Podcap: Cleveland 98, Indiana 85 (or, Cavalanche!)
2022-02-07Sunday night’s win over the Pacers looked anything but assured for Cleveland as they started out ice cold from the floor, just 4-23 in the first frame, ending the quarter down 27-12. Having just had their starting wing, Caris LeVert traded to Cleveland, literally while he was in the locker room suiting up to play Cleveland, Indiana played from the tip like they had nothing to lose. The Pacers would end up leading by as much as 20 early in the second before the Cavs climbed the mountain on their way back single digits for the next 20 minutes.
Then, a rifle cracked. Cedi Osman sniped a triple to start the third quarter, and triggered a Cavalanche. Kevin Love, Cedi, and Rondo combined to sink the first eight triples of the period and gun their way to a 19-0 run to bury the stunned Pacers. The wine and gold never went back to collect the dead.
To celebrate the Cavalanche Comeback and the newly acquired LeVert, the CtB faithful squeezed into the podcast studios. Nate Smith, Elijah Kim, Tom Pestak, and Chris Francis kicked it off by holding a (Kevin) Love fest for what we’d all just witnessed. After breaking down the game and the Cavalanche, the guys got into the LeVert trade and broke down how he helped the Cavs, how he fits their timeline, and what other moves the Cavs might have considered or what they may be considering still.
The CtB brain trust tried to nail down the origins of the Cavs’ 90’s mascot, Whammer and played a game of “who he play for?” with an early aughts Cavs squad. Tom penned an ode to Bill Fitch. Eli (the Korean Channing Frye) regaled us with the details of his Sunday night pick-up glory. Tom and Nate traded epic tales of bureaucracy and wisdom, and then the old men sang the praises of the OG computer store, Micro Center. What a night. What a win. What a trade. What a season.
Listen below, download the full audio file, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify.
kyrie is such a little bitch.. i am sure he spends his free time reading the medical literature on new therapeutics and their risks..i realize he doesn’t want to defile his body with any impurities.. let us all hope at the end of his career that he has only one championship..
hope he steps in poop. barefoot.
embiid owning ayton.. the dude is a very frightening opponent
IF THAT IS WHAT THE CELTICS WANT FOR SCHROEDER—-‘ PULL THE TRIGGER KOBY “
28-2. 5 min left in 1st.
Hope Kyrie is enjoying that.
What is the record the Grizz set earlier?
Celtics up 14-0 on Nets.
I hope they win by 60.
Cleveland sports fans are usually happy with any improvement, and careful not to put the horse before Descartes about titles.
— but —
it is becoming clear that in addition to coming up on a big window for contention, the Cavs have a bona fide shot at winning it this year. This impacts what kind of trades might be smart.
i think therefore i am
Via Hoops Rumors…
“Meanwhile, Jared Weiss of The Athletic suggests the Cavaliers may not be done dealing yet, writing that they remain in the mix for Celtics guard Dennis Schröder. A Cleveland offer for Schröder would likely include a draft pick and two players from a group that includes Ed Davis, Dylan Windler, and Kevin Pangos, says Weiss.“
why would the celtics do this trade ? schroder may have his weaknesses but he is a legit NBA player putting up decent numbers ?? if the new celtics guru gm does this i would be shocked..
I think they’re trying to get under the cap and he’s an expiring.
yup, they’re trying to avoid paying tax.
They are only like $900k over. They can get under with a minor move if need be.
The Celtics side wants DiVicenzo for Schroeder.
Personally, I’d be more stoked about Payton Pritchard or Nesmith.
We cannot trade Davis without getting a big back. .
i am thinking about mobes shutting down kd in the ECF..
100%
if anyone can slow kd down it would be mobley.. i am quite certain kd doesn’t want to deal with this young stud in a seven game series..
The Nets won’t get that far.
Long before the report of wrist surgery, the idea of the Wiz giving Beal a five year supermax was pure insanity.
therefore, they will do it.
he’ll be 29 starting next year…i’m not sure he’s worth a supermax in a vacuum but he might be for the wiz.
Beal having surgery is good for us. No way a contender trades for him now.
45 more hours of Harden/Simmons stuff. Hope they both stay put.
hope they both step in poop!
SO PURSUING SCHROEDER—AS REPORTS IMDICATE—WISE BY THE CAVS ?
In my opinion?
No.
Yes, absolutely…. Cavs should do it given the cost will be minimal.
He’s a cancer.
And chokes in the POs.
what grade ?
been choking since first grade
Who we giving up for him?
I think there was talk about giving up Windler and Pangos. But I’m not sure how a deal would be constructed?
I think the Cavs need a 2 for 1, to get to one less player, so Goodwin can play in the playoffs?
We technically wouldn’t have to give up anyone I think because of the Sexton DPE? I could be wrong.
But yeah, it would something like Pangos/Davis/Windler/Goodwin? I’d imagine.
NEVER THOUGHT THE WIZ WAS EVER A THREAT TO US —NOW THEY ARE ” BOTTOM DWELLERS “
BEER NEVER HINDERED MY BASKETBALL SKILLS–ESPECIALLY THE SHOOTING ASPECT :-)
NOMAD bro.. who likes beer more ? you or justice kavanaugh ?
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1491167882042314754?s=20&t=ZZOvDAX7Z86ACPCQXjgwlw
how long can one produce at a high level in the league with a beer belly ? NOMAD bro.. your opinion ?
Charles Barkley. James Harden.
Big Baby Davis.
There was a guy who played for Phoenix for a while? Oliver something? Kind of rotund.
Shaq was pretty fat at times.
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNBA/status/1491079375713800194?s=20&t=MQmruFLH0eQf6mYU-JE0hg
I LOVE IT GET IT DONE KOBY!!!
While I agree that the dominos ceryainly started to fall with the LeVert deal, I think we are mostly done. In terms of trading rotational level guys.
Exception would be if we know Sexton wants out or won’t accept not starting. But even so, I’d expect a sign & trade deal after this year in that case. We could net a bigger fish (salary wise) that way and get 30 games to look at LeVert, who will be on an expiring next year.
Still, we have a DPE. Buyouts ate gonna happen. Sataronsky? DJ Augustin? Dragic? Or a wing shooter?
mccollum should enjoy playing with ingram.. does grif know that fatso will never play again in NO, and if he does, he will blow up another foot.. if i am lillard i ask to be traded.. now
I feel so bad for CJ. That organization is trash and he’s got several more years on that contract.
yeah, but he can chow down in the french quarter..
I’m sure he’ll be fine. That contract is pretty ridiculous. If Zion ever comes back, Pels will be pretty good.
Pels will likely nab the 8th or 7th play in spot with CJ. Zion is so done for. at least in new orleans
FWIW, I do not think LeVert starts initially at the 2. Though if Markkanen is out a while longer, he could start at the 3 some.
With the guys we have healthy, I think LeVert spends a lot a time with the second unit, running the show. Cannot play Rondo 25 mins a night.
with you on this. Okoro is ideal to start alongside DG. also, LeVert will be most valuable when DG is on the bench.
i trust okoro is in the gym as we speak working on his shot..
Supposing the Cavs won the EC, how would that rank in historic “almost last to first” events?
Right up there with the Bengals in the SB.
Though worst to first (in a division) happens in the NFL from time to time.
pretty close to the celtics pre-bird ’78-’79 to bird rookie year ’79-80 (61-21.. 30+ win increase)
Yep. That is a good one. I thought McHale & Parish came in that year, but it was in 1981. FWIW, Bird era Celtics teams had the best record in the league 6 times from 1980-1986. Only miss was 1983 Moses/Dr. J Sixers. Saying something with Magic & Kareem in LA the whole time. One year, they did not lose a game in Boston ALL YEAR. Only home loss in Hartford.
Duncan had a huge rookie year improvement, but it is kinda cheating, as Robinson was back healthy after getting hurt the prior year.
YOU ARE CORRECT BUCKAROO——-FANSIDED—( FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH)–SAID CAVS ARE NOT DONE TRADING—MENTIONED A POTENTIAL SEXTON FOR KENNARD TRADE ????—–OPINIONS
i think the wheels are in motion.. koby should trade sexton now.. put all the chips into the center of the table if there is an upgrade possible now.. al tall sniper would fit the bill..LAC would need to sweeten the pot with some picks
I’d need a hellava lot more than Kennard for YB. He can shoot but cannot guard.
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1491137366219976705?s=20&t=CL9K4SPwXBZU9fYAgSUSbw
The fact they kept Fox and dealt Hali is astounding. Hali is younger, cheaper, abetter shooter, and a better defender.
I bet the Pacers insisted.
HEY MY MAN JASON —YES ON POSTING LAVERT’S 38% SPOT UP 3’S——I OWE YOU A BEER MY MAN !!! :-)
Hey, man, that is higher than I had read (33%). Though how different sites categorize shots (pull up/spot up, catch & shoot) can be fuzzy.
If he cuts down on his pull up 3s (let DG, Love, Lauri, & Cedi shoot those), penetrates & dishes it could work well.
I POSTED ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS 1 TRADE TO SET THE ‘DOMINOES IN MOTION ” CAVS INITIATED THE TRADING FRENZY—WTF ARE THE KINGS DOING—MAN IF KOBY WAS AWARE OF US HAVING ANY CHANCE AT HALIBURTON –I WOULD HAVE HOPED HE WOULD HAVE JUMPED ALL OVER THAT
NOMAD bro.. haliburton likely would have cost a piece of treasure.. levert was as inexpensive as it gets in this reality..
Pacers had to eat Hield’s contract. There was a lot of salary moving there. Beyond Rubio (who is a FA and cannot play), I fo not think we want to move any core guys.
Maybe YB?
So much for Haliburton being untouchable.
I suspect that is about as true as Harden wanting to be in Brooklyn.
FWIW, I think it benefits the Cavs if Harden, Simmons, and Beal all stay put.
The Nets are very beatable with Fat Beard pouting with a perpetually pulled hammy (it is like 8 months now, isn’t it?) and Kyrie part time and Harris out.
Embiid is incredible. Maxey & Curry are great. Harris is good. But they are beatable with Simmons (and his salary) not helping.
We stomped the Lopez-less Bucks once already.
https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/1491122261268787200?s=20&t=F32x1hjHD54WWi9TcBcBrw
I bet Indy trades Brogdon & Turner as well, yes?
Or Warren.
Haliburton & Duarte gotta be the backcourt.
Brogdon cannot be traded, he just signed an extension. And i bet that neither Turner will be traded. Pacers never bottom out.
wow!
Grades roundup on LeVert deal, FWIW:
ESPN (Pelton): Cavs C; Pacers A
CBS: Cavs A, Pacers B
USA Today: Cavs A, Pacers B
Sporting News: Cavs B, Pacers B
SB Nation: Cavs B+, Pacers B+
SB Nation article had Caris at 38% on spot up 3s this year. I’ll take that.
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1491130828990345216?s=20&t=lKTpNgN3poV71_11EmXH2g
Is that Sabonis? I did not realize that.
If it is Lamb or Holiday, who cares? I mean, it is still dumb.
Holiday
OK.
They might not be done. Bagley is still a King.
Kings & Pacers dealing.
Kings get Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Lamb, ’27 2nd.
Pacers get: Haliburton, Hield, TT
I like Haliburton, but underwhelming return for Sabonis. If I am Sac, I’d have kept Haliburton and dealt Fox. If I am Indy, I’d have kept Sabonis and dealt Turner.
Kings gonna Kings. Forever and ever and ever and ever…
right! pretty astounding history of inaptitude! Remember when the Cavs traded them someone for a FRP. I think it was top 15 protected, but that fell each year, to top 14, 13, … to maybe top 11. Then the Cavs traded the pick to the Bulls, but it expired (convert to 2 SRP). I doubt if the Kings have been out of the top 10 in 20 years!
I hope Fedor is right and we do go after Rubio this summer. In my view, supreme level passers are worth their weight in gold and there are not that many (LeBron, CP3, Jokic, Luka). I’d put Rubio up against anyone else (LeMelo, Young, Harden, etc).
Or Nance could get re-routed. I’d take that, though PF is awfully crowded. He could be Markkanen’s backup.
I don’t think Larry wants to be back.
Blazers have shed a TON of salary via shipping our Powell, Covington, McCollum, and LNJ.
I think their idea is to get picks and cap space & rebuild around Lillard & Simmons & maybe Nurk.
Folks are saying the deal is not done and a third team may get involved. Perhaps with Hart being re-routed. Is Sexton + Windler for Hart & and pick unreasonable?
i do think they should move sexton now.. he is an alpha who was given free reign to be an alpha.. he will not be happy as a 2nd fiddle team player.. they moved on levert.. put all the chips into the center of the table now.. may not win it all this year.. but wait till next year.. that promises to be epic..
I don’t really believe that. I think at the end of the day he wants paid. If he gets the contract he thinks he deserves, I doubt he’d be a problem however he gets used.
he is not getting “paid” as he thinks he should be by this team.. he does not play another game for the cavs..
Sure, that I can believe. Will be interesting to see if anyone will give him anything close to what he’s looking for. Probably going to have to take a 1 year prove-it deal with someone.
that might be true, but it is a guess. being in the finals might be more fun than being an alpha. i do agree that signing with Klutch is an alpha kind of thing to do.
Durant aka “The Sockpuppet”.
Harden aka “Fat Beard” or “Not Jolly Black Santa”
Kyrie aka “Flat Earth” or “There is only one shot I won’t take”
these are funny!
Now Durant is feuding with Stephen A.
HaHa — what a waste of breath. Stephen A. rarely knows anything, but he is entertaining, and “buys ink by the barrel”, to use a metaphor from another era.
LNJ, McCollum, traded to Pels
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1491079197997268995?s=20&t=OG2m1jbVY78RdGV70AOQKQ
Blazers are immolating in the process of saving their billionaire owner money.
They suck anyway and have to start over. The Lillard/McCollum model that Altman stupidly used as a model for SexLand is mercifully over.
Blazers got a protected 1st (5-14 only), two seconds and save a ton of cap room by dealing CJ ($33.3 mil for 2 more years), Nance ($9.7 mil), and Snell ($1.7 expiring) for Hart ($13 mil non guaranteed), Sataronsky ($10 mil expiring), NAW ($5 mil + club options for 2 yrs), & filler.
They could have $38 mil less on the books next year. They can give that to Simmons and now have 2 shots to win the lotto.
NO is desperate to keep Zion in town. CJ, Ingram, Zion big 3. Plus LNJ as glue guy.
if griffin was smart he would punt on donut-boy.. no character.. no discipline.. no self-control.. should have taken ja griff.. zion is heaviest bust in nba history
“DITTO” WHAT WCC POSTED—-VERY WELL PUT !!!!
I think Koby has made another smart move. 1. We didn’t lose any players and disrupt the incredible chemistry this team has built. 2. We can resign Rubio if he wants to play here, if not we got Levert where we would have got nothing. 3. We don’t need draft picks other than as trade assets, we have a plethora of young talent to develop already. 4. Levert’s contract expires next year, if it doesn’t workout, his expiring contract becomes another trade asset. Like the Rondo trade you have to evaluate it by what we gave up. Rondo is far… Read more »
I saw a link to a Fedor article hinting that the Cavs have a post-LeVert plan for Rubio. But it is subscriber only. Anyone have access? Or just click bait.
Rubio apparently interviewed with Spanish media and said he would like to play with the Warriors.
…thats…fun.
Well, damn. I read an article earlier where he was lamenting being the guy who comes in and helps turn a team around, but then gets traded as they really take off (Suns bubble then CP3).
I took from that he wanted to stay. Butif he wants to go to GSW, then it makes him getting traded easier to swallow (like LNJ). Also makes trading him a near imperative.
right. we (reasonably) assumed he wanted to stay. and he still might, the info about the warriors might be a bogon (Metric system: bogon = one unit of bogus BS)
As long as this trade does not negatively impact him wanting to come back, I think we are close to in the same boat with Ricky.
Though I think we are a tax team next year and can inly offer $6 mil instead if $10+. But his market may be low considering he likely misses the start of the year.
A little salty on the picks. We still have holes.
trying to fill some small holes is a lot more fun than trying to find someone to build around!
I read the Rubio/GSW thing, it’s getting blown out of proportion IMO.
AFAIK, He didn’t bring up GSW, the interviewer did… Rubio was just being polite and saying the right things.
Wouldn’t read too much into it.
That Ringer article is weird…giving only one example of him ignoring a play call while not giving any examples to the contrary really gives you a specifically framed idea of Levert’s mentality. That was one play where the writer assumed Levert didn’t have the green light to do that. The reactions of Carlisle and Duarte are not pronounced. The other thing about that article that i find suspect is Dan definitely does not seem to know that much about these cavs beyond the stat sheet. He has probably watched at most 6 games. Garland has done nothing to warrant “Garland’s… Read more »
Garland played a lot of 2 when he shared the court with Rubio. Were you not paying attention?
I dont recall him playing the 2 in a steph curry style running off screens way. I have watched 90% of the games this year. I remember him getting lots of kickouts and pick and pop and returned passes for triples. I do not recall him running around like Richard Hamilton while Rubio played pg. Maybe I should check out some highlights to be sure.
as his game and shot develop, he can adopt more of the steph curry playbook.
Haha i 100% agree. Garland will ruin the eastern conference once he is unleashed with real purposeful off ball plays. But to say that is already the case in Cleveland based on this season is ludicrous.
definitely hoping EV, DG, and JA continue to grow into superstars. They are off to a good start so far! A lot of the other guys have majorly stepped up their game too. Let’s hope that continues, and with LeVert.
As a Cleveland sports fan, the expectations of this moment rank with Thome and Ramirez coming to the Indians, and LeBron 1 and 2.
Agreed. This is certainly a seminal moment in cleveland sports.
Well, he certainly is not at a Curry, Rip, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Korver level off ball mover. Nor did we do it as extensively. But we did do it some with Rubio at PG and DG as SG.
isn’t great off ball movement usually kind of a late career thing? makes up for not being ultra quick anymore?
RAOUL –IF I HEARD CORRECTLY—( THE BEERS MIGHT BE IMPAIRING MY HEARING ALSO –IMPAIRED MY EYESIGHT EARLIER)—THOUGHT THEY MENTIONED ON CHANNEL 8 NEWS THAT HE WAS RELATED TO THE SINGERS ALBEIT DISTANT
‘YOU GOT ME JASON —–” MORE BEER PLEASE “——AFTER A FEW MORE BEERS I WILL HAVE THOSE STATS UP TP 40 % FROM 3 FOR HIS ENTIRE CAREER :-)
Well, we’ll split the defference. You said 3, I said 1. But I think you were correct to count the 34.9% year.
Another consideration on the trade: We are all delighted that a long window appears to be opening for the Cavs, so keep our powder dry and be ready for a long run. On the other hand, the Cavs really are contenders right now. And the NBA, especially the EC, are in an unusually chaotic situation this year. So it is a chance to steal a ring. It might be a lot tougher starting next year. Like if the 76’ers get someone good for whats-his-name, rather than an over-the-hill lamo like Harden, they might be really hard to get past for… Read more »
the 4 games we have against the 76rs the rest of the way will be must see tv. I agree there is a sneaky window this year
isn’t it pretty unusual to still have four games against a team a week into Feb?
Yes. Yes it is. But it is happening…and I have a feeling we will go 3 and 1 or better
Any clue if LeVert is related to the Cleveland musicians named LeVert?
No clue.
He went to Pickerington HS in Columbus, I believe.
Pickerington recruits all over the state. They stole a guy from Athens that would have played in the Burrows era. I forget his name, but he was briefly on the Heat this year.
yes he is related to Gerald LeVert? and some others
Allen vs Ball: Advanced Stats (League Rank)
Player: WS, OWS, DWS, WS/48, VORP
Allen: 7.4(5), 4.6(10), 2.8(4), 0.238(7), 2.3(19)
Ball: 3.8(61), 2.4(48), 1.4(89), 0.121(65), 2.1(23)
Part Deux:
Player, Box+/-, OffB+/-, DefB+/-, PER, TrSh%
Allen: 4.0(22), 2.7(32), 1.3(26), 23.2(15), 68.7(3)
Ball: 3.5(25), 3.4(21), 0.2(74), 20.2(32), 54.3(123)
Let’s keep going:
Counting stats: (Rank if top 25ish)
Player: PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, BPG
Allen: 16.2, 11.1 (8th), 1.8, 0.7, 1.4 (14th,)
Ball: 19.6, 7.1, 7.5 (10th), 1.5 (16th), 0.4
Other Top 20 Leaderboards:
Allen: TotRebs (9th), Off Rebs (6th), Def Rebs (16th), Blocks (12th), FG% (2nd), 2PTFG% (2nd), EFG% (2nd), 2PTFGs (12th), ORtg (5th), DRtg (5th), Reb% (11th), OReb% (9th), DReb% (17th), Double-Doubles (7th).
Ball: Asts (10th), Stls (13th), FT% (13th), FG Missed (17th), TOs (14th), Fouls (12th), Ast% (8th), Triple Doubles (7th).
I don’t think it is even close.
Plus, the Cavs have a much better record despite a tougher schedule and more injuries.
And there is only 1 C in the roster and a zillion PGs.
May the chip on Allen’s shoulder lead us to a chip for all our shoulders lol
YOU MADE ME DO A “CLF” BUCKAROO !!! :-) WOOF-WOOFWOOF !!!
” HALF–FULL GLASS OF BEER ” ALWAYS IMPAIRS MY JUDGEMENT—:-) OR GET OVER EXUBERANT
2017//2018—.347—YES I BUMPED IT UP TO .350
2019–2020——.364
2020–2021……349 MY “EXUBERANCE” AGAIN ALLOWED ME TO BUMP IT UP TO .350 AND ADD 1 YR—–STILL SHOWS HE CAN —MAYBE NOT KORVERQUESKE”—BUT YOU HAVE TO GO DEFEND HIM // AND I AM WILLING TO BET IF HE GETS HOT HE COULD DO SOME CEDI// LOVE IMPERSONATIONS
No, he played for two teams that year. The 34.9% is for his time with one team, not his average for the year.
You are not reading the table correctly.
i need to assume that levert makes every effort to accomodate the system and personnel that are in place.. not only is he playing for a contract but he is playing for a core role on a multi-year young juggernaut that will compete for conference titles every year, and the nba crown on a regular basis.. very few in the league get that opportunity.. he is an OH kid.. the stars are aligned.. i assume he and allen are tight.. he has played most of his career on rebuilds.. he will successfully adapt.. he will be a very large contributor… Read more »
ALREADY BOOOING ‘ALIEN” SILVERMAN FOR OVERLOOKING ALLEN—–IF PLAYERS HAVE SOMEWHAT EQUAL SEASONS// STATS —THE KNOD SHOULD ALWAYS GO TO THE HOMETOWN KID// PLAYER———-SILVERMORON—–YES HE SHOULD GET BOOOED LOUDLY IF HE SHOWS HIS FACE——–HOPE THIS ADDS EVEN MORE “FIRE ‘; TO ALLEN
A lot more people would tune in to watch LaMelo play than JA – not saying it’s right, but more viewers = more $$ and I’m sure that factored into the decision.
Looks like LaMelo got the AS nod over Allen (sad face).
boooooo
I think LeVert helps us this year, and then next year gives us flexibility to keep either him or Sexton. I think sometime next year we make the decision whether we move one of them or the other. Seems like a solid ‘B’ to me. Just a pragmatic move that keeps us viable this year and flexible next year, and the cost wasn’t too high – just a couple of picks.
haha how is it a trade that serves both those needs and still somehow gets a B on paper?
B is good! I can’t give it an ‘A’ because I need something to give for things like the Jarret Allen trade. So I guess grades are a mix of how well it was executed (this was well executed in my opinion), but also how big of an impact they’re going to have on the team (and this trade is a smaller impact trade – I don’t think the Cavs ultimate viability as a team is that tightly tied to this trade)
I mean I guess that’s fair if impact is how you grade trades? Wouldn’t you normally do more of an impact scale from 1-10 for that and the grade itself is on the execution of the trade based on the needs met vs cost?
Why do I care? haha. sorry ToJ nvm
The Good:
Indiana’s O scored more points per possession with LeVert on the floor.
Cavs rank near bottom in drives per game, LeVert in 10th in the league (16.3) & shoots 50% on them.
He ranks in the 81st percentile in points per possession as a pick & roll ball handler.
Among high usage players, only DeRozan, Booker, Anthony Davis, and Porzingas have lower turnover rates.
That last point helps mitigate the lower efficiency numbers.
Good find on the The Ringer LaVert/Cavs piece.
The Bad:
Of 48 high usage rate players (25%+) and played 1,500+ minutes the last two years, LeVert ranks:
45th in TrSh%, 43rd in BPM, & 43rd in VORP.
Indiana’s D worse with him on the floor.
33.9% on spot up 3s.
agree good find.
of course, Jason only read “the bad” and skipped “the good”
No, I just broke it up into 2 posts.
Patience, Grasshopper.
so Lamelo made the AS game over JA. For real? Man, JA just dumped a 29/22 on their asses and the commish still with this ish?
talk to ’em DanK!!!! Silver does not know ball.
And he’s been benched the last to games.
Style over substance.
Promotion over production.
Cavs have a better records and Allen is more productive than Lemelo. Seemed an easy choice to go with Allen considering it’s in cleveland. Pretty disappointing. Hopefully Allen destroys the league in half #2
Silver should get BOOED relentlessly if he shows his face.
interesting article from the ringer.com
The Cavaliers’ Storybook Season Takes an Interesting Turn..
The arrival of Caris LeVert takes Cleveland from a feel-good team to one that East contenders should be afraid of. The former Pacer is just the spice the Cavs need for the stretch run.
haven’t read that article but thanks for posting will check it out. The cavs are tied with the 76rs for last in the league in field goal attempts. Part of that is pace, to be sure, but part of that is it takes the cavs longer to generate shot attempts worth taking because they only have Garland to generate early looks. Ball handling and penetration should be immensely helpful from Levert. Pray to God he is healthy.
lot of early looks last night — without DG
We finished the game a full FGA under our average for the season. We are dead last in the league in FGA within the 18-15 seconds left in the shot clock window. We are 19th it looks like in the 22-18 and that is likely just due to Love rebounding and outlet passing on misses. We are 1st in the league in shots between the 7-4 seconds left window…and 1st in the league in shots between 4 secs left and 0 seconds left. It’s a very real problem even with DG. It’s not the only problem. But it is one… Read more »
thnx – very good article.
Next year:
9 man:
DG, Ice, Markkanen, Mobley, Allen.
LeVert, Sexton, Cedi, Love
——Situational——
Stevens, Wade
——Dressed & Ready—–
Windler, Davis
—-New additions—-
Rubio (FA), Draft pick (SAS 2nd)
Sexton could be dealt. They might even run SexLand back depending on how Okoro progresses. LeVert will be an expiring if things head south. As will Love. Could also see a vet min upgrade to Windler (to save tax $$) if he does not progress. Or Davis retiring.
if Rubio is back, gotta use a 10 man rotation!
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1490495543868473344?s=20&t=_uDdzZp1-_Pu1nIClJeMKA
Painting a rosy picture going forward.
This year, main 9 man:
DG, Ice, Markkanen, Mobley, Allen
Rondo, LeVert, Cedi, Love
———Situational——-
Stevens, Wade
———Dressed & Ready——
Windler, Davis
——–Inactive—–
Pangos
——–Injured—–
Sexton
Hopefully we pick up another guy (buyout time?) using Sexton’s DPE.
I AM THE ” GLASS (OF BEER ) IS HALF FULL ” TYPE OF GUY ——LAVERT HAS HAD 3 SEASON SHOOTING 35% OR BETTER FROM 3 PT LAND —4 SEASONS WHERE HIS FOUL SHOOTING WAS AROUND 80% (SO I THINK HIS SHOOTING STROKE IS THERE/// / ( CAVS WOULD BE ECSTATIC AND HAVE A FEW MORE WINS IF THEY SHOT THAT AS A TEAM )—–ALSO I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT DEVELOPMENT STAFF THAT CAN IMPROVE HIS STROKE EVEN MORE AND SURROUNDED BY BETTER// MORE COMPOTENT PLAYERS ALSO SHOULD HELP——HIS INJURIES PROBABLY SHOULD CONCERN TO SOME EXTENT BUT HEY LOOK… Read more »
IDK where you are getting those numbers from, perhaps a beer glass? LeVert has 1 year over 35% from deep:
’16-’17: 32.1%
’17-’18: 34.7%
’18-’19: 31.2%
’19-’20: 36.4%
’20-’21: 32.6%
’21-’22: 32.3%
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leverca01.html
Now, as the guys mentioned on the pod, he takes a lot if shots off the dribble. If he takes more spot ups, the % likely goes up.
Still, he was playing with DeRo/Dinwiddie in Brooklyn and Brogdon in Indy. So he was off ball a lot.
and reportedly one of the very best at taking it to the rim, which the rest of the Cavs are weak at.
Excited to listen to this pod – been a while since we’ve heard from Tom!
POSTED REC ENTLY ICE HAS JUST PLAYED OVER 100 GAMES—LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR—PLUS WITH COVID THERE NEVER WAS A “NORMAL ” RHYTM OF PRACTICE/ COMPETING——ICE WILL DEVELOP HIS GAME WITHIN THE NEXT 2 YEARS —-WILL NEVER BE A 20 PT SCORER —-BUT 12 -15 ARE IN HIS FUTURE ——-A BIG NO AS BEING BUMMED OF GETTING RID OF KPJ—-HE WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THIS CHEMISTRY THAT IS SOOOO SPECIAL
agree, agree
LeVert is the backup PG. Rondo is now #3. Caris will play with DG some, like Rubio did.
Top 2s:
Booker & Ayton.
Tatum & Brown.
Jokic & anyone.
Morant & Bane/JJJ.
Luka & anyone.
Garland/Mobley
I think Eli is off on the tax numbers.
Tax next year is at, $147 mil. We have 12 guys signed for $125+ mil. Sexton’s cap hold is $19 mil, if we sign him for that, $144 mil.
I do not see how we can use the TPE for $10 million and be under the tax.
My understanding (Larry Coon) is if using the TPE puts you over apron, you can’t use it. Now, the apron is above the tax line, last year by $6 mil. So it is close.
On the trade, I am in the B-/C range. While we need ball handling & creation badly this year, high volume but low efficiency guys who play poor D and cost $19 million and cost (essentially) 2 firsts?
I don’t think you start giving away firsts and overpaying middling guys unless you are a real contender. I don’t think we are there yet.
I’d have much rather suffered more this season, picked in the high teens and used the Rockets oick to get a shooter and a creator on cost controlled deals, re-signed Rubio, and had more cap space.
Careful guys, the Trade Train may become so popular it spawns it’s own podcast…
So I’ve slept on this idea, and I think it has legs.
Trademarking the name pronto.
On Love. His shooting has cooled a tad. Was leading the league in FT%, now down to 18th. And is now just outside the top 20 in 3PT% and True Shooting%.
However, he is a top 20 player, despite playing 22 minutes a game, in the following categories: PER (18th), Win Shares/48 (11th), Box Plus/Minus (8th), Offensive Box Plus/Minus (7th), VORP (19th), Defensive Rating (7th), Rebound Pct (15th), Defensive Rebound Pct (10th).
Herro is top 20 in nothing (don’t quote me on that).