This was Cleveland’s fourteenth back-to-back for the season. Heading into the evening, they won one on the back-end. Of course, they were playing their lottery-mate kryptonite, the Toronto Raptors. After sweeping last season’s series, the Raptors destroyed the Cavs in Cleveland earlier this season, by double-digits, despite missing two starters. So this should be fun, right?
I could get used to seeing pictures like this in May
The first quarter started well, with the starters forging an 11 to 10 lead. Highlights included awesome Kyrie to Gee and Kyrie to Tristan pick & rolls, a delightful Gee drive & dunk, a Dion drive for a lay-in, and a Dion assist for a Kyrie three in transition. The Kyrie to Alonzo play resulted in a massive slam; why does it feel like one of very few examples of this combo running this play? Unlike last night, some unraveling began with the subs, obviously due to Luke Walton sitting with an injured foot. Toronto mounted a 13 to 2 run, highlighted by a slew of DeMar Derozan jumpers, and repeated bloopers from Zeller: missed bunnies, a travel, a fumbled pass, a weak foul that allowed an and-one…Derozan’s twelve points guided the 19 to 25 margin in favor of the Raptors.
The second quarter started miserably, with Toronto stretching their lead to eleven. The Cavs whittled away, fronted by Marreese Speights’ 11 first-half points, but seemingly everytime the tally drew near, the team failed to get a critical stop; the Raptors would grab an offensive rebound or hustle down a fifty-fifty ball. Toronto took advantage of Cleveland misses, sprinting out against poorly defensed fast breaks; the Cavs allowed 61% from the field through the first twenty minutes. The defense tightened up over the final few minutes, and Kyrie played his unique brand of hero-ball, bringing the game to the half with Cleveland trailing 46 to 50. Kyrie shot fourteen times to tally thirteen points, taking impossibly difficult shots, but of course also making some (including a one-on-three fast break). Zeller finished with nine boards, but shot 0 for 4 and botched two turnovers. Cleveland registered seven assists for the half.
The third stanza featured various mini-runs, with Toronto never pulling away, and Cleveland not attaining a lead. The entirety of the second and third quarters bounced around between a margin of two and eleven points. Thompson scored six, while Alan Anderson scored an equal amount in the final two minutes of the quarter. Anderson piled up seventeen for the game, and isn’t having a bad season as a bench-sparkplug. The Raptors carried a 66 to 75 lead into the fourth.
After Toronto scored the first bucket of the fourth, the new bench-guys spurred a twelve-to-nothing Cavalier run. Speights hit two buckets and Ellington drained a pair of long threes to snatch an 80 to 79 lead. The two teams kept trading buckets; a Kyrie and-one, a Speights post-move, an Ellington three…but Toronto matched each time. At 88 to 87, a four-point Kyrie mini-run provided separation, before the team started exhibiting reminiscent closing woes. Against a set defense, Kyrie iso-ed off his foot for a turnover, then missed a tough layup; Dion jacked a 22-footer; Kyrie threw away a pass; a series of defensive break-downs allowed Toronto to re-attain a 94 to 96 lead. Alas, we have seen this story before.
Except tonight featured a surprise ending. First, after a Thompson block, Kyrie received the ball in transition…well, it wasn’t really a fast break; more like another 1 on 3. Of course, he needled through every defender and converted the circus lay-in…tie ballgame.
But, OH @$#! Stupid Defense!! Jose Calderon drives and scores to give Toronto the advantage with ten seconds remaining.
I’m thinking “Allright…we have Kyrie Irving…this is OK.” He’s dribbling…probably another tough iso drive against a set defense; I hope it works out…except he rises, he shoots, HE DRILLS THE THREE FROM THE TOP OF THE KEY!! UNDER A SECOND TO GO!!! CAVS LEAD!!!
Toronto couldn’t score in the final half-ticks, and Cleveland strikes their first three game win streak of the season; a stretch that gives them 8 wins and 9 losses in the last five weeks. This was a very nice win, on the road, on the second night of a back-to-back, against a team the Cavs struggle with. Ideally, they develop more creative offense (12 assists on 37 baskets?) and airtight defense, and make these finalies a little less heart-attack inducing in the future…but a win’s a win, right?
Onto a few bullets (all “in January” numbers are prior to tonight’s game):
- As a young core, Toronto carries several nice pieces. Kyle Lowry is a fantastic point guard. I think that Amir Johnson, Ed Davis and Jonas Valanciunas provide a strong big man rotation for several years. Now they need to determine which of their under-25 wing contingent of Landry Fields Terrence Ross, and Demar Derozan stay healthy, and produce effectively and consistently.
- The trade makes Cleveland’s depth look brighter. Marreese Speights drained some jumpers, scored some bruising back-to-the-basket buckets, and even finished a swooping reverse layup. Ellington stroked a trio of silky threes. Without their 29 points on 69% true shooting, the game probably slips away early in the fourth.
- Through December, Luke Walton’s per-36 minutes averages were 5.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 34% true shooting. It was absolutely as ugly as everyone remembers. In January, those increased to 11, 7.3, 4.6 and 48%. Combining excellent ball movement with passable shooting and rebounding turns him into a reasonably playable back-up. Come back soon, Luke?
- I don’t know which statistical leap is more impressive though. Tristan’s November featured per-36 of 10.3 & 9.8 on 47% TS. In January, those rise to 15.2 & 12 on 53.5%. He finished tonight with 14 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks, but also lost 4 turnovers. The refs were critical of his footwork in the post and on screens.
- How about Dion’s improvement in shot distribution? In December, he took 30 of his 114 field goals from inside of three feet, approximately 26% of his attempts, and only lined up for one freebie of every seven shots from the field. In January, those numbers increase to 54 of 156 shots attempted at the rim (35% of tries), and a free throw per three field goal attempts. This helped turn around his appalling 39% true shooting in December, into 52% in January, a completely respectable mark for a high-usage guard that turned 21 last month. Tonight was not a good night for Dion though; he is alternating good & bad games. He picked-up four fouls in his first eight minutes of play, turned the ball over three times in the third quarter, missed a completely-all-alone layup, and shot 3 of 10 with a couple of ill-advised jumpers. Maybe he stayed out too late last night. Reasonably aggressive though, he did take six of his shots inside 8 feet, but never received the benefit of a foul call. In a plus/minus anomaly, he finished a team best +15.
- Even Kyrie raised his game to another level in January. 26.3 points per game on 49 / 42 / 93 shooting, including more steals in the last eleven games (30), than in the prior twenty-two (28 thefts). 49 / 42/ 93!!! Of course, this night adds to a growing legacy: 32 points, 5 assists, and another buzzer-beating gamewinner.
- Might as well give Tyler some mention. Through January 22, according to hoopdata.com, T-Zell lead the league in charges. For total defensive plays (steals + blocks + charges), his total of 81 ranks 51st of all players. He certainly has work to do, but he makes some things happen. Tonight was not pretty, his vaunted offensive touch still lacks most games, but he snagged twelve boards…at least there’s that
The Cavs won 8 of their last 17. Player development is equalling wins, and nightly viewing provides much more excitement lately. With eight of the next nine at home, and the one road game in Detroit, everyone gets to sleep at home until late February. Enjoy the respite, guys.
That shot was a statement to the rest of the league. Kyrie Irving has arrived.
Bartolo Colon For Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips.
Jon Leuer for Marreese Speights, Ellington, & Selby.
I’m still trying to think of a Browns trade to equal those two.
Speights is 26, moves W, WO the ball, passes, RB’s, shoots inside, shoots from 15 ft., …
Ellington moves the ball well, spaces himself well, shoots very well…
(Selby was a very good college player and may help some day.)
While I am analyzing Chris Grant’s moves, how about Shaun Livingston?
4 assists, 3 steals, excellent leadership, makes me ask, “Who let this guy go and why?”
Oh…by the way…TT looks like an all-star PF most of the time these days, Waiters is rough, but
shows great promise, Zeller looks good at times and will come around, and Kyrie…
The cavs biggest achilles heel this year has been 4th quarters. Back to back games where they big 4th quarter deficits to win.
Speights and Ellington are fitting right in!
Thompson had another great game and a HUGE block that set up the Kyrie heroics.
Kyrie Irving – I don’t even know what else can be said. I’m not sure anyone sans Durant can score like him. And he’s 20. That’s ridiculous.
Saying what everyone else has – Speights and Ellington are ballers. For the first time all season, we have a bench. And it’s making a massive difference.
The last three games have been some of the most entertaining basketball I can remember as a Cavs fan in the last couple of years. Kyrie sometimes does things that defy gravity with the basketball. Thought for sure he travelled on the 1 on 3 break for the layup to tie it at 96. Watched it over and over on the DVR. Like watching sleight of hand magic. Ridiculous! And how about TT’s block to create the break. Kyrie has seemed super fiery and competitive against the last few PGs. He’s really taken it to Lillard, Rondo, Jennings and Calderon. Looked like Calderon was jawing with him quite a bit tonight, but KI got the last FU dagger of this one. Don’t think we’ll ever hear the same criticism of KI that we always heard about LBJ. He’s certainly not afraid to take that last shot. Also, certainly doesn’t seem like Speights and Ellington are one year rentals. With not even one practice under their belts, they look like they’ve been part of the team since day one, and really seem to be jelling on the fly. Can’t wait until they’ve gotten some real practice time with the youngsters. Boobie’s injury probably solves the minutes distribution issue for the short term, but interesting Byron didn’t pry CJ off the bench tonight (even though he’s supposedly okay to play). Never thought I’d say it, but missed Luke Walton tonight. Really dig watching him, Livingston, Speights and Ellington out there. Things are looking up Cavs fans!
Wonder what the Vegas odds are on KI for ASGMVP?
Kyrie now gets full-on star officiating in just year two. Excellent #MrBurns. He gets touch calls and travels more blatantly than LeBron, master of the 4-step jump stop and the infamous crab dribble. I love it. If he weren’t the worst PnR defender I’ve ever seen, he’s be a top 3 player already. Yikes.
Dion is a great defender.
At the 2.5 minute mark Kyrie was going to take an after the whistle 3, but Ben Davis drifted over towards the rim. Kyrie dropped the ball and shouted something at him. Given the outcome, I thought that was awesome foreshadowing. We are so lucky to get another Alpha so soon after LeDecision.
Awesome game, i am thinking this team is going to play much better from this point on, though its going to hurt our draft position.
Quick question; Speights had a no trade clause that he waived to come here, is that no trade clause still in his contract with the Cavs?
For those of you wondering about livingston. a former 4th overall pick. This is why he was let go…
In a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on February 26, 2007, Livingston suffered a debilitating knee injury, dislocating his left kneecap after landing awkwardly following a missed layup, resulting in the left leg snapping laterally. Livingston injured almost every part of his knee, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and the lateral meniscus, badly spraining his medial collateral ligament (MCL), and dislocating his patella and his tibia-femoral joint.[6] The injury was so severe that ESPNEWS warned viewers of the graphic nature of the video clip before airing it.[7]
Livingston was riddled by injuries during the first three years of his professional career, missing 101 of 246 regular season games.[8][9]
[edit]Return from injury
I know I was asking for it, but DO NOT google Shaun Livingston knee injury if you want to sleep tonight.
Sprieghts will be traded before the deadline for another 1st IMO. He will win us too many games if we keep him and next year he’ll cost a lot to keep. The Bucks, Rockets Celts are all interested in him and between him and Andy we could come away with some serious assets and be in full attack mode come the summer. It is nice to see us win though.
As an athletic trainer I use Shaun Livingston’s knee injury videos as preparation for any disgusting horrible injury so that I don’t vomit
@ Bric, In that list of great trades I think #2 still is Mo for Baron Davis and Kyrie Irving. #3 Is Choo and Asdrubal for Brousard and E. Perez. 4 Jon Fricking Leur for a low lottery 1st, 2 legit players and a project point. 5 Al Davis preventing us from trading Joe thomas and a first for Jamarcus Russell. Obviously thats a this millenium list
I love that our GM attempted to add Nic Batum and Alexy Shved in the off season. I trust Grant implicitly.
@ Rodney, why in the world would they trade Speights for yet another 1st? He’s a terrific fit in the offense (great floor spacing, can hit the 15 ft with consistency, great inside moves, good rebounder, decent on d), and is only 25. He doesn’t really cost that much for next year either. IMO, he’ll soon replace Zeller as starting C. All that aside, he waived his no trade clause to come to Cleveland! If anything, he makes moving Andy this summer or next year more palatable if it comes to that.
I get why Livingston was let go after the horrific injury. But why did the Wiz let him go this year. Was he really that ineffective on that team, or just a numbers game?
How about the Byron Scott rotations that everyone was complaining about. Get the guy some depth and we can’t now return the favor and praise him??? Kudos coach Scott.
Before you read below, I am the biggest Waiters backer around, but some notes.
Waiters is a good on ball defender, terrible at off ball +help/box out/ hustle plays.
Nothing more irritating to me than when I see Waiters always wanting the ball with him and Kyrie on the floor and his hand up at the 3 pt line, not moving, not cutting.
Wade is great at the back door cut or moving without the ball this is the single most important thing I think he needs to work out for the 2nd half.
This would easily get him 2-4 buckets a game by moving. Must add this element by the end of the season.
Would be ideal if TT could add any sort of J to at least keep the D honest, hopefully by 2015?? late 2014…
Corey,
I agree about Waiters off the ball (plus his rebounding). I’ve mentioned this in a comment before, but some of the fault for Dion’s off-the-ball non-movement comes as Dion’s responsibility to “learn” and some is coaching responsibility to “teach”. The offense often lacks much movement. Hopefully it is something that forces collide on, and many of the youngsters improve rapidly off the ball / running an offense.
I think that even if we have to overpay a bit for Speights it might be worth it. Teams always need decent bigs and we could trade him later if we change our mind on him.
How about some B Scott love? All of those improvements Kevin notes did not happen in a vacuum, I’m sure those are things the coaching staff has been harping on and it’s beautiful to see the players start to get it. I think it’s easy for us to sit behind our computers and want the brilliant adjustments we think up to happen immediately, but much much harder to get a bunch of headstrong inexperienced players to realize how they need to change their games and then actually do it. Scott is doing an awesome job and should be recognized for it.
Yep
No one could have guessed that Scott was doing some teaching/coaching. Or I mean everyone could have guessed.
Just like everyone knew that the team would improve as the season wore on. Yeesh.
Interesting note on Speights. I don’t know if he can be traded again without his permission. He waived his no trade clause to come here, and I wonder if it’s permanently waived or has to be waived again if he’s traded to somewhere else.
I’m shocked no one mentioned the 4 guard crunch time lineup of KI, Speights/Thompson, Ellington, Livingston, and Dion. I was laughing when AC commented about them giving up offensive rebounds… I guess Livingston was at the 4. His versatility and ability to cover apparently 4 positions is nice. He still can’t shoot outside of 11 feet, but he does so much else — still don’t know if he can guard Ed Davis though. I really thought Byron was coaching to lose this one cause that lineup was goofy. The Raps were still running Davis and Amir Johnson as bigs and the Cavs were giving up the rebounding advantage. Then Byron calling KIso over and over again after the ball movement had been so crisp was bizarre.
Great win, but the Raps played this one really stupidly at the end. You NEVER give up the three in that situation. You overplay, and if he scores the 2, you go to overtime. Also why would you not get the ball out of Kyrie’s hands? Go double him with Livingston’s man… I think we were watching two teams coaching to lose.
Wayne Ellington is an absolute keeper. Legit size to play the 2, decent enough handle and passing to keep defense’s honest (this is the eye test, not the numbers test), and can absolutely shoot the 3. In fact, I would keep him and turn down the option on C.J. next year. They’re redundant, and by my eyes Ellington is a much better defender and all around player.
Tyler Zeller looks like he’s lost even more weight. He’s really going to have to work with a nutritionist this offseason to keep weight on. He played a nice game, even if he didn’t shoot well.
I was watching Dion’s defense tonight. The dude competes, but as we all know, couldn’t stay on the floor because of foul trouble. He took an absolutely idiotic shot in crunch time from 22 feet that made me want to throw the remote through the TV. And yes, Corey, off the ball Waiters drifts way to much. A couple times yelled, “WTF is Waiters doing?” He needs to watch how Livingston is always cutting.
What is up with Kyle Lowry? The dude was an animal early this season. I guess he has an ankle injury, but still.
T, You’re so right about Kyrie’s 4 step moves. That crab/giant dribble is a travel, but he gets away with it because he’s so smooth. Still, 90% of the time he has amazing footwork. That play where he carried the ball in his outstretched left hand on his two step then shot it with the right hand off the glass off the wrong foot was absolutely sick. I’ve literally never seen that move in the NBA before.
The book on Speights has always been that he can look like a beast in stretches, and then mail it in for a couple games. He also is very content to jack up jumpers instead of going inside, hence his low field goal percentage for a big. We’ll see how he looks when the euphoria wears off.
Amir Johnson continues to be the most underrated player in the NBA.
And Ctown, I think this two game stretch is actually an indictment of Byron. When you see two guys come in from another team’s bench and tear it up on offense and defense, it points out how poorly coached the Cavs’ players may be, since another team’s bench players are doing things the Cavs’ starters aren’t… Or maybe it’s just that we overestimate coaching, and it’s all about the players…
No, Speights can’t exercise his no-trade clause now. It’s a one time thing. If you waive it once, you’ve waived it for good.
As for Waiters, I agree with a post above. HIs on the ball defense was really, really good against Lowry. Pretty much shut him down and made up for any offensive woes he had. But his rotations are slow. That’s ok, though, as pretty much every young guy who comes into the league sucks at rotating.
Nate,
Are you sure they had Johnson and Davis out there during Cleveland’s four guard lineup? I thought Toronto at that time was something like Calderon, Anderson, Ross, Derozan and Johnson.
Awesome game, awesome end.
I don’t see a Speights trade happening. He and the Cavs are in the same position that Sessions and the Cavs were a year ago. Not many teams want to give up a 1st for a rental(Lakers did and have nothing to show for it except salary savings on Luke). And Speights PO for 2013-14 is for $4.5M so I’d say it’s a fair price if it looks like he can keep his game going in the 2nd half.
Apparently rondo may have torn his ACL. Hope that’s not the case, but it affects the Cavs; Kyrie will probably start in his place at the ASG, and WE’RE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS.
Kyrie and Lebron in a starting lineup together, maybe a preview of things to come? Not a huge proponent, I live in Miami so the defection hurts that much more, but will be interesting to watch.
I’m starting to believe it’s possible errrr probable.
Nate, I disagree. Seeing speights, Ellington, Livingston make the right basketball plays makes it obvious that they are veterans and actually decent players. Scott hasn’t had many of those to work with, he’s stuck with Walton over the past months because he is one of the few vets that can be a good example for the kids.
It takes a ton of time for young players to develop even when they are surrounded by veterans they respect. Don’t underestimate how hard it is to get guys to make the right plays on a team full of first and second year players and dleaguers. Scott has been doing a great job and were lucky to have him
Wade looked terrible at for the last 15 minutes of that game. Kyrie is a better offensive player than him right now and it’s not that close. He really might be good Earth Iverson who had a dad and doesn’t rap about beating women.
Nate, it’s an indictment of Byron’s coaching that he’s winning games now that he has a couple capable bench players? I don’t follow that logic…
Earlier this season Scott had to use Donald Sloan and Samardo Samuels off the bench. Those guys weren’t even drafted… Sorry he didn’t coach them up to be NBA elite.
Quit complaining and admit when you’re wrong. Writers here have been hating on Scott all year. The dude’s system is working and we’re winning games. TT and Kyrie have blossomed under his coaching. Quit complaining about Casspi not getting minutes and give Scott his required props.
The coach is always a floating target for fans. Who cares. We’re winning games and the young guys are growing. Can’t wait until they play Golden State!
Hey Kevin, in your last paragraph you write “player development is equalling wins.” To what do you attribute that development?
to the ctb writers:
can there be a dedicated twitter account for CTB? Right now it points to Krolick (who’s not even involved in this anymore). It’d be nice to get updates on blog posts/get the current writers thoughts on the cavs.
Ctown27,
The players are obviously being coached-up individually. Tristan has made strides at his post & face-up game, and also spent serious time with the strength & conditioning staff. Dion appears to be listening to suggestions about his shot selection. Kyrie….well, he might just be fricking amazing.
Remaining concerns include the offensive and defensive system. Kyrie is unbelievable, Tristan has developed a nice face-up game, Dion can attack very capably, but moving the ball (and moving without the ball) and getting easy shots is still something that needs work. I mean, 12 assists on 37 field goals? I’m not saying it will not improve as the group gels, but offensive and defensive cohesiveness are still areas where lots of growth is needed.
A thought on the Cavs winning streak/recent player improvement/better rotations from Scott/apparent improvement in efficiencies across the board….
Many people have noted the brutal schedule the Cavs played in the first two months- inordinate number of games on the road, and lots of three-games-in-four-night stretches.
Is it possible that the frustration we all shared in showing no improvement as a team from game to game, was just a result of the Cavs simply not having much quality practice time due to their schedule? I don’t profess to know how an NBA team is managed through the rigors of a season; but I can’t imagine Scott running his guys hard or doing much more than walk-throughs with all the road games and limited time off. I’m starting to wonder if it’s not coincidence that the Cavs recent better play- and subsequent wins- is influenced by some solid practice time. It can’t just all be about more rest and fresher legs; there has to be something to coaching beyond just player rotations, right?
Just sayin’.
@ Evil
The reason we trade him is because with him we win 6 more games imo which does nothing except cost us 4-5 spots in the draft. He’s not good enough to start on a contender and will opt out of his contract this summer and will get 6-7 million in the offseason. Grant desperately wants another pick in 2014 which could end up being better than the 03 James, Melo, Wade, Bosh draft. Wiggins is the surest thing since LBJ 6-8 44 inch vertical, handles and shoots. Julius Randle is going to be a pernennial all-star, Jabari Parker 6-8 is campared to melo because of his strength and scoring. Aaron Gordon, Noah Vonleh, and Andrew Harrison are studs.
Thats why we trade Sprieghts if Boston, Milwakee or Houston calls
Thx Kevin, that’s a good answer.
One thing I think Scott doesn’t get much credit for is kyrie. Why is he such a baller? Yes he’s frickin amazing. Most of the credit goes to dred and kyrie himself. Some to coach k (so happy that’s who 1st coached our franchise player). But some goes to Scott. I am so happy he is coaching our 20 yo superstar pt grd. Can’t think of many coaches I’d rather have in his ear at least for the first 5 yrs than Scott. (whats the list?) And kyrie himself would tell you how much of an impact Scott has had. I think that is something the Scott skeptics don’t think much about.
Yup,we need to be better as a team on O and D. Excited to watch that develop over the next few years. Hopefully the further these guys get from aau and prom the more they will understand how to become a member of a unit rather than the alphadog star of their team. In addition to defense (ha, half the game) we haven’t really seen kyrie become an elite distributor. He gets assists because he always has the ball and it is true that he doesn’t often have great options to pass to. But I want to put him at cpauls level assuming that the sick dimes will happen when he has better teammates. Have to remember that is still a hope/projection at this point.
Anyways this team is fun. Excited for the second half and continuing improvement
grover13,
Absolutely the schedule was no help to the team early in the season. In addition to limited practice time, certainly fatigue, both travel induced and from frequency of games didn’t help.
Ctown27,
Certainly Scott offers valued insights, but as you note, Kyrie started being awesome from day one last year, after two weeks of training camp. Irving’s offensive rating and usage were an unheard of 131 and 27 at Duke. It certainly looks like he is blessed with amazingness.
Anyways, for the time being, I will enjoy the games and see how the team continues to develop.
Ctown27,
I think where the team’s coaching is best able to mold Kyrie is on defense, and as you note, to pass out of a couple of his most unbelievably difficult shots every game and become a better distributor. At 21, it’s hard to teach a player to be the world’s best ball handler / shooter / acrobatic shot maker, but the incremental improvements that Kyrie is making on defense, and an uptick in assists, hopefully resulting from the ball & teammates moving more fluidly on offense, will be a credit to the effectiveness of the team’s coaching.
Big win for the Lakers last night against OKC, in Cleveland’s quest for the 17th pick.
Not to harp on Dion Waiters AKA D Wait AKA St Weirdo but I’d like to see him AND Kyrie work better off the ball when the other has the rock. I want some back screens. Maybe a cross screen. I fell just greedy asking for a Waiters/Kyrie pick and roll. We’re 40 games in and I can’t recall that one has actually happened. When Weirdo was drafted I wasn’t worried if he could ball, but if he and Kyrie were too similar of players to peacefully coexist on the court at the same time. I still think they can with the right coaching but I’m OK (C the rebuild is working!) with Waiters being the Manu/Harden off the bench.
I still don’t think the Cavs will play themselves out of a decent draft position this year. The Wolf Pack has fit in nicely from the trade but the other bottom dwellers around us are winning also. We can still dream of Shabazz,Bennet, or a Pere Noel draft day.
This comment was brought to you by Jameson. Lots and lots of Jameson.
Ellington looked good again. But this is a guy who has been getting nearly 20 minutes a game for 231 NBA games and has never had a PER above 10. I would love to seem him make “a leap” now that he is on a younger team, but my sense is he will not really be much of a contributor once Miles comes back.
Ellington has odd stats. His 3 point shooting numbers are great, but he’s one dimensional. His 10 PER is below average, as is his total RAPM of -1.1. His defensive RAPM is .7, but his offensive is -1.7, which is bad. 82game’s simple rating likes him (+3.2) as an above average defender (opponent SG PER is 10.2, SF PER 15.3),and a below average offensive player, but believe his defense outweighs his offense.
http://www.82games.com/1213/1213MEM.HTM
With table setters like Kyrie, Dion, Livingston, and Walton, he can be a good complementary player, especially with a point guard and a guy who can move the ball and get his own shot at the 3 (Walton and Livingston). His shooting and his defense are very good. He’s the best three point shooter on the team. If he sticks to those two things he will be just fine. I’ve also seen him throw a couple nice dishes in two games — bonus.
@ Nate
He might be one dimensional, but that one dimension is sorely needed. Remember this article?
http://www.cavstheblog.com/?p=16597
Considering how bad the Cavs perimeter defense is, they should be happy to have him. I also remember being impressed with his hustle in running under a screen to catch up his man in a catch-and-shoot play.
Interesting stuff. The points about his Defense are well taken.
I still am not sure where his minutes will come from once Miles comes back. Between the 1-3 spots you have 144 minutes per game. You have Kyrie getting 35, Dion getting 30, Gee getting 30, Livingston getting 20, and Miles getting 20. That’s 135 minutes.
While I would love to see Gee sent to the Bench, I don’t see it happening.