Unfortunately, we don’t have much time this morning, but allow us to say the following about the CLE loss to DET last night:
Not bad.
They showed up and competed, but if there’s one complaint…yeah, it has to do with LeBron. (We’re not talking about the last play – that was executed as drawn up, although we would’ve liked to have LBJ go in and tie it up.)
LeBron’s problem is LeBron, but is also tied intricately into Coach Mike* – they’ve got to get him to the basket. He had zero free throw attempts last night – none. Zip.
You can see why – the Lasers were all up on him as soon as he got the ball. This in and of itself is not the problem – that’s expected. The problem is he’s getting the ball in the customary “30-35 feet from the basket” area Coach Mike likes him to get it in.
Post him up. Post him up. PLEASE.
And we’re not talking about the thing where he posts up wide on the wing, then big-pivots around so he’s…back at the 3-point line again.
Put him down on the deep freaking block and get it into him, then surround him with a cutting AV and your shooters – Gibson, Jones, and/or maybe the occasional Marshall.
We just can’t understand how this doesn’t get run constantly, although part of this is on LBJ, as well. He’s gotta GO as soon as he gets that thing – no more standing around for 3-4 seconds, allowing the defense to adjust. Why do the Lasers that kind of favor?
We’ve all seen him barrel through 3 and even 4 bodies once he’s rolling, and Webber, et al aren’t quick enough to get into a charge situation. Just GO to the hole. You’re unstoppable, but not if you sit there and stare at the basket before trying to get to it.
All in all, the team was aggressive and played tight defense. It was nice that they Retarded Chameleoned the correct direction, and we expect this thing goes seven if everyone keeps their heads on straight. It’ll be an ugly seven, but seven nonetheless.
*Coach Mike also must’ve given his customary “all the puppies are dead” halftime speech.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 36 comments }
Couldn’t agree more. good game, ended poorly for the Cavs, move on. The Cavs controlled most of the game but lost to a more experienced team at home. LeBron made the best decision because when your on the road you go for the 3 to win it. How much time do you have to make a choice between pass and shoot when 3 Piston defenders are closing in and you see a wide open Donyell in the corner who made 6 3′s the last game? You give it up. They missed it. Oh well. Nothing you can do (unless your part of the national media and need to talk about it for the next 3 days).
‘Yell was open, but layup! C’mon!
LeBron’s like this bear and he’s got these big fvcking claws and he’s batting the bunny around . . . How do I kill the bunny?
Even if LeBron posted, would the Cavs get it in to him? They seem to forgot about Z even though he’s a glowing white orb of awkward dominance.
10 points? Isn’t LeBron supposed to at least put up 25? What bothers me the most is his lackadasical approach to the media. “Well, golly, we lost. But it’s a game, oh well.” At least you know when other stars are disappointed. LeBron just shrugs his shoulders. Sometimes I just want to prod him with a stick to see if he is alive.
cavalier, you always chose the wrong times to be happy about your team. never happy about them winnin before this series and now you wanna be optimistic, against the PISTONS?!!?
come on cav! even i feel bad for you!
I’m really not scared of the Lasers – Cavs are a tough match-up for them. It’s just a matter of LeBron remembering he’s LeBron and not Vince.
Preaching to the choir Cavalier, I’m baffled as to how even Mike Brown can’t see the distinct advantage in putting LeBron in the post.
They were playing so well in the first quarter too, feeding the big men (which they actually did a decent job of for most of the game) and going to the basket. If they attack like that for four quarters, they can beat anyone. It’s just that lack of consistency on the offensive end that is so frustrating.
you’re scared of ‘Sheed… admit it
aren’t you guys concerned that the chameleons just blew their load in that game? i hope thats not the case, but the lasers have a tendency to sleep walk through games until they realize they HAVE to try, and then it’s over.
Why so optimisic? If LeBron is king he’s gotta win that thing! The problem wasn’t the last play, but the whole game. 10 points and no free throws? Not very kingly, no matter where he’s getting the ball, how much defenders are swarming him, what the odds are.
By the way, Brian Windhorst claims that the last play did NOT go as drawn up as fans would believe. Sure Donyell is open (you gotta hit that!), but LBJ was looking pass all the way.
It’s a game the cavs could have had if they wanted it. Kings take what they want.
Why so optimisic? If LeBron is king he’s gotta win that thing! Is that what he wants to do? The problem wasn’t the last play, but the whole game. 10 points and no free throws? Not very kingly, no matter where he’s getting the ball, how much defenders are swarming him, what the odds are.
By the way, Brian Windhorst claims that the last play did NOT go as drawn up as fans would believe. Sure Donyell is open (you gotta hit that!), but LBJ was looking pass all the way.
It’s a game the cavs could have had if they wanted it. Kings take what they want.
Dave, I think it’s more like the Pistons get rattled when a team takes it to them.
Anyway, they’re good, and you’re not going to trick them into losing to you. Cavs have to go out and beat them.
frank
you’re right. it does seem like the pistons are surprised when a team takes it to them. that’s a sign of arrogance. my concern is that they won’t be surprised next game, and the cavs have blown their best chance to steal one away from them.
Well the Pistons came to play in the second half, and we were right there with them. LeBron usually still puts up 25 on an offnight somehow, so that’s one thing to consider going forward – I don’t see him averaging 10 for the series.
Just keep going inside, and go inside to LEBRON. I wonder how Coach Mike doesn’t see this. I like to think being a professional basketball coach he could see things the entire fanbase and media does, but sometimes the case seems otherwise.
Now I understand the compulsion the Cavs had to slow it down against teams that loved to run in Washington and New Jersey but why not push the pace against Detroit and get them out of their defensive comfort zone? We saw it in the last play when LeBron attacked quickly he caught Prince off balance and forced a late rotation from ‘Sheed leaving a ridiculously wide open shot in the corner. A slow, plodding pace may have benefitted the Cavs against the Wiz and Nets but now it’s kinda playing to the Lasers’ strengths. Speed it up and make the Lasers’ D look as uncomfortable as VC’s fourth quarter facial expressions.
Someone must’ve told Lebron that Yi Jianlian was invited to the Pirates premiere and he wasn’t.
http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/22/how-old-is-yi-jianlian/
Cavalier, I can’t understand how Brown wasn’t able to look at the first quarter and recognize the value of attacking the basket, whether that comes on drives or through feeding guys in the post. I mean it’s one thing to fundamentally misunderstand offensive philosophy, and Brown does, but to actually witness how it works and then fail to repeat that is unacceptable.
I have a hard time believing after the first quarter Brown said, “All right guys. That’s working too well. Stop doing it.” In fact, he probably said the opposite as Sasha tried to post-up twice in the second half for the first 2 times in his career. He is also not telling LeBron not to post. LeBron is smart enough to know he should be doing it. It’s not like Brown would say, “Hey! Stop posting LeBron. Shoot a 3!” You can blame him for a lot of things, but this comes down to the players.
Aside: On the radio here yesterday here yesterday, Chris Broussard was telling Kenny Roda what a good series Flip Murray had last year against the Pistons (5.6 pts. 3.1 rbs 1.7 a – on like 30% shooting). These are the ad wizzes that work for ESPN.
All right, the Cavalier, I finally broke down and analyzed a play-off game on my blog, because I couldn’t let you have all the fun. But don’t just think it’s Lebron who needs to post up. The Cavs have ZERO low-post options right now, except for Varajeo hooks. Scary, isn’t it? And this is why we’ll see so much Pistons 3-2 zone in this series, which is vulnerable to the post-up, if we had any.
I’ve never understood why they don’t post Gooden now and then – he’s got that little jump hook that works nicely.
Gooden’s turnaround jumper is pretty nice, too. I’d love to see more plays run for him in the post and even high post.
Hughes drove to that basket more last night than he has in any game since November.
I seem to recall Z had a few baskets in the paint in game 1, it wasn’t dominant but Detroit had trouble stopping him.
Gooden turns to mush against the Pistons if Rasheed is in there. Frustrating, but true.
Wait, I did some research on Drew: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3602/gamelog;_ylt=AthuV9HsZt7269oWAfkVBpCkvLYF?year=2005 In last year’s series, he scored below his season average, but he did help win Game 5. Maybe I’m a tad harsh.
I’ve been saying this for a while, but LeBron needs to get Melo to teach him how to play on the low block. With his body and his passing skills, he’d be unstoppable down there. The problem is, he just doesn’t have any moves right now. When he scores down there, it’s just raw talent carrying him through. Imagine LeBron with MJ’s skills on the low block. You couldn’t double him, because every time you tried, he’d find the open cutters towards the basket. And you couldn’t not double him, because he’s a beast (and with footwork) would get a bucket every single time.
I’ve started to think LBJ doesn’t work on his game much in the offseason – most of his improvement seems to just be from experience. I cite his funky jumpshot form as Exhibit A.
He really hasn’t added anything new – he’s just better at what he already did.
i so totally agree with that. lets wait for that 10year old jenifer phenom kid to school lebron in 10years. so totally done
The Cavs don’t have a player on the roster other then Lebron that can make a simple entry pass into a 7’2 center. Now if Lebron is posting up who’s making that entry pass?
Cav: Here is what your rant inspired…
http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/23/the-solution-to-lebrons-current-problems-learn-carmelos-post/
uh…yep. cavs suck. why you call the pistons “lasers” though?
cavs suck. ohio sucks. why call the pistons “lasers?”
I just want to find new friend’s I’m 14 years old and i’ from uzbekistan
Hello peoples
Just wanted to say Hello to everyone.
Much to read and learn here, I’m sure I will enjoy !
Sup
Did you know that…
Subwoofer refers to either a woofer, or a complete loudspeaker dedicated to the reproduction of
bass audio frequencies, typically from 150 Hz down to 20 Hz.
18 inch subwoofers
In the case of a rotary woofer, it is
possible to reproduce frequencies down to 1 Hz.
Cya
ПриветÑтвую вÑех!
У Ð¼ÐµÐ½Ñ Ñ‚Ð°ÐºÐ¾Ð¹ вопроÑ,кто что интереÑное подÑкажет буду признателен.
Мы Ñ Ð´Ñ€ÑƒÐ·ÑŒÑми ÑобираемÑÑ Ð¿Ð¾ÐµÑ…Ð°Ñ‚ÑŒ в круиз по проÑторам РоÑÑии и ближнего Ð·Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÐ±ÐµÐ¶ÑŒÑ Ð¼ÐµÑÑца на два на Ñвоих машинах,но не как не можем ÑоглаÑовать маршрут,еÑли у кого уже был опыт такого путешеÑтвиÑ,может,что поÑоветуете.Девчонок Ñ Ñобой не берем,думаем,что во вÑе городах РоÑÑии Ñ Ñтим не будет проблем,еÑли у кого будут рекомендации и в вопроÑе отдыха Ñ Ð´ÐµÐ²ÑƒÑˆÐºÐ°Ð¼Ð¸ тоже буду признателен.
С уважением Сеньчик
My life’s been unremarkable. I haven’t been up to much recently. I’ve just been letting everything wash over me lately, not that it matters.Get my pleasure.
Hello!
Your site is just amazing!
Good luck!
Comments on this entry are closed.