Talking Cavs with Mark Neal
2015-12-22https://soundcloud.com/dayton-radio/tom-pestak-12-17-16
Wanted to sneak this one in before it becomes a bit outdated. Mark Neal and I recapped the early portion of the season. Interestingly, despite Mark’s insistence that Tristan Thompson was acting like an elite offensive rebounder, I countered with what my eyes had been telling me – that he was leaving a lot on the table. Well, that night, TT speared 11 offensive boards against the Thunder and poured in a much-needed 14 points to boot.
Give it a listen. Also, feel free to post questions you’d like answered on Twitter (@tompestak) (@espnmark) or better yet, call in! As always, you can listen live.
Great stuff, Tom… and from the future no less…
Interesting that you still think the West has seperated itself. Basically there are 2 elite franchises that will remain elite for a while in GSW and SA. But Memphis has the wheels coming off already and they will soon be in the basement as the health issues compound themselves. OKC is at a tipping point. If Durant walks they fall into the average team area. The Clippers are flailing and the clock is ticking on CP3’s prime. Dallas is no different than Atlanta or any other decent team with no chance of making the finals. Also the front office thing… Read more »
Clippers just CANNNOT FINISH games. I’ve watched the Big Games for them to watch CP3 choke on that last shot time after time. Its a shame they are in a purgatory state of not advancing to the Western Conference Finals year after year. Its the same issue. Can’t close
Always like to hear my favorite topic. Speaking of the Thunder game , the topic of Waiters does come up. I’m putting a link of Pluto ‘s radio piece which kinda talks about that and Cavs defense. http://www.cleveland.com/podcast_files/pluto122215.mp3 He talks about Delly’s impact and value to to team to play with anyone and make them better. He talks about Waiters. He said in conversations with FO and mentioned Griff. They did recognize that Waiters was not productive without Delly. He has not gotten near those numbers and stats to this day with the Thunder. Now, Delly is really playing better… Read more »
Waiters is a highlight film player that is not all that team oriented or all that good at playing basketball.
I fell in love with his highlight plays expecting that in time he would figure things out and become a complete player. I thought he and Kyrie would grow into the best backcourt in the NBA. Not only did it not happen, but there was never any progress.
I still enjoy the highlights, but he’s not going to help anybody win games. That, unfortunately, likely leads to a “coach killer” career.
I really don’t see him a coach killer because he just isn’t that an elite of a player. Cavs were dead last in defense when Bryon Scott was HC and gee it looks like the same problem in LA. It was a toxic atmosphere from him. Brown did improve the team but a little too late and FO ran out of patience . The Scotty Brooks was a victim of too many Durant and Westbrook injuries. Waiters was a nonissue for those brief 3.5 months. Now going into his 4th year, he just hasn’t moved the needle and he has… Read more »