Game 32 -|- Cavs @ Nets -|- Saturday, December 29th, 7:30PM ET

[Rondo]

This team needs to learn how to play defense. It would be nice if they actually tried to win.

 

[DanRosenberg]

so close. damn. good game regardless

 

[Futuredome]

They battled hard again, 2 nights in a row. Just a bit outmatched right now.

 

[Typhoon]

so close. damn. good game regardless

Meh. It was never close. The writing was on the wall the whole game, the lack of defensive stops murders this team every night. They don't put their hands up, instead the reach for steals and hope the team misses.

 

[MGMT]

Sigh

 

[Rich]

Not going to get to upset over these last two games. They were against playoff teams and they were right there, step for step both games. Just can't close games, and that's exactly what is expected of them right now.

 

[Stark]

 

[Typhoon]

He has an extra tear duct in the middle of his eyelid?

 

[Rich]

Meh. It was never close. The writing was on the wall the whole game, the lack of defensive stops murders this team every night. They don't put their hands up, instead the reach for steals and hope the team misses.

I disagree with this. Tonight, it was one guy. The rest of the team honestly defended hard and it showed. Outside of Lopez, the NEts shot 40% even. But Tyler Zeller being so skinny and weak is the sole reason this game was lost. Everyone else, for the most part, did their job on defense.

 

[Typhoon]

I disagree with this. Tonight, it was one guy. The rest of the team honestly defended hard and it showed. Outside of Lopez, the NEts shot 40% even. But Tyler Zeller being so skinny and weak is the sole reason this game was lost. Everyone else, for the most part, did their job on defense.

I meant more in general - that is the way the Cavaliers play defense. Zeller was the main killer tonight. Actually, last night as well.

 

[Rich]

I meant more in general - that is the way the Cavaliers play defense. Zeller was the main killer tonight. Actually, last night as well.

But it does seem the Cavs, overall, have played better defense. Kyrie, despite the complaints, is playing better on the ball and the rest of the team has picked it up. It's just, right now, Tyler Zeller is too damn weak to be an even adequate defender, and w/o Varejao, we still look bad.

 

[Wine and Gold]

I disagree with this. Tonight, it was one guy. The rest of the team honestly defended hard and it showed. Outside of Lopez, the NEts shot 40% even. But Tyler Zeller being so skinny and weak is the sole reason this game was lost. Everyone else, for the most part, did their job on defense.

Zeller was obviously outmuscled by a true center in Lopez. But, Tyler needs to go through this and learn how to deal with size and strength disparities of this nature as he develops his game in this league. We are so far superior to the record we have it's almost laughable. We truly have taken the art of tanking and are making it an art form in and of itself. I'm not saying the players are actively involved, but ...I just sit back in amazement at the exploits of Mr. Scott some nights..

 

[DanRosenberg]

Meh. It was never close. The writing was on the wall the whole game, the lack of defensive stops murders this team every night. They don't put their hands up, instead the reach for steals and hope the team misses.

I don't think lack of effort is the problem. It's not like the guards or wings have been killing us; it's the bigs. TT holds his own but we need a true C down low

 

[Wine and Gold]

But it does seem the Cavs, overall, have played better defense. Kyrie, despite the complaints, is playing better on the ball and the rest of the team has picked it up. It's just, right now, Tyler Zeller is too damn weak to be an even adequate defender, and w/o Varejao, we still look bad.

We never play the level of defense I prefer to see, but tonight ...Zeller aside, we competed. Zeller competed, he just couldn't deal with what a true sterting center brings in the NBA, and it was apparent. Which, to me ...he shows what he is. He will get better and learn what he can do to deal with what he saw tonight ..Z will be the perfect instructor in that regard.

 

[MGMT]

Irving doesn't seem to attack the basket nearly as much anymore.