Times could be a-changin’ in Independence.
In what should have been a road trip to help the Cleveland Cavaliers get back on track, the Wine and Gold suffered their fourth straight double-figure defeat on Sunday night. Losing to the Detroit Pistons, 102-92, the Cavs dropped their third-straight game against a team which they had regularly defeated in seasons past. But if December has proven anything, the 2010-11 season is in no way akin to anything this team (or fan base) has become accustomed used to.
Alas, Byron Scott has come to terms with several different issues, using many idioms to express his concern. Following Saturday’s 34-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Scott said that his team needed to “pull their heads out of their you-know-where,” while officially questioning their heart and determination. One night later, Scott went on record to say that the Cavaliers could be in for a bit of an augmentation when it comes to the roation and minutes played.
“I’m at a point of a lot of things right now,” said Cavs head coach Byron Scott. “Yeah, I’ve considered [making rotation changes], but I think I’m going to wait a few more games to see what happens.”
Mary Schmitt-Boyer of The Plain Dealer listed rookies Manny Harris and Samardo Samuels as potential beneficiaries of such changes. Harris (whose given first name is Corperryale L’Adorable), has seen sporadic minutes throughout the season, playing in five games and averaging 4.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in nine minutes. Samuels, whom may very well be the best back-to-the-basket big man on the current roster, has appeared in two games, averaging 6.5 points and 1.0 rebound.
Most recently, Samuels was active in a game where JJ Hickson was out with a stomach virus. In his eight minutes of play, the 260-pounder worked hard, earning six points, two rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal.
If the Cavaliers decide that it is in fact time to start the rebuilding process, playing rookies such as Harris and Samuels would make sense so the team can get a full understanding of what they have at their disposal. But in order to not be reactive, Scott says that he will still take a few more games to decide what is best for his team.
“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things, and the one thing about me is that when I do think about these things I don’t take them lightly. I don’t rush at them because of a loss like [Minnesota's] or the last three games. I try to think about it and consider everything before I make a move like that because I want to feel extremely comfortable when I do it.
“I don’t want to do it because of a reaction. So I’m going to take some days before I do anything.”
Thankfully, the Cavaliers find themselves playing a familiar opponent in the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. The Cavs have won the two previous games against the Sixers, one at home and one on the road. Following Tuesday’s game, the Wine and Gold comes home to host the Central Division-leading Chicago Bulls before a four-game road trip against Houston, Oklahoma City, Miami (!!!) and Indiana.
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(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
