Recap: Cavs 97, Kings 93 (Or, Kings for a day)
2011-03-17Overview: The Cleveland Cavaliers got their fifth road win of the season at the expense of the lowly Sacramento Kings. Ramon Sessions led the Cavaliers with 20 points on 15 shots, and Marcus Thornton led all scorers with 23 points.
Rumors of Ramon Sessions’ demise may have been exaggerated bullets:
RAZOR RAMON! Boy, did he need this game in the worst way. The Kings’ defense was just what the doctor ordered for Ramon — only 2 of his 20 points came from outside of the paint. And while 6 assists against 4 turnovers isn’t anything to write home about, it is enough of an improvement to read on a blog about. And how about that shot that ended up becoming the game-winner? I knew it was too early to give up on you, Razor Ramon.
Hickson’s back in a bit of a groove, Harangody decided to go back to making shots, and Samardo had his moments, although I feel the latter is really starting to look like an overachieving undrafted rookie who went undrafted for a reason.
Good deal. The team really needed a win without Baron, and it got one.
I’ll make my quick note on DeMarcus Cousins — he is a wonderful rebounder, shockingly good passer, and has lots of size and talent. However, when the ball leaves his hands, it is far more likely to end up in the hands of the other team than it is to end up in the basket or the hands of a teammate in a position to score.
Being able to put the ball in the hoop or the hands of your teammates rather than near the hoop or in the hands of opposing teammates is a very fundamental tenet of effective basketball, and that has been a major problem for DeMarcus Cousins this season. Yet the overwhelming consensus on him seems to be that he’s a major, major talent who is a few tweaks away from dominance. He may the least efficient forward in basketball. I would be fine with a”Tyreke was out, DeMarcus is 20, this was a wake-up call season for him, he’s still talented” reading of this season, but I seem to see way more “This guy can grab rebounds and hurl the ball in the direction of the basket WITH THE BEST OF THEM! Sure, the shots aren’t going in and they’re not smart shots to be taking, but he’s 20! Just wait until he can drink legally!” I don’t really understand it. Until next time, everyone.
Don’t confuse being able to run and jump with having potential…let alone full of potential. I mean Gerald Green was one of the most athletic guys I’ve ever seen, but at no point in his career did he ever give the impression that he might actually turn into something. I’d easily put Eyenga, Manny, and Gee on that list…even more so considering they weren’t high picks in their drafts like Green was.
I didn’t get to see this game, but anytime we win I’m happy. I like the fact the Ramon is agressive I just hope he continues to get better and develops a consistent 15-18 footer. Coach Scott has worked with a few really good point guards (e.g. J. Kidd, CP3, a young B Davis), I’m not sure if he really developed any of them or if he was lucky enough to have them on his team and these are the types of players that can really make his offensive system work. I didn’t see Mo become a better point guard… Read more »
Although I don’t like these public bashings of the team, I’m starting to like Bryon Scott’s attitude towards the team. Sooner or later, this team is going to be competitive (sooner IF they are able to get some luck in the draft lotto).
Best case scenario for next year is that the Cavs become this year’s Clippers (except with a better owner).
The players need to decide if they want to be a part of this team’s future because I don’t see anyone who is untouchable.
John, I believe you are in danger of losing all objectivity in evaluating Session’s play. I know the feeling. I never could analyze Pavs’ play because for whatever reason, I have always been a much bigger fan of his than his play really should have warranted. In any case, yes, Sessions played a much, much better game than he has recently, but then he has been playing so horribly that any level of competence would have been vastly superior. But let’s look at this a little more closely. He was atrocious in the first half, giving us more of his… Read more »
While the Cavs aren’t the most vibrant team in the league, I wish you could find more to write about them instead of talking about other teams and their players…That’s fun to read too, but it shouldn’t make up 50% of your writing.