Recap: Cavs 101, Suns 90
2012-01-12The Cavs defeated the Suns 101 to 90 in a game that, after the first half, never really felt winnable for Phoenix.
–Kyrie Irving put on a vintage Spectacular Rookie Performance. “Spectacular” because he rattled off 26 points on 11-17 shooting, and took the game over for a five-minute stretch during the second quarter, using every weapon in his offensive repertoire: a pair of threes, a crafty 18-foot pull-up, a baseline jumper off the dribble, and a slick spin move toward the rim. “Rookie” because he turned the ball over 6 times and couldn’t stay in front of his opposite number, Steve Nash, who posted 16 points and 15 assists. “Performance” because he is a thespian at heart.
–I’ve seen enough of Irving that I’m no longer worried whether or not he’s going to be good. I’m now preparing to spend the next three years figuring out if his ceiling is Borderline All-Star or Slightly Less Wealthy Man’s Chris Paul. Either way, he’s going to be a lot of fun to watch. His offensive game—especially in terms of putting points on the board—is surprisingly polished for a guy who doesn’t turn 20 until March. I think he’s having trouble adjusting to the superior athleticism of the NBA, which is why he sometimes throws a pass a half-second too late into a clogged lane or allows his counterpart to blow by him on the defensive end, but once he adapts to playing against NBA-caliber athletes every night, look out.
–Andy Varejao pulled down 15 boards tonight, and drew a couple of offensive fouls on D. Sadly, in an upset, he was out Horrible Hair-ed by Robin Lopez.
–I would say I’m concerned about Omri Casspi, but I’m not sure I care? I just look at Casspi’s box score every night, go “Oh, he sucked again,” and move on to Antawn Jamison’s J.R. Smithian shot totals. Casspi wasn’t a disaster tonight (6 points on 3-7 shooting), but I assume Alonzo Gee’s going to replace him in the starting lineup pretty soon, since Gee’s been as blandly effective as Casspi has been ineffective.
–TT tried hard. He hit a really tough shot in the lane early in the fourth quarter. I don’t remember anything else, but apparently he grabbed 6 boards in 15 minutes. Also, he’s not allowed to take another one of those step-back 15-footers he tried in the second period before he practices it another 5,000 times in the gym.
–Ramon Sessions was awful (1-7 and 3 TOs), but he was due for a bad game. I still think he’s an excellent backup point guard, and the only guy on the second unit who can dependably create his own shot (no, I’m not counting Gee). If he’s content with his role as a change-of-pace scorer off the bench, I would like to see the Cavs keep him going forward.
–The Suns are depressing. They were the most fun team in the league from 2003-09, and now they’re just Nash, Jared Dudley, Markieff Morris (who looked good), and a bunch of overpaid role players. Can we get Nash and JMZ onto a contender, please? Preferably together? It’s breaking my heart.
The Cavs are now 5-5, and they travel to the Staples Center to take on the Lakers tomorrow night. $20 says Semih Erden fouls out in 10 minutes or fewer in that game.
Wheres Krolik? this McGowan guy isnt very good….at all.
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Ryan,
That’s a good question. I have no idea what the answer is.
Did you know that Sacremento has the lowest % of their baskets assisted. They were 4th worst in the NBA last year. Maybe they could use Sessions. If it’s legal to include as part of a trade that lottery protection is reduced on a previously traded pick, that’s something to consider.
FTR: I love this blog!!! I’ve been thinking a lot about the Sacramento thing lately…and while I have no idea if this is possible…if we trade anyone of substance (Andy, Sessions, etc.), I’m eyeing the Kings in hopes that we could do so to decrease the protection on that pick. Would it be worth it to Sacramento to have Andy mentor DeMarcus in exchange for dropping the protection to, say, top-8 or 10? Because A) that’s the only way we’re getting that pick this year (maybe not even then), and B) that’s the only reasonable value I see for Andy… Read more »
Joel, good thoughts.
One note: You have the Sacramento thing exactly backwards. We only get their pick this year if they make the playoffs (its protected). As such, we need to root FOR Sacramento, not against them.
Kepbabes: Welcome to the Blog! Like Keving said, Erden is a legit 7 footer. He hasn’t gotten to much playing time this year because of his thumb and last year he was nursing a shoulder injury. Similarly to Casspi, he showed some solid talent last year so now that he’s healthy again, we need to give him a shot. So far, (like Casspi again) he hasn’t looked too good, actually he’s looked quite bad. Hopefully he’ll get back into basketball shape and show why we wanted him. Hollins, IMO doesn’t really deserve a chance over Samardo. Yes he has length… Read more »
Kepbabes,
Erden is young and a legitimate 7 footer that’s athletic…he was a serviceable backup with Boston last year…it’s not a bad idea to give him a shot as the back-up center.
Obviously in his first two games he hasn’t looked very good. So far his points+rebounds+assists+blocks+steals = 10 and his fouls = 11. I wonder how long he can keep that up. If he doesn’t start showing something more soon, Samuels should start getting those minutes again.
1st time poster, but big fan of the blog. Can anyone justify playing Erden/Hollins over Samardo Samuels? I know Samuels has his limitations, but at least he throws his body around better than the other two and can finish at the rim. Is this still the residual affect of showing up to camp out of shape? Or are Erden/Hollins far superior on defensive end with their 7ft+ bodies?
Thanks.
Kyrie is starting to really impress me – just starting too. He made a few really nice plays last night, his spin move (which he’s done a couple of time now) is becoming a signature move for him. He also has a much better shooters touch than I though he would. Really it seems like he’s doing pretty much the same thing now as he was in college, doesn’t seem like he’s had to make much of an adjustment. Besides his turnovers. I know he’s being asked to score, but I’d really like to see him increase his apg by… Read more »
Who can guard him on the lakers? I am predicting another big game!
True, but you could argue that the Cavs have had the easiest schedule of any NBA team this year. The only legitamate playoff contender they have played are the Blazers.
I can’t wait for Irving to have a year to work out with the team and no off season lock-out. He is basically just out of high school. Definitely fun to watch though.
I appreciate your measured analysis of Irving. Let’s keep things in perspective, the Cavs haven’t beaten anyone with a winning record not to mention the fact that his defense is lagging pretty far behind his offense in terms of development. To me, the most encouraging thing about Kyrie is the fact that he’s got a good mid-range game. It’s bizarre how few players in the NBA can hit a 15 foot jump-shot (where is Horrace Grant?). Irving seems to be comfortable in his mid-range game and I think it takes advantage of zone defenses designed to press the three-point line… Read more »
After 10 games Kyrie is scoring at the highest rate of all PGs in the league. This is unlikely to hold throughout the season, but its pretty incredible. The dude scored 12 points in 3 minutes yesterday. How is he not getting more national attention? His ceiling is best PG in the league. His realistic outcome is elite (top 5) PG for the next 5-10 years:
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/scoring-per-48-minutes/sort/avg48Points/position/point-guards
I don’t think the cavs will trade varejao. He’s the #1 draw to the Q right now, and he’s an incredibly efficient player. Our team is significantly different that last year’s lottery team in 2 ways: 1) Kyrie, though his offensive output isn’t that much better than Baron Davis’ yet. and 2) Varejao isn’t injured. I think Varejao is just as responsible for the Cavs looking like a playoff team as Kyrie. That, and the rest of the team has started to figure out how to play Byron Scott’s offense.
TT needs to learn how to shoot, period. He’s shooting what – 40% from the free throw line? If you can’t hit a free throw, you’re never going to be able to do anything but dunk. I find this concerning. Though, if he could be like Rodman or Wallace, only with a much better attitude, I’d be pretty happy with that. We still need a small forward who can shoot/ create, and a shooting guard who can shoot / create to take the place of parker. Plus, Jamison is a HUGE part of the cavs’ offense right now. and so… Read more »
You guys are splitting hairs. The Cavs are set at pg. That’s all that matters. Otherwise: I think TT will be really good. He needs to work on his short jumper, FTs, and passing out of the post after grabbing an offensive rebound. If Andy is traded, I’m not sure who replaces him. I think Erden is a backup at best. I’m still hoping the Cavs go after JaVale McGee in FA. He may not score a lot, but he’s a good defender, shot blocker and reounder. He’s restricted, but can be had from Wash. I like the way Gee… Read more »
You’re crazy if you think Kyrie’s ceiling is anything close to “borderline all-star”. It’s easily arguable that he already is a borderline all-star, especially if he were getting as many minutes as other guys.
I get that we want to temper our expectations and not anoint him too early, but come on.
Kyrie is averaging ~10 less minutes per game than all those guys, too. He’s really good.
Maybe I’m just being a homer
The NBA season is nearly 1/3 of the way to the all-star break. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say D-Rose decides not to play in the all-star game, because of his toe. Behind Rondo, the East’s PG’s are: Deron Williams – 17.2 ppg, 8.4 apg, 47% true shooting Brandon Jennings – 18.7 ppg, 5.7 apg, 52% true shooting Kyrie Irving – 16.6 ppg, 5.2 apg, 56% true shooting J. Calderon – 12.2 ppg, 9 apg, 60% true shooting The Cavs’ record is better than all of these teams. Irving at least reasonably matches up with each of these players for the season.… Read more »
Nice recap. Varejao had 17 boards, not 15 – btw.
In a big picture sense, obviously DWill is better. This year though, he’s shooting 35% on a 2 – 9 team. Obviously that can turn around at any time, but right now he wouldn’t be more deserving than Irving.
DWill easily and Calderon (at least in their H2H so far). He could surpass Jennings but right now Jennings is putting up similar numbers on O and better on D (IMO). But yes, if that is the list, then he could be right up there next year.
DWill could be out of the East next year. Rose and Rondo would still be tough to surpass for All-Star status. It wouldn’t kill me to have the 3rd best PG in the East by next year.
Great win by the Cavs last night. But an even better ‘victory’ was Steve Nash missing a couple of free throws. With those misses, Mark Prices pulls ahead in the highest all time NBA free throw percentage.
Price 90.38950 (2135-2362)
Nash 90.36918 (2815-3115)
I have no idea why I keep track of this record :)
Also, did anyone see that Golden State sent Dwight Howard to the free throw line 39 times last night? They were fouling him while he was running up the court, giving him bear hugs, etc.
Howard hit 21 of them and the Magic won, but it made me keep thinking that Tristan Thompson needs to become a better free throw shooter.
Irving might be a borderline all-star now. After Rose and Rondo, who else is better than him in the Eastern Conference at PG?
Agreed – Irving is a definite All-Star, perhaps MVP ceiling. No reason why he can’t be. I did like the thought on how he is not used to the NBA athleticism, that does make some sense. I worry about about my thought “someone has to score on a bad team, so it is their least worst scorer”-thought. Anthony Morrow and Zach Randolph of a few years ago come to mind… Although I have changed my mind on Randolph a bit recently. I worry that the Cavs are so bad offensively, that it makes Irving look good and we’re all being… Read more »
I think you’re severely underestimating Kyrie’s potential.
Why did Scott wait until 3 minutes left in the 4th to put Kyrie back in there? Put him in at the TV timeout and we win by 20! WTF?!?
Kyrie was off the chart good tonight: 26 points, 6 assists in 28 minutes. He has no ceiling. Scott didn’t even put him in till 3 minutes left in the 4th! It’s like he knew he could win the game with Kyrie any time he wanted… If you could balance out Alanzo Gee and Antawn Jamison you’d have a player with perfect shot selection. I want to see the ball in Casspi’s hands a little. I think he’s got some Hedu in him. He always looks competent pushing the break. Like to see them run some pick and roll with… Read more »
Lon Babby has killed that team. They wouldn’t pay Stoudemire, then decided to give Josh Childress, Hakeem Warrick, and Channing Frye a combined 17 Million a year. Those contracts are an absolute boat anchor. Morris looks good though. I think a Morris, Redd, Nash, Gortat, Dudley lineup could score some points. Anyway, Kyrie was off the chart good tonight: 26 points, 6 assists in 28 minutes. He has no ceiling. Scott didn’t even put him in till 3 minutes left in the 4th! It’s like he knew he could win the game with Kyrie any time he wanted… If you… Read more »
Thx for the quick recap!
Really nice win, now call up Eyenga und let him dunk on Gasol again to win the Lakers game ;-)
Borderline All-Star? Definitely a future All-Star. Could be better than John Wall due to his maturity and overall dependency on skill instead of pure athleticism. Coach Scott will turn Irving into a spectacular PG and he is the 3rd number 1 pick from Duke. Third time is a charm.