Recap: Cavs 104, Rockets 115 (or, the Architect)
2022-02-04Last night, the Cavs suffered another embarrassing loss, this time to the Houston Rockets 104-115. The Cavs have now lost to two of the worst teams in the NBA the past three games. Some thoughts and observations after the game…
1. Make a move, Koby
The Cavs played their fourth and fifth options at point guard last night in Brandon Goodwin and Rajon Rondo. The results were a lot of turnovers (17) and a lack of ball movement. The Cavs’ issue regarding the lack of viable guard options strictly lies at the feet of GM Koby Altman. He has dropped the ball, failing to find an adequate replacement for Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio. Since the Rubio injury, the Cavs’ net rating has taken a nose dive, going from +6.4 (ranked 4th in the NBA) to +0.6 (ranked 13th in the NBA). The guard problem has only become more acute since Darius Garland’s back issue has now flared up.
There have been plenty of names tossed around that could help the Cavs: Derrick White, Caris Lavert, and Dennis Schröder to name some of the best options. With the Cavs having a half-dozen draft picks over the next two drafts, Altman has plenty of ammunition to get the help this team needs as the playoffs loom. The question is whether he has the courage to get the job done.
2. Evan Mobley > Jalen Green
Evan “the Professional” Mobley was able to go toe to toe against his rookie compatriot Jalen Green, posting a 29 point, 12 rebound double-double. Check out the tape here:
3. The Cavs give into fatigue
The Cavs’ defense was pitiful, giving up 115 to one of the worst offenses in the NBA. There was dearth of defensive playmaking, with the Cavs only posting 10 stocks total for the game. The Cavs appeared to lack energy not just defensively, but also shooting a pathetic 56% from the free throw line. The lack of energy begs the question of whether J.B. Bickerstaff would’ve been better served by instituting some load management for the starters to maintain their edge.
4. Quick notes on the Rockets
Kevin Porter Jr. definitely enjoyed a revenge game against his former team, and his running mate Green also played well. But the Rockets have two intriguing prospects off their bench, Alperen Şengün and Josh Christopher who absolutely dominated in their minutes on the court against the Cavs. The quartet of young players put on a show they could be proud of, it’ll be interesting to see if this game will be a spring board for them in the second half of the season.
6. Next up, Hornets in the Queen City
The Cavs will wind up their road trip with a stop in the Queen City to take on the Charlotte Hornets. The news surrounding Darius Garland’s back doesn’t sound too good, and Lamelo Ball will be looking to make a statement after getting snubbed for the All-Star game. Speaking of the All Star game….
7. CONGRATULATIONS DARIUS GARLAND, ALL STAR!
The Darius Garland Agenda is thriving and has never been better.
OFFICIAL: @dariusgarland22 will rep The Land in the #NBAAllStar Game at @RMFieldHouse!
DETAILS: https://t.co/xklfmOx3iI#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/yZagu12FKp
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 4, 2022
live thread up!
man the Clips absolutely FLEECED the Blazers, i mean if that is the market? hold out for someone productive for an expiring and a few 2nds !!!!
THAT IS WHAT I FIGURED ————-BLEACHER REPORT SHOWING A VIDEO OF DG BEING MOBBED BY TEAMMATES AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT MADE OF HIM MAKING ALL STAR TEAM—KLOVE 1ST TO HUG HIM // THINK THEY HAVE A VERY TIGHT // STRONG BOND !!!
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU CLF—–MAYBE THEY WILL “GIVE ” AWAY CJ LETS SAY FOR WINDLER // STEVENS AND A COUPLE 2ND ROUND PICKS NOT A “MONEY // TRADE EXPERT ‘–AM SURE THE MONEY DOESN’T ADD UP —WHO ELSE WOULD// COULD YOU THROW IN TO MAKE TRADE WORK–POSSIBLY CEDI
I imagine Love would have to be part of the deal – CJ makes around $30 mil
NATE WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE TO GET CJ—-WOULD YOU PULL THE TRIGGER
THE DOMINOES HAVE BEEN “SET IN MOTION “
That was highway robbery by the Clippers LMFAOOOO
Agreed. Portland desperate to get under the cap.
If we can be the Clips in a future deal I’d do it.
Powell & Covington for an overpriced vet (Bledsoe), a second, a prosoect that can’t shoot (Johnson), and a washout?
there are deals to be had!!!
#BringCJHome
Bring LNJ home!
So ironic we all thought he would be in a better position to compete for the playoffs with the Blazers than with the Cavs and now the tables are turned!
Again this is young Cavs team with coaching staff not having much experience coaching winning teams and not being able to handle it. Injuries are occurring throughout the league, smoe teams handle better than others, but the Cavs could and should have beat the Rockets with their current roster setup. I imagine Koby will make moves that will rock the boat a bit. I think these guys read how good they were and how they exceeded expectations and the season is just getting started. The teams they were crushing are gonna start playing harder and better. The next month after… Read more »
Cavs are 31-21. They’re handling it ok.
not lately they havent…again it may work out and these may mean nothing in long run, but none of this is surprising…team was playing well above the mean
Lol theyre down 3-4 starters every night “lately”. This isnt a great example of regression to the mean
They’re 7-3 over their last 10 games.
I mean I get it! I want them to play awesome every night. They’ve lost some games they should have won, but all teams can say that. You don’t think Bucks fans think they should have taken care of business against the Cavs? Fact is, despite the adversity, Cavs have been in almost every single game this season. Super impressive in my opinion.
It is not uncommon for better teams to get beat.
Man, missing Garland, Rubio, Sexton, and Markkanen is tough.
I fully expected us to lose last night. Our spacing is nerfed and we do not have a PG.
I wonder if starting Rondo but keeping his mins around 15 would make him more comfortable. Mobley is our starting offense at the moment…rondo would be in to feed Mobley and run pnroll with Allen for 5 mins.
Not super pumped to watch another game with Garland out.
Rondo’s fundamental problem is that he’s 36 and can’t beat guys off the dribble and get into the paint anymore.
He’s a 3rd string/garbage time guy now who could come in handy in the playoffs, but that’s about it. He’s not going to carry a load like Rubio/Sexton did.
Yes I agree…my thought wasnt “does starting him make him rubio”…more along the lines of can we hide his flaws in the starting lineup better?
Oh gotcha, missed the starting part…
I think the key to a productive Rondo is surrounding him with shooting and speed. A lineup I’d try (JB even might have already):
Rondo/Cedi/Stevens/Wade/Love …. just sacrifice some defense for shooting.
Another lineup:
Rondo/Windler/Cedi/Love/Mobley.
Rondo and non-shooters and guys who need the ball aren’t gonna work.
Yeah the d would suck for both probably but that 2nd lineup is intriguing. Windler still seems criminally underutilized. Even when he does get minutes…there is no visible effort to find him open 3s. He shoots way too good not to have 2-3 dedicated plays for his shot in our back pocket.
has the courage to make:
a dumb trade to make it look like he is “doing something”?
an early trade, before the price drops?
with one of the most promising young cores in team history?
(sorry, nomad has used up all the uppercase letters)
Agree. Sexton isn’t going to fetch what you want. And I don’t know who else gets us a decent playmaker. Injuries happen. No need to panic. Maybe they slip a little while guys get healthy.
I didn’t suggest trading Sexton nor would I unless there’s a can’t miss deal. His trade value is worse now than it was in the summer.
And with two DPE exceptions and plenty of picks, they don’t have to trade him to upgrade the roster.
Yep. I am with Raoul and not Chris on this.
I think a FRP is a better, long term asset than the likes of Gordon or LaVert. And I do not think Gordon, LaVert, or any G on the market makes us a contender (including Simmons).
He tried with Rondo, but he is washed, sadly. I’d much rather go the DPE/buyout route than trade Rubio + a first for a guy who is here for a season max, does mot mive the needle much, and adds salary.
No one said make a dumb trade, there are plenty of smart trades to make.
Koby doesn’t need to look like he’s doing something, he needs to ACTUALLY do something.
Rubio’s been gone for 6 weeks, Sexton’s been gone longer, Koby’s had plenty of time and hasn’t gotten anything done… not sure why criticizing that is off the table?
Not off the table at all you are correct. But to be fair to Koby he did get one thing done. It just turns out that thing was the ancient husk of what used to be Rondo lol
LMFAOOO so I was technically incorrect, but reflected the truth anyway…. I’ll take it!!!
Agree on the need for trades ! I just believe they are waiting until price goes down closer to the deadline. If we get a trade, get Lauri plus DG back and stay relatively healthy rest of season I think top 6 is a good bet. Go Cavs !!!
HAWKS ARE GAINING MOMENTUM—-BELIEVE EVEN IF CAVS // KOBY DON’T MAKE A TRADE—THEY STILL MAKE THE TOP 10 EASTERN CONFERENCE// PLAY IN SPOT—-DON’T THINK KNICKS// WIZ ARE A THREAT ANYMORE
Hawks, Celtics, and Raptors look poised to make a move up the standings.
The Celtics putting it together recently is presumably why a Schroder trade hasn’t happened yet.
GREAT JOB —–YES AGAIN CONGRATS TO DG// YOU DESERVE IT YOUNG MAN// HOPE IT IS THE 1ST OF MANY ALL STAR GAMES FOR YOU—-IJUST WONDERING IF THE “ASKING ‘ PRICE FOR ALL THESE PLAYERS IS TOO HIGH FOR MOST GM’S RIGHT NOW TO MAKE A TRADE—1 TRADE WILL ‘SET THE DOMINOES IN MOTION “—SAW WHITE’S BOX SCORE LAST NIGHT // HIS STOCK// ASKING PRICE MIGHT HAVE JUST WENT UP—–THINK THE LACK OF DEFENSIVE ENERGY IS A RESULT OF OUR STRUGGLING OFFENSE—WHEN WE ARE CLICKING ON OFFENSE OUR DEFENSE STEPS UP A COUPLE NOTCHES—-HOPING ALLEN GETS THE ALL STAR CALL ALSO
right. all the “asking prices” we hear about are insane. they are presumably “just fishing” to see if some GM bites and gets ripped off. This is why most trades happen in the last day or so.