Overview: The Cavs easily dispatched the struggling Bobcats at home to improve their record to 3-2. Kyrie Irving had his best game as a pro, scoring 20 points on 8-10 shooting from the floor and recording six assists without a single turnover.
Cavs-Related Bullets:
Oh, so THAT’S why Kyrie was the consensus #1 overall pick in the draft. Kyrie was in complete control, reading every screen perfectly, swishing jumpers when they were open, making the smart pass, and going to the rim when the driving lane was there. The Bobcats are playing some of the worst defense in the league right now, but that was an absolutely gorgeous performance from Kyrie, and one that makes you think he could lead the Cavs into a brighter future. And how about that chase-down block?
TRISTAN THOMPSON. SUPERBEAST. This is a weird game to analyze for him, because he had more great plays than he’s had in any game this season, but his final line suffered because he got a little cocky offensively and took a lot of shots that he really shouldn’t be taking yet. After he swished that first step-back jumper, he tried a lot of shots and dribble moves that he shouldn’t be trying in games yet, and he only finished with 16 points on 16 shots.
Still, when Thompson was doing his thing, he was a MONSTER. He finishes with as much authority as I’ve ever seen a Cavs big finish with, he’s a junkyard dog around the rim, he gets off the floor quickly and with power, and his block on B.J. Mullens was freaking epic. I will not completely concede Tristan over Jonas until next season, but I am absolutely loving TT right now.
Jamison with a classic Jamison scoring night: 19 points on 16 shots, with baskets from everywhere on the court. Jamison does seem to be playing with a lot more energy on both sides of the floor this year — whether it’s because Varejao and TT’s energy is infectious, Jamison is 100% healthy, or Jamison is in a contract year, he’s actually playing like he gives a crap this season.
Anthony Parker is going to be making open threes from the corner until he’s 46 years old. It helps that Kyrie set him up with some absolutely beautiful dimes on Tuesday night.
Casspi really has to start being less of a disaster.
A dominant win over a clearly inferior team for the Cavs on Tuesday. Not many times you could say that last year. Things are going to get tougher when the 3-point shooting regresses to the mean for Cleveland, but it’s not a bad time to be a Cavs fan right now, especially since Kyrie and TT are both looking like the real deal.
That’s THREE (3!) double-digit victories to start the season… how long did we have to hear Sportscenter remind us of how few of thise we had all last season? I am loving NBA LeaguePass right now. No delusion–this team could be 4-1, but the road tripmay remind them of how talented the NBA can be. But you are right–watching Kyrie and TT grow on the court will make this season ten times better than last year’s. Food for thought: outised of Mo Williams, which Cavs was most scarred mentally by the departure of LBJ? My money’s on Jamison. No surprise he played everything like a careless flipshot or halfhearted closeout last year. He was probably still in a daze…
This is was great performance by the Cavs. Goind into the 4th quarter they just kicked in overdrive and took over the game.
It was nice to see Irving finally seem to be comfortable on both sides of the court. TT is making me eat my words, but that’s ok. I didn’t think he was a top 10 pick from the little I knew about him, but apparently our coaching staff and Grant saw something we didn’t and it is paying off. If he works hard and continues to improve he will be a monster come next year.
Come on coach, you put Eyenga in with only 31 seconds left on the game?? If he is not gonna be getting playing time send him to the d-league…
Outstanding game for the Cavs. Irving was amazing, but by the end of the game it almost seemed like a distant memory. The second unit has been playing really well. Great effort from Thompson, Gibson and Gee.
Another fun game to watch. I just like watching team ball better than feed the superstar.
Stop looking for things to complain about. Casspi hasn’t been great but disaster is a little bit over the top. There are times that we have to sit back and just appreciate what we are seeing. This team has looked better than advertised. I’m sure that as the season develops, their weaknesses will be exposed. They might be deep enough that there won’t be any disasters in those faults.
I was excited to get Omir this year, but he looks lost out there. Hopefully his confidence will come back, we will need his defense and three pointers against better teams.
Excuse me, Omri. Also, lets start talking about who wants Jamison! Here’s to hoping someone overpays for his services.
Didnt get the Tristan v. Jonas thing….who’s Jonas? Some random Euro guy who never plays in NBA? Anyways nice to see the Cavs destroy a crap team…this happens because we have a legit PG and a solid big man and they happen to be rookies…..getting two top 5 picks was a blessing to this team. Not sure whats with Casspi but after coming off surgery to a knee Id give him little more time…if by 20 games he still blows and not contributing then its time to make some moves. Also any long road trip will test a team even the elite ones…think Cavs will be fine 3-4 will be solid trip
I think we’re stuck with Jamison. Our only real trade possibility is if a team in playoff contention has someone get hurt who’s on the last year of a deal with a 10+ million dollar salary (someone like Marcus Camby). Otherwise we’d have to take on too much long term, mediocre salary to trade him.
No one is going to give up 10 million worth of salary for Jamison unless it’s dead weight, and I doubt highly that Gilbert wants to give up cap room for the Channing Fryes and Josh Childresses of the world.
I’m betting that a buyout after the trade deadline is a real possibility though — unless we keep winning. If Gilbert could get an 8th seed versus the Heat, I bet he’d go for it.
I love Tristan. He makes me happy. Everyone knows why.
Now, to a specific subject. We built this entire team around LeBron’s ability to collapse the defense. Yes we have many new guys, but Boobie, Parker(shooting), and Andy and Jamison (for their off ball movement) are almost useless on offense if they aren’t playing with someone who can kick it at the appropriate time. We saw when Baron came on last year, that all of a sudden we could play a little basketball because Baron actually understands how to break down a defense. Without that key ingredient (and the worst defense in Cavs history) we were rightfully terrible last year. But with Irving’s ability to break down and a great emphasis on ball movement,(Sessions still can’t really pass off of the PR game, but at least he is beginning to swing it a bit more) those LeBron era guys are performing again like they are capable. This team might end up being sneakily quite good. Especially if Casspi can start being at least average and if we get lucky and Erden can be the backup center we desperately need.
I must also give props to Coach Scott. I was not a fan of his change from Brown’s defense to his,(I still think Brown’s philosophy is better) but to his credit, he has gotten the guys on the same page in year two. Coupled with a deep team that is based on hustle, we have a defense that is ridiculously improved. Jamison and Sessions are still weak, but even the two of them look like, as John said, they give a crap. Neat.
This West coast trip will be very interesting. If we get down early, can the guys keep up this great spirit? Can we make sure that Tristan only gets excited with his shot selection when we are up by 15 or more? Will Kyrie continue to improve every game? (this is getting silly really. He shows me something new each night.)
Fun basketball to watch, and that is not a small point.
p.s. Is it legal for guys to wear wide receiver gloves? Hollins should invest in a pair. Man, he still can’t catch the ball.
20 games for Omri? I was willing to give him the season, and I thought I was being harsh.
So good to see chase down blocks back in fashion in Cleveland
Omri was struggling, for sure. I was hoping coach Scott would let him try to post up Maggette. He’s got a 3 inch height advantage. Maybe one or two close buckets in the paint would have got him going.
Is it me or does Casspi look way out of shape? A little thicker than I remember him.
I think it’s best that the cavs end up in the 7 or 8 spot in next years draft. Beal Lamb and Gilchrist look awesome and we don’t need a power forward at this point which seem to concentrate the top of the board.