Podcap: Cleveland 131, Toronto 108 (or, Big Game Hunter)
2025-02-13The Cleveland Cavaliers turned “We the North,” into “We the Nope” Wednesday night, barnstorming into Toronto and unleashing a rain of threes that saw them race out to a 41-17 first quarter lead. By the mid third, Cleveland was up by as much as 39 before Toronto got pissy and decided to be try-hards, to no avail. The Cavaliers utterly dissected Toronto this game with non-stop passing, ball movement, tough defense, rebounding, and balanced scoring. The Cavs posted seven players in double figures and pocketed 34 dimes to 13 turnovers. Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter Junior rounded out the nine-man rotation and notched eight and seven points themselves. The wine and gold also won the battle of the boards 53-39.
There were plenty of stalwarts in this one for Cleveland, but the CtB hunting party piled into the podcast booth Canadian goose blind to discuss one exceptional marksman in particular, newly acquired forward, De’Andre Hunter. The Cavs’ second leading scorer, Hunter’s upgrade to the backup power forward position was palpable against Toronto as he dropped 18/5/0 and went 4-9 from deep in just 27 minutes. His J was high, quick, and feathery, while his D was long and imposing. Nate, Eli, and Chris all marveled at what an upgrade Hunter is and broke down his strengths, weaknesses, and how the Cavs will use him in the regular season and the playoffs. The CtB sportsmen all gave Koby an A+ on the trade.
After, the guys graded the moves from around the Association over the last couple weeks, slung some gossip, wallowed in some buyout slop, and then looked forward to a Cavalier heavy all-star weekend. Finally, with the sun setting over the hunting grounds, our riflemen went over the post ASB schedule, made some predictions, and tossed out their NBA finals picks. It was a tight 75, and no animals were harmed in the making of this podcast, with the possible exception of some pissy Raptors. (“They should all be destroyed.”) Go Cavs.
As always, catch us below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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I still think we are a bit too skewed to smalls, but not by as much as before.
PG: Garland, CPJ
Combo G: Mitchell, Jerome
SG/SF: Strus, Okoro, Merrill, Tyson, Green
SF/PF: Hunter, Wade
PF/C: Mobley
C: Allen, TT
IDK enough about Tomlin yet. But I think a playing the 5 is a bit of a strtch. NOMAD can set me straight if I am off. Maybe Tyson can play some 4, yet to be determined.
Still 9/15 at SF or under. 6/15 who can credibly play the 4 or higher. If TT was playable it might be enough.
According to the Athletic, only Wade is out. So it looks like we are getting closer to full strength.
Need a stop?
Pick 5: Okoro, Green, Hunter, Wade, Mobley, Allen.
And do not forget, Mitchell came into the league with a defensive rep and has real good length for his size. If we needed another small, he is probably it.
Javonte has been killing it this year, fyi.
Or, his last game, anyway.
Of, sorry Nate, the embedded tweet did not pop up.
Defensively, yep.
TOTALLY AGREE NATE —WHEN I 1st READ THE NEWS—- IT HIT ME HARD !!!
All-Star break is over and all of a sudden Cavs (…and several of their upcoming opponents) are worthy of national tv coverage. Go Cavs!
This absolutely sucks
Too bad. Sounds like it’s a blood clot.
Bucks big man Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended 25 games without pay for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, the league’s communications department tweets.
Portis tested positive for Tramadol. According to Drugs.com, Tramadol “is an opioid agonist that may be used to treat moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults.”
“according to drugs.com” lmaooooo
apparently it was a mistake
After Tomlin’s 10-day is done, we still have another potential spot to fill, right? Too bad Theis went to Europe. Would have been good to have a former Celtic out for revenge for the (knock on wood) ECF…
They can sign him to a second ten day before they either have to release him or sign him for the rest of the season.
I’d love to see us grab another buyout guy. Locker room leader vet to fill some of the vibes void left by Georges and Caris.
Yeah. Counterpoint is that the Cavs are going to be very strapped salary wise soon and it will be difficult to add talent. if Tomlin is playable in the association, they may want to lock him up at a low salary now. Dean Wade, Merrill, CPJ all followed this route. They’ve had success with it. I am not sure there is anyone out there who moves the needle enough to sacrifice long term flexibility for an end of bench guy. Maybe RoCo if he can guard three positions and still shoot, but zero idea what condition he is in.
Basically do the Cavs make a longer term investment, or do they add an insurance policy guy for the playoffs. I think the ten days will be telling. Hope Tomlin gets some run.
Also javonte green is a good vet.
Unless Tomlin is horrific internally like a JT Thor appears to be they should go the CPJ route with Tomlin. his measurables and production seem to make it a no brainer since there’s no FRP for 25 anyways.
Green is a former Celtic. FWIW.
I hope Tomlin sticks.
MAVS / KNICKS WERE ALSO PURSUING JAVONTE —— WELCOME “ TO THE LAND “ !!!!
RUST OR REST TONIGHT—- HOPEFULLY WE START POST ALL ( SHIT ) STAR BREAK STRONG!!!!
WATCHED ME SOME JAVONTE U TUBE HIGHLIGHTS—-STRONG/ ATHLETIC—- COULD SEE HIM HELPING SHUT DOWN BRUNSON / HART OTHER PHYSICAL GD’s / WINGS—- GIVE 👍👍👍ON THE SIGNING
He’s very underrated.
Also apparently besties with Tatum, so maybe a bit of a psychological warfare factor here too?
IS TOM” PUT ME “ LIN STILL ON A 10’DAY OR DID THE GREEN SIGNING CANCEL THAT??
Yes. Tomlin still on 10-day
want to see him play. he might be here for the rest of the season.
So much for my theory that Green/Tomlin are Okoro/Wade stand-ins while we wait for the latter two to return.
Okoro could be back tomorrow and Wade could be back for the Knicks. Jerome out for the Nets game.
https://www.fearthesword.com/2025/2/19/24368907/cavs-injury-report-isaac-okoro-ty-jerome-dean-wade-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-brooklyn-nets
Questionable (but he should sit probably)
IDK much about Green. Looks like an Okoro replacement while Ice is out. SG/SF type
6’4″. More of a defender than scorer. 5 year vet on a $2 mil contract.
Tomlin would have been my choice from the Charge/2-way options. Best Wade deputy while he is out.
Javonte green was a great bench player in Chicago. Very Athletic. Good defender. Adequate shooter. Just what the doctor ordered
He’s a little long in the tooth for a five year vet but if he contributes he can set himself up pretty well.
He should give some useful shifts: nothing special but a worthwhile flier to take on a buyout guy
HE LOOKS LIKE HE BRINGS SOME MUSCLE !!💪
GIVE ME A BIO ON GREEN MR STEAL —- “ IS IT A STEAL “🤪👍
It’s a steal.
Yeah he can do a few NBA things and isn’t over the hill. Good pickup
Javonte Green to Cleveland after NOP buyout. Thanks, Griff
FTS — MUST BE READING OUR BLOG / POST—- HAVE AN ARTICLE ON TOM “ PUT ME “ LIN — ALMOST WORD FOR WORD WHAT WE POSTED——- “ WHEN YOUR GOOD YOUR GREAT “ —- TAKE A BOW ALL YOU CTB BROS 😎
MR STEAL —- AGREED—- AGE MIGHT BE A PLUS —- HAS A “ HIGH MOTOR “ —— THEY INTERVIEWED HiM ONCE — 7 MINUTE SEGMENT—- HE SHOWED ALL HIS REBOUNDING TECHNIQUES— REALLY TAKES PRIDE IN THAT AND DEFENSE——- COULD KA AGAIN FIND “ LIGHTNING IN THE BOTTLE “ WADE / CPJ / SAM “ MY MAN —— WOULD BE NICE!!!
……
THANK s FOR THE SHOUT OUT RAOUL —— OWE YOU A BEER (s) !!!🍺🍺
I hope he’s good. He is two years older than Thor so maybe we can expect more production
AGREED NATE RMF HAD SOME CLASS TO THE NAME—— ROCKET ARENA SOUNDS LIKE A KIDS ARCADE
I’m sure the city of Cleveland is somehow paying for the name.
RAOUL—— ALREADY COINED HIM 3-4 WEEKS AGO WHEN I STARTED POSTING HIS STATS. TOM “ PUT ME “ LIN —— BUT NYQUIL IS GOOD ALSO!!!!! 👍👍👍——- JUST GLAD THEY CALLED HIM UP —- NOW GIVE HIM SOME MINUTES——
that’s right, NOMAD was on the bandwagon from Day 1, just like last year with Sam The Man. Keep up the good work, and find us another guy next year!
They changed the name of RMF to Rocket Arena? This is dumb.
Cause the Houston rockets exist
Go back to the Q!
that is what Kevin Love says