It was fun while it lasted.

Final: Detroit 79, Cleveland 61.

This doesn't surprise me. The Pistons finally played the way they should. Mike Brown did a great coaching job but it's hard to beat the same team four times in a row especially if you are the underdog. Eventually they catch on.

It was a great playoff run for the Cavaliers and now they can re-tool for next year. Some serious concerns are center. Z can get you to the playoffs by helping the team win lots of games but he was only marginally useful in the Detroit series. Also, what about point guard. Where do we go with Eric Snow, Damon Jones and Flip Murray? I like Snow but is there an upgrade? The off-season might have some interesting possibilities in the free agent market. After seeing the Cavs going fairly deep in the playoffs, the top available talent might give Cleveland a strong look.

We need Larry Hughes for a full season. He really is the key to any title considerations. Like Jordan-Pippin, Hughes-James can be the duo superstar combination needed for serious title contention. Hughes has already indicated that he wants to talk to the coaches in the off-season about how he can be more effective. Let's hope a new offensive system emerges.

So no sulking Cleveland! This was fun and more is to come next year.

Don't worry, he'll be back!

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Copyright 2006 James D. Fisher
All Rights Reserved