LeBr-off
Today's official Game 1 wallpaper from Spurs.com sums up the opening Finals clash between the Spurs and Cavs in one word: Defense.
Not even I, the world's biggest (or at least heaviest) Spurs fan, thought in a million years they would shut down LeBron the way they did. He finished with a mere 14 points on 4-16 shooting, and dished out a paltry four assists. It actually took a couple of wild, off-balance threes late in the game to even get him into double-digits. This may have been the best defense the NBA's best defensive team has ever played.
But it's not as if the Spurs didn't bring a little offense to the table, as well. Duncan and Parker (especially Tony) were phenomenal from start to finish. Even Elson emerged from the doghouse in which he began residing during the WCF to contribute. And what can you say about Bowen? Last night was him proving to the rest of the league and national media why he should not be without at least one Defensive Player of the Year award.
My main concern is the late run Cleveland made, and the ability of Sideshow Bob Varejao to repeatedly grab offensive boards and convert them into put-backs. Boobie and Sasha, aside from sounding like a hit duo from the disco era, both made significant contributions last night, as did Gooden and that crazy soul patch on the back of his head.
Aside from LeBron's off night, the main things to doom the Cavs last night were poor play by the usually reliable Ilgauskas and the obviously injured Larry Hughes, who probably belongs on the DL more than the starting lineup. Game 2 will be huge in determining whether Cleveland can make this a series, or if it could be LeBroom for LeBron.
posted by Bob Bland at 6/08/2007 08:50:00 AM
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