A random thought about the Cavs

[Matthew]

I was driving to class the other day, and I had a random thought in relation to the Cleveland/ Boston series. I was thinking how close Cleveland came to beating the Celtics and how much respect they deserved for doing so.

But then I thought deeper about it. Would they be getting this much respect had they have beaten the Celtics? I came to the conclusion that the answer is no. If Cleveland had won, we wouldn't have seen the Celtics control the series against Detroit and dominate the Lakers (I say dominate because even thought it went 6 games, the Celtics were able to shut down the Lakers at will), and with that we wouldn't have known how great Boston was this past season.

In other words, if Cleveland had won game 7 and not won the championship, I would look at the Celtics as choking when looking back. But by them pushing Boston closer to elimination then Atlanta, Detroit and the Lakers, I give them alot more respect.

What do you guys think?

[hova-]

I think the Cavs do not even get enough respect for their whole season. I mean its like nobody is really giving them and especially LeBron credit for another Conference semi Finals season with a (in my opinion) mediocre squad.

Youre just right, its like the Hawks got more respect for pushin the Celtics to the limit than the Cavs !

[Cornerthree]

I think the Cavs do not even get enough respect for their whole season. I mean its like nobody is really giving them and especially LeBron credit for another Conference semi Finals season with a (in my opinion) mediocre squad.

Youre just right, its like the Hawks got more respect for pushin the Celtics to the limit than the Cavs !

Well naturally it should be like this, because as we all know Hawks are a worse team, than the Celtics and the Cavs. That's why everybody were surprised and shocked about what this team did.

And they didn't give Cavs that much credit, because Cavs had beaten Boston twice(I think) in the regular season and everybody were expecting at least a 6-game series...

[The X]

For me, although it's cliche, I liken the Cavs' team that lost to the Celtics like the Hawks losing to Celtics in 80's....maybe it was the game 7 duel between Lebron & Pierce, I don't know....but you are right, if Cavs had of won, I would've thought Celtics lost it, not that Cavs deserved to win....sad but true I guess....I guess if a very good team like the Celtics lose, then it's more they lost, rather than the Cavs won....

perhaps if a great team like MJ's Bulls had of gone down one year during their legacy by playing a bad series, it would've been Bulls losing rather than the other team winning....

I guess it's all perspective though....either way, I thought C's did a great job defending LBJ that series....and then same for defending Kobe 2 series later....

[Patr1ck]

I also would have thought that the Celtics choked if Cleveland won the series. I remember that series being very scrappy, and it didn't look like Boston was playing as well as they were during the regular season. I am not sure whether to give credit to Cleveland for that or not. If the Cavs had won, we would probably have seen all the analysts breaking down what Boston would have done wrong, rather then what Cleveland would have done right.

On the other hand, I think Cleveland would have deserved the credit if they had beat the Celtics, look where the Cavs were a year before.

[Matthew]

I think the Cavs do not even get enough respect for their whole season. I mean its like nobody is really giving them and especially LeBron credit for another Conference semi Finals season with a (in my opinion) mediocre squad.

Youre just right, its like the Hawks got more respect for pushin the Celtics to the limit than the Cavs !

Well naturally it should be like this, because as we all know Hawks are a worse team, than the Celtics and the Cavs. That's why everybody were surprised and shocked about what this team did.

And they didn't give Cavs that much credit, because Cavs had beaten Boston twice(I think) in the regular season and everybody were expecting at least a 6-game series...

But you guys have missed the question: Would the Cavs have gotten more or less respect in your eyes had they won game 7?

On the other hand, I think Cleveland would have deserved the credit if they had beat the Celtics, look where the Cavs were a year before.

This is a great point. I think Cleveland played better against Boston (who is a better opponent) then they did against the Spurs in the finals.

[Laxation]

I dont think they would have got any more respect.

They would have been swept again in the finals anyway

[Matthew]

You missed the question as well

[Laxation]

You missed the question as well

o rly?

Would the Cavs have gotten more or less respect in your eyes had they won game 7?

I dont think they would have got any more respect.

[Andrew]

I think they would have deserved respect for the upset, though I would still have felt the Celtics dropped the ball to a certain extent having played so well during the course of the regular season and having the homecourt advantage. I think the popular view would reflect that too, that it was the Celtics' collapse rather than the Cavaliers' triumph which would be selling Cleveland a bit short.

The fact that the Celtics went on to have a better series against Detroit and win the championship does make the Cavaliers' performance look more impressive but that's just the way it is with hindsight. At the time, Boston was not as dominant as expected so had their run ended there it would have been easier to write off Cleveland's victory as one over a team that didn't live up to the hype. Still, all bets are off in the Playoffs and the Cavs took the eventual champions to seven games and a whisker away from elimination which is a more than admirable effort.

[Matthew]

You missed the question as well

o rly?

yes rly

Would the Cavs have gotten more or less respect in your eyes had they won game 7?

I dont think they would have got any more respect.

You missed the question.

The fact that the Celtics went on to have a better series against Detroit and win the championship does make the Cavaliers' performance look more impressive but that's just the way it is with hindsight. At the time, Boston was not as dominant as expected so had their run ended there it would have been easier to write off Cleveland's victory as one over a team that didn't live up to the hype. Still, all bets are off in the Playoffs and the Cavs took the eventual champions to seven games and a whisker away from elimination which is a more than admirable effort.

I think the Hawks series diminished how good Cleveland played in that second round as well. Had they beaten Atlanta in 5 games and were then pushed to 7 by Cleveland, people would of viewed it differently at the time.

[Laxation]

You missed the question.

I still dont see where I missed it

[Matthew]

To say they wouldn't have gotten more still leaves 2 options: Less or the same. You said what would of happened, in your opinion, whilst being vague on the outcome of this hypothetical.

[BigKaboom2]

Can you give an example of two basketball entities that have the exact same amount of "respect"? How do you measure this and who gets to decide it?

[Laxation]

To say they wouldn't have gotten more still leaves 2 options: Less or the same. You said what would of happened, in your opinion, whilst being vague on the outcome of this hypothetical.

The question is still answered.

What the fuck was the point of arguing it?

[Matthew]

BECAUSE I FUCKING SHIT FUCKING CUNT FUCKING GOD FUCKING WANTED TO.

Oh kudos to Jao for the cuss words. You didn't answer it. You said they wouldnt have gotten more respect, but you didn't say they would of gotten more or less respect.

Difficult concept, isn't it?

[Laxation]

Wouldn't have gotten more, therefore would have gotten less or the same.
Apparently it is a difficult concept...

[Matthew]

Well there's two options so it's not answered.

[BigKaboom2]

You missed my question.

[Laxation]

Well there's two options so it's not answered.

Ah good point, you're right.