Argh. We lost. To a really crappy team. At home.
Tom, Colin, and I were so depressed that we decided to vent our frustrations via podcast.
Topics included are Kyrie’s development, the lack of a discernible offense, the emergence of Tristan Thompson, Byron Scott’s future, and Dion’s shot selection.
As always, we’re on soundcloud at – https://soundcloud.com/cavstheblog/0019-cavs-get-saced
And on iTunes at - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cavs-the-podcast/id528149843?mt=2
The 10 minutes where I couldn’t think of the other 4th quarter collapse was against ATLANTA. The reason i couldn’t remember that? I only watched the 2nd half. Josh Smith didn’t play, and I’m not used to Jeff teague and Lou Williams taking over for the Hawks and Kyle Korver hitting a dagger 3 for the Hawks.
So I apologize for that awkwardness – not my college year Hawks team.
Won’t be listening to this…actually, do you guys really think it wise to podcast RIGHT after a tough loss? Especially in light if the very negative reaction from the commenters the last time you did such a podcast? Reasonable question, no?
This game was bad. No Tyreke, No Thornton, 4th game in 5 nights for Sacto. And the Cavs lose at home.
Until Varejao comes back, Zeller takes roids, or we stop playing teams with big, strong, offensively skilled centers, its going to be hard to win.
Also, I feel confident in now saying Tristan can and will be an elite level rebounder in this league.
You know things are bad when you’re playing Luke Walton at the 4, Zeller at the 5, and the Coach asks LUKE WALTON to defend Boogie Cousins because Zeller is so not up to the task.
And I don’t mean that to be an excuse for losing. We were losing before. But I have seen improvements in the rest of the team. But I currently have no idea how we are to guard these big centers with the team constructed as is, with Varejao out. We honestly have no one with enough size to do it, outside of Zeller, and he can’t guard a ham sandwich right now.
Exactly Carter. And did anyone else notice when Thompson was in with Zeller it was Thompson mostly guarding Cousins and Zeller left to guard Jason Thompson? Of course it was during these stretches that Jason Thompson would go off.
For the sequences that I was referring to in the Atlanta game: http://espn.go.com/nba/playbyplay?gameId=400278149&period=4
Down 1, and out of a Cavs time, we have: Kyrie Irving misses 31-foot three point jumper
Coming back, down 3 but with 2 games left: Dion Waiters misses 22-foot jumper (and I’m pretty sure that was a 3, maybe scorekeeper missed it)
So coming back, Cavs now down SIX POINTS (2 possessions) and once again, OUT OF A TIMEOUT. the next 3 plays are: (hint, not 3s)
Tyler Zeller misses 17-foot jumper
Kyrie Irving misses 16-foot jumper
Kyle Korver blocks Dion Waiters ‘s 6-foot jumper
I mean what?? Cavs up 1 with 3 minutes left. And a total meltdown.
time should be “time out” and 2 games left should be “2 minutes left”
I’m having a rough go with the brain. Couldn’t remember roy Hibbert’s name earlier. forgot the Cavs played Atlanta, and couldn’t remember TERRELL OWENS NAME! Dear LORD!
I don’t think it’s Zeller’s fault. I just don’t think he’s capable right now. It’s not a winnable situation.
Anyone else see Walton’s awesome block? I was like wow, Luke Walton just did that. Luke Walton is looking like much better trade bait now. The problems with zeller is he needs to add weight to effectively guard players like cousins which luckily is nothing we didn’t already know. Dion actually getting to the rim, is awesome. Scott seemed a little more expressive tonight, might be reading this blog lol. I thought what really killed us tonight was forcing passes mostly. That and bad shooting.
Also anyone know the status of getting zidrunus ilgauskis in to coach zeller on how to be effective as a tall skinny white guy in the NBA? Sorry about the spelling, on my phone.
No, I don’t think it’s Zeller’s fault most of the time either. He just isn’t half as strong as he needs to be. He gets muscled out of rebounds so many effing times, but there isn’t a whole lot he can do about it right now.
Scott’s job appears to be safe for the rest of the year at a minimum. I agree with the comment that he was brought in to be the rebuilding coach. He’s in this thing with Grant and Gilbert is still on board and he’s been pretty quiet this year in his Cavs related tweets.
Without Andy the core is basically 4 kids still finding their way in the NBA. Kyrie has the offensive end figured out, but he’s struggled with stamina and defense. Waiters is starting to go to the hole more and finish. For all of the criticism lobbed his way he’s a more engaged defender than Kyrie by a mile. Zeller just isn’t ready for a starring role. He was a nice spark plug off the bench playing against bench centers (99% of why Drummond looks so good). The funny thing is that universally no one is really bitching about Tristan. They had no interior presence on defense when he was off the court and were getting mauled on the boards. Not that Thomas Robinson has played much, but I’d rather have Tristan and it’s not close.
Tom Pestak,
Your memory is as bad as mine during our last podcast. Probably different reasons though.
Rich, I don’t think anyone is complaining about TT because of his rebounds. Its more his limited offensive game and limited upside on that end, but I’ve certainly been pleased with what I’ve seen from him lately. He’s a much better defender there this year than last, though I still don’t think he’s a real force on that end, he’s easily our best post defender right now. If he can be a top 75% post defender, rebounder, and hit free throws near 65% and get to 50% on fg in a limited offensive role I’d be happy, but still not extatic with that being a #4 pick. But he certainly would prove not to be a reach. He’s there on the rebounds, and certainly looks like he should be able to get there on defense sooner than later. The free throws and long gathers continue to plague him, but his improvements in those areas lately have been noticeable and promising.
Yeah I first noticed it yesterday when I was chatting with my buddy and couldn’t name Roy Hibbert. I was sitting there thinking – “Ok he’s 7’2″, he went to Georgetown, he’s been on Parks and Rec, Austin Carr Loves him, he’s having a horrible season after getting a max deal…” It’s like – I could practically list off his Bank’s security questions for him but couldn’t remember R-O-Y H-I-B-B-E-R-T. Maybe the antibiotics I’m on for my cold?
This game was all about Luke Walton, Power Forward. What a joke. Against teams who run two remotely competent bigs, like the Kings, this will never work. Jason Thompson is underrated. How about Francisco Garcia as a bench vet for the Cavs next year?
You know you’ve hit rock bottom when we’re jealous of all the great things the Kings can do (and pining for Francisco Garcia)
hey so this is podcast #19, but on itunes (and on this blog as far as i can tell), the last podcast posted is #17. was there an 18th podcast i missed somehow?
i agree mallory. i was thinking how much better they are with tyreke down. they might want to flip tyreke in a package to get that Kansas kid that scorched the buckeyes recently. garcia is a keeper. thompson, jimmer and brooks look like an embarrassment of riches that even the maloofs might not screwup. or maybe not. i am glad though that the blogosphere pontification about should the cavs draft thomas robinson was never taken seriously. TT is light years ahead of TR
MF
Really are you pining for the Kings roster? No way. We are in good shape with Kyrie, Dion, and Thompson. I also think it’s time to trade Andy. Thompson has played extremely well in his absence.
NBA players development is like a baby growing into a 4 year-old. Most of their actual development is within the first four years. Our kiddy Cavs were bound to shit their pants for the first few years. It was a disheartening lose, but not that big of a deal in the long term. Everyone poops their pants early on.
As far as Scott’s coaching maybe he’s trying to get them to learn to win on their own. It seems like Scott takes less time outs than other coaches. His job in Cleveland is compared to his stops with the Nets and Hornets, but this is a way younger situation. That Nets team was overall a veteran squad. By the time the Hornets drafted Chris Paul they had a team with vets in PJ Brown, Chris Anderson, Claxton and Mason. West was in his third year and played 4 years at Xavier.
teddy – yes, here it is. http://www.cavstheblog.com/?p=15561
kevin and I did it and we didn’t use mallory’s account to upload. you must have just missed the post on the site that day.
Cory – I’m going to post later on player development. So stay tuned.
Varejao not even traveling with the team to Charlotte. Knee Bruise. Two weeks + now.
Don’t tell me this front office isn’t actively tanking. You have the most cap room in the league and you use it to sign CJ Miles and Alonzo Gee and now you hold players out for weeks on end with paper cuts? Yea…tanking.
@Rich yeah but competing with the wizards in a tank off is futile, they are like the Miami of tanking.
@J Hill They do not have Luke Walton, PF. He’s the LBJ of tanking. He should legally change his name to LeTank. He’s my favorite phenomenon: a point stretch 4 who cannot shoot, rebound, or defend (last night’s “blind squirrel finding a nut” block be damned).
@Nate Smith And yet, he’s probably, or at least arguably, the best option on the team to play back-up 4 (at least with Varejao hurt and Zeller starting at C). Now Tom tells me that this team has talent, but I ask, does a team that is reduced to playing Luke Walton at the back-up 4 sound like one with enough talent on it?
I realize that the vibe on Tristan has been very positive lately, but I still haven’t seen anyone mention how effortlessly he gets to the rim. Even when the defender has time to set up and has absolutely no reason to respect his jumper, Tristan still gets to the hoop. He even had a nifty little between the legs dribble drive in the Sac game.
His quickness is so underrated and I really feel he will be a 15+ ppg scorer as long as he can start getting those bunnies to drop. Nobody can keep him out of the lane. Anyone who calls him a bust is just being overly critical or whining because they wanted the Lithuanian instead.
Oh, and I haven’t listened to the podcast yet. Maybe you guys discussed what I mentioned.
Vesus – Thompson’s improvements were lauded in the podcast. Everything else was quite GRIM.
@Rich. No way. Samardo, Leuer, Casspi, and Jones would all be better options. I mean why continue losing with a player who has absolutely no chance to be a part of our future? Luke Walton has two above average skills: ball handling and passing. Every other skill is so far below average that it’s pointless to play him, especially at power forward where those skills aren’t even emphasized. I’d much rather lose with a player who can develop, and you know, could rebound.
Luke Walton’s only reason to be on this team is if his contract is used in a cash dump from another team. Say the Mavs realize they are out of the playoff picture and Walton and Boobie are packaged for Marion to open up the Mavs books even further for next year.
I will absolutely fight you on Samardo Samuels. You named two things Luke Walton does that are above average. Now name me one thing Samardo does thats above average. Casspi can’t play PF. And I haven’t seen enough of the other two, but neither has anyone else so I’d so you’re guessing, at best, as to whether or not those guys are better options.
@Rich “Casspi can’t play PF” Well neither can Walton! That’s the point. As for Samuels, he’s capable of moments, but I’ll agree he’s mostly incompetent. He’s below average at most things. Still, would I rather have him or Walton guarding DeMarcus Cousins? I’d pick Samardo. http://thereal2kinsider.blogspot.com/2012/09/official-nba-2k13-ratings.html
Rich vs Nate! Lets have it. I’m taking Rich cause he’s right. Samuels is maybe the worst passer I have seen outside of Grade school. The man looks to shoot, looks to penetrate, then he realize he can’t do either thinks about calling a timeout then remembers that he can pass it and proceeds to shoot the ball to someone else.
I hit a little bit on Byron Scott here: http://clevelandsportschronicles.blogspot.com/2013/01/cavs-perceived-coaching-woes.html