2023-24 Season | Game #2 | Thunder @ Cavs | Oct. 27, 2023

[Dr No]

while Mobley could of played better, let’s not gloss over the 2-16 from 3 point land by Strus and Niang combined. Ouch. And JBB tech..ayayayyy.

Weren’t those two signed to make sure we didn’t have games like this?

 

[jhernjh]

Weren’t those two signed to make sure we didn’t have games like this?

At least they won’t hesitate

 

[Ohioplayer00]

At least they won’t hesitate

Shooters have games like this…..remember how well Strus shot last game! Both of them won’t have too many games like this!

 

[cavsfever]

Shooters have games like this…..remember how well Strus shot last game! Both of them won’t have too many games like this!

Strus has a lifetime 37.3% three point percentage in the regular season. Last game he shot 7-13, over 50%. This game he shot 2-11, to take him to 9-24 for the year…right back at 37.5%, basically his lifetime average lol. That’s percentages for you, up one game, down another, but it all evens out.

 

[dice1717]

Well, looks like just a long break and then right back where we left off.

DG hurt
Allen hurt
“Generational talent” with 14 points and pushed around like a rag doll
Mitchell going 1 on 5
Bad 3 pt shooting
Bad 3 pt defense
JBB a complete idiot

See you in April for a round 1 exit

 

[Tlyons]

Well, looks like just a long break and then right back where we left off.

DG hurt
Allen hurt
“Generational talent” with 14 points and pushed around like a rag doll
Mitchell going 1 on 5
Bad 3 pt shooting
Bad 3 pt defense
JBB a complete idiot

See you in April for a round 1 exit

Cool, looking forward to your next post in April.

 

[bushwick_bill]

Friday night game threads are amazing.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Massive choke job with stupid defense down the stretch. Down by 10 points with 2:25 left the Thunder had no choice but to shoot 3's. So what did the Cavs do? Defend the rim and leave open shooters on the perimeter. The Thunder hit four 3's in a row and only one was contested.

Mitchell was phenomenal but he did throw the ball away and then force up a terrible shot in the final minute. While OKC was moving the ball and getting open 3's Mitchell was going one-on-one.

Strus was 2-for-11 from deep. Niang is now 0-for-8 as a Cavalier on 3's and has scored exactly 2 points in 41 minutes. His only bucket was an uncontested lay-in off a LeVert pass. Niang is toast. He should be out of the rotation yesterday.

Dort was the difference in this game with 25 points on 9-for-13 and 6 rebounds. He got the winning rally started with an uncontested 3 after the Cavs had three guys guarding SGA under the rim. Dort is supposed to be a defender, not a scorer, but he's found an outside shot.

Really impressed with Holmgren, who had 16 points (on 9 shots), 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks. He hit a huge 3 to tie the game with 1:02 to go and he blocked a Mobley layup with 1:29 to go and the Cavs up by 6.

The Cavs gave up four uncontested points on in-bound plays where a Thunder player cut to the rim for a pass and an easy layup. That cost them the game right there.

All in all it's not bad to lose to a quality team when you're missing two starters. OKC hit 50% from deep while the Cavs were at 26.7%. Even with Garland and Allen out this was a very winnable game, but Niang and Strus missed 14 of their 16 three-point attempts and that was too much to overcome. But they could have won had they defended the 3-point shots at the end instead of defending the rim.

 

[Dr. Claw]

With Garland and Mitchell on the team, he's going to find it hard to get enough offensive touches, too. Just the reality of the situation.

You'd think Garland out, it'd be his chance to shine, but they don't have another point guard. Mitchell can make plays, but setting up the offense is not what does.

I'm not saying I'm satisfied with it either. It's frustrating, because we can't take that next leap if he doesn't do it.

I still hold out a glimmer of hope it can happen eventually. But I don't know if it will.

this I think is also the reason for the Niang issues (at least when Mitchell is primary ball handler). Both he and Strus find themselves in pop position after the screen but seldom get the ball there. also, not enough good looks are generated for Niang in particular, hence him going up for YOLO shots more often than not.

 

[Rich]

Donovan Mitchell is not a good passer out of the pick and roll. It has been well document for his entire career.

 

[Jscc]

I don't think you can develop him without giving him touches though. Easy touches like lobs and easy dunks do nothing to develop him. They need to put the ball into his hands and ask him to create for himself or others. There really isn't any substitutes for game reps.

He was creating for others during a spurt in the fourth quarter. He got the ball and hit both LeVert for 3 and again to Mitchell for 2 and got the lead to 98-90. It was beautiful and how he should be used. Then they never went back to it. It became trying to grind the clock down instead of running an offense.

He is capable of being a hub if he's not scoring himself, they just have to give him the chance to do it.

 

[bigfoot5415]

I feel like many of you are perpetually stuck in 10 year old bodies and looking for something magical to blame. It's no secret sauce, they made their 3s at high rate and we didn't. JBB can't take jumpers for them.

Lots of work to be done everyone. That includes being available.

 

[Kizzle]

Um, Garland was on the bench tonight in street clothes.

Which is why they need another one……..


When one is gone it shouldn’t become a 1-man show

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I'm switching teams. Can't handle another season of JBB.

Been fun guys, but this team can make my blood boil.

Will be watching Wembenyama and put a cut up face of Mobley over his whenver he has the ball to make myself feel better. Also, Cedi will probably have a good season because he no longer has the guidance of a wannabe coach who's best trait is to clap his hands and pour his frustrations at the refs.

Been fun. Will always remember 2016.

 

[Don-no-vann!]

I think down the stretch when it's obvious DM is going to get the ball, they need to use him as a decoy because with shooters like Strus and Niang, it should be easy then to get them wide open shots.