Cavs 111, Heat 104: LeBron, Mo and JJ?
For the second night in a row Mo Williams was hitting his shots and scoring in bunches. For the second night in a row LeBron James led the team in scoring and assists paving the way for a win. And for the second night in a row the player with the best +/- was JJ Hickson. Hickson, starting his third straight game had a career high with 18 points and played a whopping 31 minutes. But before we go heaping praise on the 21 year old, let’s remind him and ourselves that he still has A LOT to learn about playing NBA defense.
Speaking of defense, the Cavs must have left it back in Orlando. This was an ugly game. Way too many fouls. Way too many open looks and playing out of control. (I’m looking at you Jamario and Hickson.) Michael Beasley wasn’t that open since high school.
If you want to call this a ‘breakout’ game for Hickson I won’t really argue, as this was the first time as a pro we really saw JJ’s ability put to the best use. Funny thing is that JJ should consider himself fortunate to get the chance.
After a pedestrian first half in which he made just 1 shot and committed several defensive lapses, Hickson had a decent 3rd quarter and was sent to the bench with just over 5 minutes to play. I for one figured JJ’s night could well be over at that point which would have meant finishing with 8 points and around 18 minutes. But less than a minute later Varejao would pick up his fourth foul. With Shaq just exiting the game (with four fouls himself) and Zydrunas already on the floor Mike Brown went back to Hickson. JJ made it tough to take him out of the game. In all fairness to Hickson he did play better defense in the 4th quarter.
The highlight of the night for most basketball fans would be Wade’s dunk over Andy in the first half. The low-light of the night would be the TNT crew talking about LeBron signing with the Heat to join Wade FOR THE ENTIRE SECOND QUARTER. There is no exaggeration to that either. The whole second quarter was dominated by discussions about the 2010 free agent class, headlined by James and Wade. This is absolutely unprecedented. The ‘09 season is just a few games old people. Can we please enjoy what was another great chapter in the LeBron vs D. Wade saga?
Add another low-light- the continued poor play of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Donut for 3 from the floor. He has no confidence at all in his shot right now. He certainly looks like he is playing tired. That’s a bad sign. How does Zydrunas get back on track? Well, as unlikely as it seems the only answer may be to start Zydrunas for a few games. Z could be getting cold after warm-ups and not be able to find his stroke after sitting the bench. Perhaps Shaq who rarely takes a shot from outside the paint would be better suited coming off the bench. How likely is that to happen? I don’t know. But right now the most valuable thing that Z brings to this team is an expiring contract. That hurts me to say with all that he has done for this team, but it could well be the truth.
Take the win minus good defense. They aren’t playing typical Cavs basketball, but they are grinding out wins. Getting back to back wins in Florida is pretty tough to do. About the only thing tougher is the Texas triangle. Come on home and get some rest. Utah is up on Saturday night at the Q.
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
November 13th, 2009 at 1:06 am
The worst part is what espn.com’s front page is calling the cavaliers… “LeBron and his current team”.. what a disgrace.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:12 am
As always, my brother would be the one to comment first on the game recap. Saw that as well as Broussard’s article saying that “LeBron should go to Miami.” Although he said in the article specifically that he is a Cleveland fan and LeBron probably won’t leave…. But! If he did.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Felt bad for Andy after D-Wade posterized him. LeBron seemingly thought it would be great to add to his humiliation by calling it one of the top 10 dunks of all time. As Andy is practically my neighbor I have to feel sorry for the guy.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:47 am
It’s a bit unfair to criticize their defense on the second night of an away-away back to back. They made stops when they needed to (they held the Heat scoreless for a solid chunk of time in between the third and fourth quarters). Totally agree about Z, though: he seems to be having trouble adjusting to a bench role. Let’s hope he finds his J sooner rather than later, because if he does, our second team will be absurd.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:22 am
i came away really impressed with Andy’s mastery of enough English to smack-talk D-Wade face-to-face for a good 30 seconds.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:46 am
You aren’t kidding about the ‘Bron/Wade in Miami discussion. It was kind of comical when Fratello brought up that Wade could also decide to sign in Cleveland. Marv Albert says “I really don’t see that happening.” End of discussion. Even with Casinos on the radar, C-town just ain’t sexy to talk about.
As for JJ…Really like the way he is starting to develop. Most importantly for him is to slow down and let the game come to him. He really tends to play “hyper” in a way. Running and jumping from ‘left field’ to get rebounds or block shots. The thing about JJ though is that he really does have a soft touch around the basket and a nice shot. You can see his shot is nice by the way he shoots free throws. Think playing alongside LeBron rather than the second unit is giving him some much needed confidence. Will be interesting to see if his progression as the season rolls on. This may be a stretch, but to make just a cavs comparison, he almost reminds me of “Hot Rod” Williams. Anyone agree?
November 13th, 2009 at 8:13 am
As most people know, I’m believed to be the biggest Andy supporter in town (in my mind anyway), but after D-Wade posterized him, he was done. He got taken completely out of his game and was more worried about talking smack and commiting fouls.
Speaking of fouls, IMHO, some were a little BS. The triping call on Andy comes to mind when he hit the deck and the ref said he stuck his foot out to trip Wade. I think the ref’s were also ‘Charge-Happy’ in the first quarter. The one called on Mo was utterly awful. The defender can not be in the circle and take a charge, which is what happened.
I wish the Cavs could play out their games on FSO. I’m beyond tired of nantional media and the Lebron in 2010 talk, as well as they never seem to side with the Cavs on iffy calls. I know Lebron IS this team, but they seem to forget Mo poured in 25 and JJ had 18. (JJ, by the way, you’re so lucky Coach Brown <3's you.)
Z has me worried. He hasn't adjusted to coming off the bench at all, and hasn't looked good on the floor since the Atlanta series in last years playoffs. Expiring contract indeed.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Anyone else agree that Reggie Miller is the worst commentator in the history of the sport?
Every time he talked it was like fingernails on a chalkboard. 90% of what he says in-game is either wrong or completely ridiculous.
He is constantly reading way too much into bland on the court actions of players so he can fuel preposterous theories.
He and JVG should be sent out to sea on an ice floe.
I don’t know who he paid off to get his job but he really takes any enjoyment out of watching what otherwise is a good game crew.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:33 am
I would partially disagree about the problems with defense last night. With the way the refs had a hair trigger on their whistles at all times, its really hard to play tough, lockdown D. I think they leaned a bit towards the Heat in the number of calls (Lebron evened it up in the last 3 minutes), but they were calling hand checks like they were elbows to the face. 77 free throws is alot for one game.
This doesn’t excuse Moon or Hickson from missing their rotations and occasionally looking lost, but I’m going to give it time for Brown to really hammer those D sets home. We’re still in the part of the season where the guys are still getting comfortable with who Brown has on the floor with them.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Am I the only one who thinks the offense runs better with Mo streaking down the lane, looking to place runners or pass out to someone?
He’s like a little Mark Price out there. Not stagnate at all. coughcough
November 13th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I love Freddy and Austin on FSN-Ohio (obviously) and it’s gotten to the point now where I CRINGE when the Cavs play a national game. They won’t be back on ESPN/TNT until … oh man … Wednesday.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:12 am
hooray developing talent!
November 13th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Did someone say GRINDING???? Awesome win again. Hickson is starting to shine. LeBron was his usual all star self. Mo is really looking good. Shaq is giving us enough on offense. If at least 3 of those 4 do that on a regular basis this team will be special. By the way for some reason when games are on TNT it isn’t on FSN. But ESPN games are on FSN. SO hang in there guys.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I was excited to see how JJ has played after getting the starting nod. Like Rick said, he definitely needs to improve on the defensive side, but I think that will come with more experience against 1st teamers.
Something has to happen with Z’s game because he doesn’t have his jumper right now and that was his biggest asset. Starting him may help because that may keep his legs fresh. With how poorly he’s played, the more and more I think that they are going to make a trade and use Z’s contract (as sad as it makes me) as the major piece. That can’t burn that contract and get nothing in return (i.e. Wally Szczerbiak).
November 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Defensive lapses or not, this was a nice win against a playoff-caliber opponent on the second night of a back-to-back on the road after beating last year’s Eastern Conference champs. Gotta give some major props to Mike Brown for moving JJ into the starting lineup – that change has really seemed to benefit not only JJ, but the entire set of rotations.
Rick, I completely agree about Z. One of two things is going on, either he needs to start to stay in rhythm, or he’s just done (at least as an offensive player – he’s still playing adequate, though not spectacular, D). The more I watch him, the more I fear it’s the latter. The Cavs do have the luxury of time however, and if JJ continues this development, it gives them a very important piece with an athletic big. Don’t know if you caught it either in Windy’s insider piece this morning, but Mike Brown said that he’s basically done with the twin towers lineup, except in limited matchup situations like the Orlando game. That’s certainly music to my ears.
Mo has played off the charts the last two days, but with Delonte out and Boobie not really able to play the point, Mo’s been logging major minutes, which has got to be a concern.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:14 am
“I really like the way Hickson is developing.”
Amazing what happens when talented young players see the floor for north of ten minutes, isn’t it?
Thanks Rick for pointing out that the only reason he got to come back in was accidental (foul trouble). I hate Mike Brown sometimes.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:28 am
christiang: The offense runs better with Mo initiating, just like a point guard should. Definitely better than the “LeBron gets the ball and everyone watches” offense we’ve seen so many times.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Does anyone know what’s going on with the Antonio Daniels situation? I know there were talks that he was just waiting on us. Sure would be nice to have a decent backup PG to relieve Mo when needed.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:54 am
@ Oppie – I think the Cavs worked him out earlier this week, but are holding off on making him a contract offer until they figure out where they are with Delonte.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I can’t handle national broadcasts anymore. I go to school in St. Louis so I have to watch most games on League Pass. I used to like national broadcasts but this year, I’ve been muting it and listening to Joe Tait online. Hard to believe the number of ways these jokers disrespect a fanbase.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Call me crazy, but I really don’t want a ton of superstars signing to one team. Aside from the obvious, think about what we would be missing? Actual competition–which, if i am not mistaken, is what makes games fun to watch in the first place. If Bosh, Wade, and James all coalesce to one team, I imagine it would make Eastern Confernece games a little more predictable, and ultimately– at least for this fan–less fun.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
JJ had an AWESOME game. No contest the best game of his career, but he has plenty of better games coming this year. When he is starting he adds a spark of athleticism that no other big men really have.
Varejao, he got yammed on, and it was an incredible dunk. No need to whine about it. D-Wade is that good.
And Z, he’ll be fine. He’s a rhythm player and he hasn’t found it yet, just keep shooting and creating mismatches.
Cavs have looked BRILLIANT the passed two nights. The only thing that has really bothered me is the fourth quarter offense, especially in Orlando.