Quote Originally Posted by scalabrine:
#2 Offseason of turmoil
The Cavs were in the news EVERY DAY for a stretch, so much so, GM's were passing on taking up the role because the Cavs were regarded as a sinking ship, so much so that Lebron was tweeting to Magic Johnson as rumors swirled he could join the Lakers in free agency.
Then you have the debacle that was the Kyrie/Lebron breakup, filling this team with more drama than an episode of DALLAS with JR Ewing (the REAL JR!).
Who shot JR btw?
This team was a rudderless SHIP in the offseason and now you bring in Rose and Wade and trade Kyrie and all is right with the world? No way. This team is primed to lose...
Just today, to clear up a roster spot, the Cavs got rid of one of the most solid vets and locker room presences the team had: Richard Jefferson. Why? So he could be cut by the Hawks. Nice move.
I've never used so many question marks in a write-up in my life!
#3 Playoff/Kyrie revenge
I know most of you will put your money on Lebron for revenge in the Kyrie/Lebron showdown. But he doesn't have the pieces. The pieces he does have simply will slow him down. And he may be injured. At least a bit.
Moreover, Kyrie has said time and time again he wanted to be the leader of a team. Now is the perfect opportunity to prove it in game 1. This is that game. Start your proclamations off right with a win.
Now there is a SMALL droplet of playoff revenge here given NOT EVERYONE on the Celtics was traded this offseason (even though it seems like they were).
Give me Horford, Rozier, and Smart and Brown to be motivated with that revenge (not like they'd need it given the glare of the bright lights on this game will be like chicken roster lights at Boston Chicken).
And then there is Gordon Hayward. Need I throw him rose petals to tell you what he can do?
The Cavs bench is loaded with even more dinosaurs like Korver and Frye and Jeff Green in comparison.
I always remember how simple BegginerBoy put it when he said the Thunder would eliminate the Spurs from the playoffs two years ago: They are OLD.
Very simple. Very direct. Straight to the point. This team is ancient and Lue is STARTING them to massage their egos. Bad judgment.
On opening night against the number 1 team in the East. Terrible decision making!
Another little footnote. The Cavs most definitely can flame out on opening night at home. In a game Lebron called "one of hte biggest of his career" against the Knicks in the first game after he returned to Cleveland, the Knicks won outright by 8 aas 12 point DOGS. Not the same team but Lebron started and finished an he is and always will be ...the Cavs.
And yet another footnote: The Cavs looked AWFUL in the preseason going 1-4.
And worse, the preseason this year was shortened by the most time every allowing for only 5 games. The Cavs could have used 4 or 5 more games like a regular preseaosn. Oh, and the Celtics were perfect. I know it's only preseason but when you have THIS much turnover, you need time. The Cavs didn't get it and it showed.
YES, I know what you can retort: Celtics NEED time to GEL. And yes, that is a legitimate retort. And that is the ONLY counter-argument of worth IMO opinion if you are afraid of taking the Celtics.
Because read and re-read the above. This Cavs team thinks its all coming together after all they've been through....VIOLA. Hell no! Not on my cap or my gambling dollar!
And after all this, I get.....3. OK! Yes GIVE ME POINTS VEGAS! After all the above, after the crown jewel of a mega-trade is MIA , leaving you with Rose and Calderon at PG (a reason to play the Celtics on its own ALONE!), GIVE ME POINTS! Make Cavs bettors pay a premium for a team so old, they may have been mentioned in Genesis.
PLAY OF THE YEAR:
CELTICS +3 OVER CAVS LARGE
Bonus:
CLEVELAND UNDER 53.5 wins: +135
BESIDES all the meat and potatoes above, you know the James injury or extended period where he is out is coming. Or at a minum more rest is coming, likely at his request. He is playing less than 82 games every year and as he ages, he will need to sit. Just like Tim and Tony and Manu did as Pop preserved them for what seems like forever. Since 2014 the Cavs are 4-23 SU without Lebron. He sits? They lose 85% of the time.....That's after all the above.
we got lucky on the push. lost a lil on ML but cant complain. crazy game. cant cap injury like that. BOL on the next one
Winner
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