Windhorst Radio Show & Updates

Phills14 said:

Admittedly I did not follow Lebron much while he was in Miami but I sure as hell followed him in his 1st Cavs stint. Back then it seemed like Lebron scrapped whatever Mike Brown told him to do and he did what he wanted to on offense. That led to a lot of Lebron at the top of the key and the other 4 players spread out to create room for him to do his thing. It wasn't a designed offense it was hero-ball and Lebron didn't care what Brown said.

It seems like it's happening all over again with Blatt.

From the little I saw of Heat-Lebron it appeared that he was playing in a system and his efficiency went absolutely through the roof.

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That system was essentially putting Lebron at the elbow and having everyone else behind the 3 point line, with a screen being set at the time Lebron made his move, essentially making the play an "option" play where Lebron read the defense and then either drove or kicked out to the shooter coming off the screen. That shooter either shoots or swings it.

Lather, rinse, repeat. It was simplistic and was just a more organized version of the LeIso offense centered around his drives and kicks.

Blatt is trying to implement a spurs-like model, which may require lebron to occasionally sacrifice some of his favorite actions/situations.

This has to happen if Love and Irving are to be utilized effectively and for us to reach our full potential.

So yes, Lebron played in a system in Miami. But that system was solely designed to maximize Lebron's personal strengths.

This is just an aside, but I totally buy into Windhorst's ability to break news and be "in the know" (aside from the LeBron/Kyrie pile of crap he dropped on us).

What I don't buy, is Windy's evaluation of offensive sets and breakdown of gameplay. He's out of his element here and has no established record of tactical basketball knowledge. I wish he'd stick to what he does best: reporting the news/rumors and kicking teams while they're down.

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Im not sure how much I buy into Windy actually knowing about the Cavs in house stuff like he says . He works for ESPN is usually up in Bristol or on the road it doesn't seem like he travels with the team like in year past heck he wasn't even in Miami for the Christmas game he is making assumptions from a far just like the average person on the forum. I also don't know about his evaluation of talent and X and O talk. He said this team wouldn't need a player like Brandon Wright . Has he watched Dallas he is a shot blocking mobile big who can dunk and plays solid defense but Windy was saying he is more of a PF then C.

Segment 3 of 4 from the 12-26-14 Hey Windy show. Numbering below follows from posts 167 and 179 above in this thread:


31. I thought Love and LeBron would make a great pick and roll combo. Didn't happen earlier in the season because LeBron so comfortable with Varejao so just ran picks on Andy's side of the floor

32. LeBron prefers a pick and roll play rather than a pick and pop play (likes the big man going to the basket and not setting up for a jump shot instead, as Love does)

33. It's easier to defend LeBron/Andy pick and roll than LeBron/Love pick and pop

34. One reason why Andy was having such a good offensive season because LeBron was using him so much on pick and rolls

35. Windy thinks that part of why LeBron/Love pick and roll not getting used much is because Blatt is not making the play calls, LeBron is basically running what LeBron wants to run

36. Team has to work to let Blatt have more control to make play calls, and players (LeBron) going along with this

37. Cavs not impressing Windy as he thought they would. This worries him.

38. Most teams, you know what they will be 25 games into the season. Cavs don't fit that profile.

39. I thought Cavs were progressing great in the 2nd half of November. They have slipped off that path, and have regressed defensively

40. If you are in bottom 10 in NBA in defense, you cant win in the playoffs

41. Cavs have not found way to get all of Big 3 going

42. Dion is playing better

43. Dion has stopped pouting, has embraced bench role

44. Kyrie is playing well

45. Kyrie has regressed on defense significantly. Could be tied to knee injury.

46. To be a good defender, you have to build good habits. Kyrie not have that yet

47. I dont care about Cavs record, it's about how they are playing. Right now (before Magic game), they are not playing like a title contender

48. Cavs will play on Christmas at home next year, Windy feels

49. Cavs will apply for DPE (Disabled Player Exception) for Varejao

50. Andy's DPE will be worth $4.85 million. Can be used to sign a player or for a trade

51. The DPE will be good until March 10, 2015

52. Cavs also have the TPE (Traded Player
Exception) worth $5.2 million

53. TPE and DPE cannot be combined. Must be used individually

54. TPE can't be used to sign a player (unless traded for, I think), DPE can be used to sign a player without a trade (I think)

55. Cavs have been looking to sign a big man (trade for him) with TPE, but have not been able to do it

56. Cavs may wait to use DPE to sign a player who wants bought out of contract or is waived, as what happened with Josh Smith

57. I have heard that Ray Allen is now leaning towards retirement

58. DPE could theoretically be used to sign Ray Allen for more money

59. Let's see how Ray Allen feels later in the year

60. I have heard Ray Allen is asking teams for guaranteed playing time at the end of games

61. Warriors, Cavs likely won't guarantee Ray Allen will play at the end of games

62. Not sure Brandan Wright will help Cavs because although he can guard the rim, he's a power forward (not a center)

63. 3 assets the Cavs have to acquire players are A) Memphis 1st round pick, B) Dion Waiters, C) TPE

64. You don't want to overpay (with assets) to get Brandan Wright

65. Cavs can not afford to use 2 of their 3 trade assets to get a guy (Wright) who is not a center

66. Celtics have extra big men. Cavs are trying to get Celtics (and their extra big men) involved as 3rd team in a trade

67. So, Celtics would trade a big man to a team, and then that same team trades a big man to the Cavs

68. Teams don't like to trade big men unless they get a big man back (this why Cavs involving Celtics, so team they get big man from would get one of Celtics big men back)

69. Cavs don't have any bigs to trade, which is why want to involve Celtics

70. It is going to be hard for Cavs to get a quality big man during this season

71. Cavs may just end up getting a "warm body" as a big man, to replace Andy

72. Even without another big man, Cavs have too much talent to not be a contender

His bold prediction this week was horrible this week. Lou Amoundson is the 14 or 15th man at best.

Its pretty obvious also the more and more you listen to Windy that he has no inside info on Lebron and has been removed from the in the know like he was in Lebron's previous term in Cleveland. If you listened to Mike Wallace from Espn who covers the Heat you will get a in depth detail look on how close Lebron and Wade really are but Windy thought they were laying its on a "little thick". How many times in the past few years have we seen Windy sit down with Lebron and Wade zero everything he talks about is pure speculation and not first hand conversation.

Segment 4 of 4 from the 12-26-14 Hey Windy show. Numbering below follows from posts 167, 179 and 184 above in this thread:


73. LeBron's left knee is a concern. Something going on with left knee, not sure what it is. But it is bothering him.

74. Windy believes in giving guys time off if they are injured. Don't play them, doesn't matter if you lose a particular game

75. If LeBron's knee is bothering him, I would be giving him more time off

76. LeBron's knee may just be wear and tear of 12 seasons. He could possibly have to have some minor procedure for it down the line. Supposedly it is not affecting him much.

77. It's important to think of LeBron's long term situation, rest him more

78. I think LeBron should be regularly getting games off now for the rest of his career

79. The reason why the Cavs were interested in Kosta Koufos is because he has a contract that is one the Cavs can trade for (fits their salary cap restraints). No one thinks Koufos is some incredible player.

80. If Cavs ranked the centers they wanted, Koufos would not be in the top 10

81. Mozgov would also not be on Cavs' list of top 10 centers they want

82. Grizzlies not interested in trading Koufos

83. Cavs wanted Celtics to send Tyler Zeller to
Memphis so Koufos would be freed up

84. Cavs targeted Koufos also because Koufos will be free agent after this year, and Memphis likely can't afford to keep him. He is a legitimate starter in the NBA

85. Zeller is a downgrade from Koufos, so Grizzlies not really interested in such a trade right now

86. Surprising that Kyrie not in top 2 of All Star Game starters for backcourt in East

87. Salary Cap 101: Kyrie has $8-10 million clause in contract for making the All Star Game. Worth a lot to Kyrie, and affects Cavs ability to spend in the future if they have to pay Kyrie more

88. Windy's Non Bold Prediction: Lou Amundson could fit the Varejao role for now. He will show his worth when given time

89. Lou Amundson is an energy player, like Andy

90. You don't want Amundson as a rotation big man for the playoffs. But in short term, may work

91. Dion is still volatile, Windy thinks. Still has to prove himself over the long haul

92. If Dion plays defense and plays hard as did in Miami game, he can make a lot of money in the league

93. I thought LeBron and Wade were laying it on a bit thick in the game on Christmas

94. Seemed what LeBron and Wade were doing was "cosmetic" stuff for the cameras

MH32246 said:

His bold prediction this week was horrible this week. Lou Amoundson is the 14 or 15th man at best.

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Yeah. A big difference between Andy and Lou (in my opinion) is that Andy has some offense. Lou doesn't seem to have a lot of offensive skill.

Amundson might have the lowest adjusted field goal percentage in the paint of all time, seriously if its not a dunk there seems like a very small chance it goes in.

LeShaq said:

71. Cavs may just end up getting a "warm body" as a big man, to replace Andy

72. Even without another big man, Cavs have too much talent to not be a contender

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wha? center was already a serious hole when varejao was playing and with him down too they think "just getting a warm body" should even be entertained as a possibility?

if they don't get another big man, calling them a legitimate contender seems quite a bit generous.

Triumph36 said:

wha? center was already a serious hole when varejao was playing and with him down too they think "just getting a warm body" should even be entertained as a possibility?

if they don't get another big man, calling them a legitimate contender seems quite a bit generous.

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I hear what you're saying.

Windy thinks (as many of us do) that center will probably end up getting taken care of this summer (or that there is a much better chance something big happens this summer rather than during this season).

Windy was basically in "I don't want to hear it" mode when he said the Cavs have too much talent to not be considered a contender, with or without another center.

I think Windy was just trying to give the "no excuses" approach. And I know where he is coming from. You have a Big 3, you should be able to contend. Period (even if that isn't looking so great at the moment).

Response to Windy's "cosmetic" remark. Hmm, I thought that was the case.

LeBron tends to drastically overcompensate whenever the media tries to hype shit up. Almost, as if, to say: "Whatever crap the media is trying to peddle is just that. Crap." He acts high and above it all to show that the media isn't getting in his head or affecting his play but that is exactly what's happening. Opening day, vs. heat, the Le"choke" days... Then he plays it off like it's no big deal.

I understand the fronted nonchalance for the cameras, I just wish it didn't affect his game. But even LeBron is human after all.

On the flipside, LeBron usually gets over this mental shit by the second go around. I expect the Cavs to body the heat on the rematch.

87. Salary Cap 101: Kyrie has $8-10 million clause in contract for making the All Star Game. Worth a lot to Kyrie, and affects Cavs ability to spend in the future if they have to pay Kyrie more

As a Cavs fan is it wrong that I might not want Kyrie to make the ASG this season?

LeShaq said:

I hear what you're saying.

Windy thinks (as many of us do) that center will probably end up getting taken care of this summer (or that there is a much better chance something big happens this summer rather than during this season).

Windy was basically in "I don't want to hear it" mode when he said the Cavs have too much talent to not be considered a contender, with or without another center.

I think Windy was just trying to give the "no excuses" approach. And I know where he is coming from. You have a Big 3, you should be able to contend. Period (even if that isn't looking so great at the moment).

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i don't totally buy into the idea of addressing it in summer being much more likely than addressing it prior to the deadline. mainly because, well, what's going to change?

waiters and the memphis pick will still probably be their two most valuable assets. people mention the haywood contract, but that alone isn't highly valuable because teams are only going to dump a big in a deal like that if he's badly overpaid. more important than that, using that has a massive impact on the salary going forward and at least one of (but probably both) tristan and waiters will be gone too either as a package with the haywood contract or just because they're unaffordable (likely tristan, obv).

so i guess what i'm saying is, if not addressed now, their hope is to package haywood + waiters + maybe mem pick for a big move? which would also mean letting thompson walk, too, because that team would be ridiculously expensive. that could happen, but is it not a little optimistic to assume the caliber of center they'd target with that package will actually be available in the first place?

as an aside, mozgov and koufos not being on their top 10 wanted centers list really makes it seem like they have a horribly warped view of reality as to who will be available. i mean, neither m gasol nor cousins is going to be a cavalier ffs.

daytripper said:

87. Salary Cap 101: Kyrie has $8-10 million clause in contract for making the All Star Game. Worth a lot to Kyrie, and affects Cavs ability to spend in the future if they have to pay Kyrie more

As a Cavs fan is it wrong that I might not want Kyrie to make the ASG this season?

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i'm pretty sure he's referring to the rose rule, is he not? in which case kyrie would need to start the asg to be eligible for the additional money; simply making it as a reserve doesn't mean he qualifies.

Triumph36 said:

i'm pretty sure he's referring to the rose rule, is he not? in which case kyrie would need to start the asg to be eligible for the additional money; simply making it as a reserve doesn't mean he qualifies.

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Yes, Windy was talking about the Rose rule.

Haywood's contract does seem to be the big bargaining chip for a center this summer. Also, maybe more guys will be available then? Or maybe teams will be more prepared to part with guys then rather than deal them now, during the season?

If we can get a good center this season, I'm all for it.