Jason Lloyd's final thoughts

[RedBlackAttack]

My absolute favorite from Lloyd last night:



I have praise for LeBron James, the player, all day long. But when it comes to LeBron James, the person and the guy who "says one thing yet does another" this is yet another example that supports that claim. Sometimes it feels like he says things just to say them out of spite or a need to provide a contradiction.

Interesting that Lloyd referenced this, though.

He has been doing this to Blatt all season, too. It has become a trend and Lloyd has consistently reported on it (as he should). I try not to read too much into things, especially when it comes to the media, but at some point I have to question what his motives for the constant contradictions of Blatt could be. Personally, I just think he dislikes the idea that there is this guy who was brought in to lead HIS team. He sees it as an afront to his authority.

 

[Cashius X]

He has been doing this to Blatt all season, too. It has become a trend and Lloyd has consistently reported on it (as he should). I try not to read too much into things, especially when it comes to the media, but at some point I have to question what his motives are for the constant contradictions of Blatt could be. Personally, I just think he dislikes the idea that there is this guy who was brought in to lead HIS team. He sees it as an afront to his authority.

LeBron probably still wants HIS GUY coaching this team. Remember how Mark Jackson signed with LRMR (LeBron and Rich Paul's agency) last year?....

It'll be an interesting summer that's for sure.

 

[BimboColesHair]

LeBron probably still wants HIS GUY coaching this team. Remember how Mark Jackson signed with LRMR (LeBron and Rich Paul's agency) last year?....

It'll be an interesting summer that's for sure.

Yeah, all that shit stopped when Griffin and Gilbert stood by Blatt earlier in the year. Only way it comes back is a 1st round exit or something incredibly bad happens.

 

[oracio]

I just read Lloyd's sub Marla Ridenour's piece about the latest game vs the Suns.
It was supposed to be in the same format as Lloyd's final thoughts but I could really feel the differences and it just made me more appreciative to what Lloyd's does and brings after every game.
What was the most noticeable to me is that Lloyd isn't as cynical as most writers.
It seems like writers have to be cynical to be perceived (by themselves) as good writers....

Link:
http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...ebron-s-headband-knee-jerk-reactions-1.572873

 

[Helium filament]

I just read Lloyd's sub Marla Ridenour's piece about the latest game vs the Suns.
It was supposed to be in the same format as Lloyd's final thoughts but I could really feel the differences and it just made me more appreciative to what Lloyd's does and brings after every game.
What was the most noticeable to me is that Lloyd isn't as cynical as most writers.
It seems like writers have to be cynical to be perceived (by themselves) as good writers....

Link:
http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...ebron-s-headband-knee-jerk-reactions-1.572873

Lol I love how Blatt was infinitely more chatty about LeBron and his headband than his use (or lack thereof) of Mozgov in the fourth quarter.

And yeah, I wish Lloyd had been there because I definitely miss his perspective.

 

[Douglar]

I'm pretty sure Marla was just making fun of Blatt's sensitivity and self-aggrandizing when she wrote thought #32. I don't think it was a cynical attack on the man, it's just that everyone knows everyone in NBA circles, so name dropping isn't going to impress anyone. The beat writer stuff was clearly an exaggeration for comic effect at that point.

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...rk-reactions-1.572873?localLinksEnabled=false

32. In one day, Blatt told his audience that he played with Mark Price, knows John Calipari, has had an undefeated season and thinks the Cavs have too many beat writers. What will the upcoming four-game road trip bring?​

 

[Jscc]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...-little-things-headbands-and-history-1.573632

Spoiler

DALLAS: Twenty-one thoughts for 21 points from both Kevin Love and J.R. Smith in a 127-94 dismantling of the Dallas Mavericks…

1. It’s hard to believe both of these teams left American Airlines Center an identical 41-25 because they couldn’t be more different. Despite that loss to the Hawks, the Cavs are in a very, very good place right now. Their last four wins haven’t really been close despite some of those final scores, while the Mavericks seem to be unraveling and haven’t played as well as expected since acquiring Rajon Rondo.

2. The NBA is so fragile and winning consistently is so difficult. The Mavericks were a better team before Rondo than they are now, while despite the presence of a Big Three, the Cavs’ season was saved with their in-season acquisitions of J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov.

3. All of those guys were excellent again Tuesday. Mozgov had 17 points and two blocks (and he even played seven minutes in the fourth quarter), Smith had eight rebounds to go with his 21 ponits and Iman Shumpert had six assists and six steals.

4. Three of Shumpert’s steals came in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach, but he has played this way since arriving. He tipped passes and harassed the passing lanes, he jumped in front of Dirk Nowitzki for a steal and deflected a pass from J.J. Barea for another one. Shumpert’s steals and Smith’s rebounds perhaps best reflect the little things the Cavs have done well to supplement their three stars.

5. “Somebody’s got to do it,” Shumpert said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that can do a lot of things. At times you want to do other things but you can’t do them because the game is flowing and you may not have the ball in your hands. So you’ve got to find other things to do. I’m a young guy, I’ve got a ton of energy, I might as well use it, right?”

6. Shumpert said he studies film of the opposing team’s top two guards before every game. He watches passing lanes and counts dribbles. When opponents kill their dribble, he positions himself for a steal. He tries to think how he would react if he had the ball in his hands, or what Kyrie Irving would do, and then responds appropriately. “I basically play offense on defense,” he said.

7. It’s working. Shumpert’s quick hands have fortified the perimeter defense and his corner 3-point shooting (12-for-38 in the corners with the Cavs) has been a bonus.

8. “I don’t care if (Shumpert) scores a bucket the rest of the season,” LeBron James said. “All I care about is how he defends, that aggressiveness, defending multiple positions. He’s doing a great job of making the shots when they come to him but for Shump, defensively is where he makes his mark. We’re happy to have him. We love him.”

9. Here is some perspective for how lopsided (and rare) of a win this was. It was the Cavs’ first win in Dallas since 2008, it was their worst loss of the season and the Cavs’ most lopsided win in the 35-year history of the series spanning 67 meetings. And it came against a Mavericks team seeded sixth in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

10. “I can’t remember another game we came out there and took hell,” first-year Mavs player Chandler Parsons said.

11. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle put the blame on himself for allowing 101 points in the final three quarters. Dallas’ defense has been a mess most of the season and certainly was again in this one.

12. “After the first quarter it was our worst performance of the year, just flat out,” Carlisle said. “We just did a horrible job and I’m taking full responsibility for what happened. … That’s a horrible job of coaching these guys and preparing them. … Too many breakdowns, too many lack of concentration mistakes that are normally beneath who we are but it’s on me and I’m sick to my stomach about this.”

13. The Cavs played with a quickened pace Tuesday. They took 87 shots after averaging 82 for the season. Surprisingly, they rank in the league’s bottom 10 in shots per game and pace (number of possessions per 48 minutes). But the tempo quickened against the Mavericks.

14. “Just playing to strengths and getting guys good looks,” Kyrie Irving said. “Guys were running, filling the lane and guys were in open spots.”

15. LeBron passed Mark Price to become the franchise leader in assists. He also started the game without his trademark headband, the first time that has happened, he said, since a preseason game against Detroit his rookie year. He has finished some games without it, including Saturday’s home win against the Suns, but this was the first time in 12 years he started without it.

16. “I’m liking it,” Blatt said of the no-headband look. “He played great. We were able to keep his minutes down once again. He does so many great things that it’s fun to watch. Let’s be honest, fun for everybody.” Well, maybe not fun for the Mavericks.

17. “This is the lowest point we have been at,” Carlisle said.

18. After resting his starters for the start of the fourth quarter Saturday, only to have to put them back in late after the bench blew most of a big lead against the Suns, Blatt reversed course this time. The Cavs carried a 23-point lead into the fourth, but he still started the quarter with Irving and James on the floor. When Irving subbed out after two minutes, Kevin Love came in.

19. James didn’t leave for good until 6:32 remained and the lead was 27. Love left with 5:07 left and the lead at 29. Blatt said the reason he pulled the starters early against the Suns was because it was the fourth game in five nights. But the Cavs were off Monday (they practiced) and they’re off again Wednesday (another practice scheduled) so the starters remained. Still, James played only 29 minutes and no one played more than Irving’s 35.

20. “I just thought maybe we would do it the other way around than we did it in Cleveland (against the Suns),” Blatt said. “Honestly if I attributed this great performance to anything it’s the fact that No. 1 we had a great day off and No. 2 we had a practice. A good practice. I was very happy with how the guys worked and what we accomplished (Monday) for the first time in quite a while. And it carried over. It carried over to today’s game without question.”

21. This shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but the Cavs play better the more they’re rested. They’re 20-15 this season following a day off and 9-0 when they have two days off. When the Cavs have two days off, they’re shooting 49 percent, averaging 111 points and outscoring opponents by 14.6 points per game. Unfortunately they’ll only have one day off before facing the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Talk to you then

Interesting stuff:

6. Shumpert said he studies film of the opposing team’s top two guards before every game. He watches passing lanes and counts dribbles. When opponents kill their dribble, he positions himself for a steal. He tries to think how he would react if he had the ball in his hands, or what Kyrie Irving would do, and then responds appropriately. “I basically play offense on defense,” he said.

9. Here is some perspective for how lopsided (and rare) of a win this was. It was the Cavs’ first win in Dallas since 2008, it was their worst loss of the season and the Cavs’ most lopsided win in the 35-year history of the series spanning 67 meetings. And it came against a Mavericks team seeded sixth in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

13. The Cavs played with a quickened pace Tuesday. They took 87 shots after averaging 82 for the season. Surprisingly, they rank in the league’s bottom 10 in shots per game and pace (number of possessions per 48 minutes). But the tempo quickened against the Mavericks.

21. This shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but the Cavs play better the more they’re rested. They’re 20-15 this season following a day off and 9-0 when they have two days off. When the Cavs have two days off, they’re shooting 49 percent, averaging 111 points and outscoring opponents by 14.6 points per game. Unfortunately they’ll only have one day off before facing the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Talk to you then.

And my favorite--Blatt's learning:

18. After resting his starters for the start of the fourth quarter Saturday, only to have to put them back in late after the bench blew most of a big lead against the Suns, Blatt reversed course this time. The Cavs carried a 23-point lead into the fourth, but he still started the quarter with Irving and James on the floor. When Irving subbed out after two minutes, Kevin Love came in.

 

[Snarly]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...-little-things-headbands-and-history-1.573632

Spoiler

DALLAS: Twenty-one thoughts for 21 points from both Kevin Love and J.R. Smith in a 127-94 dismantling of the Dallas Mavericks…

1. It’s hard to believe both of these teams left American Airlines Center an identical 41-25 because they couldn’t be more different. Despite that loss to the Hawks, the Cavs are in a very, very good place right now. Their last four wins haven’t really been close despite some of those final scores, while the Mavericks seem to be unraveling and haven’t played as well as expected since acquiring Rajon Rondo.

2. The NBA is so fragile and winning consistently is so difficult. The Mavericks were a better team before Rondo than they are now, while despite the presence of a Big Three, the Cavs’ season was saved with their in-season acquisitions of J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov.

3. All of those guys were excellent again Tuesday. Mozgov had 17 points and two blocks (and he even played seven minutes in the fourth quarter), Smith had eight rebounds to go with his 21 ponits and Iman Shumpert had six assists and six steals.

4. Three of Shumpert’s steals came in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach, but he has played this way since arriving. He tipped passes and harassed the passing lanes, he jumped in front of Dirk Nowitzki for a steal and deflected a pass from J.J. Barea for another one. Shumpert’s steals and Smith’s rebounds perhaps best reflect the little things the Cavs have done well to supplement their three stars.

5. “Somebody’s got to do it,” Shumpert said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that can do a lot of things. At times you want to do other things but you can’t do them because the game is flowing and you may not have the ball in your hands. So you’ve got to find other things to do. I’m a young guy, I’ve got a ton of energy, I might as well use it, right?”

6. Shumpert said he studies film of the opposing team’s top two guards before every game. He watches passing lanes and counts dribbles. When opponents kill their dribble, he positions himself for a steal. He tries to think how he would react if he had the ball in his hands, or what Kyrie Irving would do, and then responds appropriately. “I basically play offense on defense,” he said.

7. It’s working. Shumpert’s quick hands have fortified the perimeter defense and his corner 3-point shooting (12-for-38 in the corners with the Cavs) has been a bonus.

8. “I don’t care if (Shumpert) scores a bucket the rest of the season,” LeBron James said. “All I care about is how he defends, that aggressiveness, defending multiple positions. He’s doing a great job of making the shots when they come to him but for Shump, defensively is where he makes his mark. We’re happy to have him. We love him.”

9. Here is some perspective for how lopsided (and rare) of a win this was. It was the Cavs’ first win in Dallas since 2008, it was their worst loss of the season and the Cavs’ most lopsided win in the 35-year history of the series spanning 67 meetings. And it came against a Mavericks team seeded sixth in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

10. “I can’t remember another game we came out there and took hell,” first-year Mavs player Chandler Parsons said.

11. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle put the blame on himself for allowing 101 points in the final three quarters. Dallas’ defense has been a mess most of the season and certainly was again in this one.

12. “After the first quarter it was our worst performance of the year, just flat out,” Carlisle said. “We just did a horrible job and I’m taking full responsibility for what happened. … That’s a horrible job of coaching these guys and preparing them. … Too many breakdowns, too many lack of concentration mistakes that are normally beneath who we are but it’s on me and I’m sick to my stomach about this.”

13. The Cavs played with a quickened pace Tuesday. They took 87 shots after averaging 82 for the season. Surprisingly, they rank in the league’s bottom 10 in shots per game and pace (number of possessions per 48 minutes). But the tempo quickened against the Mavericks.

14. “Just playing to strengths and getting guys good looks,” Kyrie Irving said. “Guys were running, filling the lane and guys were in open spots.”

15. LeBron passed Mark Price to become the franchise leader in assists. He also started the game without his trademark headband, the first time that has happened, he said, since a preseason game against Detroit his rookie year. He has finished some games without it, including Saturday’s home win against the Suns, but this was the first time in 12 years he started without it.

16. “I’m liking it,” Blatt said of the no-headband look. “He played great. We were able to keep his minutes down once again. He does so many great things that it’s fun to watch. Let’s be honest, fun for everybody.” Well, maybe not fun for the Mavericks.

17. “This is the lowest point we have been at,” Carlisle said.

18. After resting his starters for the start of the fourth quarter Saturday, only to have to put them back in late after the bench blew most of a big lead against the Suns, Blatt reversed course this time. The Cavs carried a 23-point lead into the fourth, but he still started the quarter with Irving and James on the floor. When Irving subbed out after two minutes, Kevin Love came in.

19. James didn’t leave for good until 6:32 remained and the lead was 27. Love left with 5:07 left and the lead at 29. Blatt said the reason he pulled the starters early against the Suns was because it was the fourth game in five nights. But the Cavs were off Monday (they practiced) and they’re off again Wednesday (another practice scheduled) so the starters remained. Still, James played only 29 minutes and no one played more than Irving’s 35.

20. “I just thought maybe we would do it the other way around than we did it in Cleveland (against the Suns),” Blatt said. “Honestly if I attributed this great performance to anything it’s the fact that No. 1 we had a great day off and No. 2 we had a practice. A good practice. I was very happy with how the guys worked and what we accomplished (Monday) for the first time in quite a while. And it carried over. It carried over to today’s game without question.”

21. This shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but the Cavs play better the more they’re rested. They’re 20-15 this season following a day off and 9-0 when they have two days off. When the Cavs have two days off, they’re shooting 49 percent, averaging 111 points and outscoring opponents by 14.6 points per game. Unfortunately they’ll only have one day off before facing the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Talk to you then

Interesting stuff:


And my favorite--Blatt's learning:

The Shumpert one... wow now that is how you play defense. This team this coach, Smith, Bron, Gov, Love?!... Perkins. I mean wow... the there James Jones looking like a fucking ghost that some how puts up points as if the scoreboards were haunted. Then you had T.T basically get over his hangover and try to play while looking like Ryan Hollins and we still blew them out... Yeah Blatt is coo.

 

[Green Lantern]

That was the beatdown I wish the Cavs had put on the Hawks..maybe that game woke them up a bit.

 

[Jscc]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...ie-irving-and-an-improbable-comeback-1.574392

Spoiler

SAN ANTONIO: Twenty-six thoughts for 26 3-point attempts in a thrilling 128-125 overtime victory against the San Antonio Spurs…

1. One of the topics of conversation this morning at shootaround was Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love having never appeared in a postseason game and how much a night like this against an elite opponent like this in a hostile environment like this can prepare them for what lies ahead the next three months.

2. Based on what we saw tonight, The Kid is ready.

3. Kyrie Irving scored a franchise-record 57 points against the defending NBA champions, the second time this season he has scored 55 or more. He scored 15 consecutive points for the Cavs during the fourth quarter and overtime and had a stretch of 14 straight in the second quarter.

4. “Kyrie Irving was unstoppable. I don’t know how to guard that,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “He did a hell of a job. We all know how talented he is, but he really went to a new level tonight. He had a hell of a night and that talent just got us.”

5. The Cavs looked dead in the water with three minutes left in regulation. The Spurs had led since about the middle of the second quarter, but never by double figures. Then LeBron James missed a driving layup and complained he was fouled, Danny Green hit a corner 3-pointer at the other end in transition and LeBron was whistled for a technical for arguing with referee Eric Lewis. (Lewis, incidentally, was the official David Blatt was arguing with in Phoenix when James shoved him back toward the bench. Lewis has the reputation of pandering to the star players, so James must have really blistered his ears to get that technical).

6. Green made the free throw, the Spurs had their first 10-point lead and the game seemed to be slipping away with 3:05 to play.

7. “You just try to regain your composure, including myself, which we did,” James said. “We had to make some timely shots, we had to get some timely shots. We just kept fighting throughout the whole game.”

8. Irving was spectacular. Sensational. Spectational. He surpassed the old club record of 56 points set by James in 2005. He has the two highest scoring games in the NBA this season and two of the five 50-point performances. He shot 7 of 7 on 3-pointers, including four in the fourth quarter and overtime. He shot 10 of 10 at the free-throw line. He made 6 of his last 7 shots – the final three of the fourth quarter and his final three of overtime. And his 3-pointer to tie at the end of regulation was as mesmerizing as it was clutch.

9. Tristan Thompson was in the game solely to set the screen to free Irving, which he did. James inbounded to Irving, who had enough time and composure with 3.1 seconds left to take a dribble and get better position for the 3 over a hard-charging Kawhi Leonard.

10. Irving’s numbers in the clutch his first three years in the league were terrific, but they have slipped considerably this season. He entered the night shooting 22 percent (4 of 18) when the game was within three points in the final three minutes. In those situations tonight, however, he was 4 for 4 in the fourth quarter and overtime.

11. “You just try to shoot every shot the same,” Irving said. “As long as my elbow's pointed at the rim, I feel like it has a great chance to go in. I learned that from Kobe Bryant. If you can get a good look at it, and your elbow is pointed at the rim, then it has a great chance of going in.”

12. Irving’s dazzling 55-point game against the Portland Trail Blazers occurred while James was out resting a wrist injury. To score 57 while James scuffled early, only to recover and score 31 (16 in the fourth quarter and overtime) is perhaps even more impressive. James and Irving, incidentally, scored the same number of points as Parker, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter and Danny Green combined.

13. Dwyane Wade in his prime was an explosive scorer, but Irving might be even better … and he’s yet to even reach his prime. That would make him the best scorer James has ever played with and could alleviate some of the scoring load from LeBron in the postseason. Irving’s 57 points, incidentally, matches Wade’s total from the final four games of last season’s Finals against these same Spurs (that stat courtesy of Ethan Skolnick at Bleacher Report).

14. “The kid is special,” James said of Irving. “We all know it. We all see it. For him to go out and put up a performance like he did was incredible.”

15. Irving has never played in true pressure moments with anything more than a regular season game at stake, but he has never shrunk from the moment. James wasn’t ready to declare Irving ready for the playoffs, but he’s obviously close.

16. “He will be,” James said. “I always say the best teacher in life is experience and I think tonight was a great experience for all the guys that haven’t been a part of huge games like this. This is the best competition that you could find in our league and for the guys to be able to stay composed and keep your head throughout the whole game, even when it wasn’t going so well, and sometimes where it was going so well. Just to keep our mind into it, more than the physical, the mental as well. That was a big step for our team.”

17. Irving even calmed down Blatt in overtime. The Cavs had just takent a 119-116 lead on a 3-pointer from James when Iman Shumpert fouled Tony Parker at the other end for a potential three-point play. Blatt went crazy waving his arms and screaming as the tails of his jacket flapped in the breeze. Smith stared at Blatt from the bench while Irving came over and put his hand on his coach’s shoulder and calmed him down.

18. With a chance to again tie the game, Parker missed the ensuing free throw (a recurring theme for the Spurs) and Irving sank another 3 at the other end to push the lead to 122-118.

19. For as terrific as Irving played down the stretch, the only reason the Cavs had a chance to win this game was Leonard’s inability to make a free throw in the final seconds of regulation. It was Leonard, remember, who split a pair of free throws in the final minute of that crushing Game 6 loss to the Heat in the 2013 Finals. This was similar in that Leonard played terrific all night against James and grabbed the huge offensive rebound off a Parker miss that seemed to clinch Thursday’s game. But he clanked both free throws at the line, setting up Irving’s terrific shot. The Spurs shot 56 percent for the game and made five more baskets than the Cavs, but they shot just 70 percent at the line (19 of 27).

20. “We got ourselves into three different situations in that game where we could have won and we didn’t do it,” Popovich said. “They kept plugging, to their credit. (Irving) got hot, LeBron made some shots and they won the game.”

21. James said Irving’s hot hand early allowed him to focus on some of the game’s other areas such as defense, rebounding and blocks. The Cavs also mixed up their defensive scheme late. Kevin Love again sat the entire fourth quarter and Timofey Mozgov subbed in for one second while Leonard shot his second free throw and came right back out. The small lineup, featuring Shumpert and Thompson, allowed the Cavs to switch on all pick-and-rolls defensively. The concept was risky and often left the Cavs in mismatches, but it worked.

22. “Ultimately that strategy worked for us,” Blatt said. “You can’t say it would every time.”

23. The Spurs killed the Cavs most of the night with their pick-and-rolls and backdoor cuts. But Thompson often picked up Parker on the defensive switches for the final few minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime. Parker sank one jumper over an outstretched Thompson, but missed the second.

24. Much like Tuesday at Dallas, the Cavs are beating teams they haven’t beaten in a long, long time. The Spurs had won 10 straight against the Cavs, who hadn’t won in AT&T Center since the 2008-09 season. That was also the last season they had beaten the Mavericks at American Airlines Center until Tuesday. Quite a trip already.

25. You may have heard in recent TV interviews players saying in a singsong voice, “Stay with it!” That stems from assistant coach James Posey and has become sort of a motto in recent days. But it certainly applies to this game. Down 10 with three minutes to go, down six in the final 34 seconds and yet they never gave up.

26. “That was a lot of fun, wasn’t it?” Blatt said. “Man, what a game for March. What a game. You don’t see that every day. What a game.” Indeed. Talk to you Sunday from Orlando.

Interesting stuff:

4. “Kyrie Irving was unstoppable. I don’t know how to guard that,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “He did a hell of a job. We all know how talented he is, but he really went to a new level tonight. He had a hell of a night and that talent just got us.”

10. Irving’s numbers in the clutch his first three years in the league were terrific, but they have slipped considerably this season. He entered the night shooting 22 percent (4 of 18) when the game was within three points in the final three minutes. In those situations tonight, however, he was 4 for 4 in the fourth quarter and overtime.

11. “You just try to shoot every shot the same,” Irving said. “As long as my elbow's pointed at the rim, I feel like it has a great chance to go in. I learned that from Kobe Bryant. If you can get a good look at it, and your elbow is pointed at the rim, then it has a great chance of going in.”

13. Dwyane Wade in his prime was an explosive scorer, but Irving might be even better … and he’s yet to even reach his prime. That would make him the best scorer James has ever played with and could alleviate some of the scoring load from LeBron in the postseason. Irving’s 57 points, incidentally, matches Wade’s total from the final four games of last season’s Finals against these same Spurs (that stat courtesy of Ethan Skolnick at Bleacher Report).

17. Irving even calmed down Blatt in overtime. The Cavs had just takent a 119-116 lead on a 3-pointer from James when Iman Shumpert fouled Tony Parker at the other end for a potential three-point play. Blatt went crazy waving his arms and screaming as the tails of his jacket flapped in the breeze. Smith stared at Blatt from the bench while Irving came over and put his hand on his coach’s shoulder and calmed him down.

21. James said Irving’s hot hand early allowed him to focus on some of the game’s other areas such as defense, rebounding and blocks. The Cavs also mixed up their defensive scheme late. Kevin Love again sat the entire fourth quarter and Timofey Mozgov subbed in for one second while Leonard shot his second free throw and came right back out. The small lineup, featuring Shumpert and Thompson, allowed the Cavs to switch on all pick-and-rolls defensively. The concept was risky and often left the Cavs in mismatches, but it worked.

 

[Green Lantern]

Lloyd you don't need 32 sentences for that game..try 64..or ..the Cavs dont pass the ball...
I think what irritated me and the NT crew saw it, the Spurs got easy shots(due to the ridiculous switching mismatches and the Cavs had to take tuff shots..plus the Spurs were grabbing and hacking inside..

 

[Jscc]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...ng-s-big-night-lebron-s-twisted-knee-1.575174

Spoiler

ORLANDO, FLA.: Fifteen thoughts for 15 shots from Kyrie Irving in a 123-108 win against the Orlando Magic…

1. It wasn’t that long ago when Kyrie Irving was excited for any exposure he could find. The Cavs were never on national television and most NBA fans only knew what they saw during All-Star weekend and a few random SportsCenter clips. All of that is changing. The rest of the NBA world is learning how good he can be.

2. Irving followed his 57-point performance with another clinic Sunday. He shot a crazy good 12-of-15 from the floor, including 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. Even the 3 he missed nearly fell. That means Irving is shooting 68 percent in his last two games (32-of-47). That’s the same percentage Michael Carter-Williams is shooting from the free-throw line this year.

3. It’s funny that the Cavs are back in the position of playing out the string, but for far different reasons. This team is just biding its time until the playoffs. The goal for the final 14 games is to stay sharp and healthy, which is part of the reason why Kevin Love sat this one out despite also having two days of rest following Thursday’s victory against the Spurs.

4. Now that the heavyweight fight with the Spurs is out of the way, there aren’t many compelling games remaining in the regular season. Sure, there’s Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, a likely first-round opponent. There are also two remaining games at Milwaukee, which could also be a first-round opponent if the Pacers stay hot and the Bucks slide. And I like the game at Memphis in 10 days because I like the Grizzlies’ odds of coming out of the West this season.

5. But the Cavs have opened a three-game lead for the No. 2 seed in the East. Barring a collapse, the April games against the Bulls and Wizards aren’t going to matter as much as they could’ve at the start of the season.

6. The Cavs are essentially cruising from now until the playoffs begin. It will of course be Irving’s first appearance in the postseason, but from all indications, he’s ready. Now he’s learning from some of the older veterans how to take care of his body and how to prepare for games.

7. “Just the preparation of getting your body ready, getting mentally ready and it starts the day before with watching film,” he said. “Then you wake up, then you’ve got to do the necessary things to be 150 percent so anyone’s best shot you can withstand it, and also you can give out punches as well.”

8. Irving is certainly landing his share of punches lately. Sunday it was because LeBron James was his corner man. The Cavs’ dribble penetration, primarily from James, caused Orlando’s defense fits. As a result, shooters were open across the court. That’s how James ended up with 13 assists and the Cavs shot 18-of-35 from 3, one shy of matching their season-high for most 3s made in a game. J.R. Smith made six 3-pointers and Irving made five.

9. “I think it was spacing and they try to do a lot of rotating,” Smith said. “When you get to the middle of the paint, it’s going to be tough for teams to stop that. You’ve got guys who can finish, guys who can make the right passes and all we’ve got to do is make shots. As long as the ball is going through the hoop we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”

10. In case you missed the fan knocking the ball away from James, here it is.

11. James’ explanation of the play: “We had a fast break. I seen Shump streaking and I was about to throw it all the way to him on the other side and the fan just basically slapped the ball out.”

12. James seemed annoyed by the play, but the Cavs retained possession after review and James sank the ensuing jumper.

13. LeBron twisted his knee tonight going up for a block in the third quarter and seems at least questionable to play Monday in his second trip to Miami. I’d be surprised if he didn’t play, given how well he looked upon returning in the fourth, but James seemed to leave open the possibility he could miss the game.

14. “Scary moment for myself,” he said. “We’ll see how I feel tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

15. Fairly methodical win in a game the Cavs weren’t really challenged. Plenty of stars in attendance as well, including Bubba Watson (who golfed with Smith on Saturday), former NBA point guard Jason Williams (“White Chocolate”) and former Tribe pitcher CC Sabathia, who made the hour-plus drive from the Yankees spring training facility in Tampa to watch the game. Talk to you Monday for the end of the trip.

Nothing really interesting this time. There's this though.

 

[oracio]

Cavs 108, Bucks 90; Jason Lloyd's 20 final thoughts on J.R. Smith, good looks and the sinking Bucks

About J.R Smith:

3. Since arriving from New York, Smith is averaging five 3-point attempts per game when the nearest defender is at least 4 feet away. The NBA considers 4-6 feet “open” and 6+ feet “wide open.” For simplicity sake, I combined the two categories.

4. Kyle Korver is the league’s best 3-point shooter this season and plays in a Hawks system that often gets him open looks. Yet Korver is “only” averaging four 3-point attempts per game when the nearest defender is at least 4 feet away.

5. Of course, Korver is converting 53 percent of those looks, which is absurdly good. But Smith’s 39 percent conversion rate is still very good. And yet teams continue to leave him open.

6. “You’ve got to leave somebody open and the percentages are to leave the 3 open,” Smith said. “I’m not really surprised, it’s just a matter of teams picking their poison in who they’re going to leave. Fortunately it’s me a lot of the times.”

7. By comparison, Smith was only getting about 2.6 “open” looks this season with the Knicks. That number has basically doubled with the Cavs. No wonder he loves it here so much.

8. “I just think we’re moving the ball and obviously LeBron and Kyrie draw a lot of attention,” coach David Blatt said. “Both of those guys are finding him. (Smith) has learned really well how to play off those guys, where his spots are. I thought he was terrific at both ends of the court but that’s not new. J has been great since day one. I’m not tooting his horn more than he deserves, he’s just playing great basketball.”

10. “I played with him when he was Sixth Man of the Year and he was big for us,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. “You’re probably seeing a little more of that in him right now. … He was a big reason for our success and you could see he’s playing at a high level right now.”

13. “I just think over the course of the years I knew what he was very good at,” James said. “It’s my job when a guy comes to our team to put them in the best position to succeed. With J.R. you don’t have him running pick-and-rolls, you have me and Kyrie set pick-and-rolls so he can be the recipient on the back side. Put guys in position where they succeed the most. That’s where team comes together because everybody does their role. J.R. fits his role tremendously and more.”

About Sasha Kaun:
14. A lot of talk in recent days about Sasha Kaun perhaps joining the Cavs next season. If it happens, he’s likely only a fourth or fifth big and right now that seems like a long way from happening. The Cavs haven’t really held any discussions about Kaun since obtaining Timofey Mozgov. One theory being floated is this is Kaun’s way of getting more money out of CSKA Moscow since his contract is up this summer. Stay tuned.

Blatt's Unique lineup:
19. Another unique fourth-quarter lineup tonight. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Mozgov all sat the fourth. Blatt said it was a function of the lineup the Cavs had working so well so he stuck with it. “We had it going, honestly,” Blatt said. “It’s no disrespect to any one of those guys, the game was going in the way we wanted it to go and we just rode it and it worked out well. That’s what teams should do.”

Source:
http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...lse&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[Green Lantern]

8. “I just think we’re moving the ball and obviously LeBron and Kyrie draw a lot of attention,” coach David Blatt said. “

Lebron replies: ''I don't draw a lot of attention at all, no more than anyone else. Neither does Kyrie..and we aren't worried about the second seed either.."

 

[The Oi]

Blatt again does something you don't see many coaches do and I love it.

How many guys stick with hot lineups that exclude your best players? It makes perfect sense if it's working, but it takes a certain level of balls to wait until it all falls down and you have to call the timeout to put your studs back out. On the other hand, if it works...you just rested your top players and continue to improve the chemistry of the other players.

I love it. I continue to enjoy Blatt and think he's got it.