(Very) Early Observations
by Lex L. on Nov 1, 2009 3:50 AM CDT
26 comments
I've been visiting this site for a while now, though I've never had the urge to post, until now. I must state that I'm NOT a troll, these are just observations, so please, no hissy fits ladies.
First off, the Cavs' seem to have foregone their M.O., and unless Shaq and Coach Brown do something about the former's atrocious pick and roll defense, saying the Cavs have severe problems come playoff time is an understatement.
Second is the big acquisition himself. His P&R D was an accumulation of bad habits from early on his career, but what bothers me most is his stark offensive inefficiency. Most of his shots should have been dunks, though his age can be partially blamed for that, but those little baby hooks he's been missing 5 feet from the basket are not helping the team.
Big Z isn't doing a lot better unfortunately. It seems as if his jumpshot went back to Lithuania. I'm thinking he's dealing with a lot more than he's leading us on to when it comes to playing in the second unit.
IMHO, those two will not cut it, and I see no immediate solution. If I wanted an injured, aging big man, I would have gone with J.O. (is a trade for him possible BTW? He's looking good early on.)
I forgot to mention firsthand that I reside in Canada, so while I root for the Cavs, the Raps are in my heart. This seemingly useless fact I shared with you is indeed important because I've been watching Anthony Parker ever since he was the starting SG for the Raps. He had a decent game against (10.31.09) Charlotte, but there is palpable deterioration with him. He's 34(?) and no matter how much you rationalize how he played overseas ergo he does not have much mileage in him, it won't change the fact that he is 34 playing in such an athletic, strenuous league. Sorry we wore him out first.
And please, someone tell the Moonman to stop shooting those jump shots. Tell him to remember his roots that is the Harlem Globetrotters and start f***** driving!
In conclusion, since the big teams made their big acquisitions, I always thought that the Cavs made the wisest choice. I thought the Lakers and Celtics would crumble by way of their mercurial acquisitions, that the Spurs got a disinterested has-been, and the Magic getting Mr. Half-heart. So far a smooth ride for them. As for the Cavs, not so much. I'll reassess when Leon Powe comes back, but sad to say, I think the fine city of Cleveland will most probably eat another slice of humble pie. Again, not a troll, but I won't be surprised to see scathing comments. I just hope that LBJ and his squad prove me wrong.
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these are just observations, so please, no hissy fits ladies.
Using misogynistic insults is, of course, the best way to endear yourself to a new online community. Take a step back and try again, big shot. Then we’ll devote some time to your paper-thin critique of a season that’s four games old.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
+1
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Nov 3, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
Two things
Lets not solely focus on one or two lines in his post but focus on his general thoughts.
Secondly, your tag line is funny.
All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.
by E5 on Nov 3, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
with most of what this Fanpost has to say. I think the Cavs have to seriously reconsider their M.O.. Brown is seriously putting the team in a strategic disadvantage. Shaq does block the lane and if his jump hook doesn’t start to go in he is nothing more then a big Andy.
All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.
I don’t really see what I said to imply I was a big shot, Turk. And please take note of the title: Observations. And the reason why these observations are “paper thin” is exactly the same reason you just stated: the season is young.
But it makes me wonder, how come the other big teams have incorporated their new recruits so seamlessly, so quickly? Someone could point out that they only have one face to worry about. Fair enough; LA has Artest, and Boston has Sheed (Daniels had a flash in the pan moment in the season opener, but nothing else, so he is irrelevant at this point, IMHO). But let’s look at Orlando, shall we? They have VC, Bass, J Wil., and Ryan Anderson. They look sublime, I think. They gave up a 22 point lead against Toronto, but beyond that, they look like favorites to take the east. I guess what I’m getting at is, why aren’t we clicking as fast as them? If this continues on, we got problems. What coach in their right mind would put Shaq and Z together?! If we don’t get like high school A+ students in a lab and make chemistry, I hope Christmas never comes, when the Cavs face the Lakers. On a side note, I think J.O. has risen like a phoenix, no? If he stays healthy, Miami is in great shape.
You are way
to bullish on J.O, he has proven that he is nothing more then a complementary player and no more. That said. I think Lebron having the Flu, D. West going crazy and having some many new players are a major part of the problem. This team will get better as the season wears on but I don’t think we should expect 60+ wins again.
Also, Mike Brown has to go because he is the reason this team didn’t win the Title last year. On the plus side of things because M. Brown is an aweful adjustment coach we went out this off season and signed better perimeter players to make up for Brown’s lack of intelligence.
All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.
by E5 on Nov 2, 2009 7:57 PM CST up reply actions
Well, of course everything still begins and ends with Wade, but if he could produce at least 75 percent of what he did back in Portland or Indiana, the Heat should be good. Again with the “many new players” rationale, the Cavs should have had Orlando’s start, but the Cav’s version hasn’t been as smooth as the Magic’s.
I think, though, that people are too hard on Brown. Maybe he shouldn’t be as high as head coach, but he would definitely be an adept defense coordinator. Or he could stay as head coach and get a cream-of-the-crop offensive coordinator. The Cavs look lost without Kuester.
Kuester
is not the genius that some people make him out to be. When push come to shove it still was 1-5 at the end of games. The Cavs offensive problems are mostly due to their lack of a good transition game that is limited by Brown.
All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.
by E5 on Nov 2, 2009 9:01 PM CST up reply actions
Nice
I see your point sir. But dissecting your point a little further, I raise you the Danny Ferry card. Maybe it’s been like that for the past 7 years because Lebron has yet to have his partner-in-crime. He’s now surrounded with in popular belief, the most talented cast he’s ever been with. To strain the whole superhero analogy a bit more, he’s now surrounded with his own Justice League…just all Aquamans and Green Arrows, no solid Batman to his Superman. Which I guess leads us back to this whole post: Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Shaq (and Mo I guess). Maybe we should agree that Ferry is not the genius that some people make him out to be?
You know what? I recant wholeheartedly. As I said before, these are very early observations, and not “paper-thin critiques” (damn that guy/gal really ruffled my feathers there =P), so I don’t blame Ferry. I guess it’s just my observation/opinion that there is yet to be a Batman to LeBron’s Superman. Again, I’ll reassess once Powe comes back. But until then, good luck Cleveland.
Canadian Cavalier (or a bandwagon fan if you purists must insist)
No Batman
for sure but he sure has quite a few good players to help him. I think S. Jackson would be a perfect Batman for Lebron but alas I don’t see him become a Cav because Ferry is afraid.
All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.
by E5 on Nov 3, 2009 1:46 PM CST up reply actions
JO's "rise" is temporary, at best
I’ll be shocked if he keeps up anywhere near this pace…… hell, I’ll be shocked if Jermaine stays on the floor for 3/4 of the games.
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Nov 3, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions
If anyone thinks that Shaq...
is going to shoot 47% and miss “5 foot babyhooks” all year, then they haven’t been watching basketball very long. Shaq’s shots will start falling, don’t worry about that. He’s a career 58% shooter and for anyone who thinks that was only because of his younger years needs look no further than last year’s stats when Shaq was top of the league with 61% shooting. It’s about utilizing his abilities and learning to play around him (not change “style”, but incorporating Shaq’s unique abilities).
I’m seriously beginning to wonder if Mike Brown is even an average coach :-/
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
I think Brown is average
but offensively he is as challenged as a one legged dog in a gray hound track race.
All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.
by E5 on Nov 3, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
Hypothetically, how about Brown being demoted to defensive coordinator and Avery Johnson taking over? But he’s only one step above Brown IMHO. They’re both awful adjusting in-game (Finals vs. Heat, 1st rd. vs. GS).
Demoting a coach to an asst?
I know of no case of this happening before and it working….certainly not on a contender. Wouldn’t have minded seeing Brownie fired before the season, but I think it’s time to make it work.
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Nov 4, 2009 2:08 AM CST up reply actions
That sir is why I used hypothethically. But if indeed the Cavs were to fire him, who would you have in mind as a replacement? Mark Jackson? AJ? JFG? I wouldn’t want a rookie coach calling plays for a contending team. Avery I don’t think would be a good fit (see above). Maybe the only viable one would be Van Gundy? He did coach those hard-nosed Knicks teams, sort of resembling the Cavs now, but I think he’s happy making witty remarks behind the announcer’s table.
I’ve been watching basketball for a while now, so please don’t make that assumption about me. He was pretty good against Washington (11.03.09), but that’s against who? Haywood, Blatche and McGee (?): decent big men, but not very intimidating or imposing. I wouldn’t bet my money on him shooting 58% against a Bynum, Perkins, and Howard or Duncan. Not with Father Time inching closer and with Brown’s inferior offensive schemes.
That's the beauty of Shaq's game
“Brown’s inferior offensive schemes” aren’t even needed for Shaq to score. He sets up on either the left or right block, everyone spaces the floor, and then you throw him an entry pass. He kicks it back out, reposts even deeper, gets the ball back and takes a high percentage shot. You don’t have to be Tex Winter to figure that one out. And although Washington’s centers are by no means beasts, Haywood is (sadly) a better than average center in this league.
As for assuming you haven’t been watching basketball very closely, what do you expect when you say something like “what bothers me most is his (Shaq’s) stark offensive inefficiency”? You say Shaq won’t shoot 58% this year because “Father Time (is) inching closer”, yet you have obviously ignored the fact (stated in the post you replied to, no less) that he shot 61% this past year. And that was while playing in 75 games, the most he has played in a season since the 1999-2000. So your generic Shaq-is-old analysis seems like it is coming from someone who is regurgitating ESPN headlines rather than a dedicated fan who has followed the NBA closely for years. That’s all.
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Nov 4, 2009 2:06 AM CST up reply actions
Look sir, I’m not sure where exactly our exchange is heading, so for the sake of cooler heads I’ll concede this point. I just want to clarify that I just called it as it was. Reverse layups were missed, baby hooks were rimming out, I called foul. I was aware of his output last season, but I think it would not be totally foolish of me to doubt if he could replicate that again in a radically different environment, no? I think anyone could have those doubts, avid fan or not. While the folks over at ESPN are not always right, there is some sense in what they are saying. I mean it’s their job to opine on these matters, and we damn them for saying things, damn them when they don’t. In this case, they’re not right, but what they say has logic. It’s just that right now Shaq is proving them wrong. But we can only hope he proves them wrong until you guys witness Stern as he presents you with the Larry O’Brien trophy.
hhhmmmm
Well all i can say is that this team can do either one of 2 things….let this moment be a learning curve, or take the necessary steps to tie up the loose ends, the problem with this is that the moves in the offseason was to tie up the loose ends and then some!
we still suck on “team” transition defense and we still cant guard the pick and roll! so what are we going to do to clear up those problems? are we going to tough it out and like Shaq says “only playoff games count?” or are we going to sign or trade for more help?
If this were my team? i would definitely explore the options of signing more help, simply because what Shaquille says is true only winning playoff games count, this Cavs team will definitely reach the playoffs but will they have the momentum and personnel they need to win playoff series? does anyone else agree on trading Z & another player for Stephen Jackson and Turiaf?
And another thing, could we please stop with the Shaq acquisition being a bust….i mean who in their right mind “would’nt” trade Ben & Sasha for Oneal? that was a no brainer! sure he cant guard the pick and roll, but tell me this?…how many centers can guard Shaq one on one?……..id definitely choose Oneals career fg% (58.2%) over a pick and roll working half of the time haha geez! so please stop it already!
Its not Shaqs fault, its a team effort guys.
Personally i feel like our biggest downfall is in the area of scoring consistently and ball movement/balance, we have tons of scorers but no real point guard to delegate who gets the ball and balance the offense, LBJ is awesome and can get people involved, but what we have to exploit is the obvious fact that no one can guard him! i mean hello!!!!!!!! get us a real point guard and have Lebron green lighted with his selections! he’ll average like 35-40ppg easily!
"minds sharpens minds, like steel sharpens steel"
Again sir, this is not a judgement call on the trade, these are just observations. Please observe post/reply above. As for choosing Shaq’s field goal over defense, I would have to politely, but ultimately, strongly disagree with your statement. The Cav’s M.O. has always been their defense, and I would have it no other way. I believe in the trite but true saying that is “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships,”or something along that line. You are right in the fact that the goal of the sport is to get the ball in the goal, but you can’t possibly expect to exchange baskets with the opposing team until the buzzer sounds. But I do agree with you about the need of a true point guard.
?
i have never in my lifetime experienced a team that won a championship running pick n rolls as their bread n butter play……no team will score 50 pts just off pick n rolls only so i would not worry so much about that, i would start worrying about balancing the offense and emplying something that looks like its structured! not give lebron the ball when they need points and sit back & watch the show….id so love to have rajon rondo or even jason kidd
"minds sharpens minds, like steel sharpens steel"
Not neccessarily 50 points,
but they will exploit it as much as they, or until they put Shaq on the bench, whichever goes first. Then again, Z isn’t much better, but I digress. And it’s not just P&R D sir, but the team defense as well. If you watched the Chicago game, it was agonizing to see how many end-to-end layups the Cavs gave the opposing team. I’m not in a position to speak whatsoever but, I think Lebron’s trying too much to be the good guy here. If this was Kobe, he would be on his teammates like freckles on a ginger. As to your perspective on the offense, Barkley is the Pillsbury Doughboy with a lisp, but he echoed a very logical and similar statement to yours: “Why let your best player on the team make your teammates better? He should be finishing plays.” Someone might state, “oh, that’s because he’s a natural point forward.” He very much is, but he doesn’t have to do it 99% of the time. It would be nice to have CP3 running the offense. After the scuffle with Rondo and the beating Toronto handed them in their last game, he can’t be too happy.
so how do you feel about
Mo being the “quarterback” now?..Three very solid games in a row….And I think that the emergence of JJ is making the misuse of SHAQ a moot point….They should still make an effort to use Shaq in the way described above by MAX as opposed to trying to have him learn to score from areas he is unused to scoring from..just pound it in to him and let him score…In games like the Miami and Orlando (Utah if he had played) games…close games inside of three minutes, the Cavs should be looking at the half court set with him every time there is no easy outlet or breakaway for an UNCONTESTED dunk or layup, when they have the lead…This business of putting up threes with 15 sec on the shot clock-and a five point lead-is going to lose some winnable games if it continues
by cavslandrocks on Nov 15, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions
some very good arguments
Sir, it would be my pleasure to eat crow, almost. They did well against Orlando…for one game. While I know it would be asinine to expect the Cavs to win every game against the championship-chasing teams, if they can keep the losses close, then we can say they have a realistic shot for the LO’B trophy, unlike last season. As for Mo being the quarterback, he’s been steadily improving, hopefully that keeps going until playoff season; I’d like him to be a Rondo with 3 point range. As for JJ, he’s becoming a poor man’s Odom, IMHO. To transcend that comparison and for him to be truly viable come April, he needs to work on his D first and foremost, and if possible, his range. For the usage on Shaq though, I still think it is essential for MB to teach the old dog new tricks. Given his age, the Cavs must play the percentages. Against the sturdier and more athletic centers, he’s more likely to miss, so there’s got to be more than one way to skin a cat. Note that the Cavs might go through another adjustment period again once Powe is able to play again.
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