2015 NBA Playoffs: Previewing The Eastern Conference Finals

First, it should be said:  The East’s two best units made it to the conference finals.

Even as they struggled in the first round with a deplorable Brooklyn team, then showed confusing mishaps against Washington, the Atlanta Hawks have been playing the most important card — Win each series, not putting any value on how many games it takes, and wipe the slate clean as you advance.

Cleveland, on the other hand, has faced the most bizarre ups and downs since mid-April. Trouncing Boston in the first round served as the early sign of a confident playoff run. Before you can even blink, Kevin Love is gone for five months. Before you can wrap your head around that, the Cavaliers lose a sharpshooter and crucial personality (J.R. Smith) to a suspension.

But, LeBron James prevailed, refusing to let a different book be written about the Eastern Conference. Since 2011, his name has been splattered all over the pages of the NBA’s final four, and this is just another chapter. It’s set to have a unique tale, with a different type of opponent standing in James’ way.

There was Chicago in 2011 … down in five.  There was Boston’s big four in 2012 … down in 7.  Indiana got two cracks at him in 2013 and 2014, going 5-8 combined in both East Finals appearances.

LeBron’s led his cast against every type of team possible in this round. A defensive machine that was complemented by an MVP (Chicago), a group of aging players desperate for one last run (Boston), and a young, respectable group that was just trying to build a reputation (Indiana).

They have all failed.

Now, LeBron is taking the Cavaliers up against the best overall team he’s faced in the conference finals throughout this five-year span. Sure, the 2011 Bulls won 62 games and looked unbreakable, but they ran at such a slower pace and were never distinguished offensively (Oh god, blame Thibodeau!).

Atlanta finished off an hellacious defensive group in Washington on Friday, holding off just a bit of Paul Pierce‘s honesty. They were .01 seconds away from letting the truth break their hearts again.

Coach Mike Budenholzer prevailed, carrying on the Popovich tradition since his mentor was forced to go out drinking a couple months too early. The Spurs were wasted on the court in Game 7 of the first round, and they decided to get wasted off the court as well. The Finals you should’ve hoped for (Duncan vs. LeBron IV) can only happen in dreams now, but Budenholzer is still here to throw some of those similar coverages at LeBron.

The tale of the regular season tape is somewhat pretty and ugly, at the same time. These two teams have met four times this year, with Atlanta taking three of them (Click image for full view):

(of all people!) was the only reason they were a perimeter threat. Boston’s average ranking was just 14th, and Indiana only peaked at 11th.

Atlanta has homecourt, and all the weapons to end the streak — excluding injured Thabo Sefolosha — but they can’t play the series on paper.  On Wednesday, both will show the universe why this won’t be a humdrum East Finals, but instead one that satisfies the lovers of terrific basketball.

Who takes the East crown?  Let’s dive in.

Next: Stopping LeBron?