Podcast 240: Trying to win?
2021-05-25Hello again, CtB!
On day three of the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs, the ole’ ball coach Nate Smith brings together grizzled veteran Elijah Kim and the rookie Chris Francis to wrap up what has been one of the weirdest seasons in Cavs’ history. It started with the the joy of seeing Cavs’ basketball after the long dark night of the COVID cancellation and NBA bubble, then after a decent start of the season, the craziness and tumult kicked in. Kevin Porter Jr., gone, the big trade for Jarrett Allen, the Andre Drummond drama, the Kevin Love drama, then the full-on tank… CtB covers it all in this epic podcap.
They discuss the whereabouts of Dan Gilbert (Dead or alive? Did he even exist at all???). Will we ever hear from Koby Altman again? Does JB Bickerstaff get a mulligan? What will the Cavs do to the roster? The biggest question, were the Cavs actually trying to win this season? and only one way to find out the answers…
And to provide a sonic chaser to the Cavs talk, Nate, Eli, and Chris hand out some hardware to put a 2020-21 season to bed. Nate reveals his the team he’s secretly rooting for. Eli reveals who’s secretly behind the success of his sister’s golfing career. Chris reveals where he lurks on the internet when he’s not on Cavs the Blog, and we hand out our 2021 awards and playoff predictions. You’re not going to want to miss this episode of Cavs the Blog Podcast, enjoy!!!
Listen below, download the full audio file, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, and Spotify.
CJ big 3, Morris MISSES both free throws but Jokic puts it back in and we are done.
Tight scrambling finish but Denver always in position of strength.
Up 8, 1min to go. It’s now a freethrow game. Nuggets have closed this one out.
Jokic sets ip Austin for 3 AGAIN
DAME DUNK. Nuggs call timeout
DAME 3! Gordon dunk. Powell for 2. Massive arm wrestle
CJ dumb foul on Jokic late in shot clock. Gifting 2 pts
Nuggs 10 up, 2:45 left
Rivers again. Heatcheck goes in. Kneebuckling blow. Dame time better come soon or we are done here.
Here comes Austin Rivers…
Man, nice pickup for Denver!!! Saw Rivers has something like 40+ games of playoff experience.
Rivers with 2 big threes this quarter
Melo big drive to the bucket, heavy contest. Gets it to go. Only 2 down
Nurkic fouls out….
Jokic in. MELOOOOO THREEEEE. Scores tied
MPJ takes a deep 3 early in shotclock. Misses. Blazers score. Denver leaving the door open
3 pts down, 7:20 to go. Nurkic 5 fouls
Big 3 from MPJ…Denver out to 8 while Jokic sits
Lakers game seems to be paused?
Kanter gonna get a flagrant 1 – flalied into Jokic’s head
Yup.
Bad timing, blazers were within 3 near end of 3rd
Blazers focusing on Lillard Nurkic 2 man game.
Seems like hard work & maybe not trusting teammates to get it done
Blazers hanging around, now down 5. They are finally making Jokic work hard in the paint. They keep this up, they just might win.
Wish I could watch that game. Suns got within 8, then Lakers went on another run…up 18…
Lakers in 5?
I think it really depends on CP3…he doesn’t look too effective, doesn’t want to shoot…
Jokic looking sweaty & gassed similar to game 1
AD with the missed dunk of the year. BOIIIINNG!
Blazers losing the bench battle badly so far. Turnovers keeping Blazers in it.
Watching Jae Crowder brick shot after shot from above the break three point line will make anyone despise basketball.
Regressing to Cleveland form
I think the only way blazers can win is if they tire Jokic out with lots of post action.
40-30 to Nuggs & Jokic finally sits
Just glancing at the box score, looks like the Nuggets are lighting it up…
kusma issues ? lazy, hurt, bust ?
always overrated, Laker fans delusional
He’s never been very good. He’s a taller Clarkson at best.
Denver go from 8 down to 9 up. Really bad signs for Portland.
Ooh, Ima be on the other game….Blazers out early & Dame looking imperious.
That one’s on NBATV here, I can’t even watch it. NBA expertly markets its product.
It’s a shootout. But Nuggs right back into it & pnce again noone can stop Jokic…
damn I’m gonna miss the action again tonight, but should be tuned in tomorrow… gonna check on the thread late tonight tho, enjoy y’all!
Will comment as much as I can….unexpected visit by the in-laws spoiling my bball fun. They aren’t bball people…
Ah man, family duty calls!!! On friend duty here myself before I move out of town!
Fascinating battle right now between Frank the Tank and Drumm. A real treat for hoop purists.
If the Lakers want to get this crowd going, they’re going to have to feed Drummond.
Boy, I’d really like to get Giannis and Jrue out off there, but still too much time…
Heat really paid Bam Adebayo 163 million LMFAOOOOO
Anyone hanging around for Lakers / Suns? I’ll be back for that.
I’ll be checking for that… see you around!
Oh yeah…
I’m loving this so much, some people really thought the Heat were gonna roll LMFAOOO
meanwhile boy genius Spoelstra getting pantsed by Coach Bud
HaHa!
Bucks just coasting now, reminds me of some of the playoff blowouts during Lebron’s second Cavs run…they look totally relaxed…
And yet still locked in on D. Think they want this series over as fast as possible.
Yeah, I really think they had payback on their minds from the Bubble…and Jrue is such a huge addition. He kind of unlocks so much for them.
Miami had a window of opportunity when they had it down to 14… thought they’d cut it to single digits to enter the 4th and the Bucks just turned the jets on and slammed that door shut
Herro just made his first three since the bubble last year. Pretty sure, anyway.
He still looks way too excited to be out there.
Bucks with some boneheaded decision making, giving Heat every chance to get back into the game. But Heat still can’t shoot.
Man, Heat just throwing rocks.
Too much talent on the Bucks. This series is over I think. Barr the shouting.
Heat looking better, just can’t get anything to drop so far. Bucks look engaged as well. Should be good.
WATCHED A LITTLE OF JAZZ/ GRIZ GAME —–MAN MORANT IS SOOOOO FLUID / GIFTED —JOY TO WATCH HIS GAME –HOPE HE STAYS INJURY FREE —-MAN I WAS HOPING CAVS WOULD GET HIM IN THE DRAFT :-(
His misdirection on the dribble drive is bedazzling. Somehow his hair seems to add to the misdirection…
Such a gifted player – has that ability to change directions on a dime but makes it look so smooth…
He even made that dunk attempt where he got stuffed by Gobert look good. He looked like he was trying to jump out of the gym
Looks like Jazz will likely win this, but Morant is completely ridiculous…
Missed the game but heard he was phenomenal. Gotta make time for the replay.
If he ever gets a consistent outside shot, he’ll be an MVP level guy. He is very crafty & smart in P&R. He is a willing passer with good vision. Athleticism off the charts.
Heck, Isiah Thomas wasn’t much of a shooter, but led Detroit to two titles (and damned near a third on one leg).
Have a feeling this one will go down to the wire…somehow Grizz have kept it close.
Happy for Rose, too bad Ty Lue sucked. Electric environment at MSG.
Mitchell is 10x the player Westrbrook is.
Love the energy in this Grizzlies-Jazz game
Thia Knicks game is fun as hell
Yeah, was about to post the same thing. More fun than anyone had a right to expect.
Happy to see Derrick Rose have success
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1397663701143101451?s=20
It’s hilarious, mostly because floaters are the least important past of Doncic’s game.
CtB after dark! This was a good one. Testament to the breadth of the conversation that the ‘Sexton Conundrum’ did not come up until the halfway point.
That’s down to superb programming by Nate.
Thanks guys! Eli and Chris were great.
Don’t duck a team to play a guy who will win multiple MVPs. Words of advice.
This is insane, Luka knows he’s the best player on the court.
39/7/7…
DALLAS IS RUNNING THE SAME PLAY OVER AND OVER AND ANNIHLATING THE CLIPPERS DEFENSE LMFAOOOOOOOO
PatBev biggest fraud ever
Pat Bev trick y’all, man, like he playing defense. He don’t guard nobody, man. He just running around, doing nothing.
THATS RIGHT RUSS!!!! er MIKE!!! LMFAOOOO
No, that would be PG13. Or Ty Lue. On a team with Kawhi & PG13, why in the world is PBev even on Luka?
I mean, those guys are SUPPOSEDLY great wing defenders. FFS, man up!
Ty Lue deserves the slander, but also I just dislike PatBev so I’m gonna cook LMFAOOOO
this kid running the NBA for the next 15 years:
https://twitter.com/BallySportsSW/status/1397409345059573763?s=20
Wonder how Ty is feeling about ducking the Lakers…
Clippers fans owe Doc Rivers an apology.
Pretty sure that LeFU three will do it…
that MJ fadeaway dagger >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
If the Lakers don’t ride Andre to close this, they have no chance.
Thats right!!!
CAM PAYNE TAKEOVER!!! Booker crapping the bed
CAM PAYNE!!!!!!!!!! EFF YOU KOBY ALTMAN!!! LMFAOOOOOOO
Never thought I’d ever say Payne doesn’t suck. Well, he still sucks, but an aberration tonight.
Lovely foul for Carusio fore three 3+1…
Lakers up 7 going to the 4th. Wonder if CP3 will return. Doubt the Lakers have the guts to lean on Drummond.
don’t think he will,
there he is!
he’s doing it for his team!!!
That blocked shot from defensive demon Andre Drummond should seal the max for him in Boston. He’s all they are missing.
Former Cavs Andre Drummond and Cam Payne BALLING!!!!
Future Celtics Andre Drummond and Cam Payne.
Payne, Clarkson, Green, Porter (shoulda drafted), Drummond.
Lakers need to get Gasol the H outa there. This game will come down to POST UPS, which means Drummond.
Nice flop attempt by Drumm, exactly why the Celtics need to max him.
Lakers Suns already feels like its been going for an hour…9:00 left in the first….
More fouls than fields goals so far
Eagerly awaiting the touch foul on Lebron where he acts like he was assassinated,
MikeO: the new Skip!
LMFAOOOOOOOO Skip in the mud right now after tonight
Celtics need to sign Andre Drummond for the next five years. This series is showing that.
get it done Ainge!
Will Danny have the courage to Zig when the rest of the league is Zagging?
OMFG these absolutely rule:
https://twitter.com/John_Sabol/status/1397211940460576769?s=20
HOPE WYNDLER IS WATCHING ‘MIGHTY JOE ” HARRIS PUT ON A SHOOTING DISPLAY—–THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU DYLAN
love it NOMAD!
Windler needs to stay on the court. He might be able to be a Harris type of player (Harris was basically out of the league at one point), but if he is, he needs to show it. I hope he does.
It provides absolute proof that it is possible. Windler has yet to reach the level of clank that Harris exhibited at the Cavs too, so even better.
YEP CONGRATS TO CLARKSON—-IS ON THE RIGHT TEAM FOR HOW HE PLAYS —–SEXTON SHOULD TAKE NOTICE ——AND KOBY– ( HAVE MENTIONED THIS SEVERAL TIMES )– NOT SAYING ANYTHING PUBLIC —NOT ONLY NOW BUT PRETY MUCH THE ENTIRE SEASON—–VERY UNPROFESSIONAL/// TIME TO MOVE ON FROM KOBY
Nice that Clarkson got 6th man. Didn’t hate him when he was here… obviously he had his limits but you could at least count on him to heat up from time to time.
Was a big fan of how Clarkson played under Beilein. Personally think he was the type of vet we should’ve kept.
His last year with the Cavs was the best I’d seen him until he went to Utah. He was also well liked. I would have been okay keeping him, but I get why they traded him.
agreed 100%.
https://twitter.com/ChrisFedor/status/1397251312325218310?s=20
Predictable. Hope it doesn’t turn out to be a big deal.
Haven’t listened yet, but I will, just wanted to say Altman’s refusal to make himself available to the media, ever is pretty embarrassing. You’d think he was some long time, super established GM who didn’t have to lower himself to public comments, rather than a guy who might get fired this offseason.
podcast was remixed to fix some choppy audio. Won’t push to the rss feeds for a bit, but the spotify, anchor, and download links should work right away. Sorry about that!
The Drummond thing SHOULD provide some insight into what the Cavs should do with Sexton. Some guys can put up numbers, and even help win some games, but their decision-making is so poor it gets you beat vs good opponents.
Now, Sexton is young and he may (still) have an opportunity to improve, but his tunnel-vision and defensive instincts remain poor to me. I am not optimistic. His ceiling looks like an undersized, ball-hogging, defensive challenged scorer. Think Jamal Crawford but smaller. At least Lou Williams can pass.
Ditto Love. He ain’t gonna magically start trying at this point.
Coin flip today?