Tag NBA

Can Anyone Stop The Cavs?

Danny Vinik 1 Comment

Hawks Cavaliers BasketballThe Cleveland Cavaliers dismantled the Atlanta Hawks last night, 99-72, in what will likely be a four-game sweep. This win was impressive on so many levels. Before even getting to LeBron and the steady offense of the Cavs, let’s look at the defense, which is what really wins championships.

Atlanta entered yesterday’s game averaging 87.3 points per game in their first round series. So holding them to 72 points is very impressive, especially considering the Hawks didn’t shoot that badly (28 of 64 – 43.8%). However, the Cavs forced 17 turnovers, including 12 steals. The game was close at halftime at 49-44, but then Cleveland amped up the defense. Atlanta only had 28 points in the entire second half. Wow.

We saw with the Celtics last year that defense wins championships. With Cleveland holding opponents to just 76.8 points per game, they are well on their way to bringing an NBA Championship home.

Now, to the part of the Cavs that really is anyone watches. LeBron James. He just won his first MVP award and continues to prove just how good he is. He played just 34 minutes in the win yesterday and scored 34 easy points. He shot just 20 shots, making 12 of them, and was 8 of 9 from the free throw line. He grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and had 4 steals. All in a night’s work. Best of all, he made it look easy. Continue reading “Can Anyone Stop The Cavs?” →

Howard Deserves The Suspension

Danny Vinik Leave a comment

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard was suspended by the NBA for game 6 of the series between the Magic and Philadelphia 76ers after Howard delivered a forearm/elbow to the head of Samuel Dalembert. It was a vicious swing, instigated by Dalembert’s push in the back on Howard, but either way, Howard’s was much more dangerous.

Dalembert delivered a slight push on Howard while the two fought for a rebound, but after the play had ended, the Magic center reacted violently. He smacked Dalembert across the head and trotted up the court as if nothing was happened. The refs assessed him a technical foul for which he should be thankful, because replays show it as a clear flagrant-two foul, an automatic ejection.

Unfortunately for Magic fans, that means that they will be without their superstar for game 6 and will almost certainly be heading home for a game seven. Without Howard, Orlando has no hopes of beating the 76ers on their home court. Howard brought it upon himself though and has no one else to blame. The NBA made the right call. He should be thankful that the officials in game five didn’t. Continue reading “Howard Deserves The Suspension” →

Spurs Season Over

Danny Vinik Leave a comment

The San Antonio Spurs’ season came to an end yesterdayMavericks Spurs Basketball with a 106-93 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks, the 6-seed in the series, took four of the five games to win the best-of-seven series and advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

Here’s my question: How did the Spurs let this happen?

How did a team with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker fall so easily. Duncan and Parker were thought to be two of the best players in the league but this pitiful defeat shows otherwise. If you have a point guard and a big man of that caliber, you shouldn’t lose in the first round, especially playing a Mavericks team that just isn’t very good.

Tony Parker averaged 28.6 points per game, 6.8 assists per game, and shot 54.6% from the field. However, he also averaged 4.2 turnovers per game and mad just 3 of 14 3-pointers throughout the series. Turnovers are the most critical aspect of a basketball game, because they swing momentum. Those 4+ turnovers per game cost the Spurs more than just the 2 points the other team gets. They cost them the 10-2 run the Mavericks go on, because of the momentum they gain from those turnovers. Obviously, that run doesn’t always occur, but a lot of the time it does and it can be traced directly back to Parker. Continue reading “Spurs Season Over” →