Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks (Game 71)
March 18, 2009NFL Free Agency: Browns Sign RB Noah Herron
March 18, 2009By beating the Magic last night, and with Boston giving up a million points to the Bulls the Cavaliers find themselves 4.5 games up on Boston and 5 up on the Magic with 15 games to play. “I’m not a smart man, but I know what the magic number is.” A little quick math reveals the Cavs’ magic number for home court throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs sits at 11. Any Cavs win or Boston/Orlando loss reduces that number by one. There’s a chance the Celtics slip behind Orlando as soon as tonight. Orlando travels to Milwaukee, where Dwight Howard might actually take a shot in the fourth quarter, and the Heat pay a visit to Boston.
Boston could be even more short-handed than usual. Garnett isn’t scheduled to return until Friday at the earliest, nor will Tony Allen who is still a few weeks away. Last night however, a few more Celtics got banged up. Cleveland killer Leon Powe bruised his knee and isn’t certain to play, neither is Rajon Rondo who rolled his ankle (again) and might miss a game or two. In addition Ray Allen hyper-extended his elbow and might need to rest. Now, I don’t for a second think all those guys are going to be out. They are tough guys and I don’t think they are going to let their team down. How effective they are might be another matter.
Speaking of Boston and Garnett, what’s the deal with KG not attending games while he is hurt? Do you really buy the “I can’t be on the bench without playing because I’m that intense!” line? Heard that from Skeets on the Basketball Jones today. I’m calling shenanigans on that one. You can’t be behind the bench and support your teammates? Really? What are you going to do go all Hulk Hogan and rip off your suit? Are you going to storm the floor and play in your bare feet? Give me a break.
Keeping with the Boston theme, I see that America’s Basketball Team, or at least their fans, seem to think they are the only ones that are getting hit with injuries. I’ll grant you that you may have a few more happening at the same time, but your total number of games missed isn’t even close to the injuries the Cavs have endured this year. Boston starters (KG, Rondo and Perkins) have missed 23 games to injury this season. Compare that with Cleveland’s 48 (Zydrunas, West and Wallace.) Boston’s significant bench players have missed 35 (House 1, Davis 6 and Allen 28.) Cleveland’s bench players have missed 21 (Gibson 6, Wally 3, Sasha 12.) Injuries happen to everyone. You have to deal with them. In addition to complaining about injuries, the ref conspiracy bug is back. You know, because the league has it out for them. You stay classy Boston.
The Cavs also moved a game in front of the Lakers with Philadelphia’s last moment heroics. Thanks again to Donyell Marshall, who came up big for the Sixers (and the Cavs ironically). So, essentially we traded Marshall and Jones for Mo Williams, and Donyell is secretly still working for us? Good deal.
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How about some fantasy news? Make sure you get into the WFNY March Madness bracket pool. All are welcome! Group #: 70259 | Password: wfny2009
Also, many are asking about a WFNY fantasy baseball league. Well, we are going to switch a few things up this season. There will be 6 WFNY staff members participating (whether they know it or not) in the league this year, which will leave 10 spots left. We are giving last year’s winner an automatic pass into the league. So that means 9 spots are open to the public. If you have interest in a live-auction, roto-style league please leave us a comment here. We will choose the 9 people that we think we can beat, randomly that will be invited to the league. Good luck!
35 Comments
I WANT IN!!! Plus, I’m second in the Basketball League and poised to make a nice run in the playoffs.
i love being reminded that starbury is on that team.
I WANT IN!!! Plus, I’m second in the Basketball League and JUST GOT BEAT BY RICK.
/fixed.
@buu: Yeah every time I see a picture or stat line it makes me laugh. I just hope that same picture is taken in June at the Q.
I love me some hatin’ on Boston.
I agree that KG not watching his team is complete crap. Our guys were always on the sidelines when they were hurt (unless it was a road trip and they were rehabbing in Cleveland), but not even going to the home games? what a bunch of crap, too intense? how about too much self pity.
With Boston struggling the way it is that has to be getting under the skin of some of those guys, especially the ones that play hurt. Given my dislike for all things Boston sports I’d like nothing more than to see that team fall apart from the inside out as the season winds down, Orlando passing them for the 2 spot looks pretty legit right now. I think Boston’s chances of going on the road to beat Orlando and Cleveland to get to the finals are very very small. Its a lesser version of last year’s team that barely got through the east (thanks to home court advantage) and they’re older and worse for wear this time around.
We had our injuries, we played through them, we stayed in contention, we had guys step up, we didn’t make conspiracy theories about our losses.
go cavs
Amazing how the Celtics complain about a few of their injuries, and we just keep on winning crazy games. I believe I heard on the FSN telecast last night that the Cavs are 11-10 in games where they are trailing heading into the fourth quarter. Absolutely unbelievable. Here is a sampling of some of the predictions of our chances of getting the #1 seed in the East:
John Hollinger = 95.8%
Basketball-Reference = 98.5%
SportsClubStats = 97.3%
Thanks Rick. I was just getting into this argument yesterday to a Boston fan about how we’ve had to endure injuries way more this season, but didn’t feel like looking up the stats. Thanks for giving me more fuel for the fire.
That’s why we’re here Chad.
It’s articles like this that make this site the best around. Great work. GO CAVS!
Celtics were 41-9 with a victory over Philadelphia on February 3rd. Since that time, they are 9-9 while the Cavaliers are 16-4 and the Magic are 13-7.
Currently SportsClubStats has there being a 64.9% chance the Magic finish with the third seed in the East. They still get to host Boston (March 25) and Cleveland (April 3), along with road dates in Miami (March 30), Atlanta (April 4) and Houston (April 7)
There are some clever entry names in the Bracket challenge. My favorites so far are K2 Jersey for Sale, Mo Williams Less Problems and Ira’s Newblehood.
I’d be up for some fantasy baseball, but if my WFNY fantasy hoops team is any indication, I’ll just draft all the guys that will be hurt for half the season.
In Rock’s league I’m destroying faces left and right with my sweet team. So you never know what’ll happen.
I’m definitely up for fantasy baseball…
Shenanigans? I am going home to get my broom.
Do not argue with a Boston fan about any of this. Having lived there, here’s the deal: they are Celtic (or Red Sox or Bruins) fans. They are not basketball fans. They are completely self-absorbed, and really don’t want to hear about players or teams in other cities, other than those in New York or L.A. I learned this the hard way. Neither Manny, nor Luis Tiant, nor Dennis Eckersley had careers before they appeared, ex nihilo, in Boston uniforms. I’m sure they understand on some level that Garnett and Ray Allen played elsewhere, but they probably couldn’t name the places because, you know, they just weren’t important until they came to Boston. Point is, that’s how they are. Ignore them.
Wasnt the world a much better place before everyone found out how arrogant people from Boston are?
Hey guys – if you still have room for fantasy baseball, let me know.
O, I would like to play in the fantasy baseball league.
@Rick: Lol nice way to abuse the power of running the site haha.
i have not been able to find a league to get in– this would be perfect for me!!!
Just saw on ESPN that D-Wade is out tonight against the Celtics. Too bad!
Can’t watch the Celtics’ game. DingleBarry is showing his manlove for dlessWade.
I would enjoy testing my fantasy baseball mettle with you all. I have never done a 16 team league, would be interesting.
fantasy baseball please? I can’t wait to draft the constant-turning-around-his-career-hafner. He’s due isn’t he?
Harv 21, that’s utter nonsense. Who is the self absorbed one, really?
Ray Allen played for Milwaukee and Seattle before being drafted out of UCONN (where he played with D. Marshall), whereas KG came out of Farragut Academy (HS) and played for the T-Wolves. There. A Boston fan who had just dispelled your theory.
And you can’t compare an injury to Delonte West to an injury to Kevin Garnett. I’m not one to wish injuries on anyone, not even opponents, but if LeBrick gets hurt, where does that leave the Cavs? Out in the first round.
I want in the league
Nicky,
You’re (not so) clever use of google prior to posting doesn’t negate Harv’s opinion (not theory). Although your over the top knee jerk reaction probably helps support it.
You can’t compare D West’s injury to KG, thats true. But comparing KG and Lebron doesn’t work either, your best player is Paul Pierce, hands down. Let me shed some light on something the rest of non-Boston believes: KG is not intimidating, hes not a force to be reckoned with, hes a great big man, but hes not Shaq (in his prime) or even Dwight Howard or Yao (both of whom do a better job of keeping Lebron out of the paint than KG).
But aside from Delonte we also have been without our starting center and starting power forward now, but we’re still holding up.
If we lost Lebron, yea we’d probably be the 3rd best team in the east and not the 1st.
No Google dude. I admit that my NBA knowledge is not inherent though — I know a lot about Ray Allen because he was teammates in College with Doron Sheffer whose brother I went to high school with in Israel. And playing Fantasy NBA helps, too.
His assumption (a more fitting word than opinion or theory) that Boston sports fans all don’t understand basketball is ridiculous and pompous. I’m sure it’s possible to be civil even when you support opposing teams.
KG – LeBron comparison: Obviously they are not the same player, and obviously Paul Pierce IS the Boston Celtics. But, if Pierce is having an off night shooting, there is always Ray Allen, KG and recently, Eddie House to put up points. If KG is out, the Celtics all around defense is struggling – mightily.
Trust me, I’m no huge Garnett fan, but anyone can see how his defense changes the game. Even if he’s no Howard or Yao, he’s strong enough and athletic and and mainly, he’s been around the league long enough to organize the other four guys and make stops.
Lastly, this is still a big man’s league. Do you honestly believe that LeBron can replicate his 6/7 for 3pt (it was against the Heat I think) night in, night out in the Playoffs? I don’t. 3PT shooting might win you games, but championships are won in the paint. With Garnett back, regardless of homecourt, this should be one heck of a series. And if it isn’t the Eastern Finals, then I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed.
Valid points all around.
I think Mo Williams is a legit scoring threat if Lebron is off (hes gone over 40 twice this year and is averaging 22 a game). We don’t have a big 3rd option, although Delonte and Zydrunas both average double figures as well.
I don’t think Lebron is going to be killing 3’s in the playoffs like he has been, lately his jumper has been on and obviously thats something that is going to come and go from long range. However during the playoffs he goes hard to the rim night in and night out, so I don’t think he’ll have to rely on that 3 pointer.
KG definitely helps your D, my point was that he doesn’t make the paint impenetrable the way other big men do. Tougher to get to? definitely, impenetrable, no.
You definitely win 7 degrees of Ray Allen as well.
Thanks Hoy. I like what Z offers the Cavs — he spreads the floor and leaves the lane for LeBron, and Delonte can be a threat too. Them two (or Mo) for that matter are in Ray Allen’s caliber, but they can be dependable second or third options.
The good thing about KG’s defense however isn’t only in the stops he himself gets, but its in the way he organizes everyone from the back — not just the interior, but also the perimeter. I’ve seen the Celtics play live a few times in the last year and a half, he might not intimidate you, but he is one loud dude. And it helps that he’s been in the league long enough to read almost any situation.
Aaaand, of course I meant to say that Mo, Delonte and Z, albeit being capable scorers are NOT in Ray Allen’s caliber. Phew. Long day in the office.
Delonte and Z no. Z is a center not a shooting guard, and while Delonte lacks the offensive power of Allen I’d say hes a better defender (which is what we really like about the guy in Cleveland anyway).
As for Mo Williams time will have to tell on that one (I was wrong earlier, Williams is only averaging 18 a game right now, compared to Allen’s 18.4) since hes only 26 and Allen is 33, Williams is at 43% from the arc while Allen is at 40%, so I’d say they’re pretty comparable right now, but Allen definitely has history and a legacy on his side right now.
I fully realize that Z is a Center and not a Shooting Guard. I was talking from the manufacturing points perspective — he can definitely pitch in, just not in the rate that Ray can. You have to remember, the Celtics go to Ray as a third option right now, but when they need him (Lakers series), he has the ability to turn up big.
I said earlier I like West (probably the Celtics history), and the fact that he’s a terrific defender. But, again, harking back to the Lakers series, you can’t take away what Ray Allen did on Kobe from him. He’s a very underrated player on D.
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