Game 29 | Cleveland @ Phoenix | December 21, 2009 | 9:00 EST

[Obawan12]

I have a feeling this game won't be close at all. As for who wins it I'm not so sure. I see the cavs doing one of 2 things: coming out like gangbusters and putting up a huge game after a loss like they did last season, or having another "don't care" attitude game because they are still looking ahead to Christmas, and they get killed.

I am leaning towards the latter right now.

Rep anyone?

 

[MYoung23]

Youre not going to be playing against Channing Frye and Luis Admunson at center every night. You are going to need size not junk lineups.

 

[Andrew]

haha I love how the first thing MO thinks of after the game is to eat....they are also staying in Phoenix tonight, fyi.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

hate to say it, but we played way better without Shaq. I would like to see more of Lebron, Mo, Delonte, Hickson and AV. WE are much more active, and we defend the pick and role much better with that lineup.

It's not because Shaq is terrible or anything though. This Phoenix team just called for less Shaq in the line-up, and MB pressed the right buttons and we won. That's how it'll be sometimes. However, that line-up would get eaten alive by the likes of L.A. for example. Basketball is about match-ups a lot of the time and being a team that can play with Phoenix like they did tonight and then put big Shaq in and go toe to toe with the Lakers(just an example) as far as physicality and playing basketball in the painted area(this is me channeling Hubie Brown) goes and you have a team that is in a good position to handle whatever is thrown at them come playoff time.

I still think the "stretch-4" is still something we're missing, but assuming we do add one of those...then we have even more options as far as that aspect of the game goes.

 

[MYoung23]

It's not because Shaq is terrible or anything though. This Phoenix team just called for less Shaq in the line-up, and MB pressed the right buttons and we won. That's how it'll be sometimes. However, that line-up would get eaten alive by the likes of L.A. for example. Basketball is about match-ups a lot of the time and being a team that can play with Phoenix like they did tonight and then put big Shaq in and go toe to toe with the Lakers(just an example) as far as physicality and playing basketball in the painted area(this is me channeling Hubie Brown) goes and you have a team that is in a good position to handle whatever is thrown at them come playoff time.

I still think the "stretch-4" is still something we're missing, but assuming we do add one of those...then we have even more options as far as that aspect of the game goes.

If the Cavaliers not looking like they can maximize whatever Shaq has left then the Cavaliers are going to need frontcourt scoring that can shoot. If Hickson isnt getting the ball open or posted 4-5 feet from the basket now he isnt going to get in May or June. Powe cant shoot at all which everyone seems to glossing over.

When I mean "scoring that can shoot" I mean more than a guy who waits in the corner when/if James/Williams passes them the ball

 

[slp447]

A Cavs win and some

Makes a good Monday night!

 

[rabman_gold]

This is a solid win, I totally loved the defensive effort out there and the demeanor of this team tonight, however it just illustrates why this team is frustrating.

They have so much talent, they can get their offense rolling and play solid defense at the same time and they have incredible depth...

however, where was this team last night? I hate to say it especially with Delonte, but this team is bi-polar.

I think we can also assume the Lakers are a "bi-polar" team in that case, right?

I think like Windy said, it's the "Shaq effect". Taking off time early on and coming to play against real opponents. I think Brown's being tuned out a little too much, but the makeup of the team is definitely more talented but a hell lot more lackadaisical.

Shaq, J.J., LeBron, Mo, Delonte, and Boobie represent the makeup of the team this year, physically and mentally.

Z, Ben, LeBron, Delonte, Mo, Joe, Andy, and Wally represent the makeup of last year's team.

The reason I use LeBron, Delonte, and Mo twice is because their attitudes can be influenced by harder working teammates if there's more in stock. And Delonte usually brings it, but is forced out more this year than ever (which was my reason for putting him twice). Jamario and AP weren't even here last year so they're the ones going with the flow.

You know, while Mike Brown and Ferry represent a Spurs type mindset. The roster represents a Lakers type mindset. In the way they're both built, how they execute game by game, and how they approach things and deal with them. The problem is that the Lakers mindset is the majority of the team (1 gm and 4 coaches are outnumbered by 15 players).

Oh well, as long as they can bring it in the most important games, still pull off 60 wins with some favorable seeding (not perfect seeding, just suitable), and execute in the playoffs, I'll be fine. We'll see what else is done in the meantime.

 

[Chardon]

Various Suns Forums​

Cavs are elite and we are not. 7th seed here we come.

What was it, 86-92? All of a sudden, they blow the door open.

POS team. what a POS team. On your home floor, you get punked like this in the 4th? WTF?

Good Teams like the Cavs open it up in the 4th

The Cavs either dominate in the 1st Quater, or the 4th Quarter, i guess it was the 4th :-\

Well like I said, the Suns should have held everyone down except Lebron.
Mo Williams is shooting 50%, Varajeo is 5-6, West is 5-7.

Why does Mo Williams have his own website

<-- haha wtf?

alritght, tiem to go light up the Trade Thread.

<-- we never do that

Suns finally snap 17-0 Cavs run.

Of all the losses, this hurts the most

I hate east coast basketball.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

If the Cavaliers not looking they can maximize whatever Shaq has left then the Cavaliers are going to need frontcourt scoring that can shoot. If Hickson isnt getting the ball open or posted 4-5 feet from the basket now he isnt going to get in May or June. Powe cant shoot at all which everyone seems to glossing over.

And when I mean scoring that can shoot I mean more than a guy who waits in the corner when/if James/Williams passes them the ball

I agree 100%, and that's really the reason I've been on the Jamison bandwagon for weeks now

 

[Silky Smooth]

I think we can also assume the Lakers are a "bi-polar" team in that case, right?

I think like Windy said, it's the "Shaq effect". Taking off time early on and coming to play against real opponents. I think Brown's being tuned out a little too much, but the makeup of the team is definitely more talented but a hell lot more lackadaisical.

Shaq, J.J., LeBron, Mo, Delonte, and Boobie represent the makeup of the team this year, physically and mentally.

Z, Ben, LeBron, Delonte, Mo, Joe, Andy, and Wally represent the makeup of last year's team.

The reason I use LeBron, Delonte, and Mo twice is because their attitudes can be influenced by harder working teammates if there's more in stock. And Delonte usually brings it, but is forced out more this year than ever (which was my reason for putting him twice). Jamario and AP weren't even here last year so they're the ones going with the flow.

You know, while Mike Brown and Ferry represent a Spurs type mindset. The roster represents a Lakers type mindset. In the way they're both built, how they execute game by game, and how they approach things and deal with them. The problem is that the Lakers mindset is the majority of the team (1 gm and 4 coaches are outnumbered by 15 players).

Oh well, as long as they can bring it in the most important games, still pull off 60 wins with some favorable seeding (not perfect seeding, just suitable), and execute in the playoffs, I'll be fine. We'll see what else is done in the meantime.

Dude, your sig is making my page load up slow. :chuckles: jk.

 

[MYoung23]

I agree 100%, and that's really the reason I've been on the Jamison bandwagon for weeks now

Who said the choice between James and player X are mutually exclusive? :detective

Just something to dwell on........

 

[chiefwahoo]

Tonight was a great illustration of how much Mo's offense and Delonte's head mean to this team. When they are both doing their thing we are nearly unbeatable. Sprinkle in a good shooting night overall, a relentless attack of the rim (26 FT's), solid defense (only 4 fast break points for PHX) and it was really a great win.

These types of games are what has made this season so frustrating so far. We know that we are capable of this type of play, it just seems like we are rarely hitting on all cylinders. Here's to hoping that this trend continues because I'd really like a good showing on Christmas Day...

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Who said the choice between James and player X are mutually exclusive? :detective

Just something to dwell on........

No idea what you're saying but I'm going to pretend that it means something about Bosh or Boozer and go play with the trade machine for 5 hours. :chuckles:

Or maybe you just mean LeBron at the 4.

 

[Dylan Windler's Mom]

A suns fan wrote this...

"Cavs playing smallball with LBJ-Varejao at PF-C are poop-in-your-pants terrifying. Thank God Mike Brown doesn't realize this!"

 

[Vlad]

A suns fan wrote this...

"Cavs playing smallball with LBJ-Varejao at PF-C are poop-in-your-pants terrifying. Thank God Mike Brown doesn't realize this!"

Terrifying to the Suns, Lakers would probably laugh at that line-up.