Recap: Cavs 93, Wizards 110 (or, the Show Must Go On)
2021-12-31Hello again CtB!
The Cavs lost to the Wizards 93-110 in a game where they couldn’t sustain their offense after Evan Mobley and Kevin Love carried them through the first quarter. But the game was really an afterthought to the flurry of Cavs’ questions and news over the past 48 hours:
ESPN Sources: The Cavaliers have agreed to trade Denzel Valentine to the Lakers to acquire Rajon Rondo. The Lakers are expected to waive Valentine’s partially-guaranteed deal and create an open roster spot.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 31, 2021
1. Thoughts on Rajon Rondo
In a reply to NOMAD, long time member of the CtB Commentariat Jason really captured Cavs’ GM Koby Altman’s mindset with the Rondo trade. It was going to be impossible to replace Ricky Rubio without spending significant assets and mortgaging the team’s future to acquire a player of Rubio’s impact. So, Altman went the prudent, risk-averse route in acquiring Rondo.
Altman spent basically zero basketball capital trading for Rondo, swapping him with Denzel Valentine. While Valentine proved himself to be a team player, Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler were clearly higher in the pecking order. With Rondo, they picked up a two-time NBA champion pass first point guard, who by all accounts is a basketball genius. Also, Rondo has a knack for elevating his game in the playoffs, hence the “Playoff Rondo” moniker. There are concerns about how he will fit the Cavs’ culture given a terrible tenure with the Dallas Mavericks and a spitting incident with Chris Paul. But if the experiment with Rondo goes sideways, it won’t be hard to simply buy him out or cut/waive him.
It’s hard not to be optimistic about the move in the basketball sense. The Cavs are the better team so far this season than the Lakers at least record-wise right now, and Rondo wasn’t getting any minutes in L.A. This is the perfect opportunity for Rondo to get playing time and use his expertise to ensure the Cavs make the playoffs and can make some noise while in the playoffs. Given the low-cost/no-cost options available to Altman, this move is a solid B/B+ move.
2. Kevin Love keeps on trucking
NBA Champion Kevin Love turned in a tidy 24 points/11 rebounds double double in only 29 minutes on the court last night. Love is also ranked in the top 20 in the NBA in Estimated Plus-Minus. Love’s leadership this season is an underrated storyline, yours truly has a ton of confidence that Love will be able to relate to Rondo as the veterans in the rotation and get Rondo with the program.
3. Evan Mobley makes jaws drop
Mobley had himself a relatively solid game with 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three stocks. It was good to see him ultra-aggressive putting up shots. He’s absolutely getting “rooked” on foul calls, hopefully Coach J.B. Bickerstaff and company are in the refs’ ears. Mobley also authored the play of the game that was so good that the opposing team dapped him up after it happened:
You damn right I’m going to dap him up. I just saw the closest thing to George Gervin in the flesh!!! https://t.co/zGQvTH4Lo2
— kuz (@kylekuzma) December 31, 2021
4. Quick note on the Wizards
Yours truly still feels good about Coach Wes Unseld, Jr. and the Wizards of Washington. They have a winning record in spite of a terrible point differential, which is usually an indication of great coaching and a roster that’s over-achieving. The problem for them is that they’re not a contender, and Bradley Beal could be a free agent this offseason. Do they make a move to improve? Do they tear it down and trade Beal? It seems like they have to do something, standing pat seems like a doomed proposition.
5. Back to back against Atlanta
Cavs play their second game of a back to back tonight against the Atlanta Hawks. In spite of the Hawks missing everyone it appears they will still have Trae Young and Clint Capela, which should make them a tough out tonight. Furthermore, the Hawks are desperate for wins given where they are in the standings. Cavs could possibly get back Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and Cedi Osman. Getting those guys back will obviously enhance the Cavs’ chances at righting the ship.
6. Happy New Year CtB!
Just want to say Happy New Year to all, and best wishes for a great 2022! GO CAVS!
KPJ just missed a dunk and Kyle Guy raining threes…. weird game in houston LMFAOOO
THANKS BUCKAROO—-BACK AT YOU WITH A HAPPY NEW YEAR ——-BEHAVE TONIGHT !!!
live thread up!
Happy New Year CtB!! A Cavs win is the salve my sore head needs!!
Happy New Year Simmo!
In a couple minutes, the Webb Telescope will be halfway to L2. Follow progress at: https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html?units=metric&fbclid=IwAR2xZs6WQURlaKYTCh8oaOhmpqj-zadY7a1T4Y6KbWLq-yDoDOAs6nYh7DQ
Just an incredible mission, lookong fwd to the happy snaps.
AGREE WITH YOU RAOUL —-THE LAST 48 HRS HAVE BEEN ‘ROLLER COASTER ‘ RIDE FOR US DIE HARD FANS —HOPING FOR THE BEST —-KOBY IS SURFACING AS A COMPOTENT G.M. –HOPE HE CONTINUES TO MAKE STRIDES AND POSITIVE MOVES—–HARD ROCK MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ENTIRELY HIS DECISION
I AM “GOING ” INTO NEW YEARS EVE WITH SOME ICED DOWN BEERS –CAVS GAME ON T.V. —MIGHT TUNE INTO– TTUN GETTING DEMOLISHED—AND A ‘VERY ENERGETIC ‘ MRS NOMAD AT MIDNIGHT ” HOLD ON TIGHT ” !!!
I am all in on iced down beer! I like beer at about 0.01 degrees above where it turns to slush and climbs out of the bottle and makes a mess. That was a real bummer before cars had cup holders, and I was young and dumb enough to drive around with a beer clinched between my legs.
NOMAD bro.. njoy the evening with the mrs NOMAD.. just don’t mix too many of those bob dole specials with the brew-skis.. wishing you both an evening that 2 seventeen year olds would envy..
I’m going into NYE feeling pretty good about the Cavs.
After having half a day or so to digest the Rondo news, and considering what was available for what cost, I am leaning toward rating it as is an excellent move. We will see how it goes.
I am giving Koby a sequence of A grades in the last year plus, other than not holding onto HardRock.
There will probably be a dropoff offensively from Rubio. FWIW his dbpm numbers from the last few years still have him as a net neutral somewhat plus defender.
But I agree, decent trade considering.
OH YEAH —EVERYONE —A VERY SAFE HAPPY NEW YEAR ———-GO AHEAD RONDO ” POINT THAT FINGER ” AT L.A. —-” THE LAND ” IS READY TO EMBRACE YOU !!!!
SOUNDS AS IF WE HAVE A ” MOTIVATED “—-HAPPY —EAGER— RONDO WHICH IS GOOD NEWS —–CLF THANK YOU FOR MY ANDY WARHOL BRIEF ” 15 MINS// SEC’S ” OF FAME —MENTIONED ABOVE :-)
LMFAOOOOO of course NOMAD! Asking the questions everyone needs to think about!
I like the idea of chip on his shoulder Rondo. I’m sure he thinks he could have done more for the Lakers than Westbrook. Hopefully that fire will fuel enough juice for a solid 15 minutes a night. Again, he doesn’t have to be better than Rubio for this to be the right move, he needs to be better than Valentine. Mic drop
LOL well said WCC
Dreaming about a serious run next year. Having DG + RR + RR might not be a bad thing.
Good cap. If you’re looking for a similar player in play style to Rubio with strengths and weaknesses (e.g. accomplished floor general and playmaker), then Rondo is probably as close as you will get off the scrap heap. His moodiness over the years is a concern, but the guy has obviously had years of success being the floor general and playmaker for multiple playoff/championship teams. Dunno what kind of defender he is anymore. Obviously that used to be one of his strengths, but I haven’t watched him enough recently to know if he has fallen off a cliff in that… Read more »
Thanks John B as always!
yup well said, my thoughts exactly. Rondo’s defense is adequate this year, his offense was trash according EPM.
Good cap Chris!
Happy new years everyone!
Thank as always Raoul, happy new years!
Per Woj’s tweet about Rondo’s excitement about joining the Cavs, you gotta love a guy who’s eager to leave LA for Cleveland in mid-winter. Welcome to the land, Ragin’ Rajon Rubio Replacement Rondo!
LMFAOOOO great point worldbfree!!!