Cavs 2005 preseason

[exhawg]

Hawg,
Did you see the sentence about keeping Hughes as the third pg ? Not bad. Maybe that can lead to Hughes being #2.

Jones seemed to have a nice game last night.
5-10fg, 3-4 3fg, 1-1 ft. He got the start, too, so we may have seen the opening night starting lineup in that game.

Jackson had another bad shooting night with 1-6 from the field. He needs to more more away from the ball to get to those open corners. He seems to be a better shooter from the corners than the top. He should also drive to the hoop more to draw fouls. His foul shooting would be a nice addition to the team ft%.

It would probably open up Jackson a little if he did drive to the basket every once and while. It sounds like he is a good enough athlete to do it. If he could get good enough to be the 6th or 7th man this year it would really help out the Cavs. Any chance Larry Brown still wants Eric Snow? :p

 

[Brutus1]

Any chance Larry Brown still wants Eric Snow? :p

I've been hoping a Knick pg pulls a hammy.


I could easily see Jackson as the 6th or 7th player, at worst. Marshall and Jackson should be the first two off the bench. Jackson will eventually come around. He's a very good shooter and he'll eventually prove that. He was shooting 3's before the game and at one point hit 17-22, so he has the shot. He just needs to square up and set the feet in game situations.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Sporting News picked the Cavs to finish 4th in the East behind the Heat, Pistons, and Pacers.

I think that would be a helluva season, but I think we can overtake the Pacers for that 3rd spot. Also if Shaq doesnt play a whole season I think the Heat could be in trouble.

Let's hope for a fun and enjoyable season.

 

[Brutus1]

A fourth place finish in the East would be nice. Those other three are very good teams.

 

[exhawg]

Jones finally able to back up his claim

Confident shooter hits wild lob bank shot, four 3-pointers to lead Cavs

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sports writer

COLUMBUS - Self-proclaimed as the ``best shooter in the world,'' Damon Jones doesn't lack confidence, just maybe some comfort.

The offseason free-agent import wasn't exactly defending his claims at the start of the preseason. Even the best shooter in the world, it seems, can run hot and cold. It was the former Sunday night, as Jones sizzled in the Cavaliers' 87-83 win over the Toronto Raptors in front of 11,370 fans at Nationwide Arena.

Jones scored 19 points off the bench, drilling four 3-pointers, and made perhaps the biggest offensive play with a running lob shot that banked in with 19 seconds left to give the Cavs the lead for good.

After making just six of his first 23 3-point tries in the preseason, Jones has settled in and hit 7-of-13 in the last two games.

``It was an adjustment coming in here. Over the last couple of games I've been able to play extensive minutes and get my rhythm,'' Jones said.

And about that nifty runner under pressure?

``I'm a basketball player man; I'm not just a spot-up 3-point shooter,'' Jones said.

LeBron James is a basketball player, too, and, of course, he had a hand in things. James scored 22 points with five rebounds, six assists and four steals. But his night, like the rest of his teammates and foes, was far from a masterpiece.

It was another turnover-fest for the Cavs. They gave it up 23 times. James himself coughed it up eight times. They're averaging 19.3 turnovers per game in the preseason.

Yet after this victory, they're 5-2, having won three consecutive games by four points or less because they continue to be tough at the defensive end. That is why Cavs coach Mike Brown doesn't seem to be the least bit worried about his sloppy offense. The Raptors aren't world-beaters, but they managed to shoot just 37 percent and had 21 turnovers.

``It may be ugly for the fans, but from a coaching standpoint we're trying to do the right things defensively,'' Brown said. ``If we play ugly offense and give an effort defensively, we're going to be in every ballgame we play.''

So far, that has indeed been the case. Sunday, the Cavs were without two starters, Drew Gooden (sore knee) and Larry Hughes (strained finger). Two more rotation players, Ira Newble (sprained foot) and Luke Jackson (sprained ankle), were also in street clothes.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 19 points and Donyell Marshall had 14 points and 10 rebounds against his former team to help the cause.

The Raptors were led by center -- or centre if you ask a Canadian -- Rafeal Araujo's 17 points.

``It was a struggle offensively for us; we're not in the groove,'' James said. ``It was about the team that got the most stops at the end, that's been our last few games.''

M*A*S*H unit

The Cavs' training staff is working overtime. Gooden's knee is swollen, and he's been diagnosed with tendinitis, but he said after the game he plans on being ready for the season opener Nov. 3. Jackson hopes to return to practice as early as today. Hughes has injured his finger twice, and the team is being cautious. Newble has missed all seven preseason games but said he's going to try to play Wednesday's preseason finale in Boston.

Marshall plan

Marshall didn't leave the Raptors on the greatest of terms. He was frustrated with management last season and never considering re-signing with the team. He signed a four-year, $21 million deal with the Cavs over the summer.

``That was then and this is now; I'm just focusing on the future,'' Marshall said.

Even so, Marshall already seems to be looking forward to his first real game against the Raptors in Toronto in two weeks. As the teams were leaving, he called to former Raptors teammate Chris Bosh and said, ``I'll be seeing you Nov. 7.''

 

[exhawg]

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="yspsctnhdln">Cleveland 87, Toronto 83 </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="7">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td> Preview - Box Score - Recap

</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr align="center"> <td> </td> <td width="370"> <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="ysptblbdr2"> <table class="ysptblclbg3" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="ysptblbdr2"><td colspan="15" height="1">
</td></tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#dedec6"> <td class="ysptblbdr2" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> <td height="18" width="10"> </td> <td> </td> <td class="yspwhitebg" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> <td class="yspscores" width="25">1</td> <td class="yspwhitebg" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> <td class="yspscores" width="25">2</td> <td class="yspwhitebg" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> <td class="yspscores" width="25">3</td> <td class="yspwhitebg" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> <td class="yspscores" width="25">4</td> <td class="yspwhitebg" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> <td class="yspscores" align="right" width="35">Total</td> <td class="yspscores" width="65">
</td> <td class="ysptblbdr2" rowspan="5" width="1">
</td> </tr> <tr class="yspwhitebg"><td colspan="13" height="1">
</td></tr> <tr class="ysptblclbg5" align="center"> <td height="23" width="10">
</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left"> Toronto </td> <td class="yspscores">22</td> <td class="yspscores">22</td> <td class="yspscores">23</td> <td class="yspscores">16</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6" align="right"> 83 </td> <td class="ysptblclbg6" align="right">Final </td> </tr> <tr class="yspwhitebg"> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="8" height="1">
</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6" colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblclbg5" align="center"> <td height="23" width="10">

</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left"> Cleveland </td> <td class="yspscores">24</td> <td class="yspscores">23</td> <td class="yspscores">17</td> <td class="yspscores">23</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6" align="right"> 87 </td> <td class="ysptblclbg6" align="right"> </td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblbdr2"> <td colspan="15" height="1">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" height="7">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="7">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="yspsctbg"> <td class="ysptblhdr" colspan="13" height="18"> Toronto </td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblthbody1" align="right"> <td class="yspdetailttl" align="left" height="18" width="18%"> Name</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Min</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">FG</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">3Pt</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">FT</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">Off</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Reb</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Ast</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">TO</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Stl</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Blk</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">PF</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">Pts </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> J. Graham</td> <td>37</td> <td>2-10</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>2-2</td> <td>2</td> <td>6</td> <td>1</td> <td>4</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>4</td> <td>6 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> C. Bosh</td> <td>19</td> <td>3-5</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>3-4</td> <td>0</td> <td>7</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>4</td> <td>9 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> L. Woods</td> <td>20</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>2</td> <td>4</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>1</td> <td>3 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> M. James</td> <td>26</td> <td>5-9</td> <td>0-2</td> <td>2-3</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>0</td> <td>3</td> <td>12 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> J. Rose</td> <td>28</td> <td>4-11</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>4</td> <td>2</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>4</td> <td>13 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> C. Villanueva</td> <td>30</td> <td>3-12</td> <td>0-1</td> <td>2-4</td> <td>1</td> <td>4</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>5</td> <td>8 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> M. Peterson</td> <td>33</td> <td>4-13</td> <td>3-8</td> <td>2-2</td> <td>0</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>13 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> R. Araujo</td> <td>20</td> <td>4-6</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>9-9</td> <td>2</td> <td>8</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>3</td> <td>17 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> J. Calderon</td> <td>18</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>1</td> <td>3</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>2 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblbdr3"> <td colspan="13" height="1">
</td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblclbg5" align="right"> <td align="left" height="18"> Totals</td> <td>231</td> <td>27-73</td> <td>4-15</td> <td>25-30</td> <td>9</td> <td>41</td> <td>16</td> <td>21</td> <td>16</td> <td>3</td> <td>27</td> <td>83 </td> </tr> <tr align="right"> <td align="left" height="18"> Percentages:</td> <td> </td> <td>.370</td> <td>.267</td> <td>.833</td> <td> </td> <td colspan="7" align="left">Team Rebounds: None </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="7">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="yspsctbg"> <td class="ysptblhdr" colspan="13" height="18"> Cleveland </td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblthbody1" align="right"> <td class="yspdetailttl" align="left" height="18" width="18%"> Name</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Min</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">FG</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">3Pt</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">FT</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">Off</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Reb</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Ast</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">TO</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Stl</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">Blk</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="6%">PF</td> <td class="yspdetailttl" width="8%">Pts </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> L. James</td> <td>36</td> <td>5-15</td> <td>1-4</td> <td>11-14</td> <td>1</td> <td>5</td> <td>6</td> <td>8</td> <td>4</td> <td>1</td> <td>4</td> <td>22 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> A. Henderson</td> <td>27</td> <td>2-2</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>3</td> <td>4</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>5</td> <td>5 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> Z. Ilgauskas</td> <td>31</td> <td>7-12</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>5-7</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>3</td> <td>5</td> <td>19 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> E. Snow</td> <td>28</td> <td>1-3</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>4</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>2 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> S. Pavlovic</td> <td>32</td> <td>1-7</td> <td>1-5</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>3</td> <td>3 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> D. Jones</td> <td>28</td> <td>6-14</td> <td>4-9</td> <td>3-4</td> <td>1</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>19 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> D. Marshall</td> <td>23</td> <td>5-10</td> <td>2-5</td> <td>2-2</td> <td>2</td> <td>10</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>14 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> O. Ekezie</td> <td>8</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0</td> <td>3</td> <td>0</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>1</td> <td>0 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td align="left"> M. Wilks</td> <td>17</td> <td>0-4</td> <td>0-1</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>0</td> <td>3</td> <td>4</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>1 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td align="left"> Z. Hamilton</td> <td>10</td> <td>1-1</td> <td>0-0</td> <td>0-1</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>2</td> <td>2 </td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblbdr3"> <td colspan="13" height="1">
</td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblclbg5" align="right"> <td align="left" height="18"> Totals</td> <td>240</td> <td>28-68</td> <td>8-24</td> <td>23-32</td> <td>11</td> <td>42</td> <td>18</td> <td>22</td> <td>12</td> <td>7</td> <td>26</td> <td>87 </td> </tr> <tr align="right"> <td align="left" height="18"> Percentages:</td> <td> </td> <td>.412</td> <td>.333</td> <td>.719</td> <td> </td> <td colspan="7" align="left">Team Rebounds: None </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="7">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="yspsctbg"> <td class="ysptblhdr" colspan="13" height="18"> Game Info</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="yspnotice"> Technical Fouls: Cleveland - D. Marshall 1, Defensive Three
Attendance: 11,370
Officials: David Jones, Jess Kersey, Orlandis Poole</td></tr></tbody></table>

Good to see that the Cavs won even though they were missing 2 starters and several key backups. Even if it was to the NBA team that would lose to the Djbouti national team.

 

[Brutus1]

Decent win considering 2 starters were out and LBJ had an off night. 22 turnovers blows but obviously that defense is working down the stretch.

Snow gets worse every game. I hear the phone ringing, hopefully it's Larry Brown.

Jones has to be the starter.

Another good game by Marshall: 14 points and 10 boards.

Another bad shooting game from Pavlovic. 1-7 ugh.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Decent win considering 2 starters were out and LBJ had an off night. 22 turnovers blows but obviously that defense is working down the stretch.

Snow gets worse every game. I hear the phone ringing, hopefully it's Larry Brown.

Jones has to be the starter.

Another good game by Marshall: 14 points and 10 boards.

Another bad shooting game from Pavlovic. 1-7 ugh.

I hope Larry makes that call.

I really like what I am seeing out of this team so far. I just hope that none of the injuries are lingering and we can stay fairly healthy this year. We really can't afford any long term injuries.

 

[Brutus1]

We really can't afford any long term injuries.

Unless it's Snow.

 

[exhawg]

From watching the ticker last night I don't think this loss means too much except that the Cavs backups couldn't close out a big lead in the 4th quarter. Hughes and Gooden didn't play so the Cavs were down 2 starters. I just hope they can get the offense on track and cut down the turnovers by next Wednesday.

Cavs end preseason with a loss to Celtics

Offense still needs some work before regular season begins

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sports writer

BOSTON - Usually it is a relief when the preseason comes to an end.

Surely the Cavaliers are exhibition-weary and are eager to play real games, but that doesn't mean they're 100 percent ready.

The team finished the preseason with a 101-100 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at the TD Banknorth Garden. The final score was inconsequential; Boston didn't play any of its regulars in the second half, and the Cavs' front line took much of it off as well.

The Cavs actually blew a 16-point, fourth-quarter lead. They finished the preseason 5-3, which looks good, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

In stretches, the Cavs have proven to be very difficult to score on in the half court. This delights coach Mike Brown, who designated the preseason as a time to install a defensive foundation his team can fall back on when all else fails.

The offense often continues to look raw and disjointed, resulting in oodles of turnovers. It did again Wednesday, as the Cavs turned it over a preseason-high 30 times, though a majority were by the backups.

After going just 5-of-15 from the floor with eight turnovers Sunday, LeBron James went just 3-of-11 and turned it over six times in just 27 minutes against the Celtics. He did finish with 16 points but was far from his best.

The turnovers weren't all his fault. Sometimes players weren't where James thought they were going to be. Over and over, Brown had to shout instructions as it seemed like the Cavs were tentative in running plays.

All of that can be expected with a bunch of new players, many of whom haven't played much with each other due to injuries, learning a new coach and a new system.

All-in-all, the Cavs fared well in the games that don't count. The holes, though, still are glaring and in need of work in the next week of practice before the season starts Wednesday against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets at home.

Count on their weaknesses being exposed by a week from Friday, when they play their first road game in San Antonio.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had another solid offensive effort, scoring 18 points.

Damon Jones and Eric Snow put their best foot forward in the last game before Brown decides who wins the job as starting point guard. Jones scored 11 points with one turnover. Snow had 10 points also with a single turnover.

Ricky Davis (19 points) and Paul Pierce (17) feasted off Cavs turnovers in the first half, getting the Celtics a 56-48 lead before the second- and third-stringers took over.

Cutdown day

Brown said the Cavs likely will make their final cuts this morning. They have to waive three players. All indications point to Mike Wilks winning a spot as the third point guard after solid play in practices and in games.

Zendon Hamilton has put up the best numbers of the three men shooting for the backup center's role. It still seems the team probably will keep Jahidi White, who came to camp a little out of shape and has barely played after missing time with tendinitis in his left quad. White is a big, wide body, something the Cavs currently lack on the regular roster.

Division toughens

There are many pundits who consider the Central Division to be the most competitive from top to bottom. It got better Wednesday, when the Milwaukee Bucks traded for former All-Star center Jamaal Magloire, prying him away from the Hornets for swingman Desmond Mason, a draft pick and cash. It gives the Bucks and impressive front line along with No. 1 overall pick Andrew Bogut.

``It is hard to get legitimate 7-footers, and that's what Jamaal is,'' Brown said. ``It makes the division even tougher than it was.''

GM survey

In the annual survey submitted by the NBA general managers, Larry Hughes was voted as the offseason acquisition expected to have the most impact. James was voted as the league's most athletic player for the second consecutive season.

The GMs said the Cavs made the second-best moves in the offseason behind the Miami Heat.

Dribbles

Former Cavs coach Paul Silas will be a studio analyst for ESPN this season.... Hughes (sprained finger), Drew Gooden (knee tendinitis) and Ira Newble (sprained foot) all sat out the preseason finale.

 

[Brutus1]

Can't get too worked up over a preseason loss. They did shoot 46% from the field, 43% from beyond the arc and a very impressive 83% fron the ft line.

The 28 turnovers killed them but almost half of them were from guys that will only step on the court during timeouts.

I'm liking a starting 5 of Z, LBJ, Gooden,Hughes and Jones. The bench should be good just by having Marshall. He's going to be a grat addition.

It's nice to start with the Hornets instead of the Heat. Of course, they're in San Antonio next Sat.

 

[exhawg]

Can't get too worked up over a preseason loss. They did shoot 46% from the field, 43% from beyond the arc and a very impressive 83% fron the ft line.

The 28 turnovers killed them but almost half of them were from guys that will only step on the court during timeouts.

I'm liking a starting 5 of Z, LBJ, Gooden,Hughes and Jones. The bench should be good just by having Marshall. He's going to be a grat addition.

It's nice to start with the Hornets instead of the Heat. Of course, they're in San Antonio next Sat.

At least they open with what should be an easy win this year rather than one of the best teams like with the Pacers (w/ Artest) last year, then Miami second. This season they only play 2 really good teams in the first 20 or so games. Of course it's kind of hard to pick the really good teams right now. All I can come up with are: Spurs, Heat, Pistons, and Pacers. I think the Cavs have what it takes to be better than everyone else.

 

[Brutus1]

The Bucks should be decent also, especially after picking up Magloire yesterday.

You're right about the top 3 in the East. They'll all be tough.

Of course, if Shaq can't stay healthy, then all Heat bets are off.

 

[exhawg]

Three more days until the Cavs start playing and we can start forgetting about the miserable play of the Browns.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Can't wait, real excited about this season.