Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Cavs 93.3 (25th) vs. Pistons 91.3 (29th)
Offensive Efficiency: Cavs 109.1 (3rd) vs. Pistons 101.3 (24th)
Defensive Efficiency: Cavs 101.0 (7th) vs. Pistons 107.4 (24th)
Notes:
There shouldn’t be a problem here for the Cavs. Last time the Pistons got off to a hot start, but it was more due to them making all their long jumpers than it was about them outplaying the Cavs. However, the Cavs could have problems if they get off to another bad start against this team on the road.
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Odd game. Cavs just missed a TON of lay-ups, or the game would have been over sooner. The ball-stopping Jawad helps every now and then. He helped tonight.
Leon Powe has played well two straight games.
Boobie comes in and does what he does. Gotta find the man PT.
LeBron was LeBron. He attacked all game and couldn’t buy a lay-up early, but ended up with 29 poins on 22 shots (folks, for people like Kobe, that is mega effecient) and a triple double.
Jamison is a double-double every night w/o even noticing.
Hickson remains the bane of my existence. I see the promise. I see the flashes of potential. I see what he can do. However, to many times he goes totally brain dead on defense and gets caught watching on the boards. It kills me to see it. AND HE HAS TO STOP TAKING ANY AND ALL JUMPERS, PERIOD!!
I pointed out earlier how in spite of how awkward his shot looks, Varejao is the second best Cav on long 2′s (admittedly all of these are completely uncontested)
HICKSON, on the other hand, is just plain awful outside the paint. I do not exaggerate when I say Varejao has more “stretch 4″ potential than Hickson.
Nathan, you are correct but it is a pretty small sample size. And I really don’t think Varejao has ANY stretch 4 potential (that hawks game notwithstanding). Hickson has a smooth release, good arc, and good rotation. Varejao has none of those. Hickson has the potential to be a David West type shooter someday.
I haven’t watched the game yet but there was a 25 minute conversation going on in the ESPN Daily Dime about how Mike Brown isn’t the coach of the Cavs leBron is and how he never disciplines anyone. I dunno if Windhorst was following it or what but he really made a point to let everyone know that Brown was pissed at LeBron and pointed at him and yelled at him during the 3rd quarter.
What was he pissed about?
I just found it on Windy’s Twitter. LeBron saying “I don’t even want the foul” is awesome.
Tom and Nathan, I agree that Hickson has far better Potential at becoming a long-range shooter. However, the only way to fulfill that potential is to practice, practice, practice in the Off-season. For right now, Hickson needs to stop shooting jumpers. At all. If I were coach Brown I’d fine him every time he put one up. He’ll get the hang of it one day, but that day is not today.
Coach Brown yelling at LeBron, and LeBron changing his demeanor Because of it, seems to be proof positive that the “Brown is not the coach” thing is just more talk. I admit, I was on the “Coach Brown cannot coach offense” bandwagon until John posted the stats that he did a while back. Honestly, I think we all just need to get off Mike Brown’s back at this point… the guy is obviously doing something right.
It wasn’t too long ago that people were saying the exact same thing about Phil Jackson not being a real coach when he had Jordan… now it turns out the guy might just be the best ever.
Oh, and P.S. I hate the “not playing D until the 4th quarter” trend that the Cavs have picked up, Hope it doesn’t burn them in the playoffs.
More Brown props. He gave Mo the chance to play the way out of his funk and it seems to have worked (so far). Now he seems to be giving Boobie back some mins.
Good to see HotWad getting some points but why are we/is he taking contested jumpers from 15 when we can pretty much get to the rim, or get open 3s, at will.
Enjoyed Hickson and Powe’s hustle on the offensive boards.
Cavs look good. Playing with the confidence that they can beat anyone without even being in top gear.
Hickson has attempted a round 100 shots from outside of the immediate basket area according to Hotspots.
He has made 21 of these.
Eh, end of the season, best record in the league, first night of a back to back, I can take the cavs playing lazy defense for three quarters to save energy, especially when they know how to win in the end. I expect a much more energized team effort tonight in front of the home crowd. Go Cavs baby!