Where there’s a whistle, there’s a way
Posted April 14th, 2008 by bwindhorst
Cavs 91, 76ers 90
–A couple of truths here. One, Samuel Dalembert did foul Devin Brown and it did happen before the red light went on. Two, Devin might have made that shot outright if he was not bumped into, with everyone swarming to the basket Dalembert’s swat was like a pass right to him. Three, Zydrunas Ilgauskas probably committed a loose ball foul on Dalembert before the fateful foul. However, that actually happened six or seven feet from the actually play so it was hard for the officials to see it. Four, over 82 games, karma ebbs and flows. Devin had to make the free throws and he did.
–Official Greg Williard, who made the call, gave an interview to the media afterward. Basically he said that is why there is replay, to look and see if the foul called happened before the horn. I think he felt fine with what happened.
–This was like a playoff game, a little low scoring and lots of late drama. Overall, the Cavs played very well. They were victimized by a couple of odd bounces on offensive rebounds and when Andre Iguodala was all set to turn the ball over and Louis Williams ended up hitting a contested 22-foot shot. On offense, the Cavs did an excellent job of moving a driving the ball under pressure which got them excellent shot attempts by players other than LeBron. It was excellent execution, that should be referred back to.
–It figures that when the Cavs win a game like this that it has a cost. Sasha Pavlovic is probably done for the season. At the very least he has a severe ankle sprain. Because he was landing from a jump shot and the foot went sideways, there is a good chance that there are torn ligaments although that will be determined in an MRI tomorrow. Then you consider that it is the same foot he had a sprain in earlier and it’s just a bad end to a bad season for him. He had to leave the game in a wheelchair. Obviously he had not contributed much lately, but he was an offensive option and now the Cavs have less depth. Interesting that even with him out, Wally Szczerbiak still did not play in this one and neither did Damon Jones (again). Maybe Mike Brown will just tighten the rotation.
–The Cavs have not been shooting free throws well lately and were 11-of-19 in this one until Devin made his two. Not a positive trend heading into the playoffs. LeBron was 6-of-12 tonight.
–LeBron showed extreme quickness and excellent jumping tonight, you daresay that he may be just about over the back injury based on his activity. But he said he is still not 100 percent.
–You want to talk about a bad moment, this was fan appreciation night in Philly. Off probably the worst loss of the season, the PR folks had to pull the players out of the locker room and get them to give away their uniforms and shoes. Lots of faked enthusiasm by the public address announcer.
Recap:
Pregame
Starting lineups
Cavs: Delonte West, Sasha Pavlovic, LeBron James, Ben Wallace, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Sixers: Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Reggie Evans, Samuel Dalembert
Officials
Greg Williard, Mark Wunderlich, Ed Malloy
–Sasha Pavlovic has moved into the starting lineup, replacing Devin Brown. I understand that ideally you don’t want Brown as a starter and Pavlovic is a better offensive player. But I have no idea what Devin did to lose the job and I have even less of an idea of what Pavlovic did to earn. Supposedly he played better defense last night, but in my mind Sasha has only played maybe four good games all season. We’ll see how the rotations go.
–Mike Brown said before the game that he was concerned about the team’s chemisty. There was lots of chatter in the huddle and on the court last night. Also, with everyone’s minutes changing regularly I can see why there is unrest. Then again, almost getting beat by the Heat will do that to you.
–The Sixers need this win, they are tied with the Raptors for the No. 6 seed. They are also an uptempo team with an excellent push it guard in Miller. However, in the halfcourt I believe the Cavs can have success guarding them because Philly doesn’t have jump shooters and Miller doesn’t break down the defense on the dribble. The key is to keep it a halfcourt game, and you don’t do that by chucking jumpers at the other end.
Halftime — Cavs 47, Sixers 41
–Cavs have done an excellent job on the boards, putting up 14 second chance points to zero for Philly. Basically, they are saying there is going to be a penalty for all your players trying to take off an run the other way.
–LeBron’s dunk in transition late in the first half was his best dunk of the year. I am not sure seeing it on TV does it justice because you can’t appreciate the speed at which he was moving and the way he changed speed. Maybe in the top 10 in his career, maybe.
–Andre Iguodala has not played well so far tonight because they Sixers have had a lot of fastbreak chances. We’ll see if that holds.
–The bench did an excellent job again with LeBron on the bench in the second quarter, getting the Cavs the lead. There is some depth being shown there.
Postgame
Stars
LeBron, 27 points, five assists
Ilgauskas, 22 points, seven rebounds
Miller, 26 points, six assists
Lou Williams, 21 points
Quotes
Devin Brown: “I heard a whistle, it was just a matter of them going back and looking at it. I didn’t think they were going to change it because I wear 33, not 23.”
LeBron: We were due for a break, we had some calls go the wrong way and some plays go the wrong way, it was good to see it go our way for a change.”
Dalembert: “After I jumped and I blocked the shot and I got pushed. Ilgauskas pushed me and I was off-balance. He pushed me. You can see on the play. His forearm. He pushed me in the air.”
April 14th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Does anybody know what the heck has happened to Damon Jones? I can’t remember the last time he played. And he was having a pretty good year, hitting a lot of 3 pointers. I don’t get it. And the media seems to never mention it.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
is something bugging lebrons back cause he looks awful tonight
April 14th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
after that dunk and block i retract my prior statement
April 14th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I remember being so mad last year when Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall were playing crunch time minutes against the Nets - after having sat the entire second half of the season. Why did Mike Brown have them glued to the bench if he was going to play them in crunch PLAYOFF MINUTES!
Even if you’re only going to give Damon 5 minutes a game - get him those 5 minutes. He’s play well, and deserves more time.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
They look better tonight. I’m glad to see Pavlovic back in the rotation. They will need someone to defend the likes of Deshawn Stevenson and Caron Butler in the playoffs.
I’m equally happy to see Wally nailed to the bench…still don’t understand why Brown can’t throw Damon a bone. Joe Smith also needs more minutes.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Damn..down goes Sasha. I’m sure that will make Brian happy.
The Cavs are truly cursed this year.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Come on refs do the right thing!!!
April 14th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Feels just like the Browns game this year after the kick went through the goal post and bounced back.
Glad to see for once even in the most hated of cities the refs have the gall to make the right call.
Go Cavs and you home-court winning bad asses!
April 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
WHEW!
Thank you refs. Home court!
April 14th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Hey Brian -
Any help promoting this petition?
http://www.petitiononline.com/cavs1970/petition.html
Thanks!
April 14th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Thank God for Devin Brown! (That’s something I’d thought I’d never say)
April 14th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Wow…..what an ending! Huge win, obviously. But even beyond the fact that it was for the 4-seed, it was great to see them win a back-to-back game on the road against a playoff team. Let’s hope they can take this momentum and use it to beat the Pistons on Wednesday, building a little bit of a positive feel going into Game 1 against the Wizards…..
April 14th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Cavs Win!!
Now hopefully Wally stays on the bench for the playoffs.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
It wasn’t pretty, but that was an encouraging win tonight. Cleveland has been dreadful in the second game of back-to-backs all season long. Hopefully this will give them a little momentum going into the post season. And of course locking down the #4 seed was very important. The Cavs will need the homecourt to beat the Wizards. That series is going seven.
I’m with Brian. I don’t understand how Mike Brown thought that moving one of the only guys on his roster who plays hard every night (Devin Brown) to the bench was going to help the slumping Cavs. Especially when it’s in favor of the most inconsistent player on his roster (Sasha Pavlovic). I think Devin Brown pretty much proved that to be an unjustifiable move by hitting that huge go-ahead bucket with 15 secs to go and then the game-winning free throws.
Michele, as you point out it looks like Mike Brown has seen enough of Wally Sczcberiak’s bricks. Only 10 minutes last night and Wally was a DNP tonight. Still that’s a big disappointment. Sczcerbiak was an important piece in that trade. After Ben Wallace I’d say he was considered the most valuable acquisition in that deal. Again, big disappointment.
So does Mike Brown rest his starters against Detroit on Wednesday? After watching Sasha go down tonight, I don’t think there is any question he will, especially now that the #4 seed wrapped up.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Once again no Damon Jones, even though he has played well enough to DESERVE minutes. This will come back to burn them when they need DJ in crunch time and he is rusty.
I guess it shows Mike Brown knows how to do at least one thing, and that is “hold a grudge”.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Michele, the Cavs are cursed because Sasha went down? Is all that estrogen really impairing your cognitive functioning that much? Sasha getting injured was a blessing. How the hell he got himself in the starting lineup is a mystery to everyone who doesn’t look like a potato head or wear parachute pants. Sasha’s got an inconsistent jumper, no finishing skills, and so-so defense–and that’s at the height of his skills. No, the only reason the cavs are cursed is because we ended his ridiculous holdout at the beginning of the season and resigned him. Let’s hope this injury forces potato head to not be able to throw sasha into the lineup throughout the playoffs.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Does anybody know if LeBron is available to close for the Indians after the Cavs are eliminated from the playoffs? I’m pretty sure he can do a better job than Joe Borowski. Heck, I think the peanut vendor can do as good of a job…
April 14th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Damon Jones, Folk Hero. Which is like saying Luke Witte, Master of Time, Space & Dimension.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I’m not sure I understand why everyone hates Wally. Granted he isn’t shooting very well for some reason, but for the love of God(or whatever deity you believe in) the man has a 10 year CAREER fg% of .487 and 3pt% of .405 along with a FT% of .86. He obviously has been a good shooter and was shooting 46%, 48%, and 84% for Seattle this year. For some reason good shooters come to Cleveland and forget how to shoot. Of course when they finally remember how to shoot, ala Damon Jones, they end up on the bench for some reason. It’s all rather baffling.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Brian… Whats up? Your post game blogs have really gone down hill. Thats all you can come up with for the post game? Are you serious? One of the craziest games of the year and you give 3 quotes. Why even do a blog?
April 14th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Alan T.– Sasha is down. I hope you have some champagne on ice. Thank the Lord we won’t have to see him play basketball for another 6 or 7 months.
BTW– Good work, Justin. I signed your petition.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Well both Damon and Wally are defensive liabilities. I think when Mike Brown gets frustrated with the team, he decides that the only way out of the funk is with defense. However, sometimes hitting a big 3 here and there is a big momentum boost to your defense. I think Damon Jones should play more.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
LeBronRedd, it’s because nobody cares at this point, until the playoffs. Admittedly, we played better tonight than we have much lately, but it feels a lot like going through the motions. I’m dreading Wednesday now that we clinched.
http://www.lecavs.com/2008/04/home-court.html
April 15th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Brian, thanks for your blog. I have enjoyed it this season.
RE Wednesday. Will be interesting to see who plays and minutes.
I think it is important for Those who need it to get some valuable rest.
Congrats to the final push and homecourt!
April 15th, 2008 at 6:36 am
LeBronRedd: Windy’s blog is still better than Branson Wright’s blog. His is horrible. Wright has always given off the impression that he doesn’t like to talk to fans…..his “Ask Branson” column in each Sunday Plain Dealer is full of short answers and snide remarks.
I think both the Cavs and the Pistons will be resting their starters Wednesday. It could resemble an NFL preseason game. I’m cool with it, although part of me still really wants that game because it’s the Pistons. I doubt our subs will beat their subs.
The Cavs-Wizards first-round series should be the most entertaining in the East. Cavs in seven.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:37 am
ain’t nothing wrong with this blog. keep up the good work brian.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:56 am
it’s a myth that wally is not a good defender. since he has been a cav, and thus i could watch him every game, i’ve been more than impressed with his defense. his defensive “rep” is not based in any current reality…
of course, the same might be said about his shooting “rep” as well!
April 15th, 2008 at 9:03 am
oh and per usual, mr windhorst missed some “truths” in his post-game wrap up and the most OBVIOUS was the no-call on LBJ’s final drive. he got fouled TWICE by igoudala and then , i think, miller. it again made me ask the question, as did SEVERAL other no calls for LBJ last night, how does the leading scorer in the nba consistently not get calls? it’s absurd!
now, considering what LBJ shot from the line last night, perhaps the no call was a blessing in disguise but that still does not excuse the awful officiating that LBJ is subject to on a nightly basis…
April 15th, 2008 at 9:33 am
How embarrassing for LeBron that Greg Oden shot free throws better with his left hand than the self proclaimed “King” does normally.
As for this blog, I can get more information from about 100 various blogspot sites. Lame.
Finally, the fact is that Zydrunas fouled Dalembert.. Watch the replays, not a shocker that Fred Macleod missed this.
Our local media is so bad.. but that’s why they’re in Cleveland and not in a major market.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Thoughts on last night’s win over the Sixers:
- Sometimes you get a break.
- LeBron looked better again tonight, and my concerns about his health for the playoffs are starting to be assuaged. In fact, pretty much everyone looked solid last night. Z was very effective in the post in the first half, Ben Wallace gave you exactly what you should expect (4 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks in 25 minutes), and Sweet Tea Daniel Gibson looked solid. Even though they faded in the 4th thanks to the back-to-back, the Cavs showed enough last night to make me feel better about the Wizards series.
- Which might also say a lot about this Sixers team. The Cavs played a pretty good game, but the Sixers hung in there, made some tough shots, and should have won the game. I feel bad for the Sixers, who lost both the game and a chance at the 6th seed. Now they are matched up with the Pistons in the first round.
- It’s amazing that a bunch of guys can have good nights, but there’s still somebody who really sucked. And Delonte West was that somebody last night. While everyone took turns watching Andre Miller go by them last night, West only managed 2 points and 2 assists…in 33 minutes. Add that to his 3 turnovers, and you have a guy who went from a solid 18 point contribution Sunday night to a guy who shouldn’t have been out on the floor Monday night. Combine that with Sasha’s injury, and even on a good night you have the inconsistency and bad luck that have plagued the team all year.
- I hope that nobody we see in the Playoffs goes off like Louis Williams did last night. Not a single adjustment from Coach Brown to slow down Philly’s Ben Gordon-equivalent (which isn’t entirely Brown’s fault, as the Cavs don’t have a single go-to perimeter defender with Hughes, Newble and Snow no longer around). Williams and rookie Thaddeus Young were tremendous down the stretch. If the Sixers don’t sign Igoudala (a number 2 or 3 player looking for max money), they might have the pieces to bring in an elite talent and be a contender quickly. None of their current players look like superstars, but put a (healthy) Elton Brand on that team, and they could be dangerous.
Go Cavs.
Mike C.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Well, a win is a win. Especially on the second night of a back to back on the road. Especially, when James didn’t play particularly very well (for him). Nice to see Z back and shooting well. But, the concern is we are going to need James at 100% to beat anyone, even the Wizards. 5 or 6 days to rest that back should help.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Sigh, douglar, you really are stupid. Just effin dumb. The sign of someone as dumb as you is coming into somewhere and making dumb comments such as yours and using just one game as a sample. He’s not a great FT shooter, but he finished at 71%. Hardly terrible.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Corporate Whote, I appreciate the comments. I was taught a long time ago, that when people resort to namecalling/ad hominem attacks, it’s a good indicator that you shouldn’t bother engaging in formative discussions..
Anyway, did anyone notice that LeBron took 4 steps last night after his second dribble? How does he continue to get away with such blatant abuse of the rules?
Hey Brian, who’s your MVP? ESPN had LeBron finishing 4th.. remember when you guaranteed he’d win?
April 15th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
My only complaint about this blog is that I wish it would update much more frequently. I’ll submit a comment and two or three hours later it’ll finally post. How about moving it to Topix, like the ABJ online news stories?
In regards to LeBron’s free throws, it is really the only remaining hole in his game. A couple years ago, he had three glaring holes — free throws, defense, and coming through in the clutch (aka killer instinct). He’s gotten better on the latter two, although there’s still some room for improvement. But his free throws have not improved. Hopefully this offseason he’ll take some time to work on it and get it to at least 80% next year. 71% just ain’t gonna cut it.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I demand that Damon Jones be played, or traded. One or the other. He is too good of a player to be handing out towels and gatorade during time outs. I also saw him run and get Mike Browns coffee.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Brown has an opportunity, now that Sasha is done. Tomorrow night is an audition, and whoever steps up and plays well at the 2 guard position can earn their right to play in the playoffs. That means YOU, Damon and Wally. You each get equal minutes, and whoever steps up and plays well gets the spot.
How could that not motivate those two players? Wally would be smacking himself in the head to the point of a concussion.
My question would be this… Can our bench step up? Who guards Arenas? Probably West. Now who guards Stevenson? Probably D Brown. LeBron gets Butler, Ben gets Jamison, and Z gets Haywood. I’ll take that. But what happens when we sub in guys like Wally and co? Our bench is critical to this postseason run, along with Mike’s decision-making skills. I’m nervous.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
And in reference to my post on the previous day’s game, this was exactly the type of game I was talking about… ugly, physical, low-scoring, and close. The Cavs (whether the officials have to review it or not) have a knack for winning that kind of game. I realize the Cavs are still a piece or two away, but if they can “muck up” games throughout the playoffs like they did last night, they’ll win more than they lose.
Wally, Boobie, Damon… get in the gym and work on that form. Gonna need that stroke.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Damon Jones is a gaudy-dressing cancer who calls himself the ‘greatest shooter on the planet’. Yeah, maybe if he and Eric Snow are the only inhabitants of said planet. Z averages more assists than these two loser PG’s combined. Delonte West has taken those minutes and I’m happy with him and boobie… I hope I never see Damona in a Cavs uniform again after this year, normally he dresses like Elton John so we’re probably OK. I’ve been embarrassed about these two clowns being our PG’s for years.
They’d both obviously be gone if anyone wanted to trade for them. No one does.
Bummer about Sasha, they say he’ll likely miss only the first round so maybe he’ll be a good weapon come Round 2. Cuz agent zero or not, I think we’ll get by Washington, losing two games max.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Justin - thanks for the petition link. I just read today about how the old owner was suing to get the team back due to a breach of contract. The new owners were supposed to make a good-faith effort to try to keep the Sonics in Seattle for a year, but they have emails within that timeframe indicating that they clearly intended to move them to Oklahoma of all places, the entire time. A nice turn of events.
I’ve been reading the stories for the past few years and I think they are weaselyand have been making no real effort to keep them there. It’s like if the new Cavs owner demanded the city to pay for a new 500 mil stadium in Brunswick or Medina, threatening to move to Fargo if the taxpaying voters wouldn’t comply. What a joke, I hope these yuppie criminals are foiled again.
Thanks again buddy, I was #266 or something
April 15th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Oh 1 more thing: Big Z. Remember his old injury problems? He’s missed 10 games over the last three years and has been an integral part of the Cavs. He bleeds Cleveland. I haven’t heard much hating directed to him lately which I take as a sign of grudging respect.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
DeShawn Stevenson is calling Lebron overrated? Good move pal, you just lost the series, and you may get swept. Time for Lebron to make a statement of his own…
Even though I think the Celtics will see an injury or two, it would be a nice Cleveland-Boston series because there seems to be some bad blood there, and Lebron gets all fired up vs them. This is probably cuz KG is jealous that Lebron was able to win a playoff series in his first 15 years, and Paul Pierce is a prototypical whining Kansas player so he just annoys people naturally. He is talented but geez. I like KG, and I really like Ray Allen, but if one or two of these 3 go down I won’t be surprised at all. It would be a fun series and maybe Lebron will start a fight.
The Brownies got 3 MNF games this year. It’s been a good 24 hours, minus Sasha
April 16th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I wouldn’t worry too much about KG in the playoffs. Just imagine if you had a team of 5 KG’s and the score was tied with under a minute in regulation. Each of the 5 KG’s would pass the ball around until time expired.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:04 am
BTW—
Brian,
Coincidentally, the title of this blog entry was also the playoff slogan for the 2005-2006 Miami Heat Championship* Team.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Wizards in five!
April 16th, 2008 at 7:57 am
“Corporate Whote, I appreciate the comments. I was taught a long time ago, that when people resort to namecalling/ad hominem attacks, it’s a good indicator that you shouldn’t bother engaging in formative discussions..”
Come on Douglar, if I, for one moment, thought you deserved more than I give you, I’d do it. I was taught a long time ago that you treat trolls with only derision and contempt. So there you have it. You’re a troll who likes to rag on James. Nothing more.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Props to Justin on that petition. Seattle is being robbed and Knickerbocker Stern is allowing it to happen. I hope captain Starbucks can get the team back before the idiots move to the dust bowl. Just what the NBA needs, a bastard cousin of the Memphis Grizzlies.
I cant help myself… HEY ALAN, did you sign the petition? Any true Cleveland fan has to sign it. Or would that be a contradiction because you’re a Cavs fan who hates the Cavs and wants them to leave? You must be torn, by your desire to have your drunken predictions come true and your “fanhood”, if it exists.