Rant & Live Thread: Cavs @ Raptors (Or, Maybe This Game Matters)

The Cavs are in Canada to try and come back from one of their worst games in the past six years. Cleveland did not look good against the Wolves. They lost by 28 and were down by as many as 41 one points in the third quarter.

Over the course of the evening, Cleveland’s defense turned into what you can expect to see during an All-Star game. Guys we’re leaping passing lanes with no chance at a steal and then throwing their arms up in awe when Karl-Anthony Towns slammed down a wide open tip-back or just a regular old dunk.

I’ve blogged about the Cavs in some capacity now for about six years. That game against the Wolves was easily the worst effort I’ve ever seen Cleveland put forth, pre-LeBron return era included.

Which leads me to ask this question: Why does Tyronn Lue still have a job?

I’m being serious right now, and people don’t seem to understand why I’m even asking this. At least the fans and friends I talk to in person.  Yet, I’ve never heard one solid reason to keep him aside from his out of timeout plays being solid and that “he’s good.”

Heres a newsflash: that game showed Lue isn’t a good coach. If one says the Cavs don’t listen to him and that he isn’t responsible for that loss, then he needs to hit the road and the front office should find someone the team respects and listens to. And, if the team does listen to him, then he’s entirely responsible for the loss and should still be canned. A title contending team doesn’t go down by 40 with all of their stars healthy!

Tonight’s game isn’t super important in the grand scheme of winning the Finals for the Cavs but it is important in figuring out if the team needs to be shook up. The Raptors are deep. Every single guy on their roster can play; they’re a great blend of veteran smarts and youthful unknowns.

Some of the Raptors vets will miss tonight. Serge Ibaka is serving a one game suspension, and Kyle Lowry is unlikely because of a back injury he sustained against Brooklyn on Monday. If he plays, he’ll be a little slow. All Cleveland needs to do is slow down DeMar DeRozan (easier said than done as he now shoots 3s and has become a vastly better passer this season) and show some pride to keep me from wanting Lue tossed and wanting a serious trade to go down. A win isn’t even necessary, they just need to keep it close.

DeMar DeRozan’s 2017-2018 stats

On a side note, slowing DeMar will be difficult. The guy is shooting nearly 10% better on 3s than he did a season ago, and averaging a full assist per game more. He’s revamped his game and become what Kobe probably would have been if he came along eight years later with 13% less natural talent.

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Here’s my last rant about Monday: The worst part about the Wolves game was the giant “screw you” that radiated from the team towards viewers. People paid to go to that game. People paid for cable to watch it. Some people paid for internet or spent time finding a stream to watch the game. People spend their time watching it. The Cavs are paid and paid handsomely to at least entertain and put forth effort. They haven’t been doing that lately.

I’m a chef. If I put forth the effort most of the team did on Monday, I’d serve some people raw fried chicken and then open a can of collards in front of them and just throw it on their plates. I wouldn’t even pour red pepper flakes on it, which takes basically no initiative at all. I’d be fired. The NBA isn’t a kitchen, but it shouldn’t be some work place outside of basic job rules and courtesies.

Do the Cavs need to make a drastic change, or are you guys not worried at all? Let me know. I’m not crazy thinking this game will mean a little something for them, right?