Live Thread: Raptors @ Cavs
2023-02-26Good evening CtB!
The Cavs welcome the LeBronto Raptors to the shores of Lake Erie for a chance to avoid the season sweep at the hands of Scottie Barnes and company. It’s also a chance for the Cavs to snap their current three game losing streak. In the first three matchups, the Cavs offense simply wasn’t good. The Raptors are streaking winning four games in a row and are looking to make a last ditch push for the sixth seed.
Statistically very little sticks out about this Raptors team. They do crash the boards very well on offense, the Cavs will have to rebound well to win. The Raptors love isoball on offense and are not a very efficient shooting team. The Cavs just need to play solid defense and the Raps will miss shots.
Tip off is scheduled for 6:00PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes, Go Cavs!
Fedor on the rotation:
https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/02/cavs-playoff-rotation-coming-into-focus-with-regular-season-finish-line-approaching.html
Juancho is been really bad this year.
Agreed. But not a lot of PT. Kind of like a PH with a low batting average. He was pretty good in Utah last year.
There are not a lot of good options. But if you want a guy to oinda do what Wade does, he is your best bet of vet guys. No idea 9n G-league
Nate, do you know the rule on March 1. Do we have to sign someone by March 1 for them to be PO eligible? Or are they PO eligible as long as they were NOT on someone’s roster prior to March 1.
Would anyone be down for Melo?
I have never thought Melo contributed much to winning. If someone signs him and he is a positive, I will stand corrected. But I doubt it.
He does not. But neither does anyone else who we can sign off the street. He does have the skills we need. Offensively at least.
They won’t play Cedi. Why would they play Melo?
The latter. As long as they weren’t on a roster March 1.
With Clarkson & Sexton out with knocks, Agbaji is starting for Utah. They are gonna finish right around .500. Gotta think they make the play-in. Especially with Bron, Zion, & KAT out for a while.
Speaking of the play-in, Dallas lose at home to Indy by 2 with Kry-rie missing a potential game winning 3.
Was at the game…dallas defense is a mess with both kyrie and luka on the floor. But Luka lost them the game boy complaining about fouls instead of getting back on D. Got murdered by fast break points. Super fun game though.
good report!
If we want a forward & do not want to sign Mobley, Hernangomez was the player who got waived to make room for Barton.
Good interview with Channing Frye
great listen!!! lots of good points about developing a young team with the long view in mind and not necessarily trying to win every game in January
DAMN RAPTORS PICKED UP BARTON. BULLS WAIVE DRAIGIC SHOULD CAVS PURUE OR MOT
No. We already have 2 PGs who are better + Donovan & LeVert + Neto.
We need a playable big or a PF who can shoot.
Barton low key really sucks. He wouldn’t have played barring an injury or two, and if that were to happen, they are probably screwed either way.
YOU THE MAN WCC YEAH BRING SIMMO HOME 👍😀. “GLASS “ WINDLER WITH A SOLID OUTING. 20 PTS 12 REBOUNDS. 4/7 FROM 3 STAY HEALTHY YOUNG MAN
that would be a huge plus if Windler makes a comeback.
Simmo- you can lay over in LA and we’ll fly to Cleveland together.
You got it WC, I could use a guide.
SIMMO WHEN. NOT IF. THE CAVS ARE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP WE WILL ALL PAY YOUR WAY OVER AND WE WILL ALL WATCH THE GAMES CTB FAMILY TOGETHER. HAVING “ MORE BEERS 🍻 PLEASE “ AND YES IF ANY OF US MEET AT ZIGGY S A PODCAST WILL BE ON THE AGENDA. AM SURE IT WOULD BE A CLASSIC 🍺🤪🍺🤪
THERE IS A GREAT TAVERN IN AMHERST OHIO NAMED ZIGGY S GREAT FOOD / ATMOSPHERE/ IN MY OPINION A GOOD HALFWAY PLACE FOR MOST CTB BLOGGERS. EXCEPT FOR SIMMO AND A FEW OTHERS MAYBE WE COULD POSSIBLY MEET UP THERE SOMETIME AND HAVE ……” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE •
Well now, it is a long trip but if our Cavs make the finals sometime soon I might just have to fly over. Lean on a few of you to get me some tickets in exchange for some fine Australian beverages. Ah, it’s nice to dream.
simmo.. i was in aussie land on an extended business transplantation 30 years ago.. melbourne and sydney.. really enjoyed my time there.. loved the birds.. i have always thought about one more trip to NZ and AUS before the big exit.. perhaps we hook up down the road..
Make it so! We’ll find a wine & gold carpet for your arrival Buck.
But here’s a suggestion for real: if at least one CtB staffer makes it along to your session, there should be a quick podcast recording / Q&A of the latest hot topics along with a summary of what people are sipping. Could be an epic pod.
NOMAD bro.. we need to get the old fart crew (you, me and raoul) down to watch a playoff game.. bring your nursing brew-ski pacifier.. ziggy’s got a juke box with some 60s-70s tunes ? any marshall tucker ?
yeah buddy!
HEY MY OL FRIEND BUCAROO. NO MORE HOPS // TO LABOR INTENSE TO MAKE A PROFIT AND THE MICRO BREWERY WE WERE SELLING TO WENT BELLY UP ANYONE IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO “ THROW THEIR HAT DOWN AND THROW SOME BEER 🍺 DOWN AT OL NOMAD S 👍🍺👍🍺👍🍺
you still able to walk through the stubble and see ghosts of hardwood past playing horse in the mist ?
NOEL BOUGHT OUT BY PISTONS BELIEVE HE COULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE CAVS. RIM PROTECTOR REBOUNDER. THOUGHTS
NOMAD bro,, when you hosting an old timers game and drink fest at the hops field of dreams ?
I’d be good with this signing in case of a Mobley or Allen injury.
I’d rather just bring up Isaiah Mobley.
Yes. He’d be a good fit.
The problem with being our “backup” center, is that in reality it is Mobley, so absent injury, the #2 C never plays. You have to be OK with almost no PT if you come here. Not an attractive option for guys who can still contribute.
I think we’d have more luck with a young guy (Diop/I. Mobley). But maybe Noel would do it for two months. Skeptical, though.
Eastern conference is a slugfest and the playoffs are going to be brutal regardless of where you land at the end of the season. Our young guns are going to learn a lot, hopefully they can take a punch and make it into the second round. Unlike Boston, Philly and Milwaukee, we have a big window. As far as I’m concerned if we have home court opening round we’re playing with house money.
absolutely agree.
last year and this year we got off to a great start, and many were bummed that we didn’t win it all.
with that said, it is essential that the younguns get real PO experience, and the more rounds the better.
Who was bummed we didnt win it all? I was bummed we didnt compete in either play in game. We looked like the first cavs finals team…completely incapable of executing a plan. Other teams were light years ahead of us.
If we get a home playoff series we will need a few mitchell monster performances.
the first Cavs finals team got better each game. The fourth game ended with the Cavs down 1. They had the ball with a few seconds to go. LeBron had used up the dribble and was trapped, and passed to Andy, expecting to get the ball back so he could drive to the basket. Instead, Andy took a wild shot. Oops! If Andy had passed back to LeBron and the Cavs won, they might have made a series of it.
…winning the final game of a series is the hardest game. you’re reaching hard. We got spanked by the nets and came back toward the end. we got spanked by the hawks and came back toward the end. We didn’t compete in either game last year. I hope it is different this year but the bad news is every team we are likely to play in round one is going to be more experienced than us on the player side and the coaching side. We are talented as all getout…but unless Mobley finds a gear we don’t know about or… Read more »
This. We have a long ways to go and a huge leap from Mobley is necessary for this team to be an actual contender rather than just a playoff team.
Not just Mobley. Garland. Wade. Okoro.
Bron did not make a jumper for almost the entire series.
Don’t know much about Guard’s CF Roman Quinn, but if he keeps hitting 0.600 with a 2.400 slugging avg, its gonna be a fun year!
Man, that was weird watching the Philly-Heat game and wanting both teams to lose. Despite tonight’s results, I don’t think Knicks or Heat (or Brooklyn) catch us for 4 and I don’t think we catch Philly for 3.
In that case, Round One is against Knicks or Heat with homecourt advantage. I like our chances in both, but think I’d just slightly prefer the Knicks. Spo > Tibs and I don’t want any part of Jimmy Butler with an underdog chip on his shoulder in the playoffs…
Good post. My thoughts exactly.
Thirded.
Jimmy Buckets is a top 10 guy for me.
We have Miami twice in a row after the 2nd Boston game. That will go a long eay to determining how this plays out.
this post had me chuckling
DAMN LOOKS LIKE KNICKS ARE GOING TO WIN LIKE I POSTED EARLIER THEY CONCERN ME TAKING THE 4TH SPOT THE OTHER CONCERN // WHICH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED HERE AND LOOKING AT OTHER TEAMS BOX SCORES IS OUR LACK OF BENCH SCORING// PRODUCTION
If we have home court against the Knicks, I’m not super concerned.
Harden had a chance to hit the game winner with a open 3, but he failed.
Yep. That was nice to see.
That Butler reverse layup was sick.
Missed a FT later after a travel. Though. Heat up 2.
Celtics 2-19 from 3 in the first half vs NY sans Brown. Somehow, I think they shoot better vs us.
WE NEED BOTH THE HEAT AND CELTICS TO WIN
JUST CHECKED THE KNICKS REMAINING SCHEDULE—I SAW AT LEAST 10 GAMES — I THINK THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF LOSING—-MARCH 31 ST VS CAVS // COULD BE A VERY IMPORTANT GAME FOR BOTH TEAMS
THIS IS TRUE ARCH—UNFORTUNATELY——RAINY DAY—-NO MRS NOMAD ” HONEYDO ” LIST —WELL THERE WAS // I DECIDED TO IGNORE ——-HERE IS A PLAYER FROM “YESTER-YEAR “—LEN BIAS —WATCHED SOME OF HIS COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS—-MY OPINION —HE COULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT UP THERE WITH MICHAEL// LEBRON PLUS HE WAS HEADED TO THE CELTS // AM SURE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN WEARING SOME CHAMPIONSHIP HARDWARE —SAD STORY —–ANY OPINIONS FROM YOU OLDER CTB BROTHERS —-YOU YOUNG-INS CAN JUMP IN ALSO
DIDN’T KNOW THERE WAS A TIME // DATE SET FOR SIGNING —-THANKS FOR THE INFO—-REALLY BELIEVE// HOPE KOBY DOES SOMETHING TO FILL THE VOID(S)
I don’t think it matters. It’s not like JB is gonna play beyond am 8-man rotation.
Most teams don’t play beyond 8 in the post-season. JB usually plays 9. We don’t have a playable 3rd C. Boston played 7 minutes outside their top 8 vs Philly, and they are as deep as it gets.
But who the eight are could still change. The core 4 + LeVert are set. Okoro may get yanked again if he can not/will not shoot. Wade too if there was an alternative. I hope Ricky is doing well enough to play, but if not LeVert probably slides to PG & Green/Osman play more. Or Neto does.
Yes in the playoffs, but not in December – Feb/March. Also, the Bucks regularly play a 10-man rotation.
Injuries not that uncommon in the playoffs. How about giving 9th and 10th guy some non-garbage (say w accent) w rotation players so it’s not learning on the job in high stakes playoff games? Esp for a young team. Just asking
Rubio, Neto, LeVert, Wade, Cedi… if one of them is not playing well, then throw in Llama.
Well, one more day (or two,?) to fill that roster spot. We need a third playable C or a PF/SF who can (and is willing) to shoot & play D.
There are some potential rim runners ee could snag in FA ir the G-leage, the shooting is gonna,be harder.
I think we have until March 1st to fill the spot if it’s a player that was bought out. But we have until the end of the regular season if it’s a player that’s not on a team right now. We signed Dahntay Jones before the last game of the regular season in 2017. But maybe things have changed since then.
JUST HEARD THAT THEY ARE SENDING THE EAST PALENSTINE TOXIC WASTE TO TOXIC WASTE FACALITY — A FEW MILES AWAY——LUCKY US !! :-(——” MY FACE IS STARTING TO GLOW —-MY HAIR IS STARTING TO FALL OUT………SHIT THAT STARTED YEARS AGO !!——–MORE REASON TO DRINK ……” MORE BEER PLEASE !!
Send it to the Celtics!
AFTER ABOUT 4 DAYS OF THE ” CONSTANT NAGGING ” FROM THE MRS NOMAD ON WHAT MY LENTEN SACRIFICE // GIVING UP ) WAS GOING TO BE —SHE “ORNERED ” ME WITH 2 CHOICES —-CTB OR BEER —MY REPLY— —” ONLY IF YOU GIVE UP –” NOT GIVING IT UP ” !!——AM HAPPY TO REPORT ……. ” MORE CTB// BEER PLEASE ” !!—-THE MRS NOMAD HATES IT WHEN I OUT SMART HER…….WHICH IS NOT TOO OFTEN !!
LMFAO ! I can watch as much NBA as I want… the price being anything else that I might want
My GF was down with watching the Cavs when Andy was on the team.
THANKS JASON —AS ALWAYS –THE MAN WITH THE FACTS—HEY JASON DO YOU HAVE THE KNICKS REMAINING SCHEDULE —-THANKS !!
Heat/Sixers on nbatv tonight for anyone who wants to see how they look with Kev.
Just as a context setting, think back to Trae hunting Kevin on every possession in the play in to where JB was forced to pull him.
hope the Heat get lucky tonight
Wow, I mean no one is near him on a couple of those…
Wade has no confidence shooting the ball. It is BAD. Like, early season Okoro bad.
But yeah, he’s a top 15 SF……….
He looks the older player helping out at rec who was told not to shoot. What happened to him? Does one player have to have the fear at all times on this roster?
knowing when to shoot and when not to is about the hardest thing to get right in top end basketball.
FWIW, Cavs Assist/TO ratio:
Rubio: 4.3/1
Neto: 4.1/1
————
Garland: 2.7/1
LeVert: 2.4/1
————
Mitchell: 1.8/1
For reference, back in ancient times, anything over 2 was pretty good, 2.5 very good, and 3.0 elite. Over 4 is crazy good.
For comparison: CP3 is 3.97/1 career. 4.3/1 this year. Others of note this year: Haliburton 3.96. Harden 2.9, Jokic 2.8, Ja 2.3, Luka 2.2, LeBron 2.2, Curry 2.0.
While Rubio is certainly not all the way back, his assist/TO numbers are still fantastic (way up from last year’s 2.5/1). The per 36 dimes are down a bit from last year (8.4 to 7.6) but Kev is not splashing here with him. Steals per 36 is actually UP from last year (1.8 to 2.4). Point being, the vision, anticipation, and tenacity are still there. The shooting/scoring will come last.
If Ricky starts having consistent 10-15 pt games and the odd 20+ game, it changes a ton for us. If he is a threat offensively, it opens things up.
thnx. great data as usual!
Somebody like Haslam having a billion dollars lying around after giving a quarter bil to Deshaun proves that the world is actually bad.
As a Columbus Crew fan, which the Haslam’s own, I can attest that their purchase of the Bucks will help the Cavs. Maybe not so much in year 1 or 2. But eventually their general level of incompetence, nepotism, and inserting themselves into the business will have a negative effect. Trust me.
Though they do have deep pockets.
right. as bad as Art Modell, except they got money.
Oh yeah and also after all the Flying J nonsense
Are you trying to say that a person who defrauded his customers to make his wealth, and then repeatedly proved that he isn’t fit to run a hot dog stand and has zero in the way of morality, is actually bad for a franchise?
Hass may or may not have been in on the scam — he was not among those charged. OTOH, it is hard to doubt his business skill when he turned his fathers gas station supply company into a huge operation.
We have the 2nd best margin in the nba and by a pretty wide spread at this point…screams talented but young team.
Getting rid of Klove kinda removes the “we arent actually THAT young thing…”
But we are underperforming. I genuinely hope its due to youth. Cuz koby seems super committed to JB
Curious to what degree assts Walton, Lang, etc have any input on usage/strategy/plays. Likely none
I do not see us as underperforming, really. The point diff is skewed a bit by some big OT wins.
And only idiotic nerds expect a 100% correlation between point diff and record.
A wiser nerd would realize that a young team with little experience together might struggle a bit more in tighter games, on the road, and vs more experienced teams.
I know the 8-1 start without DG kind of shifted my expectations. It put me in idiotic nerd territory for a bit there. We are a couple pieces + internal growth & cohesion short.
After watching Tatum, Embiid, Jokic, & Kawhi ball out vs each other this weekend, IDK that we have THAT guy. KD, Steph, & Giannis are also in that category.
Spida is awesome, but not quite that level. If we are gonna win, it cannot be a star duel. We are gonna have to out defend, out hustle, out cohesion, and make uo the difference at the top at 2-4. Or even deeper.
The plan is for Mobley to be that guy in 2/3 years, I think.
It is a weird roster in that respect. No top ten guy but 2 top 25-ish guys and a couple top 50s. That should be enough to contend if they hit on some complementary pieces in the next couple years.
CBSSports (I think) last week rated the top 50 NBA players. They had DM (and LBJ) at 11 or 12, and DG, JA, EM in the 30’s or so.
Who do you have as the other top 25 guy?
Realistic hope that EM approaches top 10 territory in a year or so?
I think DG is right around 25. Basic box +/- stats can be a bit reductive, but I think it works for high level guys. He’s 25 in offensive +/-, 29 in overall BPM, and 23rd in VORP (which accumulates, so he’s rewarded for health). Fwiw with VORP, DM is 7th, Jarrett 29th, and Evan 53.
It’s a 80s or 90s Detroit Pistons roster…not saying Mitchell and Garland are Dumars and Isiah…or Rip and Chauncy, for that matter, but their teams won with flexible parts, really good defense, and clutch play. That third part has been missing for stretches this year.
ANYONE ELSE CONCERNED ABOUT THE KNICKS OVER TAKING THE CAVS FOR THE 4th SPOT THEY ARE PLAYING SOME GOOD BALL PLAYING WITH CONFIDENCE
So few games left…that would be an epic collapse by our boys. Im in the edge of being concerned though
They are all of 2 games back in the loss column. Hardly a collapse.
Still, after these 2 with Boston, things ease up schedule wise for us. Though the 2 in Miami are tricky. No more back to backs shouod help.
Filling that last roster spot would be s good idea. Playable 3rd big, elder Mobes, Diakite, or Barton.
Very much so, key players a touch more experienced. Randle balling out right now.
not me
DID BARTON GET BOUGHT OUT BY THE WIZ HE WOULD BE A NICE WING TO HAVE ALTHOUGH I READ WHERE HE WOULD PROBABLY END UP IN PHOENIX
WOW JASON YOU SOUND LIKE THE MRS NOMAD “ BE PATIENT—- “ 🤪 I WILL WORK ON MY PATIENCE WHILE CONSUMING…. “ MORE 🍺 PLEASE “ HOPING YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT RUBIO // GREEN AS I AM A BIG FAN OF BOTH
PATRICK I DON T DISAGREE SOUND THINKING JUST IN CASE LIKE I POSTED EARLIER ABOUT CONCERNS WE ARE NOT GOING TO WITNESS THE RICKY WE SAW LAST YEAR HOPE I EAT MY WORDS
Yes, it seems like RR still getting back into flow. Hopefully that happens soon
not likely to see the RR we saw last year — second bad knee injury and getting a bit old. but we can hope to still see a pretty good player. and RR is probably a much better “veteran presence” than KL could ever be.
Also mentioned at arena – DM now has second most made 3 pointers in a Cavalier season w 194. Only JR w 204 in the championship season has more.
The fact that wesley person hit 192 in 97-98 had escaped my memory. Dude was a sniper.
Yes, I was surprised to see that name so high on the list.
He and Chuck both.
wow!
HAVEN T HEARD ANY PLAYERS NAME THAT THE CAVS ARE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT I THINK THEY HAVE TO CONSIDER A LEGIT BACK UP POST ROLO IS NOT THE ANSWER AGAIN BUY HIM OUT OFFER HIM A POSITION TO KEEP HIM AROUND. THAT WOULD CTEATE 2 OPEN ROSTER SPOTS GIVES KOBY A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY
worth having around because he appears to be a laugh a minute kind of person. good to have.
buy him out when you get someone a lot better, not before.
Nutty idea: play Neto or Danny or … w the starters for 3 minutes. Come playoff time w foul trouble/injuries would be useful if those role players had some time w starters playing against rotation/starters of opposition. I know nutty
I would do that — maybe that is why I am not a coach.
My HS and JHS had some REALLY GOOD starters, and I always thought the coach should be playing me with them — no such luck.
Well, we bounced back and finally beat Toronto.
All about the Core 4, though. The otgers have to do better, though Okoro was 3-3 including 2-2 from deep.
Love is starting for Miami. 13/13/2 on 4-11 & 3-9 from deep for +6. Heat lost though. He took a bagel the game before, though. 0/8/4 on 0-4 from deep.
Yes for much of the game the bench scoring comprised of Caris w 2.
I think 82 of the first 84 (or 84 of 86) or something were scored by the core 4.
Love will probably help them win a couple playoff games. Im ok with buying him out if JB just couldn’t find mins for him…but im skeptical as hell about there being a real plan cuz until tonight he refused to give Wade 2nd half mins
among other things, the Cavs are a young team that need some experience in the guys beyond the core four. even if KL might be better this year than, say, DW (a big IF) he won’t be for long. The Cavs should have a long window, and KL was not going to be part of it no matter what happens this year.
Love failed to box out Charlotte’s Mark Williams on the most critical play of the game, and Williams ended up with a put-back dunk. I can’t believe Love was part of Miami’s closing lineup. Obviously that was a big mistake.
Wow. Dominant game by the D and our guards and big guys went off. Helps to play a tired team esp when Nurse is their coach but good on the cavs for pushing like hell after nearly giving up the lead in the 3rd. JB pushed all the right buttons tonight and may have really helped us avoid a rested raps in round one
careful! the axis of hate doesn’t like that kind of talk!
READ WHERE KOBY JB STILL LOOKING TO FILL ROSTER SPOT WITH WHAT THEY THINK IS THE BIGGEST NEED WAIVE // BUYOUT ROLO // KEEP HIM ON THE PAYROLL “ OUR HUMAN VICTORY CIGAR “ THAT WOULD CREATE 2 OPEN ROSTER SPOTS
Any rumors on who theyre looking at?
I don’t think they have space for two guys.
LAST FEW GAMES BELIEVE CARIS S GAME UNDER APPRECIATED// REALLY BUYING IN TO TEAM 1ST / SACRIFICING HI OWN STATS PLAYING WITHIN THE SYSTEM HOPING COACHING STAFF MAKES HIS IMPORTANCE KNOWN TO HIM
agree
Go Cavs!!! Didn’t catch much of this one
GOOD WIN WILL WATCH TOMORROW. LIKE NATE POSTED CEDI ????? HURT ???? ANYONE HAVING CONCERNS WITH RUBIO. NOT THE SAME RICKY WE SAW LAST YEAR
It is gonna take Rubio (& Green) a while to get back healthy. Ricky has really only had 2 or 3 good games. Middleton still isn’t starting for the Bucks. Just keep rolling them out there. Be patient. Be prudent.
Our biggest needs are:
1) A big who can defend & shoot
2) A forward/wing who can defend & score
agree
who knows how far back RR can come. he has only been back for a couple of weeks. he is 32 with a couple ligament ops. he might get most of the way back.
@ Boston on Wednesday… this should be good.
if we beat Boston again I will forgive people for smoking a victory cigar.
I’m concerned about Wade’s shooting. I think he only made one shot tonight, including pressure free garbage time.
Bench enjoying the move !
Danny living up to garbage time.