This thing just got serious
Posted May 29th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
When the Eastern Conference Finals started last week I was in the managed expectations and perspective business. No matter what happened to the Cavs, it would benefit them, I said. Even in a conversation I had with general manager Danny Ferry a day after Game 2 and he was still down from the near miss, I was telling him what he already knew, that the early troubles would build the foundation for success in the future. He agreed through gritted teeth, but quickly pointed out he still felt his team could win this now. I was not sure it would be this immediate. What’s happening now is still benefiting them a great deal, but now it surely seems they’ve got a real good chance to win this series.
Not just because they held serve at home, winning Game 4, to make it 2-2. But because they are continuing to take away the Pistons strengths game after game while LeBron James plays better and better. It is well known that it only takes one game to turn a playoff series and the Pistons have an excellent chance to re-grasp control in Game 5. But there were a lot of people, especially who reside in greater Detroit, who honestly thought this series would be a sweep. There was a general belief in some areas, though never here, that last year what happened was the more the Pistons fault and not the Cavs success. In other words, there wasn’t respect. Well hear this, the Pistons are really trying and still not beating the Cavs right now.
More on the game…
–I was shocked Larry Hughes tried to play on the foot. I’m not sure if they could give him a strong pain killer or what. He told me he asked the Cavs doctors about a Cortisone shot but that it wouldn’t help with this kind of injury. My guess is he had a handful of Advil and some adrenaline working. He wasn’t able to do much and he was a total disaster after halftime, but him being out there enabled Daniel Gibson’s minute load to be kept reasonable. Plus it was an emotional lift to his teammates. Emotion means a lot to the Cavs.
–By the end of training camp I thought the Cavs might have something in Gibson and I’m not saying I had some special knowledge or foresight. He’d already won over his new teammates and the coaches were very high on him by the end of October. Still, no one could’ve foreseen the way he’s played over the last three games. I written a lot about him this year, including the interesting story of how he ended up in Cleveland. Here’s what I can tell you about him, he stays and works extra on his shooting after every practice and every shootaround. He, Shannon Brown and Dwayne Jones all do it together. You can see the new facets in his game, especially some of his moves close to the basket.
–Maybe this had nothing to do with it, but Chris Webber and Rasheed Wallace seemed not to have as much energy tonight after getting just one day off in between games. I know the less rest impacts Zydrunas Ilgauskas, so why not those fellow big guys? Anyway, the Cavs double-teamed Wallace a lot more tonight in the post. He did a good job of passing out of them, but he also wasn’t as active as in the previous games.
–Before I write this I’m telling you I don’t know if it is true, it is complete hearsay. That’s why it’s in a blog and not a story. But some PWK (people with knowledge) whispered to me tonight the Pistons are having some chemistry problems in the locker room right now. Again, I don’t know the team and I don’t know the locker room. I am just passing it on because it’s from a reliable source. It is interesting, though, that Wallace got a technical foul for yelling at his own teammate tonight.
–There are people who want to know why Eric Snow and Damon Jones haven’t played more this series. There is no problem with Mike Brown as far as I’ve been told. With as tough on defense as the Pistons are, Mike feels he simply can’t afford to go for long stretches with Snow out there. It makes it too easy to load up on James because Detroit doesn’t have to worry about Snow on offense. As for Damon, while he’s played some good minutes on defense in the postseason, once he gets in the game the Pistons instantly attack him. Tonight they did and it worked. Same goes for Donyell Marshall. He had some big baskets tonight, but he simply couldn’t handle Antonio McDyess.
–As I first wrote about back in March, the difference in the Cavs between this year and last year is they are actually much younger. In the fourth quarter tonight, there was 21-year-old Gibson, 22-year-old James, and 23-year-old Sasha Pavlovic out there making plays. While the Pistons have the experience advantage and have been together longer, you can see the Cavs core for years to come developing. Not to mention Drew Gooden is just 26, Anderson Varejao 24 and Larry Hughes 28. It is said in the NBA, you win with men. The Pistons have men, but the Cavs have young guys who are turning into men.
–Brown sort of called out Drew Gooden after Game 2, saying his production was inadequate for the minutes he was logging. Drew’s come back with two big games. He isn’t a consistent player, but he’s learning to better control his emotions. While he’s a descent pressure player because it doesn’t bother him much, he was also susceptible to getting down on himself when he went through rough patches. Now he seems to weather storms better, part of growing up I guess. Tonight was a prime example, after he got hit with the technical with eight minutes left and yelled at by the bench and his teammates, he did not go into a shell. Instead, he played a great rest of the quarter. I believe that pick-and-roll with James will always be open for him, just as it is usually is for Z.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Seems no one else it talking about how ‘Sheed got the “T”. Even Flip said he was yelling at Rip, not the ref.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:24 am
He didn’t get the T for yelling, he got it for throwing his headband…
May 30th, 2007 at 1:41 am
great win, but we still have a ways to go, i know we will win this series, there is no doubt in my mind, i never lost hope, just was upset in how they let the first two games get away, this series reminds me of the bulls and piston, when the bulls were finally able to dethrone, them, only with this series it will not take three years. cavs vs. spurs, that is music to my ears. I still think they should have shannon brown ready, to play because he brings speed and versitiltiy to the game. dgib got a little rattle in the final mins of the fourth qt, picking up his dribble early. the cavs need to come up with a new half court off. beside lebron at the top of the key, dribble dribble dribble, then desperation shot, i say pass the ball around the horn and let the best shooter shot. this is so awesome. 2 more games and it is hello finals.
May 30th, 2007 at 5:30 am
The Cavs got the job done and need to win the next two games.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:07 am
A great win and what a difference it makes when LeBron can dish to four guys who are a threat to make a bucket. When that happens, he is the best player in the NBA.
Too bad about Hughes. He’s a real inspiration for all of us; I stubbed my toe this morning but still made it to work for an hour. I’m back resting at home now, of course.
It’s also nice to know our friendly beat writer is available to give Mr. Ferry solace when times look tough. I’m glad he saw something special in Gibson last October, though I missed the link to his story saying Gibson’s no answer.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Detroit must win Game 5 to have a realistic chance to win the series. The Cavs are a better team than they were last year and the Pistons realize this. We will not lose the last two as we did last year, so Detroit has to win at home tomorrow.
Also, the Cavs youth and energy may endure the grind better than the older Pistons now that the games are every other day.
May 30th, 2007 at 7:10 am
Too bad Hughes didn’t get hurt earlier in the season. The Cavs could have already settled this thing and be waiting on San Antonio.
May 30th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Gotta love Mike Brown….
Post game press conferene —
Brown spent 13 seconds “praising” Gibson, then spent well over a minute showering Eric Snow with love…
I guess rookies are meant to be seen and not talked about….
FTS
http://www.fearthesword.com
May 30th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Another good win on the home court. However in the NBA as with all other professional sports leagues, it is what have you done for me today or tomorrow, not yesterday. They have to find a way to win a game in Detroit.
I felt the effort and desire was pretty good. Need to solve that 3rd quarter thing (obviously), and hopefully avoid those lapses in “Random offense”.
Boobie was just huge, and lets be honest, we all love huge Boobies! (Couldn’t resist)
May 30th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Hey Brian,
Remember when I wrote into this blog and told you Gibson would reach his potential when Mike Brown stopped trying to make him just a spot up three point shooter. The guy could be a “point guard” if given the proper opportunity.
I still say the Cavs win inspite of Mike Brown. When everyone else said Larry Hughes wouldn’t play, I told everybody I knew “if Larry Hughes can walk Mike Brown will start him”. I agree with the blogger who said, “Mike Browns best coaching move of the whole playoffs was Larry Hughes getting hurt”. Don’t get me wrong I hope the best for Hughes but he will never get better by getting this constant pass from Mike Brown (like being given back the starting role over Flip Murray last year while he was 50-60% of the so-so player he was previously)
One more thing for you Eric Snow haters, please explain to me the prudence of putting D. Gibson and Damon Jones in at the same time! Eric Snow made two more excellent defensive plays and scored more than Damon Jones and his Olé defense in one minute and five seconds. Billups and Hamilton were fighting over the ball everytime Damon Jones came in the game, and whoever got the ball scored two or more points each time! I don’t blame that on Jones, I blame that on Mike Brown
May 30th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Thoughts from Game 4:
- Unlike other people on this comment board, I’m willing to admit when I was wrong. And I was completely wrong when it comes to Daniel Gibson last night. I believed that he would let the attention go to his head, and that he would be shooting the ball non-stop. Instead, he kept his head down and took the ball to the hoop, and got to the line. He did exactly what we hoped Larry Hughes would do when he got here, and he proved that there were opportunities for Hughes in the offense. Yes, he had a period where he picked up three fouls in about 2 minutes, and there were times when he held onto the ball when he should have kept it going through the rotation, but he gave the team an offensive spark that it desperately needed. I’m not about to crown the kid, but I’ll admit that he came through last night, and I did not expect that.
- That being said, I’d like to give a big hand to Flip Saunders, who steadfastly refused to put his starters back in during the second quarter, as the Cavs bench was torching the Pistons’ subs. I like Flip, but he certainly isn’t doing the Pistons any favors by starting Chris Webber and giving Lindsey Hunter significant minutes. Everyone knew going in that the Cavs bench was better than the Pistons bench, but Flip hasn’t made any adjustments in his rotation, and it’s killing them in the second quarter.
- That being said, the loudest I yelled last night was for Mike Brown to take Donyell Marshall out of the game. Yes, Marshall can be helpful at times, but he was atrocious last night. He was committing fouls on dunks, getting his shots blocked, and whining to the refs while his man ran down the court for an easy dunk. It might have been the single worst performance I’ve seen from a veteran in the playoffs, and Coach Brown should have put an end to it right away. But he left Marshall out there, and it cost them at least another 5 points.
- Its time for the world to realize that the Pistons are giving everything they’ve got, and they’re coming up short against the Cavs. And while that’s a slight indictment of the Pistons, it’s also an example of how far the Cavaliers have come. The Cavs are at the same level as the Pistons right now, only 4 years removed from a 17-win season. And they would compete with any team in the West as well. They may not be a great team yet, but they play great defense, and they have the best player on the planet, and that’s enough.
- I love Drew Gooden. Yeah, his brain shuts off from time to time, but he cares, he has fun, and he really has a ton of talent. And no player respects the fans more.
- Oh, and he clobbered Rasheed Wallace. That was nice.
- I’ll give Larry Hughes credit for starting this game, but it’s disappointing to see that the Cavaliers experienced little to no drop off with him knocked out of the last two games. This guy is supposed to be a difference-maker, and I think we’re seeing evidence that, right now, he’s not that guy.
- Still, it’s a great time to be a Cavs fan. And all of those people who were arbitrariy ripping the team apart are nowhere to be found. Here’s hoping that this ride keeps on keeping on.
Go Cavs. Rise Up. Beat Detroit.
Mike C
May 30th, 2007 at 8:43 am
If they can make it happen in Detroit, they’ve got this round in the bag. Go Cavs!
May 30th, 2007 at 8:51 am
God, I loved watching Drew toss Rasheed around. There are few things in basketball more enjoyable than watching Rasheed get his just rewards and then self-destruct. Talk about not being able take what you dish out.
I also agree with Mike C. about Marshall. He was BEYOND TERRIBLE yesterday, and there is no excuse for Brown leaving him on the floor that long. He looks like an out-of-shape WNBA player out there.
May 30th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Good point about Detroit’s chemistry. Almost sounded like Prince was putting the blame on Billups during his post-game interview.
May 30th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Is their some fear and trepidation in the
eyes of the mighty Pistons? And BW did you
see our new POINT GUARD whup up last night.
This kid is beyond good and his chemistry
with James is even better. He swished about
10 out of 12 of those free throws and the
other 2 only slightly rattled.
All ya haters are silent now. Doc and Tucker. If we don’t lose again you are
out of business. Cavs in 6. Championship
in 6.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Billups’ 3pt shooting:
0 of 2 in game one, first half
2 of 2 in game one, second half
1 of 1 in game two, first half
1 of 1 in game two, second half
0 of 3 in game three, first half
2 of 5 in game three, second half
2 of 5 in game four, first half
0 of 4 in game four, second half
The more outside shots Billups takes, the fewer easy interior baskets Detroit gets.
(This is not to say Cleveland should leave him unguarded.)
May 30th, 2007 at 10:27 am
I have to agree w/ the above comment regarding D. Jones vs E. Snow. Jones’ defense on Billups was embarassing to watch. I think Snow will be key to a V in Detroit (if Hughes remains hurt)as he can effectively check Billups, Rip, and Prince. D. Jones & D. Marshall both look slow and out of sync, but at least Marshall can spread the floor. I know that Detroit just leaves Snow open on O to double LJ, but he can hit shots as he did in Philly.
I am a little worried that Z looks to be wearing down after having to bang Webber, McDyess, and Sheed. He needs some good R&R to be ready to go tomorrow.
M. Brown has got to do something different in Q3, a different lineup maybe? Come out say w/ D.Gibson, LJ, SP, D.Gooden, AV, at least ot get some movement and spread the floor?
How about LB’s defense on Billups at the point? He was putting the glove on him and really slowing him down.
Anyway, someone in addition to LJ will have to step up big tomorrow to steal one in Detroit. The anticipation is killing me!
May 30th, 2007 at 10:37 am
One other little thing that bothers me about the Cavs - does anyone else notice their annoying habbit of fouling guys who are about to complete a certain dunk or layup? Sasha is especially guilty of this. It’s one thing if you have a chance to deny a chippy and send a bad free thrower to the line, but they often hack guys once the ball is already in the rim. Need to cut those plays out if we are going to win in Detroit.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:14 am
YA, WHERE IS OUR MAN TUCKER. WHEN THE CAVS LOSE HE IS POSTING ALL KINDS OF CRAP, WHEN THEY WIN 2 IN A ROW HE IS SILENT.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:25 am
JBJB, you’re right, there is sometimes an annoying tendency for the cavs to foul the piston who is surely going to make the basket as it is. Gibson did this twice himself yesterday, but at least he more than compensated for it with his offensive play. As for the well-documented third quarter woes, they either need to try a different lineup or run set plays for lebron rather than trying to establish Z or what not in those first few minutes of the second half. The last thing you want is Hughes shooting your first three shots after the half, that’s for sure. It was funny watching Sheed’s sweaty jersey fly into an innocent bystander though after the game(poor guy)–Sheed is one cocky bastard who deserves nothing but ridicule for his idiotic “guaransheeds.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOA4nITEQTc
May 30th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Anyone figure out why ESnow was inserted into the game ON OFFENSE at the end there? What exactly was the strategy there? There wasn’t a Pistons player within twenty feet of him, praying that he would have to shoot the inevitable brick.
The King is growing up before our eyes. Another dominating performance. And drew gooden can shoot. Looked like Ho Grant out there. Gibson looked more confident than Ive ever seen him. He’s clearly not just a spot up shooter. That little step back jumper at the elbow was niiice. He’s quicker than Billups and stronger than you realize.
And what was Hughes thinking? Willis reed moments are only available to borderline legends; not 40% shooting arm-pantyhose bandits.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
JMOE makes a good point. The chemistry between LeBron and Gibson seems to be very good. Also, given their style of play on offense, Gibson can actually create a decent shot deep in the clock, unlike Hughes who often turns it over or Sasha who will of course dribble off his foot.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Yeah, what was with Mike Brown leaving D Jones in the game for so long? I know Brown was trying to spread the floor on the offensive side, but what good does that do the team when Chauncey Billups is conducting layup practice against Jones on the other end of the court?
If Brown has to put someone in there to D up Billups, he should at least consider sending Ira Newble. He’s a better defender and I’m fairly confident he can match Jones’ blistering 0-for-1 from the floor per-7-minutes-played average.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I think Brown had Snow in on the offensive series, because the Cavs were up 3 and I think Brown wanted to have snow on defense if the cavs didn’t score. If they miss a shot, they can’t call TO and he would be stuck with a less preferable D. I am not sure I agree with it–why not go for the jugular and make it a 2 possession game–but that would be my guess why he did it.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I heard today that Billups said that Lebron is not as hot as Wade was against them last year. Hopefully Lebron will hear that and turn it up another notch!!! DOWN WITH THE PISTONS!!!
May 30th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
As long as the Cavs win it’s hard to fault Brown for his work juggling a limited roster. Snow did chase down the ball on that offensive possession, and even Donyell made a couple key hoops. It’s a hard way to go but Brown seems pretty adept at mixing and matching in the playoffs.
I sure hope Saunders stays true to form and doesn’t give Maxiel more minutes. The Pistons starters still think they’ve had a few uncharacteristically bad games, and the Cavs should have a good chance to win tomorrow night.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Good point Larry D, Maxiel seems to be one of the few players that gives Lebron fits on defense. I’d rather him stay on the bench!
I say Cavs will win this one in a 7th game nail biter! Bring on the Spurs!!!
May 31st, 2007 at 12:23 am
this is getting good, just 2 more games and we will be in the finals. I give us a decent shot against the spurs, we match up very well with them, but the thing is they have no ans. for lebron, they could try horry but that will not work. I hope it do not rain on our championship parade downtown, and I also wonder what will pres. bush say when he meet lebron. will damon jones wear a pink shirt to the white house. will Ira ask the pres. about dafur. those are some interesting questions that will be ans. in the coming days.
May 31st, 2007 at 7:35 am
Q: Can I have a schizophrenic conversation with myself?
A: Of course.
Q: Is this a cheap, amateurish way to write a sports column?
A: Indubitably.
Q: Do I have faith the Cavs will win?
A: No one has more faith than you, Reverend Pluto.
Q: Are there basketballplayers on the Cavs?
A:Um,yes.
Q: Are those basketballplayers going to be in Detroit tonight?
A: Presumably.
Q: Do I have time to stop by Windsor for a little pre-game “entertainment”?
A: Begone Satan!
May 31st, 2007 at 10:59 am
Today is a big game only because if they don’t win tonight, the series is over. I don’t think it is possible for the Cavs to win two in a row with game 7 at Detroit. Mike Brown made a bad error in the first two games by not playing Boobie. We need shooters as I have said before. Lebron’s inability to consistently hit the outside shot creates the need for more shooters. Also, why doesn’t Lebron take it to the hole like Boobie. Boobie is fearless. Lebron has been more aggressive the last two games, but what took so long? The Cavs can be devastating next year with another shooter coupled with a better outside shot from Lebron. Hopefully Lebron can make some key shots and pull one out. If not, the failure of this team to make it to the finals can be blamed on Mike Brown’s inability to realize that we need shooters in the game and not rely entirely on defense. At this point, Lebron is not a shooter, so we need others to help.