2009 NBA Playoffs
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ECF Game 5 in Review: Stayin' Alive Style
May I be the first to congratulate the Orlando Magic for another valiant effort. This series has showcased exactly how much talent this Orlando team has and the match-up issues they're giving the Cavs. 3 of the 5 games have come down to the final shot. The Magic won 2 of them. The other two games were 10 point margins of victory/defeat. The teams split those games. The series is now at 3-2, still in favor of the Magic. Game 6 will certainly be one for the ages.
However, before we move onto the next game, let's review some of the finer points of last nights Cavs 112-102 win in Game 5....
* I've said it before and I'll say it again. I knew going into the series that it wouldn't be easy. No lead is a big enough lead for the Magic to overcome. They can surely erase a deficit in a hurry! Yikes!
* Finally, the Cavs supporting cast steps up! Finally! This game was more like the Cavs regular season offense. LeBron being able to kick it out to Mo, Delonte or Boobie and for them to knock down shots was huge!
* This game proved that sooner or later the Magic wouldn't be able to continue to shoot light's out in a game. The Magic were 32% from the 3-point line last night. For everyone that thinks the biggest disparity in this series is because all the Magic do is shoot 3's, they are wrong. I've been saying all along the Cavs have been cold from the field while the Magic have been red-hot. It's really that simple. For instance, the Cavs have taken 110 3-pointers this series and have made 33 of them for a 30% average. The Magic have taken 123 3-pointers and have made 50 of them for a 41% average. For all the hype the Magic get for "only shooting 3's", they've taken only 13 more than the Cavs this entire series! The difference has been the Magic's ability to knock them down at a higher rate than the Cavs. If last night was any sign that the averages will start to be more realistic to the efficiency how both teams regularly shoot, then this series is long from over. During the regular season the Magic shot 36% from the 3, not 41%. The Cavs shot 33% from the 3 during the regular season, not 30%. Suddenly there's not such a great disparity.
* Heading into that epic 4th quarter, the Cavs trailed by one point (79-78). Someone wearing #23 decided to take the game into his own hands. The performance by LeBron last night will and should be compared to Game 5 in the 2007 ECF against Detroit. In that game LeBron scored the final 25 points for the Cavs and 29 of their last 30. In the double-overtime contest, he finished with 48 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast. Until last night, that game was considered his best game as a Cav. I think after last night's effort, his greatest game is now debatable. LeBron was single handily responsible for 32 Cavs points in the 4th quarter by score or assist!! He finished with 37 pts, 14 reb, 12 ast. Wow. Just Wow!!!
* One game, one day at a time. I've been living by these words since the beginning of this series. The percentages may say otherwise of our chances at overcoming this series deficit, but right now I'm just proud as hell of this team and the marvelous games that we've been treated to in this series. The game ending shots by Rashard Lewis in games 1 & 3, the buzzer beater 3 by LeBron in game 2, Lebron's 4th quarter performance in game 5. Wow. Just wow!
* All I ever wanted after finding ourselves down 1-3 in this series was a fighting shot. Well, with the series now at 2-3 and heading back to Orlando, we've got one. If we win, the series is all tied up and heading back to Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavs lost 2 games all season for a Game 7. All bets would be off at that point. But before we forecast a Game 7, we must first take care of business in Orlando. No doubt this will be our toughest test yet. It should be an all out battle from start to finish. Good luck to all.
May I be the first to congratulate the Orlando Magic for another valiant effort. This series has showcased exactly how much talent this Orlando team has and the match-up issues they're giving the Cavs. 3 of the 5 games have come down to the final shot. The Magic won 2 of them. The other two games were 10 point margins of victory/defeat. The teams split those games. The series is now at 3-2, still in favor of the Magic. Game 6 will certainly be one for the ages.
However, before we move onto the next game, let's review some of the finer points of last nights Cavs 112-102 win in Game 5....
* I've said it before and I'll say it again. I knew going into the series that it wouldn't be easy. No lead is a big enough lead for the Magic to overcome. They can surely erase a deficit in a hurry! Yikes!
* Finally, the Cavs supporting cast steps up! Finally! This game was more like the Cavs regular season offense. LeBron being able to kick it out to Mo, Delonte or Boobie and for them to knock down shots was huge!
* This game proved that sooner or later the Magic wouldn't be able to continue to shoot light's out in a game. The Magic were 32% from the 3-point line last night. For everyone that thinks the biggest disparity in this series is because all the Magic do is shoot 3's, they are wrong. I've been saying all along the Cavs have been cold from the field while the Magic have been red-hot. It's really that simple. For instance, the Cavs have taken 110 3-pointers this series and have made 33 of them for a 30% average. The Magic have taken 123 3-pointers and have made 50 of them for a 41% average. For all the hype the Magic get for "only shooting 3's", they've taken only 13 more than the Cavs this entire series! The difference has been the Magic's ability to knock them down at a higher rate than the Cavs. If last night was any sign that the averages will start to be more realistic to the efficiency how both teams regularly shoot, then this series is long from over. During the regular season the Magic shot 36% from the 3, not 41%. The Cavs shot 33% from the 3 during the regular season, not 30%. Suddenly there's not such a great disparity.
* Heading into that epic 4th quarter, the Cavs trailed by one point (79-78). Someone wearing #23 decided to take the game into his own hands. The performance by LeBron last night will and should be compared to Game 5 in the 2007 ECF against Detroit. In that game LeBron scored the final 25 points for the Cavs and 29 of their last 30. In the double-overtime contest, he finished with 48 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast. Until last night, that game was considered his best game as a Cav. I think after last night's effort, his greatest game is now debatable. LeBron was single handily responsible for 32 Cavs points in the 4th quarter by score or assist!! He finished with 37 pts, 14 reb, 12 ast. Wow. Just Wow!!!
* One game, one day at a time. I've been living by these words since the beginning of this series. The percentages may say otherwise of our chances at overcoming this series deficit, but right now I'm just proud as hell of this team and the marvelous games that we've been treated to in this series. The game ending shots by Rashard Lewis in games 1 & 3, the buzzer beater 3 by LeBron in game 2, Lebron's 4th quarter performance in game 5. Wow. Just wow!
* All I ever wanted after finding ourselves down 1-3 in this series was a fighting shot. Well, with the series now at 2-3 and heading back to Orlando, we've got one. If we win, the series is all tied up and heading back to Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavs lost 2 games all season for a Game 7. All bets would be off at that point. But before we forecast a Game 7, we must first take care of business in Orlando. No doubt this will be our toughest test yet. It should be an all out battle from start to finish. Good luck to all.
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Salsa's going on a cruise?
Hope he has a good time (his contributions will be missed while he's gone).
BTW, I'm going on a cruise myself in July.
I'm going on a ten-day cruise with my family on the Disney Cruise Line.
We leave for Florida on a Wednesday- heck, we leave the day after the MLB All-Star Game!
Talk about a great three-day slate in the summer- Home Run Derby on Monday, MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, and a cruise vacation starting on Wednesday!
Hope he has a good time (his contributions will be missed while he's gone).
BTW, I'm going on a cruise myself in July.
I'm going on a ten-day cruise with my family on the Disney Cruise Line.
We leave for Florida on a Wednesday- heck, we leave the day after the MLB All-Star Game!
Talk about a great three-day slate in the summer- Home Run Derby on Monday, MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, and a cruise vacation starting on Wednesday!
Does Terry Pluto post here? 
Excellent write-up, HD!
I have a big problem with giving up a 22 point lead so quickly!!! What in the world is going on with our D??? (I know...its matchups) The onslaught of turnovers to begin the 3rd quarter was equally as troublesome. The Cavs are going to need to tighten things up a bit if they want to win Game 6.
Excellent write-up, HD!I have a big problem with giving up a 22 point lead so quickly!!! What in the world is going on with our D??? (I know...its matchups) The onslaught of turnovers to begin the 3rd quarter was equally as troublesome. The Cavs are going to need to tighten things up a bit if they want to win Game 6.
Hey HD, I can see the headline in the Plains Dealer...
Boobie comes up big!!!
My thoughts...
1. Were there a ton of TNT references to Cleveland sports failures (The Drive, etc.), like people said there would be? I didn't see the beginning.
2. Barkley hates Varajeo. That's funny.
3. I wish for a speedy recovery by Mrs. Collins, but Reggie Miller is a better analyst.
4. Glad to have Barkley and the rest of the studio crew back for at least one more game. After this series they're done for the year, and I'm going to miss them.
5. Wow the Cleveland crowd was quiet. As a Yankee fan I'm used to pensive crowds, but that was ridiculous. Even when the Cavs were pulling away late they didn't seem very motivated.
6. Where are all the coaching comparisons like we had after game 4? Is Stan Van Gundy only the better coach when his team hits their threes? Where were Van Gundy's adjustments, like Mike Brown was called out for by people here? Did the matchups all of a sudden favor the Cavs last night?
7. Boobie is my favorite name of all time.
8. Fantastic comeback by Lebron. But when the Magic pulled ahead by eight in the second half it was due in large part to Lebron's careless passing. Took a while, but he righted the ship.
9. Was Rafer Alston in foul trouble? Anthony Johnson got way too many of his minutes. I realize Alston wasn't scorching hot like in game 4, but Johnson seemed overmatched.
10. Go Chauncey!
Sandra
Boobie comes up big!!!
My thoughts...
1. Were there a ton of TNT references to Cleveland sports failures (The Drive, etc.), like people said there would be? I didn't see the beginning.
2. Barkley hates Varajeo. That's funny.
3. I wish for a speedy recovery by Mrs. Collins, but Reggie Miller is a better analyst.
4. Glad to have Barkley and the rest of the studio crew back for at least one more game. After this series they're done for the year, and I'm going to miss them.
5. Wow the Cleveland crowd was quiet. As a Yankee fan I'm used to pensive crowds, but that was ridiculous. Even when the Cavs were pulling away late they didn't seem very motivated.
6. Where are all the coaching comparisons like we had after game 4? Is Stan Van Gundy only the better coach when his team hits their threes? Where were Van Gundy's adjustments, like Mike Brown was called out for by people here? Did the matchups all of a sudden favor the Cavs last night?
7. Boobie is my favorite name of all time.
8. Fantastic comeback by Lebron. But when the Magic pulled ahead by eight in the second half it was due in large part to Lebron's careless passing. Took a while, but he righted the ship.
9. Was Rafer Alston in foul trouble? Anthony Johnson got way too many of his minutes. I realize Alston wasn't scorching hot like in game 4, but Johnson seemed overmatched.
10. Go Chauncey!
Sandra
Does Terry Pluto post here?
I have a big problem with giving up a 22 point lead so quickly!!! What in the world is going on with our D??? (I know...its matchups) The onslaught of turnovers to begin the 3rd quarter was equally as troublesome. The Cavs are going to need to tighten things up a bit if they want to win Game 6.
Thanks buddy! :up
Helluva game last night, huh?
Thanks buddy! :up
Helluva game last night, huh?
Notwithstanding having to see Big Ben's ugly mug, it was a great game! I wish I could have been there as I would have actually cheered at times when I wasn't told to by the scoreboard (big pet peeve of mine).
1. Were there a ton of TNT references to Cleveland sports failures (The Drive, etc.), like people said there would be? I didn't see the beginning.
TNT got it right and didn't go down that road, although I'm sure they had it in the vault, ready to bring out if the game wasn't so close down the stretch. Craig Sager did interview CC Sabathia during a timeout and referenced the '07 Indians ALCS 3-1 meltdown though. BTW, even if the Cavs do not win this series, this is NOT a choke by any means, despite what some clueless posters on these boards suggest. This has been a well fought series and every game has been close. Both are excellent teams and fighting every stretch of the way.
2. Barkley hates Varajeo. That's funny.
Cleveland hates Barkley, so I guess we're even.
3. I wish for a speedy recovery by Mrs. Collins, but Reggie Miller is a better analyst.
Reggie is indeed a great analyst. I also enjoy ESPN's Hubie Brown/Mike Tirico.
5. Wow the Cleveland crowd was quiet. As a Yankee fan I'm used to pensive crowds, but that was ridiculous. Even when the Cavs were pulling away late they didn't seem very motivated.
I can't speak for them as I wasn't at this game, but crowd noise on TV can be deceiving. If they were quiet though, can you blame them? They were probably nervous as hell. This city has limited confidence and a bruised ego. I was at Game 2 and I can assure you it was the loudest sporting even I've ever been a part of. Some of the national analysts also attested to this.
6. Where are all the coaching comparisons like we had after game 4? Is Stan Van Gundy only the better coach when his team hits their threes? Where were Van Gundy's adjustments, like Mike Brown was called out for by people here? Did the matchups all of a sudden favor the Cavs last night?
Like I said, maybe more so than any other professional sport, NBA coaches receive more criticism when a team loses than any other coach in sports. It's ridiculous. What happened to player accountability? If they think that Gundy, the Dicky wearing stache-face has that much control over whether or not a shot falls, the critics are crazy.
TNT got it right and didn't go down that road, although I'm sure they had it in the vault, ready to bring out if the game wasn't so close down the stretch. Craig Sager did interview CC Sabathia during a timeout and referenced the '07 Indians ALCS 3-1 meltdown though. BTW, even if the Cavs do not win this series, this is NOT a choke by any means, despite what some clueless posters on these boards suggest. This has been a well fought series and every game has been close. Both are excellent teams and fighting every stretch of the way.
2. Barkley hates Varajeo. That's funny.
Cleveland hates Barkley, so I guess we're even.
3. I wish for a speedy recovery by Mrs. Collins, but Reggie Miller is a better analyst.
Reggie is indeed a great analyst. I also enjoy ESPN's Hubie Brown/Mike Tirico.
5. Wow the Cleveland crowd was quiet. As a Yankee fan I'm used to pensive crowds, but that was ridiculous. Even when the Cavs were pulling away late they didn't seem very motivated.
I can't speak for them as I wasn't at this game, but crowd noise on TV can be deceiving. If they were quiet though, can you blame them? They were probably nervous as hell. This city has limited confidence and a bruised ego. I was at Game 2 and I can assure you it was the loudest sporting even I've ever been a part of. Some of the national analysts also attested to this.
6. Where are all the coaching comparisons like we had after game 4? Is Stan Van Gundy only the better coach when his team hits their threes? Where were Van Gundy's adjustments, like Mike Brown was called out for by people here? Did the matchups all of a sudden favor the Cavs last night?
Like I said, maybe more so than any other professional sport, NBA coaches receive more criticism when a team loses than any other coach in sports. It's ridiculous. What happened to player accountability? If they think that Gundy, the Dicky wearing stache-face has that much control over whether or not a shot falls, the critics are crazy.
If the Cavs find another guy named Boobie they will officially become my favorite team.
Sandra
Personally I like the ESPN announcing team of Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. They are excellent together. Who would have known while Van Gundy was coaching that he could be so funny behind a microphone? Sharp analysis too, and he blends perfectly with Mark Jackson.
Move them over to TNT, lose ESPN for TBS, keep Reggie Miller, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley in the studio with Ernie Johnson every night, and I'm good.
Sandra
I hope you're joking!
Van Gundy is probably my least favorite announcer all-time on any sport.
Are you serious?! I absolutely loathe Jeff VG. He's always off topic, never has anything noteworthy to say about the game and instead is a constant zany blabber mouth. Is he interviewing for a post-career gig in stand-up comedy or something? Because he sure as hell doesn't belong in the broadcast booth.
I hope you're joking!
Couldn't agree more Sky. :up
To each her own. Van Gundy makes me laugh, and he combines with Mark Jackson and Mike Breen for incisive commentary.
I don't like Hubie Brown so much, he comes from the Joe Morgan school of using 4,000 words to describe each play. After a while it becomes blah blah blah.
Sandra
