Recap: Cavs 91, Montepaschi Siena 85
2012-10-08
Well, the Cavs played a game against an external opponent tonight – an Italian Euroleague team. It was not on TV. Samardo Samuels lead the team in minutes and scoring, tallying 14 points. In the final five minutes, Dion Waiters scored nine points and doled out an assist to put the victory on ice. Kyrie shot 1 of 7 and is clearly mired in a hellacious sophomore slump, while Tristan converted 6 of 9, which certainly can not be viewed as a negative.
I did not see the game and will not pretend to understand much about what happened. Here’s a link to the box score. Discuss, especially if you were one of the fortunate attendees.
Don’t have time to write much on the subjects, but it should be pointed out that we can have 15 on the roster. The 12 is both the old number and the number of guys we can have active for the game. The only real questions are whether Jones or Eric beat out Samardo and whether Azubuike is healthy enough to play.
I think that seems the most likely scenario, Kevin. The only thing that might change is if Jones significantly outpays Leuer, though it’s hard to see the Cavs keeping a rookie over Leuer at the point. But it could happen. It sure seems like the Cavs never had Azibuke in their plans…
Kevin – I think that sounds right. I agree.
KJ – You raise an interesting point. I wonder if Casspi could get cut. Seems unlikely, but if he looks ineffectual again maybe someone like Jones or even Azubuike could steal his spot. Boobie seems safe to me because of his D and leadership.
Boobie and Casspi looked so useless last night, I’d love to cut them!!
We are going to have some tough decisions in making cuts. Seems to me that the following 10 slots are taken:
Kyrie, Dion, Tristan, Zeller, Andy, Gee, Miles, Boobie, Casspi, a backup PG (Sloan or Pargo)
That means only 2 of the following will make the final 12:
Samardo, Leur, Kevin Jones, Michael Eric, Azubuike, Walton, Harangody.
Who you got?
Samardo and Leuer as the last two, with Walton in a suit and Jones and Harangody in Canton. Pargo stays on as backup PG due to his guaranteed contract, but Waiters also gets a crack at running the offense when Kyrie sits. Michael Eric and Sloan can play in Canton is they like, but they won’t be on the Cavs 15 man roster. Azubuike…I guess he’s gone. That’s my vote.
Matt,
Thanks for the in-person account. I am going to the CLE vs Orlando game in Cincinnati. Give myself a chance to see the young guys up close.
I was there. Good stuff for the most part, but it’s very obvious this is a young team. I was encouraged by Tristan, but he basically out-athleted some undersized unathletic European big men. Good, but let’s see it against legit NBA big men before we come to any conclusions. Skinny Samardo looked awesome, and if I remember correctly was about 4-4 on midrange jumpers. Seems to have earned himself a spot on the team, if he hadn’t yet. Boobie’s attempts at acting like the backup PG went very very poorly. I don’t really think he should be doing anything besides… Read more »
Yeah, TT looked very good. He seemed aggressive and that is the game he needs to play. Kyrie having an off night doesn’t concern me too much, as he is still able to control the game without his shot. Waiters seemed to have a good game, def wasn’t as concerned with him as much as I was in summer league. CJ looks like a nice and affordable pick up that has the ability to put in some contributions. All and all, I liked what I saw.
On both the pick-and-roll finish and the fast break highlight; TT exhibited his one undoubtable world class skill. He is explosive, and it is awesome. All I really need to see out of him this year is finish the easy ones and make an impact on defense. I was also encouraged that Dion took over in crunch time. At a critical juncture of the game, between 4:41 and 1:56 to go in the game, Cleveland scored on 5 of 6 possessions, and Dion scored or assisted on each of them. I know this is pre-season against a Euro team, but… Read more »
I hope people watch the highlights so they can see how we’ll TT played and also see the great dribble drive dunk And-1 he had tonight. Super impressive. Let’s see Jonas do that!
I do not think he did. He had some bad TO’s near the end if the game and when he came in for Kyrie in the 3rd qtr, the Cavs promptly blew their 10 point lead. Boobie had something g to do with that too, I’m afraid. I NEVER wanna see a Sloan/Boobie backcourt again!
I think Sloan looks for his own to much and doesn’t seem to get others playing well…
Did Sloan really not play well? All I have to go by this the box score, so that’s kind of shocking to hear.
I listened and watched game cast and select highlights. We did many good things. Shot 49% and held them to 35%. Scored half if our total in the paint, while holding them to like 20 points in the paint. TT was uber effective and aggressive with multipke dunks. Andy did his thing. Kyrie played distributor mainly. Samardo played out of his mind draining jumpers and rebounding. Dion closed the game out basically single-handedly with 11points in 15 minutes of action. And Miles was fantastic. Getting steals, hitting jumpers and driving. Bad stuff was Boobie being terrible. Again. Sloan not playing… Read more »