First let me just say that the West is still a lot better than the East. The final four teams in the Western Conference are more talented and stronger than the four teams in the East. That said however, the best individual team may come from the weaker conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers have stormed through the playoffs and are on their way to a second straight sweep. After compiling a league's best 66-16 record and an almost record setting home record of 39-2, the Cavaliers look like the team to beat. Of course, it doesn't hurt when you have the Coach of the Year in Mike Brown and the best player and newly crowned MVP in LeBron James. James finally won his first MVP award in his sixth season and became the youngest to do so since Moses Malone in 1979. James' extraordinary set of skills makes him the most exciting and compelling player in the NBA. His natural ability to get to the basket, make great passes, and pull down rebounds sets him apart from rivals like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade. Bryant may be the best scorer in the league, Wade may be the best penetrator, Dwight Howard may be the best rebounder, and Chris Paul may be the best passer, but none of them have the complete skill set of LeBron.
While James is far and away the best and most important player on the Cavs, what really makes the team special is the complementary players and the chemistry they have. Every player knows and embraces his role. Anderson Varejao provides the energy, all-star Mo Williams provides the secondary scoring, and Delonte West provides another penetrating factor to free up LeBron. Every player means something to this team. Their chemistry and tightness as a team is also astonishing. When James accepted his MVP, he brought his whole team to the ceremony and seeing his reactions to another teammates' dunk or flashy pass shows this is not a one-man show like the Lakers. The Cavaliers have yet to show weakness in the playoffs and to be honest, one should not expect a challenge until the Finals. Orlando or Boston may take a game or two in the Eastern Conference Finals but there is no way this Cavaliers team is not winning the East. When all is said and done, expect LeBron and his teammates to bring back the most important trophy of all: the Championship.
-A.S.
Lol. Stronger teams in the west? I have seen the competetion. LA looks exhausted, they can't even finish a weak Rockets team without Yao. Denver is playing well but everyone knows the Mavericks are no contenders. I believe you are a 100 percent correct. Even if the lakers do make it to the finals they are in no shape to take on the Cavaliers. I honestly feel this situation would be different if Kevin Gernett wasnt injured. A complete Boston roster would definately hold down the Cavs. All I can do is hope and pray the heart and experience of the celtics will somehow prevail.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't count out the Lakers yet, they will most definitely have an attitude change in the next game to show that Game 4 was a fluke. If Lamar Odom starts to contribute something as we have seen in flashes at times in the past and Gasol plays well in the post, L.A. could be tough to beat. Kobe won't just roll over and die, we all know he wants to say he earned a ring without the help of a fellow superstar.
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