Game Six: Boston vs Cleveland

Early First Quarter

It is absolutely sickening to watch the first six minutes of this game.

• Kevin Garnett is destroying the Cavs. There is no way that Shaquille O’Neal can hedge out on the ball-handler and get then get back and contest KG’s shot. Someone is getting either (a) a wide open path to the rim (b) a wide open jump shot off the dribble (c) a pick and pop or pick and roll to Garnett for an easy shot attempt (d) drive and kick to a shooter for an open look
• Mo Williams is still on Ray Allen. It is going to be extremely difficult for the Cavs to beat the Celtics with Ray Allen torching them.
• Parker is still on Rondo
• Jamison is playing absolutely horrific defense on the pick and roll.

Cleveland are in terrible shape and Mike Brown remains totally clueless.

Cleveland’s Defense

Bad Defensive Lineup

• Shaquille O’Neal = very poor defender
• Antawn Jamison = atrocious defender
• LeBron James = excellent defender
• Anthony Parker = mediocre defender
• Mo Williams = poor defender

That lineup is a below average defensive team. In that 16-20th range.

When Cleveland gives that lineup big minutes, they cannot be an elite defensive team. The best case scenario is a good defensive team (8th-to-12th) who’s best defense is played when the starting lineup goes off the floor, and unfortunately, they’ve failed to use the right lineups through substitutions to achieve even that (last night I mean, for the majority of the rest of the series they have done a serviceable enough job to be in the 11-14th range, slightly above average defensively).

Cleveland should not be considered a high quality defensive team when that starting lineup is playing long minutes.

2010 Salary Cap: Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks Salaries

Contracts above $5 million

• Michael Redd – $18.3 million
• Andrew Bogut – $11.0 million
• Dan Gadzuric – $7.25 million

That gives us a sub-total of $36.55 million for a total of three players.

Michael Redd and Dan Gadzuric are expiring contracts ($25 million). Andrew Bogut has four years left remaining on his contract.

2010 Tax Concerns: Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers Salaries

Contracts above $5 million

• Troy Murphy – $11.97 million
• Danny Granger – $10.97 million
• Mike Dunleavy – $10.56 million
• TJ Ford – $8.5 million
• Jeff Foster – $6.66 million

That gives us a sub-total of $48.66 million for a total of five players. A point guard, two wings and two big men.

Odds On Overcoming Series Deficits

How many teams have come back from losing the first two games, three games or three of the first four games in a series?

Down 0-2

Only 14 of 228 teams who have gone down two games to none have come back to win the series.

That is a winning percentage of 94.9%.

It had happened just three times in 30 tries during the NBA Finals (1993 Chicago Bulls, 2006 Miami Heat, not sure on the third team).

Bucks Talking Extension With Salmons

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports

It’s clear the Milwaukee Bucks want guard John Salmons in their lineup again next season.Bucks general manager John Hammond confirmed Thursday that he has discussed a contract extension with Salmons and his agent, Joel Bell.

Hammond would not discuss specifics of the offer, but it is believed the Bucks have offered a maximum extension that would include Salmons’ opt-in year and three additional years for a total of nearly $27 million.

2010 Salary Cap: Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors Salaries

Contracts above $5 million

• Monta Ellis – $11 million
• Corey Maggette – $9.6 million
• Andris Biedrins – $9.0 million
• Vladamir Radmanovic – $6.88 million

That gives us a sub-total of $36.48 million for a total of four players.

Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins each have four more seasons remaining on their contracts. Corey Maggette has three years left on his deal and Vladamir Radmanovic is entering the final season of his contract.

2010 Salary Cap: Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons Salaries

Contracts above $5 million

• Rip Hamilton – $12.5 million
• Tayshaun Prince – $11.15 million
• Ben Gordon – $10.8 million
• Charlie Villanueva – $7.02 million
• Jason Maxiell – $5.0 million

That gives us a sub-total of $46.47 million spread amongst five players.

Tayshaun Prince will be an expiring contract while Rip Hamilton and Jason Maxiell both have three seasons remaining on their deals. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva have four years left on their respective contracts.

Playoff Previews: Orlando vs Atlanta

Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks

Dwight’s Zone Defense

Dwight Howard will play off of Al Horford and zone up against Joe Johnson’s and Jamal Crawford’s isolation plays. Effectively placing himself as a constant second line between them and rim and consequently making it very difficult for the Hawks main offensive threats to get anything easy around the rim.

This tactic has successfully stalled the Hawks isolation dependent offense in each of the last three seasons.

Playoff Previews: Phoenix vs San Antonio

Main Lineups

Starting Lineup

• C — Jarron Collins vs Tim Duncan
• PF — Amare Stoudemire vs Antonio McDyess
• SF — Grant Hill vs Richard Jefferson
• SG — Jason Richardson vs Manu Ginobili
• PG — Steve Nash vs George Hill