Is Orlando A Lock Tonight?

[SportsTerminator]

It's like whenever some says it's an automatically bet loss.

[Sekrah]

Squares got slaughtered in this one.

[Razz_Donkey]

Hope some people read my blog, I made some points that proved to be valid about the match ups being very different than last year which caused so many problems for the Cavs...

[HustleGetPaid]

Cleveland wins by 8-12 points. The King will not disappoint tonight!!!

Called it, now on to Miami for the Heat tomorrow!!!

[williams22]

Hope some people read my blog, I made some points that proved to be valid about the match ups being very different than last year which caused so many problems for the Cavs...

Yup, I read it, nice job. Very similar to my analysis of the game.

Pavyracer, you need to move on to a different sport. Your analysis was horrid and it cost you the game. I told you exactly how the matchups would play out and you didn't listen.

[williams22]

If you noticed how Magic play at home and how Cavs play on the road you should know the answer williams.

[williams22]

You guys need to look at your history.

Orlando got WAY BETTER
Cavs got WAY WORSE.

Orlando scores 120 tonight and DESTROYS the Cavs.

I said it here first.

GL.

Play Orlando and the Over.

Parlay that shit.

Make some Coin on the King getting slapped around like a little ho tonight.

People need to understand...the Cavs are BETTER this year. They just needed time to click.

[pavyracer]

Thank you guys for the information. You gave me information I did not possess to make my bet. Now bash me all night long because I pushed your buttons and made you cap the game for me.

[Hotdiggity11]

The "L" word ensured my defeat. Good thing Memphis/Houston UNDER 2nd half bailed me out.

[williams22]

Thank you guys for the information. You gave me information I did not possess to make my bet. Now bash me all night long because I pushed your buttons and made you cap the game for me.

Did you take the Cavs after all? Please say yes.

[pavyracer]

Did you take the Cavs after all? Please say yes.

Are you nuts? Off course I did. Like I said the best way to make people cap the games is to be the clown.

Thanks man.

[williams22]

Are you nuts? Off course I did. Like I said the best way to make people cap the games is to be the clown.

Thanks man.

Alright good, congrats

To be honest, I don't consider myself a great NBA capper (generally a little over 50%), but when it comes to the Cavs (especially against Eastern Conference opponents) I know my sh*t. Nice to see them play well tonight. Things are finally starting to click.

[BrandonLaz]

Well it isn't hard to pick Lebron when it isn't a pressure situation like the playoffs. Not to mention the injuries problems that the Magic have right now without Lewis they had nobody that can slow James down. Magic are still the better team, and will win come crunch time, but this game was a game you have to go Cavs or avoid it altogether imo

[williams22]

Well it isn't hard to pick Lebron when it isn't a pressure situation like the playoffs. Not to mention the injuries problems that the Magic have right now without Lewis they had nobody that can slow James down. Magic are still the better team, and will win come crunch time, but this game was a game you have to go Cavs or avoid it altogether imo

Are you saying to not take Lebron in pressure situations? Are you crazy?

[BrandonLaz]

Are you saying to not take Lebron in pressure situations? Are you crazy?

Yea don't take him in pressure situations. He doesn't win in the clutch with the game on the line. He has had one Game 6 that was super special against a Detroit team that had no desire left in them. He made a miracle shot last season in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals other than that he has never done anything special. I believe he has a total of 5 game winning shots in his career. In the big games he does not deliver at all and neither do the Cavs. Check out their ATS record over the last 3 years in the postseason. I haven't looked to give an exact number, but I can tell you it is a lot more losses than wins.

[williams22]

Yea don't take him in pressure situations. He doesn't win in the clutch with the game on the line. He has had one Game 6 that was super special against a Detroit team that had no desire left in them. He made a miracle shot last season in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals other than that he has never done anything special. I believe he has a total of 5 game winning shots in his career. In the big games he does not deliver at all and neither do the Cavs. Check out their ATS record over the last 3 years in the postseason. I haven't looked to give an exact number, but I can tell you it is a lot more losses than wins.

Lebron led the league in clutch scoring last year. He has also single-handidly carried the Cavs through the playoffs many times. 2 years ago he was the sole reason they made the finals. Last year's loss wasn't his fault, it was the fault of his surrounding cast. He doesn't have a ton of game winning shots yet because he normally strecthes out the led before the final seconds. Nobody currently shoulders a load better in pressure situations than Lebron, period.

[BrandonLaz]

Lebron led the league in clutch scoring last year. He has also single-handidly carried the Cavs through the playoffs many times. 2 years ago he was the sole reason they made the finals. Last year's loss wasn't his fault, it was the fault of his surrounding cast. He doesn't have a ton of game winning shots yet because he normally strecthes out the led before the final seconds. Nobody currently shoulders a load better in pressure situations than Lebron, period.

Yea I am pretty sure you are forgetting about Kobe and Wade with that statement. Both carry their teams in the clutch much better than Lebron and have proved it on the Big Stage. If Lebron was the best closer in the league then Team USA would not have differed to Kobe down the stretch. Lebron is a great player and athlete, but he still has to improve is scoring outside of attacking the rim. He might have led the league in clutch scoring if you mean points in the final 2 minutes, but he was also near the bottom in FG % during the last 2 minutes.

[williams22]

Yea I am pretty sure you are forgetting about Kobe and Wade with that statement. Both carry their teams in the clutch much better than Lebron and have proved it on the Big Stage. If Lebron was the best closer in the league then Team USA would not have differed to Kobe down the stretch. Lebron is a great player and athlete, but he still has to improve is scoring outside of attacking the rim. He might have led the league in clutch scoring if you mean points in the final 2 minutes, but he was also near the bottom in FG % during the last 2 minutes.

Lebron takes over at the end of a game like no one else. His fg % in the last 5 minutes of games is 56% compared to Kobe's 46% and Wade's 47%. His 3-point % in the clutch is 42% compared to Kobe's 40% and Wade's 28%. No one gives Lebron credit because anytime he misses a game-winner it gets replayed a million times. Keep in mind Kobe and Jordan have both missed FAR more game winners than they have made.

[BrandonLaz]

Lebron takes over at the end of a game like no one else. His fg % in the last 5 minutes of games is 56% compared to Kobe's 46% and Wade's 47%. His 3-point % in the clutch is 42% compared to Kobe's 40% and Wade's 28%. No one gives Lebron credit because anytime he misses a game-winner it gets replayed a million times. Keep in mind Kobe and Jordan have both missed FAR more game winners than they have made.

Where did you get those insane stats for the end of the games last season. Look up the final 2 minutes or what are known as crunch time stats. Lebron was nowhere near 56% and don't forget to throw in that FT% over the final 5 minutes which has actually cost Lebron and his team multiple games. I don't remember Wade or Kobe ever costing their team with games over the final minutes. Lebron still does not know how to take over at the end of a game, and there is not a single analyst who does not pronounce that Kobe is the most clutch player in the game.

[williams22]

Where did you get those insane stats for the end of the games last season. Look up the final 2 minutes or what are known as crunch time stats. Lebron was nowhere near 56% and don't forget to throw in that FT% over the final 5 minutes which has actually cost Lebron and his team multiple games. I don't remember Wade or Kobe ever costing their team with games over the final minutes. Lebron still does not know how to take over at the end of a game, and there is not a single analyst who does not pronounce that Kobe is the most clutch player in the game.

Lebron shoots 85% from the free throw line in the final 5 minutes of close games...much higher than his season average.

http://www.82games.com/0809/CSORT11.HTM

Enjoy. Lebron is the single best player in the league at closing games. Look at his rebounds, assists, and steals while you are at it. He is in another world.

[williams22]

Oh yea, he also led in +/-, the most important stat.

[BrandonLaz]

Lebron shoots 85% from the free throw line in the final 5 minutes of close games...much higher than his season average. http://www.82games.com/0809/CSORT11.HTM Enjoy. Lebron is the single best player in the league at closing games. Look at his rebounds, assists, and steals while you are at it. He is in another world.

He was much better than I realized in the final 5 minutes he still defers to much to win it. If he is the best at closing out a game I see no reason why he would have given the ball up to Kobe at the end of the Gold medal game every possession and let Kobe lead the team to the win. If I have to win a championship this season I still take Kobe if I am winning one a few years down the road building a franchise I go with Lebron. It is a common argument and nobody is wrong or right it is all opinion based that is the good thing about sports no two views will ever be the same. I just do not see Lebron deliver in the clutch like I feel he should. You did forget to mention that he does average 4.5 TO in the final 5 minutes meaning almost 1 turnover a minute. That guy is your "closer" come on how can you win with that many TOs. I do admit though you made me realize he is better than I thought, but still not as good as he should be with his athletic ability.

[BrandonLaz]

I did see just now that it was PER 48 minutes so it isn't 1 TO a minute

[williams22]

He was much better than I realized in the final 5 minutes he still defers to much to win it. If he is the best at closing out a game I see no reason why he would have given the ball up to Kobe at the end of the Gold medal game every possession and let Kobe lead the team to the win. If I have to win a championship this season I still take Kobe if I am winning one a few years down the road building a franchise I go with Lebron. It is a common argument and nobody is wrong or right it is all opinion based that is the good thing about sports no two views will ever be the same. I just do not see Lebron deliver in the clutch like I feel he should. You did forget to mention that he does average 4.5 TO in the final 5 minutes meaning almost 1 turnover a minute. That guy is your "closer" come on how can you win with that many TOs. I do admit though you made me realize he is better than I thought, but still not as good as he should be with his athletic ability.

Lebron deferred to Kobe during the Olympics for 3 reasons:

1. International teams play zone which Lebron can't attack with his penetration, it's better to beat it with an outisde jumper, which is clearly more Kobe's strength.
2. They wanted Lebron off the ball to get second chance points, which he can clearly do much better than Kobe.
3. Seniority.

You are reading the stats incorrectly. Lebron turns the ball over in the last 5 minutes of the game at a rate of 4.5 times per 48 minutes, which is not that big of a deal. Also, a lot of those have come from charging calls that the refs were pressured to make on him last year.

Not as good as he should be? The guy is the best all-around player in the last 5 minutes of games in the history of the NBA. No one packs a stat-sheet like he does come clutch time. Everyone I hear talk about this just says Kobe this and Kobe that without looking at the facts. Lebron is an absolute force, especially late in games.

Oh yeah, and if Lebron ever got to play in a triangle offense with two mobile, jump-shooting big men like Gasol and Odom his numbers would be even more absurd.

[Razz_Donkey]

Yup, I read it, nice job. Very similar to my analysis of the game.

Thank you Williams, glad that we were both on the same side here. It looks like you had a great understanding and read on this game.

[BrandonLaz]

Lebron deferred to Kobe during the Olympics for 3 reasons:

1. International teams play zone which Lebron can't attack with his penetration, it's better to beat it with an outisde jumper, which is clearly more Kobe's strength.
2. They wanted Lebron off the ball to get second chance points, which he can clearly do much better than Kobe.
3. Seniority.

You are reading the stats incorrectly. Lebron turns the ball over in the last 5 minutes of the game at a rate of 4.5 times per 48 minutes, which is not that big of a deal. Also, a lot of those have come from charging calls that the refs were pressured to make on him last year.

Not as good as he should be? The guy is the best all-around player in the last 5 minutes of games in the history of the NBA. No one packs a stat-sheet like he does come clutch time. Everyone I hear talk about this just says Kobe this and Kobe that without looking at the facts. Lebron is an absolute force, especially late in games.

Oh yeah, and if Lebron ever got to play in a triangle offense with two mobile, jump-shooting big men like Gasol and Odom his numbers would be even more absurd.

Z is a better outside shooting big man that Gasol by far. He does not play in the triangle which is true, but he still does not have the outside game of Kobe which makes it obvious you need a guy down the stretch who can score from either pulling up or attacking. Kobe can do both, and if they had a stat that showed opponent scoring % and pts I guarantee Kobe would have held his opponent to fewer of both as he is still the better defender. Lebron has made tons of leaps on the defensive end, but he is not to that level yet. We will see I will eat my words if Lebron delivers in the "post-season" if you remember that is how this argument began. I said Lebron does not deliver when it matters regular season "clutch" moments are not what get you a ring. It is the clutch moments in playoffs and I named off the only two clutch moments Lebron had which I would like to see the stats on him during playoffs in the clutch, because I do not think it would be even close to what he did during the regular season.

[williams22]

More food for thought for you: http://82games.com/gamewinningshots.htm

Also: http://www.82games.com/0809/playoffs/playoffs.htm

I'm telling you, no one dominates the game like Lebron. People need to start looking at the facts rather than repeating the same old crap about Kobe.

[BrandonLaz]

More food for thought for you: http://82games.com/gamewinningshots.htm

Also: http://www.82games.com/0809/playoffs/playoffs.htm

I'm telling you, no one dominates the game like Lebron. People need to start looking at the facts rather than repeating the same old crap about Kobe.

I already looked at that, but that is a complete game. I want the clutch stats on Lebron in those games for instance Game 5 on the Eastern Conference Finals. Lebron has 5 TO's in the final 5 minutes of the game and OT and a horrible percentage for the clutch time periods. He doesn't deliver on the Big Stage in the moment. I am not saying he isn't gifted and will give you some of the best basketball you will ever see, but with the game on the line in playoffs, because honestly the regular season does not matter at that point will he deliver. I hope 82games will do a statistic on it so I can see if I am wrong, but looking at the play by play in their losses in the final 5 minutes all the blame can be put on him. In the wins however all the credit can be given to him.

[BrandonLaz]

Another thing not to forget that Lewis was the one killing the Cavs at the end of games for the Magic. Lewis was being guarded by your boy, and do you really think Kobe would let him get that many looks at the end of a game?

[williams22]

Another thing not to forget that Lewis was the one killing the Cavs at the end of games for the Magic. Lewis was being guarded by your boy, and do you really think Kobe would let him get that many looks at the end of a game?

First of all, Kobe couldn't guard Lewis. Second, Lebron was switching between Hedo and Rashard. Orlando ran a screen and roll to switch him off and then attacked with whoever he wasn't guarding.

[daggerkobe]

LeBron is not a clutch player.

With a chance to tie or win the game he shot 3-27FG, 0-13 from 3pt and shot 50% from FT in the 4th. Admittedly these stats were from a year or two ago but it shows how unclutch he is.

In a recent poll of all NBA GMs, they were asked which player they would like taking the game winning shot and 89% picked Kobe. LeBron got 0 votes.

[williams22]

LeBron is not a clutch player.

With a chance to tie or win the game he shot 3-27FG, 0-13 from 3pt and shot 50% from FT in the 4th. Admittedly these stats were from a year or two ago but it shows how unclutch he is.

In a recent poll of all NBA GMs, they were asked which player they would like taking the game winning shot and 89% picked Kobe. LeBron got 0 votes.

This is the kind of argument I hate. Lebron leads in any end of game stat you want to bring up. He is much improved in the last 2 years. Lebron is the single most dominating player in the 4th quarter in the NBA. He also has more game winners than kobe over the last 5 years with a higher percentage. Furthermore, he is just barely hitting his prime now.

[daggerkobe]

According to this guy, Lebron doesnt even make the top 15 clutch players list:

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2009/09/top-15-nba-clutch-shooters/

[williams22]

According to this guy, Lebron doesnt even make the top 15 clutch players list:

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/20...utch-shooters/

LOL that's one guy's completely subjective opinion. He puts Billups at #4, what a joke. Billups has the most undeserving nickname of anyone in the NBA. Show me any stats that say Lebron isn't the best. No one carries a team like Lebron.

[daggerkobe]

LeBron has improved late in games, mainly because he improved his 4th qt FT shooting. This allows him to take it to the basket more often rather than settle for fadeaways & 3s, which he missed quite a lot of, 3-27FG.

But it's quite telling when not a single GM picks him to take the clutch shot.