Wallace likely out for Game 3
Ben Wallace got a complete check up at the Cleveland Clinic today. The Cavs released the following statement:
“Cavaliers forward/center Ben Wallace experienced dizziness with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter of the Cavaliers game last night at Boston and did not return to the game. Exams and testing done at The Cleveland Clinic today determined that he has allergies and a viral inner ear infection in his left ear with dizziness. He is currently listed as doubtful for Game 3 versus Boston tomorrow night (Saturday) at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.”
Take it from someone who had a left viral inner ear infection back in October, they are no fun. I ended up needing minor surgery to clear out fluid so I could hear and fly again. Ben’s symptoms are different than mine and it’s not clear how long Ben will deal with this but often dizziness can take awhile to go away. So can inner ear infections.
It appears Anderson Varejao will get the start and defend Kevin Garnett. This is not ideal, but Varejao did a solid job on Garnett at times in Game 2. With the thinner frontcourt and the offensive problems, if I were Mike Brown I may consider going small with LeBron at the power forward and shooters all around him. It would make it harder for the Celtics to stay big because it would force them to stretch the defense. But I’m just an observer.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
excellent ideal windy, covey your ideal to bill dukes.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Hey Brian - how’s that Hughes for Wallace trade working out? When are you going to start writing about how bad Wallace is on a daily basis? Hater.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today on Wallace likely out for Game 3Here’s a quick excerptWallace likely out for Game 3 May 9th, 2008 Ben Wallace got a complete check up at the Cleveland Clinic today. The Cavs released the following statement: “Cavaliers forward/center Ben Wallace experienced dizziness with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter of the Cavaliers game last night at Boston and did not return to the game. Exams and testing done at The Cleveland Clinic today determined that he has allergies and a viral inner ear infection in his left ear with dizziness. He is currently [...]
May 9th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Who’s the mental midget that’s been using my name?
All stupidity aside, for all the bad raps that Varejao has been getting for his offensive play, his defense is not bad at all. In fact, I really don’t see any difference whether Varejao is on the court, or Wallace and the fork sticking out of his back is on the court. The problem arises when both are on the court at the same time.
Hell, I’d rather see Varejao than Wallace, anyway. But this creates a problem when Ilgauskas sits. They used to stick Gooden at center, they can’t do that now. If MelonHead could think outside of the box, he’d put James at center when Ilgauskas is out. Or put him at power forward and Varejao at center. The reason James supposedly doesn’t have a post-up game is because Brown is too sheepish to direct his “partner” to play a position which requires one. So I’ll bet James actually has a damn fine post-up game, only we’ve never been allowed to see it.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
The Cavs miss Gooden’s offense. It can’t be denied. Of course, they don’t miss his defense.
C’mon Cavs, surprise us.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:29 am
This has nothing to do with the playoffs, but I thought some people might find this kinda funny. I know I did.
http://clevescene.com/2008-05-07/news/when-it-comes-to-tipping-lebron-goes-scrooge-mcduck/
May 10th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I don’t really miss Gooden’s offense. It wasn’t anything to write home about, he can hit the open 12 footer but so can joe smith. And Gooden played dumb and soft. Yea, I don’t miss any part of his game
And the difference between Andy and Ben on offense is that Ben knows he is terrible on offense and only tries to do stuff when there is no time on the shot clock, where as Andy for some unknown reason still believes he can drive to the hoop. And I don’t know about LBJ at the 5, but he should be able to play the 4 no problem. I don’t care if he has a post up game or not, teams never really let him post up anyways and it would be hard to do so on pierce and posey, but if he is the 4 that means we have shooters that can spread the floor, which is a basic offense but the best we can do right now
Does anyone here think that things would be going any better if we hadn’t made the trade? I don’t, but I think its worthy of discussion
May 10th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Joe Smith has been atrocious in the playoffs. Almost to the point where it seems like he is shaving points or throwing the game. I think the cavs can get more out of Joe. He may be pouting because he doesn’t get enough plays run for him.
The only thing you hear about Joe is how professional he is, how he is a hard worker, good all-around player, etc, but this stuff has not shown up at all in these playoffs in my opinion.
Joe should be giving us more, and needs to if we advance.
I think it’s hard to judge the trade right now with BW dizzy and Delonte and Wally so cold. It’s easy to say “yeah we would be better off without making that trade” because you start focusing on the good parts of the players you lost (Hughes D! Drew Gooden’s low post offense and rebounding!) instead of their true selves (unbelievably selfish! can make not just bad but unbelievably bad decisions at crucial points in games!).
I would still make the trade all day. It improved the basketball IQ and put some guys around Lebron that I think in theory fit what we should be doing. They are just ice-cold right now. We don’t need another player that can “create his own shot by getting to the rim” as all the commentators are talking about. The offense runs through Lebron, Z in the post, and spot-up shooters. When our spot up shooters are hitting their shots, we look unbeatable.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Actually, Z is one of the team’s spot up shooters. If he were a good playoff post player, a lot of the Cavs’ problems would go away.
The Cavs need to start driving constantly even if they run into a brick wall. Varejao is actually the only big who has shown he can pick and roll with LeBron and drive to the hoop under pressure–he just needs to catch the ball well within the paint where he doesn’t have room to dribble or make one of his ludicrous moves. That play kept the Cavs in the Detroit series a couple years ago.
LeBron will get plenty of foul shots if he constantly bull drives, Z will get tips, Perkins will foul out and Garnett will get in foul trouble–the Celts don’t seem to want to use Big Baby.
And there will be room for Gibson and Szczerbiak to shoot something other than three pointers–they need to get some shots up within 20 feet of the basket, whether it’s wide open or not. The Celtics perimeter defense is very good and the Cavs are having trouble even setting picks out there. It’s causing chaos so it’s time to get the chaos closer to the basket.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am
What do you mean we’d be better
if we still had Larry Hughes? He’s still here, wearing number 23. Sometimes I’d feel better if Windhorst coached the team rather than Al Roker.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:10 am
why not try joe smith at the 4.at least he has “some” low post moves and would limit the doubling off the PF slot. I think defense wins championships but man, we have to score
May 10th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Alan, I saw that story the other day online. I suspect the story is fictitious. I say this because SCENE magazine will print anything to cause controversy. See “hogging” story from a few years ago (You don’t want to know). As far as publications go, SCENE is a just half notch above The Daily Worker. Barely.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Av and JS were used by KG,like an abusive husband,both games,I really think AV needs to do what his skill level dictates and that’s enrgy,solid D,not some thrill ride point guard mentallity,PASS the BALL,do not pass GO,don’t collect the 10 mill your looking for,play smart!!Ben was huge on KG in gm 1 only gave up 6 of his 28,the other was on the dynamic duo.I only hope Ben recovers quickly,before it’s to late,AV has to step up and NOT take so many steps.Here’s rooting for AV and the Cavs,In #23 I believe!!!
May 10th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I will never, EVER count out a team with LeBron James on it, no matter how cold his shooting has been. Anyone who does is a complete idiot.
I still think this series will go 7, and that game 7 is gonna be a dandy. I’m not going anywhere, and neither should the rest of the fans. The Q is gonna be rockin tonight!!
May 10th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I agree with Josh, though not if they don’t win tonight. Once LeBron hits a few shots he’ll get white hot and carry the Cavs.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
the scene story is bogus. tmz reported it and then had a correction not long afterwards. some misunderstanding over a credit card receipt.
i would be shocked if this series goes 7.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Now I’m totally confused,go to Cavs.com,click on post practice interview,Mike Brown asked about LB’s shooting,he said he has to be more aggressive with his shot?it’s not like they are doubling down hard?or running 3 guys at him?he has to be more aggessive with his shot,if that means in front of the arc,or behind the arc,if he has to put it up for 30 3’s as long as he is open??Is there a body double for MB for practice and games,it’s no wonder he needs glasses,unless this is some well planned pre-game chess match? to confuse the C”s I sure hope so,Go Cavs,despite Mike Brown!!
May 10th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Somebody called into one of the local talk radio shows and disputed Lebrons cheapness. This chick said that Lebron gave her a $100 tip after waiting on him and a couple friends at a Cleveland steakhouse.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Knicks sign D’Antoni. Hmmm, now they have the best coach for his talents, in addition to his favorite arena. Is this move the initial salvo in Donnie Walsh’s two year quest to bring Lebron to the Big Apple? Doesn’t matter if the Knicks lose 50 a year until 2010. They’ll be shedding salary and establishing an offensive identity….
I know, I know… typical Clevelander negativism. Spare me the usual hysterical rants. But you have to admit Lebron might average a 35-10-9 playing 82 games for a D’Antoni team…
I have no idea what think about tonight. They could lose by twenty. They could win going away. Andy could light himself on fire at halfcourt and chant brazilian love ballads in KG’s ear. Damon Jones might hit a game winning jumper from the corner dressed like Huggie Bear. Sasha might be unable to prevent himself from feeding on Ray Allen’s delicious jugular vein. Wally could possibly run into the Celts locker room at halftime draped in only a towel and demand that Paul Pierce shows him the money. You might run into Alan Tucker in pUblic Square panhandling for change after losing everything on ill-advised bets from the first two games. It’s a crazy game. Win and we’re back in it. No reason to go the Q on Monday if we lose.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
well posted doc, i laughed out loud at the delicious jugular and cruise references. well posted.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
The genius of Mike Brown in one possession:
With Ben Wallace at the line at the end of the third quarter he puts Wally back in the game. What do the Celtics do? Have Pierce drive right at Wally & score an easy two to end the quarter…
What the F@*#K is wrong with him?!?
May 11th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Uhh … doc. I’m not panhandling. I actually won big on Game 2. Game 1, not so fortunate.
May 11th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
How’d you do on Game 3, Al? My guess is, not so good.
Hey, imagine this. The Cavs win on their home floor, like every other team in the NBA this postseason. They shoot the lights out and run Boston off the floor in the process. I suppose the credit cant even slightly go to the head coach for running plays on the back side and adjusting for Delonte to bring the ball up and start the offense. LeBron has an average scoring night and the Cavs beat the ‘unbeatable’ Celtics by 20.
Let’s have some more negativity guys, cmon, you’re slipping!!
May 11th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Actually, Josh, I did great, I didn’t bet on the last game. I bet the Celtics only when they play at home. After what I first saw in the third game of the Hawks series, a game which I didn’t bet, road games in these playoffs are way too dicey. Especially with these Celtics. They’re a far superior team to Cleveland in just about every facet, they should blow out the Cavs in Cleveland, the same way they should have blown out the Hawks in Atlanta. Or, at the very least, they should be winning away games, even if it’s not a blowout. It just doesn’t make sense.