YAYsports! NBA

We actually had planned on watching the CLE-GSW game yesterday, but our impending flu rendered us completely useless after about one or two in the afternoon.

So while our subconscious may have picked up the glory of Daniel Gibson’s first start at PG, our conscious self was asleep with body aches.

Luckily, you friends of the site are still hard at work sending in those answers to the five Cavaliers questions. We’ve got two entries we’re running with this time - thanks to Sam and Ben for their help.

1) What was the team’s effort level on a scale of 1-14? Explain in two sentences or less.

SAM: Effort level was a 12. They played good basketball.

BEN: 12ish. They had 8 guys in double figures for the first time since 1994.

2) What was the estimated ratio of times “Coach Mike spit into that cup” to “times Coach Mike said something that looked halfway motivating”?

SAM: Only saw the cup once. There was a lot of clapping and “smiling” tonight because we actually buried a team for once. Coach Mike didn’t need to motivate them they knew what they needed to do. I don’t see to much of a purpose for Mike Brown really, he’s not a very good coach. He did recognize Gibson’s talent which is one thing I can say for him. Another thing I could say is that he looks like Al Roker.

BEN: N/A. The Cavs had the lead since the late first quarter and were piling on throughout the game. They scored freaking 67 points the first half. On purpose.

3) Did LeBron care tonight or not? Don’t tell us his stats, because he can put up a triple double without even concentrating.

SAM: Lebron didn’t play this one as everyone knows…but they would’ve won regardless. The Cavs seem to play very well without Lebron, which should tell the whole team something: EVERYBODY ON THE TEAM HAS TO PLAY THEIR ASSES OFF EVERY NIGHT. Yes, even with LeBron you still have to play basketball or the team doesn’t mesh and that communicates LOSSES. If we could carry this type of basketball that we played tonight into every game, we’d beat under .500 teams by 20 or more and we’d compete consistently with over .500 teams. That would prove to people like Charles Barkley, Chris Sheridan, and even Boney that we can play with the best of them. Sorry I went off on a rant but I felt like I needed to point it out.

BEN: N/A he didn’t play due to an ouchie, but he seemed into the game. He was laughing all game long and seemed to rise up out of his seat when the 3 balls were in the air.

4) Did Daniel Gibson play? Details please.

SAM: Gibson started, as you know. It took him a little while to settle down but I think Mike Brown knew that this wasn’t going to happen literally overnight. He still hustled and managed to put up 12 points.

BEN: Not only did he play, he started. He hit four 3s, which I’m pretty sure is the same amount Eric Snow has made in his entire Cavalier career.

5) How many times did you find yourself muttering and/or screaming, “Stop taking so many freaking jumpshots!!!” or something of that ilk? Please explain briefly.

SAM: Didn’t scream at the TV tonight, it was a calm, boring game in which the Cavs took good shots that went in. It helped that the Warriors played an all around doo doo game.

BEN: The Cavs ran all game and took good shots. It was kinda frightening to be honest. There was one second half possession where Snow dribbled the ball for 15 seconds leading to the Cavs hoisting a wild shot with the clock winding down. I’m not going to miss that.

BONUS: Did missed free throws play a part in the loss, if in fact they did lose? YES/NO will suffice here.

SAM: Free throws had nothing to do with anything tonight. Sasha was 8 for 10 from the line and dropped an eye popping 24 points. Its crazy seeing him score like that. Like when you see a comet that won’t be back for 30 years.

BEN: Nope

Well, the most striking this about this is the contrast in styles between Sam and Ben. Sam is a bit wordier, whereas Ben is all like “Here’s the deal, pal.”

We’re not sure which is better - you see, only by combining both entries were we able to get a complete picture of the game. If there’s a way to do it, Sam and Ben should really have some sort of battle of something over something, with the winner getting something.

As for the game, we like the 12 (or 12ish) effort level, and we really like hearing about all this ball movement and things of that nature. We’re not against shooting 22 three-pointers, as long as there’s passing and cutting to make sure those are open threes.

We’re guessing LeBron will return for tomorrow night’s game against Wade and the Heat (on TNT), but in the case he doesn’t, and the Cavs play this good without him again…look for journalists everywhere to start drooling over the “Are the Cavs better without LeBron” storyline.

(Granted, this was against the Warriors. We get that.)

Anyway, the most important thing is whether we’ll be back for the Heat game tomorrow. We’re undecided, and are likely a gametime decision. If this flu hasn’t killed us by then, we’re leaning toward “back, for reasons of curiosity”.