@@@Official Cavs thread 2014-2015@@@
- Thread starter gene cisco
- Start date
Damn....
The starters have been going crazy and already set a 4 game scoring record.
Snicks stay losing
Best game I've seen them play.
If that dude comes to Cleveland and becomes productive I know some Knick fans that will become homicidal b
If that dude comes to Cleveland and becomes productive I know some Knick fans that will become homicidal b
Mozgov, smith shump
Lmaooooo snicks are pathetic as an organization straight up
If that dude comes to Cleveland and becomes productive I know some Knick fans that will become homicidal b
Knick fans had him being very productive just 2 years ago. 18 points a game.
I was pissed they threw him in the trade. He was supposed to be the piece they had to take if they wanted Shump. But this cat has become an important part of the Cavs. Unbelievable.
JR ALWAYS starts off that way. He'll be on his best behaviour until he gets comfortable.
Shit If it would've came down to it and had to trade Waiters I would've took Jr by his self.
When teams realize what the need, they accomplish something, when the realized eager players can do, that's another thing accomplished. Cavs wanted Waiters to become a more JRish type player first, but still have freedom to create and attack. That process looked like it was gonna take some time. Let's be honest while if they really felt they wanted/ need to develop players they would've keep Wiggins and signed Kevin Love as a free agent(if possible).
I would try to figure why folks shit on JR some much, but that task probably would leave me brain dead.
Waiters was my "X-factor/dark horse" on this team, just because the freedom I figure he would have to score, for as not being the focus.
Waiters had a few games where he shined, but JR is being very consistent with his production, compared to Dion who looked confused/frustrated more often than not.
This guy said some truth
Rollie get the sig ready in april
What's the problem with JR?
Don't get comfortable wit that nigga he will show his true colors
He did in NO, Denver, NY and now will do it with the cavs
Don't get comfortable wit that nigga he will show his true colors
He did in NO, Denver, NY and now will do it with the cavs
I just need him to hold it together until June. Just get one fucking chip up here. Just one....I know I'm in store for a few 2-14 nights. A few 1-8 on 3s nights....
Fam your squad ain't build for a chip
J.R. Smith is giving the Cleveland Cavaliers what Dion Waiters couldn't and Iman Shumpert plays well in debut: Fedor's five observations
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was another historic night for the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, beating the Charlotte Hornets, 129-90.
The win, which extends Cleveland's winning streak to five games, was the largest for the Cavs in arena history and the 129 points were a Quicken Loans Arena record.
It was also the sixth straight game for the Cavs scoring at least 100 points. The last time they had accomplished that was 2010, a streak that went from Jan. 31-Feb. 18 that year.
LeBron James and the other starters rested for the fourth quarter, but did plenty of damage early, extending the Cavs' lead to 49 points at one point. James had a game-high 25 points to go along with a team-high nine assists.
J.R. Smith added 21 points, connecting on seven three-point attempts. Kyrie Irving had 18 points.
The Cavs shot 51 percent from the field and every player that saw the floor made a field goal.
It was one of the Cavs' most impressive wins considering how well Charlotte had been playing. The Hornets had won three straight, eight of their last nine and hadn't allowed the opponent to get to the century mark in 10 games.
"We're just playing hard, playing together and playing to win," coach David Blatt said. "That should be our philosophy always. We have a long way to go and we haven't done anything yet, but we do have the right to dream."
The Cavs are 24-20, and here are five observations from the latest win:
Irving streaking: During the streak, plenty of focus has been on the return of James and the new trio of Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov. But Irving's contributions shouldn't be overlooked.
"I think everyone is getting a feel for the basketball," Irving said Friday. "There is continuous play out there -- there's no stoppage. We go from one play to the next. If someone misses someone or if someone takes a tough shot or anything like that, before there would be a stoppage and it's just natural for a new team, but for us we're just continuing play and moving on to the next play and just having each other's backs out there."
Irving, who scored 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting against Charlotte, is averaging 23.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists over the last five games, including 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
Shumpert's debut: With 3:12 left in the first quarter, Shumpert got off the bench and sauntered to the scorer's table. He checked in for Kevin Love and received a big ovation from the crowd.
"It felt so good," Shumpert said. "Just to finally play basketball again. It was great to get out there with the new guys. I had a very warm welcome from my teammates and the crowd so I was happy."
Shumpert was the main target in the three-team deal between Cleveland, Oklahoma City and New York, but had been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
He had been waiting patiently while having to watch the team struggle initially.
"I just noticed they had a very good energy to them," Shumpert said of the changes recently. "There is nobody on this team that doesn't like to pass. Everybody is talking. I thought during the losing streak we weren't communicating as well as we are now. Of course that was due to a few injuries, a couple of guys missing and the trade happening. Things were a little weird. Now that we have caught a rhythm I think everybody is getting used to playing with one another and it looks good."
Shumpert played about 10 minutes, scoring eight points, dishing out two assists and grabbing two rebounds. He also hit both of his three-point attempts. He's a 34 percent three-point shooter in his career, but found himself open a few different times.
"I thought Iman came in and did a great job tonight," Blatt said. "He was on a 10-minute restriction. He used every one of them in a great way. We talked a little bit about the rotation before the game tonight and you can see there are minutes for him there as well as the others who had been playing in the most recent streak. He's going to give us a lot and I was happy with what I saw from him."
Defense is fun: The defense was stifling once again, holding the Hornets to 40 percent shooting and a season-low 13 points in the first quarter.
"Just playing the game the right way," Irving said. "It's all a result of our tenacious defense and continuing to be ourselves. Communicate on defense and get out in transition. It is definitely fun. Just have to keep it up."
During the five-game winning streak, opponents are shooting 43.5 percent. It may be a small sample size, but that percentage would be good for fifth overall in the NBA. The Cavaliers entered the night ranked dead last, which shows how bad things were early.
"We are trusting each other in a big way and we have each other's back." Love said. "When somebody gets beat the other guy is stepping up. We switched up a little bit on our defensive schemes and now we're starting to come together on that end."
The Cavs have been searching for an identity this season, without any luck, but James is hopeful the team can continue to make its mark on defense.
"(An offensive) performance like tonight is not always going to be able to be there so we're going to have to be able to fall back on our defense," he said. "There's going to be games you don't make shots. The one thing you have to be able to rely on is how you defend. It's a good win and we improved tonight."
The new players and new schemes have helped, but the mindset has changed.
"I think more than anything it's taking responsibility and competing," James said. "It's something we haven't done all year but I feel like right now that's what we're doing. It's understanding that it's fun to play defense. A lot of people don't get excited about it, but it's fun to play defense, to get stops and then get out and play free-flowing offense."
Shumpert was brought in to add aggression and pressure on the perimeter. There will be many nights when he has the assignment of the opponent's best offensive player. When he gets his conditioning back, that's exactly what he plans to do.
"The fun part is when you get it and go on offense," Shumpert said. "That's what makes defense fun. I can get it faster and then we don't have to play under coach's rules. A lot of times you know coaches want to run certain things. They want to be patient. They want to use the whole (shot clock). And sometimes you just want to get those steals and get out there and do the stuff that you do in layup lines.
"That's the fun part on defense. Don't let anybody tell you any different. It's not fun sitting in the stance, but when you get that little finger on the ball and then you got another guy that comes, shoots the gap, who taps it out and this guy swings it across the court and you get a three or a dunk? That's fun. That's fun."
The Cavs forced 12 Charlotte turnovers, turning them into 16 points. There were 27 fast break points overall.
"They scored off our mistakes," Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said. "They can make you look bad in a hurry."
J.R. Smith, designated marksman: Smith was once viewed by Blatt as a potential spark off the bench, but he may find himself permanently in the starting lineup.
"We have great pace right now," Smith said. "We have so many guys that can bring the ball up and start the break and fortunately we have been getting the rebound and kicking it ahead. Those transition threes are big. And spacing the floor. We're doing a good job of spacing the floor. We have three players that you have to pay attention to and you have to help off somebody and it's either going to be me or Timo."
Smith, averaging 14.6 points since the trade, was a risk because of his well-documented antics. But the perceived "throw-in" is a floor spacer, someone who can and has made the defense pay from the outside.
Shooting was one of General Manager David Griffin's most coveted skills when putting the roster together. It's why the Cavs signed Mike Miller, traded for Love and have been linked to free agent Ray Allen.
It's what the Cavs wanted from Dion Waiters this season, but he failed to deliver.
When Waiters wasn't clanking open three-pointers, he was stopping the offense, trying to set up his patented step-back jumper or dribbling the air out of the ball trying to get to the rim.
He didn't fit. He wasn't a good enough outside shooter. Smith, a career 37 percent three-point shooter, fits. Smith has made 51 shots since his arrival, and 29 are from beyond the arc -- more than half of his baskets.
Of his total attempts, 61 percent are from three-point range. Smith made 7-of-11 from distance on Friday and is 39 percent from there in the nine games with the Wine and Gold.
"He's a confident guy, confident in his ability and rubs off on a lot of guys on this team," James said. "For us to have such a weapon like him to consistently make shots is huge for us. I was excited when we were able to acquire him."
Waiters made 22 total triples in 24 more games with the Cavs this season.
"This is the team I envisioned," James said. "This is the style of basketball I envisioned. How we share the ball, how we defend, that should be the staple for us."
Three-point barrage: Smith wasn't the only player connecting from long distance on Friday.
The Cavaliers made 15 triples and outscored the Hornets, 45-6, from three-point range. That's a recipe for a blowout.
Irving, James, Shumpert and Miller all made at least one. The Cavaliers, who came into the night averaging 34 percent from distance while making an average of eight per game, connected on 53 percent.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was another historic night for the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, beating the Charlotte Hornets, 129-90.
The win, which extends Cleveland's winning streak to five games, was the largest for the Cavs in arena history and the 129 points were a Quicken Loans Arena record.
It was also the sixth straight game for the Cavs scoring at least 100 points. The last time they had accomplished that was 2010, a streak that went from Jan. 31-Feb. 18 that year.
LeBron James and the other starters rested for the fourth quarter, but did plenty of damage early, extending the Cavs' lead to 49 points at one point. James had a game-high 25 points to go along with a team-high nine assists.
J.R. Smith added 21 points, connecting on seven three-point attempts. Kyrie Irving had 18 points.
The Cavs shot 51 percent from the field and every player that saw the floor made a field goal.
It was one of the Cavs' most impressive wins considering how well Charlotte had been playing. The Hornets had won three straight, eight of their last nine and hadn't allowed the opponent to get to the century mark in 10 games.
"We're just playing hard, playing together and playing to win," coach David Blatt said. "That should be our philosophy always. We have a long way to go and we haven't done anything yet, but we do have the right to dream."
The Cavs are 24-20, and here are five observations from the latest win:
Irving streaking: During the streak, plenty of focus has been on the return of James and the new trio of Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov. But Irving's contributions shouldn't be overlooked.
"I think everyone is getting a feel for the basketball," Irving said Friday. "There is continuous play out there -- there's no stoppage. We go from one play to the next. If someone misses someone or if someone takes a tough shot or anything like that, before there would be a stoppage and it's just natural for a new team, but for us we're just continuing play and moving on to the next play and just having each other's backs out there."
Irving, who scored 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting against Charlotte, is averaging 23.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists over the last five games, including 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
Shumpert's debut: With 3:12 left in the first quarter, Shumpert got off the bench and sauntered to the scorer's table. He checked in for Kevin Love and received a big ovation from the crowd.
"It felt so good," Shumpert said. "Just to finally play basketball again. It was great to get out there with the new guys. I had a very warm welcome from my teammates and the crowd so I was happy."
Shumpert was the main target in the three-team deal between Cleveland, Oklahoma City and New York, but had been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
He had been waiting patiently while having to watch the team struggle initially.
"I just noticed they had a very good energy to them," Shumpert said of the changes recently. "There is nobody on this team that doesn't like to pass. Everybody is talking. I thought during the losing streak we weren't communicating as well as we are now. Of course that was due to a few injuries, a couple of guys missing and the trade happening. Things were a little weird. Now that we have caught a rhythm I think everybody is getting used to playing with one another and it looks good."
Shumpert played about 10 minutes, scoring eight points, dishing out two assists and grabbing two rebounds. He also hit both of his three-point attempts. He's a 34 percent three-point shooter in his career, but found himself open a few different times.
"I thought Iman came in and did a great job tonight," Blatt said. "He was on a 10-minute restriction. He used every one of them in a great way. We talked a little bit about the rotation before the game tonight and you can see there are minutes for him there as well as the others who had been playing in the most recent streak. He's going to give us a lot and I was happy with what I saw from him."
Defense is fun: The defense was stifling once again, holding the Hornets to 40 percent shooting and a season-low 13 points in the first quarter.
"Just playing the game the right way," Irving said. "It's all a result of our tenacious defense and continuing to be ourselves. Communicate on defense and get out in transition. It is definitely fun. Just have to keep it up."
During the five-game winning streak, opponents are shooting 43.5 percent. It may be a small sample size, but that percentage would be good for fifth overall in the NBA. The Cavaliers entered the night ranked dead last, which shows how bad things were early.
"We are trusting each other in a big way and we have each other's back." Love said. "When somebody gets beat the other guy is stepping up. We switched up a little bit on our defensive schemes and now we're starting to come together on that end."
The Cavs have been searching for an identity this season, without any luck, but James is hopeful the team can continue to make its mark on defense.
"(An offensive) performance like tonight is not always going to be able to be there so we're going to have to be able to fall back on our defense," he said. "There's going to be games you don't make shots. The one thing you have to be able to rely on is how you defend. It's a good win and we improved tonight."
The new players and new schemes have helped, but the mindset has changed.
"I think more than anything it's taking responsibility and competing," James said. "It's something we haven't done all year but I feel like right now that's what we're doing. It's understanding that it's fun to play defense. A lot of people don't get excited about it, but it's fun to play defense, to get stops and then get out and play free-flowing offense."
Shumpert was brought in to add aggression and pressure on the perimeter. There will be many nights when he has the assignment of the opponent's best offensive player. When he gets his conditioning back, that's exactly what he plans to do.
"The fun part is when you get it and go on offense," Shumpert said. "That's what makes defense fun. I can get it faster and then we don't have to play under coach's rules. A lot of times you know coaches want to run certain things. They want to be patient. They want to use the whole (shot clock). And sometimes you just want to get those steals and get out there and do the stuff that you do in layup lines.
"That's the fun part on defense. Don't let anybody tell you any different. It's not fun sitting in the stance, but when you get that little finger on the ball and then you got another guy that comes, shoots the gap, who taps it out and this guy swings it across the court and you get a three or a dunk? That's fun. That's fun."
The Cavs forced 12 Charlotte turnovers, turning them into 16 points. There were 27 fast break points overall.
"They scored off our mistakes," Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said. "They can make you look bad in a hurry."
J.R. Smith, designated marksman: Smith was once viewed by Blatt as a potential spark off the bench, but he may find himself permanently in the starting lineup.
"We have great pace right now," Smith said. "We have so many guys that can bring the ball up and start the break and fortunately we have been getting the rebound and kicking it ahead. Those transition threes are big. And spacing the floor. We're doing a good job of spacing the floor. We have three players that you have to pay attention to and you have to help off somebody and it's either going to be me or Timo."
Smith, averaging 14.6 points since the trade, was a risk because of his well-documented antics. But the perceived "throw-in" is a floor spacer, someone who can and has made the defense pay from the outside.
Shooting was one of General Manager David Griffin's most coveted skills when putting the roster together. It's why the Cavs signed Mike Miller, traded for Love and have been linked to free agent Ray Allen.
It's what the Cavs wanted from Dion Waiters this season, but he failed to deliver.
When Waiters wasn't clanking open three-pointers, he was stopping the offense, trying to set up his patented step-back jumper or dribbling the air out of the ball trying to get to the rim.
He didn't fit. He wasn't a good enough outside shooter. Smith, a career 37 percent three-point shooter, fits. Smith has made 51 shots since his arrival, and 29 are from beyond the arc -- more than half of his baskets.
Of his total attempts, 61 percent are from three-point range. Smith made 7-of-11 from distance on Friday and is 39 percent from there in the nine games with the Wine and Gold.
"He's a confident guy, confident in his ability and rubs off on a lot of guys on this team," James said. "For us to have such a weapon like him to consistently make shots is huge for us. I was excited when we were able to acquire him."
Waiters made 22 total triples in 24 more games with the Cavs this season.
"This is the team I envisioned," James said. "This is the style of basketball I envisioned. How we share the ball, how we defend, that should be the staple for us."
Three-point barrage: Smith wasn't the only player connecting from long distance on Friday.
The Cavaliers made 15 triples and outscored the Hornets, 45-6, from three-point range. That's a recipe for a blowout.
Irving, James, Shumpert and Miller all made at least one. The Cavaliers, who came into the night averaging 34 percent from distance while making an average of eight per game, connected on 53 percent.
Ummm I think they right there, getting Tim was huge...
That instantly changed that idea of a weak defensive interior unit
Beat what do you think they're missing, because they still have a roster spot open?
See SA's bench? That's what they need, they ain't winning
And looking at how ATL is lookin they ain't fuckin wit them
Tim gets worked easily by skilled big men and I mean easily
Its funny watching teams come play the Cavs with outdated scout reports thinking they are weak at perimeter defense, and how they can be exploited in the paint, and how packing the paint with a five men off the base line fuckes them up, only to see their team get shot after shot blocked or altered, passes ripped, ball stolen and a man in their face shot after shot from beyond the arch and them going back door time after time when they leave that base live open..
Its almost like teams were using last years Heat blue print on the Cavs being that they had similar deficiencies well here is a news flash, this Cavs team has a very good center who knows how to play like a big man, leave that baseline open and he plus other athletic players, not named LeBron are going to attack the rim, with out the ball, and ally opp your ass to death.. Another news flash, these guys can play defense and are big strong and fast at every position and with a strong front court, the perimeter defense is free to be as aggressive as they want to be..
I would like to see how OKC would fare because at least they do have some team speed and athleticism and with out speed you have no chance against this Cavs team.
Looking back at all the teams that beat them before their transformation, I can't see any of them playing with in ten points of this Cavs teams playing them with the strategy that worked before..
Because back then folks had a mile long list of all the thing the Cavs couldn't do now no one quite know what they can't do only thing folks are saying is that right now they are doing it all on the floor..
If the Heat was able to win a championship with Bosh not scoring a single point, and Wade becoming invisible in the 2nd half of the close out, plus no true point, no true center to give Bosh the support he lacks till this day, and their 2nd best scorers behind LeBron being two players who may wind up being garbage time players on this current Cavs team.
My question is if that Heat team, with its glaring weaknesses , could win championships, why can't this Cavs win?
And where are the glaring weaknesses on this Cavs team, right now?
Like who??? He single handedly man handled Gasol, Jefferson couldn't do shit, the bigs from the Clippers got dusted... And you are over looking T-Mo biggest asset, he plays great help defense allowing Irving to step up his game, and since LeBron, JR and T-Mo been together, Irving has been killing the opposition point guards, with his defense...
Unless they can find the fountain of youth or some new de aging pill, the Spurs are done, was looking at them the other day and Timmy can barely jump, and Parker was playing in slow motion..
As for the Hawks, they are playing very well and are well balanced, they are adapt at packing the paint and rotating on defense, you have to beat them by going big and attacking their baseline... Their style works because they have perfected it, and because most teams in the NBA don't have enough players to drive in the paint, while being able to pass to big men who can move with out the ball while attacking the rim..
OKC have the players on paper, but their problem is they don't pass on the move so they are either shooting from the perimeter or attacking the paint, rarely do you see them doing both..
This Cavs has at least four players, JR, LeBron, Irving and Shumpert who can do both, and five players, LeBron, Shumpert, T-Mo, Thompson and Love who can move with out the ball and attack the rim.. This is what teams are having the most problems with, and the reason why just about every shot the Cavs now make is either a wide open three, a slam, lay up or ally-opp..
good question, easy answer...because atl and chi right now are better teams; they both play better defense and offense than the cavs; thats just the east; gs, san, memphis are better teams as well; hell if portland is healthy they are a better team than the cavs; and lac, dallas, houston are right there if not equal the cavs at this moment; so the chances of cleveland beating chicago and atlanta and either gs or san or memphis are not good, not happening...
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