Podcap: Cavs 116, Pistons 88 (or, No Prisoners of the Moment)
2017-11-21https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-151-prisoners-of-the-moment
Well, it took a fifth of the season, but we’ve finally seen a dominant full game performance by the Cavaliers. They did it at the expense of the probably tired Detroit Pistons who were on the second night of a back-to-back, but the difference between what this team looked like tonight versus many of the games leading up to this current win streak was marked.
LeBron was excellent again, scoring 16 points in the first quarter, fueling the Cavs on an early 19-5 run. Kevin Love was aggressive, handling Andre Drummond on both ends of the court and notching another double double. Jae Crowder had a very nice breakout game with 18 points, and Jose Calderon must have had a fork-ectomy before the start of this one as he showed how much impact decent PG play can have on the pace and space of this offense. The bench was also again solid, led by Dwayne Wade, Jeff Green, Kyle Korver and Channing Frye… with a nice assist in the second half by Cedi Osman.
So, is a five game winning streak capped by this terrific showing on the road against a good team a sign of a righted ship? Did it show us what we all truly believed this current team should be capable of? Or, did it make us all give a collective sigh simply because our expectations have been so immensely elevated over the course of the past three seasons from repeated trips to the Finals? Have we all just been prisoners of the moment thus far in the throes of October and November? Stuck in a Twitter loop ruled by Celtic pride, Golden States of mind, the Process and Big Baller Brands?
Nate and EG ponder these questions and more on this latest podcap… exploring the dangers of donning blinders that magnify every regular season high and low. They also examine the value of savoring every minute that remains in LeBron James’ kingdom. Cause when he’s done, we may never see his like again (of course that could just be the inmates in this moment talking…)
Catch all the musing, ranting, raving and more on the link above, or as always on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
Patrick Beverley out – knee surgery.
Yep. Out for the year.
This is equally evil and awesome and probably the only situation I could imagine LBJ leaving next summer for…
https://www.si.com/nba/2017/11/22/lebron-james-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid-free-agency-2018
hoping we get the chance to see cedi / “zz ” tonight —getting more game time exposure that is very valuable
vintage— rumor I have heard is the brew master for thirsty dog’s 12 days of Christmas was the brew master for great lakes who inspired their Christmas ale–( they had a fallen out) _ he left and went to thirsty dogs—–that is my next purchase –SOON —–12 days of Christmas / actually like that better —am going to try out great lakes new recipe–Christmas ale ice cream ( float ) ——and yes johnb –posted something similar—-LeBron needs to come out “blazin ” / rest of the team to follow his lead / put teams away early instead of playing catch… Read more »
LeBron is still the best in the game, even after playing more minutes than almost anyone, and certainly been pummeled more than anyone. There is a good chance he will continue in Cleveland, and we certainly hope he is the best ever for a few more years.
Thus, I am totally against him coming out “guns blazing” except when he feels like it. What good does it do to blow out a lot of also-rans?
The Cavs need to learn to play really good without LeBron having to do it all. I think DWade can help with leadership.
Rest. Simple. Disregarding the trend that Poppavich started which extended the production of Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker and the reasons behind it is foolish. He doesn’t have to do it all to blow out also rans by the fourth as long as the entire team is committed to not screwing around and playing needless minutes against inferior competition. And they are needless minutes if the competition is inferior because if you play down to a team’s level you aren’t really growing as a team anyway. You are just setting yourself back instead of finding out what actually works well to… Read more »
Ah yes. I repeated said story below. Revolution Fistmas is good too.
More blowout games of thirty minutes or less for James would be fantastic. Get the job done early and take the rest of the night off and watch the kids develop. Loved Cedis chase down off the Holland. Still led to a layup off the bound, but nice to see the kid had the wheels to catch up.
joeyb– I would do that trade ( would feel bad for IT ) —not sure if clips would go for it / might have to throw in CAVS 1st round pick
You are both stoned.
“zz”recalled by cavs after going for 14 pts —-16 reb’s in 28 minutes
Good for Zz.
Hopefully Lue gives him a chance.
go get frustrated Beverly—-wants to play on championship caliber team—call the clips to see what it would take
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y8fx9yjr
Beverly upset? We got Oman Shumpert and a late 1st rounder…
it is holiday time —just brought my 1st case (of many )–of GREAT LAKES CHRISTMAS ALE—-might last me thru turkey day—-ENJOY !!!!!
I wasn’t a big fan of GL’s xmas ale last year. It had a stronger flavor than what I was recalling. I’m currently looking for Shiner’s Xmas ale. Good stuff.
Same issue. It’s been too sweet last few years for me
I’ve been a big fan of Fat Head’s Holly Jolly and Thirsty Dog’s 12 Days of Christmas
12 Days is good.
12 dogs is the original Christmas ale recipe from when the brew master left GL, back when it had actual hops.
Whelp. MPJ out for rest of college season. Guess that leaves Bagley, Doncic, or Aryton. I would be wary of drafting MPJ at 1-3 without seeing him play more than a few minutes in college in addition to have a back injury already.
I think they said 3-4 months. He COULD get back in March. Expected to make full recovery.
I think Doncic (leading Spanish league in scoring after being the 2nd best player on Slovenian Euro champs) is #1. Ayton & Bagley next. Then Porter/Bamba.
Of course Embiid was hurt at that seems to be working out OK.
So far yes. Knock on wood for Embiid. As I said I just probably wouldn’t take Porter over those other guys now without seeing him play a few more meaningful college games. I would like to see Bagley some more. The guy has great athleticism. If his skills, especially in the post, his defense, and his jump shot, progress over this college season I could see him as number one. Otherwise, probably Doncic. Ayton has potential but is also really raw. Know nothing about Bamba.
Interesting stat – Cavs are 7-2 since TT went out with injury, also have off. rating 110…coincidence or not?
Kyrie funding science experiments. Not sure this will work out well: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/11/21/this-man-is-about-to-launch-himself-in-his-homemade-rocket-to-prove-the-earth-is-flat/?utm_term=.ff5367457fd6
That guy better start learning computer animation to doctor video footage. If he truly is going to launch himself, I fear he also might need to make some other more permanent future arrangements for himself and his family. I would love if psychic abilities existed so someone could read his mind and figure out just how someone gets to where his mind has taken him.
lol this is pretty funny. I still maintain kyrie is not a complete lunatic and was and continues to troll the media. And he doesn’t believe in the flat earth. And that he is concocting a long term experiment meant to make people do actual research to prove to themselves why they believe something.
I could be wrong…but he has just enough self-righteous troll in him to do something like that.
Hope everyone had fun stressing over the Cavs predictable slow start. Team could be the 8th seed and cruise to the Finals. As long as LeBron and Love are healthy, nobody in the East has anything for either of those guys. Most concerning teams are Bucks and 76ers, but neither have the playoff experience to take down LeBron
Not even a little worried about Playoff Kyrie + good coaching + long defense of Celtics?
Was kinda hoping this could be Col’s triumphant return to C:TB. Maybe just a simple “told ya so”.
Cavs still have a long way to go, but I like the direction they’re heading.
Boston is peaking too early – tho holding GSW to 88 points….. wow I wish we had a coach.
I can wait until the day of the parade.
Not so high on GS, I guess. I just don’t see it. I love IT for the regular season and maybe for the eastern playoffs, but that team is going to roast IT/Rose/Calderon lineups on the defensive end. I don’t think there is any way we have net positive lineups with those three guys against gs. Terrible matchup for us. I will be happy just getting back to the finals. I think that would be a success. Winning more than a game would be incredible. LBJ maybe could carry us to a couple wins if his jump shot holds and… Read more »
Obviously GS is a big favorite. But, there is a reason why they play the games.
Good article on Deron Williams. Although his time here didn’t work out as he/we hoped, is cool to know he’s a cool guy outside of the arena.
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2744678-deron-williams-is-not-in-the-nba-and-he-doesnt-seem-to-care.amp.html
Great game by the team last night. I truly hope this is a turning point for them.
Been very critical of Lue recently, but I will say that this team in the moments of effort throughout the season have been far and away more fun to watch than the last three seasons. Meaning that the offense actually looks like basketball and not a pick up game where the best players just take over and everyone else stands around waiting for “their shot”. Hopefully the “lack of effort” has been more about being out of shape and/or hesitancy from learning how to play together and communicate. Defense takes alot of communication and trust in your teammates to be… Read more »
Raoul—-still laughing —great evaluation on the ‘new nomad “—-patience has never been one of my strong suits——and yes evil– ( in reference to your post last night )—-that was ” MY MAN MORELAND ” wearing a pistons uniform—still think he is a serviceable back up post
since the Clippers are headed in the opposite direction / and will continue to do so—-which player (s) would you trade for and who / what are you willing to give up
Willie Reed. Has not missed from beyond the arc this season. ;)
think LeBron needs to come out ” guns blazin ” every game—-don’t wait until we get behind double digits / get the other team—players confidence —–put the other team away right from the start —–all the players follow LeBron’s play —energy or chill mode —–we have seen the results of each
ok I am guilty as charged as being overly negative / pessimistic on the cavs so far this season —hoping last nights performance wasn’t a 1 time thing and we are now ” hitting our stride “—-“jose-put that fork away ” really showed veteran pt gd poise on how to run a team —can we get this performance on a consistent basis —that would be fantastic —-I might be looking for any team to possibly deal drose right now —–man dwade looks so confortable running that 2nd unit—“that is his team “—–“free cedi ” showed some of his skills last… Read more »
Good to see the traditional relaxed nomad again. I think there was an adjustment period to quitting “ALL UPPERCASE” cold turkey, and it manifested itself in “over negative / pessimism”.
nice pod cap guys….while i agree none of us should be ‘prisoner of the moment’, yesterdays game was nice to see and shows this team is capable of turning it on and being ready to dump an opponent with ease quickly. and they are doing this with an injured backcourt and not much of a frontline. In the end the Cavs will be just fine, thats what the veterans are for, and everyone understands what the end goal is. it may explain the sad state of the times, but the media’s obsession of constantly finding a new story line, because… Read more »
This year’s Celtics are definitely the 2014 Hawks and/or the 2015 Raptors and/or the 2016 Celtics. It is amazing how the media fall for the same storylines EVERY year. People STILL don’t understand how to evaluate the Cavs in the regular season, and still overreact to regular season success of other Eastern Conference teams. Of course, when the Cavs annihilate the Celtics in the postseason the media will very quickly switch the narrative to “the East is so weak,” and “of course, LeBron is in the finals again. He nevers faces any good teams in the East,” after 7 months… Read more »
+1 Good take Hot Sauce.
Well played sir…well played.
Likely I’ll catch flack from CTB’rs, but Calderon RAN an offense. He and LBJ on the court together transformed the usual iso heavy everyone else stand on the 3 pt line to a movement offense that opened up the lane and beyond the arc. It wasn’t a coincidence that the Cavs shot so well, open shots will do that.
I don’t think anyone will give you flack for that. Pretty obvious what a serviceable point guard who can run an offense can do for this team. Nate and EG talk about it in the pod.
The Cavs have an oddball collection of newcomers this season. Most have some good features, and some bad. It takes a while to figure out how to organize the team and rotations to maximize the good features, and minimize the bad features. Lue seems to be figuring it out.
Nate, I think IT is back before January. All reports coming in now that he is ahead of schedule.
I think he’s closer to coming back during the Celtics game than January
I would have loved to have Cedi in there to guard someone who isn’t a point guard…
Starting my morning off with the pod.