Yesterday the Cavaliers fell 94-85 in Game 6 in Boston to drop their best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-final against the Celtics 4-2. The Cavs had dropped Game 4 on Sunday in Boston 97-87 and Game 5 on Tuesday in Cleveland 120-88.
The team that showed up in these past three defeats was not the same Cavaliers team that we saw all season long. Something was off. Something was wrong. Whether it was LeBron’s elbow, the team losing faith in the coach, or whatever the case may be, it was disappointing and hard to understand. In the previous four postseasons in the LeBron and Mike Brown era, the Cavs always rose up and played their best basketball in the playoffs. A Cavs fan could always count on that. But this year, for the first time, the Cavs played beneath their capabilities.
The Cavs were so prepared to take on Orlando after acquiring guys like Shaq and Jamison, but unfortunately those two did not match up well against Boston. Mo did not live up to expectations for the second straight postseason. And Delonte had his worst postseason by far. All of that could have been overcome if LBJ was the super-human force we’ve seen in the past, but apparently there was nothing left in his tank this time around.
Now the franchise will inevitably face change. Mike Brown will be fired and some of the players won’t be brought back. But of course the biggest story will be whatever LeBron James decides to do. It’s hard to imagine him playing anywhere else but in Cleveland. Cavs fans love him. We will forgive him for one bad series. He’s given us so many fond memories in Cleveland–even including another outstanding 61-win regular season and 6 playoff victories this season. There’s still plenty of time for him to deliver that long awaited championship to Cleveland. Let’s just hope he feels the same way this summer.
LeBron should stay.
Cavs just did not reach their potentials. They did not play with their passion.