Recap: Kings 103, Cavs 117 (or, the Eye of the Tiger)
2021-12-12The Cavs put an exclamation point on the week, defeating the Sacramento Kings 117-103 to go 3-2 during their five in seven stretch. The Cavs played essentially flawless basketball for the first 24 minutes of the game, and very casually coasted to a double digit win that looks easier than it actually was, with the Kings cutting the lead into single digits in the fourth quarter. Let’s dive right into the night’s takeaways…
1. Eye of the Tiger
Some coaches would say this is the best type of win because it’s a win that allows the coaches to point out mistakes and teach lessons. What’s that lesson for the Cavs? “Step on their necks.” A quick story to explain…
Yours truly is a huge golf fan, and of Tiger Woods specifically. In recent years, Woods has started to coach team golf events such as the Ryder Cup and President’s Cup to great success. Obviously Woods is asked in press conferences about the messages he gives as a coach and he offered this phrase, “step on their necks.” That’s what it takes to become a great winner, a ruthless competitive spirit.
That’s the next step for the Cavs, they’re still searching for a complete 48 minutes of ruthless winning… that’s championship basketball.
2. Trust your guys, J.B.
Running an eight man rotation with a 30 point lead seems pretty absurd. Weirdly enough, there was a curious exchange in the postgame presser for Coach J.B. Bickerstaff in which he seemed to acknowledge a mistake, but it’s unclear exactly what he was taking responsibility for. From what can be gathered, it seemed like he was saying he thought the guys could push the lead and they could run garbage time earlier, but it just didn’t work. Regardless, J.B. should trust Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens to give him five to 10 minutes of defensive energy especially since Sacramento Coach Alvin Gentry went deep into his bench for a spark with great success.
3. Darius Garland All-Star Campaign starts now
DG set a new career high with 13 assists. Garland’s starting to put his name into the ring of the best in the Eastern Conference, alongside James Harden and Trae Young. As a lifelong DG believer, it’s vindication. The young man is supremely skilled and a competitive junk yard dog with a baby face. DG could very well be the next Point God, it’s only a matter of his desire at this point because he has every tool.
4. Evan Mobley DPOY Campaign ramps up
Evan “the Professional” Mobley threw up a “ho-hum” double double, setting a career high in rebounds with 15. He’s ranked third in the NBA in defensive EPM (source), and third in the NBA in defensive DRIP (source). Evan Mobley is having a historic NBA rookie season, and there’s no question he ought to be a legitimate candidate for All-NBA Defensive team and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He’s really that good.
5. Isaac Okoro finding his game
Ice led all Cavs in scoring with an efficient 20 points. The Cavs are using him much more effectively in transition and that confidence is carrying over to his jump shot. If Ice becomes a double digit scorer, the Cavs’ offense will reach an elite status. Stay tuned…
6. Ricky Rubio loves pressure
Ricky Rubio is a stone cold killer, who elevates his game in the most pressurized moments… apropos:
From PG to PG 👌 #LetEmKnow https://t.co/18AKpH4GZH pic.twitter.com/pmBTYKfHJe
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 12, 2021
Easily envision him doing this in the playoffs.
7. One more stretch
With the five in seven over with, now comes another slew of playoff/play-in teams with Miami, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Boston on the horizon before Christmas. Mark that Milwaukee game on your calendar, that’s gonna be a good one. GO CAVS!
live thread up!
Power Rankings:
The Cavs have outscored the league’s second toughest schedule by 4.1 points per 100 possessions, the league’s fifth best mark and an improvement of 12.4 per 100 from last season. In the last 25 years, that improvement has only been topped by the 2007-08 Celtics (+14.3) and the 1997-98 Spurs (+13.2), two teams that added two Hall of Famers to their starting lineups. So, Lauri Markkanen is David Robinson (it seems they’ll have military service in common) and Evan Mobley is Tim Duncan, basically.

Schedule strength through Week 8
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Remember all the CtB’ers who were thru with the Cavs when they traded for LM?
As part of the ‘never trade Larry’ CtB podcast who was gushing about all the upside remaining in Nance Jr.’s game and how could they possibly cut him loose I am happy to eat crow. Funny how fast the league moves, was listening to a Zach Lowe / Bobby Marks podcast where Larry was hypothetically moved in about three different trades from Portland… It has been fun to see Lauri Markkanen fit in and help to reshape the Cavs accordingly.
I’m fine with dying on thay hill. The D would be even better with Larry, but Markennan being a more willing shooter helps the o immensely.
You are not alone on that hill, Nate. I am right there with you.
https://twitter.com/NBACouchside/status/1470470095021522945?s=20
IF THAT HAPPENS I AM THRU WITH THE CAVS ——“F” BOMB AMONGST OTHER THINGS WILL BE THROWING AT MY HOUSE ALSO—–AND THERE WILL BE A PERPETUAL CONSUMATION OF ……..” MORE BEER PLEASE “
Shams still throwing the Cavs in with the teams interested in Simmons. I’ll believe it if I ever see it, but if the Cavs deal DG and other stuff to the Sixers for Simmons and the Simmons contract, things will be thrown in the MikeO household. With gusto.
Anyone trading DG for BS is crazy AF.
I’m pretty sure DG, Mobley, and Allen are untouchable at this point. As valuable as each of them is, the synergy between them is the secret sauce that makes this team so good. If I was GM, I’d add Rubio to that list, too, since I think he’s the glue that holds it all together and the x-factor in Garland’s emergence, but I wonder whether his expiring contract might be too hard to resist including if there’s a good trade on the table. Remember at the beginning of the season when the thought was that we could always trade Rubio… Read more »
Talk months ago was that Lauri would likely be involved in a Simmons trade – which he couldn’t be traded at the time. No idea what else would be needed to make salaries match.
I know people hate it, but a Simmons/Allen/Mobley combo would be a nightmare on defense. And it’s not like he’s a huge step back from Okoro on offense. I get why people are adamantly against it, but color me intrigued.
The defense is already a nightmare. And this team has zero drama. that might be their most valuable asset in terms of room for improvement.
I said I get it!!!
haha i hear ya. I just reeeeaaallllyyyy hate it lol
Hello! Did you not get the memo that Simmons “ain’t right”? Who knows if he will ever play again.
I’m not full steam ahead on it. But the Cavs aren’t going to attract top talent in free agency, so they have to take advantage of situations that present themselves at the time. I haven’t followed the drama closely, mostly just think he’s pissed at the Sixers and wants out at any cost. Do I think its a great gamble? Ehhhhh… But I wouldn’t hang up the phone.
Also, ultimately I think it’s going to cost more than I’d be willing to give up. Only for it if they can get a steal, which isn’t likely.
I don’t want either Simmons or Lebron, for that matter. The moment there’s an ego in the locker room, the magic fairy dust swirling around this team stops working. Even beyond the issues with the Sixers, my understanding is that Simmons is seen widely throughout the league as a d*ckwad.
My guess is the Cavs can ABSOLUTELY attract top FA talent. Suppose you were Durant and opted out because you were sick of Kyrie’s crap and the only help you get is from a fading Hardin. Would you prefer teaming up with a another head case diva, or joining a young, no-drama team that is a top wing away from dominating the NBA? Nice way to polish off a career?
Durant already re-upped with the Nets. Signed thru 2025-2026. Though I agree with your point about attracting a FA. I think becoming that young “up and coming” team will help us attract FAs. Though I do not think we have the room for a max level FA. Even if Love’s contract was magically vaporized, we’d still only have around $12 million in cap space. And DG is gonna need extended soon (though I think that kicks in the year Love comes off the books). Point being, even a discounted Love/Rubio + a DG extension will not leave us with max… Read more »
No way don’t buy it…. whole point of trading for Simmons is pairing him up with DG, both Klutch clients I’d presume.
if you were a GM, would you trade for zion (aka grenade-foot), and if so, who would you offer ? my own view.. he is toast.. near worthless.. wouldn’t touch him.. actually, that is not true.. i might offer windler if i was in koby’s shoes.. ROFLMAO.. i love it.. go griff..
LMFAOOO hard to say you’re wrong and I’m a Duke/Zion fan. Don’t like that he doesn’t play defense. If I had a good relationship with his people I’d trade for him, give up a couple of FRPs for sure! LMFAOOOO
at this point youre more likely to have 1 good year of Zion, then overpay on an extension, then he falls off the table. He’s Greg Oden or Josh Gordon at this point unfortunately. Otherworldly talented…but has been addicted to something since his early teens and shows no signs of letting up. Wouldn’t trade Pangos for him just because he could flash too much and eat up salary.
I wouldn’t say he is worthless. He could still turn it around and lose a bunch of weight…..but he might need to pull a K Love and totally change his body type, which might take away some of his dominance. Not sure if he is the same player at 250 as he is at 275. He probably needs to be 275 max going forward though and maybe he is. If so he obviously needs to lose more weight if he is having issues at that weight but I suspect he is even heavier than 275. It is just so depressing… Read more »
Sexton thoughts: For me, Sexton is a tough one. Mainly because we don’t know the thought process of the guy. Only those close to him do. With that said, if he is willing to fall into a 6th man role, I am 1000% for keeping him. But there’s a chance he is going to want to still be the main guy. And I don’t really blame him as the Cavs have been building him up/promoting him to us that he is a franchise player. So, I am going to trust Coby/the front office/JB (those close to him as alluded to… Read more »
The cavs FO also needs to meet with him soon because just procedurally he will be healthy enough to fly with the team soon. They need to get info on basic logistics. I think you’re correct that they will probably subtly search for clues to his mindset…but I would guess that it is no secret he will be available as we approach the trade deadline. He was the leading scorer on a team that is now a contender in the east before he was injured…there is little actionable evidence that he was the problem early on. If he has an… Read more »
Sexton might be a Diva (in which case I would not sign him), but we have no reason to think that is the case, other than that he has been the star of any team he is on up to this point. But that is true for most everyone in the NBA.
I don’t know if this is a good analogy, but Love seems a lot happier as a sixth man on a fun and winning team than he ever did trying to be the star of a team, which he is not really equipped for in several ways.
Certainly they could have used him (Sexton) in that scoring dead zone they entered in quarters 3 and 4 of the Kings game!
Just watched the game. I have to say, the second quarter was some of the best basketball I have seen in a while.
Great recap Chris! Amazing how when the Cavs team is good I get a little sad when they have 2 days off in a row.
But when the cavs team is good AND there’s no LeDrama between games??! I want a game every day!
thanks scotch!!! Selfishly, I’m glad the team is getting some rest, heal up, recover, prevent injuries LMFAOO!
absolutely, same. But every time 6-7pm rolls around each night I get the itch to watch Mobely stuff some cocky sophmore who thinks he’s the ish.
it is crazy how expectations can steal your joy. None of us expected this (nate calls it a Come Up year)…and so we can revel in it.
BROWNS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO “STEP ON THE HEAD “—-IT WAS A “W” —JUST DOESN’T FEEL LIKE IT
Mostly they need a QB. Maybe next year if Baker is healthy he can crack the top half of the QB level. But that is a long shot. So far, on his best days, he might sniff top 10 level, but he has way too many bottom 5 days. So the Browns have assembled a top O line, top RB’s, and a very good D, and it doesn’t look like it is going anywhere.
Can the Browns be sold again?
WINDLER HAVING A GREAT GAME// CHARGE—-28 PTS// 9 REB’S—7/14 FROM 3 PT LAND ——-WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM AT SHOOTING GAURD ——-GO BROWNS FINISH THE 2ND HALF WITH A WIN !!
He needs to shoot with the Cavs. Just usually seems so hesitant. Doesn’t help that he gets maybe five minutes if he gets in at all.
He deserves minutes, JB’s being way too strict on him considering how much leash Okoro and Sexton got.
VARDON INDICATING PACERS INTERESTED IN SEXTON—-FOR LAVERT ?—-I WOULD DO THAT TRADE
nope, wouldn’t do that, Lavert sucks… rather just make Sexton a 6th man as he was meant to be LMFAOOO!
That trade is not valid.
Lavert makes $17.5 mil. Sexton $6.3.
We’d have to throw in Cedi + someone else. Hard pass.
I think there is a decent chance we could draft a Levert level player.
this team will win at least 1 5-game playoff series this year..
Great recap, Chris. I agree on each point.
This last 5 game stretch before Christmas will be telling.
0-1 wins. Teams figuring us out? More work to do.
2-3 wins. Right in the thick of it for HC.
4-5 wins. Top 3 in the East for New Year’s.
Thanks Jason, yup this is the toughest stretch before it really starts to ease up in January.
AGREE WITH YOU LEO—LENGTHEN THE ROTATION NOW —-KEEP THE REGULARS MIN’S LOW—GET THE OTHER PLAYERS THAT MUCH NEEDED // VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
absolutely!
Miami game (if all their guys are healthy) and Bucks game will be interesting to watch, although not season defining either way. If the Cavs are playing this well two months from now…they’re the real deal. JB needs to extend rotation now and then he can shorten it as season nears end and playoffs are approaching.
AND YES EVERY SPORT I HAVE COACHED I HAVE HAD THE MANTRA …….” STEP ON THE HEAD “—-NEVER GIVE THE OTHER TEAM LIFE —–JOHN WOODEN ALWAYS SAID IF HE WAS UP BY 20 BY THE NEXT TIME OUT HE WANTED TO BE UP BY 30// 40 —THAT IS WHAT GOOD TEAMS DO GET THEM DOWN—- BUT MORE IMPORTANT KEEP THEM DOWN !!!
yup, that’s the mentality of the greats…. they play mental games with themselves to keep their energy up.
GREAT RECAP—–GOOD MORNING BUCKAROO—–SOME VERY GOOD POINTS MADE—CAME IN AT HALFTIME AND HAD THAT “WOW ‘ FACTOR –WATCHED//ENDURED THE 2ND HALF ALMOST CHOKING ON MY CHRISTMAS ALE—YES J.B. NEEDS TO TRUST HIS BENCH–ESPECIALLY WADE// STEVENS–HOW ELSE ARE THEY GOING TO GET THAT VALUABLE EXPERIENCE—-THIS TEAM REMINDS ME SO MUCH OF THE PRICE// DAUGHERTY// NANCE TEAM—ONCE THEY FIGURED IT OUT –THEY TOOK OFF—IF ICE’S OFFENSIVE GAME REMAINS CONSISTENT AS THE LAST 2 GAMES —–LOOK OUT —HIS CORNER JUMPER LOOKS VERY SMOOTH —-GO CAVS !!!
thanks NOMAD!
we may be witnessing one of the greatest unanticipated single-season franchise turnarounds in the history of the nba.. i guess when you realize that bill russell has been reincarnated it isn’t that surprising.. cavs are 17 – 8 when big mobes is on the floor..
“Bill Russell Reincarnated”!!