FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Roni said 11/07, 10:30 AM
OK, since I have no idea who BConn is, I can't talk about that.
But the Cav's question is a good topic, so I will debate on that.

I do think they will make the finals.
If anything, they are the team in the east that made the biggest leap to get better this year.

It is a given that along with the C's and Magic, they are the top of the east.

Now, the C's lost Powe and added 'Sheed. Not bad. but it is one old guy that is replacing an energy guy on the bench.

The Magic traded hedo for Carter. While a good trade, they also traded what they had for something better, but not that much.

The Cavs got Shaq. Theymade the biggest leap.
But that's not all. They also got Powe (from the C's).
They just changed too much.

The C's are basically playing with the same team as last year.
The Magic did not count on hedo unless he was on a hoit streak and at the end of a game. So they can let carter be loose and do his thing.

But then you have the Cavs, with Shaq. They really need time to learn how to play him with LBJ. And this they have the full season to do, so there's no reason to doubt they will be clicking come playoffs time.

Good luck, man.

Roni said 11/08, 11:49 AM
I don't know if you decided it's not worth the TD, or if you forgot about it, so I will be brief here :)

Cavs are a team that had too many changes in this off season.

They traded B Wallace, A Pavlovic, & some cash for Shaquille O'Neal.
then they signed Leon Powe, Danny Green amongst others.

They also played without Delonte West (missed the first three games), and most important of all, they lost their offensive coordinator John Kuester, who was hired as Pistons coach.

So all in all, they had basically a lot of changes both on court and off aswell.

They will need to get used playing with the big fella and also get used with a new offense mindset.

However, I have to say that most changes were for better, and they have the full regular season to get better.
Because what will matter is what they do comes playoff time!

Roni said 11/08, 12:19 PM
I disagree with you.
The C's are better now because they made no changes in their starting 5.
They did upgrade their bench with 'Sheed, but they lost big in not resigning Powe who was an energy guy that always showed up to play.

All in all, the C's stayed about the same. They got an old guy in 'Sheed that is also a liability in close games since at any moment he can award the other team technicals.

And I agree that Shaq will clog the middle, but he will also demand double-teams and this will free their 3 point shooters and/or alleviate the Defence on LBJ.

And don't count Shaq out. He can single handedly give you some games. Don't forget he had a solid season with the Sun's, and he is motivated, as this might very well be his last chance at a ring as a starter.

And not only that, but he played and won a ring along with great players (Kobe & Wade) so it is ridiculous to say he would be in LBJ's way. He will, if anything, open a big lane for LBJ, as no one would leave Shaq to stop LBJ.