Recap: Is This How We Make Other Teams Feel?
2009-02-27
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Overview:
In their worst offensive performance of the year, the Cavs were manhandled on both sides of the floor and were beaten handily by the Rockets as LeBron James was rendered ineffective.
Cavs-Related Bullets:
First off, sorry for the lateness. Catastrophic technical difficulties last night.
I think that was the best I’ve ever seen LeBron James defended. He’s certainly had worse games, and 21 points on 21 shots isn’t terrifyingly bad, but he was playing into the Rockets’ hands from the opening whistle on. The Rockets kept him out of the lane by forcing LeBron directly into their helpers, Yao Ming did a great job of protecting the rim, Artest stayed physical with LeBron, and Battier really did always seem to be one move ahead. At one point, I looked over to make sure Michael Lewis wasn’t telling LeBron what to be doing out there.
LeBron’s had horrendous shooting nights before, but even then his impact is generally undeniable-he’s getting teammates involved, he’s forcing the defense to come to him and adjust, he’s freeing up a side of the floor, he’s scrapping and getting extra chances, he’s everywhere at once. In this one, the Rockets were able to render him so ineffective and frustrated when he went to the basket that they actually turned him into a jump shooter, the mythical holy grail of defending LeBron. They were also able to perfectly control his catches so that he never got the ball anywhere near the scoring area.
LeBron spent much of the night catching and shooting directly, and while that allowed him to shoot decently (6-14 eFG% on jumpers, better than his season average of 41%), it took him away from what he’s best at, which is getting other teammates involved. Basically, he was playing like a poor man’s Mo Williams, which is not something someone with his gifts should be doing. 8 long twos out of 21 shots is not a repeatable plan of action. The worst part was when he made the move to make twice in a row in the second quarter, getting past the first defender and pulling up for an on-balance jumper just past the elbow, only to miss it twice in a row.
I tip my cap in a massive way to Houston’s defense tonight-we knew their perimeter defense was going to be absolutely insane with Artest and Battier healthy, and that’s what we saw tonight.
Delonte was also a major culprit tonight, as he’s someone that gets looked towards in a major way to get the ball moving when LeBron’s loaded up on and get motion on that weak side, but Artest and Battier were doing so well without needing doubles that Delonte didn’t have openings, but he was still completely ineffective.
As is usually the case when we play a team that’s got us figured out defensively, Mo’s long jumpers off the dribble were the best thing going for our offense.
I don’t even want to talk about Ben’s injury right now. I guess if any starter has to go down, he’s the best one? Bargaining, I know.
Didn’t LeBron used to love being on national TV?
Bullets of Randomness:
On the other side of the ball, Yao Ming just killed us. He’s really, really good.
I feel like this team is better off without the most overrated player in basketball. Although to be quite honest, Shane Battier could take McGrady’s title in the forseeable future.
The Baron von Wafer absolutely killed us as well. That man is a microwave. Could we switch Boobie for him before and see who notices? They both like to shoot and have stupid hair!
Kyle Lowry is an absolute money player. Lowry/Mayo is a very good backcourt for the next half-decade. STOP THINKING THAT GUARDS WHO AREN’T GOOD SHOOTERS CAN’T BE REALLY GOOD. I always drooled when he’d be rumored to be coming here in a Mike Miller deal.
The good news is that we get to play the Spurs right away and try to right the ship. I sincerely mean that.
PS-I changed the box because light-on-dark text makes me crazy-Agree? Disagree? Better the other way? I’m the world’s worst web designer, so I need feedback on these things.
Oh, and go check out Arnovitz’s writeup of this game. It’s tremendous.
I can’t believe that I missed your point, I will have to do some research on this.
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Yes, I too was wondering about the mention of Lowry/Mayo ?
Hey Krolik, Lowry/Mayo? Don’t you mean Lowry/Brooks?
Debbie, the fact that it was EASY for Yao doesn’t mean he ONLY PLAYED ONE END OF THE FLOOR.
We might be talking about different issues because I’m talking about playing both ends of the floor as far as Yao’s effectiveness was the other night (and there was no denying that), while you’re talking about how much effort he had to expend (which, due to the offensive ineptitude of Varejao and Wallace, Yao admittedly did not have do much).
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Hey Michael… Think about what you’re saying – Yes, Yao denied LeBron in the painted area… Because HE NEVER HAD TO LEAVE IT to guard Ben or Andy! It’s a whole lot easier for that Chinese oak tree of a man to camp out in the paint than to make him come out to actually guard someone who can shoot the ball. Keeping him on the move defensively wares him down, which for almost every player in the NBA, translates into declining offensive efficiency as the game goes on.
Debbie, how was Yao only playing on one end of the floor? Did you not see him deny LeBron everything in the painted area? The reason why Artest was able to be so aggressive with James on the perimeter was because Yao was there to erase potential mistakes by manning the post.
Ignarus, to play devil’s advocate, I think one reason you guys didn’t stick Wally out there as a 4 was because Scola (or whomever else Wally would’ve drawn on defense) would have pulverized him on the other end.
my vote definitely goes for the way you had it first: dark background with light text. My eyes were hurtin while i was reading this, and i couldnt figure out why until you said you changed it at the bottom of the article. And i think it makes your page look a little sweeter too. And for the record I’m almost happy Ben is hurt, even though you’ve pointed out that good things seem to happen when he’s on the court (surprisingly good +/-), but I love seeing JJ play and I think he’s up to it. Plus I think… Read more »
One more thing – I think Lebron’s crummy offense had a lot to do with the two early charges called on him. I started watching after that had happened, but I can only remember him putting his head down and going to the hole maybe once – he got a block called on someone, and all was right for a few seconds… But being in foul trouble after that block attempt against Yao seemed to force him to the outside more so that he’d normally be even with top-class defenders like Artest and Battier on him. Also, I really noticed… Read more »
Must disagree – dark background with white text = less eyestrain.
(Great blog by the way.)
Black text on white background is definitely better, but is it me or do the links and headers look yellow and hard to read on white?
I like the black text on white background better… I’m depressed from last night, but I actually think Ben’s injury is a blessing in disguise. Any kind of offensive threat from our 4 spot will help us come playoff time, and JJ followed, hopefully, by Joe Smith provide that. Yao was great last night, but let’s be honest – he was really only playing on one end of the floor as he didn’t even bother guarding Ben or Andy away from the basket when they were using Scola on Z. Sure JJ’s raw, & he’s still going to make rookie… Read more »
Love your blog, its always a joy to read what you have to say about Cavs games, wins or losses. I like the old format, dark background, etc. better.