Game #3

After game#3's loss, our prediction of a seven-game series between the Cavs and Spurs looks bleak. Last night unfortunately, the Spurs didn't win it as much as the Cavs lost it with horrid shooting. Regardless, this series, and the overall playoff run, is a good learning experience for the Cavaliers.

Thanks to a good playoff draw and 23's superhuman effort in game #5 of the Pistons' series, the Cavs reached the '07 Finals. This should only make them better in the future if they do the right things in the off-season - translated, get James some real help. We've talked about this time and time again since '05.

Let's face it - the only keepers on this current roster include 23, DanielGibson and Andy V. Everyone else is expendable to say the least. How many defending conference champions can say that?

As for the Cavs' loss in game #3 - you can't win if you can't make buckets!

At one point in the fourth quarter, the Cavs were 1-of-15 from beyond the arc while the Spurs were near 50%. Game, set and match!

The effort was there, the defense was solid, but the ball would not drop.

James has had a horrific series shooting the ball - which has made it easier for the Spurs to defend him. Couple that with the zone defense roles implemented several years ago, allowing SA, and ther rest of the league, to run several players at him at will, and you have a frustrated 23.

Still, on a sub-par night, he was the best player on the floor in game #3 - finishing with 25-8-7. His running mate in the post-season, Daniel Gibson, was 1-of-10 from the field after being inserted in the starting line-up. He was due for a bad shooting night. It just came at a bad time. And no, it did not happen because he was inserted in the starting line-up. Anyone who goes there has never laced on sneakers. @##@ like this happens.

The rest of the perimeter players didn't grade out well either, even though they were playing in their comfort zone - at home.

Give Mike Brown credit for posting up 23 all night in game #3 since the jumper had not been falling all series long. Unfortunately, James is not comfortable playing with his back to the basket. Too often he held the ball too long instead of going quickly to the hoop before the double came. He needs to work on that facet of his game in the off-season. We've said this before.

Adding a back-to-the-basket game will help him and the Cavs greatly - especially when the jumper leaves him - which is all too often. Remember, he is a rhythm shooter not a good shooter. There is a huge difference.

Don't despair Cavs' fans. The East does not have a clear, dominant team. The Cavaliers have the best player in the sport on their roster. In the '07 playoffs, Daniel Gibson established himself as a keeper. With some changes, the Cavaliers should be in the hunt again in '08 and beyond.

The question Danny Ferry has to answer is this - doe he tinker and add a couple pieces to the puzzle, including a bonafide point guard that can shoot (i.e. Mike Bibby) and a post player who can defend the goal, or does he make a real splash and get another top-10 player (i.e. KG), who perhaps has only three or four years left in the tank, who James can lean on for real support on a nightly basis. At this point, I vote for plan B.

As for the rest of the series, it is now all about pride. With the pressure off, the Cavs' role players should play better in game #4. But we said the same thing about coming home prior to game #3.

And by the way, let's not whine about Bruce Bowen fouling 23 prior to that final three-point attempt. That's so Cleveland-like. You got beat. Learn from it and move on.