It’s that time of year again. Time for the NBA Playoffs! As the Cleveland Cavaliers march towards their goal of winning an NBA Championship, I will be writing down my thoughts about the Cavaliers’ journey.
Last night the Cavaliers followed up a 96-83 Game 1 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Cleveland on Saturday with a 112-102 Game 2 victory to go up 2-0 in their best of seven Eastern Conference Quarter-final.
As the 2010 playoffs begin, it’s hard not to like the Cavs chances to bring that elusive Championship to Cleveland for the first time since 1964. They are built for this. LeBron James is the undisputed League MVP and Best Player on the Planet. He’s in his prime and hungrier than ever. And since last year’s playoff exit, the Cavs have acquired Shaq, Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker, and Jamario Moon–four talented and tested veterans. Joining them in the rotation are three starters from last year’s 66-win team–Z, Andy, and Delonte–who now come off the bench, plus holdovers Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, JJ Hickson, and Jawad Williams. The Cavaliers are the deepest and most talented team in the league. Throughout the season, the Cavs showed they can play big or small, inside or outside, halfcourt or in transition. They can now match-up with anyone.
In Game 1 the Cavs sent a message to the Bulls and the rest of the league that they are ready for the NBA’s second season, jumping out to a 14-point 1st quarter lead that they never relinquished. In Game 2 the Bulls brought their A-game and gave the Cavs their best shot, only to find themselves helpless to defend LeBron (40-8-8) in the 4th quarter and on the wrong side of another double-digit point spread.
As the Cavs first round series with the Bulls shifts to Chicago for Game 3, this series is already over. In fact it was over before it even started. The Cavs are simply too talented for the Bulls, and Michael Jordan won’t be walking through the door of the United Center anytime soon. Part of me hopes that our #23 beats the Bulls at the buzzer in this series. But then again I’d like to see the Cavs continue to dominate and put this series away easily.