Fear The Sword - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards: Showdown in CincinnatiThe Warriors blew a 3-1 lead - never forget that.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50189/fts-fav.png2013-10-23T21:42:48-05:00http://www.fearthesword.com/rss/stream/47241332013-10-23T21:42:48-05:002013-10-23T21:42:48-05:00Cavs stumbled vs. Wizards, 101-82
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<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After a strong start, the Cavaliers faltered in the second half in a Wizards rout. Tristan Thompson was undeniably good, however.</p> <p><span> </span>The <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cavaliers</a> at one point were being outscored 26-4 in the 4th quarter. I was too busy thinking about what I had seen in the first two to care. The Cavaliers got off to a strong start, leading by 12 at halftime, but in the second half a group that was missing starter <span>Jarrett Jack</span> (capped at 10 minutes, 5 points and 5 assists), <span>Anderson Varejao</span> (Capped at 20 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block), and tonight's DNP lineup of <span>Dion Waiters</span>, <span>Sergey Karasev</span>, <span>Tyler Zeller</span>, and CJ Miles were unable to stop the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Wizards</a> from doing anything they wanted. The weapon of the choice was the three pointer, of which they hit approximately 100 in the second half. That wasn't what caught my eye, though.</p>
<p><span> </span>From the opening tip <span>Tristan Thompson</span> was again a man possessed. From long jumpers, to dribble drives, post rollouts, to dominating the glass, Tristan Thompson is destroying what we thought he could be. For the second straight night, he has shown a viable NBA jumper. He has played strong defense. He has attacked rebounds with desperation, and won most of his rebounding battles. Tristan had a double double in his first 9 minutes and had cleared 10 rebounds in the first quarter alone. He finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists. I'm going to leave it at that, because we have some awesome content on Tristan coming, but Tristan has earned your praise and excitement, Cavs fans.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Cool Stuff</h3>
<p><span> </span>-Jarrett Jack at Point Guard, <span>Kyrie Irving</span> at shooting guard -- With every other shooting guard on the shelf, <span>Mike Brown</span> unleashed Kyrie and Jack together for the first time, and it was very nice. Jack controlled the ball, and Irving repeatedly abused <span>John Wall</span> and <span>Bradley Beal</span> off of it. Jack played all 10 of his minutes in the first quarter, and looked very good working against Beal and Wall as well.</p>
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<p><span> </span>-Kyrie Irving vs. John Wall -- Look I know it was preseason game, but Wall finished 1-7 with 3 points, 4 assists, and 4 turnovers. After an offseason of comparing the two, Kyrie responded with a simple ".....nah" and I am not willing to discuss it unless something big happens in the future.</p>
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<p><span> </span>-Owning the Paint -- The number got skewed due to the second half collapse of the players at the end of the bench, but the group of Tristan, Andy, Bennett, and Sims once again showed that the Cavs are as talented as anyone on the glass, and scoring inside. The trio of Andy, Tristan, and Kyrie again hooked up on some crazy passes for a few neat plays, and at halftime the Cavaliers led in paint scoring and rebounding by a healthy margin.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Don't Taze Me, Bro</h3>
<p><span> </span>-After espousing the merits of Matthew Dellevadova on the pod last night, he turned in a complete stinker tonight. I wont dwell on this because there is literally not one positive thing to be said about his performance. He will have better days, and will make the roster, but good golly.</p>
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<p><span> </span>-EarlClarkandAnthonyBennettPleaseStopTakingSoManyBadShots.com -- Seriously guys it's time to chill. I'm gonna assume we're still feeling it out, and you're playing good hustling defense, but I'm getting concerned.</p>
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<p><span> </span>The Cavs twitter experience will be online shortly until then take comfort in the silver linings with me. Only a few more days till we can boo <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and all is again right in the world.</p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2013/10/23/5022696/preseason-cleveland-cavaliers-fall-to-washington-wizards-101-82Ryan Mourton2013-10-23T17:15:03-05:002013-10-23T17:15:03-05:00Cavs vs. Wizards Game Thread
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cavs play the Wizards tonight. Let's talk about it.</p> <p> </p>
<div class="m-entry__body"><table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2013 NBA Preseason</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"> <center><strong><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/WAS.gif"></strong></center> <center><strong>(1-5)</strong></center> </td> <th align="center" width="20">vs</th> <td width="240"> <center><img src="http://www.nba.com/tvc/image/assets/wordmarks/CLE_wordmark.png"></center> <center><strong>(4-2)</strong></center> </td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>October 23rd, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>US Bank Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:00 PM Eastern</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Fox Sports Ohio</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Probable Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>John Wall</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Jarrett Jack</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Bradley Beal</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Kyrie Irving</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Martell Webster</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Alonzo Gee</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Kevin Seraphin</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Tristan Thompson</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>Nene</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Anderson Varejao</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table></div>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2013/10/23/5002348/cleveland-cavaliers-vs-washington-wizards-game-threadConrad Kaczmarek2013-10-23T13:46:35-05:002013-10-23T13:46:35-05:00Cavs host Wizards for a magical preseason affair
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<figcaption>Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Washington Wizards at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati Ohio.</p> <p>The Cleveland Cavaliers try to continue their winning ways during preseason. Two young, hungry teams face off in Cincinnati tonight!</p>
<p><b>Who? </b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a></p>
<p><b>When? </b>7:00 PM Eastern</p>
<p><b>Where? </b>U.S. Bank Arena -- Cincinnati, OH</p>
<p><b>Where on my eyeballs? </b>Fox Sports Ohio</p>
<p><b>Video?</b> The Wizards are in the second night of a back to back. Preseason back to backs might be the dumbest idea in all of sports. With a week until the games start to count. At this point I bet both teams are starting to feel like this when it comes to the preseason:</p>
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<p>Austin Powers The Spy Who shagged me - "prepare to die powers" (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=NhvHfiMEeRQ">CurleyFrys</a>)</p>
<p>Dear preseason... Why won't you die!?!</p>
<h5><b>Probable starters</b></h5>
<p><b>Cavaliers:</b></p>
<p>PG - Jarrett Jack</p>
<p>SG - Kyrie Irving</p>
<p>SF - <span>Alonzo Gee</span></p>
<p>PF - <span>Tristan Thompson</span></p>
<p>C - <span>Anderson Varejao</span></p>
<p><b>Wizards:</b></p>
<p>PG - <span>John Wall</span></p>
<p>SG - <span>Bradley Beal</span></p>
<p>SF - <span>Trevor Ariza</span></p>
<p>PF - <span>Trevor Booker</span></p>
<p>C - Nene (Keep in mind Nene is a little older and this is a preseason back to back. There's a chance the Wizards sit him to keep him fresh for the regular season)</p>
<h4>What to watch for the Wizards</h4>
<p>The backcourt tandem of John Wall and Bradley Beal is going to be compared to Kyrie Irving and <span>Dion Waiters</span> for many years to come. While unfortunately Dion will not be playing tonight, we still get to see how Wall and Beal are progressing and a better feel for one of the Cavalier's main competitors for a one of the bottom playoff spots.</p>
<p>I'm curious to see how the SF rotation looks for the Wizards. While it appears that Ariza has the job for now, there seem to be quite a few Wizards fans who are upset with this choice and would prefer to see <span>Martell Webster</span> or <span>Otto Porter</span> take his place. Otto Porter won't be playing tonight, as he has a hip flexor injury. But it'll be interesting to see how the minutes are divided among Ariza and Webster, as well as how the team looks with each of them on the court.</p>
<h4>What to watch for the Cavaliers</h4>
<p>Like the Wizards the Cavaliers have their own SF competition. It'll be interesting to see if Alonzo Gee can continue his strong play and continue to play within himself, as well as the system. If not we will need to see if <span>Earl Clark</span> can stop pressing and put together a strong enough case to deserve a look again at the starting SF position.</p>
<p>It's interesting to see that <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonlloydabj/status/393049630956482560" target="_blank">Mike Brown will start Jarrett Jack at point guard</a> and start Kyrie at shooting guard. Jack has missed some time with a knee injury and this probably just a creative way to get him some more reps alongside Kyrie.</p>
<p>I'm also looking to see if the starting unit for the Cavaliers continues to get extended looks. This is around the time in the preseason where coaches start to play rotations that look similar to what we'll see in the regular season. Can Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson continue to show the growth in their games and come out with another strong performance? Can Anthony Bennett continue to show improved decision making and cut down on his fouls? Is friend of the blog CJ Miles going to come through on his promise and knock down his open looks?</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidZavac">@DavidZavac</a> oh I did .. Just had to Many WIDE open look from 3 rattle out on me .. Means shot is a lil flat .. Will be fixed tomorrow</p>&mdash; <span>C.J. Miles</span> (@masfresco) <a href="https://twitter.com/masfresco/statuses/392511782453268480">October 22, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p>Unfortunately the Cavs will be without Zeller, Bynum, Felix and Karasev tonight. But one man's injury is another man's opportunity. Hopefully we see another strong showing out of the wine and gold tonight. Go Cavs.</p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2013/10/23/4948022/cleveland-cavaliers-vs-washington-wizards-showdown-in-cincinnatiJustin Rowan