Time To Kill The Injury Bug

Nothing has stopped the Cavaliers so far this season.  At 19-3, the Cavs have the 2nd best record in the League and look to be a title contender.  Everything has been rolling along beautifully as the Wine and Gold has won 10 straight and 18 of their last 19 contests.

The waters are about to get a bit rough.

That nasty little injury bug has reared it's ugly head this week, forcing Mike Brown to alter his rotation for the foreseeable future. It started on Tuesday Night when Daniel Gibson sprained his big toe.  He is expected to miss at least two weeks.  The Cavs hardly missed a beat in jumping out to a big lead in Philadelphia on Wednesday, then that nasty little pest bit again.  With about 9 minutes to go in the game, Zydrunas Ilgauskas came down on the foot of Donyell Marshall. He limped off the court with what has been diagnosed as a moderate sprain to his left ankle.

The team has not placed a timetable for Z other than to say he would miss this weekend's back to back at home against Philly tonight and tomorrow in Atlanta.  After that is anyone's guess.  Personally, I doubt we will see Z until after the New Year - 3-4 weeks.  With all the problems Z has had with his feet the Cavs and Ilgauskas would be wise to be careful.

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			FIELD GOALS				REBOUNDS
	POS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	+/-	OFF	DEF	TOT	AST	PF	ST	TO	BS	BA	PTS
M.Williams	G	32:37	7-14	1-6	2-2	+11	2	2	4	7	4	1	1	0	0	17
D.West	G	30:00	3-8	2-6	1-2	0	1	5	6	2	2	2	1	1	1	9
L.James	F	30:16	7-15	0-2	8-12	+10	2	7	9	9	3	0	5	1	0	22
B.Wallace	F	24:18	1-2	0-0	0-0	+11	2	8	10	0	1	1	0	5	0	2
Z.Ilgauskas	C	30:11	4-9	0-1	3-4	+13	0	3	3	0	2	2	1	2	0	11
D.Gibson		30:57	10-14	4-6	1-5	+32	3	1	4	2	2	0	2	0	2	25
A.Varejao		20:34	1-2	0-0	0-0	+12	1	2	3	2	2	0	0	0	0	2
A.Pavlovic		18:02	0-1	0-0	2-2	+7	1	2	3	1	2	1	1	0	0	2
J.Hickson		10:27	1-4	0-0	2-2	-2	1	1	2	0	2	0	1	1	1	4
W.Szczerbiak		06:39	0-1	0-1	0-0	+1	0	0	0	0	3	0	2	0	0	0
L.Wright		03:11	1-2	0-0	0-0	-4	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	2
T.Kinsey		02:48	0-0	0-0	0-0	-6	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
TOTAL		240	35-72	7-22	19-29		13	33	46	23	23	7	15	11	4	96
			48.6%	31.8%	65.5%	TEAM REBS: 11				TOTAL TO: 15

Cavaliers Thoughts

• Early on we are seeing the way Mike Brown would like to use LeBron James.  I think.  In Boston, during a close game, Brown was able to limit James to 36 minutes.  Of course, LeBron was in a bit of foul trouble.  It had to be encouraging, however, that the Cavs remained competitive with the Celtics with LeBron off the floor for extended periods.  Last night, the Cavaliers were able to give LeBron even more rest, with James playing only 30 minutes.  For a guy who averaged over 40 minutes per game last season, only playing around 33 minutes has to be like a vacation.  
  
• Can we just eliminate the 3rd quarter?  I mean, really, the Cavs don't need it.  In fact, it hurts them.  After being outscored 24-13 in the 3rd against Boston, it appeared the Cavaliers were going to give back a big lead to the Bobcats last night, watching a 17-point halftime lead shrink to 5.  Fortunately, the Cavs were able to pump it back to 9 by the end of the quarter.  Still, the Cavs gave up 26 points, while shotting 4/14 in the quarter(0-6 from distance).  Through two games, the Cavaliers have been outscored 50-31 in the 3rd quarter.  Not a good way to get the 2nd half going.
  
• Daniel Gibson was on fire, giving the Cavaliers a huge lift off the bench.  Gibson scored 20 points in the first half, shot 10/14 from the field and was everywhere on defense as well.  Inexplicably, Gibson was 1-5 from the free throw line, including missing all 3 attempts in the 4th quarter after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.  Gibson also missed a free throw after Larry Brown was called for a technical.  I'll let it slide because I know Gibson is a good free throw shooter and the rest of his night was so good.  If the Cavaliers get that type of production from Gibson on a consistent basis they are going to be very tough.  The Cavaliers were an amazing +32 when Gibson was on the floor.
  
• Wally Szczerbiak looks completely lost on the field.  After playing 16 worthless minutes against Boston, Wally World played just 7 minutes last night, missing his only shot and collecting 3 fouls.  Can someone send out a search party for Wally's game?  
  
• I like J.J. Hickson alot.  The energy he brings into the game is addicting and the dude can jump out of the gym.  I know Mike Brown like veterans and he has little patience for the mistakes rookies make, especially on defense(though, M.B. will allow vets to make those same mistakes....go figure).  Hickson has to get playing time, however.  He reminds me of Anderson Varejao with a much better offensive game.  He may not be the defender that Varejao is right now, but the pure hustle will win over teammates and fans alike, much like Andy did his rookie season.
  

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			FIELD GOALS				REBOUNDS
	POS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	+/-	OFF	DEF	TOT	AST	PF	ST	TO	BS	BA	PTS
D.West	G	35:29	2-4	0-1	2-2	-10	0	2	2	2	0	0	1	0	0	6
M.Williams	G	31:18	4-10	3-5	1-1	+3	0	3	3	2	5	1	4	0	0	12
L.James	F	36:00	9-21	0-4	4-8	-3	1	6	7	6	4	2	3	1	0	22
B.Wallace	F	19:03	1-1	0-0	0-0	-1	0	4	4	0	2	0	1	1	0	2
Z.Ilgauskas	C	30:24	3-5	0-0	9-10	+7	3	5	8	1	3	0	4	0	0	15
A.Varejao		26:09	3-6	0-0	3-5	-7	4	5	9	1	2	3	2	0	0	9
D.Gibson		22:38	2-8	0-2	2-3	-8	0	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	0	6
W.Szczerbiak		15:56	1-4	0-1	2-2	-3	0	0	0	0	4	1	2	0	0	4
A.Pavlovic		12:34	3-6	0-2	1-2	-3	0	3	3	0	1	0	3	0	0	7
L.Wright		10:29	1-3	0-0	0-0	0	0	2	2	1	4	1	1	0	0	2
J.Hickson			-	-	-
T.Kinsey			-	-	-
TOTAL		240	29-68	3-15	24-33		8	33	41	16	26	8	21	2	0	85
			42.6%	20.0%	72.7%	TEAM REBS: 14				TOTAL TO: 22

CAVALIERS THOUGHTS

• The Cavs went with a 10-man rotation, and all 10 players scored.  That was nice to see from a team that all too often saw little production after the top 6 or 7 lat season.
  
• After hittin 9 of their first 10 free throws, the Cavaliers struggled from the line, going 15/23 the rest of the way.  The Celtics weren't much better, but Cleveland has been poor from the stripe the past several years and teams know it.  They are going to send the Cavs to the line in the 4th quarter and force the Cavaliers to earn it.  Last night was no exception as the Cavs were in the bonus with 8 minutes to go in the game.  The result?  The Cavaliers go 5/11 from the line in the 4th quarter.
  
• Mo Williams showed flashes of what fans are so excited about, but he also looked a bit lost at times.  His turnover midway through the 4th quarter, when Rajon Rondo simply poked the ball away, was a huge moment and one that Williams has to avoid.  He knows it, and he will get more comfortable as time goes on.  Williams did miss several open jump shots he will make as the season goes on, so that isn't much of a concern.  One concern is Williams' defense, which left a little to be desired and was perhaps the reason Williams saw only 31 minutes.
  
• Hats off to Anderson Varejao, who what the only one that seemed to match the intensity of the Celtics i the second half.  He kept numerous possessions alive after perimeter misses, and was extremely active at both sides of the floor.  Time will tell if Andy is on the team come February, but if he gives this type of effort every night with will quickly endear himself to Cavaliers once again.
  
• I'll be keeping track of just how the Cavaliers play in 3rd quarters this season and last night was not a good start.  After leading by 7 at halftime, the Cavaliers came out flat and were outscored by 11 in the 3rd quarter.  What took the Cavaliers 24 minutes to build, the Celtics tore down in just over 2.  This has been a disturbing trend in the Mike Brown/LeBron James era, and demonstrates what many of us already know - Mike Brown does not do a good job of making in game adjustments.
  
• 22 Turnovers.....Enough said

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Last Years Record: 45-37
Key Losses: Joe Smith, Damon Jones
Key Additions: Mo Williams, J.J. Hickson

1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?

This one is easy.  The Cavaliers finally made a move to get a premier point guard when they traded Joe Smith and Damon Jones in a three team deal to get Williams.  What Larry Hughes wasn't, the Cavaliers hope Mo Williams will be - a good compliment to LeBron James on the floor.  Unlike Hughes, Williams is a point guard and wants to bring the ball up the floor.  More importantly, Williams can also create his own shot and hit the open J, something that is extremely important with a player like James who demands so much attention from the defense.  Not to be understated is Williams' ability to hit free throws.  A career 85% shooter from the line, the Cavaliers have long been one of the worst teams in the NBA from the stripe and adding Williams should improve that statisitc.

One move that shouldn't get overlooked was the Cavaliers' ability to get their Restricted Free Agents signed.  Last season got of to a tumultuous start when Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao held out most of training camp.  Neither seemed to get into the flow and the team struggled a bit because of it.  This season, the Cavaliers were able to get deals done with Daniel 'Boobie' Gibson and Delonte West before the start of camp allowing the team to have it's full contingent of players right from the start.

2. What are the team's biggest strengths?

LeBron James.  Is there a bigger strength than that?  LeBron is still only 23 years old.  That means he will likely get better.  Scary.  Put James down for 30/7/7 every night and go from there.

If I had to look another direction, defense would be a strength as well.  Perhaps Mike Brown's greatest acheivement as coach of the Cavaliers has been getting James and Co. to buy into a defense-first philosophy.  Part of the reason was the Cavaliers just didn't have the talent to compete with better teams without playing strong defense.  Now with a roster that seems on the brink of greatness it will likely be a challenge to keep up the defensive intensity.  It all starts with James, however, and if he puts forth effort on the defensive end the rest of the team should follow.

3. What are the team's biggest weaknesses?

The Cavaliers are still a reletively young basketball team still trying to learn how to win, and win big.  People forget that GM Danny Ferry overturned over half the roster at the trade deadline last season and the Cavaliers were still able to push Boston to the brink.  With a full summer and training camp to get better, the sky is the limit.  That said, the Cavaliers need to show that they possess the tenacity of a champion, to put forth 100% effort, on a Wednesday Night, on the second night of a back-to-back, regardless of the opponent.  Much of that falls on James, who haas been known to take quarters, or complete games, off.  With more talent around him, and coming off a "Golden" performance in the Olympics I expect renewed leadership from James.

4. What are the goals for this team?

A Divisional Title, a top-2 seed in the playoffs and a trip back to the Finals.  The Cavaliers have the best player in the game and a decent set of pieces around him to make that happen.  The Cavaliers also possess a $13.5 million bullet in the form of Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract.  Should the need arise come February for the Cavaliers to make a move to bring in an impact player, Danny Ferry has the tools at his disposal to make that happen.  There is no reason to think a trip to the Finals is out of reach for this team, and who has the stones to ever bet against Lebron James in a 7-game series?  Yea, me neither. 


Predicted Record: 53-29

Feel free to give your own answers to the questions posed to me above in the comments!

It all gets started today, unofficially at least.  The Cavaliers will open the 2008 NBA Pre-Season tonight at the Q against the Toronto Raptors(7PM, WTAM, No TV).  Like the Cavs, the Raptors revamped thier roster, bringing in Jermaine O'Neal, among others, in an effort to get Chris Bosh some help.

For the Cavs, the season kicks off with a renewed optimism and welcomed stability within the organization.  Last season, despite coming off the team's first trip to the NBA Finals, the Cavs were in a bit of dissarray.  Larry Hughes was unhappy, Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao were battling the front office over contract issues, and Damon Jones was demanding a trade.  This season, the Cavaliers took care of contract issues during the summer, getting Delonte West and Daniel Gibson signed, sealed and delivered well before Training Camp.  Instead of Hughes, the Cavs brought in Mo Williams to be the offensive side-kick of LeBron James, and the attitude difference has been uplifting and refreshing to say the least.

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It all gets started today, unofficially at least.  The Cavaliers will open the 2008 NBA Pre-Season tonight at the Q against the Toronto Raptors(7PM, WTAM, No TV).  Like the Cavs, the Raptors revamped thier roster, bringing in Jermaine O'Neal, among others, in an effort to get Chris Bosh some help.

For the Cavs, the season kicks off with a renewed optimism and welcomed stability within the organization.  Last season, despite coming off the team's first trip to the NBA Finals, the Cavs were in a bit of dissarray.  Larry Hughes was unhappy, Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao were battling the front office over contract issues, and Damon Jones was demanding a trade.  This season, the Cavaliers took care of contract issues during the summer, getting Delonte West and Daniel Gibson signed, sealed and delivered well before Training Camp.  Instead of Hughes, the Cavs brought in Mo Williams to be the offensive side-kick of LeBron James, and the attitude difference has been uplifting and refreshing to say the least.

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I have September 18th marked off on my calendar as National Hyperbole Day.  Also, since this is my first post on Fear the Sword, I figure I need to make my pie in the sky optimism completely obvious.

This is the best Cavs team since 1992 - and the best Cavs backcourt for just as long.  The Mo Williams signing, the Delonte signing and the best draft since Lebron pretty much guarantee an easy path to a 2nd round match against an aging Celtics team or a Pistons team with no identity.

Think about it.  Just the backcourt for now.

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