Game #49| Cavs vs Lakers| Sunday Feb. 8th, 2009| 3:30pm [ET]

[Zog]

Exactly. I'd prefer to save LeBron defending Kobe till down the stretch. Exerting a great deal of energy through the first 3 quarters chasing Kobe makes little to no sense.

Yeah, however I was more concerned about possible foul troubles. I think LeBron is in good enough shape that he could guard Kobe for a whole game and it wouldn't wear him out much, but if we were in a 7 game series I wouldn't want him wearing himself out guarding Kobe over the course of the series (though he will have to guard Pierce the whole series assuming we play the Celtics).

 

[chiefwahoo]

Yeah, I didn't see a thread and people were chomping at the bit for one. I just was hoping I wasn't out of line or stepping on anyone's toes by posting one.

Not at all Cratylus. Thanks for picking up the slack. Cavs by 7 for their 24th straight at the Q!

 

[Mindphaser]

The #1 big coming off the Lakers bench is Chris Mihm. I'm seriously not seeing the strength down low for them. If our guys at the 1 and 2 can do their jobs we should be able to take this game. Ilgauskas is key for us in this one. Pau Gasol is weak defensively so if Z is hitting his jumpshots then we'll be fine. Honestly I think Z just needs to keep Gasol out of the lane so LeBron can drive to the basket. I really hope that Andy shows up and gives us 110% because we're going to need some energy off the bench.

 

[TAS]

Headline on Monday Morning: "24th win courtesy of #24"

Or Streak killers.

Cavs need to win!

 

[wuck]

Kupchak said at his press conference today (trading Radmanovic for Morrison/Brown) that he did not expect to make another trade before the deadline to help address the front-court issues with Bynum down. That Powell, Mihm, etc. would have that responsibility.

Either the doctors are telling them great things about Bynum or it is a smokescreen.

I do think that the Cavs need to pay attention to Powell. He's active and can hit medium-range jumpers. He's helped win a few games for them. He cannot dribble and create, however.

 

[Mindphaser]

So they're putting a lot of eggs in Trevor Ariza's basket now? :chuckles:

 

[JJ Smooth]

Big time game, I just hope that Lebron doesn't let that get to his head a'la the Knicks performance. Team basketball will win this with good ball movement, leave the ISO business for Kobe.

Cavs have taken some hits recently, time to punch back with this statement game.

 

[Chris]

LET IT ROCK BABY LET IT ROCK!

I'll be at work but home for the 4th quarter probably...so I'll catch the only part that matters.

 

[Warren G.]

FFS, this is the second game in a row that I've slacked on 'cuz of my effing job. Obviously this one called for an earlier game thread, and a better effort, than what I did for the Kings game.

Sorry all, and thanks to Cratylus.

 

[Cratylus]

FFS, this is the second game in a row that I've slacked on 'cuz of my effing job. Obviously this one called for an earlier game thread, and a better effort, than what I did for the Kings game.

Sorry all, and thanks to Cratylus.

No worries, Warren. I was happy to put one together. Obviously I made it rather quickly, otherwise I would have done a better job with the images and pics. Maybe I'll get an "official" chance to do one of these for a game next season.

 

[Wine and Gold]

Thanks to Cratylus for stepping up to the plate. We can all understand how work issues can mess with our schedules at times, so don't beat yourself up WGD, it happens to us all.

Sasha looked pretty good in practice. He still seemed to be dealing with some wind issues, but, that's to be expected. He's improved considerably, and should be ready to deal with Kobe, which is much needed in the absence of Delonte.

I'd hate to see where we would have been having to use Wally for 40+ minutes in this particular game ....

So, Sasha couldn't have picked a better time to get back and play ...but, he'll have a hard time comig back and imediately having to guard the toughest matchuo in the league today ...

 

[-Akronite-]

So, Sasha couldn't have picked a better time to get back and play ...but, he'll have a hard time comig back and imediately having to guard the toughest matchuo in the league today ...

When did Sasha become the starting small forward for the Lakers?

 

[Wine and Gold]

When did Sasha become the starting small forward for the Lakers?

I knew that would get a comment after I reread it ...lol. Lebron doesn't count in that he plays for the same team ... That's how I should have clarified that. He goes up against the best in the league every day at practice, is that better ...? (jk)

 

[-Akronite-]

is that better ...?

Much.

It's hard to decide which is a worse matchup though. On one hand you can play perfect defense and still get burnt (Kobe's jump shot) and on the other you are forced to guard a 6'8 270 freight train that can jump out of the building AND get hot from outside.

Anyway, I had a feeling you meant that.

 

[Randolphkeys]

He goes up against the best in the league every day at practice, is that better ...? (jk)

Good point about Sasha as our 11th man in the beggining of the year... his defense is obviously better when he is practicing AGAINST LeBron in practice everyday. Perhaps this will ease Karma's painful ulcer that formed when Wally was first in line for playing time at the beginning of the year.