Preview & Live Thread: Cavs vs Warriors
2015-02-26
They say to be the best, you have to beat the best. With that thought in mind, tonight’s match-up is the biggest of the season. The Golden State Warriors come in to Cleveland with the league’s best record: 44-10 and are 8-2 in the last ten games (as are the Cavs). We all know about the brilliance of Golden State’s starting back-court — Curry and Klay combine to score 46 points and 11 assists and eight rebounds per game while posting all-time shooting percentages. But there’s more than just these two that make Golden State click.
Chris Ballard wrote a fantastic piece in Sports Illustrated on how the Warriors have gone from playoff “One-and-done to NBA title Favorites.” Ballard examines Klay, Curry, Kerr, Barnes, Iguodala, and secret sauce ingredient, Draymond Green (who is playing like the biggest draft steal of the last 10 years). The article even touches on what CtBers know is the real reason for Golden State’s success, the presence of three former Cavalier Herculoids: Mo Speights, Shaun Livingston, and now assistant coach, Luke Walton. It’s a great article and a more complete Warriors preview than I could give you.
Speaking of Draymond Green, he’s got to be on the short list for the league’s “Most Improved Player” award, and he’s angling his way to a max contract this coming summer. He’s become an unbelievably smart and competitive defender, who despite his 6’6″ size can guard players at almost every position, and he’s added enough offense that he’s not a liability on that end of the floor. But is he really that improved or is he just getting extra playing time? The showdown with Draymond and Kevin, tonight, might give us some answers.
Another candidate for most improved is the Cavs own Kyrie Irving. According to Zach Kempner at NumberFire.com, Irving leads the NBA in improvement when it comes to Wins Above Replacement. Of course, the article notes, LeBron James’ addition might have something to do with that.
Enjoy the game, tonight, and Go Cavs!
Wins Above Replacement
| Player | ’13-’14 WAR | ’14-’15 WAR (Estimated) | Difference (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving | 1.45 | 13.12 | +11.67 |
| Khris Middleton | 0.10 | 11.14 | +11.04 |
| James Harden | 9.67 | 19.74 | +10.07 |
| Tyreke Evans | -0.75 | 8.96 | +9.71 |
| Anthony Davis | 5.46 | 14.18 | +8.72 |
| Ben McLemore | -4.29 | 4.10 | +8.39 |
| Markieff Morris | 3.20 | 10.81 | +7.61 |
| Lou Williams | 0.28 | 7.48 | +7.20 |
| Darren Collison | 0.82 | 7.84 | +7.02 |
| Cody Zeller | 0.09 | 7.08 | +6.99 |
| Jeff Teague | 2.05 | 8.96 | +6.91 |
| Gordon Hayward | 4.99 | 11.72 | +6.73 |
| John Wall | 8.30 | 14.55 | +6.25 |
| Tyson Chandler | 5.80 | 11.99 | +6.19 |
| Brandon Jennings | -2.82 | 3.29 | +6.11 |
| Russell Westbrook | 6.89 | 12.94 | +6.05 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | 4.45 | 10.47 | +6.02 |
| Draymond Green | 6.54 | 12.17 | +5.63 |
| Harrison Barnes | -0.74 | 4.64 | +5.38 |
| Jared Dudley | 1.93 | 7.26 | +5.33 |
Tom’s weekly segment on Dayton Sportsradio was in studio – Nate even called in! Listen here: http://www.wingam.com/Tom-Pestak-from-Cavstheblog-com-talks-NBA-Cavs-wit/17320024?pid=459695
What’s going on BOYS? I was expecting the thread to break the 1,000 comment record tonight!! HAHA.
CAAAAAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Shump/JR Smith played incredible perimeter D!
I still think we got close to the max though! We’re nearly to 600!
How about that win?! Yes, LBJ was awesome… but the team D was awesome as well…
Kerr was telling Blatt “I hope I hope” wonder what were they talking about. Blatt: “I hope to see you in june”
Kerr wanted to hire Blatt as an assistant during the off season.
Amazing, amazing, amazing win. Great progress by this team. best of health for everyone going forward.
Lebron looks exhausted. We gonna win against Indy tomorrow? Maybe we’ll get 20 from JR Smith . . . Love . . . Champ Jones!
Yea I noticed that. he got used to resting fourth quarters. Will need a strong team effort tomorrow.
I’d probably be stupid, but I wish Blatt would pull a Popovich and bench LBJ, Kyrie, and Love for the game tomorrow. Don’t even give Indiana a chance to build confidence.
They OWE Indy one… gonna be tough… but they’re gonna come out swinging…LBJ only played 36 minutes too…
REVENGE TOUR 2015!!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen… meet the NEW BEST TEAM IN THE NBA…
we held them under 100!!! revenge tour continues tomorrow night in Indy!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO SOUP FOR YOU GSW!!!
The thing is – we can still get better. We’re still learning to play with each other.
Actually a lot better…. these guys have been together a MONTH AND A HALF!!!!
NOOOOO!!!!! Now they’re going to get 100
Pyche!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hold them under 100 please!!
I can’t wait to hear Charles, Kenny and Shaq EAT SOME CROW….
You nailed it haha
not sure if Cavs played an incredible game but they played very well and up by 14 on ‘best team in league’
Played great defense in the second half. LeBron went video game mode.
I think Cleveland just cemented themselves as the team to beat.
Very quiet 16 points, 8 rebounds for Love. The game came to him.
Curry and Thompson a combined 10-30.
Yeeessss! Great win! Let’s get some payback on the Pacers tomorrow!!
Mighty impressive win tonight. With a chance of holding GS to under 100. That’s amazing.
WHAT CAN BLUE DO FOR YOU?????
REVENGE TOUR ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!! LET’S GET INDY!!!!!
They’re not going to score 100. 41.8% shooting .
Unbelievable defensive effort in the 2nd half….. pulled a Detroit again!!!!
You’re RIGHT!!! HOW ABOUT THAT!!!
Did Blatt solve the West problem?
The Lee problem.
I’ll say! He cranked up the D in the second half…
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that Love 3 was textbook beeotch!
LeBron to Love to end it!
WOOHOO!
LOVE WITH THE DAGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KLOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
CURRY WITH AIRBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
AIR BAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
GAME OVER!!!!!!!!
Inside two minutes, Cavs up by 11. Take out the air.
CLOSE IT OUT CAVS!!!
Bring in Delly to close it out.
RUDY RUDY RUDY!!!
JR and Shump are 1-8 but doing it with defense tonight…
They played GREAT defense tonight!!!
5 dimes for Smith tonight to go along with 4 assists. Unlike Dion, Smith affects the game in all aspects even when he’s shooting 1-5.
Great point…. never see Smith pouting on the court.
Season high baby, who’s the real MVP?
I hope they keep LBJ out of the MVP conversation just for the extra motivation!!!!
curry just straight up missed a layup hahaha and then lebron has dumb foul when could’ve just run clock some more…this game is taking forever…lets go!
Curry shooting 5-15.
ANOTHER STEAL… after the worst free throw attempt of his career…
Let’s run some offense.
Cavs working to take time off the clock… but LBJ not hitting like he was… but a steal helps!
It’s become a grind-it-out second half. Which is not what the Warriors want.
Nice travel Draymond….
GSW are just too small inside
they try to compensate by being overly physical but just don’t have it yet….still don’t think they can get out of the west conf.
I don’t think they can beat the Thunder in the first round.
Love with the D on Curry
Love doing a terrific job on D
LBJ coming back in…
#Refreshed
If he doesn’t hoist a bunch of long threes. If we protect the ball. The game is ours.
Shumpert – a one man defensive wrecking crew. He’s frustrating the entire GS offense.
It’s gotta be the hair #Samson.
Moving screen!!!!!
Lee is the leading scorer for GS (19 points).
Gotta stay strong on the perimeter though… GS can hit threes in a hurry…
yes – but they’ve worked to run them off the line.
Cavs doing a tremendous job of protecting the lead with Lebron on the bench
Yes – and getting to the line. He’s gotten a lot of time to rest.
Kyrie is just filthy getting into the lane right now.
Cavs making sure Curry/Thompson don’t beat them. Letting AI2, David Lee, etc make some baskets.
But as long as The Splash Bros don’t suddenly catch fire – Cavs in good position to beat the best team in the NBA.
Cavs have forced 21 PF by GS. 4 fouls on Iggy and Green, 3 each on Lee and Curry. Cavs 27-29 in FT! Wow.
cavs playing the mike brown collapse paint defense and allowing wide open 3s to best 3point team in league hahaha…..really only gripe on this game….nearly everything else is fantastic
But you live with Iggy taking threes… he’s like their worst three shooter…
TT and Love got confused on that one and both played the paint instead of splitting up… but yes… they are rollin right now!!!
It will be huge if the Cavs can close this game with LeBron on the bench.
Nice pass Shumpert. Nice roll Tristan.
Great HANDS there by TT!!!!
Tristan is playing like a wildman tonight…
I really want them to hold GS under 100, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen…
How was that not a foul on Love? They hit him in the face?
Shump is too tall for Curry to shoot over…
Shump is the young Tony Allen we were looking for.
And the knicks gave us JR Smith and Shumpert for Lou Amundson.
CHALUPAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Free throw pushes it back up to 14 as the clock begins to tick again. (7:03)
hey love making plays inside….very nice!
And now Love to TT convert a semi high-low.
I almost don’t want Kyrie in there to risk further injury…
TT looking STUDLY!!!!
He is FEARLESS!!!! LOVE IT!
Another offensive rebound for GS.
KLove with a great move inside for the score…
LOVE IN THE POST>>>>> LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!
Love to the hole!
I’ll take an Iggy three attempt any day…
HAHAHAHA…. And survey says YES!!!
Lock down Curry Shump! Let Iguadola shoot it.
Moz with a game high +17… Bogut with a game low -11… Just sayin’
IRON CURTAIN >>>>>>>> AUSSIE ROO.
Golden State with 12 offensive rebounds.
this quarter is getting a little too tight right now cavs getting too sloppy and missing basic rebounds on defensive end
Deep breaths Leo…. deep breaths…
hahaha im all good i still think team can hang on cause warriors won’t be able to stop lebron when it matters
If they stop Lebron, they won’t be able to stop Delly.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ TRUE STORY~!
It’s a drag that they aren’t even really looking to get the ball to Love…
That’s really the only thing left to accomplish on the offensive end. Luckily, they have 20+ games to figure it out!
Love has been giving it right back up nearly every time he touches it.
Don’t get why they don’t have him try and wreck green in the post