Live Thread: Cavs @ Sixers
2017-11-27
These aren’t your slightly younger self’s Sixers anymore. Gone is the team that was the bottom feeder of the league, and in their place is a team that sports the probable rookie of the year, Jonathan Simmons, a legit MVP candidate in 23-year-old phenom, Joel Embiid, a knock-down three point gunner in J.J. Redick, and undrafted wunderkind Robert Covington. Throw in Dario Saric a deep bench that features T.J. McConnell shooting 57 % from three, Jerryd Bayless, and a slew of other young talent, and you’ve got the makings of a team that is going to be very good for a very long time.
That isn’t even counting the first overall pick of the draft, Markelle Fultz who hasn’t even played in a game this year.
Tonight will be a tall order for Kevin Love, who will have to bang with Embiid and then chase him out to the three point line. Embiid is making just 28% out there, so token pressure is a good idea. But make no mistake, the Sixers are revved up to play the Cavs. Key to beating them will be matching their work on the boards, where they’re first in the league, and playing solid defense, as the Sixers move the ball really well.
Simmons missed last game with “left elbow soreness,” but is expected to play. J.R. Smith missed the shootaround today due to the death of his cousin, but is also expected to play. In other injury news, Isaiah Thomas is “steps away” from playing again. according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, and has his sights set on the Christmas day game against the Warriors according to his kids.
Should be a fun one tonight. I’m betting the Cavs look to make a statement, and pull away late with a 109-105 victory.
Kings manage to beat GSW sans Curry & Durant. Daily Nets update, wins:
3 = Bulls
4 = Hawks
5 = Mavs
6 = Kings
7 = Suns, Nets, Grizz
8 = Magic, Hornets, Lakers, Clips, OKC
9 = Jazz, Bucks
Tonight: Heat at Cavs; Suns at Bulls; Bucks at Kings.
Thanks for the key info.
I am giving you an A in Data Science.
Iggy playing. Kings down 2 at half.
I love Dwade. Our bench is so pleasing to watch. love Channing out there – agree with the core 4 of the bench with one floater.
If I had to rate out guys this year:
1) MVP level: Bron
2) All-star reserve: Love (IT)
3) High quality rotation: Wade, Korver, Green, Frye.
4) Mid level rotation: JR, Crowder
5) Low end rotation: Rose, Calderon, TT, Shump.
—‘—————-
6) Potentially useful in spots: Osman
7) Unproven: Zizic, Holland, Perrantes
——-
JR is coming around. Crowder was before a poor game tonight. Rose was decent before the ankle injury. Calderon more useful than I thought. TT less.
Looks pretty good. Holland might edge out Rose or Shump if he gets the chance.
Is Rose likely to be back? He does bring some occasional explosive offence, but he also brings a bag of issues. Might be time to be traded to he Bulls so he can retire there.
I am fine if he isn’t back. It is tough to say, but it really is addition by subtraction.
With you on that. I have never much liked the guy. Since he has been a Cav, I have slightly more sympathetic, at least about his bad luck injuries.
Lue is doing a good job letting our 4 main bench players play with different guys. Wade, Korver, & Green come in late 1st quarter & play with Bron & Love. Then Frye comes in a tad later, usually for Love. 2nd Q has the core 4 +1. Usually JR with Shump out. Shump tonight. Though I have seen Love & Frye together with Green at SF a couple times when Kev had it going. Or Bron. Though Lue saves that for Q4. 3Q was the same. Crowder got an early hook & JR took Shumps place. Put Calderon in… Read more »
Right. I am finding the evidence that Lue is clueless to be less than convincing.
Everyone on the Cavs scored, except Shump.
Kyrie What’sHisName with a team leading -21.
Team is really starting to gell. Fun to watch. I agree with others that the bench is really MUCH better than last year. Add IT into the starting lineup and let DWade keep anchoring the bench and things could be nasty.
Here you go Mike…
https://twitter.com/FOXSportsOH/status/935335445231165440
Thanks EG
LeBron must be icing longer post game. No on air interviews the last few games
He did his with Allie right after the game on the floor…
Can’t make any fridge runs or take on the garbage
Usually when I take on the garbage… I lose…
Nets now down 20. Mavs/Spurs even halfway thru the third. GSW have Curry & Durant out, think Sac can sneak a win?
Nah… its’ still Sacto…
Maybe Braymond gets pissed early & gets tossed. I think Iggy is questionable as well.
anything possible, but sacto doesn’t have a chance even if Draymond and Klay sits too. That is how bad they are. Look for Omri to have a big game and if he gets opportunity, Bell.
I think Sac would lose if GS played only their bench. Might be a close game though, GS bench vs Sac.
Do we need to start calling Lue The Green Whisperer?
Channing with great interview post game… man, I really hope they don’t have to include him in any of these potential trades…
I wouldn’t be in a hurry to make a trade. We need to see what Rose does. What IT does when he gets back. How TT looks when he gets back.
Plus we have won 8 in a row. 3 back of the Cs in the loss column. Pistons only 2 back.
I think the Cs are going to come back to earth a bit.
Agree on all three points.
At the quarter pole, the pieces are starting to fit together nicely. The only person I would trade for sure is Shump.
Pistons take down Celtics in Boston… Avery Bradley comeback game…
Green had an efficient 14 and 10. Another very good game from him.
https://twitter.com/BenAxelrod/status/935330492408352768
Is it too early to say we have a herculoids 2.0 bench bunch? I don’t think you get rid of Frye. His shooting off the bench is too crucial. He was also good defensively tonight too.
I like these guys better than the Herculoids tbh…
They are better players. Wade is a HOFer with a great IQ. Korver is one of the best shooters of all time. Frye is the best 3PT shooting 7 footer in the league outside of Dirk. Those guys aren’t the most athletic guys, but they are smart defenders.
Green’s athleticism & defensive versatility help a ton.
Right. They are much better.
I do have a great fondness for that bunch of cast offs though that someone obliterated everyone through smart offemse, chemistry, and hustle.
Somehow
We don’t really have the 5th guy. It is Wade, Korver, Green, & Frye. Sometimes a starter can play with them (JR, Bron, Love). Sometimes Shump. IT, Rose, & TT could also work. Calderon as well.
When you have 2 slashers & 2 shooters (1 big & 1 wing of each) you can do almost anything with the 5th guy. PG shooter. PG slasher. Wing defender. Big defender. Big shooter. Wing shooter. Bron. Whatever.
It will be Calderone joining the Hercs when IT is back.
Cavs won by 20 despite Sixers getting gift fouls and numerous offensive rebounds….gotta think if normal officiated game, Cavs win this by 30+….overall good game by lots of Cavs, save Shump and Crowder, as for latter, not sure what is going on since he was decent in recent games, just looked confused, hope he bounces back tomorrow