What’s happening?

Four area coaches weigh in
on the Cavs’ struggles
and their chances.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

Four area high school basketball coaches are among the many Valley residents who have been watching the NBA finals.

Sean Durkin (Ursuline), Ron Moschella (Boardman), Steve Arnold (Warren Harding) and John Cullen (Canfield) seem to agree on one thing — the Cleveland Cavaliers have been overwhelmed by the San Antonio Spurs.

“I don’t think they [Cavs] expected to be down that quickly in the game and series as they’ve been in the first two games,” said Durkin.

“I don’t think that they were ready to play at that fast a tempo that the Spurs played. But then again one win and you are right back in the mix,” he added.

The Cavs were hardly impressive in the first two games, losing 85-76 and 103-92 in San Antonio.

Moschella felt the Cavaliers are in unfamiliar territory.

“They played so poorly at the beginning on Sunday, but then they did come back at the end and that should give them a little confidence going into Game 3,” said Moschella.

“Their coach [Mike Brown] said that it takes a little luck in the finals and when you are not experienced in the finals, you need some luck. On the other hand San Antonio is experienced,” he added.

Next chance

Game 3 is tonight at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. So is Game 4 Thursday night, and — the Cavs and their fans hope — so is Game 5 Sunday.

“Experience has played a big role in the first two games,” said Arnold. “San Antonio has it, Cleveland doesn’t.

“The big difference is down in the low post as the Cavs have to try and double team Tim Duncan and they don’t have the people to do it.

“On the other hand when [the Spurs] double down on LeBron [James] it is usually in the perimeter because they don’t put him down low often,” Arnold added.

Cleveland was one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA during the regular season, but the Spurs are dominating the glass in the finals.

“When you’re having a bad shooting series like the Cavs are having you had better be hitting those offensive boards and the Cavs aren’t doing that,” said Cullen.

“When they miss a shot there is nobody there, no offensive rebounds, while San Antonio is killing them on the offensive boards,” he added.

Difference-maker

Still, the Cavs have James, and the coaches feel he can turn the series around.

“San Antonio is the better team, but when you have a player of LeBron’s stature just about anything can happen at any time,” said Durkin.

“The Cavs showed they were resilient when they came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Pistons, but San Antonio is a much different animal,” he added.

“Every game they play they are learning, even LeBron is learning every game,” added Moschella.

“They will play much better in Cleveland, but I don’t know if it will be enough to win the series. They’re young and they haven’t been there before.” he said.

“They seemed to be confused out there. Even LeBron was confused at times,” Moschella said.

“The key for Cleveland will be to win Game 3 tonight, if they can do that it might give them the confidence they need. They did it against Detroit, but San Antonio is a much better team,” Arnold added.

“The Cavs’ offensive plan is not very good this series,” said Cullen. “They’ll play better at home, but if they don’t start hitting the offensive boards the results will be the same.

“San Antonio doesn’t make mistakes and the players know their roles,” Cullen added. “They changed their style of play to beat the Cavs, while the Cavs haven’t changed anything.”

Durkin probably summed it up best. “I think San Antonio is going to go out and try and step on the Cavs right now and end it quickly.”

mollica@vindy.com