Podcap: Boston 4, Cleveland 1 (or, Slop Season)
2024-05-16Whelp. It’s time to put a coda on the 2024 Cavalier post-season, and all in all, your favorite Cavs: the Blog bloggers were at peace with it. Without Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert, the Cavs dropped games 3, 4, and 5 to the Celtics, but I think all of us here at Cavs: the Blog felt proud of the way the Cavs fought to the end and never gave up in their final series of the season.
To take stock of it all, Chris Francis, Elijah Kim, and Nate Smith booked some time in the CtB podcast studios and broke down the series and the players and what went right and what went wrong in the post-season. As is tradition, the post-season was yet another referendum on J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching tenure with the Cavaliers. After a respectful period of time breaking down the series, the gents put their pig noses and ears on and started gorging on some puerile slop that dripped down into the hog trough from the Athletic‘s Shams Charania, Jason Lloyd, and Joe Vardon no less than 30 minutes after the Cavs were drummed out of the playoffs.
The Cavs went through all the rumors around all the guys: Donovan Mitchell’s dissatisfaction with his teammates, Darius Garland’s purported need of a scenery change, Jarrett Allen’s ribs, J.B.’s ineffectiveness, Mobley’s desire not to be drafted by Cleveland, and most importantly whether Spida was inclined to sign a contract extension. The CtB boars wallowed into all the muck and mud and garbage and came to conclusions on L.B.J., J.B., D.M., both D.G.s, and J.A – some more concrete than others. It was a fun and cathartic 90 as the gents even got to pitching some cool Akron haunts, some Cinci legends, and a trip down vinyl lane. We think you’ll find it to be an entertaining season coda with just enough delicious slop to keep coming back for more.
As always, listen below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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5 on 5 up
RAOUL———- NOW 👍🍺👍🍺👍🍺🥎💪🦾
Guards: when do we start saying “team of destiny”?
HOPEFULLY THEY HAVE A COACH IN PLACE BY THE DRAFT—— WOULD THINK THE COACH WOULD/ SHOULD HAVE SOME INPUT WHO THEY DRAFT——— 1 OF QUESTIONS TO EACH COACH BEING INTERVIEWED MIGHT BE WHO THEY WOULD DRAFT AND WHY
agree with N
You gotta figure every question we ask is coming up during interviews. It’s basketball not splitting the atom
IF SIGNED IT WILL BE SPIDA s CHOICE WHO THE COACH WILL BE
I STILL WANT ATKINSON—— HE TOOK “ NO NAME “ PLAYERS TO THE PLAYOFFS——- HE THEN “ INHERITED THE 3STOOGES DURANT / KYRIE/ HARDEN AND WAS “ RAILROADED “ —— WAS AN ASSISTANT COACHES WITH NBA CHAMPION WARRIORS——-HE COACHES HARD —- HIS PLAYERS/ TEAMS PLAY HARD
Sometimes obvious >>> “innovative”
5 on 5 inbound btw
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/06/cavs-receive-permission-to-interview-david-adelman.html#ref=home
I want reddick
SITTING POOL SIDE WITH ICE COLD MODELO ———-LISTENING TO “ SUMMER BREEZE “ ——- CAVS ARE FURTHEST THING ON MY MIND……….” THE “ MRS NOMAD IN HER BATHING SUIT HAS MY “ FULL ATTENTION “ —————-“ AFTERNOON DELIGHT “👿👺
Have been desperate for some Cavs news but just periodically googling “Cleveland Cavaliers” brings out the dumbest effing headlines. Methinks it’s time to read a book.
I google “Cleveland Cavaliers News” a couple times a day. Some occasional good stuff pops up, but not lately.
At the moment, you get dumbell Cav’s fan sites wanting to give away Garland and Allen, and also the other 29 team’s fan sites scheming how to steal Garland or Allen for detritus
Let’s play a game. Find the upgrade.
Rank, Player: Minutes, Games/Games Started
1. Allen: 2,442, 77/77
2. Strus: 2,239, 70/70
3. LeVert: 1,958, 68/10
4. Mitchell: 1,942, 55/55
5. Garland: 1,901, 57/57
6. Okoro: 1,887, 69/42, RFA
7. Niang: 1,831, 82/10
8. Mobley: 1,532, 50/50
9. Wade: 1,108, 54/32
10. Merrill: 1,069, 61/1
11. Porter Jr.: 649, 51/6
12. Thompson: 549, 49/0, UFA
13. Jones: 270, 39/0, UFA
14. Morris: 180, 12/0, UFA
15. Jerome: 15, 2/0
I actually did not realize Mitchell played fewer games than DG, that’s wild.
Turn over 12-15.
LeVert and Wade might get an upgrade / third big.
Schneemann MLB career: one pitch, one double, two RBI’s.
Quinn and Bryant hats officially in the ring.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40251983/cavs-clear-interview-johnnie-bryant-chris-quinn
And before a bunch of journalistic malpractice gets in the way:
Championships by franchise:
Boston Celtics: 17
NBA Championships = 17.
Bill Russell won 11 as player, the last two as player coach. Cousy, Sharman, Heinsohn, Ramsey, Jones, and Havlicek being the other mainstays during the run. Havlicek-Cowens–White Celtics won two more in the 1970s. Bird-McHale-Parish won 3 in the 80s. And KG-Truth-Allen 1 more.
11 + 2 + 3 +1 = 17.
Los Angeles Lakers = 18. NBL titles = 1 (Mikan’s Minneapolis) BAA titles = 1. (ditto). NBA titles = 16. Mikan/Minny 4, LA 12 Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers won an NBL title, then jumped leagues and won the last BAA title before the merger, and then won the first NBA title. They missed a year when Mikan got hurt in the POs, then went 3-Peat (again). The NBA does nor recognize NBL titles, but they happened (and were the superior league). West, Wilt, & Goodrich won in 1972. Magic & Kareem added 5 more. Shaq & Kobe 3. Kobe & Pau… Read more »
At 18 apiece, wolves looked good. Gobert had a contested and-1, crowd loud.
And then Doncic.
Luka just killed them.
Kyrie vs the Celtics.
Kyrie OR the Celtics. Tough rooting choice.
I guess I’ll go with Uncle Drew.
Irving jersey still the only one I own, mixed emotions right there 🤣
But it’s just gotta be rooting for outrageous talent over an entitled Celtics crew. I’d usually root for the humblest team, but there’s very few humble players in the finals this season.
I hope they both lose.
Arch on the money today!!!
Yes!!!!
what happened at that point? (I didn’t watch it)
https://youtu.be/mRUc5sXmlm8?t=115
Frontrunner?
https://fansided.com/posts/favorite-cavs-head-coach-opening-already-emerged
Luka is the best player in the league RN.
Glad he’s gonna get some rest.
Gonna have to put some content out to keep you engaged next week.
yeah buddy, go Luka!
I’d still go with Jokic, but it is close.
Luka will have to play some D vs Boston (Tatum, White, Brown, Holiday), no place to hide.
Good Lord, Kyrie.
Wow. That’s a hell of a run by Luka.
Fedor: Cavs granted permission to interview Atkinson and Borrengo
https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2024/05/cavs-receive-permission-to-interview-pair-of-assistants-for-head-coaching-job.html
DITTO WITH ARCH ON LINDOR ———-“ DONT TRASH THE LAND “ ———— PREDICTED TO MANY FRIENDS/ FAMILY THAT HE WOULD FAIL IN NEW YORK/ WOULDNT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE NEW YORK MEDIA
https://www.audacy.com/923thefan/sports/boomer-and-gio-sound-off-on-mets-francisco-lindor-contract#lwsj0kw5b9onqturk5o
speaking about the benefits of FOs maximizing player value (and not over-paying) on players well-drafted (big talent gotten on the cheap).. could the tribe (aka guards) have done any better jettisoning a fading lindor ?? that was a picture perfect get-the-fuck out of dodge before the wheels come off trade.. and the wheels can come off.. even with highly gifted athletes.. sometimes it is physical.. but usually just $$$-poisoning.. yeah, i am saying, and supporting, dump garland.. and re-load with some prospects who have a work ethic (and something to prove, like gimenez.. (a gift from frankie after he left… Read more »
I liked Frankie till he trashed Cleveland, on his way out. So glad we kept the goat Jose Ramirez instead of Lindor. Not that it was an either or.
I think when Jose first got to the states, he was crashing on Lindor’s parent’s couch for a while.
The #1 priority of this past season was for the starting lineup to continually find chemistry playing with each other. That was unfortunately thrown out the window due to the injuries.
I think it’s premature to break up the group. Sometimes the best trade is the one that’s not made. The next coach needs to maximize the potential the “core four” have. Also, just better luck with injuries/health would be huge.
too normal
If they want to maximize the core 4,
They should have DG come off the bench and alternate starts at C btw Mobley and Allen.
last I checked, Mobley was still too skinny to play C
Yep.
He looked pretty solid at center vs Boston.
sure, a skinny guy can play center once in a while. not a good idea for a full season + PO
EM is an obvious 4 that can play some 5.
Disagree.
Marcus:
https://kingjamesgospel.com/posts/cavaliers-veteran-spills-beans-disconnected-locker-room-marcus-morris-jb-bickerstaff-rumors
Minny gets game 5, we have a series.
Down 3-1 but only 1 break of serve.
As I said, if called correctly, 2-2.
NBA on TNT gets another ride.
Yep.
They are basically a caricature of themselves at this point. And having Draymond on there is a true nail in the coffin. Not going to miss them.
Bonus basketball this series.
Yeah I was kinda dreading the no-bball stretch.
Smart play by Reid and just why you need a smart vet who can pass on the side out.
He’s just awesome
This is a great game., but that’s a terrible call.
100% no foul.
NBA refs call the reaction instead of the play instead of seeing it so often. They assume the foul.
OMG DONCIC
Ball don’t lie on the free throw.
All of these games have been close. Minny has been in the lead under 5 min in all of them.
If they figure out the end, this is a series.
Yes. Minny just need to clean up the discipline & they will be right there.
That challenge call bs cost Minny a game.
If the refs had called it correctly the first time, we’d be looking at 2-2 right now.
22 pts on 8/11 FGs and 3/3 from beyond for KAT.
I’d be thrilled if DG could do that.
KAT with back to back triples and a nice dime.
Still mad the Cavs slept on Derrick Jones Jr.
KAT pooping the bed again, maybe for the last time this season.
He’s their Garland.
To be fair he had some good games vs Denver, but they had Gordon on Edwards.
nice one..
Man. I am starting to see why Rudy annoys people.
Only now? 😉
“…he said somewhat sarcastically.”
The Pacers kind of slunked out. Granted they were missing their best player the last couple of games. I guess the championship is the Mavs to lose.
IDK, they damn near won both games. .
Catch “Furiosa” for a fun break from reality.
Well a week without basketball is looming (ridiculous). Might as well.
we hadn’t known how tuff things are down there!
Just bring your flamethower when you visit, you’ll be fine.
I think the Wolves will win at least one.
Just got back from seeing it. Good time!
RIP Bill Walton!
I was a 76er fan, so Walton’s Blazers (and later Celtics) were not well loved by me.
But a great player. Went 20-21 (or 21-22?) from the field in an NCAA Final one year. NBA MVP. 2 tine champ. Worthy HOFer.
And an even better person. Championing civil right. Arrested for protesting the Vietnam war. And a Deadhead. A wonderful human.
A great and hilarious individual. Also a huge Deadhead (attended over 1,000 shows – which is pretty cool.). I got to see the Grateful Dead once right before Jerry died.
I saw the dead two years in a row on Halloween night in Columbus. Whenever I mention that to a deadhead, they get excited because those are “under documented shows”, with no details in the record books, and they quiz me on what songs were played, etc., so they can post the info. Unfortunately, all I recall is that they played “a bunch of dead songs” and can’t help much.
Was that in 1971?
Dicks Picks 2 is the 2nd set from Halloween 1971.
maybe, I can’t remember for sure. I recall buying several albums of live Dead after the show from a guy who had recorded them with a hidden mic and put them on vinyl. terrible quality — they were so bad that I gave them as gag gifts to Deadheads, who turned out to actually love them because now they had stuff that no one else had.
VERY WELL PUT JWHODEY 👍
BEING MARRIED TO “THE “ MRS NOMAD—- I AM LUCKY EVERY DAY 👍👍
RIP BILL WALTON —- WASNT AWARE HE WAS SICK—— WHEN HEALTHY HE WAS A DOMINANT POST / PLAYER
Sad day, NOMAD…. RIP to one of the best.
and a very funny dude, NOMAD bro.. hey, you get lucky yesterday ?
When K Love left the Cavs, I understood. Was he a bit bratty about it, sure. But ok, he was a loyal champion leftover and a bright spot at times after 2018… When Bron left for the Lakers, I was disappointed, but I understood. Was he a prima donna? Yep. But, he Got us a ring and there were business interests in Hollywood. When he left for South Beach, different story, I was furious with the dishonesty/hanging us out to dry, but hey, he was young and admitted he needed help to win. Regardless, I still find myself rooting for… Read more »
I was ultra POed when LeBron left the first time. Second time it was like “OK, he came back, won a title, might have stayed if not for Kyrie screwing the team, but it is time for him to move on and let the team rebuild”. So I will be rooting for him when he is not playing the Cavs.
OTOH, screw both the flat earther and Boston. I do like Luka.
Kyrie has never understood what leadership is and never will. He tried this narrative after his stint with the Nets, saying he’d made up with LBJ and now understood what LBJ must have been dealing with in Cleveland when they played together. All talk, and way too late.
People just lie about everything. You become a “leader” or “tough” or whatever exactly two minutes from your last good win all the way until two minutes after your next bad loss.
Kyrie is playing well but he’s still the same dude. You just get more freedom to write your own story in the media when you win, and gullible folks want to believe you are different.
Kyrie,,,,,,,nope.
dallas playing with moxie, swagger, attitude, confidence against an opponent who was heavily favored to defeat them.. the charmin soft crowd the cavs have assembled (with the exception of mitchell, who does play to dominate and assert his will on the game) simply cant bring the intensity to pull off an in-your-face FU upset.. i can understand mitchell placing large and non-negotiable demands on the cavs re players and coaches on re-signing in the 216.. playing with the milk-toast charmin squad must drive him nuts.. cavs (and FO) have a lot of work to do..
They don’t see it that way.
Altman is part of the problem.
Yep.unless he’s sandbagging.
right. the obvious solution is to trade DG for Luka. we might have to throw in a couple SRP’s to sweeten the deal.
kyrie is winning the series for DAL, raoul bro.. if luca were putting up 50 pts a night i might agree with you.. in pro sports, the issue is always how to motivate the millionaires with talent but no drive.. why i spend little time watching the prima donnas play in their sandbox.. but when teams stand up and fight, to win.. taking it personally.. that’s when i pay attention.. and when the favored team starts to pop the rivets and self-destruct.. that’s when it gets enjoyable for me.. watching KAT blow up and cost his team (and himself, after… Read more »
kyrie is finally back to providing a top supporting role, like he did the first two years with LeBron. but he will never lead a team to a title.
which is fine.. but he is a difference maker here.. glad cuban picked him up when he was looking like kryptonite.. i hope they kick boston’s green arse..
agree that he is a difference maker, but only because he has accepted being #2.
it’s tight stops! that’s why they cut Kyrie whenever he missed four consecutive shots
you got that right.. tight stops work, in all aspects of life.. real pros don’t need to “find their rhythm” real pros get to their spots and execute.. period.. you want to watch KAT sink your teams finals hope by becoming an 0-8 bricklayer ? as i stated above.. every pro athlete is very talented (top 99%).. but talent plus $$ seldom equals greatness.. you need discipline and a serious work ethic (maybe 1%).. so yes, tight stops on all of the pretenders
Pros miss
(Kyrie was something like 9-22 when he hit the shot in 2016 – “tight stops” would have had your dumb ass playing Delly)
i am not saying you can never miss.. i am saying you can’t go on a big 0-for run and blow your team up.. pros know if they don’t have it and make adjustments so as not to blow things up.. pretenders and impostors go on tilt and keep heaving the bricks.. it’s a definitional thing.. by definition, if you have a big 0-for night, you are not a conscientious pro.. you are talking kyrie at 9-22.. i am talking about KAT at 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 0-7 and 0-8..
everyone who is a good shooter has many experiences of starting off with a bunch of awkward bricks, and finally you make one, and then you can’t miss. this is what makes knowing when to shoot or not a hard thing.
but when you are a skilled 7 ft all star like KAT, and have other tools to use, and advantages to exploit, it is really stupid, selfish and lazy to just continue to heave the bricks.. we agree, right ?
good point, I don’t have much experience in being a skilled 7 footer.
Games like tonight are why you don’t abandon your strengths and identity.
Go KAT!
good read from the KJG: https://kingjamesgospel.com/posts/cleveland-cavaliers-was-jb-bickerstaff-really-problem-coach-koby-altman-rumors
it’s good and fair. he might still get the ax this year or next, but he’s generally understood the assignment (don’t leave the cupboard bare in 2018 post-LeBron, collect talent before fit, find shot creation in 2022, find shooting in 2023) there will always be players like Naz Reid or PJW who we like but don’t get or don’t have the capital to get. I don’t really put that on the FO yet, because there are also loads of misses elsewhere as teams hunt role players, and there are a dozen Delon Wrights or Lonnie Walkers to take swings on… Read more »
Koby has been great with trades, but so-so in the draft.
He is also a bit too much of a nice guy. At least three times he did a player or agent a favor that has cost the Cavs:
Don’t think you would see Pat Riley do that.
Minnesota fell apart when they brought Gobert back in.
probably great odds betting on a dallas sweep.. so very improbable.. even going 3-0.. would be nice to see kyrie punk celtics in the finals.. he should be well motivated
nice to see kyrie having post-season impact (not at the expense of the 216).. wow.. 13 ft dagger.. 111 – 105.. 1m left
Ant misses a lot of obvious reads. He had Reid in the short roll and instead bled the shot clock to end up with a terrible look by slomo
Epic game. Back & forth. 1st one to blink loses.
Seriously horrid shot choices by Minny.
Holy schneikes that Ant dunk. Jordanesque not an understatement
THE COACH—— ATKINSON—- —- THAT I POSTED FROM DAY 1 APPEARS TO BE THE CAVS FAVORITE—- MY CHOICE 👍
OK
Cavs priority list:
1) Hire coach
2) Extend Mitchell (not eligible until July)
3) If Spida back, decide if we are keeping DG/JA
4) If no extension, then we need a Mitchell trade.
5) Draft. Yes, I know it is in June, but once we get a coach, we shouod have a good idea if DM is willing to sign an extension or not, even if he cannot put oen to paper until July.
6) Free agency
Keeping DG obviously depends on if Spida is back or not. On the other hand, keeping JA is the obvious choice and has nothing to do if Spida is back or not.
If Spida leaves, JA is the best player on the team.
THANKS BUCKAROO FOR THE INFO——- WILL FOLLOW YOUR ADVICE AND “ POST RESULTS “ 👍👍👍👿👺
RAOUL / BUCKAROO ——👍👍—- GAURDS ARE AMAZING—- HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN THE “ BANG FOR THEIR BUCKS “.——- IN A TOUGH DIVISION—- EVEN GOING. 11-1 —- CANT SHAKE LOOSE FROM ROYAL s // TWINS—— GOING TO BE A DOGFIGHT ENTIRE SEASON
NOMAD bro.. go to ytube.. type in “telecaster 50s rock” by clint curtis.. was jamming to it while making folks miserable on ctb.. and thought of you and the mrs NOMAD.. grab a brew and grab the little missus hands and start boogying.. “telecaster blues rock in D” works too..
Are you a serious guitar player?
semi intentional, bases loaded walk to Jose today
I hate Boston as much as any wine blooded Cavs fan but these Pacer collapses have been very entertaining. Something very special about seeing non-Cleveland home playoff teams be oh so disappointed
Not teams, crowds
@buck did Indy lose because they are a hopium based organization? I’m wondering if they maximized their assets or if they are riding the wave of growth investment. Very interested to hear your cogent thoughts on this subject
😂😂😂😂
yo.. big george.. indy losing bc matherin hurt.. dude is a beast.. indy has gotten significantly better (in multi-dimensional ways).. traded well (halliburton, siakam, toppin, nesmith).. drafted well(mathurin, turner, nembhard).. no real clunkers (like niang).. they will be a force for the next several years, and will likely give cavs fits unless korbly figures it out.. he has some moves to make, but alas, they are not optional moves, given garland’s (and niang’s) depressed value.. still, he has a chance to make some trades that work.. but not holding my breath,,
if cavs want to bring in an unknown (but winning) high school coach.. fine.. own the decision.. manage the decision (like it is in a portfolio).. so the trend is your friend.. and set tight stops.. if it doesn’t start performing immediately.. you sell.. and buy something else..
Jrue with defensive cahones. Amazing.
TJ with some killer instinct, how about that.
Helps that neither team are playing defence at the moment.
JJ Reddick as head coach.. windhorst.. i’m in.. a smart dukie.. with nba cred..
JJ makes me throw up in my mouth a little.
Smells like a Gilbert pick. Refresh my memory, didn’t he pick Beilein?
Not seeing anything on that from Windy, save Lakers rumors.
what are you smoking bro.. i picked blatt.. was ridiculing the old white man pick.. at heart, i am an al davis kind of guy.. “just win”.. i don’t give a scheit how you do it.. or who you do it with (nice guys, assholes, psychopaths).. just do it.. and the nice, huggable (charmin soft) “good culture” guys.. only up to a point.. i won’t pay to watch pansies.. we need warriors.. something to rock our mirror neurons with.. which are the only reason we are drawn to this nonsense..
“He” was Gilbert, not you
NEPHEW WHO HAS FRIENDS THAT ARE CAVS EXEC’S TOLD HIM THEY ARE VERY IMPRESSED/ HIGH ON EMONI —-“ GAURDING — PROTECTING “ HIM CLOSELY
NOMAD bro.. what about them guards !! looks like they are doing the teddy roosevelt thing.. speak softly.. carry a big stick.. how many years have we suffered with no-hit teams.. looks like this incarnation is a beast.. with good pitching to boot..
Guards have an ultra high results / payroll ratio.