You'd think I was on Windhorst's jock for quoting him all the time to prove my points, and well, I am. I think he's the best beat writer, and possibly sports (newspaper) reporter period, in N.E. Ohio and it won't be long before he's at ESPN. Ryan, here's another quote from his blog for your viewing pleasure...
–One thing that is not going to change with this team is Brown. He did a solid job in the playoffs, his in between adjustments were pretty strong for the most part and I thought in the Wizards series his management of matchups was very good at times. Sometimes he is unable to get the Cavs to make changes in the game, part of that is him and part of that is the team (um, LeBron) sort of doing what they want to do on offense and not running anything. He’ll have to look inward and decide how to fix it, that is his next great challenge. But he gets the Cavs to play a style that enables them to have a chance to win and his playoff record is very strong. Take your potshots, even those with merit, but he's proven that he is a good playoff coach and one that is still growing and learning.
I think Windhorst reads this blog and writes his accordingly.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sorry Dudes - Part 2
Boston again. Really.
Game 7 Pre-eulogy: Oh well, not that I have time this morning to adequately sum up what a disappointing game that was Sunday afternoon's Game 7, but here's the 10 cent version. Missed shots, no contribution, can't stop PJ Brown, idiotic reach in fouls, and a lack of defense all contributed to the maddening chase that was nothing but an aborted come-from-behind attempt for the entire game.
The whole game felt like this summary of the last couple minutes by Brian Windhorst:
When James stripped Pierce and raced to the other end for a dunk with 2:21 to play, cutting the lead to one, the Cavs were involved in five crucial plays and came out on the losing side in each one.
James had an open 3-pointer from the wing that would have given the Cavs the lead, but it rattled out. Moments later, Delonte West had a chance from the same spot, wide open again, and it just hit the rim.
Meanwhile, 38-year-old P.J. Brown twice got the Celtics extra possessions by securing offensive rebounds off air balls that led to points. Once, Ben Wallace had Kevin Garnett perfectly defended, and Brown swooped in for a layup. On another, Zydrunas Ilgauskas stepped out to deny Rajon Rondo on a short jumper, and Brown again caught the ball, despite being out of position had the ball hit off the rim.
Then the final blow came in the final minute, when James couldn't convert a driving layup try with P.J. Brown all over him. The veteran Brown ended up with 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.All of that will plague the Cavs as they look back at this one. They didn't get a performance like Brown gave Boston. In fact, the only other player to step up alongside James was West, who had 15 points and five assists.
Thoroughly depressed today.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sorry Dudes
I'm sorry to do this to all you Cleveland Sports Torture readers, but I have to post something from Windhorst's blog... again....
–It is fair to criticize Mike Brown for his offense, heck knows I have been doing it for years. But the guy takes so much abuse in this town. His defensive principles are responsible for the win, maybe not as much as the star power of LeBron, but these are the types of games that Mike spends so much time preparing his team for. Perhaps the weaknesses will decide the game Sunday but there are strengths and important ones. The Cavs shot 32 percent and won. Think about that for a minute.
Maybe someday Ryan will understand what I am trying to say about Mike Brown. Then again, that day may be in 2015 and the Cavs may be playing in Seattle.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Game 4
Props to Vox for the great seats last night, as we sat just one section over from Joe Tait and the media section. Man, Terry Pluto was out of there by halftime. Branson stayed... he really seems to enjoy the atmosphere. Couldn't find Windhorst.
View from our seats - Game 4
I'm done (for the time being) arguing about the Cavs defense. I don't know how many more times they have to show something. 12 fourth quarter points, 30 something for the half. That's impressive.
On to Game 4 notes. I admit these are very superficial, not much insight:
- The crowd was the loudest I've ever heard. Great atmosphere. Loved the "Wally" chant.
- I've decided that the NBA playoffs is just insane. Nothing is predictable. And the difference in a series is such a fine line it's ridiculous. If Lebron has half a normal game or the Cavs get a couple defensive stops in Game 1, we're up 3-1. Instead we were down 0-2 and the whole perception shifts and it seems like the Cavs have no chance. Then we win and the perception totally flips again.
- Props to Andy. Big game. Great defense on Garnett.
- Garnett is kind of a punk. Mr. Intensity is a little bit of a thug and trash talker. I never realized it until earlier in the year when the Cavs beat the Celtics and I've seen it even more in these playoffs.
- Gloria is down right insane. Don't mess with her baby.
- When we made the trade, I said Joe Smith might be the steal and I think he might be. West is finally asserting himself. I think he's a better player than Rondo. Vox and I were discussing the trade on the way home. We basically gave up Newble and Marshall for West and Wally.
- The Cavs are deep... maybe the deepest team in the East. You have Joe Smith off the bench as your 8th man basically. Z and Wallace didn't even play that much in the fourth quarter. With Wally, Z, Boobie and Smith, as long as everyone isn't off at once, our depth is going to be a huge advantage.
- There's insanely hot girls at the Q. (And I mean the fans). Apparently Lebron and a good basketball team brings out the best Cleveland has to offer.
- My final count on Vox outbursts include:
(1) OVER THE BACKKKKK!
(5) That's a FOULLL!
(3) Hand Ups
(1) NO Andy!
(1) Get off the court Doc!!!
(1) FUCK!!!
Vox outbursts are great because they always seem to happen just when the crowd gets quiet. Seriously, I love the outbursts. Vox, please don't get self-conscious. Be yourself!
In a flash back to our days at the Richfield Coliseum, Vox took some loose popcorn pieces from a bag while we were waiting in line... ala Nate and the Relish Incident in Canada. The only thing missing was the Arab guy saying "Ey man... you can't do that man!" Instead a hot chick behind us in line caught him.
There was another hot chick sitting in front of us. She had to have had at least 10 beers during the game.
Speaking of hot chicks... Rachel Nichols (ESPN reporter) is on Rizzo right now. I love Rachel... and she's pretty damn good at her job too.
FYI -Lebron was on Mike and Mike this morning. Weird... Lebron never comes on any local talk shows and I think Mike and Mike is the first time he's been on a national show (not counting Oprah, SNL, the ESPYs, or SportsCenter Sunday Conversation etc.) I've never heard him on any of the local shows.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Are you kidding me?
The scoreboard says it all! What a dunk!
And the defense in the last quarter was absolutely Celtic-like. I still am worried because in the first half KG looked so tough, he doesn't miss 18 footers it seems. If the Cavs can play defense, Wally and Delonte and Boobie, keep hitting shots, Wednesday should be a lot better game than last time we were in Boston.