Recap: Cavs 104, Raptors 96 (Or, I’m very confused)
2011-04-06
Overview: The Cleveland Cavaliers got their 17th win of the year against the Toronto Raptors, who are peacefully protesting defense. Baron Davis led the Cavs with 12 assists, and J.J. Hickson led the Cavs with 28 points.
And when the team should be tanking, it starts winning bullets:
Wow, the Raptors suck at defense. I had flashbacks to the beginning of the 26-game streak (which I really think of as a 38-game streak in which the Cavs did not win a regulation game), when the Cavs would simply roll over and die instantly on defense. At one point, the Cavs got a rebound and started to set up the offense, and Luke Harangody was wide open under the basket with nobody within 10 feet of him.
When Baron wanted to get into the paint, he was able to drive and dish. Hollins was left wide open for dunks. Hickson hurt himself by trying to get fancy at times, but most of the time he was able to either get to the rim or draw a foul. Sessions got layups when he wanted them. Everything that did not involve Harangody shooting jump shots or Alonzo Gee dribbling was a resounding success.
Outside of Reggie Williams making a basket every time he got it inside (?!) and some impressive bench mob performances, the Raptors didn’t have much going for them. Cavs control the game. Irving declares for the draft. Worse days to be a Cavs fan. Individual notes:
– I really don’t mind Hickson trying to get too fancy around the basket area. I don’t like him doing the step-backs from 18 — it’s one thing for him to make catch-and-shoot jumpers to keep the defense honest, but he should always be trying to get to the basket. Up-and-under moves, moves with the left hand — that’s the stuff I want to see him confident in next season.
Baron Davis: making passes, hitting threes. And the Ramon Sessions as instant offense experiment continues to be going well.
Joey Graham! I really like him, even when he’s trying to fight former state kickboxing champions. I would have been kind of interested to see what would have happened there, but I’m definitely glad nothing did happen.
Manny Harris looked a bit rusty.
Alexis Ajinca hitting a three was like the 5th-weirdest thing to happen in this game. Also, I kind of only want to watch Alexis Ajinca shooting threes now. And dang, Jerryd Bayless. He looks like Ramon Sessions after The Singularity.
Jose Calderon — living proof that PER is far from perfect.
Has anyone else noticed that the Raptors’ roster is essentially only made up of young former 1st-round picks that other teams have given up on?
Until later. Four games to go. IF THIS WAS A 700-GAME SEASON, TEAMS WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO FEAR.
Here’s the breakdown;
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Draft_Lottery
At ‘worst’ the Cavs tie with Minn for worst record. Because we are the Cavs and Chicago is in our schedule – it is very unlikely we’ll win out the rest of the season or have any need to ‘tank’. Heck we can play our ‘best’ ball and still lose all 4 remaining games. Minn is likely going to lose their remaining 3 games, unless somebody they play decides to rest their best players for the playoffs and not impacted by a loss to Minn. Honestly I’ve been paying a lot more attention to the Clippers hoping they keep losing.… Read more »
@Cooley Ford- Apparently not long run :(
John – I think you meant Reggie Evans, not Reggie Williams.
NO WAY do the Cavs tank the rest of the season. The best thing that a young team can learn is how to win. This won’t turn them into the Jordan Bulls or anything, but this is great experience. And maybe this is idealistic, but I don’t want players/a coach that would tank on purpose, even if the order came down from management. Play hard, play right, and get the draft picks however the balls drop. It would be funny if the Cavs win out, don’t have the most ping pong balls, their pick ends up being #3, and the… Read more »
For what it’s worth, when we won the lottery in ’03, we won 2 of our last 3 games, and actually anded up tied with Denver in lottery odds. I’d say that worked out just fine.
Seriously: like we haven’t lost enough this year, we should be losing on purpose now?
Sucks to this tanking talk!
If having the worst record guaranteed you the first pick, then there’d be an argument. But tanking to *slightly increase* your already good chances for a top-3 pick? That’s shameful.
Also, I’ve seen what Baron can do. Time to shut him down for the year. Let the tanking begin.
Well, folks. I really, really enjoy watching Baron Davis play. Even fat, injured Baron Davis is just so entertaining. That being said, I would like skinny, healthy Baron Davis to be playing next year with the top overall pick, so if the Cavs don’t mind, it might be time to rest Baron’s bulky back and insure that we lose these games. I hate tanking, but we really are a mediocre team with Baron opposed to a completely horrific team without him. This is not the time to be mediocre…. As far as the game was concerned, there was a lot… Read more »
Ricky Rubio is making noise about his window of opportunity to take a buyout. Someone like Barnes would help them as would Enes Kanter (if he’s as advertised). Still…
Minny has @DEN, @PHX, HOU -all very losable
Cas have CHI, @MIL, @DET, WAS – all are losable.. and winnable. We need to lose all 4 to ensure worst record (or tie w/MIN)??
Wouldn’t it be fun for WAS to cost us Kyrie Irving by their ta king against US? ;)
The T-wolves will probably draft Irving if they get the #1 pick. They have Beasley at SF and Love at PF.
However, I don’t see many other teams with PG as their main need. The Kings have Tyreke Evans, the Wiz have Wall, Nets have DWill, and the Raptors need everything.
Pretty sure that isn’t going to happen unless we win out and own the tiebraker with Toronto, and they simultaneously lose out. That also involves us beating Chicago next. I think its unlikely. We are pretty well guaranteed the first or second best percentage chance to receive the first pick.
Serious Question: SHOULD the Cavs be tanking? I mean Minny won’t want a PG (barring a trade) but do we want to risk falling from 2nd pick to 3rd?
BUT… how do you tell a young team, possibly starting to gel that.. we need you to lose (but don’t be obvious about it)??