Eastern Conference Finals Preview

By: Aryan Javan

CLE

LeBron James 26.5 PPG

LeBron James 10.2 RPG

LeBron James 7.9 APG

Offensive Numbers

99.6 PPG

43.2 FG%

Defensive Numbers

92.6 Points Allowed

40.8 Opponent FG %

ATL

DeMarre Carroll 17.1 PPG

Al Horford 9.9 RPG

Jeff Teague 7.4 APG

Offensive Numbers

99.8 PPG

43.4 FG %

Defensive Numbers

95.7 Points Allowed

42.5 Opponent FG %

Ladies and gentlemen, the pinnacle of the NBA season is upon us. The playoff field has been whittled down to just four teams, and an NBA title is on everyone's mind.

In the Eastern Conference, we have the Atlanta Hawks versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Atlanta has fought and clawed its way to this position through pesky opponents (the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets). Cleveland took care of business in round one, sweeping the young Boston Celtics side, and came out on top against Chicago in a tough, hard-nosed series. The two are interesting opponents when we take a closer look. The Hawks are a model of what the NBA is turning into, more team-orientated basketball, with the ability to go 11 or 12 players deep and relying on perimeter shots. LeBron and the Cavs are the more traditional business model. A team has to get a superstar player and fill the void with capable role players. 

LeBron James looks poised to lead this young Cavaliers side to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2007. But a worrisome thought for Cleveland is that they are banged up at a bad time. Irving should be a go for Game 1, but who knows how is knee and hamstring hold up. Irving knows he has to play in what is going to be another hard fought series. In Game 6 of the Chicago series, there was a point in the game where LeBron was clearly bothered by his back. Obviously the elephant in the room, Kevin Love is still out for the postseason. For the most part, I think Cleveland will be ok. LeBron is looking to make his fifth finals appearance in a row! That is a truly extraordinary feat. He will need his whole cast of mates with him to defeat a tough Atlanta side.

As for the Hawks, they have been playing like...the Hawks. Frustrating their fans in the first two rounds with inconsistent play, but this year something was different, real different. They were actually able to advance past the second round. Something that the Hawks as a franchise have not been able to do since 1970, before the Conference Finals were formed. Led by a lethal starting five the Hawks have been able to get down and dirty with the Wizards and Nets and emerged victorious in both bouts. To even be in this spot seems like a huge monkey off Atlanta's back. But for the Hawks this means they need to believe themselves, and that they can actually win this whole damn thing. 

With Budenholzer at the helm, the Hawks most take to the mentality of a team such as, San Antonio (Budenholzer's former team, assistant coach). The Conference Finals is not enough. To get this far and lose would be even more painful and devastating. The Hawks have a perfect chance to knock off a partially healthy Cleveland side. Yes, LeBron James will get his, but cut his resources off. Five guys will beat 1 or 2 any day (i.e. San Antonio in the 2014 NBA Finals Spurs Starting Five versus James and barely Wade and Bosh from Miami). The Hawks must play the most perfect series. To knock off a once in a generation talent like LeBron James, it will take the effort of maybe 10 or 11 people from this Hawks team. Guys like Muscula, Scott, Mack, Schroeder, or Bazemore. Everyone who steps on the floor must make an impact for Atlanta

Prediction

The Hawks caught Cleveland at the right time. Atlanta is due for a good shooting series. They have been subpar most of the playoffs. The defense is there for both clubs, but in my opinion, the deciding factor will be the offensive side. If both offenses are clicking I think the advantage goes to Atlanta. Their team ways will overcome the one-man-show of LeBron James and ATL will play the best series of basketball that this team is capable of to defeat the Cavaliers in seven games. Home court will be huge factor.