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Smooth

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Game #5


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Cleveland Cavaliers [2-2] VS. Chicago Bulls [2-2]

Thursday, November 9th, 2006
8:00 PM ET
Radio = WTAM 1100
Television = TNT
"The Q"; Quicken Loans Arena [Cleveland, Ohio]



Head Coaches

mike_brown.jpg
scott_skiles.jpg

Mike Brown | Scott Skiles


Starting Backcourt

Point Guards​



ESPN's Eric Snow Scouting Report

Snow is a very poor outside shooter -- he made one 3-pointer all year -- but in his prime he could make up for that with his ability to slash to the basket and finish. Unfortunately for the Cavs his prime was several years ago, and he no longer has the extra gear to get to the rim. Opponents leave him unguarded and dare him to shoot 15-footers; occasionally he takes them up on it.

Snow is a quality defensive player, and that ability would make an OK second stringer. He has the size, strength and quickness to handle players at either guard spot, although he's better defending the point, and he's a good help defender. The Cavs defended much better with Snow on the court last year, although that might be in part because the alternatives were so bad -- opposing point guards had a solid PER against him.

ESPN's Kirk Hinrich Scouting Report​
Hinrich has a reputation as a defender, but last season was the second in a row in which the Bulls defended better with him off the court. That said, visually his defense does appear to be outstanding, and it's tough to reconcile with the numbers. He did a better job on Dwyane Wade than anybody in the postseason, and he's quick, long-armed, takes tons of charges and has outstanding fundamentals. His one weakness is that he fouls a bit much.

Offensively, Hinrich is an inconsistent performer who has a nice outside shot and handles the ball well but takes too many tough, mid-range jumpers. He runs the pick-and-roll well and gets a lot of open jumpers going to his right off this play, but he's better scoring than passing when he does this. Hinrich also has a runner going to his right that he likes to put off his glass, and can make this shot on the dead run.


Advantage =
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Shooting Guards​


ESPN's Larry Hughes Scouting Report
Hughes has tremendous quickness for his size and is always a threat to score off the dribble or in transition. He's a strong finisher with a knack for drawing fouls, with the free-throw line often being his primary scoring vehicle. Hughes is a weak outside shooter who shoots 28.1 percent for his career on 3-pointers, and has a big problem with shot selection. When he's going badly he'll tend to force mid-range jumpers off the dribble, a shot he doesn't shoot particularly well. He's a good dribbler who can play point guard in a pinch, but all his drives tend to produce a high turnover rate.

Hughes' high steals total from two years ago looks like a massive fluke -- it's nearly twice what he's done in any other recent season -- but he's quick in the passing lanes and has good anticipation. He likes to gamble though, and his lack of strength makes him vulnerable to bigger shooting guards who can take him in the blocks. Hughes' focus tends to be on steals rather than stops, so his help defense isn't always up to snuff either. However, his quickness makes him a hardy defender against dribble penetration.

Hughes' injuries have become an increasing worry. He's missed 88 games in the past three seasons and hasn't played a full schedule since 1999-2000. At this point, it seems prudent to assume he'll only be around for 60 games or so.

ESPN's Ben Gordon Scouting Report​
Though only 6-foot-3, Gordon is a pure shooting guard who has looked uncomfortable in his few opportunities at the point. He is a prolific scorer because he combines a deadly, high-arcing 3-point shot with superb quickness going to his right, forcing defenders to choose their poison.

When he drives he rarely goes all the way to the rim, instead shooting one-handed runners or pull-up jumpers. Those shots look great when they go in but have an incredibly high degree of difficulty, helping account for his low shooting percentage. Gordon also needs a shot-fake move that will get him to the line more often so he can earn some easy points. It would also help to be on a team that wasn't so dependent on his scoring, as he could then focus more on his deadly 3-point weapon.

Most observers hold Gordon's defense in low esteem, but based on his stats from the past two seasons he's been adequate. He's quick and has good upper body strength, but at 6-3 he's fairly easy for players to shoot over. He tends to picks up fouls, especially when he has to defend big guards in the post, but usually Kirk Hinrich or Chris Duhon take on those matchups.


Advantage = TIE


Starting Frontcourt

Small Forwards​


ESPN's LeBron James Scouting Report

James is a breathtaking talent who has as much straight-line speed as any player in the game despite being built like a power forward. He understands the game phenomenally well for a player his age and can be a spectacular passer, which combined with his ballhandling skill makes him capable of playing point guard -- where he creates monstrous match-up problems because of the size differential.

The scary thing is that he's about the best player in the league, and yet you get the sense he could be a lot better. For instance, James is still developing as a jump shooter. He has a nice stroke with a high arc and can comfortably fire away even with a hand in his face, but his accuracy remains middling. He started developing more of a post game last season and he should continue working on it to take better advantage of his size.

Another quibble with his offensive game is how he runs the pick-and-roll, because he tends to bring the offense grinding to a halt. Detroit exploited this beautifully in the playoffs -- when a big man shows hard on the screen, LeBron's instinct is to retreat almost to half court and then just go one-on-one with whomever is left guarding him. That breaks down any other movement going on with the play and makes the Cavs easy to defend. James is good enough that he still can score occasionally when he does this, but he needs to either split the trap on this play or get rid of the ball sooner.

James also needs more work on the defensive end. He's a decent on-ball defender, though a bit overaggressive, and nobody even bothers trying to post him up because of his size. But he has to get better from the weak side. James will play passing lanes and go for steals, but the basic help-and-recover moves are still developing.

ESPN's Luol Deng Scouting Report​

If Deng is this good now, imagine what he'll be like once he learns how to play offense. Deng has almost no moves or elusiveness yet; he just takes two dribbles and shoots a jumper over his defender. He took up the game at a late age and is only 21, so there's plenty left for him to figure out.

Assuming he can learn how to add some variety to his game and keep defenders off balance, he could be a vastly better score than he currently is. Even now he's not bad, averaging 17.1 points per 40 minutes in consecutive seasons, but the Bulls need more offense and he's one guy who potentially could provide plenty of it. He's a decent jump shooter from mid-range (although not from distance), he can handle the ball and he finishes very well in transition. He just has to become less predictable and improve his recognition of openings and mismatches.

Defensively, Deng is a potential stud because of his long arms, solid body and quality footwork. As with the offensive end, he's still feeling his way around, but he can rely more on his natural ability here. Plus, he should be able to play power forward as his body fills out, making him a quality defender at two positions and making it easier for the Bulls to keep him and Andres Nocioni on the court at the same time.

Advantage =
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Power Forwards​



ESPN's Drew Gooden Scouting Report


Gooden makes for a good role player because he can score without having plays run for him. He's a quick leaper who can finish around the basket, and he has a decent mid-range jump shot despite his somewhat awkward form. He's not as adept in the post because he lacks strength and can get bodied out of the lane, but he does have a nice jump-hook move.

Defensively, Gooden's quickness makes him very good at picking up guards on switches, and he has long arms that earn him lots of deflections. He doesn't have the power to deal with some of the league's bigger power forwards, but he partly makes up for it by helping on the defensive glass. Despite his leaping ability and quickness, he's not a shot-blocker.

The biggest criticism of Gooden has been his lack of focus. Whether it's losing track of his man at the defensive end or not knowing a play on offense, Gooden has baffled coaches with his mental miscues, and that's one reason he hasn't played as many minutes as you might expect for a player with such a high PER.

ESPN's P.J. Brown Scouting Report​

Brown's length, smarts and still-passable lateral movement have helped him become one of the game's better frontcourt defenders. While he's nowhere near the All-Defense caliber player he was a few years ago, Brown should be able to play NBA defense for as long as his offense can keep him on the floor. Though he'll be 37, Brown has never been seriously injured and thus has aged unusually well.

Offensively, he depends on a jumper from the foul-line area, normally shot after a screen-and-roll play. Brown isn't an explosive athlete and doesn't get much done in the paint, although he can post up if he has a size mismatch. He doesn't get to the line much, but he's a good foul shooter, hitting 82 percent or better each of the past six seasons.

Advantage =
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Centers​



ESPN's Zydrunas Ilgauskas Scouting Report


Ilgauskas is one of the best post players in basketball. Though 7-3, he's fairly mobile and has range out to 17 feet. He likes to set up camp on the left block and shoot a turnaround going to either side, although of late he's added a sweeping hook shot where he dribbles right and never puts his left hand back on the ball as he goes up.

Ilgauskas is a good shot-blocker and his size makes him difficult to score against in the blocks, but he has trouble farther away from the basket. Teams try to involve him in screen-and-roll plays and take advantage of his poor lateral movement. He gives a good effort, though, and overall the Cavs defended better with him on the court last season. He's also not a good defensive rebounder -- an unusually big chunk of his boards come at the offensive end.

If I could choose one player to be on my team for a five-minute overtime, Ilgauskas might be the guy. Not because he's a great clutch player, but because he's perhaps the best jump-ball taker in the game. His height helps, but his real genius is in the art of stealing the tap without being so blatant about it that the ref calls a violation. They must teach this in Lithuania or something -- Arvydas Sabonis was great at it too.

ESPN's Ben Wallace Scouting Report


All you need to know about Wallace's defense is that for three seasons he made it horrifically intimidating to play against a team that started two of the skinniest waifs you'll ever see. He's a freak of an athlete who has the quickness to defend guards on switches, the strength to battle on the blocks with the league's biggest centers, and the leaping ability to reject shots from all corners.

Wallace's ability to police the basket area from the weak side is especially amazing, although this sometimes leaves him vulnerable to second shots when he goes for a block and misses -- he was the only good rebounder in the Pistons' starting five. For the season, the Pistons were 10.1 points per 100 possessions better with Wallace on the court, a jaw-dropping figure that underscores his defensive value.

Wallace is almost as bad at offense as he is good at defense. He has no jump shot and his small hands make it difficult for him to keep control of the ball when he goes up around the basket. Wallace's baskets usually come on follow dunks, transition alley-oops or set plays in the halfcourt where he slips a screen and dunks off an alley-oop. His offensive rebounds are enough of a threat that opponents at least think twice before leaving him, so his offensive ineptitude doesn't inhibit his teammates as much as one might think.

Advantage =
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Advantage =
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Smooth32's 3 Keys To Get The "V"

1). Get the Chicago Bulls big men in foul trouble - In order for the Cavs to be successful inside the paint and in the overall game, the Cavs must get Ben Wallace and PJ Brown out of the game as much as possible. Both of those big men anchor the Chicago defense and are the glue for the team in general. Getting them in foul trouble, not only helps in that aspect, but will make the game easier for Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the low-post.

2). Make Free-Throws - The last two games versus Charlotte and Atlanta, have been perfect examples of why the Cavs must make their free-throws. If they would of made their free-throws in those games, they'd be heading in the Bulls game 4-0. Period. If the Cavs continue to play close games that come down to the stretch, they must take advantages of their free-throw opportunities.

3). Play good defense - When the Cavs played the Wizards and Spurs, their defense was probably at their best. Agaisnt Charlotte and Atlanta, it was a whole different story. Playing defense will be key with the Bulls being a tremendous defensive team themselves. The Cavs need to play good defense if they want to keep this game tight or else they will get blown out of the building. If the Cavs can make the Bulls a jumpshoting team, the Cavs will win the game. They have to expose the Bulls interior weakness.


Prediction​


Cavs - 94
Bulls - 89


GOCAVS !!


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Note - The scouting reports are from ESPN. So credit should be given there.
 
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Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

I had to be a naysayer but..

We're gonna lose! :chuckles: j/p
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

I think we win by 11
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

I am betting we come out with heart and play hard and LBJ consistantly goes to the bucket and we get him the ball in the post...because this is a big gaem and we always play to our competition

we should win but this team has me confused....
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron will dominate. Cavs 101 Bulls 88
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

remember, cavs beat hard teams and lose to easy teams. we should win this one.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

This game will be interesting to watch. Lets see what they can do after losing 2 games to lottery teams. Its televised here and its 1-0 when Cavs are televised in Aus so hopefully we can see another win.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

If you don't win this game, you pretty much set yourself up for tons of criticism Cavs. If they want to come out flat and try and win the game in the last 5 minutes with treys, then they better be prepared to get slammed by most sports publications and journalists and for the fans to voice much displeasure.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

If we lose this the signing of Wallace will be glorified by media outlets everywhere..
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

if snow makes a basket, ill eat a fat kid.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Although the season is still extremely young, the importance of games against divisional and conference rivals like Chicago are still key. We do not want to compound the last 2 losses against the lesser likes with a home loss with a team that expects to be up their when it matters come April.

Cavs answer the wakeup call with a victory.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

this will be our 3rd straight loss. believe me.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

bail said:
this will be our 3rd straight loss. believe me.


:thumbdown Obviously not a Cavs fan right there.

If we hit our foul shots we win, gurantee.
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

If we lose i guarentee you that it will be because of Z!
 
Re: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

we will win if larry hughes scores 20+ he is our key to success, espicially when we go NO production from the pg stop
 

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