Sock
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Thursday, December 2, 2010
Where: Quicken Loans Arena
Time: 8:00 PM
TV: TNT
Radio:
WTAM 1100
Byron Scott Vs Erik Spoelstra
The 7-10 Cleveland Cavaliers
Mo Williams
Anthony Parker
Joey Graham
JJ Hickson
Anderson Varejao
Key Bench Players
Boobs
Fuckin Wizard
Ryan Hollins
Jamario Moon
Sessions
The 10-8 Miami Heat
Carlos Arroyo
Dwyane Wade
Lebron James
Chris Bosh
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas
Key Bench
Haslem
LeBron James readying for reaction
By Michael Wallace
ESPN.com
MIAMI -- LeBron James saw images of his Cavaliers jersey being burned the night he made his free-agency decision to leave Cleveland to sign with the Miami Heat.
Eventually, he'd like to see that jersey hanging from the rafters in Quicken Loans Arena.
"Wow. Of course," James said Tuesday after the Heat's practice. "If that's something that organization and franchise would do, I'm all respectful of that. I just tried to be the best player I could be every night, whether I was in that Cavalier uniform, that USA uniform. If that results in me having my jersey retired that would be great."
But James knows that gesture probably won't happen anytime soon. Instead, the Heat forward expects to be the target of plenty of heckling and hard feelings from disgruntled fans when he makes his first trip to Cleveland on Thursday to face his former team. Former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who spent his first 14 years in Cleveland before following James to Miami in free agency, is also anxious about this week's homecoming.
"I'm ready for whatever response I'm going to get," James said. "It's going to be very emotional. I give a lot of thanks to that city, a lot of thanks to those fans for giving me the opportunity to not only showcase my talent, but to grow from a young boy to a man during my seven years. So it's going to be very emotionally draining. I can tell already."
James said it will be difficult to not overlook the Heat's home game on Wednesday against Detroit, considering the anticipation leading into his return to his home state. But a tight schedule for Miami over the next 72 hours might help to calm some of that anxiety. The Heat will travel from Miami to Cleveland after Wednesday's game and arrive early Thursday morning in Cleveland.
The Heat will be in northeast Ohio for less than 20 hours. James said that would leave only enough time for him to sleep, get up for the team's breakfast meeting and then fall asleep again. A range of emotions could keep James restless most of the day leading to tipoff.
"It's going to be fun, but at the same time it's going to be very emotionally draining," James said. "It's going to be difficult. It's going to be funny though, being in a different uniform, being in the visiting locker room, starting off on the other end of the court, sitting on the other end of the bench."
James left Cleveland as the franchise's career leader in scoring, field goals made, free throws made and attempted, steals, triple doubles and minutes played. The two-time league MVP led the Cavaliers to their lone trip to the NBA Finals in 2007, where they lost in four games to San Antonio.
James said he would do his pregame ritual of tossing powder into the air at the scorer's table on Thursday. The reception will certainly be different from the ovation he had been accustomed to receiving while with the Cavaliers.
In Cleveland, James' former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, whose Boston Celtics were playing the Cavs on Tuesday, said he was waiting to see if LeBron would skip the powder ritual on Thursday.
"I'm a silly fan," O'Neal said. "I'm anxious to see if he's going to do that powder thing."
"He's done it for every game he's played so why change for just one game," Wade said. "If he doesn't throw it up, I'll throw it up for him."
O'Neal, who has felt the wrath of fans after leaving Orlando and Los Angeles, can't wait to find out. "We have bets that he doesn't do it," he said.
The Heat and the NBA have increased security for the team this season, but there will be even more measures taken to protect James and his teammates during their stay in Cleveland.
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert isn't anticipating any trouble on Thursday night for James' first visit but the Cavs will have extra security in Quicken Loans Arena to ensure that James is protected.
"You don't want to see anything stupid happen," Gilbert said at halftime of Cleveland's game Tuesday night against Boston. "I don't want to see anybody do something they shouldn't do, whether it was Thursday night or any night. I'm sure a lot of them will make their feelings known, but as long as everybody plays by the rules and doesn't go over the top, everything will be fine.
"I really believe that Cleveland people will do the right thing."
Heat forward Chris Bosh said it's beneficial that Miami will play the Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back set, which decreases the free time players will have in Cleveland.
"That's definitely something we've been talking about," Bosh said. "I think we all watched TV, and I think they took it quite hard when he left. So some people -- I don't know why -- but in sports, some people take it personal.
"Sometimes when you have an extra day to hang around, it's no telling what -- you want to feel safer," Bosh added. "That's not to speak for the whole city of Cleveland. But just like in every city, I'm sure it's people that have malcontent on their mind. With the fact that we're going in on the second night of a back-to-back, that lets us not have as much downtime. Just get in, play our game and get out of there."
Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who is as close to James as any player in the league, said it will be important for James to remain loose and maintain his normal process of preparing for a game.
"The only thing I would say to him is to not go out there and try to score 100 points," Wade said. "We've got to win. That's the most fun about anything. As long as you win, you walk out of there, you smile, we get the chicken wings that they have in the arena -- they got some of the best chicken wings that the NBA has. We just got to win."
Sock's Top 4 Tips for the Game
1) Stop Lebron.
I know what I just said. Stop Lebron. Yes we cant shut him down because he is the best player right now. However, we can do little things that tick him off and slowly stopping him by the 4th quarter. He has been an excellent passer. However his laziness will be his downfall.
How to Double Lebron
Here is a Pick and Pop between Bosh and Lebron
Good initial screen by Bosh.
But instead of rolling, he rolls out to the open space for a pop. However, this isn’t Bosh's range. The defense knows this and doubles Lebron.
Look at this space. Wow. Lebron has no one to pass to. Defense covered well. Lebron shot a step back contested jumper that misses.
Here is a LeIso. Celtics defended really well causing a weak leaning hook shot that misses
James posts up Pierce. Good defense by Pierce but look at the Celtics barrier defense. There is no one Lebron can pass to.
Lebron moves, Garnet does weak side help. Notice where Wade is. He should be WAAAAY on the open wing Lebron just opened up. This way Lebron has someone to pass to if he was doubled or tripled team or couldn’t make the shot which happens more often than not.
Garnet does excellent contest. Notice how no one on the Heat is contesting for the rebound. *Note Perkins is blocked in this picture as he was behind Garnett.
Another example of LeIso. After a bad offensive set, Wade dumps the ball to Lebron.
After passing the ball to Lebron, he'd jogged, JOGGED , to the opposite side of the court. Notice the clock.
Clock ticking down, Wade still moving slowly. Lebron needs to act quickly as time is winding down but he just gotten his space to play around.
Good post position by Lebron. Garnett going for the weak side defense.
The hell is Z doing. Allen is surprisingly caught napping. Allen should be at the top of the key for help. Bosh goes to the open space.
Good reaction by Bosh. However I would prefer House, to run to the open space. Yes I know Lebron needs to take the shot as the time is winding down, but in another play when there is time, Eddie house should get a screen by Bosh for an open 3 (Rondo is House's man defender).
2) Defense and Rebound, Rebound, Rebound followed by Fast break, Early and Often
Offense wins fans. Defense wins games. Rebounds win championships.
We are not the most talented team. However, we have key players that can light up the scoreboard once in a while. One of the key advantages we have is Byron Scott. Erik Spoelstra is basically Mike Brown 2.0. He is good defensively but is lacking offensively. Byron Scott brought a system here to Cleveland. Like Mike Brown, Spoelstra depends on his players to create their own shots. Let me show you what I mean.
Here looks like what to be a nice offensive set. Bosh screens for a full throttle Lebron. You'd know how dangerous Lebron is when he has speed. Haslem is setting up a weakside screen for Wade for a cut.
This is where the play broke down.
Bosh didnt complete his screen. Instead he slipped screen and rolls to the basket. It would be good other than Wade is freaking rolling to the basket too.
Look at the paint. 4 Celtics on the paint. Lebron got to stop because he couldnt continue his drive. Haslem quickly roll out to the wing.
Lebron passes to the open Haslem for the J
Good reaction by Haslem and good court vision/quick pass by Lebron. Haslem got the basket but look at Wade and Bosh. Wade isnt contesting for the rebound. Instead he turned his body and started going back. Bosh is in no way to get the rebound. Garnett is man handling him and he is like what, 58 with knees made up of bad yogurt? Great job guys.
Here is another offensive breakdown by the Heat.
Okay first off there are too many players inside the paint. Haslem is screening for Lebron, Bosh screens for Chalmers. Wade goes for the wing.
Look at the spacing. No matter what kind of screens you set up, it wont really help.
Lol. Chalmers cant even get around a screen, that’s so freaking sad.
Lebron is open and guess what? Wade decided to drive into the crowded paint.
Seriously?
Bad shot selection, missed. Terrible move Wade.
Another weakness Miami has is their fastbreak defense.
This is basically 4 vs 3 with a trailer.
Arroyo did an okay job stopping Rondo’s progress towards the lane. Rondo could go around Arroyo but he decided not to. His excellent court vision saw Jesus getting open on the corner.
Pin point pass to Jesus.
Z closing out on Jesus. Seriously? Bosh was closer but Z with his grandma’s legs was the one who challenged the 3 point shot. Terrible.
Rebounding is Heat’s other weakness.
Look at this
Terrible no rebounders on sight.
Kidd gets the rebound. Superb pass towards Dirk
Dirk received the pass from Kidd. Honestly. Dirk just outran Lebron and Wade. Z has the speed of a turtle so thats acceptable but Lebron and Wade? Jeez. Dirk gets the easy bucket. Should have been an and 1 but was uncalled
Again no rebounder. Closest is Bosh but is standing at the opposite end of the board.
Kidd gets it
Kidd throws. Wade walking back
Butler outruns Lebron and Z
Amazing throw was caught
Easy lay up.
3) Move the Ball, Trust the System, Catch the Heat off guard.
Princeton Offense might be the catalyst to defeat the Heat. The whole offense is predicated on discipline and preparation by the offensive team. The goal is to break a defense down because of lack of discipline. This is very much a boatload of awesome, as Heat doesn’t have much discipline. Below I'll discuss some plays the Cavs might learn to use or will use and how it will break down the Heat's defense.
Here is a play I really liked done by the Pacers. Ironically its against the Heat. This place can be put in Byron Scott's playbook as it is a form of Princeton offense.
1-PG 2-SG 3-SF 4-PF 5-C
This is the initial set up. Princeton look a like. The PG passes the ball to the Center on the wing.
After passing, the 1 runs to the wide open wing. 4 runs to the top of the key, opening up space for the 1. 3 runs to the opposite side of the wing. 2 curls to the weakside post.
First option, if the 1 gets enough room, 5 passes to the 1 to take the wide open shot or he can drive to the bucket with moving friendlies as distraction.
5 passes to 4 as players are still moving.
3 sets up the zipper screen, up and down screen or whatever you want to call it. 5 takes the pick and runs to the post. 2 runs to the elbow.
This is the second option. 5 can run to the bucket for an oop or lay up. Z defended well by going over the screen to protect the bucket. They didnt get the look and continued the set.
As 5 was defended well, 5 could post up. But he didnt go near enough to the bucket for an effective post up. 2 sets up the off angled hard pick for a soon to be roller 4.
Wade and Bosh gets stuck on the screen, Wade's fault actually. Open lane ahead. Arroyo caught napping and didnt rotate. Alley oop
Bosh sprinting. Arroyo late help. Wade decides to stand around
Slam dunk. Well developed play by a well disciplined team. Notice Wade giving up on the play.
Here is an excellent quick play designed for Allen and Garnett. Even though we dont have the talent, we can use the same play for Parker and JJ.
Pierce gets the ball top of the key. Jesus runs towards Garnett's screen for the wing. Jamison is at the wrong place.
However Delonte who is like awesome and stuff keeps the pressure which made Garnett move a little to get the screen on Delonte.
Good job Delonte for keeping up with Allen. This millisecond was enough to not let Pierce pass the ball to Allen for the easy, in terms of Jesus' shooting ability, corner 3.
They moved to 2nd option. Garnet re-screens Allen.
Jamison called the switch but he is in no position to guard Jesus so Delonte needs to chase down Jesus.
With no man on him, Garnet rolls to the basket. Andy notices and moves quickly for the weakside help.
Garnet gets the ball. Easy dunk/lay up if Andy's weak side D wasnt good. Moon rotates to Perkins to give up the easy pass under the basket. Good D by the Cavs.
However this play can be used by us as not many team has good/great weak side defender like Andy.
4) Dont Just Jeer Lebron, Cheer on the Cavs!
Yes Lebron left Cleveland. Yes you might jeer him but whats more productive? Jeering Lebron for 3-4 games a season or supporting your team for 82 games? Lebron is behind us now. We got to step forward and squash the speculation that we need Lebron to win. We have won seven games and they have like what? 3 more than us? So much for 72-10. We as a team have progressed. We have a new coach that brings in a new system and atmosphere. We have an owner who is dedicated and strong willed. His message,http://choosethinking.com/, is there for anyone to see.
When Lebron comes to town, show him what he missed. Our fan base has been rock solid and we didn’t miss a beat after The Decision. Cheer for Mo. Cheer for Andy. Cheer for JJ. Cheer for Parker. Cheer for the whole team. We are the Cleveland Cavaliers. A player might leave but the team will forever be here.
Go Cavs!
So to recap we got to stop Lebron, defense, rebounds and fast breaks are our friend; we got to trust Byron Scott’s system and cheer on the Cavs!
This game will be physically and emotionally hard for the players and the fans. However this will be the start. There are many stories about someone having to defeat a giant before they can advance to greatness and Lebron is our giant. He is no doubt the best player in the league and games against him aren’t the easiest to win. However, I believe my team will win because I trust the system. I trust Dan Gilbert. I trust Byron Scott. I trust Chris Grant. I trust the Cleveland Cavaliers.
How about you?
Are you a Real Cavs Fan?
BTW whats with Ryan Hollins funky ass chicken-wing screen
Of course I didn’t forget about the Hot Girls Sexytime.
Bye bye for now
Go Cavs!
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