Miller Family Blog

In my last post about the Cavs, I wrote how LeBron didn’t have enough left in the tank to beat the Celtics.  To me it appeared something was definitely wrong with him.  And to make matters worse, his lack of focus and itensity carried over to the teammates he was supposed to be leading.  For the past two months, as Head Coach Mike Brown was fired and GM Danny Ferry quit, the mystery of what changed this once-dominant team became more and more puzzling.  But with LeBron’s self-absorbed ESPN 1-hour special to announce his departure to Miami, it all became clear: LeBron quit in the playoffs after already deciding his Cavaliers tenure was over.

It’s all so obvious now.  LeBron had been colluding with Wade and Bosh for months (if not years, dating back to their meetings at the 2008 Olympics) to take less money in order for all three to sign with the Heat in 2010.  There’s just no way this was an overnight decision like Lebron wants everyone to believe.  Superstars don’t decide overnight they’re each leaving $15-$30 million on the table to get the Heat under the salary cap.  And then there’s this: Miami blew up their roster down to only 1 player before the trio’s annoucement this week, and the Heat weren’t even worried they were taking a risk!  LeBron didn’t care about beating Boston.  In his mind he was already gone. 

LeBron is a disgrace, a fraud, and a phony.  Not because he left town–any free agent has the right to do that.  Rather, it’s because he took fans in Cleveland, New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago, through his free agency spectacle despite knowing all along he was heading to Miami.  It’s because he duped ESPN, the worldwide leader of shame, into paying him for his 1-hour scripted announcement.   But worst of all, it’s because he quit on his teammates, coaches, and his own hometown in the middle of a playoff run.

Looking forward, Cleveland will be fine.  It’s still a great city.  And it’s survived much worse.  And personally I’m thrilled LeBron is gone before Alan is around to see this.  But I do still want my son to know about the story of LeBron.  It provides a valuable lesson to kids on the importance of looking towards family and teachers, not spoiled celebrities, to find true role models.  And it speaks to the importance of values such as community, loyalty, humility, and honesty.  Because when you don’t have these core values, you’re not even welcome in your own hometown.  Just ask LeBron.

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.

Tonight the Cavaliers scored a 124-95 Game 3 blow-out victory over the Boston Celtics in Boston to go up 2-1 in their best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-final.  The Cavs had won Game 1 on Saturday 101-93 and dropped Game 2 on Monday 104-86.  Both games were played in Cleveland.

The Cavs responded to their first major dose of adversity in these playoffs like a championship-caliber team would.  They took it personally and went out and annihilated the Celtics in Game 3.  [Now Two-time reigning MVP] LeBron answered the critics who said he looked lethargic and let his injured elbow get the best of him by going for 38-8-7.  Shaq answered the critics who said he looked old and slow by shooting 5 for 7 and playing great D.  Antawn and Mo played up to their potential and contributed as well, scoring 20 points and 12 points respectively.  It’s no secret that the Cavs need LeBron at his best and at least two of the other three to contribute for the Cavs to win games in the late rounds of the playoffs.  And when all four are at the top of their games like tonight, the Cavs are just downright unstoppable.

Game 3 was how this series was supposed to go.  Yes, the Celtics are former Champions playing with a sense of urgency to extend their run together.  But the reason their core is about to be broken up is because they just don’t have the same skills that they had two years ago during their title run.  I give them credit for playing with heart and a lot of guts in the two games in Cleveland.  Any team who beats the Cavs at the Q deserves a lot of credit.  But right now the outcomes of these games are all resting with the Cavs.  When the Cavs put it all together and play with urgency for 48 mins, no one can beat them.  When they lack focus and execution for extended periods, they open the door for a defeat.

Bascially nobody responds to a loss as well as these Cavaliers.  All year long they rebounded from losses to put up huge performances.  The next step is for the Cavs to channel that fight and desire in games following big wins as well.  A win in Game 4 of this series would all but be the final blow to the aging Celtics.

Last night the Cavaliers followed up a 121-98 Game 4 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on Sunday with a 96-94 series-clinching (4-1) Game 5 victory in Cleveland in their best of seven Eastern Conference Quarter-final.  The Cavs previously dropped Game 3 in Chicago 108-106 on Thursday.

The Cavs took care of business relatively quick in this series, with the lone blemish coming in a narrow defeat in Game 3.  I was extremely pleased with the way the Cavs handled their first bit of adversity during these playoffs, as they rebounded to crush the Bulls in Game 4 by 23 points on the road.  LeBron was incredible in Game 4, making half-court jumpers and finishing with an enormous stat line of 37-12-11.  LeBron didn’t have the same monster performance in Game 5, but fortunately the Cavs got just enough production from the supporting cast to close out this series.  Jamison looked like the player the Cavs hoped for when they acquired him midseason, draining shot after shot en route to a 20-point first half.  And during one sequence at the start of the 4th quarter, Shaq looked like the dominant Shaq of playoffs past.  Four consecutive half-court sets featured an entry pass to Shaq in the post; the first three resulted in Bulls fouls and the fourth resulted in a spin-and-slam dunk by Shaq that electrified the crowd and frustrated the Bulls.  Eventually, Gibson and Miller would foul out and Noah would finish with 5 fouls due to the Shaq effect.

Now hopefully Noah will enjoy his summer vacation.  Perhaps he can spend a few extra days in Cleveland.  As for the Cavs, the playoffs will now kick up a notch as Boston awaits in Round 2 of the Cavs’ revenge tour.  It should be a phenomenal series.  Got to like the Cavs chances though, as the Celtics are in their last stand with their current core of players.  If the Cavs play their game, there’s no reason that series can’t end in 5 just like this one.

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.