King James Gospel
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: A complete guide to the East NOT being weak

By Alishah Pearine

AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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2005-06 Playoff Run

LeBron finished his third season averaging 31.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 7 rebounds per game and led the Cavaliers to a 50-32 record. These are just some of his plays from the season:

LeBron had already shown the world what he was capable of in the regular season. What everyone was curious to see now was whether he could translate the regular season success into postseason victories.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Washington Wizards

LeBron debuted the only way he knew how to, with a 32 point triple-double in a 97-86 win. For the series, he averaged 35.7 points per game, 5.7 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game and played a whopping 47.3 minutes a night.

The team’s second-best player, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, averaged 9.8 points and 6.2 rebounds on 42% shooting. Larry Hughes, who was acquired to ease LeBron’s burden, averaged 12 points and 4 assists on 31% shooting and 26.7% from three-point range.

For the Washington Wizards, Gilbert Arenas averaged 34 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Caron Butler averaged 18.5 points per game with 10.5 rebounds and Antwan Jamison averaged 19.2 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Some could argue that the Wizards weren’t formidable enough or that if the Cavs were in the West they would’ve lost or been swept, but let’s face it, were the Cavs even that good? When analyzing the head to head matchup between the two teams—aside from the small forward position—the Wizards were better in almost every other aspect of the game. They also made the Eastern Conference semifinals the year before so inexperience wasn’t an excuse. The reason the Cavs won in 6 was simple, one team had LeBron and the other didn’t.

Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Detroit Pistons 

After dispatching the Wizards in the first round, the Cavs faced off against the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The Pistons stifling defense held their opponents to 90.2 points per game—good for 3rd best in the league. They had a defensive rating of 103.1—placing them 5th in the league. And an offensive rating of 110.8—4th in the league.

Just look at how Rasheed or Ben Wallace was able to switch on to LeBron on the perimeter everytime he would call for a pick and roll and then how either one of them would slide into the paint to prevent any easy layups. The Pistons defense was able to zero in on LeBron since the rest of the Cavaliers team was putrid offensively. This lack of spacing forced LeBron to settle for an inordinate amount of jump shots—exactly what Detroit game planned for.

Another reason Detroit won this grueling 7 game series was that 4 out of 5 of their starters averaged more than 14 points. Richard Hamilton leading the way with 19.2; Tayshaun Prince averaged 18 points a night, and both Billups and Wallace averaged 14.9 points per game. Their defensive stalwart, Ben Wallace, averaged only 5 points but grabbed 11.6 rebounds a night with a steal and 1.7 blocks. The 2005-06 Detroit team was easily one of the most potent two-way lineups ever assembled.

On the other hand, the Cavs only had 2 players average double digits: LeBron—26.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game —and Zydrunas—10.9 points per game and 6.4 rebounds.

Even though the Cavaliers held a 3-2 lead; experience, coaching, and depth played a huge role in the Pistons series victory. LeBron’s first postseason run ended with averages of 30.8 points per game, 8.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He shot 47% from the field and played 46.5 minutes per game. The Cavaliers second-leading scorer, Hughes, averaged 11 points, 4.1 assists, and 3 rebounds in 37.3 minutes. He also shot 31.9% from the field and 27.8% from 3.