Live Thread: Clippers @ Cavs
2024-01-29Good evening CtB!
The Cavs welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to the shores of Lake Erie for massive out of conference showdown between two of the hottest teams in the Association. The Clippers have taken off since acquiring James “Golden Turd” Harden, while the Cavs have thrived in spite of injuries to two of their young stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Rumor has it that Evan Mobley will be back tonight, which is a welcome sight given the Tristan Thompson suspension. According to Coach JB Bickerstaff, DG’s return is imminent as well. It is now that we’ll find out if Coach Bickerstaff has learned anything by giving minutes to older role players such as Sam Merrill, Craig Porter, Jr., and Dean Wade, who’ve all made massive contributions to winning basketball over the recent 20 game stretch. Or will it be “business as usual” with Georges Niang, Isaac Okoro, and Caris LeVert, all of whom have been the weakest links so far this season yet also receiving the benefit of the doubt from JB. The margins are what differentiates the pedestrian coaches from the great ones, let’s see if JB has it in him.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio, Go Cavs!
LT up
Embiid playing but looks sub 100%. Philly looks to be going down at GSW. We will be ahead of Philly & NY in the L column after tonight. 2 b2bs before the ASG should help us make up a game or two in the W column if we can win them (at Grizz, at Nets).
The Cavs have played 3 or 4 less games than most other teams. Good thing EM and DG are back, because they are going to need depth when making these up.
The good news is, if they keep playing at a high rate, they have a good chance of winning 3 or 4 of those games. Winning 3 of 4 would put them in a tie with the Knicks.
Yep, those wins with a bare bones squad are looking more and more valuable.
We have two b2bs before the ASG.
These next two (Detroit, at Memphis) and then the first two of a 3 game road trip in Feb (at Wiz, at Nets (b2b), then at Raptors).
Weirdly, I think the extra games may help us as guys who would otherwise get squeezed some (Merrill, Wade, Okoro) may get more minutes as others rest a bit and maybe Mobley/Garland sit on the 2nd nights.
GOOD HEARING FROM U BUCKAROO —WAS THERE WITH PATTON “ IVORY PISTOLS “ SHOOTING DOWN ✈️ PLANES 🤪🤪👍
patton helmet with chuck taylor high tops.. classic
SET SCREENS FOR SAM —- FAKE USING THE SCREEN— GO BACKDOOR —- THE DEFENSE GETS “ BURNT “ COUPLE TIMES— THEY WILL RESPECT THE BACKDOOR CUT / WONT OVERPLAY THE SCREEN PASS——-“ CAT —MOUSE “ “ GAME—- NEED TO UTILIZE THAT SAM “ 3 PT WEAPON “ —— UNDERSTAND HIS DEFENSIVE LIABILITIES—- BUT HE REALLY ISNT THAT BAD ——— COACHES JUST NEED TO SHEME FOR HIM ON BOTH SIDES 👍🏀👍🏀
NOMAD bro.. you wearing your Patton helmet ??? i know you have one..
CAVS ARENT THE ONLY ONE S ON A HOT 🥵 STREAK ——— I JUST ASSEMBLED A PUZZLE THAT READ. 4 AND UNDER—- I SUCCEEDED— I DID IT IN LESS THAN 3 HRS 👍🤪🍺👍🤪🍺👍🤪🍺—-/ ENJOY YOUR DAY GUYS 👍👍
DG TO RETURN AGAINST THE PISTONS ——WARNING TO THE CAVS-/—-STAY FOCUSED/ SHARP/ HUNGRY———— WIN THE GAMES YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WIN 👍🏀👍🏀
I love watching DG man. IQ off the charts, shot pure. Swag incredible: reminds me so much of young Nash.
Also reminiscent of that hof’er in not being known as a defensive stalwart.
But, excited to see how he can fit in with this version of the squad. He doesn’t need to do all the things he did 2 months ago all the time. More skill on the floor and better role definition.
Watch the turnovers DG!
Taking better care of the ball, playing better D, and pushing it up quick would be my three main areas of improvement.
That’s why I was so positive about staying the course after last year. The areas of improvement are fixable and obvious and the team has high IQ hardworking dudes. DG too smart not to get that right.
Mitchell has improved his passing and clutch work against 2 on the ball.
Allen rebounding better working the middy and playmaking against huge 5s. Mobley rebounding better.
Playing with more pace.
This has been so great.
FWIW, we could be 3rd by the end of play tonight. Both Phully & NY on second nights of back to backs & maybe missing pieces.
NY hosts Utah sans Randle and the 76ers visit GSW with Embiid & Maxey having missed the last game.
go Lauri ! ! time for the Young Buck to have his occasional great game !
NY is so interesting. They are a typical Thibs / Bud team. Great at stacking regular season wins, don’t leave anything on the table, fab defense, beat everyone they are supposed to…
And I still dunno if they get out of a series with MIL/PHL/us in the first.
FOR THE REASONS YOU MENTIONED/—LEVERTS SKILL SET -/-/ CAVS WOULD HAVE TO GET A FAVORABLE RETURN IF HE IS TRADED —— STILL THINK HE / LEVERT WAS OUR BEST FREE AGENT SIGNING THIS SUMMER
ICE / LEVRT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE 2 MOST MENTIONED IN TRADE TALKS-//—- WHICH DO YOU ACTIVELY “ DANGLE “ AND FOR WHAT RETURNS——-ICE ALWAYS—-/ THE WAY HE HAS BEEN PLAYING RECENTLY—— PUTS 2ND THOUGHTS ABOUT TRADING HIM
I think if you’re dangling someone, it’s Levert. His skill set is more established than Ice, but also more redundant at this point. Not sure what you’d get to put you over, though.
THE WAY CAVS ARE PLAYING—- DO NOT SEE THEM MAKING ANY “ PANIC- IRRATIONAL “ TRADES —— HAS TO BE IN CAVS FAVOR/ NOT GIVING UP KEY COMPONENTS—— THEY MIGHT WAIT FOR THE BUYOUT
Agree 100%. I think it would be nuts to trade a core piece (Spida, Allen, Mobely, Garland) at this point. And borderline nuts to trade a rotational cog (Strus, LeVert, Okoro, Wade, Niang, Merrill).
That leaves TT (suspended), Jerome (just had surgery), and Jones (no value but played OK but our only backup big).
I mean, we have 1-2 open roster slots, but little cap space. We are around $6 mil under the tax, IIRC, after Rubio’s buyout.
IWAS THE “NERVOUS NELLIE “ GOING INTO THIS ROAD TRIP—-6 GAMES—-A BAD LOSING STREAK COULD SEPARATE US IN THE NEGATIVE WAY —- ( SEE MIAMI) —- STILL NEED TO STAY FOCUSED/,SHARP/ HEALTHY/ HUNGRY 👍🏀
only 9-1 team last 10 games.. what was that monkees song ? not that i am, yet, but perhaps getting closer.. i am the best fair weather fan there is..
I’m a believer!
just checking out tonight’s highlights video.
recall someone saying that Georges is “unplayable”? are we are talking about the same guy?
in addition to chucking threes, he’s taking it to the rim and making it happen against a top defensive team. what’s not to like?
Niang and Okoro are not perfect players, but they have really adjusted well to JB new system and are thriving in it. LeVert is trick or treat but that’s fine for a sixth man. On reflection, I think there is a real preference on this blog for specialists and one or two-tool guys vs playmakers with multiple skills. Merrill and CPJ and Wade are good in their roles for sure, but they aren’t versatile and you can scheme them off the floor / expose them, although to Wades credit that’s happening less due to health or confidence or whatever. Okoro… Read more »
Philly getting spanked — by Portland!
The Cavs probably say no here, but they don’t do it right away.
when the LAL miss the play-ins this spring, LBJ will realize his legacy will look a lot better if he finishes up back with the Cavs, playing for the minimum and getting a couple more rings.
Lmaoooo. That would be sort of fun. That said, LeBron is many things but he hasn’t been a willing participant in a motion offense for a decade. Shades of Magic on the late-90s lakers.
I would not trade for LeBron. Period.
absolutely not. 50/50 on taking him for free.
FWIW, losses + remaining strength of schedule.
1) 11: Boston, 29th
————
2) 14: Minny, 16th
3) 15: Denver, 17th
4) 15: Milwaukee, 7th
5) 15: OKC, 19th
6) 15: Clippers, 15th
7) 15: Philly, 18th (down 10 in Portland)
8) 16: CAVS, 28th
9) 17: NY, 12th
Three weeks ago we were all bunched up with Indy, Miami, Orlando, and NY. Only the Knicks remain.
as several of us pointed out a couple weeks ago, a really tough six game set coming up. going 5/1 is real nice!
Absolutely murdering expectations AND not playing with their food
STAY FOCUSED // STAY HEALTHY. AND YES CONTINUE TO BEAT THE TEAMS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BEAT——- GO CAVS ——- I CAN LIVE WiTH ICE GETTING 17 EVERY NIGHT// HOPING HE MIGHT BE “ TURNING THE CORNER “ 👍
Some nice tidbits from the new NBA.com power rankings:
https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2023-24-week-15
The Cavs starting 5 sans DG & Mobley just crested the 200 min mark for the season (vs the Bucks). They have outscored opponents +18.6 points per 100. The 2nd best mark amongst the 20 lineups that have played 200 min together.
We are 17-2 vs teams below .500. 2nd best in the league (Knicks). Beat who you are supposed to beat.
We are 8th in offensive efficiency since DG & Mobes eent out.
https://x.com/oldseaminer/status/1752163486249967731?s=20
Low key this is where DG helps a ton. He can create for Sam (or tbh he can take Sams minutes and create 3s for himself against good teams)
Not arguing. Only issue is real small in backcourt. I think the Darius, Sam, levert/Strus/Wade, Niang, Mobley lineup is gonna be spicy.
The Cavs have 16 losses. Aside from the Celtics (11), here is the rest of the league in losses:
14: OKC & Minny (playing each other now)
15: Bucks & Nuggets (playing each other now), Clips, 76ers (no Embiid tonight in Port)
16: Cavs
The split in Milwaukee, sans DG & Mobes, after we stomped them here, and this one, have me feeling we COULD catch everyone except Boston.
Our remaining SOS is 28th.
Had not appreciated that Maxey is also out. Go Blazers!
agree
SORRY I MISSED THE FUN——- WILL WATCH REPLAY TONIGHT ( UNLESS “THE “ MRS NOMAD WANTS TO PLAY) 👍👺👿———OTHER WISE TOMORROW MORNING 👍👍———GOOD “W”. ——LIKE NATE — WISH MORE SAM MINUTES
Enjoy every minute, Nomad. Cracking game.
JB making good point on how things have grown and matured this year. Several games, teams played more physical at the closing minutes and got back into and won games on us. And the playoffs were a complete wash as well definitely seeing growth in being more aware and letting the game flow. Being smooth instead of going into the teeth, using it against the opponent. Helps that guys like struts and niang bring that juice for closing out games.
It’s like young teams have to learn and grow together!
Knicks keep winning also… gotta keep pace. Feb could be a grinder…
March is when the schedule stiffins.
Other than not enough Merrill, as good of rotations I’ve seen in a JB game ever.
Russ beat the shit out of him and we were generating good enough shots without him.
Really good adjustment not to play him imo. He’ll eat a ton over the next few games.
I just want the Cavs to put in a package for him for good teams.
PG, Kwahi, Harden, Russ. Tough matchup for him.
Yeah you could live with him on Mann or Powell or maaaaybe Coffey but Lue would hunt that all day. JB smart to take it off the table.
Once Sam has a screen package against teams that play tight coverage, the offense will make up for the D.
You don’t sit Curry against a team just cause they’re gonna hunt him.
Eh, that’s just a rehash of the arguments in 2017 about how much to play similar specialists like Frye and Korver. Offense can make up for defense sometimes (it often did in the EC playoffs from 15-17) but don’t think it was the right call against LAC (or Boston if it comes to that). But most teams have a guy you can hide Sam on. So agree in general but not in this matchup. ….and not to take the comparison too literally but when Curry was Sam’s age he also led the league in steals. Hunting him without elite 1:1… Read more »
Who had Okoro w 17 at the half? Anybody?
That is the best I’ve seen him play. More of this please.
And he finished with 17. I am on Okoro Island, and I didn’t have it.
George had 13 on 3-11 and foulrd out trying to check Mitchell. Harden had 11 on 3-8 (nIce D!).
If Okoro is outscoring George & Harden, that is a good night for us.
Glad he didn’t force the Mobley minutes. Didn’t play him aside from TT minutes. Ning was a good move to close. Good poise at the end. Man, what a luxury to have shooting. Shit, better than some of the grinders we had last year 😂!!
I might watch it again. Was so good.
Definitely watching again. This time w Czar instead of Big Brad
Seven Cavs in double figures… total team win
JA is so adorable. How is there not a Frohio teddy bear.
Fab win. Mobley I felt struggled but you can see how this will work. A few of those Vert possessions going to DG…whooooo
Not bad for first game back tho… 10/9
Yeah he had some great possessions and flashes (ripping Harden clean, coast to coast dunk, good rebounding). Just left some points and rebounds on the table but Clips are pretty physical too
He’s a starter who happens to be the backup center. Thought JB really managed the rotations well.
That was the best the Cavs have played against a very good opponent front to back, all season. Just very high level play and coaching.
Yep,Nice work today.
Won every quarter!!
That was fun!
Best win of this year?
We getting a new “best win of the year” on a weekly basis!!!!
Nice win. Go Cavs.
Hire JB.
One loss in the last 10 games.
11.
Was just wondering if it was actually 11. Thanks Jason.
Also basically zero midrangers in that game except for Don. Just a great shot diet
Such a fun game!
Allen!
AND HE THROWS THE HAMMER DOWN!
White flag time
Capitulation. Love it.
G wagon
Is ice going back in?
This team is special right now…
And clips turn it over 👏👏👏
Niang playing winning basketball…
Jarett Allen with the nail!
Yes George! Yes Jarrett!!
Yes!!! Make me eat my words g-bus!
Hell yeah
JA!!!!!!!
Never thought I’d be glad to see Niang.
Attaway Mitch
Big time Spida!
Yessss
Ugh, don’t like that sub.
It worked, though.
DM with a big bucket, minivan to JA!
Goodnight LA!
Can’t foul there…
Shiiiiiiiiit.