Chris Parker/Cleveland Scene answers your questions

[Chris Parker]

funny you should ask, he was definitely on the drank when we first saw him, but then he got high and perked up a bit!! He admitted to me later that he was having a little trouble staying away from narcotics on tour, after cleaning up for the record....

 

[Andrew]

Chris, thanks for the advice. I graduated in 2010 and sadly, I never really got to make professional contacts. I interned at a relatively big St. Louis tv station but would have went with a smaller local thing because all the people did ended up working there afterwards.

I know freelancing can't pay the bills because its so far and between when someone actually is interested in a story, and right now I am trying to just support the family and working medial jobs to do so so sadly my writing has taken a back seat.

It's just a shame its not necessarily all about talent but who you know. A cat I graduated with works for Fox Sports Midwest straight out of school because his daddy is the great Bernie Federko, this cat has no ambition or real talent. He skated in school.

 

[The Red Viper]

Before the play-offs start, LeBron just just instagram a picture of him, Blatt and Kev together and simply say SUCK IT and be done with it. Would be proper trolling.

Anyway, @Chris Parker , Thanks a lot for doing all this. Gave us a great and real insight.

 

[Simon]

This might've been answered already, but when do you think Blatt will start resting some guys? @Chris Parker

Thanks!

 

[Man Called X]

Chris, thanks for the advice. I graduated in 2010 and sadly, I never really got to make professional contacts. I interned at a relatively big St. Louis tv station but would have went with a smaller local thing because all the people did ended up working there afterwards.

I know freelancing can't pay the bills because its so far and between when someone actually is interested in a story, and right now I am trying to just support the family and working medial jobs to do so so sadly my writing has taken a back seat.

It's just a shame its not necessarily all about talent but who you know. A cat I graduated with works for Fox Sports Midwest straight out of school because his daddy is the great Bernie Federko, this cat has no ambition or real talent. He skated in school.

Andrew, we've been through this enough with you over the years, including most recently when you lost your job.

Quit making excuses for why you didn't or couldn't do something, and start doing something. I'm done with this subject and the next time you turn a thread into another whiny woe is me pity fest, I'm dropping you on ignore. And I actually friggin like you.

Dammit, I just missed the money shot because I was typing this. Thanks Andrew.

 

[tocov]

Wow I just found out about what's going on in this thread!
Great stuff!

@Chris Parker you mentioned Blatt has cards that he keeps close to the vest. I've been following Euro ball for quite a long time and I am most confident he does and will pull several rabbits out of several hats.
But do you have any educated guesses regarding what these rabbits would be?
I would think playing Love in the post a lot more might be one of them. And I actually think he (sort of) secretly works some bench players to have more substantial roles. Like for example even though Marion doesn't play, I tend to think that he indeed has a plan on how to use him and at what times during the playoffs.
I've seen him do such things in Maccabi when suddenly players emerge out of nowhere late in the season and play important roles (and the guy coaching Maccabi right now, who was Blatt's assistant last season, is playing a similar card this year by suddenly giving Nate Linhart, who barely played any minutes most of the season, a lot more freedom and utilizes him more).

So my question is really what cards do you think Blatt will play in the playoffs, that we didn't see in the regular season?

 

[Simmy]

But as I said, I think he's trying on some costumes in prep for the big dance number.

They're both obviously great basketball minds, but if you can imagine two great songwriters trying to figure out how to write a song. For the first while the one or the other is taking he lead - like a dance, but after a while they start to dance together.

Everyone wants Blatt to be on the King's instagram when Blatt barely believes in cell phones (metaphor only)

Classic Chris Parker quotes. Even your forum posts are top notch!

So, um, we have absolute confirmation. Best thread of the year.

Dammit @Chris Parker! You stole my "Visiting the Q (from a land down under)" thunder! (see what I did there?)

But in all honesty, thanks for being here, Chris. This is the kind of thing that makes RCF what it is, I've come to learn rather quickly.

My question for you: I know you mentioned that it took LeBron to truly buy-in to the program after his 2-week vacation for this Cavaliers team to be successful. Since then (give or take) they've been on a bit of a tear and it seems LeBron is at the point where he has full confidence in this team's ability to go all the way. If they don't go all the way this year, what would you consider to be the major fork in the road here? Something internal or unfavorable matchups with a strong West opponent? And would this be something that could be easily addressed and improved upon for next season? And finally, your thoughts on the longevity of a Cavaliers championship window? What would it take for this team to leave behind a legacy?

 

[RonG]

Chris, thanks for the advice. I graduated in 2010 and sadly, I never really got to make professional contacts. I interned at a relatively big St. Louis tv station but would have went with a smaller local thing because all the people did ended up working there afterwards.

I know freelancing can't pay the bills because its so far and between when someone actually is interested in a story, and right now I am trying to just support the family and working medial jobs to do so so sadly my writing has taken a back seat.

It's just a shame its not necessarily all about talent but who you know. A cat I graduated with works for Fox Sports Midwest straight out of school because his daddy is the great Bernie Federko, this cat has no ambition or real talent. He skated in school.

Success in life is 90% about who you know, up to you to get to know them.

 

[castor777]

What a fantastic thread. I figured out what was going on yesterday, and just spent the past hour reading all of it. Thanks so much for doing this Chris!

Going back to what another poster asked - do you get to notice any particular vibe the players have to Coach Blatt? There were earlier moments of possible feuding with LeBron and some players (or maybe just LeBron) saying they didn't think they had a real coach, but that seems to be a long time ago. There are still those awkward moments where he doesn't seem to be on the same page as Kevin Love when he had to address resting him a month ago. But overall, it seems the success of the team suggests everything is going very well right now despite the earlier issues and I'm hoping most of the guys seem bought in now.

Also, did you ever get to hear about Dion's struggle with Blatt trying to make him a spot shooter and his refusal to adapt? I certainly don't miss Waiters, but some of the stories on him were always fun to read.

 

[Lee]

Dammit, I just missed the money shot because I was typing this. Thanks Andrew.

For some reason i feel my version of a "money shot" and your version are completely different.

 

[Man Called X]

For some reason i feel my version of a "money shot" and your version are completely different.

I don't think it's that long before we both have the same definition.

 

[Lee]

I don't think it's that long before we both have the same definition.

You have grown my friend. Nice to see. Welcome to the dark side of evil capitalist pig.

 

[Chris Parker]

they don't go all the way this year, what would you consider to be the major fork in the road here? Something internal or unfavorable matchups with a strong West opponent? And would this be something that could be easily addressed and improved upon for next season? And finally, your thoughts on the longevity of a Cavaliers championship window? What would it take for this team to leave behind a legacy?

I have significant concerns about the team's ability to win games when they are pretty consistently surrendering more points in the paint to opponents. Theyr'e so good at home that they will be able to get away with that for a while. After doing pretty well with dribble penetration for two months since mid-March Kyrie's fallen off dramatically. Since March 13th he's regressed to November quality Kyrie. Here are the DFG% from NBA Stats (tho' it started earlier)

http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202681/tracking/defense/?DateFrom=03/13/2015

It's something I've been talking about for a while now (see next link), and nobody in the media AT ALL has picked up on it. Now, as i say, some of it is probably related to Blatt's lineups, but some of it is Kyrie backsliding defensively as his offense has taken off (okay, that last part is pure supposition...)

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/03/19/checking-in-on-the-cavs-roll

This inability to protect the heart of the court is something Blatt has confessed is part of his plan. In the below piece I quote Blatt talking about how he's been working to protect the 3pt line, and indeed they are great at it.

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/04/01/meme-de-march-wheres-t-mo

So there is sort of a design flaw/practical use issue that exposes the center of the team's defense. And as anyone can tell you, this team doesn't create enough extra possessions with turnovers or offensive rebounds (they tend to give away as many ORB as they get, similar w/r/t TO) to be able to be so Cavalier about rim protection. Similarly the $30M ticketed to the Center, backup center and backup power-forward just doesn't seem in anyway sustainable to me.

So I expect a sign & trade/Haywood trade/combination of the two to change the frontcourt balance SHOULD THEY LOSE. I think there's a decent case that, at least for next year, they can stand pat and even afford to pay Tristan Thompson an amount that exceeds his WAR value by 40%-80%. But when T-Mo's contract is done, that's a real question because he's making $5M and will be eligible for a LOT more. With Tristan on the books for maybe $14M and Andy another $10M and you can't really count on either as a center, well in '16-'17 that will be an issue. But, if they're willing to punt the TT decision, they can, and I expect might should they Win It All.

I talk a little bit about all this here. (I know, I'm turning this into a Clip Show, but if you haven't seen the episodes, it's new to you.)

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/03/27/what-will-2015-2016-look-like-for-the-cavaliers

I think the emotional/skill fits of Shumpert and Cooking With Gas Smith are pretty stellar and won't be sacrificed. I expect LeBron to spend all summer teaching Shumpert to shoot. I think LeBron plays enough PG to make a standard backup somewhat superfluous (hence Delly), and I think he's sorta a Scalabrine. Nobody on the team ever disparages him because he sets the bar for working hard. That leaves the real holes backup SF/PF, and Center. Those are the weaknesses. What happens to Smith in 2016 will hinge a lot on what happens in the next 18 months.

Love -- well I talked all about that earlier. I don't see him leaving before '16 either. I spoke about that in Wed. column so I won't rehash it.

I think Irving and Bron are as strong and complementary a Big Two as you will find. I think Love is a good fit for that as well, but it cant' be denied that the league is filled with good PFs many more dynamic than Kevin Love. But I think too many discount what a terrific rebounder he is, esp. on the D boards where TT and TMo are not as good.

The Cavs need to win two championships in the next four years. That would give LeBron four and put him in reach of Jordan. After that I see James becoming more of a Magic Johnson type and Faciilitator, slowing the game down a little like Paul Pierce, but to set up passes instead of jumpers.

I honestly think they've got a good chance to win this year and if they don't it will be close enough that there will be a feeling they need only bring the band back, and I suspect they may be largely right. I just don't know if you can successfully play TT for 28 mpg against a WC foe, tho' it does seem Blatt's pref. FTR, Bucks were 5-5 at the rim against TT, 4-10 against Love and 3-7 against T-Mo. If you know that the Bucks shot 20-33 <5' you can deduce that outside of Love/T-Mo, the Cavs allowed the Bucks to shoot 13-16 at the rim. Think on that for a moment and try not to let it keep you up at night like it does me.

 

[Chris Parker]

Wow I just found out about what's going on in this thread!
Great stuff!

@Chris Parker you mentioned Blatt has cards that he keeps close to the vest. I've been following Euro ball for quite a long time and I am most confident he does and will pull several rabbits out of several hats.
But do you have any educated guesses regarding what these rabbits would be?
I would think playing Love in the post a lot more might be one of them. And I actually think he (sort of) secretly works some bench players to have more substantial roles. Like for example even though Marion doesn't play, I tend to think that he indeed has a plan on how to use him and at what times during the playoffs.
I've seen him do such things in Maccabi when suddenly players emerge out of nowhere late in the season and play important roles (and the guy coaching Maccabi right now, who was Blatt's assistant last season, is playing a similar card this year by suddenly giving Nate Linhart, who barely played any minutes most of the season, a lot more freedom and utilizes him more).

So my question is really what cards do you think Blatt will play in the playoffs, that we didn't see in the regular season?

This is the $1 million question. I think he's got some sets based on Love at the elbow, and I noticed that LeBron and Kyrie are really good at those dribble hand-offs even though he hardly ever do them. so those are a couple things. I think it's matchup based. I think LeBron in the post we will see a LOT more, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had a few plays there they ran Kyrie of picks to get him the ball with a chance to attack a closing defender or take a corner 3.

There was also early in the season one particularly cool kind of triangle set in the middle of the floor with 3-pt shooters on opposite side (one in corner, one on wing) where the three poeple set a revolving series of picks with the ball kind of in the mid post area. Ran it maybe 3-4 times I've seen all year but it was a spectacular set. There have been maybe 2-3 of those if I count the Love elbow with the James backdoor cut which was pretty brilliant too.

Now someone also asked about Love elbow touches and I'm just going to take that here since I'm not going back to look for it.

The problem is that the Cavs play a pretty controlled pace. They like to get into the offense quick and run, but if they don't get something quickly, they have no problem running the clock down. In the fourth quarter they're regularly in the 85-88 possession a game territory, which is pretty damn slow. (they average 95 for the game, 91 in 4th , but of late, it's been even slower)

There just aren't enough possessions for Love to get a lot of shots, and w/o more shots he can't score more, and, it's very easily argued that he's the third best scorer on the team. That's no knock on his gifts, but an acknowledgement of how dynamic his mates are. And that's without acknowledging that both LOVE AND KYRIE SUCK IN THE FOURTH!!! -- plz not my preference for Cooking W/Gas Smith in this column, and why...

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/04/01/meme-de-march-wheres-t-mo

 

[cavsfever]

Great posts by Chris as usual. I share his concerns about the defense though. Our defense recently has not really looked championship calibre. Interesting that this may in part be because Blatt is consciously choosing to defend the 3-point line at the expense of giving up penetration. Perhaps related to why we don't see Mozgov in teh 4th.