Recap: Cavs 105, Bucks 115
2012-03-14
The Cavs lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in an utter shootout that I’m sure turned Scott Skiles some shade of purple so pure that it cannot be detected by the human eye.
–Not a lot of defense in this one. The Bucks shot 54.4% from the field, and both teams were getting into the painted area at will. Drew Gooden had a triple-double! He dropped off 13 assists! What a ridiculous basketball game!
–Kyrie Irving, for what it’s worth, was pretty terrific. Way too many turnovers, but he rediscovered his shooting touch, posting 28 points on 8-for-12 shooting. He also moved the ball really well in the first half. I think we’ve seen, during Irving’s shooting slump, some emerging point guard instincts. I wouldn’t be surprised if he averages eight dimes a game in a few years when he has better teammates.
–Trill AG was great, too. He was uncharacteristically efficient, putting up 19 points on 50% shooting. He was also super active in the passing lanes; I think he got his hands to about five passes tonight. I still think that, ideally, Gee is a bench player in this league, but he’s a really good bench player. If he’s the Cavaliers’ sixth or seventh man in a few years, it means the Cavalier front office has done a lot of things right.
–TT did very little. Three offensive boards and a whole lot of watching Ersan Ilyasova score.
–I would applaud the performance of the Cavalier role players in this game (Boobie had 9, Samuels had 8, etc.), but Carlos Delfino went for 17, so maybe I’m going to cut my hands off with a bandsaw instead.
–Also, Ersan Ilyasova is one my favorite non-Cavaliers. His game is like watching an upright crocodile do Swan Lake.
The Cavs have a couple days off before they take on the Hawks at the Q on Sunday. Until tomorrow, friends.
Chris: yeah, that’s what I meant. Sorry for the typo.
C’mon cavs! Still staring at the 8th draft spot with the chance to win big in the lotto! No reason to keep vets who are leaving, lets move Sessions and Jameson! the Deadline is upon us! I’m so excited for our future its silly, hopefully our front office is forward thinking as well!
Well put together post!
I’m surprised there has been no mention of that three-guard lineup Byron went with in the fourth. Offensively, it had no impact, as Kyrie went iso and scored at will. But on defense–look out, they got torched! Outside of the point guard position, the Cavs were undersized to the man. The Bucks either made a field goal or got to the line every trip! Please, no more three-guard lineups.
It seems to me that Gooden would occasionally decide to pass exactly when he needed to shoot (though the opposite pathology was more frequent, LOL)
For you youngsters, Larry Nance played PG in the All Star Game (he was the shortest & fastest guy) Wasn’t half bad!
@CrankyM – Thanks; I hadn’t thought of what he could do to help TT. If these guys really can’t afford Ilyasova’s new salary next year… maybe he’s worth pursuing now? (He seems to be a UFA) Bucks are weakest at C & SF… think they’d take Casspi, Hollins/Samuels/Erden & a 2nd rounder?
I think Gee could be a legitimate starter. If he improves half as much between this season and next as he did this past off-season, he could DEFINITELY be a starter. But even if he doesn’t… if they get enough other pieces, i would have no problem with a starting SF who plays awesome defense, is a constant threat on the fast break, rebounds well for his position, and doesn’t really need many touches on offense.
Also, i must have missed the season in which Gooden suddenly transformed into a Point Forward. Is that a recent development? Sheer madness….
Would we want Ilyasova? i would kill for Ilyasova! He’s a rebounding machine, can play multiple positions, and could possibly teach Tristan Thompson how to actually keep the ball above his waist when driving/rebounding so as to not get it meekly knocked away every freaking time.
Nice reference to Fantasia (original)!
Would WE want Ilyasova? He may be very available next year.
Do you mean Kyrie had 28 on 11-16? That’s what ESPN is saying.