A Grumpy Man and No Untouchables

Make sure to go read Robert Attenwieler’s “Point Four-Ward” from earlier today. Play his recreating the 2007 Cavs Finals roster game.

LeBron might be just like a grandpa at the age of 29. He’s griped about Kyrie Irving not getting assists, the team lacking focus, and guys not playing good defense in less than a four week time span. Now, he thinks he’s playing too many minutes. Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group has LeBron’s thoughts on playing the third most minutes a night in the NBA.

“For me, I don’t want to do that all year,” James said. “Obviously right now it’s difficult because we’re trying to find a groove and we’re trying to find a rhythm and we’re trying to find something that you can’t really, you don’t want to shortcut it but at the same time you gotta be smart about it.”

Fortunately, coach David Blatt has a solution.

Following practice Tuesday, Blatt said he thinks “it might be a good idea for our guys to play some shorter stretches harder rather than longer stretches.

“We’re going to see how we can incorporate that philosophy,” Blatt said. If that new philosophy sticks, it would mean more court time for more reserves.

I’m all for that philosophy if it means Joe Harris continues to get more playing time.

LeBron also flexed his old man skills by saying he doens’t think the Spurs are the Cavs rivals or a measuring stick team for the young Wine & Gold squad. No one tells an old man who he has to measure up to. Bob Finnan of The Morning Journal has more information.

“I’ve always loved playing against them and playing against Pop (Coach Gregg Popovich),” [LeBron] said. “That’s someone that I admire and I respect so much, obviously the Big Three as well. But I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry. But I would say, it’s mutual respect. It’s great competition, and they definitely helped me grow along the way and, hopefully, I pushed them, too.”

And, this game against the Spurs tonight doesn’t matter too much in the King’s eyes.

“Win or lose, it’s not a measuring stick,” LeBron James said. “We want to play well. We want to get back to playing how we did a couple games ago and not (revert) back to last night (against Denver). I think for us (if) we compete at a high level, we will give ourselves a chance to win. But it’s not a measuring stick.”

Responding to both of those quotes, I say, “Malarky, these quotes are full of it.” The Spurs have to be LeBron’s rivals, and if they aren’t, then who beat him in two different NBA Finals? Just some guys? I don’t buy it. Also, this game tonight most certainly is a measuring stick event. The Spurs are one of the tested teams the Cavs may face in the Finals if they make it there. The King’s Men should be using this game to see where the Spurs are able to exploit them.

David Griffin is certainly thinking that way given his statements to the media about players being untouchable. Joe Vardon has the quotes delivering the harsh reality that the team is still a body of assets and not just beloved personalities.

“No one is untouchable, and you’re never done building a team, so we’re always paying attention to what opportunities are out there,” Griffin told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “My tendency is always trying to do what we can do to improve the roster. But I’m not looking to create one so much as paying attention to what I’m hearing.”

I’m sure in a few more years once LeBron’s development into geriatric man is complete, he will have words with GM Griffin about that comment.

Griffin really knows where the team needs help.

“Fortunately, we’re blessed to have a lot of talent, but we’re also not blessed with a great depth of defensive talent,” Griffin said. “We need to improve in that area. That’s probably an area where we may need to act at some point to improve the roster.”

Griffin’s quotes are coming because of the Cavs reported interest in Minnesota shooting guard Corey Brewer. All of the talk generated around Brewer being a possible savior for the Cavs defense is missing one key point. On the basketball floor, there are typically three guys that can drive to the hoop at any time (two guards and the small forward). Brewer is just one man, so that still leaves two other guys who could paint murderous circles in the paint during a game. The Cavs should target a big guy who can make some “X”s on the opponent’s shot chart around the rim, or they should utilize a defensive scheme that gives the big guys they currently have the opportunity to protect the rim. Don’t just take my word that the team needs some help defensively.

Go read Jason Patt of SB Nation to see exactly how the Cavs defense is being destroyed. He has some great breakdowns of plays, but his best example is one that almost requires no explanation.

The best guys on a team can’t let this happen one time. It’s even worse when it seems like a recurring play every game.

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Finally, the Cavs are taking on the Spurs tonight. The Spurs seem like a calm team that just smiles craziliy when they are destroying the opposition with their bench while resting their stars. However, that isn’t completely true; they smile a little when making commercials too. Dan Devine of Ball Don’t Lie has some great Spurs commercials for people to enjoy. Also, Timmy Duncan is a comedic genius in this video.

Knocking down the planter in that commerical is almost a recreation of how Timmy acts when he has to makes clutch shots. It’s all a routine.

Bonus Find and Idea

LeBron James isn’t always grumpy. His mom has a boyfriend that is 32 years old and rapping under the name of Da Real Lambo. The always trusted TMZ provided this photo. Look at the King’s smile!

Da Real Lambo is the middle man.

My idea that I just came up with while reading about the Spurs is simple. What if David Blatt rested the Big Three? What would happen? Blatt would probably be hailed as coaching mastermind. If Greg Popovich wasn’t resting his Big Three, he probably would to counter the mental chess move by Blatt, and people would be outraged that a matchup with six possible stars was playing none for a feature ESPN game.

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Chris Broussard just put up a short piece about LeBron’s thoughts on working with the Cavs youngsters.

“I’ve taken on the burden of leading young guys,” James said, “getting them to understand what it takes to win. And it takes more than just basketball. It’s about being a professional, not having a sense of entitlement, being grateful that you’re a part of this league. Those things have a lot to do with winning.

“It’s going to take a while. When you’re losing, you pick up a lot of bad habits. When you walk into the building every night and don’t even expect to win, that wears on you, and it takes a while to break it.”