CtB Trifecta, Live Thread: Lakers @ Cavs (or, when Two Kings Clash)
2024-10-30Good afternoon/evening CtB!
A quick rundown of the past week of Cavs’ action and preview of tonight’s big one (and possible NBA Finals preview???) against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers…
Cavs 135, Wizards 116 (or, Domination in the District)
There were plenty of reasons to be impressed with this win if you’re a Cavs fan even though it came at the expense of the lowly Wizards. First of all, it was a road SEGABABA, the total and complete professionalism the Cavs showed in this game was something we have not seen enough of from this iteration of the team. The stars came out to shine as Spida, DG, and JA carried the Cavs to a huge beatdown, never letting the Wizards off the hook. Lastly, it was a complete team effort as there were seven Cavs in double figures. The Cavs haven’t been this enjoyable to watch since the Rubio/Love/Cedi Cavs pre-Donovan Mitchell.
Cavs 110, Knicks 104 (or, Darius Garland: Live in NY!)
The Cavs were able to top off a perfect opening stanza to the season with a massive road win over their recent nemesis New York Knicks 110-104, Darius Garland’s 34 points serving as an exclamation point for the team’s statement win. This game was the first time this season the Cavs faced any adversity, and the Cavs’ young stars as well as a newly formed supernova bench crew of Caris LeVert, Sam Merrill, and “gorgeous” Georges Niang were able to deliver when the pressure was highest, something the Cavs typically struggled with during the Coach JB Bickerstaff regime.
As for the Knicks, it has been Cavs fans who know that the Knicks screwed themselves with the Karl Anthony Towns trade. Dealing with Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein on the glass was the key to the Knicks’ success. Losing both and fantastic 3 and D player Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks are a shell of their former physical selves. The Cavs will happily usurp their place among the real contenders in the Eastern Conference….
#LetEmKnow
Obviously it’s too early to declare anything but that rule doesn’t apply to this year’s Cavs…. it’s plain as day they’re going to be a top three team in the Eastern Conference barring injury, along with the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. The Bucks and Sixers are on hiatus and probably don’t care about seeding, just hoping to make it to the playoffs healthy. While the Celtics are clearly on another level, the Cavs will have a chance to snatch the top seed in the Eastern Conference if they minimize their bad losses. Part of snatching that top seed is beating good teams when you have home court advantage, but this isn’t just any old opponent…
Welcome back 2015-16 NBA Champion for the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James!
The Cavs are going to get a legendary performance from one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace a court, LeBron James. Not just King James, but also a possible historic moment with LeBron James, Jr. gracing the court a distinct possibility tonight, adding to the emotional drama this homecoming brings. Can the Cavs block out that noise, and tally a big time win in the face of one of the Western Conference’s best teams? Stay tuned…
When Two Kings Clash
What could neutralize a legendary LeBron James performance is a classic Cavs Spida performance… remember who holds the record for most points in a game by a Cavalier??? This is now Spida’s team, and Spida’s town. Yours truly smells Spida cooking something special…
Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on Fanduel Sports Network Ohio, Go Cavs!
LT up
BANCHERO IS BECOMING A STUD ——- MAGIC HAS DONE A NICE JOB OF TURNING THINGS AROUND IN A SHORT TIME——CAVS / MAGIC COULD BECOME A FIERCE RIVALRY FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS
RE: the Magic.
Banchero is indeed a stud. A shame about that oblique tear. He’ll be out at least a month, probably more.
Without Middleton, the Bucks are in trouble. Watched some of that Bucks at Mphis game, and it was Grizzly for MIL. Dame started 1/10. If he AND Giannis are not both on offensively, they have al.ost no chance. FWIW, I’d take Jrue straight up over Dame.
Banchero with a serious injury now. Sucks. Hope he makes it back.
AGREED— SHAME ABOUT BANCHERO
TOO MUCH………. “ MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “ FOR THE FORMAT 🍺🤪
Bucks are a hot mess.
What’s up with the format for commenting?
I think the system is acting wonky again. hope it heals.
System is back on.
WordPress Wonk.
Glitch in the Matrix.
Weekend update:
Magic might be missing a couple starters.
Bucks might be in last place.
Happy Times at CtB!
Orlando at home will be tough. They will want payback from last year.
Then a second game of a back to back in Milwaukee Saturday. Then the Bucks come here Monday.
Would love to sweep that, but will be tough. With Middleton out it gets easier.
absolutely, these three will be harder than the last two. but we ARE a top team and ought to be the favorite in most every game. you can’t win them all, but getting two of the next three is very reasonable, and 3/3 would not be a surprise.
What’s up with the format for commenting?
BUCKAROO —- NO TIMEOUTS NEEDED—- “ THE “ MRS NOMAD HAS INCORPORATED THE 24 SECOND CLOCK/ RULE 🤪
NOMAD bro.. sounds like a lot of wind sprints.. giddy-up..
I was amused.
this goes so hard
yeah, that is good
SO FAR SO GOOD—- LIKE ALL TEAMS STAYING HEALTHY IS VITAL—— WE WILL HAVE A “ BUMP IN THE ROAD “ —- WANT TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE / PROCESS THROUGH THAT—- GO CAVS —- FUN/ EXCITING SO FAR 👍🏀🍺
The last two wins are two of the most enjoyable to watch for me in years. Incredible to see them playing with purpose on the offensive end, putting pressure on the opponents to defend. So freaking refreshing. Safe to say KA was a great hire, could be a brilliant hire, but we’ll need to see more to make that determination. It’s hard to explain how beaten down I was watching JB’s offense. Mobley actually looks strong this season. You can tell he’s been putting in the weight room work. JA is playing like an All Star. This team actually looks… Read more »
The sense of doom when JB was in charge was real. There was both a sense that certain players weren’t getting the developmental advice they needed, combined with a minutes management style that pressured the top tier and robbed the bench of needed minutes for their own progress.
Exactly.
The absurd shooting is unlikely to continue (looking at you, Caris), but it is more than just a make or miss thing. We go quicker in transition, we dwaddle less in the half court, and everybody eats.
IF a junp is real, and we are a legit contender, then we are set up nicely. The Core 4 are locked in for this year +2 in every case (or longer). We have full Bird rights on everyone in the rotation except Jerome (partial Bird).
Though next year will be tough, tax wise. Core 4 + Strus, Wade, Niang, Okoro, Tyson, & CPJ is $191.9 mil. The max the 2nd Apron could be is $202 mil, and we do not have LeVert, Merrill, or Jerome re-signed.The next year, salary growth from the Core 4 will still exceed cap growth (though it is close).
We can pretty much keep the band together if we choose, but it is gonna be expensive/2nd apron territory after this year unless we let some expensive rotation guys go.
Maturity, patience, continuity, pace.
We look a lot like the 22 Warriors with slightly better size and slightly worse shooters
Think the Knicks finish ahead of the Magic and would beat them in a series. Magic still doing young team stuff and the Knicks are stout enough to guard any Magic. KAT/Brunson/Bridges >>> Paolo/Wagner/Suggs
Agreed:
Tier 1: Boston
Tier 2: Cavs, Knicks
Tier 3: Magic, 76ers, Bucks
With Philly & Milwaukee potentially higher if healthy.
good analysis.
if we stay healthy and things go right, it might even be:
T1: Boston, Cleveland.
T2: Magic, Knicks.
T3: Bucks, 76ers, Pacers.
I see the Bucks and 76’ers as fragle and might plummet
Man that was a dominating win. I love having a real coach.
Yankees lose in hilarious fashion.
Never a bad day to see evil defeated.
zion.. 3-16.. 7 pts.. 10 rb in 26 min.. rough night at the office..
other than the NYK winning, it was a perfect night in the NBA
But the Yankees lost, which is even sweeter
I GROW A FEW INCHES EVERY NIGHT 🤪👺😈
🙈🙈🙈
NOMAD bro.. does the little soldier take coaching well ? you using your time outs wisely ?