December 6th, 2005
Hey Everyone!
So many adjustments to make while 'living' for close to a week on this, the first of two Cavaliers' jaunts to the west coast...for broadcasters as well as players, coaches, and team personnel. I don't know about all of you, however for me, I'm just starting to get back into a normal sleep routine, just as we get set to head back home. This way for you, too? I wake up between 5-6 a.m. like clockwork....never fails! The 'bodyclock' says it's 8 a.m., so let's roll! No excuses for not getting 'well-prepared' to bring you guys strong telecasts when you get up that early, right?
Hey, speaking of the telecasts, I get a big kick going into enemy territory on the road and having the fans of the 'home team' have no choice but to take note of the Wine and Gold! Case in point: In Seattle, Austin Carr and I sit virtually among the Sonic fans, just off courtside. So, as the Cavaliers are roaring back from 14 points down to tie the game early in the fourth quarter, I'm getting rolling with excitement on my calls! Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall splashing big 3's, LeBron James and Larry Hughes attacking the hoop...and the Sonic fans right in front of and behind us are making faces at me...telling me to quiet down and choice other comments. It's all a part of having a 'road attitude' for all of us with the team. Good fun away from The Q. And if you can rankle the hometown crowd once in a while, so be it. Would have been even sweeter had the 'good guys' been able to come away with the win!
When we visited last week, I mentioned why Larry Hughes was the right choice at the '2' guard spot for the Cavaliers, and as a strong complement to LeBron James. Let me back up my case. First off, I'll roll out the numbers for the four shooting guard free agents that were the 'spice' of the summer shopping for general managers.
Larry Hughes: 38 minutes per. Averaging 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 39% from the floor, and 45% from '3'.
Ray Allen: 39 minutes per. Averaging 23.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.9 steals, shooting 42% from the floor, and 34% from '3'.
Michael Redd: 37 minutes per. Averaging 25.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, shooting 45% from the floor, and 55% from '3'.
Joe Johnson: 39 minutes per. Averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, shooting 42% from the floor, and 29% from '3'.
Okay, you have the arithmetic. If you've watched me call Cavalier games for years, you know I'm not a large fan of statistics to 'value' a player. Yet, I wanted all of you who are stats fans to have the correct ammunition. Now, let me dissect why Larry Hughes was, is, and will remain the 'right fit' for the Wine and Gold. And, I present this to one and all immediately after Hughes' shakiest performance of the season in the loss to the LA Clippers Saturday night.
I believe most of you were dreaming of teaming Michael Redd with LeBron. Sure, Ohio native, a Columbus guy who played at Ohio State and certainly has one of the premier shooting strokes in the game. No questioning that. Yet, as most GM's, coaches, and scouts will concur with, as I've maintained all along, there is no comparison in the all-around games of the two. Hughes is far superior in EVERY facet of the game, with the exception of shooting from the perimeter. Rebound the basketball? Handle it? Get out on the break, either as an initiator or finisher? Take the tough defensive assignment? Check, check, check, and check...Larry Hughes.
I'll apply the same reasoning with any arguments for Ray Allen as well. Again, let me state, as I've said on the air many times, that Allen is the very best long-range shooting talent in the NBA. One of the finest who've ever played. He has few peers over the course of time. Yet, as I watched him closely twice in the last three weeks, I wouldn't even consider him over Hughes, the shooting not withstanding.
Joe Johnson is the closest to Hughes in the all-around player category, and yet, wanting to leave the winning atmosphere in Phoenix to play for Atlanta? Joe, baby, winning around 60 games a season and the playoff basketball that goes with it wasn't appealing enough, huh?
Which brings me to the strongest cases I can give you as to why the Cavaliers got the right guy. You see, what many have missed when discussing Redd, Allen and Johnson, along with the additional millions they raked in when staying put in Redd and Allen's case, and taking the Atlanta money that Phoenix said they would not pay in Johnson's, is that none of the three was willing to have shots reduced, and some of the luster taken away from their games, while playing with LeBron. Speaks volumes about how Hughes views the potential winning that sits on the horizon with the Cavaliers, as opposed to his personal numbers. And, the creme de la creme, as I see it? Larry Hughes has a fearlessness and toughness in his game that hopefully becomes contagious! He takes the ball to the hoop relentlessly, always attacking...and getting belted many times. Doesn't care. He'll come back again soon! Defensively, he'll fight hard up top, and as he said after the loss in Los Angeles to the Clippers, the 'want' to play defense has to become a part of the Cavaliers' fiber. I have a feeling Mike Brown couldn't agree more.
LET'S MOVE ABOUT THE NBA in the 'surprise positively' and 'disappointing negatively' categories, shall we? After the seasons first five weeks, this stands out:
Biggest 'gold star' belongs to the NBA Central Division. All five teams playing above .500 basketball. That's a strong 15-16 games in. Will make the 15 games the Cavaliers have forthcoming with their Central 'brothers' very significant indeed. I said before the season began, four of the Central would be playoff-bound. Wanna' make it all five with Milwaukee, too? Could happen. Gotta' buckle up in this division, to be sure!
Then...I give you the Atlantic Division...whoa! Not one of the five even at .500! Why did we buy into New Jersey as possibly a 50-55-win team this season? Looks like the Kidd-Carter-Jefferson-troika still has blemishes, huh? And, only 4-4 @ home? Not sure if the Brooklynites want them in their borough.
Out west, we've seen how potent Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and Sam Cassell can be in leading the Clippership to an 11-5 beginning, but don't sleep on the young Golden State Warrior squad that Chris Mullin has put together. 12-6, very nice, although the home schedule has been favorable. Seems Baron Davis and Jason Richardson are existing quite nicely, thank you. Toss in solid support from Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy, and you might get a playoff squad in the East Bay. Mike Fratello has Memphis off to a 12-5 beginning, winners of 5 in a row. Do they have enough 'muscle' around the glass to stay big in the West? Fratello will have them immaculately prepared, as always. Houston at 4-12? Ouch. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming should have them more than four wins by themselves, shouldn't they? And, for all of you Laker 'stargazers' checking in, Phil Jackson, Act 2, is not going so swimmingly, is it. I'm sorry, but Kobe Bryant taking 33 shots per game on average over the last 8 is outlandish. That's a lot of 'jacking'!! By the way, they won't win anything of note with that 'me first' stuff from Bryant.
And, lastly...we saw them last standing in late June, and it looks like nothing has changed...Detroit at 13-2, without Larry Brown, of course, and San Antonio strong and mighty at 13-3...book them through to late June '06 for a repeat? Naw, not just yet. It does give Mike Brown and the Cavaliers, as well as the rest of the NBA, a measuring stick to be judged by, though.
I'll look for all of you from here in Sacramento Tuesday night on the Cavaliers' Television Network, or when the team gets back home for New Jersey on Friday. Again, thanks for all your feedback! Strong stuff!
My Cavaliers Best!
Michael
Blog
Hey Everyone!
So many adjustments to make while 'living' for close to a week on this, the first of two Cavaliers' jaunts to the west coast...for broadcasters as well as players, coaches, and team personnel. I don't know about all of you, however for me, I'm just starting to get back into a normal sleep routine, just as we get set to head back home. This way for you, too? I wake up between 5-6 a.m. like clockwork....never fails! The 'bodyclock' says it's 8 a.m., so let's roll! No excuses for not getting 'well-prepared' to bring you guys strong telecasts when you get up that early, right?
Hey, speaking of the telecasts, I get a big kick going into enemy territory on the road and having the fans of the 'home team' have no choice but to take note of the Wine and Gold! Case in point: In Seattle, Austin Carr and I sit virtually among the Sonic fans, just off courtside. So, as the Cavaliers are roaring back from 14 points down to tie the game early in the fourth quarter, I'm getting rolling with excitement on my calls! Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall splashing big 3's, LeBron James and Larry Hughes attacking the hoop...and the Sonic fans right in front of and behind us are making faces at me...telling me to quiet down and choice other comments. It's all a part of having a 'road attitude' for all of us with the team. Good fun away from The Q. And if you can rankle the hometown crowd once in a while, so be it. Would have been even sweeter had the 'good guys' been able to come away with the win!
When we visited last week, I mentioned why Larry Hughes was the right choice at the '2' guard spot for the Cavaliers, and as a strong complement to LeBron James. Let me back up my case. First off, I'll roll out the numbers for the four shooting guard free agents that were the 'spice' of the summer shopping for general managers.
Larry Hughes: 38 minutes per. Averaging 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 39% from the floor, and 45% from '3'.
Ray Allen: 39 minutes per. Averaging 23.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.9 steals, shooting 42% from the floor, and 34% from '3'.
Michael Redd: 37 minutes per. Averaging 25.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, shooting 45% from the floor, and 55% from '3'.
Joe Johnson: 39 minutes per. Averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, shooting 42% from the floor, and 29% from '3'.
Okay, you have the arithmetic. If you've watched me call Cavalier games for years, you know I'm not a large fan of statistics to 'value' a player. Yet, I wanted all of you who are stats fans to have the correct ammunition. Now, let me dissect why Larry Hughes was, is, and will remain the 'right fit' for the Wine and Gold. And, I present this to one and all immediately after Hughes' shakiest performance of the season in the loss to the LA Clippers Saturday night.
I believe most of you were dreaming of teaming Michael Redd with LeBron. Sure, Ohio native, a Columbus guy who played at Ohio State and certainly has one of the premier shooting strokes in the game. No questioning that. Yet, as most GM's, coaches, and scouts will concur with, as I've maintained all along, there is no comparison in the all-around games of the two. Hughes is far superior in EVERY facet of the game, with the exception of shooting from the perimeter. Rebound the basketball? Handle it? Get out on the break, either as an initiator or finisher? Take the tough defensive assignment? Check, check, check, and check...Larry Hughes.
I'll apply the same reasoning with any arguments for Ray Allen as well. Again, let me state, as I've said on the air many times, that Allen is the very best long-range shooting talent in the NBA. One of the finest who've ever played. He has few peers over the course of time. Yet, as I watched him closely twice in the last three weeks, I wouldn't even consider him over Hughes, the shooting not withstanding.
Joe Johnson is the closest to Hughes in the all-around player category, and yet, wanting to leave the winning atmosphere in Phoenix to play for Atlanta? Joe, baby, winning around 60 games a season and the playoff basketball that goes with it wasn't appealing enough, huh?
Which brings me to the strongest cases I can give you as to why the Cavaliers got the right guy. You see, what many have missed when discussing Redd, Allen and Johnson, along with the additional millions they raked in when staying put in Redd and Allen's case, and taking the Atlanta money that Phoenix said they would not pay in Johnson's, is that none of the three was willing to have shots reduced, and some of the luster taken away from their games, while playing with LeBron. Speaks volumes about how Hughes views the potential winning that sits on the horizon with the Cavaliers, as opposed to his personal numbers. And, the creme de la creme, as I see it? Larry Hughes has a fearlessness and toughness in his game that hopefully becomes contagious! He takes the ball to the hoop relentlessly, always attacking...and getting belted many times. Doesn't care. He'll come back again soon! Defensively, he'll fight hard up top, and as he said after the loss in Los Angeles to the Clippers, the 'want' to play defense has to become a part of the Cavaliers' fiber. I have a feeling Mike Brown couldn't agree more.
LET'S MOVE ABOUT THE NBA in the 'surprise positively' and 'disappointing negatively' categories, shall we? After the seasons first five weeks, this stands out:
Biggest 'gold star' belongs to the NBA Central Division. All five teams playing above .500 basketball. That's a strong 15-16 games in. Will make the 15 games the Cavaliers have forthcoming with their Central 'brothers' very significant indeed. I said before the season began, four of the Central would be playoff-bound. Wanna' make it all five with Milwaukee, too? Could happen. Gotta' buckle up in this division, to be sure!
Then...I give you the Atlantic Division...whoa! Not one of the five even at .500! Why did we buy into New Jersey as possibly a 50-55-win team this season? Looks like the Kidd-Carter-Jefferson-troika still has blemishes, huh? And, only 4-4 @ home? Not sure if the Brooklynites want them in their borough.
Out west, we've seen how potent Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and Sam Cassell can be in leading the Clippership to an 11-5 beginning, but don't sleep on the young Golden State Warrior squad that Chris Mullin has put together. 12-6, very nice, although the home schedule has been favorable. Seems Baron Davis and Jason Richardson are existing quite nicely, thank you. Toss in solid support from Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy, and you might get a playoff squad in the East Bay. Mike Fratello has Memphis off to a 12-5 beginning, winners of 5 in a row. Do they have enough 'muscle' around the glass to stay big in the West? Fratello will have them immaculately prepared, as always. Houston at 4-12? Ouch. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming should have them more than four wins by themselves, shouldn't they? And, for all of you Laker 'stargazers' checking in, Phil Jackson, Act 2, is not going so swimmingly, is it. I'm sorry, but Kobe Bryant taking 33 shots per game on average over the last 8 is outlandish. That's a lot of 'jacking'!! By the way, they won't win anything of note with that 'me first' stuff from Bryant.
And, lastly...we saw them last standing in late June, and it looks like nothing has changed...Detroit at 13-2, without Larry Brown, of course, and San Antonio strong and mighty at 13-3...book them through to late June '06 for a repeat? Naw, not just yet. It does give Mike Brown and the Cavaliers, as well as the rest of the NBA, a measuring stick to be judged by, though.
I'll look for all of you from here in Sacramento Tuesday night on the Cavaliers' Television Network, or when the team gets back home for New Jersey on Friday. Again, thanks for all your feedback! Strong stuff!
My Cavaliers Best!
Michael
Blog
