Links To The Present: January 17, 2011
2011-01-17
“As the Cavaliers’ front office unpacks the tool box in an effort to rebuild the franchise, the task ahead remains daunting. Rarely has an NBA team in recent history lost a superstar and returned to relevance within a decade.” [Jason Lloyd]
“Simply put, the current Cavaliers can’t take their talents anywhere, because they have none.” [Nick Carrabine]
“Just as things start to look up – Daniel Gibson is slated to return Wednesday as the Cavs host the Phoenix Suns – the schedule continues to rear its ugly head by placing names like Boston, Orlando, Chicago and Miami between present day and the end of the month. And just think, fans and players alike hoped that 2011 would bring something different than 2010. Actually, it has – the Cavaliers were not forced to finish a game with seven able bodies at all through the first two-plus months of the season.” [Scott Sargent]
“[After] watching some of their 10th consecutive loss at Phoenix on Sunday, I saw encouraging signs. With a virtually unknown cast of characters except for Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, the Cavs showed a hint of what coach Byron Scott wanted to build.” [Maria Ridenour]
To wrap things up, here’s the latest installment of “Hey, Mary!” wherein the Plain Dealer’s Mary Schmitt Boyer answers questions about Varejao’s injury, the Cavs chances in the lottery, and the possibility of the front office blowing things up completely.
On The Twitters
“Mo Williams questionable for Suns. Daniel Gibson expected back in lineup. Christian Eyenga and Anthony Parker likely out for Wednesday.” [Bob Finnan]
“Cavs will have 3 full days being at home between games. If they were going to make a trade before the deadline now would be the time.” [realcavsfans]
“Coach Scott ran five on five, said he made sure his players knew when he made a shot. Showtime days are still intact.” [Scott Sargent]
“‘A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.’ #MLKJr” [Boobie Gibson]
Hickson doesn’t have near the ability that Griffin does. Griffin is on another level physically, athletically, and skill-wise. Not to mention Blake plays every game like its his last, whereas Hickson just kind of goes through the motions more often than not.
HoopsDogg, I want to smoke what you have!! Hickson can jump… But things like hands and heart, don’t really improve with practice. Heart especially. People often think that a player can great improve “hands” in general. Unfortunately, a player rarely improves that much in this department. Poor Hickson also isn’t just below average. He has some of the worst hands I have ever seen in basketball….
Anybody else think we could get a second rounder for Byron Scott. I mean, he is our most talented player!
Watching Blake Griffin’s 47 last night, I realized that J.J. Hickson has much of that ability. He needs to work on two 3 things: his hands, his jumpshot, and his heart.
Good to see Byron Scott talking smack to the players. I’m glad we at least have a coach who is competitive and hates to lose. I like his fire, his sense of humor, and his confidence as a coach; he just needs a premiere player. It’s a shame about Eyenga being banged up still – I want to see him and Harris on the court together for extended periods of time, to see if they can build a decent chemistry between them. I don’t think either player will be great players in the future, but I could see Harris developing… Read more »