Game 53| Spurs @ Cavaliers| Wednesday, February 13th| 7:00 pm EST

[JSS2306]

One knock I've had on Kyrie has been his conditioning. He's still taking plays off on defense to conserve on the other end of the floor. I hope his endurance improves as he ages toward his prime.

Plenty of time when you're only 20...

 

[jpow6636]

Tough loss tonight. At first thought was pissed about no call but that is a hard call to make. Was more upset about parkers travel at the other end before he dished out for the 3.

On another positive note what a game for waiters! I do not understand why they didn't give him the ball on the last play on that screen.

Anyone talking about his lack of defense on that 3 is silly. He slid in a little to far on the baseline but he slid in for tony parker In the end that was just a plain good shot.

Glad to see Zeller and Waiters combine for such a great game.

 

[Los216]

I don't think anyone is crying about Kyrie, but everyone has a right to be criticized. He was just bad out there. His defense was bad, his offense was bad and his attitude was bad. Bad ankle or not, it was a rough game for him. I don't blame him for that last play, as it should've been drawn up for Dion. Interesting call by Scott there.

Regardless we had no business being in this game in the first place. I'm a full supporter of the tank anyway, so I'm OK with this loss.

How can you consider yourself a fan of this team if that's what you believe in.

 

[Rainman]

Byron Scott just making excuses at this point in press conference.

 

[jpow6636]

We didn't draft Dion to take game winners. You know that shot Dion hit at the end of the game to give us the lead, yeah that was his first time doing that. Meanwhile Kyrie has hit a dozen big shots like that for us. You can moan about Kyrie having a horrible game all you want but he has proven that he can make those shots in that situation and he's our best player which is why he was taking that shot and not Dion.

I mean Kyrie has had a'lot more opportunities to take the game winner, which is why he has had more game winners? Gotta say I give the ball to Kyrie most of the time(maybe 99%) but not tonight and especially not with that play. The play broke down and getting him the ball that far past the 3 point line with that little time was not the best option. In this case the best call was giving it to the hot hand on a good screen to waiters

 

[Scholar]

Pop would absolutely be killing his guy if they made a play like Dion did to lose this one. I sure hope Scott isn't in the locker room saying it's fine to blow the biggest possession of the game because you shot the ball well at the the end. You can't be guarding nobody in that situation. Either you rush Parker and try to cause a turnover or you shadow your man in the corner. Rookie or veteran, it doesn't matter, that just can't happen.

I think you are being a bit over the top with this. Really, over the top. He made a mistake. That's it. The players on the Spurs make mistakes too. Or, did you not see the wide open 3 by Miles earlier in the game where it looked like the Red Sea parted between him and the nearest Spur. Even with his mistake he nearly got back in time. He'll learn from it.

Anyways, glad to see Byron's tough love had the desired effect on Dion tonight. Didn't see the sloppy play with the basketball tonight that we saw last game. He played hard on both sides of the ball, and was virtually unstoppable driving to the basket against one of the toughest defenses in the league. Looks like the finishing issues are ancient history now.

Also want to acknowledge just how well the second team kept us in this game tonight. That unit really plays solid tough basketball. Without their efforts, we wouldn't even been in this game.

 

[Rondo]

We didn't draft Dion to take game winners. You know that shot Dion hit at the end of the game to give us the lead, yeah that was his first time doing that. Meanwhile Kyrie has hit a dozen big shots like that for us. You can moan about Kyrie having a horrible game all you want but he has proven that he can make those shots in that situation and he's our best player which is why he was taking that shot and not Dion.

We drafted Dion to be Kyrie's running mate. If Kyrie has an off night, Dion is there to pick up the slack. And he did so tonight. He made the shot under 10 seconds left when Kyrie couldn't. The last play should have gone to Dion. He deserved it. That's why we drafted him, to be a big time player and make big time plays. Especially if Kyrie is off.

 

[Silky Smooth]

Kyrie brought up a good point in his interview after the game. This is his first full 1st half of a season going into the all star break he has been apart of. He was not aware of how physically draining it would be going into the all star break. Good learning experience.

 

[jpow6636]

We drafted Dion to be Kyrie's running mate. If Kyrie has an off night, Dion is there to pick up the slack. And he did so tonight. He made the shot under 10 seconds left when Kyrie couldn't. The last play should have gone to Dion. He deserved it. That's why we drafted him, to be a big time player and make big time plays. Especially if Kyrie is off.

Absolutely agree! Gotta give the young guy a chance when he's hot! I mean why not are we not going to make the playoffs this year? How else will he be able to grow into that role without opportunities like that. Our team and kyrie will thrive even more if we have someone that can step up in that role and if he doesn't well then we know his limitations.

 

[Rainman]

Where the hell is this coming from?

Actually regret posting that but the cats out of the bag. Watch post game interview didn't like his demeanor. Like I said should not have posted and don't want to get into it. Just a personal feeling.

 

[TopGun]

How can you consider yourself a fan of this team if that's what you believe in.

Because we understand that our ultimate goal is an NBA championship. Because we recognize that this team as it is currently constructed does have the requisite amount of talent needed to achieve that goal. Because we know that our best chance of acquiring the necessary talent will not come from Free Agency but rather the draft and trades. Because common sense says that higher draft picks can either be used on players that are more likely to contribute or be used as the key pieces in trades to bring established talent.

I don't understand how you can be a Cleveland fan and think that losing meaningless games during the regular season when you are already out of contention is a big deal.

People that see the long term goal of bringing a championship to Cleveland can see the benefit of losing some now to win it all later. That doesn't mean they aren't fans of the team.

 

[wuck]

Actually regret posting that

Let's leave it at that.

 

[jpow6636]

Actually regret posting that but the cats out of the bag. Watch post game interview didn't like his demeanor. Like I said should not have posted and don't want to get into it. Just a personal feeling.

I mean his demeanor might of been from exhaustion and having one of the worst game in his career vs someone that he respects in parker. I wouldn't read to much into it.

 

[MGMT]

Really gotta give Zeller his props for his play tonight when he has been getting his ass kicked a majority of the season. Seriously, I didn't think he'd have many big games again this season if any.

Keep grinding sir.

 

[Scholar]

How can you consider yourself a fan of this team if that's what you believe in.

I think that is really easy, as I feel pretty much the same way. While I am watching the game I am pulling for them to win. I never pull for them to lose during the game. I am always looking for the young players to have good games, to show improvement. In the end, it was a tough loss. They really did deserve to win. But, after the game ended, I can rationalize that the loss was a good thing because it improves our chances this year in the draft. This is the last year we are likely to have our pick be at the top of the draft. As such, it is also likely the last shot we have of drafting game changing talent during this rebuild.