Preseason Recap: Cavs 110, Pacers 94 (J.B. Masterpiece)
2021-10-16The Cavs put together a preseason masterpiece with essentially a wire-to-wire win against the hapless Pacers 110-94. Even though cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reported that the rotation players would only go “six to eight” minutes, Coach J.B. Bickerstaff let the guys get a little more burn because they caught a fantastic offensive rhythm for the first time in the preseason. Let’s dive right in…
1. Darius Garland get right game
He finally caught a rhythm, and it was glorious to see. In the 7.5 minutes DG played, he posted a net rating of +33.3. The Cavs posted a 120.0 offensive rating while DG was on the court. Also his defensive playmaking shouldn’t be overlooked with two steals. This was the best case scenario for DG to gain momentum into the regular season.
2. Lauri Markkanen at the three pays off again
The evidence just keeps mounting regarding the success of the big three lineup. J.B. and Koby said they want to win, will they decide that Lauri starting at the three is part of that answer? Stay tuned!
3. Isaac Okoro at the shooting guard works better
From the limited minutes he received tonight, “Ice” seemed to be able to use his strength to overpower his matchup against the Pacers’ backcourt defenders and get to the rim. It’s a shame that the coaching staff continues to pigeonhole Okoro into a role for which he’s ill-suited. Okoro deserves a tremendous amount of credit for being a team player, and the Cavs should reciprocate by using him correctly.
4. J.B. Masterpiece
There was another lineup experiment that J.B. used that seemed to really key the offense of the second unit, Cedi Osman at shooting guard and Dean Wade at the small forward. They both turned in their most impressive performances of the preseason, combining for 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and only two turnovers. Cedi’s shooting with confidence with the ultimate green light, and it’s clear Wade has just continued to build off his experience he gained last season. Credit to J.B. for calling the right shots, getting more shooters and length on the floor to help both ends of the court out.
5. Lamar Stevens and Kevin Pangos earn their keep
Both players really give the Cavs mature, professional players that fight like hell on the defensive end. For the preseason, the Cavs turned in defensive ratings of 74.1 and 80.0 each respectively while they were on the court. Both guys are ranked #1 and #2 in net rating for the preseason among Cavs’ players. One would have to assume they’re shoe-ins for the regular season roster with the Cavs in some capacity.
6. Onto the regular season…
The Cavs open their season Wednesday night by the banks of the Mississippi River, taking on the Western Conference playoff contender Memphis Grizzlies. Be on the lookout for the Eastern Conference over/under breakdown from Cavs the Podcast very soon! GO CAVS!
why didn’t the browns trade the no.1 pick in 2018 for several additional picks that would have netted a better QB (quite a few were available, as the last several years has demonstrated) and additional talent ? because andrew bary may be as big a pretender as kolby numnuts.. i detest ineptitude masquerading as intelligence.. i have a subscription to cleveland.com.. those idiots have been heralding the bunnies as the next NFL dynasty.. this was going to be the season to remember for the next 100 yrs.. they could have asked me my opinion.. i would have saved them the… Read more »
They nearly beat the chiefs last year in the playoffs, beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs, and made the playoffs for basically the first time since they came back. They are good not great. Mayfield is fine. Average. A ame manager with moments. Not the best. Not the worst, better than they’ve had in 20 years. They aren’t losers clearly as based on last year, but they aren’t superbowl contenders either unless their D is completely healthy which it wasn’t against the rams and the d is consistently elite, which it wasn’t. Their d and run game will have to carry… Read more »
i appreciate the measured response.. it only took them 20 yrs.. you really have to try to not become very good when you are a repeat-offender bottom dweller, getting all those high first-rounders, year after year.. last year was an outlier.. they are at best a .500 team, and likely head lower in the years ahead.. and baker is a huge pretender.. are they going to sign him long-term for the mega-bucks ? or cut their losses ?? and start over looking for the “franchise” QB ?? sad.. another ship of fools in CLE.. i hope they move on from… Read more »
agree with half: That draft was by John Dorsey, so you can’t blame Andrew Berry, and you will also have to miss blaming Koby for a change. I do agree that it was dumb. The Browns had #1 and #4, and a couple at the top of round 2. Recall that there was NO obvious top QB (certainly not Mayfield), and several that might be pretty good. There was a top running back that many teams wanted (Saquon Barkley) and probably could have netted the Browns two #1’s and a #2. There was also an edge that was sure to… Read more »
thx for the corrections raoul bro.. just venting.. can’t help myself.. it’s all part of the CLE PTSD diagnosis (this stuff literally makes me sick, and i don’t watch the games).. a big part of my rant was aimed at the fools at cleveland.com who were coronating the ’21 bunnies as a team of destiny.. when it is so obvious that they are at best mediocre.. i will let CLF defend my kolby criticisms.. he does it better than i can.. as far as the cavs are concerned.. if they stay wedded to the “sexland duo is our future” that… Read more »
Congrats to the Chicago Sky, and big congrats to Candace Parker -sister of former Cav Anthony Parker. Awesome finish to the WNBA finals.
good call Bw!
BUCKAROO—AM STILL HERE IN N.C. –( AHEAD OF THE BANJO GANG )—-SIPPING ON SOME BILTMORE PEACH MOSCAT —–DOING A ‘ CLF ” ON YOUR HOPS FIELD OF DREAMS POST ——YOU ARE A GENUINE LEGEND !!!!!
hell yeah NOMAD!!! sorry i wasn’t able to roll down there, but been discussing a trip up north to catch a game this year will keep you posted!
njoy the dunk NOMAD bro.. it was one for the ages..
Wow. Garland runs a smooth, efficient offense with Sexton off the floor.
Whodathunkit
They have enough evidence from the end of last season that Okoro > Sexton at shooting guard from a team impact perspective, question is will they pull the trigger now because of Mobley?
Main takeaway from second half is that Denzel Valentine is toast. A lot of going up and down the floor without any discernible impact on the game, at best he had a wide open dunk (but he got spooked by T.J. McConnell) which he proceeded to throw behind his head to Lamar Stevens in the corner. Does not seem mentally checked in. Ends 0-4 with a single free throw, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, and 4 garbage rebounds. Does occasionally make an effort to block out although he appears to be made of rubber; probably his most effective play of the… Read more »
good stuff Adam!
I expect zero from Valentine. Best case, he might come in and hit a few threes.
is this loser’s $$ guaranteed or non-guaranteed ?
Far as I know it’s guaranteed.
geesus..kolny numnuts is such a pathetic fool (and consummate pretender)..
$500k guaranteed
What did you think of Ballock? He sounded great on the radio — hoping for a windfall.
sexton needs to go.. now.. i like the young brother, but there is no fit with the tower of power dynamic, and it looks like okoro (and cedi) can fill sexton’s place quite nicely.. he is playing for the big max payday (can’t blame him) and not for team wins, and he will not change his stripes at this point.. he is likely worth some valuable treasure to many teams.. kolby needs to suck it up and get some mid-level talent at mid-level $$ to help feed the towers (and hit some 3s).. it’s called selling high kolby.. smart $$… Read more »
I might not have said it as you did LMFAOOO, but agreed that there was a missed opportunity to trade Sexton in the offseason.
but you know what’s going to happen, as do i and the rest of the ctb group.. the euthanasia roster, headed by sexland & co (you know, the same scheit that had it’s head handed to them last season, and in the 40 pt bulls loss), start the season.. no one is happy, everybody reverts to cav-nots form, and presto.. they are 3-19 by the end of november or so.. why ? because kolby needs to pound those square pegs into those circular holes.. i hope i am wrong, and we see a team that is given the opportunity to… Read more »
every day is a new chance to slay that sacred cow!!! (Sexton starting) LMFAOOOO
Cavs got the treat version of trick or treat Cedi last night. Mobley looked impressive yet again — he’s been much better than I expected early on. Even Tacko looked like he’d played basketball before. Agree with Nate below, Sexton is a good player, but it’s kinda nice not watching him dribble around to no point.
Cavs’ offensive rating with Mobley on the floor last night: 120.7 !!!
The kid is improving every game!
Solid recap and hoping for a solid year from the wine and gold!
Thanks for reading Jacob!!! GO CAVS!!!
Hope no one grabs Ballock. He looks like a steal.
Agreed, he had a fantastic second half in this game, very poised and accurate.
HEY GANG—-STILL DOWN IN N.C. / ENJOYING ALL THE BEAUTY AND CRAFT BREWERIES AND YES BUCKAROO STAYING ” AHEAD OF THE BANJO PLAYERS “——NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY TACKO “BELL ” IS A BETTER END OF THE BENCH POST PLAYER THAN “LE’ THON MAKER ——–ICE NEEDS TO STAY AT THE 2 SPOT // JB DO YOU HEAR EVERYONE SCREAMING THIS AT YOU ———LAURI MIGHT END UP BEING A SOLID PICK UP / 3 SPOT SUITS HIM WELL …..RUBIO NEEDS TO START// SEXTON OFF THE BENCH// GOOD LUCK WITH THAT HAPPENING ……WHAT IS EVERYONE S TAKE ON DENZEL “WASINGTON ” VALENTINE… Read more »
Great to hear from you NOMAD!!! LMFAOOOO @ the Okoro comment, everybody knows it except the Cavs I guess!
After last night and DG finally getting right, I’m good with Rubio off the bench to save his legs. But I think Mobley should be paired with him as much as possible. But 100% Sexton off the bench, put Markkanen in for the size and shooting.
To Valentine’s credit, no bonehead plays, but he’s not gonna make the cut.
NOMAD bro.. you need to build a “court of bball dreams” in the hops acreage.. you can be the ray liotta character in your short shorts and chuck taylors, emerging in the mist onto the court.. if you build it.. they will come.. then, you can wink at an MJ /lebron double-team and dunk on them..
good cap! be interesting to see how the last few roster spots shake out and how the early season rotation works. very excited to see our top 8 mesh and develop together, not holding out hope for tons of Ws but hoping for at least some competent bball.
Thanks for reading as always DanK! Yup, will say tho, Mobley elevates the defense to such a degree that they could be competitive this year!
Nice cap. Fun game. I think thia team plays vastly better without Sexton gumming up the works.
Thanks Nate! Definitely a fun game… yup, Sexton just doesn’t have the instinct to elevate his team with passing and it sucks to watch.
Funny,everybody gets it but the front office.
They might get it, but they could be justifying to themselves, starting Sexton for political reasons (don’t want a bad rep) and/or try to prop up his trade value.
did you know that when you Google “Collin Sexton contract extension” in the UK, a very large font $207 million is the top result? I think Google has pegged him to Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. The horror!
damn for real? LMFAOOOOOO