While We’re Waiting… NCAA Last Call, More Joe Haden and Cavs Free Throw Woes
March 18, 2010Today is My Christmas Day
March 18, 2010For the third time in franchise history the Cleveland Cavaliers are the champions of the Central Division. Last year the Cavaliers made a pretty big deal out of this. This year they didn’t even mention it over the public address system. I think maybe the message is loud and clear here- they won’t be satisfied with anything less than the NBA crown this year.
The Pacers were short-handed and like the Cavs playing on consecutive nights. Much like the game against the Pistons, the Cavs seemed to cruise until a burst in the third quarter and a swift finish by LeBron James who came just 3 points shy of 15,000 for his career. He will be the youngest player to achieve that milestone on Friday against the Bulls.
Here are some bullet points and questions I had while watching this one…
– I really want to know what the deal is with J.J. and dropped passes. It seems that every game he has at least one or two that just slip right through his hands and go out of bounds. I know he has small hands, which is why he doesn’t dunk one handed, but I can’t palm a basketball either and don’t remember having problems catching one.
– I love having another player that picks up points around the rim. Jamison finds 4-6 points a game off misses or loose balls in the paint.
– Delonte West has a serious burst. He stole a ball in that second quarter and was off like a rocket. I don’t think he has the overall top speed of the fastest guys in the league, but from a stand still he seems to get to full speed as quick as any.
– Leon Powe is tough. That’s not really news, but I think it bears remembering. He is going to help this team next season when that knee is even stronger.
– Interesting line-up for the Cavs played extended minutes in the second quarter. Mo Williams, Delonte West, J.J. Hickson, Leon Powe and Jawad Williams. Powe held his own against Hibbert.
– A lot of Cleveland’s early turnovers were extra passes inside that were just off. I can live with those.
– The obvious comment might be that the Cavs shot better at the free throw line, but should we get excited about 70%? When Shaq isn’t playing? Shouldn’t we be upwards of 80% without the Big Snowplow? Even on Jamison’s one make he hit the front rim.
– If you were playing a pick-up game with the Cavs, LeBron would be the first pick obviously. Who would you take second? I’d take Andy, but I’d be real tempted to take Delonte before Mo.
– I’m kind of done getting upset when the Cavs come out without top energy. As long as they are within a couple possessions I suppose it doesn’t really matter. I keep thinking that it is going to come back to bite them, but it just isn’t this year. Clamping down in the fourth quarter, turning the defensive intensity up a notch is a legit strategy.
– Bizarre stat of the night= Anthony Parker with a +20. He scored 2 points, had 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
– Stat of the night #2= LeBron outscored our 4 guards 32-21. (M. Williams 7, Parker 2, West 9, J. Williams 3)
– I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game with as many drop off passes. It is so effective for this team though.
– It is a shame that LeBron didn’t reach his milestone at home. Would have made a nice moment had they recognized it.
– During Indiana’s run in the fourth, the Pacers employed a 3-PG offense and it gave the Cavs trouble. Remind you of another game? Perhaps the New Orleans game? It will be interesting to see what kind of adjustment the Cavs make when they play the Hornets next week.
– Brandon Rush was abused in the fourth quarter. Do you ever wonder if the other teams in the Central are starting to think about their small forwards the way we felt about Craig Ehlo?
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
19 Comments
Excellent read. Only a few more days until we can sign Z!
It’s surprising that this is only our third division title. Also surprising that Brad, Mark and the boys never won one, even when they won 57 games.
@2
They were always playing under Jordan’s Bulls.
I understand winning the title is first and foremost, but since this is only the 3rd conference title ever, and the first 2 season streak ever, I feel it’s still notable and something to be proud of.
I had no idea either that the 57 win teams were always second. Stupid Jordan.
A couple years ago Andy dropped a lot of passes also, but has grown and adjusted. I like to think JJ will do the same. Playing with LeBron you see a lot of passes come in quickly and from weird angles that you’re not going to get from many (if any) other players.
I just like having alot of pretty banners at the Q
This team seems content to coast for 2 or 3 quarters and then turn it on when they need to. There are pro’s (LeBron is generally fresher in the fourth quarter in winning time) as well as con’s (what if you get too far behind and can’t come back?). Not sure if they’re playing possum or what…
stin’s got values
I like to tell myself that the Cavs are controlling the throttle and that they’re turning it on and off at will. Maybe that’s part of the game, like short track skating. Maybe they’re doing the best they can muster at any given time, which may not always be their best. Being in the crazy good zone may be like a ray of sunshine about which the Cavs can marvel every so often.
You’re welcome.
If I’m picking teams, Andy is definitely my #2 pick. Like Fred & AC discussed last night, it’s a shame there is no stat for keeping the ball alive for your team. He’d most likely lead this category. And if played on my high school team, he’d be leading in Coach Martin’s ‘Hustle Points’ category.
Did anyone else see JJ dunk himself silly last night? In the 3rd quarter (I believe) he got a great drop off from Lebron and dunked so hard he stumbled over his own feet and fell. They showed Lebron laughing all the way back down the court. Priceless.
@Vare-A-Jay: indeed, I saw that as it unfolded. I was wondering just when LeBron was going to stop laughing, and if JJ was going to get back to his feet and join the action. It all worked out, if I recollect.
I think that self-imploding dunk is not unrelated to Rick’s question about JJ’s dropped passes. The guy is pressing and very excitable. It’s part of the reason why he’s so explosive, but he’s got to contain his energy just enough that it doesn’t work against him. As Swig noted, this will likely come with a little more experience.
Watching LeBron do his Dominator thing at the end reminded me of little kids playing hoops when the high school player walks up to the court and starts messing with them by blocking every shot, holding the ball up and chuckling. He was a man among boys. So nice that for once we have that guy.
The Central Division title is a great achievement, and banners are cool; but the numbers I am watching now are the magic numbers for clinching the no. 1 seeds in the East and overall. If my calculations are right, the numbers are currently at 8, with respect to the Magic, and 10, with respect to the Lakers. With 13 games remaining, unless the Cavs experience a sudden reversal of fortunes more severe than what hit them with the three-game losing streak after the All-Star break, the magic numbers are bound to hit zero.
It wasn’t until the end when LeBron nearly landed his second consecutive triple double that this game was sewn up an ugly win but a win nonetheless. I personally would prefer to see the Cavaliers put it on one of these lowly teams for once but that’s just personal preference.
Yep just the teams third division title, second straight, better late then never but it does remind me of those damn Bulls and that other #23 who rained on all of our potential parades with those Cavaliers. If you think about it this should only make what we are witnessing all that more special because it’s our own #23 leading his band of role playing merry men over other teams. This is what greatness is all about.
On a side note anyone else laughing at the media war going on between who else Skip Bayless and Dwight Howards? Bayless called out Howard and Howard responded after last night’s game. I’m loving these two going at it because it gives LBJ some cover from Skip’s constant remarks. Btw Howard stuck up for LeBron in his remarks about Bayless which was nice to hear.
@13
Was this just on ESPN on TV or is there video (or print) anywhere? I’d love to see/read it.
@boogeyman: I don’t mean this as an ad hominem comment, and you seem good about taking criticism (even insults), but just a suggestion: why not use more periods? I say this only because I often have to reread your run-on sentences to make sense of them. And, sometimes, I can’t do it. It would help to clarify your thoughts if you separated them more frequently with an old-fashioned and inexpensive dot.
Since phil initiated an intervention:
I would also dig more dots in your comments, boogey.
Thanks.
@14 EZ they talked about it on First Take this morning. I never watch the show but in a preview they mentioned it so I decided to wait and watch. In the third down portion of the show they discussed the situation with that Scoop Jackson and Swann, Swinn Cash.
@15 and 16 I. Will. Do. My. Best. Just. For. You. Better? I have an occasional run on but nothing like you make it sound like Phil. And what exactly is a dot, you mean a period, like the one your on this morning Matt#2? đ
I know personal foul – flag – no need for reprimand WFNY but I saw the opening and I made the hit. Don’t hate the playah hate the game!
Back when Jamison was at NC they used to keep a stat on how long he actually held the ball in his hands for the entire game.
He would have something absurd like scoring 32 points and only having the ball in hands for 48 seconds the entire game. No wasted movement or energy. I love it.
The Cav’s are winning despite missing their #1 and #2 centers. Geesh, how many other team could do that? Think Kobe w/o Bynum/Gasol.
That small line-up had a devil of a time with Hibbard and Murphy but played enough D to extend the lead a couple of times. When they decide to “turn on the D” I think it is very hard to sustain the intensity for more than a few minutes at a time. Its appears they have to turn it on then, when they are gased, turn it off.
Having God’s gift to basketball more than made up for the absence of Shaq and Z but I don’t think we should suppose that we can continue to roll even mediorce teams without our bigs.