2012/13 Eastern Coference Finals Preview - cgalligan's Dynasty

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cgalligan's Dynasty Blog

2012/13 Eastern Coference Finals Preview

Posted on July 7, 2011 at 03:41 PM.

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Its come full circle...

Three Years since the Cavaliers and their fans had to suffer through the debacle that was "The Decision". Since then, however, the Cavaliers organization has been rebuilding from the ground up.

After finishing with the worst record in the NBA the year after LeBron left, the Cavs lucked out and won the #1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. They lucked out again, when the LA Clippers draft pick, (traded to get Mo Williams and Jamario Moon) ended up being the #2 pick. With those two picks, the rebuilding process would begin for the Cavaliers and their fan base.

Kyrie Irving #1, and Harrison Barnes #2 along with Jon Diebler in the 2nd round gave the Cavaliers a great foundation moving forward. Although they only won 36 games in their first year together, Kyrie Irving won the NBA Rookie of the year while Barnes finished a close 2nd. Both Irving and Barnes made the NBA All Rookie 1st team and it was clear that this team would be really good sooner, rather than later.

Fast forward to Irving and Barnes 2nd full season in the NBA. The Cavaliers won 50 games, and the Central Division Title. Harrison Barnes made his first NBA All Star Game and Irving would finish the Season 4th in the NBA in Assists per game. At the trade deadline the organization made a bold move, acquiring some key pieces for the stretch run. Chauncey Billups, Trevor Ariza and big man Greg Oden were brought in to help this team reach its full potential.

Lets take a look at the 2012/13 Eastern Conference Finals Preview...

Lets see how the rosters matchup head to head:

Cleveland Cavaliers
PG - Kyrie Irving (90)
SG - Reggie Bullock (75)
SF - Harrison Barnes (90)
PF - JJ Hickson (84)
C - Greg Oden (75)
6th - Trevor Ariza (77)
BN - Chauncey Billups (81)
BN - Brandon Rush (73)
BN - Hasheem Thabeet (67)
BN - Jon Diebler (67)
BN - Brandon Wright (66)
BN - Jeff Teague (68)

Miami Heat
PG - Mario Chalmers (72)
SG - Dwayne Wade (98)
SF - LeBron James (99)
PF - Chris Bosh (85)
C - Udonis Haslem (66)
6th - Mike Miller (69)
BN - Baron Davis (72)
BN - Chris Wright (71)
BN - Eddie House (61)
BN - Damian Lilard (69)
BN - Carlton Mathews (61)
BN - James Jones (57)

As you can see by looking at the rosters head to head, the Cavaliers have a great advantage at the PG spot. Kyrie Irving should be able to do whatever he wants vs Mario Chalmers.

However, the Cavs are outmatched at the SG and SF spot. Wade vs Bullock is not a good matchup for the Cavs, so, look for Ariza to play allot of SG vs Wade in the series to try and slow him down.

The SF matchup between LeBron James and Harrison Barnes could be the matchup that determines the series. Which ever player can win that matchup, his team has a good chance of winning the series.

The PF matchup between Bosh and Hickson is a wash, and the Cavs have the advantage at the Center position with Oden vs Haslim. I also give the advantage to the Cavs in the bench matchups.
With Billups, Ariza, Rush, Diebler and Thabeet coming off the bench, the Cavs are a legit nine deep. The Heat however, really only have two contributers, Miller and Davis off the bench. If they get a starter in foul trouble, that could speel trouble for the Heat.

Conclusion / Prediction

The Miami Heat and LeBron James, are still searching for their first NBA Championship since "The Decision". Three years ago LeBron made "The Decision" because he felt like the Cavaliers were not good enough to win it all.

So, he took his "talents" to South Beach in pursuit of a championship. Things have not gone as planned for the self proclaimed "king" however. In his first year in Miami, the Heat were defeated in Seven game by the LA Lakers. In the Following season, the Heat were ousted in the 2nd round by the eventual NBA Champion New York Knicks. Well, its now year 3 for the King and how ironic is this? He going to have to go through his hometown team to reach the NBA Finals. You gotta love the drama here.

During their teams rebuilding process over the last couple seasons, the Cavaliers fans have had to get creative during the NBA Playoffs since their team was not participating. Whats a Cleveland fan to do when their team isn't in the playoffs? Why, HATE THE HEAT of course. The past two seasons, while their team was at home licking their wounds after a tough season, the Cavaliers fans made it a point to root against LeBron and the Miami Heat at any chance they got. "Hate the Heat" watch parties sprung up all over town during Heat playoff games and when the Heat lost in the playoffs, without winning the NBA Title these past two seasons, it was "almost" as good as the Cavs winning.

Now, the Cavaliers and their fans really have something to root for. They now, have the opportunity to "Hate the Heat" and root for their Cavaliers at the same time. Believe me when I tell you this, the Cavs fans what to win, but, a win vs the LeBron and the Heat would be something that this town would never forget. knock LeBron out of the playoffs yet again.

Prediction:

Unfortunately for Cavalier fans, I don't think its their time right now. I think LeBron, Wade and Bosh are simply going to be too much to overcome. Even with the emotion from the fans, I look for the Heat to take this series in 5 or 6 games. Your time will come Cavs fans, I just don't think its now.