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Posted on Mon, Feb. 13, 2006
Hughes' absence disrupts offense
Cavs become stagnant without slashing guard
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - For 50 games, the Cavaliers have really tried to make defense their mantra because a team that can't score, can't win.
That fundamental basketball truth cuts both ways, though.
Since losing Larry Hughes with a finger injury in early January, the Cavs have actually improved their defense as far as the numbers go. Still, they are just .500 in those 22 games compared with an 18-10 record before.
A big reason is the constant troubles the Cavs have when they've actually got the ball.
In the past 22 games, the Cavs are averaging 93 points per game after averaging 102 before the Hughes injury.
They've averaged just 89 points in the past seven games, failing to score 100. Since losing Hughes, the Cavs have bested 100 just five times. They did it 18 times in the season's first 28 games.
Their shooting percentages are down along with their free-throw attempts and assists.
Their 3-point shot attempts are up.
These are all symptoms of a struggling offense. The dubious crown jewel in that run perhaps came Saturday in a 99-91 loss to the rickety Golden State Warriors when LeBron James only took two shots inside the 3-point arc in the second half and never reached the free-throw line.
``We just came down and tried to throw the ball into Zydrunas (Ilgauskas), but we didn't space the floor the right way or do anything prior to getting him the ball,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``We held the ball for a long time without cutting or trying to move the defense.''
The stagnant offense issue has been a growing thorn for weeks. Brown has been using James as the offensive point guard for huge periods of time during games, especially in the second half. This eliminates the option to post him up, as opposing scouts have been dutifully noting in their reports.
In that setup, it makes it very easy for teams to double-team James or force him away from the basket. Also Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones and Sasha Pavlovic have been playing a great deal together with James at the point, and all three are spot-up shooters who take position outside the 3-point line and wait.
Possession after possession, the opposition packs the lane to deny James' drives and to hassle Ilgauskas while simply allowing the Cavs to frequently settle for 3-pointers.
When Hughes was playing, he pressured the defense because of his ability to drive, shoot and pass, making it much tougher to shade the defense to James and Ilgauskas. He was also an option at point guard, taking pressure off James and freeing him to post up or run off of picks.
Brown is much more noted for defense than offense. Most of his sets are copied from his time with the San Antonio Spurs, whom the Cavs face tonight. The Spurs are built around a big man who can score (Tim Duncan), guards who can drive (Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker) and spot-up long-range shooters (Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry, Brent Barry, and now Michael Finley).
Graham makes mark
Rookie swingman Stephen Graham, midway through a 10-day contract, played well when foul trouble forced Brown to give him extended minutes on Saturday. He had four points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 12 minutes.
His energy was impressive especially compared with his teammates. Brown actually planned to sub for him at one point and then left him in.
With Luke Jackson injured and out for about seven weeks and Ira Newble's return uncertain, Graham likely earned no less than a second 10-day deal.
``I appreciate Coach letting me stay in there and get a feel for the game to see what I can do on offense and defense,'' Graham said. ``My main goal is to show what I can do in this short period of time.''
Hughes' absence disrupts offense
Cavs become stagnant without slashing guard
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - For 50 games, the Cavaliers have really tried to make defense their mantra because a team that can't score, can't win.
That fundamental basketball truth cuts both ways, though.
Since losing Larry Hughes with a finger injury in early January, the Cavs have actually improved their defense as far as the numbers go. Still, they are just .500 in those 22 games compared with an 18-10 record before.
A big reason is the constant troubles the Cavs have when they've actually got the ball.
In the past 22 games, the Cavs are averaging 93 points per game after averaging 102 before the Hughes injury.
They've averaged just 89 points in the past seven games, failing to score 100. Since losing Hughes, the Cavs have bested 100 just five times. They did it 18 times in the season's first 28 games.
Their shooting percentages are down along with their free-throw attempts and assists.
Their 3-point shot attempts are up.
These are all symptoms of a struggling offense. The dubious crown jewel in that run perhaps came Saturday in a 99-91 loss to the rickety Golden State Warriors when LeBron James only took two shots inside the 3-point arc in the second half and never reached the free-throw line.
``We just came down and tried to throw the ball into Zydrunas (Ilgauskas), but we didn't space the floor the right way or do anything prior to getting him the ball,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``We held the ball for a long time without cutting or trying to move the defense.''
The stagnant offense issue has been a growing thorn for weeks. Brown has been using James as the offensive point guard for huge periods of time during games, especially in the second half. This eliminates the option to post him up, as opposing scouts have been dutifully noting in their reports.
In that setup, it makes it very easy for teams to double-team James or force him away from the basket. Also Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones and Sasha Pavlovic have been playing a great deal together with James at the point, and all three are spot-up shooters who take position outside the 3-point line and wait.
Possession after possession, the opposition packs the lane to deny James' drives and to hassle Ilgauskas while simply allowing the Cavs to frequently settle for 3-pointers.
When Hughes was playing, he pressured the defense because of his ability to drive, shoot and pass, making it much tougher to shade the defense to James and Ilgauskas. He was also an option at point guard, taking pressure off James and freeing him to post up or run off of picks.
Brown is much more noted for defense than offense. Most of his sets are copied from his time with the San Antonio Spurs, whom the Cavs face tonight. The Spurs are built around a big man who can score (Tim Duncan), guards who can drive (Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker) and spot-up long-range shooters (Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry, Brent Barry, and now Michael Finley).
Graham makes mark
Rookie swingman Stephen Graham, midway through a 10-day contract, played well when foul trouble forced Brown to give him extended minutes on Saturday. He had four points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 12 minutes.
His energy was impressive especially compared with his teammates. Brown actually planned to sub for him at one point and then left him in.
With Luke Jackson injured and out for about seven weeks and Ira Newble's return uncertain, Graham likely earned no less than a second 10-day deal.
``I appreciate Coach letting me stay in there and get a feel for the game to see what I can do on offense and defense,'' Graham said. ``My main goal is to show what I can do in this short period of time.''
