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Do IT this week: Layering
Semifinals won't begin until at least Sunday; team tries to keep focus
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009
AUBURN HILLS, MICH.: It's not a vacation, but it's certainly a well earned break.
The Cavaliers can sit back, watch and wait after sweeping the Detroit Pistons out of the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday.
At the earliest, the Cavs will play Sunday at home against the winner of the series between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. At the latest, they will begin the Eastern Conference semifinals mid-week.
The last time the Cavs swept an opponent in the playoffs was the Washington Wizards in 2007. That's the year they went to the NBA Finals.
That's looking too far ahead but there's plenty to take and like from what they did against the Pistons. The Cavs held the Pistons to an average of 78 points and 41 percent shooting in the series and rendered their most consistent scorer, Richard Hamilton, a nonfactor. In Sunday's finale, the three starters who remain from the Pistons' last Finals team — Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Hamilton — made just 3-of-24 shots for eight points.
''That's what happens when you take care of business. You get a little bit of a break off,'' LeBron James said. ''There are a lot of bumps and bruises you sometimes can't get rid of because in the playoffs you go to the next series.''
Coach Mike Brown agreed.
''I know for some of our older guys, it will be great,'' he said.
For players such as Ben
Wallace, who has been on restricted minutes since returning from an injury to his left knee, it's certainly welcome.
''Any time you get rest it's good. I'm banged up a little bit. I could use a couple of days to try to get myself back at full strength, but we've just got to stay focused,'' Wallace said.
But with the relaxation and the lack of game-day pressure, comes the risk of getting rusty. The Cavaliers realize that.
''Sometimes when you get a long layoff you tend to get relaxed,'' Wallace said. ''You tend to beat up on each other and you get overexcited when you see somebody else. It can go both ways, but hopefully we can stay focused.''
Guard Delonte West said the key is achieving some semblance of balance.
''We can't rest too much,'' he said. ''We've got to take advantage of the time we have off, but we have to stay sharp and we have to get ready.''
Barkley bows
Charles Barkley is softening his stance on the Cavs. Barkley, who has been critical of James and the Cavs, couldn't have been more generous with his praise of James in the aftermath of Sunday's Game 4.
''LeBron James has become the best leader in the NBA. He has willed that team,'' Barkley said. ''They have his personality, they compete. He's remarkable. For me, he reminds me of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.
''They don't care about money or fame, they want to excel, they just want to get better. LeBron coming in the NBA with all the pressure on him, it's been fun to watch.''
Ratings bonanza
Fox Sports Ohio continues to reap the windfall that is the Cavs. With the regular season complete, the ratings for the team's flagship station have grown to Jordan-era levels.
This season, the Cavs set a regular-season record with an 8.76 rating that represents 134,000 households in Northeast Ohio, an increase of 116 percent.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
AUBURN HILLS, MICH.: It's not a vacation, but it's certainly a well earned break.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 04:11 AM, 04/28/2009
oh god, the kiss of death - barkley has praised us.
akron, oh
Posted 09:57 AM, 04/28/2009
Are they sure Barkley wasn't on the alcohol bottle before that statement. LOL!!!
Posted 01:21 PM, 04/28/2009
Barkley is a moron, who cares what he says. He's only saying good things about LeBron now because he says the team may go far into the playoffs and he doesn't want to look like a fool by continuing to rip on LeBron.
