Podcast 277: Unfinnished Business
2022-09-28This pod finds Nate Smith and Chris Francis paraphrasing the words of Kevin Love: “I’ve never been around a team this deep with young talent.”
Lamenting a Monday pod that blew up midstream, Nate and Chris managed to recapture the energy in the podcast booth and gush over Cavs’ Media Day, all the young talent on the roster, and how much fun it’s going to be to cover the team this year. Most palpable to Chris was the return of Basketball Jesus, Ricky Rubio, and the sense of “unfinished business” from Ricky’s first stint with the Cavs.
Chris and Nate go through the roster from the stars, to the vets, to the potential “superstar,” all the way down to 2-way guys and the guys fighting for that last roster spot, as they dig through media day highlights, and think about what might be, during the most exciting pre-season since 2014, and the arrival of the most anticipated non-LeBron Cavs season since before Shawn Kemp ate his way out of Cleveland. This pod was a blast.
Listen below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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LT up!
WOW DEJA VU’—WINDLER HURT AGAIN—-SPRAINED ANKLE —-KID JUST DOESN’T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO STAY HEALTHY// INJURY FREE
Happened to move to Philly the day the preseason schedule was announced and determined it was fate when they announced the first game would be at Sixers. It was pre-Mitchell trade when I bought the tix but now even more thrilled to be there for the beginning of the Spida era — not to mention my four year-old son’s first in-person Cavs game! Will weigh in with in-person impressions tomorrow. LFG CAVS!!!
That’s awesome World. Have a blast! (and don’t drink the wooder).
great way to decide where to move to!
HELL YEAH WORLDBFREE!!! GO CAVS!
ALTHOUGH IT IS DISAPPOPINTING NEWS—CAVS DOING THE RIGHT THING—AS OF RIGHT NOW HE WON’T MISS ANY REGULAR SEASON GAMES —-YES ” PROTECT OUR YOUTH ” ——–SO FRIFGGIN EXCITED TO WATCH A CAVS GAME TOMOROW NIGHT AND BE ” LIVE ” WITH MY CTB BRO;S ——BEER ICED DOWN ALREADY —-GOING TO “TRAINING MODE ” STARTING ………..WELL HELL WHY WAIT——–COMENCING TO “PURGE THE BEER INVENTORY ” RIGHT NOW AS I “PRETEND ” TO WORK//SLAVE ON THE MRS NOMADS HONEYDO LIST…………” MORE BEER PLEASE “—–LET THE GAMES/// FUN BEGIN ,,,,,,,,GO CAVS !!!!!!
Right with you, NOMAD, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning excited.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34720717/cleveland-cavaliers-forward-evan-mobley-miss-1-2-weeks-ankle-sprain
Protect our boy!
At least it’s not the same ankle I guess? Man I don’t know if I can go through a another season of injuries like last year
It’s time to make the training staff do sprints or push-ups any time there’s an injury.
is there some training technique that prevents sprained ankles?
I’m just messing, mostly in regards to last season and how bad injuries hit. But I mean, yeah, you can do stretches that do help prevent spraining your ankle… I’m sure they’re doing that though.
Bummer.
I bet Wade slides to the 4. I guess Love, or a jumbo Lopez + Allen packages are also possibilities.
Putting Descartes before the horse:
I think the Cavs have as good a chance of winning the EC as anyone. This year.
Any intrepid word from camp on the SF situation?
We have an actual game coming up.
nope, last word was everybody’s competing, and it won’t be decided until after the last game of preseason. One clip showed Caris possibly running with the ones, but unconfirmed.
https://twitter.com/HaroKesh88/status/1576790618373660672?s=20&t=HRTfqg9CO0-jkdHTFIcaVQ
Suns in playoff form…
hey Simmo how about this team from Adelaide giving the Suns the business?????!!!!
Yes, fairly amusing! A middle of the pack Australian league team really shouldn’t come close.
Having said that, Darwin is a difficult place to get to even if you live elsewhere in Australia. I don’t envy the Suns having to travel all that way. Can’t imagine they would have been physically at their best after that.
But yeah, screw ’em.
Looks like it was in Phoenix. Suns court.
Makes sense. I had heard it was part of the “NBL Blitz” preseason in the north of our country.
Well then….zero excuses for Paul and his mob.
I see OKC is next for the 36ers.
I think the Suns were home in this game.
at least baker’s diaper is leaking in CAR.. 61.9 rating.. skip & shannon should be enjoyable tomorrow.. if he hasn’t played his last NFL game, he’s real close to the exit.. maybe another game, then it’s darnold time !! ROFLMAO.. sad, but amusing.. as most things are in this life.. as for the frown-clowns.. grow up myles.. and stefanski needs to be fired, along with his staff.. oh, right, “this loss is on me”.. and so will the next 8 or 9, kev.. you are way out of your league.. can’t wait for the pervert to take the helm..
Baker is a passable backup. Shoulda been drafted in about the third or fourth round. The big mystery is why anyone thought he could be a starter in the NFL.
AGREE—JUST LIKE WINDLER—ICE HAS ONLY PLAYED IN 130 NBA GAMES—ROUGHLY A SEASON AND HALF—LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT YEAR 3 —WHICH IS WHEN MOST PLAYERS USUALLY MAKE A BIG LEAP // EVERYTHING I AM READING–SEEING POINT TO ICE HAVING A BREAKOUT YEAR —- I WANT NO PART OF CROWDER / PER AQUIRING BY TRADE—IF HE IS RELEASED THEN YES MAYBE GO PICK HIM UP
Remind me:
Wasn’t there some kind of bad blood between the Cavs and Crowder when he was here? Maybe I am dreaming that because I didn’t like him in the first place.
No, you most certainly are not.
most impressive how JR Smith flattened Crowder with an effortless backhand. anyone have any film of that?
Crowder also sprained his knee in the flop action.
Get Crowder out of here. If Mobley can get to like 35% on 3s on like 4 attempts I think Okoro becomes start-able. Obviously the degree of difficulties on his shots is very low, but Okoro actually finished with a better TS% than Garland and finished better at the rim. I think his cutting and transition play are maybe above average. And he understands spacing even if he can’t always capitalize on it. I think you let Okoro cook for one more season and reassess this summer. The potential benefits of Okoro popping this season far outweigh any risks IMO.
INTERESTING STAT WINDLER HAS ONLY PLAYED IN 80 GAMES WHICH EQUATES OUT TO ONLY 1 YEAR GAME EXPERIENCE —–STILL HOLDING OUT THAT HE CAN SURFACE AND BE A NICE ROLE PLAYER
Me, too.
I’d rather keep our younger-ish guys and see if one develops (Wade, Okoro, Windler, Stevens).
RAOUL—-” MORE BEER—PBR’S PLEASE ” AND YOUR RECOLLECTION OF BOOBY’S GREAT GAME WILL HAVE HIM CHALLENGING WILT’S 100 PT GAME :-)
Great pod and info.
I’m curious, Anyone else see this and have some thoughts on Jae potentially coming back? https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/nba-amico/cleveland-cavaliers-basketball-jae-crowder-nba-trade-rumors-analysis
I’d rather keep who we have together than bring someone new in.
He’s not that much better than Cedi and in some ways worse:
https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?player_id2=osmande01&player_id1=crowdja01&sum=0&request=1
Thoughts?
I am not a huge fan of acquiring Crowder, given his age. And the fact we’d have to give up 2 players to get him (Cedi + Windler/Stevens). We already have an open roster spot, this would create 2, 3 with Rubio out. That is a bit too many unproven/open spots for my liking. Jae is a streaky 3PT shooter and a rugged defender who gets away with stuff due to his rep. We do not really have a combo F type with a lot of experience, so he’d help there. But the fact that a Suns team with championship… Read more »
In short, I’d rather ride with Wade (no way do I include him in a deal) and see if Stevens/Windler make a jump.
I’d consider Cedi straight up, but I do not think the $$$ works.
I don’t know what the excitement is over Crowder. If we are purely talking offense (which seems to be the focus with the FO) he’s not any better now than Cedi Osman who played less minutes. I don’t know about D but I would hope Okoro can take the next step. Has Windler been unlocked? Is any version of all 3 who are in the current fold getting minutes a thing? Crowder is on an expiring and appears to be in rental mode at this stage of his career.
And if he is such a good piece for a contender, why are the Suns jettisoning him?
Jae is a career 34.6% from deep and was 34.8% last year. Playing with CP3, Booker, Bridges, & Ayton. He’s open all the time. Wade was 35.9%. Cedi was 35.7%. Okoro 35.0% (on much power volume). Stevens 27.7%. Theoretical Windler can shoot.
I’d wait & see how the separation goes. Maybe he gets bought out if it drags on.
Agreed, Cavs just created a crazy matchup problem. Twin towers plus crazy volume at guard. SF can literally be anyone. Between Wade, Okoro, Levert, Osman, and Windler there are plusses in each of their games for a minute by minute matchup game of chess. Should be fun to watch if they keep this roster together.
Forgot Stevens and the backend/2-ways but you get the point.
Hey thanks Jake! Appreciate your post!
Ron Harper trashed the the pickup so it makes me think something behind the scenes is going on LMFAOOOO
“BOOBY ” GIBSON HIRED AS ASSISTANT COACH FOR THE CHARGE—–GOOD HIRE BY THE CAVS
Love Booby! He had one really good game for the Cavs, and it was a MONSTER BIG GAME!
My recollection is that it might have been a playoffs game 7, and LeBron was having an off night, and Booby shot the lights out for the win! (My memory might be improving the story — about two PBR’s worth)
GREAT STORY RUSTY ABOUT A TRULY GREAT YOUNG MAN—GLAD HE IS WEARING THE CAVS COLORS
A Jarrett Allen encounter I thought you all would appreciate: So my wife and I recently moved back to Cleveland. A few weeks ago we decided to celebrate by going out to dinner in the Tremont area at a very casual, inexpensive restaurant. There we are, sitting at a table adjacent to the front door/main entrance having a great time. The door swings open, the bell chimes and Jarrett Allen is standing in the doorway. My wife and I are giggling like school children at the surprise cameo of our favorite Cavalier! JA is not alone though. Next to him… Read more »
Fast Breaks:
Very cool story!
Plus JA is the happiest looking guy in the NBA — always smiling and laughing and seeming to enjoy himself.
In fact, the entire team seems unusually well adjusted and likable.
Great story, man
Celts are in double trouble. Lost the coach, and signed Blake Griffin to a fully guaranteed contract!
Hope a lot of Cavs take a big step up.
Fedor: “LeVert … finishing second behind young point guard Sharife Cooper in the “beep test” — the team’s annual conditioning test.”
Caris reportedly transitioned from sugar heavy junk food to healthy diet.
WTF even is this
Reaction I saw on Twitter: “They shouldn’t have announced this. Just start the season and see if anyone noticed.”
Exactly, seems like the kinda trade you’d see the computer make with itself in NBA2K.
Saw that. I did ROFL.
I like Nwaba and Sterling Brown. Though with Okoro & Stevens we don’t need either.
That, my friend, is what is known as a Woj Bomb.
the other kind of Bomb?
Whew 2 hours…exhausting guys, lol! Really excited about the core and hopefully unlock some gems with the rest of the mix.
can’t say we didn’t give you some content to mull over!!! LMFAOOOOO
Mostly in jest. Keep em coming!
Allen was also VERY good in terms of post-iso scoring. Albeit not on a ton of chances.
I like the zone with Love + Mobley/Allen. Wade works well with that look.
If it were me, my idea for the team wouod be:
1) At least one if DG/Mitchell on the floor at all times (at least until Rubio gets back).
2) At least one of Allen/Mobley on the floor at all times.
3) LeVert would be a bench guy at first. I want him coming in for DG/Mitchell. At least 2 of those 3 on the court until Rubio returns. I’d give Okoro/Wade first crack at SF, but LeVert is surely the best offensive player of that trio.
If Mitchell fits & defends.
If Mobley makes a leap.
If one of LeVert, Okoro, or Wade steps up. Or more than one?
If Rubio comes back well.
That is a lot of IF’s, but if they come through, look out.
Agree.
Might be better than the Daugherty – HotRod – Harper – Ehlo – Price combo, adjusted for the era.
I think Harper was a guard, but have forgot who the starting SF was. This is actually a nice comparison:
Then: Now:
Daugherty Allen
HotRod Mobley
?? ??
Harper Mitchell
Price Garland
Those Cavs actually had the exact same SF problem. At different times it was Mike Sanders, Chucky Brown, and Winston Bennet starting at the 3. Those guys were….not very good
That tram could go small on the wing (Harper & Ehlo) or put Nance at SF with Hot Rod + Brad up front. Usually some combo of Price, Harper, Ehlo, Nance, Hot Rod, and Daugherty finished. Sanders was the nominal starting SF.
I think you could get something similar this year. With Wade/Okoro starting, but LeVert being the finisher with the core 4 most nights unless someone else is just en fuego (Love, Rubio, Cedi, Wade, Okoro).
haha! that’t why I couldn’t remember who the starting SF was. I think Sanders was a little later, he came in the Nance trade.
As I recall, LNS started, and HotRod backed Larry and Brad, the theory being that having three great guys at 4 – 5 was more important than having a strong starter at 3.
Great podcast guys and great synopsis of where the team is at. Odds are pretty good that LeVert or Okoro or Wade can step up and fill that 3 spot. Mitchell trade was Koby throwing gas on a fire that was already burning. The league better put there big boy pants on cause this team is going to be raging. I don’t think anyone in Cleveland is going to be missing those draft picks!
Love that talk!!!
Thanks WCC as always… great point with the gas analogy, agreed 100%.
LETS GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Mitchell looks like he has a couple inches on DG, for sure.
agreed, and he’s built more stocky than DG too.
WOW DARIOUS GETTING READY FOR THE ‘GUN SHOW ‘ WITH THOSE CHISELED BICEPS——-AND SPIDA DOES LOOK A COUPLE INCHES TALLER THAN DG ——GO CAVS // CAN’T WAIT TO GET STARTED —-IN THE MEANTIME GO GAURDS AND BIUCKS AND YES THE BROWNS !!