May 20, 2013

Cavs 102 Wizards 90: A Turning Point?

November 3, 2009 by 24 Comments

Shaq blocks MillerIf you watched the game, you already know the storyline being penned and typed around the Forrest City. “After sluggish start the Cavaliers finally get everything together.” For this game anyway, you certainly would have to say that.

After falling behind by 18 points, the Cavaliers played like a team with heart. Shaquille O’Neal had his best game as a Cavalier, and Dainel Gibson caught fire making four 3 point shots. He also stepped up and played great individual and team defense. But could this be a turning point in the Cavs’ season?

The Cavs certainly played with more enthusiasm and at times looked like their old selves on the defensive side of the ball. Nobody is going to deny that. I would cautiously call to your attention a familiar phrase- match-up problems. As in the Wizards sure don’t seem to have an answer for the Cavaliers’ new look. Specifically, they have nobody that can come close to guarding Shaq down on the block.

Since they don’t have one player, they ran three differDanielent ones at Shaquille, and the Protector simply got them all in foul trouble. To the Cavs’ credit, once they established that advantage, they made full use of it by being aggressive to the basket.

Could this be a turning point? Sure it could. The Cavs could point to this game down the road as the game that solidified this group as a team. When they all bought into the team philosophy and clamped down at the defensive end leading to an easier time on offense. Only time will tell, and the first chance they get to keep it going is Thursday night against the Bulls.

(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Anthony
  • S-Dub

    Good job on pointing out Boobie’s GREAT on ball defense. He has got to be commended for his performance tonight. Is it finally starting to click with him? Maybe he’s realizing that his PT can be gone in a quick second if Jamario (who also played very well tonight) gets hot and Delonte keeps playing well.

    Having Boobie play like this EVERY night will be a great asset for us.

    Delonte is a big difference maker for us. The Diesel was great tonight, hopefully that continues.

  • hansolo1

    A turning point point? 5 games in? Aren’t we being a wee bit dramatic there with a 3-2 record? I know it’s Cleveland and all, and god love her and all her warts, but seriously. This Cleveland team will be ok.

  • whipjacka

    I don’t think it can be a turning point on a three game winning streak. Basketball is a game of runs, and i am not talking about the “Brown scouting report” either.

  • AMC

    It’s a nice win and the Cavs first against a playoff caliber opponent. I happen to agree that it’s tough to have a “turning point” 5 games in, but it was nice to see Shaq taking names in a Cavs uni. I think it’s pretty clear how important Delonte is to this team. His legal and mental health situations may be the most important determinant of the team’s success this year.

  • Dave

    There were a lot of upsides to this game:
    1. The Cavs are starting to learn how to use Shaq inside.
    2. Boobie Gibson is figuring out how he can be more than what Damon Jones was.
    3. LeBron is developing a mid-range repertoire that isn’t off-balance jump shots.
    4. Andy is scoring. The Cavs need him to do that to force defenses to guard him on the offensive end. That’s part of what he gives you that Big Ben didn’t.

  • Saggy

    I don’t see anyone mentioning what I thought was the turning point: Shaq’s HARD foul on Deshawn Stevenson(?- I can’t remember – but it doesn’t matter). We haven’t sen that sort of heart in a while from this team physically. It wa as if he had had enough, and wanted to send a message that even if the Cavs go down, they won’t go down without a fight. I even saw Shaq mouth the words “he’s alright.”. THAT was my defining play. Maybe it will set the tone forthwith rest of the year.

    I wonder if Deshawn could feel his face after that?

  • Saggy

    To clarify: there were times the last few years when Z would foul someone hard and they would get all up in his face. That didn’t happen with Shaq. Not even close.

  • Clown Baby

    It’s fun to watch Bizzaro Gibson hit big shots and play defense. I wish I could photoshop so I could plunk a mustache on a Gibson picture. I’m assuming this is what they expected when they signed him to that terrible contract. Hopefully Bizzaro is here to stay and keep healthy.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

    “If you watched the game, you already know the storyline being penned and typed around the Forrest City.”

    And if you didn’t watch the game, Wizards fans would lead you to believe that the officiating “gift wrapped” this game for the Cavaliers.

  • oribiasi

    @ Scott/#10 — Isn’t that almost always the case with a sore loser, though?

  • Clown Baby

    I really hope Wizards fans don’t whine about officiating. Watching that game felt like we were getting homered at home. I think the free throw attempts were tilted towards Wash 41-24.

  • ben

    This was a good game – and it shows us what sorts of things we can expect from the Cavs later this season.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/ Rick

    I failed pretty miserably in communicating what I meant by ‘turning point’. Another post coming at 11.

  • DCBucks

    Shaq got called for a foul in the photo. Clearly a clean block, so Wizard fans can just STFU about the officiating. I watched the Wizards’s broadcast of the game here in DC. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the announcers whine and complain about every single whistle.

    DeShawna Jackson getting put down by Shaq was the highlight of the night for me. And Mike Miller is still wearing LeBron’s shoes, despite DeShawna’s whining about it.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

    Yea the Wiz announcers aren’t very good and certainly were crying along with the team. Vince G and Kyle from Truth About It had a fun back and forth on the Twits last night, which made the Cavs’ turnaround even more enjoyable.

  • deebo

    Anyone else confused into thinking they were watching a WNBA game last night when seeing Mike Miller’s goofy, weird looking pony-tailed head bobbling around out there? Shaq isn’t afraid to get that girls weak stuff outta there (it was a clean block).

  • Harv 21

    @7: Agree. The man is still the prototype enforcer. If you’re a Wiz, you’d have to talk yourself into attacking the basket after seeing Shaq effortlessly flip Stevenson back onto his head. Dude doesn’t even have to scowl, he just kind of smirks at the road kill.

    Wonder if anyone else is amazed at how Delonte has transformed in just a few years from just another NBA bench guy to a complete player with virtually no holes in his game and a penchant for consistently making the right on-court decisions, on offense and defense. Some credit has to go to Mike Brown and the staff, because he would have been a lot more expensive to get if he played like this for Boston and Seattle. And if Boobie’s contract is a dud, Delonte’s is a steal for the team.

  • Pingback: Finally, A Glimpse – Shaq Steps Up | WaitingForNextYear

  • DCBucks

    Oops. I meant Deshawna Stevenson in post #15.

  • http://sonsofnev.wordpress.com The Seaward

    My kingdom for a video clip or photo of Shaq obliterating DeYawn.

  • P@

    I had to tune into Comcast for the Wizards’ broadcast, but I didn’t really think the announcing was that bad. They were partially biased towards the Wiz, but they’re supposed to be. There were actually a couple of places where they were confused about why the Cavs didn’t get a call they deserved or were whistled for a phantom foul. I’m surprised Wizard fans are complaining about the officiating (kind of). They got some extremely suspect calls in the first half.

    Great game from Shaq… he was efficient and seemed to have a better idea of how to fit into the offense. I think he is still learning though because I saw LeBron get a little heated with him even right after James had converted an and-1. And overall, I just loved how the guys played in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter. There was a lot of confidence out there.

  • http://shakesthesnowglobe.blogspot.com EZ

    FYI ESPN.com is doing the League Pass radio November promo. Cavs fans not in NE Ohio can listen to Joe Tait call the game for free till the end of the month. Listened to him call this game last night and it was like a breath of fresh air. Nobody says “brings the ball to the forward court, to the line, to the lane, GOT IT!” quite like him.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP Diesel

    Also of note, EZ: 1460 AM in Columbus announced that they now are carrying the Cavs’ Radio Network broadcasts. Finally, some Joe Tait in Columbus again!

  • Cavalette23

    Shaq having his best game as a Cav, Issue 3 being passed–Turning Points in Cleveland!