2015 NBA Playoff Previews: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
By Ian Levy
Apr 5, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the ball past Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The second round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs is here, and so we are here with some previews. These were done RTOE (roundtable over everything) style, and yes, those are Drake lyrics.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2) vs. Chicago Bulls (3)
Oh my god, oh my god, if I die, I’m a legend: Who is the most important player in this series?
Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world. With Kevin Love out he needs to shoulder an even greater load. That makes him by far the most important player in this series.
Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg): With Kevin Love MIA, LeBron James will have to do what LeBron James does best. Be LeBron James. Like when he was in Miami, he’ll likely have to play some power forward as the Cavs go small to make up for the loss of Love.
Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall):
I’m not here to give out compliments, or boost nobody confidence, momma: Talk trash about a player or team in this series.
Matt: Hey, Mike Dunleavy. Remember that time Giannis threw you into the stands? Because everyone else does. Now imagine LeBron running towards you like that.
Wes: Hey, James Jones, look over there!/*Runs right by him*
Jack: The reason Jordan is crying in the MJ crying meme is because he just watched Joakim Noah shoot a jumper.
These days, I’m letting God handle all things above me. The things I can’t change are the reasons you love me: Which player in this series do you love watching despite their flaws?
Matt: The answer to this question used to be Joakim Noah but he stinks now so I guess J.R. Smith. I am fully ready for a 50 point JR playoff game and a 0-25 from 3 JR playoff game. Good or bad it will be entertaining.
Wes: The Bulls are nearly washed up, Thibs has anger issues and is stubborn as a mule about to get fired from an NBA coaching gig, Derrick Rose is depressingly exciting, Joakim Noah is obnoxious and needs a shower, and the entire organization is reeling having missed its window. Y’know, I don’t like watching this team at all. Nevermind.
Jack: No one. Besides LeBron and Kyrie and Rose, I don’t like watching anyone in this series, and those three players don’t really have serious flaws unless you consider knee injuries a flaw.
Pray the real live forever man, pray the fakes get exposed: What’s the most important matchup in this series, and who will have the upper hand?
Matt: LeBron vs. Jimmy Butler. I have no idea if Butler has enough left in his legs to defend LeBron well in this series, but if he does the Bulls have a shot. I just don’t think he will and the Cavs will cruise because of that.
Wes: Noah/Gasol/Gibson vs Mozgov/Thompson/LeBron. Without Love, the Cavs will have to adjust and could have some lineup issues. They will have to go small, and could get pounded on the glass. Thompson is a great rebounder but limited on the court, where as Mozgov will have his hands full coming out on Noah and dealing with Gasol’s post moves.
Jack: I agree with Wes. The Bulls’ only advantage this series could be down low, and they’ll need to exploit it in a big way if they want a chance at moving on to the Conference Finals.