Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[02Buckeyes06]

Just a down right awful game. 11 points in the 1st quarter and 10 in the 3rd. As much as I do like Mike Brown, he calls a horrible offensive game. LeBron didn't attact the lanes tonight at all, Defense at times looked good but terrible offense.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by 02Buckeyes06

Just a down right awful game. 11 points in the 1st quarter and 10 in the 3rd. As much as I do like Mike Brown, he calls a horrible offensive game. LeBron didn't attact the lanes tonight at all, Defense at times looked good but terrible offense.

I used to get on Brown more than anyone, but this season has been solid.

LeBron couldn't attack tonight, because Shane Battier is a former Dukie, and he knows how to draw a charge. LeBron had four quick fouls tonight, 2 of which were taken by Shane.

And Mike Brown has given up play-calling duties. So it was more of a case of an off-night from the players than coaching mistakes.

It happens. No one had a hot hand, and penetration was taken away from us (because we couldn't hit an outisde shot consistently so Houston let us take it, and also b/c when we did penetrate, we got called for a lot of offensive fouls, or we were blocked by solid defense).

Houston was the better team tonight, and we had one of the owrst performances of the season. Hoefully they come out more focused against San Antonio.

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by billmac91

I used to get on Brown more than anyone, but this season has been solid.

Agreed. I think between the two of us the past couple seasons we've called for his head about a hundred times. This season has been different. Ugly game tonight, but every team has those. You just move on to the next one.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by NFBuck

Agreed. I think between the two of us the past couple seasons we've called for his head about a hundred times. This season has been different. Ugly game tonight, but every team has those. You just move on to the next one.

On a side note...our frustration from last year wasn't unwarranted. It's nice to see a "offensive coordinator" on this team. The offense has been considerably better.

I guess the nay-sayer would argue it is because of Mo Williams and freeing Delonte up at the #2, but the offense has looked pretty good all year. The total points we score have to be coupled with our solid defense....a solid defensive team, just won't score as many points as a terrible defensive team. The correlation between bad defense and points scored is pretty interesting.

[OState29]

I am only angry the Cavs lost because I picked them to win for Streak for the Cash and this L cost me my streak of 8 straight.

WT[censored]? Von Wafer? Really? [censored] happens.

The Cavs couldn't throw it in the ocean on a pacific marlin fishing trip tonight. It happens.

The Cavs just don't have the necessay depth of big men to win this year against LA and Orlando Houston. It's Z and 5 power forwards. Andy is not a center in this league. At 6'11" he just doesn't have the size or strength to match up with the league's best centers.

Which brings me to my next point, they have to draft a center this year. We just need a big ass human to clog the lane like Huston has. Z is getting up their and will retire in 2-3 years, so we need to groom his replacement now or sign Bosh in 2010. Z is nearly walking most of the tim, don't get me wrong I love him, but he just isn't mobile anymore.

Mike Brown better not start Lorenzen Wright since Ben went down. He tried this [censored] earlier just to maintain his bench rotation, which I don't understand at all. Put the best players on the court. Either start JJ or Andy.

The Cavs were missing their swagger tonight, it happens. They better bring it tomorrow or they'll get steam-rolled again.

First time in LeBron's career with no assists. I wonder what the record is for consecutive games with at least 1. I would assume he was close to it.

I'm not going to lose sleep over this. It happens.

Edit: LeBron's streak was the 10th longest to start a career.

[OState29]

I'll be interested to see if our offense picks up with Big Ben out. That'll really hurt our deffense and depth, but having 5 scoring threat betters our odds of playing 4 on 5 with Ben in.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by OState29

I am only angry the Cavs lost because I picked them to win for Streak for the Cash and this L cost me my streak of 8 straight.

WT[censored]? Von Wafer? Really? [censored] happens.

The Cavs couldn't throw it in the ocean on a pacific marlin fishing trip tonight. It happens.

The Cavs just don't have the necessay depth of big men to win this year against LA and Orlando Houston. It's Z and 5 power forwards. Andy is not a center in this league. At 6'11" he just doesn't have the size or strength to match up with the league's best centers.

Which brings me to my next point, they have to draft a center this year. We just need a big ass human to clog the lane like Huston has. Z is getting up their and will retire in 2-3 years, so we need to groom his replacement now or sign Bosh in 2010. Z is nearly walking most of the tim, don't get me wrong I love him, but he just isn't mobile anymore.

Mike Brown better not start Lorenzen Wright since Ben went down. He tried this [censored] earlier just to maintain his bench rotation, which I don't understand at all. Put the best players on the court. Either start JJ or Andy.

The Cavs were missing their swagger tonight, it happens. They better bring it tomorrow or they'll get steam-rolled again.

First time in LeBron's career with no assists. I wonder what the record is for consecutive games with at least 1. I would assume he was close to it.

I'm not going to lose sleep over this. It happens.

Edit: LeBron's streak was the 10th longest to start a career.

Ummm....Anderson started for Z when Z went down, and he played well. Expect Z and Anderson with JJ coming off of the bench, and more of Arthur. I'd expect Lorenzen to steal a couple minutes......maybe.

Wright has proven he is the deepest of the deepest options available.

I disagree with you depth analysis....there might be 4 teams in the league that would take their current frontcourt depth over Cleveland. To have Z and Ben Wallace, with Anderson and Hickson as depth is pretty good. I don't understand the thinking that we have weak front court depth. With Ben being hurt, I agree it is essential we find a way to sure up the depth, but pre-injury, we were set.

Just an awful night that some are overreacting to IMO.

[Brutus1]

Well, with Wallace now out 6-8 weeks, it'd looking like we'll see the return of Chris Mihm. So, we can expect to see more Darnell , JJ and I'm assuming, Chris Mihm. Uh oh.

On a side note, I've watched Houston 4 or 5 times this year and if they can stay healthy, they can make some noise in the playoffs. Their defense is outstanding and Yao is a beast. I'm glad they're in the West. I think they're better without T Mac.

[naptownbuck]

Well, the Cavs certainly took it on the good ole chin last night. You have to reluctantly give Houston credit for getting Bron & the Cavs out of their comfort zone. Battier & Artest took that [censored] personal and defended James well..and that will happen on occasion. However, I didn't like how the rest of team was out of sync. They took nervous/forced shots and at times were not looking for each other. That's not the 08/09 Cavs I know. But as bad as the O was, the defense was even worse. No answer whatsover for Yao or just about anyone else.

But oh well, one of the great things about the NBA is the theraputic nature of a back to back after a disappointing loss. This is a chance to quickly file this loss away and get at the Spurs.

[crazybuckfan40]

I would like to see Joe Smith come back...He is a good shooter and draws a defender...

Just sucks against a team like the Lakers and Celtics when we need some defensive guys down low...

[NJ-Buckeye]

Isn't Mihm like 72 yrs old by now? Didn't he play for us.. like in '81??

I LIKE Joe Smith... on the court and in the locker room

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by NJ-Buckeye

Isn't Mihm like 72 yrs old by now? Didn't he play for us.. like in '81??

I LIKE Joe Smith... on the court and in the locker room

Wasn't he the first round pick around 2 years before Lebron? Not old, just sucks. Smith would be my first choice, but if he doesn't get released make a run at Horry.

[NJ-Buckeye]

Hmm... good memory... he's only 29 .. but his stats are out of this world...
at 7 ft tall... he's averaging 2 ppg and ALMOST 2 rebounds per game... stud written all over him... Spud Webb could beat these stats

[Brutus1]

Smith isn't going to be released and Horry isn't coming back. I'm afaid Mihm is their only option, if they're looking for a big (stiff).

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by NJ-Buckeye

Hmm... good memory... he's only 29 .. but his stats are out of this world...
at 7 ft tall... he's averaging 2 ppg and ALMOST 2 rebounds per game... stud written all over him... Spud Webb could beat these stats

The only thing he would bring that the Cavs don't have is 6 more fouls from a legitimately sized center. I wonder if they wish they'd made more of a run at Moore now?