Recap: Cavs 121, Nets 114 (or, LBJ 2K18)
2018-03-26
Way back in the 2007 playoffs, after LeBron James had just finished dismantling the Detroit Pistons in a Game 5 that became known as a benchmark in his elevation to greatness, former teammate Drew Gooden famously referred to Akron’s favorite son as “Video Game James.” Though he preferred monikers like “The King” and “The Chosen One” instead, James liked the new nickname enough to endorse it publicly.
“I absolutely know exactly what he means,” James said before Game 6 of that series. “You do a lot of stuff on video games that you sometimes can’t do in real life.”
In 2014, NBA2K brought “Video Game James” into reality with the launch of that year’s iteration of the popular game. The video (click here if you don’t mind flashing back to LBJ in his Heat uni) featured actual LeBron talking to the video game version of himself… and challenging The Pixellated One to take on some of his insane array of signature dunks and plays. And, sure it was impressive what you could accomplish with a rendered version of James… but it still was no comparison to the real thing.
Now, four years later… in his 15th season in the Association… when even the most legendary players typically start to slow down or at least show their age… Video Game James is still on display with an unbelievable level of regularity. Only, the 2K isn’t just a video game reference any longer… but a real life statistical milestone reached against the Nets at the Barclay Center yesterday afternoon in a Cavalier victory.
With a free throw in the third quarter, LeBron became just the third NBA player ever to log at least 10 seasons of at least 2,000 points… joining Karl Malone (12 times) and Michael Jordan (11 times) as the only members of that club. In total, he scored 37 points on just 19 shots, while also snagging 10 boards and dishing eight dimes. But, it wasn’t just the volume of points… it was how he got them. Sure, there were plenty of layup line moves that he schooled the Nets defenders with… but there was also an entire highlight reel of ridiculous video game dunks, including one that induced Kevin Love to chest bump a stanchion (yes, this really happened). He only made one of the four three point shots he took in the contest… but wouldn’t you know the one that went through was a jab-step, 31-foot fall-away as the shot clock ran out that touched nothing but twine… you know, the kind you drain in the video games.
But what about the game EG? Haven’t you talked enough about LeBron? I mean he kinda does this every game now doesn’t he?
Yes, all of that is true. I have been just focused on LeBron. But, in truth that’s kind of the primary reason to watch these late regular season games against inferior opponents… to see what incredible thing Video Game James can pull off this time. Of course it would have been a drag if Smokin’ Joe Harris and his scrappy, resilient Nets had further decreased the value of the pick they owe to the Cavs by pulling an upset. And, of course it’s important to see if the Cavs’ re-assembled and newly healthy pieces can fit and jell together in the handful of remaining games. Yet, I still find myself inexorably pulled back to the greatness of LBJ 2K18. I mean… the dude has averaged nearly a 30 point triple double over the last two months! (actually 28.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 9.9 apg since January 23rd).
But, okay… if you insist…
The Cavs essentially followed their pattern of close games against the Nets, who typically play Cleveland tough… especially on their home court where they actually beat the Cavs late last year. It was another rough start as the Cavs missed their first eight shots before LeBron finally broke the seal on a layup (LBJ would go on to score 12 of the team’s 28 points in the first quarter). The Cavs got hot from three in the middle of the quarter with Jose Calderon, Kevin Love and Rodney Hood all canning one a piece. But, Brooklyn retaliated, getting going from three themselves (they hit 17-37 for the game), with D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie and Smokin’ Joe Harris each draining one. I say “Smokin'” because Joe earned it with a career day against the Cavs with 30 points on 11-14 shooting (6-7 from downtown). Yet, despite Joe’s big day… he still will probably be more immortalized from this poster…
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2018
The Cavs trailed by two (30-28) after one (mostly because DeMarre Carroll must fondly remind Tony Brothers of a rag doll he lost as a child), but they were about to see that where there’s Smokin’ Joe… there’s fire. Yep, my old voodoo doll pal Joe went absolutely… well… video game on the Cavs in the second quarter. Harris hit three threes (for nine of his 15 in the period), mostly with either Jordan Clarkson or John Holland woefully out of position, leaving Joe wide open. He almost single-handedly put the Nets up by seven and forced Coach Larry Drew to take a timeout. LeBron returned to restore some order, and the Cavs clawed back to even with about a minute remaining, but the Nets (behind a Harris drive and a Dante Cunningham three) pushed it back out to five. Fortunately, LeBron found George Hill set up in the corner and rifled a pass to him for a triple to beat the buzzer…
Hill beats the buzzer before the break!
Halftime on @NBATV #WeGoHard 62 | #AllForOne 60
LeBron: 22 PTS, 7 REB | Harris: 20 PTS pic.twitter.com/UzvGrgCOSY
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2018
In the third, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson got all aggressive with his bad self… taking advantage of some Larry Nance foul trouble and driving hard to the hoop. The Nets continued to hit a high percentage of threes in the quarter as well, as they built their largest lead of the game (nine points) about halfway through the period. Some LeBron aggression and timely threes by both Love and Hill pulled the Cavs nearly back to even, and the game see-sawed through the balance of the quarter. Cleveland trailed by just a bucket, 89-87, going into the final 12 minutes.
Surprisingly, the group that hemorrhaged points to start the second quarter fared much better to begin the fourth. Hill, Clarkson, Smith, Hood and Thompson initially seemed like a recipe for disaster without LBJ or KLove, but the group held their own and even held the lead for a brief moment. Love checked in for TT about four minutes in, and found Clarkson for this sweet jam (maybe Jordan’s been playing LBJ 2K)…
YAMMED. 😱
📺: @FOXSportsOH https://t.co/a3AfQsICCb
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 25, 2018
After Smokin’ Joe gave the Nets the lead back (their last) with a couple of free throws, Video Game James returned to wrap things up. The Cavs outscored Brooklyn 22-14 down the stretch with LeBron controlling the action… dishing dimes… grabbing boards and crushing alley-oops from George Hill on unsuspecting Nets… like this…
King FROM (The) Hill!
Don't miss #CavsNets on FSO & FSGO: https://t.co/ADRddohWPO pic.twitter.com/t6tVCzbA7x
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) March 25, 2018
…and this…
And the @George_Hill3 – @KingJames connection ONE MORE TIME#CavsNets is a good one on FSO & FSGO: https://t.co/ADRddohWPO pic.twitter.com/sNL9khFMQm
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) March 25, 2018
Sure, the Cavs allowed the Nets to make things interesting… primarily by refusing to run Harris and Russell off the three point line. But, with the lead at five with just under a minute remaining, Video Game James calmly ran down the clock on the perimeter and coolly hoisted the aforementioned 31-foot dagger…
The dagger 👌 pic.twitter.com/hkzjZuRUCU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 25, 2018
And… just like that… it was Game Over.
The Evil
Like clockwork, the Cavs made a role player look like a world-beater. This time it was old friend Joe Harris, who lived up to his Smokin’ nickname. Joe torched the Cavs for a career high 30 points, and alternately got open threes and uncontested runs to the rack throughout the game.
Cleveland also had trouble generally guarding the perimeter (what else is new?), as they allowed the Nets to shoot 46% from downtown. In addition to Harris’ scorching 6-7, they let Russell (4-7) and Dinwiddie (3-6) also go wild.
Larry Nance, Jr. had a rough day at the office. The big man looked off from the start, missing his first three shots at the rim, and finishing just 1-5 with only one rebound in 17 minutes of play. He was plagued with fouls early, and had trouble with the aggressiveness of both Jared Allen and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
When JR Smith isn’t hitting multiple threes, his inattention to defense and inability to guard the pick and roll are deadly for this team. The two shots he hit were long twos, and he got abused defensively. His -10 in 19 minutes was a team worst. Once Kyle Korver and Cedi Osman return, JR should be glued to the bench… but that line of logic probably makes too much sense to actually happen.
Tristan Thompson wasn’t terrible. As backhanded of a compliment as that might seem… it’s a big step up from where he was. Though he got beat by Dinwiddie and Harris on a few drive-bys, he did have some decent minutes to start the fourth where he at least showed some flashes of his old self. Not to mention, he did have another 10 boards for the second straight game. He might never be Canadian Dynamite again… but even a small dose of Canadian firecrackers could be useful in spots.
Coach Drew has an odd penchant for inserting John Holland for a few minutes in the second quarters of games. While I’m all for getting guys experience (especially with other guys still out), putting Holland out there with Clarkson, JR, Hood and TT is just asking for trouble. And, while we’re on the subject… even though the Cavs went small to match up with the Nets, was there no way to find a few minutes for Ante Zizic to exploit the small Brooklyn front line? Particularly with Nance in foul trouble/ineffective and Jeff Green sitting this one out with the flu? Just seems foolhardy to not get ZZ some PT.
The Genius
Wait… did I already mention LeBron James?
(here’s that first dunk again… in true video game PhantomCam style)
LeBron x #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/HmcASnQClr
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2018
Kevin Love continued his terrific stretch of basketball since his return. He went for 20 points and 15 rebounds in 33 minutes, and threw in four assists to boot. While he wasn’t quite as automatic from three as he was in the previous two games, he still shot 3-6 from deep. His rebounding has made a profound difference for the team, illustrating just how sorely lacking they had been in that department in his absence.
George Hill was aggressive for a second consecutive game, as he continued to not only look for his shot, but also knocked down several corner threes on demand. He also took care of the ball with five assists against a single turnover.
Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood both had productive games shooting the ball. Hood was better from the perimeter (3-6), and also had some determined dribble drives into pull ups at the front of the rim… while JC relied more on attacking the bucket, getting to the line five times. Both shot 6-12 overall, and combined for 34 points of punch off the bench.
Parting Shot
Video Game James is rapidly running out of records he can smash as he cheat codes his way through his no-longer-early-and-about-to-be-mid 30s. Just when you think he should be slowing down… he’s out-jumping and posterizing athletes a decade younger than he is. Even in NBA 2K, I think they provide for a certain amount of decline as players age… but they might have to re-write their programming the way James is going. His quest to play in every one of the Cavs games thus far this season (all 73 and counting) is just another reason to tune in… not to mention to bear witness to whatever epic thing he might do next. Meanwhile, the Cavs continue to ride his performances on this now five game winning streak, but it might be harder to extend since they don’t win much in Miami. Let’s hope LeBron remembers to bring his PS4…
I didn’t do Frye (only 2 games for 18 min in LA), Rose (5 for 58 min in Minny) or Shump (has not played for Sac).
Hill: his 3PT% took a hit at first but seems to be rebounding now that we figured out that he is MUCH better from the corner than above the break. Love has helped him a ton.
Cle: 19/19/29.4; 10.3/3.0/3.0; 45.5/37.9/79.5/57.3.
Sac: 43/36/26.6; 10.3/2.7/2.8; 46.9/45.3/77.8/59.7.
Efficiency down a bit. Minus 2.5% TrSh and nearly -7.5% from deep. Still, since Love has returned: 65.5% FGs & 54.5% 3PT. Not gonna stay that hot, but headed in the right direction.
IT: he got his powers back, or maybe his legs a bit more. Still woefully inefficient scorer who eats shots. Now he could be hurt. So sad what Boston let him do.
Cle: 15/14/27.1; 14.7/2.1/4.5; 36.1/25.3/86.8/49.3.
LA: 17/1/26.8; 15.6/2.1/5.0; 38.3/32.7/92.1/52.0.
Aside from picking up the 3PT stroke from 25% to 33%, which could be attributable to getting his legs back, looks like the same guy. Under 40% FGs & under 33% from deep is awful for a high usage guy.
Crowder. After a fast start in Utah & yours truly seeing that as evidence of Ty = dunce, back to earth.
Cle: 53/47/25.4; 8.6/3.3/1.1; 41.8/32.8/84.8/54.5.
Utah: 19/0/29.4; 12.4/4.1/1.7; 39.7/33.3/76.1/51.3.
Despite being back in his natural pisition defensively he is under 40% FGs & still 33% from deep. Not efficient. Raw numbers & minutes are better, efficiency slightly down. Call it even.
Wade:
Cle: 46/3/23.2; 11.2/3.9/3.5; 45.5/32.9/70.1/51.9.
Mia: 14/0/22.8; 13.1/3.6/2.9; 43.3/23.3/76.3/49.0.
More less efficient scoring (-10% from deep). A small decrease despite being back home.
Clarkson: G/GS/MPG; PPG/RPG/APG; FG/3PT/FT/ TrSh.
Cle: 19/0/23.4; 13.6/2.4/1.8; 46.5/39.5/80/58.2.
LA: 53/2/23.7: 14.5/3/3.3; 44.8/32.4/79.5/53.2.
Excellent piece on FTS on Clarkson’s 3PT shooting & why it could be sustainable, among other topics. +7% from deep & +5% true shooting here.
https://www.fearthesword.com/2018/3/26/17162696/mailbag-taking-stock-the-cavs
That is excellent throughout. Good pointer!
Here are the #s. Again, with Love & Korver with these guys, I would expect everyone to be more efficient.
Starting with the guys who did better with Ty.
Player(team): G/GS/MPG; PPG/RPG/APG; FG/3PT/FT/TrSh.
LNJR: Cle: 15/6/23.7; 11.2/7.6/1.3; 58.3/0/71.8/61.2. 5 double doubles.
LNJR: LA: 42/17/22.0; 8.6/6.8/1.4; 60.1/25.0/63.2/61.8. 6 double doubles.
Rebounding #s may take a hit with Love back.
OK on if players play better away fom Ty we essentially have 7 data points: IT, Wade, Crowder, Hill, Nance, Clarkson, & Hood. Of course, there are some caveats. The 4 new guys have barely played with Love & have not played with Korver & Love. IT was coming off a long layoff for us. Still, the verdicts are in. IT: a tad better in LA but still woefully inefficient. Could be because his legs under him more & less rusty. Crowder: even. More minutes & higher raw numbers in Utah but less efficient. Wade: even/worse. Tad more ppg but… Read more »
Crunched some #s today to shed light on a couple topics.
1) Ty Lue: do players fare better away from him?
2) Who should start along with James, Love, & Hill?
3) How much better are we post deadline deals?
4) Are we better having traded Kyrie?
Not a large sample size, but I think I have definitive answers on the first 3 questions.
Can’t wait.
Vardon says Green is with the team in Miami. Jeff says he is ready to go. Coach says let’s see how pregame shootaround goes.
Cedi has resumed contact drills. Korver with his family.
https://twitter.com/Dmarsh42/status/978275336298356736
This is absolutely incredible. Per Sam Amico: “Where does James’ performance last week, with Love back on the floor as his wingman, rank in his career? No. 1… as in, best. Ever. James scored or assisted on 63.3 points per game since Love came back, the highest-number he’s ever produced in a single week’s worth of games over his career. In the week, for which James was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for a record 61st time, James averaged 34.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 11.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.6 minutes, shooting a blistering 62.7 percent from… Read more »
Apologies, author of the article is Colton Jones on amicohoops
Wow, incredible numbers. I hope they carry into the first round.
I felt like Kyrie was a net negative for the Cavs last year especially in the Finals. He tried speeding the game up way too much. Love was far more relaxed in that series. I hope LeBron kills it this year with only a number two option instead of three to worry about. I still miss Ky.
this also allows TY more time to get his strength / health back—also ( and no pun intended / trying to be a smart ass )—but we know TY is very good at ‘watching film “—–knowing ty I bet he is watching film of every possible playoff opponent and developing a very good game plan against each team —-this could be very valuable !!!!
Jrl—no I think ty’s issues are REAL—and not making light of his health—–just ‘spinning ‘ some words together —–HOPE his health does improve—but also –as long as the cavs are winning –they may not want to “rock the boat “/ disrupt the team right now
IT IS A TOSS UP WITH HOOD / KORVER ——DEFINITELY SWISH IS OUT —-PROBABLY GO WITH KORVER—HIM AND LEBRON HAVE CHEMISTRY ON BOTH ENDS ———COULD BE A TOUGH ONE TONIGHT / REST OF THE ROAD TRIP–THAT IS WHY I AM SAYING THE SIXERS MIGHT OVER TAKE CAVS FOR 3RD SPOT ——-AGAIN WITH PLAYOFF LEBRON—- NOT OVERLY CONCERNED —JUST MORE OF A CHALLENGE THAN IN RECENT YEARS
Cavs are listing Green, Korver, & Osman as out. Room for White, Holland, & Perrantes on the active roster if they are healthy.
I keep forgetting we are without Korver. Kind of hope he stays in the starting lineup when he returns. Let Hood come off the bench.
Yep. The Korver v Hood decision is tough. Room for both if you start Love at C & Bron at PF. We may not roll with Hill, KK, Hood, Bron, Love to start, but we may see it a lot to finish.
My preference for Korver in the starting lineup is it allows the Cavs to get Korver going early. It seems like with a lot of teams and this team in particular, when one guy gets hot, it catches fire to the whole team. If we can get Korver going early, it means huge space all game long for guys like Bron, Love, Hood, Clarkson, really everyone benefits.
HOPING I AM WRONG BUT THE WAY THE SCHEDULES ARE THIS WEEK FOR BOTH TEAMS —(CAVS / SIXERS )—BY THE END OF THE WEEK SIXERS COULD OVER TAKE CAVS FOR THAT 3RD SPOT —–WE SHALLL SEE
as long as DREW / CAVS keep winning—TY will continued to be “evaluated “–think both physically and as a coach —do we get kyle / green back tonight —–“-FREE OKRA “–( especially against his former team —maybe he does a smoking joe impersonation like he did against his former team )–GO CAVS !!
You think Lue’s issue is not real? Interesting.
Suns keep it respectable but lose. Wins:
19 = Suns
20 = Grizz
21 = Hawks
22 = Mavs, Magic
23 = Nets
24 = Bulls, Kings
27 = Knicks
Tomorrow:
Bulls at Rockets
Mavs at Kings (someone wins)
I think maybe the Philly hype train is getting a little hot. In any event, we control our own destiny at this point to not face them if we’re really that terrified
Loss column out west:
28 = Blazers
31 = OKC, SA, NO
32 = Utah
33 = Minny
————
34 = Clips, Denver (2 games left v Minny)
Booker ruled out late vs Celtics, makes a win even more unlikely.
Speaking of unlikely, Grizz win in Minny, I think their first of the year without Evans.
Think it will be Minny v Denver v Clips for the last spot. Though OKC & SA also have tough schedules.
Fultz with 10 pts & 8 dimes in 14 minutes.
Holding off Philly will be tough. If we can, Raptors may have a real battle in round 2.
Knicks lose. Damn. Still 4 games up on Brooklyn.
Pistons won. NY had a 3 pt lead under a minute left but are in OT. Philly got Fultz back & beats Denver. Memphis even at half with Minny.
A lot of these combo stat achievements are arbitrary because it’s so easy to screen data now, but this is impresssive — nice round numbers that show the breadth of LeBron’s talents and his longevity
https://twitter.com/jkubatko/status/978259021596573697
Agree – This is a nice simple, conclusive stat.
FWIW, rooting interests tonight.
1) Knicks over Hornets. NY at 28 wins might make it so Brooklyn cannot catch them.
2) Pistons over Lakers. Detroit has Brooklyn and Philly left on the schedule, I want those faint playoff hopes alive when they play.
3) Nuggets over Philly. Philly loss is good + I think Denver could outscore GSW without Steph. Or possibly even Houston.
4) Grizz over Minny. Keep hope alive for Memphis catching Brooklyn.
5) Suns over Celtics. Ditto plus keep hope alive for Boston swoon to keep the last game vs Nets meaningful.
I’ll take: things we all saw coming six weeks ago, for $500, Alex.
https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/978395178816942081?s=19
A Brinks truck will work miracles on the hip…
Makes the non-voiding of that trade all the more egregious.
when I think bout the playoffs I only think finals against the warriors , ( I have no doubt it won’t be Anyone else). I don’t think jose will be effective there especially defensively , green would be effective on whoever they play at the 4 or 5 cause it’s usually not any traditional big , and he’s strong quick and athletic, cedi would be great to just delly the hell outa klay/curry , he also hits open threes, tt would be completely ineffective of course, and jr unless he’s hitting a gizillion threes his putrid d will kill us… Read more »
I have this weird feeling that he’s going to be the Cavs’ pick…
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/978387251154563073
This will be a super interesting pick for the cavs regardless. In cleveland (probably everywhere but I only know cleveland) there are so many factors. Who is Dan’s favorite coming out? Does Koby have a big day in who it is? Will Lebron use his possible exit to influence the pick? Are there any guards under 5’8″ coming out?
Get a new writer.
Not really sure what to think of him, since he was injured for much of the year.
IMO, they use the player to dump TT’s contract and get a star. CJ McCollum or Anthony Davis, anyone?
With how Portland plays atm, and how they will do in the playoffs, they might hold on to the core of CJ and Dame at least one more year.
Tho I also see it that they will ship the pick plus TT come draft.
They’d actually have to do it after the draft the way they did it with Wiggins.
If not for his health I’d get the guy. I’ve read some serious concerns about his health, his back i believe, can’t exactly remember..
https://twitter.com/mcten/status/978393735133368326
Evaluated? This story gets weirder and weirder.
Rather weird to not have a diagnosis after 2 weeks, specially at their income/connection level.
Not counting the White, we have 13 guys. All will be active in the POs (I think it is 13 for POs). If we go with a 10 man rotation, we have to cut 3 guys out. Lue’s 3 guys = Calderon, Zizic, Osman. My 3 guys = Thompson, JR, Osman (health). I would try to play 11 & go extra hard to take advantage of our depth & combat tge tendency of some guys to coast. Start: Hill, KK, Bron, Love, Nance. Bench: Jose, Clarkson, Hood, Green, Zizic Spot mins: JR, Cedi, TT Might play a lot of Love… Read more »
I’m with you on this. I’m dreading having Lue back.
littlekidsayinglebronjames.mov
The phantom cam dunk ???
Right?! I love that technology…
Decent piece.
https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/978323963238633472
This had all the premises of a sharp piece with none of the CtB staffers’ use of real data and self-awareness. It also featured my least favorite missed lever in the writer’s toolbook: unresolved suspense. Don’t put “why its dumb to give 110% all the time” in your title if you’re going to end your article with “you’ll see.”
Seriously, pat yourself on the back CtB staff…you are each pretty damn talented.
seriously – there is no evidence giving it your all is bad – westbrook, harden, and oh, jordan all seem like first ballot HOFers. bron is just different, not better, and it doesnt make the others ‘dumb’
This is a myth. all those guys coasted. LeBron’s turned into performance art for the people that watch him nightly though.
Yeah Harden coasted on d for most of his career. Jordan coasted occasionally. The myth of Jordan is bs. Westbrook coasted on d. Yet none of those guys save, Jordan has put up the numbers James has with the same kind of efficiency year in and year out. James was an all defensive player, which is more than Harden and Westbrook will ever be able to say.
None of those guys gets/got clubbed all the time like LeBron does.
Harden gives it his all?? No. Just no. Dantoni makes him what he is. Jordan was marketed to the utmost as a competitor, but that facade wouldn’t survive the internet. He loafed during most regular season games unless you pissed him off. He was just really easy to piss off. Same with Kobe. And for what it’s worth, Jordan had to retire for two years to stay motivated, and Kobe chased multiple good teams out of town. There’s real evidence to burnout with guys who go 110 all the time. Loads of it. All of that could have been in… Read more »
Lol. My initial reaction (and thank you) : https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/978336233431732224?s=19
Thanks Scotch
Just awful. Live every day to its fullest. I hope he died doing something he loved.
https://twitter.com/basketballtalk/status/978321402037235719?s=19
Man, this is just awful news.
While that is true, there is something to be said for going out doing what you love. I know several examples.
I used to play basketball with a guy who played all the time and died on court.
A HS friend climbed every big mountain in the US, mostly multiple times. He climbed every chance he got, and fell off one in Montana.
My MS adviser and PhD committee member had been fighter pilot and loved that life, always saying he would go out by “augering in”. After retiring, he brought a stunt plane and flew one too many stunts.
If TT has a torn calf, then his presence on the court is only tearing the Cavs….
Not really sure why they bothered to bring him back at all if he was still dealing with a partially torn calf… You don’t play out of that injury, it’s only going to get worse. So if he’s not able to produce now (he definitely isn’t) no one should expect that to get any BETTER. Sit him for the rest of the season, hope he heals, and bring him back next season and hope he can at least be an energy/rebound guy off the bench.
No doubt. My comment was more about the pun though.
Good pun.
Great recap. LeBron is on another level and I think his defense will increase in the playoffs. Is he going to play all 82 games? Should he? I’m really worried about Lue (Dan too?) wanting to play TT due to his contract/history with the team. It’s impossible to think that what we’ve all seen these past 6-8 games – Zz playing great – is not easily accessible for the coaching staff to analyse and come to the simple conclusion that Zz is the better center of the two. To see Zz once again getting garbage minutes is beyond infuriating. He… Read more »
I think you still need to give Cedi minutes. He’s probably our best perimeter defender outside of a locked-in LeBron. My preference would be to see Green get next to no minutes and give all of those to Cedi. As we’ve seen with Green, he can’t guard the 4 or 5 at all so there’s no use giving Green minutes over Cedi who is the better perimeter defender, passer, and perimeter shooter.
Shoot, I completely forgot about Cedi :(
Yes, Cedi over Green, I’m perfectly fine with that.
Only issue: rookies don’t get calls in the playoffs. They just don’t. For that reason alone, Jeff will get the minutes.
Is that what you want to happen or what you think is going to happen?
Ideally he’d have been playing more to get him familiar with the refs and how the games are called. I don’t think there will be enough time to work him back in for the playoffs. Also don’t know how his hip is. Short way of saying: I don’t think he’ll be in the rotation, and if he is 100% I’d want him to get JR’s minutes and maybe some of green’s. But green is a coaster who can step up much like he did with the derozan block.
Would you like some more non-answers?
Haha, always my favorite. But yes, ideally, he gets all of JR’s minutes and maybe some of Green’s. I’m much less worried about the refs. If he gets in foul trouble, we have other bodies. If his hip is 100%, that’s how I’d want it.
Thanks JRL! I like those rotations…
Totally with u bout lineups except I’d let hood start the game with nance coming off bench , with love at the 5 it’s unreal what kind of spacing we can have for the king to do his thing
FWIW, here are the lotto odds for our current spot: 6th: 1=6.3%, Top 3=21.5%, 6=43.9%. Top 6=65.4%. 7th=30.5%. 8=4%. 9=0.1%. And if it moves up or down one: 5th: 1=8.8%, Top 3=29.2%, 5=26.1%, 6=36%; Top 6 = 91.2%, 7=8.4%, 8=0.4%. 7th: 1=4.3%, Top3=15%, Top6=15%, 7th=59.9%, 8th=23.2%, 9=1.8%, 10=>0.0. If one is not a Trae Young believer, Top 6 is where we want to be. If you like him, then if the pick falls to 7th, we still have a 75% chance to be top7. At 6th it is nearly 96%. At 5th over 99%. I liked a lot if what… Read more »
Makes that early loss to Brooklyn this year really stand out. That could cost them a really solid frontcourt player.
FWIW, we are 2-1 vs Philly this year. If we win there (on a b2b for us), we own the TB. A loss & it goes to conf record, where we are currently up 4 games.
OSU’s Bates-Diop entering the draft. Is he a sneaky value as a late 1st round pick or a not good enough talent that gets picked early? I’d lean on the former, as he didn’t get much of a chance to showcase anything in the tourney
Hard to say, but I’d personally take him with a late first.
Solidly late first. Perhaps 15-20.
Think he has an Evan Turner level career ahead of him or is he better? It’s so hard to tell if shooting like his makes the jump to the nba.
I think he could be a better NBA ‘fit’ than Turner, because he can really shoot, but we’ll have to see.
I think there mat be a race for 7th in the east. Most teams would much rather face an injured Boston than Toronto, the Cavs, or even Philly.
Unless the Wiz really do want us.
Nobody wants to face LBJ in the playoffs. Nobody.
Continuing with the ESPN projection theme, ESPN currently has the Nets pick rying for 4th with Orlando. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22554035/2018-nba-draft-tank-race-win-best-lottery-odds with this weeks games: Wins table now with weekly schedule: 19 = Suns: Bos, LAC, at Hou, at GSW 19 = Grizz: at Min, Por, at Utah, at Por 21 = Hawks: at Min, Phi, Orl 22 = Magic: Brk, Chi, at Atl 22 = Mavs: at Sac, at LAL, Min, at Cavs 23 = Nets: at Orl, at Mia, Det 24 = Bulls: at Hou, at Mia, at Orl, Wash 24 = Kings: Dal, Ind, GSW, at LAL 27 = Knicks:… Read more »
They aren’t taking into account how the tanking teams intentionally lose in the last 5 minutes of close games, the opposite of what Brooklyn does.
+1000. watch the Mavs.
Based on ESPN’s projections, the Wizards appear to be the Cavs most likely playoff opponent in round 1. I’ll take that!
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22914602/new-predictions-nba-playoff-matchups-seeds-wins
Bring back Agent Zero and Soulja Boy!
CAVS ARE AFRAID OF THEM! (per bradley beal)
The Wiz have sweep potential.
Honestly, could Joe Harris just replace JR and he could still be Smokin Joe but on a contender. Think this dude got bad rap for taking some time to adjust as rookie on a championship team. think now he would be a great piece for the Cavs, if they had patience with him. Granted not sure how he looks in other games, but think his outside shooting and aggressiveness are key parts for this team. JR and TT are lost causes, but Im sure they will get some run in playoffs due to ‘experience’. With Love back, Cavs are routinely… Read more »
Smokin’ Joe has been pretty decent all season. Best thing that could have happened to him was to go to a team where he could play a lot.
I forget how he got away from the Cavs. Any help?
He was traded to the Magic, who waived him.
Same thing happened with Danny Green.
Cavs need to be smart this time with Cedi and Zizic – both guys have the ability to impactful role players
Disagree. Joe was lost on this team. He needed to go somewhere he could play a lot of minutes. Wasn’t happening here and they needed his roster spot for Dahntay Jones and the salary for Frye. Frye and Jones were worth it.
Cavs dumped Green to keep Manny Harris, which was dumb. Not worth it. Still Green needed to hit bottom and was cut again by the Spurs before he became the player he is today.
I still have the voodoo doll as proof…
I recall Joe having good mobility and a reasonable passing game, but also that his shots mostly clanked and would shuffle between Canton & the Q regularly. I’m really happy for him that he’s developed to where he is now, but I agree with Nate – I don’t think he would have had he stayed.
Great cap EG.
Nice to see Hood & Hill excel. Love makes a huge difference.
Lebron is amazing and these days he’s doing things we’d never think we’d see from a 33 yr old. But to win out meaning the finals we can’t play J.R. and Jordy together at all. (For that matter I agree with eg to just glue J.R. to the bench). Both of them are horrible at communicating or any aspect of team defense. Just Yesterday there was an instance at the end of the game that Lebron was trying to tell Jordy s/t on defense and he was lost like on an island all alone. Pretty sad considering someone is telling… Read more »
Well said, jr is detrimental he’s got no focus, He should be played when his shots fall in the first few months it’s that he’s in , if they don’t take-take him out , it’s not soo normal of a way to do things but he’s soo bad that if u don’t want to do it like that than u can’t play him at all
The Cavs are gunning hard to keep that three seed. I don’t think LBJ takes much rest until they clinch the seed.
Philly’s closing schedule is cake, though they do have a league high 10 games left. 3 hardest are all at home (Den, Cavs, Bucks on a b2b). Other 7: NY, at Atl, at Cha, Brk, at Det (b2b), Dal, at Atl.
wow E.G .—LIKE LEBRON you are getting better with age ( not sure if that is a compliment or not —take it as one )—–watched the replay / replayed the LEBRON DUNK SEVERAL TIMES —-HE CONTINUES TO AMAZE !!!—-hoping HOOD will stay consistent –16-18 pppg/— same with HILL / if it is true about T.T.’S injury (torn calf )—doesn’t it make even more sense to give minutes to ANTE /—-YES WITH CEDI / KORVER returning —swish’s minutes should be greatly reduced –( sorry Anonymous we aren’t in 2016 anymore –have to live / play in the present )—-if we had… Read more »
The guy’s basketball IQ alone is transcendent. Now stick that huge brain inside the human equivalent of an Apache helicopter and he rains destruction all over the court. It’s magnificient and terrifying.
Great recap, EG. LeBron has added a couple of distinct things this season that may take the Cavs to another level in the playoffs, it remains to be seen. The first is his array of spin moves that he can employ on the fast break or when backing down iso defenders from the wings. It’s so fluid and gives him the tiny separation he needs to finish or get fouled. It’s a very new move though – in the past LeBron just needed straight line speed and initial explosion to blow by defenders. Now he can mix it up. He’s… Read more »
I posted on the lt. Apparently TT told Jason Lloyd that he’s still playing on a partially torn calf, which explains everything. He may need offseason surgery (my guess, not confirmed anywhere). I just hope he’s not doing long term damage to his career. It explains his total lack of lift.
If he needs surgery – get it now and get healed for next year. A 100% TT is useful in places. A 99% TT isn’t good enough for playoff minutes. There is no point in playing him injured. Zizic is better than him right now. It doesn’t matter if it’s because he’s injured or because he sucks, he just isn’t better than Zizic and there is no point in playing TT unless he’s going to be 100% in the next 2 weeks.
Thanks Tom, and yes JR was frequently lost not just on PnR, but most of the time… he gets caught ball watching a lot…
Like, what’s he even doing on this play?
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/977961082722619392
Superior recap, EG. James is truly a once in a lifetime athlete.
Muchas gracias amigo!
Nice read, EG. Was at work and missed this one, just followed it here. The Nets aren’t that far away from being a decent team – not having a first this year is crushing. The lesson, as always, is if you feel like calling Aingd about a trade, put down the phone, and if he calls you, just say ‘not just no, but hell no!!’, and slam the phone.
Missed this one too, a lot of fun to watch back after the someone plot-spoiled the game for me. Goodness me, isn’t LBJ is dunktastic right now. You’re right EG, we all hope the rest of the team gel, get in form & play adequate support in the playoffs, but it’s hard to look away from The King right now.
Thanks Mike! Yeah, Kenny Atkinson deserves some credit for having his guys ready to play every game…