Late in Game 4, the Cavs put LeBron James on Chauncey Billups. It was an odd matchup, and one I intended to discuss but forgot to mention. Fortunately, Brian from MGoBlog picked up the slack:
Freed of the presence of Larry Hughes’ stifling defense, Billups dominated the first half against a gimpy Hughes, undersized Daniel Gibson, and, well, Damon Jones. But in the second half — and this is something that went completely unremarked on by the announcers in an uncharacteristic oversight by a normally crack TNT crew (with the notable exception of horrible Doug Collins; see below) — the Cavs switched Lebron James on Billups and Billups disappeared. What’s worse, he didn’t even probe a matchup against a six-eight small forward. The one time he did he got the defense to collapse and got a teammate an open look. The rest of the game, though, he avoided making even the slightest move towards the basket. The aggression of the first half drained.
The thing that makes Cleveland a dangerous team now and in the future is that ability. As James was confusing Billups into thinking “there is a 6′8″ guy on me, there must be a mismatch somewhere on the floor,” similarly 6′8″ Sasha Pavlovic was on Prince, the posts were handling posts, and whoever the point guard was at the moment, probably Gibson, was running around with Rip Hamilton. When Hughes is healthy, the team Cleveland fields is freaking huge. They’re a defensive nightmare, as both this series and last year’s seven game adventure demonstrate ably
I couldn’t agree more. For all the talk about the Pistons just needing to regain their focus and play harder, there is absolutely something to be said about Cleveland posing a huge — and unique — matchup problem. This wasn’t an issue at all earlier in the playoffs: Chauncey Billups dominated the Smurf-ish Jameer Nelson in the first round, and neither Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon are taller than 6-3.
I doubt the Cavs will put LeBron on Chauncey for very long in Game 5 — I’m guessing that was just Mike Brown throwing a curveball to disrupt the Pistons’ rhythm — but if it happens Chauncey needs to figure out how to take advantage.
Update: Although they don’t address the “LeBron on Chauncey” matchup, the guys at The Ghosts of Wayne Fontes hit the nail on the head for some other keys to turning things around.
Here are my thoughts into detroits keys to win.
1) at least 3 starters, preferably chaunce, rip, sheed/tay must come out big in the first half meaning:
–chaunce/rip - big numbers on pts and assist NOT t/o
–sheed/tay - big numbers on pts and rebounds
2) immediate replacement of defender for gibson if he’s still doing his “thing” preferrably hunter. I keep yelling to flip after he made 2 big shot to “GET LINDSAY IN ON HIM!!!”
3) Contain Lebron. I agree with “The Ghosts of Wayne Fontes” Why not play one-on-one. Every individual in Detroit can guard everyone in clev, with the exception of Cwebb on Z. But not the whole game.
4) In addition to Key 1, if detroits bench delivers in the first half, it would be a walk in the park for a victory.
5) Most importanly, the composure and poise of the team down the stretch, not just chauncey but the TEAM!
It’ll be intresting what Sheed has waiting for these Clevs. HEHEHE!
Let’s be honest. The real reason the Cavs are doing well against the Pistons is because the Bulls wore out the Pistons. The last 4 games of the last series featured the Bulls with halftime and second half leads. Even during game 3 the Bulls were up by 20+ points in the 3rd quarter. Just like last year when the Pistons could not handle the Heat.
I like the evil giggle at the end…
I agree, somewhat, actually. I think we should play man to man and not worry about doubling LeBron because no matter how “Great” he is, he’s not going to score 90 points, or even 50. The remaining 4 players on his team are bit players whose confidence will snap if a jumper is swatted back in their face.
Who cares LeBron on Chauncey? LeBron is a below average defender, and with him on Chauncey means that Sasha can be exposed on the left block by Prince (see Luol Deng last series).
I think we all know that when Detroit plays as Detroit and not as a bunch of individuals, they are better than Cleveland. I know, it’s hard to tell by the Sportscenter highlights, but Detroit is actually the better team of the 2. It’s basic psychology/biology/whatever science or math when you look at the fact that this group’s core has been together for 3+ years, much like those old Duke Blue Devil teams that were loaded with 4th year seniors that dominated everyone, these guys know each other because they’ve been through the battle together.
Detroit 108 - CLE 94, in a game that’s over early but the scoreboard will begin to lean heavily into the 3rd quarter. Doesn’t mean I’m going to watch it, just means that I feel strongly about the outcome of this game.
P.Latch: I actually don’t buy that at all — at least not “wore out” as in “physically tired.” The Bulls may have rattled Detroit’s psyche, but I don’t think we can attribute all of the mental errors, turnovers and lack of assists to fatigue.
Boney, gotta agree. Not to mention the surprise it will give the Cavs early when LeBron tries to establish his teammates and the Pistons take that away, forcing him to think with the ball in his hands.
Unfortunately, Flip is not going to sit Webber, he’s not going to start Maxiell, he’s not going to tweak too much, he’s going to go back and try to bang our heads against the wall again.
Because if the Pistons should beat Cleveland and advance, he will have justified his existence. He’s never made it to the Finals, and no one outside of Pistons nation think the Stones have a chance against SA anyways.
I’ve been mad at almost everyone related to this team, and now, just want to see them play, and hopefully win.
haha, to tell you the truth, no one expected the pistons to win the ship this year anyway. I think Matt even mentioned earlier in one of his entries, that we aren’t favored…I just want to make it to the finals, so i can get my Eastern Conference Champs t-shirt..haha
The motion based offense needs to have motion tonight, and I think they will.
TheMicrowave, I’m with you about the being angry at everyone associated with the team thing. It’s a shame that out of all the teams in the league, 29 of them would want to be tied 2-2 with the Cavs or whover else in the Eastern Conference Finals.
We, as fans, have gotten used to watching winning basketball. We all feel strongly about DET beating CLE, and we’re dissappointed to see them struggle.
I love the idea of playing man on man, and not a Lebron zone. Just keeping throwing different looks at him all game with Tay, Rip, Delfino and Lindsey. The key is be up at the end of the 2nd. We can out play them in the third and get a ten point lead if we have the lead at the end of the half. Also would love to see Delfino play more than 3 minutes. He does a decent job on Lebron but Flip is to scared to try anything new. Really starting to think we need a coach with balls… a coach like Bill Laimbeer.