On the sunny side of the street
Posted January 3rd, 2007 by bwindhorst
Boston — For several weeks now, I have been methodically picking on the Cavs, from their offensive woes to their focusless play on the road. Surely making many e-mailers happy, I composed a manifesto about the point guard problem and guessed the whole outfit was simply overhyped from the start. Some in the Cavs organization criticize me for this behavior and I remind them The Optimist writes for Cavs.com, the realist writes for the Beacon Journal. Still, I have been labeled "Negative Ned," especially because they have the second-best record in the East after last night’s pivotal victory over the Spurs.
So here comes "Positive Polly." While I have largely concentrated on what the Cavs lack, over the last several weeks I have been impressed with what they have. They have proven to me that they will play excellent defense on most nights. One of the reasons there have been so many road disappointments is because the Cavs have been in almost every one of their road games and usually because of defense. They have proven to me that they will take care of their business at home. They have the best record in the NBA at home and they’ve beaten quality teams. It is an advantage they use and protect and they’ve won all sorts of different ways at home. And they’ve also proven to me they aren’t quite as reliant on LeBron as they used to be. Though he’s been getting hot over the last couple of weeks, the Cavs are near the top of the standings despite James fighting through some early-season fatigue and some nights were he isn’t a major factor. That is growth.
Now, I’m not saying they are going to go out on this long road trip — nine of the next 10 on the road — and lay waste. They will probably struggle and look terrible at times and all their weaknesses will be exposed, especially on offense where they continue to get by on smoke and mirrors. But more on that later, just call me Polly for now.
Some other stuff I seen and heard since the last blog:
–I was taken back last summer when I first saw Greg Oden, I was shocked at how big he was. Well, last night I was taken aback at how small Eva Longoria is when I encountered her at the Q. I’d say about 5-foot-2, 100 pounds or so. She was there to see hubby-to-be Tony Parker and was hanging out around the locker room area. Yet when he saw her, Mike Brown couldn’t be bothered because he was in a hurry to go hug Gregg Popovich instead.
–Speaking of women in the locker room area, I saw an aspiring woman last week in Atlanta try something interesting to attract attention from the NBA millionaires. Right where the Cavs were coming off the court, an attractive young woman positioned herself for all the Cavs to see. Then she took a wad of bills stuck them in her halter top so the money was hanging out of her displayed chest region. Now, it was an eye-catcher I have to say, but I don’t think she was getting very far considering the bill on top was a $10. However, a guy in the third row was clamoring for her number. Perhaps she took him up on it, no Cavs stopped.
–I didn’t get invited to Gilbert Arenas’ birthday party.
–Scot Pollard’s wife gave him five new giant belt buckles for Christmas, which he’s already started sporting on those many nights when he’s inactive and dressed up on the sideline. His favorite? The one with a bottle opener on it with the word "cerveza" (Spanish for beer, in case you didn’t know). He says it’ll be a hit at the bars. Of course Scot’s wife also gave him that Mohawk hair cut he loves so much as well.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:39 am
I was wondering what was going on with you being so critical and all. I alway looked to you for inspriration and giving me hope and understanding good to have you back
January 3rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
Whoever labeled you Negative Ned must be an awfully thin-skinned control freak.
January 3rd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Keep reporting the way you do. True Cavalier fans read this blog and your articles for good insight and the truth. And you bring both. It takes guts to step out and say what you feel is wrong with a team that you cover and see face to face almost everyday and I for one appreciate it.
January 3rd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
i think we’ve *all* been a little too negative lately, considering, again, that the cavs are 1/2 game from the best record in the conference. but i would rather have brian lean towards the negative than the other way, certainly…
January 3rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Northeast Ohio is running over with Cavs appologists, please don’t be one!
I have a different issue with the Cav’s point guard situation than you (and mostly everybody else). First of all Eric Snow is clearly the best defensive point guard in the NBA by far!!! For some reason nobody promotes that fact. In fact most of the people in the press try to promote Larry Hughes as an above average defensive player and that is just not true. (Yes I know he got a lot of steals ONE year and was given an all defensive spot, but he is not half the individual or “on-the-ball” defender as Snow). In fact if you watched Snow steal the ball from Duncan numorous times you will realize Snow is also a better off the ball defender than Hughes! But even that is not my issue with the Cavs point guard situation. Here is my issue. When I saw Gibson play I saw a young Terrell Brandon, but instead of grooming this kid as a point guard the Cavs (Mike Brown/Danny Ferry) are trying to turn the kid into a Damon Jones (a spot-up 3 point jump shooter). This is extremely short sighted in my opinion. It is obvious to me Snow wants to teach this guy how to be a point guard! Just think about that for a minute, a point guard with Eric Snow’s toughness and smarts but Gibson’s guickness and shooting ability! NUFF SAID!
January 4th, 2007 at 10:29 am
To LandofCleve… In other words, you think of Gibson as a all around point guard? The Cavs need a point guard that can do more than just defend. I see Snow as an off the bench stopper instead of a starter. I’d like to see mo time granted to Booby and even see a couple minutes a night for Shannon.
January 4th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I agree with giving Gibson some time at the point, but if the CAVS don’t think he’s a point guard, do you think there’s any interest in Spanish Chocolate with Valentine’s Day around the corner?
January 4th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Just wondering why my comment and link were removed? Are photos of Lebron’s questionable off the court activities a taboo subject on this site? Am I mistaken or is this a site about the Cavs? After all it’s been brought up on several other prominent basketball blogs so why not discuss it here?
January 5th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Keep it up BW. The Cavs offense, namely PG position, is a mess. No free passes. I’m glad they are winning some games now but they’ve fallen from the #10 rated NBA offense last season to #20 this season. You would have to be blind to not see they do have issues on the offensive side of the ball.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:53 am
if anyone cares about what massive 3215 is talking about follow this link to see what the fuss is about and read the comments section for my, and many others, take on what is a completely silly “incident” ginned-up by a blogger who is usually better than this…
http://www.truehoop.com/basketball-history-68394-thursday-minibullets.html
January 6th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I went to massive’s site, but I don’t see what is the fuss. He walks by a topless girl? He’s at a party where there are some topless girls? I suspect it gets much worse than this for many/most celebs and cleb athletes. Please point out what I’m missing.
January 6th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
kevin, go to the truehoop link i included in my previous post for the TRUE story…
January 7th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
How long is that Parker/Longoria thing going to last, anyway? About three minutes after the marriage begins, I suppose. I’ve seen some Internet photos of her without the makeup. Looks like Ilgauskas without the height and the white. But if she’s signed, she’d still perform better at the point than Snow.