Raptors 101, Cavs 91: Lackluster Performance Dooms Cavs
As tempting as it is to sweep this loss away by saying the first half put the Cavs in too big a hole, that simply isn’t true. Yes, the Cavaliers were down big time at the half, but they made that up in the third quarter and tied the game. For a 12 minute stretch the Cavs finally looked like the Cavs. And then it was over.
What changed? Energy? Yes. Effort? Maybe. Shaq came back in? Bingo. In fact, Mike Brown went away from the small line-up that had gotten them back in the game (a mix of LeBron, Mo, Parker, Jamario, Gibson and Varejao) to the now infamous twin towers line-up consisting of Shaq and Zydrunas on the floor at the same time. You could practically see the Raptors drooling as they came back on the floor. The athletic Bargnani and Bosh ran the older Cavaliers off the court. By the time Mike Brown pulled Shaq it was too little too late.
Here’s the problem right now with Shaq in the game. Both the offense and defense slow to a stand still with him in the game. Offensively the Cavs are dumping the ball into Shaq and letting him win or lose the possession by himself with his back to the basket. He isn’t getting fouls called against him (I’m not really saying that they are fouling him) and when he does draw the foul he bricks the free throws. He is shooting under 50% even from point blank range.
Defensively Shaq has to understand that he must man up. The Cavaliers contest shots. Even shots just outside the paint. I thought about the system that Shaq got used to in Phoenix. He may have gotten away with that kind of defense in the run and shoot, but it just won’t work here.
So after two games is it time to push the panic button yet- no. As Austin Carr was quick to point out time and time again these guys are still getting to know each other. What I hated was that he said it twice when LeBron missed Mo Williams with passes. Um Austin, those two played with each other last year.
For the second night LeBron had a great statistical game, and it isn’t the lead story. That’s because this team has to be about more then LeBron. Has to. LeBron knows that. That’s why he hardly took a shot in the first quarter. That’s why he didn’t turn the fourth quarter into a stand around and watch LeBron game. It’s why he had 12 assists and only 19 shot attempts.
One criticism is certainly fair here. Mike Brown’s job was to get this team ready to play in training camp. They are not ready to play. You can blame the flu, or whatever you want, but bottom line is that the Cavs are nowhere near ready to play games that count. Brown deserves the blame for that. Yes, it is a challenge to bring together all these new players and get them to focus, but he’s done it before. Here’s hoping they turn it around before Friday night.
(Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
October 28th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I agree 100%. The blame belongs squarely with Brown. I can’t see the “twin tower” strategy lasting much longer. unless, of course, Mangini takes over as the Cavs coach…
October 28th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
The bottom line here is that Cavs still don’t have a go to option other than James. Shaq can’t be counted on as he has a hard time finishing at the rim. As much as a malcontent as Jackson at Golden State is Ferry needs to make a move from him. This team as is will not will a championship without someone who can score consistantly.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Is it too late to get our offensive coach back from Detroit?!
October 29th, 2009 at 12:13 am
not an excuse guy but remember the cavs are on the second night of a back to back. and they’re on the road. i dont think they fared too well even last year in these situations. give it time. i think, like me, the cavs are bored already with the regular season.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:20 am
At least we got this gem from AC: “When you have an advantage, you have to take advantage of it!”
Unfortunately, we didn’t have any advantages tonight…
October 29th, 2009 at 12:50 am
last year the cavs were 16-3 on the 2nd night of back to backs
October 29th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I like what Windhorst pointed out…Brown said he went with the Twin Towers because it worked the previous night. Seriously??? I don’t have so much a problem that he said it worked, but that the Raptors are a completely different team than Boston. Although they still have plenty of time to right the ship, and I think they will (still a 50+ win team), we are finding out how valuable Kuester was. He brought something unique each game depending who the opposing team was, never sitting on what worked the previous night. That’s why they took care of all the teams they should have taken care of.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I didn’t get a chance to watch the game, I recorded the Boston game and watched that though… I think when Delonte is playing (whenever it is, does anybody know?) we will get back on track. He is the heart of the team. He has his personal demons during the offseason; But when the season starts he’s back to being the guy everybody loves. If he starts we will have Parker helping the bench out ALOT and I think a Boobie, Parker, Moon, Hickson, Z bench would be enough to keep us in the game when the ‘Lebron 5′ are off the court. Or we go DWest, Boobie, Moon, Hick, and Z and the bench would have a legitimate PG and a heck of a shooting SG (when he’s on) The point I’m trying to make is it’s too early to start worry. But we should be worried about how ours bigs will match up with the bigs across the league. Bynum and Gasol will run them to death. Boston already showed us what they can do with a Garnett, Sheed, Perkins, and that ugly kid from Duke. Howard and Rashard Lewis are going to have a field day with our bigs.
I still think Andy is more effective as an energy player off the bench. A little off topic, but I would like to see JJ get more minutes with Shaq and Andy coming off the bench to keep the energy flowing.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Oh yeah.. another thing I noticed. It seems like Lebron has lost some weight. IDK if it’s from the Flu or he decided that after he cramped up last postseason he thought it’d be better to be slimmer. I think it’s better for him. He’ll still be the strongest pound for pound guy on the court, now he can be more nimble and hopefully have some well needed stamina come playoff time
October 29th, 2009 at 2:01 am
The Cavs need an athletic guy at the 4 spot. The day of two thumpers in the middle is over! Either stick LeBron at 4 spot or go and get Jackson. I’m tired of seeing THE ENTIRE CAVS TEAM get beat off the dribble and something as simple as the pick and roll tear this team apart YEAR AFTER YEAR! Delonte will help this team out, but they still have a glaring issue in the athletic big man department. Until that gets fixed, this team is a frequent ECF or Quarterfinals team and thats it.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:00 am
I hate Cleveland sports!!!!!I am only 27 and I can’t take much more of this!!!!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I thought I read somewhere that LBJ was working on his post game this summer. Any idea when we might see that? could get guys much better looks from the outside if they drop a double on LBJ in the post. isn’t that part of what kills the cavs on d?
October 29th, 2009 at 8:09 am
@ #6,
16-3 on the second night of back to backs is better than i would have guessed. but do you know the number when that second game is on the ROAD? It must be worse.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:28 am
It’s the 2nd freaking game!!! Everyone needs to relax. It’s not even November yet. The comments look like something after a Browns game.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I think I speak for all of us when I say, that we all vastly underestimated Mike Browns total and complete ineptitude as a coach.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:49 am
@14
That’s because we’ve had to suffer through an Indians season and part of a Browns season to get here. It’s becoming ingrained.
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Honestly, I’d rather the Cavs struggle early. I think this will temper expectations nationally and take some heat off of them. Then once the team starts firing on all cylinders, finish the season strong for a big playoff run.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Still not worried – but I think its games like these that show how much we’re going to miss not having Kuester…
…I hope that doesn’t turn out to be a bigger loss than the gains we made this off season.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:24 am
If Brown rights this ship he gets the credit, but right now he gets all the blame for the lack of fire and complete ineptitude on offense.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am
@ 18 – completely agreed. Brown right now has to prove that he can handle this assignment.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Browns biggest weakness, other than offensive strategy, is rotations. We’ve seen it every year with him, & it seems to be getting worse. He’s not developing Hickson – forget about Green – and his stupid use of Shaq & Z in the 4th cost us last night’s game. Mike Brown is a great defensive coach & seemingly a very likable guy, but he hasn’t progressed from experience in the areas he’s weakest and it’s time for everyone who says we’re overreacting to wake up & smell the coffee w/this guy. The Cavs aren’t winning a championship unless he gets his act together.
You’ve gotta think, as Windhorst alluded to last night, that Ferry had it out w/Brown after the game over his inability to rotate effectively – especially with all the talent on this team. As I see it Shaq needs to come off the bench, and Z needs to start. Hickson should come off the bench after Shaq and play alongside him.
Oh… and one more thing… Daniel Gibson is never allowed to shoot a technical free throw for the rest of his time as a Cav.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I think Shaq’s $20 million expiring contract should not be off-limits to a trade. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if there’s anyone available that’s worth it.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Shaq does not work at all, and it hurts to say that cause i wanted it to work in the worst way. I think a trading for Amare would have been the deal to make since he can move and play.
Moon needs to be on the floor at all times.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Look, we have Shaq for one reason. To beat Orlando. The problem with the Cavs is that they are always building to beat a specific team. We would’ve spanked Boston last year. This year, Boston will spank us, but we may be able to handle Orlando.
They just don’t have a good young center. And without Delonte, the slew of quick young point guards are going to eat up Mo and destroy us with rotation crippling penetration.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Waiting for Next Year…where we’re always waiting for next year.