Live Thread: Cavs @ Celtics
2023-12-12Good evening CtB!
The Cavs are on the banks of the Charles River to take on one of the best teams in the Association, the Boston Celtics, in another potential playoff preview. The Celtics have clearly established themselves as a championship contender, while the Cavs continue to wallow in play-in waters and relative mediocrity. Beating the Celtics in Boston while shorthanded would go a long way to gain some momentum for this year’s squad.
Last year the Cavs actually held their own against Boston, with Caris LeVert playing a key role in beating the Celtics in Boston with a 40 burger alongside another 40 burger from Donovan Mitchell. Dean Wade’s defense was also key in that game, playing nearly 40 minutes defending All-NBA wing Jayson Tatum. Can they replicate such a performance tonight? They’ll need to because Evan Mobley is out, Jarrett Allen has been struggling on defense, and Coach JB Bickerstaff has yet to figure out how to coach a good offense. Yes the odds are stacked against the Cavs, but yours truly trusts in the Donovan Mitchell MVP Agenda.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:30PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio, Go Cavs!
EMONI WITH 29 LAST NIGHT/ 14 IN THE 4TH
I’m sure some of us have been silently fearing the possibility of the Cavs heading to the dreaded “upper middle” zone, where you are stuck forever in the first or second round of the playoffs.
If that is likely, events have created a “time to punt” for the Cavs. The ideal development would be for a bidding war to break out for DM. We can probably count on the NY media to kick that off about right now.
I’d gladly take an upper middle zone team for the next five years (or whatever) over another rebuild. This team’s drama is at least all on-court related. For years the actual games were the least interesting part of following the Cavs.
You right. Rebuild is disgusting: watching lottery balls and college footage by Thanksgiving. No thanks. This might wind up a bit of a gap year like Memphis had (and ATL has had since the ECF). See what we really have in Jones, CPJ and Jerome when he comes back. (maybe Brobley). If it fails, you have some better than expected assets to improve next offseason and you sell DM on that (or trade him and draft the next him I guess, though a crapshoot there). My hope is that these injuries calm the fanbase down from abject panic and nitpicking… Read more »
the Cavs are nowhere near needing a total rebuild. reasonable options are stay the course, or a mini rebuild. Assuming they are not fragile, DG and EM and maybe JA are long term star players for a top level team. But EM is the only one likely to reach superstar level, and that is not a given. in any event, more star level players are needed. DM is borderline superstar level, but he is older. not clear if he is absolutely leaving, but the first round exit zone is not attractive. it is 50/50 if it would be smart to… Read more »
Didn’t mean to say a rebuild was the only alternative. What I was trying to get at is after watching years of god awful basketball through those rebuild years, having a low drama, good but not great team for the foreseeable future isn’t the worst thing that a lot of fans make it out to be.
We sort of underrate that JB and Koby are generally competent and do more good than bad.
Like, I don’t really want a return to John Beilen David Blatt Danny Ferry etc.
There’s a lot of shit out there, and you can get it very wrong
right. no one wants a return to clowns as HC and in the FO.
I don’t mind the upper middle, it’s a punchers chance. Denver the Clips and Philly have lived there for a while before breaking through in Denver’s case.
Starting lineup for the next 4 weeks.
Donovan, Ice, Strus, Wade, Allen
Bench: CPJ, LeVert, Niang, TT
Not sure if there is enough offense there but going to be asking a ton of Donovan.
Ugh… not sure about Ice, but not sure there’s any great options. I’d maybe start Strus at the 2, push Wade to the 3, and try Isiah Mobley at the 4.
AGREE WITH YOU MIKE O——WAS JUST A LITTLE “ TONGUE IN CHEEK “ 🤡
Listened to the Lowe Post yesterday, Zach was unloading his thoughts about Draymond. One of the things he talked about was his value to the warriors over the last decade and how important his playmaking plays a part in relieving Curry of having to handle the ball so much, lowering his wear and tear and injury risk. Was just thinking how the Cavs need to be thinking of Garland with that same view, and really need to be developing Mobley for that role. DG takes a ton of hits and is not built for it. This kind of thing is… Read more »
WE NEED THE “ TANK EMOJI/ PICTURE “ —— JAZZ I BELIEVE ARE SHOPPING LAURI/—— TRADE SPIDA BACK TO THE JAZZ FOR LAURI AND OUR DRAFT PICKS AND WE START WHERE WE WERE 2 YRS AGO——— ONLY THIS TIME UTILIZE LAURI DIFFERENTLY
Ainge isn’t trading him for less than two unprotected firsts, at least, and I don’t think he’s looking to have Mitchell back.
Garland should also start wearing a mask.
Omg what a day! Poor DG! Why do people keep hitting him the face? Leave our boy alone!
They need to cut Rubio and bring in someone that can contribute. It’s a waste if a roster spot.
It’s a contract dump at this point.
Yeah dump him or maybe buy him out. We need someone who can score.
need his contract for trades
For the other team. For salary matching purposes. I’m 100% the reason haven’t pressed the retirement issue with Ricky is so he can trade and retire.
SO DOES KOBY CALL ALL THE GM s AND START “ LINING UP ALL THE “ SPIDA SUITORS “ ———-WILL BE INTERESTING HOW THIS PLAYS OUT———DO NOT “ GIVE “ SPIDA AWAY——-DO NOT REPEAT THE TRADE———-“ FLAT EARTH FOR “ DRAINO —CRAWDADS “
Might be a good time to trade Spida and tank. Arch sez that Utah might have swap rights, but they suck so that’t not too bad.
I don’t believe Utah has swap rights in 2024. Those go into play after that. As best as I can ascertain.
IDK, having key guys injured and having a poor record despite good talent can be a game changer for a franchise.
Think if we end up with a top 4 pick.
DANTE “ THE INFERNO “ PERFORMING WELL FOR THE MAVS —— CAN REMEMBER LAST SEASON ALOT OF HERE WANTED KOBY TO BRING DANTE BACK
I did.
I GUESS WE DUST OFF THE RUST AND FINALLY GET CPJ SOME MINUTES——- NOT THE WAY WE INTENDED 🤬
“”MORE FRIGGIN BEER 🍺 PLEASE “ ————-“ I REPEAT……..” MORE FRIGGIN BEER PLEASE “
Just unbelievable. Pretty sure DG didn’t get a foul called on the collision that caused the injury, either, because of course he didn’t.
https://x.com/oldseaminer/status/1735762488937853333?s=20
We’re aligned here. Sucks ass but lotto pick plus some other asset gets us some additional means to improve the roster (and if pick is really good maybe it will entice a coaching upgrade)
Or we’ll run off a weird winning streak and JB wins COTY bc that would be very cabsy
If we’re going the tanking direction then they need to trade Mitchell, start recouping some assets. Although 6-8 weeks isn’t as bad as I thought.
Oops! Mobley also out for a couple months.
Do we have our draft pick this year, or is it in Utah?
We have our own, but not sure if Utah has the right to swap?
Can’t catch any breaks. Garland out several weeks due to a fractured jaw.
or months.
The good news is the Cavs are getting the Hawks on the end of a b2b, and they appear to have a bunch of guys out. Gonna need to go on a run now.
EMONI COOLING OFF SOMEWHAT—P NANCE “ THE 3rd” IS REALLY STARTING TO HEAT UP 👍
AGREE WITH YOU MR STEAL—GO ON A NICE HOME WIN STREAK—-WE DO NEED TO WIN THESE HOME GAMES——STILL PERPLEXED ON THE LACK OF PT FOR CPJ / KJG AGREES IN THERE ARTICLE TODAY—-POSSIBLY LIKE IT WAS RECENTLY POSTED—HIS CONTRACT ONLY ALLOWS TO PLAY 50 GAMES
JUST GETTING HOME FROM OUR OWN GAME—— “ TOJ” ——YOU SHOUT LOUD AND OFTEN FOR CPJ MINUTES ——- POSSIBLY JB MIGHT HEAR YOU—— DO NOT SEE THE HARM IN GIVING THE KID 4–7 MINUTES A GAME——— HE HAS NEVER HURT THE CAVS WHEN HE HAS PLAYED// THE ONLY WAY HE WILL DEVELOP—— SPOESTRA WOULD BE GIVING HIM REGULAR MINUTES———- FOR NATE —KLOVE WAS 19 / 9 TONIGHT—- SORRY FOR MAKING YOU VOMIT 🤮 NATE
We were not hoes v Boston and Orlando and Miami. Take that urgency back home right now and stack wins.
Otherwise we are gonna descend into panic and chaos. Gross, but imo in the players’ control.
Gotta say, the Celtics had the better of it from the refs in both of these. They don’t need the extra assist.
Bah.
Game. Alrighty, see you in a few weeks all.
Taking some time for the holidays? Miss u.
Taking kids to Japan. Gonna be epic.
Hell yes. Super jelly. Gonna miss you. Have a blast.
Thanks Nate!
Have fun, brother.
Will do – been hanging for this trip for a while!
Ooh big TO
Question, Simmo. Is bowling a thing in Oz? Late cuz u was at my bowling league.
Yeah, it’s pretty popular. Probably becoming more so if anything.
Cool.
Boston don’t want this fight. C’mon Cavs!!!!
Gotta make it happen!
They should change Tatum’s nickname to “The Panhandler” the dude gets so much charity.
😂
That call was terrible. Followed by ticky tack for Tatum.
Feel like that elastic is about to snap
How’s the free throw disparity?
Llama air ball.
Mice move dg
Lkama also butt.
Garbage call. That was on the floor.
He had 3 fouls in 5 min. Just like old times.
Lamar Stevens for the embarrassment dunk.
Garland showed that way too early.
Wade ignores open shot for garbage.
Dg going full sexton into the trees
Niang still ass I see.
Yep. And Wade doesn’t believe in himself. Everyone else has contributed
Just checking in
Might have a chance. Would be lovely
Attaway DG.
Deeeee Geeeeeee
Wade…not a great stretch.
Let Caris cook!!!
Back to five… A fool’s hope?
Hope didn’t last long.
Hope springs eternal!
💪💪💪
I think Mitch is contractually obligated to try to dribble through a triple team at least twice a game
Going O/S with my family today, will be a few weeks without watching the Cavs. Would like a better showing from the team accordingly! Maybe I’ll return to a win streak?
Safe travels. Let’s make it so Cavs.
Down only 11 feels like a minor miracle
Not feeling super motivated to watch this one. If it gets close in the fourth I’ll tune in.
Niang is worthless; just hunted mercilessly on defense
Jimmy Dean!!!!
What did Niang do a make-a-wish or something to get points?