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Windhorst Radio Show & Updates

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28. I think Kevin Love can be effective at the end of games working from the elbow area.

This irritates me. Why is it that everyone except the coaching staff and the ball handlers on the court understands that Kevin Love should be getting several touches on the elbow every game where he has been the most effective throughout his career? The spacing he provides is wonderful, no doubt, but what about letting him get into a rhythm by getting him early touches on the elbows?

No doubt in my mind he would be averaging 20+ a night if they would just get him the ball there instead of almost exclusively relegating him to the three point line. It's frustrating to see, and certainly some of the blame should be placed on Kevin, as well. He is one of the star players on this team and although it's not exactly his demeanor, he needs to start demanding the ball more in spots where he is comfortable.

It will come with time, but it is a little disappointing because this offense could be even better than it already is if they would just utilize the guy more effectively.
 
It's pretty clear the intent of the team is to go hard for 3 quarters, build a large lead, then let most of the starters sit out the whole 4rth quarter.

Obviously in some games, that gets LeBron and Kyrie out with only 25-26 minutes, plus it gives the bench more playing time... which is always a good thing.

This, coupled with LeBron and Blatt deciding to follow Pop's lead and sit out LeBron completely on occasion, is all good for someone with so many minutes on their body already.

Unfortunately, eventually the league is going to crack down on this. Couple of games ago, 4 of the Hawks starters sat out a game. The league cannot be happy with stars sitting out when they want to, even tho the league is to blame for such a long off-season, and so many back-to-backs during the regular season.

The league has actually fined Pop in the past because he sat out Duncan, Ginobili and Parker for a nationally televised game against the Heat.

EDIT: Meant to say the Spurs organization, not Pop in particular. Stern hit them with a $250,000 fine.
 
You'd think LeBron would have learned in Miami.. but apparently he hasn't or sees something that we don't.

Windhorst said it's up to LeBron to remember how things went in Miami and make the changes. But Windy also said it will take time for the changes to come in Cleveland (on offense).
 
Hey Windy --- 3.6.15

32. I think Cavs should work on getting others involved late in games, like Love, in last 6 weeks of the season.

33. Cavs should try to set pin down screens for Love, also. For three pointers.

34. Will be tough to get Love touches in the post late in games. Not easy to get the ball in there late.

35. LeBron's Heat learned how to diversify the offense, and involve Bosh. After first year together. This is what Cavs must do, over time.

38. LeBron and Kyrie trading isos is like year one for LeBron's Heat when LeBron and Wade would trade isos, and Bosh not involved. Not as effective as the offense could be.

Agree totally with this, involving Love is key. Gaining Lebron's trust is vital for that. But the situation is different than for Bosh I think. Bosh always had a highly efficient midrange jumper that he could get off easily because he had long arms. He was always an efficient scorer, with space he was almost automatic from midrange (he shot 50+% from inside the arc in all his Miami seasons). Also, Bosh was a terrific defender who was a key defensive piece for the Heat, so he was always on court in the 4th. Both of these factors made it easier for both Lebron and the coaching staff to get experience with Bosh in clutch situations and also to gain trust in him in those situations. Neither are true of Love.
 
The league has actually fined Pop in the past because he sat out Duncan, Ginobili and Parker for a nationally televised game against the Heat.

EDIT: Meant to say the Spurs organization, not Pop in particular. Stern hit them with a $250,000 fine.


Right, but it hasn't happened recently, even tho the resting of star players is becoming more frequent. And, Pop said, go ahead, I'll pay it but I will still rest my players if I think it is the right thing to do.
 
LeBron is so durable not only because he is built like a tank, but he knows how to take contact and take a fall. The hit he took against JV is a prime example.
 
The most disturbing part of the podcast was Windy saying LeBron prefers to have James Jones out there over Love. A vet minimum guy over a max player. That's problematic.
 
The most disturbing part of the podcast was Windy saying LeBron prefers to have James Jones out there over Love. A vet minimum guy over a max player. That's problematic.

I don't think there is any truth to that - just his opinion. From a basketball perspective it certainly doesn't make any sense.
 
That was the part where I was reminded how he likes to make up things and pass them off as insider information. What a blowhard.
 
08. Hawks defense has slipped since Sefalosha has been out.

09. Hawks have to have everything working right to play at their best. Cavs don't, because of their talent level.

I think this says a lot about the Hawks.... Do you think the Cavs would miss a beat if JR Smith or Shumpert had to sit out a few games? It'd be plug and play. When Sefalosha is the difference between you winning and losing, you're not that good to begin with.

30. Part of not using Love in the 4th is on Blatt, and part of it is LeBron is going to control things (so ball may not go to Love anyways).

31. I'm not sure what Blatt's drawing up. LeBron will run what he wants to run, which is the same thing with Harden/Houston and other teams and players.

I disagree with this being on Blatt and Windy contradicts himself here. The 4th quarter offense is what LeBron wants it to be. It's ALWAYS been like that with EVERY coach he's ever had. It's not going to be different with Blatt nor do I think it should be. If LeBron finds a way to get Love involved, great. If he doesn't, I don't think Love is going to take it as some personal affront and I also think we'll continue to win. I'd love to add his offense in more but I'd rather have LeBron winning ballgames however he thinks he needs to go about doing it.

33. Cavs should try to set pin down screens for Love, also. For three pointers.

I've actually seen a few of these of late. I think it was Kyrie that had a nice one in the Toronto game that got Love a 3 and someone else had one in Houston. When Love's man sags off him to try to be ready to help for a possible LeBron drive(in iso ball), there's plenty of space for someone to slip in and set a screen over him and give LeBron an easy pass for a Love 3. They really should do this more often and it's particularly effective if the screener comes from the weak side(means screener's defender is likely to trail significantly behind and not be in position to close out either).

37. It's up to LeBron, in particular, to work to diversify the offense and get others involved late. If not, the defense has the advantage because they know what's coming.

I'm not sure I'd go so far to say the "defense has the advantage". People knew Randy Johnson's fastball was coming, doesn't mean they could hit it. LeBron playing iso forces the defense into a bad position because they either have to let him score(since no single defender can play him) or they're forced to scramble to cover the open man that comes from a double. LeBron is EXCELLENT at reading the defense's reaction and making them pay for it. A few games back he drove at the end of the 1st and help came from the corner, LeBron kicked it to the corner, the wing defender rotated to the corner and left James Jones with a wide open 3 from the wing.

I know everyone wants to hate on ISO offense but there's a reason so many teams do it and LeBron is probably the best there is at it. Unlike Kobe's isos where you had 4 guys just watching, LeBron is very good at using the iso to force the defense into mistakes that he knows how to take advantage of. His passing makes the difference here.

39. Cavs abused Lou Williams on defense in the Toronto game.

40. I think LeBron likes small ball so that he can have shooters on the floor with him to kick out to.

I loved seeing Kyrie, in particular, abuse him down low. You have to make the Raptors pay for playing him, particularly when he's unconscious shooting(which seems to happen often against us).

41. LeBron loves having James Jones on the court with him.

42. LeBron likes having James Jones on the court with him more than having Love on the court with him right now.

I think Windy's exaggerating a bit here again. No doubt LeBron loves James Jones and he might like having him out there right now more in certain situations but that's due to comfort and familiarity. LeBron loved having Damon Jones on the court with him at one point in his career too because he knew where DJ would be and he knew how to get him high percentage shots. LeBron knows that stuff with JJ, he's still working on it with Love. Don't think for a second that LeBron doesn't think Love is the more valuable player though.

43. Cavs are stuck with Delly for now.

44. Cavs tried to trade for Norris Cole and Miles Plumlee. But were never close to it.

45. Some in the Cavs organization feel that team must get another point guard before the playoffs.

46. I don't see who Cavs can add at point guard at this time that will help them significantly.

47. Cavs don't want to let go of Joe Harris for a poor point guard.

48. Shumpert at point guard was a disaster.

49. Game in Houston highlighted that weakness of Cavs backup point guard.

50. Cavs can win the title this year. Should they really go without a good backup point guard?

51. Bulls need a point guard, have a roster spot, and still not signing anyone. Shows how weak the market is for point guards right now.

52. Cavs backup point guard is an issue. This is the team's weakness.

53. Delly was in the game against Houston to match up with Beverley. I think Shumpert could have handled Beverley.

54. Delly should not be getting 42 minutes.

I think when you're worried about a backup PG that's likely your 9th or 10th man, you're deep. I'm personally not worried about our backup PG at all because I feel we have the best one in the league, Kyrie Irving. For all intents and purposes, LeBron is the starting PG on this team(shared with Kyrie) and Kyrie is the backup (sometimes shared with Delly). Come playoff time, there will never be a time when LeBron or Kyrie is not on the court unless it's a blowout. If we lose Kyrie, we're going to feel that no matter who our backup PG is just like we'd feel losing LeBron no matter how good our backup SF is. Delly is fine for what we'll need out of that position come playoff time which is to play defense for specific matchups and hit an occasional 3.

I don't think the Houston game exposed anything, losing a Top 5 PG isn't easy on anyone and there's not a backup PG in the league that can replace a Kyrie Irving level player. I do agree that Delly should play less minutes and that you can get away with Shump playing the 1 particularly with LeBron on the court and you probably should go to that lineup if/when Kyrie is out of the game.

58. James Jones can't shoot if he has to dribble first. He's a catch and shoot player.

59. James Jones is a terrible defender.

60. LeBron loves James Jones, loves passing him the ball.

61. LeBron felt Erik Spoelstra did not use James Jones enough in Miami.

62. I think James Jones will be in and out of the rotation. Not used all the time.

63. Jones is valuable because he can come in after not playing for a long time and hit shots just like that.

I love this JJ talk and I agree with most of it. I love his high release and it is nearly impossible to stop him from getting off a catch and shoot 3 when he has any space due to his height and high release. I disagree a little that he's a "terrible defender". He's been doing a decent job playing defense as an undersized 4 and I really think that's his role. He'd get toasted by Kevin Durant or Paul George, but who doesn't? However, he's been fine against guys like Amir Johnson and Josh Smith despite giving up size. Individual defense is the most overrated attribute in an NBA player. As long as the player has good defensive awareness(JJ does) and knows how to play within the defensive system, he's fine. Average defenders look terrible on bad teams and great on good teams. I agree that Spoelstra should've used him more and I agree that he's the kind of guy that can come in after not playing much and still be effective.

65. NON BOLD PREDICTION. I think Cavs fans should keep an eye on the Indiana Pacers. I think Cavs will finish #2 in the East. Paul George should be back soon. I expect the Pacers to get the #7 seed. I am now predicting Cavs vs Pacers in first round of 2015 East playoffs. Pacers have done well vs Cavs this year. Final meeting this year between these two teams is key.

Color me unconcerned.... Even with Paul George, this year's Pacers team doesn't stand a chance. I remember Wizards fans hanging their hats on having some years where they won the regular season series and then getting the tar beat out of them by us in the playoffs. Doing "well" against us in the regular season means nothing except maybe they have the confidence to stick around for 5 or 6 games but they have 0% chance of winning that first round series. The final meeting is in no way "key" and means absolutely nothing to that potential series. Fans and media focus on regular season series come playoff time. Players just focus on the opponent and half of them probably couldn't even tell you how the season series went. None of them care.

66. I think there should be some retaliation for the hits on LeBron. I don't think Valanciunas was trying to flagrantly foul LeBron. But ideally you would want to send a message.

67. I don't think LeBron would be affected by the hard fouls; he's built like a tank.

68. Cavs are young and inexperienced. They need to learn how to send a message back when LeBron is fouled hard.

I understand what he's saying here, but disagree with it. I think the Cavs need to just stay focused on playing great basketball and not get caught up in that garbage. Again, that's fan stuff.... reliving the nostalgia of the brawls of the 70s and 80s. In this league, with these rules, it's best to let the refs handle that stuff and to send a message by beating them. All these notions of making an obvious move of subbing in Perkins or Mozgov to retaliate are absurd and would just lead to distractions and negative consequences. While there's a time and place for Perk's hard fouls, I don't think obvious retaliation is it. That will only escalate things and turn the refs against you.
 
It probably means something like 'Lebron is a closer personal friend with James Jones than with Kevin Love'. Not relevant to his basketball judgement of who should be playing.
 
Can someone post the podcast from yesterdays show?
I somehow can't open it.
 
Not sure if you want to listen. Dude is negative as fuck. Says Spurs wanted to win and cavs sucked.
 

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