Let Antawn shoot! I’m pretty sure that’s the crux of what John’s been trying to write for the past year and a half.
“Put the ball in his hands, and then watch him go to work.” – not John Krolik
Okay, so things won’t go this way every night for our beloved Cavaliers (New Jersey may be the only team in the league employing our 2010-11 defensive strategy of not closing out on three-point shooters), but I suppose we should take them as they come and try not to overanalyze.
The Cavs hit 16 3-pointers Sunday night (the team record is 17) to blow open what was a five point game halfway through the fourth quarter, and their 16-point margin of victory was four points greater than any achieved last season.
The following are my pertinent thoughts:
- Credit where credit is due… Really good game for Antawn Jamison tonight. 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while visibly contributing on the defensive end (he somehow blocked two shots). The biggest criticism of Jamison offensively is that he’s a volume shooter, but when he’s on, well…see the next bullet.
- Here’s a good Jamison-related stat from the Cavs’ new beat writer, Tom Reed: “In the Cavs’ two losses, Jamison is 10-of-34 from the field. In the two wins, he’s 16-of-24.” Small sample size, but I’d argue two things – One, regardless of the size (that’s how most of my arguments start), this stat does indicate something very relevant, and two, that something has not so much to do with Jamison, but more so with the function Jamison serves. The Cavs desperately need an efficient scorer capable of demanding defensive attention. Even with a fully developed Kyrie, they’ll need that. Ideally, this would be a guy who could create on his own. At this point, I’m just looking for someone for Kyrie to pass the ball to. When Jamison is hitting, we have a guy at the very least comfortable functioning in that role. When he’s not…we just don’t have that guy (with the possible exception of Luke Harangody).
- Exceedingly steady game from Kyrie, but nothing spectacular tonight. On the plus side, it was nice to see his jumper start to make an appearance. He’d been doing most of his damage thus far around the basket, but against New Jersey he finally looked to be settling down from midrange and finding a comfort level behind the 3-point line (3-4 tonight after going 1-7 in the first four games). Only real negatives — Kyrie wasn’t quite as aggressive pushing the ball up the floor, and he spent more time on Sundiata Gaines than he did against Deron Williams. I guess there are worse things in the world than not getting a baptism by fire. In closing, I love Kyrie.
His name is not Jonas.
- And the other rook? Austin Carr reiterated this quite fervently, but we really haven’t had a 4 that long and athletic since Larry Nance. His work from the weak-side is fast becoming as fun to watch as LeBron’s chase down blocks were, and his offense is at times quite encouraging (as long as he makes a decisive move and doesn’t have to improvise, he’s able to get quality looks purely via his quickness). In each game, I’ve thought he’s played better than his stats suggested. Same thing tonight. I think I love Tristan too. I’m a basketball polygamist.
- Daniel Gibson is so solid, and I continue to be impressed by his development as a player. 19 points, 5 of 7 from 3. Other than Andy, he might be the most reliable player on the team right now.
- Alonzo Gee is winning me over with his toughness. His game (right now) is reminiscent of a Laker-era Shannon Brown.
- The Cavs bench is currently averaging just under 47% of the Cavalier points. I think that means that we have both a deep bench, and a mediocre starting lineup.
Closing quips:
- That Mehmet Okur trade has failed to save the Nets thus far.
- 3-Gee is a great nickname.
- Sundiata’s game has expanded past the heave.
- Deron Williams is really good…and there is nothing around him.
- MarShon Brooks, who at 15.3 ppg was leading all rookies in scoring entering the game, didn’t score a point tonight. He also wore socks that made him look like the Aluminum Monster.
If there's one thing I know about metallic silver, it's that it never goes out of style.
- I bet Kris Humphries matches his point and rebound total more frequently than any other player in the league.
- And lastly…for draft pick watchers, there are at least three teams in the East clearly worse than the Cavs — New Jersey, Detroit, and the Wizards. I’d put Toronto on that list too had they not, ya know, beat us in the first game of the season.
Epilogue-y segment:
Kevin, our resident stat guru, found some great stuff for me to include in the recap tonight in the event that Kyrie found himself driving to the rim consistently. Sure enough, most of Kyrie’s 11 shots were jumpers. It’s still worth reading.
From Kevin:
According to hoopdata.com, through the 12/30 games, there have been 113 NBA guards who played at least 3 games + 10 minutes per game.
Of them, Kyrie Irving has ranked 5th for shots at the rim per 40 minutes (he’s getting off 8 shots at the rim per 40), 7th for assists at the rim per 40 minutes (4.5), and 1st (tied with Andre Miller) in sum of his shots + assists at the rim per 40 minutes (12.5).
And, slightly less encouraging:
Kyrie’s been a below average finisher at the rim. His 50% shooting is below the NBA average of 61.5% for guards (both in 2010 – 2011 and so far this year), though the sum of his made shots plus assists at the rim (8.5) is third behind Andre Miller (9.4) and Monta Ellis (8.8).
Catch all that? It’s basically hard evidence that Kyrie is getting to the rim (awesome), but not finishing at an astonishingly high rate (less awesome).
Here’s my take: The finishing thing is something I’ve noticed from game one — once Kyrie gets to the basket, he’s often just tossing the ball weakly at he rim. Now Kyrie, at Duke, was actually able to finish pretty effectively via a hopefully transferable combination of size and craftiness. He’ll never float over everyone like Derrick Rose, or explode through a defender a la Russell Westbrook…but that 50% shooting at the rim is something I’m crossing my fingers will improve as Kyrie adjusts to the speed and length of the guys defending at the NBA level. The most important thing he could do? I think would be to take off more on balance and on occasion, more under control. When he’s getting blocked, it’s because he’s already on his way down and just has to get the ball up before he hits the ground. He needs to go up from a position of power. His worst game in this regard was, by far, game one… So I’m hopeful he’s getting better here already. Definitely something to keep an eye on. Think positive.
…………………………..
See you next Sunday everyone!
Go Cavs!
-Ryan
If Tristan Thompson could become the next Larry Nance, that would be beyond awesome.
My Irving related stats would have been a lot more pertinent if he had a great game getting to the rim…but whatever, it was too good to be true for a rookie to be creating more looks at the basket than Wade, Rose, Westbrook, etc. Pretty exciting start to the season for Irving regardless.
For what it’s worth, I also came up with this (all individual stats and team pace data from hoopdata.com)
_____________________________________________________
Of all 265 NBA Players that had played 3 games and 10+ minutes per game through 12/30:
Kyrie is still #1 at “shots at the rim plus assists at the rim per possession”. He does this on 16% of possessions (once every 6 possessions that he is on the court).
For “makes at the rim plus assists at the rim per possession”, Irving is #3, trailing only Lebron and Monta Ellis. He does this on 11% of possessions (once every 9 possessions).
3 – 4 games is a really small sample size, but Irving has been very elite at creating shots at the basket.
We need development but not wins…
Nice job, Ryan. That was a fun game to watch, again.
I think Kyrie’s finishing will come around by next year. He will probably have to work on that aspect more than any other in the offseason. There probably won’t be enough time this season to really improve it. But he seems to have a good left and right, and just needs to slow down at the lest second sometimes. What is really encouraging me right now, is he seems to improve at something every game, and makes in game adjustments, especially on defense.
As for Joey, we can’t be tanking games. Teams that tank games just seem to develop a culture of losing. I love how hard everyone is working for the Cavs, and I want all the young guys to be around real pros who work every game like Andy, A.P., and Boobie. Losing begets losers. Remember when the Bulls didn’t tank and ended up with Derrick rose, with like the 9th worst records? Remember when the Celtics got Paul Pierce with the 10th pick? Work hard, play the game right, and good things will come.
Boobie has been simply awesome on defense and scoring off the bench. He seems to really have worked on his lateral movement and ball pressure. Also, is there a better rebounding small guard? Gee seems to have really improved and what has really impressed me more than anything is the passing. He could develop into a nice player, and should arguably starting over Casspi or Parker (though I wouldn’t mess with Byron’s rotations now).
The backup center spot is definitely the weak spot on the team. Smardo was a foul machine, and Hollins is just not an NBA caliber player. I’d like to see Erdin get some run.
Nice posts, everyone.
As a consistent hater of Jamison and Sessions, I feel compelled to single out AJ as playing perhaps his best game as a Cavalier. That thing was gorgeous. He only forced two shots, actually played DEFENSE, and didn’t look like the slowest man on earth. Yes, we all know about the level of competition, but considering how frequently I rip him apart, I feel obliged to give him his due after a game like that. Pat on back, big guy! (Sessions,, still, just,, ugh…He is incapable of making an accurate cross-court pass. It’s comical really)
GEEE!!!! Yes, his one three got a friendly roll, but he is shooting almost 59 percent, playing great D, and moving the ball much better than he ever had before. Much improved. He could turn it over fewer times. He is averaging 2 a game without being a primary ballhandler. Other than that, he is straight ballin right now. I agree, though, I would not mess with the lineup at the moment.
Speaking of which, we got a peak of what will, theoretically, be is our best 5. Andy, Tristan, Gee, Boobie, and Kyrie. It was only a few minutes, and to be honest, it didn’t work so well, but I was happy to see Scott trying it out.
We need John to make an appearance, at least to give Boobie a “shirt” for this game. Just great on all ends.
AP looks quicker than he did last season. Maybe we have just played slow teams and it is early, but his defense looks more like it did 3 years ago than last season’s “thought that counts”
Yes, I too would really like to see Erden in there. I hope he is in the slightest of shape and that Casspi can get his confidence going a bit more so we can see how a very big lineup of Kyrie, Gee, Casspi, Andy, and Erden looks. I would love to have a real center so Andy can get some minutes back at PF where he is more comfortable. Though, to be fair, he has been very productive at the 5.
Great game for the team and for the fans. The Nets were awful last year as well and they still took 3 of 4 from us. It’s nice not get trounced every night. Stay healthy, everyone!
It was another fun game to watch (all four have been). I really like what Irving has shown to start the season. I wasn’t pro or anti Thompson during the draft, but he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite players. While I would like a pretty high lottery pick next season, if these guys keep playing their butts off and winning (just enough), I won’t be upset if they get like the 8th seed. I’m sure they’re hoping to make the playoffs, so I can’t be disappointed if they meet their own goals. I’ll be interested to see how the team performs when they have a back to back on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Also, anyone think it’s worth looking into trading for Cousins? Obviously it’d have to be a protected pick that we send, and I’m not sure what player(s) would go. But C is our weakest spot IMO (when including depth), and extremely talented big men are hard to find. I’m not sure how Cousins would fit here (chemistry-wise), but if he could have some effort and drive rubbed off from Andy, and Scott could help develop him (he seems to be handling Irving, Thompson, and Gee well) we’d easily have struck gold IMO.
I’m not worried about Kryies sub-par finishing at the rim just yet. We all remember a year and a half of Kevin Durant looking positively mystified every time he met a second defender after beating his first, and in reality this is probably the single biggest change from college to pros. The rotation guys are A LOT bigger, stronger and faster in the NBA than they are in the ACC. Kyrie (like Durant, Wall and pretty much everyone but Rose) just needs to learn to adapt. He is looking like he’s gonna be a pretty exciting player right now.
Heard on the radio AJ was hosting some New Years Eve party downtown on Saturday night. Maybe he needs to go out and party before games all the time!
Creating a quality shot is the tough part, so I’m confident that he will be able to finish them soon enough.
As far as the draft, I count 6 guys I would be really happy with (Barnes, Drummond, Davis, Lamb, Kidd-Gilchrist, Beal) in addition to 2 guys who will be drafted top 10 (Sullinger, Robinson) so as long as the Cavs stay in the top 8 or so and all of those players declare for the draft, we should get a great player.
Like a lot of the commenters here have been saying, its more important that Kyrie is able to get to the rim at this point.