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Cavs sweep; Piston era likely over

By Rashid S. Umar
04.26.2009 - Updated on 04.26.2009

The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers advance to the second round of the playoffs by sweeping the Detroit Pistons 4 games to none with a 99-78 series clincher.

LeBron James no doubt helped his cause for the MVP nod averaging 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists against the once mighty Pistons.

Speaking of the Pistons, the first round exit – and the manner in which it was served – signals the end of an era in Detroit. There will be changes during the Pistons’ off-season that surely will bring an overhaul of a roster that is clearly aged and of limited capabilities.

The 2009 season can only be seen as a transitional period for Detroit, one that was preceded with the hiring of first-year coach Michael Curry, trading of the team’s leader in Chauncey Billups, the arduous task of trying to fit the square peg that was Allen Iverson into a more selfless system, and injuries.

Team President Joe Dumars stated during the regular season that the team will be active this summer and will not wait until 2010 to upgrade. With nearly 35 million dollars in expiring contracts coming off the books and trade assets available, the rebuilding process gets underway.

The Cavaliers however are poised to make a deep playoff run and vie for the NBA Championship.

With James and long time holdover Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland carries a well-balanced offensive attack, while it punishes its opponents defensively. These are the ingredients necessary to take the next step.

As a Piston fan, it’s very frustrating to experience a season like this but I congratulate the Cavaliers on their pursuit and urge them and their fans to enjoy it because it’s only a matter of time….

We’d like to thank Rashid for his contributions to HoopsVibe through the first round and wish his Pistons the best of luck rebuilding this summer. For more of Rashid’s work, visit Need4Sheed.com, the web’s finest Detroit Pistons site.

6 Comments: Cavs sweep; Piston era likely over

Posted by
tjay
on 04.30.2009

Jacob are you dumb! that clearly was a watered down piston team. Just remember the magic are 2-1 against the cavs and the lakers are 2-0 against them. .

Posted by
Jacob (from Australia)
on 04.27.2009

this wouldnt happen to be a watered down pistons team that actually plays better without ur boy iverson would it? we still had to go into the palace (quite a feared away stadium) and win both of them there too, and the cavs did so in very convincing fashion. the cavs earnt the 1st seed so they got the worst team, deal with it. if you cant understand that, then i guess u arent a "die hard NBA fan". oh and please... the magic? the lakers will challenge lebron and co. but definitely not the magic at the moment. they still gotta get out of the 1st round haha! .

Posted by
Peanut
on 04.27.2009

Well Im NOT a cavs fan but with Garnett being out Bron and em got a easy run to the finals. It wouldnt surprise me if they dont lose but 1 game on there way to the finals. Pistons need to let Sheed go along with Iverson. I know one thing if the Magic dont make the Conf finals (since celts r nearly non factors) Van Gundy needs to be fired on the spot .

Posted by
Peanut
on 04.27.2009

Posted by
melo boy
on 04.27.2009

ronh: kwame brown was the number one pick in the 2001 draft and he’s good. He just has a weird aproach. dont hate .

Posted by
ronh
on 04.27.2009

As a die hard nba fan. I am not impressed with the cavs sweep. They beat a watered down pistons team with no iverson and a center named kwame brown. I want to see what they do against the magic or lakers. .

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