Game 21: Cleveland Cavaliers (13-7) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (8-13) 8:00 P.M. EST

[Rich]

I'm not even disparaging Birdman. He played his role well. But look at this game thread. It's a lot of "trade Dion and get someone in here to replace Andy, HES SOFT!" I'm paraphrasing, but the general idea is that we can't win with Varejao playing most of the minutes at center and we need not just a journeyman who plays 15 minutes a night, but a starting caliber guy who blocks shots. I simply do not agree and quite frankly if I were to list out the greatest needs I'd rather have another, younger wing player with length. Someone who can play reliable defense and isn't on the verge of breaking down any moment like Marion or Miller. I think that's a bigger problem area.

 

[clevelandrox23]

Why would you play him if his knee is sore which could cause problems later in the season? The team said it was precautionary. People make a big deal over everything

Team is on a 8 game win streak. We are finally developing some positive team chemistry and you sit for knee soreness? If he doesn't play tomorrow then I'll retract my comments because obviously something was legitimately wrong and I'd thereby agree with his decision to sit. However if he does play tomorrow then I will believe that he should've been out there with his teammates and played at least 20 minutes to keep morale up and get the offense going. I don't buy that 24 extra hours of rest will really heal a legitimate knee issue.

 

[Pioneer10]

I'm not even disparaging Birdman. He played his role well. But look at this game thread. It's a lot of "trade Dion and get someone in here to replace Andy, HES SOFT!" I'm paraphrasing, but the general idea is that we can't win with Varejao playing most of the minutes at center and we need not just a journeyman who plays 15 minutes a night, but a starting caliber guy who blocks shots. I simply do not agree and quite frankly if I were to list out the greatest needs I'd rather have another, younger wing player with length. Someone who can play reliable defense and isn't on the verge of breaking down any moment like Marion or Miller. I think that's a bigger problem area.

Come on it's a game thread: getting on a high horse during a time when people are posting while hot headed is tilting at windmills. I do, however, absolutely think a journeyman big who can play the 5 adequately and offer some shotblocking for 10-20 minutes a game could be the difference between winning a title and going home. Tonight and also even against NYK it seemed like we could have really used another big who could lay protect the pain. This is not a knock on our guys but when you depend on essentially 3 players none of whom are a traditional C type, the percentages are high that they are going to be off or run into a bad matchup on a not infrequent basis.

 

[David.]

Team is on a 8 game win streak. We are finally developing some positive team chemistry and you sit for knee soreness? If he doesn't play tomorrow then I'll retract my comments because obviously something was legitimately wrong and I'd thereby agree with his decision to sit. However if he does play tomorrow then I will believe that he should've been out there with his teammates and played at least 20 minutes to keep morale up and get the offense going. I don't buy that 24 extra hours of rest will really heal a legitimate knee issue.

we need to develop the bench.

winning 8 in a row gives you the freedom to do that. Perfect time to try this. Its esaily more important to do so than it is to win every game of the regular season.

 

[David.]

The defense wasn't that bad.

A more efficient offense, or having tall wings who could shoot would definitely have made the difference tonight.

the defense was that bad.

If it was inside, it was in the bucket.

If it was westbrook at the top of the key, it was westbrook in the paint scoring.

 

[Rich]

Come on it's a game thread: getting on a high horse during a time when people are posting while hot headed is tilting at windmills. I do, however, absolutely think a journeyman big who can play the 5 adequately and offer some shotblocking for 10-20 minutes a game could be the difference between winning a title and going home. Tonight and also even against NYK it seemed like we could have really used another big who could lay protect the pain. This is not a knock on our guys but when you depend on essentially 3 players none of whom are a traditional C type, the percentages are high that they are going to be off or run into a bad matchup on a not infrequent basis.

It's not just the game thread. Go to the Varejao thread. Basically after every bad game it's "we need someone and Andy needs to come off the bench." It does get sort of old reading about getting a starting center in multiple threads virtually every time an opposing team scores a bucket inside. Moreover its more annoying given that fact that none seem to be available, so it's basically just complaining for complaining's sake.

 

[Cavsfan161]

Thought we showed heart. Liked what I saw.just hope kyrie is ok

 

[Andrew]

Trust me, if Birdman was here he would start at least 30 or so games. Plus he brings hot chicks with him everywhere, they all dig that tattooed weirdo. I love him, loved his attitude since his 10 tries in the dunk contest pre all the crazy tattooes.