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Grudge Match!

by: greenmig

As the festive season approaches one thing is for certain, that the Cleveland Cavaliers are not on gm vt’s Christmas Card list.  Make no mistake, there is no love lost between these two Eastern Conference heavyweights.  But before the new season begins and we take a look at this clash, let’s go back in time and take a brief NLL history lesson.

On 3rd November 2010, the landscape of the NLL would forever change as the kid from Akron Ohio, Lebron James decided to go home.  Three years on and three Championships later the Cavaliers are the beast of the east, the bane of everyone’s existence, especially vt and his Sixers.  For the past two seasons the Sixers have mounted a strong challenge only to eventually be bundled out of the playoffs unceremoniously by gm alejandro, LBJ & the Cavs.

Despite the annual optimism at this time of year it almost seems as though most of the NLL faithful have almost grown to expect their fate at the hands of the Cavs and their annual procession to the NLL throne – but not vt, he has had a gutsful even calling out his chief rival recently on NLL radio. Let’s not mince words here, let’s be clear, without LBJ and the Cavs, the Sixers might have another trophy or two by the fireplace – but they haven’t, cos Lebron has them!

This is not an Eastern Conference Finals rematch, this is A GRUDGE MATCH!!

As we take a look at the two teams not a lot has changed since last June with the Cavs starting 5 returning in Parker-Butler-James-Ibaka-Drummond.  As has been written often before this is monster starting unit which features the best player in the NLL as well as top 5 guys at 3 other positions.  As usual the Cavs bench isn’t great but it doesn’t matter since they don’t play much.  For the Sixers only one change from last season’s line-up as DeMar DeRozan is promoted ahead of the injured Kevin Martin.  The Sixers on paper have the talent and depth but can they get by Lebron?

Taking a closer look at the matchups now:

POINT GUARD

Tony Parker vs Damian Lillard



This could perhaps be the best positional matchup with the old guard in Parker vs the new guard in Lillard.  Both guys can do it all but perhaps right now Parker has the more complete team game with his ability to make other guys around him better consistently.

Edge: Parker - Cleveland

SHOOTING GUARD

Caron Butler vs DeMar DeRozan



Another battle of vet vs young buck.  It looks as though age may have finally caught up with the evergreen Butler whereas DD is on the rise.  Expect DeRozan to blow by Butler on numerous occasions and showcase his high flying skills at the rim.  But don't be surprised if the cagey vet drains a couple of clutch triples as the shot clock winds down.

Edge : DeRozan - Philadelphia

SMALL FORWARD

Lebron James vs Kawhi Leonard



Leonard has the physical tools to shadow James but does he the mental fortitude to do it for a full game?  Lebron is the toughest cover in all of sports so if Kawhi can just limit him slightly and score a little himself he would have done well.

Edge: James - Cleveland

POWER FORWARD

Serge Ibaka vs LaMarcus Aldridge



Offense vs defense.  Although Ibaka has improved his all around game he is still known for his excellent defense.  Aldridge on the other hand is the most skilled PF in the NLL, a guy that can score from anywhere on the court.  At 6'11 he is a nightmare cover for anyone as he can faceup and shoot over you or take you down into the box.  In saying this the one guy who has the best chance of stopping him is Ibaka who is equipped with a ridiculous wingspan and athleticism for days.  If Aldridge doesn't work hard on the boards Ibaka could well match him in output.

Edge: Too close to call

CENTER

Andre Drummond vs Joakim Noah

Drummond is a beast!  Along with Ibaka, this guy would have to be almost the perfect fit next to James and Parker - two of the best penetrators in the NLL.  Basically anything these guys miss Andre has a 50/50 chance of cleaning up.  Noah also has a huge engine and great work ethic in the paint.  This is going to be a colossal battle on the boards as neither guy really has an offensive game, this battle will be won or lost on the boards. 

Edge: Too close to call


BENCH

As usual, the Sixers have perhaps the deepest team in the league, (even with KMart down).  This should make a difference but then again history shows that against the Cavs who often have a weak bench - it doesn't.

Edge: Philadelphia

 

PREDICTION: SIXERS BY 6 POINTS IN A BARN BURNER!



Star

Lebron James



What more can you say about the self proclaimed King.  It's one thing to talk the talk but when you back it up by walking the walk then you are close to untouchable.  For the past three years Lebron and the Cavs have been but there is a strong feeling that maybe this season the gap is closing.

Last year LBJ averaged a crazy 25.7points, 8.6 assists and 10.6 rebounds.  If he gets close to that again this year we could all be in for another episode of groundhog day, starting vs the Sixers this week.

 
PPG
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PPG
RPG
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BPG
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TPG

Star

Kawhi Leonard



Each season Leonard has grown in stature.  But now it's time to step up to the next level.  Gifted with the physical tools to combat the most dominant man in sports, Leonard will need to be at his best to slow down the one man wrecking crew known as LBJ.

Soft spoken by nature, Leonard will need to let his giant hands do the talking as he works to faceguard and disrupt Lebrons every move.

Such is the dominance of the man that if Kawhi can hold the King to below 20-10-10 he will have done his job.

X-Factor


Rebounding, rebounding and more rebounding!

You have to at least match the Cavaliers on the boards if you are going to stand a chance.  With Drummond and Ibaka the Cavs have two of the most athletic bigs in the NLL.  If it's not bad enough trying to stop LBJ and Parker et al, it gets even worse when you finally force a miss only to have it gobbled up by one of these guys and dunked back in your face.  For the Sixers to win this game, Noah, Aldridge and Lopez MUST come to play and win the battle of the boards.  This will be the deciding X-Factor.