Game 20 | Cleveland vs Milwaukee | December 6th, 2009 | 3:00pm EST

[Andrew]

Hopefully, Moon's groin isn't looking too bad...

This one is too easy...

 

[CHIMOCHIS]

Has this been LeBrons worst scoring steak ever? It's more for my fantasy league team, but it seems like Bron hasn't scored over 30 in ages. Great for the team and he has had over 10 assist in a lot of games, but I'm wondering why it's happening.

just taking what the defense is giving him
not sure how he got 5 TO's today though, I remember 2-3

 

[CzBoobie]

Exactly, it looks bad. Doesn't mean it is bad though. Shaq wasn't "amazing" tonight, but he had an impact on the game with hard fouls and big dunks that kept the team excited.

His impact was very very modest tonight...but yeah, he had few nice dunks.

 

[Rick Astley]

I want to see the Cavs win by 30+ tonight. I want last year's regular season dominance.

I rather want it Spurs style. Win only 50+ games then win the post-season.

 

[Andrew]

He didn't need to truly be utilized tonight when the game was already won in the 2nd quarter, +/- doesn't hold relevance in this type of game.

 

[Randolphkeys]

The Cavs finally have some finishers. Many times last year, the only guy who was attacking the rim was LeBron. When we ran into Orlando and a motivated Dwight Howard, we could barely score.

Today, Hickson, West, and Varejao were attacking the paint relentlessly. Shaq has been more of a distributor from the high post, which encourages more movement from the finishers.

As many have noted, we finally have a different offensive look than LeIso. LeBron may have less gaudy scoring numbers than years past, but his increasing FG% from the field shows me that he is becoming more efficient as other players pick up scoring responsibilites.

 

[Gunther]

As many have noted, we finally have a different offensive look than LeIso. LeBron may have less gaudy scoring numbers than years past, but his increasing FG% from the field shows me that he is becoming more efficient as other players pick up scoring responsibilites.

Agree with this and would also cite his increasing assist numbers.

 

[CzBoobie]

The Cavs finally have some finishers. Many times last year, the only guy who was attacking the rim was LeBron. When we ran into Orlando and a motivated Dwight Howard, we could barely score.

Today, Hickson, West, and Varejao were attacking the paint relentlessly. Shaq has been more of a distributor from the high post, which encourages more movement from the finishers.

As many have noted, we finally have a different offensive look than LeIso. LeBron may have less gaudy scoring numbers than years past, but his increasing FG% from the field shows me that he is becoming more efficient as other players pick up scoring responsibilites.

To be honest, this is probably not the best test for where we stand with the whole LeIso thing...we did just fine last regular season, too. When we clash with elite in playoffs, that will be the true test for our offense.

 

[jvpertz]

How do I know the Cavs are playing GREAT basketball? Because Lebron has extremely low scoring totals, high assist totals, and we are winning with ease. With a talent like Lebron who is capable of elevating everyone around him that is what you want.

What you dont want to see is Lebron leading the league in scoring and this team is fighting for every inch.

Enjoy this folks, this is what everyone associated with the Cavs wants, INCLUDING Lebron.

 

[DougHeil]

Exactly, it looks bad. Doesn't mean it is bad though. Shaq wasn't "amazing" tonight, but he had an impact on the game with hard fouls and big dunks that kept the team excited.

Yes. His presence makes for the opposing team to have to account for him with each shot, each pass, and anywhere the ball is. I can't judge Shaq on his plus/minus in almost any game. He almost the same as teams having to account for LeBron on the wing or anywhere, except with Shaq it's in the paint. He also frees up Andy and JJ, and frees up the middle for cutting when he has the ball.

Anyone looking at a -18 and wondering what happened is not looking at what they should be looking at.

 

[theSTEREO.]

I don't mean to be insulting. This is an honest question...have you been watching the games? It's because he's mostly facilitating and letting his team-mates do the scoring.

It's been absolutely terrific.

Lebron knows EXACTLY what he's doing. As he continues to exhibit his teammates as legitimate threats, that filters into the upcoming scouting reports. Then, opponents pay more attention to his team mates, leaving more and more operating room for Lebron, which means...

....more wins.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Anyone looking at a -18 and wondering what happened is not looking at what they should be looking at.

Most Cleveland basketball fans have no idea what a center provides offensively. Most of my posts from 2002 to 2006 were a futile attempt to change this problem.

 

[DougHeil]

Most Cleveland basketball fans have no idea what a center provides offensively. Most of my posts from 2002 to 2006 were a futile attempt to change this problem.

Agreed. Almost no one in here remembers Wilt the Stilt or even Kareem. Many games players like this would only score a handful of points but opposing teams knew what the scoop is/was and could feel that scoop each game. You just couldn't play off them to help out, or you could not stop watching the cutters when they had the ball. I see the center with a true Big at the position as entirely different than most any other position. This is also why the Cavs thought (rightfully) that Shaq would be a compliment to Z in a big way, and he certainly has been. I haven't even touched on how Shaq intimidates guards/forwards when driving the lane.

 

[StoneColdLeBronSkywalker5]

I don't know if it was mentioned yet, but on ESPN, they pointed out that this classless free-agency feeding organization actually played "New York, New York" during the introduction.

Well guess what? Fuck off, when Jennings is up for free-agency. The best player they have resigned since Fonzie hung out with Laverne and Shirley is Michael "IR"edd.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Agreed. Almost no one in here remembers Wilt the Stilt or even Kareem. Many games players like this would only score a handful of points but opposing teams knew what the scoop is/was and could feel that scoop each game. You just couldn't play off them to help out, or you could not stop watching the cutters when they had the ball. I see the center with a true Big at the position as entirely different than most any other position. This is also why the Cavs thought (rightfully) that Shaq would be a compliment to Z in a big way, and he certainly has been. I haven't even touched on how Shaq intimidates guards/forwards when driving the lane.

Classic John Wooden offense, baby! This is why I didn't criticize the Magic for cutting ties with Hedo and matching the Mavs offer for Gortat: you need to control the paint in the playoffs... and controlling the paint doesn't always show up in the box score. When both Gortat and Howard are in foul trouble, the Magic fall apart.

Stat geeks can crunch all the numbers in the world, but there is no measurable for what a physically dominating center provides. All they do is win help teams win playoff games.