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I hate to discount the fact that the San Antonio Spurs are far a very better team than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Many experts claim that the Larry O’Brien is already in the Spurs bag. But I want to give Cleveland a chance.

I just want to mention this. The best thing that has ever happened to the NBA this postseason is the Cavaliers has finally advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. And I am so happy that it was not Detroit who would go back to the Finals. Such series is ugly, and NBA ratings would have plunged down to the abyss. Thank God, LeBron James was so determined to stop the Pistons, and his teammates did step up. Not many adorned them to beat Detroit beforehand. They were cancelled out of the Finals picture right before the Pistons-Cavaliers series even started.

Now, I should say that the Spurs and the Pistons play the same way. Almost! They play good defense, are loaded with veterans who’s got smarts, and have experience. They have been to the Conference Finals a number of times before. But San Antonio is better! Detroit does not have a Tim Duncan. And the Spurs have the deeper bench. The Pistons were short of a Finley, Oberto, Horry and a Barry who can contribute from time to time.

But I still could say that Cleveland can play the same way as they did the Pistons, and they have an outside chance of winning this whole thing. That is: believe in LeBron and in themselves. James will create the plays, he will hold the ball 99% of the time. His decision making is critical in this series. He should know when to shoot and when to pass that ball. It won’t matter to whom, but what will matter is where that teammate is when he receives the ball. Damon Jones, Daniel Gibson and Donyelle Marshall can receive the ball from beyond the arc, because they can shoot that three. Larry Hughes, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao may best receive that leather when they’re underneath or cutting towards the basket. Drew Gooden can collect the ball at mid-range. And these guys should shoot the ball as soon as they obtain it, and without hesitation.

It is also a must for Cleveland to control the boards. They have enough big men to do it, but Coach Mike Brown should implement “gang rebounding.” They have to work as a team. They cannot allow the Spurs to get a lot of second chances. They should win the battle of the boards, both in the defensive and offensive ends.

Varejao will also play a crucial role in defending Duncan. Duncan is stoppable. And Varejao is the right man for the job to pest him all the time. Straight post-up defense won’t do the trick, but harassing him all the way will. Also, they should attack him. Cleveland cannot settle for outside shots. They should attack the rim. Put Duncan in foul trouble!

Their transition defense should also be in high gear. Hughes and Eric Snow might wanna put a clamp on Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker especially in transition. These two are notorious for sneaking in, and gearing up their speed at times. One to two Cavs should establish the defense in transition.
If the Cavaliers can accomplish those tasks mentioned above, they will win this series in six. I hope..