Live Thread: Cavs vs. Raptors (He’s BAAAAAACK.)
2015-10-18
The never ending story known as the NBA preseason rolls on today for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they head to Toronto to face the Raptors in what is a matchup between two likely playoff teams. While it has been firmly established given the heavy minutes played by training camp invitees that preseason games mean almost nothing, today’s game is a bit different for Cavalier fans. Today we get to see the return of a power forward whose health and production is as important as anyone’s if the Cavaliers are going to seriously contend for the NBA championship. Of course I am speaking of the return of Jack Cooley.
But seriously, you guys, KEVIN LOVE IS BACK!!! Sure it’s just the preseason, and sure half of the Cavaliers’ rotation will be sitting this one out, but for the first time since Kelly Olynyk yanked his shoulder out of its socket during Game Four of the first round of the playoffs, Kevin Love will be on the floor. With all of the injuries and contractual issues the Cavaliers have dealt with this offseason, it’s nice to finally have some tangible good news in this area, especially with the regular season starting next week.
Going into the season, the Raptors should be an interesting team to watch. A playoff team the last two seasons, Toronto has yet to make it out of the first round, and now they’ve overhauled their roster in an effort to have a stronger defensive identity. Gone are Amir Johnson, Greivis Vasquez, Lou Williams, Chuck Hayes, and Tyler Hansbrough, and in their place are DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph, Luis Scola, Bismack Biyombo, and—drumroll please—Anthony Bennett. It remains to be seen if these moves allow Toronto to take a step forward or if they’re just a game of musical chairs, but these additions, along with what appears to be a new and improved Kyle Lowry, have given Raptors fans some reason for optimism that their team can take a step forward.
Tonight’s game starts at 6:00 EST, and will be aired on both Fox Sports Ohio and NBA TV. You can also hear it on WTAM 1100. Stop by and share your thoughts as we watch K-Love in his return to action.
GO CAVS!
Who is the Harangody lookalike wearing 45?
James Jones is not good at defense. In other news, grass is green.
Kinda surprised JFJ is still in there…
Shocked Andy is back in.
GREAT TMING/ CALL BY ” NOMAD “
A.C. WILL BEGIN CHANTING ” WE WANT COOLEY ” !!
That’s a good chant to start!
The Ninja draws yet another foul! He’s really good at that…
He’s really won me over.
If the Cavs don’t keep Cook along with Cunningham, I would definitely try to get him to Canton.
Love Cook’s shooting. It seems obvious that is going to be the Cavs’ next move especially since he’s a rookie.
MDN great pass to Cook for THREE!
Kaun with the cylinder rejection…
Dionte Christmas has done nothing.
Except turn the ball over…
Really came in late in the process… didn’t understand the signing but I guess it was merely to have bodies to throw out there.
WOW! Great find by Delly to AV on the inbounds! Somebody missed an assignment…
MDN with some great D on Cory Joseph at the end of the quarter…
At this point I would be shocked if Cunningham doesn’t make the team.
He really has set himself apart from the rest of the pack… on both ends of the floor…
It’s pretty crazy…. really did play his way onto the team as far as we can tell. Very unexpected.
Fair enough Cunningham
Delly looking solid as a back up distributor. Seems like he has a better feel for where guys will be.
Joe H going to the hole strong!
Cunningham has come back to earth offensively, but still playing nice D.
MUCH DANGER NINJA THREE!!!!
Should’ve known.
He must have heard you Mike!
Somebody frosted DeMarre’s tips… I wonder if he knows?
Did Andy hurt himself? Looked like he pulled up a bit before that timeout…
Nope, he’s back out there and looks fine…
That was a scary post EG!
Yeah, I could hear Blatt calling for timeout and AV was walking to the bench on his own… sorry for the scare!
HAHAHA… it’s only because I’m not watching. Thanks for the crucial update!
Mo shooting it well tonight….
And hasn’t gotten torched by Lowry.
Danger Ninja got a hand on that one…
Seemed like that was tipped by the Raps…
Ah, here’s Kaun.
Delly to Moz for the CRUSH!
Scola abusing James Jones. Do we know why Kaun hasn’t played yet?
Probably getting night off… he hasn’t had one yet
One of the big storylines of the season will be how long Cols can hold out on acknowledging a breakout year for Delly.
HAHAHAHA…. over/under 70 games is the opening line.
COLS ” FEASTING ” ON THE DELLY TREYS !!
MAN! Delly looks really good on his triple stroke today!!
Shoot it, Delly!
Scola both moving his feet and in the restricted area… but foul on Moz… sure, whatever guys…
Delly Trey!
He’s looked really good tonight.
Joey Crawford in playoff form… my god that guy needs to retire…
J.R. done as well.
I LOVE me some James Drive and Kicking Jones…
Ugh… I was hoping Scola had gone the way of his doppelganger, Russell Brand and faded into obscurity…
This Raps court is super ugly…
I guess that’s all for KLove… I guess I’ll have to wait to see him live until tomorrow against the Mavs…
Love unlikely to play in 2nd half.
THE BROWNS ARE LIMPING / NO FEET FROM ” SHOOTING THEM OFF ” SO MANY TIMES TODAY —-HOW MANY TIMES CAN AN OPPONENT ” GIFT WRAP A WIN ” FOR YOU —-MAN THE PLAYING CALLING AFTER MINGO’S INTERCEPTION LEAVES ALOT TO BE DESIRED —-OK I HAVE MY BROWNS VENTING DONE—BACK TO A ” REAL ” PRO TEAM –THE CAVS —ALSO A BIG SHOUT OUT FOR ” THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES” —CAN YOU SAY BARRETT AT Q.B ?
Cavs still only shooting 40%, but better than the Raps 36%…
Ahh, eastern conference basketball execution. what a joy.
Cavs doing fine. Playing solid D and leading a Raps team playing all of their guys except James Johnson.
Not a lot of offense this quarter. Cavs outscore Raps 18-13 to take a 42-41 lead.
Scouting report on RJ the broadcaster: Needs to work on stopping for commercial breaks.
At least they still have the one point lead… unlike the Browns who went for two…
Well, that escalated quickly.
I knew you’d come through with that. :)
Good to see Delly pushing the ball up the floor… He also seems to be playing some solid D on Lowry… oh, and he just hit a Delly Trey!
Delly sweats excellence, as always.
Man… this is a low scoring game…
On the other hand, its the first time we’ve had a lead in the preseason (I know that’s not actually true, but it sure feels like it.).
You spoke just a little too soon… ;)
Toronto has stopped moving the ball, while the Cavs are making too many careless passes.
EXCELLENT COMMENTS BY R.J. PERTAINING TO PRESSURE / R.J. APPEARS TO BE A VERY HIGH I.Q. GUY / VERY GOOD POTENTIAL AFTER HE RETIRES TO BE A BASKETBALL COMMENTATOR
That’s not surprising at all. I find that if a guy lasts into his thirties in this league, he’s usually pretty smart about the game.
Raps scored three points in the first 7:45 of the 2nd quarter.
That’s Cleveland Browns level futility right there.
Turns out we can still play defense without Shump. Good to see.
Boy, did the league (and the Cavs) seriously overestimate Anthony Bennett’s defense. If he isn’t trying to score, he is utterly useless. I have to think its lack of intelligence or desire. Just terrible.
I don’t think it’s about intelligence. Just no heart to do the dirty work.
Then it affects his offense negatively.
I think you are correct. Although he doesn’t strike me as a Mensa member.
HAHAHA…. probably a safe assumption.
TRYING VERY HARD TO REGAIN THAT ” LOVE ” FOR SMOKIN JOE —-VERY DIFFICULT THIS PRE SEASON TO DO / TRADE HIM EVEN UP FOR GDB
Sounds like KLove looks good…
A little trouble finding his shot, as expected. But he’s done some nice things to show that shoulder isn’t holding him back. He’s also had some nice passes and done some good things from spots on the floor he wasn’t at much last season.
Love showing the range of motion in his shoulder with another behind-the-back pass, finding Mo for a 3.
Looks like Love’s rehab has gone very well. He’s looked really good in his first time back on the court.
There’s that lack of length on Joe Harris. Should have been able to get that three off.
I think Harris’ ceiling is as the ninth man off the bench 3 and hopefully D guy.
And his floor is jump-shooting cabbage into grocery bags at the local Giant Eagle…
Hahaha such colorful language EG. Made me chuckle.
Just turned it on… what’d I miss?
We won the finals.
Awesome!
See you next year!
Wake me up for the three-peat…
Andy is shooting 70% this preseason. He is the focus of our offense when the big guns are out. I don’t know if that’s awesome or terrifying. i think awesome.
I think he’s going to help the 2nd unit offense with his passing and shooting.
Every time Andy gets hit I have heart palpitations.
You’re tellin’ me. Very nerve wracking.
What a pass by Love to save that play.
I would like JR to figure out how to make 3’s without a hand in his face haha
That reminds me of his ridiculous comment before the Finals when he said he’d rather shoot a contested 3 than an open 3. It’s a weak mentality to have if you ask me.
Its certainly a-typical. If he could start to hit those open threes above 50% he would hit some historic numbers from 3 i think
He hit the open ones pretty well all the way up into the finals. Then he made that ill-advised comment about 3s and he had his instagram distraction and took himself out of the Finals mentally.
You must accept J.R. as he is. do not try to understand him. do not try to improve upon him.
He is like fireworks. They are explosive and cool to see, but if you want to rely on them for anything other than blowing up, you’re in trouble.
HAHAHAHA… nice analogy JB!
Glad J.R. is okay.
Cunningham needs to attack the rim. Especially when the Cavs are in the bonus.
Cavs need to attack as they are in the bonus.
Joe Harris olds the ball a bit too much.
As long as J.R.’s injury is minor, he should still be fine for opening night.
Nice block by Mozilla!
Mo’s defense :(
I hope the Cavs work hard to get Love as many touches as possible in the minutes he does play.
@ChrisBHaynes: David Blatt says Kevin Love’s minutes will be limited tonight. The plan is for him also to play in finale on Monday against Dallas.
I would actually like to see the GDB have a decent career, maybe crack the rotation somewhere. He seems like a nice guy who got picked #1 by a nimrod and had no chance to live up to expectations.
Can someone make a fake poster of Kelly Olynyk as MVP of the GSW? That would be fun to post every time that twirp Curry yammers about how great he is.