Was at the game in the nose bleeds. My wife got me tickets for my birthday, so she wins...
Awesome game. Team work on defense was smothering. On offense watching Lebron and Mozgov in a complex pick and roll at the top of the key, you could hust see the exasparation of the defenders. I dont recall Lebron and Bosh having that kind of understanding, but somehow Mosgov seems to understand what Lebron is doing and shields just right. Its kind of like watching two jazz players when they are in synch.. With practice lebron scores at will. Mozgov does change the game inside immensely. He blocks, alters shots just scares people defensively, and offensively creates space whereever he goes, and if you lay off him any where within ten feet he is at the rim in a heartbeat, and all of the starters can se it coming and take advantage. Two firsts was not too much to give up for him...
For the first time ever, I saw what other people complain about in TT. He is strong as an ox, and never lays off, but sometimes he is just physically awkward. Still I think he remains a key player, because he is the kind that does not get injured and brings it every game.. There is a clear sympatico between Kyrie and TT though. They look for each other in the mix.
Kyrie played some excellent defense tonight. Very persistant fighting picks, staying after the ball..
. Lebron looked really comfortable with JR and Mozgov..They worked hard to involve love tonight, and he had a solid game, but he just seems a little left out..
Lots of passing, getting up court after a defensive stop. Movement off ball, Charlotte was just unable to stop it. At one point we were 72 % from three point range.
Shumpert was ready to play.. He is all that defensively, he has energy like delly, but the size and athleticism to stay with fast guards. I think it will be hard not to start him, but I dont see how you move smith to the bench. Bad shot jackin smith was not evident in this game, and as I said Lebron seems to be aware of smith all the time. I think Shumpert was hesitant to take the long ball, and te hornets seemed to expect that. They would give him room for the short jumper, just to keep him off the rim. Several times he had looks from15 feet and passed them up to dribble in traffic.
I know people have been down on delly, but he does know how to set other people up. In the last eight or so minutes he was completely focused on getting Brenda looks ( I think because Jefferson and others were picking on him on the other end) Its hard to get Brenda points, because it is clearly painful for him to move, and he has little or no strength. But after four or five fails, delly drove and drew the defender just enough to give brenda space under the basket, and a perfctly timed shuttle pass led to that and one dunk...
Marion is really good still. I would have him as the best sixth man on this team, although Tristan and I think Shumpert will be in the running for that. But for 36, he is still dangerous on both ends.
Mike miller is fast in one direction but has no lateral..He got the ball a lot more than was a good idea, Jones was OK, but not really that good. Harris was exactly what we expect from Harris, not too good defensively, good long stroke.
