Recap: Cavs 94, Bulls 73 (Or, Champagne SuperDova)
2015-05-15https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXzCvwD_e4c
Cleveland put away the Chicago Bulls in a decisive manner tonight to earn a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs held Chicago to 37% shooting and just four made threes. Matthew Dellavedova led the way with a podium level-performance to silence all haters. He scored 19 points shooting 7-11 from the floor and 3-6 from behind the arc. Delly defended his Australian pride by covering every single guy on the floor, centers included, and doing it well. He was +21 for the evening and scored the first five of the Cavs 15 points in the third quarter. He was unstoppable for 31 minutes.
Tristan Thompson also helped out scoring ten points in the first quarter, including two And-1s, on his way to 13 points and 17 rebounds. Iman Shumpert, bench man turned starter, rounded out the Mini-3 with 13 points, and a game high +26. His nine second quarter points started a Cavs lead the Bulls couldn’t overcome. The mini-3 stepped up because the remaining two of the Big-3 played hobbled. Kyrie Irving played only 12 minutes after going down in the second quarter, and he scored just six points. LeBron James scored 15 points, but it took him 23 shots and worn out doing it.
David Wood and EvilGenius decided to share their email diary of the game. Here it is:
First Quarter:
The Cavs opened the night moving slowly on defense and letting Pau Gasol get whatever looks he wanted. Rose also drove to the paint at will untouched like he had a communicable disease. The King shot 2-6 and seemed happy taking some poorly thought out shots, but Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov countered that by combining for 16 points on 5-8 shooting.
DW: So, to start this night out, I need to know your opinion on this year’s playoff song by the Black Eyed Peas. Better or worse than the Pitbull one from last year? I’m going with absolutely worse, and I wonder who the Black Eyed Peas know that got them that song spot, Baby.
EG: It’s so bad. It would have been bad in 2009 when the Black Eyed Peas were still relevant. Although, it was even worse when they had the cast of Pitch Perfect 2 lip-synching it with Will.I.Am…
DW: 9:51 — Isn’t Pau Gasol injured? The Cavs seem to have forgotten they have to stay on him when covering pick and rolls. They probably should have figured this out by now. He already has four points. Tristan Thompson is doing his best to counter him though actually hunting for his own shot.
EG: 9:31 — The TT post game is a new wrinkle that I like. If Canadian Dynamite can help get Bulls bigs in foul trouble, this could be a good thing.
DW: 8:40 — Oh no, Cavs are forgetting some of the simple stuff like boxing out. This might get bad. Jimmy Butler just got an offensive board after running to the rim with no resistance.
EG: 7:53 — Pau doesn’t seem to even leave the floor on a flat-footed dunk. Maybe hamstrings are over-rated?
DW: Of all the guys that need to jump in the NBA, Pau ranks near the bottom on that list. Also, what’s up with LeBron taking terrible out of rhythm 3-point shots. Why? Both of his trips into the post resulted in good things, a dump to Thompson and an easy tear drop shot. He’s an automatic double team in the paint. I bet the Bulls are sending hate mail to LeBron about his jump shot trying to trick him into proving something.
EG: 7:22 — Kyrie’s shot looked smoother than a baby’s rear end on that three. The two injured guys are doing damage early on both sides…
DW: 6:22 — Kyrie is keeping the Cavs in it with those quick five points. The King finally abused a mismatch with Mike Dunleavy on him to dish it to Mozgov. Sometimes I think the team forgets what they’re capable of.
EG: 5:27 — This is the second time the Bulls have mis-communicated and just thrown the ball to nobody this quarter. Uncharacteristic of a Thibs coached team. Maybe they should use headsets…
DW: 4:42 — Mozgov and Thompson are both really active tonight. They are keeping Chicago honest on defense by showing the ability to take a dribble or two before driving to the hoop.
EG: Looks like the plan is to attack inside with TT and Moz early and often. Moz doing a much better job on offense than last game. 2-2 from floor and line…
DW: 4:18 — Air MOZGOV. The Mozerati just hit a ramp and launched towards the rim to get fouled by Taj Gibson. Also, I hate the TT hate. When he’s switched onto Rose, he is doing as good of a job as any other player on the floor. Rose makes impossible shots. He can make anyone look like a fool.
EG: 4:16 — Does Moz have the highest arcing rainbow free throw shot in the NBA?
DW: When compared to Noah, it’s the highest ever. Love how active TT is, but the King just wasted TT’s extra effort with an off balance three from an offensive rebound. That led to some Dunleavy long ball transition action.
2:55 — Irving thankfully brings the ball back and gets to the line, but he seems like he’s bailing out the King and the crowd knows it.
EG: 2:15 — I’ve said this before, but there’s NOTHING I hate more than when the Cavs take a long shot, miss, fortunately get a rebound, then immediately launch a long three that misses, which leads to a run out transition three (usually by someone like Dunleavy or Hinrich). Just SO INFURIATING!
DW: Do you think the King’s shot is ugly. It seems to have a leaning back movement to it, sort of like Dion Waiter’s shot before he “fixed” it.
EG: It certainly has looked ugly this game. Big contrast from Game 5. LBJ seems content to jack up shots rather than drive inside like he did last game.
2:24 — JAMES FREAKING JONES finally knocks one down after what seems like a very long drought. I take my shirt off to find his name on the back and touch it for luck… yes, I can be crazy superstitious… don’t judge me…
DW: 2:08 — Rose just blasted by Irving on the left and forced him out of the play using his right shoulder. Irving can’t get free for the ball the next trip down the floor even with off-ball screens. He’s injured.
TT wants it more than anyone in the game right now. Canadian TnT just pulled down two offensive boards in a row with Taj Gibson fouling him for a three point play. The Bulls were all surrounding him.
EG: 2 Seconds Holy Upsidedown Cake! TT nearly flips over throwing down the and-one alley-oop from Delly. Thank goodness he seems to be okay. Cavs finish up what seems like the highest scoring quarter in the series up two. TT was the straw that stirred the drink!
DW: Tristan is a basketball cyborg programmed to get any ball within three feet of the rim. They forgot to tell him offensive and defensive rebounding are different. How did that shot go in?
EG: End of first quarter — TT has been the secret weapon so far. He’s the NBA equivalent of Tigger, bouncing constantly to get rebounds and score. Cavs need to find a better way to stop D-Rose from getting in the paint though. Kyrie should not be guarding him… at all. Cavs up, 33-31.
Second Quarter:
The Cavs started out slowly with Kyrie hobbling around until he actually injured himself stepping on Big T’s foot. Delly came in for him and stopped Rose’s play making and scoring/the idea of a Bull’s offense. The Bulls scored just seven points in the final eight minutes of the quarter, while the Cavs put up 20 behind Iman’s quick nine points.
EG: 10:43 — Cavs employing a super small line-up with no Moz and LBJ out with foul trouble. Luckily, Shump deciding to do an LBJ impression and take it to the hole with authority…
DW: 9:49 — NOooooOOOOOO. Kyrie on the floor. Why is this happening to me?
EG: Kyrie apparently steps on TT’s foot and goes down in a heap. Looks like he’s favoring his left leg.
DW: Shump can take Dunleavy off the dribble tonight better than LeBron right now. Again, another sign the King needs the ball near the hoop.
EG: 9:15 — Gasol and Nikola Mirotic playing Euro two man game. LBJ not “locking it down” on defense just yet this game…
DW: What’s LeBron doing? How is Mirotic going by him that close to the hoop. Why aren’t we boxing out if we are trying to play small ball? This is just too easy for the Bulls right now. A hobbled Pau Gasol offensive board leading to LeBron being burned by a bearded man not named James Harden is sad.
8:11 — Mozgov is fading out. He just missed a two foot gimme.
EG: 8:02 — Matthew Dellavedova gets a hail of boos from the Chicago crowd. Hilarious.
DW: 7:41 — LeBron getting tied up by Hinrich for a jump ball, J.R. Smith throwing the ball out of bounds, those are easy ways to lose a game. And, now TT has an arm wrap on sitting on the bench. That fall at the end of the first must have did a little damage.
EG: 7:27 — After a “whoops there it is” steal… JR throws a Shaqtin’ a fool pass to nowhere…
DW: JR was the most surprised guy in the United Center for about eight seconds right there.
EG: 6:16 — On the replay it was clear that Hinrich had a whole lot of LeBron’s arm and upper body in addition to the ball…
DW: Still Cavs had a chance at the rebound because LeBron was down low. God like things happen when he gets in that position. Mozgov pulled in a board after a wide open 3-pointer from the attention LeBron demanded just posting up for a few seconds to pass.
5:19 — And, the thuggery begins. Moronic, which is what Mirotic autocorrects to, should be ejected. There was no play on the ball there.
EG: Mirotic decides it’s time to mix things up after a no-call on Butler. He Goes for Shump’s head. Shump sells it, but it should be a Flagrant on Mirotic none-the-less… He likely won’t get an ejection after all the complaining last game about the quick ejection of Taj. Could be a flagrant 2 though…
DW:5:09 — When did Shump become the best off the dribble guy on the Cavs. He blows by Mirotic and then goes through the defenders at the rim. Then he follows it up with a 3-pointer. He’s on fire. Cavs building a lead, 47-40.
Shump is more of a heat check guy then people realize. He just shuts his shot down when it isn’t falling, so it’s not as obvious when he’s chasing shots.
EG: 4:38 — SHUMP is feelin it!
DW: And, he’s still feeling it. Shump is hounding Butler in the corner. No SHOT FOR YOU JIMMY!
EG: Cavs have really turned up the defensive intensity in the second quarter.
DW: 3:44 — Delly has the worst luck. He plays perfect defense only for Rose to make a banker over his hand.
EG: 3:20 — Moz makes the classic mistake of putting the ball on the floor after a terrific inside pass from Shump. He lets himself get munched by Pebbles.
DW: 2:14 — Iman is Shumping the heck out of them. Another three. He’s gonna get charged with assault if he keeps this up.
EG: Shump is >>>> than Butler so far. Early audition for the 2016 Most Improved Player Award?
26 Seconds — JR gets Snell to fall for the extremely delayed “banana in the tailpipe” trick. Somewhere Eddie Murphy is smiling… and collecting royalties from this site… Separately, I would give a large sum of money to know what Kyrie and Haywood are talking about on the bench.
DW: I bet it involves Haywood asking Irving if he thinks winning a title without playing any minutes is still honorable.
EG: 2 Seconds — Dammit James Jones! I REALLY wanted that Delly coast-to-coast bucket to beat the buzzer before the end of the half!
DW: Why did JJ have to foul? He needs to know his roll and just practice his three stroke even if he doesn’t have the ball.
Delly getting put in for Irving changed this game. Just stopping Rose from getting penetration reduced the Bull’s offensive ability to do anything. Without the defense collapsing, Chicago was useless scoring seven points in eight minutes, while the Cavs scored 20. The Cavs really hunkered down with Shump and Delly on the floor. The extra Shumpfense is what got the Cavs this lead going into the half. LeBron only has six points and has given up at least five points with the run out Mike Dunleavy 3-pointer and loss of Nikola earlier.
EG: It is POURING rain here in Los Angeles (we needed it!)! But not nearly as hard as JR, Shump, Delly and JFJ RAINED down the threes and the defense on the Bulls in the second quarter…
DW: Thompson won that first quarter. Shump won the second quarter. Who is winning this third quarter for the Cavs? LeBron has got to get it going. I’m so sick of him doing this:
LeBron’s 1st half shot chart.
His shot just won’t fall. Still, Cleveland enters the half up, 58-44.
Halftime:
EG: If there was a moment where the Cavs absolutely needed to choke a team out early in a second half, it would be now. LBJ can make this all but academic if he comes out and plays his unstoppable post and paint game for the next 12 minutes.
Here’s a question for the second half… Should the Cavs just keep Kyrie on the bench and go with a Shump, Delly, JR rotation for the remainder in the backcourt? No coincidence that they went on that run after Kyrie went out. I love the kid, but he just can’t play effective D with his injuries.
And Lisa Salters just answered my question…
Third Quarter:
After a relatively high-octane first quarter, followed by a Cavs lockdown in the second, the third period began as a virtual wasteland of scoring. Things went from offensive-minded to just plain offensive to watch. Luckily, the Cavs had their own version of Mad Max to keep the Bulls from stampeding through this scoreless desert, as the SuperDova was about to explode.
DW: 10:11 — This is some ugly basketball right now. And, that was an even uglier foul call. Mike Dunleavy just hugged Tristan’s arm like it was a baby doll and TT got called for a foul.
EG: At this point, really wonder if LBJ’s back is bothering him and keeping him out of the paint…
DW: Not sure, he just dove to the ground for that loose ball pretty effortlessly. I think he’s just stubborn and in love with his shot.
EG: 9:09 — After a virtual rugby scrum in the key on the Cavs end of the floor, Moz blocks Butler’s shot into oblivion on the other end.
DW: 8:16 — Pau Gasol tries to back down Delly, but it’s not happening. That stinks for Pau.
EG: 7:51 — LBJ jacks yet another off balance three. Teams have combined for a cement block like 1-17 start to the half…
DW: 7:10 — LeBron just spent 19 seconds dribbling and then dished the ball to Shump. Shump missed the rim for a shot clock violation. Let’s get a timeout soon. The King might need to see Mike Miller for a pep talk.
6:13 — Matty D just banked in a shot that was a lob. That’s our offense right now.
EG: 6:01 — On the other end LBJ picks up his fourth foul on a debatable blocking call… Blatt risks it and keeps him in there…
5:45 — Delly nails a three and now has all five points of the third quarter. Also, on that last shot… one of the announcers actually says “Delly is a good player.” I guess the third quarter is the Delly quarter, since he is the only Cav who has scored for the first seven minutes of it. Unless Bron hits like seven more of those post up turnarounds, or a 90 foot buzzer beater, this quarter belongs to Delly…
DW: 5:00 — The prayers of thousands of bloggers are answered. LeBron just went to the post and hit a jumper. Then he hit the repeat button the next play. Okay, Blatt you’re an offensive genius.
EG: 4:25 — I’ve been re-directed on the C:tB site so many times to GoGardenClub.com that I finally broke down and became a member…
3:05 — Delly the hero of the quarter follows up a rare miss with a terrific charge on DRose… AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE! OI! OI! OI!
DW: 44 Seconds — Delly just threw a lazy cross court pass. He wants James to have the quarter award. Although, in typical J.R. Smith fashion, J.R. has now made two threes in a row to enter the conversation.
EG: 25 Seconds — JR making a strong push with his second silky smooth three to be the player of the third quarter…
EG: 5 Seconds — Delly can’t guard EVERYONE at once. Butler hits a wide open three after Shump falls down under the hoop. Delly tries to guard both Rose and Butler at the top of the key, but there’s only so much this superhuman Aussie can do… (or IS there?)
DW: That was a tough quarter to watch. I had to cover my dog’s eyes about three minutes in to spare them the horror. LeBron must have gotten some talking to during the timeout because he looked like a completely different guy for a couple of minutes.
EG: I fortunately missed a little bit of it because the flood came in my neighborhood and my trash cans started floating away down the street and into neighbor’s cars. Even a street full of flooded trash looked better than that quarter… Cavs still lead 73-60.
Fourth Quarter:
The Cavs 13 point lead to start the quarter still seemed a little tenuous (given the four fouls on LBJ and the Kyrie injury), at least until the Thunder From Down Under decided to put a quick end to the Bulls hope, their season, and most likely Tom Thibadeau’s tenure as coach, with an eight point barrage to push the lead to 20.
DW: 10:50 — Delly just did a spin move off a pick and scored. This is his best game ever. Delly then gets a steal, now a three. DDDDEEEEELLLYLYLYLYLYLYLYLYLY. Too much excitement. Delly is forcing my keyboard to malfunction.
9:11 — Delly just hit another three pointer. This game is just Dellyliscious!
EG: Delly is going into “deity” mode in the second half. Give that man a statue!!!
7:59 — LBJ does a 720 in the lane on his way to the hoop.
Delly just kangaroo punched the Bulls in the face! Repeatedly! I really hope Cols is watching this! (turns out he was, and he typed out this post which will be memorialized here)…
Cols714 says:
May 14, 2015 at 10:02 pm
I take back every bad thing I’ve ever said about Delly. Really really impressive.
And since the game was basically over after this exploding SuperDova… here’s what the commentariat had to say:
JMay: DellY for MVP please!
Kevin: Nuclear Delly engaged
John B: Delly holy mf cow!!!!!!!!
Brandon: We all eating Delly turds right now..,,good for him…UNBELIEVABLE
believeLAND: HAHAHAAAA MAN THIS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!! I dreamt of the day I saw that comment from Cols!!
NOMAD: IF HE KEEPS THIS UP I AM GOING TO START DRINKING FOSTERS !!
Bw: *chugs beer, grabs laptop, orders a dellavedova jersey. * WOOOOO!
Dr. Puck: Delladeroleplayer burning Chicago down!
C6H12O6: Delly might be Mike Brown’s greatest find!
Tom Pestak: GONNA GO AHEAD AND SAY I’VE ALWAYS LOVED DELLY EVEN WHEN IT WASN’T POPULAR. WHAT IS HAPPENING. DEATH BY SUPERDOVA?!?!?! BOOBIE GIBSON GAME REDUX?!?!?! COLS I GOT YOU ON THIS ONE THO!
Nate Smith: Matt Makin himself some $$$$$$$$
Phil Hubbard: That was Delly-ightful, Delly-icious, Delly-ectable…
[Phil also gets credit for coining the “Champagne SuperDova” subtitle for this piece in the thread]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3C7DECI0jU
Then DW and I spent the remainder of garbage time feeling a little bad for the Bulls and Thibs…
So… what’s next for you, Thibs?
DW: Nothing is working for the Bulls right now. I sorta feel bad for them. This is how it ends.
EG: Kinda feel bad for Thibs. He’s just watching the clock tick down on his Bulls career…
DW: Thibs will be fine in the end. I think he got a lot out of a Bulls team that didn’t really have an offense installed that made good guys great.
The Bulls are this…
Final Thoughts:
While this was not the expected hard-fought, tough-nosed Game 6 that many expected it to be, it was an immensely satisfying win for a gutsy, injury-riddled but never-say-die team and its title hungry fan base. The Cavs went into Chicago on a mission to show the basketball world not just how good their stars were, but how great of a team they are. Their bench mob had perhaps their finest game of the year, draining threes, playing lock-down defense, and out-hustling the increasingly demoralized Bulls. With one star long gone, another re-hobbled early in the game, and their leader back to being a more inefficient version of himself (at least on the scoring end of things), the unlikeliest of heroes emerged to not only save the day, but to annihilate the Bulls in every facet of the game. The bench mob outscored the Chicago bench 40-20, and they hit 9-18 from deep to put the nails in the Bulls’ playoff coffin.
When this team says things like “next man up” and “no excuses” you’d better believe they mean it. Now the Cavs will enjoy nearly a week off before facing either the Wizards at the Q, or the Hawks in Atlanta. Cavs fans will have a week to enjoy the hell out of these hard-hat grinders that populate this team (in every sense of the word). And, the media will have a week to not only learn how to pronounce the word “Dellavedova” but also compose many verses in iambic pentameter about the exploits of the Wonder from Down Under.
[UPDATED]
And speaking of that, while it ain’t iambic pentameter, here’s a way you can actually enjoy the Black Eyed Peas NBA Awesome song:
(DELLY IS) AWESOME
He is awesome
That dude is awesome
So freaking awesome
Aussie awesome
Yeah, you know it
He’s the boss
I know you know it
So sing with Cols…
Delly, Delly, Delly…
Delly, Delly, Delly, Delly!
He is Awesome
And you know it
Bron thinks he’s Awesome
And you know it
Blatt says he’s Awesome
And you know it
Imponente is Awesome (in Italian)
DELLY, DELLY, DELLY, DELLY
DELLY, DELLY, DELLY!
He’s ballin’, Delly, Delly he’s ballin’
Like he’s got Fosters on his wrist when he’s rockin’ like this
You can see who callin’ (OI! OI! OI!)
And you know it
Now don’t be hatin’
He be aggravatin’
He don’t look like Jordan takin’ flight
But he’s ready for a fight
He’s boardin’
And you know it
He’s hustlin’
And you know it
He’s ballin’
And you know it
Can’t touch him now (Can’t touch him now)
Can’t stop him now (Can’t stop him now)
He go arenas, go so SuperDova, oh my god
Oh my lordy, Oh my goodness
Lordy, mercy, You just watch him
Watch him like he’s movin’
Give him a statue cause he’s
Awesome!
DELLY! DELLY! DELLY!
FREAKING DELLY! DELLY! DELLY!
He is awesome
And you know it.
Yo CtB — where you at?!
Lots happening in the NBA and not much interesting to read with Grantland suddenly dark due to Simmons debacle.
Horrible game 7 by the Clippers. So many turnovers and stupid plays. Yeesh. Spencer Hawes is so bad, thank god we got rid of him. Warriors will roll to the finals.
What is the Simmons debacle?
ESPN is not resigning Simmons, so he is basically done at the network and Grantland appears to be stalled at least for now.
Call me crazy but I think the only way the Cavs can have a chance of win it all is if they rest Kyrie against the Hawks. Cavs can’t beat the Warriors or Clippers without a 90% healthy Kyrie.
Okay… you’re crazy…
I’d rather play him and get to the Finals. Disagree about Clippers too. Cavs have owned them this year and they may not even get past the Rockets. Only team that can beat the Cavs is GSW…
Hehehe well unless the Cavs find a way to play defense like the 90’s edition of the Bulls and Lebron goes MJ on the Warriors, the Cavs just don’t have enough scoring power to beat them.
And about the Clippers or Rockets, neither of them are going to beat the Warriors so you can forget about them.
I hope I’m wrong about the Cavs chances to beat the Warriors (if they get there) but I like to keep my analysis honest.
I only included the Clippers because you did initially. I also don’t believe either team can beat GSW to get to the Finals. The Grizzlies don’t have half the firepower the Cavs do on offense, but they were able to take two games from the Warriors and make it a series. Regardless of whether or not the Cavs can beat the Warriors, you never just sit guys in the hopes that you can get them rested up for the next series. That’s a good way to lose the current series and never make it to the Finals. The Cavs have… Read more »
Let’s say we reach finals, and we win against Golden State I dont even know what I will do from the excitement. I would just want them to win it at home just because the moment is to big to win on da road.
I really don’t mean to get ahead of myself, I am truly enjoying the ride of these playoffs and the effort that this gutsy, short-handed, young group is putting on the floor every night. They have a great chance to get to the finals and possibly accomplish the ultimate goal. But I have to admit, there are moments where I can’t help but think of how good they will be next year (bearing in mind a successful off-season). The growth and experience they’ll have attained by going through this tumultuous season and demanding playoff journey, the greater chemistry they’ll have… Read more »
I totally agree.
They have a shot this year, but they need some breaks to get there. If Kyrie can be productive and the coaches can do good work they can beat the Hawks. But next year… look out.
sometimes I cant help but think of it either. I try to push that back down though. Trying not to get too far ahead of myself. That leads to reading too many “speculation” articles and that’s not good for one’s psyche.
I think about it daily. We are WAY ahead of schedule and our future is bright.
Delly fatheads are now available!!! $99.99 is a little pricey but after his last performance, it might just be worth it. Here’s the link: http://www.fathead.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/matthew-dellavedova-wall-decal/
As bad as I want the Cavs to have as much rest as possible for our hurt guys, I want to watch the Cavs so bad that waiting is horrible.
This is awesome…. JR taking shot at Phil…
https://instagram.com/p/2sFKaiNfJH/?taken-by=teamswish
That made at least one of the New York local newscasts last night, with a “Well played, J.R.” There’s sympathy for anyone who has escaped the Knicks and done well elsewhere.
The Kincks might be the end of Phil’s rep as a genius. I think Phil did a good job when he had the best team in the game, but otherwise?
So, it appears that Phil is a genius when he had two of the top five players ever to coach (MJ and Kobe). Shocking, really.
Eh. He’s still a great coach. Mike Brown had some great players and couldn’t do anything at all.
Actually, Phil always had two top players… MJ and Pippen, then Kobe and Shaq and Kobe and Pau…
Missed Games 4, 5 and 6 almost completely . . . Game 4 because it was in the middle of the night here, and 5 and 6 because of work. Maybe if Arch attends the games and I in turn lock myself in a dark room while they are going on, the Cavs will win the championship. Reading this blog and being solely a metafan is almost as good anyway. Well, or not. I am pretty pissed to have missed Game 4 live. Still this is great. So this is what it feels like to be a fan of a… Read more »
Cavs in 4 or 5.
Somehow I’m glad that the Cavs know who their opponent will be and can better prepare than spending time on both teams before Game 7. Want us to take Game 1 so bad too!!
I think the Cavs will take game 2. The Hawks do a great job of packing the paint so let’s how the Cavs shooters can get ready for the challenge.
Game 2 wouldnt be bad either, just dont want to go down 0-2. Atlanta moves the ball pretty damn good and really gets easy looks for their players. Cavs offense is either a pick and roll or just Lebron on da block and then passing out. Hope JR can really go off in this series if its shooting we need. Kevin Love would have been real nice to have right now as well.
I think we will match up better than we did during the regular season. Our rotations were sickeningly sharp in the Chicago series and our losses during the season were due in large part to poor containment of Jeff Teague, which shump will figure out quickly. The X factor for us will be if Lebron is willing to defend Carroll, and if he is willing to let the rest of the team score and be content to post Carroll up a lot
Atlanta wins, Paul Pierce 3 pointer was 0.1 second too late, still in his hand at the buzzer.
BRING ON ATLANTA!
Hawks win by a tenth of a second…
Wow. Can’t believe the Wiz lost like that. That’s heartbreaking.
Pretty high degree of difficulty on the shot too. That’s like a Cleveland way to lose a series.
I just had the most insane week of work ever. I missed nearly everything. But thanks to the Gods for this board and these recaps.
I’m so proud of my little Delly. He had me at G’day, mate.
You can catch the one-hour version of The Delly Game Saturday on NBA Network, at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT.
Washington coming back against Atlanta. I really hope they pull it out and force game 7. We need a couple extra days of rest.
Something for a future time, but given how these guys are stepping up, I can’t imagine Dan G letting any of them walk away. If they re-sign LBJ, KLove, TT, Shump, Delly and possibly JR (if he opts out), they could potentially have a payroll that tops $100M, right?
Yep. Gilbert doesn’t care though
If they win the championship, I would be surprised if they didn’t try to bring back all the key 8 or 9.
Irving is signed
Moz is signed
Varajao is signed
LBJ can opt out
Love can opt out
JR Smith can opt out
TT is an RFA. I would be surprised if they don’t match any offer
Shump is a FA
Delly is a FA
Only other one I may be interested in is JFJ who is a FA (signed vet minimum)
Info is here: http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/CLE.html
I’m pretty sure Shump is restricted.
Actually I think all 3 of them are restricted- and the Cavs will almost certainly extend qualifying offers to all of them. It will get interesting when they have to resign them…there could be some very weird things that happen with the cap when they have Love, LBJ, JR and those 3 outstanding, especially because they don’t actually have LBJ’s Bird Rights yet (they have Bird Rights for everyone else as they were acquired via trade), so as long as he signs quickly, everything’s fine, and one would assume that they will have everything worked out beforehand, because otherwise, if… Read more »
I would imagine that the front office is currently in preparation for free agency almost around the clock. I think we finally have a very competent front office with an owner willing to shell out the dough. I have a decent amount of confidence in their ability to get things worked out this summer.
GOT MY SHIRT! Great Job Nate. Wahoo!
I’m stuck in a Chicago airport…. I’m bored here’s some Damon Jones Tweets –
@D19J: Being with a group of players,coaches,support staff,and management that the singular focus is winning.thats the best feeling in the world
@D19J: Don’t forget a fan base that’s in my opinion the best in the league. #TheLand let’s keep #strivingforgreatness
Rick Bucher seems to like to troll the CAVS this year.
Rick Bucher seems to believe that no matter how the CAVS finish that David Blatt will be canned after the season. Imagine winning a title and losing your job?
Is this real life? Can this be considered anything BUT trolling?
He mentioned it on air with Doug Gotlieb.
Did he provide a rationalization?
Just insider info… Sounds like he’s speculating.
I don’t think Bucher knows how to do anything BUT troll. Amusingly, I am also pretty sure he has no idea he’s doing it.
From the same guy who “reported” the infamous Kyle Lowry to the Heat for Bosh “trade” last summer…
Dan Gilbert nipped this BS in the bud on twitter. Story is dead in the water. Bucher looks like a damn fool now.
So, who do you guys want? The Hawks or the Wiz?
I think Cavs will beat either one in five games. Wouldn’t mind home court if the Wiz can pull it off. John Wall can be a difference maker, but probably not as much with the broken hand. Also wouldn’t mind seeing LBJ turn The Truth into a Lie one more time…
Best scenario is probably for the Wiz to win at least Game 6 so whoever wins only has two days off…
I’d go with the Hawks. They’re not as good of a team when you can game plan for them. The Wiz have excelled playing Pierce at 4, in a small ball line up. Plus Otto Porter has really stepped up his game. Either way I think we beat both in 5-6 games.
If series goes 7, last game is played Monday night. Game 1 I thought was scheduled for Wednesday. Is that really only one days rest for a team that just played through a seven game series?
Ya, game 7 scheduled for Monday night. Game 1 subsequently scheduled for Wednesday night.
Probably the Wiz. Hawks have the better coach, and probably the higher potential ceiling. The Wizards have done a really good job on Korver, too, and I’m not sure the Cavs will be able to defend him as well. I think the Hawks are going to take that series, though, so I guess we’ll find out.
In a blast from the past (okay, just January), I post CtB’s thoughts on two moves that changed our season:
https://cavstheblog.com//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////?p=30078
Waiters, Kirk, Amundsun and a second rounder for Shumpert, Smith and OKC’s protected first
OKC’s protected first and Memphis protected first for Mozgov.
*Bows to David Griffin again*
I get that Butler is going to get a max deal. But I wish we could make a distinction between max guys like Butler and MAX DEAL guys like LeBron.
Butler is fine. But he’s not a difference maker the way LeBron is.
Just wait until next summer when the cap explodes. Today’s Max players will become SuperMax players…
And when the salary cap goes boom and the nba becomes the mlb…The Knicks will finally be relevant again
Wow. This is brutal:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/ct-bulls-cavs-derrick-rose-rosenbloom-20150515-column.html
Not only brutal, but incredibly unfair. Rose was as banged up as anyone on the Cavs except Love and playing with a teammates who could not have made a bucket if the rims were twice the size.
He’s had a nice comeback and I hope he can get healthy (and that we can keep whuppin’ him in the playoffs).
Also, Rose did NOT have back to back 30 point games in Games 2 and 3. Game 2 he had only 14, I believe. Rosenbloom must have rage-written this immediately after the loss. As we here in Cleveland know, someone has got to take the blame. Unfortunately, this article puts it on Rose. While brutal and unfair, some of the points were legitimate. I don’t think Rose was as banged up as KI and at times he most certainly disappeared. Plus Rose can’t shoot. Any shot that went in from Rose (even the buzzer-beater) seemed like an aberration. I feel… Read more »
It’s Thibs. He’s just not a good coach. He’s Mike Brown all over again. They need a new coach.
They have Rose (if healthy) and Butler to build around, but Gasol is at the tail end, Noah aggressively can’t score and Dunleavy, Brooks and Hinrich aren’t getting any younger. Mirotic might have some promise, but he’s not a great defender. Bulls just don’t have enough as constituted to get by a banged up Cavs team (let alone a healthy one) for the next 5-6 years. They’d be better off blowing it up and rebuilding with either a different coach, or with an offensive assistant who can help Thibs. Wonder if they’d force that on him if he wants to… Read more »
This is gone if they blow it up…only players who seem to want him to stay are rose and Gibson. He has a rough playoff record. Not sure how they could get a better coach currently, but they definitely need someone to open up their pace…they competed with us very well when they pushed the ball
Rose’s career going forward can be summed up by a Vine of him riding the exercise bike slowly.
@MySportsLegion: Shumpert on Mirotic’s clothesline: “That dude better be cool. I’m from here. I got my family here. He wants to get out safe, don’t he?”
Nice job on the diary. Can’t wait for the podcast!
Maybe with some laying on of hands, Delly can heal Kyrie before the next series.
I think the best sequence of the game was Delly spinning down the middle, putting Brooks on his rear, and hitting a pull up jumper. The come down the other way, and Gibson (I think) gets stripped by Delly from behind. They come back and Delly drills a wide-open three. My Matty D pom poms were out in full effect after that.
And faster than you can say didgeridoo, Delly had pushed the lead from 12 to 17. That really was a 3-play dagger.
It was neat to hear the Bulls fans start to groan as the game went on when Delly would get the ball for an open shot.
DELLY TUTONE : GOLD AND WINE Delly Delly, who can I turn to You got the defense, I could hold on to I know you’ll think I’m like other fans before who saw your name and number on the score board Delly I got your number It’s in gold, inside the wine Delly don’t change your number Delly’s dropping bombs for the gold and wiiiiiiiine (Delly’s dropping bombs for the gold and wiiiiiiiiine) Delly’s floatin’ lobs for the gold and wiiiiiiiiiiiine (Delly’s floatin’ lobs for the gold and wiiiiiiiiiiiiine) Delly Delly, You’re the guard for me You don’t know me… Read more »
I always thought waxing poetic was more of a hyperbole.
Now I know the idiom a little better. Go CtB!
You know, Butler is a rising star and Rose won the league MVP.
I’m sitting here thinking that they are back in Chicago and their friends and fans are asking them, “Wait. The series was on the line and you let Matthew D-whatever-his-name-is tear you up? Matthew Dellava-something?!!! I mean Dellavadova took it to you guys? You two are league studs! How did that happen?”
I’ve watched DELLY ONLY highlights like 20 times since the game ended. I felt like a father watching his son play his best game ever… No joke I welled up a little bit watching the excitement everyone felt for him.
Dellyku:
DellaveYoda
Smooth Lobs and Threes aplenty
Sets the World Ablaze
for those gerund phrase fans
Fighting
Diving
Thriving
A SuperDova Looms
Wishing
Dishing
Phishing
A SuperDova Booms
Dellavedova
Greatness needs to be said twice
Dellavedova
that is the most beautiful thing these ears have ever heard
Slightly modified from older post but still true:
Our awesome Aussie
Mathew the Tasmanian
Devilladova
Right after the flagrant, Shump with a strong drive got Mirotic backpedaling and sent him tumbling backwards into the photographers along the baseline. Good stuff. And the Cavs got almost every 50-50 ball the rest of the half.
I think Mirotic is talented but he makes dumb mental errors (plus he’s an annoying flopper). Basically I think he’s trying too hard to be tough. Anyway, I agree with you – I loved how Shumpert responded to the flagrant.
Mirotic is a European soccer grabber and flopper . . . and he can’t produce in big games. Otherwise, he’s a decent regular season player.
(DELLY IS) AWESOME (sung to the awful Black Eyed Peas NBA song which can now be actually “awesome”) He is awesome That dude is awesome So freaking awesome Aussie awesome Yeah, you know it He’s the boss I know you know it So sing with Cols… Delly, Delly, Delly… Delly, Delly, Delly, Delly! He is Awesome And you know it Bron thinks he’s Awesome And you know it Blatt says he’s Awesome And you know it Imponente is Awesome (in Italian) DELLY, DELLY, DELLY, DELLY DELLY, DELLY, DELLY! He’s ballin’, Delly, Delly he’s ballin’ Like he’s got Fosters on his… Read more »
That’s dedication…
I might have to get someone to record this one…
I hear the Black Eyed Peas are available.
They haven’t been the same since Fergie started talking about leaving them. Josh Duhamel is the male Yoko Ono apparently…
It’s late evening here in Oz, & I’ve been winding down reading & listening to analysis of the win. I have to admit that while our little Australian family was happy to move back to Australia from CLE in February for various reasons, right now I am wishing that we could be amongst the Cleveland flock. I wish I could be sitting in an Eastside sports bar watching the highlights of the game & saying to the locals “yes mate, that’s my countryman sitting Derrick Rose on his ass.” The games we went to at the Q were early season,… Read more »
Simmo – Thanks for sending us KI and Delly – the “wonder from down under.” You got any other “ringers” send our way?
Australia has to be proud of those two.
Our pleasure. Aussies in the NBA has a good tradition behind it and has historically been closely followed by the media here, usually because there was only one or two players to follow. Seems now that there are several more, it’s less of a big deal – most people here didn’t know who Delly was until this finals series.
As of yesterday he is now a household name.
See if I can rustle up some more for you guys.
I agree with commenters saying this is a new LeBron. He cares more about this team than any team he’s ever been on, and he wants to win for everyone (fans, teammates, organization and yes, himself). Never thought I would see him grow up the way he has. He’s peaked physically but continues to soar as a leader.
The impact LBJ has had on this organization (players, executives, coaches) through the attitude he brings, the cohesion he demands and the personalities he’s melding cannot be understated. I truly believe that each of these guys on the team is focused and loves playing for one another and values the camaraderie. Regardless of the outcome of the season, it is great to see.
I was a fan of LBJ before the season but this is some next level stuff.
With a healthy Love and Varajao…..Dios Mio, fellas.
Agreed. LeBron is the best in the game on court and off court work ethic and attitude wise. He’s really showing these guys what it takes to win.
I’m a 38-year old man, and I’m totally smitten with this team.
I’m a 37 year old boy and I love this team.
It would be nice to see Blatt get a little more credit from the national media. But we all know that won’t happen – the lazier narrative will prevail.
I don’t really care who gets the credit. Cavs looked great. James, Delly, TT, Shump, Smith all were awesome.
I would like to see Blatt, and the entire coaching staff, receive credit from the national media. When injuries hit the Cavs were totally written off by them. We look as strong as ever. Coaching staff totally prepared “the next man up.”
would love to have stock( in delly shirts ) or better yet own thousands of Delly shirts —could make a fortune –post game with delly/ LeBron / t.t. was great—LeBron almost teared up– you can see he is SO PROUD of these players and takes great pride in being their leader/ mentor
One of the 5 things Grant got right
Seriously, I love this team! This has to go down as one of the most satisfying wins in my sports fandom history. Right up there with OSU beating Alabama followed by the NCS win. Oh, and the OT win over Michigan where Kenny Guiton took over for a hurt Braxton to win us the game. But seriously, this could be above all of them! So happy to see Delly succeed in that way!
I’ve got a fever, and the only cure is more Delly! Fortunately, the NBA Network is showing their one-hour version of the game at 11 a.m. EDT.
Still too giddy this morning to be analytical about anything. The live thread while Delly was going off was almost as good as the game itself. Shades of Kyrie vs. San Antonio.
As I think Cols once said: Joy joy joy!
So which commenter correctly pointed out that we’d kill the Bulls? We didn’t even need our stars to do it. With a healthy Love his was a sweep. Please remember the Bukls are frauds next year when the hype again builds.
I was way wrong about Delly. What a game. He came in and actually for the first time in his life played great man on man defense. It was amazing. He also finally hit a floater and he and TT have that lob thing going. What a game. Good thing we kept him!!
I said before the season started the Bulls were pretenders. And yes, the hype will build anew next year.
With a healthy Love, healthy Kyrie, etc this is a different game. Then Delly doesn’t get minutes. TT and Moz don’t have the same impact. I think this game does show that the Cavs “shallow” bench is suddenly deep. This is Spursian stuff.
Spursian. Totally. Right down to the token Aussie! Now I’m excited!
You were right Cols (although I thought we might have lost you when Kyrie got hobbled). Bulls were a paper tiger, but I’m really glad the Cavs played them because it put them in a physical, defensive mindset. This team has upped its game on defense exponentially in the playoffs…
You were right on that one, Cols. You’ve also been right on how important LeBron has been, even when he can’t hit a three to save his life.
I’d give you credit if it weren’t for Gasol’s injury and the fact that the Bulls front office sabotaged their head coach.
Bulls did worse against cavs with Gasol on court prior to injury
All the “habits building” through the long season paid off last night. The kids went after it relentlessly and carried the team when the stars were hurting.
Moving JR to the bench has tipped the bench-scoring metrics. That said, the Cavs bench destroyed the Bulls all series long.
So proud and happy for this team and the way they played last night.
Most enjoyable recap of the year, following the most satisfying W of the year.
Awesome to see Cols join the Delly-train. You guys might need to make a special T-shirt just to capture all the impromptu Delly-bombs after that game. Look, I can’t stop myself! DELLY-DELLY-DELLLY.
I’m so euphoric the thought of Kyrie missing extended time hasn’t hit me yet.
When teams over-achieve, especially with guys deep off the bench stepping up and over-performing in big moments, and when they have an irrational amount of unwavering confidence, coaching typically has a lot to do with it. Delly, Shump, TT, JR playing at the level they are playing, and playing with so much confidence, is no accident.
#AppreciateBlatt
Also, did anyone see the moment in the post-game presser when Blatt spoke Italian. Dude is amazing.
Right on! This game vindicated so many people/decisions/etc. and I’m glad Blatt gets the last laugh.
BTW, I listened to David Griffin on Above the Rim this morning and I gotta say, I think he’s the secret sauce. Absolutely first class.
Brian Scalabrine, cohosting with Joel Meyers said straight up that Griffin was robbed for executive of the year and that it wasn’t even close. I have to agree.
Great point man! Griff was totally robbed. Well, his rookie coach got to the Conference Finals before GSW’s rookie coach, and with a lot more pieces that he was actually responsible for acquiring!
Scalabrine put him on the spot and asked if, given the current success of the team, Kevin Love was still the number one priority for signing this summer. Griff: umm, LeBron is the number one priority.
He then went on to talk about creating the most devastating offense in the league and how Kev is essential to that.
He also gave some crazy stats on TT’s rim protection. He said he learned it from Moz!
A ton of good stuff from the GM this morning.
Go CAVS!!!!
Delly on the podium, fantastic. Shades of Boobie Gibson closing out Detroit, but with actual defense.
Hey now. Boobie shut down Billups. That was the weirdest thing about that whole thing. He was great on D.
So proud. Great on D & the threes, but his drive-spin move-jumper spoke volumes about his confidence.