Cavaliers & Spurs

Television analyst Steve Kerr, a former Cav, said it best when he stated "This is by no means a finished product" when referring to the Cavaliers in the wake of the franchise's biggest win in game #6 versus the Pistons. He's right on the money.

The Cavaliers are ahead of schedule and have reached the NBA Finals on the back of 23 and the 42nd pick in the 2006 draft - little known and no longer little in stature Daniel Gibson. James should have just completed his senior year in college and Gibson his junior campaign. Instead, they will be playing the San Antonio Spurs for the '07 NBA title.

Can they win?

Yes.

Why?

The Cavs went 2-0 versus the Spurs this season. Don't believe the talking heads who say the regular season matchups mean nothing. The same things was said about the Mavs and Warriors series before it began.

Yes, every one will make a big deal about the Spurs' outstanding defense. They are outstanding at that end.

But the truth is the Spurs will be playing the best defensive team they wil have faced in the '07 post-season in the Cavaliers. They don't defend nearly as well out west.

The Cavs have the approach, size and athleticism, both in the backcourt and the front line, to frustrate San Antonio's big three (Parker, Ginobili and Duncan) enough to make this series very competitive.

Finally, while the Spurs are slightly better defensively, the Cavaliers will have the best single player on the floor - 23. The Spurs will be forced to double James, something they don't like to do. That should again open up open looks for Gibson and company.

This should be a very physical, grind it out series.

Logic dictates the Spurs win because of experience. But I felt that way heading into the Pistons series. Thus the 4-2 Pistons' prediction.

Let's go with Spurs 4-3 this time around.

Why? It's simple.

I have never seen a team win the NBA Championship with one great player and 11 role players. As much as I love 23's immense talents, I have to see it to believe it.

The great championship Laker and Celtic teams of the 80s had numerous Hall of Famers playing. The Sixers that snuck in during the Celtics and Laker decade long running soap opera had Moses "four-four-four" Malone, Doctor J, and plenty of help from others. The "Bad Boy" Pistons that followed had Isaiah, Joe D and company. The Bulls ofcourse had Michael and Scotty. The Rockets had Akeem, Clyde, and friends. The Lakers had Shak and Kobe. The Pistons had a rarity - no Hall of Famers - but the best starting five in basketball.

Which brings us full circle back to the Spurs - who have won titles, first with Robinson and Duncan, and now with Tony and Manu lending a hand.

If the Cavaliers can pull this off - it will be a first.