Playoff Podcap: Cavs 128, Raptors 93 (or, Swept Away)
2018-05-08https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-171-swept-away
Contrary to what was posited in the Saturday Night Live sketch that was cut for time last weekend, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard is in fact not a Roomba. However, such a point guard would have been handy in sweeping up the smoldering ashes of the Toronto Raptors following Monday night’s Game 4 extinction level event. As expected, the Cavs completed their impressive clean sweep of the top seeded dinos, by raining fiery rocks from the perimeter and erupting in the paint. All five starters were in double figures, and their guards barely missed a shot in the first half. Their non-Roomba point guard even drove for successive dunks in the first quarter, while LeBron James just calmly dished dimes and crushed any spirit the Raptors had left. It was a resounding, impressive and absolute statement of a closeout game that should leave no doubts about this team’s ability to make a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals.
To break down this game, this sweep, and the playoffs to date, EG, Tom and Eli hopped into the booth for a bit. We talked about how much a reinvigorated and healthy support staff have helped LeBron, who their opponent in the ECF will be, whether or not their rugged first round series against the Pacers will pay dividends in the next one, and what could become of the shattered remains of the Raptors. We also dish a little on President Genius, Brad Stevens, and what the Cavs odds of winning the draft lottery might be. And, we didn’t manage to get too swept away or long in the tooth.
As always, you can catch us above, on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
Rockets vs Warriors would be a must watch. I believe the Warriors will win the series in 6 games. It would be nice if Nene would slap Green at some point lol.
Cavs gonna win it all if Rockets beat Warriors. Pulling for Houston big time.
Lowe always makes you feel like your team is unstoppable when he writes about them.
Unless you fall into the things he dislikes column in his ten things I like/dislike pieces. But yeah I think for his other pieces he usually tries to pick out positive things a team does.
believeland—agree—-IF THEY FIRE –WE SHOULD HIRE —-read that Z Lowe article as a high school coach—really appreciate how he breaks down on –” take what the defense— GIVES YOU —-READ AND REACT “—that is SMART basketball—that is FUN basketball —-HOPE WE CONTINUE THAT STYLE / TYPE OF PLAY
So the guy might get fired after winning coach of the year? That’s crazy. Cavs should hire him, Lebron would owe him that.
He made some very questionable decisions. Lue out coached him.
SVG is probably a better coach and I don’t think he is necessarily better than Lue. He shot himself in the foot more as a GM though.
It won’t be the first time it’s happened. Mike Brown, among others, were fired after winning coach of the year.
Great piece by Lowe on the love/Korver off ball screens that the raptors never adjusted to and were torched by.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23445056/zach-lowe-kyle-korver-kevin-love-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-playoffs
Excellent piece by Lowe. The only NBA guy worth reading at the four letter.
Good post.
Bron, Love, Korver, Hill, and playoff JR are our best 5 guys by a pretty wide margin. I think Nance has a chance to join them.
Just finished the article. Great piece!
The basketball iq with Hill, LeBron, KK and Love on the floor is insane. I would add José to the mix, although he doesn’t play much at all now.
that is great analysis. And it could have been done AFTER the post season…yeesh. thanks lowe.
Meh. It is a common action apparently and if Lowe can see it, no doubt Celtics will too. Still could be difficult to deal with if they get any small besides Smart switched. Even then, if love gets deep enough, smart won’t be able to do much.
smart is a tough defender, but he is also prone to fouling when playing up in weight class. He’d be playing much fewer minutes with foul trouble on the bench.
BOOGIE I TOO REPLAYED GAME AND WATCHED HOOD’S DEMEANOR ——–REALLY THINK HE JUST WANTED OTHER PLAYERS TO “GET A RUN “—AND YES- ( I RECENTLY POSTED ALSO )– BEING A FATHER OF NEW BORN TWINS / TRADED MID- SEASON / F.A. YEAR– HAS PROBABLY ADDED ALOT OF UNDUE STRESS / PRESSURE——–HERE IS HOPING 5 DAYS OFF GIVES HIM A CHANCE TO “BREATHE —UNWIND —-NEEDS TO GO GOLFING WITH J.R. “———IF HE CAN COME BACK AND CONTRIBUTE ON A LEVEL WE ALL HOPED / ANTICIPATED ON —–THAT WOULD BE HUGE !!!!———————–MAYBE SIMILAR TO KLOOVE GETTING HIS “ANXIETY ISSUES ” OUT IN… Read more »
Hope Boogie is toght about Hood. In terms of improving the team, we are limited. We have Hood’s Bird rights & the only other FAs we have are Green & Calderon. Jose is vet min for sure. However, there are options: 1) The pick. Should be a promising player. A 3&D wing like Bridges. A big like Bamba or Carter. Or a scorer like Porter or Young. 2) Trade. We were $30 mil over the cap but still got some stuff done. Some of our bigger ticket guys can still play (Hill & JR) while signs of life from TT… Read more »
Great post – #3 is my biggest hope. Something we haven’t really seen in the LeBron years is internal development of our own guys.
Also can’t underestimate LeBron’s pull and potential ability to get guys to come to the Land for a chance to win a ring.
If the cavs somehow get crazy lucky and get a top three again, I expect they try to package that player with some other pieces and go for McCollum or Kawhi if they are available. Even then, Boston could still probably put together a better package for either with their picks and one or two of their young guys.
Or S&T for PG
Maybe. Though I think pg may have his heart set on la. I would rather have McCollum or Kawhi if healthy.
If they got either of those guys, I would say the cavs have a legitimate shot at toppling gs provided Lebron doesn’t start declining next year.
McCollum would be a bad choice. You don’t want to use high pick for undersized off guard and you could see how he played in playoffs this year.
I wouldn’t trade the pick personally if they got Doncic, Ayton, or Bagley, unless they could keep Love and get Kawhi (not happening in all likelihood). I think the cavs would and McCollum would be likely the most realistic star to target. I mean he averaged 25.3 ppl on 52% shooting and 42% from three on 6.5 attempts pg. Those are insane numbers for a guard. Granted NO was focused on Lillard but still pretty great numbers. You are right in that while he has improved defensively, matching up with gs could be problematic on d. However, hill is 6’5″… Read more »
The Warriors had 36 assists as a team last night, wowza…
More or less their MO. They averaged 30.4 assists during the regular season in 2016-2017 and 29.3 this year during the regular season. 28+ the last several postseasons.
They really move bodies & the ball. Havinf Steph, Klay, & KD helps as well. A lot of shots go in & they open up the floor.
I think Hood refusing to enter the game is a little overblown. I DVR’d the game and rewatched trying to pay close attention to the bench. Hood is standing and clapping constantly for his teammates. There is even a shot of him after Cedi cans a jumper where he is VERY aggressively showing his support, clapping, etc. As a father of twins myself, I definitely think the weight of two little babies on top of the most stressful work environment he’s probably ever been in (Playoffs with LBJ) has taken a toll on him. This wasn’t defiance. His refusal to… Read more »
I get this – but at the end of the day, if coach says “play” and you say no, it’s a bad PR outcome, regardless of demeanour. What I am really wondering about with all this is how “several sources” agreed it was an issue, and the ballclub didn’t get out ahead of the story & quash it before it got taken up by all the news outlets. This more than anything shows to me that the ballclub aren’t happy with something about Rodney & let the story run.
An inordinate amount of folks seem to think this year’s Boston team will beat the cavs. Am I missing something? Is Al Horford not playing anymore? President business can be as good a coach as he wants…when the cavs win a close game 1 and blow them out in game 2 and everyone changes their tune and starts saying they knew the cavs would win and the east is weak, I’ll be a little miffed.
I guess it’s possible but I would be very surprised. They certainly shouldn’t be able to beat the cavs. It would likely mean they shut down Love and every cavs role player and/or Lue gets his lunch money taken by Stevens.
Shhhhhh. The truth doesn’t make a noise.
If the game 4 Cavs show up against the Celtics I have a hard time believing they don’t take care of business in 5. If either George Hill or Kevin Love are unavailable or playing hurt it could be a long series much like the Pacers series.
Agree Tom, but would expand this to: if LBJ, Love, Hill, Korver or Smith are unavailable or hurt, it’s 7.
I really think it’s mostly dependent on how Celtic threes are falling. If Marcus Freaking Smart issinking 6 threes, Celtics are probobly winning that game. They will, most likely, get a lot of good looks from three. If they hit those shots, they will probably win that game. If they brick those shots, they probably score 80 points and lose.
Those are the writers who want Bron to leave the Cavs and come to their town.
No way we lose to Boston.
Against my better judgement, I saw some Paul Pierce commentary today. “Clearly Lebron will be the best player in the series. Then Boston have 2, 3, 4, 5. I mean, number 2: I’m taking Horford over Love.”
“The Truth” was a helluva player, but is clearly not a student of history.
Where is this inordinate amount of folks? I do think most folks are certainly surprised by the Celts, given that they have been without their two best players and are likely going to the ECF. I don’t see many arguments that these particular Cs could beat our Cs
Tom seemed awfully sanguine about the Cavs’ short term future, which I would generally agree with (although he takes LeBron staying as a given which isn’t necessarily the “bet the field” view, but I understand the assumption) except for the salary cap situation. Assuming LeBron stays they are $35m over the cap without Hood, Calderon, Green or signing their draft picks. All those guys will have tremendous leverage because the Cavs will only have taxpayers MLE and minimum veteran slots if they let them walk. I don’t care about the tax (Gilbert can afford it) but for team building purposes… Read more »
Tom believes in Dan’s infinite checkbook
I’ve been right so far
Not the best timed picture of der Curry there….
http://a2.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2018%2F0508%2Fr367795_1296x518_5%2D2.jpg&w=660&h=264&scale=crop&cquality=80&location=center
Looks like houston/GS
Terrific pod. In Game 4, JR finally was able to play well on offense AND defense. Combine that with solid play for Korver and Hill and you’ve got a really good team, easily the best in the east.
To beat the Warriors, though, we would need for the bench guys to also raise their game.
GSW is going to house Houston. And us.
Barring a Steph/Durant injury.
Almost certainly. Capela could cause them problems. I don’t think it will be anywhere near enough. GS will completely shut down his rolls. They will suffocate Harden and Paul. Capela would have to get every offensive board.
Capella will be guarded by Draymond, and as a team will be boxing out Capella. Warriors guard passing lanes so capella won’t get easy dunks. Capella can alter shots in at the rim though but warriors don’t really go to rim in half court setup.
He could cause similar problems as TT did on the boards despite being double teamed, but that isn’t enough.
Disagree. Think it will be quite competitive
IMHO I don’t think so… Houston is too offensively gifted not to get a couple of wins. There will be some ugly games as each team runs hot and cold but I think it will be competitive.
As for Cavs against either team anything from getting swept to winning in six or seven seems on a table for me. No way to say who will show up or not when at this point (other than LeBron obviously).
For the cavs to win in 6-7 it means Lebron probably averaged 45 mpg, 45 ppg at the same or higher efficiency as now, 10+ assists, 10+ boards against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Even then, it would still take probably another guy having a monster series. Because, I don’t think the cavs are slowing either of those teams much defensively. I mean Indy are not exactly world beaters offensively, nor was the Toronto team we saw in that series, regular season notwithstanding. Nor is Boston. Those two teams are on a whole different level of… Read more »
Also last years cavs were pretty gifted offensively….
Crowder on for Mitchell – looks like they’re done.
Man, if Utah was fully healthy, this would really be interesting. It may get interesting anyway if they pull this out.
Mitchell >>>>> Simmons.
Damn I enjoy watching Mitchell play.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/these-arent-your-regular-season-cavs/?addata=espn:nba:teams
Crowder laying a steamy shump to start this one.
Laying a Shump is Crowder’s NBA skill…
How good defensively is Cedi? Cavs must have someone to stay in front of Durant and impede his vision a little on 15 foot jumpers. Probably going to be Green, but Cedi should be playing more if he could be used in that role. We are all in trouble if it’s JR and Lebron shouldn’t do it all game or he’ll be gassed to close out.
Reading your posts I see you guys prefer Cedi over Hood and I agree but I’m also worried that he will become unplayable if the Celtics leave him open on those corners 3’s and he can’t hit those then the Cavs might need to go back and play Hood.
I expect the Celtics to defend the Cavs almost to the same level the Pacers did letting LeBron get his and keeping the others in check.
And we should believe hood will make those?
All I’m saying is that is Cedi is not hitting them it will affect the Cavs spacing on offense and Lue might be forced to play Hood again.
Right. If Korver and Love are not hitting, it will also be a problem.
Hood shooting 13% from three. Not quite sure what your logic is here.
Hood can’t defend or pass. Play Cedi.
https://www.tsn.ca/talent/sources-raptors-leaning-towards-coaching-change-1.1079529
Blow it up!
Tony Kornheiser nails that one… only way to make a change without risking ticket sales to see stars.
According to ESPN, Hood was saying something to the effect of: “I’m good, I’m fine, play the other guys,” and the Cavs weren’t viewing it as an act of defiance. To me this sounds more like a guy that’s confidence is completely shot, rather than a guy who is pouting and doesn’t want to play team ball.
I mean, it’s got to be tough for the guy… he’s 25, just became a new dad of twins, and is up against it performance wise for his next deal… agree it sounded more like an absolute loss of confidence and less like willful disobedience…
yeah as a new father of one I can’t imagine twins. he can pay for all of the help he needs but unless he’s spending nights at a hotel or something he’s gotta be off his game.
Either way. I just don’t think it bodes well for him being a net positive on the court going forward. Either he is a head case which means you kind of have to shut him down, or he literally has zero confidence which means he is almost certainly going to cost the team points if he plays.
Reading about him and watching this unfold, I have a curiosity as to whether he is struggling with depression. Simply based on my own experience with the disease, I see some things that make me wonder if that is part of what is hindering him. Depression feeds on itself, so once you start feeling bad about yourself, your actions support your feelings, and down and down it goes. Something is off with him, though. He just didn’t look happy to be on a team that’s going to the ECF, which doesn’t compute, even if you are bummed that you lost… Read more »
Hope the team can rally around him and help him out. The money thing probably getting to him. Apparently his family has been in Facebook talking about a big payday (hearsay to me)
I’ve been waiting all day to finally come home and hear this!
who do they use as trade bait for kawhi?
Celtics?
I would go with Hayward or Brown plus a first (or two).
Plus the ability to sweeten to both of them, 2 firsts, or Kyrie/Tatum. But I do not think Kawhi will pull that much with the injury/mental questions now. Unless they do a S&T.
thinkn about cavs making a move.. but interesting on the celtics
Cavs can’t get him unless lbj wants to go to San Antonio. We have overpaid vets. He’s an underpaid all star.
trade love and tt..
we have nance, osman, zizic and “the pick” which will likely be a very functional big.. we can live w/out tt and though i like love.. would much rather have kawhi
And, the pick is more likely one of Porter Jr., Young, Sexton, or one of the Bridges… no bigs there…
Bamba or Carter are possible.
Bamba will be gone by 8-10. Carter will probably be there, but not sure you’d take him over some of those other guys…
So just Zizic and Nance as the remaining bigs?
If kawhi is planning to sit out his last year if still in SA, he can also announce he will sit out if not traded to a team he picks, hopefully the Cavs. Then TT + JC + lottery pick will start looking pretty good to SA.
They’d probably want the pick, Cedi, Ziz and Hill to make the salary work… even when desperate, the Spurs aren’t stupid…
Pop will turn Cedi into a defensive force and Zz into P. Gasol 2.0
I guess it will be nice to see them flourish, even if somewhere else.
Judging Stevens for not beating the Goat in the playoffs with a band of misfits is like judging Lebrons career based on losing to a 73 win team that picked up Kevin Durant. Stevens is an amazing coach, Lue isn’t close to good, regardless of rings.
I’m judging Stevens against the ridiculous and unearned hype he had in the few years prior to this one… even I will admit he’s a good coach, but amazing? Nah, not until he at least makes a Finals…
By no standard is Lue a good coach other than the one where he lets Lebron do Lebron things and he’s been in the finals every year as a head coach. I hate the “Finals” argument, for players, or coaches, it’s chalk full of holes in a team sport/make or miss league to judge only on how many Finals one wins.
Well, I hate the “he’s a genius coach” argument when the dude has won nothing… not even anything beyond a game in the Conference Finals… Good coaches get the most out of their guys (which he does)… Great coaches find a way to get his team to the pinnacle of the sport… That’s why guys like Riley, Pop, Phil, and Red are Great coaches…
I just want people to curb their hyperbole…
I agree with that to some extent. On some level one should be judged on performance, accomplishments. Maybe what can be said is, there is more to coaching than just making scrubs play in a system and getting the most out of them. Working with the front office to bring the right pieces in, managing talent, though not strictly on the coach, is reliant on his recommendation. So on some level he’s responsible for not just the performance of his players, but having the right players to accomplish the ultimate mission. This is a much maligned part of Lebron’s game… Read more »
Yep.
So you think Poppavich, Riley, Phil, and Red could have made the finals with those teams? Or beat the cavs this year? Because it sounds like that is what you are saying. That is simply not possible with the personnel the Celtics have had the last few years versus the personnel of the teams they have lost to. I think they have done as well as they could have with the guys they have had.
Not the point I was making… my point is that it took years for those coaches to be hailed as great coaches because they built their teams into championship contenders and winners… I am not saying Stevens isn’t a good coach… he’s just not a great one yet…
Alright. That is fair if you are going by that standard. I just am not sure I agree with that standard, mainly due to the fact that not every coach gets to coach Duncan and Robinson their second year, or the super team lakers, or MJ and Pippen and Shaq and Kobe, or Bill Russell and co. I think you have to separate the team’s personnel from the coaches. Yes the coaches mold what they have to work with but most don’t get to build their teams. Jackson didn’t build the bulls or lakers. Riley didn’t build the lakers super… Read more »
Do not agree with ‘unearned’ argument. His teams have over achieved in reg season and playoffs and consistently. That makes him a great coach and if you watched how he coached this playoffs, the ‘genius’ tag is well deserved either he takes his team to finals or not.
And I don’t agree with your hyperbolic use of “great”… he’s a good coach… he might one day be legitimately a “great” coach… but that day is not to day in my opinion…
I think our definition of great differs as far as coaching. My definition of great is either maximizing a team that has the best or second best talent in the league, or consistently overachieving with lesser talent. Hence, Stevens is great in my book just like Bud is great. I don’t think you can truly separate great coaches from other great coaches with more talent unless they do things like Poppavich and Auerbach have. The Spurs were always great despite not always having the best top end talent. The Celtics were great because Auerbach built that roster and created a… Read more »
But surely you have to have achieved something to get called great.
I think he has achieved something in making it as far as he has with the players he has had. I am not champion or bust with regards to calling coaching great. There have been coaches that have maid it to the finals that were highly mediocre (Byron Scott, Jeff Van Gundy, David Blatt, Avery Johnson, Mike Brown, Scott GD Brooks), and won who are not great or even in the top tier of what you would call good coaches (Doc Rivers, Lue, P. westhead). Not every coach gets to be carried by a Lebron James and it doesn’t matter… Read more »
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/2018/05/joe_burrow_transferring_from_o.html
OSU fiasco.
That isn’t a fiasco. Just a guy who wanted a guarantee he would play and a coach who could not give it to him. So he transfered.
It is a fiasco that he has not been the starter all along.
Bron shot 16.7% from downtown & 57.6% from the line vs Toronto. He could get BETTER. Series stats for the 8 guys who played in all 4 games plus the 2 other non-garbage time guys: MPG, PPG, RPG, APG, FG%, 3%, FT%: James: 41.8, 34.0/8.3/11.3, 55.3/16.7/57.6 Love: 34.6, 20.5/11.5/1.5, 47.5/35.5/90 Hill: 31.8, 10.3/1.8/3.0, 53.3/33.3/100 Korver: 31.5, 14.5/2.5/1.8, 58.3/56/100 JR: 31.4, 12.5/1.5/1.8, 63/76.9/100 Green: 23.8, 12.3/2.3/1.8, 54.8/43.8/61.5 TT: 17.1, 5.3/4.8/0.5, 61.5/×/100 JC: 14.0, 5.0/1.8/1.0, 29.6/27.3/100 ————- Hood: 12.9, 0.7/2.2/1.3, 11.1/0.0/× Cedi: 20.5, 5/2/2, 40/33.3/x (G4 only) ——— We had 5 guys who were perfect at the FT line & TT was… Read more »
I’ll live with smart on him. In the post.
I enjoyed the Lowry discussion down below. It’s definitely an intriguing idea. My take is that he’s absolutely worth it in terms of dumping JC and TT’s contracts. I think Lowry has 3 legit good/great years left. The draft pick is the sticking point IMO. Just too much talent this year. I just perused the top 15…. if you wanna big you can get Wendell Carter. If you want 3-D guys, how about Bridges or Knox? If you wanna PG Sexton or UK’s PG? I feel like especially with Bridges and Knox out there… I think they could come in… Read more »
You know what, I’m coming around the idea of JC and TT for Lowry.
Without the pick I would do it. But that makes zero sense for Toronto.
Yep. I’d do it all day with some future 1st and not the Nets pick, of course. But the Nets wouldn’t even be getting off money doing that.
*Raptors wouldn’t be getting off money….
It’s a good idea for sure…. not to be dismissed so easily. Also I feel like Lowry’s gotten better as a 3pt shooter, also seeing how hurt he was after losing to the Cavs last night…. I feel like he has this burning desire to compete for a ring just once in career.
Also IMO, it’s analogous to the moves the NE Patriots like to make. Trade a pick for a proven commodity.
I’m with you JRL….. the more I think about it, the more I like it. Just hate continuing to be an old team LOL…. but maybe age doesn’t mean as much at this point in NBA history with technology and support systems the way they are now.
And we could also land Porter, Bamba, or Young in some non-top 3 scenarios.
All has to wait until Bron makes a decision.
I CAN SEE –LNJ MINUTES GETTING BACK TO WHAT HE HAD IN PACERS SERIES ——JUST THINK MAYBE THAT 1ST SERIES WAS SOMEWHAT OVERWHELMING / JUST NEEDED TO GET THRU IT / SURVIVE / NOW IS READY —-HOPING THE SAME MIGHT BE TRUE FOR CLARKSON
What is it with DUKE PLAYERS ( KYRIE / HOOD ) —POUTING –NOT WANTING TO PLAY WITH LEBRON—–PART SARCASM—-PART FACTUAL
Always great content on the site. Hoping to see some stuff about how the team will exploit Horford in upcoming series. He is getting a lot of positive pub right now, but we always seem to exploit/negate him.
After Game 7 of the first round and Game 1 of the second, I was hoping the old TT was back and would be the primary exploiter of Horford since he’s got a great history of sonning Al… Yet, TT has regressed to the mean in the last three games, so it’ll probably be up to Love and Green to get it done…
Is there any hope that Nance would actually get meaningful minutes vs Horford?
I just don’t think Lue trusts Nance enough and I don’t expect that to change unless there’s foul trouble afoot going forward… I really hope they work with Larry this summer and give him a more defined role next year…
I’m sure there is a decent chance. Especially if TT isn’t getting it done.
Based on how Lue has used him so far?
I think Lue kind of decides some of that stuff series by series…if TT is not getting it done on Horford, and Big Al is just lighting it up, he’s going to have to try something else.
I agree… I just think he’ll turn to Love and Green rather than LNJ… not saying I would do that, just reading the Ty leaves…
If TT can’t get it done, he may not have a choice. Horford has been their MVP in the playoffs. (and really all year) I doubt Jeff Green is going to have much success in shutting him down, or keeping him off the boards.
Hah!
I would go with TT on Al at first just to see if he still has the hodoo on him.
If we go small (Love at the 5) it means Bron on Al (assuming Love gets Baynes).
Korver may have a hard time finding someone to guard vs Boston.
They’ll stick him on Smart if he starts (like Stevens did the last game), but yeah it’ll be tough if they go with a starting 5 of Al, Baynes, Tatum, Brown and Rozier…
TT almost looked worn down the last couple of games, which is kind of absurd, if so.
Absolutely…. all of a sudden lost his activity.
Link to Vardon’s piece on Hood meeting.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2018/05/cavaliers_met_with_rodney_hood.html
Well, at least he apologized. Best possible outcome for now. Cedi should get those minutes for now, however. Wonder if it genuine remorse or the realization his FA stock is tumbling if he pouts.
If I’m Lue I would play him on the first game against Boston and see how he does.
Or just give Cedi his minutes… like what should have happened about 10 games ago…
5 minutes up?
I think you have to give Hood one more chance at proving he can do something. Keep a short leash and yank him out a la Apollo if he sucks.
5 minute ban.
dang i don’t have time to figure out how to wield this power!
No suspension / fine for HOOD—-maybe this is what was needed to get it out / vent——if my memory serves me correctly– ( and it usually doesn’t )—-when we 1st made the all star break trade —didn’t we DESTROY THE CELTICS AND DIDN’T R HOOD HAVE A GOOD GAME / LIKE 16 PTS ——-GRANTED THAT WAS A REGULAR SEASON GAME AND NOT THE PLAYOFFS ———HOPING THAT NOW THAT IT IS OUT HE CAN NOW CONCENTRATE ON BASKETBALL AND YES I AM STILL HOPING / PRAYING FOR “UTAH HOOD ” TO EMERGE !!!
Bury him and play Cedi.
That seems to be the path… although I’m sure Ty will just double down on more Jeff Green minutes… lol
The problem with the Hood situation is that he has been given the opportunity to play and hasn’t responded at all. If he had been riding the bench, like Cedi/Nance, since the Pacers’ series and then Lue wanted to put him in for garbage time last night, then maybe I could see it. But he was upset at Lue although he’s the one playing like crap and not rising to the occasion. On the other hand, Cedi came in and played phenomenally for a guy who hasn’t seen more than 3min(gotta double check) of playing time the last 11 games.… Read more »
Should get those minutes.
He reportedly apologized to Koby this morning…
SO many very good NBA players would have loved to play those minutes. He has no concept of how fortunate he is in the present moment.
FWIW, upcoming Cavs relevant dates:
5/9 Wed = Philly at Boston Game 5
5/11 Fri = Boston at Philly (if nec)
5/13 Sun = Philly at Boston (if nec); or Cleveland at Boston Game 1
5/15 Tue = NBA draft lottery.
If Boston/Philly goes 7:
1) We will know the lottery results before we play the next game.
2) I assume Game 1 would be 5/15?
Great pod, guys. Really enjoyed it.
What would it take to get Oladipo here?
LeBron. Or a time machine.
Hahaha.
“Where we are going, we don’t need tires.”
Anthony bennett?
I feel bad for the Raptors team, especially DeRozan and Lowry. They seem to really like being around one another and have this brotherhood. Going to be sad when the team gets blown up this summer. Just goes to show how temporary everything is and you have to take advantage of the opportunities you have. I really wish the game was closer, kind of bummed me out watching their body language. And to not let DeRozan finish the game was upsetting. Let the man finish the game with his family. Give him a Flagrant 1. Cavs these past 4 years… Read more »
100% with this.
No way. Had to be a Flagrant 2 there. Have to get the game under control.
I understand your concern with injuries…but he went for ball and hit him in the face. The wind up was excessive, maybe. If he cut legs out from under JC then sure Flagrant 2. The game wasn’t out of control at that point, that was first thing I saw all game that was over the top physicality.
Refs aren’t going to let it get there in a blowout. They’re gonna err on the side of sending him to the showers. If it was close, he stays, but not in a blowout. Right call/wrong call, I knew that was the call they were making in that situation, and DeRozan should know it too. NBA is predictable.
fair point
yeah that wasn’t even a regular flagrant 10 years ago.
I thought Flag 2 was excessive – contact to the head came after he grazed the arm and I didn’t see a “wind up”
Wow. Lowry due $31 million next year and $33 after that. Ibaka due $22 mil and $23 mil over next two years. Sheesh.
That’s a lot of money tied up with two players who won’t really get a team over the hump. I like Lowry but he’s not capable of carrying a team or taking over a game..
He could be capable of being LBJ’s #2 though…
Not for that kind of money. Hill can do almost the same for much, much less.
If it wasn’t for that contract I would love for the Cavs to go after him, or DeRozan, just way too much tied up to them both.
Again, you’re basically trading TT and JC’s combined bad deals ($62M) for Lowry’s ($64M)
I would rather keep TT and JC, and I can’t even believe I just said that, because I don’t think Lowry can do much more than Hill.
Wow… really? Lowry’s PER is about 10 points higher than Hill’s…
It goes back to the LeBron dilemma. Yes, Lowry is good – not great – and he’s a better offensive player than Hill (my eyes tell me they are almost the same defensively) but I don’t see him being able to do much more than Hill when playing next to LeBron.
Will he be more efficient? Maybe – I gotta check their %’s – but he won’t be used as much as he’s in Toronto so his numbers will go down and now you’re paying $32m for a 32/33yo guy not named LeBron.
He’s the third best PG in RPM in the NBA… after CP3 and Curry…
Some stats are dubious. Taking into account age and money owed-
Would you rather have Lowry or Oladipo?
How about Lowry or Mitchell?
How about Lowry or Lilliard?
I would take Curry over all of those guys. Then Oladipo > Mitchell > Lilliard > CP3 > Lowry
On paper Lowry’s number look great, but watching the games, I would say there are better PG’s out there, wether the stats show it.
Cavs have no shot at Dipo, Mitchell or probably even Lillard (without trading Love)…
Are there any guys who are potentially available who are better than Lowry? Do you buy into John Wall? He’s the only other guy at that level I think…
The one other guy who might be gettable, but who isn’t a star yet, and has potential, youth and decent salary on his side is Spencer Dinwiddie… but I can’t see the Cavs trading the Nets back their pick essentially for a non-all star…
I haven’t really been paying attention to any available PG’s, so I can’t really say at the moment who I think we could trade for or get. I just think that between Lowry’s $32m plus LeBron’s $35-40m(??) – that’s an insane amount of money tied up to two guys – one deservedly so, the other not so much. I think with the right coach and LeBron’s teaching, I think you can get 80% Lowry out of Clarkson. I know, I know, it sounds crazy but I think the Clarkson issue is mental and not due to lacking physical abilities. We… Read more »
And the comparison between the PG’s I pointed out wasn’t wether we could get them, but rather to point out that although Lowry’s stats show him to be the 3rd best PG in the league, to me, he’s not even top 5. Maybe not even top ten. Gotta double check ;)
He’s been the third best (4th best if you consider Harden a PG) PG in RPM for the last three years, and hasn’t been outside the top 6 in five years… He’s been an All Star and a Third Team All NBA PG for a reason… We have bias and certainly recency bias of being Cavs fans who’ve seen him wilt at times against our team… You are undervaluing him. And the reason I point out who’s gettable is because I’m looking at the reality of how the Cavs can improve and keep LeBron’s window open while he’s still here… Read more »
I just don’t think Lowry is as good as his numbers show. He surely isn’t on my Top 5 pg list, and he may not even make my Top 10.
Don’t get me wrong, if Dan wants to bring in Lowry, even with that crazy contract, I’m all in for that.
Dude, I’ve died on the support JC hill… but even I don’t think he could be 80% of Lowry…
I would argue his numbers would actually improve next to LeBron… he’d have a lot more open shots and space to maneuver… I mean, DeRozan is essentially a drive and mid range player… LeBron opens the floor for a guy like Lowry and vice versa…
Why not have Lowry AND Hill? Certainly solidifies the PG position no matter who is on the floor….
My gut tells me there are better deals out there. *shrug*
Here’s a summer trade proposal that could help both Cavs and Raptors… TT, Clarkson and whoever they take with the Nets pick for Lowry (assuming LBJ stays). Tristan gets to go home, Raps get a young pick to build around, and Lowry finally gets a chance to go for a ring. Yes, Lowry is 32, but his game would translate well to playing with LeBron and he’d be a decent answer to Kyrie in next year’s playoffs…
Uh, Lowry is due $64 million in total over the next two years.
TT and JC are due a combined $62 million over the next two years…
Just think the draft pick is worth more.
Is it though? Who else can you get for it? The best it sounds like that was avail at the trade deadline was an expiring DeAndre Jordan… No team wants to give up rising talent for a draft pick…
oh wait, now we’re scared of money. Remember who runs this BISH: CAVS DAN
That’s an awful deal. Awful. Just keep hill.
Amen. I like Lowry, but his age, PO history, and contract argue strongly against it.
Plus, if we deal that Nets pick, I want some younger guys back. Not thirtysomethings.
His PO history is predominantly against LBJ… he’d be much better on the same side I think… Also, if you want to continue to win in LBJ’s window, vets are the way to go not young guys…
1) I said younger, not rookies. Reading is fundamental. McCollum. Lillard. Beal. Think 25-28.
2) Lot of young guys playing pretty well in the POs.
3) LeBron may have more years left than you think.
4) Lowry has had plenty of struggles vs non-Cav teams in the POs.
Don’t be a dick… I never said rookies either so right back at you…
You think Portland is trading either of those guys for the 8-10 pick in the draft? Doubtful…
How is it awful? Lowry is still one of the better defensive PGs, he can shoot the three and is a better playmaker than anyone not named LeBron currently on the Cavs… Plus, it’s a trade off on the deal since you’d be getting rid of TT and JCs bad contracts…
If it was Calderón, TT and JC for Lowry – sure. Giving up the Nets pick for a 32yo guy who’s peaking in his career is a bad move. He has what, 1-2 years at this level? Maybe.
I don’t even think that much. He’s not the defender he once was. Cavs need wings more.
Show me where he isn’t the defender he was?
dRPM says he hasn’t improved over last year. I guess everything is just clouded in this series for me. If the Cavs could get Poeltl too, I would think about it.
That should read he HAS improved over last year.
He’s the third best PG in the NBA in RPM behind CP3 and Curry…
They could maybe get Poeltl or Delon Wright as a throw in…
Yeah, why would Raps ever do that deal? I’m just presenting a semi-realistic option here… Lowry might only have two or three years left, but you know what you have with him, and it takes advantage of LeBron’s remaining window with an All Star point guard… You can’t get something for nothing. The Cavs can’t get a big name FA if LeBron resigns. They can only trade things of value. The only things of value they have to trade are Kevin Love and whoever they take with the Nets pick. That’s not getting you Kawhi, and probably not PG-13. And,… Read more »
Disagree – look what Chris Paul has done for the Rockets. Lowry is in the next tier of point guards (above George Hill)
Tom, are you comparing Lowry to CP3? Wow…
Since CP3 isn’t coming here… who else is gettable that’s better?
In your defense, Lowry has been a fantastic RPM player over the last 5 years, this year included, and deserved his all-star status.
I’m just saying in a world where LeBron will want proven All Star guys to run with who can defend, make plays and make shots… you could do a lot worse than Lowry for the next two or three years…
It depends where the pick lands, but if this would ultimately keep LeBron on the Cavs then absolutely.
From a Raptors perspective they should probably look to trade DeRozan. I personally never been a fan of his game, and yet he could probably get them back the most. Neither he nor Lowry are a #1 option IMO.
I find it patently hilarious that Enes Kanter went from trying to troll LeBron by calling him “Queen James” to openly begging him to come to New York next year…
Kyrie is going there as a FA after next season, so the Knicks should just be patient…
I’m still putting my money on Danny trading him in a package for Kawhi this summer…
He’s definitely the most forgettable NBA player that finds ways to make it into the news.
https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/993691562247942146
We didn’t stress enough just how awesome JR was last night… dude didn’t miss a shot and played terrific defense on DeRozan… Great to see him back playing well again…
+1
Also got the crowd in a frenzy in the mid of the 2nd when the Cavs went on their run.
Can the Cavs just swap Hood For CJ Miles? After dominating a team you should be allowed to pillage some spoils.
That would certainly add a twist to the playoffs :) The League could implement rules involving franchise tags to protect several of your top players. And then the dynamic of the role players who might want to be pillaged trying to throw the game…There could also be some sort of ritualistic ceremony involving owners dressed in Viking helmets, etc. Lots of fun!
Love that idea.
People are slamming Hood too much in my opinion. He’s a confidence guy so piling on is not going to do anyone any good. If he had a better coaching staff things would be different. Put him on the Spurs and I guarantee he is a value add.
If he read this blog and his confidence is shattered by internet commenters, he is never going to be a plus nba player.
The Spurs aren’t immune to the Hood’s of the league. They’ve got their own problems with Leonard, who is a million times better than Hood, but showing off his selfish badge.
Here’s the thing. The Spurs don’t acquire guys like this. The absolute closest was Tony Parker’s dalliance with Brent Barry’s ex and Captain Jack’s weed penchant, but those are off the court issues. The Spurs value character and intelligence more than athleticism and basketball skill. They’d never sign him to begin with. The dude is dejected because he was probably in line for $8-$9 mil per year at least the way last season went down, and this year he’s going to be lucky to get minimum.
Altman meeting with Hood. Suspension a possibility without a good explanation.
As I understand it, if he’s not injured, isn’t this act a breach of contract?
CBA would cover it. I would imagine so. Hence the suspension looming.
Did you see the picture after Bron’s winner in game 3 with teammates mobing Bron & smiling & Hood is just off in the distance staring?
I’d like to see the picture. Here’s the Youtube video of it. At 0:22 seconds, he’s right in the middle of the celebration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBksFVrnU8A
I think you only package a guy like Bridges or MPJr if you get a huge piece back. I know some people don’t think this, but I am pretty certain we are crazy far away from even being competitive with gs. Lost Kyrie. The new guys don’t come close to replacing that. Is Hill’s defense going to replace bthat? Nah, no way. TT and Nance aren’t killing the death lineup with durant. Clarkson=garbage. Hood=flaming garbage. Considering the gentleman’s sweep last year, it would take LeBron out performing himself from 2016 to get more than a game. So I don’t see… Read more »
Amen.
I have hope for Clarkson. Witness the steal & getting DeRozan tossed. He just needs to improve the decision making. He competes defensively.
If you view him as a 2 and Cedi as a 3, Hood has no spot as long as Korver & JR are here. Not to mention Green.
It would have been nice if he had worked out, but he has not.
19. For him, of all people, to refuse to go into a game during garbage time is grounds for a fine and suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. Lue hung in there with Hood when most other coaches would’ve gone away from him long ago. When these playoffs began, an opposing executive texted me “(Hood) is not built for this,” meaning the postseason. Now we’re seeing why. —- Lloyd
https://twitter.com/SportsBoyTony/status/993843277517467649?s=20
Or a reporter could have seen the interaction.
https://twitter.com/skippers_den84/status/993854802432950272?s=20
For next year:
Signed = 10. Love, Hill, JR, Korver, TT, Clarkson, Nance, Cedi, Zizic, White (non-guaranteed if waived).
FA = 3. Green, Calderon, Perkins.
Player option = James.
RFA = Hood.
Don’t forget the Nets pick.
I hadn’t forgot. Just wanted to let people know who is signed and who is not.
For me, Hood comes in around 12th at the moment. He is soft and entitled. Would love for things to be repaired & him to play better.
However, he should not start over Korver or JR. And Green is clearly better. Heck, Clarkson, Cedi, and Calderon have been better.
https://twitter.com/AkronJackson/status/993838518614003717?s=20
Rodney Hood and his 1-9 shooting is too good to play in the 4th quarter. Get this guy out of Cleveland. He can go stink it up starting for the Orlando Magic.
I won’t read much into Stevens not beating the Cavs until the Celtics are operating with anywhere near the talent the Cavs have. This year the Celtics shouldn’t even be here in my opinion. If James comes back and they still lose with a fully healthy Kyrie and Hayward, then I will say he is overrated.
Bleep Rodney Hood!
https://twitter.com/BenAxelrod/status/993821168988835840?s=20
Net positive by the numbers.
Hood refusing to enter the game is a bad sign.
Perhaps we can work it out with him. Still, it is sooooo selfish. Hard to argue he hasn’t been awful. If he canmot see that, he is as dumb as he is selfish. I think Cedi is a better overall player. Eff Hood.
Hopefully we can trade him for another rotational piece. We do not need a $10 million dollar benchwarmer.
I will take Mikal Bridges in his place.
I feel like the hunger’s back for the Cavs. It really seems like the Pacers series forced them to decide whether they want to fight for a ring or not. The Pacers challenged their manhood and the Cavs rose to the challenge. Just gotta ride the wave now…. no one believes they can win the ring, but I think LBJ is going to rise to the challenge and we’re going to witness something special.
I think that is a valid point.
Ty Lue is not looking nearly as dumb lately.
I think he hates the regular season as much as LBJ & JR.
LOL could be.
I have to give him credit. Sticking with Green and JR were the correct moves. Still not going to excuse him for not pushing TT with Nance and keeping Cedi on ice too long. But at least he was willing to put Cedi in.
He’s still not helping Clarkson out with Calderon but it’s probably moot at this point with rotations shrinking in the ECF and (potential) Finals.
LOOOOOL Kanter inviting LBJ to NY….now I’ve seen everything.
Comically, he’d have to opt out and not re-sign to afford him.
SHAME WE ARE TALKING MORE ABOUT THE “HOOD ‘ SITUATION THAN OUR SWEEP OF THE RAPTORS ——–WILL POST 1 MORE THING ON HOOD ———HE NEEDS TO GET WITH R.J. / J.R. / OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEIR / ADJUST THEIR GAMES WHEN PLAYING WITH LEBRON —-MAKE THAT CHANGE AND THRIVE FROM IT——-BELIEVE CAVS DO HAVE HOOD’S BIRD RIGHTS —SIGN AND TRADE OPPORTUNITY ??—OK LAST TIME I BRING UP THE HOOD SCENARIO—-LET’S ENJOY THE SWEEP AND GET READY FOR EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS !!!——NO MORE DRAMA !!!!
I WOULD STILL LIKE TO RESIGN HOOD ——-GIVE HIM ANOTHER SEASON WITH THE CAVS —-TOO EARLY TO JUST “THROW ” HIM AWAY / I MEAN IN ESSENCE HE IS STILL PART OF THE KYRIE TRADE —-NEED SOME PARTS FOR TRADING AN ALL STAR
Agreed…. he can shoot the ball and he’s 25. Maybe he can learn from the King.
5-0 WHEN NOT POSTING DURING GAMES —(GOAT )—YOUR WELCOME GUYS–HA-HA——–YES THE HOOD SITUATION IS PERPLEXING / TROUBLING / FRUSTRATING ——REALLY THOUGHT HE MIGHT MOVE UP TO BE OUR # 2 SCORER —–AT LEAST # 3 ——HEY MAYBE WITH SOME TIME OFF HERE / MORE REPS —-WHO KNOWS ( HE HAS BEEN DEALING WITH INJURIES AND THE FATHER OF A NEW BORN )——JUST SOAKING IN THE WIN —JUST LIKE I AM FINALLY SOAKING IN SOME NORTH COAST WARM WEATHER / SUNSHINE !!!—GO CAVS —“IN BELIEVELAND “
Yes! \GOAT\nomad
The Hood situation is weird, not really helping himself in addition to his brutal play
Love seeing RJ get some work on the sideline. Dreaming of a next generation broadcast team. Not sure of the play by play man, but let’s say RJ, Doris Burke, and Ian Eagle.
You know I really like Brent Barry with Ian Eagle. Great complimentary styles – Eagle is very enthusiastic and Barry is so calm and observant.
I really like those guys as well, particularly Brent Barry, although I may just be tired of hearing the voices of Mike Breen and Marv Albert.
It’s amazing how Cedi came in and immediately found ways to impact the game, get in position on defense and communicate with his teammates. He’s got “it” — whatever it is.
Tom, just got to the end of the pod and would like to send you our best for your impending arrival. Exciting times.
Thank you Simmo! Yes, very exciting times in the Pestak household.
Figured there would be some fallout from not playing Hood. Cavs have no exactly put him in best position to succeed (not easy, anyway, when those guys were brought in for the stretch run with no practice time), but at some point, he also has to make a shot. If he was averaging 1-2 made threes a game I would be fine with it…
Rodney Hood has to be sick over the way this season played out. He’s been a disaster in the biggest season of his career. I doubt he gets much more thAn minimum, tbh.
Spurs will take him and he will turn awesome.
Man, reading that Hood refused to play in the 4th. If true, nothing good coming from this for him.
https://mobile.twitter.com/jasonlloydnba/status/993741575732768768
Wow, that’s rather stupid on his part considering Cedi has been itching to get playing time. Hoping Lue benches his ass and Cedi gets his minutes.
Will listen
*will listen to the podcast on the way to work.
Again with the If True proviso – I wonder if he wants out & is trying to make it an easy decision for the ballclub.
I would imagine it’s true. I don’t see why anyone would make up that story.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23441765/rodney-hood-apologize-cleveland-cavaliers-refusing-enter-game