Farewell, Richard Jefferson.

[BigJ]

So where's RJ at? Lue loved him in the regular season. Is he really being preserved for Golden State?

Can't really tell.. When Shump started playing elite Defense again we ran into a minutes problem. There are not enough Minutes to Play JR,Shump,Korver,Lebron AND RJ at the 2 and 3. Not if you already ideally want JR and Korver playing 25 Minutes at least and Shump 20. There are just no 15-20 Minutes for RJ right now.

He looked decent pretty recently so i doubt he does not play because he suddenly has lost it. I think he right now is just the odd man out. That can easilly change though.. I suspect at some Point Frye will be unplayable due to Defense and this is where RJ takes most of his Minutes right away.

 

[PinkFlame]

RJ is just the odd man out, hes not good anymore.

 

[MrHoops]

I think Lue's saving RJ for Golden State. Lue also like likes the element of surprise. If Lue switches things up there will be little on the scouting report to counteract lineup changes. Just like out of nowhere the Cavs started to double their opponents. There's nothing wrong with RJ having fresh legs for the Warriors.

 

[Cavatt]

I think it depends. He will be dusted off if needed. He was great in small ball lineups, and looked good defensively against GS. If Shump, Korver, and JR play like this, they may not need him.

 

[Adam]

RJ will go into the game if we get in foul trouble or if the moment gets too much for shump or if we want to go small but keep bron at the 3 for match up reasons. He is ready to go and probably will go full speed as he is very well rested

 

[Cassity14]

Shump, JR, and Korver have simply been better choices against the Cavs' opponents so far.

RJ will probably have to be used against Golden State, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some burn against Washington's second unit that uses guys like Oubre to create matchup issues. RJ is a solid answer to Oubre, Morris, Porter, etc.

 

[Bballguy4]

he'll play more I bet vs Warriors because something tells me that Love a Korver will sit more because of lack of athleticism/defense.

 

[billmac91]

It's just match-up driven....

RJ has the ability to defend Draymond Green/Kevin Durant in short stints, whereas some of the other wings lack the size/athleticism to do this.

Toronto did not present any match-up issues since in the second unit you were facing guys like Patrick Patterson, Demare Carrol, and PJ Tucker. Since those guys are primarily 3 and D guys, it made sense Cleveland largely went with wings who can stretch court allowing LeBron to attack.

Against Golden State, Jefferson is entirely in play on the second unit when GS goes small or we need another defender with size/athleticism to match-up when GS has Draymond and KD on court.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I think it has to do with Frye being the better option given who we've faced in the playoffs.

Jefferson is better defensively against small-ball lineups, which is where Frye's limitations are most apparent. We haven't played anyone able to make us pay on the defensive end for playing Frye. And with KI not shooting well, Frye's superior ability to hit the 3 keeps the floor spaced.

 

[Cassity14]

he'll play more I bet vs Warriors because something tells me that Love a Korver will sit more because of lack of athleticism/defense.

Korver has been one of the better team defenders on the roster and is too much of a weapon to be sitting against anyone. He'll be in the lineup against Golden State.

 

[Bballguy4]

Korver has been one of the better team defenders on the roster and is too much of a weapon to be sitting against anyone. He'll be in the lineup against Golden State.

he's a weapon but think he'll struggle more vs Warriors

 

[billmac91]

Korver has been one of the better team defenders on the roster and is too much of a weapon to be sitting against anyone. He'll be in the lineup against Golden State.

I agree Korver is shooting too well to keep him off the court. I also think with the Warriors giving minutes to guys like Shaun Livingston, Matt Barnes, and even Iggy.....None of those guys is a huge mis-match for Kyle. He's a smart defender, who at a minimum keeps himself in front of his man.

And if Korver continues his groove, I'm not sure how you don't continue allowing him big 4th quarter minutes when he stretches the defense that much. I mean, it's just absurd at this point. You can't leave him at all....

The Warriors late game line-up has been:

Green
KD
Iggy
Thompson
Curry

If Korver stays hot I see no reason he can't guard Iggy.

Love
LeBron
Korver
JR/Shump
Kyrie

If we want more physicality/defense replace Love with TT.

The good news is, I think the Cavs have more options against GS than what originally appeared on paper.

 

[Cavatt]

I agree Korver is shooting too well to keep him off the court. I also think with the Warriors giving minutes to guys like Shaun Livingston, Matt Barnes, and even Iggy.....None of those guys is a huge mis-match for Kyle. He's a smart defender, who at a minimum keeps himself in front of his man.

And if Korver continues his groove, I'm not sure how you don't continue allowing him big 4th quarter minutes when he stretches the defense that much. I mean, it's just absurd at this point. You can't leave him at all....

The Warriors late game line-up has been:

Green
KD
Iggy
Thompson
Curry

If Korver stays hot I see no reason he can't guard Iggy.

Love
LeBron
Korver
JR/Shump
Kyrie

If we want more physicality/defense replace Love with TT.

The good news is, I think the Cavs have more options against GS than what originally appeared on paper.

There is the big lineup too, and deron if we need him. There are More options this year

 

[Cassity14]

There is the big lineup too, and deron if we need him. There are More options this year

Agreed. The Cavs have the deeper roster this year as opposed to the last two. LeBron + the role players is a better unit than Golden State's second unit.

 

[billmac91]

There is the big lineup too, and deron if we need him. There are More options this year

One of the great chess moves this year might be bringing TT off the bench and letting Channing Frye start against Zaza. I know last year Kerr said any time Frye was on court, they'd go small with Draymond. With as much offensive efficiency they're getting out of McGee and Zaza on court, I wonder if that holds true?

Bottom line is Green isn't playing 48 minutes a game. And if they want to try that more power to them. Every time GS has Zaza or McGee in game, I'd stretch court with Frye. Guy has been money and it's a great way to free up driving lanes which is imperative against the Warriors. It's what Utah lacked and why GS defense was so overwhelming. They just couldn't stretch the court at all and everything was congested. Love and Frye really need to be locked in assuming this match-up develops.