Eight to Go- What to Accomplish
by lifelongvike on Mar 29, 2010 3:06 PM CDT
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There are only eight regular season games to play. If we win 4 of them we maintain Home Court advantage throughout the play-offs. So what can Mike Brown accomplish during the next 8 games?
First he must reestablish Z's rotation and shooting touch. Since he will be coming off the bench for Shaq I expect Z to play off the bench during the next 8 games. 20-25 minutes should bring his stamina and shooting touch back.
Second: I still see Leon Powe as a valuable resource during the play-offs. His championship experience, free throw touch, and inside banging style are just to important in the 4th quarter. I see him playing in all 8 games to build his stamina and regain his basketball instincts.
Third: The guard rotation seems to be set with Mo and AP getting 30-35 minutes and West with the balance. I would use the final 8 games to keep Gibson sharp in case he's needed during the play-offs. I realize he is not playing because of his defense. I have to agree that if he can't play the proper defense by now he just won't be able to play it later. I still would sharpen up his shooting in game action in case we need some offense during the play-offs.
Fourth: Keep playing Hickson at center. This is still a new position for him but he will need to play it until Shaq ( and now Varejao) comes back and is ready to play.
Fifth: Keep rotating Jamison between the PF and SF position. The ability to shift James to a guard and fill the C/PF position with Shaq/Z/Hickson/Powe is a huge advantage if Jamison's defense can hold up against the smaller fowards.. He needs the practice.
This 8 game stretch of games is not easy although few are on the road. But trying to learn something new and winning are not easy to do at the same time. I expect an 10 person rotation each game until Shaq returns. By the end of the stretch we should have our play-off line up sharp and eager to play play-off basketball.
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I realize I suck at math, but we are three games ahead of LA in the loss column. Ties goes to us. So, we need five wines to be safe, no?
It would be awesome if no one ever again talked about the importance of “experience” in the playoffs. And really, if you want to go there, you want to talk about it with Leon Powe? I’d say that’s ridiculous, but that’s self-evident.
As Windhorst has noted, the guard rotation is set for the playoffs. It does not include Gibson. Perhaps there will be moments for him, but not by design.
Not sure what your point is on this.
It would be awesome if no one ever again talked about the importance of "experience" in the playoffs. And really, if you want to go there, you want to talk about it with Leon Powe? I’d say that’s ridiculous, but that’s self-evident.
Apparently you don’t want anyone commenting that a players experience in the NBA championship series could be helpful to the Cavs this year. I suppose it could be so apparent that it need not be addressed but it seemed appropriate. Powe can be a valuable player to our team. But he needs playing time the next 8 games to be able to properly contribute.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
by lifelongvike on Mar 30, 2010 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I think the point is talent is what the Cavs need in a championship series. Focus on putting the best talent on the floor, don’t worry about the experience factor, experience can help a player play up to his talent potential, but not beyond. When it comes down to it you want talent first, if talent is equal between two players, than you look at experience.
Tabler’s point is that experience isn’t all that important when you consider talent is more important. So lets just focus on getting the best players the most minutes. That’s a simple enough goal right?
Very simple goal
But it misses the point of the post. The question posed is how do we effectively use the remaining 8 games. Certainly using a meager 8 person rotation for our starting 8 would not allow them to rest during the next 8 games. I was suggesting that we use this time to prepare Powe, Gibson, and Z.
Your point about using experienced players over more talented players is correct. My point was that having an experienced championship tested player come in and use that experience when needed is not a bad option. The fact that Powe brings with him a knack for creating fouls and is a great free throw shooter simply reinforces my point. We can use him in the playoffs. But not if he doesn’t have his basketball legs ready. Get him some extended minutes now. Its important.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
by lifelongvike on Mar 30, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
The fact that Powe brings with him a knack for creating fouls and is a great free throw shooter simply reinforces my point.
How is that reinforcing having, “an experienced championship tested player” come in and use that experience? Powe doesn’t create fouls (or better said, put himself in position to draw fouls) and shoot free throws well because of experience, its because he’s got the ability to be very good at both skill sets. Going back to Tabler’s point, and its a bit of a pet peave thing to a degree, but these skill sets are being mislabled as experience, it simply is the player’s skill set that allows him to perform that way.
Now in regards to your first point, I agree that allowing Powe, Gibson, and especially Z to garner an appropriate amount of playing time to become comfortable playing with their teammates and running plays. Z in particular, because he will certainly be part of the rotation come playoff time. I like Powe, and think that when healthy, he is a legitimate rotation player, I would like him to be ready come playoff time to play minutes, particularly if an injury occurs to another player, Shaq misses the first series, or a matchup allows it.
I appreciate the heads up
on the fact that you and Tabler have a pet peeve about the misuse of certain phrases. I will attempt to be more precise. However, I think I was accurate.
My first post labeled Powe as a player with championship experience.
I still see Leon Powe as a valuable resource during the play-offs. His championship experience, free throw touch, and inside banging style are just to important in the 4th quarter.
Since he is wearing an NBA championship ring I believe I am correct. He does have the experience. I believe that the experience will matter in the 4th quarter of a championship game. The experience brings confidence to a team that has not won a championship.
As you will note I separated out the skill sets I believe he brings to the table also. I agree that the skill set he has allows him to play in the paint the way he does. But his past experience will allow him to perform those skills well under pressure. And lord knows we need everybody we can shooting free throws well under the pressure of a close championship game in the 4th quarter. And I am a believer that coolness under pressure rubs off on teammates.
I don’t mind the fact that you might have a different opinion of the value of Mr. Powe and the skills he brings to the team. I certainly enjoy any discussion concerning the Cavs and their basketball skills. But if your going to correct my use of the English language please be accurate in your assessment.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
by lifelongvike on Mar 31, 2010 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe that the experience will matter in the 4th quarter of a championship game. The experience brings confidence to a team that has not won a championship.
And I am a believer that coolness under pressure rubs off on teammates.
I’m with you with the exception of these two quotes (which really point to one thing). I understand that this is your belief (assuming you simply forgot to add the words “I believe” to the beginning of your second sentence of the first quote or simply felt that it was implied from the first sentence), but I have serious doubts that A.) there is any relationship between having a player with championship experience and other teammates feeling more confident than having a team without a player with championship experience and having players feeling thus less confident. And, B.) That if such a relationship exists, that relationship is significantly strong enough to alter the performance of a team holding everything else constant.
I think at most, Powe’s experience (not unlike Ben Wallace) may help out Powe, but does very little if anything to help his teammates play any better in the playoffs.
Don't Sleep on Powe
I believe Powe will be the key. He’s the difference maker for this team. Yeah, it makes no sense to many probably.
Powe will be the key for the Cavs stopping Howard in the East Conf finals. Without him the Cavs have no answer, it may play out like it did last season.
Defense is everything in the playoffs, and Powe can give you that. Big Z is nothing more than window dressing, not sure why Cavs fans are so excited about his return other than nostalgia.
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GREAT REG SEASON...but...!!!
Really!! thay had a great 1 last season..BUT NO RINGS….here we go again..they still MUST prove it during the playoffs AND get to the finals..AND WIN IT..there is no getting around that fact!!!…they still must prove it. I dt doubt LB is ready..BUT is his supporting cast…gonna keep up all during the post season..if not, then LB will find himself doing too much..should not happen..the help is there this year…BUT NO full healthy Shaq..NO rings..
The difference between this season and last season is we’re actually beating other elite teams, last year while we had 66 wins our regular season record against the Lakers and other contenders was poor. This year we’ve proven we have the ability to beat the best, not just be consistent against mediocre teams.
by CavsLebronFan on Mar 31, 2010 5:20 AM CDT up reply actions
YEA BUT
Now you gotta PROVE you can beat the best in the playoffs AND get to the finals AND WIN IT..much work to be done…not a shoe in…God forbid Fat Boy gets hit on that finger<<KISS IT Goodbye..end of story
by Octavious d on Mar 31, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
hhmm...
for the last of these games we have left, all we need to focus on is playing the reserves we have been sticking into the rotation, for the players we have out with injuries.
Thats about it, i mean there is nothing like the luxury of coasting in the lead and playing your reserves huge minutes heading into the playoffs. It gives us a chance to rest up, get healthy and increase experience with the reserve players in different line ups.
I feel as if JJ is ready and so is Jamison, and the way West has been playing as of late, i feel that he is more than ready for the playoff run. We have huge advantages going into the “extra season” so to speak.
Only think i am worried about is Shaq, i mean everytime he does gets fouled under the basket, it usually is the hand and arm area where most players attack, so i do not want a re-aggrivation to happen because an injury like that is always worse the 2nd time around.
"minds sharpens minds, like steel sharpens steel"
Ok, so are the games vs Atlanta and Boston basically our last games before the resting of guys for the playoffs start?
5 game lead with 7 games to play
Certainly only 2 wins are needed to lock up home court advantage throughout the play-offs. One might suspect that we will not rest until that is accomplished. Since most of the teams we have remaining on the schedule are still fighting for play-off position I don’t expect any easy games on the schedule except Indiana.. Lets get a couple of wins starting tonight and finish this season right.
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?"
Joe Kapp
by lifelongvike on Apr 2, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I’m guessing they take the Orlando game serious to a point, as it will allow them to get practice in against them.
Very true
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?"
Joe Kapp
5 games to Go and Homecourt is Locked up.
Lets stay healthy, work on our weaknesses, and keep thinking about winning each and every game. No bad habits need to come into play now.
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?"
Joe Kapp
Orlando
represents no problem for the Cavs as long as they have Oneal healthy.
"minds sharpens minds, like steel sharpens steel"
I completely agree
Shaq’s 23.4 MPG will skyrocket into the upper 30’s in the playoffs and his regular season PF average of 5 in 23.3 MPG against the Magic is of no concern. The fact that Dwight averaged 5.3 PF per game in the ECF and fouled out in 50% of the games yet still bounced the Cavs in 6 is also of little or no concern.
Orlando representing “no problem” for the Cavs was a popular topic last season too. If the zebras play nice and limit the phantom calls on Dwight you might just learn some humility as apparently last season taught you nothing.
Out of curiosity, given that the Magic represent “no problem with a healthy Shaq” which team(s) does/do in fact represent a problem?
"It can be done, you can just crush somebody"
Well, one can argue that Orlando does not represent “a problem”. In all honesty, the Cavs have the players to solve the “matchup problem” (let’s go ahead and put that “matchup” word right up in front there where it belongs) that did exist last season.
Now Orlando will be a very difficult team to beat in a seven-game series because they are very talented and playing extremely well (at this point anyways). But, it is no longer a problem for the Cavs to matchup with them (assuming health all around for both teams).
You omitted Howard’s PFs in games vs. Cleveland this year. Here’s how he did: 5 in 30min, 5 in 30min, 4 in 44 min. If both O’Neal and Howard are racking up 5 fouls in these games, I think its fairly easy to see that this is more damaging to Orlando than Cleveland. O’Neal has consistently done a good job of drawing fouls on Howard this season (an in their careers). So yes, the Orlando Magic do not pose a matchup problem as they did last season (assuming O’Neal is healthy). The additional matchup problem was Hedo, and now that he has been replaced by Vince Carter that problem no longer exists either.
You are correct Hans. New Match-ups
The difference this year with the Cavs having the following persons on a the roster is size and shooting skill. Even though all of these players are new the chemistry and defensive intensity is much greater than last year. The addition of Shaq, Jamison and Parker in the 8 man rotation takes away the advantage the Magic had last year.
Shaq 7-1
Jamison 6-10 PF
A. Parker 6-6 SG
J. Moon 6-8 SG/SF
J.Williams6-8 SG/SF
L Powe 6-8 PF
That is not to say it won’t be an exciting series. Both teams have great players. The Cavs won’t have the poor match-ups that existed last year.
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?"
Joe Kapp
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