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http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/insider/columns/
story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=ScoutingCavaliersPistons-Game6
Scouts Inc. update: Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 6
Thorpe
By David Thorpe
Scouts Inc.
(Archive)
Insider
Updated: June 2, 2007
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‧ Cavs-Pistons series scouting report | Series page
As I mentioned in the Game 4 report, the Pistons show a propensity to melt
down in specific areas that are typically strengths, a problem that could
cost them this series. It was my suggestion that they just admit their flaws,
publicly and privately, while uniting towards playing with more energy and
passion that what we've seen to date.
Pretending that they are a "superteam" while ignoring the obvious is a recipe
for failure. Game 5 was the most shining example of this, as we saw a team in
denial lose to a team that embraced its own flaws and was victorious.
Going into the playoffs, Detroit was the sixth-best defensive team in the
NBA, and third-best in the East. And in the first two games in Detroit
against the Cavs, LeBron managed just 29 points on 34 shots. Their strategy
of sending a big to double or just "show" early when Lebron made the catch
was very effective, and even though he played better in Cleveland, he was not
the factor that, say, Dwyane Wade was last year.
But, as the Pistons are prone to do, they dropped their level of play
severely in a part of their game that had, up to that point, done very well.
What LeBron did was stupendous, almost as impressive as Kobe's 81-point game
last season, but just as in that game, his superb performance needed
assistance from lethargic and disinterested defenders.
To get an idea of how poorly Detroit played on defense, and uncover some
adjustments that they'll need to employ for Game 6, consider:
‧ The Pistons often attempted "help and recover" tactics when James drove or
cut to the basket. But they didn't help and stay until James passed (like
they often did in Games 1 and 2). Rather, they helped for a moment and then
ran back to their man as if the Cav they were covering was more dangerous
than James. For the game, every Cav not named LeBron shot a combined 19-49.
‧ On the two key driving dunks Lebron flushed at the end of regulation, when
his team was trailing by one and two, Mike Brown smartly put three 3-point
shooters in the game to help spread the floor. Detroit was afraid to leave
those guys for fear of giving up the 3-point attempt (as in Game 1), but Drew
Gooden was also in the game and standing inside the line. But his man never
committed towards James on either hard drive, choosing to let James dunk over
giving Gooden an open 20-footer.
‧ Just as head-scratching was the lack of interest in fouling James on those
drives, considering he had just missed two free throws at the 1:52 mark with
his team trailing by one.
‧ In overtime, poor communication by the Pistons in a slow transition back
to defense left Wallace guarding Snow and Hamilton guarding Gooden on the
weak side extended block. As the ball entered the high post on the strong
side and Snow interchanged with Gooden, Rip and Wallace nonchalantly switched
back, while at the same time James made a hard cut from the wing to the rim.
When Wallace finally got into position on Gooden and looked to see where the
ball was, James was dunking.
To be sure, Detroit's offense is still a mess, and the streak of "whoever
shoots the ball better wins" is alive at five straight. But their lack of
defensive focus and energy was the death knell for them.
Cleveland, on the other hand, looked much like the Heat did last year.
When it became clear that James was in overdrive, they allowed him to do his
thing without any dropoff in intensity from them on either side of the floor.
And though they missed every shot they took after Ilgauskas made a layup with
7:48 left in the fourth, they were ready to shoot if called upon by James.
They are unlikely to shoot that poorly in Game 6 at home.
For the first time in six games, Detroit now has three major concerns on
their hands. To borrow from Will Smith's character in "Men in Black II,"
their problems are an "old and busted" offense, LeBron's "new hotness" and
the ever-present possibility of a total Pistons meltdown.
After losing three straight (and being lucky they are not down 5-0), perhaps
we will see the Pistons go for more quick shots, trying to jump-start their
shooters. It should be clear to them that their grind-it-out strategy does
not favor them. Cleveland has been the better team in each outing, or at
least Detroit's equal.
A faster game may serve to keep Wallace focused and involved. He seems on the
verge of losing it, and the series is history if he goes off. Asking him to
shadow James full-time, as in Game 1, seems likely as well.
Cleveland has reacted well lately to this action by sending Ilgauskas,
Gooden, or Varejao to the front rim, so if Detroit then collapses on them,
then the Cleveland shooters must make them pay. Detroit may also look for
Prince to take on James more inside, hoping to wear him down, both as a
response to Game 5 and in preparation for the fourth quarter of Game 6.
Often, no matter the hype, the superstar has to actually walk the path first
before he truly recognizes his talent and place in the game (think Neo in
"The Matrix"). Wade was initially stunned by his success last year in the
playoffs before accepting it and absorbing the enormous challenge of carrying
a team to the title.
James seemed just as stunned in Game 5. But now that he has done it, and has
that reference point going forward, his confidence will skyrocket. That does
not mean he will always make 50 percent of his shots. But it does mean that
not getting to the free-throw line at all (as in Game 1) is very unlikely --
he will be aggressive and greedy as a scorer.
This series is unfolding the way I thought the Pistons-Bulls series would --
but Chicago just could not score and take advantage of the struggling (since
Game 2 of that series) Pistons offense. Cleveland can, and has one of the
world's top players coming off his career-best game.
It is hard to believe that James can earn a trip already to the NBA Finals
and beat a franchise like Detroit, but unless the Pistons can find a way to
slow him and start making some shots and keep their emotions together during
what promises to be basketball's version of a "war," then LeBron and co. will
indeed make it there.
After watching Detroit cough and sputter and complain, who could pick them to
play their best game now? Not me. The Cavaliers win the East on the shoulders
of the best young player in NBA history.
PREDICTION: Cleveland wins Game 6
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