-point range, which is highly unlikely, it’s not like you’re going to stop James.

James is averaging 34.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from three-point range. That pesky free-throw shooting bug may be gone thanks to Kyle Korver. Despite shooting 62.3 percent from the free-throw line in the postseason, James hit 83.3 percent of his free-throws in the second round.

His teammates? The only one shooting under 40.0 percent from three-point range is Irving.

The team’s defense? Allowing James to roam, as they use a zone-triad to trap the ball-handler, should continue in the Eastern Conference Finals. That will also be a recipe for success.

You’re not going to stop the King.

You’re not going to stop Sir Lancelot.

You’re not going to stop the Knights of the Roundtable.

Especially not if they continue their progressive improvement and reach “another level”.

You’re just going to lose.

The way things are looking, you’re probably going to get swept.

Related Story: LeBron James is the Michael Jordan of our generation

Do you think it matters who the Cleveland Cavaliers play in the Eastern Conference Finals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.

*All stats courtesy of basketball-reference.com