Podcast 289: Lookin New York City, Feelin Northeast Ohio
2023-04-11Forgive us for stealing from Soundgarden, but instead of looking California and feeling Minnesota like most of the NBA is before tonight’s Lakers/Wolves matchup, we dove deep on the Cavs’ season and the pending matchup between the Knicks and the Cavs.
Chris, Eli, and I cracked the seal on the podcast booth – dusty from almost two months of disuse – and talked Cavs and the Association till we were loooong in the tooth. First we reviewed our (very prescient) pre-season predictions about the Cavs’ win/loss record, then took our victory laps about things we were right about and things that surprised us. Next up, we reviewed the last two Cavs’ games which were meaningless in terms of standings, but might inform some rotations and tactics in the playoffs.
After that, we got in an Empire State of mind to review the Cavs’ daunting task against the Knicks. The Cavs are one of the weakest defensive rebounding teams, and New York is one of the best offensive rebounding teams. That discussion loomed large as we all picked a close series, with a lot of x-factors in play: rebounding, officiating, rotations, shooting, health (Okoro’s and Randle’s), RJ Barrett, Evan Mobley, Young Thibs, Old Thibs, and home court advantage. There was a lot to unpack, but one thing was clear: we all wanted to see less Lamar and more Dean and Cedi, as the Cavs’ simply must improve their three-point proclivity in the playoffs. It all led to one question with surprising answers: how many games does J.B. Bickerstaff have to win to keep his job?
After that the guys went through the other play-in and playoff series, handed out their post-season awards, and by the time we were done, it was midnight.
Finally, Thanks to our friends at FOCO (Forever Collectibles) for sending us some Cavs gear and this unique Bobblehead featuring Donovan Mitchell in the City Edition Jersey! For any sports fan looking for unique collectibles, check these guys out!
Shoutout to our friends at @FOCOusa who have put together this amazing Donovan Mitchell bobblehead that has just released today!
Use the link below to check out the amazing collectibles they have! https://t.co/PqSys08kRP pic.twitter.com/yyWJSyvkjH
— Cavs:TheBlog (@CavsTheTweets) March 17, 2023
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Hell of a halftime heave from FVV. He wasn’t even defended that badly.
Rooting for the Raptors. I think they’d give the Bucks more issues vs the Bulls who will get rolled.
I think the Bucks would destroy them, but they’re such an annoying team to play, especially since they have Poetl, and FVV is hitting shots. Siakam can go first team All NBA in any particular game. I wouldn’t be super confident if the Cavs had to play them.
Yeah I agree but they will definitely feel the Raps and need some ice therapy after the series, vs more of a cakewalk against the Bulls or Miami. This is all assuming the Cavs beat the Knicks.
Fedor gave his vote to Mobley for DPOY
Agree with Chris re JB’s job security. Don’t think it matters what happens in the playoffs. JB is in for the long haul. I also recall Jason Lloyd saying that the “Cavs don’t fire anyone anymore. They used to fire everyone but now they don’t.”
Utterly silly. Sell the team if you don’t care anymore.
They’re overcompensating for over-firing.
Jason also mentioned that Koby and JB have the same agent.
Hmm a double agent aye!
I would think JB is completely safe this year, no matter what happens. A good bit of the approach this year was developmental and most of the players he focused on improved (Mobley, Okoro, Garland).
If they don’t improve next year then its another matter, but I’d be shocked with a change before the end of next season (including the playoffs).
JB is also getting mentions for COY – Lowe, SI, NBC. Hard to imagine he’s out the door after this season.
Rage timeout by Chris Francis!
???? I was literally the only one who said there’s no chance he’s getting fired LMFAOOO
It was in reference to JB getting COY
ah gotcha, yet I’m still the one that actually believes he’ll be around until 2025! LMFAOOO
there are only about six people who want him out, and five are regulars here.
Lol. I don’t want him out. I just want him to coach better.
6 people in the world?
Agreed. Watching the Hawks last night — and hearing whiny b-tch Trae actually praising a coach, for his game plans no less! — I definitely had a little bit of Quinn Snyder-envy, especially given the mutual love between him and Spida. That said, I think we only upgrade from JB and his development/morale talents if there’s some kind of regression next year.
JB for COY is silly, though. It’s obviously our formerly-own Mr. Potato Head out there in Sactown.
I could see Pat Beverly (and a Raptors player – any of them will do as they’re all slappy) getting ejected in this Bulls-Raps match up tonight.
Alex Caruso for DPOY- a “Moneyball” decision Nate, but you have always been a fan & I respect consistency,
Also the field is way too narrow. Block hunter (JJJ/Lopez) versus charge hunter (Marcus smart) versus Braymond versus Mobley who isn’t a good rebounder and coasts too much. Honestly just given age and season BroLo probably deserves it.
One point I forgot to make on the pod: Mobley wasn’t the best defensive player on his own team, so he can’t be DPOY.
You love Llama too much!
😂😂😂
An hour in, and I’m gonna mention something that I don’t think will come up: the fragility of the Knicks mentality. Yes I am talking about Randle.
Find me a key Cavs player who loses composure when things don’t go their way.
Thank you Koby for making character a selection criteria.
Agreed, with the caveat that the Cavs are at times TOO passive. It’s a fine line. Cavs do dumb things due to lack of confidence, fatigue, and lack of experience at times but not cause they’re knuckleheads.
good point
And because JB is a coward at times.
We need to bring back Kyrie and Dion (on 1-day deals) for a good ole locker room squirmish. And maybe Andrew Bynum to jack up some 3s from Euclid.
good point
I won’t hear any Windler slander.
“Slander” would imply anyone cares at this point. We literally forgot he was on the team.
(Whispers: I still care!)
You have an open invitation to defend Dylan Windler (or anything else you want) on any future podcast.
I would, but there’s no data. All I have is my feelpinions.
You’re already overqualified compare to us.
I slightly care.
It is a long shot that he will ever play much in the NBA, and/or be on the Cavs. But it is not out of the question.
Edwards is Sexton with an aggressive 3 point trigger.
Nah. He was hurt. And a little shook.
He may have been hurt after the fall, but he completely sucked before that, too. And he was continually holding the ball for 10 seconds and tossing a teammate a grenade with 4 seconds on the clock down the stretch.
Tired of all the talk around Edwards like he’s a budding Jordan.
Fair. He stunk.
These teams both straight suck.
Barkley: “that was awful basketball.”
😂😂😂 Minny
That genius Rob Pelinka 😂
Lakers gonna survive here
Minny needs to target Davis on a 3 shot and try and get a 7 point play
Dennis almost stepped out of bounds there
Dude, that was your shot to make.
Can the Lakers inbound?
Jesus, you have to go to the rim after that steal…
😂😂😂😂 Lakers
Here we go again. 19 seconds to go. Can the Lakers close it out?
Progressive earns a Razzi with that last commercial
/Bill Simmons: Are we sure Anthony Edwards is even good?
Wolves haven’t even been getting into a set until less than 5 seconds on the clock for the last 10 minutes of game time…
AD may be the dumbest basketball player in the NBA…he single handedly lost them a game a week or so ago with the same boneheaded type of foul on a three point shooter..
Both Towns and LeBron have 5 fouls
Both of these teams would be relegated in a just world.
Holy crap!
Anthony Davis needs to go back to street clothes with that dumb foul 😂
“Imma make all three”
The clown show continues
Looks like a flagrant, too.
😂😂😂 Anthony Davis
Let’s see if Kat can tie it
This Wolves team absolutely defines the phrase “shit the bed”. Pathetic.
Dennis the Menace for the win
Credit the umlaut for a big shot
Both teams collapsing down the stretch
Wow these two teams are really shitting the bed 😂
They both blow.
God, Reggie Miller is just insufferable.
Crazy call there on LeBron diving for the loose ball.
Horrible out of bounds pass by the Lakers
At least this one is more competitive
Edwards is freaking useless.
Wolves reinventing the clogged toilet offense…
haha!
I hope JB is watching Conley and getting inspired to give Green some minutes
Green can at least shoot…
And he has lots of playoff experience
Heck of a game by Conley…good thing they are getting games from Conley, Prince, and Towns…
LeBron much more passive then he used to be, and as expected.
If Edwards is going to crap the bed this entire game, I really don’t want to hear anything about him for a while going forward.
Towns is a fouling machine
Looks like Kyrie is signing with the Lakers, to bail out LeBron again /s
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1646000303005630465?s=20
I’m not a big Anthony Edwards fan, but, man, he’s been bad in this game so far…
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1645997669364498432?s=20
Pretty nice to see the Wolves shooting the lights out against this garbage Laker team. Edwards has been completely invisible, and still up 15.
Bad call against the Vandalorian
This Lakers game seems like the best game I’ve seen all year.
Sad end for Love. Looks like JB was right.
Don’t they still have a shot for the 8th seed?
Yes.
https://twitter.com/NBACouchside/status/1645968390828244992?s=20
SCAM FRAUDEBAYO <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Now I can say it, my Heat take aging like fine wine LMFAOOOOOO
Heat are cooked. They don’t have any size.
Lowry balling
Heat not getting rebounds.
Love not seeing floor time in the second half. He was bad in the first. That article just came out in the ringer about Mr. Love, saying he wants to play 5 more years…
He’s gonna have to find his shot if he wants 5 more years
Disagree, probably should’ve played more Bam stunk
You’re both right and wrong.
Look man I love KLove! But it’s possible he is just cooked
Sure it’s possible, but he played 3 minutes and he looked fine LMFAOOO and Bam definitely stunk and their rebounding stunk so he probably should’ve played more than 3 minutes.
I didn’t see the first half, but the one skill I think Love still has is defensive rebounding, lack of which cost the Heat the game. Maybe shoulda kept him in there some.
so do I
He looked pretty awful to me while he was out there. 0 rebounds. Hawks got whatever they wanted inside, and he missed a 3 by about 3 feet.
Part of me wants the Heat to lose.
I felt that way too but I can’t stand Trae
right. Trae is much more of a jerk than any current Heat
9 point lead
7 point lead
Herro targets Young in defense for 6 straight points
Heat laying an egg.
Hawks lighting up the Heat
my Heat take aging like fine wine, too bad I can’t trust the Hawks either so I can’t take an early victory lap LMFAOOO
They’ve cut the lead to 11
2nd half run was inevitable, it’s all a matter if the Hawks don’t crumble but they’re clearly the deeper, more talented team.
I think if the Heat keep the pace slow they can grind it out
I think it’s just a matter if Butler can play 24 minutes straight LMFAO
The Donovan bobblehear has kind of an old testament prophet look going.
I see it. Replace the basketball with a couple of stone tablets.
I wonder if the “Rock the Baby” will come out in this series?
HardRock going back to his roots?