Recap: Blazers 111, Cavs 105 (Or, defense wins championships, and prevents 24-game losing streaks)
2011-02-05Overview: The Portland Trail Blazers made 12 of their 19 three-point attempts in a 111-105 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers now have the longest single-season losing streak of all time, and tied their own record for the most consecutive losses ever.
PLAY DEFENSE, ANTAWN Bullets:
Same old story. The Cavs had a good first half. They pushed the ball effectively, Jamario, AP, Sessions, and Boobie all made some nice shots, and Portland didn’t have much going offensively outside of Aldridge scoring in the post and Wesley Matthews getting open off of screens.
In the second half, Portland’s offense opened up. Antawn Jamison was matched up with Nicholas Batum, and Batum absolutely destroyed him. Jamison didn’t switch at the right time, didn’t try to fight over down-screens, didn’t stick to Batum when he should have, and generally allowed the Blazers to get wide-open three after wide-open three. I cannot stress this enough: Antawn Jamison is playing the worst defense I have ever seen an NBA player play, and the Cavaliers cannot survive it. He should’ve been benched for Joey Graham in the second half.
Antawn’s offensive chucking does not come close to negating the unbelievable damage he does defensively. The Cavaliers set a futility record tonight because of their defensive breakdowns, and nearly every single one of them could be traced back to Antawn Jamison. I know he’s a nice guy, but he has been getting away with murder.
Late in the game, the Blazers were able to move the ball, get inside, and make some tough shots, while the Cavs tried to shoot over their zone. Parker, Harris, and Gibson made some nice shots to keep the game competitive, but the Blazers deserved to win this game. The incredible thing about this losing streak isn’t that the Cavs haven’t won in a month and a half — it’s that they’ve had maybe one cheap loss during that time.
Other notes:
Ramon Sessions continues to look much better than Mo Williams as the team’s starting point guard. He’s pushing the ball, making good passes, getting to the rim, and even making his mid-range jumpers. It would have been nice of him to make that wide-open layup that would have cut the Blazer lead to two, though.
Eyenga’s gotta spend this summer shooting, shooting, shooting. He’s got some natural range and can hit from mid-range, but he needs to make some changes in his stroke before he can actually be a threat from outside.
Great game from Jamario, who was very active on both ends of the floor and actually made some threes.
Manny Harris’ outside shot has looked better every game. I was very skeptical of him, but I think he’s a keeper.
Boy, Wesley Matthews can score. A perfect example of a shooter who really knows how to set up the rest of his game with his shot.
That’s all I have for tonight. I rarely get mad when watching this team, but Antawn’s defense makes me see red. If the Cavs don’t beat the Mavericks on the road in their next game, they own the consecutive losses record outright. I’m sure that game will go well. Until later.
Its about time Jamison’s unbelievably awful defense is being recognized around here. I’ve only been screaming about it (not necessarily here) for the last 3 months. Look, JJ is dumb as a rock when it comes to defense, but Jamison, in my book, is worse because he knows what to do, he just doesn’t bust his ass to do it. Some of this may be physical limitations at this point, but that’s besides the point. Also, what the hell was he left out there for if he’s limping all over the court. That contributed to at least 3 threes the… Read more »
I feel this season is penance for having the vast majority of our fanbase blindly defend every little thing King Nothing did for the past 7 seasons. He won’t make it out of the second round with Miami, though. Take it to the bank. There are too many teams that can grind them into dust in the half-court, and I won’t believe that team can beat anyone with a legit big man until I see it.
Come on Cavs! I haven’t seen those great sideline dances at all this year! You’re a record setting team! Oh what? You don’t feel like dancing on the sidelines when YOU’RE the team getting blown out? You don’t need LeBron to do Riverdance from the bench, you can do it!
@Cranky M- Mo is averagin 7 assists this year, which is good for a starting point guard. When he returns from injury, hopefully his shooting numbers will go up as well. Sessions makes more sense as a 2 guard than Boobie, since Sessions can create his own shot by driving to the hoop, whereas Boobie is primarily a spot up jumper. I didnt mean to say Sessions would be good, but I think he would be a better fit than boobie. Cant agree with you more about Jamison. The guy is absolute garbage, especially on a rebuilding team looking to… Read more »
Yep. I totally agree. I couldn’t believe how many times Jamison totally killed us. @Damian. Yes it may be unfair to blame the ENTIRE defensive struggle on Jamison, but tonight in the second half, he gets MVP for the Blazers. Every time he closes out, he does so in awful position and allows the guy to blow by, or he comes out so slowly that he might as well just start running up the floor for offense. Somehow, he has maintained a decent reputation throughout the league, even now, as evidenced by opposing announcers frequently expressing in bewilderment how unlucky… Read more »
Worst part about this losing streak is that if the Cavs win, they become absolutely irrelevant. At least a losing streak gets them some attention.
Q: Are the Cavs the best basketball team in Ohio?
Seems unfair to blame the entire defensive breakdown on Jamison. He was always an atrocious defender but none of his earlier teams lost 24 straight… Just like having one lockdown defender can’t automatically make your defense top-rated, and how most of the top league defenses are collective efforts w/out a standout guy, one absolutely porous player shouldn’t result in an utter collapse as well. There is something more, deeper and darker, afflicting this team right now.
Alot of people talk about trading Jamison, but who would want him? Until next year, when his contract becomes an expiring one. The Cavs are stuck with him. He plays atrocfious D, and he can’t really rebound. He’s a poor man’s bargiani(and that’s saying something). As for the point guard situation. Sessions should be the point guard for now and in the future. Ethier move Mo to the 2, or better yet ship him out. At least, this team will get a high draft pick this year, and have a young core of sessions, harris, gee, graham, and whoever they… Read more »
@ Roberito: Saying that Sessions would be a good 2-guard is one of the most absurd things i have ever heard. you realize that he’s 4 feet tall and has no jump shot, right? in any case, i would much rather stick with Sessions as the starting PG than Mo. Mo has long ago hit his ceiling, and it wasnt very high to begin with. he cant distribute the ball like a true PG, even though you seem to think he’s better at “finding players.” Also, if i never had to watch Jamison play another game of basketball in my… Read more »
Congrats to Mr Krolik on the new gig. Take your talents to New York soon.
I’m going to be piss off if they mess around and win a game before the Wiz come into town and ruin my dream scenario.
Well, two competitive games in a row. Maybe there is hope for beating the Wizards…
Hey John, i think i have the trade that can help the Cavs get their starting center, while maintaing the majority of their trade exception… It’s a two part trade: First part: Jamario Moon + Anthony Parker + Daniel Gibson for Chris Kaman Second part: Cavs use $4,250,000 of their trade exception and trade for Randy Foye The Cavs end up with Chris Kaman and Randy Foye while maintaining $10,250,000 of their trade exception The Clippers get Daniel Gibson who is an upgrade over Randy Foye and postion themselves to make DeAndre Jordan their center of the future. This is… Read more »
I love your recaps, but I cant agree with your stance on our point guard situation. When Mo is healthy, he is a much better pg than Sessions is, since he can find players better. Sessions is a better driver, and I think he would be good starting at the 2, so that Boobie, Manny, and AP can come off the bench and put some balls in the hoop.
Thanks for sticking with us during this horrible time, John. The recaps are at least something to still look forward to. That much has not changed.