(The Cavalier is on an extended leave of absence. The following was not written by him, although he _______.)
In a battle of Cavalier coaching titans, Cleveland got back on the winning track last night beating an angry Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves 101-88 in Minnesota. For the most part it was an unspectacular game (LeBron had a few ‘wow’ plays) and the Cavs won going away. LeBron led the Cavs with 31 points and 12 boards, Drew Gooden pitched 20 and 13 and five Cavaliers scored in double figures.
The Cavs finished their five game trip at a respectable 3-2 but those two losses still hurt. Don’t get me wrong, a 3-2 trip isn’t awful, but losses in both New York and Boston are. I’m actually more pleased with the Minnesota win than I should be because the Cavaliers actually took care of business against a lesser opponent.
The Cavs are a streaky team and no one player personifies that more than Drew Gooden. It’s been three years now and I still don’t know what to think of this guy or his ‘ducktail’ hair cut (honestly, did anyone see that thing lasting the entire season? I sure didn’t) Every once in awhile Gooden makes a few plays that show us why he was a top 5 pick. Last night is a perfect example; Gooden scored 14 points in the third period on an array of offensive moves (jump hooks, jumpers, drives). He basically took over the third period and solidified the Cavs win.
However, just like the Cavaliers, that Gooden doesn’t always show up. Sometimes, like in Minnesota, we see a 20-13 effort, sometimes, like in New York, we see a 4 point, 7 board night. He’s a perfect player on a team that will beat Chicago one night and lost to Boston the next.
Most of this hinges on effort. When the Cavs (and Gooden) have their head in the game and are trying to play the right way, they’ll beat anybody. But when they come out hoisting jumpers, they’ll lose to anybody.
Last night, LeBron came out running the floor and grabbing offensive rebounds and that set the tone for the rest of the Cavaliers. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this doesn’t happen that often. (I say his minutes are too high, he averages 41+ a night. I think we’d see more ‘little things’ if he got more than 6 minutes of rest a game).
This is just one of the many reasons why Coach Mike needs a long playoff run to secure his job (and no matter what, Danny Ferry is forcing an offensive assistant on him). The team is maddeningly inconsistent, LeBron’s minutes are still over 40 a game and the offense goes into a funk whenever a team switches to zone (honestly, how are you not prepared for the zone? Every game this happens and they spend 5 minutes aimlessly hoisting jumpers before Brown calls a timeout).
Don’t get me wrong, it was a good win against a dead team (however, it shouldn’t have taken 42 minutes from LeBron to do it) but I can’t help but wonder what their record would be if they gave that kind of effort every night. Effort shouldn’t be a problem this late in the season and better not be an issue come playoff time.
(BTW- anyone catch the season premier of The Shield last night? Fantastic show. This needs to be said.)
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I don’t know why the don’t rest LeBron more against the lesser teams. Especially after he needed a whole night off. The T’Wolves radio guys sure were getting excited about Drew Gooden’s boards/putbacks lasdt night.
With Whitman and Ricky Davis, the Wolves should be unstoppable.
Go Pistons.
Yeah, I don’t understand why they don’t rest LeBron either. I’d like to see CLE end up with the 5th seed so we can see a CLE vs. DET (hopefully) series.
The earlier DET gets it over with, the better!
Brown (and every Cavs coach he’s had) has always said he wants to get LeBron under 40 minutes, but it never happens. I think LeBron’s love for the ’stand and hoist’ offense stems from his heavy minutes. We all want LeBron to rebound, take better (closer) shots and move more without the ball and I think we’d be more likely to see it if he got 35-40 minutes a night instead of 38-44.
The most mpg MJ played was 40.4 at the age of 24. He only had three years of over 40. Besides those years he’s around 37-38….Magic Johnson was around 36-38….Larry Bird was sitting around 37-39…..I’ll buy into your theory. I’m not sure how the Cavs do their substitution patterns but Phil Jax used to have it down pat. Send Coach Mike some old Bulls tapes so he knows how it’s supposed to be done.
…we had some lusty little crushes……
Big Ben’s missing the game in Detroit tonight. Sinus infection? How conveniently timed…
Cavs fans, here’s how it breaks down.
CLEVELAND:
Miami, @Washington, @Detroit, New Jersey, Atlanta, @Philadelphia, Milwaukee
CHICAGO:
New Jersey, @Toronto, New York, Charlotte, Washington, @New Jersey
For the Cavs, there are two sets of back-to-back games. (The Bulls have none) That’s their weakness, now more than ever with LeBron’s knee acting painy. Miami’s at home, which is nice, but Detroit’s on the road (where the Pistons sure looked strong tonight). I doubt Chicago can win out, but after they play in Toronto I don’t see who else is going to beat them.
…we had those all ages hardocre mantinee shows!
(this is just a code for ben and neil to let them know that their references were not made in vain.)
for the rest of you: let me tell you about this songwriter from the twin cities…
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