Why LeBron James and the Cavs Will Breeze Past the Pistons in Round One

LeBron James is a fast learner.

Last year, he couldn't handle the truth. When the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in last season's Eastern Conference Semis, the King got to see just how important home-court advantage can be in the Playoffs.

The Cavs had been able to deny the Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena, but they couldn't penetrate the Celtics' tough D at TD Garden. That was the decisive factor in a tight series.

But ever the student, James paid close attention and was determined to make any future series-deciding games to be played in front of his adoring fans in Cleveland.

LBJ, feel free to check that off your to-do list.

Apart from Wednesday night's loss to the Sixers—which James sat out—he and the Cavaliers have turned the Q into a fortress this season, and it has been a graveyard for all but one team. Now, Cleveland's home success has assured them of home-court advantage all throughout the postseason.

Evidence suggests that, while the Cavs have been virtually bulletproof at home, their road form hasn't been as dominant. They lost twice to the East-worst Washington Wizards this past campaign.

Besides Philly taking down a Cavs team that was resting its three main players, the only other blemish on the home record was back on February 10, against the L.A. Lakers. It wasn't pretty, but losses rarely are. Still, it will be sitting uncomfortably in the back of James mind as he progresses in the "second season."

After all, the Lakers were on Game Six of an Eastern road swing and Kobe Bryant wasn't feeling well. But the Mamba suited up anyway and steered the Lakers to victory. It was LeBron who looked under the weather, as he scored just 16 points.

But James will have to wait a bit for his chance at redemption against the Lakers.

For now, he has to worry about the Detroit Pistons.

After six Eastern Conference Finals appearances which led to just one NBA title, Detroit's general manager Joe Dumars was feeling short-changed.

So, in a move characteristic of a more emotionally unstable GM, Dumars flew off the handle (by his standards) early on this season when he traded away rock-solid point guard Chauncey Billups for the mercurial Allen Iverson.

The move backfired almost immediately, and the Pistons have been in rapid decline ever since.

As he usually does, Iverson talked a good game on arrival in the Motor City, but the results on the court were drastically different from his boastful words. When the Pistons began struggling, Iverson was then asked to come off the bench.

The answer was a resounding "no."

Still, the Pistons look more or less the same these days, as experienced veterans Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton continue to fill up the hoop, but Detroit lacks the intimidation factor it once had.

Young stud Rodney Stuckey is a future All-Star, but Rasheed Wallace always seems to save his worst and most immature behavior for crucial moments in the Playoffs. 'Sheed is still a reliable scorer, but he is only ever one (perceived) missed call from flipping his lid.

Forget the "Bad Boys," this Detroit team is just bad by comparison and will be no match for LeBron and the Cavaliers.

Cavs in four.