Tough to lose that game the way they did, but more significantly, it might have a psychological effect on them.
A team and its players need to believe that there is hope to reach the next level in their particular progression.
For a team like the Knicks, at this point we are looking at a .500 record and the playoffs, and I think the team and its fans believe there is potential for this during the present season.
The Cavs have their bar set at an NBA championship. The SAS loss was tough, but it was at the Spur's house...the GS massacre in the Cavs' building has to be a wake-up call for their team, though.
This is Lebron's team, for the most part...we all know that he had to give the OK for the recent contracts they gave to some...the same signings which have put them into cap trouble.
Is it coaching, team chemistry, or player limitations, or just match-up issues with GS which don't apply to the other teams they play?
Cavs are relatively healthy this year, but they clearly did not belong on the floor with GS. Their "bigs"- Varejao, Mosgov, Thompson, and Love, don't have the ability to punish GS in the post on the offensive end or defend well outside the paint, and James has never been a classic post-up guy.
I don't see them improving that much this year, and cap issues will hinder them in the future.
Still don't think that James is going to leave, though. I think the Cavs have given him what he wants, and he knows it. Coaching change...maybe, but James might have to stick it out at this point. Don't know who they could trade for...and guys like Irving and Love, who would have some value, have not exactly showed themselves to be great team players, which hurts their trade value, while Thompson has a pretty large contract for a guy who is small for a center...slow for a forward, and maybe not worth acquiring despite his rebounding and toughness.
James took a hit for the Miami move to be with Wade and Bosh, jumping ship now would hurt his legacy too much. I don't think there is a chance he comes to NY.
EnySpree: Can we agree to agree not to mention Phil Jackson and triangle for the rest of our lives?