Musing Mode

Prior to tonight, and to a lesser extent, prior to Game 4 (of the only relevant series left, none on that now though**),

I was imagining a Cleveland vs. Orlando Eastern Conference Finals.

However, for a relatively long time (a few weeks), and increasingly so (since the Hawks lost by an average of 25 points in four games), I was not confident Cleveland could beat the Magic.

Here's why:

• Orlando beat Cleveland last year

• Orlando coalesces a bevy talent...

This got me thinking about a mostly forgotten statistical definition; the mode, "the value that occurs most frequently"

Call me crazy, but Orlando's mode is offensive versatility. Besides D12 (a completely un-fitting nickname), the starters: Nelson, Carter, Barnes and Lewis each seemingly epitomize the duality of shooting and scoring elsewise.

Coming off the bench, Mickael Pietrus (above, draped) and J.J. Reddick (over-rated in his under-rated-ness) both shoot exceptionally well, as well as facilitate and score. Coconut (mine) AKA White Chocolate, has descended from the realm of street-ball into that of highly effective back-up floor generals.

Cleveland's mode is either small combo guards: Parker, West, and Williams or, C/C+, over-achieving 4s: Z, Hickson, and Powe

• ...Considering Orlando's 6 Leatherman Tools, compared to Cleveland's surplus of mishapen goods, Orlando has a definite advantage.
• Orlando wins the center battle (Howard and Gortat vs. Shaq Bonds) in a slam-dunk, too.

Obviously I'm neglecting the elephant in the room.

But, it happened on Planet Earth (below), it can also happen in the NBA Playoffs.

(In case you are wondering, Boston's mode is obviously aged all-stars, while neither PHO nor LA have an easily discernible mode)

Stay tuned (to the playoffs, they are epic, Lakers in 6 this time).

*The competition in this realm is fierce. I personally subscribe to Henry Abbott and Truehoop, as well as oblige the genius of both FreeDarko, and much more so, THEIR INCREDIBLE BOOK as well as Bill Simmons, and his book.

**I imagine (and wish like ESPN, I could rely on Elias Sports Bureau to back me up, that) three sweeps in the second round is rare. I find it neither interesting enough to write about, nor exciting to read, yet am curious how rare the outcome of four playoff series ending in three sweeps is.