| The Kings Of The NBA? Not Just Yet Authored by Anas Ahmed - June 4, 2007 - 1:27 pm
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In terms of the Cavs becoming the next big dynasty in the NBA, I think it would be safe to say that Raps fans would much rather have them be similar to the late 90's Utah Jazz team that couldn't get past the Bulls than have them be what we have been forced to watch the last few years prior to this one. However, still keeping that in mind, I don’t think that LeBron and the Cavs will be the same force year in and year out that Jordan and his Bulls were. I think what we saw this past week with the Cavs and Pistons was a hungry team, equipped with arguably the best player in the world, fight past a team that had been there and done that.
If the Raps were to face the Cavs in the Eastern Conference playoffs for years to come, they will have something that the Pistons have seemingly lost – a thirst for Championship glory that has never been quenched. Yes, many of you are already saying that that thirst wasn’t enough for the Jazz to beat the Bulls the countless times they tried, but as I said before, I don’t think these Cavs are anywhere near Jordan’s Bulls.
Here’s why the Cavs fail to make the grade when stacking up against the Bulls of old:
Beam me up Larry? Let’s face it, as it stands right now, the Cavs may have their Michael Jordan, but they definitely don’t have their own version of Scottie Pippen. Larry Hughes may be a solid player in his own right, but he is nowhere near the player that Pippen was.
Anderson Varejao may have some whacky, Sideshow Bobesque hair, but he will never be as dominant a rebounder as Dennis Rodman. Rodman averaged over 15 rebounds for the Bulls during three of their NBA Championship runs. Varejao may chase every loose ball, but I doubt he will ever be that kind of a monster.
The only two things that Sasha Pavlovic has in common with Toni Kukoc is that he occasionally hits the three and he’s European.
Unfortunately for the Cavs, Steve Kerr will be busy working as GM for the Phoenix Suns so they will have to look elsewhere to fill their three-point shooting void, because Damon Jones is well, Damon Jones and there aren’t enough minutes left for Donyell Marshall with Drew Gooden and Varejao eating up so many.
Now I don’t mean to tear the Cavs to shreds in the middle of their potential title run, but I think many people are jumping the gun on crowning them the next dynasty. To say that simply because they have made it to the finals makes them possibly the next big thing is to cheapen everything thing that the 90’s version of the Bulls did.
On the flipside, here’s why the Raps will give the Cavs a run for their money year in and year out:
Chris Bosh: He may have struggled in his first playoff appearance but he showed promise near the end. Bosh doesn’t strike me as the type of player that will simply bow out to James and his Cavs because he’s expected to and he shares his mentality with the rest of his teammates. Bosh has already had to deal with being overlooked in the storied 2003 Draft Class, and the chip on his shoulder will get too heavy if he plays the part of Karl Malone and continuously loses to LeBron.
Andrea Bargnani: Il Mago’s potential to be the next Dirk, coupled with Chris Bosh’s excellence, will give the Cavs all the trouble that they can handle in the years to come if the Cavs were to go on become legendary.
Jose Calderon and T.J Ford: The Raptors currently have two true point guards that can run a very effective NBA offence and the Cavs currently have zero. Yes, Daniel Gibson is a rookie, but all that he’s shown is that he’s a good shooter on a team where LeBron James gets most of the attention on defense. If the Cavs want to compete year in and year out, the point guard tandem of Hughes and Gibson will not out duel Calderon and Ford.
Now having said all of that, I understand that the Cavs are in possession of the Don of the NBA in LeBron, but please, out of respect for M.J and his Bulls, let James collect a few Championship rings before we anoint him and his teammates the rulers of the NBA.
Comments? Anas Ahmed can be contacted at anas-ahmed@hotmail.com |
