It happened, We're Over It, We're Moving On

Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. The sky is not falling . . . .

I attended game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals last night expecting to be treated to another 48 minutes of Cavalier poetry. Needless to say, 24 of those minutes fell a bit short of my expectations. I left the Q hoarse, angry, and exhausted.

I'm not going to recap the game. I'm not going to point out all of the obvious and ridiculous things that the Cavs botched, both in their execution and strategy in the second half. All I'm going to do is offer a few suggestions that I think might help the Cavs handle a team that they just don't match up with particularly well; and yes, I'm well aware that "don't stand around on offense" is probably near the top of the list of adjustments that need to be made, but we're going for a few things that are a little more subtle:

1. Take 75% of Szczerbiak and Gibson's minutes and give them to Sasha. Keep in mind, I am not a Pavlovic fan. But I just don't see how you can justify playing a guy a) whose feet are glued to the floor, or b) who is undersized and brings nothing to the table right now, over a guy who is 6'7, agile, and can also put the ball on the floor on the offensive end. Listen, I'm well aware of Sasha's deficiencies. I just think that with both Lewis and Turkoglu out on the floor, when the Cavs decide to change things up by going to the bench, the should do it by bringing out a big perimeter player who can bother Orlando's shooters a little bit.

2. Increase Lebron's minutes. I know, this sounds a little bit ridiculous since he only sat about 90 seconds in the 4th quarter but part of what has made the Cavs such a tough playoff out for the last couple of years is that the team becomes significantly better when Lebron is playing 48 minutes. I thought it was a costly mistake to put him on the bench to start the 4th last night. Playoff leads are too hard to build. It is senseless to have a guy work all game to build and maintain a lead just to let it slip away so that he can get a quick blow. There are no back-to-backs in the playoffs. The TV timeouts are endless. Lebron can go 48 minutes without a problem. Let him do it. At the very least, eliminate the rest at the start of the 4th. The Cavs can't afford to take him off of the floor for defensive reasons, let alone offense.

3. Give Andy a crack at Howard. I completely agreed with the strategy of forcing Howard to beat single defenders to win the game. Boiled down to its simplest form, in a pure pissing contest between Howard and Lebron, Howard loses 99 times out of 100. He just doesn't have the offensive arsenal to score every time down the floor like Lebron does. That said, having Z guard him all game is making things a little too easy. At least Andy might be able to stay in front of him and draw a cheap charge or two. I'm not saying the Cavs should do it all game because they can't afford to have Varejeo in foul trouble but he definitely needs to spend a little more time on Howard, if only to force him to make a few more baby hooks. Obviously, if the Cavs do this, it means more time for Wallace and Joe Smith because one of them is going to have to guard Rashard Lewis. I'm fine with that (assuming they stop screwing up the switch-offs on the sideline pick and roll). I love Z but unless the Cavs are going to run offensive set through him in the low post (which they won't as long as Howard is down there), then there isn't much reason to have him out there all game.

4. Stick Lebron on Alston and leave him there until somebody else gets hot. I'm not sure why the Cavs switched the assignment last night when Orlando's perimeter players were quiet in the first half. Plus, having Lebron on Alston gives him a little more flexibility to be a helpside defender down low. I'm not saying he can just go roam and block shots, but it's not like Turkoglu or Lewis where helping equals instant death.

5. Stop making Z show on screens 30 feet from the basket.

6. Push the perimeter defense out even further out. I know, it sounds absurd but Orlando can't win games with 2 point shots. On that last possession, I wished Varejao had just waved Rashard Lewis by him and made him make an uncontested 8 footer. I know, putting guys in a position to beat you off the dribble forces defenders to help and causes things to break down. Still, I'd rather take my chances with that than allow Lewis and Turkoglue to get good looks at the rim all game. The Cavs defenders need to be up in Lewis and Turkoglu's chests swatting at the ball trying to make their lives difficult and disrupt their shooting motions.

Aside from the aforementioned, there are a host of other obvious adjustments that need to be made (e.g. Mike Brown not doing his best S.V.G. impression by pissing his pants and overreacting to his opponent's play by abandoning his gameplan) but I have confidence that the Cavs will make them. The Cavs are a 66 win team. The Magic are a team that is built to succeed one night and fail the next. The sky is not falling. The Cavs have spent 8 months convincing us that they're the best team in the league. One bad half doesn't change that. Keep the faith everyone. This series is going to be a roller-coaster but I still believe the Cavs will prevail.

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Cavs Win in OT

Quick thoughts after the Cavs OT win over Portland:

1. I actually attended the game tonight, my first at home this season. You would think that since I now live about a 5 minute walk from the Q, attending games would be a no-brainer. Well, a funny thing has happened as I've grown older: My tolerance for all the hassles of attending major sporting events has been greatly diminished. The horrible music, the atrocious entertainment, the lines at the bathroom, the absurd concession prices, the uncomfortable seats . . . it was one thing when the alternative was sitting at home and watching the game on a grainy pixelated tube. But now, with gigantic HD plasmas and LCDs and DVRs . . . you can make a very compelling case for staying home. Still, my buddy DC has great seats in the lower bowl and even for someone who has attended his fair shair of NBA games, there is something special about being that close to NBA players. The same can be said for guys in the NFL but even that's not quite the same. NBA players are just a different species.

2. As for the game, the Cavs did their now common sleepwalk through the first half taking bad jumper after bad jumper. It was amazing, given the way that they played, that they were only down two at the break. Then, in the second half, as soon as they started taking the ball to the hoop, the game changed dramatically. Brandon Roy did a nice job hitting free throws down the stretch to force the game into OT but I felt fairly comfortable, once the Cavs got the lead, that they weren't going to lose it.

3. I like the way Delonte took the ball inside a couple of times in the second half. I can't stress enough how much the Cavs need him ready to go for the playoffs. It's an old NBA cliche' but it only takes a few easy buckets to get a shooter's outside stroke going again.

4. The Blazers, even without Batum and Aldridge, are a very good young NBA team. We were talking during the second half about the fact that if the Blazers had taken Durant instead of Oden, the NBA might have to shut down operations in the next couple of years because the Blazers would be OWNING everyone including the Cavs. A top 3 of Durant, Roy, and Aldridge plus an owner who could afford to pay all three? That, my friends, would've been game, set, and match. Luckily, they took Oden and the rest is history. I know people like to point out the fact that this is still technically his rookie season and he's still young BUT . . . I can't say I would be too excited if I were a Blazers fan about a skinny, timid 7 footer, with no offensive game, a fragile psyche, and a microfracture procedure under his belt. Oden could very well be a 17-12 guy some day but I wouldn't be the farm on it.

5. It's been a while since I've said this and I know some of you think I'm too hard on Lebron so let me just say this: My god, he is breathtaking. The ease with which he was getting to the hole down the stretch was just amazing. How does one guy just slice through an entire defense that knows exactly what he's going to do? Ridiculous. If that's playoff Lebron, and history would indicate that it is, then I feel pretty good about our chances of getting out of the East.

6. Nice adjustment by Mike Brown to go small and Bring in Sasha in the 4th quarter to contain Travis Outlaw, who had developed quite the hot hand. Normally, I like to see Andy on the floor late in the game but sitting him tonight was the correct move.

7. I had no idea that the Cavs were on the verge of setting the record for fewest turnovers until I was told after the game. Obviously, you don't notice a turnover unless it happens.

8. Looking at the schedules, the Cavs play better teams down the stretch than the Lakers but LA has almost all of theirs on the road. I would say if the Cavs lose 3 or fewer games the rest of the way, they'll get the top overall seed. With games against Boston, San Antonio, and at Orlando just to name a few, that's going to be a tall order. The Cavs will almost definitely lose at least one more game against a sub-500 team so limiting the remaining losses to 3 is going to be a tall order.

That's it for now. Happy Friday everyone!

(MORNING UPDATE)


You've got to be shitting me ESPN. Against my better judgment, I just went to the worldwide leader's NBA page to read the daily dime. I was actually somewhat pleased at the "Beast of the East" headline for the article. I should've known better. Inside, I was treated to a nice sloppy Tim Leger/Celtics BJ featuring a host of completely insane comments. Allow me to post some of my favorites:

With all their injuries, the Celtics have no rhythm right now and the Magic
need to figure out a way to steadily feed Dwight Howard at crunch
time.

Those are the two biggest reasons I don't think that Boston or Orlando can catch Cleveland. Cleveland is 4.5 games in front of Boston and five games ahead of Orlando, and with the exception of Ben Wallace, the Cavaliers are the one team that is not dealing with injuries.

. . .

It is more important for the Cavaliers to have home court than it is for Boston . . . The Celtics won big games on the road last season so they are confident they can do it again.

. . .

[The Celtics] are the most complete team in the league and they have more options offensively than the Cavaliers or Magic.

. . .

The Celtics are mentally tough.

. . .

I think Paul Pierce needs to get a mention [for MVP].

So let me get this straight: The reason that Boston can't catch the Cavs right now is because of injuries? Now that's interesting. You see, I thought the reason was that the Cavs never fucking lose and have already played 95% of their tough road games. Silly me. I can totally see your point though Tim. With a healthy Garnett, I could definitely see Boston jumping the Cavs in the seeding. The selection committee would certainly take into account the way Boston played after Garnett's return.

And really? The Celtics don't need home court because they've already shown their ability to win on the road? Are you sure it was the Celtics that won on the road last postseason, Tim? Are you sure it's wasn't, I don't know, NOTHING?

The Celtics have more options offensively than the Cavs or Magic? That must be why they've established such a strong offensive identity. It's a good thing they're not just a sloppy offensive team with a great defense.

The Celtics are mentally tough? Are you sure about this? When did this new information come to light? You've been holding out on us the entire time! You should really alert the rest of the gang at ESPN as to this fact so that they can incorporate it into their regular schtick.

Paul Pierce for MVP? Are we talking about Celtics MVP because I think Ray Allen would disagree with that statement. I know you can't be talking about league MVP because statistically, that type of argument would be ridiculous right? I mean Lebron averages 8 more points a game and his team is 4.5 games ahead in the standings. Wade has single-handedly made the Heat dangerous. Certainly, you're not proposing that someone should actually vote for Pierce for MVP are you?

ESPN, seriously, your NBA coverage has become a joke. How can you let people write this stuff! It's one thing to take a controversial position. It's quite another to make statements that are so asinine that no reasonable person could believe them (like that Paul Pierce deserves MVP consideration). Get a life ESPN. And while you're at it, could you do some research for me? You see, I've been sitting around all morning wondering whether Kevin Garnett is intense. That fact was strangly omitted from the dime this morning and so I'm now questioning whether everything I've read about him prior to today was just unsubstantiated rumor. Can you get back to me on this?

I really wish the playoffs were here because I can't wait for the Cavs to shove it right up ESPN and Barkley's ass.

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Cavs Get Big Home Win: Top Seed Within Reach

I don't have much time to write this morning but I wanted to get a few Cavs thoughts out there to start the discussion. I'm interested to get the pulse of CMCR nation regarding this team right now.

1. In full disclosure, I only really watched the last quarter of the game as I was out and about in Cleveland taking in the St. Patrick's day festivities. With that being said, I think I pretty much got the gist of things: The Cavs tried to limit the damage caused by Howard down low and ended up getting scorched by Orlando's bigger perimeter players. At the same time, our beloved Cavs, now reincarnated as a pure jump shooting team, hit enough shots and got enough stops and friendly whistles down the stretch to pull it out. Not exactly the way I'd want to win but a win nonetheless.

2. Orlando is a huge problem for us because they have the best frontcourt player in the league and a ton of tall guys that can stroke it from the outside. That's not to say that the Cavs couldn't beat them in a seven game series, but I would absolutely rather play the Celtics. That's right Jon Barry, I said I would rather play the Celtics. Your idiotic Daily Dime notwithstanding Jon, I would rather play the Celtics. I encourage all of you to go read his Daily Dime column on ESPN this morning and go tell him what an idiot he is. Right Jon, the most "mentally tough" team in the Eastern Conference is the same one that couldn't stand upright away from home last year in the playoffs. Why is it that the "experts" over at ESPN only mention the Cavs as a contender with flaws? When LA shits the bed at home to a crappy Philly team, it's because they're realizing that they don't need home court in the playoffs and the Sixers are really playing tough. When Boston folds down the stretch, it's because of Garnett. When Cleveland keeps winning, it doesn't matter because they don't have a "legitimate third option" and they can't win without Ben Wallace. Great analysis this morning fellas.

3. I said it in a comment earlier this week: I'm not alarmed about the Cavs right now but I'm definitely concerned. This team can't jump shoot their way to a title. Lebron has to be attacking the rim all night and when teams take him away, Mo and Delonte need to be penetrating and Z needs to be getting the ball down low. Honestly, I'm more concerned with the offense right now than I am the defense. A few matchup problems aside (Guys like Yao and Howard), the Cavs can turn the screws on anyone defensively when they want to, especially at home. But, if they continue to develop an identity as a jump shooting team, it will be hard to break out of it in May and June.

4. Everyone talks about Ben Wallace being a huge difference maker but from where I stand, the biggest difference between the current version of the Cavs and the one that was mauling everyone earlier in the year is Delonte West. He doesn't look like he's ever been fully healthy since he came back from the wrist injury. Before he got hurt, his shooting was fantastic and he was attacking the basket with regularity. Now, he just disappears on the court for long periods of time. I know with his psychological issues, there is a lot that can be going on at any given time that can impact his play but this team desperately needs him to return to his early-season form.

5. Like I said, I missed three quarters of this game and I can see from the box that Lebron played out of his head. That being said, the deep three he hit at the end of the game made me want to vomit. I know, I know, I'm Mr. negativity but come on: You're comfortable with Lebron taking ridiculously deep 3's when we're down at the end of games? Me either. Yes, I know he made it and that's what great players do but I just hope that in his head, he knows that such a shot would never be acceptable with the season on the line. Sure, he tried the dribble drive and kick in the few possessions before that and guys were missing the open shots but it still didn't justify what he did. I'll take the win and not say any more about it but please, someone out there just assure me that Lebron understands that he can't take these shots in the playoffs.

6. LA lost and the Cavs now have the best record in the league. Will they hold on to it? I'd say it's 50/50. The Cavs aren't playing that well right now and still have plenty of tough games ahead. They need to treat every one of them like a playoff game because as much as this team can win on their road, their best bet to win a title is an 08 Celtics type playoff course where they win everything at home and try to steal a couple of games on the road.

Ok, that's it for this morning. I honestly don't even know how to feel right now. We have the best record in the NBA but I felt much better about this team two months ago. I need some reassurance people. What do all of you have to say?

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The 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers (Automotive Edition)

Two disclosures before you decide whether to read this post:

1. It represents an idea that my buddy DC and I have been discussing for about a year now, but in all fairness, I'm pretty sure I saw a link recently where another blogger did essentially the same thing. Thus, I'm not claiming that this is an original idea (not that it's good enough to warrant any sort of props for whoever really came up with it).

2. There is absolutely no information to be ascertained from this post. It is highly probable that if you decide to read it, you'll be left to ponder the fact that you just wasted 5 minutes of your life that you can never get back. With that said . . .

If each member of the Cleveland Cavaliers were a car, what kind of car would he be? Think about the Owen Wilson Pixar flick for an idea of what I'm talking about. The brash young athlete represented by the hybrid stock/formula one car. The wise, gruff, past his prime veteran represented by the Hudson Hornet. The sexy and mysterious (don't try to tell me that Sally Carrera wasn't sexy) female portrayed by the powder blue 911 . . . Well if they were to make a "Cars II" about the 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers, what type of car would represent each player? He's are my best guesses.

1. Lebron James: 2009 Bugatti Veyron - This was too easy. Pick any ridiculous supercar and you could make a case that it's the car that should play Lebron. I went with the Bugatti because it's the fastest production car on the planet, it's built like a Sherman Tank, and it packs more power under the hood than you can possibly wrap your brain around: A turbocharged 64 Valve W16 that generates over 1,000 horsepower. It's an absurd vehicle to represent an absurd athlete.

2. Mo Williams: 2004 Honda S-2000 - If someone were to show up at your house one

day and offer you a 2004 Honda S-2000, you'd be pretty excited right? I mean, you wouldn't go berzerk as if someone were handing you the keys to a Ferrari, but nevertheless,

that would be a great and memorable day, would it not? That's the type of reaction many of us had when the Cavs got Mo Williams. He certainly represented a massive upgrade over our then existing point guard options, much like the 04 S-2000 would represent a massive upgrade over what most of us are currently driving. Moreover, the S-2000 is a deceptively fast and sporty vehicle, and while it doesn't have the flashiest body or garner the most recognition in its class, it's clearly more than just a solid everyday performer. The same can be said for Mo.

3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas: 1988 Chevrolet E20 Conversion Van - Anyone caught driving this relic would be mercilessly ridiculed by their friends. But, that wouldn't change the fact that it would still be just as roomy and comfortable as it was the day it rolled off the assembly line. You could make the same argument for big Z. He's awkwardly large, painfully slow, and his game is a bit of an eyesore, but I challenge you to find more than a few players who have been more consistent and effective over the last 10 years.

4. Delonte West: Modified 2007 Honda Civic - The crazy appearance and cliche'

nature of this vehicle take away from the fact that, as modified, it's a pretty high performer. In much the same way, Although Delonte is, well . . . he's not a particularly attractive man, but in spite of his unusual appearance, he's a very solid guard. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well but much like the modified civic, he's a reliable above-average performer.

5. Ben Walace: Dump Truck - This vehicle is large,

one-dimensional, and serves a very narrow purpose. Need I say more?

6. Anderson Varajao: 2004 Land Rover Defender - The defender is a big, rugged, off-road vehicle that you just don't see a lot of in the U.S. Similarly Varejao is a tough, gritty banger in the paint with a look and playing style that are equally unique.

7. Daniel Gibson: 2001 Chyrsler PT Cruiser - When the PT made its debut in 2001, it received a ton of hype based on the fact that there was nothing on the market at that time that was anything like it. After the initial excitement faded, however, people

began to realize that the PT was a bit of a dud on the road. Now, the vehicle's look is terribly outdated and anyone seen driving one looks a little ridiculous. When Dan Gibson emerged onto the scene in the 2007 playoffs, Cavs fans went wild. For years, we had been searching for a pure shooter to play with Lebron and finally, one had arrived. Now, a couple of years later, Gibson looks one-dimensional and his one above average skill, shooting, is now either matched or surpassed by several other more versatile players on the Cavs' roster.

8. Wally Szczerbiak: 1995 BMW 745iL - Sure it was a status symbol in its day but the truth of the matter is that it was was always wildly overpriced and a maintenance nightmare. Do I even need to draw the parallels to Wally's career? We may love him as an expiring contract and he was even an all-star in his prime but overall, his career has been a little underwhelming for a guy who was once viewed as a great white hope or sorts.

9. Sasha Pavlovic: 1988 Pontiac Fiero - It looks sporty. It should've been fun to own. Unfortunately, the Fiero never took off due to a host of issues including a reputation for engine fires. If you look at Pavlovic, he should be a useful player. He's big, fast, and at one time, was supposedly a decent shooter. By now though, we know it's just never going to happen for him. Much like the Fiero, Pavlovic's career is destined to be short and forgettable.

10. J.J. Hickson: 2006 Pontiac Solstice - The Solstice made a pretty good splash in 06 as a surprisingly sleek and affordable roadster. Sure, it had next to nothing under the hood but it was still an appealing start for a model that we suspected would have a pretty bright future. Hickson has been a pleasant surprise for a guy drafted in a spot where few before him had made a significant impact. Sure he's raw and a defensive liability but he definitely has the potential to be a solid rotation player in the future.

11. Tarence Kinsey: 2001 Hyundai Elantra - It's not flashy and it's made by a company that is only now starting to get any respect, but it's a reliable compact that will get you from point A to point B. Similarly, Kinsey doesn't get a lot of respect after spending the last year in Europe and while he isn't flashy, he'll give you a few passable minutes every night to give your other guards a blow.

12. Lorenzen Wright: Rusted-out Pickup Truck - This vehicle may have been servicable in its day but now, it's just a useless corpse waiting to be loaded into the shredder.....like Lorenzen Wright.

13. Darnell Jackson: Hearse - This vehicle serves an extremely narrow purpose and every time you see it, it makes you a little uneasy. The same could be said for Darnell Jackson. He's in the league solely for his big body and every time I see him on the floor, I'm reminded of the fact that our frontcourt is still one man short.

14. Trey Johnson: 1991 Geo Metro - If you saw a 91 Metro on the road today, you would wonder what the hell it was doing there. I have that same thought every time I see Trey Johnson on the floor in an NBA game.

15. Eric Snow: 1990 Toyota Tercel - In its day, there was nothing wrong with it. By the end of the decade, there was absolutely no reason for anyone to be driving one. The Snow parallels go without saying. Just remember: Up until 2007, the Cavs starting point guard was the equivalent of a 1990 Toyota Tercel. Thank you Danny Ferry.

OK, now for the fun part. I'm holding an informal contest for the best car comparison in the comments section of this post. To have realistic shot at winning, a suggestion must be strong in three areas: 1) comparison accuracy, 2) creativity, and 3) comedic value. Have at it CMCR nation.

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Quick Thoughts From Milwaukee

1. There was never any chance that the Cavs were going to lose that game tonight. A team like Milwaukee just doesn't have the offensive weapons to sustain a lead when the Cavs inevitably turn the screws on defense.

2. After observing his game tonight, anybody out there still want to blame Danny Ferry for not wanting to pay $52 million for Dick Jefferson over the next two years?

3. Lebron's 3rd quarter was jaw dropping. It was one of those weird anomalies where he just can't miss. Even though he's not a good shooter, once in a while he'll have a quarter where he literally can't miss. The only downside to Lebron getting hot like that is that in a close game, it can be a detriment later on when he's still inevitably trying to hit fallaway 23 footers after the fire has been extinguished and the entire offense has been shut down. I'm fine with Lebron playing out the string on hot quarters in February but come playoff time, once he misses a heat check shot from deep, it's time to go back inside.

4. Text message from fellow CMCR editor tonight: "I love when Z plods to the defense of his teamates." Another gem: "Delonte looks like he's dressed for the winter formal after tonight's game."

5. I don't know if Dan Gibson is still hurt but I'm excited to have Delonte back. Gibson's shot is nowhere near where it was in 06 and he probably shouldn't be playing point guard in the NBA if he doesn't have enough confidence in his handle to fend off Luke Ridnour. Is anyone else a little troubled by Gibson's regression over the last couple of years?

That's all for tonight. Looking forward to a nice little Sunday scrimmage against Detroit's carcass.

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Delonte's Injury: The Silver Lining:

When Delonte West went down during the Bulls game the other night, fracturing his right wrist and forcing himself to the sidelines for at least a month's worth of action, I'm sure I probably had the same response as a number of you - screaming a string of curse words and hurling my remote control at my television. Delonte was in the midst of his best game of the season (scoring 11 pts, grabbing 3 rebounds and handing out 2 assists in only 10 minutes of play), while playing his overall best stretch of basketball on the year (averaging 10.8 points and 54 percent shooting, 56 percent on 3-pointers in January). Not to mention, as pointed out recently in WFNY, Lebron and Delonte are currently putting up the best +/- of any two players in the NBA. And the Cavs, with Z already sidelined and Ben Wallace battling the sickness, can ill-afford to lose another starter. In many ways, Delonte is the heart of this team - if Lebron sets the tone with his play making ability, Delonte sets the example with his grittiness and hustle, both making the little plays and keeping everyone on the team loose.

Despite the obvious problems that Delonte's absence will create, there are many unintended benefits of his injury, that Cavs' fans should focus upon in the coming month.

1)Delonte's Injury Deepens the Bench in the Long-term

With Delonte out, Sasha Pavlovic gets the opportunity to start. We all know Mike Brown's infatuation with Sasha, because Mike loves him some "big guards." With Sasha starting, the Cavs can finally evaluate if he is anything more than a roster filler. Given the opportunity to play greater minutes in the past, Sasha has shown flashes of potential, especially when previously thrust into a starting role. And, in his start against New Orleans Friday, Sasha flourished, scoring 19 points and hitting all four of his three point attempts.

In my opinion, Sasha is most effective when he's driving to the basket and creating his own shot, and at his least impressive when's hovering around outside and firing up threes. With Lebron, it's very easy for a player like Sasha to become passive. If Sasha plays aggressively, gets to the foul line (Terry Pluto points out today that since Dec. 1, Pavlovic has played 340 minutes and is 3-of-6 at the foulline) and plays adequate defense, he then becomes another player that Mike Brown can trust and work into the rotation after Delonte returns.

Alternatively, if the Cavs are going to make a move before the trade deadline (February 19th), playing Sasha for extended minutes is a way to increase his value in any potential deals. Sasha remains one of the most tradable assets the Cavs have at the moment, besides their expiring deals. If Sasha produces in his starting role, at 25, he is young enough that teams maybe willing to part with older, more proven, and expensive talent in a deal for him - based solely on his potential. And as Sasha is currently one of the last players coming off the Cavs' bench, losing him would not necessarily be a blow if the Cavs's rotation, and would actually strengthen the rotation as the player the Cavs received in return would most likely be making much greater contributions to the team than those lost by trading Sasha.

In addition to Delonte's absence opening up an increased role for Sasha, it also creates more minutes for both Wally Szczerbiak and Daniel Gibson. At different times during the season so far, both Wally and Boobie have seen their shots falter, be it because of injuries or limited playing time. Though both have been improved as of late, taking some of Delonte's minutes will allow both player's to get more comfortable with their shot and allow them to get rolling again. I'm a big believer that the more a player has contributed during the regular season, the greater the chance he will be able to contribute in a big moment during the playoffs. And while it's unlikely that Wally could increase his trade value substantially by performing well in any increased playing time, as the most attractive asset Szczerbiak provides in any deal is his expiring contact, it certainly couldn't hurt his marketability.


2) Delonte's Injury Forces the Cavs to Not Get Complacent

The NBA season is long. Too long, probably. And let's face it, all games are not in fact equal to one another. Despite what coaches and players say, a match up against the Boston Celtics is going to be treated much differently by a team than a match up against the Indiana Pacers on the second night of a back-to-back series. It's just how things work.

The whole goal of the NBA season is to make the playoffs, which the Cavs have basically already assured themselves of doing. If the Cavs were so inclined, they could coast the rest of the season, playing .500 basketball, and still end up with the 4th or 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. Obviously, the Cavs aren't going to stop trying, but they will, at points during the remainder of the season, lose their focus as all teams are inclined to do.

Losing Delonte can help refocus the Cavs on the importance of every single game. When a key player goes down, it puts pressure on the rest of the team to step up. Players become aware that they cannot afford to take a mental night off if they want to win because they are a man short. Adversity can actually serve to strengthen the Cavs, as players have to find new ways to work together to pull off victories. The team unity developed in overcoming an obstacle such as Delonte's injury can actually help the Cavs in achieving their ultimate goal of becoming the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Being able to survive the minor hurdles of Z's and Delonte's absences could potentially allow this team to develop the mindset that nothing can slow them down, and be which pushes this team over the top in the end.

Delonte's absence also prevents Mike Brown from becoming complacent. Already we have seen Mike Brown establishing new, creative game plans, such as playing Lebron at the center position, or essentially running out five guards, as he did against New Orleans. These are potential rotations and combinations which Brown may have been reluctant to attempt with the full Cavs' arsenal at his disposal. Come playoff time, having already once inserted Lebron into the center role with success, Coach Brown maybe more willing to do so when the situation presents itself in a crucial moment.

Finally, Delonte's injury may be the catalyst that causes Danny Ferry to pull the trigger on a deal which he otherwise would not have made. Obviously, this could either be a positive or negative thing, and most likely if Danny Ferry is on the fence for a deal, it's probably a deal he should not be making anyways. Independent of that consideration, Delonte's injury allows Danny Ferry to truly access the depth of this current team. If, in an expanded role, Wally's shot consistently deserts him, Ferry discovers soon rather than later that a move needs to be made. If Sasha continues to show that he cannot play solid defense consistently, Danny might be less inclined to hold on to him, waiting for things to click. West's injury allows for game evaluations of players who will be counted to contribute in the long run. If a glaring weakness appears, Ferry will be able to correct the problem before it's too late.

3) Delonte's Injury allows the Cavs to keep Delonte Fresher in the Long Run

Again, the NBA season is long. Players break down, injuries occur. Every team suffers its share of nicks and bruises along the way. I'd much rather a playoff team like the Cavs reach these roadblocks earlier in the year, rather than a month before the playoffs. Now, I'm not naive. I know that the Cavs are just as likely to suffer another in May as any other team. However, with Delonte missing a month of the season, he might actually be better off because of it when he returns.

Rather than slowly getting beat up, playing day after day, Delonte now has a full month to recuperate from the first half of the season. Delonte is starting consistently for the first time in his career, averaging 33.3 minutes a game, well over his 28.5 minutes per game career average. Last season, there were only 19 total games where Delonte played more than 30 minutes, most of them after he was traded to the Cavs. He's already play 30+ minutes in 30 games this season for the Cavs.I want Delonte playing at full strength in the playoffs. Like Z, a rest in the middle of the season makes this possibility more likely to occur.

As well as getting the opportunity to heal a little bit, having Delonte on the sidelines during the game may provide of the added benefit of making him a better player in the long run. Observing and coaching from the sidelines may allow Delonte to see things he otherwise might not have been aware of while on the court. Learning and interacting with the other coaches during the game, or even coaching his teammates during the game, may allow for him to be a stronger floor general when he returns. A prime example a player embracing this sort of role during an injury would be Eric Snow. I haven't seen Snow on the sidelines during many of the Cavs' games this season, but the possibility of him working with Delonte during Delonte's recovery would seem to be a logical avenue to explore.

Conclusion:
The effect of Delonte's injury on the Cavs is not nearly as grim as one might have initially thought. While the Cavs may struggle to maintain the level of play they showed prior to Delonte getting hurt, that's to be expected when losing a team's starters. The key to this situation is how the Cavs respond. Strength is borne through tribulations. Read the rest of this article

Cavs-Celtics Running Diary

Here is my belated running diary on last night's Cavs-Celtics game, which will be completed with the help of my Tivo. It is late, but I love reading running diaries even after games I watched so this is for those who cannot get enough of the game or who missed it. The Cavs and Celtics are two of the 3, maybe 4, elite teams in the NBA so this is a huge game for a regular season game. The Cavs really have a chance tonight on national television to make a statement about the pecking order in the NBA. Without further ado, it is time to press play on my Tivo:

First Quarter

12:00 - No surprises in the starting lineups. Starting for the Cavs are Mo Williams, Delonte West, Lebron James, Ben Wallace, and Anderson Varejao. Starting for the Celtics are Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, and Kevin Garnett.

12:00 - I thought a throwback jerseys were throwbacks to jerseys that used to be worn or are at least close to it. Did the Cavs ever wear anything like that?

11:50 - Ben Wallace with a drive and score to the basket off a pick and roll. Never thought the game would start like that. This can only be a good sign.

11:05 - Anderson Varejao with a nice double pump layup off a Lebron James assist. Andy simultaneously being in shape this and learning to play under control this year has been huge, especially now that Z is hurt. I no longer cringe when he drives, spins, and attempts a layup because he no longer does it wildly.

10:20 - Celtics with some nice ball movement between Pierce, Garnett and Perkins for a Perkins layup.

10:07 - Varejao hits a jumper, which is another improvement in his game. I think the assumption that he is gone after this year is starting to look like a premature one. I am starting to think that the Cavs should keep him even though he is going to want a lot of money. He is just too important to the Cavs.

9:42 - Same three players, same result for Boston. Another nice play.

9:29 - Lebron with a nice pass to Big Ben for an easy layup. The Celtics pay for overloading on Lebron.

8:40 - I think Mo Williams has now hit three tear drop shots to the start the game. Cavs are up 12-8.

7:45 - Pierce to Garnett to Perkins again. Nice wrap around pass by Garnett. This is a battle between low-scoring big men right now in the form of Perkins, Wallace, and Varejao (although you could say that title no longer applies to Andy).

7:15 - Big Ben gets an offensive board, passes to a cutting Varejao, and Varejao is fouled on the layup attempt. Andy makes the two free throws, and the score is Cavs 14, Celtics 10. The battle of low scoring big men continues.

6:47 - Ben Wallace with the steal, which leads to Lebron getting fouled on the way to the hoop. I am not sure that Garnett fouled Lebron although he might have hit him on the face. Cavs are up
16-10 after Lebron makes the two free throws. Garnett is T'ed up for arguing. Score: 17-10.

6:25 - Garnett misses another shot. He has started cold.

6:04 - Delonte West with a nice short jumper over Garnett. The Cavs have started hot tonight.

5:03 - Cavs are forced to call a timeout as Lebron looks like he was hit in the eye on the last play. No call was made. Garnett gets his first points on the following play on a dunk with Lebron still holding his head at the other end of the floor.

4:44 - Lebron takes on Paul Pierce, gets buy him, and gets fouled as he makes a layup over Garnett. Cavs 22 Celtic 14.

3:50 - Daniel Gibson and J.J. Hickson checks in for Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao.

3:17 - Kendrick Perkins is fouled as he attempts another close-in shot. He has been scored over half of Boston's points thus far, surprisingly enough. He has nine points after he splits the free throws. Cavs 22 Celts 17.

2:54 - Lebron drives and kicks to Wally who knocks down a 3. Wally apparently snuck into the game without me noticing. Cavs 25 Celts 17

2:20 - Lebron with another assist as J.J. Hickson slams the ball home. Lebron has really been making the Celtics pay for overloading on him, and the big men (Wallace, Andy, and Hickson) have been in the right spots for the scores.

1:04 - James is rewarding for all his sharing as Gibson now hits a cutting Lebron for a big slam. Cavs 31 Celts 21

0:47 - Ray Allen misses a three as the Celtics are not shooting well.

0:35 - Pierce gets a fast break dunk after Rondo stripped Lebron. Cavs 31 Celts 23.

0:14 - Lebron drives for a nice layup on the ensuing play.

0:00 Lebron James comes out of nowhere to reject Perkin's short shot attempt at the buzzer. The crowd is buzzing as the quarter ends. Hickson also altered Rondo's shot on the same play. He has gotten into good position to affect shots a couple of times this game, which is good to see from the rookie. Cavs 33 Celts 23 after a strong first quarter from the Cavs. The Cavs are making shots, playing tough defense, and are really attacking the basket right now.

Second Quarter

12:00 - On the floor to start the quarter for the Cavs are J.J. Hickson, Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Mo Williams, and Wally. For the Celtics, Leon Powe, Eddie House, Ray Allen, Gabe Pruitt, and Glen Davis.

11:30 - Hickson misses a dunk, but once again gets in the right position on offense for the Cavs. He is playing the way he needs to thus far for the Cavs. He is working hard on defense and getting into positions to score by cutting to the basket at the right time.

10:24 - Powe makes a tough shot over Varejao who was playing some tight defense on him.

9:30 - Hickson is fouled on short jumper off a decent post move. I wondered how J.J. would respond when playing extended minutes with Z hurt against a good opponent. So far so good. Cavs 34 Celtics 27 after the free throws.

9:01 - Not much to say on the Celtics thus far as Ray Allen misses another shot. None of their stars are lighting it up. They are still in the game though.

8:24 - Leon Powe scores off a cut and a nice feed. He is a really nice player. He is Boston's version of Andy.

7:32 - Mo Williams has hit two straight baskets to give him 9 points. Cavs have Delonte, Gibson, Williams, Hickson, and Varejao on the floor. Cavs 38 Celts 31.

6:23 - Cavs with some great hustle to knock the ball away from Powe and get the loose ball. Boobie knocks down a 3. The Celtics call a timeout. The Cavs are hot tonight. They are in total control right now of this game. Lebron is back in when the game restarts.

5:05 - The Celtics miss 3 shots (House, Davis and Pierce) on one possession as the Cavs defense is getting hands in people's faces and the Celtics are not hitting their shots.

4:20 - Ben Wallace steals the ball and leads a fast break. He does not do a bad job although Lebron misses the shot, but let's never see that again.

3;37 - Lebron hits a 3. Not much scoring in this quarter. Cavs 44 Celtics 33. It was 33-23 after the first quarter.

3:18 - Ben Wallace alters Pierce's shot on a miss. Ben Wallace has been great.

2:27 - Allen misses another shot on a 3 point attempt. I am not sure he has scored. Garnett miss a short jumper too.

1:52 - Delonte has a nice drive and kicks the ball to Varejao who makes the jumper.

1:43 - Rondo hits Garnett on a nice alley oop. Someone lost Garnett on that play.

1:14 - Lebron hits another 3. Cavs 49 Celtics 35.

0:00 - It's halftime. The Cavs are playing really well tonight. I am not sure anyone could say anything bad about their performance thus far. Their defense has hustled and contested shots. The Cavs big men have done a good job in the middle. The Cavs offense has been attacking the basket and not settling for jumpers. Most jumpers have been on drive and kicks. The ball movement has been good. Even if they were not making their shots, this is exactly how you want to see them play every game. Let's not get too carried away though. They are only up 9. If Pierce gets hot, things could change quickly. Cavs 49 Celts 40.

3rd Quarter

12:00 - Starting lineups are back on the floor as the 2nd half starts.

10:30 - Rondo knocks the ball away from Mo Williams, immediately gets it back, and is fouled by Lebron on a fast break layup attempt. Jeff Van Gundy would like me to know that that was not a foul; however, Lebron got him with the body although the block was clean. Celtics are closing in. The score is 49-45 after Rondo's free throws as the Cavs have yet to score.

10:00 - The scoring has really slowed in this game after a 33-23 first quarter. Both teams are holding the the other defensively. Their defenses are the true reason that these two teams are tops in the east.

9:28 - Lebron with a crossover, drive, and a made left-handed layup as he is fouled. He completes the 3 point play and the score is Cavs 52, Celtics 45. Lebron is just as good around the basket with his left hand as he is with his right, which we all probably know but is still amazing.

7:56 - Van Gundy and Marc Jackson both think Lebron has been the MVP thus far. I cannot disagree although Wade has been really good this year.

7:17 - Lebron with an nice double pump layup. He has 22 points. Cavs 56 Celts 49.

5:51 - Steals on both ends: one by West and the other by Rondo. More missed shots. The Cavs turn the ball over again. The Cavs have scored just 7 points in this quarter, but hold on to a 56-51 lead. This has really become a defensive battle.

5:10 - Pierce misses a 3 pointer. It looks like he has only 5 points in this game. He often has huge games against the Cavs as he seems to love the challenge of playing against Lebron. Credit Lebron with playing good D.

4:44 - The game has gotten sloppy. I think the Cavs have turned the ball over on their last three possessions. For the most part, the Celtics are returning the favor. Varejao ends the Cavs turnover streak with a nice one-handed layup over his head for 2 points and a trip to the foul line. Cavs 59 Celtics 51 after the made free throw.

4:26 - Ray Allen hits a 3. He now has 7.

3:58 - Varejao hits a jumper on a Lebron assist. He is having a solid game with 13 points.

3:45 - Rondo drives to the basket and falls to the floor after it looks like he is hit in the head by one of the Cavs. There is no call. I have now watched this three times, and I am pretty sure that he bounced the ball off the top of his head when he tried to shoot. I have never seen that before. Wow. The play ends with Garnett hitting a jumper after a scramble for the ball after Rondo's head maneuver.

Unknown time since ESPN stole the clock from the screen: Lebron with an amazing (for a normal player) block from behind on Allen's fast break layup attempt. That move is becoming routine for him. Remember when everyone was amazed when Tayshaun Prince blocks Reggie Miller's layup from behind a few years ago. Lebron now does it about once every game or two.

2:35: On the other end of the floor, Lebron hits a jumper while being fouled by Rondo. Lebron is doing everything tonight: dishing the ball, driving for layups, hitting a few threes, blocking shots and playing huge D on Paul Pierce. Cavs 64 Celts 56.

2:14: Lebron swarms Pierce and forces him to give it up. He had the ball for about 10 seconds and could do nothing with it. Hickson gets the board when Powe misses.

1:25: Van Gundy is stating that Mike Brown does not get enough credit for the Cavs defense. Amen. Lebron hits another 3. Cavs 69 Celtics 58.

0:40: Delonte West and Daniel Gibson show how the Cavs offense should run. West fakes a 3, drives to the basket, and kicks it to Gibson in the corner. Gibson does not have an open 3 so he drives to the basket, and kicks it to West who knocks down the 3. They worked the ball in and out with great ball movement.

0:00: Pierce misses a fallaway jumper with Lebron once again in his face to close the quarter. Cavs 72 Celtics 60 after 3.

Fourth Quarter

12:00 - Varejao, Szcerbiak, Williams, Hickson and Gibson are out there for the Cavs to start the 4th. House, Allen, Powe, Davis, and Pierce for the Celtics. Let's see how the Cavs handle the lead without Lebron on the floor when Lebron provided much of their offense in the 3rd.

11:12 - Pierce hits a jumper over West who is now guarding him. Although West is a good defender, Pierece could take advantage of this matchup.

11:00 - Mo Williams hits a running tear drop. This is his time of the game with Lebron being out.

10:14 - Mo Williams with a nice pass to Varejao who is fouled on the layup. Cavs 74 Celts 62 after Andy misses both free throws.

10:00 - Pierce with a turnaround jumper over Wally who is guarding him for some reason. A shot of Lebron shows he wants back in the game to guard Pierce. You have to love his desire to get back in their to play defense.

9:24 - Pierce is really forcing it with Lebron out. He gets two close-in layup shots and offensive rebound before Powe scores. Lebron is coming back in.

8:49 - Varejao forces an offensive foul on Leon Powe. Lebron follows with a driving layup. Then, he knocks the ball away from House, runs the length of the floor, and dives for the ball before it goes out. The crowd is loving it. Lebron wants this game. This is a huge game for him.

7:44 - Lebron hits a jumper in the corner. Cavs 78 Celts 66. Unless Pierce goes off on the Cavs, it is hard to see the Cavs losing at this point.

6:36 - Lebron with a steal and a tough left-handed layup over Allen. He how has 36 points and 4 steals. Cavs 83 Celts 68.

5:40 - Boston has now turned the ball over three straight times after a West steal.

5:20 - Are the Celtics resorting to Hack-a-Ben in a regular season game? They fouled Ben Wallace far away from the ball. Maybe smart but weak. Ben hits 1 of 2. Cavs 84 Celts 71.

5:00 - Following a Pierce missed layup with Lebron and Ben in his face, the Celtics foul Ben Wallace again. The crowd is booing. Varejao looks like he is going to come in for Ben who makes 1 of 2 again. I would leave Ben in just to make a point to Boston and because we are up 14.

4:55 - Varejao is called back from the scorer's table to the bench. I love it.

4:32 - Wallace is fouled again. Lebron tries to shoot before they can do it and makes a 3 pointer from about half court. He did not shoot in time, but it has the crowd going crazy. Wallace makes 1 of 2 a third time and Lebron slaps the ball out for the offensive rebound. The Celtics choose to cease fouling Big Ben as Lebron forces his way into the middle and is fouled. Cavs 90 Celts 71 after Lebron's free throws.

4:01 - According to the announcer, the Celtics will fall to third in the Eastern Conference after this game. Incredible. A few weeks ago, they were 27-2.

4:01 - More Ben Wallace fouling by the Celtics. Doesn't the Hack-a-Ben seem a little desparate for a reigning champion in the regular season? The Celtics are really struggling right now. They will have lost 7 of their last 9 after this game.

3:13 - Lebron is now on the bench. Hickson, Varejao, and Gibson are in. The Celtics big 3 are out. It is officially garbage time. Gibson knocks down a 3 after some nice ball movement. Cavs 95 Celts 78.

0:00 - Final Score: Cavs 98 Celtics 83.

Post Game Thoughts

This was a fun and exciting game tonight for Cavs fans. They took on one of the top teams in the NBA and beat them by 15 to extend their record at home to be 19-0. I wrote before the game that this was their first chance for a statement win to provide the final proof that they are an elite team. The Cavs made a statement tonight although we should keep in mind that Boston is struggling right now. The game was often close, but the Cavs always seemed like they were in control. Not to mention, they did all this without Zydrunas Ilgauskas. When the Cavs play defense like this, are aggresive on offense, and have good ball movement, I am not sure anyone can beat them.

Lebron James was all over the place tonight and had 38 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Also, I think he earned some All-Defensive team, if not Defensive player of the year, votes tonight with his defense on Pierce who only had 11 points. It was really obvious he wanted to win this game. Anderson Varejao also had a strong performance with 14 points and 9 rebounds. However, as Lebron basically stated after the game, this is only one game. Hopefully, the Cavs can use this game to build some momentum on their quest to get the #1 seed for their playoffs.
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Cavs Thoughts

Two reasons not named LeBron why the Cavs are currently atop the NBA Standings:
1) Z

2) Shooters

1) Z is critical to the post-season chances of the Cavs. His two biggest contributions to the team are his put-back buckets when he is around the rim, and his ability to play away from the basket to create open lanes for penetration and pop-outs. I love Andy. We need to re-sign him at whatever his market value is. But he just can't get all of the easy baskets a 7'3" Z can get off put-backs and he can't reinvent himself as a 3 point threat like Z has become.

2) We have been trying for years to find the right compliment of players to surround King James. One problem was never having enough shooters. That problem was so bad we were forced to use Damon Jones in our regular rotation just so we could have any shooter on the floor.

Houston, we don't have a problem anymore. Our backcourt is now stacked with shooters. We have Delonte and Mo shooting .386 and .359 from three. If they have an off night we can throw in Wally. If he doesn't work we can throw in Boobie. If he doesn't work we can throw in Sasha. If he doesn't work then we end up losing to the Wizards. The point is, all five of them have the ability to consistently hit it from downtown. With only two backcourt positions, we should almost every night find a combination that works. Rarely will all of them be off on the same night.

Combine these factors with the King, and the Cavs are the best of the best.
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Good Road Win in Denver

Game thoughts:

1. As a professional sports fans, most of the enjoyment that we get out of watching games comes from two sources. First, the competition. It's always exciting to watch teams and individuals compete hard against one another. Second, our individual team loyalties add the emotional component that really forces us to get invested in the games. Rarely does our enjoyment of the experience come from the pure aesthetic component of the sport itself. Perhaps that is the greatest compliment I can pay to this Cavs team so far this year. For the first time in my life as a sports fan, I find myself forgetting for brief moments during games where my loyalties lie and getting completely entranced by the beauty of the game of basketball the way the Cavs play it. When the Cavs are playing well, it just takes my breath away. The passing, the movement, the defensive rotations...it's really moving. I've always enjoyed the NBA for the great rivalries and ridiculous personalities. Now, for the first time in my life, I'm enjoying it because I'm getting to watch the game of basketball played as if it were a form of art.

2. Its funny how no matter how many NBA Champions win with defense and good half-court offense, so many teams around the league still want to fly up and down the floor and shoot early in the shot clock. Go ask the 05 suns how well that works in the playoffs. Teams like that can beat you on any given night but rarely are they going to outlast a good physical team in a playoff series.

3. This Cavs team has helped me to understand the value of backcourt depth. Its amazing how consistent a team can be with multiple perimeter threats. I understand a lot of the offensive stability this team has found this year is a result of having a PG that can break teams down off the dribble and a 2-guard that can really play the game. But beyond that, the Cavs shooting depth just makes them so hard to beat on any given night. Between Delonte, Boobie, Szczerbiak, and Mo, the Cavs are almost guaranteed to have at least one guy shooting well from the outside on any given night. Shooting slumps are unavoidable but when you have so many guys that can stroke it, it's so much easier to play around them.

4. Its a shame that Sasha is the basketball equivalent of a special ed student. I mean seriously, his basketball IQ is just awful. Boobie Gibson is undersized and at this point in his career, he has a very limited range of skills but the drop off from him to Sasha in the guard rotation is staggering. I really would not want to see Pavlovic playing meaningful playoff minutes this year.

5. Delonte West makes 3.85 million this year and is signed for two more. That should make every single Cavs fan giddy. Incredible how much better he is playing off the ball.

6. Cleveland fans will never be able to fully appreciate Z until he retires and the franchise is stuck trying to scramble for one of the 5 or so quality centers that is usually playing in the league at any given time. 30 teams...maybe a half-dozen decent centers. Yet, there are still Cleveland fans out there that complain about Z's skill set. It's just insane.

7. Denver needs to ditch their current color scheme. For a team that used to have such great unis, I'm just not feeling it.

8. Anybody that puts Carmelo, Wade, or at this point, even Kobe in the same sentence with Lebron should not be taken seriously. It's like saying that Paddy Harrington and Phil Mickelson are comparable to Tiger. I realize I'm a homer but by every possible measure, Lebron is by far the best player in the league.

9. Glad to see Boston beating the Bulls at home was the first story on Sportscenter after the game. Clearly, that was the biggest story of the night. The Bulls are fantastic. What a rivalry.

10. The hardwood classic unis are my favorite unis of any Cleveland sports team....ever. I'm not even kidding. I think they are just the bees knees. They are vastly superior to the road blues (and the reds which are rarely worn anymore anyway).

That's all for tonight. I'll be back with more after we play the Thunder (WNBA?) on Sunday.

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Embrace the Machine

As the Cavs systematically dismantled another opponent last night, cruising to a 20 point win over a Charlotte Bobcat's team prominently featuring Dwayne Jones and Shannon Brown, it's time for Cleveland sports fans to fully embrace this team. With the Browns currently wallowing in their ineptitude and the Indians treading water, the Cavs have become the most complete franchise this town has seen since the Tribe teams of the late '90s. In rolling to a 17-3 record, the Cavs aren't slugging it out with "opponents" to the final buzzer. Rather, after displaying suffocating defense and relentless offense, Cavaliers' games are now routinely safely out of question by halftime, turning players like Tarence Kinsey and Darnell Jackson into household names as they dribble out the clock.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Cavs have tied a NBA record by during their eight game winning streak by winning each contest by at least 12 points. While national attention focuses on the hot starts of the Lakers and the Celtics, the Cavs have quietly elevated their play to that of NBA elite. What is rather shocking is how quickly the Cavs have overhauled their roster from last seasons. This is a team who made it to the NBA Finals only two short seasons ago. Gone from the opening day roster of last year are: the Browns (Devin and Shannon), the Jones (Dwayne and Damon), Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Ira Newble, Demetris Nichols, Cedric Simmons, and essentially Eric Snow. Only five players remain (LBJ, Z, Boobie, Sasha, and Andy).

The Cavs have added depth, talent and heart to this basketball team at the expense of overpaid, under performing roster fillers. With the exception of Gooden (and perhaps a healthy Hughes), none of the jettisoned players can be considered adding much to an NBA team. In their place, the Cavs now have a bonafide potential All-Star in Mo Williams, a reinvigorated Ben Wallace, playing the tenacious D we all remember from his days in Detroit, a vastly underrated Delonte West, a proven veteran in Wally Szczberiak (who could be moved for another big man later in this season), and a solid, contributing rookie in J.J. Hickson.

The Cavs have the sort of depth which wins NBA titles. And perhaps most importantly - in blowing out almost ever opponent the Cavs have accomplished two goals 1) Resting the starters (Read: Lebron [averaging 35 minutes a game - five below his career average - and routinely being reduced to a cheerleader in 4th quarters], Z, and Wallace [with their history of injuries]) and 2) Giving valuable minutes to the backups and rookies - so that when the inevitable injury occurs the Cavs will not have to worry about playing a mere bench warmer.

Perhaps the most pleasing thing about the Cavaliers, is that there are so many positives about this team that it is impossible to write about them all in one article. It's hard to spot any weakness with the current play, attitude, or coaching of this team. Each night, you see guys playing shutdown D, diving after loose balls, and continued efforts to pour on the points. When in years past the Cavs would build a lead, only to see it crumble, this team possess the needed killer instinct of a champion. Instead of watching the Ken Dorsey lead the Browns to slaughter for the rest of the season, Cleveland sports fans need to book their ticket on the Cavaliers' band wagon. Because if the team keeps playing as it has, space will become vastly limited on the way to the league title.
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