holy crap, I forgot to post this at an appropriate time.
2009-04-04
Overview: In their most thorough manhandling of the season, the Cavs got utterly and completely destroyed by the Magic, scoring less points in four quarters than the Magic did in three.
Cavs-Related Bullets:
The Cavaliers were fail. This is something we’re not used to seeing, but the way those teams were playing tonight, the Magic win 100 times out of 100. LeBron had a nice run to end the third after I’d stopped watching the game, but other than that they did a great job sealing the paint and keeping LeBron in n0-man’s land, completely shutting him down. Nobody shot. No movement. We got sailed right through on defense and were getting consistently beat up and down the floor. Absolute and total destruction.
So what do I say? I mean, this is not a representation of how evenly matched a playoff series is going to look between these two teams, but neither would any other game. It’s a statement game in that the Magic now have “told” the league they’re to be taken seriously as an elite team, but that’s something that fans care about. People in the know already knew it. If the Magic and Cavs meet in the ECF, then both teams are going to know that the Magic are very capable of taking the series coming in. This game doesn’t change that.
I’d feel better if this was our “free pass” game after a win streak, but we used that one lat night. Wake-up call, whatever.
All in all, we still have the best record in the NBA. Think about that. We’re not playing for all that much. “Momentum” and “getting things clicking,” and all that crap are sexy to talk about, but it’s really just stuff to keep us occupied. When the playoffs start, everything gets wiped clean. As much as we like to think our safety of mind will help once the 1st series starts, it really won’t.
Cherish that we’re at the point where we can have losses that feel embarrassing and important without actually meaning anything. Go be with your families. All will be well.
Couldn’t agree with you more Robin. TK’s length & athleticism were exactly what the Cavs needed last night & instead, with the game still in reach, Brown put Wally on Lee. Result? Game over. Now sure… That’s an overly simplistic way to explain the Cavs all around piss-poor effort last night, but Brown’s rotations continue to perplex and I ultimately think his inability to substitute players based on what’s happening on the court versus what his predetermined gameplan is will be the undoing of this team. I hate to say it, but it’s his biggest weakness as a coach &… Read more »
Plenty of blame to go around in this one. But if I had to pick someone who played well, I would say Varejao. He was the only guy who had any success defending Howard, denying him the ball a few times and actually fouling him instead of giving up baskets. By contrast, big Z was totally useless against him. Varejao also flew out to contest shooters on a bunch of plays, which is impressive to see from a big man. And he hit a few unlikely shots. Also, it really hurts me to see Wally getting so many key minutes… Read more »
John, even though I’m from LA and a Lakers fan, I enjoy your site. I was wondering what your take is on the following… A handful of times this year I’ve been able to watch the Cavs on national tv and noticed that Lebron refuses to attempt end-of quarter/half shots from the backcourt. It happened the other night against Washington when the Wiz scored with about 1.5 sec left, Cleveland inbounded the ball to Lebron and instead of throwing up at shot as time expired, he held the ball for the second until the buzzer went off then half-assed heaved… Read more »