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There really aren't a lot of thing the Cleveland Cavaliers do well. They shot it well from deep tonight, but the ball movement, offensive awareness, spacing, defensive awareness and shot selection were simply abysmal. This is a very different team without their star Kyrie Irving but the issues shown tonight are the same ones we've seen all year long. It just gets amplified when Kyrie isn't there to bail them out. As a result, the Cavs dropped another game on the road as they lost 89-82 to the Brooklyn Nets.
Jarrett Jack, C.J. Miles, Dion Waiters and Matthew Dellavedova were the four guards who saw the most minutes tonight. They combined for 9 assists. Tristan Thompson flopped around like a chicken without a head, charging into players and forcing shots. He was clearly pressing and needs to make better decisions, especially when the opposition is sending that much pressure. Boosh said it best:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Tristan shouldn't be a) getting tripled teamed, or b) forcing shots when getting tripled teamed</p>— Boosh (@HoopsBoosh) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopsBoosh/statuses/419641087045558272">January 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Dion Waiters had a strong game. Him and Dellavedova made it rain from deep. Miles and Jack had much tougher nights.
Things should get better when Kyrie comes back, and I guess it's good that they stayed in a game on the road rather than being blown out. But at the end of the day the issues with this team are deeper than simply missing Irving. There likely will be a change in the lineup in the near future via trade, but we aren't going to be receiving anything that will fix everything that's ailing this team. A lot of the changes will need to come from within. The players need to buy in and play as a team. This disjointed mess is not going to cut it.
On the plus side my shooting percentage throwing Kleenex into the trash can were off the charts #FluGameWriting. I'm a Canadian that has no place on an NBA roster so I'd likely fill some of Grant's qualifications for a roster spot. I'd love a 10 day deal.
Roll Call:
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<th width=20>#</th><th>Commenter</th><th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NonDairyKreemer">NonDairyKreemer</a></td><td>151</td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Justin%20Rowan">Justin Rowan</a></td><td>70</td>
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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dr_B3LL">Dr_B3LL</a></td><td>68</td>
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<td>4</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DukePettyjohn">DukePettyjohn</a></td><td>46</td>
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<td>5</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/j_rhodes">j_rhodes</a></td><td>43</td>
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<td>6</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Cousin_Drew">Cousin_Drew</a></td><td>41</td>
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<td>7</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/OPace">OPace</a></td><td>39</td>
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<td>8</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RoyistheBoy">RoyistheBoy</a></td><td>22</td>
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<td>9</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MatthewH">MatthewH</a></td><td>21</td>
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<td>10</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Conrad%20Kaczmarek">Conrad Kaczmarek</a></td><td>20</td>
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<td>11</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CbusCav!">CbusCav!</a></td><td>17</td>
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<td>12</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Hugh%20Parent">Hugh Parent</a></td><td>17</td>
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<td>13</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/blackngoldaus">blackngoldaus</a></td><td>16</td>
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<td>14</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ensiferum">Ensiferum</a></td><td>15</td>
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<td>15</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KingLamarcus">KingLamarcus</a></td><td>14</td>
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<td>16</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/davidzavac">davidzavac</a></td><td>9</td>
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<td>17</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/whine%20and%20cold">whine and cold</a></td><td>5</td>
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<td>18</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Thunderforce2">Thunderforce2</a></td><td>5</td>
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<td>19</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Soultown">Soultown</a></td><td>5</td>
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<td>20</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PyroKinesis">PyroKinesis</a></td><td>4</td>
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<td>21</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Lord1fro">Lord1fro</a></td><td>3</td>
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<td>22</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/cavvv">cavvv</a></td><td>3</td>
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<td>23</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RealTalk13">RealTalk13</a></td><td>2</td>
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<td>24</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Movin%20On%20Up%20Eastside">Movin On Up Eastside</a></td><td>1</td>
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<td>25</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JJACKJUMPERS">JJACKJUMPERS</a></td><td>1</td>
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<td>26</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/cpmurphy15">cpmurphy15</a></td><td>1</td>
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<td>27</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/theosu!">theosu!</a></td><td>1</td>
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