Hey Windy --- 2.27.15
http://stationcaster.com/stations/w..._Brian_Windhorst___Jason_Gibbs-1425047025.mp3
01. Both teams wanted to win last night, and were at full strength. Both had game plans for opponent.
02. Warriors game was as close to a playoff game as you can get in February.
03. Cavs completely dominated the game last night.
04. I love Shaq, he was always great to me. But I often don't agree with him.
05. I saw the game as opposite of TNT crew at halftime. They felt Warriors had the edge then.
06. LeBron played so hard he exhausted himself 7 minutes into the second half.
07. I thought Warriors were lucky to be down just 7 points at the half.
08. Cavs attacked the Warriors in pick and rolls.
09. LeBron played full out attack mode.
10. Cavs blew up Warriors' pick and roll plays.
11. Mozgov controlled the rim for large parts of the game, on defense.
12. A "little birdie" told me on Monday that LeBron was frustrated he was not in the MVP discussion. I saved that until yesterday, when I published a story about it for ESPN.
13. LeBron went into Warriors game with mindset that he wanted to win MVP.
14. LeBron went into the game trying to send a message to everyone, including Curry, that he is still the big dog in the NBA.
15. LeBron may not be 27 any longer, but when he plays like that no one can handle him.
16. The Warriors could not handle LeBron last night.
17. LeBron embarrassed the Warriors big men when Golden State's defense funneled LeBron to the Warriors big men.
18. If game had been close last night, LeBron would have gone for 50 or 55 points.
19. That was LeBron at full force.
20. When you have #23 in the playoffs, he can win you any game in any place.
21. Kyrie hurt his arm in the 3rd quarter.
22. Kyrie had injury to same shoulder several years ago. Cavs concerned about this. Was sprained shoulder before, and he missed 3 weeks. Cavs will be cautious.
23. Kyrie won't play tonight.
24. I think the Kyrie MRI is for precaution.
25. I can understand why Cavs put Kyrie back in the game. Warriors never out of it.
26. I can't see Cavs putting Kyrie back in if he had a real sprain to the shoulder.
27. I think Dellavedova will start tonight. Blatt likes Delly.
28. I've tried to scale back my Delly criticism. I'm sure it's gotten tiresome.
29. Delly plays hard, works hard. But team not as good with Delly on the court.
30. Cavs starting 5 have crushed the opposition (contrasts this with Delly on the court).
31. Cavs had 11 of the top 12 3-man units in the league over the last several weeks.
32. There's a big drop off from Cavs starters to when you put Delly on the court.
33. Cavs were looking for a backup point guard because Kyrie does get dinged up.
34. Cavs got their backup big man, did not get their backup point guard.
35. If Kyrie is out for any length of time, and Cavs have to look for a backup point guard, then they have some tough decisions to make.
36. LeBron said his back was bothering him against the Warriors.
37. I think LeBron should sit some in upcoming games, with back to backs on tap.
38. I just think LeBron played himself to exhaustion last night. If he's too tired to go tonight, then let him rest. Even if it costs you the game tonight.
39. Good ESPN article recently about how players are having their minutes cut this year. What Would Popovich Do?
40. If LeBron is tired or sore, then give him the night off. For the rest of LeBron's regular season career.
41. WWPD? -- Don't forget about it (What Would Popovich Do?). Popovich has let go of winning streaks to rest guys. I think Cavs should do the same thing.
42. For LeBron, he has to compete against his former self in chasing an MVP. And that's a high standard to match.
43. LeBron's numbers are down. Lowest since his rookie season.
44. MVP is a whole season award. Harden and Curry have been great all season.
45. Harden sprained his ankle recently, may not play tonight. But I think he will play Sunday.
46. LeBron is facing an uphill battle to win MVP.
47. In last 25 years, MVP has averaged like 61 wins in the regular season.
48. LeBron, deep down, felt he should have won MVP last year. But felt his team did not win enough games to win the MVP last year.
49. In LeBron's mind, he should have won the last 6 MVPs. And I think he feels he should win it this year.
50. Yes, LeBron is dealing with "MVP fatigue." Voters want someone new.
51. Kareem has the most MVPs, with 6.
52. It will be hard for LeBron to win even one more MVP, let alone try to catch Kareem.
53. I think we will hear "shoulder strain" about Irving's shoulder.
54. Perkins could have gone anywhere. Clippers, Bulls, others. He picked Cleveland.
55. Perkins feels Cavs are on a path to do something.
56. After Perkins said he was going to Cleveland, Doc Rivers supposedly called him and talked to him for 45 minutes. Perkins supposedly said something like "thanks Doc, I'm going to Cleveland."
57. Perkins choosing the Cavs is a good sign for Cleveland. They will need more guys like that in the future, to sign for low money to help complete the roster in years to come.
58. There was no market for backup big men. It was Perkins and Thomas Robinson. Robinson got picked up on waivers. Heat had to sign Michael Beasley because no one out there.
59. Only other big men out there are Dalembert, who no one wants to touch, and Blatche who is over in China.
60. Perkins signing with Cleveland is a victory for them, even if Perkins cant give the team much.
61. I think Perkins is an insurance policy, if Mozgov gets hurt or has foul trouble.
62. You can play Perkins starters minutes at center and get by, if necessary.
63. Perkins may not play in Hawks playoff series. But could be key in a Wizards series.
64. Perkins gives the team flexibility in playing style. Can match up with any type of team now, big or small.
65. Perkins is very vocal, and that is a plus.
66. I don't think Ray Allen is going to play, or play with the Cavs.
67. If Cavs need a roster spot, they would have to cut a player. That would likely be Joe Harris.
68. If Joe Harris is cut, he will be claimed off waivers. He's a valuable player.
69. If Cavs need another guard, they would likely have to cut Joe Harris.
70. I can't see Harris being cut so Cavs sign a wing player, like Ray Allen.
71. I think Cavs signing Perkins is likely their last addition.
72. In a vacuum, Cavs would cut Haywood if they needed a roster spot. But they need his contract.
73. Perkins does some things Haywood can't do. Perkins is a great screen setter. He is also a terrific on ball big man defender, in the post. Haywood is good at neither of these things.
74. Haywood's best quality when he was at his peak was defending the rim.
75. Difference between Haywood and Perkins is not that great, but Perkins can still do things in a playoff game and Haywood can not.
76. SALARY CAP 101. Buyout deadline is March 1st. You don't have to be on a roster by then, you just have to be a free agent or released by that date. Guys who have not played in the league this year can sign anytime they want and play in playoffs.
77. Jeremy Lin seems unlikely for buyout now. Lakers other point guard went down, so Lin probably stays in LA.
78. NON BOLD PREDICTION. No More Kevin Love predictions. I predict that next Friday the Cavs will be #2 in the East, and I think they will settle in as the #2 seed in the East.
79. What we are seeing now is 0.0% of David Blatt's offense.
80. Cavs are not running anything that they ran at the start of the year.
81. Cavs have dropped almost entirely any semblance of the Princeton offense. They are now running pick and roll offense and a spread offense that features LeBron and Kyrie.
82. Cavs run a very basic NBA offense. They do run post ups. Blatt does call plays. But they are not running "Blatt's offense."
83. So, there is no semblance of the "modified Princeton offense" (MPO) Blatt was running to start the year. MPO is lots of ball movement, lots of ball handoffs, 4 guys around the perimeter.
84. The MPO is long gone for the Cavs, and it's probably best that Blatt does not try to push it.
85. Steph Curry and LeBron James were both born in Akron. Del Curry raised his family in Charlotte.
86. There are some good players coming out of Akron and NE Ohio now.
87. I'm interested to see how the Pacers look when Paul George comes back.
88. Some team at the bottom of East playoff standings will be interesting. Maybe Miami or Indiana.
