Recap: Cavs 96, Traptors 112 (or, Well… the Picture Speaks for Itself)
2021-04-27Apologies for the tardy cap, CtB… but I was too busy throwing a tantrum about something insignificant… Meanwhile, I came across the trailer for a new show on AMC this summer that seemed particularly pertinent to my mood…
What began as an expected blowout due to a general lack of able bodies for the Cavaliers last night against the Toronto Tampa Bay Raptors on the second night of a difficult back-to-back, was actually a scrappy and well-fought battle for nearly three quarters. Then, Kevin Love decided it was time to wave the white flag with a momentary lapse of reason…
https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1386851850163347456?s=20
Yeah… this moment wasn’t on the Bally Sports feed, so you might have missed it. I’m sure Kevin would rather the people paying his albatross of a contract didn’t see it either… but I’m sure they will. Actually, maybe he would. Maybe that’s his plan… his only real ticket off this perpetual rebuild.
Who knows what Kev was thinking, or if he was thinking at all. We all make mistakes… but there sure seem to be ones of the petulant type being made semi-frequently by Love. And, that’s really the most egregious part of this. The Cavs were probably not going to win this game. They only had eight or so healthy guys due to a rash of concussions and the obligatory LNJ digital fracture. Many of those injured were vets and glue guys (Nance, Dellavedova, Stevens, Hartenstein, Sexton, Prince), with one exception… Love.
Kevin was actually having a pretty good night up to the point in question. Though he was ice cold (0-4) from downtown, he rediscovered his solid post game, tossing in 11 points to go with seven boards and four assists on a series of nifty moves around the basket. He was the only Cav in the positive differential at the moment of his late third quarter brain lock. The point is… he was doing what he was supposed to do in being a veteran leader for a young and scrappy squad trying to claw out a road victory (or at least keep things respectable on this latest tanking odyssey). At least up until that point…
That’s the crappy part of the tanking business. Teams want to lose for better draft odds (even if the odds aren’t quite as good as they used to be). But, players don’t… especially young players trying to learn how to win. Guys like Ike Okoro who scored his young career high with 20 points on 8-16 shooting, while attacking the rim mercilessly. Or, Darius Garland, who recognized his shot wasn’t falling so he turned facilitator, notching 10 dimes to go with his 13 points. Or, Jarrett Allen, who feasted on the Traps inside during the first half while racking up 15 points and seven boards.
Or, heck, guys like Brodric Thomas, Dean Wade, Damyean Dotson and Mfiondu Kabengele who made the most of their time on the court… Thomas in particular flashed a very smooth shooting stroke and should certainly get a closer inspection as the Cavaliers limp to the finish line of this season.
But, you feel for these guys. I know I did. I even tried to defend them on the live thread last night when Nate made the comment Real “playing out the string” vibe from cleveland at times this game. Because I saw a scrappy team doing anything but that. However, that was before I saw the above outburst from Kevin… which was the very definition of playing out the string. No, it was worse than that… because it turned a four point deficit into an 11 point one to end the third quarter, thanks to the Traps’ resident Cav killer, Malachi Flynn.
To JB Bickerstaff’s credit, he took Love out of the game at that point and he didn’t reinsert him. Love apparently apologized to the rest of the team, but also left for the locker room before the final buzzer. Meanwhile, what should have been at least a respectable loss for the Cavs, turned into an 18 point blowout. It was unnecessary, and it was detrimental to the psyche of a young team just trying to find its way.
I bring up psyche because of the well-documented and self-aware struggles Kevin Love has had with mental health. To his credit, he’s been an incredibly inspirational figure, not just in the sports world but to the world in general as an advocate for seeking help. I feel for the person, no question… but, the player’s in game tantrum seemed more petulant than anything. Was there really no other way to take out whatever frustration he was feeling in the moment? Did it have to be an outburst that hurt his team, and the other handful of guys who were playing their collective hind ends off?
Am I making too much of this? Probably.
This story won’t linger or probably resonate with many outside of the Cavs. But, it does raise the question of whether or not this team would be better off giving Kevin the Andre Drummond treatment for the remaining dozen games in this lost season. And, whether or not they’d be better off helping him find a new home for the next one.
Until next time…
Just curious if anyone on the blog thinks this team can develop into something special and be a contender. I’m not a true debbie downer but here are my keepers -Garland -Sexton -Allen -Okoro (for now -he’s a rook) Here’s who I would really stress on developing -Mean Dean Wade -Lamar Stevens Savvy vet to keep team honest and focused -Delly -Nance(maybe) That’s really it – unless I’m missing someone who’s worth it. So we have basically half a team with a below average coach and outside of Garland making a jump and Sexton getting a little better I don’t… Read more »
I’m not intentionally a Debbie-downer but, no I don’t think this team will ever amount to very much. I think it’s really hard for most NBA franchises to build a great team with any kind of sustained success. I think the Cavs are particularly poorly run, starting with Dan Gilbert. Short of a Lebron James level talent, they will never be able to overcome that. This organization is not stable enough to weather the turbulence of young NBA team. I think we will just see a cycle of dysfunction for a long long time sadly. I’d love absolutely nothing more… Read more »
A title contender? Who knows, that’s almost impossible. I do think Garland is a budding legit star (I don’t know if he’ll ever make an All Star game, but my guess is he will), Allen is a center capable of being a contributor on a legit playoff team, and my personal opinion is that Okoro will be a marginal star in time. Can’t wait to see him the next couple of years. So much depends on this year’s draft. Whether they draft 1st or 9th. They can easily get either a difference maker or a nothing.
They need to hit in another draft no matter where they pick. There are superstars to be found outside the top 5 or top 10 in most drafts. Sexland isn’t going to ever be competitive defensively or from a rebounding perspective. Could they both be on the same good team? Sure if one comes off the bench. Love is here to stay at least another year. Okoro has some potential defensively. Don’t think his offensive ceiling is all that high, but he certainly has potential to be a starter on a good playoff team as a two way shooting guard… Read more »
I think Hartenstein had some Jokic rub off on him in Denver and could potentially be something. Cavs have a lot of very young players, players that once upon a time developed in college develop their games in the NBA now. Most of them probably shouldn’t be playing anywhere near the minutes they’re getting or be saddled with the responsibilities they do, but the Cavs aren’t good and theirs no real alternative or reason to play more experienced players who have already met their ceilings. I like your list, but I’m curious as to what Thomas could perhaps turn into.… Read more »
Love is probably frustrated, but he knew or likely should have known what he was getting into signing that contract. It was always going to be a rebuild. Hopefully they can make some progress toward becoming a decent team next season and any frustration he may have will diminish. He has a whole two years left after this season guaranteed and I don’t think there is a market for him. Until the final year the Cavs would probably have to take back toxic assets to get off his deal. So basically he is stuck with the Cavs and the Cavs… Read more »
i always appreciate the NOMAD seal of approval
updated EPM:
#65 Allen +1.9
#119 Hard Rock +0.8
#157 LNJ +0.2
#234 Sexton -0.9
#239 DG -1.0
#260 Wade -1.4
#274 Love -1.6
#295 Cedi -1.9
#366 Dotson -2.9
#374 Stevens -3.1
#384 Okoro -3.2
#422 Thomas -3.9
#446 Kabengele -4.7
#450 Delly -4.9
Notes: DG is ascending big time after being stuck in the basement of the rankings… now ranked ahead of Goran Dragic, Lou Williams, Elfrid Peyton, and Coby White. DG’s just behind Lamelo Ball, Ricky Rubio, John Wall, Patty Mills, TJ McConnell. Okoro has stagnated a bit. He is ranked ahead of Patrick Williams and Dwayne Bacon, but both those guys are among the worst starting small forwards in the NBA. Sexton has regressed and stagnated a bit since the beginning of the year, where he was competing as a top 100 impact player. He’s ranked just behind Halliburton, Gary Trent… Read more »
OKC & Minny both win.
Wins:
15: Rockets
18: Magic
19: Pistons, T-Wolves
21: OKC, Cavs
Let’s all celebrate the Celtics loss to the Thunder. Yes, Tatum was out, but Smart was a glorious 1-10 from three. Crack open an ice cold container of your favorite beverage.
Cheers (clink)!!!
SOME DEEP THINKING BUCKAROO……….I WIL;L DRINK TO THAT !!!
no comment.. other than.. “resistance is futile”.. life on the event horizon
GRANDKIDS ARE SLEEPING—MY CHANCE FOR A QUICK POST——-KLOVE NEEDS A HEAVY DOSE OF ” CHANNING FRY / R.J. ( JEFFERSON ) AND A BOTTLE OR MORE OF VINTAGE WINE AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE ——REALLY DO THINK KLOVE MISSES THOSE 2 MORE THAN WE REALIZE
Agreed re: missing Frye and RJ… they kept things fun!
Color me clickbait then I guess… sounds like the Cavs thought it was a big deal…
I don’t think you’re writing click bait EG, and you present a perfectly reasonable argument.
I think that ref was being a jerk and wanted to stick it to Love, that ref should’ve never counted that touch as a pass, Love never had control of the ball and it was the wrong ref in the first place who initiates the inbound play IIRC
I was not talking about you, EG. Just a difference of opinion on the events. Wrote that tweet long before i read your recap.
All good Nate ;)
right. I have decided to trade him to Houston for a 2026 pick, protected 1-57.
It is a big deal in one regard, EG–Love should be mentoring the younger guys and modeling how to lose with dignity. At least show them if you are angry enough with no-calls, get a technical instead of giving up a wide-open three… Bernie Bick knows how to do that, at least… maybe the “FU” to Love is a bit much, but I get it. Not only that, I don’t see how the ref’s pass was anything but a bit of a chest-high fastball–easily catchable unless you are distracted. HE WAS EVEN LOOKING AT THE REF WHEN THE REF THREW… Read more »
EG, thanks for the perspective–it’s why I continue to read about the Cavs on this blog even as I have little interest in watching them. You nailed the sentiments on Love, and it shouldn’t be lost on anyone who works for a living in an environment that seems built to spill, or at the least not seem to be conducive to success. If this were Love’s first such action, I’d get it. I even accept that when he signed his extension, he probably thought the rebuild couldn’t take THAT long, right? But he played six years for a team that… Read more »
Nice recap EG!!! That banner pic is hilarious!!! LMFAOOOOO I’d definitely buyout Love if they’re not going to get rid of Koby and JB, but there’s no way I’d get rid of Love over Koby and JB… they have no clue what they’re doing and I’d have no respect for the them if I were as accomplished as Love is. Brodric Thomas needs playing time… JB’s thoughtless rotations have already hurt Stevens and Wade and now Thomas. They all had rhythm while playing regularly earlier in the year, only to be benched for weeks on end for no reason especially… Read more »
giving Love that albatross contract was Koby’s fireable offense if that ends up happening whether this year or next. Ontop of the Drummond fiasco, the KPJ failure and many other items, this team is just going backwards in a rebuild…not good. for the Browns they were bad because they were dysfunctional, for the Cavs not sure there is dysfunction and its more they are just bad, but they could be better. The lack of leadership, outside of Delly is troubling. I can’t believe they coudlnt find even some vets who understood how the league operates, take youngsters under their wing.… Read more »
Friends troll friends better than anyone.
LMFAOOOOOOO good one RJ!!!