Whoa, whoa, whoa
Posted January 18th, 2007 by bwindhorst
Denver — Let’s get a few things straight here because I’m sensing from my e-mail, comments on Ohio.com, and message boards that I’ve looked at today that everyone is getting a little emotional and delusional.
–Please stop running whatever trade machine you use or speculating about Jason Kidd. Yes, there’s been some reports the Nets would be willing to trade him. Of course they would, he’s owed a crazy amount of money and he’s nearing the end of his career. Would he help the Cavs? Are you kidding? The guy is a Hall of Famer, of course he would. But until you can answer me this question, I have absolutely no use hearing or reading any more trade nonsense: Why would the Nets make a trade to improve the Cavs? Next.
–The Cavs are not a bad team. They are a good team, a quality team, a team with lots of potential. They are also flawed, especially offensively and especially especially from the offensive point guard spot. This flaw is going to continue to cost them games, as every team’s flaws are going to cost them games. I have written this many times before and, dang, it ain’t even midseason yet. After the whole Carlos Boozer debacle a few years ago, Gordon Gund wrote a long and bearing open letter to fans about the ordeal. Every time he or anyone in the organization was asked after that, they just referred to that letter. Well, until I see changes I think I should just refer to this blog post and let it stand. Also, whenever someone complains to me about Eric Snow, I should refer to this.
–Yes, the losses in Seattle and Portland were bad, bad losses. Pretty much inexcusable to blow the game in Seattle and then forget to show up last night. But that’s what happens on the West Coast, there’s bad losses. It happens every year, that’s why they’re like 9-34 over the last seven years on this trip.
–That said, the Cavs have missed a chance to put air between them and the Pistons, who keep losing at home. Is it even a big deal to win in the Palace anymore? ESPN.com’s Buster Olney wrote a great book called the Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty, referring to the events that took place after the Yanks lost to the Dbacks in the World Series. I may be proven wrong on this at some point, but I can see the evening of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals being the last night of the Detroit Pistons mini-dynasty. On that night I wrote this piece about some of the flaws the Cavs found in the Pistons. It proved to be too late for the Cavs, but the Heat took advantage and then Ben Wallace left and now they are looking more mortal by the day. Like I said, I could be wrong, but it is leaning that way. Remember, everyone was picking the Pistons to make their 3rd straight Finals last year and win a second title at that moment.
–After the game Wednesday Mike Brown was as fired up as I’ve seen him in a year and a half. Closest I can remember was in Dallas last season after the Cavs blew big leads to the Heat and Mavs on the same road trip. But that was understandable, those teams were the best in the league. Not the same with the Blazers. Anyway, Mike was going on about how the team ought to be embarrassed and ashamed and all that, it was good stuff. I went into the locker room a few minutes later and many Cavs were just laughing and carrying on. Guess they didn’t feel the same way. So, they’re not worrying about it, why should you, right?
January 19th, 2007 at 4:27 am
I think it’s pretty legitimate to question the direction of the team at this time. With such a weak Eastern Conference, it’s confounding to watch such lackadaisical play.
It’s also legitimate to start wondering what a more active GM would be doing to shake up the team. Acquiring Jason Kidd might be pie-in-the-sky, but there are always pretty good players available, players who are more accomplished than the 7.5 pts.-a-game Euro dude from Indiana (how about Jason Richardson?).
I think Mike Brown did a very good job last year, especially in the playoffs. But he’s being set up for a fall right now, with all the stories about his faulty offense and now the intimations about a lack of discipline in the locker room (I don’t think it’s a conscious effort on BW’s part, I suspect the finger pointing at Brown comes subtly from the front office).
The fact is, outside LeBron the Cavs don’t have a single player who can be counted on for even 15 pts. a night. Every signing Ferry made two summers ago looks bad right now and the roster is clogged with players who are difficult to unload.
Maybe Shannon Brown and Daniel Gibson will bail him out, but it looks like Ferry has painted himself into a corner with a good team that won’t ever be able to beat a team like the Mavericks, if the Cavs can get that far.
January 19th, 2007 at 5:53 am
Wow what a difference a week makes….just over a week ago the cavs had won 5 straight and we’re playing their best ball of the season.
Now just over a week later everyone sucks, and the cavs are destined for an early playoff exit…
Just another week in the life of the bi-polar cavalier fan base.
Wake me up when the playoffs (ie, the real nba season) start in april.
I’ve never seen such overreaction to a few losses…jeesh.
January 19th, 2007 at 6:55 am
1. This back to back business is a joke. The Cavs don’t even pretend to put on an effort. 9 points in the first quarter against Portland? They’re not trying and they don’t care.
2. Lebron is as guilty as anyone. Would Mike Brown dare sit him if he’s not playing hard?
3. Is Shannon Brown on the roster anymore?
4. Is Mike Brown the coach for this team? They obviously don’t listen. We know damn well the’re not going to beat Denver and then will come limping home with another pathetic performance against Golden State. He can’t sense they’re not going to play well against Portland and try to do something up front (change the rotations, start another group-he could say “You have
played like crap on these back to backs so we’re going to start Pollard, that guy they got from the Celtics, Shannon Brown, Gibson and Ira Newble. They can’t play any worse than you guys have! They may actually want to play! Larry H., we’ll make you inactive since you’re hurt all the damn time and Lebron we’ll only play you 24 minutes cause you’re so damn tired!” Would that get their attention? After they all called Dan Gilbert and their agents to complain, Mike Brown would probably get fired. So what? This team isn’t going anywhere!
January 19th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Does that guy above my last post live in Cleveland? Oh, I forgot, everything always turns out great for the Cleveland teams and their fans. What an over reaction! Jeeeesh! We know the Cavs are going to rebound and have a great playoff run. What a history of success in Cleveland!
January 19th, 2007 at 7:42 am
The Cavs now have to beat the Mavericks to be a contender? How many games did the Heat win in the regular season last year? Saying that the Cavs can’t win a title this year is like saying that a National League team had no chance of winning the World Series. It’s absolutely true on paper, but I’ll take my chances if we get there. Some team is coming out of the East this year, and right now I think the Cavs are the least-flawed team in a very flawed conference. And if we get to the Finals, then we’ll be in the same boat as the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Florida Gators.
Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure the Cavs noticed how the Heat played in the regular season last year as well, and they’re expecting to turn it on during the last two months of the season. And if they do that, they’ll still be the number 1 seed, which goes to the team with the best record whether they’re 1 game better than the second-place team, or 10 games better. I’m not saying it makes sense, and it is incredibly frustrating, but to act like what happens *now* in the season is important, especially in the Eastern Conference, is silly.
Jason Richardson a) was shooting 37% from the field this year, b) was 30% from 3-point range, and c) was 60% from the free-throw line, mostly due to knee ailments this year. I say “was” because he broke his hand at the end of December and is out at least two months. I like J-Rich, but he’s been playing like a poor-man’s Larry Hughes this year, and he’d have a tough time finding playing time here. Now next year, if we could trade Hughes for Richardson, I’d listen, but I would expect very similar production.
I don’t think there are players available that can take the Cavs to the next level. Either they have a chance to win it all with this team, or something close to it, or they don’t. This isn’t baseball, where adding a pitcher can solidify the team by himself. In basketball, developing chemistry is the thing. Remember when Chris Webber went to Philly and people said it would make them a contender? (Heck, remember when it was considered a good idea for the Pistons to sign him? That was just last week.) The point is, if it’s a bad fit, even a good player won’t have a positive impact.
Finally, the Cavs have decided, for better or worse, that they’re tradeable assets are too important to let go. So while there might be a point guard out there that the Cavaliers covet, they’re not about to trade Drew Gooden or Anderson Varejao to get him, and neither of the rookies have shown enough to have any value either. (Which has to be killing Ferry, seeing Shannon Brown’s name forever on the inactive list. I thought we were getting a nice pick, but apparently he’s not showing *anything* in practice.)
So like Brian said, if anyone can come up with a *realistic* trade solution that will make the Cavs a better team, both now and in the next few years, then great. All I know is, I wouldn’t want to add any of the players that were moved in the Pacers-Warriors deal, and I don’t see any useful players being moved before the deadline. And I think that’s going to put a lot of pressure on Mike Brown, because if you can’t change from without, you’re going to have to change from within.
Go Cavs,
Mike
January 19th, 2007 at 7:45 am
mike is right that the real season hasn’t started yet. but the cavs have failed to do what good teams need to do to be championship material. play consistent basketball. lebron is fixated on shooting jumpers instead of taking advantage of his talent and taking the ball to the hole. is he tired? i don’t know. is that an excuse? hell no. the improved defense is great but the days of brawl ball in the nba have passed. without intelligent and consistent offense this team is destined for another second round exit.
January 19th, 2007 at 8:46 am
2 words:
Chicago Bulls
January 19th, 2007 at 8:50 am
The Cavs lack a true point guard, someone who consistently distributes the ball to the right players at the right time.
I’m not talking about a guy like Kidd who is extra special in that he can score and rebound.
As much as I like the local grown Eric Snow, he shouldn’t be the starter for the Cavs if they have any notions of competing for the NBA championship.
Even a guy like Andre Miller would be considerably better than Snow.
Why did the Cavs sign David Wesley ? To occupy a seat on the bench ? It makes no sense to me.
January 19th, 2007 at 10:33 am
The different Mike is dead on.
If Ferry could obtain a Sarunas or Blake or whomever that would be okay, but its not a ‘get over the hump’ move like everyone would expect it to be.
We didn’t lose in Seattle and Portland because of Eric Snow. Eric Snow is in fact probably the best on-ball defender we have. I don’t recall him jacking up 20ft jumpshots early into shotclock. These past two games go on Lebron and Larry in my opinion.
Everyone needs to look at the big picture here. Was anybody expecting us to go 7-0 on this roadtrip? Thats why its so hard for me to get worked up about these past two loses.
Wake me up for playoff time.
January 19th, 2007 at 10:58 am
The Cavaliers should just give a lot of minutes to Daniel Gibson and Shannon Brown; develope them NOW! Cleveland had a shot at competing for the Central with the Bulls, and they have. Those days appear to be coming to an abrupt end this season, and primarily because of the same situation at point guard. AV is really the only player who might draw some attention at acquiring a credible PG, but it would be tough trading him away.
With Detroit’s acquisition of C-Webb, it will only be a few weeks before they have their offense firing on all cyclinders, and begin to blow teams out and dominate the East. Webber’s passing game is going to give them too many options. The Pistons aren’t even done retooling yet… with Nazr Mohammed being sought by many teams, they will likely get the backup PG that they are seeking, and probably get another wingman to replace Flip Murray.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:25 am
The Cavs don’t have to beat the Mavs to be contenders in the Eastern Conference, but they’ll have to beat the Mavs, the Suns, the Spurs or someone better to win a championship, and isn’t that what they’re aiming for?
I’m sure it’s what LeBron, his handlers and Nike are aiming for, either in Cleveland or somewhere else.
But if the idea is to just make the playoffs hoping for a hot streak, a few lucky bounces, injuries to the other team or some other factor that would result in a miraculous upset, then I guess the second Mike is right and this team has already arrived.
My question is whether the Cavs can improve their chances to win a championship, this season or in the future, by making a roster move or two.
Or alternatively, has the team even started to build a roster that will best take advantage of LeBron’s unique blend of speed, size, scoring and passing ability?
I don’t think it has and, if the Cavs brain trust thinks anyone on the roster, including Verajao and Gooden, is untouchable, they’re delusional.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:39 am
to the other mike: how is the name of world b. free do you know that getting sarunas or blake wouldn’t put us over the top? again, have you forgotten that the cavs tried VERY hard to get sarunas in the off-season? CLEARLY they thought he was potentially an important piece to getting over the hump.
snow is NOT the best on-ball defender on the cavs at all! did you watch the last game, for example? dan dickau (DAN FREAKIN DICKAU!!) drove around him constantly. did anyone read what i wrote the other day?? eric snow CANNOT guard his own position, PG’s!! he guards 2’s and some 3’s and he has had some sucess against those types like lewis from seattle and mason for the hornets. but larry is frequently the one guarding opposing PG’s because eric cannot stay in front of them!
and please no one insult our intelligence by metioning his assist to turnover ratio. it’s 17th amongst PG’s in the league. which means he slightly below average! even if we give him the benefit of the doubt and say he’s slighty above average on D, he’s at the BOTTOM in points and FT%. so, explain to me again how snow is not contributing mightily to the cavs woes?
to garold:
you are high if you think detriot is gonna dominate again. they added an old piece to an old team and ’sheed is imploding. they’ll be lucky to finish 3rd in the central, no matter what trades they try to make.
and yes, i agree that the playoffs is all that matters but at this point i am just trying to kill once and for all this zombie narrative that won’t die that snow’s D somehow negates all his other handicaps! it just ain’t so no matter if brian, mike snyder or even joe tait says it is…
January 19th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
to kj:
Yeah, perhaps “DOMINATE” may have been a strong assessment. I do believe that they will defend their Central crown though, and a lot of the so-called experts have already annointed them as the team to come out of the East.
Nobody knows for sure how the Pistons are going to end up looking. Their rotation and bench play has yet to become better established, and to me, that had to happen this season for them to be a legitimate contender in the East. C-Webb is going to boost their transition from a DEFENSE-FIRST team, to a solid scoring, equal distribution, offensive team. Their assists to buckets is going to go up, as well as their points in the paint, and FG%. The zone defense that they’ll employ is likely going to suck for some time to come, with little focus on it.
Without question, Chris Webber is not the explosive player he once was, and his defense is even worse; still, he is going to bring the intangibles that the Pistons need, while probably giving them about 15-8-6 a night. Who knows what else Dumars will bring in for the bench; Flip has been a Flop in Motown, and he’ll probably be getting a bus ticket, as soon as another guard is acquired. Dumars has the luxury of taking his time. After 2 weeks minus Chauncey, they’re less than 2 games out of both the Central and top of the East; they’ll make that up, and then some, once this remake starts clicking.
January 19th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Have you seen this post at http://mvn.com/nba-cavaliers/2007/01/18/f-for-effort/
I agree with what this guy is saying, LeBron needs to get to the hole, he settles for jump shots way too often, but I think he’s being a little drastic.
“I know it may be sacreligious in Cleveland, but the guy simply does not get it. When you are 6′8″ and 255 pounds with his quickness, there is absolutely no reason that half your shots should be from over 20 feet out. Most fans believed him when he was blaming the new synthetic basketball at first, but the “old” ball has been back now for a little over two weeks. He is simply in too much love with his jumper. Bron’s bread-and-butter was attacking the rack with his bulky frame and either finishing strong or getting to the line. Nowadays, he either likes to force the Cavs to sink or swim (usually the former) with his jumper or brick free throws when he does get to the line. It’s no coincidence that his numbers are down across the board from the last two seasons. The guy has gone from being on Kobe Bryant’s level of megastardom to just being your run-of-the-mill star player, no different from a Tracy McGrady or Paul Pierce.”
Oh and what do you think of Damon Jones and Ira Newble for J-Kidd?
January 19th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Did you hear King James’ nonchalant, oh whatever, comments after the game? I’m not sure he does get it. Or if he cares. It seems he’d rather make Nike commercials, dunk in pregame warmups, and toss chalk in the air. He’s embarassing himself. This team is a disaster and it all stems from the Chosen One’s significant drop off from year two to three. Isn’t he supposed to be getting better? Why are Wade and Carmelo on a different level? Why is the head coach afraid to bench him?
January 19th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
hey joe and doc,
thanks for making brian’s opinion of cavs fans even WORSE!
jeebus…
January 19th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Besides Lebron the Cavs are like the
Browns. They lack team speed. They have
a center who couldnt intimidate a fly.
A shooting guard who cant shoot. A point
guard who cant run. Trade the whole team
for Jermaine O’Neal or Jason Kidd. They
will eventually ruin Lebron like the
Browns ruined Couch.
January 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
It is just very frusterating to watch the Cavs, and it has a very similar tone to last year’s season. I watched the Kings game in entirety at the beginning of this road trip. I thought the Cavs had turned a corner, because instead of backing down when they were being killed by Bibby and Miller, then stormed back and won that game. I thought, finally, we have found a way to win on the road. And then you watch Phoenix just murder us. Yes Phoenix is a crazy good team. But 30 point defecit in the 2nd quarter? Come on now. Then they lost to Seattle and Portland, and just look dead. Same as last year. Look like sometimes they just dont care. And to hear that they were joking around after Mike Brown lit in to them worries the hell out of me. Someone better had made a really funny joke for that to happen. You guys just let two rookies rip you up. We need to start acting like and elite team or we will never be one. Take pride in your team and say HEY, WE ARE BETTER THAN THESE TEAMS! WHY ARE WE LOSING! Sigh…is it ever going to change?
January 19th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
The sad thing is that Mike Brown laying into them really DIDN’T mean anything to them. They are embarrassing themselves again tonight in Denver, down 19 at the half. They gave up 60 points in one half. I remember a point two weeks ago where I thought this team might be capable of holding a team to 60 points in an ENTIRE GAME.
January 20th, 2007 at 3:20 am
Hello: They played a poor game in Denver which I predicted now I’m on record as saying they will score between 75 and 80 tonight vs. Gold State and GS will score 90 to 95 for another great effort by the Cavs.
I have to tell you though, I believe the whole NBA is sleep walking through the season (except Phoenix, Mavs and SA). I mean this whole group of NBA “stars” play at 50% most of the time. The Cavs are no different and I’m surprised LeBron has turned into one of the worst offenders. He doesn’t just take a play or two off, he takes whole games off. I know, I know he had a pentagon double last night 45 points, 23 boards 27 assists, 31 blocks and 71 steals but he’ll be tirrreeeeeddd tonight!
January 20th, 2007 at 11:01 am
That’s a quintuple double right there big cavs fan. But you’re right, they will most likely be tired tonight. It’s been awhile, but I seem to recall playing basketball all day in college and then doing it again THE VERY NEXT DAY. It didnt seem that difficult. Great article about Fred McCleod in the PD today. He is terrible. He says “shuffling the shoes” about 8 times a game. And when did the team become the Clevelanders? uggghhh
January 20th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I agree. Mcleod is horrendous. And his voice goes up about eight octaves when something moderately good happens, like when a foul shot actually drops through the net. He’s one of those dorks who never played sports in high school, but knew all the stats and collected baseball cards. Not that reghi was much better. The Cavs are a contrivance. Everything about them is contrived. The stupid smoke and flames during player intros, the constant music wracking your brains during stoppages in play, the shirt giveaways after every timeout, the ugly washed up cavs dancers….. Dan Gilbert thinks this is the ice capades or something and if you dont fall into line and parrot the company stance, then youre axed, like reghi. He’s a closet fascist.
January 20th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
BW,
Can you do some research and find out if Scott Williams gets paid by the freaking word? He never shuts up.
He and Fred are reaching Hawk Harrelson status in terms of my listening tolerance.
Reghi was soooo much better, Livy’s article today was right on.
January 20th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Wow. Everyone get back from the ledge. This is why people dread West Coast trips because it makes teams look terrible. This stuff happens. Everyone hold your water, the Cavs had a bad week. It isn’t even the midpoint game of the season yet. Take it easy. We’ll see what develops.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
reghi was AWFUL. period. fred is an improvement over him…
now, i will agree that williams is beyond bad but it’s his tendency to drool over every opposing player that makes him REALLY unbearable.
January 22nd, 2007 at 7:01 am
How about the Cavs? They have come up short a whole lot. Way short. They have the “Savior”, in LeBron James. Sure he’s one of the NBA’s premier, but the city won’t give him anyone to play with, so there goes another squandered chance at NE Ohio’s elusive championship. The lack of motivation. The “POOR” play and personel at point guard, the on and off performances by Z, Gooden, Jones, Marshall, Hughes, Gibson, Andy and yes, Coach Brown. OMG we have no consistency at all. Hughes has been out due to injuries 3 times already this year and the season isn’t even half over yet. He only played 40 some games last year because of injuries. Whats that tell you? Everyone has a bad night, but not as often as we do. Forget the championship in NE Ohio again this year. I really don’t believe how many gullible fans we have in NE Ohio. It’s been 43 years since we’ve seen a championship in NE Ohio and it’ll be another 43 years if the fans don’t wake up and show their displeasure. How many times in the last 43 years have you heard , “this is the year”, or “it’s a rebuilding year”? Come on you “IDIOTS” that call yourselves owners. Give us fans in NE Ohio something we can SINK OUR TEETH INTO. And for all you gullible fans here, just wait, this is going to be the year.
January 22nd, 2007 at 7:29 am
dan,
the cavs are ahead of their win total from last year. they have the best record in the eastern conference. i think that most of us knowledgeable cavs fans expected the cavs to chgallenge for the top-seed and the eastern confernce championship. so far, they are doing EXACTLY that.
take a look at the mavs, for instance. it has taken them years, with their superstar nowitski, to get to the top. one must have SOME PATIENCE! it takes years to build a team to win a championship. except if you have shaq. and yes, i get that we’re under some pressure because of LBJ’s contract situation.
try to relax a little and enjoy a cleveland team that is challenging for a conference championship. god knows no other cleveland team has done that recently…
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Kudos to Brian for finding out the real story behind Shannon Brown’s inactive streak. Now obviously he wasn’t playing very much even before the injury, but it’s at least a little relief to know that there is some deeper explanation other than a) he’s not playing well in practice, or b) that he’s in Mike Brown’s doghouse.
And for the moment, I refuse to worry about yet another fragile wing player for this team.
On trading Sasha Pavlovic, I think the Cavs have to hold onto him as long as he’s cheap. He just turned 23. He could be entering his first year as a pro, but actually has 3 inconsistent seasons already under his belt. I just think he’s another season and a half from being a significant contributor, and I wouldn’t be thrilled with the Cavs giving up on him for an aging veteran like Atkins or even Jasikevicius. Just my two cents. Younger players take time to develop, and I just see this turning into another Jeri Welsch situation.
Heading to the game tonight, first home game in a while, and I’m pumped.
Go Cavs,
Mike
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I would say keep Pavlovic too, but that’s assuming the Cavs some day come to their senses and develop a fast paced, Western Conference-style team. Shannon Brown, Gibson, Gooden and Verajao would all fit that style as well.
Though this other style has uneven results the veteran-laden, high character and smart roster has only been together for a year and a half. Patience is a virtue!
January 22nd, 2007 at 7:49 pm
ok, since brian again singled out snow for some praise today in the ABJ for playing well in the GS game, which was one of TWO GAMES he played well in on the trip, i am going to keep track of the number of games he plays well in.
so, tonight he stunk it up again, so the running tally is: 2 good, 6 bad in the last 8 games.
if this kind of seems prickish, well, i guess it is but as you may have gathered, i am getting resentful of hearing from media people (and by NO means is it just brian. in fact, at least brian admits that snow deserves some criticism) that snow is much better than us mere fans think he is. so hence my “keeping score” from here on out. yes, i AM very frustrated, thank you…
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:57 am
Come on, KJ, the team was tired from their trip. Relax. Have patience. Step away from the ledge. Step away from the ledge.
And didn’t you see him shut down Battie?
There sure are some interesting happenings that could be exciting if the Cavs were interested in messing up their chemistry: Steve Francis might be bought out soon, Andrei Kirilenko could be on the block, Golden State has too many good wing players, and Larry Brown is back in the league, giving us all hope that Snow could actually be unloaded.
January 23rd, 2007 at 5:02 am
Another desultory, disastrous performance. I feel so bad for these poor young men that didnt get any sleep and, god forbid, had to play basketball later that night. LeBron, you can tell, actually believes this is a valid excuse. Embarassing. Go clap some more chalk in the air, King. Maybe that will wake you up. I had to take out an appendix at 2 in the morning the other night; I may not have had “my legs under me” but I performed, because, you know, it is the professional thing to do.
January 23rd, 2007 at 5:33 am
ok, so are we ALLOWED to get worried now?? the losses are piling up and we can’t hit a free throw to save our lives!
Brian…will you grant us permission to get worried?
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:35 am
Will someone pleez tell the cavs that 3 point at 35% does not = 50% for 2. Also
cavs foul shooting at 55% does not = opponents at 80%. Solve for inequality =
victory.
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:40 am
larry,
i must admit, i am more than a little intrigued by ak-47 being on the block. i have zero idea what utah’s “needs” are and whether we have anyone who could fill that “need” but i truly think he “fits” with what ferry and brown want in a player. he really could be a difference on this team with his extreme skill set…
i also am beginning to wonder, for the first time, about hughes. it really does seem like he almost plays against LBJ rather then with him.
and i am also thinking that if dunleavy and murphy’s contracts can be dealt than maybe hughes or even snow could actually be moved. i am not holding my breath, however…
i must heap some scorn on mike brown for last night’s performance. why, when everyone was “tired,” do you play gibson and sasha for only a couple of minutes? seriously, am i insane or what here? i actually believe in these young players because i believe TALENT wins out in the end and the younger players on this team are more talented than the older guys playing in front of them. is there some kind of rule against having a 9-man rotation? jeebus…
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Sasha actually has a little game; he’s athletic and quick, not just a shooter. Surprised me out west. He needs to play more. It seems that one 2 for 8 game lands him on the bench for weeks; why cant he have a little slack? Hughes simply has to stop jacking jumpers. The biggest problem is one no one is allowed to talk about. A team takes its personality from the leader, the best player. The Bulls in the 90’s were relentless and never took a game off. They didnt get that from Bill Wennington or Luc Longley. LeBron’s lackadaisacal, devil may care attitude seems to have infested the whole team. They honestly believe it’s ok to have an “off night”. Where’s the killer mentality? It’s a dangerous game thinking you can suddenly turn it on when it counts. Maybe we could package Lebron for… hold that thought,.,
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Oooou, tough break at home; falling into 2nd in the Central via the struggling MAGIC!
SPANK YOU VERY MUCH!
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
does lebron know that larry is on the floor?
and why does your 7 ft 3in all star center
look like his best friend died when they show him on tv?
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
hey j moe, you have it backwards, does LARRY know LBJ is on the floor?
and don’t start raggin’ on LBJ any of ya, cuz he was the ONLY constant on the floor for both comebacks last week. the one that came up short against denver and the win against GS.
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
wow look at feb 1 till all star game
lakers twice
heat twice
pistons and jazz
oh oh
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
LeBron’s just getting sick of bulling through four players every possession, or alternately getting criticized for shooting jumpers. He pretty much said so the other night.
And he’s right. Bulling through four players every night isn’t going to win games consistently and he’ll wind up exhausted or hurt before the playoffs.
LeBron didn’t give the franchise a ringing endorsement last summer, letting everyone hang for a couple weeks before signing. This is a franchise-defining era and it’s really time to make a major move. It sure would be nice to see an Akron columnist or beat writer say so in print.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:00 am
Guys, it’s unfortunate that we rant all we want but couldn’t do anything about it. IMO, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. As long as we remain on top of .500 I see the Cavs organization would remain stubborn with keeping the core team (no matter how inconsistent or primadonna they may be) intact. That’s how the front office is shaped based on thier previous experience and grown philosophies.
Can I offer a theoretical explanation for the cavs erratic play? Do you think it’s just a collective strategy the team applies to play based on the level of their competition and are just “pacing” themselves especially Lebron so that they have the needed energy when playoff time comes (which honestly is all that matters)? We’ve all witnessed what this team is capable of — when it turns thier the engine on. Especially when Lebron is on…they might have picked this up and learned from Miami’s experience. Just play enough to get to the playoffs (moreso in a weak Eastern conference) then blow the opposition away.
We envy Phoenix and Dallas winning on a consistent basis but who knows if they still have the energy to sustain it in June? Just year past, Pistons were being raved as sure champions with thier impressive regular season records, only to falter miserably when it mattered
So just relax, keep the faith. That’s what makes the Cavs so adorable…their just like your kids — they drive you crazy ha ha ha…an avid Filipino fan from Manila