Podcast 209: The Worst?
2019-08-15As the slow NBA summer drips like molasses on a hot Ohio day, about the only new information we have regarding the Cavaliers is that they’re predicted by most prognosticators to be the worst team in the League this season. The Worst? I mean… Kevin Love isn’t exactly chopped liver… and the wine & gold do have some promising young talent. But, sure… maybe they really want to make sure that Atlanta trade never nets the Hawks more than two second rounders.
To discuss the dismal view on the Cavs, Nate and EG spent a lazy summer evening in the podcast booth. We attempted to look for bright spots, but also wondered aloud about how much worse the US Men’s Basketball Team can get, how much worse things could be for certain paper thin NBA benches this season, and much more. Nate included his search for a basketball worthy shoe, and EG started a re-naming contest for the Clippers. Yeah, we got waaaay too much time on our hands… pass the liverwurst.
As always, check us out below, on Anchor.fm, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Tunein, or Spotify.
Might be my highpoint as a blogger.
Props to Andrew Luck for retiring on his terms.. I think we’ll see more and more NFL players retiring “early.” You can’t put a price on health, no matter how many millions there are to be made.
I know it’s a different sport entirely, but I used to make fun of Derrick Rose and Kawhi Leonard for sitting out when “medically cleared” to play. After the Durant injury, I think it’s clear that there aren’t very few, of any, people looking out for an athlete’s genuine best interest.
agreed. funny to see people flip out and be surprised about this, or question his physical and mental toughness. A lot of keyboard warriors out there that wouldn’t last a second in an NFL pocket.
We’ll definitely see more of these as time goes on. I don’t wish luck any ill will at all.
But also, I don’t like people killing the Indy fans for booing luck, though. Imagine the shock and disappointment you’d be feeling as the news breaks literally while you’re at the game. That’s raw disappointment and anger roughly analogous to what we felt when LeBron started saying “I’m taking my talents to…” on live national TV. give the colts fans a bit of a break here for reacting viscerally.
HEY I AM BACK——FROM UPPER PENINSULA / WOW TALK ABOUT THE WINERIES AND CRAFT BEERS —LIKE FIELD OF DREAMS– -” THIS MUST BE HEAVEN ” : )——-NOT MUCH GOING ON IN THE BASKETBALL WORLD –EXCEPT GREAT WIN FOR THE AUSSIES ———-MAN INDIANS CAN’T CATCH A BREAK– ( OR SHOULD I REPHRASE THAT —THEY ARE CATCHING THE BREAKS —LATEST RAMARIEZ INJURY –OUCH !!!!———OH YEAH THE MRS NOMAD CONTRIBUTED HER PART IN MY ” 3 W ” CLUB——WINE / WIFE / WHOOPEE——-GOOOD TO BE BACK !!! : )
Good for Delly and AUS upsetting team USA! That is a pretty sketchy roster for USA – no apparent super-duper stars.
Talent alone can’t beat teams that have played and practiced together for years, unless that talent is wildly superior, as it was in the 13 years prior. Chemistry matters. Can’t create it in a half a summer of practice.
Kemba & Middleton are the only two guys on the roster who have made an all-star game. I think that is correct.
Lopez. Mitchell was borderline his rookie year. Regardless, the US team has the most pure talent. But that isn’t enough in international ball when most of these other teams run back teams that have played and practiced with each other year after year with the same personnel. I mean even when the US was winning the last 13 years, we barely ran any cohesive offense. There is a reason. A month usually isn’t enough time to install anything serious on that end and learn proper execution with chemistry. They were just good on d and had absurd offensive talent.
Was a fun game for us Aussies. But we recognize the reality of US representation. If anything, it’s got basketball in the public’s mind over here, so we thank you for that.
Tribe has done ok after a horrific first half. But they just don’t have enough. They might have won a few series against decent teams of late, but they are still bad against teams over 500. Unfortunately seems wildcard might be a struggle now too.
I’m very worried that the Cavs’ defense this year will be historically bad. Not hopeful that adding Windler, Garland, or Coach Beilein will help. Because while Sexton & Clarkson’s offense improved dramatically over the course of last season, their defense got WORSE. Cavs’ opponents’ 3-point % with both Sexton and Clarkson on the floor 35.1% first 41 games 41.6% last 41 games Cavs’ opponents’ 3-point % with Sexton but not Clarkson on the floor 40.3% first 41 games 38.9% last 41 games Cavs’ opponents’ 3-point % with Clarkson but not Sexton on the floor 32.9% first 41 games 37.2% last… Read more »
You should expect the defense to be bad. Your worries are warranted. They didn’t do a thing to address the defensive end of things. This might be strategic on their part. They really don’t want to convey a pick to Atlanta given that this team isn’t close to contention. Rather than intentionally tanking by the players, they just left their biggest weakness wide open (if not in worse condition). Beilein will spend the season installing his offense and developing our pair of young guards on the offensive end. Meanwhile, the defense will give up 120 ppg and the team can… Read more »
So depressing, but I have to agree with all of your analysis.
You know, I can live with watching a fun offense run by young players with potential… that loses three out of every four games. At least, it’ll be about what’s on the court rather than the soap opera -we endured to get our Finals runs and 2016…
True, the lack of that constant drama is a big plus. Is it too much to ask for that *plus* a little bit of defense?
(Not that I want to go back to the days where Tyrone Hill was the team’s third-leading scorer, of course.)
Unfortunately, yes. It is too much to ask. :(
I still have visions of Ricky Davis trying to score on our own basket so let’s keep expectations realistic!
Doesn’t that data suggest that only Clarkson got worse?
Definitely Clarkson got worse, but also Clarkson & Sexton together were worse than pretty much any other combination in the 2nd half of the season.
Prayers to Blatt and his family on the MS diagnosis.
And to Dan Gilbert who apparently just returned home to Detroit.
NOMAD – how is your liquid vacation diet going in the Upee?
As bad as Cavs are slated to be this season, I would still consider a team-only NBA leaguepass subscription. Looks like NBA don’t provide this anymore though, so with no Reddit either I’ll struggle for the first time since leaving the US to regularly watch the team live. Cost is prohibitive, but I’ll be honest – if the team were on an upward trajectory with a playoffs vibe, I would probably reconsider. Which is probably what the NBA beancounters expect and have calculated on.
you can find links to games in discord
Thanks CMT!
Will check it out!
What makes you think the team only pass isn’t available? They have been expanding the ability to buy different packages, not reducing.
https://leaguepasssupport.nba.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/91
Maybe that helps? Or maybe the option isn’t available during the offseason, but you can get it closer to the start or the season?
Or maybe I’m an idiot. All are possible.
HEY LAKERS T.T. / OR HENSON FOR DRAFT PICK ( 1ST ROUNDER ) —-NATE STILL THINK LAKERS HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE PLAYOFFS //NOT SURE ABOUT HOW DEEP THEY GO
Lakers make playoffs easy with LBJ/AD reasonably healthy. Bron at the 4 and AD at the 5 would be best for them, but both guys do not like to bang. Sucks for Boogie.
I do not think the Cavs will be worse than last year in terms of wins, but who we sell/trade, and when, will have an impact.
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/27388596/projected-w-l-records-standings-every-nba-team ESPN claims to project us with 26.5 wins (29th in the league only above Knicks at 26 projected wins… That draft pick looks safe? :)
REPORT COUSINS MAY HAVE INJURED HIS KNEE—-DOUBT IF HE WILL EVER BE COMPLETELY HEALTHY / THE SAME PLAYER HE ONCE WAS
Man. Can I get a bet on not making the offs?
That’s a bummer
GREAT JOB —–SUMMER HAS FLOWN BY -( ONCE AGAIN )——DOES THIS MEAN –” THE WORST HAS YET TO COME ” : ) ………….GIVE ME ANY “GERMAN DELI MEAT ….AND MORE BEER PLEASE “…………….GOING TO BE GONE FOR ABOUT A WEEK——-HEADED TO UPPER MICHIGAN/ TRAVERSE CITY ( MANY CRAFT BEER / WINERIES )—-AND MACINAC ISLAND …………..”LIVING THE DREAM ” AND HOPING THE MRS NOMAD IS INTOXICATED WITH THE SCENERY / ATMOSHPHERE / WINE….WISH ME LUCK GUYS !!! : )