Podcap: Cavs 124, Rockets 89 (or, Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus)
2021-12-16CtB emeritus Tom Pestak is in the house! That’s right, Nate Smith and the Chrises (Mr. Lyden and Mr. Francis) have gone to the North Pole, busted out Tom from the cryochamber, and gathered in the CtB podcast resort studios for a Christmas Podcast Miracle. The quartet revel in the success of Tower City and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and break down how the Rockets beatdown and the first third of the season has gone.
The vibes were incredible with Tom back on, bringing some great new insights to the team this year and of course “Tales from Americana.” Mr. Lyden and Mr. Francis were armed and ready with spreadsheets, calculators, and box scores to contextualize this amazing start the Cavs have had, Mr. Francis’ hot take about championship caliber basketball got Tom juiced up, comparing this team to the underrated 2014 San Antonio Spurs squad. The CtB gang dreams big… but the real ones know, there’s something special brewing with these Cavs. Also! Don’t miss Nate Smith properly hazing Tom with the legendary and rousing game, “Who he play for???” GO CAVS!
Listen below, download the full audio file, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify.
live thread up!
AGREE WITH NATE—SHUT IT DOWN THRU THE HOLIDAYS AND POSSIBLY A WEEK EXTENDED —REVIEW // RESCHEDULE FROM THERE ——IT DOES SUCK BECAUSE CAVS WERE IN SUCH A GROOVE !!!
This is IT’s chance to show that he’s still an MVP type player. The Lakers just need to give him the opportunity.
Back up that brinks truck.
Might need two.
Lakers we’re likely toast before AD injury, now they’re burnt toast.
So, Wade for Mobley again. I’d imagine Davis plays some again.
Stevens or Cedi for Okoro.
Massive bummer about Mobley, and just everything in general. Agree with Nate, shut things down for a little while… doubt it happens though.
Please get boosted and stay safe out there friends.
Just got boosted Wednesday, and was very happy to do it. It did hit me harder than the second Moderna shot. Just sat around and did mostly nothing Thursday.
Booster drained me pretty good but the 2nd dose of moderna was worse for me, got feverish through that night. Def worth it though.
2 YEARS AND COUNTING AND WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDST OF ‘COVID CHAOS ‘ —PROBABLYGOING TO BE THE NORM AS WE KNOW IT ……..” MORE BEER PLEASE “
might be here for ever.
In some capacity, sure. I mean, polio is still around (350k in 1988 to under 200 in 2020). Measels. Chicken pox. Influenza.
Eradication is unrealistic. Controllable is realistic. But we are so greedy, selfish, and self-centered it probably will never get there.
D.A.M.N WITH NEWS ON MOBES —-“F ” COVID !!!!!!
Bummer. Let’s win tonight without him. Extra rest for sore hip.
should make any unvaxxed players play in a mask.
I just looked it up, protocols means:
1) Out at least 10 days OR
2) 2 negative tests within 24 hours
Durant entering covid protocol. Amazing slate of Christmas day G league games coming to prime time.
Absolutely shocking.
Water is wet.
COVID so far for us:
Markannen 9 games
Love 8 games
Okoro 2 games (incl. today)
Mobley 1 game (incl. today)
Some teams have it worse.
Omicron variant is going to pose a real problem for the league and the country. That the Nets are activating Kyrie in light of what’s brewing is outrageous. If I played or coached… for the nets I’d refuse to be exposed to him.
Yeah, expect to see a lot of this…super annoying, but hope he sails through it…
Gotta get the booster to have any real chance to not get Omicron.
Do we know if Ice/Mobley actually tested positive or just came in contact? Sympotomatic or not? I am a little fuzzy on the rules.
I believe if the player is vaccinated a positive test puts them in the protocol. If unvaxxed, e.g. Kyrie and other dipshits, close contact with someone testing positive can trigger it.
IT put up numbers in garbage time, Lakers need to start him and give him big minutes. He’s the guy who can turn around their season.
Hope Pelinka is smart here.
The schadenfreude is real.
Watched a bit of a few games tonight. The cavs are actually playing the most exciting ball in the NBA at the moment. That’s obviously me being a homer…but dude. The warriors are barely winning games lately and don’t play with the joy they were earlier in the season…the Suns have always been barely winning games. The Bucks are injured or covid stung…the Nets are grinding out wins (honestly…impressively) with almost no joy…the Bulls are on hiatus…the Heat are way better completely decimated by injuries and covid than they should be…the Nuggets intermittently blow someone out then lose in the… Read more »
Utah lost. Cavs now have the longest winning streak in the association (knock on wood) at five (along with Memphis).
Mobley practiced some today. JB said the hip soreness is not a concern.
Rockets waiving House. He’ll probably be a Net by tomorrow, but…..
Lakers are TRASH love to see it!
the odors are visible coming off davis.. serious stench.. a total imposter.. are the geezers gumming their meals yet ?
On the 75th team, Davis, Melo, and Dame were some serious reaches. Gimmee Manu, Parker, & Klay any day.
Davis is pouting cause they want him to play C.
IT is used to playing for garbage teams, must feel at home.
Bucks lose in OT. Jrue scores 40 but olays 44 minutes. Connaughton 41 minutes, Allen 39, Nwora 42.
Hopefully missing some pep from their steps tomorrow. We can pass them with a win tomorrow. And tie the Bulls.
Baze is an elite, all timer Laker…
IT to Rondo for three may be the weirdest, most predictable fail for three I have heard from Doris Burke.
Curry has 30, but he’s been kinda ass tonight…
I don’t care what Wiggins’ numbers are…I have zero trust in him in the clutch…
Wiggins should be giving 60% of his salary to Curry…
TACKO UPDATE—-20 PTS—6 REBS—4 BS—–14 MIN’S ——I KNOW IT IS ONLY G LEAGUE—STILL IMPRESSIVE
Tacko Friday!!
READ THE ARTICLE JASON —-THANK YOU —-J.B. GOT THE ‘DETAILS ” ONE FROM THE NONE OTHER —MRS NOMAD :-)
TACKO SIGHTING –WATCHING THE CHARGE—6PTS—3 REBS—IN 4 MIN’S ——-LOVESQUE STAT LINE
Nice piece on Bickerstaff:
https://theundefeated.com/features/jb-bickerstaff-finding-his-groove-with-surprising-cavaliers/
yup, good stuff although I think it kind of has it backwards about JB regarding analytics… the big lineup can be considered an analytically driven idea… length = defense. The basketball IQ of JB was realizing Lauri’s game is most effective at the 3… Lauri can’t bang with bigs but he’s physical and skilled enough to dominate smaller perimeter players. His handles are fundamentally sound and he can literally shoot over every perimeter defender not named KD or Giannis. That’s some old school basketball genius shit right there. Generally speaking, because the Cavs landed Mobley, it feels like JB and… Read more »
His history with Love (and Rubio) is also a plus. Helped Kev accept a bench role. Plus he was there in Minny when there were magical.
yup, that was another great tidbit in the piece was Love basically being the coach on the floor and truly embracing a leadership role.
ON AN ALL TOGETHER DIFFERENT SUBJECT——-HAS ANYONE SEEN THE RECENT PHOTOS OF TIGER ——–HE HAS TO BE ON “ROIDS “——LOOKS LIKE A FRIGGIN MIDDLE LINEBACKER
Does he have Tom Brady Neandertal forehead ridges, too?
BALCO BACK IN BUSINESS BABYYY!!!!! LMFAOOOOOO
I think he’s been on roids from the very start, honestly. And I’m not just saying that — a couple of guys I know who work in the sports industry and who get a lot of info were telling me that many years ago.
DITTO WHAT ALL OF YOU HAVE POSTED —-WAFAO——SO GLAD HE IS NOT A CAV !!!!!
Hope Kyrie’s ass gets booed every second he’s in the game in every arena. Eff that dude.
Boo him every second he’s on the bench too. Eff the Nets.
I mean. What timing dipshits. As things start getting out of hand you’re going to bring back poster boy king dipshit to usher in the next wave. Eff that.
Agreed.
Just another reason to hate the Nets. Sock Puppet, the Dipsh!t, and the flailing Fat Man. Plus Blake Griffin. And owned by a Russian oligarch to boot, aren’t they?
Anywho, I read he will be eligible to play in 21 or so of their remaining games.
nah, I think it’s some chinese billionaire now, joseph tsai his name
Oops. Yes, you are correct. I was flashing back to the last time I hated the Nets. Which is saying something from a person who had Dr. J posters on their wall as a kid. New York Nets. Full ‘fro. Red, White, & Blue ball, baby!
LMFAOOOOOO RIP NJ NETS!!! NEWARK DOES NOT FORGET!!!
wait, Nets were origiinally NY??? damn now I can’t keep it straight LMFAOOOO
damn didn’t realize they were from Long Island LMFAOOOOO thankfully too young to remember!
Also giving the moron an outlet to spout his idiocy, no doubt. He’ll probably be in the ‘covid protocol’ after his first game. Just more evidence that KD and company run the Nets. What a chicken$hit organization.
Woj treated he is still a ways away from making an appearance. They are resting KD for the next game. It is the Magic, but here is hoping they get a big L. The Nets are so dumb. They KD & Kyrie wanted De’Andre Jordan (speaking of knuckleheads).on the team. So they couldn’t include him in the Harden deal, despite the fact he was clearly past it. As a result, they had to deal Allen to make the salaries work. Houston had Wood already, and boom! We got Allen. Wait, come to think of it . . . . .… Read more »
lol, yeah. unreal how the Cavs made out. Basically turned Exum and a 2nd rd pick in to Allen and Rubio.
yep, exactly
tabbing thru the on/off data, I think JB’s going to try Stevens or Windler to start in place of Okoro.
DG + Stevens: +19.59 in 79 minutes
DG + Windler: +15.97 in 89 minutes
Granted that you have to assume these minutes were against backups, but at least they’d be worth a try.
My guess would be Stevens to try to maintain some consistency in play style / rotation.
yup, that’s what i’m leaning towards.
Pretty small sample sizes.
My money is on Rubio or Cedi. With some combo of Stevens/Windler/Wade soaking up the extra minutes. Maybe even Valentine. If Cedi is sliding over to the 2, then the hole really becomes the backup SF minutes.
I would go:
Guard rotation: DG, Rubio, Cedi
Big rotation: JA, Mobes, Love, Lauri
Wing: Lauri, Cedi, Wade, + LS/DW/Valentine.
Outside of Jru, the Bucks have Allen, George Hill, DiVicenzo (if back) and Connaughton as their likely guard rotation. I think Cedi can handle anyone but Jrue. But then, maybe so can the others.
I think the fact that it’s regular season means they wouldn’t do what you’re suggesting.
If it were the playoffs, I’d agree.
FWIW, # of starts this year: Rubio = 5. Osman = 0. Stevens = 0. Windler = 0. Valentine = 0. JB certainly plugged Stevens into Okoro’s role as a backup earlier this year. At the time preferring him to Cedi. That was when Sexton was starting, of course. We’ll see. Wade just played a great game the other night. I’d try to get him some burn as well, whether or not Mobley plays. JB usually goes 8-9 guys. DG, Lauri, Mobley, JA. Rubio, Cedi, & Love. That is 7. I’d go Stevens/Wade for 8-9 as the reserves. As always,… Read more »
AGREE WITH JASON—-SPEND A “QUARTER” AND GIVE DANTE A CALL
TOO BAD ABOUT ICE–COVID PROTOCOL—HE WAS REALLY GETTING IN A GROOVE —WILL THIS SET HIM BACK SOME WHEN HE RETURNNS——-AWHILE BACK SOMEONE HERE AT CTB POSTED CAVS SHOULD POSIBLY SIGN DANTE EXXUM —I WOULD BE ALL IN FOR THAT —-HEIGHT// CAN PLAY THE ‘D” // PASS// GREAT LOCKERRROOM GUY—-ANY THOUGHTS ??
Yes, I was in for that. Unfortunately, Dante just packed his bags and in now playing in Europe. Hard to see him returning TBH.
Yep. Worth a call, though.
I am still miffed that the Cavs have not applied for the Disabled Player Exception due to Sexton’s injury. It would allow us to sign another player without having to cut anyone. But only up to 50% of Sexton’s salary, which would still keep us under the tax level.
I wonder if they think there is an outside chance he could return for the playoffs?
I think there is a chance Sexton can be back by playoffs. Valentine’s salary is only guaranteed for like the first third of the season. He’s an easy cut if they wanna add someone.
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU JOHN ——RAOUL HOW DID THE “QB TRY OUT ” GO LAST NIGHT AM ROOTING FOR YOU—–NFL –IN MY OPINION —IS A JOKE IF THEY DON’T CANCEL BROWNS GAME TOMORROW —-WHERE IS THE COMPETITIVE BALANCE THEY WANT TO PORTRAY ALL THE TIME
I’d like to give a shout out to Lauri. I was absolutely pessimistic about the chances of him working with Mobley and Allen. I was also absolutely wrong, because he is extremely mobile for a seven footer. Perhaps not as mobile as Mobley (but who is?) but damn he moves his feet laterally about 10x as well as I thought he would. He also can explode. I hadn’t expected some of the dunks he’s had. I think against Chicago he had one that I went whoa on. Gets up way quicker than I expected.
Agree. I think he benefits from not being the only big (as they probably all do), so can exploit mismatches. Again, like they all are, he is taking his opportunity! So great to see.
I second this emotion.
For me, the thought of Markannen, Mobley, & Allen starting together was so outside the realm of possibility I did not even consider it. Despite the fact we played LNJ + 2 bigs last year AND the fact I thought Okoro/Mobley/Allen would not work for lack of shooting.
FWIW, for the year:
Lauri, Mobley, JA, DG, Ice: +14.8 in 139 mins.
Lauri, Mobley, JA, + Ice = +16.8 in 223 min.
Mobley, JA, Okoro = +14.1 in 234 mins.
Mobley & Allen have the best defensive rating of any 2-man combination in the Association.
With this true fact, almost any lineup combo with those two as a foundation is gonna work pretty well. Or at least keep you even.
Anyone want to be the Brown’s backup QB this weekend? Open tryouts tonight under the streetlight.
What, Keenum out too?
yep
Kyle Lauletta won the tryouts. I helped out by yelling “Heads up” whenever a car came down the street.
Ice in protocols…. Ugh, sucks for him and us. Real interested to see who we start at the 2 now
someone remind me how you get out of the protocols.
Presumably negative tests.
I would assume either Cedi or Valentine.
Though you could start Rubio & move Garland to the 2.
Well, it was inevitable. Omicron is here.
Most of this is still Delta in NEO
IT signed with the Lakers, so Nate can wear his IT jersey proudly again. Hope the Lakers let him start, he immediately fixes all of their issues.
The whiffs of desperation wafting out of LA smell fantastic.
Still, I feel bad for IT. Danny Ainge did him so wrong.
I believe it is a hardship exemption thing, so it could be temporary.
Yeah, Westbrook just went into Covid protocol, probably no coincidence. I predict that IT will absolutely suck all of the 5 minutes he plays for the Lakers.
Okoro also just entered Covid protocol, so that’s a bummer.
HaHa!
I’m sure Lebron is going to love playing with IT again. It worked so well the first time around. Can’t knock that guy for heart, though.
Here is the NBA.COM follow up. Last week had the leagues most improved offenses (Cavs were first). Cavs also first in defensive inprovement.
https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-notebook-2021-22-week-9
Tidbits. Allen & Mobley rank 9th & 10th in the league in rim protection. They are 2 of 5 players averaging >1.5 blocks/36 and <2.5 fouls/36. They have the best points/100 possession rating of any 2-man combination in the oeague with 500+ minutes played (95.9).
More tidbits.
Cavs have improved +13.6 pts/100 from last year. The 2nd biggest improvement in the last 25 year (2007/8 Celtics).
Both Osman (4th) & Allen (8th) rank high on the most improved effective FG% list.
And Allen is one of 8 guys averaging more than 1 pt/possession on post ups this year and last (50/25 min # of post-ups). Other 7? Durant, Jokic, Embiid, DeRozan, Butler, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris.
this game got out of hand so quickly it looked like varsity v. jv. The funny part is that the Cavs were like this on the other side just last year. they should give out awards for most improved team like they do for a player. Cavs are clearly #1. we were all pushing for play-in but this team is more playoff and possibly top 4 in their conference if everything holds.
I don’t think we should be in any rush to trade Sexton. It’s undeniable that he can score and Mobley means that we no longer need to be terrified of sloppy perimeter defense in quite the same way. His value is at an all time low and I believe he would be a RFA at the end of the year so would be unlikely to lose him for nothing.
I’m not letting him start, or play with Garland, but as a bench scorer he could be effective enough to warrant keeping (for the right price of course).
he will not be happy in that role.. he is an alpha by temperament, and moreover, was raised by the cavs to be one.. he needs to be traded, to start fresh on a new team.. if he is told he will be a 6th man in that new setting, i think he will be better able to process and accept it.. his stature has diminished significantly given the success the cavs are having without him.. there is a trade out there that works, for this year, and into the future.. not sure what it is, but koby has earned… Read more »
Agree 100%.
With the caveats that he is willing to (possibly) accept a lesser role and willing to sign for less money. If not, then we should probably trade him.
Problem is, with his salary so low, you are not gonna get a guy back who moves the needle much. Have to throw someone else in.
And that means parting with a core piece I want to keep (Rubio). Or a semi-core piece (Markannen, Osman, Love) that still is unlikely to net a real needle mover.
Still, I’d want to wait & see how the team as a whole performs over a longer stretch. So too guys like Okoro, Rubio, Love, Osman, & Markannen. Even Windler. Before I make a call on Sexton. Is Okoro’s jump real or just a blip? Does Markannen continue to work as a starting SF? Would he work better in Love’s role long term? Is the Rubio/Love renaissance real enough that we would rather keep them around (for the right price)? Is Cedi’s play gonna regress? Can Windler be a rotation level guy? Do we think a Garland, Mobley, Allen, +… Read more »
Agree. Also, an extension and trade might work out.
Eg, consider the NYG’s fleecing of the Browns: OBJ had two great years due to astounding athleticism outweighing not knowing what the play was, then was injured for a couple years. The NYG gave him a huge contract and traded him to the Browns for a #1, a #2, and a top player. His athleticism rebounded to “just good” and he still didn’t know the play, and was nothing but a pain in the butt. For the Giants, that was a lot better than not resigning him.
I’m in the same boat. Wait and see how it plays out. He may very well not accept a 6th man role. That’s a conversation the needs to happen before FA. Because if he says no, the cavs need to know it. At that point they can leverage a sign and trade. The RFA rights means the cavs retain him if they match. If he gets what he is probably worth I can’t see them not matching if just to work out an S and T. If he gets a max or 20-25 then he can walk, unless an S… Read more »
I would add to all this discussion: a serious injury has a way of humbling. Missing an entire season, the pain of the post-op period, rehab etc is not fun. Physically challenging yet, but mentally it screws with you and it’s a rare bird that exits this kind of process thinking they are still going to dominate.
He might just go for the 6th man thing to start with, just as a way of getting back into things. I’m coming around to the idea of keeping him with the Cavs with this condition.
great pic!
I enjoyed in the broadcast how they commented on Ed Davis being another solid veteran who was helping the bigs understand how to play. I think we’ve got some really good veterans helping our young core play the right way. Both attitude and BBIQ.
I am a big believer in having a vet in each position group to kind of mentor younger guys. It helps if they can still play, so they can show and tell.
We have that at PG (Rubio) and C (Davis). Love at PF (finally). On the wing, not as much.
With regards to tough shots and Sexton, the shots teams give up playing playoff defense with playoff effort are those midrange shots, eg flobs. Part of the tough shot criteria in my mind is the ability to just simply create your own shot and make it. Efficiency will be reduced as will passing lanes, shots at the rim, and open three pointers in the playoffs against good defensive teams. I have a feeling most of the lobs and rolls we rely upon will get snuffed against a team that actually has a chance to scout us. They’ll give up semi-contested… Read more »
Haha Tom the Rally’s conversation made me miss Ohio. And the line “Does the company that makes those make Gutters?” made me laugh out loud.
I really wanted the intern to say he was vegan. But the fact that they delivered the food to his ex-GFs place was enough.
Playoff basketball is different, that’s undeniable. I do think we need another guard. But I think defensively the non calls actually help the cavs. And I think there are plenty of teams to look to as examples of getting shots through execution of the offense rather than needing one on one guys who “get buckets.” The warriors and spurs are great examples…but the Cavs of the early 90s, the reggie miller pacers (that era was very much one on one shot making but the pacers were an outlier), the 04 Pistons, the Jason Kidd Nets team that made the finals…these… Read more »
I don’t think you need a “guy,” but you probably will need guys who can hit midrangers. The pistons had those guys in droves with Hamilton, Billups, and Wallace. Nets are a weird case where they weren’t a great shooting team at the time but were pretty great defensively if I remember. Had fastbreaks caused by tovs. Kidd was a pest at that time. Also helped being one of the best playmakers in history.
And the warriors and spurs are somewhat of outliers in that their shooting opened up ridiculously easy interior baskets. Can’t say I watched the pacers much as I was pretty young. Same for the Brandon cavs.
We were 7-4 when Sexton got hurt. 11-8 since.
I am not super high on Sexton or his fit. And injuries & schedule play a part in those numbers.
Agree on needing another ball-handler (be it PG, point forward, whatever).
I just think Sexton’s value is at an all-time low. Coming off an injury. Small 2, poor D. Both parties might be interested in a rehabilitation period.
Altman always used to say “fountains not drains.” I think there is most definitely intentionality to that. DG, Mobley, Allen, & Okoro are all in that category. Rubio. Nance (while he was here). Cutting bait with KPJ.
Now that we dare to use the word “finals”, I am thinking that next June would be a perfect time for a Championship ring ceremony for Anderson Varejao (assuming he is ready).
This was a fun podcast and it was great to have TP dusted off (I’m nostalgic about his pods in 2016). I’m going to have to take exception to the analysis here. Everyone on the pod understates the talent level of this team. The comp isn’t the Fratello Cavs or the Herculoids. They aren’t a glue guy team. This is an uber talented team that has the added bonus to super likeable and UNSELFISH players. IMO, this team is the reincarnation of the late 80s Cavs. Let’s not understate their talent level: Garland and Allen are All Stars. Mobley is… Read more »
First off, thanks so much for listening and for supporting us all these years. I don’t think the understatement is intentional. The take here is that these guys play with that level of joy and selflessness and poise, and it’s got us all up in our feels… AND they’re super talented. I mean, I say “glue guy” with utmost reverence. They’re all high-level glue guys with a great floor and a virtually limitless ceiling.
I should be thanking you and all of the CTB crew for the years of excellent content. You guys are flat out the best Cavs blog.
no kidding!
Damn straight.
DITTO WHAT TOM POSTED !!!
Saw Mike Snyder was honored for his 2500th game covering the Cavs. Mike is the definition of a class act.
I happened to tune into the post-game on WTAM1100 for the 1st time in over a year, was awesome hearing the love and respect from everyone for the dude.
NOT SURE WHO GETS CREDIT FOR WORKING WITH ICE ON HIS SHOOTING –( MECHANICS )l—BUT IT IS SOOOO MUCH BETTER —-ICE NOW —SHOOTING ” THRU HIS EAR—NICE SMOOTH– GREAT EXTENSION// FOLLOW THRU —-THE RESULTS ARE EVIDENCE —–KEEP IT GOING ICE// CAVS !!!
Good point! The art of teaching someone to shoot jumpers must be black magic indeed! Who ever it is deserves a big raise!
One of the things that makes this year so satisfying is that the team play came first and then the winning followed. I mean that, in October we all watched this team and felt, “hey, win or lose this team is fun as hell to watch”. And wouldn’t you know it, two months later they are still playing that way except they are confident as hell now and curb-stomping any team that doesn’t come out with first class effort and talent. The infectious confidence is what is pushing their shooting % up and up I think. Well, that and the… Read more »
I GUESS WE ARE ALL HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF “SCOTCH ” THIS MORNING —–SCOTCH IN MY MORNING COFFEE IS DAMN GOOD——SOME VERY GOOD POINTS SCOTCH—-THANK YOU ——GREAT RECAP CLF FOLLOWING A GREAT BEATDOWN OF THE ROCKETS—-GOING TO WATCH THE REPLAY JUST TO SAVIOR RUBIO’S SCORE/ STEAL / PASS ——-ALLENS MONSTROUS BLOCK—–ICE’S THUNDEROUS SLAM…………….” MORE SCOTCH PLEASE “
Nate is correct when he says sexton doesn’t hit floaters at a rate that matters. Not only do I agree…i think the cavs have osman and okoro and garland for love’s outlet passes. And TherealDWade gets recognized for his contrìbutions
ok…min 1:18. Sexton definitely does not get a starting 2 guard salary. He should get weird hair Payton money…But he should also not get franchise player money. Love is earning his contract…Sexton should get dellavedova money. Real money…but not roster compromising money.
agree that dellavedova is a good salary point, adjusted for inflation. I would upgrade his hair from “weird” to “good luck troll”.
Nance with Drummond with Love should have been middling successful.
1:10 i think.
but it wasn’t. and the Mobley with Allen with Markannan has been crazy successful.
I have heard the calls for Nance vs Markennan…i actually think the Fin has better feet than Nance showed last year. I definitely think he is better on offense…so he makes he cavs a better team in the end.
oh snap…min 1:08…Chris Lyden (i think?) mentions how valuable Okoro has been in the starting lineup vs Sexton. The idea that Sexton could produce what Okoro has without stopping the ball (IMO) is ridiculous. The idea that Sexton could play the defense that Okoro is playing is Insane. He needs to be traded if there is deal that doesn’t ruin the chemistry of the team.
i will enjoy any reference to the herculoids. They mirrored the Don nelson kerrs that beat the 1 seed mavericks…davis and jackson and Biendrinch (dont know how to pronounce…let alone spell)…jamison? other warriors. Nelson figured out the nba puzzle. took 2-3 seasons to fix those holes. like 2x as fast as the NBA took to fix the weirdness after the Jordan Championship Years
min 57…Nate opines on why this team works on defense because Lauri moves his feet on d. I have the feeling Lauri and Love are way better on D this year than they have ever been. You could for sure split their production between teams…but they have been so clutch this season so far. I think Allen and Mobley’s foul rate actually is what makes the difference. 1.8 for Allen…2.3 for Mobley but would be better without his getting refballed the last game.
min 41…starless teams rarely win titles. As long as you don’t consider Ducan and Ginobili and Parker stars. true. But the 2004 pistons come to mind. They didn’t play like the current cavs but they did maximize their advantages during that NBA ruleset. These current cavs seem very apt to maximize their potential in the current NBA ruleset. They beat a star studded lakers team that we as cavs fans probably dismiss…but the pistons team had Billups…a long two sharp shooter in Hamilton…Rasheed…wait Ben Wallace? oh yeah they were a defensive juggarnaut like the early 90s pistons. And efficient as… Read more »
The lack of press presence…mentioned at 32 mins in. Never thought about that before. I think there is an element of the press attention that usually emboldens NBA players but for this current cavs team I think you’re right. they don’t want notoriety…they want to win. The reputation comes with winning…i think Allen said early on this year he was more interested in winning than attention. It shows on court and in their interviews.
Also a nugget or two.
Cavs have eight players averaging double figures: Garland, Allen, Sexton, Markannen, Mobley, Rubio, Love, and Osman. And Okoro is getting close.
Cavs are the only team with both a 20+ point scorer in each game (GSW & Nets also) AND have had 4+ guys in double figures every game.
The cavs…nets…and Kerrs are absolutely the best 3 teams in the league. And the nets are succeeding on the back of Durant and the luck of their schedule. The cavs are favored to win the east on every major stats website who covers the league. 3% over the nets so far…but the Nets play a crazy schedule the rest of the year. Good luck getting production out of Aldridge and Mills toward the end of a very long year. meanwhile the cavs are hungry as hell…and young as all getout with vets playing 20 mins off the bench. Call me… Read more »
i know i left out the suns…but i subscribe to Ben Werth’s view of them. They are a very good regular season team the way the old hawks or raptors used to be…but will be exposed in the playoffs. The Jazz are probably the 3rd best team in the league above the cavs until the playoffs…where Gobert gets exposed every year.
Great cap.
FWIW, on the Rubio play, it was Rubio who scored before the Rubio steal and assist. And I believe he had a steal before that. Steal, score, steal, dime.
he is probably most responsible for this team’s maturity. Love the last 2 years was almost frustrating to see on court. This year he is a revelation. Rubio has elevated the 2nd unit to way above the herculoids.
Rubio is the x-factor for sure… feel like he represents everything Cleveland’s trying to be about as a basketball team.
I think that Olympics performance was huge for him. I feel like he’s going to hit a big game winner for the Cavs in the playoffs just because he’s just seeing the game so well now.
He is like Delly but with otherworldly talent. Delly was a cleveland legend because he overperformed in a blue collar way. Rubio is like if Delly had premium talent and the same amount of competitiveness.
remember the playoff game where some huge guy stepped on Delly, and Delly somehow locked his feet onto that guys foot so that he got lifted off the ground, with Delly acting like he was doing nothing?
HaHa — must be some kind of rugby or Australian Rules Football move.
Pretty sure that guy was Taj “bitch” Gibson.
I’m beginning to think that a key ingredient to tanking is NOT having a point guard for your second unit, and letting them destroy potential wins before they happen. Rubio is the polar opposite of that concept.
The bailout conversation is soooooo on point. Garland is only the latest iteration of that. Remember like 10 games ago when Cedi would hit stepback three after stepback three and we lost a few games without Mobely? nevermind Ricky Rubio hitting leaning threes from all over the court. Rubio I think has had more of an effect on this team than anyone since Lebron. or Maybe Frye and Jefferson’s antics relieved some tension. But honestly…garland’s sling pass…the relaxed way the cavs keep taking care of business. It has rubio’s fingerprints all over it.
Oh snap the Okoro comments Nate is making at 16 mins in are so on point…oh crap and one of the chrises lol. Not only is he waaaayyy younger than most guys in their second year. He is basically trying to perfect his technique on defense…on offense…on his shot…and on his off ball play all at once.
Okoro’s off ball play has probably produced his recent scoring binge…but his improved confidence from 3 is what will get him paid by the cavs or someone else in a couple years.
Feeling like live tweeting this pod lol. Tom calling Okoro the Bruce Bowen of this team is both poinient and ridiculous. When have you ever seen Bruce Bowen dunk the ball on top of zero players? Secondly…when have you ever seen Bruce Bowen friggin Jon Starks 3 different defenders like he has no regard for human life? The Okoro resurgence is not gravy…ok it is…but it is also vital to this team’s stability. If Okoro is going to score in double digits (lately it’s been 20) the cavs are not a team you want to play in a series. They… Read more »
Lol great point. Thank dunk alone has me recalibrating. Bowen better or worse than my Shannon Brown comp?
Bowen the weirdest player ever. Had a season where he shot better from 3 than the free throw line (!) Pavs actually did that for about 1/3 of a season once.
Bowen was a product of the NBA at the time. Shannon Brown is honestly the opposite of Bowen…uber athletic and undisciplined? Bowen was unathletic compared to nba players but uber disciplined. Perfect for the spurs at that time.
Brown was undersized, so the Okoro comp is weak. It came to me because rarely do wings get drafted out of college where defense is the calling card.
Okoro might be alright!
Okoro is definitely alright. I’m worried the cavs will make a move to sure up their guards over the next week that will negatively impact Okoro’s minutes and improvement because they want ball handling. If I were Koby…i would consult Rubio on all personell from now til the deadline. We’ll see what happens.
I’m almost too excited to listen to this pod right now. TP is a hero. A real genuine american hero. Mostly for his takes in the oughts…and his ability to enjoy the Lebron 2.0 era without remorse. I never missed a TP pod during those years. Nate is by far my favorite social media personality for CTB…and the Chrises are new to me but Chris Francis and I go back and forth regularly on the live thread during games. Chris Lyden…we need to interact. Loved your contribution last time you were on the pod. This is a moment in time… Read more »
LMFAOOO hell yeah scotch! enjoy, we got you covered on Sexton! Drop your takes when you get a chance!
lol just heard tom say something about calling out Usher. Hahaha his voice alone is sentimental. Will drop my takes
Thanks for the comments scotch! I look forward to interacting with you more!