Recap: Cavs 111, 76ers 95 (Or, this might not be so bad after all)
2010-10-19– Okay, I’m a little bit excited. I’m not going to lie. This is the first look we got at the Hickson-Varejao starting tandem, and it went very, very well.
This is the best way to get excited about the season: a Moon/Hickson/Varejao frontcourt features three players who will be either faster or more athletic than their counterpart nearly every single night, and Byron Scott wants to exploit that advantage. (If the starting backcourt was Sessions/Williams, the Cavs would have a speed advantage at nearly every position, but I do begrudgingly concede that the real NBA isn’t NBA 2K. Still, I want to see Sessions running point with Mo at the two-guard.)
The final numbers on the frontcourt: 22 points on 16 shots for JJ and 11 rebounds. 11 points on 7 shots for Varejao and 11 more rebounds. 8 points on 4 shots and 4 rebounds for Jamario. Hickson went 3-5 on jumpers taken outside of the key, and Andy even knocked one down from the top of the circle. If JJ can hit that 17-footer (WHEN HE’S ABSOLUTELY LEFT OPEN AND THERE’S 15 SECONDS OR LESS ON THE CLOCK) with enough consistency to keep the floor stretched for Andy, this could be a revelation.
More good numbers: 30 assists on 43 field goals for the Cavs. Points in the paint were 50-24 in favor of the wine and gold. 17-6 advantage in fast-break points. If the Cavs are going to win games, this is how it’s going to look.
Assists from unlikely sources tonight: Boobie had what would have been a career-high nine dimes, Mo Williams had seven, Anthony Parker had five, and Ramon Sessions only had four. I still don’t see how this team is going to consistently run the type of offense it wants to run without relying heavily on Sessions, but they made it work on Tuesday.
-Hollins seems to have earned a rotation spot in Varejao’s absence, although Jamison was a DNP-CD tonight. Eyenga also got minutes tonight, which Powe, Danny Green, and Manny Harris did not. Solid night for Jawad Williams as well.
– Is Andres Nocioni a Cavs-killer, or do I just not like him that much? I can’t remember which one it is.
– Who’s still riding the Evan Turner hype train? I can’t remember hearing anything about him for at least a month and a half.
The Cavs loooked good, they were playing the 76ers, but the Cavs looked good! If they keep the team in tact and don’t trade away MO/AJ just for more cap space verusu getting good talent in return, they could get the 7/8 spot in the playoffs. They don’t have a chance against Boston, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago etc, but can beat NY, NJ, Phi. The Wiz will be good but this year too. The key to Cavs success will be to keep and develop the yong talent we have now and then draft two good role player and trade for… Read more »
doczeus-
Cavs beating the Heat in playoffs is probably the top conceivable scenario in professional sports, ever. It would also be a piping hot dish of revenge. It’s also about as likely as Byron Scott suiting up to play for the team.
The best scenario within the realm of possibility would be taking the 8th seed and upsetting the Heat one game in Gund Arena.
tmac-
I can’t imagine a more enjoyable scenario than the Cavs shocking the world and upsetting the Heat in the first round. This is exactly the best case scenario for the Cavs this year. I think I want it more than the championship over the last two years.
Revenge is a dish best served cold. – Old Klingon Proverb
my opinion i see the cavs winning 45 to 50 games this year and getting the 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs go cavs.
Finally an upbeat post. Beat the Cavs drum hard at least until they’re 6 games under .500.
There’s no reason not to make this as fun as possible for as long as possible. As you have been reminding us, it will more likely than not not be fun at all some weeks from now, and for some years after that.
New York will still suck, guaranteed.
Had a listen to Simmons latest podcast. Las Vegas gambling odds have Cavs just above TOR, NJ and same wins as DET. That’s less wins than PHI, IND and the WIZ. I don’t see it myself. That’s expecting a lot from Turner, Collinson and Wall and a major drop off from the Cavs. 7th and 8th spots are up for grabs for the Cavs however I’m not wholly convinced we’re better than NY and CHA. Especially if we were to trade Mo, AJ or Andy mid-season. If we just miss the playoffs then I’d rather we tanked the season. 9th… Read more »
I can easily see a Cavs(8th)- Miami (1st) playoff match up in the first round. Could you imagine if it happens and Cle upsets Miami in the first round! I think it would be bigger than an NBA Championship, or close to it at least.