Cavs/Pistons Game 2

[pup]

Starting this one ealry. Huge game tonight, and one I think the Cavs will play pretty well in.

Cavs 87
Pistons 82

Even it up and come home looking to get a leg up in the series. You know what LeBron always says, a series doesn't start until someone wins on the road. Tonight is the night.

Boobie Gibson spells Laura and has a big first half.
Mike Brown doesn't deliver a depressing halftime talk and the team comes out of the locker room ready to play!

[Dozen]

In a nutshell this series could be decided tonight. If the Cavs lose they wont comeback like they did last year. This is total gut check time

[consigliere]

This is the series tonight. We win, and this sucker goes 6-7 games either way. We lose? We are on the brink of getting ousted in 4-5 games.

I can think of several reasons why we can win or lose this game tonight.....heart says the Cavs grind one out, but the mind says Pistons by 7.

[pup]

but the mind says Pistons by 7.

So we should be good

[swerb]

LeBron needs to be assertive early tonight, as he was in game six of the Nets series. Detroit knows LeBron likes to start off getting others involved before getting more aggressive late and he played right into their hands in game one.

And Mike Brown needs to do a better job getting the ball to LeBron in other ways. Put LeBron down on the blocks, and set some back screens for him against Prince. Run him through the paint more. Prince's one weakness is his thin as a rail upper body. Make this guy fight through the muck a little more instead of perimeter defending all game, where he excels.

Roker also needs to get Sasha off Rip. I'd like to see more minutes out of Daniel Gibson tonight at the 2 chasing that annoying little prick around. I told the guy I was watching game 1 with that Rip would be a very tough matchup for Sasha, who did a good job playing the bigger, slower Vince Carter, but whose mental lapses hurt him when trying to chase around Rip ... the master of moving without the ball.

Lastly, if Im Roker Im telling Gooden the following:

"When you play well, we play well. We need you tonight, and Im going to call some plays for you early to try and get you going. Go right at Rasheed, who is going to be flying high after swatting 7 shots in game one, and plays different when you get inside his head and frustrate him."

[FUDU]

I honestly think we can play with these guys on any given night.

IMO when we play at our absolute best we are better than the Pistons when they play at their absolute best. The big difference being the Pistons play at their best much more often than we do.

Still think this series will come down to 3 minutes every night.

Tonight I go with the Cavaliers since I really did think the Pistons would go up 1-0.

[leadpipe]

LeBron needs to be assertive early tonight, as he was in game six of the Nets series. Detroit knows LeBron likes to start off getting others involved before getting more aggressive late and he played right into their hands in game one.

And Mike Brown needs to do a better job getting the ball to LeBron in other ways. Put LeBron down on the blocks, and set some back screens for him against Prince. Run him through the paint more. Prince's one weakness is his thin as a rail upper body. Make this guy fight through the muck a little more instead of perimeter defending all game, where he excels.

Roker also needs to get Sasha off Rip. I'd like to see more minutes out of Daniel Gibson tonight at the 2 chasing that annoying little prick around. I told the guy I was watching game 1 with that Rip would be a very tough matchup for Sasha, who did a good job playing the bigger, slower Vince Carter, but whose mental lapses hurt him when trying to chase around Rip ... the master of moving without the ball.

Lastly, if Im Roker Im telling Gooden the following:

"When you play well, we play well. We need you tonight, and Im going to call some plays for you early to try and get you going. Go right at Rasheed, who is going to be flying high after swatting 7 shots in game one, and plays different when you get inside his head and frustrate him."

Swerb, the time for Brown to figure out other ways to get the ball to Lebron outside of the time line hand off was during the season. Not game 90 what ever the hell it is. The Cavs options are what you saw Monday or Lebron being more assertive. He will be assertive tonight, however, it will be from the same (and only) set you've seen for 90 games. As I wrote after last game it was foolish at worst or an oversight at best to assume that offense will give good teams trouble. To mesh with your Pavlovic point, which is well taken by the way, but, the Cavs are an easy team to guard. If Lebron is on fire, oh well, but as far as any type of pressure on them as to the Cavs approach is non=existent. I'm a dope on a local message board and I can tell you that in every situation, no matter how crucial, they are handing Lebron the ball 30 feet from the hoop. In a crucial situation for Detroit the Cavs don't have the luxury of knowing exactly what is going to happen.

Pavlovic's emergence has been huge (and two years late), it has made far more of an impact than putting Hughes at the point. The problem you point out here is that the guy isn't going to get a second to catch his breath. Essentialy a rookie having to chase Rip around is a problem.

Lastly, there is a reason a guy like Gooden has been on different teams this early in a career that seems to have some talent. Classic million dollar body, ten cent head. Brown can tell that guy whatever he wants. It comes down to a coin flip. This is what keeps him from being a good player. The guy took a season and a half of Lebron passes off the nose before he realized the ball might be coming. He spent another season trying to stay out of the lane to avoid a fourth quarter 3 second call. This is not a championship player.

It all comes down tonight to keeping the game close and hoping Lebron can take over. As the song goes, C'mon Cavs, gotta make it happen.

[pup]

I don't know if it could be put any better than that Pipes.

It is also why they can win. It is also why it all falls on the shoulders of LBJ, good or bad.

[rawdawgexpress]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/070524&sportCat=nba

Above is the link to Scoop Jackson's article about Lebron tonite. It has the ring of truth- yet his flaw is that he confuses basketball for football (that and he chooses to quote Kenny Roda). Football has 1 game versus basketball with 7 games to a series. That's a big effing difference.

If Lebron forces things tonite then he will be playing into Detroit's hands. We've seen this year that Arenas, Wade, and even Kobe can all be stopped with double and triple teams. Lebron is human after all- the truth is that if he doesn't get ticky-tack foul calls like Wade does he can't drive to the basket every time. And for whatever reason he just doesn't get those calls. Ans so his teammates must come though. NBA players must hit open jumpers for their teams to win. If they don't then Lebron can go for 50 and we'll lose.

Yet, I recall an earlier Cavs game this year in Detroit where the Cavs were down 9 in the 4th quarter and yet won it in OT. Lebron had 40. Perhaps it is the blueprint for 1 game. But you can't do that for 4 games.

[swerb]

On Gooden, I agree. The teams success has been linked to the level of his play as of late, and it sucks that we can't count on the guy.

On Roker, I just find it unfathomable that the guy can't figure out a way to get LeBron the ball in the paint without him dribbling it in there. As offensively challenged as Roker is, hes been sitting courtside for NBA games for 10-12 years. Im starting to think Bron doesn't want it there. Or doesn't feel comfortable getting it there.

[furls]

LeBron goes for 35 plus tonight including 8 shot attempts in the first quarter and 15 points.

Cavs win tonight 91-83.

[swerb]

Gooden on Webber, Z on Sheed early ... a change from game one. Sasha is still on Rip. They put Hughes on him, with much better success, for the final 8 minutes of game one.

[pup]

Now starring as Mikki Moore, Jason Maxiel.

[pup]

One more touch foul down low, and I am driving to Detroit and kicking the Cavs frontcourt ass myself.

HAMMER SOMEONE!

[StewieG]

Good half by LeBron. No surprise we have a lead.

Now it becomes absolutely IMPERATIVE to finish this half strong, and start the second half even stronger. CANNOT let this team back into the game early in the 3rd.

[StewieG]

Up 12 at the half. Big play by Varejao to draw the offensive foul against McDyess. Prevented them from making a bucket at the end and possibly stealing some of the momentum.

Could have used that Gibson 3, but still have a big lead at the half. Like I said, coming out strong in the second half would be huge. Keeping the lead or even extending it would be cake.

[StewieG]

Again they come out of the half shooting a bunch of jump shots. Jesus H. Take the ball to the hole!

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

so is anyone gonna take me seriosuly now when i say we only play 3 quarters of basketball?


probably not but look down to 6 already


cavs will blow this one too cuz they dont attack the hoop

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

LOL still jacking up 3s


better call a timeout and yell at the team that wont even listen anyway Mr Brown.

[StewieG]

Ok, if the next 8 plays don't go inside (and I dont' mean Z's fugly hook shot) I'm going to Detroit and coaching this team myself.

[dragonmeister]

holy shit - only 4 points in over 6 minutes. That won't win many games!

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

yep i counted about 6 shots Z missed that were EASY

[StewieG]

Exhibit's A, B, and C why we need a Point Guard who isn't a complete toad on offense.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

LOL!!!!!

this one is over baby

[dragonmeister]

4 points in 8 minutes!

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

hey guys i got an idea........

lets jack up 3s, miss them and give detroit the lead and serios loead 0-2


Mike Brown is not a man of a coach, i hope he gets fired

[dragonmeister]

frickin' 4 points in 9 minutes

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

WTF was that pass james just did??


DEEEEEEEEETROIT BAS-KET-BALL!

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

sadly enough, i knew this was going to happen.......



if there was a casino id be filthy rich cuz id pick the cavs to lose the 3rd quarter every game they played in

[StewieG]

I would run over my own mother to get a real PG on this team. Someone who will throw it inside no matter how many times everyone else wants to put up a jumpshot.

And good lord, if I can trade Larry Hughes for a PG I do it yesterday. One good game a month is not what we're paying the man max money for.

[swerb]

The 3rd quarter struggles are maddening.

Varejao is having an amazing game though. 17 minutes, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

masrahall made a 3

NO!!!!!!!


now they will keep jackign them up and blow it

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

SIGH..........


watchign the cavs in the 3rd quarter is like smoking. you know its bad but you willingly do it anyway and it will kill you

[StewieG]

Next time we start a 3rd quarter, I start Varejao, Marshall, Gibson, Sasha, and James. They come out and put 4 guys on LeBron, and none of the other guys are good enough shooters to make them pay. Yeah, I know they're your "starters", but they just aren't getting the job done.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

7 points in the 3rd, and YET AGAIN we score less then 10 in the 3rd


what is the damn problem!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!



this happens EVERY 3rd quarter, EVERY FLIPPIN TIME.......EVERY ONE.


cleveland IS cursed and it wont change will it?

pistions lead.........they wont look back now


if the cavs win ill leave the board for 2 weeks


loos liek ill be here a while

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

how long is our contract with larry?


he is horrible!!

[StewieG]

Only 3 more years after this one! I'm starting the countdown now!

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Dear Detroit,

You collapse on Lebron in the paint, expect to get burned at the perimeter.

Sincerely,
Donyell and Boobie

[swerb]

Huge 3's to end the quarter by Boobie and Donyell. The pair have combined 5-9 off the bench from three.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

thank god i survived the 3rd quarter.........time to buckle up for another amazing blown loss or an amazing last second shot to win it and go 1-1 back home!!

[StewieG]

They should play the rest of the game. Laura and Drew aren't going to make the Pistons pay for packing it in. Those two at least make Detroit think about switching defenses.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Is TNT sure that's Gary Sheffield and not an incognito Ron Artest?

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

for anyoen going to game 3 please make a sign that says King>Prince


that dbe AWSOME

[StewieG]

Hah, that would be a great sign. And you'd see it about 100 times if LeBron has a great game.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

anyone know what the contract info for gibson is?


his playoff performace is gonna make him a great regular season player as well........id like to keep him

[StewieG]

I don't know for sure, but I think we have him for 2 more years.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

gibson has a bad quarter or half and he shakes it off, keeps doing his thing and shruggs it off........larry jacks up stupid shots and just get worse.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

gibson with the steal = 2 pts !!!!!


nice


EDIT: giBson not gidson lol

[StewieG]

Good things happen when Varejao and Gibson are in the game.

Bad things happen when Gooden and Laura are in the game.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

yea


i dont know i like drew though.......he can pump the team up WHEN he does good things.......he can hit 10 foot shots too unlike some ppl *cough* Larry *cough*