5 reasons Cavaliers will sweep their way to NBA Finals
By Tom West
1. Who can stop LeBron James?
The list of players who can significantly bother LeBron is a short one to say the least. Kawhi Leonard is the best bet if the San Antonio Spurs make it to the Finals this year, but the names grow far less convincing after that and no one the Raptors or Heat have at their disposal offer much hope for anti-Cavs fans.
Out of Eastern teams in the second round, the Hawks, despite not having an All-Defensive player like Leonard, should have been the best bet of troubling a force like LeBron or at least slowing down the Cavaliers’ prolific offense to some degree. Atlanta ranked 2nd in defensive efficiency this season, only losing out on first to the dominance of the Spurs as the duo of Paul Millsap and Al Horford did an excellent job of controlling the paint, while wings such as Kent Bazemore (and Millsap, because he guards everywhere) stepped up outside.
Yet, with all their rotations, defensive depth and effort (they contested more shots than any other team in the playoffs, per NBA.com), they still had no chance of stopping LeBron having his way. Whether he bulldozes his way to the rim, slings passes through hopeless defenders or controls the boards, the Hawks couldn’t stop him and neither will the Heat or Raptors.
Coming off 24.3 points on 50.7 percent shooting (42.1 percent from three), 8.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists and three steals per game in the second round, it’s safe to say LeBron is switched on in every regard.
So, who can Cleveland’s possible Eastern Conference Finals opponents throw at him?
The current absence of Hassan Whiteside and his possible return at less than 100 percent already takes away the best rim protector that could thwart LeBron on drives to the rim. And as for the Heat’s wing defenders, a 31-year-old Luol Deng will struggle, rookie Josh Richardson certainly isn’t stopping him, and DeMarre Carroll of the Raptors hasn’t looked himself since returning from injury. Plus, it’s not like he could smother LeBron anyway even if he’s at his best and the Raptors advance.
Despite being swept by the Cavaliers, the Hawks are probably still the second best team in the Eastern Conference. Neither the Heat or Raptors have done much in the second round to convince us otherwise, going back and forward with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan struggling, and Dwyane Wade being forced to go vintage Flash to salvage Miami.
As always, the East will try to stop LeBron and they will fail. And along with the elevated chemistry, effort, ball movement and health, the Cavaliers may just be able to make the NBA Finals with a perfect 12-0 record in the first three rounds.
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