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"FacebookPinterestlebronplayoffs.png\n\n STRENGTHS: Danny Ferry has spent every minute of the LeBron James Era trying to gather the right complementary pieces to bring a title to Cleveland. The Cavs did reach the Finals in 2007, but even LeBron couldn't carry the likes of Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden past a superior San Antonio team. Two consecutive ECF losses later, and Ferry might have finally perfected the recipe. It includes knockdown shooters like Mo Williams and Anthony Parker (42.7% and 41.5% 3-pt FG) and a couple big men to spread the floor in the newly acquired Antawn Jamison and the recently re-acquired Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Shaquille O'Neal, if healthy, can still be a presence inside while Anderson Varejao has irritated opponents with his nonstop energy all season. As Ferry has frantically collected this talent over the last couple years, LeBron has done nothing but get better\u2014regardless of who plays with him. His three-point shot still isn't up to par with the rest of his game, but 29.7 points, 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game are numbers befitting a nearly-perfect basketball player. There has never been a player/human being in all of history with LeBron's combination of size, strength, speed, and skill. Whether you root for the Cavs or not, it is imperative that every fan of the NBA appreciate what LeBron James does every single night on a basketball court.\n\nWEAKNESSES: The team with the NBA's best record isn't going to have many weaknesses, but the Cavs do have some. Shaq is too slow on defense and clogs the paint on offense. They might be better off without him, considering J.J. Hickson's vast improvement this season. The Cleveland offense outside of LeBron depends heavily on perimeter shooting, so the Cavs can struggle if the guards go cold. Jamison is a nice offensive fit, though a defensive liability. But fortunately for Cleveland, these weaknesses can often be overlooked (and overcome) since LeBron plays almost every minute of every game and never gets tired.\n\nX-FACTOR: With an elite running mate for LeBron, the Cavs might already have a ring or two. And they'd probably be a lock for another this year. Instead, LeBron's second fiddles have been players who should be third or fourth fiddles. His teammates just didn't play well enough to beat San Antonio three years ago, Boston the year after, or Orlando last season. Each member of the supporting cast needs to elevate his game, because history has shown that even the best man can't do it alone. There may be added pressure as well, given the possibility that King James will take his services elsewhere after this season. Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, J.J. Hickson, and Anderson Varejao: you guys need to show up.\n\nFEARLESS PREDICTION: Alright, free agency talk aside, LeBron James looks ready to triple-double his way through the playoffs. He doesn't have a Pippen or an in-his-prime Shaq, or even a Pau Gasol to help him\u2014but he might not need it. Cleveland has been the best team in the NBA all year, and LeBron the best player. As long as they can ignore the talk about the soon-to-be Free Agent to End All Free Agents, no team in the East will keep the Cavs from reaching the Finals.\u2014Nick Ingalls\n\nOther previews:\n\n Oklahoma City Thunder\n\n Milwaukee Bucks\n\n Boston Celtics\n\n Utah Jazz\n\n Atlanta Hawks\n\n Phoenix Suns\n\n Orlando Magic\n\n Dallas Mavericks"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.gq.com/story/the-nba-playoffs-the-eastern-conference-favorite>