While We’re Waiting… Browns GM and Coaching Possibilities, Tristan Thompson Player Profile, and OSU’s New Basketball Floor
December 30, 2012Schefter: Browns Add New Executive VP Brent Stehlik
December 30, 2012The Cavs nearly stole this one. Well, they nearly forced overtime.
Cleveland dug themselves a decent sized hole, forcing themselves to play catch-up for the bulk of the night, but they had a shot. With a player like Kyrie Irving, you always have a shot.
It wasn’t Irving’s best game; Kyrie finished with 13 points on just 5-16 shooting and was 1-6 from behind the arc. But when Irving’s three made the score 101-100 with just five seconds to play, the Cavs had a chance. Joe Johnson’s free throws put the Nets up three and there was one more chance for Kyrie’s late game magic.
Irving got a decent look at the game tying three from the top of the key, it just didn’t stay down.
If it wasn’t for hot shooting of CJ Miles, Kryie wouldn’t have been in position to attempt that game tying heave. Miles scored 33 points off the bench and hit a career high 8-10 from behind the arc. The Nets threatened to blow this game open in the first period, feeding Brook Lopez (35 points, 11 rebounds) early and often inside. But Miles hit three threes late in the first quarter that kept Cleveland within striking distance, 34-24, heading into the second period.
To their credit, this young Cleveland team never let the game get away from them. So… yay?
With a young team like the Cavs, losses like this can be both encouraging and discouraging. For instance, after allowing the Nets to shoot 60% in the first half, Brooklyn finished just 46% for the game.
While I’m certainly discouraged that they let Brook Lopez burn them inside to start the game, I’m encouraged that they fixed it as the game went along. Seeing the Cavs’ starters shoot a combined 38% from the floor? Discouraging. The fact that they were still in the game? Encouraging. Seeing Tristan Thompson put up a Varejao-esque 17 point, 15 rebound night? Encouraging. Needing a crazy shooting night from CJ Miles to keep the game close? Probably discouraging, as Miles won’t be shooting 80% from the floor again anytime soon. Watching Luke Walton play 30 minutes? Discouraging! Watching him play well (4 points, 4 boards, 6 assists)? Well, still somewhat discouraging that Luke Walton is their best all-around bench sub.
The Cavs didn’t play nearly their best but still hung with a playoff team on the road, on the second night of a back-to-back. And no one got hurt. You have to be a little encouraged, right?
Random Thoughts:
Tyler Zeller has struggled the past few games. While long-term, I trust Zeller defensively, right now he’s having some trouble with NBA bigmen. The bulk of Lopez’s 35 points came against Zeller and there were times where Tyler looked absolutely lost. Big Zed finished with 12 points and 7 boards, but his +/- was a whopping -20 in just 27 minutes. I’d also like to see him get some plays called on the low block; Tyler has a hook shot with either hand, his offense shouldn’t solely consist of long pick-and-pop jumpers.
The Nets are an example of What Not To Do for Chris Grant. Take a look at Brooklyn’s long term salary structure. LOOK AT IT. In 2015, they owe four players (Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace) a combined $72 million. The Nets just opened a new arena in Brooklyn, so there is some pressure to put a winning product on the floor. And they did. Will the Nets be missing the playoffs anytime soon? Nope. Will they be making noise in the playoffs anytime soon? Also, nope.
The nightly Byron Scott rotation rant. Kyrie Irving played 35 minutes and Luke Walton played 30. That seems weird, no? Once again Irving sat the first six minutes of the fourth period, coming back in with the Cavs trailing by 92-84. If Cleveland’s best player played 38 minutes instead of just 35, there’s a chance the Cavs could’ve pulled this one out. I hope Byron is “tanking” with some of these rotations, because if the Cavs are actively trying to win games with Irving sitting half the fourth period… yikes.
The Cavs get no love from the refs. This could also be a nightly rant. Brooklyn attempted 39 free throws to Cleveland’s 19. Some of this is due to the Cavs settling for jumpers, some of it is just bad defense and the rest of it is due to the refs. By starting two rookies and two second year players, the Cavs don’t have a lot of history with the refs. Dion gets visibly frustrated when he gets knocked down going to the hoop. Zeller can get hammered while shooting with no call and then proceed get whistled for a touch foul on the other end. The Cavs will just have to fight through it as the year goes on, but man, it sure is frustrating to watch a game where Reggie Evans shoots morefreebies (six) than Dion and Kyrie combined (four).
Also, props to Tristan Thompson for knocking down 7-8 from the charity stripe. This deserves it’s own paragraph. Monster game from Thompson, 17 points on 5-11 shooting and 15 boards, including nine offensive. He was the only Cavalier starter with a positive +/-, finishing with a +8 in 37 minutes. Tristan has played well in Andy’s absence and I’m going to be really interested to see how Tristan’s numbers look once Varejao returns.
and finally…
The Cavs have some time off. The Cleveland’s (7-25) next game is Wednesday, January 2nd, against the Kings (10-19). I’m really hoping Andy will be able to play, just to see him annoy DeMarcus Cousins.
1 Comment
re Kyrie’s minutes, don’t quite understand why Scott keeps holding him on the bench all of the fourth quarter until just 5 or 6 minutes are left in the game. That means if he doesn’t immediately come out smoking the game is probably over. And his attempt to drive into traffic, down by 3 with 15 seconds left was inexplicable.
Agree about Tristan: he has finally found a free throw stroke that works, the low angle swish that barely clears the front rim. Whatever works, Tristan. Means you can be on the court at crunch time.
Waiters was really drifting last night in the second half. Not confident enough with the ball, did nothing without it except stand out on the three point line waiting, waiting even when the ball handler had no plan.