Finals Debacle

Losing two games in San Antonio was expected. Going 0-2 in your own building is unacceptable - especially when you consider the fact the Spurs didn't play particularly well in games #3 & #4. Both games were there for the taking.

The Cavaliers simply picked a bad time to go ice cold from the field - in the NBA Finals. Time after time, shooters missed good, open looks. The help 23 received in the conference finals from Daniel Gibson was not there in the Q againt the Spurs. To sum it up - not one Cavalier played well in the Finals. - including James.

LJ's weakest part of his game - his jumper - was exposed. He lost all confidence in his shot - making him easier to guard. He also had way too many turnovers. At times, he looked like a 22 year old mere mortal, instead of the "chosen One."

If you crave the title and the endorsements, you carry the burden.

LJ needs to understand if he wants to be the first billion $ athlete and a true global sports figure, which he and his handlers have discussed openly, he needs to take care of business first.

He must truly work on his weaknesses in the off-season (shooting, developing a post-up game & playing on the ball defense) before he focuses on trips abroad to widen his image and making more cute commercials.

There wasn't much to "witness" in the Finals. LJ was the best player on the floor only once in the series - in game #3. And even that performance had flaws. Couple that with the realization that outside of James, an argument can be made that the other 11 players on the roster constituted the weakest talent level ever to dress for an NBA Finals, and what followed was a clean sweep (4-0) by a veteran/talented team (Spurs) - not a team for all ages.

Now the glass is half full version - the Cavaliers found one quality perimeter player (Daniel Gibson). He showed no fear of playing on the big stage in May & June. An o-4 sweep at the hands of the Spurs, and media/fan pressure, will also finally force management to realize this is a flawed team and significant roster changes are in order to supply LJ with the support staff necessary to truly compete for a title.

Team Season Grade: A
They won 50 games, received a gift playoff draw, but took advantage of it, reaching the Finals for the first time in franchise history. But remember, there is a huge difference between being a good team - which the Cavs were - and being a championship caliber team.

Mike Brown Season Grade: B
He had them playing solid defense all season long, but was slow to make some needed playoff adjustments and his tendency to burn timeouts early was often costly.

Management Season Grade: C
Danny Ferry's free agent additions the past two years - D. Jones, D. Marshall and, especially L. Hughes, have simply not been worth the investment. This corner was not too fond of the Gooden signing either. He's in the middle of the pack as far as power/forwards go. That money could have been better spent.

At least he (Ferry) didn't give Kevin Ollie and Ira Newble, journeymen players at best, multi-year deals like his predecessor.

The Cavs reached the 50 win plateau in '06 & '07 mostly on 23's shoulders and Mike Brown's ability to convince the Cavs to defend on a nightly basis. Ferry also didn't pull the trigger on any major deals prior to the '07 trading deadline when help was clearly needed. He does get credit for getting what looks like a steal in D. Gibson in round #2. However, that is off-set by the fact that S. Brown, their #1 pick in last year's draft, was non-existent. Injuries played a part, but he (S. Brown) also had numerous DNPs when apparently healthy. It's not like he had all-stars ahead of him. Either the coach didn't like what he saw or he wasn't used properly.

There's room for improvement everywhere you turn. But that's the case with every team but one at season's end!

Writer's Analysis Grade: B-
I had them (Cavs) winning 50+ again and losing to the Pistons in the conference finals at the start of the season. LJ's heroic performance in game #5 versus Detroit made me look bad, but that's fine with me.

I had them (Cavs) taking the Spurs to the limit (seven games), figuring the match-ups favored the Cavs to make it a quality series to watch. I was wrong. The Spurs played like the Spurs always play - methodical, intelligent basketball. They simply don't beat themselves. The Cavs defended adequately, but no one could predict the team going cold from the field from start to finish. And for the first time in a playoff series in '07, James was not the best player on the court - Tony Parker was.

My Finals prediction looked foolish - except for one fact. I had the Spurs beating the Pistons in the Finals before this mess all began back in October. So it wasn't all bad.