The Orlando Magic did what they had to do, avoid a Game 7 in Cleveland, by beating the Cavs 103-90 to win the Eastern Conference Finals 4 games to 2.
I start this by congratulating the Orlando Magic. They were the better team and deserve the shot they are getting at a Title. I'll be rooting for them, because, as a Cavaliers fan, if you are going to get beat, get beat by the best. There is no shame in defeat, not at this time of year. Best of luck in the NBA Finals, Magic. Make the Eastern Conference proud.
This series was alot closer than this one game will show. There are blowouts in the playoffs all the time. Look at the Houston/LA series. What it comes down to are 3 games, Games 1, 2 and 4. Either team could have won each of those games. The Magic won 2, which earned them the right to play this game, a deciding game, in their arena. Kudos to them.
As for the game, what more is there to say? We have seen the issues the Magic present the Cavs. Tonight, we saw all of them at once. That means it was plainly visible for all to see what the Cavs need to do in the off-season to get back to this point. While a series with Boston may have meant a shot at a championship, long term success depends on the Cavaliers revamping some of their roster.
There will be plenty of time for that. For now, let's take a moment to tip our collective caps to the Magic, and celebrate what has been the greatest season in Cavaliers' history. It didn't end the way we all wanted, of course, but that doesn't mean it was a complete failure.
Try and remember that as you decompress from the game. It is disappointing, sure, but remember the rules of this website. Stay classy, Cavs fans, even if other fans do not.
GO CAVS!
0 recs | 188 comments
I think Birdman might be a stetch, but the rest is entirely possible.
Simmsinns - May 30, 2009
So, adding one player? I’m just messing with you. Bosh would be a huge help.
Brad D - May 31, 2009
Great season guys!
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
The best team won
Good result for basketball!
Better luck next year. :)
BAB-Bass - May 30, 2009
NEXT YEAR is our year. I’m bookin it
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
not if we dont get a bosh type player…like chris bosh for example…or biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirdmaaaaannnnn
HireRockyColavito - May 30, 2009
I want birdman
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
you may think you do, but you don’t
DontCallMeJoey - May 30, 2009
lol
ohc - May 31, 2009
I'm going to post before heading off for the night as to avoid the trolls
but the Cavs came into this series as the best team in the NBA but didn’t play like it this series.
They were a much deeper team than Mike Brown allowed them to be early in the series and by the time he realized it, they had given away homecourt advantage.
It’s going to be a long offseason of the Lebron to New York BS and the Cavs have to be very careful as to not hurt themselves cap wise just to kneejerk react against this series. They need help in the post, JJ Hickson or not. Marcus Camby would have changed the complex of this series dramatically but that’s water under the bridge now.
Hardcore Legend - May 30, 2009
Very good point. I don’t think we should pull a Shapiro 2008 and “stay the course,” but we can’t go out and do somethings stupid for the sake of doing something.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Well Said...
You are right on the money….
I have so much to say about what needs to be done, but that will be for another time….
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
Unfortunately now, there is plenty of it.
Chief WaDrew - May 31, 2009
Undoubtedly. Helluva series, boys.
This is where you and I depart. Positive as I am, I want a little vengeance ;-)
It’s been surreal, boys and girls. I’ve grown a lot as a basketball fan personally this year, and I have to say I’m absolutely hooked for life.
And I know this team will bring us a championship in the very near future. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Hey Turk.....just wanted to stop in real quick before i go out.....
…congratulate you guys on a great year and a great series…really tough hard fought games. Going to celebrate a bit…but i’ll be back later to chat with you guys if you’re still here..:)
MagikFanatic - May 30, 2009
Dwight Howard says “God has brought us so far.”
Well no wonder we didn’t win. The Magic had freaking God! What are we going to do against that?
Chemo - May 30, 2009
LeBron beats god 1-on-1 9/10 times.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Yeah, but the Magic were playing 6-on-1. When they put their Howard-Lewis-Turkoglu-Alston-Pietrus-God lineup on the court, we just can’t match up defensively.
Chemo - May 30, 2009
And God is just freakin’ deadly on the low post.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Cavs do have Jesus disguised as Lebron James.....
But on a serious note, wanna give a shout out to Cavs fans. As a Magic fan, i wanna thank you guys and your team for a great series.
Looking forward to watching Dwight and LeBron dueling it out for the next decade (with Lebron in Cleveland, Not NY).
Thanks again guys, Peace!
FLYNN47 - May 31, 2009
Have Chuck Norris on your side in 2009-10.
SSreporters - May 30, 2009
No more wallpapers :(
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
WHy not? We could always use a little offseason inspiration, or certainly some restrospect.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
We’ll see :)
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
I agree with Turk….Throw one to me every now and then!
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
I’m really, really, really disappointed. I don’t know what else to say. I made a mistake — I got my hopes up this year. I honestly thought this was our year, I thought this was the year we were finally going to win it all. I never imagined losing like this to Orlando.
I give credit to the Magic, because they played well, but I’m disappointed that we didn’t play up to our capabilities. This wasn’t the Cavs I watched all year long, and that’s sad. You hate to go out without playing your best.
Oh, well, just another Cleveland sports season. Life goes on.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
yeah, congrats to the magic, they played great…but the cavs really did not bring it at all in this series, and they really didn’t show up tonight. i’m massively disappointed. we’re very rarely the best at anything in the cleveland sports world, and this year we were the best at basketball…but just couldn’t seal it. major bummer.
and as an “oh by the way”, i don’t plan on watching the finals at all.
DontCallMeJoey - May 30, 2009
How can you guys be this positive? This is another crappy ending to a Cleveland sports season after such promise. The “always next year” is tired. I love this team more than anything, but this one hurts bad.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
It does hurt, but to be negative, lay blame, add to the negativity of the city…what;s the point??
It hurts like hell, but the Magic outplayed the Cavs…Now we set out to find a way to resolve that….
Let’s talk about the solutions, not the problems…
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
Ok then, what’s the solution?
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
That’s what we have the summer to talk about….
Very generally, the Cavs need to add size to the perimeter as well as an OFFENSIVE post presence….That would be a great start…
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
Couldn't agree with you more about that....
thought the play that typified the whole series for the Magic( other than any play with Dwight banging inside) was when Delonte was guarding Turkoglu at the 3 point line and Turk just stood there and shot right over him without any kind of head fake to move at all
MagikFanatic - May 31, 2009
Too soon to start scouting the draft?
Chief WaDrew - May 31, 2009
I favor genetic experimentation on Andy. When we come out for game 1 next season, he’ll be 8’4" and 375 lbs. Then he hip-checks Dwight into the 8th row on the first play of the first game we face them.
READ THIS GILBERT
Chemo - May 30, 2009
Does that mean he can't flop any longer?
pookeyguru - May 31, 2009
You guys are one, maybe two players away from dominance.
If it’s any consolation, when we talk about small forward in the Blazer’s SBN page (Blazers Edge) all we talk about is getting somebody, anybody, to put a body on LeBron. Haven’t been able to come up with a name yet. Here’s to a GREAT Cav’s season and many more (even better) to come.
GonzoFan - May 30, 2009
Thanks Gonzo….
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
I say this every time the Indians break my heart. Opportunity only presents itself every so often. It may seem like the team is set up to compete annually, but you have to take advantage of every chance you get. There is no guarantee they will be back to the level they were at
Roger Dorn - May 30, 2009
Staying positive is the only way… we have to do whatever we can, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to help bring our team and city back to greatness. And that starts with staying positive in the face of the most devastating blow to our psyche.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
I understand why waste energy being ticked. Fine. But why should we spend year after year saying “always next year”? At what point do we stop?
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
When we win.
gahnki - May 30, 2009
When we die.
Bernie19Kosar - May 30, 2009
Whichever comes first.
woodsmeister - May 31, 2009
Because Ernest Byner or Jose Mesa have nothing to do with this…
Having no answer on the roster for Lewis, Turkoglu and Howard were the reasons….Now that it has been exposed, let’s trust Danny Ferry to make it right….
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
Meaning, this isn’t a ‘Wait ’til next year’ deal. This is a building process and the Cavs are getting closer….
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
Because we’re Cleveland sports fans, and what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. We were born for this, we were raised for this. That’s why we are and always will be the best fans in the world and some of the best people you’ll ever encounter.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Exactly, if it was easy everyone would do it.
Bernie19Kosar - May 30, 2009
Well, I guess I’d rather win a championship than have the best fans in the world.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
I would to
Roger Dorn - May 30, 2009
Lets be honest at least.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
I don’t go for moral victories or try and make myself feel better. It sucks. I hate to lose. I don’t care about any of the other BS, I want a title
Roger Dorn - May 30, 2009
Thank you Roger for at least getting it.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
This isn’t a moral victory at all…..This sucks, but this team, as built, isn’t ready…
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
But everyone with the Cavs, Indians, and Browns wants to win a championship to. Do you think they don’t? Do you think this isn’t killing all the Cavs players more than any of us fans?
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
No Brad, I think it hurts worse for the players. So that must be excruciating.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
We can have both, I promise you that
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Clipper fans might have something to say about how terrible it is to be a fan
It’s not like Donald Sterling has made it easy for them, and before that, the owners of the Clippers/Braves weren’t exactly aces either.
pookeyguru - May 31, 2009
But as a whole
They don’t have much to complain about.
pookeyguru - May 31, 2009
compared to the plight of a cleveland sports fan (browns + indians + cavs), literally no one has anything to complain about. such is our existence…
DontCallMeJoey - May 31, 2009
Cubs fans..????
i mean 1908 IS A LOT longer than 1964…if your just a baseball fan i mean….i mean i don’t think the pain is any more or less if you have one sport or 2 or 4.. If you’re a certain type of fan the fan is excruciating regardless!! The Magoc haven’t won anything yet and i’m holding my breath till they do…because no matter what good happened this year…unless you win it all it sucks….and the closer you get to winning it the worse it is….kind of like an all or nothing deal happiness wise…..
MagikFanatic - May 31, 2009
The Cubs fans are probably also Bulls fans, which means they have nothing to complain about. There may be a few baseball-only fans, but they’re the exception.
Chemo - May 31, 2009
in addition to possibly being Bears fans, which while a decent amount of time ago, still within my lifetime.
Chief WaDrew - May 31, 2009
next year…
sether1 - May 31, 2009
Worst officated game ever
Orlando beat us but the refs didn’t help. Time to get better this offseason. Trade Ben Wallace and Z please, both are slow and hurt us on defense and offense.
E5 - May 30, 2009
To me, this game was called the way the rest of the series should have been. Let the guys play…Compared to the other games, it was bad, and that has been the problem throughout the playoffs – inconsistency.
That said, if the Cavs had taken care of business at home, they wouldn’t have been in this situation.
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
this game was called wildly inconsistently with the rest of the games. i’m not complaining, just saying that makes it difficult for both sides to compete effectively.
DontCallMeJoey - May 30, 2009
Let’s stop with the “trade this guy” stuff when you don’t know anything about contract situations.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
Wallace is in the last year of his deal. He will be easy to move as an expiring contract
Roger Dorn - May 30, 2009
Possibly at the trade deadline, but not in the offseason. Z has a player option which he’ll certainly pick up.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
Those would be two tough contract to trade...
…unless you want to take back nothing but bad, soon to expire contracts.
GonzoFan - May 30, 2009
also. do not re-sign wally
Roger Dorn - May 30, 2009
under no circumstances
DontCallMeJoey - May 30, 2009
Who doesn’t love floating air ball jumpshots?
gahnki - May 31, 2009
If you watch the NBA expecting consistent enforcement of the rules, you set yourself to be disappointed. NBA officiating is, and always has been, pretty poor. When offensive fouls and traveling start to be enforced maybe then we can worry about the other stuff.
Brad D - May 31, 2009
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
That may be the first thing I’ve ever agreed with Barkley about
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
It may be the nicest thing Barkley has ever said about Cleveland.
Chief WaDrew - May 31, 2009
What was his rationale?
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
none at all. The crew asked where he would be in 2 years, and that is what he said
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
Oh well, at least Barkley makes some sense.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
i mean, it’s a no brainer. an absolute no brainer. there is no chance he goes anywhere.
DontCallMeJoey - May 30, 2009
I certainly wouldn’t say “no chance.”
gahnki - May 31, 2009
i stick by “no chance”. zero. there are any number of reasons that support my contention, which we can go into in more detail another time.
DontCallMeJoey - May 31, 2009
The interview on ESPN a few weeks back when asked about going somewhere else Lebron said, “You must be looking in the wrong windows.”
sether1 - May 31, 2009
Hats off to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on a heck of a season and a heck of a series.
erivera7 - May 30, 2009
Congrats to you guys too
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
Thanks, E....
Best of luck going forward.
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - May 30, 2009
Cheers!
Best of luck in the Finals!
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Thanks, everyone.
Shout out to LeBron James for being phenomenal, as usual.
erivera7 - May 30, 2009
You younger fans may be forgiven your blind optimism and “wait until next season” mentality. However, the sad conclusion I’ve come to is that Cleveland teams are simply not championship caliber. I’ve lived long enough to finally realized that.
jlujan69 - May 30, 2009
Well, I know you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that, to me, is a terrible way to live your life. Ya gotta believe in something, and I (and many others) choose to believe that this city has the heart to win it all some day soon.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
That’s a simply ridiculous thing to say. There is nothing special about Cleveland teams that’s any worse than any other team in sports. It will happen one year; we’ve just been unlucky.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
This. It’s time to stop the whining loser mentality.
Brad D - May 31, 2009
Next year:
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
Is this even possible? Would we want him?
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
with his past problems, it’s doubtful
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
why would we even want this guy?
DontCallMeJoey - May 30, 2009
I don’t know if he is the cure for the Cavs. He’s a nice player but he’s nothing special.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
Hickson turning into a solid inside defender and offensive threat would be a major step
Roger Dorn - May 30, 2009
Yeah this is what I’ve been counting on. I think he can take a big step forward his second year. He’s shown he has talent.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
Yeah. What we have right now requires more than Birdman.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
HELLS YES!
Nice work, Smashville.
Simmsinns - May 31, 2009
GREAT SEASON
Fred Mac should be calling the finals, he was a great broadcaster here in detroit, great regular season, should get the trophy next year cavs fans!! Cleveland is way past due for some kind of title…
johnnymars40 - May 30, 2009
Guys, guys… you know what’s awesome?
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
What?
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
Thinking about how awesome it’s gonna be when Cleveland wins its first championship since ‘54. It’s gonna open the floodgates. I’m guess we’ll probably end up winning 8 or 9 titles in multiple sports over the next five years after that first one happens.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
You mean ’64, of course.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
Yikes, whoops. Believe me that it was a typo rather than a mistake of knowledge.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Oh, yeah, I know.
Buckeye Brad - May 30, 2009
What?
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
So, what are your picks in the finals?
I’m saying Lakers in 6
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
Ugh. I just had a friend say to me “hey, now you know what it’s like being a Philly fan from 1983-2008.”
Yikes, woman, get a clue.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Haha.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
I’m still in shock. We sweep the first two rounds, and lose in 6 in the next round. what? WHAT
Aditya T (smashville) - May 30, 2009
Yeah. I can’t believe this season ended this way.
nosey313 - May 30, 2009
good luck next year
the cavs did more than i ever thought they could.
you guys are legit hardcore fans.
dodgers2009 - May 30, 2009
Cheers
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
you guys have thick skin btw
i got banned on the magic site and all i did was tell them i think they have a good team that was going to win…wtf
dodgers2009 - May 30, 2009
You were walking a very fine line, dude, I’ll be honest. Thanks for being classy here now, but in the future, try to be a little less inflammatory.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
ok
dodgers2009 - May 30, 2009
Thanks for understanding, cheers
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Congrats on a great series.
Games 1, 3 and 4 were classics. 2 and 5 were double-digit games, but closer than the final score would show. My heart really goes out for Lebron…he did everything he possibly could to will this team to 4 wins, but he just didn’t have the help. I think Mo Williams is a good start, but not the answer for what this team needs. I don’t think he is a player that can fully take on the load as a second option. As a third option or a co-second option I think he’s a great fit…I just think too much was asked of him.
I look forward to many great playoff series with you guys for years to come.
Lee for three - May 30, 2009
It was a great series, that’s another reason why it was so disappointing to see this game be such a blowout.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
what do we do between now and next playoffs?
we dominated the regular season but didnt have what it takes to win the post season, i think we need to trade Z and wallace, and what we need is a real post presence and a bigger perimeter player, from what i remember at the deadline we were close to getting shaq, i think we should try doing that again and it benefits everyone involved, the suns missed the playoffs and they have to know its time to start rebuilding before they get like the pistons, a team of stars past their primes, so they win, shaq wins because he probably only has 1 or 2 productive years left and im sure hed rather spend them with a contender than a rebuilding team, we win because we have someone that can handle dwight in next years post season, as for the perimeter player i dont have any ideas on a specific player, but its clear we need more there than just mo and delonte, at least us fans can take comfort in the fact that we’re not far from the championship, 1 or 2 roster changes and we’re favorites
CavsLebronFan - May 30, 2009
Great series
Im only here to tell all of the Cav fans that you all have alot of class and ty for a great series…..i bit off alot of nails………you are truly a class act, much better than the Boston fans we dealt with in the last series and if I behved like i was dealing with Boston fans, I do apologize and hope to see you all again next year in the Eastern Conference Finals!
keiferm - May 30, 2009
We will welcome you back, as long as you hold your word to keep it classy :-)
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
rude laker fans
its really gonna be a pleasure to splash it in the faces of these really rude Laker fans!! I will always keep it classy now………stupidity got the best of me and it trickled down from Boston and LA!
keiferm - May 30, 2009
Ha, well, live and learn!
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
calm down buddy..just showing some competitiveness
blackMamba09 - May 30, 2009
it isnt competitiveness when you talk trash and havent even beaten us! Get a life……….I know why the Cav fans in here dont wanna hear this, I dont wanna hear it either!! Step back and ask yourself………what will i say when the Lakers lose? Then you will see what you are doing to frustrate fans!
keiferm - May 31, 2009
ok guy
first off this a a diff lakers team and yall are DEF a different team without Nelson against us…regular season counts for nothing it only matters when its win or go home..YOU GET A LIFE LIL GUY
blackMamba09 - May 31, 2009
Children, take it outside…
Turkmenbashi - May 31, 2009
lol
yea father lol..but no seriously I’m done fussing..I’ll let the Lakeshow prove it on the hardwood
blackMamba09 - May 31, 2009
Orlando 2-0 versus the Lakers
Lakers 4-0 versus the Rockets
As it’s been pointed out.. regular season doesn’t matter.
It’s about matchups, and the teams currently on the floor.
Both teams are hitting their strides, both had tough roads to get here. It’s going to be a great series.
But I’ll take the Lakers in 6.
tandur - May 31, 2009
Thanks
I feel like a terrible person. I’m rooting for the C’s.
Stay “classy”!
(rolls eyes)
Amager Celtic Fan - May 31, 2009
LAKERS IN 5
Detroit_lionchief - May 30, 2009
Not hateing on any of the teams just see it all Lakers this Season
Detroit_lionchief - May 30, 2009
Guys, just a note: this is not a time where we will tolerate inflammatory anti-Cleveland remarks.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
Magic and Lakers fans:
Congrats to both teams, sincerely, but please take your battle somewhere outside our grief thread.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
my bad..maybe i shouldnt have posted the Baptism of howard..nice talking to you (Magic in 5 or 6) See yall in the finals thursday!
blackMamba09 - May 30, 2009
Cheers, no worries
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
I wont bash Cleveland again cause the fans are great to chat with, unlike other teams….hint hint!!
keiferm - May 30, 2009
I didnt come in here to battle anyone, i came in here to chat with the Cav fans!
keiferm - May 30, 2009
ok cavs had great season congrads on that
Detroit_lionchief - May 30, 2009
Turk, can i get some of your diet coke too?
keiferm - May 30, 2009
Dude, I am down to my last one and I just bought a 12-pack two days ago.
Turkmenbashi - May 30, 2009
lol
ok well just asking……you guys be good and hope we can chat during the finals! thanks
keiferm - May 31, 2009
by the way, im living in the Philippines so i have not been to a Magic game in 5 years!
keiferm - May 31, 2009
That’s quite a ways from Florida, eh? Cool that you still keep up.
Turkmenbashi - May 31, 2009
yea its far and the Philippine fans are such big fans of Kobe and the Lakers, its so great to wear my Magic jersey around here and it will be even better if we win(i pray)…..
keiferm - May 31, 2009
you guys are so classy here
cleveland fans are awesome. i loved the exchange from duncan to lebron in 07 after that series.
as a spurs fan, i agree that duncan’s words of this is lebron’s league. congrats to an amazing season, and amazing performances by your superstar.
Duhoh - May 31, 2009
Thanks, man, it means a lot to hear that after a tough loss.
Turkmenbashi - May 31, 2009
Are we going to have threads on here to talk about the finals? Nothing like a chat about it with fellow Cavs fans!
Aditya T (smashville) - May 31, 2009
Don’t see why not! I probably won’t be here going comment-for-comment with you guys every game, though, as I’m going to take the Cavs’ early exit as a sign that I should start getting myself in gear for grad school/job searching.
Turkmenbashi - May 31, 2009
Disappointed but bright future
I am disappointed the Cavaliers lost and I have nothing against LeBron. He has every right to be disappointed, coming this far. He’s only angry at himself.
He will stay in Cleveland. With the new investor, there’s no telling who we might bring to Cleveland.
Everyone talks about how LeBron is going places, but what about people coming to play with him? There’s a lot on the table, and if we get some of it, we will no doubt get to the Finals AND win.
As for the Magic and Lakers… I don’t know who to pull for. I like both teams.
I’ll just stand back and watch….
Let the best man win…
But I think the Magic are going to tear the Lakers apart..
No one in Los Angeles can stop Superman himself.
He’s taken down the defending champs.
He’s taken down the projected champs.
Now he will take down.. the other projected champs.
GekkouKitsune - May 31, 2009
Hopefully Ferry doesn’t overreact to this series in the offseason. This is still a 60+ win team that was a few favorable bounces away from being in the finals.
It was the most fun I had watching NBA basketball since the 90’s Bulls teams (which is probably why some people tried to draw comparisons).
Toxicadam - May 31, 2009
Congrats Cavs fans on a hard-fought series…..I have a new respect for lebron after what I saw him do……
I cant wait for to wipe the smile of Kobe’s smug face
imagic45 - May 31, 2009
Hey, Magic fans!
Guys… GUYS!!!
Don’t go BUNKERS here… or ANYWHERE!
PLEASE… Show some class! We have THE BEST TEAM IN THE NBA, and for that reason alone, we MUST respect Cleveland and all THEY accomplished this year; the Cavs ARE a first rate team and LeBron James IS the MVP this year. He could NOT have played better.
Having said that… WHAT A SERIES! The Magic have steadily kicked it up a notch in EACH of the Playoff Series it’s played. Right now, Orlando is THE hottest team in the NBA.
I’m going out on a limb here, but I think that the Lakers are going to have the SAME MATCHUP problems that Cleveland had, plus some additional ones of their own: MP can contain Kobe better than James, simply because he’s NOT as tall, or as strong. Don’t get me wrong; Kobe WILL score his 30 to 35 points, but NO MORE, because he WILL be covered like a glove by some of the BEST defensive specialists in the league. Can the REST of the Lakers take over the slack… hounded by the no. 1 team in DEFENSIVE EFFICIENCY in the League?
Courtney Lee will run ALL OVER Fisher; heck, even Rafer is better than him. And if they leave Rafer some space, it’s lights out, Lakers! Do they have ANYONE who can guard Turk AND Lewis? And, who the heck can stop Howard. Plus, the Magic bench, which badly outplayed Cleveland’s, is quite ready for their Western counterparts, being taller, faster and having some of the deadliest 3-point shooters in the league!
I have the Orlando Magic winning the NBA Championship in 6 games.
manny55 - May 31, 2009
not really gloating...
but I just want to call out all of the Cavs fans who were so cocksure they had it in the bag, after two crap series, no real competition, and a WHOLE SEASON spent in the Leastern Conference.
Lakers record would be incredible if we could beat up on 11 .500 teams and below.
tandur - May 31, 2009
I can promise you there is no Cleveland fan alive who thinks a title is a sure thing
Roger Dorn - May 31, 2009
yeah
most of those I remember earlier from the season were bandwagoners and Lebron fans, not true Cleveland fans. Not lumping you all together. But sometimes, the fans who ride his jock need a dose of reality, and need to learn some real basketball.
And this also included the years when Kobe was alone in LA, yet we still had stupid fans around us screaming for titles in 2006-08.
tandur - May 31, 2009
well, thank goodness you’re hear to speak the truth…
are you serious, dude? this is garbage. the only of your incorrect-itude i’ll bother to address is that the east had a better record against the west than the west did against the east this year.
also, do you think this is what we want to hear/read right now?
DontCallMeJoey - May 31, 2009
2010 looms.
If the Cavs don’t do anything next year—which they won’t, because the Magic and Celtics still exist—LeBron will be strongly inclined to leaving.
redzero - May 31, 2009
This is not productive.
Chief WaDrew - May 31, 2009
Just want to start off by saying great series! So many games could have gone either way. But I really am disappointed in LeBron James after the series. I understand him being upset, but as the current MVP and future face of the league we do hold him to a higher standard. I do know that he is still young, we see that fro some of the antics he does pregame and frustration he shows at the refs, but not congratulating the other team is BS. Even grade school kids shake each other’s hands. I don’t expect him to give everyone a big hug, but at least he should show respect for the better team in the series.
Rsuave - May 31, 2009
yeh, I understand the argument that Lebron was frustrated and therefore didn’t want to congratulate the Magic/take postgame interviews but come on. He has been built up as the superstar of the NBA (along with Kobe) and along with all that publicity he has to realize the responsibility that that also carries. Namely, being a good sport, even if you don’t feel like it.
Just one more thing. Whenever a player (Mo Williams) gaurantees mid-way through a series that his team is going to win, that is just bad karma. I mean I understand Mo Williams is conceded, (e.g. during the all-star skills challenge he was like: “yeh I’m gonna win that”, “yep, I’ll win that one too”) (fyi he didn’t end up winning anything). But its hard to root for a guy that is so blatantly arrogant as Mo Williams. God must have felt the same way.
randolphforpresident - May 31, 2009
Mo Williams said he believed his team was still going to win the series
He should believe that.
His entire career has been about people slighting him. He was slighted in Utah. He was slighted in Milwaukee. He came to Cleveland and became a star. The Cavs did not take their 3rd home loss of the season too well and the reporters baited him until the point he snapped back at them.
Hardcore Legend - May 31, 2009
Wow, I really thought that 3 AM it would be safe to comeback as the 12 year olds
would be in bed. Guess not.
As much as we want to moan and cry about how the Cavs didn’t play well for much of this series, it came down to homecourt advantage. The Cavs pissing away that Game 1 lead cost them the series. They win Game 1, the hold home court and we’d be going to Game 7 back at the Q, exactly what the Cavs worked all season to have at their disposal.
The worst part about this series is people seeming to get their only taste of the Cavs from this. They were the best team in the league and it wasn’t even close to being all about Lebron like it was this series. For people that say the Cavs won’t do anything to get better, they went and got Mo Williams last off-season. He was a great player all year and after coming out and saying he believed his team would still win the series, he backed it up with his play.
The Cavs played the best defense in the league, yet all people saw in this series was Dwight Howard forearm shiving our post players into the 4th row for dunks. They saw us inexplicable leave their shooters open in the corner (because we had to perform on-court triage to the postplayers who just had their skulls split open).
The Cavs had fun all year playing as a team. The bonded as a team, they hung out more than I’ve ever seen a proffesional sports team do in their spare time. Even the bench guys who rarely got playing time were part of the team’s festivities.
For somereason, at halftime of Game 1, that all died. And that’s what people will try to label the Cavs as. That team that played from halftime Game 1 until tonight.
If the Cavs from April played the Cavs from this past week, the Cavs from April would have Kinsey and Hickson eating garbage minutes by midway through the 2nd. That’s how much better this team SHOULD have been playing.
Hardcore Legend - May 31, 2009
They never sleep.
NEVER
Simmsinns - May 31, 2009
I'm not a troll but its so off to see people in denial
The Cavs are weaker than Orlando. Period. I’m not even a fan of both teams.
Orlando evolved in the playoffs. They had a harder time against weaker teams, sans the 59 win record that pales weaker to the 66 wins cavs.
In the regular season, Orlando was 8-4 against the top 4 four teams in the NBA. Cle on the other hand had a losing records against those top teams. The Cavs went through a very weak Detroit and Atlanta team in playoffs, of course they’re going to Dominate.
Sorry, I don’t want fire or anything. But please, I think it’s an excuse more than a reason to say that the Cavs in the regular season could be Orlando (they lost 3 times against Orlando in the regular season). Orlando, while not as powerful as the Cavs against all types of teams, presents match-up issues against the Cavs. We also shouldn’t discount that Orlando learned from Boston.
Sorry, so much for “we got this”. I think, before any assertion, there must be logic and analysis in place.
Just my two cents.
Azrael - May 31, 2009
Orlando didn’t “evolve” during the playoffs, they had some historically mediocre shooters get extremely hot for six games. You don’t evolve from a so-so shooter into a great one, you get lucky. You want logic and analysis? Start there.
I don’t think you can legitimately say one team is flat-out weaker than the other when so many games went down to the wire. The Magic won two games via fluky last-second threes, and the Cavs won one. You turn all three fluke shots around (including Cleveland’s), and we’re going to Cleveland for game 7, and the Cavs probably win, and you wouldn’t be saying a thing.
Are the Cavs weaker because Rashard Lewis randomly caught an inbounds pass, spun around, fell backwards, and hit a 25% three? Or because Rafer Alston had accidentally banked in a not-even-close three-pointer a little earlier? Or because Rafer Alston in general had the fluke game of his life? Because if you take any one of those things away, we’re going back to Cleveland now.
The Cavs played awful in this series, had a lot of incredibly bad luck (except for one Lebron shot, of course), and still very nearly won it. With all of the over-reaction and “we have no chance in 2009-2010” going on in this thread, we shouldn’t lose sight of how easily this could have gone the other way.
Chemo - May 31, 2009
It's over.
The debate is useless now. Although, I agree you your points almost entirely, you’ll never convince the haters and trolls. They’re going to do what haters and trolls do… hate and troll.
Now that it’s in the past, lets move on, and talk about our potential for a lustrous future!
James – Bosh 2010!
Simmsinns - May 31, 2009
A non Cavs /Magic related question if that ok..??
I wasn’t aware that Cleveland would have tons of cap room in 2010?? When do Wally’s and Ben’s contract expire….and who do the have to resign before then?? Who will stay who will go? Just trying to figure out what the Cavs will look like the next few years if you could help with that, thanks Great series by the way…could have gone either way!!
MagikFanatic - May 31, 2009
On the Bright Side
On the bright side for you Cavs fans,
It’s only inevitable that Lebron wins a championship. There is no “if”, just “when.”
CharginChuck - May 31, 2009
Of course, it could be that the championship will be when he's in NY rather than Cle
Which would not be a brightside at all for Cav fans.
laker - May 31, 2009
I think if LBJ goes to the Knicks it would be a big mistake...
….i mean won’t Miami have just as much room as New York if that’s the case….why wouldn’t he go there? I guess we will see in time what Lebron is really about…if he’s truely about team and winning and not about himself….he won’t go to NYC…he’ll stay with the Cavs or go somewhere that already has a top star. .If he stays in Cleveland…i think it will be hard for him to convince other top players to join him though….just my impression….nothing against Cleveland
MagikFanatic - May 31, 2009
Agreed
I really don’t think Lebron would go to New York. As has been mentioned before, the Cavs are really only missing a solid big man (see Raptors fan post below, he sums it up well).
Going to NY seems like a downgrade for Lebron to me (unless they really REALLY nail in when 2010 rolls around). Also, I think most of that talk is coming from Knicks fans, who seem to act like they are entitled to Lebron James.
Plus, Lebron is a straight-up Cleveland man. I don’t seem him ditching the place he grew up in, where all his friends are, etc.
CharginChuck - May 31, 2009
As a Raptors fan who has watched Bosh...
…since his NBA debut, I can safely say a LeBron-Bosh duo is not what will spur your team onto championship success next year.
So far, Bosh has only proven himself to be a consistent 20/10 player. No, that isn’t a bad thing, but it’s hardly what you’ll need when you have LeBron (expletive) James. After watching the entire ORL-CLE series, the one glaring problem with the Cavs’ roster is the weakness of the front court: Z let D12 walk all over him, and Varejao constantly fell victim to the Magic’s screen-and-rolls featuring D12. Bosh isn’t going to bring any change.
The Cavs need bigger men that aren’t afraid to take control in the post, and let it be known that its theirs. From there on, whether those big men are used as decoys to initiate drive-and-kick attacks or open perimeter attacks, they will bring much-needed improvements to the Cavs’ currently limited offensive repertoire.
endverse - May 31, 2009
I think I’ve heard that Bosh has historically played extremely well against Howard — is that correct? Frankly, if we just had someone that could play him and Gasol to a draw on the defensive end, we’d win a title.
Chemo - May 31, 2009
Bosh has always lit up Orlando...but Howard usually does Toronto too....they never guard each other tho...
…and i think Bosh fits a better need for Orlando thank Cleveland…he’s not exactly a lock down defender, It was my impression if the Cavs need anything it’s a center who can intimidate like Dwight does….even if it is just defensively . Like Ben Wallace 6-7 years ago.
MagikFanatic - May 31, 2009
cavalier fans
Being a Magic fan i would like to congradulate the Cavs for one hell of a season. I can appreciate the frustration and hurt, i have been there through out the years with the
Magic. I do apologize for some of the idiot Magic fans who come on other blogs and belittle other teams. I would hope they are few and don’t represent our team. I am a eastern conference guy who will always be eastern no matter what team is in the finals. Good luck for next season look forward for more rematches.
krs1961us - June 1, 2009
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