Recap: Mavericks 111, Cavaliers 98 (or, Lukamania Runs Wild)
2019-02-02
The Dallas Mavericks came to Quicken Loans Arena to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in what was a night of beginnings and endings for Cavalier fans. Those at the Q got their first up close look at the Mavericks’ rookie sensation, Luka Doncic. It was also the final game at the Q for Mavs legend and future Hall of Famer, Dirk Nowitzki. While these were exciting moments for the fans, the Cavaliers were more concerned with winning their third game in a row for the first time this season.
First Quarter
With a short-handed roster after the trade for Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks went with a starting lineup of Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, Harrison Barnes, Jalen Brunson, and Maxi Klieber. The Cavaliers countered with Collin Sexton, Alec Burks, Rodney Hood, Cedi Osman, and Ante Zizic. After a cold shooting start to the first two minutes of the game, both teams seemingly scored at will for the next few minutes. The Cavaliers were successful attacking mismatches to score at the basket, while the Mavericks got off to a hot start from beyond the arc. Doncic was the only Maverick able to consistently score at the basket as he was a blur in transition that the Cavaliers simply couldn’t keep up with. The one time Osman was able to stay with him, Doncic hit Dwight Powell for a monster alley oop. Osman was aggressive attacking the basket, and Jordan Clarkson added his usual scoring off the bench. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers defense was the nightmare it’s been all season as Doncic had 18 points in the quarter to give the Mavericks a 40-31 lead.
Luka goes behind the back and then scores on the break! pic.twitter.com/TykUnDw0a2
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 3, 2019
Second Quarter
Larry Nance Jr. led a burst to start the second quarter as he both finished at the basket and used his emerging playmaking to set up teammates as the Cavs cut the Mavs’ lead to five. Osman gave the Cavs a scare when he rolled his ankle after a basket. He stayed in the game after a time out, but later went back to the locker room with trainer Steve Spiro. The Cavaliers picked it up on defense, particularly on the perimeter, holding the Mavericks scoreless for six minutes as part of a 20-6 run to start the quarter and to take a 51-46 lead after trailing by 11 early in the quarter. David Nwaba came off the bench for six points in his first action in over a month after injuring his ankle. Much of this run came with Nance in for Zizic, and Doncic on the bench for the Mavericks. When both young players returned, Doncic resumed attacking the basket, scoring 28 points in the half and taking the lead back for the Mavericks by a score of 58-55. Osman and Clarkson led the Cavaliers with 10 points apiece, while Nance had 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Third Quarter
Nwaba started the second half for Osman, who was ruled out for the rest of the game with an ankle injury. He made an immediate impact, scoring the first six points of the quarter for the Cavaliers as they briefly retook the lead. Doncic switched up his offensive dominance by starting to draw fouls and get to the line. Sexton struggled to finish, but continued to attack the basket and found Ante Zizic who was rolling to the rim. The rookie followed up an offensive foul with a three to tie the game, showing the ups and downs young players have. Despite being in the bonus for much of the quarter, the Cavaliers struggled to get to the line. Meanwhile, the Mavericks began to get to the rim and either finish or get to the line, regaining and extending their lead to double digits before free throws by Clarkson and Mathew Dellavedova brought the Cavs within six as the Mavs led 86-80 heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter
The quarter started with lids on the baskets as neither team scored for the first three minutes of the quarter. Both teams took several ill-advised attempts in addition to several players missing some shots they would normally make. Jalen Brunson broke the drought when he knocked down a three while being fouled by Nance. Brunson then knocked down the free throw to give the Mavericks a 10 point lead. After struggling the entire game, Harrison Barnes scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, quite possibly the first time he’s ever scored in the fourth quarter against the Cavs (couldn’t help it). With Osman out, the Cavaliers struggled to score (and defend, of course) as the Mavericks pulled away to win by a final score of 11-98. Doncic finished with 35 points to go along with 11 rebounds and six assists, while Clarkson led the Cavaliers with 19 points.
Things I Noticed
Cedi Osman will not return to game due to a right ankle injury. https://t.co/Nu94gK7oBZ
— Angel Gray (@Angel_Gray1) February 3, 2019
Just as Nwaba comes back, Osman gets hurt. It sure would be nice to see what this team is when they are fully healthy. Chances are, it likely wouldn’t matter much in terms of wins and losses, but a healthy roster would help the Cavaliers better know which of their players fit together well and could be a part of the team’s future. The more information a team has about their players, the better.
As the season has gone on, Jordan Clarkson has begun to score more after getting the ball while running off of screens. This decrease in isolation plays has seemed to increase his efficiency, and helped the Cavaliers move the ball a bit more. Clarkson still tries to iso far too often, but there has been some improvement as he has allowed Matthew Dellavedova to run the second team offense. Now, if he could just show some improvement on defense.
Sexton struggled from the floor tonight, going 4 of 17 from the field. Still, he did a nice job of attacking the basket, and while he only made one three, he took more of them rather than the long twos he had been taking. An improved shot selection is the first step in improving his efficiency as a scorer. Slowing down and letting the game come to him will help as well.
David Nwaba returned tonight for his first action since December 23, missing 18 straight games with knee and ankle issues. He seemed to be on a minutes restriction, but looked good in his limited minutes.
A lineup of Osman, Nwaba, Kevin Love, and either Nance or Tristan Thompson would be strong enough to at least help Collin Sexton develop. He wouldn’t have to take any major defensive assignments, and would have smart offensive players around him, if not great shooters. The lineup would certainly be better than the players Kyrie Irving was surrounded by early in his career. While Sexton’s future may be as a Clarkson type of scorer off the bench, the Cavaliers need to find out what they have in the rookie before making that decision.
The Cavaliers will be back in action Tuesday night when Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics visit the Q. We’ll talk to you then.
ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE WEIRD VIBES WITH THE WIZ FRANCHISE —GOING BACK TO THE GILBERT ARENAS DAYS
WOW/ OUCH—-SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS—-WONDER IF HE WILL EVER COME BACK TO HIS FORMER SELF/ HIS GAME IS ALL PREDICATED ON EXPLOSIVENESS
John Wall ruptured achilles after a fall at home. Out 12 months. What a disaster that contract is. I bet most of those supermax deals will end in tears.
There are around 10 guys in the league who deserve them: Bron, Curry, KD, Kawhi, & Giannis for sure. Probably Harden, AD, and PG13. After that? Embiid? Kyrie? Jokic? Russ? Baker’s dozen, tops.
But every team gives the max to their best player.
That supermax is going to go to older players…some, like Lebron, are worth it, others, like maybe CP3 and Wall, are going to be fighting injuries for most of the deal. Although I have a feeling that that Wall’s ‘fall at home’ had something to do with beverages…
Wow, sucks for Wall.
That team/organizariom is in shambles.
does he favor the henny, like jr?
Bizarre and probably the end of his above average play. Bad injury for a guy that relies on his athleticism.
We should see what picks they’ll give us to take that contract.
They ain’t got enough picks for THAT contract. Yikes. 4 more years. Last a PO for $46 million he would be insane to turn down.
Wonder what a stretch on that would look like? He ‘only’ makes $19 million this year. TT straight up. JR, Stauskas, and Baldwin works.
We could wait to see what the recovery looks like before deciding. But I just do not like the vibe around the guy. Wiz fans think they are better without him.
Cavs should continue to shop Burks & JR.
We should be willing to eat bad contracts (Knight, Hill, Batun, Parsons, etc) but only on exchange for mid firsts or legit prospects.
If we do, we should be able to land one for each player.
Schaudenfruede update:
1) Lakers in 10th facing no 2nd star or gut the team choice. With every guy on the roster not named LBJ having been offered up.
2) Boston is close to being down to two picks (instead of for). Grizz keep theirs if it is top 8. They sit 6th and are looking to offload Gasol & Conley. Kings are 9th and right on LACs heels for the last PO spot. If Clips fall into the lotto, Bos loses that pick. And if the Kings climb past them, zero lotto picks for Boston.
HE PLAYED 11/30 IN BOSTON —–NEVER IN ROAD GAME AT CLEVELAND THIS YEAR —” CONVENIENT INJURIES ” ?
KYRIE OUT TONIGHT—-HAS HE PLAYED AGAINST THE CAVS AT ALL THIS YEAR
IF THE PELS DO MAKE THE TRADE —-HOPE TO GOD THE “GUT ” THE LAKERS OF THEIR YOUTH / FUTURE —-KUZMA/ BALL / INGRAM / –3/ 1ST ROUND PICKS —LET THE LAKERS FALL FLAT ON THIER A— IN THIER PURSUIT TO APPEASE LEBRON / WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP—-MEANWHILE GIVING AWAY THEIR FUTURE FOR YEARS TO COME !!!——-ARE STAUKAS / BALDWIN PLAYING TONIGHT ?
Can’t wait 😁
Holy Cow!
He can definitely do that…
Not trying to be an a$$, but that’s not really special. I mean, this are NBA players and a simple catch/spin.
*These
*That’s a
360 oops are rare even in dunk contests.
Nice. Jr was the first to pull that off in the nba about 8 years ago in a game against Minny.
Low key pretty good so far
Any way the cavs can help facilitate that Lakers trade and gleen a solid pick or a young gun like Hart and i say do it. Jason I like your thought process on that. Throwing JR in on that would be a stroke of genius.
I’m still on the fence about whether it’s worth keeping TT around for his leadership and toughness, or whether he is eating too many ZZ and Nance minutes to keep.
Bagley showing out tonight… he’s a fun watch!!! Giles didn’t look bad either. They’re both soooo young too. They’re trying to close it out on the stretch against the Spurs.
For all the Luka crap the Kings take, Fox has been excellent this year. Both he and Hield had better years than Klay. So you can see why they went with a big as their backcourt was set (though Luka ar SF was possible).
Bagley is good. I still would have went Luka or JJJ. I think tge top 5 may all turn into blue chippers.
lakers offering 6 players + 2 1st rnd picks for the brow.. kuzma, ball, ingram, rondo, stephenson and beasley.. who they gonna have on floor with king-brow?
obviously, i am missing something.. likely somethings.. enlighten me please..
can the king-brow win with walk-ons?
Bron-Love + walk-ons made the Finals and damn near won game 1. And Davis is better than Love. Different though.
father time is stalking LBJ.. and as we know.. no one wins that race
Made the finals in an incredibly weak east last year. Wouldn’t have beat this year’s Toronto or Milwaukee.
Would still have Hart, KCP, McGee, Zubac. Probably would pick up a few players like Melo once buyout season starts.
I’m sure they could compete, but it would require major minutes from LBJ. At age 34 after 8 straight Finals and coming off a soft tissue injury, not sure that’s the best idea.
the pels are 23-30.. the brow has some pretty good help on that team.. mirotic, holiday, randle and payton.. the brow is a hall of famer.. i get it.. but hoops is still a team game.. the king-brow and a few competent players.. i guess we will have to watch and find out.. if i am the pels.. i make that trade.. today
Lot of injuries. Payton almist the whole year and Mirotic for a good chunk. Davis himself has to have misses a dozen or so.
Point well taken, though. Not a top 5-7 player in my book (Bron, Curry, KD, Kawhi, Harden, Giannis, PG13).
Yeah, would look like:
Starting 5: Hart, KCP, Bron, Brow, + whichever C you start (McGee, Chandler, Zubac).
Bench: Svi Mykhailiuk, Hill (from NO), Mo Wagner, the two centers who are not starting, Melo, and they are gonna need to make some other moves for wing depth.
Would you eat Hill’s salary next year and give them JR for Mo Wagner?
any youngster with a little talent and a pulse gets a thumbs up.. its cavsdans $$.. zion (or whoever) will need some help.. time for rehearsals
Windhorst was saying when the AD request broke that if the Pels traded him to the Lakers, they should demand and get EVERYTHING…including unloading Hill’s crap contract. I agree. They are apparently asking for four first round picks now, why not. Lebron doesn’t care about the picks, and he’s the one ultimately pressuring the Lakers here. I still doubt they trade him to the Lakers, but if they do, they’d better absolutely stripmine the Laker assets. Wish the Cavs had played hardball dealing with the Celtics. (or better yet, not dealt with them at all)
Or done the Brogdon + Middleton deal with the Bucks.
Though KM would be heading for FA now. Brogdon, JR, Middleton, Bron, Love, TT, Korver, Wade, Rose, Cedi + whatever we work at the deadline gives GSW a better run than last year.
Report is NO wants 4 1sts plus seconds on top of the players.
I wonder if the Cavs get involved with the Lakers/Pels. Or shortly thereafter. The Pels want LA to eat some future salary (Solomon Hill’s contract which has 1 more year on it at around $12.5 mil). LA is loathe to do so because it stops them from having 2 max (or 1 max with Davis) space next year. And would likely stretch Hill. If the deal goes down, or before, offer to take Hill for JR. JR is nearly on an expiring. They might could even flip the contract in the summer ad the full value can be used in… Read more »
YEAH MIKEO WITH MY LOOKS– ( OR LACK OF )–HAVE TO BE A REAL OPTIMIST AND HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR : )——–WE CAN DREAM CAN’T WE : )
YEP–POUND SALT LAKERS !!!!!——————-WILL PROBABLY GET “BALSTED ‘ FOR MAKING THIS COMPARISON—–STAUKAS 1ST 5 YRS IN LEAGUE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO J.J. REDDICKS ——MAYBE A LATE BLOOMER ? —THOUGHTS / OPINIONS
You are a real optimist, NOMAD. :)
Reddick was always a very good three point shooter. Averaged about 39% those 5 years and shot over 40 one year. He didn’t get to Korver level until later, bit he was always good. Stauskas is nowhere near the shooter, especially not on the move. He is bigger though. Haven’t watched much of him in the nba, but I seem to recall he was an ok athlete in college. Agree on the Lakers. Hope they get left in the cold. Pelicans can still get way more this summer since he has a year left. He goes to a team that… Read more »
I think Stauskas is a rental, ditto Baldwin. Stauskas is not near the defender JJ was (or even is). Portland needs wing scoring/shooting (and size) to help Dame/CJ and Stauskas got time early and fell out of the rotation. That should tell you something.
They think Hood is an upgrade over him.
True. Reddick has always been solid defensively at the 2 guard.
LOL…Lakers make the godfather offer now…Lebron must be incredibly frustrated. I hope the Pels tell them to pound sand, although it will be the best offer they get, as crummy as it is.
I find his interest in the clippers shocking.
He’s naming teams without the assets to trade for him so he can say he gave them options.
Yep… this list is just AD and Klutch’s collusion alibi…
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Though I do think the Clips are legit interesting for a lot of players. It is LA. Ballmer/Jerry West/Franks as the owner/FO/GM is solid. And they do not have to deal with Bron running out in 2-3 years and leaving everything in smoking ruin. Plus, even if Harris/Gallo walk in FA, they still have good players on good contracts at almost every spot. But they are more a FA player than trades. Though they keep their pick if in the lotto. If they started unloading some vets for picks (Harris, Gallo, Bradley, Beverly), they could make… Read more »
SO WHAT IS STATUS OF HENSON—IS HE GOING TO PLAY SOON —–OTHER TEAMS SHOWING ANY INTEREST IN AQUIRING HIM —–DO CAVS WANT TO TRADE OR KEEP HIM ——————ANY REPORTS ON CEDI
I think Henson broke his hand/wrist. Do not know if he plays this year or not. He is not an expiring so I would assume he is not likely to be traded. He is our best rim protector, though that is a low bar. FWIW, I like 5 bigs & 3 PGs on a roster, now we have that. One too many bigs and with JR eating up a spot, we are thin at F, especially SF/PF types. Which is where our 2 ways are. PG: Sexton, Delly, Baldwin = 3. Kerp both YB & Delly for next year. Free… Read more »
WOW JASON ALOT OF WORK ON YOUR PART / MUCH APPRECIATED / YOU REALLY WERE BORED WITH THE S.B. : )—AGREE DO NOT TRADE / GIVE AWAY BURK—WE SHOULD HAVE LEVERAGE IN ANY TRADE —–LOOKING AT THE 3 PT % WE REALLY HAVEN’T DROPPED OFF FROM THE PLAYERS WE TRADED– –POSSSIBLY / HOPEFULLY STAUSKAS CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE THEM –ALONG WITH KLOVE ———LIKE ANY TRADE DEADLINE —COULD BE ALOT OF NOISE MADE THROUGHOUT THE LEAGUE –COULD BE QUIET—NORMALLY IT TAKES 1 TEAM TO MAKE A BOLD MOVE TO SET THE DOMINOES IN ACTION
Pluto reports Cavs have no intention of trading Burks unless a 1st rounder is involved. Posturing perhaps?
I would not be opposed to keeping him if he would settle for $7 mil a year or so. Can handle a little. Willing defender. Shot from deep has improved lately.
We could be looking at this to close the season:
Starters: Sexton, Burks, Cedi, Love, TT/LNJ.
Reserves: Delly, JC, Nwaba, LNJ/TT, Zizic.
Deep bench: Frye, Stauskas, Baldwin, Adel, Blossomgame.
Inj/Not with team: Henson, JR
Anyone heard anything about Cedi’s status?
Thanks for putting that together Jason. The beginnings of a massive stockpile could be in order. Wonder if even with a stockpile the cavs will be able to find a GM-coach combo to turn those assets into a winner
Cavs picks per realgm: 2019 Our 1st: We are keeping it. We’d have to finish 7th worst to have a non-zero chance of picking 11th. 2019 Our 2nd: To Orl, NY, Sac, or LAC. JR/Shump trade. ————— 2020 Our 1st: To ATL (prot 1-10, if not conveyed, they get our 2nd in 2021 & 2022). Korver trade. 2020 Our 2nd: To Charlotte. 2016 trade with Charlotte? 2020: Utah’s 2nd. Korver trade. —————— 2021 Our 1st: keep 2021: Our 2nd: keep; unless we keep our 1st (prot 1-10) in 2020, then to ATL. 2021 Portland’s 2nd: 2021 Milwaukee’s 2nd ‘———– 2022… Read more »
FWIW: 3PT% for the Cavs this year:
Departed players: Hill 46.4%, Korver 46.3%, Dekker 38.5%, Hood 36.2%, Payne 36.0%, Jones 35.7%, McCaw 25.0%, Harrison 21.4%.
Still with team: Adel 42.9%, Delly 39.0%, Sexton 38.3%, Burks 38.1%, Frye 37.9%, Clarkson 34.1%, Osman 32.4%, Nance 31.7%, Blossomgame 31.3%, JR 30.8%, Love 29.2%, Nwaba 25.7%.
Most makes on the team: JC 94, Cedi 78, Sexton 49, Burks 43, Delky 32.
SEXTON / STAUKAS WERE BOTH # 8 DRAFT PICKS—-THIS IS STAUKAS 5TH TEAM SINCE BEING DRAFTED IN 2014—–SO WIL SEXTON HOPEFULLY TURN OUT TO BE A BETTER # 8 DRAFT PICK—–TIME WILL TELL
Sexton has already had a better rookie season than Stauskas did. It’s up to him to improve.
AGREE AGAIN WHICH IS WHY BOTH OF OUR ON CTB / POSTING ——–DO YOU THINK CAVS GIVE BALDWIN A LEGITIMATE CHANCE / PLAYING TIME —–MIGHT BE THERE ESPECIALLY IF BURK IS TRADED —–HE (BALDWIN )DEFINITELY HAS AN NBA BODY
My guess is G-league.
On FtS they said Baldwin had some clashes with folks on a personal level. Can’t remember if in Portland or Memphis. Hinted we may just waive him.
Of course, maybe there is another trade in the hamper so we do not have to.
Stauskas can be traded immediately as long as we do not aggregate his salart with someone else’s in the deal.
SB is trash. Neither team deserves to be there.
In terms of drafting, I believe the Cavs have 4 guys on the roster who started with Cleveland:
1) 1st Rd picks: TT, Sexton
2) 2nd Rd pick: Osman
3) Undrafted FA: Delly (trade later)
4) Aquired in trade: Love, Nance, Clarkson, Zizic, Burke, Henson, JR, Stauskas, Baldwin.
5) FA signing: Nwaba, Simmons, Frye
AGREE—MAYBE STAUSKAS CAN BE OF SOME VALUE / SHOOTER OFF THE BENCH —-2023 DRAFT MIGHT BE SOME VALUE–I CAN SEE PORTLAND BY THEN BEING SIMILAR TO WHERE WE ARE NOW ( MAYBE NOT THAT BAD )– BUT IN DEFINITE REBUILD MODE —-CHANCE OF GETTING A HIGH 2ND ROUNDER ————–WHAT ARE THE NBA RULES—IS THERE A CHANCE THAT CAVS COULD USE STAUKAS AS TRADE BAIT —PACKAGED WITH MAYBE BURK —–NOT SURE WHAT RULES STATE ABOUT JUST AQUIRING A PLAYER –IF THERE IS A CERTAIN TIME FRAME THEY CAN’T BE TRADED AGAIN ———–I THINK HOODS STATS / PERFORMANCE WILL GO UP SOMEWHAT—–BE… Read more »
In my view, Hood is not a SG but a SF. Portland sees him there too. Cedi is better than Hood right now.
Bottom line: he was not going to be a major piece for us going forward (backup at best), his play was trending down, and likely gone at the end of the year. His contract $$ was small at around $3 million and he could veto a trade. So his value was low. Two second rounders and a 2.5 months to look at two players. I will take it.
HOOD “INI “
I thought Hood was traded weeks ago… haha… the guy was the great disappearing act most nights.
stauskus is a dekker-like player.. almost a clone.. never heard of baldwin.. from the looks of his stats.. appears to be a g-leaguer.. ya never know about 2nd rounders, but our record in this area is rather dismal.. looks like drek for drek.. but stauskas can catch fire every 20 games or so.. going for high 20s.. into 30s.. just don’t smoke the hopium on him.. my take.. we got rid of rodney, who is obviously a legend in his own mind..
Stauskas is a 6’5″ shooting guard.
Dekker is a 6’9″ SF/PF.
Not clones. Other than they are both white and marginal NBA players.
as i stated.. clones.. white and marginal.. undoubted separated at birth
Not sad to see Hood go… but wish him well in Portland. I like Stauskas… rhymes with Ilgauskas…
Sauce will help the Cavs lose, maybe even better than Hood…I also wish Hood well, but I’m not getting my hopes up. Stotts’ system will probably be better for him than what the Cavs run, anyway…
I AM GOING WITH JASON ( ON REDDISH )–IF WE DROP 4TH / 5TH –I “ROLL THE DICE ‘ ON REDDISH / JUST THINK THE ZION TRAIN HAS MAYBE TAKEN AWAY FROM HIM ———HEY JASON ANYTIME YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WANT TO “GIVE ” UP SOME DUKIES TICKETS LET ME KNOW : )
Will do. They will never give them up voluntarily. Illness is the only hope. On the trade: Hood is not very good. Despite putting up decent shooting splits. He plays iffy D despite good length. He does not get a lot of boards or assists. Too lanky to guard quick SGs and too skinny to defend a SF with any post game. The idea of Hood is greater than the reality. Still, Portland has Aminu & Layman at SF, so he should see time. Two seconds (Portland’s own) could be valuable 3 & 5 years as Dame ages or they… Read more »
Agree with everything you said except that Hood has decent shooting splits: 42.7% from the field is garbage (career 42%) , 36.2% from 3 (career 36.8% from 3). Just not good enough.
“The idea of Rodney Hood is greater than the reality” – so true, Jason. So true.
“ALL IS GOOD IN THE HOOD “—-SHORT LIVED / GONE FOREVER —–OPINIONS ON TRADE —-YEY / NEY / NOT SURE —-I AM GOING WITH YEY
I was expecting a meh 2nd and maybe something else, they got two meh/ crappy 2nds and some other stuff, so I’m fine with it. Someone might even talk themselves into Sauce being a possible player, but I’m not doing that.
Now? When did he
1) Buy that jersey (Tide + Hood)
2) Decide to wear it
Yikes.
Nice cap, Mike! I was super bummed my DVR didn’t grab this.
Sauce Castillo!
Boy, is Portland gonna be disappointed…
Seriously a 2023 2nd round pick?! C’mon Koby lol
Ive grown to like Hood more than i did at the start of the season, but he hasn’t been good enough to be worth what it likely would’ve cost to keep him long term. At least we get some return for him. Now if we can just turn this grab bag of 2nd rounders we are collecting into something at least slightly valuable in the forseeable future, then this year of trades mau start to look encouraging.
JUST FINISHED WATCHING SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF JA MORANT—-WOW —–KID HAS MOVED UP TO 2ND IN ALOT OF MOCK DRAFTS/ PASSING BARRETT——-REDDISH HAS SLIPPED SOMEWHAT TO 4TH –7TH / STILL THINK HE WILL BE A “SLEEPER “——– IF THE PING PONG BALLS DON’T FALL IN CAVS FAVOR —–THEY DON’T GET A CHANCE AT ZION / MORANT OR BARRETT— I WOULD TAKE REDDISH —–OPINIONS ?
I think if the Cavs drop to 4 or 5, they should think about trading down.
I have family that are HUGE Duke fans. Watch every game. Travel to games. Watch them all.
They both think Reddish will be the best player in 2-3 years. They think he is a better athlete than Barrett and can shoot unlike Zion. He doesn’t get as rattled/tunnel vision like Barrett can.
Motor is the thing. Or is he just rightly defering at this point?
If we are down at 4-7 I would either take Reddish or someone else with actual good shooting splits.
I don’t see it with Reddish. Seems like a tall version of Been McLemore, except not as good of a shooter. Can’t dribble. Not a great first step. Not a great passers or defender. Not a finisher at all. Very one dimensional.
He definitely will never be in the same class as Zion unless Zion gets injured.
YEP AND JUST BEING IN L.A. WITH LEBRON ‘S PRESENCE TO GO ALONG WITH THE DAILY TRADE RUMORS / PICKING UP MELO / FIRING OF WALTON ———YEP SOUNDS LIKE A FUN LOCKERROOM TO ME ——I DIDN’T EVEN MENTION ” THE MOUTH LAVAR BALL “—ALTHOUGH I THINK MAGIC PUT A “MUZZLE ” ON HIM —–I MIGHT BE A MINORITY HERE BUT I ACTUALLY ROOTED FOR WARRIORS TO BEAT LAKERS LAST NIGHT —THEY ARE SO DESERVING !!
SEVERAL VETERAN LAKER PLAYERS HAVE HEATED EXCHANGE WITH WALTON AFTER WARRIORS GAME—–GOTTA LOVE IT !!———-HEY LUKE CMON TO THE CAVS WHERE WE WILL APPRECIATE YOUR TALENT AS A COACH / PERSON ——BRING THE ‘OL MAN ” WITH YOU HE CAN WORK ON ANTE ‘S POST GAME
Washed up vets on one year deals playing for contracts and a bunch of young players who know they’re expendable to Lebron…who woulda thunk that might be a problem…
Overblown clickbait on the LA locker room. Though how LeBron has approached things has to create some resentment. Amongst the younger AND older players. On that subject, am I the only one who thinks Davis is definitely NOT a top 5 player. POs in 2 out of 7 years. 1 series victory. Gets lots of blocks but the Pels D is not that good. And he whines about not wanting to play the 5, despite that being the obvious best move fir the team. I mean: LeBron, Curry, KD, Kawhi, Harden, Giannis. All those guys have led their teams to… Read more »
I think AD is a bit overrated. Great player, but always injured, and has been mostly been unable to carry a team even when healthy. He’d be an excellent piece next to Lebron, though. I still kind of doubt that’s happening until his current deal is up.
Agreed about AD. He’s a great player with great stats, but he can’t lead a team like Giannis, Lebron, Westbrook, CP3, (before this year), Harden, Curry, Durant, and some others. I think he is almost exactly like Love pre-Cavs. Great player, great stats, but he needs to play with another star and be willing to sacrifice stats to have a chance at a ring. It’s too hard to be a superstar leading a team to success in the modern NBA as a 4-5 unless you are also a prolific passer and shooter. AD can do both, but not well enough… Read more »
Given his age though, he’s a top 5 asset, even if he might not be a top 5 player at the moment.
YOUNG STARTING TO GET “A FEEL ” FOR THE NBA GAME —–HIS T.O. ‘ S HAVE GONE DONE RECENTLY ALSO—FOR AWHILE HE WAS GETTING 6-8 T.O’S / GAME
Yep. Collins being back helps too. Having a guy to play off of can make a huge difference is everyone knows (or is willing to learn) how to leverage it for the team’s benefit.
Hope the same dynamic happens here with Love’s return.
Grizz at Knicks at 1 pm. NY winnable game. Conley a ? for Memphis slong with Brooks, Anderson, Parsons, & a vouple others. NY without Mudiay & 1-2 others.
If new guys play, NY has a shot.
Trae Young with 5 straight games of 23+ points and 8+ dimes. Last rook with a longer streak: Oscar Robertson.
Any Cedi updates?
We have one more game pre-deadline. Celtics I think.
On the draft, it is a good sign we are scouting Morant. It means we are not so blinded by Sexton that we refuse to take another PG type (though they could play together due to Morant’s athleticism).
I LIKED BRUNSON COMING OUT OF COLLLEGE AS A LATE 1ST / EARLY 2ND ROUND PICK—–WHO IS BETTER RIGHT NOW —SEXTON OR BRUNSON ———UNDERSTAND ALL THE VARIABLES INVOLVED –OPINIONS ?
Me too on Brunson. Like a Brogdon type. 4 years. Not the most athletic. Not the most ‘upside’. But he understands how to play & can run the offense, pass & shoot.
Right now, Brunson is better. Though he has Carlisle & Doncic & even Barnes to help him. Once Love gets back, we will see how things look.
Brunson is a douche. Has skills, but his flop parade last night makes me hate him and glad i don’t have to root for him.
HOOD IS NOT HELPING THE CAVS AT ALL IN THEIR REGARDS TO TRADING HIM FOR A DECENT EXCHANGE—-ALTHOUGH I CAN SEE HOOD AFTER BEING TRADED— RETURN TO “UTAH HOOD ” FORM –BECOME MORE VISIBLE —-IT’S A CLEVELAND THING ——KNOW THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR—-THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON RIGHT NOW BETWEEN LUKA AND THE YOUNG BULL —HOPEFULLLY 3 YRS FROM NOW SEXTON WILL HAVE CLOSED THE GAP—-DONCIC IS HEADED FOR SUPERSTARDOM / WILL ENJOY FOLLOWING HIS CAREER —-KOLBY WAS SCOUTING MORANT LAST NIGHT –HE WENT FOR 28/ 6–KID IS “UBER ‘ ATHLETIC——-JUST THINK THE “BASKETBALL ” GODS ARE GOING TO SMILE… Read more »
Being reported that Hood has interest from several teams, but Cavs asking price hasn’t been met yet. Also Burks….I think both are going to be traded for certain, but maybe not until close to the last minute.