Podcap: Sacramento 119, Cleveland 105 (or, Decisions Looming)
2021-03-23The Cavs’ starters struggled mightily Monday. On the second night of a back-to-back, the lack of offense in the starting lineup was palpable as the Cleveland starters were outscored by the Sacramento starters, 103-53. De’Aaron Fox dropped 30 for Sactown and Tyrese Haliburton posted a career high 28 on just 15 shots, igniting the debate on whether the Cavs should’ve considered him over Isaac Okoro, who put up a paltry six. Cleveland hung with the high scoring Kings in the first half and then ran out of gas in the second as an early third quarter deficit of four ballooned to as much as 19.
Keeping Cleveland in it was the centerpiece of the Cavs’ bench, Javale McGee, who was brilliant in the second and early fourth quarters and led all Cavs in scoring with 18/9/3 in just 19 minutes. Strong showings from Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens also bolstered the bench, which scored nearly half the Cavs’ points and posted a 52-16 advantage over the Kings’ bench. When Cleveland gets mentally and physically tired, they revert to bad shots, and team elbow runner reared its ugly head, as the Cavs’ attempted a mere four triples in the first half. They went on to lose the battle behind the arc, with 4 triple makes to 13 for Sacramento.
It was another weird game where a mere eight Cavs turnovers to the Kings’ 16, a rebounding tie, and a 19-8 made free throw advantage would seem to all point to a Cavs win. But as in days past, this game all came down to shot selection and shot conversion, with Sacramento’s 54% from the field and nine more made triples overcoming those disadvantages. The shot chart tells the story.
It was a far cry from the previous night where Collin Sexton ruined the Raptors season with possibly the best quarter I’ve seen Collin Sexton play as a Cav (the third) on his way to 36.
To break it all down, old friends Nate and EvilGenius squeezed into the podcast booth and looked over the games and more importantly the coming decisions for Cleveland this week and into the future. We discussed whether Andre Drummond would get moved this week, whether we’d see much movement in general, if we’ll ever see Kevin Love in a Cavs game again, and the big decisions the Cavs will have to make this off-season. Do the Cavs extend Sexton? How much do they pay Jarrett Allen? Is this “core” sustainable? Is J.B. Bickerstaff the long term answer as head coach?
We went around the league to discuss coaching fits, and delved into the Cavs’ disastrous head coach hiring history. We pitched a couple albums, picked out current NBA favorites, and decided Larry Nance Jr. and Isaac Okoro really shouldn’t share the floor anymore. It was a fun, if slightly ominous time.
Listen below, download the full mp3 audio file, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, and Spotify.
BRAVO, just listened to this one wire to wire, thanks for doing it
JB goingn with his fabled 4 non-shooter lineup with DG tonight, the tank is strong!!!
The ol rope a dope. Let them pummel us for three quarters and wear themselves out and maybe the bench can come in and catch them off guard mid way through the 4th.
There’s no way they’ll see it coming!!
Oh, unless they’ve seen a few Cavs games.
LMFAOOOOOOOOO
that’s right BW!!! I love it!
Holding him out for a trade?
IDK…. i mean, rest is obviously more likely… but!!! one can hope! LMFAOOOOOO
Not sure if I am hoping for that if only because he is still young and rfa. Especially so when I look at the cavs draft record in conjunction with being able to draft scorers, or anyone else. Sexton provides something. He can score at an above average efficiency. We aren’t getting lotto picks for this year’s draft for him nor likely lotto picks or unprotected for any future draft, which means he probably is a safer bet than the current cavs FO is able to draft. Would need to be like two first rounders for me to trust the… Read more »
he’s in the 58th percentile… .barely above average.
well, rest well….. he ain’t getting traded cuz you’re right, we won’t get any value for him.
i get what you’re saying though, i’m being harsh obviously, but i’m sick of watching him LMFAOOO
here you go, sore hamstring:
get it done koby!!! Prince and McGee works:
Looks like Bledsoe’s contract is 4 years guaranteed, right, though 2023? Kind of doubt the Cavs get in on this, not sure what the Pels would want…(unless they really just want to dump Bledsoe, which is possible)
they absolutely need to dump him before zion can think about wanting out.
well this proves that defenses completely ignoring Nance and Okoro on offense LMFAOOO
JB starting 3 non-shooters in the year 2021 is mind-numbingly stupid. Start Windler and Wade, JB.
even dumber, JB’s first sub recently has been Cedi for Sexton, so then he puts 4 non-shooters with DG LMFAOOOOOOO
and this is probably the reason that Allen is starting to falter over the course of the year, defenses are collapsing 3 defenders into the paint religiously against the Cavs!!!
Dunno if they’re ignoring them. But neither of those guys wants to shoot with a defender within 6 feet which I am sure contributes to the numbers above. They both want to be wide open half the time before they pull the trigger. Chart shows contested, doesn’t say how many times a player does not shoot on a closeout. So you could have teams closing out which leads to either guy driving or passing resulting in low contested threes numbers. I expect those two only try to shoot on decent closeouts maybe 1 of every 6 times. Obviously though if… Read more »
crazy the deadline is tomorrow – really curious what Cavs do – gotta think if they make a ton of moves they want to compete for playoffs; if they sit quietly I think Koby and co. want to try for lottery and we will see more of Mean Dean Wade and Lamar along with the other young pups.
Cavs are in a weird position where they are three games from being the worst team in conference and four games from being in playoff race.
not as good as your first trade LMFAOOOOOO
Spurs get younger with Dipo at least until this summer and maybe have a decent backup pg if either decide to sign long term. Dunno is spurs give a first for those guys tho. Houston gets three washed players in Aldridge and Love, and cedi. Plus a still good player who can walk and a middling first. Get off of wall who is still playing and therefore slightly better contract than love who is no playing. Guess they might do it for the first. We get two washed players with terrible contracts who can still play at guard. We get… Read more »
LMFAOOOOOO Nate choosing violence on the TL LMFAOOOOOOOOO
but for real though, I don’t hate it… probably have to come away with another FRP? Maybe? IDK
I Mean its three if u include toppin
LMFAOOOOO OK touche Mr. Rose!!! LMFAOOOOOOOOOOO
you know who i really like with that Dallas pick, is Jared Butler or the Springer kid from Tennessee.
In what world is any team going to give up that much for sexton and an expiring who can walk? Two first rounders? Three with Toppin? I feel like the thing with trade machines is we almost never consider how other teams probably value our guys. I don’t think people probably see sexton as a huge trade asset. Best one we have but probably not going to win a trade with him involved. Dre getting anything useful coming back is probably a pipedream.
they’re both highly likely non-lottery 1st round picks LMFAOOO not actually worth that much…. and Sexton’s 22 and a legit NBA player, even if he’s not starter quality right now.
seems alot for sexton and drummond. Unless knicks already feel like they their franchise cornerstone which isn’t one of these guys. Sexton is not that guy for us. I don’t expect they see him as that either.
Then what do we get. Bunch of mediocre guards and Toppin and the first rounders of which toppin and firsts are the draw.
Most of those guards can be cut. Over Ntilitinia. No thanks on A Rivers. Payton, sure fine.
totally agree, you’re cutting most/all of those guys it’s just about the picks.
it’s really not a lot though, again, because the odds of a non-lottery pick even becoming an NBA player are remote… it’s just a way to not get suckered into paying Sexton really and getting something in return.
I think it is because two first rounders for sexton is probably a reach. Most teams might give up one and a second. Not two plus their current 1st round pick.
that’s probably fair, 2 FRPs might be a stretch, but again, literally no NBA GM is trading Toppin for a FRP today so I don’t care what the Knicks think, he sucks and is just a throw in as far as I’m concerned.
also Toppin is absolutely worthless trade-wide, just a throw in to make the salaries work I was assuming.
Disagree
Hes worth a flier.
Rookie is worth a flier and I don’t think the knicks are ready to dump him in his first year.
sure a flier, but his trade value is literally zero. that’s why the knicks would never trade him, they’re the only ones who actually value him LMFAOOO
All the Sexton “don’t max him” or “trade him” talk is pure fantasy. He’s going to get maxed. The Cavs have made him the face of the franchise. All the other stuff is wishcasting, but as D. Boon once said, “dreams are free, m**********r!”.
laughingstock franchise, Lonzo Ball out here asking for fair market value, better player, gonna get paid less than Sexton LMFAOOOOO.
I’m not 100% on that train either. Lonzo hasn’t show that he’s durable the way Collin has been. That’s a big deal.
that’s true, although there’s a size difference there that might benefit Ball in the long run.
Maybe. Still worth stating your opinion, even if it’s just for posterity.
Right, I’m not saying people shouldn’t discuss what they want to discuss (and apologies if it came across that way), but it’s just not going to happen. (only *tiny* crack I see there is if the Cavs win the lottery and get the top pick)
As the guys discussed on the pod…the next few games will dictate what this team does to end the season…i don’t think Altman will risk losing out on a big talent in this draft if it means playing the rooks and 2-way guys heavy minutes. i think if Garland had Sexton’s mentality and confidence to shoot he could easily score 25/game….his constant driving to the basket is annoying and he always gives up taking the 3. He has quick dribble penetration skills he can get enough space to pull the quick trigger. Nance should be better than he is and… Read more »
definitely agree with you about Garland and JB. which is why i wonder if Garland would shoot more if Sexton didn’t start, and if you started less of a ball hog and better defender in Sexton’s place, would the offense get better? I think JB’s recent subs with Cedi for Sexton are exploring that question. I think it’s possible Garland could become a better scorer if Sexton’s not on the court because then Garland’s less preoccupied with keeping guys happy about their touches and he can just cook. But we’ll never know because the people who run the org want… Read more »
Yeah, I wish LNJ had Javale’s confidence. It’s really tough when Nance doesn’t look for his shot at all.
I’d do this in a heartbeat for Ball, and if the Cavs even think about offering more to Sexton, they’re absolute idiots.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/lonzo-ball-seeking-20-million-044318709.html
tangentially related, also heard that the NBA TV rights money could quadruple in the next deal, which is insane…. wonder if there will be a slew of players taking short term deals to get to the next TV money revenue sharing.
Neither guy is worth $20 mil under this cap. Ball is certainly closer.
Would disagree that Ball isn’t worth it…. actually could argue 20m/yr for Ball would be a steal, and that he’d be underpaid.
rest easy CTB, DARKO projections has us with a 0% chance for the playoffs or even play-in game… and projected to have the 4th worst record in the NBA by season’s end. tank mission accomplished!!! LMFAO
I thought Darko was playing for Košarkaška reprezentacija Srbije
LMFAOOOO there seems to be a dumb trend of naming impact metrics after players, I wish it would stop.
anybody read the Lloyd Athletic piece on Gilbert??? Apparently his 23 year old son is now running the show?
I hope he follows Haslam’s example with the Browns: keep bringing in new GMs until you find someone that knows what to do, and then let she/he do it. Definitely looks like the Browns are in a two year transition from perennial doormat to perennial contender.
Good point, I’d rather change than stay the same, especially given Koby’s dubious track record at this point.
right. Koby seems like a nice guy who is trying hard and doing an “OK” job, but we need someone who is really good. And the top people are hard to find.
In the Browns’ case, for the last dozen GM’s and coaches, it was soon clear that they were average at best, and Haslem didn’t hesitate, he paid ’em off and sent them on their way.
Now he has found a GM that is doing the right thing every time. Sure hope he doesn’t want to meddle and can keep them long term.
LMFAOOOOOO that’s always the problem!!! Have success and everybody wants to stake their claim on it and parlay it!!!
I absolutely love Fedor and Cavs twitter being basically dead silent about Halliburton after arrogantly crowing about Okoro and Koby earlier in the week LMFAOOOOO
Halliburton already better than Sexton and they’re in shambles LMFAOOOOO
Still listening, but got to your Drummond discussion, and was reminded of Carter Rodriguez ranting about how ridiculous that a player as good as Drummond may get bought out. The point is, the rest of the NBA is really going to allow him to go to the Lakers for nothing? Really?! Can you imagine how effective he could be in a playoff run with Lebron? Some of these other playoff teams with championship hopes are really going to let that happen?
I get the salary is big, but the idea of him being bought out is a freaking joke.
Man, Rockets break the streak by downing Toronto. Sexton really broke their spirit.
Changing the city name to Sextonto
I have missed the Brad Stevens shade, EG!!!
He deserves all the slander!!!
HIRE LINDSAY GOTTLIEB!!!!
but for real, koby and JB gotta go. we’re the worst offense in the NBA and JB won’t make the tough decisions to try and improve the team, or even worse, he has no clue or idea on how to improve the team. Just hearing you guys talk, I think JB should absolutely be starting Windler and Wade for their shooting. Really simple fix, unwilling to try because we’re afraid to hurt a rookie’s feelings or some slavish devotion to player development analytics???? it’s a joke… our team is ran by clueless idiots. then what they should be doing is… Read more »
Why are you ao sure they should be trying to win?
was just talking to my friend who’s a rabid spurs fan, because guys develop bad habits when they aren’t properly coached.
apparently spurs take a lot of criticism for how they develop their players, but the reason they don’t just throw rookies into the fire is so they don’t develop bad habits. they use the g league liberally for guys who want to develop their games, instead of just throwing them to the wolves. i think their success right now with dejaunte murray is paying off huge this year.
Speaking of the G league, still waiting for someone to explain to me why dumping KPJ for peanuts made more sense than hiring a good mentor for him and banishing him to Canton until he could get his head screwed on straight…
I fully support not having that kind of energy around when you’re trying to build a positive culture, but isn’t that what the 60 miles down I-77 are for?
G-League bubble hadn’t started yet at the time. Perhaps could’ve/should’ve waited, but also KPJ had no trade value after the offseason he had… unreasonable to think they were gonna get anything for him to begin with.
FWIW, KPJ stinking it up in Houston too… clear regression on the defensive end for him even though he’s putting up some good counting stats.
I have always believed this is the way to go. Said it with Sexton. Said it with Garland. Said it with Okoro. None of them should have started.
100% correct IMO
also, playoff minutes are positively correlated with player development. Getting Sexland into a 7 game series where a defense is going to key on a weakness and exploit it would huge for them in the offseason knowing what to work on.
I think we saw that pay off huge for a guy like Joel Embiid, using a “process” example.
LMFAOOOOOOOOO nice Frasier reference Nate!!! one of the best episodes of Frasier ever.