@@@Official Cavs thread 2014-2015@@@
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Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
42s42 seconds ago
Story posting now: ESPN sources say Wolves in active trade discussions on veteran swingman Corey Brewer with contenders Cavs and Rockets
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
3m3 minutes ago
Both Cavs/Rockets have trade exception big enough to absorb Corey Brewer's contract so might only have to surrender draft pick(s) to get him
42s42 seconds ago
Story posting now: ESPN sources say Wolves in active trade discussions on veteran swingman Corey Brewer with contenders Cavs and Rockets
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
3m3 minutes ago
Both Cavs/Rockets have trade exception big enough to absorb Corey Brewer's contract so might only have to surrender draft pick(s) to get him
Nuggets-Cavaliers Preview
STATS LLC
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered back-to-back defeats before beating the Denver Nuggets a little over a week ago.
They haven't lost since.
The surging Cavaliers go for a fifth consecutive victory when they close their season series against the visiting Nuggets on Monday night.
Cleveland (5-3) appears to have hit its stride after a shaky start, averaging 119.3 points during its winning streak after blowing out Atlanta 127-94 on Saturday.
James led the way with 32 points for the Cavaliers, who came out firing and went 9 for 9 from long distance over the first 12 minutes -- the first team to do so in any quarter -- and made their first 11 3-point attempts. They finished 19 of 31 from beyond the arc, setting a new franchise record for made 3s.
Cleveland shot 54.4 percent, scored 33 points off 19 turnovers and had 39 assists, by far the most in any NBA game this year.
"This was as close to 48 minutes as we've played all year, and it resulted in a huge win for us," James said. "We're on the right page. We still have a long way to go, but the ball's moving."
James is averaging 35.0 points on 59.4 percent shooting to go with 7.7 assists over a three-game stretch. He logged just 29 minutes against the Hawks after playing 40 in each of the previous four games.
"Right now LeBron has told me he's feeling good and he's starting to feel his real game shape," coach David Blatt said. "So this is not the time to think about resting him. This is the time to allow him to get comfortable and get in his rhythm. He's been playing great basketball and he looks good physically. For the foreseeable future we're going to ride that. Would I like to get him a couple of less minutes a game? Yes."
James had 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Cavaliers pulled out a 110-101 victory in Denver on Nov. 7. Six other players scored in double figures for Cleveland, which shot 24 of 33 from the foul line while the Nuggets went 10 for 15.
The Cavaliers have averaged 108.3 points during a three-game winning streak in the series. James is averaging 10.0 assists in his last five against the Nuggets.
Denver (2-7) had dropped six in a row before winning 108-87 at Indiana on Friday, but its woes resumed in Sunday's 109-93 loss at New York. The Nuggets were done in after getting outscored 31-8 in the second quarter as the Knicks snapped a seven-game skid.
Denver was limited to 39.0 percent shooting against New York's 53.9. Arron Afflalo had 18 points and Ty Lawson added 17 and nine assists. Kenneth Faried scored 16 to go with nine rebounds.
Lawson leads the team with 16.0 points per game, but he's shooting 41.8 percent -- way off his career mark of 47.2. He's been limited to an average of 11.8 points and 23.5 percent shooting in his last four games against the Cavaliers.
The Nuggets are 25th in the league with a defensive rating of 107.3, slightly better than Cleveland's mark of 108.3. Denver is giving up 108.2 points per game to rank 27th.
STATS LLC
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered back-to-back defeats before beating the Denver Nuggets a little over a week ago.
They haven't lost since.
The surging Cavaliers go for a fifth consecutive victory when they close their season series against the visiting Nuggets on Monday night.
Cleveland (5-3) appears to have hit its stride after a shaky start, averaging 119.3 points during its winning streak after blowing out Atlanta 127-94 on Saturday.
James led the way with 32 points for the Cavaliers, who came out firing and went 9 for 9 from long distance over the first 12 minutes -- the first team to do so in any quarter -- and made their first 11 3-point attempts. They finished 19 of 31 from beyond the arc, setting a new franchise record for made 3s.
Cleveland shot 54.4 percent, scored 33 points off 19 turnovers and had 39 assists, by far the most in any NBA game this year.
"This was as close to 48 minutes as we've played all year, and it resulted in a huge win for us," James said. "We're on the right page. We still have a long way to go, but the ball's moving."
James is averaging 35.0 points on 59.4 percent shooting to go with 7.7 assists over a three-game stretch. He logged just 29 minutes against the Hawks after playing 40 in each of the previous four games.
"Right now LeBron has told me he's feeling good and he's starting to feel his real game shape," coach David Blatt said. "So this is not the time to think about resting him. This is the time to allow him to get comfortable and get in his rhythm. He's been playing great basketball and he looks good physically. For the foreseeable future we're going to ride that. Would I like to get him a couple of less minutes a game? Yes."
James had 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Cavaliers pulled out a 110-101 victory in Denver on Nov. 7. Six other players scored in double figures for Cleveland, which shot 24 of 33 from the foul line while the Nuggets went 10 for 15.
The Cavaliers have averaged 108.3 points during a three-game winning streak in the series. James is averaging 10.0 assists in his last five against the Nuggets.
Denver (2-7) had dropped six in a row before winning 108-87 at Indiana on Friday, but its woes resumed in Sunday's 109-93 loss at New York. The Nuggets were done in after getting outscored 31-8 in the second quarter as the Knicks snapped a seven-game skid.
Denver was limited to 39.0 percent shooting against New York's 53.9. Arron Afflalo had 18 points and Ty Lawson added 17 and nine assists. Kenneth Faried scored 16 to go with nine rebounds.
Lawson leads the team with 16.0 points per game, but he's shooting 41.8 percent -- way off his career mark of 47.2. He's been limited to an average of 11.8 points and 23.5 percent shooting in his last four games against the Cavaliers.
The Nuggets are 25th in the league with a defensive rating of 107.3, slightly better than Cleveland's mark of 108.3. Denver is giving up 108.2 points per game to rank 27th.
Kyrie Irving asks LeBron James to step up, and LeBron does
BOSTON – Kyrie Irving had been here so many times the last three seasons – down big, carrying his team and knowing it wouldn’t be enough.
Usually, he’d keep the ball in his hands, boost his individual numbers and go home with a loss.
Now, he has another answer.
His Cavaliers down 19 early in the fourth quarter, Irving outscored the Celtics himself, 13-4, during a three-minute stretch. Then he gave LeBron James a simple message: “Be aggressive.”
LeBron outscored Boston himself, 10-7, in the final six minutes, and Cleveland escaped Boston with a 122-121 win Friday.
“I know what he’s capable of, and everybody in the world knows what he’s capable of,” Irving said. “It’s more or less, I feel like he takes his foot off the gas a little bit when he can punish guys. He knows it. He’s been in this league a long time. I’m not telling him anything he doesn’t know.”
The Cavaliers (4-3) have their first winning record since LeBron’s return, and this matches the deepest into the season they’ve been above .500 since he left.
But this victory hardly had Cleveland celebrating.
Defensive issues continue to plague the Cavaliers, who allowed 42 third-quarter points to Boston.
“I was really considering taking the Greyhound to Framingham at about that point,” said Cleveland coach David Blatt, a Boston native who grew up in the suburb. “I was looking for it. I’ve been on that bus more than a few times in my life.”
He stuck around and watched LeBron peak late en route to a season-high 41 points. But this was hardly LeBron’s most aesthetically pleasing game. He spent much of the night barreling into defenders and haggling with the referees about his season-high four fouls.
“We won ugly,” said Irving, who finished with 27 points. “We don’t necessarily use that as a safety net, because we have a lot of talent on this team, and we can get away with wins like this.”
But nobody wants to get away with wins like this – not when the goals are so high.
LeBron is being more aggressive after intentionally taking a back seat earlier in the season, an outcome Blatt was less than pleased with. Still, LeBron continues to preach the same message of his teammates stepping up.
“Right now, I feel like the young guys are like my kids,” LeBron said. “They’re not accustomed to reading textbooks. They like iPads, and you have to show them what’s better for them.”
For a night, Irving showed he understood how to win – seeking the help of LeBron, who said he likes to be challenged by teammates.
“All you’ve got to do is talk to me,” LeBron said, pausing, and then continuing, “and I’ll answer.”
BOSTON – Kyrie Irving had been here so many times the last three seasons – down big, carrying his team and knowing it wouldn’t be enough.
Usually, he’d keep the ball in his hands, boost his individual numbers and go home with a loss.
Now, he has another answer.
His Cavaliers down 19 early in the fourth quarter, Irving outscored the Celtics himself, 13-4, during a three-minute stretch. Then he gave LeBron James a simple message: “Be aggressive.”
LeBron outscored Boston himself, 10-7, in the final six minutes, and Cleveland escaped Boston with a 122-121 win Friday.
“I know what he’s capable of, and everybody in the world knows what he’s capable of,” Irving said. “It’s more or less, I feel like he takes his foot off the gas a little bit when he can punish guys. He knows it. He’s been in this league a long time. I’m not telling him anything he doesn’t know.”
The Cavaliers (4-3) have their first winning record since LeBron’s return, and this matches the deepest into the season they’ve been above .500 since he left.
But this victory hardly had Cleveland celebrating.
Defensive issues continue to plague the Cavaliers, who allowed 42 third-quarter points to Boston.
“I was really considering taking the Greyhound to Framingham at about that point,” said Cleveland coach David Blatt, a Boston native who grew up in the suburb. “I was looking for it. I’ve been on that bus more than a few times in my life.”
He stuck around and watched LeBron peak late en route to a season-high 41 points. But this was hardly LeBron’s most aesthetically pleasing game. He spent much of the night barreling into defenders and haggling with the referees about his season-high four fouls.
“We won ugly,” said Irving, who finished with 27 points. “We don’t necessarily use that as a safety net, because we have a lot of talent on this team, and we can get away with wins like this.”
But nobody wants to get away with wins like this – not when the goals are so high.
LeBron is being more aggressive after intentionally taking a back seat earlier in the season, an outcome Blatt was less than pleased with. Still, LeBron continues to preach the same message of his teammates stepping up.
“Right now, I feel like the young guys are like my kids,” LeBron said. “They’re not accustomed to reading textbooks. They like iPads, and you have to show them what’s better for them.”
For a night, Irving showed he understood how to win – seeking the help of LeBron, who said he likes to be challenged by teammates.
“All you’ve got to do is talk to me,” LeBron said, pausing, and then continuing, “and I’ll answer.”
LeBron rises to Irving's late challenge
BOSTON -- After much was made about a reported exchange of words that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James later denied ever having following a loss in Portland, it was some well-timed communication between the two that keyed the Cleveland Cavaliers' 122-121 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night.
James and Irving combined to score 25 of the Cavs' 38 fourth-quarter points as Cleveland stormed back from a 19-point deficit with 11:35 remaining to extend their winning streak to three.
Irving (27 points) started the surge, scoring 12 of his 15 fourth-quarter points in the first three minutes of the period and then imploring James to take over.
Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY SportsAfter teammate Kyrie Irving implored him to get aggressive midway through the fourth quarter, LeBron James scored nine points in the next 4:31 to pull his team into the lead.
"Kyrie told me to be aggressive and stop being so passive," James said after a game-high 41 points. "Early in the fourth quarter he got it going, so I kind of laid back and let him go and he said, 'Be aggressive and make some plays.' So I told him all he got to do is talk to me."
James scored 31 points through the first three quarters but had only upped that total to 33 midway through the fourth, when Irving asked him to turn it up.
James responded in a big way. From 5:42 remaining until 1:11 left on the clock, he scored nine of the Cavs' 14 points, turning an eight-point deficit into a two-point lead.
"I know what he's capable of and everybody in the world knows what he's capable of, and it's more or less I feel like sometimes he takes his foot off the gas a little bit when he can punish guys," Irving said. "And he knows it. He's been in this league a long time. I'm not telling him anything he doesn't know. But it's just more or less being a great teammate and telling him, 'We need you right now. We need you to be the LeBron James that you've been, tonight, for three quarters.' It's important for our team for him to be aggressive.
"When he's aggressive, I feel like everybody raises their game. I think he had, what, 29 [points] in the middle of the third. I just told him to continue what he's been doing all game, especially in the fourth. We need it. When we're getting stops and we're pushing it in transition, that's where he's best at, and he showed that. We need him to be aggressive in order to open up opportunities for all of us."
Cavs coach David Blatt appreciated how Irving and James complemented one another down the stretch.
"Those are two players of the highest order and the highest level, and it's banal to say that's what they're supposed to do, but that's what they're supposed to do and that's what they do," Blatt said.
Added James: "I've always liked that. I've always liked to be challenged when you hear it from a coach or from a teammate."
Now the challenge rests in fixing the Cavs' defense, which allowed the Celtics to shoot 54.5 percent from the field for the game and score 42 points on 16-for-22 shooting (72.7 percent) in the third quarter.
"We gave up a 40-point quarter, and that's unacceptable if we want to continue to grow," James said. "We came out and allowed them to take a lot of uncontested jumpers. [Kelly] Olynyk I think had three or four uncontested jumpers from 3 and from the elbow. They got out in transition and they started to get comfortable. There was a loose ball on the ground; we didn't get on the ground for it. There was a play where Kyrie got back and tipped the ball away and we didn't come up with that [possession]. Those are plays that are unacceptable, and that allowed them to get 40 points, allowed them to get that lead."
It got so bad in the third quarter that Blatt jokingly said he started thinking about bailing on the game to go back to his hometown of nearby Framingham, Massachusetts.
"I was really considering taking a Greyhound to Framingham at about that point," Blatt said. "I was looking for it, man. I've been on that bus more than a few times in my life, and I was looking for it. I'll tell you, this team defensively is playing in spurts and not playing consistently on that end of the floor, and when we do, we'll have a chance to be very, very good and until we do, we're going to have to win games like this."
Blatt went on to say that Cleveland's defensive deficiencies are "more about mentality than anything else." James and Irving again were on the same page when asked about their coach's assessment.
"It's an ongoing process," Irving said. "It's part of the things we got to learn as a team, especially if we want to win in this league. It's more or less a commitment that we have to make day in and day out and commit ourselves every single play that every possession is important. Once we realize that [we will improve]."
James echoed Irving, only giving his message a paternal twist.
"It's a process, and we learn from it," James said. "I think on our team we have to see what we do well and what we don't do so well. It's easy to say it, but I kind of used this analogy early this morning: Right now, I feel like the young guys are like my kids. They're not accustomed to reading textbooks. They like iPads. And you got to show them it looks better for them and that's the process we're in right now. You can't just tell them. You have to show them on film and see when they do it right this is the result of it."
BOSTON -- After much was made about a reported exchange of words that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James later denied ever having following a loss in Portland, it was some well-timed communication between the two that keyed the Cleveland Cavaliers' 122-121 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night.
James and Irving combined to score 25 of the Cavs' 38 fourth-quarter points as Cleveland stormed back from a 19-point deficit with 11:35 remaining to extend their winning streak to three.
Irving (27 points) started the surge, scoring 12 of his 15 fourth-quarter points in the first three minutes of the period and then imploring James to take over.
Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY SportsAfter teammate Kyrie Irving implored him to get aggressive midway through the fourth quarter, LeBron James scored nine points in the next 4:31 to pull his team into the lead.
"Kyrie told me to be aggressive and stop being so passive," James said after a game-high 41 points. "Early in the fourth quarter he got it going, so I kind of laid back and let him go and he said, 'Be aggressive and make some plays.' So I told him all he got to do is talk to me."
James scored 31 points through the first three quarters but had only upped that total to 33 midway through the fourth, when Irving asked him to turn it up.
James responded in a big way. From 5:42 remaining until 1:11 left on the clock, he scored nine of the Cavs' 14 points, turning an eight-point deficit into a two-point lead.
"I know what he's capable of and everybody in the world knows what he's capable of, and it's more or less I feel like sometimes he takes his foot off the gas a little bit when he can punish guys," Irving said. "And he knows it. He's been in this league a long time. I'm not telling him anything he doesn't know. But it's just more or less being a great teammate and telling him, 'We need you right now. We need you to be the LeBron James that you've been, tonight, for three quarters.' It's important for our team for him to be aggressive.
"When he's aggressive, I feel like everybody raises their game. I think he had, what, 29 [points] in the middle of the third. I just told him to continue what he's been doing all game, especially in the fourth. We need it. When we're getting stops and we're pushing it in transition, that's where he's best at, and he showed that. We need him to be aggressive in order to open up opportunities for all of us."
Cavs coach David Blatt appreciated how Irving and James complemented one another down the stretch.
"Those are two players of the highest order and the highest level, and it's banal to say that's what they're supposed to do, but that's what they're supposed to do and that's what they do," Blatt said.
Added James: "I've always liked that. I've always liked to be challenged when you hear it from a coach or from a teammate."
Now the challenge rests in fixing the Cavs' defense, which allowed the Celtics to shoot 54.5 percent from the field for the game and score 42 points on 16-for-22 shooting (72.7 percent) in the third quarter.
"We gave up a 40-point quarter, and that's unacceptable if we want to continue to grow," James said. "We came out and allowed them to take a lot of uncontested jumpers. [Kelly] Olynyk I think had three or four uncontested jumpers from 3 and from the elbow. They got out in transition and they started to get comfortable. There was a loose ball on the ground; we didn't get on the ground for it. There was a play where Kyrie got back and tipped the ball away and we didn't come up with that [possession]. Those are plays that are unacceptable, and that allowed them to get 40 points, allowed them to get that lead."
It got so bad in the third quarter that Blatt jokingly said he started thinking about bailing on the game to go back to his hometown of nearby Framingham, Massachusetts.
"I was really considering taking a Greyhound to Framingham at about that point," Blatt said. "I was looking for it, man. I've been on that bus more than a few times in my life, and I was looking for it. I'll tell you, this team defensively is playing in spurts and not playing consistently on that end of the floor, and when we do, we'll have a chance to be very, very good and until we do, we're going to have to win games like this."
Blatt went on to say that Cleveland's defensive deficiencies are "more about mentality than anything else." James and Irving again were on the same page when asked about their coach's assessment.
"It's an ongoing process," Irving said. "It's part of the things we got to learn as a team, especially if we want to win in this league. It's more or less a commitment that we have to make day in and day out and commit ourselves every single play that every possession is important. Once we realize that [we will improve]."
James echoed Irving, only giving his message a paternal twist.
"It's a process, and we learn from it," James said. "I think on our team we have to see what we do well and what we don't do so well. It's easy to say it, but I kind of used this analogy early this morning: Right now, I feel like the young guys are like my kids. They're not accustomed to reading textbooks. They like iPads. And you got to show them it looks better for them and that's the process we're in right now. You can't just tell them. You have to show them on film and see when they do it right this is the result of it."
LeBron James has already mastered new coach David Blatt’s offense
(This was from October)
With the additions of LeBron James and Kevin Love, the Cleveland Cavaliers have the most talent going into the 2013-14 season, but they also have some big question marks. Chief among them is the learning curve for new head coach David Blatt, who has never coached in the NBA before as a head coach or an assistant.
In addition to learning the NBA game, Blatt has to work to win the trust of the greatest player in the world. It’s no easy task — James is coming off four years in Miami playing under Erik Spoelstra, who has become one of the most respected coaches in the NBA. That’s a tough act to follow for anybody, let alone someone whose only experience is coaching in international play. But according to a report from CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger, Blatt has nothing to worry about:
At the end of the evening practice, Blatt blew his whistle and told the players to clear the court and get off their feet; it was a long day, with many more ahead in this team’s drive for the city of Cleveland’s first major pro sports championship in 50 years. (The NFL’s Browns are the city’s most recent title celebrants, in 1964.)
The coaching staff retreated to their evening meeting, which lasted 30 minutes or so. When they emerged, what they saw was heartening, if not particularly surprising: There was James on the practice floor with four teammates, marching them through the intricacies of Blatt’s offensive system from the perspective of each position, one through five. James had already mastered them all.
James’ legendary photographic memory is well-documented. That’s not the story here. What’s important is that not only has James already internalized his new coach’s playbook, but he’s already completely bought-in to the point that he’s teaching it to his teammates when the Cavs are supposed to be done practicing.
In the Sports Illustrated essay announcing his return to Cleveland, James stressed the importance of taking on a mentorship role with younger players like Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson. That’s not just helping them get better on the floor, it’s doing things like showing them that he, the best player of his generation, is already invested in his new coach’s offense, and so should they.
Rondo is a better defender than kyrie
I think team defense trumps individual defense and in this case, where Rondo would benefit the Cavs would be trumped by what he lacks! The thing that makes the Cavs Big 3 a problem is once things start clicking, which it seems to have started to do, you cannot focus on any one of them without risking the other 2 burning you. Plus you add the factor of Waiters if he gets going in his role, and they are unguardable. While Rondo would be an improvement defensively, his offensive liabilities would fuck up the offensive chemistry of the team, giving the other team another defender to cheat off of Rondo and hedge toward LeBron or Love.
The difference with the Cavs team and the old Celtics team is, the Celtics big 3 comprised of a low post player, a wing and a dead eye spot up shooter... Rondo in theory wasn't part of that big 3, he emerged because of it...
This iteration of the Cavs is just what it needs to be, basically no team can keep up with them scoring the ball, and their defense is to be a compliment not a focal point, which is how this team is built...
Just my 2 cents---
The difference with the Cavs team and the old Celtics team is, the Celtics big 3 comprised of a low post player, a wing and a dead eye spot up shooter... Rondo in theory wasn't part of that big 3, he emerged because of it...
This iteration of the Cavs is just what it needs to be, basically no team can keep up with them scoring the ball, and their defense is to be a compliment not a focal point, which is how this team is built...
Just my 2 cents---
^^^^^ Rondo don't need to score plus he can get in the paint better than any pg except Parker theoretically he could have Anderson or Waiters avg 20 just off his apg alone
Rondo would avg a trip dub on this current cavs team.. He's a way better floor general than kyrie.. Kyrie is better offensively
Rondo would avg a trip dub on this current cavs team.. He's a way better floor general than kyrie.. Kyrie is better offensively
Cavs play no defense
The Cavs must understand that if they are going to beat anyone, even the bad teams, they have to come to play, because when teams come to play the Cavs they come ready with no pressure to win or even pressure to play well.. So they can play loosie goosie while the Cavs often play tight when lesser teams look them eye to eye and show they are not going to lay down to the Cavs.. It appears Cleveland has no problems getting up for the better teams in the NBA but when they play the teams they should beat they have the tendency to mail it in, they must learn how to be mentally tough every single night, not just some..
Go three post up and y'all see what was the problem tonight
Man Cavs play np defense. They give up so many easy buckets
They play poor weak side defense, but the Nuggets were playing pressure free ball, and were nailing some really tough shots.. Matter of fact most of their shots they hit were a lot tougher than the open shots the Cavs missed..
To beat clubs like that, they have to learn to go for the jugular early and they usually pack it in, but if you allow them to stick around and pick up steam, they start feeling themselves and then the Cavs start playing tight.. That have to play with the same fire vs teams like Denver that they do vs teams like Chicago...
There defense sucks. Everything about there defense is trash. When you get scoring from only three people you must play great defense.
The Cavs have no perimeter defense nor do they have any inside defense. Love is trash on the defensive side of the ball. Does he ever get a block.
Don't let the Nuggets record fool you...
This cat keep coming into my yard throwing rocks at my window and wants me to stay out of his.
I see your team Nintendo'd the Nets. Super Mario had to put in all the work. He need to let Bosh know where the power ups are.
Cavs ain't up for you guys. Hell, if Lebron had his way, he'd have simulated the fucking game.
These the matches you give a fuck about in 2k15. The Cavs are up for the Bulls, Heat, and a few other teams(meanwhile, every team wants to be the Cavs). He is wants the playoffs to get here.But in order to win, they will need to start taking teams like Denver more seriously.
Man it wasn't that...Ty Lawson was the difference. Mainly they send his defender thru so many fucking picks it's a shame.Cavs ain't up for you guys. Hell, if Lebron had his way, he'd have simulated the fucking game.
But in order to win, they will need to start taking teams like Denver more seriously.
Then when they dont do that he can beat anybody one on one...
So you have
-below ok defenders defending Ty and Nate
-they run a pick and roll offense
-they're shooters were hitting the shots(fucking Arthur was 3/3 from deep)
Cavs ain't up for you guys. Hell, if Lebron had his way, he'd have simulated the fucking game.
But in order to win, they will need to start taking teams like Denver more seriously.
The bulls were smacking yall ass until Rose got hurt tho
There is so much parity in the NBA that there are no mail in games, especially when you are playing against a team who takes the game with you as their game 7.. The Cavs problem is that they are not matured as a club to understand this, and as soon as they get down by 6 points they go for the homerun (three point and taking chances) not realizing that if they were hot from the three like that, chances are they wouldn't have been down by 6... Nine times out of ten they miss, and that six point deficit gets pushed up to 9.. Smarter teams, bog down on defense and go for the high % shots, and work to cut into the lead, instead of looking for short cuts..
Spurs-Cavaliers Preview
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- He's met them three times in June when everything has been on the line. Still, LeBron James doesn't view the San Antonio Spurs as his personal nemesis or a hated rival.
In fact, quite the opposite. James believes the defending champions have shaped him.
"I wouldn't say it's a rivalry," James said after practice on Tuesday. "But I would say it's mutual respect, it's great competition and they definitely helped me grow along the way and hopefully, I pushed them too."
James, who has gone 1-2 against the Spurs in the NBA Finals, will face them again Wednesday night for the first time since returning to Cleveland, and for the first time since San Antonio dismantled his Miami Heat squad in last season's Finals.
With exquisite ball movement and flawless execution, the Spurs easily captured their fifth title, taking the series in five games with each win by an average of 18 points. It wasn't close as the Spurs simply overwhelmed the Heat, who were seeking a third straight championship.
"That's what happens in a series sometimes," James said. "They were just playing at a much higher pace than we were at the time and they had everything clicking. They had the ball movement. They had guys that were making shots. They had the pace and the space and they had it going. And it resulted in them winning a championship."
San Antonio's win may have hastened James' departure from South Florida. It would have been difficult for him to leave a three-time champion, so Cleveland fans may want to thank Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and his "Big 3" of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
James first encountered the postseason Spurs in the 2007 Finals, when San Antonio swept a Cleveland team making its first -- and only appearance -- on basketball's biggest stage. James got revenge in 2013 but came up short last summer before deciding to return to Ohio to try to bring Cleveland its first pro sports championship since 1964.
During his 11 years in the league, James has developed a deep appreciation for the Spurs' consistency and character. He says they've been the blueprint for team success.
"They work a championship mindset every single day on and off the floor," he said. "Do they win the championship every single year? No, obviously. But I think good karma comes with how you approach the game and how you approach off the court as well."
At 5-4, the Cavs are still developing chemistry and seem to be playing up or down to the level of their competition. That was the case Monday, when the struggling Denver Nuggets came into Quicken Loans Arena and outplayed the Cavs, beating them 106-97 and ending their four-game winning streak.
Afterward, James warned if the Cavs aren't ready for the Spurs (6-4), trouble awaits.
"If we're not mentally focused, they're going to embarrass us right off the jump, it's just that simple," he said. "It's the Patriots of the NBA. They come into your building and they want to embarrass you. They're going to execute at a high level and they're not going to beat themselves."
While some have hyped the game as a potential finals preview, James knows better. A game in mid-November won't dictate Cleveland's status.
"Win or lose it's not a measuring stick," he said. "It's too early, that team has been together -- I think Tim Duncan, he's won more games than all of our guys together."
James and his newly-assembled team have a long way to go, but San Antonio's success is indisputable. Popovich and Duncan have combined for 904 regular-season wins and Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have combined for 503 wins, the second most for three players, trailing only Boston's Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, who won 540.
After the Cavs play the Spurs, they'll head to Washington, another team with whom the four-time MVP shares a history. During his first stint in Cleveland, James played the Wizards in the postseason from 2006-08 and each series was tainted with trash talk and tough play.
James remembers.
"Now that's a rivalry," he said.
James would like to see his playing time trimmed. He's averaging 39.1 minutes, third-most in the league, and teammates Kyrie Irving (38.4) and Kevin Love (37) are fourth and fifth.
"That has to come down," he said. "For me, I don't want to do that all year. Obviously right now it's difficult because we're trying to find a groove and we're trying to find a rhythm and we're trying to find something that you can't really, you don't want to shortcut it but at the same time you gotta be smart about it."
Cavs forward Shawn Marion missed practice after bruising his left foot in Monday's game. He's listed as probable against the Spurs.
Sponsored Headlines
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- He's met them three times in June when everything has been on the line. Still, LeBron James doesn't view the San Antonio Spurs as his personal nemesis or a hated rival.
In fact, quite the opposite. James believes the defending champions have shaped him.
"I wouldn't say it's a rivalry," James said after practice on Tuesday. "But I would say it's mutual respect, it's great competition and they definitely helped me grow along the way and hopefully, I pushed them too."
James, who has gone 1-2 against the Spurs in the NBA Finals, will face them again Wednesday night for the first time since returning to Cleveland, and for the first time since San Antonio dismantled his Miami Heat squad in last season's Finals.
With exquisite ball movement and flawless execution, the Spurs easily captured their fifth title, taking the series in five games with each win by an average of 18 points. It wasn't close as the Spurs simply overwhelmed the Heat, who were seeking a third straight championship.
"That's what happens in a series sometimes," James said. "They were just playing at a much higher pace than we were at the time and they had everything clicking. They had the ball movement. They had guys that were making shots. They had the pace and the space and they had it going. And it resulted in them winning a championship."
San Antonio's win may have hastened James' departure from South Florida. It would have been difficult for him to leave a three-time champion, so Cleveland fans may want to thank Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and his "Big 3" of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
James first encountered the postseason Spurs in the 2007 Finals, when San Antonio swept a Cleveland team making its first -- and only appearance -- on basketball's biggest stage. James got revenge in 2013 but came up short last summer before deciding to return to Ohio to try to bring Cleveland its first pro sports championship since 1964.
During his 11 years in the league, James has developed a deep appreciation for the Spurs' consistency and character. He says they've been the blueprint for team success.
"They work a championship mindset every single day on and off the floor," he said. "Do they win the championship every single year? No, obviously. But I think good karma comes with how you approach the game and how you approach off the court as well."
At 5-4, the Cavs are still developing chemistry and seem to be playing up or down to the level of their competition. That was the case Monday, when the struggling Denver Nuggets came into Quicken Loans Arena and outplayed the Cavs, beating them 106-97 and ending their four-game winning streak.
Afterward, James warned if the Cavs aren't ready for the Spurs (6-4), trouble awaits.
"If we're not mentally focused, they're going to embarrass us right off the jump, it's just that simple," he said. "It's the Patriots of the NBA. They come into your building and they want to embarrass you. They're going to execute at a high level and they're not going to beat themselves."
While some have hyped the game as a potential finals preview, James knows better. A game in mid-November won't dictate Cleveland's status.
"Win or lose it's not a measuring stick," he said. "It's too early, that team has been together -- I think Tim Duncan, he's won more games than all of our guys together."
James and his newly-assembled team have a long way to go, but San Antonio's success is indisputable. Popovich and Duncan have combined for 904 regular-season wins and Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have combined for 503 wins, the second most for three players, trailing only Boston's Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, who won 540.
After the Cavs play the Spurs, they'll head to Washington, another team with whom the four-time MVP shares a history. During his first stint in Cleveland, James played the Wizards in the postseason from 2006-08 and each series was tainted with trash talk and tough play.
James remembers.
"Now that's a rivalry," he said.
James would like to see his playing time trimmed. He's averaging 39.1 minutes, third-most in the league, and teammates Kyrie Irving (38.4) and Kevin Love (37) are fourth and fifth.
"That has to come down," he said. "For me, I don't want to do that all year. Obviously right now it's difficult because we're trying to find a groove and we're trying to find a rhythm and we're trying to find something that you can't really, you don't want to shortcut it but at the same time you gotta be smart about it."
Cavs forward Shawn Marion missed practice after bruising his left foot in Monday's game. He's listed as probable against the Spurs.
Sponsored Headlines
GameDay Preview: Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs
Quicken Loans Arena at 7:00 PM ET
David Liam Kyle/NBAE/GettyImages
Posted: Nov 19, 2014
Game Summary
The Wine & Gold will wrap up their three-game homestand tonight when they take on the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs for the first of two regular season matchups. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Cleveland (5-4) holds a 4-1 record over the last five games. Over that stretch, the Cavs are averaging 114.8 points on .492 shooting from the field, including .421 (56-133) from the three-point line, 26.0 assists and just 11.8 turnovers. They have scored at least 110 points in four of the last five contests.
Among the NBA’s Top 10 leaders, Cleveland ranks 3rd in three-point% (.397), 4th in scoring (106.7), 4th in FT% (.811), 4th in fast break points (15.8), 5th in turnovers (12.9) and 6th in points in the paint (44.9). The defense ranks 3rd in points off turnovers (20.0).
San Antonio (6-4) enters tonight's contest having won four of their last five games after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 100-75 on Monday.
The Spurs balanced scoring attack is led by point guard Tony Parker. Parker is one of two players averaging 15+ points and 5+ assists while shooting over 50% from the field, posting averages of 16.1 points and 5.3 helpers. He currently leads the league in three-point percentage (.667).
BROADCAST INFO
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN
Where to Watch | FSO Channel Listings
RADIO: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron) Cavaliers Radio Network
Discuss tonight's game with other die-hard Cavs fans. Discuss
Get everything you need to know about tonight's matchup. Game Notes
Probable Starters/Status Update*
presented by Cleveland Clinic
Cavaliers: PG - Kyrie Irving, SG - Shawn Marion, SF - LeBron James
PF - Kevin Love, C - Anderson Varejao
Status Update: Matthew Dellavedova, (Left Knee MCL Sprain, Out), Shawn Marion, (Left Foot Contusion, Probable)
Spurs: PG - Tony Parker, SG - Danny Green, SF - Kawhi Leonard
PF - Tim Duncan, C - Boris Diaw
Status Update: (Spurs) - Tiago Splitter, (Tightness Right Calf, Out), Marco Belinell, (Mild Strain, Right Groin, Out)
*Subject to change
Joe G's Three Keys
1. Keep in Touch – When the Spurs offense is rolling, it’s a thing of beauty, and they can take a team out of the game in a hurry. LeBron James called them “the Patriots of the NBA” -- a team that looks to deliver the knockout blow if they come across an unfocused opponent. The Cavaliers will have to bring a deeper intensity than they did on Monday night. LeBron knows as well as anyone how dangerous the Spurs can be; he’s 16-19 (.457) against San Antonio over his career. The only team he’s fared worse against during his NBA career is the team that just left town: the Denver Nuggets.
2. French Toast – Tony Parker is the Spurs’ “head of the snake” – as he goes, usually so goes San Antonio. On Monday night, Ty Lawson gave Cleveland fits (as Rajon Rondo did two nights earlier). The Cavaliers will need to find a way to slow down Parker, who already leads the Spurs in both scoring (16.1 ppg) and assists (5.3 apg). Cleveland has struggled defensively this year when allowing PG penetration. And the Spurs break down a defense better than anyone in the league.
3. Mr. Leonard – For all the (well-earned) praise for San Antonio’s Big Three of Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, small forward Kawhi Leonard is the man who represents the squad’s next generation. In six tries, Leonard has never lost to the Cavaliers. He’s averaged nearly 14 points a game and has shot 53 percent from the floor, including 46 percent from long-distance against the Wine and Gold. Cleveland must focus on the Big 3, but they’d better keep an eye on their heir apparent.
Head-to-Head Matchup
The Cavs trail the all-time series against the Spurs 29-56 (23-20 Home, 6-36 Road).
In the two teams last matchup this past March, Kyrie Irving recorded a game-high tying 24 points, including 3-6 (.500) from the three-point line, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 39 minutes. Dion Waiters was the other 24 point scorer, going 11-18 (.611) shooting, including 2-3 (.667) from the three-point line, three assists and one block in 23 minutes off the bench.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22 and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
On Deck
After tonight’s game, the Wine & Gold head back out onto the road to take on the Wizards in Washington, D.C. on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Quicken Loans Arena at 7:00 PM ET
David Liam Kyle/NBAE/GettyImages
Posted: Nov 19, 2014
Game Summary
The Wine & Gold will wrap up their three-game homestand tonight when they take on the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs for the first of two regular season matchups. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Cleveland (5-4) holds a 4-1 record over the last five games. Over that stretch, the Cavs are averaging 114.8 points on .492 shooting from the field, including .421 (56-133) from the three-point line, 26.0 assists and just 11.8 turnovers. They have scored at least 110 points in four of the last five contests.
Among the NBA’s Top 10 leaders, Cleveland ranks 3rd in three-point% (.397), 4th in scoring (106.7), 4th in FT% (.811), 4th in fast break points (15.8), 5th in turnovers (12.9) and 6th in points in the paint (44.9). The defense ranks 3rd in points off turnovers (20.0).
San Antonio (6-4) enters tonight's contest having won four of their last five games after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 100-75 on Monday.
The Spurs balanced scoring attack is led by point guard Tony Parker. Parker is one of two players averaging 15+ points and 5+ assists while shooting over 50% from the field, posting averages of 16.1 points and 5.3 helpers. He currently leads the league in three-point percentage (.667).
BROADCAST INFO
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN
Where to Watch | FSO Channel Listings
RADIO: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron) Cavaliers Radio Network
Discuss tonight's game with other die-hard Cavs fans. Discuss
Get everything you need to know about tonight's matchup. Game Notes
Probable Starters/Status Update*
presented by Cleveland Clinic
Cavaliers: PG - Kyrie Irving, SG - Shawn Marion, SF - LeBron James
PF - Kevin Love, C - Anderson Varejao
Status Update: Matthew Dellavedova, (Left Knee MCL Sprain, Out), Shawn Marion, (Left Foot Contusion, Probable)
Spurs: PG - Tony Parker, SG - Danny Green, SF - Kawhi Leonard
PF - Tim Duncan, C - Boris Diaw
Status Update: (Spurs) - Tiago Splitter, (Tightness Right Calf, Out), Marco Belinell, (Mild Strain, Right Groin, Out)
*Subject to change
Joe G's Three Keys
1. Keep in Touch – When the Spurs offense is rolling, it’s a thing of beauty, and they can take a team out of the game in a hurry. LeBron James called them “the Patriots of the NBA” -- a team that looks to deliver the knockout blow if they come across an unfocused opponent. The Cavaliers will have to bring a deeper intensity than they did on Monday night. LeBron knows as well as anyone how dangerous the Spurs can be; he’s 16-19 (.457) against San Antonio over his career. The only team he’s fared worse against during his NBA career is the team that just left town: the Denver Nuggets.
2. French Toast – Tony Parker is the Spurs’ “head of the snake” – as he goes, usually so goes San Antonio. On Monday night, Ty Lawson gave Cleveland fits (as Rajon Rondo did two nights earlier). The Cavaliers will need to find a way to slow down Parker, who already leads the Spurs in both scoring (16.1 ppg) and assists (5.3 apg). Cleveland has struggled defensively this year when allowing PG penetration. And the Spurs break down a defense better than anyone in the league.
3. Mr. Leonard – For all the (well-earned) praise for San Antonio’s Big Three of Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, small forward Kawhi Leonard is the man who represents the squad’s next generation. In six tries, Leonard has never lost to the Cavaliers. He’s averaged nearly 14 points a game and has shot 53 percent from the floor, including 46 percent from long-distance against the Wine and Gold. Cleveland must focus on the Big 3, but they’d better keep an eye on their heir apparent.
Head-to-Head Matchup
The Cavs trail the all-time series against the Spurs 29-56 (23-20 Home, 6-36 Road).
In the two teams last matchup this past March, Kyrie Irving recorded a game-high tying 24 points, including 3-6 (.500) from the three-point line, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 39 minutes. Dion Waiters was the other 24 point scorer, going 11-18 (.611) shooting, including 2-3 (.667) from the three-point line, three assists and one block in 23 minutes off the bench.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22 and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
On Deck
After tonight’s game, the Wine & Gold head back out onto the road to take on the Wizards in Washington, D.C. on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Damn....Tough loss. They had it.
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