Recap: Cavs 93, Suns 82 (Or, Hicksomania!)
2010-07-14-Hickson is obviously the story in this one. He’s really trying to expand his game, and he was throwing a lot of stuff against the wall against the Suns. Sometimes it worked for him, and sometimes it didn’t — he had a nice step-back jumper from the free throw line, but also had his fair share of travels in the post and forced shots out of face-up situations.
Where Hickson really shone was in the open court — this Summer League is pushing EVERYTHING, and nobody has an answer for Hickson’s athleticism in full-court situations. Even when the straight-up break didn’t work, the break did a good job of scrambling Phoenix and giving Hickson some lanes to go through. On defense, I didn’t notice him either way, which represents major progress from the D-League game.
-Eyenga is still raw, but he’ll take your breath away. He jumped clean across Matt Janning for an offensive rebound early, and it was impressive. He just glides up there. His fast-break tomahawk was also very impressive. He looks pretty lost off the dribble, although he did have one nice one-dribble drive to the hoop late that everyone on the staff wants to see more of from him. I still think he’s a year away, but there’s real talent there.
-Green played more in control, but he’s being forced to try and do way too much on his own right now. He’s not a #1 option, no matter how much stuff gets run for him. He can really play, but Summer League isn’t a good opportunity for him to show his strengths.
-Pooh Jeter wants a chance somewhere. He’s confident, and he has some skills. Not sure if he has NBA talent, but he might be forcing the Cavs to give him a look.
-After the game, I talked with Danny Green and Byron Scott. Green was excited about the up-tempo style, wants to improve his consistency, and says he’s not letting the roster moves and rumors distract him — I actually had to tell him that Z signed with Miami.
When I asked him about what he’s trying to do to get the team out on the break, he says that he’s focusing on his defense, and that he’s looking to push the ball whenever he gets it in his hands.
When I asked Byron Scott why New Orleans didn’t play at a fast pace when he played there, he said they didn’t have enough athletic wings to make it work. Chris Paul was pushing the ball, but there was nobody there to run with him except for Tyson Chandler. With Cleveland, Scott thinks that wing players like Jamario Moon, Danny Green, and Eyenga will help the Cavs run, and that JJ Hickson will be a huge asset in the up-tempo game.
When I asked him if Eyenga would be on the roster or not, Scott called him a “work in progress,” but said he loved the way Eyenga had progressed. He wants Eyenga on the weak-side a little more, which would be a great way to utilize Eyenga’s athleticism.
Alright campers, it’s been a long day. I’m starting to like the young, run-first, athletic Cavs that nobody expects to do anything. Maybe it’s just being in Vegas — anything’s possible here, right? More tomorrow, everyone.
@Ja: I wouldn’t trade him. If what the Cavs want to build long-term is a more athletic team that plays an uptempo pace, then Varejao fits that mold: big enough to play center (except against the Magic or Lakers), but quicker and runs the floor better than most centers. He’s only 27, so he’s young enough to still be a useful piece after a 3-yr rebuild. And his salary for this year is $7 million; that’s not bad for a starting-caliber big.
Just a thought – if we’re in full “rebuilding” mode, doesn’t it make sense to trade Andy? He’s the only player signed to a really long term deal, so getting him off the cap would be a plus, and he has enough value, especially considering his salary, that the Cavs could get some good, young talent for him. My first thought was try to get Darren Collison from the Hornets. Andy could play the same kind of role Tyson Chandler did in 07-08, and Collison gives the Cavs a good pg of the future.
^^ here’s the fixed link:
http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/419437-dan-gilbert-loyalty-or-hypocrisy
MUST READ !!!!!!
MUST READ !!!!!!
Dan Gilbert : Loyalty or Hypocracy
(copy paste)
http ://bleacher report.com/articles/ 419437-dan-gilbert-l oyalty-or-hypocrisy
…………..
^^ you’re right Phil.
I totally blame coach brown for that one. He was not a good coach and I always thought he
was overrated. I guess we will never know the Cavs full potential with Lebron.
It’s ironic that as soon as LeBron leaves, the Cavs finally get an offensive philosophy suited to making the most of his ability.
I think Samhan is on the Mavs summer league roster.
its like the browns last year then? hey, if you can play football (maybe) we will try you out! maybe you can make the team!
only now its. Anyone know how to play point guard?
The Nupe – sorry but bringing in iverson or marbury will only set the cabs back imho. I think they both are bound to cause more trouble than it’s worth. If it was one of the two, I would go with marbury. Going oversees shows that he’s learning how to be a better man and understand he’s not the same player he was before. But I truly think it’s time to have other people show their talent and see what they are made for.
This is the greatest thing ever:
Nothing to lose with Samhan but he’s really more suited for a half-court offense. He’s not very quick or athletic so wouldn’t fit in B Scott’s up-tempo game. Fundamentally he’s great and that’s why he excelled in college, but also why I think he hasn’t been picked-up yet. He’s likely as good as he is going to get without a lot of upside potential. It’s hard to say he needs to work on anything so it’s hard to take a risk and say he can develop, but maybe somebody will like what he currently brings to the table and consider… Read more »
Talking of big men I’d love it if we had a punt with Omar Samhan. Again, what’s to lose.
Thoughts? No.
Let’s give a young kid a run rather than a washed up former star. It’s not like we’ve got anything to lose.
Another thought that just came to me. Stephon Marbury is available, affordable and would fit in the Cavs offense. I know he comes with issues/baggage but he’s trying to rebuild his image to get another shot in the NBA and maybe being on the team with his little cousin could be a positive influence on both of them. Another player that comes to mind is Allen Iverson. He brings fans out (which I think the Cavs will have a difficult time in the post LeBron era) and although he’s not his former self, still a better scoreing threat than anyone… Read more »
I like how JJ is developing – when is his contract up? I’d hate for him to have a monster after we’ve developed him and lose him. I’m becomiing a believer in his longer-term abilities and would like to see the cavs offer an extension (not a max but something mid level). I’m not convinced that none of our current pg’s can’t run this new up-tempo offense. I think it actually fits the natural styles of Telfair and West. I’m not sure if Mo can’t push it or is it really more the case he hasn’t been asked to in… Read more »
I would like to see if Telfair can do anything. We know that he is very athletic and the closest thing to a pure PG on the roster, but that doesn’t mean he is any good. He can push the ball up court but no one knows if he has any skill really. True about Varejao. I’m just worried about the match up problems there. We could get killed inside if we don’t slow down guards. and lets be honest, Mo is not going to slow down guards. We don’t have a defensive presence at the 4. Moon can defend… Read more »
I don’t see a ring in the near future for the Cavs but I do see some really hungry, exciting players in jj and eyenga. It will be fun watching them – hopefully – develop into major contributors to the team. And coach Scott is the right person for the job…
Also is anybody interested in seeing more of Telfair like
I’m? He was a high school phenom, if only he could get some of that intensity back, along with jj and eyenga – that could tun to something good.
^^^najmaddin
good point with supporting the Cavs this upcoming season – we all have to. If we stop showing the support, then we will all be nothing but Lebron fans and not real Cavs fans. I’m actually excited to be able to afford tickets for next season. We have to show this young guys that we are behind them. They need to believe on us – the fans – and there’s no other way to show it than at the “Q”…
If this team is going to run and gun to entertain, then I don’t think C is a huge problem. Varejao can play it for an up-tempo team. I say just bring in Kahn to play back-up, and go from there.
I too like this style of play and the way we are going after point guards, and centers I like lampe he’s doing excellent getting up and down the floor, I’d like to see more of him. J.J I doubted but now am a firm believer in his abilities to do the job lets support the team this year no matter what though cus they need us, we can’t leave them like you know who!
Do you think the Cavs sign Eyenga and put him in the summer league for part of the season? Not sure if they are developing him correctly in Europe and their is no doubt he has talent.
Love to see the kids run. Now if I could see Eyenga get in the correct defensive stance coming off a pick, I’d be psyched. Viva la Cavs!
This is probably waaay out on a limb, but does anyone know if Danny Granger is available? I think he would fit in perfectly.
Spectacular work out there in Vegas. Gets me excited to watch our team next year.
I think I’d rather be the underdog, all things considered. Being the front-runner has never set a Cleveland sports team up for anything more than a spectacular fall and “See, I knew it” moments from fans and major sports media alike.
If Cleveland is going to win a championship, we’re going to do it our way, like everything else; We’re going to claw our way to the top from the bottom of the pile and when we get there, we’re going to say “We Believed”.
I’m starting to like it too. My only question is whether or not we have a decent PG to push the tempo with. Mo doesn’t push it. Gibson doesn’t run the offense well enough (but is very athletic), West is West, and Basie??? thats probably why we are going hard for point guards. and what about bigs? our current rotation is Andy, Hickson, Jamison, Powe, Ultimate Jawad. There isn’t a true center on the roster.
John,
You asked some nice questions during your interviews. Keep up the good work, sports writing is in your blood.