Fuck staying calm ~ right now a sweep looks more likely than the cavs progressing!
The first half was everything I feared, LBJ going off, Thompson giving them energy and boards and love & kover hitting shots. Somehow we stayed with them.
The second half they just seemed to run out of gas; some of their defence must be up there with the worst ever in a conf final, one 3from Rozier in particular where love and lbj just watched him with no effort to close out. Bizarre
Great quote from van Gundy “The Cavaliers eye-roll each other more than a couple in a bad marriage”
2 wins away from the dynasty officially starting
Yeah, they break down pretty catastrophically a lot.
Counter that with the warriors, first play against rocks, they miscommunicate a switch, but basically fix it and move on.
Also, we're seeing the limitations of simple offense and defense when it comes to mismatch basketball.
Bballbreakdown vid on Rockets trying to switch on to curry shows how clever defense is now.
Celts did it too. Kept smalls off LBJ by reswitching on the fly. "scram" plays, the name according to Lowe.
I noticed it first last year with warriors v Portland. Ehten they just dismantled them. Not sure who gets the credit. Ron Adams or draymond. As a scheme, I'm guessing Adams.
They had a top 5 (higher?) D in their 60 win season. With non elite length and athleticism.
Had a lot of smart defenders though. So it'll be interesting what he can teach some of the young ones. (maker could make a leap under bud.)
Basically, Kidd was thoroughly old school in his principles, at both ends. Bud is thoroughly modern. And even when Atlanta had a cruddy line up with Dwight they still ran nice stuff and executed.
At which point I'm still rooting Boston because they are missing their starboiz and that makes them extra cool for doing what they've done this playoffs.