Links to the Present: January 26, 2012
2012-01-26
“The Cavs basically played like crap. They went about 8 minutes in the second quarter and scored just 4 points on the New York Knicks defense. Once again, they had way too many turnovers (19) and we just all-around really sloppy. Fortunately, the Knicks are even more dysfunctional. The Knicks committed 23 turnovers and had an even more stagnant offense. Amare Stoudemire led New York with 19 fairly empty points on 19 shots. He had some nice dunks down low as no one on the Cavs can really check him, but he made some careless offensive fouls and for some reason the Knicks refuse to run pick and rolls. If they watched any film from Amare’s time in Phoenix (I loved those teams, I watched them all the time), they would know that he is virtually unguardable as the roll-man on a PnR. The Knicks, however, have zero guards capable of running an effective pick and roll. That’s just one of the reasons why I believe Mike D’Antoni will be fired and also why I believe he will be wrongly fired. It’s not his fault that the front office assembled a roster that doesn’t fit with his offensive schemes at all.” [Conrad Kaczmarek]
“Varejao had 10 points, 16 rebounds and was a pest all night Wednesday as the Cavs continued their dominance over the Knicks with a 91-81 victory. It was the Cavs’ 12th win in the last 13 games against the Knicks, who haven’t won in Cleveland since Nov. 29, 2006.” [Jason Lloyd]
“As the All-Star game draws closer, it will grow increasingly difficult to omit Varejao despite his reputation for flopping and the incredibly misconception regarding his value. The box score, typically Varejao’s arch-enemy, shows that the Cavaliers’ center is second in the Eastern Conference in rebounds per game (11.2) and total rebounding percentage (21.0) while possessing a lead over New Jersey’s Kris Humphries in terms of total offensive rebounds and offensive rebounding percentage (16.6).” [Scott Sargent]
“The one thing we talked about before the game (against Miami) was just getting back to playing the way we are capable of playing, especially on the defensive end. I thought we did that (Tuesday) night. The (22) turnovers cost us dearly against a team like Miami, but tonight the effort on the defensive end was just as good, if not better. I thought the energy was just as good, if not better, and I thought our focus was there for 48 minutes.” [Byron Scott via Tom Reed]
This is a couple days old and almost pure speculation, but I can’t not post a link to an article from a reputable writer like Sam Amico discussing rumors that LeBron could be headed back to the Cavs in a couple of years. No, I don’t think it’ll happen either, but at the very least, it’s fodder for discussion.
I don’t see LeBron coming back unless Gilbert sells the team. “The King” won’t play for anyone who doesn’t kiss his ring (or lack thereof).
Alex, no one should be advised to go to Cleveland without a bulletproof vest.
This whole discussion is kind of surreal.
First off, Andy should definitely be considered for a center spot on the All Star Game. After D12, is there any other Eastern center that you can say is clearly better than Varejao? Hibbert and Monroe may be better, but only slightly at that. Now, let me try analyze the Lebron situation from his point of view (which will be difficult considering I haven’t been polluted with my own smug for the last ten years). Looking at the situation right now, Wade just hit 30 and is aging worse than Kevin Garnett. Assuming Wade doesn’t opt out of his contract… Read more »
Didn’t you know? Lebron’s master plan was to leave Cleveland, have it hit a couple lotterys, then come back to the rejuvenated squad and lead it to the championship. You must not have heard.
He was going to do this after leading an initative to help failing schools and before solving the energy crisis by discovering renewable energy in hubris.