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Podcap: Indiana 135, Cleveland 126 (or, John-Blair Blues)
2022-12-30This one stung. The Pacers had four guys eclipse 20 points (Haliburton, Nesmith, Hield, and Mathurin) and shot a blistering 19-31 from deep to hold off Cleveland. The Cavs had seven guys in double figures, and only had nine eligible players. They were led by Donovan Mitchell (28/4/6) and Jarrett Allen (19/14/1). Cleveland tried like hell to put this team away, but every time they got a little bit of a lead, Buddy Hield would get a wide open triple, or Hali would launch a dagger from 32 feet.
The Cavs find themselves in a three game losing streak heading into the new year. That fact led to a lot of soul searching by Nate Smith and Eli Kim as they piled into the broadcast booth with a steelbody guitar and sung the blues for John-Blair Bickerstaff. As they were singing, the boys wondered if all this bad luck and trouble was because of J.B., who seems at loggerheads with his own public statements, his front office, and his players as they struggle to defend the three point line or score enough to keep up with their opponents.
Nate and Eli both sang the ballad of Darius Garland’s right hand, which the young guard held as he winced in pain after a nasty strip attempt by Oshae Brissett resulted in a foul. Our intrepid hosts were even more shocked when Garland returned to the game with a thumb brace, clearly in pain, and unable to even make free throws down the stretch.
The podcast got low down as they played the 12 bar blues for Lamar Stevens who remains a starter despite his offensive shortcomings being a boon to opposing defenses, and Smith and Kim wondered what the hell Cedi Osman ever did to get so far into JB’s gog house. Ultimately Nate and Eli went back and forth over why J.B. is so danged stubborn and whether he is the right fit for this team long term.
The guys also discussed whether this team can win in the playoffs as constructed or with this coach, and what could be done to change those fortunes with proposed new years resolutions on and off the court. Finally, Eli soloed over his experience behind the bench at a recent Cavs game and what the vibe, coaches, and players were like down home at the Rock.
Listen below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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NATE YOU MAKE SOME VALID POINTS—DG’S ABSENCE MIGHT HELP DEFENSIVELY—–ON 3-A-KITE—-JUST THINK WE ALL JUST WANT JB TO GIVE HIM A ” LEGITIMATE RUN ” TO EVALUATE WHAT SKILLS HE HAS/// WHAT HE MIGHT BRING TO THE TABLE—-SO FAR —IN MY OPINION —JB HAS FAILED TO DO THIS
OK —APOLOGIES TO NATE—-DID JUST CHECK UP ON GLEAGUE REFERENCE STATS—3-A-KITE AT 28 %—BUT I BELIEVE LATELY HE HAS IMPROVED—-LAST GAME HE WAS 5/9 FROM 3 WHICH TO ME INDICATES HE CAN BE AN ABOVE 30—33 % SHOOTER —–JUST WATCHING HIS STROKE IT IS MORE PURE// CONSISTENT THAN EITHER ICE OR STEVENS AND HE BRINGS LENGTH TO THE TABLE AND IS A MUCH BETTER PASSER —–JUST MY OPINION
I am not opposed to the idea, but I just don’t think he’s any more proven than those other two.
THANK YOU RAOUL ON LOOKING UP 3-A-KITE’S SHOOOTING STATS ——WAS GOING TO DO ALSO—-COULDN’T BELIEVE NATE’S 25 % SHOOTING POST ———–YEP WE ARE GETTING A ‘ HOT ” BULLS TEAM FOR NEXT 2 GAMES AND PROBABLY WITHOUT DG ——–DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE CAVS
I think no DG will help them for a couple games defensively.
If the team’s health improves, it will paper over JB’s deficiencies and buy him time. But the writing is on the wall – the lack of trust with several players, in-game decision making etc. The team’s construction is not yet complete and I suspect when it has reached it’s zenith, JB will no longer be here.
And I agree with Eli & Nate – there is a vibe right now that could easily grow to something untenable. My hope is that Rubio & Wade will change everything for the better and the ballclub avoids drastic bloodletting.
yup, Cavs still top 5 underachieving according to nbastuffer… over 5% below Pythagoreran win expectancy… problem’s not talent, it’s how it’s used.
what do you mean by “lack of trust” in some players?
how does that differ from “they ain’t that good”?
I agree with the pod’s take on Cedi – just one example.
Yeah, there are some blog posts from 2016 when JB was coaching the Rockets (my apologies for not posting the url here), and the complaints from back then about his rotations and in-game tactics read like deja-vu. I hope he can do better but am not expecting it.
BFD. disgruntled fans bad rap coaches rotations and tactics in every sport all over the world. most of them have no clue what they are talking about.
JB has a .427 career winning percentage in over 400 games in the NBA, the fans aren’t the ones that have no clue LMFAOOOO
what do you expect when his best player was Sexton for a couple of those years?
what happened in Houston and Memphis Raoul? What happened after Rubio went down? Looks like a JB choke job to me!
Raoul, it’s not the fans’ complaining that caught my eye — cause you’re right, fans (including me) are always complaining and what do we know — but it’s the fact that they were pointing out the “exact” same issues. Anyway, my bet is he will not be the coach when this team reaches its Mitchell-era peak, whenever that occurs. I think the Mark Jackson—Steve Kerr comparison some have made seems apt. And more relevant to this franchise, I remember the Paul Silas—Mike Brown transition after Lebron’s second year when the team missed the postseason.
yeah. in both of LeBron’s first two years, the Cavs didn’t go to the playoffs due to a tiebreaker. One of those years, the Celtics intentionally lost their last game to keep the Cavs out.
There is very recent precedent for a team winning titles despite a PG who was explosive at the offensive end but got relentlessly picked on at the defensive end. Even excluding the cheat code titles with Durant, the Warriors won two others. Obviously, the Cavs have a long ways to go to reach anything resembling that level as a team, and Garland has a lot to improve to bear any resemblance to prime Steph. But he’s only 22, four years younger than Steph was entering his first championship season.
completely agree. way to early to start in on the trade requests of DG. 3 game losing streak sucks, but let’s wait til the end of the season. I do agree that maybe JB needs to go though, his in game tactics and choices on lineups leaves a lot to be desired
Starting Diakite at SF can fix a lot of problems.
He can’t shoot any better than the other guys. Sub 25% in g league.
WTF? Where did you hear this at?
Check the Charge info:
https://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/1629603/
50.0% shooting, 55.6% on threes.
A 6-9 excellent athlete can do a lot for the D
There’s only one game listed on there. BBallref has 8 games listed. I don’t know who’s right. But bball feels more accurate.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/CLC/2023.html
that is interesting. anyway, there are 12 games listed from 21-22, and his numbers are about the same, over 50% on twos and threes.
NOMAD watches a lot of those games, and reports that MD is regularly lighting it up.
DON’T WANT TO APPEAR A PESSIMIST —BUT WITH DG POSSIBLY BEING OUT FOR AN EXTENDED TIME—-WITH THE CURRENT 3 GAME LOSS STREAK ALREADY INTACT AND THE CAVS UPCOMING SCHEDULE– THIS LOSING STREAK COULD GET UGLY—–BELIEVE THE–” OTHER JASON” POSTED —THE BULLS TOUGH WIN THE OTHER NIGHT UNFORTUNATELY MAY HAVE ” RIGHTED THEIR SHIP ” RIGHT BEFORE WE GET TO PLAY THEM TWICE. OUCH …………” MORE BEER PLEASE “
UNFORTUNATELY WE WILL PROBABLY GET TO WITNESS A ” DG-LESS ” CAVS TEAM THE NEXT FEW GAMES ——IT IS ” NETO TIME ” —-MAYBE
YEP I CAN SEE KOBY CALLING UP “AINGE ” AND TRADING DG FOR SEXTON ” STRAIGHT ” UP AND BRING THE YOUNG BULL HOME——-SARCASM OF COURSE………” MORE BEER PLEASE “
My point about Garland is that with Mitchell being a top 8 player, every year you are not contending, you are wasting a year of that guy’s prime. I don’t want to trade Garland, but with LeVert and Mitchell, it’s much easier to replace a short guard than it is to acquire a wing. Given the Cavs’ empty cupboard, he’s the best asset you’d have for a trade (base year compensation would make it hard this season) without destroying the core makeup of the team and getting a wing you can contend with. But, you’d have to find a team… Read more »
I agree with your logic – my only quibble is that I think “changing the way they play,” does not have to mean abandon the system. It could also mean JB concluding that Garland’s best role on the team is to help it get to the late stages of games with a lead, but with an understanding that for defensive purposes he may sub out Garland for Levert late in games when necessary. Mitchell, Levert, and Okoro/Wade as your 1-2-3 is plus defensively without sacrificing much offense. I realize anyone capable of making an NBA all-star team has an ego,… Read more »
my guess is that about 29 teams will be calling instantly if they thought they could get Garland.
They need to make it work with Garland, because Garland is too good to trade. Of course he’d be even better if he were 6’5” with a bulkier frame, but he’s still too good to trade. The only reasonable trade involving DG are impossible trades that will never happen, like the one Eli mentioned. A real 3 would make this team look a lot different, particularly one who can shoot. Bogdanovic is one, Lowe said Pistons want a first et al for him. Kennard is another guy I like (2 guard rather than a wing, but he can hit freaking… Read more »
AGREE WITH WEST COAST WTF ARE WE THINKING—TRADING DG—THAT TRADE WOULD COME BACK TO HAUNT US FOR SEVERAL YEARS !!!—-WE WERE ALL EXCITED AS HELL WITH THE FAST START// PROBABLY GAVE TOO MUCH CREDIT AND HOPE FROM THE ARRIVAL OF SPIDA THAT WE ” OVERINDULGED ” OURSELVES AS TITLE CONTENDERS——WE ARE COMING BACK ” DOWN TO EARTH ” AND REALIZE WHO WE ARE– A YOUNG TEAM THAT HOPEFULLY MAKES THE PLAYOFF AND ADVANCES TO THE 2ND ROUND——–LET’S TRY TO ENJOY THE ” GROWING PAINS ” BUT STILL BELIEVE WE NEED A DIFFERENT COACH TO TAKE THIS GROUP TO WHERE WE… Read more »
HAVEN’T LISTENED TO PODCAST YET——-JB IS GOOD AT GETTING TEAMS MOTIVATED // START THE SEASON “HOT ” BUT ONCE THE ” INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES ” GET OLD AND IT COMES BACK TO STRATEGY COACHING JB IS WAY BEHIND —BELIEVE JB IS A SOLID ASSISTANT COACH BUT THIS GROUP WILL “WASTE ” THEIR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IF JB REMAINS THE HEAD COACH—WHO SHOULD THEY PURSUE —WHO IN THE HELL KNOWS// AM SURE SPIDA// DG POSSIBLY JA// MOBES WILL HAVE ALOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT –“-IF” WE COULD GET THE ICE WE HAD LAST NIGHT —SAY 10—12 PTS / GAME—-5-7 REB’S—-AND SOLID DEFENSE… Read more »
I hear ya NOMAD. There’s no reason to think that Okoro’s game won’t continue to develop. We have time unless we panic with an absurd win now mentality. We’ll be a solid playoff team with Rubio and Wade, we’re a wing away from contention and who’s to say Okoro won’t be that guy in time.
Trade DG??? I think anyone on that band wagon needs to take a couple deep breaths. I imagine Cedi didn’t play in the fourth quarter against the nets because he was hurt, he didn’t play in Indiana, I doubt he got hurt at the buffet. JB is far from perfect, but who the hell is he supposed to play? Currently Okoro, Stevens, and Cedi is who he has at the three. If you start Cedi, the second unit is going to be an offensive wasteland. Teams have ups and downs. Young teams have big ups and downs. We’re not contenders,… Read more »
Certainly agree on the DG thing. Also agree with Eli that if you trade him, it’s for someone like Brown or GTFO.
But there is no excuse right now to be playing Stevens with the starters over Okoro.
Definitely agree trading Garland would be a huge overreaction to the current season’s ups and downs. They knew when they traded for Donovan that it was a move with both advantages and risks, one risk being the smallish defensive matchups in the starting backcourt. If they ever decide to radically change course, I’m sure it won’t happen until the 2024 trade deadline at the earliest, if by then they’ve concluded this pairing will never be able to compete for a title. Too early to say. But I still think JB could be better tactically within games in how he uses… Read more »
no kidding!
remember that we weren’t going to worry about two small guards because we have the best pair of bigs? when teams go small ball on you, you have to work it inside and let them foul out on three point plays. Mobley has to get over the sophomore jinx.
And it seems like JB has two tendencies towards his roster that really stand out going back to last season – irrational love of Stevens and irrational hatred of Cedí! Lol! I can see the argument for Cedi’s offense being needed off the bench. But, when you’re already trying “every other possible option” at the 3 to see what works, I don’t think it’s defensible to ignore the one guy in your roster who is in fact a natural small forward.
absolutely agree. this has pinned the CtB batshitcrazy meter.
I just started listening, but I was also infuriated that DG was back out there with the hand injury. He probably wanted to play, but he couldn’t do anything out there. I think the only shot he took was the one where he was fouled, and he missed both FTs. He obviously wasn’t looking to shoot. I’m not too high on JB right now, and especially not on his ‘trust’ of Stevens. Okoro is better at pretty much everything, and is even playing way better recently. I have no idea what JB sees in Stevens — may be a great… Read more »
The last three quarters Pacers scored 35/36/36 points…literally the Cavs gave up 140-145 points with that average. And JB is ‘all about defense’. Again this time will live and die with their head coach and some of this staff. Personnel changes may come, but its moot with poor coaching. Little disappointed in Mobley as of late. He needs to be more 20/10 guy or close to it. JA is getting there but outside of DM and Garland in last few games, the Cavs just don’t have their top guys consistently stepping up. Who the hell is Aaron Nesmith? Cavs decided… Read more »
They made Nesmith look like an All Star last night. That’ll happen when you give him wide open corner threes all night.