That’s a quality victory
Posted March 7th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
Auburn Hills, Mich. — The Cavs have won nine of their last 13 games including what is probably their biggest win of the season over the Pistons. The victory in San Antonio was just as impressive, but obviously any game against the Pistons carries more weight. Of those four losses, one was in Utah by a point, one was in Dallas by three points and one was in Miami by five. Five of the wins are over teams with winning records. What I’m saying is, that is a pretty good run of basketball.
Here’s some observations:
–LeBron’s aggression against the Pistons was, of course, instrumental. When he goes to the basket with space, he is unstoppable. What was more impressive to me was his patience. When the Pistons set up their defense he didn’t just dribble and then hoist up a long shot as he did so much earlier in the year. He waited for plays to develop, read the defense, and picked his spots. The last two baskets of regulation illustrate this. On the first he took advantage of Tayshaun Prince favoring his right side by using a spin move to the left. On the second with five seconds to play, he baited Prince and Rasheed Wallace as Anderson Varejao came to set a pick to the left. Prince took one step to his right to prepare to defend the pick and LeBron exploited it by dashing the opposite direction for the easy dunk. He used the Pistons system against them and that is massive growth.
–LeBron easily finished around the rim whenever he got space to drive all night. This is a major difference from last season. To me, Ben Wallace’s absence is glaring in these situations, there is no safety net if LeBron beats the perimeter defender.
–The Cavs had 56 points in the paint tonight and 14 in the fourth quarter. This is the type of offense needed to win these games. It seems that is finally getting through to the gents.
–For all his "just the next team on our schedule" nonsense, seeing Mike Brown’s emotional reactions to close calls showed just how much he cared about the game. After Brown was hit with a technical for arguing with the officials, Damon Jones came over to calm him down. He pretty much told Damon to get out of his face. He was wound pretty tight tonight.
–It was like a playoff game, both teams badly wanted to win and each team had about a dozen high pressure possessions at the end. Also, Brown played just eight players. In the playoffs, so the saying goes, you play eight and trust seven.
–The Pistons, who I have often said are too much of a jump shot team for my taste, really punished the Cavs for putting Larry Hughes and Sasha Pavlovic out there to defending Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton. Sasha played as hard as he could, he just can’t stay with Rip. Eric Snow was serviceable, but Hughes couldn’t keep Billups in front of him. This makes the Pistons a much more dynamic offensive team. Billups will kill them because he’ll make the right pass when the Cavs bring help in the middle. This could be an issue in the playoffs. In the end, the Pistons started shooting jumpers instead of working inside to Chris Webber and Rasheed Wallace. This is why they couldn’t score down the stretch, when they shoot jumpers they are vulnerable…just like the Cavs.
–Lots of fans have complained that the Cavs are too friendly with the Pistons, warmly embracing each other and the like. Tonight, there wasn’t much of that at all until it was over. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Rasheed Wallace didn’t exchange as much as a glance before the game at the jump ball. Drew Gooden was talking smack with ‘Sheed during the game, tell him to "shut the (blank) up" at one point. Still hugs after the game, but there was serious intensity out there.
–Could someone, anyone, please explain to me that double foul call? I’ve seen two players called for loose ball fouls at the same time, that is very possible. And, of course, double technicals. But how can anyone call a block and a charge on the same play. It is impossible, it must be one or the other. That’s why those are call block/charge calls not block & charge calls. If the officials disagreed, then get together and decide on a call. Am I wrong?
–If you have a moment or two, check out my weekly column from last week on why I believe LeBron is back.
March 7th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Awesome Stuff, Brian!!
I still get the feeling this team can be SO MUCH BETTER. They still have their offensive lapses and they still take way to long to make adjustments. But I like the way they are playing. Obviously LeBron is a big part but I really think Sasha’s improved play is a huge factor. When Gibson comes back I think we can be a dangerous team.
The officiating was in my mind unreal tonight. I was at the Wright State / Butler game on Tuesday and I loved how refs let guys play. Fouls were called when necessary but not to simply bail guys out. Over and Over the Piston guards were out of control and would get bailed out on bad calls. It really makes the NBA boring when there are SO MANY FOULS on plays that aren’t even broken up. Also, the Pistons argue EVERY call. Chauncey dribbled it off his own foot and gave the ref a look that almost killed me. Tayshaun traveled twice on that play and you would have thought someone ran over his dog from the look on his face aftewards….
From a confidence perspective, great win by the Cavs. They won’t be scared come playoff time.
March 8th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Tom u r right it was a good game, but others guys have to step it up. i.e. marshall, sasha, andy. speaking of andy, since he have been put back on the bench with z return he has been a no show. hey, that must be some sore throat that damon jones have. larry was okay, but dude, stop shooting the three, that is not your shot. this game against the bucks is a biggie, cannot expect a let down. esp. with the bucks beating the crap out of the kobeless lakers. forget this game and lets move on.
March 8th, 2007 at 4:33 am
IN before Alan Tucker posts something moronic.
Cavs looked great. Lebron is really stepping it up. Larry should remain our point gaurd. Was Coach Brown already on the bus by the time the refs had reviewed Lebrons shot? Cavs cheerleaders are hot.
And now, lets all wait patiently for Alan Tucker to post something really really moronic.
March 8th, 2007 at 4:36 am
Oh, and one more thing before Alan Tuckers idiocy begins….
The Pistons shot 44 free throws to the Cavs 24. …and I think it was even more lopsided before OT began. Can somebody get those refs some new eyeglasses? Jesus H Christ they need to make the calls more even!!!
March 8th, 2007 at 5:15 am
JOE HOOPS, stop hating on ALAN TUCKER, he is the man. also please do not take the Lord name in vain. larry should remain the pg hopefully he will stop taking 3pt shots, also when booo, i mean gibson come back he should switch to the 2guard and let snow, man i hate to say this, back up larry, and sasha play the 2 guard, is it me or damon got a serious case of strep throat going, also why is sasha starting to play tenetive again. he need to stay agressive. someone please get what ever it is out of donyell butt so he could play some basketball. hey JOE HOOPS, DID YOU SEE THE TEENIE BOOPER MOVIE ALAN TUCKER MUST DIE.
March 8th, 2007 at 5:35 am
God I hate when Im right. Wasn’t it a month ago that I started my ranting about the problem with the Cavs being LBJ? Isn’t it amazing that once The King kicked his game into high gear, stopped hoisting mindless jumpers, started driving to the hoop, being aggressive, showing that he actually cared, the Cavs all of a sudden became a dangerous team? Just like I said months ago. So everyone please stop blaming lack of talent or Z or coaching or who the point guard is and all this other meaningless, peripheral nonsense, and bow down before me because I bring the truth. You too BW. I should be getting footnote references at the end of your columns/blogposts.
March 8th, 2007 at 5:35 am
BW is right–the Pistons got soft sometime last spring and the Cavs shouldn’t be intimidated by them at all.
Counting on Rasheed and Webber would make me nervous if I were a Pistons fan. Their coach did a terrible job in the playoffs last year and I don’t think Billups and Hamilton are as good as they were two years ago, either.
Dwayne Wade is not going to play his normal game with a bum shoulder and things are really falling into place for the Cavs. LeBron is making another late run for MVP and if Hughes stays healthy and Pavlovic and Gibson get back on track the Cavs have as good a chance as any team in the East.
March 8th, 2007 at 6:01 am
The Pistons really miss Big Ben. He would
have come over on Lebrons dunk at the end
of regulation. Boy how the tune has changed
today on this blog. Remember this team is
young and hard times will fall again. Lets
get to the Q and get behind them. They
certainly are entertaining to watch. Miami
is still dangerous without Wade. They have
beaten Cavs, Pistons and routed Bulls last
night wo DWADE. Shaq and Payton look like
they are poppin Geritol and Viagra. Cavs
must now stay focused and not let down against lesser teams. What a game!!!!!!
March 8th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Someone said that a March game against the Bucks was a big game? Please. The return of Daniel Gibson makes this team “dangerous”? C’mon. Praise for coming to the brilliant conclusion that, if LeBron plays better than any other player in the NBA could, the Cavs have a good chance of winning? Give me a break.
I appreciate all the good feelings about the Cavs win last night, but let’s not get euphoric to the point where our brains no longer work.
Here’s the thing. Last night, the Cavaliers showed more grit in the last 15 minutes than they have at any other point this season. They beat the team that’s already been crowned as the Eastern Conference Champ, in their building, despite being down early in the 4th Quarter. LeBron James reminded everyone that he’s just as unstoppable as D-Wade on offense, and that when he’s trying his defense is special, demonstrated by a couple of late steals in traffic and that amazing block. And the Cavs had contributions from a lot of different players, but no one had a performance that was a huge anomaly.
The point is, the Cavs looked like they might actually be the better team if they match up with the Pistons in May. And that’s very exciting.
Go Cavs.
Mike
March 8th, 2007 at 7:20 am
I’m sorry Mike C. but I don’t see the difference between being overly euphoric and saying the Cavs might be better than the Eastern Conference favorite. Or saying that LeBron is a special defender when he is trying (that’s like saying my Uncle Charley is a real good guy, when he’s sober).
March 8th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Mike: you’ve submitted to the idea that we CAN beat Detroit - the team that everyone has already crowned Eastern Conference Champions and yet you think I am crazy for saying that this is a dangerous team when we get Gibson back….I guess I don’t understand. My point is that we DID beat a good team on their home floor last night and we didn’t get any calls and we still had a lost offense at times. Gibson is a good shooter and can take it to the hole from time to time. If he comes back and plays well…this is a dangerous (CAN DO DAMAGE ie. defeating pistons at the palace regularly) team.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Someone has got to talk about that officiating last night! I haven’t seen such a blatant attempt to keep a team in the game since the Jordan era! The pistons got to the line 42 times to the Cavs 17, was it because they were that much more aggressive… NO! Look at the points in the paint disparity compared to the free throw disparity and you have your answer, the only reason the Pistons could hang with us last night is because the officials willed it. Billups killed us… please. The man made 2 field goals and 13 free throws, the refs killed us plain and simple. Anyone who doubts this truth should look no further than the double foul call in the forth quarter, and perhaps more telling, the foul on Tayshaun Prince at the end of the second quarter. Lastly, did anyone notice the Pistons grabbing the ball after made shots to allow their D to set-up and prevent the Cavs break? They did that the entire second and third quarters and were not whistled for it until actually Billups held the ball in his hands while he argued with the ref. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it illegal to grab the ball after a made basket? Letting the Pistons pull that crap allowed them to set the pace of the game, when they should have been reeling off technical fouls.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:15 am
The fact that Damon Jones was calming down Mike Brown is also one of the reasons the Pistons would again beat Cleveland in a seven-game playoff series. The Pistons have much more talent, the Pistons have much more grit. There’s only so much that James can do alone. He is great. The rest…well, they’re not.
And wasn’t Hughes’ purported amazing defensive talents part of the local media’s spin when Ferry tripped over his own feet to sign him? So why is it that Billups easily makes Hughes look like Ferry the ballplayer?
It’s a regular season game. They make many people giddy, but seven-games series’ tend to slap reality in the face. I don’t know how many series’ James is going to win by himself, but therein lies the problem. Nice win during an 82-game season, but put it into perspective, for God’s sakes.
And again, I ask: Why is Damon Jones playing the dual role of Oprah and Dr. Phil? Either play basketball or go home and play video games, you chump.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Damon has gone from fashion designer to
assistant coach. His peg leg got wood worm
and he cannot possibly be ready for active
duty. In addition he has depression from the
3 point shoot out and suffers from Kapono envy. He instructed Mr. Potato head to run
off the floor before the referees looked at
Lebrons shot. He really wanted Brown to get
lost so he could be the head coach in overtime.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Will someone else please tell Alan Tucker to shut the &%^% up. Does he ever have anything good to say? He reminds me of that SNL skit called “Debbie Downer”. What a freaking moron this guy is. Please shut the hell up you idiot.
Anyways, to me the Cavs have improved over last season while the Pistons have taken a small step back with the loss of Ben Wallace. We came VERY close to beating them last year, and I think if it comes to it, we will beat them this year.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:39 am
JoeHoops, I have something good to say: At the next Special Olympics, you’ll bring home more gold medals than Mark Spitz.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:52 am
I have a serious problem with the foul shot disperity. I mena, comeone. Usually, when there is a gap that big it leads you to believe one team was a lot more aggressive than the other. That wasn’t the case. NBA Officials are the worst in sports becuase they consistently input themselves into determining the results.
Not only did the Cavs overcome a very good basketball team, a tough road crowd, and some of their own demons, they had to overcome the refs, who oever and over gabe the Pistons a chance to come back and win the game. Bravo, Cavs, you truly earned this one!
March 8th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Please Danny go to the nearest detention
facility and find a thug to protect Lebron.
Also to protect Coach Jones in case he gets
in an altercation with anyone who beat him
at 3 point in Las Vegas.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:01 am
You ain’t kidding, jmoe. Seriously, somebody needs to hold Ilgauskas and the 13 other Cavalier pansies at gunpoint and force each and every one of them to mate with Danny Fortson. Like they do with horses.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Let them all crossbreed. Mahorn,Fortson,
Richard Washington, Artest, Rackley, Laimbeer, Oakley, Rodman, and produce one
glass eating, butt shoving, pick jarring,
jaw punching, dirt eating, head bashing,
fist clenching, mono on mono Cavalier.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Paul - excellent points. Do you remember when Hughes caught the ball after his own dunk and tossed it to the ref who was standing right next to the opposing player. The ref whistled Hughes for a technical (not for delay of game) but for passing it to the official. I have seen at least 100+ people do that since that call and no technical. You’re right about the Pistons - they live for half-court defense. We destroyed them in the 1st cus of fast breaks. And billups was holding the ball whining the call after he dribbled it off his own FOOT!!!!!
March 8th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Alan - Hughes did look slow on defense shuffling his feat but he still has pretty good hands. If you didn’t watch the game then read the box score. Billups didn’t kill us - McDyss and Hamilton did. I do agree with you guys that the Cavs need to get meaner. Here’s my question though. How does getting meaner help our team out in a game like that. When we try to share the piston’s oxygen supply we get whistled so I don’t see how crossbreading with Rick Mahorn is going to keep Chauncey from going 0-8 with 12 pts in the first half.
Also - if you are a true cavs fan you should forever hate Mahorn for almost ending Price’s career with a cheap shot elbow.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Boys boys all this whining about the
referees will get you nowhere. They
are paid to shave the spread and I ain’t
talking about Pacmans strippers. The money
was on Detroit giving 5 last night. Lebron
spoiled their party. He does that quite often. Why do you think I am crying for an
enforcer? The Pistons, the zebras, and the rest of the payees want him resting at the Cleveland Clinic not employed at the Q.
at the Bradley Center on Saturday.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
I don’t want Ilgauskas and the other daisies to mate with Rick Mahorn, I want Ilgauskas and the other daisies to mate with Danny Fortson. Mahorn was all butt and mean. Fortson’s all that, and also rebounds like a maniac.
Besides, Mahorn was respected. A cheapshot on somebody’s skull would be worth a one-game suspension. Who on the Cavaliers, other than James, is respected for anything other than their wardrobes? They need somebody who is respected, somebody who is feared. If you drive into the lane, somebody just might take you out.
And who cares about Hughes’ hands? You can’t hand-check anymore. So Hughes has hands. Whoopie.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Alan - are you one of those guys that just always assumes the worst so that if the worst happens you can say “I told you so…” and if the worst doesn’t happen you can privately take satisfaction in it? Almost like…”hey friend I’ll bet you $20 the Cavs lose…” and then if they lose, you get $20 bucks and if they win you’re happy??
I just don’t get it. You don’t even refute points - you just look for the bad in everything. I’m not saying Hughes is even that good - I’m just saying it wasn’t Chauncey billups that kept detroit in that game it was Hamilton. And then you say: so what that hughes has hands….You’d earn more respect from people if you would just concede when you are wrong or over-the-top since you are very knowledgable about the game.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Tom: Tucker is kind of like Don King
Muhammed Ali and George Cannon all in one.
I’ll bet he has frizzy hair a big mouth and
he is always right. And oh yeah he is an NBA
know it all.
March 8th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
I think Alan Tucker is about a 4′11″ 250lb basketball player wanna-be fatso who sits around all day and plays NBA ‘07 on Playstation and thus thinks he knows everything about basketball. Why the hell does this guy even come to this blog? He is clearly a friggin clueless moron. I wish he would just go the hell away.
March 8th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
This team does have a mean side to it, albeit not all the time. LBJ took it to D Wade last month (even if it was unintentional), Z got ejected last year against the Pistons after Sheed clocked him in the head, and even Andy got a few T’s against them.
This team does not need an enforcer. Seeing Mike Brown show emotion this year is rubbing off on the players. They simply need to play with more intensity. They are what they are, more of a finess team then they are brute, and that is fine. They just need to pick their spots.
March 8th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Uh and who Dan Wise is going to protect
your superstar. Cousy and Heinsohn had
Russell. Cunningham and Greer had
Chamberlain. Jordan had Rodman and Oakley.
Kobe/Shaq. How long do you think he is going to last when he is the bullseye of
the NBA. If you think he is superman or
invincible you are dead wrong. Do you want
to win the title or are you happy with one
or two and out? You must be a physical defensive team to win it all.
March 8th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
hey why, won’t u big babies take all this name calling and crying outside and settle it in the parking lot. this is a blog for serious sport posting about your “BELOVED CAVS”, so take the attitudes outside.
March 8th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
the game against the bucks is a biggie, because everytime the cavs win a big game, they lose the next game to a lesser team, so that is why this is a big game as well as gaining a game on the piston, who r in denver. by the why being the top seed or the second seed means a game with miami or nj, and that scares me.
March 8th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Billy the Kidd. Damon and Tucker have
something for you. A special present only
for you. It’s your very own picture of
Tucker,DJ, and Joe Hoops in the Maibach.
And it’s autographed too.
March 8th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
JOEHOOPS so much for serious post, thought maybe i could get an intelligent dialogue with some one about what i posted. maybe if i go to cartoonnetwork.com i could find a kid who will be willing to type sports.
March 8th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
im sorry that was for JMOE, NOT JOEHOOPS, MY BAD.
March 8th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
this win is going to be a confidence booster for the entire cavs team
March 8th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Actually, JoeHomer…uh, I mean JoeHoops, I’ve never played a video game in my life. Wouldn’t even know where the “on” button is. For what it’s worth.
No, I take that back. I did play some Pong in the early 70s. But that’s the extent of it.
March 9th, 2007 at 4:25 am
Please go away Alan. This blog is for Cavs fans… not some chump that just wants to post negative stuff all the time, complain about the coaching, and bring this place down. GO somewhere else.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:43 am
JoeHoops, if you’re going to be pompous and arrogant and purport to speak for other people, then speak for the poor people of Ireland who are forced to subsist on a diet of potatoes and beer. Otherwise, just speak for yourself, O.K. buddy?
See you at the parade. Remember to wear green.
March 9th, 2007 at 9:04 am
EVERYBODY IN FAVOR OF ALAN TUCKER LEAVING, PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD HERE. OTHERWISE MAYBE THIS BLOG COULD HAVE AN ALAN TUCKER FILTER INSTALLED SO I DON’T HAVE TO READ HIS NEGATIVITY. THE GUY IS NOT EVEN A CAVS FAN, WHY IS HE POSTING HERE?????????????
March 9th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Joe Hoops:
A blog is a place to air whatever your
thoughts or feelings are with regards to
a particular subject. There are always
going to be people disagreeing about
things. Tucker happens to be down on Ferry
and some of the moves he has made. Some of
us agree with him and some do not. Windhorst
himself has been vocal about some of their
shortcomings. Right now in my meager opinion
I think they are pretty tough. But they are
not ready to win it all. There are a couple
pieces missing and we are exhorting the team
to find those pieces. We have the predominant young player in the game and we
want that long lost title in this great town. So stop trying to censor or reprimand
Tucker. This is America let him talk. You
don’t have to agree.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:31 am
JoeHoops, not that I really need to defend myself from your ignorance, but I was attending Cavaliers games long before you were even a gleam in your daddy’s eye. I was in attendance at the very first home game on Euclid Avenue. My late father was on the board of directors when Stepien was murdering the franchise. During my days as a pimple-faced teen, as you are now, I was interviewed live at halftime by Joe Tait. Twice. Once in 1975, once in 1976. I was Joe’s savior, able to fill his dead time with crap about a fantasy NBA stats league I dominated in much the same way that Z now patrols the paint.
It just kills me to see the way Ferry flushed down the toilet the one golden opportunity this franchise had since the day Embry completely lost his mind and gave away Ron Harper and the draft pick for Loy Vaught in exchange for Mr. Boating Shoes. It wasn’t so long ago that attendance and interest was so low, that Gund was considering selling the franchise to anybody that presented him with a line of credit on a Discover Card. With the salary cap in place, and with James gone in a few years, I don’t know how the franchise will ever be able to recover.
I’m not a “fan?” Give it a rest, you knucklehead. I even recall boasting to Tait that I would one day give birth to a schmoe named JoeHoops. So Happy Birthday, Son. Come home to Daddy.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Tucker: Anyone who says James has intentions
to leave the team now when:
1) Gilbert is a cash cow
2) Cavs can pay him more than anybody else
3) He grew up in NE Ohio
4) Team is second in EC and just beat
Pistons on their floor in a game that
had playoff intensity
5) He is still playing on his original
contract and not complaining
6) Never said he was going anywhere else
and I quote “I am not going anywhere”
Needs his brain examined. Go see a neurologist.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Man, I should know my Yiddish. Shame on me. I misspelled “schmo,” JoeHoops. So I’ll modify my description to a Yiddish synonym of schmo that I won’t misspell. Like schmuck.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Gumdrops and lollipops, jmoe.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Tucker - hindsight is always 20/20 but out of curiosity, what do you think Ferry should have done? I mean they offered the max to Redd and Ray Allen and while the D-Jones signing may not have worked out I don’t think Marshall has been horrible. Your thoughts.
March 9th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Easy answer, Tom. Waited for terrific trade opportunities. With that much cash available under the cap, the NBA world was Ferry’s oyster. Teams that aren’t going anywhere are perpetually looking to move contracts of very good players. Instead, Ferry acted like my ex-wife did when she realized she had $150,000 available on several different credit lines, and the Home Shopping Network was offering quality items for sale. You know, quality stuff that increases in value. Like bronzed dolphins, for example. And just like Cavs fans, I’m still paying for it.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
JMOE you r an idiot if u do notthink lebron will leave. acourse he is going to say those things. but the bottom line is it is about $$$$ and he can get that here but his adverstisment dollars will come from a bigger basketball city. thats what the expert says. he said he was leaving when a couple of weeks ago they asked him about his future in cleveland and he said “never put all your eggs in one basket”, that was a great time to make those nec. quotes of im going to be here, but instead he dodge the question, imo he is out of here.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
TOM, marshall is a big flop,but he have a chance to redeem himself the rest of the season into the playoffs, because quiet as it is kept, he is a big key off the bench. but lets keep that quiet. LEAVE ALAN TUCKER ALONE JMOE, THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY LET HIM SPEAK HIS MIND. IF U DO NOT LIKE IT DO NOT COME TO THE BLOG.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Billy, I believe James was merely speaking of his latest investment, an egg farm. LeBron’s eggs are unique. Crack them open, and they have no whites.
March 9th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Does anybody know if there is a mid-level exception available this summer?
March 9th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Has anyone seen DaShaun Wood for Wright State play? I think the Cavs should start talking to him now. They have him playing more of a shooting guard role at times (coming off screens) but that is only because he is their best scorer. He can handle the ball extremely well, finishes the best for anyone I have ever seen his height (5′1″) and plays solid Defense. Knocks against him are his Range (good college range, not NBA) and obviously his height.
Billy: I don’t think Marshall has been a bust. For a guy his size he rebounds very well and he hits some big shots now and then. I wish he would hit a lot more of them but he’s is a guy that spreads the floor very nicely for LeBron and can still get boards on the other end. HIs contract is not ludicrous either.
March 9th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Sorry that was 5′11″ not 5′1″
March 9th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Tom, Marshall is a bust. The year before the Cavs signed him his stat line in Toronto read like this:
ppg-11.5
rbg-6.6
ft%-79.1
3 pt%-41.6
This year:
ppg-7.6
rbg-4.3
ft%-67.7
3 pt%-35.7 (actually up from last years 32.4)
The guy is a stiff.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
THANKS JPHI, for the assist, u must be a pt guard. i do not know what game TOM is watching, sure he spread the floor which is good, BUT, he do not make his shots, he is very iffy. got to be more consistent if tey r going to respect him that much he need to make them pay, also he need to take the ball to the hoop, u know pump fake the three then drive to the hoop.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Yeah great assist…
Here’s some other STATS:
MPG: 04-05 25.3 06-07: 18.0
PER: 15.83 (above league average)
And here’s the most compelling reason I like Marshall. Billy, You say BUT right away to his “spread the floor comment”. Consider this:
If you look at the Cavaliers top 20 5-man lineups (by minutes played) the Cavs are:
+122pts in 537 minutes when Marshall is on the Court with James
+115pts in 294 minutes when Marshall and Varajeo are on the court with James. The combination of PG + Pavlovic + James + Marshall + Varajeo is a STAGGERING +98pts in 162 minutes. If you extend that out that’s like saying with that lineup playing (not taking into account fatigue) the Cavaliers have a ppg differential of +29.037. Obviously this is only based on 162 minutes which is a small sample set. But it’s still 162 minutes of these guys being on the court together and DOMINATING.
The Cavaliers have two types of teams. Teams WITH James on the Court, and teams WITHOUT James on the court. So if you look at their stats with him NOT on the court, they are almost always going to be down. Also, it seems silly to even consider those teams since you can be sure LeBron is going to play almost the entire game in the playoffs. Despite those two games the Cavs won with LeBron the Cavs are about 4ppg better on offense with him on the court instead of off and about 3 ppg worse on defense without him on the court. A net of 7ppg. James is outproducing guys at his position by over 13ppg. Meanwhile, Marshall + Varejeo + Pavlovic are -2.2 ppg with opponents at those positions when they are in the game and yet the Cavs are much better point differential when these guys are on the court. Bottom line? They’re not necessarily filling up the stat sheets when they’re out there but LeBron is! Source: 82games.com
March 10th, 2007 at 11:40 am
edit: “Despite those two games the Cavs won withOUT LeBron…”
March 10th, 2007 at 11:43 am
When you guys analyze a players stats before
and after Cavs are you taking into account
the number of shots and minutes being afforded to James. You can’t just say well
Donyell averaged 11.5 in Toronto and 7.6
in Cleveland. The question is does the player fill his role. In the last month
the answer for Marshall is yes. He is expected to rebound, play defense, and
fill up the occasional three. At Toronto
he was one of their main scorers.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Think about that again: neither Pavlovic at SF or Varajeo at C are outproducing the opposing teams player at that position when they are on the court. (Marshall breaks evena at PF) and yet when those guys are all out there with James the Cavs are NINETY-EIGHT POINTS BETTER THAN THEIR OPPONENT in A MERE 162 minutes…
That can mean a number of different things. 1.) Those guys really can’t hold a lead when James ISN’T on the court
2.) These guys are forced into low-percentage shots when James isn’t on the court
But one thing is HAS to mean is that the Cavs score NINETY-EIGHT MORE POINTS THAN THEIR OPPONENT in A MERE 162 minutes when they are out there with Flight 23
Don’t EVER and I mean EVER get into a statistical fight with me I will posterize you. Marshall is a good asset to this team.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Now the only question is whether you guys want fries with that large bowl of ASS RAPING Tom just served up to you..
Just watch the games and keep your unintelligent, bandwagon, sewage spewing mouths SHUT!
March 10th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
TOM, OR SHOULD I SAY RAINMAN, numbers do not mean jack, because u have to take in consideration garbage time, u know either when the cavs r kicking butts (rarely) or when they r getting their butts kicked, dude, MARSHALL IS A BUST SIMPLE AND PLAIN,but i really was digging those numbers.
March 10th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
But Tom there are two other guys making
5 mill at pf I would rather have. Their
names are Haslem and McDyess. And Fortson
is making 6 mill.
March 10th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Marshall was a horrid free agent signing. “Bust” doesn’t even begin to describe it. Combining him with James is an unmitigated disaster.
A supposed power forward that plays at the top of the key? If not for Ilgauskas tipping balls to himself 156 times during the same possession, Cleveland would never get credit for an offensive rebound with Marshall on the court.
And what’s with this guy’s purported defense? Jeez, Louise. He’d have difficulty guarding an elementary school crosswalk.
And finally, his shooting selection, not mention his shooting, is a joke. Last season, an incredible 59% of his shots were three-point attempts. 59%!!! FOR A POWER FORWARD!!! This season it’s same old, same old, it’s currently 55% of his shots. It is simply unbelievable that Brown and Ferry are boneheaded to the point of giving this clown a green light whenever he gets the urge. Which is most of the time. And when his shot ultimately clangs off the rim, it’s fastbreak time for the other side.
Four guaranteed years and a billion dollars on the cap for a guy who would come in third in an international Campy Russell lookalike contest. Only in America.
March 10th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
In case you haven’t watched a Cavs game in the last 3 weeks much less last 4 years, LeBron James is the best player in the NBA at finishing near the rim. When Z and Gooden are in the game, LeBron is chucking up jumpers because THEIR DEFENDERS are clogging the paint. When Marshall is in there, at least his defender has to give up an open 3 (which he’ll hit now and then) or leave the paint open for James. Take a WILD GUESS who was in the game in the last 33 seconds when LeBron make the Driving Layup and the Driving DUNK on the Defensive minded Pistons. Hughes, Pavlovic, LeBron, MARSHALL, and Varajeo. You think Rasheed is floating outside the paint area if Gooden or Z or HASLEM or MCDYESS are in there? Riiiight…
Marshall is a good backup PF. By the way, he’s shooting a higher 3pt% this year than for his career.
March 10th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Alan Tucker, do you ever have anything POSITIVE to say? This blog is not your personal bitching platform. Please STFU and go away PLEASE.
March 10th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I agree with Joe. I am really getting sick of reading Alan Tuckers comments on this blog. All he does is complain about the coach, the team, the players, and so on. I too wish he would just go away. If he is so opinionated he should start his own blog instead of ruining this one. I used to come here a lot but don’t very much anymore because of his negativity. Wonder if he is like that in real life?
March 10th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
A tiny bit over 35% for a guy brought in because he’s supposedly a really good 3-point shooter is not something to brag about. Nor is that ridiculous bloated four-year contract for a 30-something guy not even considered good enough by his coach to play more than 18 minutes a game. You and JoeHoops could eat 10 pounds of cheese, go four days without taking a dump, and still beat Marshall in a race down the court. The guy is another of Ferry’s square pegs in a round hole, and shouldn’t be anywhere near James’ locker room.
But other than that, I think he’s great.
March 10th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I’m watching the MAC championship and I realize how much I miss Michael Reaghi. He’s the man. Someone just got a tough O-rebound on Miami and he goes: “had the stick-to-it-iveness on that rebound”
March 10th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Tom, you just stated an example of why so many people are perfectly content with Reghi being in the Cavaliers rearview mirror. It was never so much about the game as it was about him. Does the MAC have him screaming about any Flight 76 taking off and flying to the hoop from the shores of Lake Erie, or something like that? I’m not a big MAC fan.
Out of curiosity, what color suit and pocket hanky is he wearing for the camera today? After all, that’s the reason sports fans turn on the TV to watch basketball.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
ALAN,i do not care what those “HATERS”, say you are the man, keep the post coming. My bible says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. and dude here in cleveland we do not want the truth, we like to look at things thru a rose color glass, so i welcome your opinions. well look like the cavs r about to drop another one after a big win. no excuse this time, they were off two days. I still think the east is wide open and we have just as good of a chance as anyone else. Larry forgot his game in cleveland because tonight he sucked again.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Tucker - when I watch Cavs games on FSN OHIO I want someone who actually gets excited about the Cavs like me. He was always fair but always love the Cavs.
And as far as our Marshall conversation - I think tonight’s game was a good example of my points. He spreads the floor well and he hits some shots now and then. He played well tonight and because of him and LeBron we won the game.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Billy - you shouldn’t have counted them out so soon. Big win for the Cavs!
March 10th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
LOL,LOL,LOL, TOM i was just coming to type a retraction and u beat me to the punch, yes i was wrong, good win for the good guys.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
oh, by the way, MARSHALL STILL SUCKS, EVERY SQUIRRELL WILL FIND A NUT.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
here is the type of effect that lebron have on the city. i was at the boneyard with my son watching akron, and miami play and the folks was actually cheering for akron to win. Why? because lebron ex highschool teammates play for the zip, that is incredible.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Good thing we had Marshall tonight..
lol, did you see billy earlier talkin bout “garbage time” and something about simple and plain.. not exactly sure what he was getting at there. Sweet points though.. gotta give ya credit.. i mean, if nothing else you at least confirmed your brain is smaller than Hughes’ shooting percentage. Maybe if he took Alan Tucker’s dong out of his mouth he wouldn’t sound like a 4 year old when he talks..
March 10th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Good thing we had Marshall tonight..
lol, did you see billy earlier talkin bout “garbage time” and something about simple and plain.. not exactly sure what he was getting at there. Sweet points though.. gotta give ya credit.. i mean, if nothing else you at least confirmed your brain is smaller than Hughes’ shooting percentage. Maybe if he took Alan Tucker’s dong out of his mouth he wouldn’t sound like a 4 year old when he talks..
March 10th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Yeah, Tom, but was the guy worth four years of cap-clogging dollars? Ferry could have gotten generic Marshall, the same prescription for a lot less. There is a laundry list of players like Marshall. What happens next season, when Marshall and Ilgauskas still have two untradeable contracts attached to two untradeable players? Do their motorized wheelchairs also count towards the cap?
The only legitimate help the Cavaliers can possibly get with the major pickle their in is if they have a mid-level exception, and I don’t know if they do. If it’s available, then perhaps Ferry can convince Steve Francis’ agent to persuade Francis to spend his winters in Cleveland after the Knicks buy out his contract.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Misspelled “their.” Should have been “they’re.” Oops.
March 10th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I think I spelled “untradable” wrong, too. I’m turning freakin’ illiterate.
March 10th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Steve Francis eh - interesting. I was kind of hoping that Brown and Gibson would just mature and pan out next season. I see a lot of potential for growth.
How bout that 3 from Newbs? Did you see his legs on that shot…looked like he’s never shot a 3 before in his life. He played good D though. Got a board or two as well.
Tucker - Marshall is a 3 pt shooter. I wish he was better at it too. However, if he played like he did on all areas of the court and shot about 40% then I don’t think we could complain about his contract. On a night like tonight - I just hope for more of it.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Yes, I agree. I wish Tucker would go away also. He is the ultimate hater on this site and just bitches about everything. SOmebody point me to one good thing the guy has ever had to say about the Cavs. Screw him and his attitude.
March 11th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Alan: The way i read read the CBA there is
a mid level exception available every year
for about 5.2 million every year. Steve Francis? he is not a point guard nor enforcer. Hes a good ball hog and that would not make LBJ or Mr. 1 for 9 happy.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Yes, I wish Tucker would go also. Get him the hell out of here so the number of quality postings goes back up.
March 11th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
HEY DK,ever heard that people voice there insecurities in there conversation, well with that said i wonder who dong u have in your mouth, keep your foul mouth comment to yourself gay boy.
March 11th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
hey were is marshall tonight, it will be three or four games before we see him again. yeah andy hit the winning shot last night, but his game has been lacking lately. and what about sasha, im his biggest fan and has been since the cavs sign him from the booozer jazz, but he is not playing with the same fire in his eyes since he returned from his illness, and then there larry, oh, larry, larry, larry, he came to play tonight bless his heart, can not wait to see what we get out of him the next game. and i do not care what any one else say, ALAN TUCKER CAN POST ON THIS BLOG, we need his fresh insight to keep this board going and DK, im sorry for stooping down to your level, i am a bigger person then that, i hope you can forgive me for calling you gay, and for anyone that is gay or thinking about becoming gay or even bisexual, im sorry if i offend you. what u do is your business.
March 11th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
jmoe, Mike Bibby is not really a point guard, either. But with Ferry’s misuse of the available cap space, Francis would be the best option out there. And let’s be honest, he’s a better combination point guard/shooting guard than anything the Cavaliers have now.
March 11th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
i like francis as well but he is damage goods. which means he will fit with the structure of this team
March 11th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
hey did u notice that the cavs had another cameo apperance by drew gooden, while maybe he is on to something. Hey what the heck is wrong with amon ones, did he fall into mr potato head dogg house. whats the scoop on that situation.
March 11th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
HEY TOM, i guess u did not hope that marshall would have a good game tonight, because as usual he SUCKED!!!! man when this team can get one player beside LEEEEEBRON!!!! to be consistent in 2staight games we will be alright, but all these disappearing acts, make me think im watching david copperfield or harry houdini
March 11th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
The mid-level exception can be used every year. The other exception (the 2 million dollarish one) can only be used every other season.
March 11th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Dick, in that case, Ferry should make a beeline for Francis. “Should” being the operative word, which means he probably won’t.
Speaking of Ferry, if that guy had any guts, he’d suspend Damon Jones. What is this BS?
March 11th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
What are you talking about? Everyone knows Damon Jones is the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest assistant coach”
March 11th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Why would we want Francis on our team? His scoring has dropped from 16 to 14 to 10ppg while shooting 42 percent in his career.Do we really need another aging guard with low shooting per.with no defense? Let Ferry do his job, every team has some bad contracts. By the way, hows his second round pick doing in his rookie year?
March 11th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
It’s all a matter of money, TJ.
Francis, with starter’s minutes, is a good player. In my opinion, better than Hughes. It gives flexibility to dump salary, like Hughes’ long fat contract, and would open cap space. Francis will be available for about 35%-40% of what Hughes costs, and Ferry doesn’t have to do all that heavy lifting and heroic hard work we are forced to read about in the local papers. No four-way or five-way trade necessary.
Gibson isn’t a point guard. Give him Damon Jones’ position off the bench. Then dump Jones.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
I neglected to note that if you’re that concerned about stats, you also misread them. You scrambled the nba.com stats from when he was traded by Orlando to New York.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3325/careerem.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
The link didn’t post correctly…let’s try again:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3325/career
March 11th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Brian is not posting again to see if he can break 100 comments!!! Way to go, Brian!
March 11th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Speaking of that, why do so many people get all giddy about a free Taco Bell chalupa? Whoopie. If the Cavs scored 110 points, would fans have also received a coupon for free diarrhea medicine?
March 11th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I just think with larry at point the offense has made progress. It actually has a nice flow to it. If Sasha can regain his game he had before he was sick,it will only get better. If we would make it to ECF and lose in a tough 6 or 7 game series to Det. or Miami, then we cant mess with chemistry of team. We would have to resign Sasha an Andy though.As long as we go a step farther in the playoffs each year then they have made progress.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Billy you should have to raise your hand and wait to be called on before you can talk..
March 11th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Im not concerned about stats unless there is a decline across the board.Then I think there is a valid reason for concern. And Francis has health an attitude problems on the downswing of his career.Do we really want that?
March 11th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
People get giddy for free chalupas because they’re free. I think the giddy people sit in “Loudville” a.k.a. the cheapseats.
March 11th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Hey Tucker, why do you think Damon Jones should be suspended? What did I miss?
March 11th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
The only thing you may have missed was Jones getting himself completely humiliated both during and after a shooting contest. Afterwards, it’s a “strep throat,” then followed suddenly by “back spasms.” What happened, did he cough too hard?
For all of Jones’ outward comedy that humors his teammates and gives reporters something to smile about between locker room smells, inside that guy is an incredibly overpaid sad clown. If he wants to sulk and sit, then let him. But make him do it without pay. Oh, he’d get his money after the union raised a hissy fit, but this type of behavior is unacceptable in any profession.
If Bill Parcells was the Cavaliers GM, right now he’d be calling a press conference and referring to Jones as “Damona,” the Gallic goddess worshipped and known as The Divine Cow. The title would fit.
March 12th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I note with interest the Alan Tucker citation (earlier in this queue): Donyell Marshall is shooting 55% of his shots from 3-point range this year.
I think it’s a fair and interesting use of the statistics, but it’s exactly the same kind of usage for which he regularly chastises me. Welcome to the dark side, Alan.
March 12th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
It’s a statistic, but it’s a very clean and very relevant stat, Kevin. Pretty straightforward. You, on the other hand, prefer the mad scientist approach to statistics, combining more ridiculous potions and eye of newt than Jekyll & Hyde can shake a stick at.