Cavs 06-07 season thread

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

CAVALIERS 97 WIZARDS 94
Hughes steals show for Cavs in opener
Thursday, November 02, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

TONY DEJAK ASSOCIATED PRESS LeBron James of the Cavaliers, who had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, drives past Caron Butler of the Wizards.
CLEVELAND ? It was only fitting last night that the Cavaliers and Washington Wizards faced off in their respective openers. The teams had a memorable first-round playoff series last season that included three last-second shots and the Cavaliers winning in six games.
Washington is still not convinced that Cleveland is the better team, and both believe that there?s unfinished business. The teams restarted their rivalry last night with the Cavaliers taking round one with a 97-94 victory in Quicken Loans Arena.
Surprisingly, the night belonged to Robin, not Batman.
Shooting guard Larry Hughes, a former Wizard, led the Cavaliers with 27 points and nine rebounds. He made seven of his first eight shots from the field against his former team in what turned out to be his best allaround game in a Cavs uniform.
LeBron James, the early season MVP favorite, had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in more of a secondary scoring role. He took a back seat for most of the game and let his team ride the hot hand of Hughes.
"When you see a guy who has it going, you have to feed that guy," Hughes said. "Nobody is going to go overboard with it, as far as forcing things. But when you continue to feed the guy who has the hot hand, it opens it up for everybody else."
Caron Butler led Washington with 23 points. All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas struggled and had just seven points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field.
Chants of "Larry, Larry" resonated through the arena as Hughes put on a scoring clinic. He scored in transition, hit open jumpers and had five assists. Hughes signed a large contract last year with the Cavaliers to help alleviate the scoring burden on James.
Last night, that was the case as the Cavs? coaching staff was able to limit James to 40 minutes in the victory.
The Cavs had the typical first-game jitters. They committed eight turnovers in the first quarter, including two errant passes by James to point guard Eric Snow (five points) and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (four points).
They stayed in the game by shooting the ball well even when James was off the floor. The Cavs stormed back from a sloppy first quarter with an 8-0 run without James to start the second quarter for a 37-33 lead. Hughes scored seven of those points on a three-pointer followed by two jumpers.
Hughes sparked another run midway through the third quarter with back-to-back jumpers that gave Cleveland a 74-63 lead. The Wizards tied the score at 93 with less than two minutes remaining, but Hughes and James made the necessary plays to close out the game.
"Most NBA games are won and lost in the last minute," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "I?ll tell you what, we did a good job of getting stops."
Free throws

Columbus native and Washington guard Antonio Daniels returned to Ohio and had eight points and five assists. ? Rookie draft picks Shannon Brown and Daniel Gibson were on the inactive list. ? The Cavs will continue their season Friday with a road game against the San Antonio Spurs. Their next home game is Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks.

 

[Piney]

The Cavs should have won by more but what can you do when you play so sloppy in the first half. But I have a feeling that was opening night jitters along with the excitement of the crowd there. Wish I was there but I know I will see a game sometime in the next month or so. but if anyone was there would like to know about the improvements to the arena.

Now to the game. So this is what Hughes can do... now if you can stay healthy for the full year that would be appreciated. Gooden is getting better. Maybe signing the contract gave him ease of mind to just play and do what Coach Brown wants him to do. But he will be a key cog throughout the year. What can you say about LeBron? It has all been said. Z? Ok, he played like crap but Washington is a horrible matchup for him. He will do better against more traditional teams but thankfully we have the frontcourt depth to matchup against more athletic teams like Washington.

Now, on to the most exciting thing I saw last night... the offense!!! I am loving the new motion offense. Yes it was sloppy at times but you can tell they were not comfortable yet as the timing was bad. But it is tons better than just give the ball to LeBron and let him do his thing. Once the timing improves and the passes get more crisp we will be a hard team to defend.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

now if you can stay healthy for the full year that would be appreciated

This is the key to the season, IMHO.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Free throws still problem for Cavaliers

Flight to San Antonio delayed due to extra practice at the line

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Poor free-throw shooting is an age-old issue, a common sore point for basketball teams every season at every level.
The fans' worn cry of ``If we'd only made our free throws... '' is in the same category as ``Wait till next year.''
So to refer to that tired topic the first week of the NBA season could be considered somewhat reactionary. That stated, perhaps the Cavaliers should be placed on some sort of watch list at this juncture.
It's not exactly condition red after they limped to a 15-of-30 performance from the free-throw line in Wednesday's victory over the Washington Wizards. But when considering that in the preseason, they shot 65 percent at the line, maybe the orange flag should go up.
Last season, the Cavs shot 73 percent from the foul line, slightly below the league average.
``We haven't done it well in the preseason, and we didn't do it against Washington,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``I know every team I've been with, we're doing the same drills or perhaps even more.''
That part can be attested. Since the first day of training camp, the Cavs have gone through the same tedious end-of-practice foul shooting. To mix things up, Brown has made them shoot them under pressure (with wind sprints at stake) or shoot them after running to duplicate late-game fatigue, and also has tried various games to improve the percentage made.
In one practice two weeks ago, at a time the foul-shooting issue was faltering during preseason games, Brown wanted each player to make five consecutive free throws at each of the six baskets on the practice floor before heading to lunch. It took an hour.
After a nearly three-hour workout Thursday, Brown pushed the team's charter flight to San Antonio back an hour, as each team member was ordered to make 60 free throws before heading to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Will it work?
``People keep talking about it and you can hear fans getting on us. It gets mental,'' said Drew Gooden, who could've had two three-point plays Wednesday, but missed both free throws. ``We're not worried about that. We're professionals. We can knock down free throws.''
Forget the Alamo
Tonight, the Cavs will try to do something they haven't done since 1988: win in San Antonio. The team has lost 16 consecutive games to the Spurs on the road, the second-longest active streak of road futility in the NBA.
Last season, they were whipped 102-76 and haven't played a close game there since 1997, when they lost by three points. The Cavs never won a game in the Alamodome and are 0-3 at the AT&T Center and 3-31 overall in San Antonio.
Pleased with Gooden
Outwardly, Gooden had a solid opening game by scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Brown said he was impressed with Gooden's focus, which has a history of being inconsistent.
``It might've been Drew's best game start to finish. During the game and watching the tape, I don't recall him taking a play off,'' Brown said. ``I'm happy about his rebounding, I'm happy about his points. But every once in a while Drew will drift in and out of what he should be doing. Maybe not on purpose.''
Politics and basketball
Twice Wednesday, the scoreboard at Quicken Loans Arena ran ads in support of Issue 3, which would legalize slot machines at various places in Ohio.
Not only would one of the casino sites be across the street at Tower City Center, but the ballot language also provides that some of the proceeds would be given to Cuyahoga County for capital and economic improvement projects. The arena, which is owned by the county and leased by the Cavaliers Operating Co., is seeking public money for various future expansions.
In addition, one the of Cavs' new sponsors is Northfield Park, which would be able to operate slot machines if the issue passes.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

SCOUTING REPORT

Cavs at Spurs
Tip: 8 tonight.
TV: ESPN; FSN-Ohio.
Radio: WAKR (1590-AM).
Last year: The teams split the series 1-1, each winning at home.
Notebook: Spurs guard Tony Parker is nursing a sprained ankle and is questionable... The Cavs are catching the Spurs on a back-to-back night; they opened the season Thursday night in Dallas... The Cavs haven't started a season 2-0 since 2000... LeBron James' 44 points against the Spurs in Cleveland last season are the most a Cavalier has scored against the Spurs.

-- Brian Windhorst​

​

 

[exhawg]

Tonight is a big game for the Cavs. The Spurs just played in Dallas last night so this is an opportunity to catch them winded and take a game that they probably shouldn't take. I just hope the Cavs practiced their FT's yesterday and that Duncan hasn't gotten the hang of how the new ball bounces off the backboard.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Tonight is a big game for the Cavs. The Spurs just played in Dallas last night so this is an opportunity to catch them winded and take a game that they probably shouldn't take. I just hope the Cavs practiced their FT's yesterday and that Duncan hasn't gotten the hang of how the new ball bounces off the backboard.

I don't see us losing this game...

 

[SanAntonioBuck]

Forget the Alamo
Tonight, the Cavs will try to do something they haven't done since 1988: win in San Antonio. The team has lost 16 consecutive games to the Spurs on the road, the second-longest active streak of road futility in the NBA.

That enough info for me!

 

[SparkyOSU]

Does anyone know if the game tonight is going to be national?

I am excited that we played like crap and won against last years playoff team, We hit 80% from the line and sure up some 2nd chance shots we win by 15.

Hopefully we come out hot, keep Z clean of fouls and hit more shots from the line. We could get this one too!!!

 

[exhawg]

Does anyone know if the game tonight is going to be national?

I am excited that we played like crap and won against last years playoff team, We hit 80% from the line and sure up some 2nd chance shots we win by 15.

Hopefully we come out hot, keep Z clean of fouls and hit more shots from the line. We could get this one too!!!

It's on ESPN again.

 

[Piney]

Thank god they are on national TV, cuz the local TV guys are HORRIBLE now.

I predict Z will bounce back and put up 16-20 pts, 8-9 rebounds and 2 blocks. When Z faces another true center Z normally plays well.

 

[exhawg]

Thank god they are on national TV, cuz the local TV guys are HORRIBLE now.

I predict Z will bounce back and put up 16-20 pts, 8-9 rebounds and 2 blocks. When Z faces another true center Z normally plays well.

"Larry Hughes on the ready-made break." I watched ESPN Wednesday.

 

[jlb1705]

I didn't see anything but the last minute of action, and I know the free throw shooting wasn't good, but anytime you can steal a win in San Antonio, that's impressive. Great start to the season so far.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I didn't see anything but the last minute of action, and I know the free throw shooting wasn't good, but anytime you can steal a win in San Antonio, that's impressive. Great start to the season so far.

Honestly I wouldnt say that we stole this game.

We beat them in every facet of the game. The only place we struggled was against Duncan down the stretch when he was going to work.

It was great to see LBJ have a great game, and even tho he struggled a little in the 4th the rest of the team stepped up and held onto the lead.

The free throw shooting was still bad, but it will improve, at least I hope.

Also I think that we might have LBJ's best dunk ever in tonites game. He went right over Duncan much in the way he did DJones, but Duncan is 7'. It was awesome.

Gosh I hope that Larry can just stay healthy. He has 2 games down and 100+ to go.

I am a little dissapointed we are not seeing Brown. It seems that Mike Brown doesnt like to go with rookies, but give him a little time in a big game to get his feet wet. Nothing better than throwing them in the fire. I have no problem with a couple bad plays here and there, but just don't leave him in in crunch time. He isnt going to get better sitting on the bench and we will be able to use him down the stretch of the season and these games are the ones we need him to get valuable minutes.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

LeBron spurs victory on road

Cavs end nearly 20-year drought with great show in beating San Antonio

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

SAN ANTONIO - The Cavaliers were a vogue pick, on paper at least, to make some serious waves through the NBA this season. On Friday, in the flesh, came the first splash.
Showing remarkable poise, the Cavs went into the dungeon known as the AT&T Center and scratched out an impressive opening week victory. They played sound at both ends of the the floor and then matched the San Antonio Spurs' clutch plays in the final minutes to grab the 88-81 win.
Forget, for the moment, that the Spurs (1-1) are one of the league's best teams. First understand that the Cavs (2-0) hadn't won in San Antonio since Dec. 18, 1988, and the Spurs have been the NBA's best home team the past three years with a sterling 105-18 record. After getting a hearty dose of LeBron James, they now stand 0-1 in their building this year.
James had 35 points and 10 rebounds on a splendid 14-of-26 shooting in the face of the Spurs' tough defense. From the opening moments, he showed this game meant a little extra to him, pouring in 15 points in the first quarter and only slowing slightly the rest of the way.
``For us to become one of the powerhouses in the league, which we have been preaching, we've got to go out there and walk the walk,'' James said.
There were circumstances, sure. The Spurs were on a tough back-to-back after an emotional season-opening victory in Dallas on Thursday. They were not in sync for much of the game and handed the Cavs some gifts, such as missing 16 free throws.
The Cavs still had to take it, which they did by controlling their emotions in the stretch run. After playing soundly for 3 ? quarters, the Cavs found themselves ahead by 13 points.
That's when the Spurs' signature star, Tim Duncan, really went to work. He pounded the ball against a host of Cavs defenders, who could only foul him. He drew seven fouls in the fourth quarter alone, scoring 13 of his 25 points to go with 12 rebounds.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who played well with 10 points and 11 rebounds, fouled out. Anderson Varejao bodied up Duncan and turned his ankle, briefly forcing him from the game. Drew Gooden, who had nine points and nine rebounds, and Donyell Marshall, who added eight off the bench, took turns.
The Spurs mounted their comeback, drawing to within four points, but the Cavs, unlike in previous times, didn't fold. They executed what they needed to on offense to stay ahead and were able to get enough stops on defense to hold on.
James made three clutch plays in a row in the final two minutes. A driving layup with two defenders on him with 1:37 left was key, then he took a charge and got a steal on back-to-back defensive possessions to seal it. Larry Hughes also deserved merit; he scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.
``We had guys step up in key situations tonight,'' coach Mike Brown said. ``We showed a lot of poise in that fourth quarter.''
The Cavs also did well not turning the ball over -- giving up just seven points off turnovers -- and held the Spurs to just four second-chance points, areas where San Antonio usually dominates.
``This just shows how much we've grown, we've been in situations like this in the past,'' James said. ``This is a great win.''
Dribbles
The Cavs continued to struggle at the free-throw line, going just 18-of-30 after going 15-of-30 in the opening victory against the Washington Wizards. They did improve a little in the clutch, making five of their last eight attempts.... Varejao's ankle injury did not appear serious. He received treatment after the game. His status for tonight's game in Charlotte is uncertain.... The Cavs held the Spurs to 39 percent shooting in the first three quarters.... With the victory, the Cavs are 2-0 for the first time since 2000.... The Cavs have now taken three of the past four meetings with the Spurs.