Is this Lebron’s last game in Cleveland? The rumors are swirling. Meanwhile the Cavs lost Mobley for 1-3 weeks, joining Garland and Strus, while Merrill and Hunter return to the fold with a status of “probable.” The Lakers are still missing Thiero and Reaves. Go Cavs.
Sorry guys. LT up
Liking the defensive mindset already. Merrill shutting his man down, Wade giving no quarter.
Anyone up late for the Suns?
yup, lt up!
If this deal goes down, we need to make another move else Tomlin cannot be used much down the stretch.
Knecht does not interest me much.
I THINK KNECHT ( TYPICAL IN ALOT OF ATHLETES) A CHANGE OF SCENERY WOULD HELP HIM —-RETURN TO HIS ROOKIE YEAR PERFORMANCE/ BECOME ANOTHER 40% / 3 PT ASSASSIN——- RUI HAS BEEN “ SCREWED AROUND “ SINCE HIS TIME WITH THE LAKERS— THINK HE WOULD WELCOME A CHANGE ALSO—-BELIEVE I READ HE IS A 45% CATCH/ SHOOT- 3 PT SHOOTER ——SO YES KOBY YOU HAVE MY BLESSING TO “ PULL THE TRIGGER “ 👍———GOING FOR 3 MORE “ W’s “ TONIGHT— GO 47-1 — VERY TOUGH OPPONENT
I certainly get the idea here. It is a trade that works financially. It is 2 for 1. And Rui potentially comes off the books next year while Hunter does not. If you lose Ball too, we are flirting with being under the 2nd apron.
Neither guy rebounds much. Hunter is better with the ball & off the dribble, he can get his own. Rui cannot. Rui has a better 3PT track record: 3 seasons running over 40% & 4 of the last 5. Hunter has done it once (last year).
I have no idea on the defensive metrics on either guy. Or how they compare to Hunter.
I gotta think Hunter is better on ball than Knect. Rui IDK, those his meyrics on BBRef have declined this year on D.
Rui is half a year younger than Hunter and isn’t super durable either.
I think I ride it out unless we are super convinced his D off ball is just too bad.
I don’t see much of an upside when comparing their stats. Just a financial benefit, but re: gelling with team, I think this hurts the Cavs for this season’s tilt. I say ride it out.
I CAN LIVE WITH TRADE FOR RUI / KNECHT FOR DRE——- DONT THINK LAKERS ACCEPT THAT
same, same
The Lakers fans are a hard no on that deal, UNLESS….the Nets get roped in as a 3rd team & they can land additional guys from Brooklyn (Sharpe or Highsmith).
The Nets would need some draft assets in that deal.
Lakers don’t really like Rui and Knecht is a mess. Dre gets a year and a half in the spotlight with a much simpler assignment on both ends, they don’t have to worry about Rui’s FA.
I’m a Hunter believer if you simplify things for him, and you could see LA feeling the same.
ACTUALLY GOOD NEWS—-BEATING PISTONS
Good news: Suns on a b2b tomorrow with Booker out, likely Green as well.
Bad news: they blasted the Pistons tonight.
that is all good: Pistons lose, and Suns won’t be pissed off — teams often play really good the night after they got upset
Watched much of this game. Dillon Brooks went for career best 40. Will be an oppty for Cavs to demonstrate their ability (or inability) to better defend the 3.
GREAT ARTICLE ON NYQUIL IN “ ANDSCAPE “ —— REMARKABLE ATHLETE/ REMARKABLE PERSON
Good news, Korby not sitting on his hands, GIT R DUN KORBY!!! https://x.com/ESPNCleveland/status/2016953176906195156?s=20
a recent fave of clueless commenatators is “Gannis for Mobley + a bunch more”.
first thought: good god no
It’s already been reported that if they’re moving any of the core 4, it’ll be DG and/or JA.
certainly DM and EM are the least likely of the core four to be moved — no surprise there.
what do you mean by “already been reported”? there are a zillion reports of everything every day, most of them generated by idiots and/ or AI. for example, the clueless crew at KJG is constantly trying to give away JA and make EM a center, and they post several raps a day with variations on this theme. this just shows they have no idea what they are talking about.
Giannis for Mobley (and Hunter needed for $ matching, which I think you can do if someone helps the Bucks offload $) is probably the only thing that moves me if I’m the Bucks (who could get KAT from NY)
Anyways, looks like the trade is Hunter for Rui and Knecht. I’m pretty neutral on that one.
Charlotte 6-1 in their last seven with LaMelo, beating Orlando and Philly.
Why? I like Mobley a lot. Giannis is one of the best players of the last ten years. Multi time MVP.
right. but Giannis is 31. he doesn’t appear to be nearly as good as he was when they won it, so it is likely that his decline started early. and his greatness is primarily due to insane athleticism, which goes away a lot faster than, say, great shooting. on the other hand, Mobley is 24. while he has not taken a jump to superstar status we were hoping for, he is pretty good and has plenty of time. despite all the angst about not having the best record in the NBA every year, the Cavs have a LOT of good… Read more »
Giannis hasn’t made it out of the first round in three years and has had fewer playoff wins than Darius Garland over the last four, if we’re keeping it a buck. Think they’ve both played the same amount of games as well.
Just a little context for the mad at injury / only playoffs matter folks.
You still probably take the shot with Mobley, and definitely if it’s DG and JA, but I just don’t see it happening or working.
IDK, we are playing pretty well of late.
Something around the margins, maybe.
Ball would be most likely to go. Then Hunter. DG if we want to take a HR swing.
6-1 without DG, so don’t see the problem with that HR swing, that’s two birds with one stone.
Sadly what’s being reported is Hunter for Knecht to dump salary, so count me unimpressed by what Korby’s cooking so far.
Although hearing the theory that salary dumping Hunter is gearing them up for a major offseason move because they can dip below the 2nd apron and aggregate salary… so here’s to hoping he’s cooking something bigger.
a key aspect of staying in contention for a long time is avoiding doing dumb stuff. the hunter trade could have gone better, but is not a disaster. a bad “home run swing” might knock the Cavs right out of the picture. if they are going to make a HRS, DG is the obvious one to go for several reasons, not least of which is that we already have the guys to replace him. on the other hand, if we traded JA, we would be dead in the water until we found a starting center, which is KJG level dumb.
Generally, point guard talent is pretty fungible. A big defending PG is what we seem to want but when you get down to cases those dudes are big downgrades, but if you have the right deal and you trust Proctor and whoever comes back, maybe. Hard to find a better player than a multi time Allstar who is also willing to take a back seat to Mitchell (or who Mitchell is willing to defer to). Would KD have been that guy? Would Giannis? It’s very very tough. As you say, Hunter trade for an expiring, Niang and a bunch of… Read more »
Don’t know if you saw but the Cavs dumped Livingston for Enaruna yesterday. He’s had a good charge season too, and can play some PF while Mobley is out.
agree
His 3PT% is up to 45% this year from around 30% last year. Only 9 games, though.
But he has decent size snd good athleticism. If he can shoot decently, we may have something.
AGREED WITH SIMMO —- TYSON AHEAD OF STRUS— SAM NOT TO FAR BEHIND 👍🏀💪
same.
although we havent seen Strus to compare with the upgraded Tyson. we do however see Tyson getting better every week, and hope this keeps up!
it’s crazy,I keep thinking the 3 ball will stop falling, but he keeps hitting them, and everything else he brings.
He reminds me of Luka in the way that he doesn’t look that fast but he is strong, always seems to get to his spots and gets his shot off. Also his arc and follow through are perfect. He’s also really crafty around the basket.
and rebounds ,,,,,and apparently “fears no man”.
arc! something that’s been driving me crazy about Evan’s shooting. just makes it so much harder to score when you shoot line drives. i mean, he’s hit the BOTTOM of the front of the rim recently. but there are always exceptions – e.g. Hunter’s arc is better than Merrill’s…
Hunter has TOO MUCH arc. It’s part of his problem right now. With too much arc you have a harder time hitting the back/inside of the rim and going in. You’re more likely to hit the top of the rim. Plus it usually adds some non ergonomically correct shooting mechanics to the shot that make it less consistent and repeatable. The skyball only works for closeouts over long arms. Mark price’s old shooting clinic had a lot of shooting arc optimization analytics and that’s one of the the takeaways I remember.
the biggest problem with high arc is the additional strength it takes to shoot long. scrawnyass Steph Curry must actually be strong AF to be able to fire off those long bombs.
the physics is simple: the higher the arc, the bigger the target (closer to going straight thru), but the longer the total distance traveled (magnifying any bad aim), so the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. furthermore, higher shots are harder to block, but the extra strength needed hurts your aim.
I love his bank shot from the angle. Old school use the glass. Way easier shot if you use it.
I always found long shots off the glass to be really hard, which I assume is why you don’t see much of it.
but it sure looks cool when, at a tight angle, a high shot off the near top corner of the board swishes thru — everyone positioning for the rebound looks shocked!
If I had to rank the roster:
1. Mitchell, 2. Mobley, 3. Allen, 4. Garland
5. Strus, 6. Tyson, 7. Wade, 8. Merrill, 9. Hunter
10. Tomlin (TW), 11. CPJ, 12. Ball, 13. Bryant
14. LNJ, 15. Proctor, 16. Enaruna (TW)
17. Travers (TW).
I do like Proctor, but Ball & LNJ have some career credit built up I would not bail on quite yet. And Bryant olayed meaningful Finals minutes last year.
Still, I am overjoyed with Tyson and Tomlin. CPJ has made strides, as have Wade & Merrill.
As for Bron, he should not be an all-star this year, but he is hardly the first vet to make a,team when theyvshould not have. Still, 22.4/6.0/6.7 on 50.7% FG is nothing to sneeze at. Only 32.8% from deep.
He is no longer a $30 mil a year player, much less $60. Heck, even $20 is too high, IMHO.
But he could still help. On a vet min/exception level salary? I am all in. But I would not trade away a rotation level guy to make it happen (Strus, Hunter, Merrill, Wade).
LAL can trade Bronney to the Cavs and pay off LeBron so he can sign for the min.
Maybe my memory is fading on matters Strus-related, but I would put Tyson before him.
I can see that, but Tyson is still a bit inconsistent for me. Higher highs. Higher ceiling. But lower lows.
But they both tebound & defend abd can playmake a bit. Strus is more of a gunner and Tyson stays withing the O & creates a bit more, though some of that may be ourltvod necessity.
Max was awful good last year.
FANTASTIC STORY OF LEBRON WEARING A CAVS UNIFORM AGAIN—- BUT PRICE WOULD BE TOO HIGH TO TRADE —— NOW IF HE WANTS TO COME BACK ON A “ TEAM FRIENDLY DEAL “ — ALL IN — OR DAN COULD GIVE HIM PARTIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE CAVS 👍👍
I think that with the talent we have, in the depleted East, the Cavs should make the ECF this year at a minimum (not to jinx it, and I think that the ceiling is higher.) But if the team exits in the second round, ya gotta do something, and if Lebron wants to win another Championship (rather than do a long farewell), his winning attitude might really be an asset.
Missed the game but watched the highlights (great win), and the tribute to Lebron…So I wonder, after Nate’s comment on the great Cavs G League, how Bronny would look in a Charge uniform next year? Anyway, that looked like a shameless and pretty good start to lure Lebron back East next year. I have an opinion, but I’m curious what other people here think. (I’m not looking past this year, which could be amazing. Just for the sake of conversation.)
Garland, Tyson, Mitchell, Strus and Merrill are a LOT of playmaking 1-3.
Garland / Tyson / Mobley lineups should be exceptionally good. Traditional pick and roll, inverted pick and roll, both perimeter guys good catch and shoot players…Mobley and Tyson good on the short roll…
NOT YET PATRICK —— NEED MORE GAMES TO “ EVALUATE “ 👍
👍🏻
Please give me a few weeks of this version of Dre.
Tyson fears no man. Incredible.
yeah. what a steal! dunno what happened to all those who were insulting Koby a couple years ago.
“Korby” blathering idiots in shambles.
I didn’t see this in Tyson at all.(taking accountability vs the goofs who only show up to hate).
So rare that a college “jack of all trades, master of none” elevates all his skills to be good at the NBA level.
He looks like…early career Jimmy Butler. Crazy to say. He’s the wing type that we were considering moving Allen or Garland for.
Now you don’t have to make a move unless you have a real opportunity to get a great player back.
And in fairness, there’s still Okoro at 5, Dylan W, the Kyrie trade, and Emoni at 49. No spotless record for Koby.
Kevin Porter Junior 😬
SO TRUE NATE —- I AM CLAIMING “ SAM / NYQUIL/ PROCTOR………..NEXT UP KHAYES / OMIER
Also claiming CSU Tristan?
THE “ SAM “ EFFECT—- WHAT IS CAVS RECORD WHEN HE PLAYS——- PROCTOR MORE GOOD MINUTES 👍—-CAN WE GET “ GOOD DRE “ MORE CONSISTENTLY—— NYQUIL ALREADY EARNING THAT CONTRACT CAVS WiLL SOON GIVE HIM—-LNJ —WHAT CAN I SAY— HE SHOULD SIT— BRYANT SHOULD PLAY——— KEEP IT GOING CAVS —SLOWLY RETURNING TO LAST YEARS “ VIBES “
The Cavs have built a scouting & development organization as good as any in the Association. They’ve turned G-Leaguers Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr., & now Nae’Qwan Tomlin into rotation players. Add Tyrese Proctor (49th pick), & rising star Jaylon Tyson (20th). That’s hell of pipeline.
More hits than misses than the competition is the standard. Not “nail every pick, take Hali over Okoro every time” – there are still Emoni Bateses, Dylan W etc.
But there are hits high (DG/Mobley), in trades, late firsts and undrafted.
Great work.
Knicks & Raptors playing each other, someone has to lose.
If the Celtics don’t mount a comeback vs Atlanta, we are 1 game out of 2nd.
Scrub time and Nance can’t even sniff a minute.
He played at the end.
Also he just needs to play once a week and round into form in the playoffs.
The NaeQwan Tomlin story; from playing on the streets in high school to stuffing LeBron on national TV.
Drew Timme is dead.
Bryant with some good minutes in that quarter. More impactful than LNJ.
Hunter breaking out of a slump.
Tomlin, CPJ, and Tyson continuing to improve.
Yeah. Nance might be cooked.
He has been hurt. Not reasy to throw dirt on him yet. But Bryant has been better, IMHO.
Cavalanche
Hunter triple triple Cavalanche. Tomlin strip & slam on Luka. Up 22.
Cavalanche!
The Qwan!
Dre off the Snyde!
The price is right!
Think Tyson needs a rest.
Doncic working himself into a lather.
Got a bit sloppy there. Good TO.
Tyson just toying with Lebron…Love it!
Jaylon gonna get paid.
Not for another couple years.
💯
18 months.
Raining 3s. Mitchell & Wade with 2 each!
Well I have to head out shortly but this game is rather enjoyable.
That was sweet!
Filthy assist by Tyson. The kid’s doing it all!
That Merrill pass was abysmal.
Both he and Hunter look like they have not played in a bit.
Terrible pass by Merrill.
Winning the boards and TOs. We only have 4.
Love this dude.
Cavs got caught watching the paint dry
Up 2 at half. I will take it.
Bron burning thru all their challenges.
Aside from the issues in transition and some early cold shooting from 3, I am liking it.
Tyson & Porter both playing really well. Allen as well.
Lol Tyson.
Lol. Mitchell waking up.
Tyson so gd good.
Lakers D has been pretty good, especially sending help to the short roller and blitzing from angles the Cavs aren’t expecting. Cavs eight there though.
Tyson’s been ridiculously good
The drop-off isn’t coming, is it?
The biggest problem right now is not enough usage. Its one of the reasons they have to move Garland.
If the Cavs can get past the shell of the D, the middle is wide open.
Have watched a few minutes – feels like a crappy game to watch. Am I wrong?
Just a weird energy. Its picking up.
Doesn’t seem to be any intensity on either side.
Lakers pay at a weird pace. Also the audio on the feed is terrible.
HOW WERE THE PRE GAME CEREMONIES FOR LEBRON
Cavs need to play through Allen.
Get Hunter off the floor.
Man up, bigs! If you get ahold of a ball, be stronger!
Hunter. Oof.
👍🙏 NATE
There you go, Craig.
Cavs pretty sloppy
Uh ok. Luka turned his ankle.