Recap: Sixers 95, Cavaliers 92(Or, Stop Asking About Dion, There is an NBDL Game On!)
2015-01-06
Let’s be honest. Most Cavalier fans didn’t watch this game very closely. Once Joe Harris got the start for Dion Waiters, fans immediately began to scour the internet for info. Was this another National Anthem thing? Did Blatt decide at the last second to maintain Dion’s 6th Man mentality? Wait, where are Lou and Alex? Is there a Trade!?! When Dion’s cousin began to tweet, things got more interesting away from the hardwood. Check out our emergency pod for more on last night’s craziness. As for the game, I watched this ridiculous affair twice so you didn’t have to. You are welcome.
1st Quarter: A combined 36.9 PPG. That is what the misfit Cavaliers starting lineup of Delly, Harris, Miller, Love and TT averaged going into the Sixers game. Everyone in the building knew that Kevin Love was the only real offensive threat for Cleveland on the strange evening. Still, Kevin found himself mostly single covered. Love started the scoring off with a one-legged jumper from the left block extended à la Dirk. The Sixers played to their scouting report as they coughed up their first two possessions on thoughtless turnovers. K.J. McDaniels put the home squad on the board by throwing down an oop. The Cavs moved the ball and bodies well on offense providing many open looks from the perimeter. Mike Miller misfired on a couple of attempts before Joe Harris buried a left wing three to break the seal from deep. Kevin continued to be aggressive, but had trouble finishing on the inside. In all, Love went 5-9 in the quarter and howled at the full moon in proper Timberwolf fashion.
Defensively, the Cavs sagged hard off all screens(though Harris didn’t get the memo a few times allowing his man to beat him on back screen action) Why any team plays man-to-man against the Sixers is beyond me. They have no pure shooters and no bigmen with passing skills. You can’t beat even an average zone unless you can shoot and create from the middle. Philly was able to get some awkward in between shots to fall while the Cavaliers missed wide open shots. The Wine and Gold trotted out a lineup of Delly, Price, Jones, Matrix, and Haywood and still had the lead. The Sixers are awful. 20-19 after one.
2nd Quarter: The Cavs started the second period with the same juggernaut-acular lineup. Price immediately threw an interception eventually leading to a K.J. McDaniels floater. The rookie has tailed off in recent weeks, but his athleticism and potential were on display early in the second quarter. K.J. drilled a couple threes from the left wing and continued to be a menace defensively. His unique contract status will be interesting to monitor.
Love and Harris returned to the game with the Cavs trailing 24-20. The next four possessions featured crisp off ball action and the Cavs actually hit the open looks it provided. James Jones nailed a pair of threes, Harris drilled from the top of the arc, and Kevin Love spun his way into a highlight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wgj-fJ4Z20&t=1m50s
Tristan Thompson checked back into the game at the 7:39 mark and straight dominated. He scored 11 points and collected six rebounds to close the quarter. Cleveland converted its many open looks and the Sixers were content to miss from midrange when they weren’t turning it over. The Cavaliers held the Philly youngsters without a bucket for more than six minutes. Mike Miller buried a deep three to end the frame. At the half, the Cavs led 50-37.
3rd Quarter: Apparently Tristan’s success in the second quarter got to his head. Ok, there were only about five seconds left on the shot clock, but any possession that ends with TT shooting a 20 footer is a possession wasted. Fortunately, the next two shots Thompson took were dunks in transition. The Sixers were abjectly horrible during this stretch. The second dunk was a result of a hilariously botched press attempt following a made free throw. Seriously, the Sixers looked like they designed that play for the Cavs’ benefit. When Mathew Dellavedova knocked down a three to push the lead to 17 midway through the quarter, most Cavs fans assumed it was over. Nope. That was the last made field goal of the quarter. The Cavs couldn’t connect on numerous WIDE OPEN shots. The 76ers went on a 10-0 run and 15-6 overall to close the gap to eight moving to the fourth. 68-60.
4th Quarter: Price, Jones, Miller, Love and TT started the fourth in a 2-3 Zone. The first possession might be why Blatt is reluctant to use it more. Kevin Love and Tristan looked at each other in confusion as the rookie super hero, K.J. McDaniels flew in on the baseline to finish a designed alley-oop. Regardless of defensive strategy, there needs to be more communication. Price finally hit a field goal for the Cavs to end the long drought. Michael Carter Williams started to get hot finishing around the rim and from midrange. Still, the Cavs led by 10 after Tristan drove right by Nerlens Noel for a filthy two-handed dunk. Harris hit another three from the left corner with eight minutes remaining off a good James Jones/Delly ball swing. Joe played well, moving off the ball, shooting with confidence.
Unfortunately, the shooting didn’t last. Worse, the Cavs couldn’t stop the Sixers young guns off the dribble. MCW and Tony Wroten blew by Cleveland’s backcourt time and time again. In the fourth quarter, their midrange jumpers found net. Their fancy interior dishes hit their targets. As the Sixers’ momentum built, the Philly crowd actually became a factor. The team had lost its first 14 home games of the season. Wroten, clearly a crowd favorite, stoked the fire. Despite it all, Delly had a chance to push the lead to three with only 20 seconds left in the contest. Our Cavs: The Blog’s favorite Aussie was long twice from the stripe and the score remained 92-91 Cavs. The Sixers went to Tony Wroten against Joe Harris for the game winner. Harris needed to force him right. He couldn’t. Bucket and ball game.
Game Thoughts: One can’t really read too much into this game. Certain lineups are unlikely to ever be seen again. Success or failure against a team as strange as the Sixers provides no real barometer. And yet, this game hurt. The Sixers are far more athletic than that Cavaliers lineup(and really even at full strength), but they have no ball-handling, shooters, or offensively talented bigmen. They start Henry Sims. Yes, that Henry Sims. They do try hard. I’ve been impressed with their energy at both ends. They wisely don’t employ any real veterans who could become ornery with the mounting losses. In a way, the team construction is brilliant. Brett Brown certainly has their collective attention.
They also seem like a fun team to cheer for. With the lowest expectations ever, the fans are able to enjoy every tiny little burst of development. Players like McDaniels, MCW, Noel and Wroten are at least entertaining. Entertaining and totally, amazingly horrible. What a team. (Yes, I know that last section made it seem like I long for the bizarro world of Wiggins, Gum Drop, and Zeller. I wouldn’t call it longing.)
The ball and player movement in this game was generally great. The Cavs went 11-30 behind the arc. Maybe five of those attempts were actually tough shots. If Kevin Love and friends had made just a few more of their in game practice shots, the contest would have been out of reach before the disastrous fourth quarter.
Trade Quick Take: I am a big fan of Dion Waiters as a guy(as much as I could know about him from across the pond) and as a player. I believe in his talent and think it is likely that he will find a comfortable role with the right team. We all know his limitations. What most national media don’t know is what a gifted creator he can be. If the Thunder actually allow him to play as the point guard that I believe him to be, they will have something. Dion and Westbrook in the backcourt will be both hilarious and terrifying to watch.
J.R. Smith. I literally just sighed. At his best, he is what many hoped Dion could become. It was not so long ago that Smith won the sixth man award. J.R. is one of the best hot hand players ever. He isn’t as reluctant of a passer as many believe him to be, but he is not a drive and kick type. The biggest difference between Dion and J.R. is size. Smith is a legit 6’6″. He can slide to the three without much issue. Dion was forced to play out of position frequently. I don’t love Smith as a character, but for this season, assuming he can stay healthy, he is a mild upgrade over Saint Weirdo.
Iman Shumpert has gone through the Bill Simmons underrated/overrated cycle. At this point, the Cavs simply need him to be healthy. If he is, he provides solid, if media overrated defense, and a mildly serviceable offensive game. He allows the Cavs to go big and small with his versatility on the defensive end.
I don’t love the trade. I would have been unlikely to love any trade involving Dion that didn’t yield a defensive big. Still, the Cavs are marginally better today than they were yesterday. The protected first round pick is also helpful moving forward. Good Luck to you, Dion. We wish you the best.
There’s been a multitude of embarrassing losses. I think my top 3 include the Detroit game, the Sixers game, and the Hawks game.
Opening night against the Knicks as a top one too.
Utah loss early in the season and getting handled by the Nuggets at home were both pretty bad. Full squads in those games too.
It’s become convenient for people to blame injuries for the Cavs’ underachievement to date and certainly that is true of recent games, but this team had plenty of head-scratching, ugly losses even when healthy, for a team that has arguably three of the top 20 players, and 2 of the top 10, in the NBA.
I’m hoping LeBron comes back healthier than he has been all season. He’s been talking the talk, but hasn’t come close to walking the walk this season. He keeps talking about how the young guys need to gain experience and learn how to win, etc., and then goes out and has piss-poor intensity most nights.
This team won’t make a leap unless LeBron gets his head out of his ass and starts leading them like he did in Miami. Until then, we’ll continue to be up and down.
Wow! Pistons just extended their post Josh Smith streak to six straight with come back win IN SAN ANTONIO! Maybe that wasn’t such an embarrassing loss after all…
No it still was because we were blown out. Apparently SVG told his players to form a bleeping wall during the last seconds of the game tonight.
JR Smith is like Johnny Manziel to me; he’s a guy with a lot of talent, but is a freaking basket case and grade A jerk. I’ll cheer for him, just like I will for JFF, but I’d rather have someone slightly less talented, but easier to cheer for. Partially, because I don’t really like jerks, and partially because it doesn’t make a difference anyways; the meat-grinder of Cleveland sports will chew up and spit out all- regardless of talent level.
Oh, nobody knows the trouble we’ve seen…
That is the perfect analogy in that after weeks of chanting “Hoyer sucks,” after seeing Johnny, they find themselves chanting” put him back in.”
Long time reader… first time commenter. Nate, I really like your stuff. Don’t the Cavs have to at least like this trade because it brings the unknown when the known was replacement level? Honestly, even if the Cavs traded Dion for a 1st rounder which they used to acquire Mozgov, is it really that bad of a deal for this team (forgetting talent for talent)? Personally, I think the Cavs are better off freeing up shots for Joe Harris, Mike Miller, and James Jones than they were playing Waiters. They should be able to stagger their shot creator’s minutes a… Read more »
I agree with Dan. But I would like to add that both of those guys Smith and Shumper are good pieces that can be used to add a decent big. Cavs are not done dealing IMO.
Well, this was a hell of a way for the Cavs to start 2015. There is still time to right the ship, but that time is running out quickly. Until LeBron returns, it’s going to be a rocky road ahead. I’m optimistic he’ll be back soon, and if I had to bet on a return date, I’d say Monday, January 19 – a home game against the Bulls. When he does finally return, he’s going to have to return as the locked-in, lead by example version of LBJ 3.0 we were all expecting when he announced he was coming back… Read more »
I’d say the success of your prediction is dependent upon the health of Tristan Thompson and the Cavs getting some help for him. I played last night and took an elbow to the ribs and a knee to the thigh. I don’t know how he, and other undersized big men in the NBA bang night after night. I think I’d rather play football.
I’d like this trade (a little) better if Shumpert cut his hair.
Everybody understands that this was hardly a three way trade. It was two separate trades.
Basically the Knicks said, we’ll give you the oft-injured Shumpert if you take the high priced problem child Smith.
OKC said, we’ll give you a late, late #1 pick for Dion.
That’s what really happened.
I think it was kinda cold for the Cavs to trade Dion with all his family and friends at the game.
They should have at least won the game with him and traded him afterwards. If he scored 30 points against Philly, then OKC might have thrown in Morrow, too.
Yeah, but par for the course with regard to Saint Weirdo’s strange journey through the NBA thus far. It must have been tough for him to be in the locker room during the game though.
Very Ice Cold! He was looking forward to starting in front of his family, kid and his hometown. How insulting it must have been for him to see their faces so disappointed. This team doesn’t want you Dion, hit the road and we really don’t a sh%^ we did it in front of your family like that AFTER MIND YOU just introducing you as a starter. Pscyche!! You know damn well this was why Lebron & Kyrie wasn’t there. To do it like THIS was a knife in the back. Griffin looks like Judas for 30 pieces of tin because… Read more »
I think once the teams agree on terms they have to pull the involved players out of the games because if they get injured it will void the deal. I don’t think Griffin meant to get this done just before tipoff, but when it happened, it happened. It did suck for Dion but I don’t think Griffin could tell the Knicks and Thunder to wait three hours while he makes up his mind, they could turn around and call the Lakers or Philly, or something. I bet Hinkie will claim Dalembert off waivers just so he can extract something from… Read more »
Well except for the fact that OKC still sent Lance Thomas to the Knicks as part of the trade…
Or would it be better if Cavs traded for Nerlens and Norris Cole so his hair didn’t stick out so much? C’mon, you got to love the Kid N Play vibe…
I hope shumpert never cuts his hair
Dion is reportedly gonna wear #23 for OKC. Shot at LeBron?
I think it’s just because Perry Jones already has #3. But that’s pretty funny
That is awesome. PO’d Dion is a really good player.
Wait… I thought you said Dion “sucks” ?
OKC will play the Cavs at home sometime this month.
guess that is already circled on dion’s calendar
You can count on that. They fans here will be on their feet welcoming him.
Huh. Lakers were interested in Waiters. That kind of sucks. They have about a half dozen guys I hate less than Shumpert and Smith. Cavs could have had a Herculoid back (Wayne Ellington)! If I’m Griff, still look to pluck some fruit off that tree. They’ve a collection of useful players forced to play for Kobe and Byron Scott.
I don’t know if they can make it work cap-wise, but I’d love to snag Ed Davis if it didn’t cost much.
Agreed! He’s on the best bargain contract in the NBA. like just under a million. Easy trade.
I’ve been to a few Laker games this year and he always seems to be the most active and energetic big (or player for that matter) on the team.
I would have liked to see Lin or Swaggy P/Ed Davis/Wes Johnson for Dion/DPE/Joe Harris. It would make sense for the Lakers (not that they do sensible things) but I wouldn’t be surprised if they refused to help the Cavs on the slim hope they can sign away Love if the Cavs flame out this season.
They needed the pick for the center they want.
One thing on Love. If he gave the Cavs a handshake deal to re-sign, then there’s a good chance he stays. Most agents are loathe to go back in their word cause they expect most gms to keep their’s. There’s a reason Boozer’s agent quit him when Carlos stabbed Gordon Gund in the back. There’s a reason Pat Riley re-signed Wade to a ridiculous deal last summer and never traded Udonis Haslem. Promises were in place.
Yep. I have no doubt that Love and Lebron are coming back next year. We are in good shape even if this season is rougher than expected. Better this than what we’ve had or could’ve had. We could be watching Kyrie and a bunch of stiffs.
Well, last night we were watching KLove and a bunch of stiffs. Or didn’t you watch the game?
No, I missed it. But yeah, we could have a team with Irving and sitffs and we’d be worse than the Sixers. So I’m pretty happy with this team.
What makes you think they’d be worse than the Sixers? Irving signed before LBJ and Love committed. They’d still have Wiggins (who is averaging 20 ppg over the last few weeks and playing good D), and I’m sure they would have gotten a Hayward or Parsons type of player in FA if LBJ hadn’t have come back. That team isn’t anywhere near as good as the current team (when everyone is healthy), but it’s still a team that would have most likely made the playoffs and competed. That’s hardly a team worse than the Sixers.
A team with Love and garbage just lost to the Sixers. A team with Irving and garbage would probably suffer a similar fate.
Yeah, except the “garbage” Love played (minus TT) with is a collection of old guys and scrubs. That wouldn’t have been the case in the alternate history above.
,The only difference would be they’d be young and sucky instead of old and sucky. I like the non sucky version of the Cavs. As long as they are healthy they still win the East.
Where I stand on Dion: I’ll start with this: I like Dion. As a player. He’s very talented. He’s fun to watch. He has a skillset the Cavs can use. I like the chip on his shoulder. He’s very competitive, and I think he really wants to win. However, I resigned myself to the fact long ago that he needed to be traded for the Cavs to get better. While I think he can help the team, he’s still not the best fit, and the Cavs have more pressing needs. And, while I recognize the his desire to win….when it… Read more »
In Dion’s defense: he’s not been consistent enough, but he’s shown some improvement.
He’s very complicated, and yet I think with the right support system he has a huge upside (something like) two or three years down the line.
Certainly, if he could consistently reproduce his flashes of high level brilliance, including having the potential to score in any spot from the arc to the rim, he could become an all-star. It’s all moot, but his athleticism and talent are “non-trivial.”
J.R. needed a change of scenery. Hopefully, he appreciates the opportunity, he comports himself with dignity, and plays up to his vast potential. The Cavs ought to give J.R. an opportunity to prove he’s changed, and if they have any problem behavior from him before season’s end, they should cut him with the stretch pay provision. But they actually ought to flip J.R. for Larry Sanders (if he actually wants to play). And yes. I know that’s the fourth time I’ve written that. Glen Rice Junior would be a guy I’d take a flyer on. Unfortunately, the Cavs appear to… Read more »
Don’t they still have two roster spots? They got rid of three and took back two, plus they haven’t officially taken Andy’s injury exception roster spot yet, right?
I’m answering my own question because I just read that the Cavs DID in fact use the Andy injury exception to help facilitate the salaries in taking on Shumpert and Smith. But they should still have two roster spots open, unless they have to keep Andy on the active roster?
Fortunately, Andy is not taking up a roster spot. They should still have two open roster spot.
Hey Cols, here are some questions for you (if only to get you off of your Rocky Mountain High of this “perfect” trade you love so much)…
When do YOU think LBJ is coming back?
How many games will the Cavs win on the western road trip?
How many games do you now think the Cavs will win this year (obviously no longer the 60+ you predicted)?
How many bad JR shots will it take before you claim he “sucks” too?
1. I don’t know
2. I don’t know
3. 50
4. JR Smith’s bad shot tendencies are way overblown.
What I do know is that this team is better with Shumpert and Smith than Dion. I know this team is better with LeBron and Love than with Jack, Zeller, Bennett and Wiggins.
I think this team still wins the East.
How can you KNOW that this team is better with Shumpert and Smith than Dion? They haven’t played a minute for the Cavs. You should have stuck with your “I don’t know” response on that.
I think you’re dreaming if you think this team wins the East. If LBJ doesn’t come back before the end of January, they’ll be lucky to be the 4 or 5 seed. That’s just simple math.
Consdiering that Shumpert and Smith are both playing better than Waiters, are bigger than Waiters, I’m OK with saying the team is better now than before.
Unless you’re now coaching the team, you can’t possibly know how they will fit in and integrate into the team. I hope they will prove to be better than Dion, but I’d be a fool to guarantee it.
Sure. 4 seed or 5 seed. They still win the East. No one can beat this team if they are healthy in the a 7 game series. Except the Thunder of course.
Healthy and clicking, might be more appropriate. But you’re right about Dion not being nearly as good as our affections for him were. And JR is a terd-blossom, but a better basketball player than dion in the NBA.
Good move for the Cavs, and, as per usual, Cavs the Blog comment section is saying ridiculous things. All the knocks on Smith — that he is a head case, takes ill-advised shots, needs the ball in his hands — are all flaws of Waiters, and every NBA follower EXCEPT CtB commenters knows that Waiters issues are far more pronounced. I know, Waiters was “ours” and we watched him play hundreds of games and we continually lied to ourselves about his ceiling, but he has been a train wreck for the Cavs on the court this year, and thank goodness… Read more »
Man, I want some of whatever you’re smoking dude. Dion for JR straight up? Now who’s saying ridiculous things? I actually like the trade in the short term, mainly because of Shumpert and the OKC #1. However, this trade could look really bad in the summer when JR opts into the remaining year on his deal and creates problems for Cavs being able to sign either Shumpert or TT (restricted FAs).
Not to mention the extra six mil the Cavs just added to the Knicks cap to chase Kevin Love…
Dan is willng to pay the tax and we’ll be able to pay Love and TT whatever Dan is willing to sign (within the limits of the CBA.)
No one is saying anything ridiculous. The players and the trade are not without their flaws. We’re pointing them out while hoping for the best.
Here’s some tangible stuff on JR that were NOT flaws of Waiters… On December 16, 2006, Smith was involved in the Knicks–Nuggets brawl. The brawl began when Mardy Collins flagrantly fouled Smith on a fast break. Smith was suspended for 10 games. On June 9, 2007, Smith and two passengers were injured in a car accident on Stagecoach Road in Millstone Township, New Jersey, when the SUV he was driving collided with another car. On October 13, 2007, Smith was involved in an incident at a Denver nightclub. The Nuggets suspended him for the first three regular season games of… Read more »
One of those unshoelaced foes? Shawn Marion.
Quite a catalog. Of course the Knicks have been trying to offload JR for a while. I assume he will, nevertheless, kiss the Ring.
Presumably he’s going to be the first guy off the bench. It will be interesting to see–when everybody is healthy–how the two new guys shake up the rotations. The second unit is going to be much longer. That is good.
Blatt’s rotations with a full roster were sometimes very, ummm, esoteric.
The other shoe to drop is an athletic, defensive-oriented beast.
In defense of your suggestion that a straight up trade would have been OK, I read this on ESPN and thought it was enlightening. “At the same time, there’s a big difference between Smith and Waiters: Smith has actually been good in the NBA. Waiters has posted a true shooting percentage (TS%) better than 50 percent only once in his three seasons in the NBA (.508 in 2013-14) and was still below average then. Before this season, Waiters’ most efficient season would have been the second-lowest TS% of Smith’s career. Especially in Denver, Smith hasn’t been nearly as shot-happy or… Read more »
Yeah, and Smith is ONLY 6 years older than Dion and wears out his welcome wherever he goes.
So, you’d rather have a worse player because he’s younger? That makes sense. That way they can keep the worse player longer, good thinking. And let’s not glorify Dion’s locker room presence. He hasn’t exactly been in harmony while in Cleveland.
No, I’d rather have a player who’s still got the potential to be better than a guy who is a proven CANCER. Wake up man. But hey, ESPN said it, so it MUST be the case. JR also had the benefit of playing for ONE coach with the same offense in Denver for a number of years whereas Dion had THREE different coaches with few discernable attempts at structured offenses. But don’t take my word for it. Since you like quotes so much, here’s one from his coach in Denver George Karl… Smith’s first trip to the playoffs during the… Read more »
or killed anyone..
I’m going to miss Dion’s interviews. They were the most entertaining moments on some nights.
Smith hasn’t shot well since George Karl was his coach. Austin Carr was a might fine player once upon a time as well. I don’t want him suiting up for the current Cavs either.
Waiters was young , cocky and did some foolish things. As far as I know, he’s never killed anyone. Smith has. He’s never been suspended from the playoffs and texted his team from a bar during his team’s game in the playoffs. Smith has. He’s never failed a drug test. Smith has. He’s never worn black for the other team’s funeral during a close out game – only to fail to close t out. Smith has. He’s never untied players shoes on the foul line. Smith has. He’s never done it again after being warned and been suspended. Smith has.… Read more »
just to break the ” CURRENT COMMENT FLOW “—-WHEN IS THE LAST “RAY ALLEN ” SIGHTING / RUMOR —AT THE START OF THE SEASON WASN’T HE SUPPOSED TO BE THE MISSING PIECE SIGNING ON WITH THE CAVS AT ABOUT THIS TIME—JUST THOUGHT I WOULD THROW THAT OUT THERE TO GENERATE EVEN MORE INTERESTING BLOGS —–EVIL I JUST PURCHASED SOME ST BERNADUS CHRISTMAS ALE —-WOW !!—I WOULD SEND YOU SOME BUT THAT 6 PACH IS NOW HISTORY —-” BE LIKE THE WEATHER AND CHILL A LITTLE “
Ray Allen?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wet myself a bit.
Why do they need Ray Allen now, Cols? Or don’t you really believe that JR will regain his 2012 Sixth Man of the Year form?
So once everyone’s healthy, where exactly do Ray’s minutes come from?
Man, Nomad, you do love that Christmas Ale! I’m going to have to go out and pick some up!
I hate this trade but this team picked its horse when it gave the max contract to Kyrie this summer. It became a wing-now team when it traded for Love. Once you’ve put the deed to your house on the table, you don’t fold because you want to keep your car. I do think that an injured Shump and a borderline insane JR Smith are being massively overrated.
I really, really want to be wrong about how I think this is going to end.
Having Kyrie, Love, and LeBron together for the next 4 years makes me pretty happy.
What happened to Leb?
I think you mean having Kyrie for the next 5.5 years. Love and LeBron can opt out this summer and while I think it’s likely they both resign it’s not a given. If they can continue to struggle I see Love looking to sign with another team this summer.
Some semblance of defense would make me happy. A culture of consistency and an identity as a team that plays the right way would make me happy. Playing as a team would make me happy. For the better part of a decade, this team has had two sets of rules for two sets of players with predictable results. At this point, they should trade the Memphis and OKC picks for Mozgov or Bismack and go all in. From where I’m sitting, the only chance this team now has at winning a championship is directly dependent on individual performance of the… Read more »
If they win the Title, I’m pretty sure that means they are the better team. The NBA playoffs pretty consistently crown the best team the champion due to the nature of 7 game playoff series.
The sky is blue. Water is wet. Cavs are perfect. Ah, to have a window into Cols’ world…
If the Cavs win the title and some of the gripes listed by Brian are not fixed, I would be shocked. Most of the elements Brian identified will be vital to the Cavs’ success just as they have for basically every team that has won it all. We want to see these things start fixing themselves before assuming a switch will be flipped come playoff time. This team has not yet earned that benefit of the doubt. Also keep in mind: there have been only 8 different teams to win NBA championships in the last 30 years. It is very… Read more »
Cols obnoxious enthusiasm aside, I think this team will look a lot better once Lebron and Kyrie are back and healthy. This roster is done being made and even if we limp into the playoffs with a so-so record, as long as we hit our peak for the playoffs, we’ll be ok. I can guarantee no one will want to play us in a seven game series if our team is healthy.
this roster is not done being made**
Thanks for the clarification. They might as well spend those last two picks on a legit center and hope for the best.
Someone in the podcast mentioned something about this team rubbing them the wrong way. I agree: there is no cohesion, no fun, no toughness. It feels like some players just have this entitlement for everyone to be a certain way except themselves. Most of all I can’t get over how SOFT this Cavs team is. I have some issues with the Dion trade, but haven’t decided whether or not it will be a basketball success. I mainly worry that the Cavs just lost all their attitude by replacing the toughest guy on the roster. Maybe Dion wasn’t a physical, push… Read more »
Winning. This Cavs team is winning when they are healthy. They’ve lost a few because they are down Lebron and Irving, but when healthy they were winning. It’s certainly better than the culture pre-LeBron first time and pre-LeBron second time. This year has been light years more fun than the past four. I still don’t think anyone in the East can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series. This was a great trade. Dion sucked. He had his chances but he sucked. I think he will get it together and not suck for the Thunder, but he was very… Read more »
Dude. Chill out. I think we all know your opinion of the trade at this point.
“Winning” isn’t a culture, it’s an objective. The Spurs and Heat are both winning franchises with two very different cultures. It is important to have an identity and be united in a competitive environment. The first LeBron era was the best – it was a fairy tale story for Cleveland and the hometown hero, everyone was happy and got along, and there was a team of gritty, blue-collar players who punched above their weight class in a lot of big moments. The last four years were depressing but there was always the hope of a breakthrough. I’m still waiting for… Read more »
There’s that take again. “Dion sucked!” “Delly sucks!” In Cols’ world, anyone who hasn’t played in an All-Star Game “sucks” and isn’t worth an iota of credit. I’ll be marking the days to see how long it takes for Cols’ first “JR sucks!” or “Shumpert sucks!” comment. LOL
Hey, the Cavs just traded for a guy with a history of legal problems and behavior problems in the NBA. The dude spent 30 days in jail for killing his best friend while reckless driving. If that doesn’t say that the Cavs have been merely playing lip service to culture, I don’t know what does.
Trust me. If he plays well no one cares about anything he does off the field unless he goes Aaron Hernanzdez and supposedly murderes peopls.
Well, clearly YOU don’t care. Most rational people do. The fact that you inserted the word “supposedly” to the Aaron Hernandez comment speaks volumes…
Do YOU not care? I certainly care. And I promise the players on the Cavs roster care. That is part of my point – we should hold ourselves to a higher standard, because as a team with title aspirations the Cavs should be striving for perfection in all aspects. Is it a group with core values, determination and a clear vision of what they want to obtain, how to do it, and with whom to do so? Or is it a group willing to whore itself to mercenaries valued solely on their basketball prowess? You may think talent always wins… Read more »
Well said cwzagger. It amazes me what some people will tolerate for the sake of winning. Cleveland sports fans may be desperate, but they should never be THAT desperate.
I’d mark this trade as a beginning of a disconnect between fans and the franchise if it goes south. The day you start ignoring character is the day you make short term moves with long term consequences. I really enjoyed this comment, cwzagger.
This! My best friend and I sent almost simultaneous text messages to each when the trade leaked out saying essentially, “%$&#, Cavs traded for J.R. Smith!”
Dion was a little cooky, but likeable. J.R. Smith? Not at all.
Thank you, Nate. Just trying to express the feelings of a passionate fan who believes there are more important things than winning now at all costs.
I think a disconnect has already started with the NBA and fans with the “Hands Up,” “I Can’t Breathe,” and other stuff that’s been going on. Furthermore, franchises without playoff hopes jettison players and lose for better draft standing, and playoff teams pick up Rondos and Corey Brewers and get stronger.
Now this is an interesting comment. Why do you think that about “Hands Up,” an “I Can’t Breathe.” Do you feel like you’re on opposite sides of a culture war?
I can’t answer for him, but I’m in the Barkley mold that they are played to pay a game and not be role models.
Zach Lowe also likes the trade
So you just believe everything the media says now Cols? Did you believe Windbag when he said Blatt was in trouble? Do you believe the guys at ESPN who say LBJ has lost a step? Are you that naive and gullible?
Getting the two best players in the deal plus a first rounder makes this a great trade.
Arguable whether Dion isn’t the best player in that trade. He’s had more big-time games than either Knick player this season.
Shumpert hasn’t defended as well as his reputation suggests (ACL/MCL injuries taking their toll?) and Smith is a shell of himself from just a couple years ago. The hope is that they both regain form. The hope was also that Dion would shape up. Either way it’s a wait-and-see approach.
This trade definitely helps our depth and flexibility (in terms of cap + the 1st round pick) right now. That is what I like about it.
Dion was clearly the worst player in this trade. Yeah, I think he can and will be better, but he’s spent the entire year sucking. We easily got the two best players plus a first in this trade. Everyone loves the trade outside of CtB. Pelton, Lowe, etc.
Keep telling yourself that, and maybe just maybe it’ll become true…
You can talk my head into liking this deal . . . but not my heart.
When Dion is on offensively and defensively – he’s more than twice the player these two guys are. Unfortunately, as talented as Dion is blowing by somebody, or getting hot outside . . . I don’t think he knows how to play the game of basketball and is largely all about Dion. 30+ GM’s around the league considered both and in the end didn’t offer much for him.
I’m happy for Saint Weirdo. Oh well. I’m a romantic, but, it’s impatient Cleveland, after all. Overrating the slumping and zany JR and Schumpert–with the broken wing–is par for the eternally hopeful. The Cavs do end up deeper, and, the real opportunity is that the new additions will help Blatt better integrate his system at both ends of the court. Also, it seems there is an open spot for a big. On the other hand, I can’t get excited until the Cavs start consistently winning four out of five games, and, in doing so, broadcast a ray of hope that… Read more »
Agree on all points. There may be moves yet to make for a big man, and LeBron definitely needs to devote his energy elsewhere on the court.
what is left to finish off the chris grant era? only kyrie right? he got that right and he at least didnt get the TT pick wrong. jeepers i cant imagine the roller coaster the next 6 weeks or so will be. will kyrie get the rose max? will love get enough hope to sign at least a mini-max (3 years at his max)? will blatt finally get the offense to run smooth enough the defense at least wont be an albatross? sadly i think this sixers game might not be the rock bottom. cavs need stone cold to come… Read more »
Yeah. Grant was an awful GM. He got us Irving and didn’t screw up by wasting cap space on free agents, but that’s pretty much all he got right. And signing Mike Brown to a 5 year contract after he had proven to suck as a head coach? Just inexcusable.
I’m glad Griffin is here to clean up hi mess and make trades to improve the team. If Grant was still here, yikes!
Griffin was here as Grants assistant for a few years so he may have been in on all the moves that Grant made.
wow, it slipped my mind that griffin was a part of his brain trust. must have been the new fallen central ohio snow and the espn pontification about the trade that gave lead me to forget his “team” of assistants.
i doubt anyone will ever comment (objectively) on what happened in those dark years post lbj. i would love to hear about the inner workings. especially what was said in the moments leading up to big decisions (like bynum risk analysis, MB remix, dion pick and the deconstruction of the herculoids bench).
Technically, Griffin was above Grant on the Cavs Hierarchy.
Right, cause Gilbert didn’t have ANYTHING to do with re-hiring Mike Brown. It’s not like he didn’t run the press conference when he came back or anything….
Now I’m gonna really hate it when Dion yells And-1 for phantom fouls at the rim.
Or, and this is a crazy thought, maybe OKC has a coaching staff and vets that can actually break him of that habit.
Nice recap, Ben. It’s clear that the entire Cavs’ team had their minds somewhere else in the second half. That locker room had to be bizarre at halftime. These things happen. I have a hard time blaming Blatt, but Blatt needs to get the ball out of Wroten’s hands there, and a clear “NO LAYUPS!” edict needs to be sent. Make Wroten earn it at the line. A “pack the paint” double team would have helped. Also, is Kevin Love is the league’s worst help defender? Oh well. Hope Delly rebounds. Rough final minute for him. The real scary part… Read more »
Shumpert plus Smith >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dion
Plus a first rounder. There is nothing bad about this trade from the Cavs point of view.
Except that JR is the biggest head case in the NBA. For anyone who screamed at their TV set when Dion would take an ill-advised jumper, get ready to go hoarse.
Smith shoots those screamers better, though. And has a better 3 point percentage generally. And hopefully we get rid of him asap, lol.
Every time someone says JR shoot better, I search for evidence that this has been the case within the last two or three years and I come up empty. It’s always one of those assertions that’s parsed out to the nth degree.
I’m with you, Nate. I don’t LOVE this trade, though I see its utility. On paper we flip our 6th man heath-check guy a more proven 6th man heat-check guy, a good wing defender, and a first round pick (likely 25 or later). Smith’s contract option scares me almost as much as his ‘tude. HOPEFULLY that doesn’t come back to bite us *crosses fingers and toes* To me, this trade means David Griffin has an idea of a big he can get with the KBMTE without sending Dion. Would be nice if Samuel Dalambert cleared waivers and we could just… Read more »
I’m a fan of the immediate help this trade potentially brings, but the long term ramifications may not be worth it. Aside from the attitude problems of both JR and Shumpert (which are well documented), the bigger issue is their respective contract situations. JR will almost assuredly opt into his deal next year for 6+ million and Cavs will be hampered by that unless they can find a way to offload him. Shumpert is a restricted FA and you can bet there will be teams who give him over-valued offer sheets. So, stuck with the guy we probably don’t want… Read more »
The shumpert thing is annoying but we have five months to get a good look at him in this system. With the salary cap increasing, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to me for us to pay him if its not an outrageous offer sheet. Shumpert is going to make Hayward or Parsons money. Plus we get to trade Haywood’s contract next season so that should clear up some cap room. The real trick will be to see if we can get anything out of JR Smith that aren’t click-bait headlines like he flashed a gun at a Heinen’s or something.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Cavs can’t offer big contracts to mid-tier free agents anymore. A Parsons level player for a Parsons level contract won’t work. Between Kyrie, LeBron, Love, and TTs offer next year, the Cavs don’t have a lot of cap room and can no longer afford to overpay roster fillers. They NEED to start nailing some draft picks, because if you hit a home run with a non-lottery first rounder, you underpay for the production you get. That’s why, even though I don’t love the trade, at least the Cavs nabbed a draft… Read more »
Also, I’d like Dalembert too, but it’ll be tough for him to pass enough teams in front of Cavs on the waiver order. They’d be lucky to get him since he’s got length and still has some tread on the tires.
Honestly, that’s not likely to be a huge issue. Most teams don’t like waiver claims becase they are on the hook for his full pay from a tax perspective. With him essenially being bought out, he can negotiate to take less pay and teams paying him are charged the prorated tax amount.
Marginally better? Try significantly better. They got rid of a guy who didn’t want to be here and clearly never fit in through several coaches. They got back Shumpert who is a legit starting shooting guard who can play defense and shoot the ball. They also got back JR Smith who can light it up and is bigger than than Dion. Plus a first rounder. This is a great trade. I do not understand why or how anyone here feels it isn’t. I get that Dion has all-star potential and I wouldn’t have given up on him before this season… Read more »
You should probably read up on JR and watch some film. Cavs are not getting the 2012 version of JR. He was the poison pill the Cavs had to swallow in this deal in order to get Shumpert (an upgrade over Dion on the perimeter) and the OKC first rounder (which can be used possibly along with one of their trade exceptions for a functional big man). You’re always on about how much you don’t want this or that big man because he’s a “head case.” Well, guess what, you now have the biggest head case in the NBA to… Read more »
This is a great trade. We gave up someone who was never going to be great with the Cavs for a starting SG who is better than Dion and a 6th man of the year who is still only 29 years old. And a first round pick.
It’s a great trade for the Cavs. I also think the THunder did well to get Waiters and I think he’ll be good there, certainly better than he’s been for the Cavs.
I’m surprised Griffin was able to get this much out of Dion. Nice job!!!!!!!
I’m with you, Cols. It’s a GOOD haul for an underperforming player and shows some masterful GM-ery. I expect both JR and Shumpert to get back to their peaks pretty quickly (for Shumpert, he’s got to get healthy first, but still) and that is good news for a team hit by the injury bug and weak-kneed on defense.
Maybe we’ll get to face Dion in the finals someday (sigh).
You were surprised Griffin was able to get this much? The Knicks were thrilled to be able to dump JR and his contract for next year on somebody. Shumpert will be an upgrade on D if he can stay healthy. The only part of this that surprised me was the first rounder from OKC. I would have thought for sure that would have gone to the Knicks. Kudos to Griff for at least getting that piece which should play an important role in acquiring a big down the road.
Wait you mean I get the old gas station with the leaky underground tank for free? Awesome.
Can we just start calling this hybridized dysfunctional monster of a team the Cleveland Cav-a-Timber-Heat-erbock-aliers?
If you really want to feel sad(der), compare Iman Shumpert’s lifetime stats to Alonzo Gee’s. We missed you, Alonzo.
Remember when the Cavs rung their hands about trading JJ Hickson for Amare? That’s sort of Waiters to me. I think he has a lot of potential, but not for this team right now.
Lets hope that Shump works out better than Amare did.
Well, they didn’t actually get Amare so who knows
The Knicks know.
They know to the tune of a $100 million.