Podcap: Celtics 103, Cavs 96 (or, Riding The Young Bull)
2019-02-06It’s been an up and down season for Cavs fans, but it’s always exciting to see progress from young players… even in a losing effort. Down a couple more hombres, with Rodney Hood gone in a trade to Portland and Cedi Osman out with an ankle sprain, the Cavaliers rode their Young Bull for the first three quarters of their contest against the Boston Celtics. For a change, Collin Sexton looked less like a mechanical bull, and more like a fast and dangerous real life one right out of the chute. The rookie changed speeds and got to the rack with gusto, scoring 27 points (two off his career high). He faded in the fourth, going 0-6 after an 11-18 showing beforehand, but the Cavs almost stole it anyway behind The Bandit (Alec Burks) possible farewell performance for the wine & gold.
Nate and EG hung on well past their initial 8 seconds, spending 90 minutes breaking down this one, and then riding on to a variety of other topics. They cover the Lakers getting an epic goring from the Pacers, the absolute rope-a-dope job the Pelicans are doing on Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, and get all tangled up in guessing how the impending trade deadline will go down. We’re particularly bullish about bringing a certain patron of weirdos back to the Land.
As always, check us out below, on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-193-riding-the-youngbull
FWIW, next year we a snug up against the tax line already. Tax projected at $132 mil, Cavs at $120 million with 10 players (not counting JR or Frye or Nwaba’s cap hold/projected vost to retain).
Throw in 2 1sts ($6-7 mil) + Nawaba’s salary (hopefully) + 2 min salary and we are likely at or over the tax line. Expect cost cutting moves next year or we could just let high dollar guys expire: TT at $18.5, Knight $15.6, Clarkson $13.4, Henson $10.5, Delly $9.6 = $68 million coming off.
TRADE DEADLINE IS WHAT KEEPS THE INTEREST OF FANS —-NOW –(YAWN )–WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PLAYOFFS ——CHRISS IN PRE DRAFT REPORTS —-” FREAKISH ATHLETE —RUN / JUMP OUT OF THE GYM—–KIND OF ROLL THE DICE TYPE OF PLAYER —BLOOM OR BUST “—–ONLY 21 —-DO WE HANG ONTO HIM / GIVE HIM A LEGITIMATE CHANCE TO SHOW / DISPLAY HIS SKILLS —MAYBE MAKE T.T. AVAILABLE COME SUMMER OR HENSON —OR POSSIBLY KOLBY MOVES ONE OF THE POSTS TODAY IF RIGHT DEAL COMES ACROSS ———JUST HOPE PELS STAY FIRM ON NO DEAL WITH THE LAKERS —-THINKING THAT IS THE GENERAL… Read more »
He is Billy Preston 2.0. Think we try to move JR today. Though that contract has more value in the summer. We will see if we go buyout or not. Moving TT/Henson/Love is tough as they are all injured. If you look at our cap sheet for this year, it is hard not to notice, after Love & TT, our 3rd thru 7th highest paid guys (JR, Knight, Clarkson, Henson, Delly) do not start & 3 of them are not in the rotation. I get we are taking on salary for picks (Delly/Henson, Knight), but that situation will likely start… Read more »
Wait, let me get this straight…
We let go of Burks (who I liked) and a 2nd rd pick for Knight (who I really like) and a 1st Rd pick and somehow Houston got Shump???
This is amazing!!!
The second was from Houston.
Even better 😉
YEAH SO LEBRON TELLS YOUNG PLAYERS– ( AFTER THE PACERS MASSACRE ) –TO STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA —SO WHAT IS THE 1ST THING LEBRON DOES –YEP YOU GOT IT—WAY TO LEAD !!—–I HOPE THE REST OF THE LAKERS SEASON IS A DAILY DOSE OF ULTRA DRAMA —-SO DESERVING
As Bron is no longer a Cav, I hope I don’t get blowback for this, but he is not the GOAT. Best of his era, sure. Top 10, easily. Best SF of all-time, almost certainly, though there is a thin argument left for Bird. 5th tops. But GOAT? No. He has not won as much as Russell, MJ, or Kareem and their individual accolades (MVP, Finals MVP, all-league, etc) match or exceed his. While his averages & totals are eye popping, if you are going to go with the guy with amazing stats who just couldn’t beat a superior team… Read more »
I have never placed LeBron as the best ever, but I think he’s top 3-4, definitely not 5+. I would have to go Jordan, Russell, LeBron/Kareem(switchable), Bird, Magic, Shaq and who cares… But as always, we need to think about eras, rules and evolution of the game. Shaq, although great, would probably be useless in today’s NBA. Same for Kareem, although in a much smaller scale because he was extremely more mobile and graceful. I think Bird and Jordan would flourish even more in today’s game and I can see Bird taking over LeBron’s spot as #3 or so. His… Read more »
Come on. This is absurd on so many levels. How many rings would MJ have won if he faced Golden State 3+ times in the Finals?
That’s not the argument 😂
8 straight finals trips as the cornerstone of a franchise. You’re getting something confused somewhere…cuz thats been done only 1 time before in a league where it was much easier to get there…
WITH ALL THE POSTS WE NOW HAVE —IS THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER DEAL BY KOLBY TODAY / TRADING A POST ?
“I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to continue to work on myself, work on recovering and getting back to being myself,” Knight said, via the Houston Chronicle. “I’m excited about the change of scenery.” — Brandon Knight.
He’s gonna love China.
He’s gonna be here next year, so we might as well run him out there some.
It is not like Sexton is a world beater.
Pels doing what cavs should’ve done with kyrie. Not panic and wait for ransom.
You got that right, brother….
Man. I want t steal that We’ll put.
You have my permanent permission to steal any comments I make on this site.
Didn’t help that I made that anonymous.
I am sure Bron would have loved us not trading Kyrie all year.
And of course, Davis is threatening NO if they do not let him play, Kyrie threatened surgery if no trade (which he ended up needing anyway).
Burke headed to Sacramento. Three team deal with Houston. We got a 2019 first round, Brandon Knight and his bad contract and Chriss, a PF from Houston Thanks Bandit
Too bad the Bulls had the Pels tonight. Two days ago, Portis plays and the Bulls win it.
LeBron’s worst week since the decision.
Close. That 2011 go stand in the corner Finals collapse was pretty brutal.
I do not think he thought for a minute AD would be requesting a trade at the deadline. It was all about summer cap space.
He was operating under 3 restrictions this summer:
1) One year deals only. Maximize summer cap space.
2) Do not trade any young core guys.
3) Yet he needed SOME shooting. So KCP it was.
Then he’s a dope who hasn’t paid attention to LeBron’s career.
Is Markieff the dumb one? Paging EG.
Whichever one is talking is.
Yes. Boston Morris can play.
Well, that is NO getting a PF. Mirotic, Randle, and Davis all mentioned in trade talks.
For Wesley Johnson. Wiz under tax line. Has to be a sweetener there for NO.
Randle stays Mirotic goes, IMO.
so.. knight and chriss comin to town.. burks to kings (who just added barnes)..
cavs get another 1st.. total 1st = 3 for ’19.. no complaints here
stauskus, baldwin gone.. that was quick
grades for all this for koby-cavsdan?
Meh. These moves are obvious.
i must admit i am a little surprised on the 1st’s that have been acquired.. as long as cavsdan is willing to spend.. could be much worse.. here’s hoping (a dangerous thing) koby can find some value in the lower 1st rounders.. if the road to zion is successful.. ’20 could be a good year..
Two. Ours and Houston’s. The Bucks pick for Hill will be 2022 (double draft?).
https://twitter.com/NBAcouchside/status/1093327833395535872?s=19
Not sure I agree with that…Harris seems exactly what the Sixers need.
I don’t agree with it either. Plus Otto Porter is a playoff phantom.
Yeah, i think Harris was a perfect fit for philly
Who is that dude. Porter is a 3 and 76ers have Butler. Harris is more a real stretch 4 who can play some 3 and is a much better player.
Kings send Z-Bo & Jackson to Dallas for Harrison Barnes.
Kings got seriously better tonight. Which is bad for the Celtics & Lakers. Which makes me happy. Gonna likely lose tonight though.
Did they? Barnes is very meh.
Better than those dudes…
Not sure he fits on the kings.
I do agree Barnes is better as a small ball 4 than a pure 3. But he will likely do both in Sactown. I think they tru the 3 first. Fox, Hield, Bjeilca, and WCS have all started 50+ games gor them. Shump 40, though Bogdanovic more minutes. Option 1: Plug him in at the 3: Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bjelica, WCS. Bench: Farrell/Mason, Burks, Bogdanovic, Giles, Bagley, Koufus. Option 2: Let him lead the bench unit as a 4 with Bogdanovic starting. Option 3: start him at the 4. At the 4 Bjelica has been pretty good. If he gets… Read more »
They were starting Shump at the 3.
This year’s shump > this year’s barnes
Yep. Kings fans and players are bummed he is gone and do not get the move.
thumbed
with no blockbuster trade in the offing for lakers.. bron gets sullen.. young “stars” develop serious shrinkage.. i think the monumental streak ends this year..
Doubt AD is going there…Lebron will need to pull out all the stops to make the layoffs…
i don’t understand, again.. wiz get parker AND portis AND a 2nd… bulls get otto .. maybe i am dumb.. this makes no sense to me.. is this just a $$ issue or is there some hoops issue i am unaware of.. obviously, i think wiz win here.. but that’s just me.. and i am just an old rock n rolla..
I’m not completely sure, but I think Otto may have wanted a max deal?
really.. 10ppg dudes get maxed?
More like 15 when he signed it. 50% FG and 44% from deep. 40% from deep two years running.
funny.. like buying apple when it was a trillion $$ market cap.. oops… another dumb nba gm move
He is on one. That is the issue.
Confusing is that Wiz got the sweetener.
It’s a meh deal for both teams…but Portis and Parker suck. It’s more a Wiz salary dump than anything else.
Yep it looks like a salary dump.
suck may not be the best descriptor.. haven’t watched them, but their stats are certainly not terrible.. are they just check-cashers?
Parker plays zero D and Portis punched a teammate in the face & broke his jaw. Both guys are 4s and not gonna play ahead of Markannen or Carter Jr.
Porter-Markannen–Carter is not terrible. If the Bulls can unload LaVine as well…
Sweet. We’ve got two 1st round picks this year.
So, we want HOU to make the POs but not climb too high.
Seems like 18-22 is the likely range on that pick. Maybe 16-24.
Well they will make the playoffs barring more injuries. Gotta say, pretty pleased with getting a first for Burks.
Which kinda means we got a first rounder and 2 second rounders for Korver, right?
Yep. Plus Knight and Chriss. Though Chriss is an expiring.
50 points for Bucks in 1st quarter against the hapless Wiz…
Fear the Deer.
Well, Knight was a serviceable NBA player before all the injuries. And Chriss was what, the 4th pick not too long ago. Athletic.
Do not have a lot of hope on the reclaimation front, but who knows? Not like PF is an area of strength. And once we get down big…..give them some run.
Chriss is one of my least favorite players ever.
Yep:
Hill, Dekker, Korver, and Hood into:
2 firsts, 5 seconds and:
Delly, Henson, Knight, & Chriss.
Roster now looks like:
Sexton, Nwaba, Cedi, Love, TT
Delly, Clarkson, (2 ways at SF), LNJ, Zizic
Knight, JR, Chriss, Frye, Henson
Two way: Blossomgame & Adel
1 open roster spot. Think we can work a JR deal? If not, wait till summer.
yes. and cavsdan spending your mortgage payments
NOMAD’s dreams of a rejuvenated Sauce on the Cavs are dashed…
Golden Turd is gonna love playing with Shump haha. Mission accomplished with getting a 1st and not screwing up 2020 cap space
Rockets get Shump. Kings get Burks. Shump & Burks both make $11 million. Has to be Knight & a 1st. Yes.
BTW, Burks >>> Shump. Helping the Kings hurts the Cs and potentially the Lakers. Like it.
Shump played extremely well IMO relatively to his norm the couple of times I’ve seen the Kings play. I think he’s matured a bit with respect to how he plays on the court.
Wow, they must really want to ditch that contract…
And, btw, the Wiz are going to lose a monster truckload of games…
Does that make Chicago better? At least Porter tries & isn’t a knucklehead.
It’s a lot of salary. I’d say ‘yes’, but at cost.
He doesn’t try all that much.
What is Cedi’s eta for return? Anyone know?
I don’t think the Cavs have announced a timeline yet.
Sigh. Probably 2 weeks if it was a bad sprain. Can’t catch a break from injuries this year.
They said he was not supposed to miss significant time.
Yeah, i heard it wasn’t even bad enough to MRI. I think they just played it safe by sitting him. Lots of ankle sprains and don’t want to repeat Nwaba and make it worse.
Can testify 3rd season of the expanse was epic in every sense of the word. Can’t wait to see what they do in the fourth. Hope their budget increases with the move to Amazon and considering the show is now Bezo’s pet project.
That show is REALLY good. IMHO.
Yeah, probably my favorite show right now as far as epic sci-fi/fantasy. I am a little wary of where Game of Thrones is headed. Feel like that show went a bit off the rails last season. Worry that the George RR being behind on the books may cause some issues.
Yeah. No material to center things. Still, I will watch the end.
No way dragons die early in the books. The dragon has three heads.
Speaking of SciFi fantasy, anyone familiar with Raymond E Feist’s Riftwar Saga? My favorite genre book series growing up. I heard he finally licensed the rights to the first trilogy to a production company and he’s heavily involved. Since his dad was a big Hollywood guy, I’m hoping that means the TV series will actually get made and not just collect dust.
Im crazy excited about this…been hoping for this for close to 20 years. Any other fans?
Don’t know it. Looking for a new book series though.
Starts with “Magician” which is sometimes split into two books, “Magician: Apprentice” and “Magician: Master”. It has a bit of a slow start (partly because it was the guy’s first book ever) but when it gets going it is a really epic trilogy that continues on with several more serieses spanning over 100 years and over 30 books. Not as dark and sexual as GoT. It leans more on culture, history, and massive cosmic mythology. The author is a history buff so he does a great job developing nations and cultures with rich details and customs. In any event, Ive… Read more »
The Cavs can trade Burks and try to sign him this summer if they like him
What kind of money you think he commands? 12 a year?
That is the question. I do not see him as a starter, and $12 million is a tad rich for the bench. But he CAN start if needed.
For a sixth man that is reasonable if they are productive. For a super sub it is cheap. Not that Burks falls into either of those categories.
If we can get him back for a mid level exception price Id be thrilled.
One could even call it a steal…
Heh…get it? The Bandit?
Sorry.
Mid-level exception money. People aren’t going to eat into their cap to sign Burks.
Can they? Doesn’t the big Z rule set a time limit on re-signing guys you just traded? Or is it just for the same season?
Appreciate the general positivity in the midst of all these losses Nate and EG… didn’t get to catch the game, so your analyses was insightful. I had a feeling Sexton would break out and look better getting to the hoop, sounds like y’all saw the same thing.
Next step for Sexton is to bring it all four quarters… too many times this year he’s turned in a good quarter or half but not a full game.
I LIKE BURKS GAME—AND I MIGHT BE TOTALLY WRONG HERE — / LIKE CLARKSONS POTENTIAL MORE—WE KNOW HE CAN SCORE –AND I THINK HE HAS IMPROVED IN SOME FACETS OF HIS GAME– ( STILL MORE IMPROVEMENT IS NEEDED ) — BUT THINK HE CAN HELP MORE NOW / FUTURE THAN BURKS—JUST MY OPINION —-PLUS BURKS CONTRACT IS MORE FRIENDLY TO MOVE AT PRESENT
OK CtB, who would you rather keep long term, Burks or Clarkson?
I know, false choice. But the reality is the we probably (86%) add a non-Zion wing in the draft. And Sexton is not going anywhere (yes, Morant is possible). But assume Sexton, 2019 pick, Cedi, Love, TT are your likely starters.
Delly & LNJ seem anchors of the bench unit. Along with Nwaba. Zizic & Henson still around. But that unit needs scoring.
If you had to choose one, who would it be? I would go Burks.
I’d keep Burks, if I had the choice. I just like his game better.
It is a tough call. And a strawman.
I think they both can help. I just fear Clarkson’s game struggles more vs good (playoff) defense. But he is far more explosive. IF he can harness it more effectively….
Depends on what you want. Clarkson’s clearly the better scorer IMO and he’s a year younger in the statistical middle of his prime.
Burks is probably the better defender and all-round game. Under the gun, I’d probably go Clarkson just because I’d rather go with the guy that can get the ball in the basket more prolifically.
Clarkson based on age. We won’t be decent for another three years. Clarkson has been better off late by pairing him with a bunch of passers and not letting him be primary ball handler.
Still no joy on Burks trade.
Either Rockets have another wing they like better (and that team might take Knight); or the Cavs might have another taker fir Burks with a pick/player we like better and/or a less bad contract.
I mean, that trade is not complicated.
Gonna take till the deadline.
AMICO HOOPS / JASON LLOYD REPORTING DEAL WITH ROCKETS IS CLOSE–THEY GET BURKS/ WE GET KNIGHT AND A 1ST ROUNDER / I CAN LIVE WITH THAT —————–HOPING / WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT CONSITENCY IN YOUNG BULLS GAME THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASSON/ REALIZE HE IS NOT GOING FOR 27 PTS / EACH GAME / BUT JUST IMPROVE / BE CONSISTENT IN ALL FACETS FOR REST OF THE YEAR/ WOULD FEEL ALOT BETTER GOING INTO THE OFF SEASON
EVEN LAKERS POST GAME COMMENTS—–YOUNG PLAYERS SOMEWHAT DISAGREED TO LEBRON’S COMMENTS –( STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA ) —–LOVE IT —THE MORE THE DRAMA / THE BETTER I FEEL —-NOW JUST HAVE TO HOPE THE PELS DON’T CAVE IN AND TRADE THE BROW —–LET THE LAKERS STUMBLE / BUMBLE THRU THE REST OF THE SEASON —–CLIPS TRADES DO OPEN THE DOOR FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT THOUGH
The Pels should up their trade demands to all the average at best Laker ‘young stars’, four 1st round picks, 43% ownership in the Laker franchise, and Magic’s solid gold Mercedes.
Not sure if I misheard you, but Porzingis was in no way a draft and stash second rounder. He was the 4th overall pick in 2015.
If you didn’t, I meant Jokic.
Ah. That makes sense.
The Lakers have agreed in principle to trade guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a second round draft pick to the Pistons for guard Reggie Bullock,
Anyone else thinking the Lakers’ tradeable guys, meaning anyone not named LeBron, gave up against the Pacers as an “F you!” to the organization and LeBron?
Losing by 40+ to an Oladipo-less Pacers team is rather embarrassing. I would pay to be a fly in that locker room.
Or they gave up on the coach. Not mutually exclusive.
What the…i don’t get this trade at all. Shamet has been huge for Philly. Mike Scott?? Boban? I get wanting Tobias Harris. That is LOT of players involved for Tobias Harris.
They must have really, really wanted Harris. They needed something.
I guess I haven’t taken a look at their roster makeup…i suppose to compete with Toronto, Boston, and Golden State…they do need a 4 that matters. If he can produce alongside that starting group they’ll have a shot at a title.
It’s crazy how much talent is packed into 3 teams per conference. Is that normal? I guess it kinda is. though Golden state’s team is unprecedented since the league expanded through 30ish teams seeing as they are starting not just an all star team, but possibly a top 5 players in their conference all star team.
When you need an easy bucket, pass the ball down low to Boban. Good pick for Philly.
Well, they get his Bird rights. Looks like Philly is all in. Simmons, Redick, Butler, Harris, Embiid. Scott can shoot a bit as a reserve.
I think the plan is to go WAAY into luxury tax land and keep the band together tovtry and win now.
BTW, this is a tank mive for the Clips and good news for LA/Sac in pursuit of #8. Bad news for Celtics warchest.
EG…Alt Right center? Cmon man…this is a sports blog. Don’t mean to call you out but don’t put that garbage in if it isn’t funny enough to warrant inclusion. Man…that was so weird…you don’t even know the guy.
Apologies if it offended you Scotch, that surely wasn’t my intent. You don’t have to tell me it’s a sports blog, I co-run the thing. I can think of much more politically charged comments on both pods and on threads over the years here. Again, it wasn’t my intent, just an off-handed remark related more to Baynes choice of hairstyles. I apologize again that it offended you or anyone listening. I’m sure Baynes is a perfectly nice guy, so sorry for besmirching him. Feel free to call me out anytime you think I’ve crossed a line… I’m sure I will… Read more »
I get that you help run it…that’s kinda what made that comment stick out. And also it wasn’t so much politically charged…it was just weird. He’s from New Zealand…he isn’t even an american. I’m probably on edge cuz i’m working late and it seemed out of place and i’m tired. I really enjoy the content you produce and help produce for this blog. It enriches my life in lovely and funny ways. The comment just threw me enough to mention it because it was so out of character for the content creators on this blog. maybe i’m more tired than… Read more »
I totally get that, and sometimes when it’s just me and Nate riffing, I almost forget we’re recording. I appreciate you calling it out, because even though what we say on here doesn’t always have to be popular opinion, it should never be offensive. Hope it’s clear that it wasn’t my intent to paint Baynes in an actual derogatory light, and was more of a silly jocular comment that in hindsight I should have just kept to myself. Thanks for listening and for commenting!
Yep…i get that you’re producing something that is stream of consciousness and i seem to be holding that conversation to some kind of editorial journalistic standard…that’s a bit bunk. You’re good
I would advise to delete that portion of the podcast and reupload.
haven’t listened to the podcast yet…but this lakers stuff is making me sooooo grateful we aren’t dealing with the end of Lebron’s career. Holy cow…I would be so annoyed if we were about to mortgage the next 10-12 years for 2 years of title chances that aren’t even real opportunities.
Listening now. If the Lakers hire Magic as head coach, it would be one of my favorite sporting events ever. It would rival if University of Michigan hired Charlie Weis as head coach. Please, Magic, give me this small thing.
He already tried it once. It did not go well, IIRC. But that looked like a team quitting on someone tonight (coach/star).
Amico reporting that Rockets readying trade for Burks:
The Cavaliers are closing in on a trade that will send shooting guard Alec Burks to the Houston Rockets, a league source confirmed to Amico Hoops early Wednesday.
Veteran reporter Jason Lloyd of The Athletic broke the news of a potential Burks trade, citing two league sources. Per Lloyd, the Cavs would receive the Rockets’ first-round draft pick and point guard Brandon Knight.
http://amicohoops.net/nba-rumors-cleveland-cavaliers-houston-rockets-alec-burks-brandon-knight/
Damn. Liked Burks. And was hoping we could get the Rockets to do that deal for JR.
I doubt it matters unless Harden turns an ankle, but wonder what the protections are? Another reason to root against Houston.
This helps the tank.
Sexton, Nwaba, Cedi, Love, TT look like the starters. Delly, JC, Stauskas, Adel, LNJ, Zizic look like the bench. Blossomgame has to be getting clise to 45 day limit.
Henson & JR are out of it for now. Frye is a cheerleader. Baldwin or Knight probably snag the last active spot once Love & TT are back.