While We’re Waiting… Christmas-Related Readings
December 24, 2009Could George Kokinis’ Firing Be Used Against Eric Mangini?
December 24, 2009While the box score may show that the Cavaliers topped the Kings thanks to huge scoring nights from LeBron James and Mo Williams, the real story of the 117-104 overtime win in Sacramento was the crunch time defense coupled with timely execution on the offensive end. The Kings’ Tyreke Evans (more on him later) was abusing the Cavaliers for the majority of the evening until midway through the fourth quarter when LeBron James opted to cover him on the defensive end. It was from this point that Evans would go on to shoot 1-for-8 though the fourth quarter and into overtime, allowing the Cavaliers to pull away and nail the proverbial coffin.
But things did not come easy. Until the overtime period, the Cavaliers biggest lead was eight points; the Kings managed one of six points. There were several lead changes, a slew of clutch shots on both sides, and all around exciting play for 54 minutes.
James would finish the contest with his second triple-double of the season thanks to 34 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists and an amazing +26 through his 43 minutes on the floor. A good chunk of that +26 came in the final 15 minutes of play as James continually forced the rookie Evans into tough shots including one at the end of regulation that missed the entire rim/backboard by about six feet. James did have his slip ups at times, allowing a screen and easy layup at one point and succumbing to a stellar drop step – though Evans had missed the easy bucket. Following Evans’ miss at the buzzer, it was all Cavaliers in the overtime period as Sacramento would not score a single point.
“It was fun; Tyreke is going to be a great player,” James said. “It was just me taking the challenge. He was getting where he wanted to get on the court. I wanted to use my length, use my experience and use my mind-set defensively.”
James’ partner in crime Mo Williams was step for step with No. 23 for most of the evening. Despite missing time with a leg contusion – and grimacing through most of the night – Williams would come back and finish with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting including three three-point field goals. Many of Williams’ conversions came in situations of need including a huge three-pointer towards the end of the fourth quarter to tie the game in a period where Sacramento appeared to be pulling away.
Along with James and Mo, the Cavaliers had plenty of help from teammates Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao and Anthony Parker. Parker had a clutch make late in the game, Varejao would contribute mostly on the defensive end and Ilgauskas was Mr. Overtime thanks to three consecutive three-balls from the right corner. Varejao would hit a long jumper to end the third quarter from the same spot, but it was Ilgauskas who would receive three straight kick-out passes from teammates (James twice, Parker once) and swish three straight treys. Big Z finished with a season-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, eight boards and a blocked shot.
While the Cavaliers came out with the win, it was not without miscues. A team that is supposed to pride itself on defense allowed 32 points in the third quarter. Through most of the game, there was a huge free-throw disparity that kept things close thanks to careless fouls by Shaquille O’Neal (eight points, eight rebounds) and Varejao. Daniel Gibson saw little time after two quick fouls of his own in 12 minutes of play. Of course, there was the token period of play where James opted for dribbling out the clock and heatcheck type jumpers, especially when Mo Williams was seemingly on fire. And finally, we are seeing that the JJ Hickson experiment is growing more and more trying by the day as Mike Brown only played the young power forward for 17 minutes.
At one point in the game, Hickson was burnt on a screen-and-roll and was promptly pulled by Brown who was irate. During the insuing timeout, Brown walked Hickson out to midcourt and physically acted out a defensive stance and (as calmly as possible) explained what Hickson is to do in those moments.
Hickson, however, was done zero favors by the Kings’ Evans who finished with 28 points, three rebounds and five assists. The 6’6″ Evans also blocked three shots on the night and repeatedly used his size and quickness to earn each and every point. Prior to being blanketed by James, Evans was 10-for-17 with two threes and a flawless 4-of-4 from the line. He is an amazing player given any level of experience, and even more so when figuring only 28 games played at the NBA level. Evans looks like a Dwyane Wade in the making if only Wade had the shooting range that Evans has. Fans on the east coast (or midwest) rarely make time to watch western conference teams, but Evans is one of those guys that deserves undivided attention whenever he’s on the television. If only someone like Brandon Jennings was in the west – it would be the new “LeBron/Wade.”
The Cavaliers will get today off – along with the rest of the NBA – as they travel to Los Angeles for tomorrow’s big game against the Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. This one is being billed as the “biggest Christmas Day game ever,” so we should hope that the wine and gold can live up to the hype. For now, we can enjoy last night’s excellent game that resulted in a Cavaliers win. [Puts threes to eyes]
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(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
19 Comments
I loved lebrons post game quote that I read on the ESPN recap. ” I just tried to keep him as scoreless as possible”. Also is shaq officially a non factor? He does nothing in the wins and he does nothing in the losses= non factor
Is it just me, or is Lebron’s line “That was just me being/doing…” a teeny bit comical?
mitchum man,
The factor-ness of Shaq, seems to me, will be unknown except in games against contenders with major bigs (bangers as Jack calls them). I think that was the sole point.
Shaq owes, entirely, his presence in Cleveland to Dwight Howard.
matt – couldnt agree more on shaq. the cavs didnt bring him in to get from 45 wins to 65 wins. they won 66 without him. they dont need him to win regular season games. they need him to win 4 games against orlando if and when we play them in may/june.
And then after we lose to the Lakers, who are we going to bring in?
The Lakers are good. What scares me the most was the Artest acquisition. I think he is the only player in the league that LeBron fears at all. His game completely changes when he plays Artest, even though he isn’t as quick as he once was (like in his brutish Pacer days).
As Matt#2 highlighted, it comes down to banging. Artest is going to bang Bron, and Bron needs to set the tone and bang him back. Then Shaq will be inspired to bang and Andy. Before you known it, we’ll get the gang bangin’ goin’.
All immaturity aside, LeBron being aggressive early is of the utmost important. He can’t look intimidated by the Fake Show and the Staples Center.
“Artest is going to bang Bron, and Bron needs to set the tone and bang him back.”
I agree. If someone tries to bang you, you really have to bang them back as hard as you can.
Roosevelt,
We’re going to bring in Kobe.
an interesting stat or two from windhorst today:
cavs have played 17 road games so far, tied for most in the nba. (lakers have played just 9 road so far).
“So far, they have dealt with the stretch rather well. Using a system that Nuggets coach George Karl made well known to sort of equalize the standings during the season, the Cavs compute well. Karl believes in a rating where you subtract home losses from road wins. Heading into Wednesday, the Cavs were a league-best +8, tied with both the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics. The Lakers were at +5.”
All this talk about bringing in people makes me want the Cavs to acquire a real a-hole, like the Hanson brothers in Slapshot (Paul Newman flick). I mean a-hole in the best sense, the Ron Artest sense, the Lambier sense, the Rodman sense, the Derek Fisher sense (after laying out the Jungle Book guy from the Rockets), the Sheed sense. We’ve been eyeing what appear to me to be a lot of relative softies. Sheesh, Kobe knows how to be an a-hole, too.
Are there any a-holes that could be brought to Cleveland?
jamison is an a-hole
Jamison, there you go.
I’d guess most of the league would claim that Andy fills the a-hole role quite capably. I’d much prefer to have an Andy style irritator than a real jerk. I hate having to root for jerks.
I’m looking at you, Albert Belle.
Bangers and mash!
Jack…
Shaq – NON FACTOR. You all think just because he was effective in one game a month and a half ago he is the answer to that 4 game series? He can’t even play against a make shift center 5 inches shorter than him.
Guy is aweful. So much more can be brought in.
Heard a rumor at the bar last night, and I thought it was just as crazy as it sounds, but it was on ESPN. Shaq / JJ for Jamison, Butler, Haywood….
I would do that in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t think the salaries match though.
Shaq plays like 20 minutes a game, we need him for rebounds, and defense,were not expecting him to score a double double every night. Two reasons we got Shaq
BEAT ORLANDO and BOSTOn
SIZE
NOT OFFENCE.
Natty, the fact that you wrote that is silly pants/
Please understand that certain players play better and try harder in certain situations, Natty. Shaq gets up for Superman, Jr. and will get up against Kobe.
That’s right, Shaq will get up and bang.
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