Podcap: Boston 4, Cleveland 1 (or, Slop Season)
2024-05-16Whelp. It’s time to put a coda on the 2024 Cavalier post-season, and all in all, your favorite Cavs: the Blog bloggers were at peace with it. Without Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert, the Cavs dropped games 3, 4, and 5 to the Celtics, but I think all of us here at Cavs: the Blog felt proud of the way the Cavs fought to the end and never gave up in their final series of the season.
To take stock of it all, Chris Francis, Elijah Kim, and Nate Smith booked some time in the CtB podcast studios and broke down the series and the players and what went right and what went wrong in the post-season. As is tradition, the post-season was yet another referendum on J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching tenure with the Cavaliers. After a respectful period of time breaking down the series, the gents put their pig noses and ears on and started gorging on some puerile slop that dripped down into the hog trough from the Athletic‘s Shams Charania, Jason Lloyd, and Joe Vardon no less than 30 minutes after the Cavs were drummed out of the playoffs.
The Cavs went through all the rumors around all the guys: Donovan Mitchell’s dissatisfaction with his teammates, Darius Garland’s purported need of a scenery change, Jarrett Allen’s ribs, J.B.’s ineffectiveness, Mobley’s desire not to be drafted by Cleveland, and most importantly whether Spida was inclined to sign a contract extension. The CtB boars wallowed into all the muck and mud and garbage and came to conclusions on L.B.J., J.B., D.M., both D.G.s, and J.A – some more concrete than others. It was a fun and cathartic 90 as the gents even got to pitching some cool Akron haunts, some Cinci legends, and a trip down vinyl lane. We think you’ll find it to be an entertaining season coda with just enough delicious slop to keep coming back for more.
As always, listen below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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Just abusing Horford.
I’m a bit baffled why they’re putting Nembhard on the inbounds multiple times.
Barf
I don’t know how you can watch how empowered the Pacersv role players are on offense and think you can keep JB.
Thinking the same. Need an offensive system desperately.
Come on Pacers… bleh
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I would’ve preferred to have TJ McConnell over DG for this post season.
Pacers hanging. I’m still salty they took Hali over Okoro.
You mean Okoro over Hali.
Yes. That is what I meant.
I BROUGHT UP DASALVA WEEKS AGO —— EVEN BEFORE HIS STANDOUT NCAA TOURNAMENT—— MOST “ EXPERTS “ ARE SAYING HE IS NBA READY—- CAN CONTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY——- OTHER MOCK DRAFT s HAVE LAKERS/ 76ers TAKING HIM —— NOT UBER ATHLETIC —— CAN “ NAIL “ THE 3 —- A 6’9” MERRIL ——- HIGH BASKETBALL IQ ——- WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HIM ——- DONT THINK HE WILL BE THERE FOR THE CAVS
The latest NBA mock, from Bleacher, has the Cavs taking: 20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan da Silva Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images May 12 Mock Draft Spot: No. 20 School/team: Colorado Position: SF/PF Size: 6’8″, 217 lbs Age/Year: 23, Senior Nationality: German/Brazilian Pro comparison: Trey Lyles Tristan da Silva had a quiet NBA combine, measuring as expected and finishing middle of the pack during athletic tests before skipping scrimmages. Teams will start to think about da Silva in the mid-to-late first round, with the idea that he can provide plug-and-play shotmaking and complementary, spot-up scoring. Though not overly explosive off… Read more »
Food for thought, Mobley 3PT% and attempts/game: Rookie: 25.0%, 1.3 Last: 21.6%, 1.3 This: 37.2%, 1.2 That’s an improvement. Most of it was late. Attempts are low, so confidence in it being real is also low. But if he can hit 37% on more attemts, it is transformative for our offense if he has to be guarded out there. Step 1 is raising your percentage. Step 2 is gaining confidence because of it, and becoming willing to shoot it more. Step 3 is maintaining that % on the increased volume. Step 4 is being able confident enough to take it/make… Read more »
Mobley has gotten past step 1. Ice is past Step 3.
Team 3PT%/3PTFGA per game:
DG: 37.1%/6.2
Spida: 36.8%/9.0
Strus: 35.1%/6.8
Mobley: 37.3%/1.2
Allen: 0%/0.1
—————
LeVert: 32.5%/4.9
Okoro: 39.1%/3.1
Wade: 39.1%/3.7
Niang: 37.6%/4.8
Merrill: 40.4%/5.8
———-
Morris: 41.4%/2.4
Porter: 35.3%/0.7
TT: 0%/0
I’ve been thinking about this and I think Mobes has to commit to taking something like 5 attempts / game from 3. Get out there and shoot it with confidence!
Barring a negotiating coup, I think trades / free agent signings that move the needle have to be based on ‘hidden’ value — “buy low, sell high”.
One player that might fit that is Josh Giddey. He’s still only 21 (turning 22 this year). He’s got great size, rebounding, and court sense. Good ball-handling and defense. And think he could really help Evan Mobley by getting him the ball in spots in the post where he can work from.
Who else is out there that we could “buy low”?
agree, but predicting the future is not that easy
Raoul bro.. when really bright people do their thing (as opposed to idiots, not referring here to anyone in particular on the cavs staff), the future is actually bankable.. brilliant minds, the winners, own the future.. i try to find the best coattails to ride (standing on the shoulders of giants is a good strategy).. cavsdan needs to invest in some brilliance, but it is a fairly rare commodity..
Investing in brilliance is such a good idea!
He can’t shoot. No thanks. Plus he’ll be lurking by the local high schools looking for tail.
in a trench coat ?
😂
If you were a believer in any of the young guys Memphis flashed last season (Jackson, V Williams, Aldama, Z Williams, LaRavia, Pippen Jr) you could probably have your pick of a few as well as the #9 for Allen.
No thanks. I am dead set againt trading Allen. We need more playable size, not less. A couple good games vs Boston’s backups does not convince me in Mobley at C (he did play well a bit vs Orlando, too). But my main concern is him holding up physically at the 5 for 82. Not likely. Plus, he plays plenty if C as is. A true contender can play big or small. Fast or slow. Outside or inside. We should preserve our ability to play big. Plus,,Allen at $20 mil is a bargain. But I am firmly convinced we’ll do… Read more »
I agree. I think I’d like to hang onto Allen. But definitely need to acquire a stretch big.
What a game 7 by the entire T-wolves front court! Even Gobert made 3 tough FGs in the second half that might have been the 3 best of his usually offensively challenged career. Even pulled the “right handed layup switching to left” Jordan move as Reggie Miller pointed out tongue in cheek. Reid and KAT had a couple of explosive putback dunks down the stretch where they just seemed to fly in from out of nowhere, took the life out of the Nuggets.
I did chuckle.
https://www.reddit.com/r/OrlandoMagic/comments/1cw59wg/were_not_the_only_team_that_blew_a_huge_lead_in_a/
Postgame interviews after game sevens are often very revealing.
Jokic quite philosophical and gracious about the Wolves. Murray was absolutely destroyed.
I like how Jokic had no patience for a reporter whose question basically invited him to make an excuse: “It was a seven-game series. Whoever wins that was the better team, period.” (Pretty close to word for word)
Hard dude to dislike.
agree.
whatever the trades this summer, we need a Naz Reid/Aaron Gordon type. Yes, yes — EVERYONE needs that kind of player but any thoughts on who we could target? Jerami Grant + some picks for Garland?
Everyone has to get bigger. It may be hard to move Garland.
there seems to be some interest in Garland out there. I have read that teams value Garland higher than Trey Young, for whatever that is worth.
as pointed out below (probably by U. Buck ?), if the Cavs were cold blooded and had good insight, it would have been good to trade Garland as soon as DM was aquired. I don’t recall anyone suggesting that at the time, although many commented about how hard it is to win with two smallish guards.
no one suggested it at the time. nostradummy shit.
but let’s say they had. with the injuries to the rest of the squad, swapping DG for a wing (let’s say Ingram or Jerami Grant, a power forward who is the same height as Niang, and neither of which are good enough defenders to bother the Jays more than Okoro), give him the same 55-60 games and the health issues.
factor reality into that fiction deal, and your outcome is…
a second round loss to the Celtics, just with an older team.
I suggested it.
in September of 2022? Huh
(suspect cap)
pulling the trigger too soon, which was definitely on the table for Murray as early as 2017 and for KAT last year, winds up often being worse than better.
which is why he should have been dumped while his value was high last year.. big miss here.. running on the hopium.. his market value is now significantly depleted..
DG’s value is definitely depressed, but lots of teams need a skilled, former Allstar PG with his best years ahead of him. Everything I hear/read, he would still get us a solid return.
If we didn’t (or don’t) have DM, I’d advocate keeping DG another year and pairing him with a bigger 2-guard. But that’s not happening.
We need size and toughness. (See Marcus Morris Sr.) I’d prioritize that over almost everything else. Oh, and an offense!
i think he is fine as the lone point guard.. he has not adjusted well to mitchell.. not judging him that harshly.. i get the issue.. not the big dog anymore.. however, he is still making the $$.. grow up.. adjust.. make the easy shots and enjoy the ride
Nah. Conley isn’t huge. Being small at 1, 2, & 3 is a problem, though. We should be able to move him. What we get back is the question. I do not love Mitchell as the full time PG. So, assuming DG goes, we’d need: 1) Another PG (preferably with some size) 2) A 3 with better size than Strus/Caris/Ice 3) A swing forward type who can shoot and defend. Wade is too injury prone and Niang is unplayable if he isn’t draining 3s left & right. 4) A legit back C who is playable. So JA & EM don’t… Read more »
OK, looks good. Maybe Ty Jerome will finally be ready. Did we ever find out what kept him all out all season?
Knicks can get back on track in game 8.
great idea!
Congrats Minnesota. Their fan base deserves it. Probably longest suffering in the nba.
2 game 7 road victories today.. cavs need to take notes on toughness.. enough of the “nice” boys.. bring in some thugs.. some enforcers.. who get the job done.. if you can’t find guys who can score (neither thru draft or trade, evidently).. much easier to find guys who can be the second coming of the “bad boys” from detroit..
OK
Man oh man. Malone gonna have something to answer for not getting Jokic any rest when they were up big.
He looked gassed at the end.
there always has to be the goat.. the one who shits the bed and costs the win for the good guys (usually someone who coasts on talent).. michael porter fits the bill in this one.. 7vpts (3-12 with 1-6 on 3).. with 6 min to go.. still time but looks like he is choking.. costing his team another championship..
92-82.. wolves running away with it with 2 min left.. ANT starting to produce.. jamal murray also folding.. with michael porter showing his utter lack of preparation and discipline.. very unprofessional showing.. he will be replaying this game in his dreams for the rest of his life.. porter giving a niang-like performance.. how can someone be 6-10 and suck like this in a game 7 ?? aaron gordon also shitting the bed.. 4 pts in 41 min ?? at 6’8″ ??
Nuggets crowd audibly pooping themselves.
as the good book says.. “ashes to ashes.. dust to dust”.. as the buddhists practice.. non-attachment brings peace.. as in turn turn turn.. a time to win.. a time to lose..
WTF !!?? ANT with 4 pts in 23 min (w wolves dn 58-43 in a gm 7).. undeserving of my previous adulation.. good for murray.. 29 pts in 24min.. 10-10..
at 59-47.. looks like last 7:24m (and 4th Q) is going to be a nasty affair.. battle of will (backed by discipline and practice).. best team will win
What a grindfest!
word is garland is a nice kid, but a child (with $$).. what most of these current NBA players are.. we are not in kansas any more.. this is not the era and zeitgeist of magic, bird.. re love of the game and the competition regardless of the money.. spida seems to be somewhat old-school in that regard.. mature.. business-like.. i am certain he likes garland, but also sure he knows the immaturity makes garland unreliable.. with little in the way of consistently bringing the gas.. the last year shows the truth.. talent (without practice to constantly improve) will only… Read more »
70-67.. denver.. slip sliding away.. (whose song ?).. cavs like.. yes, nice guys are, well.. nice.. but sometimes you need to have some bad mutha f..ers who can say.. “no fuckn way bro”.. and mean it.. and back it up..
if denver loses this at home.. sad.. but even with jokic.. they got their asses beat bad.. the champs dethroned.. getting to the top is hard.. staying there is harder.. michael porter (7 pts in 27 min) folding like a cheap suit..
Love of the competition regardless of money???
Magic????
The guy who got his coach fired and lobbied for (and got) the largest contract in NBA history after his third year????
People just believe any myths they want – they called Magic a nice kid with $$$ too.
Was more than a little racist then…for an old motherfucker you don’t remember shit about what actually happened
he’s got rings.. and i remember his filling in for kareem in his first finals.. i would happily bet on magic at least as often as i would bet on bird.. jordan is another matter.. worked harder than bird.. which is insane.. made himself tougher and better.. the greatest
They were doubling him almost every time.
This game is gonna be a slugfest.
Wolves won the 3rd 28-14 and now have a lead in the 4th.
Burks with 26 as well.
The Knicks #4 comes up with 37 (DeVicenzo), but they had no chance without Brunson.
BTW, Hartenstein? Zero points & 8 boards. No points Zero. Nada. None.
128-107 with 1:31 left in q4.. perfect.. indy with the boot on the neck, and continuing to apply pressure until the deal is sealed.. uncle buck rides with the winners (in case you haven’t noticed).. i live in a “what have you done for me lately” world.. my inner child wants desperately to be a CLE fan, but my inner adult has learned life’s lesson well, and controls the child within (because the child can’t pay the bills).. only the winners get the love and respect..
absolutely outstanding.. 130-109.. i am as happy over this outcome as i would have been if the cavs had gone on to beat the celtics in 7.. winners rule.. if indy gets their asses handed to them in the series with boston, then they go into the garbage heap, in need of retooling..
wow.. who is worth ~$10 mill per year ?? devincenzo or niang.. look at what dante has done in this series.. 2 clunkers (still better than niang’s best).. 1 good, and 3 STELLAR 30 PLUS performances.. was dante a koby miss ? am i surprised ? niamg has been worse than pathetic in the playoffs.. someone must be blamed.. it is the way the world must work
Niang was signed for 3/25 Donte was signed for 4/46. Not comparable except for the fact that Niang wasn’t worth anything
Brunson fractured hand. That will drive the stake in them.
go indy.. 92-74.. that is how you do it.. on the other teams floor.. put your boot on the neck and apply pressure.. without mercy.. get the fuckn job done.. CLE can learn a few lessons.. also, this is without matherin.. gonna get a pacers jersey
if they win game 7 in the garden
DAMN BUCKAROO WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I INVESTED MY “ FEW “ MILLIONS $$——-SOUNDS LIKE YOU COULD HAVE MADE MANY MORE MILLIONS…………..COULD HAVE BEEN MANY………” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “ FOR THE BOTH OF US 👍👍👍$$$$
God, this Knicks team is absolutely beyond annoying.
a pro sports savant FO would have been readying a trade of garland immediately after signing mitchell recognizing that garland was at the pinnacle of his value (all-star high), like managing a financial portfolio (if you do not have a 10 year outlook, then you likely have a one week or month outlook.. the value is protected with “tight stops” so that it does not melt, and compounding potential can be protected.. in that world, which is far less forgiving than the sports “playground” world, one bad quarter and you are out of business because investors have taken their money… Read more »
always remember ctb.. hope is not a method.. it doesn’t pay the bills.. a method based on optimizing performance, while mitigating risk, and always acting quickly when the trends start to shift by redeploying assets into a more favorable venue (with complete dispassion.. like a robot).. that is where the winners separate from the pretenders.. cavs are a hopium-based organization..
find some way into the real world with your bullshit. brooklyn, houston, and philadelphia are the teams that exemplify this approach and apply your method. OKC tries it, and they have talent and picks and “assets” but fewer rings than Dallas. those four, off top, work your “method” — but none of them have rings. Phoenix is trying it now – who has better wing talent then them or LAC, if you want to talk about redeployment to shifting trends? How did it go. stocking talent even if you have to pay a premium is the wave. much as I… Read more »
Dallas tanks end of a season: I sleep
Cleveland tanks six minutes: real shit, reprehensible, the basketball gods hereby forsake
Bryce James (LeBron’s younger son) looks like he’s gonna be really good.
Dallas looking seriously unserious this game.
I think whomever wins Denver/Minny was always gonna be heavily favored over Dallas or OKC.
OKC is impressive, but the Mavs are better.
OKC needs size and rebounding.
I’m typically a fan of continuity and not overreacting. When it comes to that mindset with coaches, I tend to believe it takes 4+ years to get the most out of yourself in a new role/team/company. JB has had that timeframe and we’ve seemingly been progressing into a better team each year too. I slightly lean toward keeping him unless the core guys don’t want him and the chemistry just isn’t right. However, if there’s a clear cut upgrade available, then I think you at least need to consider it (the Mark Jackson – Steve Kerr principle). The problem is… Read more »
I’d love Atkinson, if he’d take the job. Stotts as well. I think JB and company are average, probably, maybe below average in the playoffs. Not as bad as online Cavs fans think, probably, but probably bottom half of the league.
huh: https://cavaliersnation.com/2024/05/18/report-many-nba-teams-will-have-darius-garland-ranked-above-trae-young-in-trade-talks-this-offseason/
Trae absolutely doesn’t do anything on defense. Garland is overmatched physically at times but gives effort most of the time.
Plus Trae and DJM rocky in a lot of the same ways as DG DM. Imagine Garland is viewed as plug and play off the rack PG but Trae fit more bespoke.
from the slopfather @ YKB https://twitter.com/TrillBroDude/status/1791922188276118005
amico (on his recent vid) says mitchell likely signs extension.. JB likely released (i won’t use the “f” term).. garland goes (both sides want out).. so, best realistic trade involving garland is ??
all those sound pretty plausible.
One similarity between DG and Kevin Love situations: both had a contract much bigger than what they were worth, and both wanted out but to keep the money. KL at least had some great moments.
hmmm.. cavs have a penchant for over-paying ? often a symptom of smoking the hopium pipe.. because no ability to actually assess talent and potential.. as an aside, was there no hint earlier that perhaps morris might produce more than the hopeless niang ?
got the double whammy value implosion with garland.. production down while costs now in the kray-kray zone.. sadly, kotbly does seem to rely on hope rather than actually having a plan.. bad idea.. breakdown of garland was foreseeable, given the dice throw on the “2 ball-dominant guard” gambit.. no problem trying that on for size, but FO should have moved on from garland at the first hint of breakdown.. now they must deal with trading a compromised asset.. korbly is no auerbach (chess grandmaster).. rather, he is a DUI checkers player..
moving on from a very good young player at first sign of breakdown / lesser production would have cost Denver a ring
every team in the NBA maxes DG. The K-Love deal was a gold watch b/c who gives a fuck? we weren’t paying anyone but rookies for the duration of that deal. every team in the NBA has 2-3 rough contracts unless all their good players are on rookie deals, and even a team like Memphis has like $50m in three dead money deals — Dipo, Yuta, and Bismack, plus Smart and Clarke who I don’t believe had four good games between them this year. morris had 4 good games in two months, one of which was in a hopeless game.… Read more »
We made 4 straight finals with K-Love. He was a guy who was a 20/10 gimmee and 30/20 some nights in Minny. Led the league in rebounding. Win the 3PT contest. Excellent passer. WAAAAY better player than Garland.
Winning a title with two small guards has happened 2-3 times (teams) in the last 52 years. It was a silly model to build a team to (Dame & CJ never did squat).
West and Gail Goodrich with the 1972 Lakers. Both HOFers. West being a great defensive small guard, great scorer, great shooter.
And they had Wilt behind them. Best rebounder in history and a fantastic defenser.
Bad Boy Pistons has Isiah & Dunars. 2 HOFers. If West isn’t the best 6’2″ & under player ever, Thomas is. Dumars the all world defender & a giod shooter to match Zeke’s dribbling, passing, & scoring. And they had Rodman & company defending & rebounding.
Get what we can for DG (player, picks, salary space). Keep JA. Get better size on the wing and at PG. More forwards who can score & are athletic. And a legit backup C.
agree. also doubt if anyone tried bullying West or Goodrich when Wilt was in the same zip code. I once heard a radio interview with Danny Ferry’s father, who had been a mediocre center back in the day when Wilt couldn’t hit a foul shot to save his live. in crunch time, the coach would put Ferry in the game to foul Wilt. Wilt would run from him to avoid getting fouled and kept warning him “don’t foul me, I’ll kick your butt” or something like that. Ferry would have to chase after Wilt and give him the softest foul… Read more »
Pistons also had a top-15 in the league scorer at SF in Mark Aguirre; trading Adrian Dantley for him is what finally got them over the championship hump.
This is what bothers me too – it was always inherently unlikely that a starting lineup with two small “and” ball-dominant guards was going to be very successful, if the goal was and is to build a serious contender. Of course having two elite shot creators is important, but one needs to be bigger or else be a constant threat when off-ball to make up for the defensive giveaway. If Koby was counting on JB to figure that part out – obviously it didn’t happen. And the Blazers never made it work well enough to make the Finals even with… Read more »
my guess is the FO quickly realized Sexton wasn’t leading them anywhere, so they took what they thought was the best player available the following year without worrying about compatability. Then the Mitchell trade was just a chance to get a superstar level player.
I like the trade a lot better than the draft choice. in fact, you could argue that Koby’s trades have been excellent but his drafting subpar – maybe subsubpar.
Yeah, I liked the trade then despite losing Lauri, and wouldn’t second-guess it from my armchair now, either. Main observation is the Cavs seem likely to make changes this off-season (JB and DG) that already seemed in order last offseason. But I agree Kobe has earned confidence when it comes to pulling the trigger on trades.
I love how the Miami Heat are the prime destination for all these stars, given that they haven’t won a title since LeBron (over a decade). They also have little in terms of assets, but they love Tyler Herro and seemingly try to push him to other teams in trade packages. Also Butler is getting old and is often injured. So whatever star comes there will have to carry the load.
the question must be asked.. had korbly passed on mitchell, and simply traded sexton (either singly, or with sweetener).. would that team, as constituted with garland, mobley, allen and markannen, plus misc extras, have surpassed the spida version (both in regular season and playoffs).. assuming sexton would have returned something of value that the cavs needed, and no garland crash.. big finnish really blossomed into the real deal with utah.. not sure he would have made spida-like contributions, but close enough.. in retrospect, i wish korbly had passed on spida..
I’m glad we acquired Spida. He’s worth the value, as long as he re-signs.. This Cavs team would still be a play-in team without him. I still like Garland, but he had a pretty bad year, and I don’t love the fit with Mitchell.
this point has been debated on CtB at great length — perhaps you were on hiatus. I and many were 50/50 at the time. two years later I think it has turned out to be a good move. I would love to have Lauri back, but he is obviously not in a class with DM.
you can debate the price and length of Mitchell’s stay but it was a great problem-solution fit, we needed shot creation so badly
no. what worked against Orlando and Boston was downhill rim pressure from Mitchell. Garland and LeVert did not provide enough of that in the playin and Sexton is not better than LeVert at that.
Lauri beating Brown or Tatum (or Wagner or PB) off the dribble consistently was not happening.
And while I like what Mobes did vs Boston, let’s remember a lot of that was vs Kornet. Who is their 3rd C (Zinger, Horford). He should kick his butt.
Yeah I think the late flurry of good offense by Mobes was situational and is confusing people. I trust what I saw all season and would want to see more improvement before betting on him.
…
He put 30/15 on Myles Turner earlier in the year IIRC
I’d extend Mobes & probably look to bring Ice back as well.
I have no earthly idea what the market is for DG.
But a rotation wing plus a 1st plus another one of either and I am more than OK with saying goodbye.
I think there is a lot of demand for DG’s skillset – the problem is his massive contract.
That’s why SA is the favorite to get him, it doesn’t meaningfully constrain them
The thing is, I don’t love DM as the full time PG.
If DG goes, we need to fill some holes:
1) PG with size who can defend
2) More size & playable wings/forwards (1-2)
3) A legit backup C who can play minutes. Both JA & Mobes are a bit skinny. They get eorn down vs big Cs. On those nights, or when one needs rest, we need a legit big big.
FWIW, I am fine with TT or Morris coming back. But those are band aids not solutions.
You still have Jerome and CPJ. Although, they aren’t necessarily starting PGs, but can fill in with starter minutes if necessary. I’d maybe try to get some bigger wings and draft compensation for DG, then you could draft another PG.
right.
Jerome is a big mystery. will he ever play again? will he be starter quality? dunno.
I would hope he’d be available next year. Otherwise the Cavs should get some sort of injured player compensation.
I think Brunson is getting reffed fairly tonight (and he’s missed a bunch of shots). Unfortunately, if the Pacers end up winning tonight, I have zero doubt he’ll be back to the Trae whistle in NY. Even the appearance of marginal contact will be a foul.
That said, I’m certainly not racking this one up for Indy. They’ve proven they can crap the bed at any time.
Looks like Knicks are done. Who stands a better chance against Boston as the teams are right now? Gotta say Pacers, Knicks just too banged up..
OG may be back for G7.
Even without Randle & Robinson, the Knicks are the tougher matchup.
YMMV, of course. But Brunson has to remain superhuman 4 times in 7.
Bovada has San Antonio as the favorite for DG. I don’t hate Johnson or Vassell (probably Johnson) and maybe the #4 and #8 help you get someone interesting on a rookie deal or paired with Allen for a genuine third star wing in a package
Too small. Need bigger wings.
…that’s what the Allen trade & the picks) are for
1. Mitchell stays.
2. Mobley stays.
3. JB goes
4. Allen stays
Beyond that, IDK.
I wouldn’t mind Altman going as well.
I am still pissed at the tank.
The tank was a bad move.
we off that
You’re off that.
Mobley will never hold up as a full time 5.
That’s why it’s tough to trade Allen. Maybe they can alternate starts?
no kidding. this obvious fact illustrates the cluelessness level of tons of commentators.
Agree with Nate on Vardon & Lloyd.
Allen is miles better than Hard rock. Better on O and D.
Allen & Mobes played plenty this year as the lone center.
Great pod so far. Good points by all.
I don’t think the Lakers are a good barometer for coaching decisions.
Top tier coaches: Pop, Spo, Carlisle, Malone, Thibs.
JB is a good culture guy. Agree we need a tactician offensively. But DM on one leg, DG shrinkage, Allen and then Caris hurt, killed the offense.
Forgot Kerr.
The blame is the injuries.
Next is DG & JB.
But we were never gonna beat Boston if they were at full strength.
But I think DG was better taking care of the ball. Agree that he could not score. Horford shut off his water.
It’s trade machine season…. CANNONBALL!!! 😂
Tanking was dumb in hindsight and at the time.
agree on that
THIS SUMMER IS EITHER GOING TO “ MAKE OR BREAK “ KOBY ——- ALOT OF CRUCIAL DECISION s // TRADES TO MAKE—— AM HOPING HE BRINGS HIS “ A” GAME// MAKE s THE CORRECT DECISION s 👍👍👍
I think we can all agree with this!
no matter who he trades for we will improve on last year if healthy. I would guess he’s pretty safe for a few years
Nice way to finish this Cavs season with the latest podcast ep. Well done, guys. I’m of the opinion that you can’t have Mobley and Allen together. They’re both centers. Neither of them stretch the floor. It’s not a knock against either of them. It’s just too much overlap. Assuming Mitchell re-signs, I’d lean towards keeping Allen over Mobley. My reasoning is that Allen has proven he’s the better fit with Mitchell and (maybe as important) I’m not ready to give Mobley a max contract, which I think his representation is going to demand. For those in favor of Mobley… Read more »
I think Mobley has higher upside. So I’d lean towards keeping him. Although, I’d like to find a way to keep both, but that may be challenging. Yes, I’d give Mobley a max contract.
absolutely. this is a total no brainer.
Thanks, Bob!
the only way you trade one is for a young near superstar wing.
any team in the NBA currently without a star center would love to have both JA and EM.
Thanks for all the bloggin’ and podcastin’ this year!
It was a lot less than years past. Thanks for sticking with us.
having a life cuts into our hobbies!
TRADE ( GIVE AWAY NIANG ) SIGN MORISS FOR 1-2 YEARS 👍
too bad Niang has a contract. Morris looks a lot better.
ANEN RAOUL ——-THE BASKETBALL IQ HERE IS HIGH AT CTB ——- TRUST OUR JUDGMENT OVER THE “ SO CALLED EXPERTS “
MOST REPORTERS ( ALL ) DONT KNOW JACK SQUAT / ANYMORE THAN WE DO ———- NEED TO “ CREATE “ STORYLINE s/ NEWS FOR JOB SECURITY
actually, less than we do, because many of us are lifelong basketball players and/or coaches.
CAVS “ SUMMER SOAP OPERA “ BEGINS—————- MY “ SUMMER BEER 🍺 DRINKING KICKING IN TO OVERDRIVE “ 👍🍺👍🍺👍🍺👍🍺
Dan Gilbert taking shots at the refs 😂
Maybe my memory is bad but I don’t remember a post-season churn like this ever happening so quickly and intensely.
The interwebs (including multiple fan bases) have all decided JB and DG are gone. Mitchell has wisely cooled his side of the rumour mill off with timely twitter action. Like the guys on the pod said, he has been an absolute professional off the court. Character matters.
I hope whatever trade action occurs, the squad that is left behind is still a cohesive unit with no bad blood.
the quality of online commentary is pretty weak everywhere.
the post season churn is bigger than usual because all kinds of self appointed experts are jumping on the Cavs case because they underperformed in the PO’s, and also because DM is a glamor player that everyone hopes to steal for their favorite team.
Agreed. Also, there’s no drama on the other teams. They gotta stir shit up for clicks.
If the Cavs didn’t tank the final regular season game they’d had faced the Pacers (not Philly/Mia)
yeah but that wasn’t the call in the moment, NY was down like nine or ten at that point in real time
Fedor (meh) and others seem to be settling on this might be the last time we see DG and Allen as Cavs.
Withholding judgment until we see the return(s) but am worried about a lack of playmaking / shot creation.
doubt if Fedor knows squat. these are obviously “big news” possibilities, but both probably have a likelihood of less than 50%. as for DG, first of all his trade value is way down because he is top dollar, underperforming, and really small. If it is true that he can’t or won’t play with DM, then he has to go, but I doubt if it is really true. that said, if DG could be traded for a good long wing, go for it. as for JA, the theory that you can’t play both JA and EM is utter nonsense. in basketball,… Read more »
I agree. But also the lack of creativity by the Cavs coaching staff to try to get Allen to where he can shoot threes is similarly frustrating. That being said, the Cavs have sucked at off ball screening for the entirety of the JB Bickerstaff era. Unless you’re creating space with screening/penetration action, you have to play 4/5 out in today’s NBA, and the Cavs too often have run without enough shooting to make two bigs work. It also hurts that Mitchell and Garland are small and especially Garland needs to move better without the ball. There’s no reason that… Read more »
totally agree. wish we could trade JB for Steve Kerr.
yes!!! podcast. you fellas are legends
OMG Nate with the “same groupie” comment. Now cleaning coffee out of my nose.
Glad I helped you clear your sinuses. 😁
https://cavaliersnation.com/2024/05/16/report-several-coaches-linked-to-cavs-as-potential-j-b-bickerstaff-replacements/
doc rivers
minnesota certainly did a fine ass-kicking of jokic & co to push a game 7.. should be a thrilla in manila
wait tell next year!