Cavaliers v Pistons 12/28

[Orenthal]

ESPN's Preview
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=311228008

More proof (if your own eyes weren't enough) that Scott is using this season as development.
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/201 ... =fullstory
This development bodes well for unloading the last bit of veteran flotsam left on the roster.

I look for Samardo to get more run against the Pistons. The Raptors prove how mediocre players with length can dominate in a competition of shitty teams. The Cavaliers have to be one of the smallest teams in the league, with little in the way of length and shot-blocking ability. The Pistons don't have that length and the physical play of Maxiell matches better with our shitty bigs.

[e0y2e3]

Greg Monroe = another real front court prospect that is going to be a monster.

[Orenthal]

Wasn't there a guy around these boards with a man crush on Monroe???

Enes looked slow and flat footed yesterday (yet semi-productive). Had 11 boards, but in one sequence he got a Z-like 2 or 3 offensive boards by failing to finish or get fouled. The top picks from the '11 draft have found it tough sledding so far...

[Orenthal]

Also on Monroe I see Hibbert-like development. Pistons need to embrace his eventual development. Perfect center for an OJ team. Slow and deliberate.

[e0y2e3]

Doodoo loves Monroe.

[Orenthal]

Yeah, that guy. On the Hibbert comp I just meant the pace of his development into a legit top flight player at his position.

[e0y2e3]

Monroe was dropping double doubles consistently by the end of last year, Hibbert still can't do that. And doodoo = bwww.

[Orenthal]

Yeah I know about that guy. The foo who still insists on watching college basketball. So if Irving struggles tonight, bust???

Fuck Cleveland.

[Orenthal]

Monroe was dropping double doubles consistently by the end of last year, Hibbert still can't do that.

Yup, Monroe seems to be about two and a half years ahead of Hibbert in terms of development, and seems to be a better instinctive rebounder with more consistency. Hibbert tends to be a better scorer, but is a bit weaker on the glass and less consistent and reliable.

I get caught analyzin based on how they play the Cavaliers and Monroe has been pretty pedestrian, with Hibbert having greater body of work. It's why I should stop using off the cuff comps, but won't...

I forgot about that hoops data site. Love them distance breakdowns.

[swerb]

I still can't believe the Pisstons threw all that $ on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Talk about a disaster everyone saw coming but Joe Du.

[Orenthal]

When I'm depressed that the Cavaliers (and myself) didn't pull the trigger early on Andy, Mo, Jamo, et. al., thinking they had a "decent" team I'm comforted that at least we didn't do ^.

[bookelly]

Anyone know where to catch these games online? No way I shell out $170.00 for 60 games. Btw - Love how they still charge full amount for 3/4 of a season.

[e0y2e3]

NBA League Pass is on free trial until 1/8

[Orenthal]

Tristan and Samardo with b2b steamrolls over Pistons bigs. Well, more like decent inside moves that Monroe and Maxiell tried to draw fouls on with flops.

[bookelly]

NBA League Pass is on free trial until 1/8

Thanks.

[bookelly]

There are some very interesting players on this squad. Some real athletes.

[ClevelandFanInNewYork]

Anyone know where to catch these games online? No way I shell out $170.00 for 60 games. Btw - Love how they still charge full amount for 3/4 of a season.

In case you can't access League Pass...

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/9996 ... liers.html

[bookelly]

Anyone know where to catch these games online? No way I shell out $170.00 for 60 games. Btw - Love how they still charge full amount for 3/4 of a season.

In case you can't access League Pass...

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/9996 ... liers.html

That works too thanks!

[Orenthal]

Much better flow to the game tonight. After subbing back in Kyrie is really setting the pace. He also has passed less to Jamo, and Jamo has done more driving to the basket when he has gotten the ball.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

Kyrie looking real good tonight, almost like an actual NBA point guard and not one of those slashies (shooting guard/point guard and not the other way around) that masqueraded as a point guard in James' shadow. Kid's got great vision and a good mid-range game and is running the pick and roll very nicely. I'm real high on him.

[bookelly]

I'd be nice to see Irving and Thomson on the floor at the same time. Both have real energy.

[Gradysmanldy]

If this is the Kyrie and TT we see most nights, I'm thoroughly pleased and looki g forward to another top pick in 2011 to pair with them. (Harrison Barnes?)

[e0y2e3]

Fuck Harrison Barnes.

Have you watched him try to dribbel and or create his own shot? Guy will be fine in the NBA, but is not a playmaker in any way, he is a shooting piece.

[pup]

[golfclap]A win[/golfclap]

[swerb]

Both rookies looked great tonight. Would have liked to have seen Byron go back to Kyrie in the 4th ... but he left the second unit out there for the last quarter + of this one.

Been very impressed with Tristan. Noticable athleticism, length, awareness, ball handling skills. Has looked very good for a real young kid that didn't play long or do much in college. Early returns on him have been impressive, especially if you don't hold the weight/expectations of the #4 pick against him.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

Good win but the point of this season should be about grooming Kyrie and he didn't play the entire 4th quarter. Let him in there and try to close it out. Every bit of experience helps. I believe he and Sessions would play well together in the 4th as Irving played a SG role at Duke when he came back from the injury. Who gives a shit about Gibson being out there in the 4th.

[Gradysmanldy]

Well, I'd like to watch the tourney to see who the high end swing men/bigs are
Before the draft.....admittedly don't watch a ton of college hoops, but there has got to be a deep pool this year with the new CBA in place.

[Orenthal]

Scott mentione Irving came to him towards the end of the third saying he was winded. With lack of any real TC error on the side of caution. Scott also mentioned he told Kyrie to push the game at his pace and drag the team along. Scott assuring him if he makes a few mistakes by pushing the ball he'll look at it as progress not in error.

Also like that Thompson took the advice of perhaps AC in that he is trying to direct his blocks to his teamates. AC said on the Raptors telecast that he told TT how Bill Russell would keep the ball in play when making blocks, aiming them to teamates for potential fast break points.

Also Samuels is just a beast down low, using that bulk and strength against taller players. Keep playing like this Jamo so we can get something in return, then showcase these young PF's.

[e0y2e3]

I have no problems with TT beyond his draft position.

If he is taking advice from Austin Fucking Carr though me and TT gonna have some issues.

[Orenthal]

It could have been Scott or Campy. I just know it was one of those old skewl (<-kewl) guys. Course that's how the game is played.

THROW THE HAMMER DOWN BIG FELLA!

[Orenthal]

Oh, and about midway through the 3rd the Cavaliers had two trips in a row on offense where they executed real life NBA plays that actually made me grin. One was a KI pass to AP who never dribbled and dished behind his back to Jamo driving the baseline for an easy slam. It was poetry in motion, fluid, and the fact they followed it up with something similar had me thinking we might have an NBA team. Even during the Bron years such team play on offense rarely happened twice in a row*.



*This does not mean this team is better or any good, just that they may be able to play team basketball on offense. Not LeIso's amazing one man show or whatever last years abortion was sans old man Baron's swagger.

[Prosecutor]

Only thing I can complain about is the 21 turnovers, but at least they cleaned it up in the 2nd half. 15 turnvovers in the first half, mostly on trying to force passes into tight windows.

For the game, 57% shooting, 82% free throws, 28 assists. I never expected to see this team averaging over 100 ppg right out of the blocks, even against weaker competition. I was wondering if they'd average 85 ppg for the season.

Watching Irving and Sessions, I can see why they amnestied Baron.

Samuels was a beast down low and showed a surprisingly accurate outside shot. They might have beaten Toronto if he played instead of Hollis on Monday, but I think Scott was making a point since Samuels supposedly reported out of shape.

Scott is using a 10-man rotation. Every player on the second five had more minutes than every player on the starting five. We may actually end up with a team of 10 guys playing fairly equal minutes. Would that be an NBA first? Last night nobody played more than 28 minutes and there was no garbage time.

This could be an advantage for the Cavs as this compressed season gets into Feb and March. If nobody is playing 30 minutes a game they'll be fresher than their opponents and the chances of injury will also be reduced. Jamison will benefit more than anybody.

The positive showing by TT and Samuels so far is making Jamo even more expendable, if that was possible. I'm hoping one of the top contenders gets a couple of key injuries on the front line and is desparate for a veteran PF.

Irving with 14/7/4 in under 20 minutes. Not bad. Could be a keeper. Watching TT play I was surprised to discover that he doesn't have two left feet and frying pans for hands.

Brandon Knight looks like he'll be causing the Cavs problems for the next decade, especially after the Pistons get one of the top three picks in next year's draft to complement him.

Anyone know where to catch these games online? No way I shell out $170.00 for 60 games.

Yeah, $2.82 per game to watch this team from the comfort of your living room is outrageous, but I took out a second mortgage and I'm going for it. I justify it by saying I get all the Lakers, Heat, Spurs, Celtics, Mavs, and Thunder games as well.