A rather Bullish victory
Posted March 31st, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
I have been on a bit of a hiatus since the game in New York and was not in Chicago today. However, I did watch the entire Cavs’ 112-108 win over the Bulls. I believed this was the biggest game of the year to this point. But every game from now on in will surely have extra emphasis because the Bulls and Pistons are still so close.
Here’s some things I saw…
–The last six minutes of regulation showed just how weak-minded the Cavs can be. Seriously, above all else, mental lapses are this team’s biggest weakness. To repeatedly just hoist away jumpers, low percentage ones at that, is just mindless. They have to know they cannot be successful this way, yet they do. Although it is on Mike Brown as well. My personal favorite was when LeBron James imbounded the ball with four seconds on the shot clock, got it right back, and then fired up a 25-footer. This was out of a timeout. Honestly, could this have been the play drawn up?
–Even though the last shot in regulation was ugly, it was satisfactory because the design was a LeBron post up and also Sasha Pavlovic drove the ball at least.
–The way overtime went is the reason the Cavs will always be dangerous in the postseason. A single player can make such an impact in a tight game in the NBA. The Cavs probably did not deserve to win this game, but they had the best player and so they did. It happens a lot this time of year. Just ask the Dallas Mavericks.
–Sasha and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are a lot alike. The more shots they get, the more productive they will be. It is simple and obvious. The inverse, however, seems to be true with Larry Hughes. The more shots he takes the less productive he seems to be. As some of us in the media say about Larry: "All roads lead to 40 percent." If Larry starts 4-4, he’ll probably miss his next six or so. Starts 1-of-6, he’ll probably make the next three.
–Sasha is very aggressive going to the basket, but he needs to be more aggressive finishing. With Ben Wallace and Tyrus Thomas in the game, you must go strong. None of this underhanded or finger roll stuff.
–Drew Gooden deserves a lot of credit in this game. It was a fierce game and there was a lot of fighting around the basket and Drew won a lot of battles.
–As I get ready to head to Boston, I think it ought to be pointed out that a loss to the Celtics, who probably won’t have Paul Pierce, would render today’s win meaningless.
March 31st, 2007 at 7:20 pm
well you might as well chop up today game as meanilnless because the cavs will lose in boston. sasha is my boy and if he continues to play the way he did today, we would be a much better team. bw your blog was excellent as usual, you hit every thing on point, I cannot wait to read what the bw blog haters type after reading your latest blog, esp. ALAN, DOC, TOM, MICKEY AND MIKE.
March 31st, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I was thrilled just to see Damon shake his “strep throat” and “back spasms” long enough to get three seconds of quality playing time. A full three seconds longer than usual. Now THAT’S news.
What’s the deal with this vacation stuff? The game was not in Toronto, which you avoid like the plague, the game was in Chicago. Poor George Thomas being forced to submit to crotch-sniffing dogs at O’Hare International.
March 31st, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Brian’s right. We did not deserve to win this game the way we played down the stretch but I’ll take it. The Cavs can be such a good team when they execute. When they don’t they are so frustrating to watch. Tyrus Thomas 9-10 from the line was fun to watch…
And after Marshall came in and hit 3 3s why do we take him out for the rest of the game?
March 31st, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Perhaps it’s because Brown knows his players more than people give him credit for. Or maybe you didn’t see that shot of Marshall’s that tore through the ozone layer and will cause Illinois to suffer from global warming for the next 10,000 years.
March 31st, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Brian, as always, your comments ring true. This team goes through way too many mental lapses with questionable coaching decisions by Mike Brown. Yet, somehow, they found a way to win. This team loves the playoff atmosphere yet they’ll go to Boston and probably lose because they play to the level of the bad teams (look at Charlotte and New York games for examples). They better go in to Boston tomorrow and win, especially if Pierce won’t be there. The other thing they need to do: quit playing Eric Snow starters minutes. He’s OK in small doses, but absolutely sucks when playing over 20 minutes.
March 31st, 2007 at 10:17 pm
The Cavs seem to turn it on and off like a light switch. That’s b/c we have the game’s best in LBJ.
Go to the basket! don’t dribble, hold the ball and then wait for 3 sec on the clock to hoist a dumb jumper. Go to the bastket!
Drew and Wild Thing were huge in W at Chicago.
March 31st, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I’d like to see more minutes from Marshall. He’s not having a bad year.
April 1st, 2007 at 5:06 am
A win is a win. Screw all you pessimiscts.
April 1st, 2007 at 5:48 am
I’m not sure how highly I’d value Marshall, and I’m not sure how many more minutes (if any)I’d have given him down the stretch. Still, I do find it interesting, Alan, that — on a night when he hit 3 of 4 treys — you focus on the one miss. Yes, it was an ugly miss, but I’ll take 3/4 from 3-point range from Donyell (or anyone else) every night.
April 1st, 2007 at 6:18 am
I swear to god, none of you numbnuts would be happey even if our starting 5 was Lebron, Wade, Shaq, Kobe, and Nash.
None of these games matter, its the post season that counts, and last I remember, the Cavs really turned it up a notch last year.
Hi Alan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2007 at 7:41 am
A BIG WIN under severe pressure and scrutiny
on the road. With more maturity Lebron will
stop trying to be the one man wrecking crew
for the last 6 minutes. One fake inside and
Sasha makes that last shot. Team needs to
push ball inside at end of game. In and out
action. Let Gooden see ball at end. Now you
bipolar bloggas get to go crazy if they lose tonight!!!!!!!
Joe Hoops showing some love to his Daddy!!!!And Brian and the rest get off of Larry. He
is doing a decent job at the point. In fact
at the end of games they are better off letting him handle instead of globetrotters
offense with LBJ burning clock.
April 1st, 2007 at 8:13 am
You’re wrong about Hughes. He’s very streaky, and yes steaks tend to even out over time … but in the past he always came on stronger as the game went on. He has no hops though, no elevation. If his legs are dead it’s no wonder that his jumper abandons him in the 2nd half of games.
Can’t you just ask what’s going on? Or do you have problems getting a straight answer?
“Hey Larry… how’s your ankle/legs feeling? How come you don’t dunk anymore?”
April 1st, 2007 at 8:51 am
I say, from now on, for every fade away 3 pt jumper that Lebron takes, he should be fined $1 million dollars by the team. He would have lost $3-4 million just last night and probably would have to change the plans on the Taj Lebron to make the closets only 10,000 sq foot instead of 20,000. Then and only then, will he drive to the hoop more! Money talks for these overpaid street ballas.
Yo what up ALAN!!!!
April 1st, 2007 at 9:07 am
Agreed, Pavlovic played an excellent game, but his finishing NEEDS to be more decisive and stronger. How many of his layups were blocked? Could have had 27 points.
April 1st, 2007 at 9:50 am
JoeHoops. Every game matters. The Cavs have a much better home record than road record. Home court advantage is critical in the playoffs.
April 1st, 2007 at 10:04 am
Does Marshall know where the paint is
anymore. Is he just a 3 hoister or is
he really a 6′11′ forward. That block
that Lebron had to clean up was rather
embarrasing even though he got hacked.
And fellas Hughes is now our POINT I
repeat POINT guard. We have the slashers/
scorers in Pavs and Lebron. This is really
a new position for Larry so give him a
break. Yes he is OP at 65 million but who
else can play the point now. Let him groom
Daniel because Dumbo traded our pick away
for Jiri Wash Out.
April 1st, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Kevin, I’m not focusing on that ridiculous shot. Since you’re so into stats, I’m focusing on the zeroes with the rest of his stats. A complete stat line of zeroes. I’m focusing on Brown being wise enough to know that Marshall playing more minutes is not a good thing. Can’t play offense, can’t play defense. And to think there’s still two more years after this season left on that guy’s contract. Jeez.
And “hi” to you too, JoeHoops. Lovely to have my own personal stalker. Maybe I should ask James for a loan or a spare from his 90-man posse. I can’t afford a bodyguard.
April 1st, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Im a big lbj fan just like the next person, but he is not the game best, heck he has not done anything yet. that is whats wrong with him he has been given all these accolades and titles, but he has not won a dam thing. like i said in the last bw post, lbj cannot carry kobe or tracey mcgrady jock straps, when it comes to willing there teams to win as well as taking over a game.oh yeah, tom good ans. to joehoops stupid statement.
April 1st, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Tucker:
Your a closet fan of the following in this
order.
1) The Cavaliers
2) Donyell Marshall
3) Danny Ferry
4) Damona
5) Billy
And most of all your son Joseph Hoops.
How can you rebuff your prodigal son.
Write him a nice note.
And Billy its damn not what the beavers
build.
April 1st, 2007 at 1:43 pm
And furthermore Mr. Billy the only glaring
deficiency in the GCs game is his outside
shot. He eats McGrady and Kobie for lunch
on the block and he is a better rebounder
and passer.
April 1st, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I meant GI=Global Icon
April 1st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
BREAKING NEWS. Lebron not to play in Boston. Rumor has it that he is back home making sure the stucco is the correct color on the statue of his head in the front yard of his new shack. This may or may not be an April fools joke.
Yo, Alan, I’m not your stalker. Just a big fan of your wit. NOT!
April 1st, 2007 at 3:07 pm
You’re not my stalker and the Boston Strangler was not a big fan of strangling.
April 1st, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Yeah, i think the icon had to get himself ready for the award show that he will be hosting soon, i do not care what the matchups r with icon, kobe and mcgrady, but has far as willing there teams to win and taking over a game to win, kobe has the icon beat, sorry charlie, and JMOE, thanks for teaching me how to spell a cuss word, english cussing 101 professor joeschome
April 1st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
and jmoe, thanks for the correction, i was thinking what the hell is “GC”
April 1st, 2007 at 5:32 pm
WE WERE ROBBED!!!
That call was BULL$hit!! How do you make a call like that with 1.9 seconds left. West clearly slipped and fell, Anderson did nothing.
WE WERE ROBBED!!!
April 1st, 2007 at 5:36 pm
yada, yada, yada, we were robbed when ferry sign those free agents last summer, anyway, even if the icon had played we still would of lost, its been our mo all season, baby, that 4th or 5th spot is looking pretty good right now.
April 1st, 2007 at 5:46 pm
To be honest - If we played NY or any of those shit teams in the first round we’d get swept anyway. We have a better chance going into the Palace and winning than we do playing these sub .500 teams.
I can’t stand the Cavs.
April 1st, 2007 at 5:56 pm
GO BUCKEYES!!! ITS TIME FOR REVENGE AGAINST THE SCHOOL THAT BEAT OUR FOOTBALL TEAM!
PS - CAVS GOT JIPPED BY THE OFFICIALS
PSS - HI ALAN!
April 1st, 2007 at 6:54 pm
since florida is favored we might return the favor and kick there butts, but i doubt it, the man child greg oden is over rated,he need two more years of college. and the cavs suck, refs or no refs
April 1st, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Jipped? PSS? What is that, a Japanese battleship from World War II? An elementary school textbook might come in handy for you, JoeHoops.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:12 am
Here is what is going to happen:
The Cavs drop to fifth in the east, loose to Washington in 5 games and then trade LeBron over the summer to New York for some junk. It is a Cleveland team - it cannot work out!
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:41 am
Alright you bipolar whiners let them have
it!!!! What is Potato head thinking. Gee
we just beat Chicago lets give it back the
next night. How about playing him 20-25
minutes last night and Tuesday. Duhhhhhh.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:46 am
The Cavs will finish 2nd behind Detroit in the East. They will play Detroit for a chance to go to the championship, and this time we will beat Detroit. But we will then lose to Phoenix in 5 games.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:04 am
HEY JMOE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. ALAN NICE POST, LMAO!!!!! JOEHOOPS, BLONDIE WROTE A SONG ABOUT YOU IN THE 80′S IT WAS CALLED “DREAMING” AND OH YES MY BROTHER “DREAMING” IS FREE.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:43 am
For as mediocre a team as they really are, the Cavs keep getting lucky. No Caron Butler, no Dwayne Wade. The first time Wade gets banged on the shoulder, he’s gone again. The Cavs are guaranteed to win a couple of series just by default.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:54 am
The sad fact is that this team is nothing
without the GI and Tucker is right. The
rest of the team is garbage for the money
we are paying them. The GI is already getting riddled with injuries at age 22.
If they cannot beat Boston when it means
something without him they cannot win a
championship. I hate to admit this because
I love this team. They have a truly great
player who is going to get frustrated and
leave if they cannot support him.
The main piece is a physical shot blocking
power forward or center. Candy ass Gooden
and Z are not the answer.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:19 am
JOE i know you mean well, but if you look at some of the past victories without the icon, they actually looked good, the ball movement was there the def. stepped up and sasha was more agressive, so i think sometimes the play better without the icon, just yesterday was not one of the days.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:42 am
Is everyone really comfortable with The King deciding not to play yesterday? It seems this happens rather frequently. Coincidentally, it always happens in the second night of a back to back whenever the opponent is a lottery team. But the miraculously it heals in time for the next nationally televised game. Knee tendinitis. Very interesting. Nothing like your leader always coveniently getting a case of “ouchy knee” whenever he gets a little tired. Would phil jackson let kobe pull stunts like this?
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:59 am
Ouchy knee? But it was originally reported as just a boo-boo.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:15 am
They were supposed to win with LeBron or without.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:21 am
One word to describe Cavaliers=Sybil
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
seriously, why didnt the king play? How do you go from dominating an OT against a decent team to having knee boo-boo-itis within 24 hours? Isn’t that a story? The fact that our best player can simply decide to take the night off? Just because it’s a bad team and TNT won;t be covering it?
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Doc: When you look at the situation you
are absolutely right. If Chicago wins in
Detroit on Wednesday and we lose tomorrow
we are in deep do do. We have Miami Thu
Washington there on Fri and Detroit there
on Sunday. Its beyond me how this guy can
dictate how and when he is going to play.
Havlicek and Russell are probably laughing
at him right now.
Now Doc you know I defended him when you
and Simmons said he would folderoo in the
second half and we both know how talented he is. But the difference between 2nd and
5th seed right now is the difference
between EC champion and out in the first
round without home floor vs Miami or
Washington. It is so important in the long
playoff scenario in the EC ie Detroit
Chicago without home floor its ridiculous.
They think this is not important now. Wait
until they have to play the first two in
Miami or Washington. Miami will have Wade
back and they are so physical he is really
going to have some boo boos. And Washington
with their offense and desire for revenge.
They just made a major mistake. MAJOR.
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm
“This serpentine season”? Seriously?
Someone please take Windhorst’s thesaurus away from him.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
You people need to shut the hell up with your gosh darn negativity and blatent disregard for all that is Alan Tucker. Be it as they may, the Cavs will win, and WIN BIG over all of their opponents in the East. The construction of the Chosen Ones palace will continue with only a few minor snafus and all will be well in the land of the King. By the time the last of the mortar drys on the statue of the greats head, the Cavaliers of Cleveland will be the eastern conference champions. So it shall be written, so it shall be done.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 pm
“This serpentine season?” I didn’t see that, but assuming you’re accurate and that torturous phrase saw itself in print, then you’re absolutely correct. Take away his thesaurus, and replace it with anything. I mean ANYTHING. Hell, replace it with a copy of Hustler or Swank. At least when they get ridiculous about a serpentine, it has absolutely nothing to do with a basketball season.
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:20 am
hey earth wind and fire, sang a song about a serpentine fire back in the late 70s early 80s
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:22 am
hey earth wind and fire, sang a song about a serpentine fire back in the late 70s early 80s. You guys really pissed joehoops off, then on top of that you ignored his post.
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:51 am
My predictions for 2008…
1. COLLEGE: Ohio State, with both Oden and Conley Jr returning, will win the NCAA Hoops title.
2. NBA: The Cleveland Cavaliers will win 60 games, Lebron will lead the league in scoring, Wild Thing will lead the league in flops, Z will actually make a two handed dunk, and Snow will hit an outside jumper.
Hi Alan!!!!
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
Tucker, how could you miss it? I think Windhorst is trying to out-Livingston the Plain Dealer’s Bill Livingston:
“The weekend acutely encapsulated this serpentine season.”
(2nd para, 1st sentence, http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/columnists/brian_windhorst/17013907.htm)
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
However, he’ll have to do better than that to beat his all-time strangest and most Windhorstly sentence, in which he somehow uses “play” 3 times in a span of four consecutive words:
“Just watching his chest-thumping after dunks, his steely grimace after manly plays, his playful interplay with friends and family members courtside, and even sometimes his outrageous laughter on the bench shows he’s an emotional person.”
Brian, one question: Where, exactly, did you bury your editor’s body?
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
However, he’ll have to do better than that to beat his all-time strangest and most Windhorstly sentence, in which he somehow uses “play” 3 times in a span of four consecutive words:
“Just watching his chest-thumping after dunks, his steely grimace after manly plays, his playful interplay with friends and family members courtside, and even sometimes his outrageous laughter on the bench shows he’s an emotional person.”
Brian, one question: Where, exactly, did you bury your editor’s body?
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:32 am
Maybe we could get Windman and Lebron to
use their two favorite words tonight.
Definetly and Play. Let those words be
preceded by the following, I Will.
Either that or go hang out with Buffet
and Damona. Lebron can drive and Buffet
and Damona will sit in the jumper seat.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:11 am
doc, I didn’t read it. After reading your respective posts, I’m kind of glad I didn’t. Tom Reed must be spinning in his grave.
Never mind “serpentine season.” This serpentine season was additionally “acutely encapsulated?” James has a “steely grimace” after “manly plays” and shows “playful interplay” and expresses “outrageous laughter,” all of which is clear and convincing evidence that Spawn of Nike is a touchy-feely deeply “emotional person?”
You’re right, doc, where did Brian Windhorst bury his editor’s body? With all due respect to all Jewish people all over the world on this High Holiday of Passover, “HOLY MOLDY MATZOH, BATMAN!”
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:27 am
Here’s hoping that the blog host BANS THE IP ADDRESS OF THAT IDIOT ALAN TUCKER. Who does this guy think he is? Always complaining about something somebody says or how the Cavs play. Who the hell is he? Just some anonymous gimp at his keyboard spewing negativity on some blog that he stumbled upon one day. Give it a rest man. You are about as moronic as Damon Jones is a flashy dresser, but atleast DJ has the multi-million dollar contract to show for it. What do you have?
You’re up.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:40 am
JoeHoops, my online stalker friend, I give you fair warning: My home is tightly secured by ADT and by two dogs. All right, I do admit they’re worthless Siberian Huskies that wouldn’t hurt anything that doesn’t resemble a crippled bunny rabbit. However, my ADT service is paid up-to-date and works perfectly.
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Dear Alan, I am not your stalker. Think of me as a comic book hero that has come here to rid this blog of the insanity that you bring to it. Be gone my friend, for I am the Blogenator….on a crusade to rid all sports blogs of the Alan Tuckers of the world.
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
You are simply a comic book hero on a crusade? Well, I guess that explains it then. Keep up the good work, Wonder Woman.
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Hoops………Tucker
What happened to peace love and nirvana.
Joseph why the outburst against your
loving father? I am here to bring peace
and responsibilty to our blog. Let love
peace and happiness abound brother Tucker
and Brother Hoops. Let the anger and animosity vanish. Breathe deep and relax
and know Brother Lebron wishes to join you
and Damona in the ashram tonight. Let the
hurt of the 3 point shootout and the boo-
boo suffered against those angry nasty
Bulls wash away. Forget about those nervous
moments trying to win games. Keep watching
the Cavs, you are getting sleepy.
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Hey how about that women’s final four. It’s the talk of the town! The PD is all over it. Hilarious. Are they playing at the Q tonight or Thistledown?
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:09 pm
This just in: The King has developed a soap allergy; he may be out for the season, unless palmolive is able to get their chemists to create some sort of alternative.
April 3rd, 2007 at 4:37 pm
AP-Lebron James will be out tonight
with a severe case of iconitis. He will
return to the floor when he feels like it.
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
doc, it’s being played at Northfield, but that trained eye of yours has you in the general vicinity.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:12 am
easy on bw and his diction. this isn’t the New Yorker we’re reading here. Let me remind you all; it’s the freaking Akron Beacon Journal. And it’s brian windhorst, not adam gopnik.