Cavs 93, Wizards 86
–This was the type of game the Cavs like to play and often win. It was close most of the way and in the fourth quarter it was largely a halfcourt game with lots of bumping and bruising. This is not how every game will go, but some will. Ultimately, the Cavs won because they were at home and they had the best player on the floor. You know, like thousands of playoff games over the years.
–The two baskets LeBron made in the stretch run that basically decided the game were very impressive for a couple of reasons. One, they were started by Daniel Gibson with LeBron coming off a weakside curl screen set by Zydrunas Ilgauskas. By putting LeBron way away from the ball, it makes double teaming and tilting harder. I was all set to give Mike Brown credit for this when after the game he said it was Eric Snow’s idea. Snow, who is already starting his coaching career, brought it up in a coaches meeting earlier this week. At least, that is what we are told. Anyway, it worked. LeBron was just tremendous in that spot, it is a reminder of what all this hype is about. He has proved he can deliver in these times and that value is beyond limits as was proven today.
–Delonte West did an excellent job on Gilbert Arenas late in the game. He really bodied him up, making sure he wanted to drive instead of shoot. Normally this is bad for the Cavs, but because Gilbert’s knee isn’t right it seemed to be an advantage today. Gilbert also said after the game that he was tired late and it did show. The Wizards tried to post him up a few times on West and the Cavs brought double teams, so they were effective defensively.
–Antawn Jamison was tremendous today on the glass with 19 rebounds and really gave it to Ben Wallace, who didn’t play much in the second half. He also had 23 points. But he took and missed lots of open shots, especially in the fourth quarter. The Cavs are going to have to evaluate that matchup, as I said I might try LeBron, because he is getting free on the outside too easy and he will not miss forever. I also thought Caron Butler didn’t look right to me today, he is banged up. Figure both to play better in this series, especially now that the Wizards know the Cavs will be using Wally Szczerbiak on him.
–I said all I needed to say at halftime about LeBron’s antics. The Wizards admitted after the game they were trying to rough him up and it is understood that he’ll want to go back at them. As for the talking — and he did that DeShawn Stevenson hand/face thing or whatever — that is not needed. But he did play tough and there is something to be said for that.
–Zydrunas Ilgauskas was tremendous, especially early in the fourth quarter when LeBron was resting and he led an 8-1 run to get the lead. As for Anderson Varejao, though, someone must speak to him. He rebounded great today and had some good defensive plays, what he is supposed to do. But stop trying to make moves on offense. If he has an open jumper, then fine. If Mike Brown would’ve gone through with my idea from a month ago to fine him for each dribble he takes then you may have driven this out of him by now.
–After the game, both Arenas and DeShawn Stevenson kept their mouths shut. Do not expect that to continue but do expect this to be a very long series with lots of ups and downs for both sides.
Pregame
Starting lineups
Wizards: Antonio Daniels, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood
Cavs: Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, LeBron James, Ben Wallace, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Officials
Bob Delaney, Scott Foster, David Jones — This is a very, very strong crew. All three of them act at chiefs during regular season games. Foster and Delaney are no nonsense and are not afraid to set a tone and hit guys with technicals
–LeBron James reaction before the game on his back: “I am ready to play.”
–It is so appropriate that the Cavs are going to use a brand new starting lineup for this game, really sums up the season. It is No. 22 in 83 games and the fifth different lineup they have shown the Wizards. My guess is Wally will get plenty of chances early but if he doesn’t play well he won’t t see time in the second half.
–Mike Brown said several players will rotate on Gilbert Arenas, I think it will be more interesting on who defends Jamison. I believe the Cavs would do very well in this series playing LeBron for stretches at power forward, which would force some match advantages for the Cavs.
–Z is a key play on offense for the Cavs. Haywood has improved, especially on defense. But the Cavs play much better when Z is an option.
–Wallace has brought out the ‘fro for the first time as a Cav. LeBron said the plan all along was to save it for the playoffs.
–Eddie Jordan said the plan is for Arenas to get 25 minutes or so, but if it is close I don’t see him sitting much. Also, Butler has been bothered by a knee injury so we’ll see how effective he is. Knowing them both, I expect them to play hard and play well.
–All the trash talk is a great story line for the media and I have enjoyed writing about it. But we have known these two teams don’t like each other for years, the talk is nothing new. I expect this series to be a long series and the talk will be long forgotten 10 days from now when Games 5 and 6 roll around.
Halftime — Cavs 46, Wizards 46
–Playoff basketball has started. The Cavs and Wizards have been at each other’s throats the entire half. In my opinion, LeBron has been way too involved. He needs to cool down, he is the guy who says he doesn’t need trash talk but he’s been more active than anyone. After getting whacked twice in a row by Andray Blatche, LeBron hit him with an elbow after a foul in a play that I think may be turned into a flagrant foul by the NBA after this game. Then at the end of the half he got a technical foul for jumping up and into Brendan Haywood after he stood over him after an offensive foul. At the end of the half, LeBron also said something to DeShawn Stevenson as he walking off the floor. I believe Antawn Jamison and Z got into it as well. My point is, I just mentioned LeBron way too many times. He is the leader, but he’s got to preach control, that is the way the Cavs play.
–I was watching closely during the scrap at the end of the half, both coaching staffs built walls so that no one came off the bench, which is an automatic suspension. Also, you’ll notice that Ben Wallace was the first guy to come to LeBron’s side during the tussle, other than Mike Brown. I believe you will see more of this in this series.
–As for the half, Gilbert Arenas made a giant impact on the game. He hit four 3-pointers and the Wiz went on an 18-4 run when he came in the game. But overall, the Wiz ran hot and cold on offense. They were at their best when they were running plays to get shots inside for Jamison and Haywood. Otherwise, they took lots of jumpers and they are going to run hot and cold on that front, sometimes they look great and other times they’ll let a team come back from 11 down, as they did.
–For the most part, I thought the Cavs offense was terrible early on. Way too much LeBron on the outside and they shot just 20 percent and had just four points in the paint in the first quarter. They were much better in the second, running some plays for Z (14 points) and for LeBron to get to the hoop. Also, they only have three turnovers, which has been huge to keep the Wizards out of fastbreaks. Still, they have shot just 36 percent and the game is tied.
–Wallace is playing hard and he’s made some good plays, but Jamison is swallowing him up on the glass. He beat him numerous times, also Wallace has not ventured out much to cover him on 3-pointers. This has got to be tightened up.
–Wally Szczerbiak had a strong half, he missed a few open shots but he battled Caron Butler at the defensive end and he made a few baskets and drove strong to the hoop.
–The rebounding was even in the half, that could be huge in the second, especially at the defensive end.
–Haywood, Jamison, and LeBron all have technicals, one more and they’ll be one. May be some baiting going on from both sides. Especially watch Haywood and Z.
–Oh, and buckle up for this finish…and this series.
Postgame
Stars
LeBron, 32 points
Z, 22 points, 11 rebounds
Arenas, 24 points
Jamison, 23 points, 19 rebounds
Quotes
LeBron: “I didn’t get rattled, emotions ran over just a little bit. My play speaks louder than me going out there and pushing somebody and talking trash…We’re not the type of team that talks, but we’re not going to back down either…I was built for this, I am not 6-9, 260 pounds to shoot jumpers all night. I go to the hole, I create contact. Don’t ever think I’m the only one what feels that contact.”
Mike Brown: “He can’t go in there and get hit across the face and not protect himself. He’s got to go in there with attitude…I thought our guys did a nice job of keeping their composure and poise.It was a tough, physical game.”
Arenas: “With a play like LeBron made, he’s hard to stop. There’s really no answer for him. It’s still Game 1 and you have to feel out your opponent.”
Stevenson: “I said what I said. There’s no reason for us to keep talking. The series has already started. They won the first game, we still feel confident and we have to go out there and prove it.”
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For once I want to see one of the Cavs big men take someone’s head off for committing a hard foul on Lebron. Lebron has been fouled hard several times already in this game and all of those hits have gone unpunished.
Other than Z, Lebron’s supporting cast is not hitting the open shot. That has to change if the Cavs are going to win.
The Wizards are exactly where they want to be in this game. Stevenson and Butler have contained Lebron, the Wizards have gotten inside his head with several hard fouls and Washington has started to find its outside stroke. That bomb by Arenas at the end of the quarter was ridiculous. Delonte has to be more aware of Arenas’ range.
This is a horribly officiated game so far!!!!
Is anybody with me on this??
put a little slash in the l and blatche becames bi-atche. oughta see a few of those signs at the “Q”.
i don’t think the game is horribly officiated. but the refs only have themselves to blame for what happened before the half. lebron was getting hammered and they swallowed the whistle. but the passive way the cavs handle themselves isn’t going to give them any respect from the officials. maybe now they will get some.
i haven’t really felt that this was a horribly officiated game – the caron butler three FT’s foul on devin brown looked sketchy to me, but in the grand scheme of nba officiating i haven’t thought this was horrible.
lebron’s alley oop dunk from daniel gibson was awesome.
can joe smith get a bit more PT please. Wallace is hustling but is getting beat terribly on the glass. Wally needs to hit more of these wide open shots, hes missed a few to start this second half. Its good to see boobie to start to get back into form
Mike Brown is seriously clueless. Twice now today he’s put Wallace & Varejao on the court at the same time, and BOTH times it’s ignited a Wizards run.
What does this guy not get?
It’s bad enough that with one of them on the court it’s practically 4 on 5 on offense, but with BOTH of them on the floor it’s basically 3-on-5.
Why does he keep going back to this lineup?
Can’t he see that as soon as he goes to it the Wizards double LeBron?
Can’t he see every time he goes to it, the Cavs offensive rhythm suddenly vanishes?
He’s got to see this if we can, right?
This is the year LBJ shows the the difference between himself and Kobe. What’s the dif? LBJ doesn’t need Shaq to make deep runs in the playoffs, just some nice role players.
Delonte West was a great pickup though, I think he makes everyone want to pass more
I love Mike Brown. I love Mike Brown. I love Mike Brown.
It’s all about subterfuge and illusion. Keep your aces up your sleeve and your hand close to your vest. Confuse, mislead, misdirect. Even if it means us too.
I love Mike Brown
Why is Brown having LeBron handle the ball here late and running pick and roll? All that does is allow the Wiz to double on the pick and force someone else on the Cavs to make a shot.
Get the ball out of LeBron’s hands and get him coming off screens and in the post.
Terrible coaching.
LBJ’s year. Forget the MVP and the pundits. We got a man on a mission.
D. West is the perfect point for us. He can score, but he’s not like starbury where he has to be the leading scorer and he knows his role. His attitude is a plus on this pg-challenged squad – I think he and Gibson have learned alot from each other, already.
Lebron’s year. The ‘pundits’ picked Chicago and Miami to win the East, remember. Them picking Washington is just another show of disrespect, like the MVP or having the Cavs ranked 16th on ESPN. Yeah, Atlanta is better than us, along with every team in the West. This stuff just gives Lebron and the other guys more motivation, and this team can be dangerous. They’re winning the East, and they may get in a few fights on the way. Awesome!
coma coma coma coma coma coma coma coma coma…
hmmm, all year i’ve said that the officiating has sucked, that the cavs play D and rebound like hell and that they have LBJ for close games so oyu can never count ‘em out. so, that pretty much sums up today’s game doesn’t it?
it’s the same old song…
Nice win!!
Way to clamp down on defense in the 4th quarter, Cavs. Delonte West deserves some credit for his defense in the quarter on Gilbert Arenas. Arenas was abusing him earlier in the game, but kudos to West for sticking with the assignment and figuring out how to shut him down.
Arenas’ jump shot looks as good as ever. Delonte gave him too much space on some of those threes in the first half and Arenas made him pay for it.
But….Arenas is missing a step or two from his dribble drive because of the injury. He took some terrible shots after Delonte figured that out and started playing up on him. And I think that’s how Arenas will be defended for the remainder of the seires. He will have to prove he can beat the Cavs off the dribble.
Andy played way too many minutes. Joe Smith needs to get at least 15 minutes a game. Yes, Andy is always active, but it drives me crazy when he takes unnecessary shots. Andy, give it up when you don’t have an open shot! Stop dribbling so dang much!
So Brian, you’re saying that LeBron should just take the beating and not respond?! This is a man’s game. If you get roughed up you return the favor. Personally I thought it was great to see there teams finally get into it. I would really like to see a punch or two thrown. These Wizards bitches have been begging for it.
Delonte got every loose ball down the stretch.
This trade made the Cavs better in the long run simply because of Delonte.
But these Cavs still look so out of sync. Other than LeBron and Z everyone is so tenative. Way too many pump fakes and weak dribble drives and excuse me passes. They are clearly not acclimated to each other yet. Only way they win this series is with Defense and LeBron.
I was at the game and yes, the officiating was horrible.
Go Cavs.
How was the officiating bad? The Cavs got all the calls in the world.
“How was the officiating bad? The Cavs got all the calls in the world.”
Umm Delonte West jumps straight up in the air and steals an inbounds pass right in front of the ref that somehow gets called a jump ball.
That is just piss poor.
the arenas on joe smith call that was turned into a jump ball was horrid.
but as i said in the first half, overall, i didn’t think the game was horribly officiated. it didn’t seem to be slanted one way or the other, which is all you can basically ask for.
i think this team will be tough to beat. jamison was eating BW alive. i don’t understand why we will go for stretches with BW and andy in that we are unable to score and still not dominating the glass or on defense, and not bring in joe smith. it’s frustrating, but that is TMBW. The Mike Brown Way.
awesome to see lebron take over at the end. he’ll hit the FT’s next time i think.
i am still amazed that he is on a team that resides in Cleveland. Awesome stuff.
does anyone know what was up with the call at the end of the game?
why would that be delay of game on delonte?
I believe they said Delonte crossed the inbounds line as did the Wizards in-bounder, thus a jump ball.
What is taking so long!
on the delonte play on the inbound it was very clear that delonte did not cross the inbounds line, thats why the announcers were so confused as well. brian, dude seriously will ya update the blog its been three hours
delonte did nothing wrong on that play(he jumped straight up and did not cross or touch the line) , the officials clearly blew it
Good win guys, very impressive. Brian that face/hand thing LeBron did means you can’t see me. It could mean you can’t stop me, defend me, whatever. I disagree about LeBron’s antics as you like to call them. No one else on the team is gonna stand up for him so why not? Maybe the idiots in Washington will know to shut up next time or LeBron will go off and let them know about it too.
Jim, West is the perfect point guard for the Cavs? He’s McInnis with a different name. “Serviceable” I think would be an apt description.
Speaking of West, was Dennis Rodman a man before his time, or what? Just 15 years ago, the guy was considered a freak because he had tats, piercings and colored his hair weird colors. Now, so does every guy in the NBA. If this was 1993, West would be considered a freak instead of a serviceable guard.
i agree with jay and strongly disagree with brian about lebron trash talking the wizards.
this is the first time i have seen the cavs start being physical and tough when confronted with dirty play. i am damn tired of seeing the cavs get pushed around by the opposing team. about time they pushed back. good job with the elbow lebron! now can we see ben wallace hammer someone? please?
stalker stalker stalker stalker stalker stalker stalker stalker stalker…
First, LeBron did the right thing with the elbow and the jawwing. Plus, he’s shown that he plays spectacularly when he’s mad.
I also think the Cavs should let Jamison shoot from outside as much as he wants.
Finally, I wonder if the Cavs plan to pay Snow $7 million next year to make doughnut runs for the coaches meetings and contribute golden nuggets like, “Maybe we should try setting a screen for LeBron.”
I’m not exactly sure why everyone on here is so “impressed” with this victory. Gilbert Arenas is clearly not healthy, and won’t be. He could barely move out on the floor. Jameson was 10 of 24.. that won’t happen again. Cavs also shot 20 more free throws, which we know won’t happen back in Washington. (You could tell Eddie Jordan was gonig to have a long day when LeBron got fouled on the opening possession, then took 5 steps, and inexplicably got continuation).
LeBron played well, but his antics are an embarrassment. But that’s what you get when your leader is only 23. LeBron acts like it’s the first time he’s ever scored on every basket.. you would have thought the Cavaliers won the championship tonight. You don’t see Kobe and Tim Duncan acting like that on every basket. (Again, I guess it’s justifiable given his age, but he’s got to mature, he’s been in the league long enough).
Haywood wasn’t even looking at LeBron when he was standing over him. LeBron acted like the biggest baby on the planet.
This series is going 7, whether you guys like it or not. Cavs played well today, the Wizards missed open jumper after open jumperf – yet hung in there on the road.
Cavs are going nowhere and it’s embarrassing to see them let the Wizards get in their heads with trash talk. Both teams are irrelevant this season.
Brian- WE think you are a great writer and a wise basketball observer. I wouldn’t reference yourself/give yourself credit in a piece you publish. WE think it is annoying, like having to read Roger Brown all the time. Go Cavs.
Nice win, although the final margin isn’t indicative of how close it was. BW is right on. Home team with the best player is going to win all the games like this. The wizards aren’t a good team. Anyone doubt this? This series ought to be over in 4 or 5 games.
Lebron plays on our favorite team. That’s an amazing privilege, no matter how long it lasts. He took this game over. Single handed win. It’ s got to be terrifying for the poor lad from Akron that anytime he has a bad game the team has no chance to win….
Douglar is like the guy in prison who realizes that if you bend over for the soap that has slipped from your hand, you get yourself into trouble, and celebrates the fact that when he drops his own soap, he simply uses the leftover suds from the shampoo, and gloats over the concept that his realization saves him from further sodomistic infamy, superiority over his bunkmate Cletus. What I’m saying is that there are victories in this world of a sublime nature and victories of a prurient nature. Douglar, in his Deshawn Stevenson prime, elucidates the essence of a douchebag incarcerated dude who knows not to bend over for his rectangle of Irish Spring when he’s dirty.
LeBron can’t possibly hope to please everybody. If he ignores the hard fouls and wears a stoneface people will say he’s soft and plays with no emotion or heart. If he gets angry and emotional then people will say he needs to “mature”.
LeBron isn’t a robot. He’s the leader of the team and his teammates feed off his energy and intensity.
yeah, douglar. duncan and kobe and model citizens. ha ha ha ha!!! what nba are you watching? kobe and duncan should wear diapers on the court for all the crying they do. duncan is considered one of the worst whiners in the nba right up there with sheed. is that what you would prefer? a tearfest from lebron every night?
stick to the wnba. i think it will be more to your taste.
Doc, I’m completely impressed that threw in the word “elucidates.” How you used it is very questionable in its context, but I won’t hold it against you.
While I appreciate your obviously homophobic, bigoted analogy, you failed to counter anything in my statement. So are you saying you do think Jamison will go 10-24 again, or that the Cavaliers will outshoot the Wizards by 20 on the free throw line every game?
Seems like you’re just arguing to argue and throwing in big words to throw in big words.
Douglar – terrible post.
Arenas dropped 24 in 27 minutes. So when he remembers how to MOVE again is going to drop 48 in 27 minutes? Is he going to take 5 more steps back and swish half court shots to wind down quarters?
Both of these teams have played Boston well – that makes neither of them irrelevant.
I’m kind of surprised you are calling out doc asking him to counter your pathetic post. It’s as holy as the Pope’s Swiss Cheese.
“So are you saying you do think Jamison will go 10-24 again…”
Man, I remember last year when Chauncey and Rip played putrid basketball against us in the first few games of the series. All the pundits kept on saying that they would break out of their slump and crush us. Do you know what happened Douglar? Of course you don’t… you still think the Cavs are the new kids on the block or something. Newsflash, we’re playoff tested.
In case you forgot, we have the best scorer in the NBA, and our defense has historically improved during the playoffs. So yes, I do believe we can hold to Wizards under 50%, including Antwawn (sp?). Maybe he will make me eat my words and go for 30, maybe he’ll disappear and go for 10. But that’s the main point I’m trying to make. No one on the Wizards will be as consistent as LeBron. The Wizards will never play defense as consistently as the Cavs. And as long as we have LeBron (and his amazing consistency), we’ll win playoff games against teams like the Wizards. That’s just how life works.
Why do you spend time on this blog anyways Douglar? There is a difference between pessimism and plain hating. I believe that Alan t, despite his pessimism, likes the Cavs. However, you just hate them and LeBron. Are you a Pistons fan? A Kobe lover? If you tell me which team you like, I will gladly guide you to the appropriate blog.
Damn Brian – after reading your blog and your ESPN piece – you sure are hitting LeBron below the belt a lot. Did he do something to piss you off?
Come on, man. The entire world hates Cleveland already – you don’t need to go out of your way to make LeBron look bad.
It would be nice if some local media guy would make Gilbert come out and appear far from the protection of his Oz curtain, and ask him point-blank to fully explain his rationale for voting in favor of the Seattle to Oklahoma City move. It’s a very timely and fair question, and I think an important one. Or doesn’t that shyster respond to anything unless one of his lackeys can have the opportunity to edit, prepare, edit, prepare, edit and very carefully answer all questions by e-mail.
Alan,
I agree with you — all the NBA owners need to be held accountable for their votes concerning Seattle’s proposed relocation. Gilbert is no exception. I get the sense they want to keep a low profile, which I understand. However, it should be the media’s role in that case to turn on the klieg lights. I doubt it would change anything, but it’s the right thing to do.
Douglar,
There are some things about LeBron that one could question, but his maturity wouldn’t be one of them. He has handled himself as well as any other 23-year-old superstar I can remember.
His durability is remarkable given the pounding he takes in general during a game. Further, the Wizards admitted they were trying to do even more “intimidating,” I think he can be forgiven a little chest-thumping.
Criticism of LeBron’s actions during the game befuddles me. Blatche played less than 10 minutes–Jordan used him like a hockey-style thug and admits the team was targeting LeBron. That is what Cavs beat writers should be complaining about.
Over the last three or so years, when the Cavs play terrible it’s because they’re mopey and lackadaisical. When games get emotional and rough, they can beat superior teams like the Pistons. And hasn’t LeBron proven this season that he plays like Superman when he gets mad?
The only way the Cavs will beat anybody in the playoffs this year is to out-physical them, following LeBron’s lead. He did exactly what he needed to do yesterday and hopefully he’ll do it again Monday night.
Did Ben Wallace make any impact on this game? He even game up three offensive boards/put backs to Washington that went right over the top of him. Doesn’t $14 million buy Dan Gilbert/Cavs fans some hard play? At least in the playoffs?
alan t. Says:
April 20th, 2008 at 1:25 am
It would be nice if some local media guy would make Gilbert come out and appear far from the protection of his Oz curtain, and ask him point-blank to fully explain his rationale for voting in favor of the Seattle to Oklahoma City move. It’s a very timely and fair question, and I think an important one. Or doesn’t that shyster respond to anything unless one of his lackeys can have the opportunity to edit, prepare, edit, prepare, edit and very carefully answer all questions by e-mail.
Alan, give it a rest, 28 other owners voted the same way as Gilbert. The true villian is Stern and you know it.
ahhh, when the cavs win, alan t. brings up the VERY germane…vote for the sonics to leave seattle??? wow, even for a complete and utter idiot like tucker, that really came outta left field!
next cavs win, tucker will post about how ben’s ‘fro is technically against league rules or something…
way to stay relevant, alan!
What? That’s just plain dumb. OK, if it will make you happy, then separate the other 27 owners from each other, and ask them the exact same question.
Hey, ask people in Seattle to “give it a rest.” Right? This issue should be incredibly important to both Cleveland and Cavaliers fans, because don’t be the least bit shocked if LeBron follows his wallet, and then in 2015, there’s deja vu of a vote of Cleveland’s franchise moving to Seattle. Will you be saying, “Oh, give it a rest, all the owners voted the same way, the true villian is Stern’s successor and you know it?”
Bull. There are many villians here, and Gilbert is every bit as sleazy and culpable as everybody else. But God forbid a local reporter or columnist will take a moment to put away the pom-poms, stop kissing Gilbert’s jewel-encrusted behind, and ask the guy a very pointed question. This should not be allowed to be swept under the rug.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004361119_soni20.html
I’m pretty sure someone above said something to the effect of “I believe that Alan t, despite his pessimism, likes the Cavs”…
What!? Any true Cavs fan would be enjoying this win and pondering a 2-0 series lead if things fall right. Alan is harping on Dan Gilbert and probably cranky about losing all those bets he made on the Wizards in game 1. He obviously didnt learn anything from last year.
This is the problem with Cavs fans in general… no faith. I’m sure many of you cant believe the Cavs won this game. Many of you probably dont believe they’ll win this series, despite winning Game 1. I’m not saying it’s a lock, but the Cavs have a great chance as long as they keep playing “Muck Ball” (invented by teams like the 90’s Knicks, Bulls, Pacers).
-Clutch, grab, hack, elbow, trip and use a blunt object if necessary away from the ball. Punch Arenas in the back of the head when no one is looking. Undercut jump shooters (ala Bruce Bowen), when shots go up, bear hug Brendan Haywood, and basically make the officials foul you out of the game.
-When officials make the call, MAKE THE FREE THROWS. The Miami Heat won a title simply by keeping scores under 100 and shooting a percentage of 80+ from the foul line. It looks like the game is rigged, but we’re Cleveland, we’ll take it anyway.
-If Washington so much as dares to try a fast break, tackle the guy with the ball. Conversely, ANY chance the Cavs get, run run and run some more.
-LeBron will get the calls if he earns them, so keep taking it to the hole. This is why Jordan was unguardable. If you dont foul him, he scores, if you do foul him, it’s 2 points. If LeBron’s FT attempts are in the 20’s, we have a very good chance of winning every game we play.
… basically, play hockey style basketball. The Cavs are already hyping this “hockey assist”, so why not just convert our playoff style completely?
Eric Snow for head coach!!