Over and out
Posted June 14th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
The Finals are over and the Cavs never really got started. Their 83-82
loss in Game 4 was pretty much like the other three games. In fact, I
predict looking back it will be hard to remember when individual
moments occurred in the series. For the Cavs, it was mostly all
"blah." The Spurs had more talent, which we all knew, but their poise
showed from the first minute of Game 1 and carried all the way until
tonight. In my mind, there is little use focusing on the little
details, teams don’t get swept by little details, they get swept by big
ones.
Overall, it was a tremendous season by the Cavs. They should be
celebrated and lauded for so many different reasons. But the pain they
are currently experiencing is just as important. Sometimes it takes
crushing defeat to be forced into fixing what needs to be fixed. This
goes for Danny Ferry, this goes for Mike Brown and this goes for LeBron
James. The Cavs need some more dynamic offense players, they need a
more dynamic offensive system and they need their most dynamic player
to become more complete.
All that in the weeks ahead. Right now, like the Cavs, I’m tired.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Despite all the claims of the Cavs not belonging and being inferior and having an easy road: They beat a good Piston team that had dismantled the Bulls who swept the Heat. This is playoff basketball. Until I see major changes in any of these teams: Cavs>Pistons>Bulls>Heat and I see no Reason to change the order. Also, the Cavalier defense was very good in this series. The defense improved leaps and bounds this year and even throughout the playoffs. In the end, I think the surprising mobility of the Spur Bigs were really the reason the Cavs couldn’t score. Z/Varajeo/Gooden could never get comfortable and it put so much pressure on LeBron and Boobie and their shots just didn’t fall. Z and Gooden were able to be effective at times against the Wizards/Nets/Pistons but really were outmatched against Duncan/Oberto/Elson/Horry. LeBron was never going to have any success against the Spurs unless his deep jumper was falling - and it wasn’t. I was actually surprised and impressed with how well the Cavalier defense was. The difficulty in some of the shots Parker/Ginobili/Duncan made was off the charts, but the Cavs made them work for their baskets. I still think Parker carries the ball when he makes that crossover into the lane…but no one is ever going to call it. The Cavs need to really work on developing Shannon Brown and Sasha Pavlovic this offseason along with Boobie and LeBron. Those 4 plus Gooden need to be a solid core for years to come. Great Season - hold your heads up Cavs fans. Our team is growing.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Again, the Cavs played great D for most of the game but the lineup that got them back in the game got tired and faltered. Missed assignments, a few bad rotations, LeBron’s turnovers, leaving some shooters open (LeBron went to hope for a rebound before Ginobili got the ball that ended up 69-66; Marshall blew some things). A lot of it can be attributed to pressure and simply that the Spurs are so good in the clutch. Some of it is due to the Cavs just not having as strong a roster. Time will tell if they can improve in key areas; certainly the problem spots are obvious.
The good news is they play in the East, and should have more chances. Congrats on a great and overachieving season. Now go work on the offense.
June 15th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Labron James is now Labruised James.
GO! SPURS! NBA CHAMPS!!!!!!
June 15th, 2007 at 4:02 am
The Cavs had a great year. They were the best in the East, but didn’t quite have what it takes to win it all. I really really think they went into a major shooting slump at the wrong time….sure the Spurs defense is good, but the Cavs were missing a TON of open jumpers. Timing is everything, even in the NBA playoffs. The Cavs peaked during the Pistons series and didn’t have enough left in the tank to win it all. Can’t wait until next year.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:24 am
The glaring difference to me, especially in games 3-4 was shooting. The Spurs hit their open shots when they mattered, the Cavs did not. For every Marshall brick, there was a Parker swish.
Great season, though.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:30 am
Brian, you’ve hit the nail on the head again: they need a more dynamic offense, and more dynamic offensive players. The defense did great, the offense stunk–the fact that the Cavs were swept despite holding the Spurs to 85 or fewer points in 3/4 games tells it all. An even marginally better offense would’ve pulled out Games 3 & 4.
The problem is–how to improve? In terms of coaching, I really don’t think Brown will change. Maybe it’s not even a question of “will” but “can”. If that’s the case, he needs to hire an offense-minded assistant. It seems like that might be the easiest off-season hole to fill, but we said that after the Game 7 debacle against Detroit last year and nothing really changed. In terms of players … with the cash constraints we’re under, it might be difficult if not impossible to add impact guys. I hope this sweep emboldens Ferry and shows him how far this team still is–a Damon Jones or Donyell type player won’t get this team over the hump. Other than LeBron, no one is untouchable if it brings the right guy(s) in return.
This season reminds me of the ‘95 Indians. Sure they lost the Series but you had the feeling they were on the verge of something great. Like the Cavs, they had a major weakness (starting pitching in the Indians’ case), but they were sure to lure Schilling or Big Unit (or at least Kevin Appier!) and the dynasty would begin. History was not so kind. With the LeBron Clock ticking and the bar already set so high thanks to this Finals run, the pessimist in me finds a lot to be afraid of. Hopefully I’m wrong–hopefully, the Cavs are like a young late-80s Bulls team on the brink of greatness and they just need their “Pippen”.
But for now, let’s enjoy a great season. Thanks Cavs, and thanks Brian for continuously excellent coverage.
June 15th, 2007 at 6:06 am
right on brian.
the cavs got quite a bit farther than i expected. but the thing i thought would happen finally caught up to them in the finals. poor offensive execution and mindless mistakes. so, they proved me wrong. somewhat.
June 15th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Charlie makes the most-telling point: WE KNEW AFTER LAST SEASON that the OFFENSE was non-existent. Cavs did NOTHING to improve the mess, and now are an object of national ridicule (Mark Jackson shaking his head at halftime, wondering how it could get any worse, said it all). GILBERT, demand that the offense is addressed, just like you demand all the “trappings” of game-presentation be “just so.”
LeBron sunk to new lows, with a triple-flubble in lackadasical passing/turnovers, missed free-throws, and rim-bending jump shot misses (on wide-open shots). There’s so much more needed than just “WANTING IT” badly. The execution must follow. Or the elimination surely will, as we see.
(P.S. Charlie, don’t knock the ‘95 pitchers. They led the AL. Go back and look…it was a severe lack of playoff hitting that killed the Tribe in ‘95 and ‘97)
June 15th, 2007 at 6:44 am
Dear Cleveland,
Many of you are thinking “this is just the beginning - we’ll be back.” That’s what we thought too, 12 years ago. Don’t get too cocky. Things can change very fast.
Love,
Orlando.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:01 am
Labruised James? That’s the best you’ve got? Stay classy, San Antonio. Congrats on the win, and congrats on being a schmuck.
Cleveland: be proud. We’ll handle losing better than they’ll handle winning. Especially since it’ll be our team hosting the trophy in the not-too-distant future. For the first time, feel confident this city will be called a champion. Amazing that LeBron gets all this criticism for a 22 year old. His fourth year: Finals. MJ’s fourth year: Eliminated by the Bucks in the first round. Keep things in perspective, James-haters. It’s a very, very good day to be a Clevelander.
And to Damon Jones: zip it. If you’re not happy about the media coverage, then work on improving your game to change it.
Smile today, Cleveland. Better days are straight ahead.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Ok, so last year we didn’t make changes — and we managed to go through Detroit this year. Despite the first losses, I did think we were in control in those close games. Granted Detroit w/o Wallace is a different team, but you can see the growth in the team in one year. I suspect they will grow more next year.
In terms of players, it is easy to critize Marshall and D. Jones — I don’t think either are the answers, but I have to give them credit for Marshall’s energy in the last game and D.Jones assists — therewere two critical ones to Gibson in the playoffs. Still, having a more reliable 3 point shooter would useful. I am more worried about Sasha — more than Andy, I think he lost it in the series. Maybe’s it age, maybe it is something else. There is also the looming questions about Larry Hughes. I’m also worried about Z’s age and the need to find a another quality center in the future.
Yeah, there were a lot of bricks being thrown in game 3 and 4, but these guys played with a lot of heart. Defense and takeways were tremendous. Bring in a new offense assistant, make some minor changes, and with a little luck we’ll be back.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Charlie- we’re going to give Damon Jones credit for his assists? You mean passing to a wide open teammate who happens to shoot much better than him? Wow. Maybe his next Li Ning commercial will be a montage of DJ zipping nifty swing passes to open teammates. It will be the Chinese equivalent of that gatorade commercial where Jordan did the switch hands trick in mid air against the lakers.
Let’s be honest, the Cavs embarassed themselves. Not that every other team in the East wouldn’t have done the same. Lebron lost his jumper somewhere over missouri on the flight to san antonio and never got it back. We were never really in any of these games. The Spurs toyed with us. The mistake will be to assume that we’re on the verge of ten straight finals appearances. This squad has MAJOR holes. And we don’t have any flexibility cap-wise to fix them. Watch out for the Bulls. Or even the Raptors and Magic.
And finally, I almost fell out of my chair reading about Marshall’s “energy” that charlie was praising. The only energy Bongyell expends is when his little plastic baggies go empty.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Nick–true, hitting was a problem (ironically, given the lineup) for the ‘95 team in particular … I was thinking of the ‘97 team a little more with respect to pitching. But you got my point–we knew the Cavs had a weakness going into the year and it didn’t get addressed.
The off-season will be interesting … I wonder if they’ll revisit that Gooden-for-Bibby trade. There’s a lot of dead weight on this team making a lot of money … if we can’t find any takers, I worry that next year’s Cavs will have the same problems as this year’s.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:52 am
And “offensive assistant” is not a job title in the NBA. Perhaps you’re all assuming we can go out and hire Lindy Infante and everything will be fine. I think what you’re actually looking to do is hire a “competent head coach” who understands basketball on both sides of the floor and can implement a coherent offense. I don’t think Popovich leaves the gym during practices when the Spurs are running their offenses. He doesnt say, “I’ll be back after you guys are done and we’ll work on defense when I return”. It’s either Brown rents some Basketball 101 videos from Netflix this summer or we get a new coach. Very simple. Stop trying to create coaching roles that don’t exist.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Just a clarifying note–I am not “charlie”
June 15th, 2007 at 8:08 am
We are Witnessess to a butt whipping… Go Spurs Go!!! BTW THNX CAVs for a great series and being a class act.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Congratulations Cavs on a great year. To
lose by three and one is tough. Good luck
to Ferry and Gilbert in the off season. See
ya all at the Q in October.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Hey I know LeBron was awesome through the playoffs but he really tarnished his image in the Finals. To the casual fan and the quick-to-judge national media Bron looked like he choked in the Spurs sweep. How else do you explain James’ shooting and ball-handling woes in the Finals, James’ detractors will argue. Sadly, I agree to a point.
That missed layup last night where he was right at the rim was inexcusable as were the two times he let outlet passes slip right through his hands and out of bounds in a way that only Dennis Northcutt would’ve loved. I know the guy is only 22 and should have just completed his final year in college, but when you have the rep and resume of LeBron you must perform better on the biggest stage or face the wrath of the haters.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:43 am
One of the lessons LeBron can learn from his mentor Warren Buffet is that you can be successful in your home town. Buffet never needed the glitz of wall street to become who he is, and LeBron would do well to remember that he lives in an area that supports him - through good times and difficult times. Were this LeBron and his team losing in four in a number of major cities, the reaction might have been unforgiving. Cleveland understands and is willing to wait. I hope LeBron appreciates what he has here.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:57 am
“To the casual fan and the quick-to-judge national media Bron looked like he choked in the Spurs sweep”–exactly, **to the casual fan and the quick-to-judge national media**. Serious fans know better. I don’t think it was pressure, but fatigue. Forget the fact that LeBron is barely legal to buy beer let alone the fact that this was his very first NBA finals (reasons alone for not playing your best)–the fatigue of carrying your team not just every game but **every possession**, and in a cause that looked more hopeless by the game caught up to him. LeBron’s stats say much more about the Spurs defense and the overall state of the rest of the Cavs “offense” than it does about Bron himself. Anyone who witnessed Game 5 against the Pistons knows they saw the most amazing individual playoff performance in years (if not decades). All-NBA first-team snub or no, would you really trade LeBron straight up for Duncan? Nash? Dirk? Do you really think one of those guys could carry a team the way LeBron has? Didn’t think so.
The only significant change from the team that won 17 and the team that made it to the NBA Finals is LeBron. LeBron’s new motto is “no excuses” and you know what, he doesn’t need to make any in my book. Likewise, I hope he appreciates the *fans* he has here but I’m sure he didn’t appreciate the *support* (or lack there of) from teammates and coaches. You know he was watching the Spurs thinking “Imagine what I could do with teammates and a coach like that.” I hope to goodness Ferry can assemble that kind of team, but if the Cavs are ringless when LeBron enters free agency … all bets are off. When all is said and done, he wants a ring–no, he wants RINGS–and if he doesn’t think Cleveland’s the place to do it, he leaves. But that’s a ways down the road. For now, let’s enjoy the Cavs shortest off-season ever, and see what adjustments Ferry and Brown can make. Worry about appeasing King James’ thirst for a ring later.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:04 am
By “worry about appeasing King James’ thirst for a ring later” I of course mean that we worry about LeBron leaving later. I should’ve made that a little more clear, as the two are obviously related. I wish there was an “edit post” feature …
June 15th, 2007 at 11:24 am
To Bob Aboey
i think you need to keep things in perspective . yes lebron got to the finals in his fourth year as opposed to jordan , but the eastern conference was so much harder than it is today . and let’s not put too much empahsis on cleveland making the finals , they played a depleted wizards team , then they went against a poor new jersey team , and let’s not talk about that mentally unstable team in the pistons
June 15th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Bryce Maximus?????? What’s with pairing a slightly effeminate, prep-school, white boy first name with a cartoonish, roman emperor middle name? What was the back-up name on the list, Thurston Caesar?
June 15th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Close, doc. Winchester Caligula.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I like the name.
And charlie u hit it on the head - I think fatigue definitely set in. LeBron never played well after game 5 of the ECF. He needs to rest this offseason.
BTW, the Magic never got “back” because they lost Shaq. As long as LBJ wears wine and gold, we have a shot.
I hope we can pick up a point guard in the offseason.
June 16th, 2007 at 4:29 am
“Fatigue?” Please. He’s 22, wasn’t playing back-to-back, and didn’t have to travel either the day of and/or the day prior to any game. The guy was fresh as a daisy.
Looking forward to Danny Ferry’s powerhouse Blake Era, or at least something equivalent. The man is a genius.
June 16th, 2007 at 5:07 am
Doc,
I know you’re trying to be funny, but please be careful with the drug aspersions. To my knowledge, Marshall hasn’t been picked up on drug charges, so I assume your “Bongyell” Marshall reference was because of his sleepy eyes.
If Marshall does have a drug conviction in his past, your observation is fair game. If not, it’s beyond a cheap shot. Marshall’s game has enough flaws; stick to those.
If I’m wrong about Marshall’s drug rap, my apologies.
June 16th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Well Kevin, thank you for the public service announcement. I will try to post with more moral responsibility in the future. But you know, there is that New York Times story from 1997, based on extensive interviews with former and current players that claimed 60-70% of players were regular pot smokers. Nowadays, marijuana is tested for, but the tests are scheduled in advance so the players know when to stop. Then you take someone like DONyell Marshall with his sagging man boobs, his soporific demeanor, his swollen eyes mere slits of perception, and you have to wonder. But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. The Reverend Pluto-esque tone of your post seems to have had an conversional effect on me.
June 16th, 2007 at 9:47 am
The Cavs gave us a great season. It was wonderful seeing them advance. I agree with those that feel they didn’t give their all when they played the Spurs. Folks are saying that the Spurs are the better team. I diasgree with that. The Spurs had a coach with more experience and he out coached Brown. I am interested in seeing how the team uses their offseason. The players need to perfect their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. They also need a huge adjustment in their mental attitude. They also need to learn more about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how they match up. They didn’t seem to flow cohesively at some points of the games.i am excited for next season. I think going to the finals will add a little maturity to the team. They have now really arrived in the NBA, so next year is a different ball game.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Scares me that Gilbert continues to sing high praises of Brown as coach. It was his hire, and he’ll stand behind him…despite Brown’s ability to only coach HALF THE GAME. Defense, great. Offense, nowhere. Now I hear that he resisted hiring an offensive guru after last season’s pitiful output. Does Mike Brown have carte blanche to kill this team, due to a massive ego or stubborn (fear) streak? His superiors MUST hold him accountable.
If the players hadn’t revolted at midyear, Eric Snow would still be starting. Never forget that. BROWN’S HAND MUST BE FORCED…THAT’S THE WAY HE OPERATES. Ferry & Gilbert must get involved and be HAPPY WITH HIS PROPOSED OFFENSIVE-PLAN, or demand a change. This is not “The Mike Brown Show.” This is the “Cleveland Cavaliers.”
June 16th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
So Marshall won’t be renewing his subscription to High Times?
June 16th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Ryan, you’re right–what’s bothered me most about Roker Brown has been his inability to realize when a change needs to be made, in spite of glaring evidence. Doc, it might be a made-up position, but for Brown to not even admit the team’s complete offensive ineptitude, someone else has to make this spud see the light. Since Ferry and gilbert continue to show a great deal of confidence in his tater-licious strategy, it seems brown is here to stay in the short-term. As for Donyell, if I had known that I could shoot 3 pointers that poorly and make my way into the NBA as a “3 point specialist,” I’d have given up my job long ago. Kevin, you’re right, let’s give Donyell the benefit of the doubt. After all, once a year (on his birthday), Donyell’s eyelids RISE UP, and he gives us a performance that is enjoyable. So maybe he doesn’t toke, he’s just a complete joke.
June 16th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
MY PREDICTION WAS CORRECT!! Alan Tucker has come out of the shadows just as the Cavs lose the series. Go figure. WHen they were punking the Pistons he was probably hiding in his closet in the fetal position, but now that the Cavs have lost he’s back. Just great!!
June 16th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
JoeHoops, I’ve been here the whole time. My question to you is why are you posting? You proclaimed on two separate occasions that you would never post again. You’re on pace to break the all-time record of fake farewell tours held by KISS.
June 17th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
i do not care, alan its good to have you back, like i said before you speak the truth.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I wonder if there is serious foundation to what Pete Vecsey wrote today. I can’t believe that Ferry is so outrageously incompetent that he is actually taking aim at Beno Cook or Lars Ulrich, or whatever that San Antonio guy’s name is, to be a starting point guard.
June 17th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
ah, yeah, thats boat shoes for you. he has know clue on how to assemble a team, and hopefully dgilbert will see this and show him the door. Alan you are not as mean with your comments, do you have a change of heart?
June 18th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Tidbits from the Plain Dealer … more an editorial than actual inside scoop, but still:
Major need: point guard
-Mike Bibby would be the top choice
-Earl Boykins another possibility
Other needs: backup center with shot-blocking ability, “toughness”, addition of an “offensive coordinator” to Brown’s staff.
Let’s see if they can get that done. Gooden-for-Bibby was the rumor in the regular season … but who starts at PF if they do that? I like Varejao better off the bench.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Yes, that’s just what Brown’s staff needs. An offensive coordinator. Problem solved. As if FIVE assistant coaches isn’t enough.
June 18th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Alan Tucker, you seem to know everything. Why don’t you apply for a job with the Cavs, perhaps as offensive coordinator. You could use all your posts on this blog as reference to you knowing everything they need to do to win.
Alan Tucker for Cavs Offensive Coach!!! Or if he can’t do that, maybe he could be Damon Jones personal shoe shine boy!!
June 18th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I wouldn’t pay much attention to that Plain Dealer article. The author actually wrote the following:
“The Cavs have had trouble with quick guards all season. The addition of Bibby would counter that.”
Yeah, right. Even Sacto fans will tell you that Bibby couldn’t keep up with Smush Parker, much less Tony Parker.
June 18th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
JoeHoops, Tucker knew everything until the Cavs beat the Pistons. then suddenly, although he was “here the whole time,” he went silent, hiding in his winnie the pooh shower curtains. So long as the Cavs lose and he has something to criticize, Tucker can never be wrong and will post ad nauseum to show how insightful he is. But give him an occasion where he is shown to be wrong, and you won’t hear a peep.
June 18th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Did anyone see Mike Brown in front of the Q on Friday night, shaking hands and thanking fans for their support while they were on their way into Jacobs Field? I was told he was out there, but wanted to corroborate this. Thanks!
June 18th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
yeah, alan, what was your take on the cavs beating the pistons 4 stright.
July 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I stated last year that the reason the CAVS lost to the Pistons in the final game was because we got killed on the ‘D’ and ‘O’ boards. Why? Guess who Mike Brown sat on the bench? Our best rebounder, Gooden.
Well, Brown did it again, guess why we lost to the Spurs in the last quarter when we were getting killed on the boards? Gooden on the bench.
P L E A S E Coach Brown, I like you, but don’t make the same mistake next year….. It’s a no brainer!!