Can Anyone Beat the LeBrons (Sorry, the Cavs)?
Well, I'm back from the edge of hell, and I'm ready to talk some NBA playoffs.
The simple answer to my question is no.
The long answer is maybe.
There are ways to counter Cleveland's attack, but the real question is how do you improve what has been an incredible defensive effort so far? I plan on telling you what I would do, which is almost certainly something most NBA coaches would laugh at, but screw them; if they were that smart, they would have figured out long ago that the Cavs are a fairly simple puzzle to piece together.
Let's dive in, shall we?
The Cavs' offense, shockingly enough, begins and ends with LeBron James. We all know that LeBron is now the MVP of the NBA at the ripe old age of 24. He earned it, and when you look at his team that won 66 games this season you can't help but shake your head.
His second best offensive threat is Mo Williams, who is a one-trick pony. He is a shooting guard stuck in a point guard's body, but LeBron's ability to handle the basketball has minimized the impact of this on the Cavs' offense.
Williams saw himself become an All-Star this year, and he owes it all to LeBron. His assist numbers look pretty miserable for a PG, and you must realize that he is already benefiting from the fact that LeBron gets himself easy buckets and all Williams has to do is deliver the ball to his hands. I'm willing to bet any of my colleagues could average 6 APG playing next to LeBron.
So how do you slow down the Cavs' offense? You take the ball out of LeBron's hands. You force him to get his looks by coming off screens. More than likely, LeBron will still get his 30 PPG, but you won't have him dropping 8-10 APG, which is where he really hurts you. Make him more of a shooting guard and less of a point forward. Put the pressure on Mo Williams and Delonte West to create for the rest of the Cavs.
The chance that Mike Brown is able to come up with an entirely new offense for the Cavs on-the-fly is slim to none, considering the best he has come up with so far is hand the ball to LeBron and watch. That's worked up until this point, but it's a strategy that could be foiled if the Hawks use their athletes to force LeBron to give up the ball.
One caveat. If you can stop the Cavs from scoring, but can't score on them, then what's the point?
The Cavs' defense has been superb. This is a function of a number of things, but part of it is the sheer effort the Cavs have exerted. Unfortunately for the Hawks, their up-tempo pace plays right into the Cavs being able to use every ounce of energy they need defensively as the Hawks prefer a quick possession and shot.
The Hawks need to find a way to slug this out and maximize each position; use screens to create mismatches for Joe Johnson if the Cavs go small. Just because you don't have a dominant inside man doesn't mean you have to avoid the paint. Get Johnson and Josh Smith switched onto smaller, weaker guys like Mo Williams or West and watch them squirm.
This will force help from other Cavs, and Johnson is one of the most proficient passing two guards in the NBA. Put him in the high post against a smaller guy, and let him create. The Cavs love to do this with James, and Johnson can have a similar impact on the Hawks' offense.
All of this is how I theoretically believe you could stop the Cavs, but more than likely I doubt you will see any team capable of doing it.
Why? LeBron simply won't let them. He's a 6'9", 260 pound wrecking ball, and he is not going to stop until he is holding that Championship trophy.
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