Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[BuckeyeMafia]

I was rather offended the rookie didn't play though. Last televised game till December (if I remember right) so this was my last chance to see him for a while. Really ugly first night, and although it wasn't the worst night, some things definitely should've been changed.

Get experimenting now though, we can't afford to fall behind Detroit, or Chicago for that matter.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I was rather offended the rookie didn't play though. Last televised game till December (if I remember right) so this was my last chance to see him for a while. Really ugly first night, and although it wasn't the worst night, some things definitely should've been changed.

Get experimenting now though, we can't afford to fall behind Detroit, or Chicago for that matter.

According to the announcers...Hickson missed a meeting as he had been ahead of Wright in the rotation and then Wright overtook him when he was suspended, beleive just a couple games ago in preseason...Wright didn't play horrible by any means, and I am with you I would like to see him play as well, but I don't envision playing Hickson tonight really making that much of a difference...I think the problem was leaving Mo Williams out too long, not going with Wallace more...He wasn't doing anything on offense, but I thought the team just looked better with him out there...

It is a long season and obviously I think that LBJ plays more, Mo Williams plays more etc if the game was more important other than the first game of the regular season...Yeah it would of been nice to send a message but it is what it is...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Cavs flat in opener Cleveland picks up right where it left off with loss to Boston
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008
BOSTON: The Cavaliers tried to crash the Boston bling party Tuesday night at the TD Banknorth Garden, but eventually lost 90-85 to the Celtics in the season opener.
The Cavs lost to the Celtics in a hard-fought, seven-game series in the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring, and it didn't go unnoticed who they would open the season against when the team opened training camp.
Before the season, the Cavaliers downplayed their opening opponent. Given that it's the first game, gauging intensity level is problematic. However, after showing some intensity to begin the game, the Cavs returned to some troublesome habits.
The team opened a lead early and expanded upon it with a 10-0 run in the first quarter and never trailed in the half. LeBron James added an exclamation point with two thunderous dunks. The Cavs went into the locker room at halftime up 50-43 and shooting close to 47 percent from the floor to the Celtics' 40.
But they slipped into an all-too-familiar pattern after the break, only scoring 13 points to Boston's 24 in the third quarter. The team shot an abysmal 37 percent from the floor and turned
the ball over four times in that quarter.
The Celtics began the quarter with a 9-0 run and from that point seemed to have the game in hand.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Despite loss to Celtics, Cavs show something on bizarre opening night Williams brings new look to Cavs' offense
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist

Published on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008

BOSTON: The Boston Celtics did their ring thing prior to the season opener against the Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
They then did the things that got them their rings by beating the Cavs in the season opener in TD Banknorth Garden. That's eight wins in a row for the Celtics over the Cavs in the new garden.
Not that anyone's counting.
It all started with a weepy Paul Pierce taking the NBA Championship trophy from John Havlicek.
Yes, Pierce cried.
And no one in the house had brought an onion, much less sliced it.
The trophy was from last season, mind you. Once the game started, there was little attention to last season. But the pregame was all about last season, with rings and past Celtics and front office personnel on the floor and the 17th championship banner going up to the rafters.
A lovely ceremony it was.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Beantown rerun: Cavaliers run dry in second half, drop opener to champion Celtics, 90-85

by Brian Windhorst Tuesday October 28, 2008, 11:12 PM

Winslow Townsend/Associated PressA hard foul had LeBron James wincing along the sideline Tuesday night. It wasn't the best of games for the Cavaliers' star, who finished with 22 points in the 90-85 loss to Boston.
BOSTON -- This was a case of deja vu, but not just because of the opposition and the setting. The Boston Celtics beat the Cavaliers at TD Banknorth Garden Tuesday, just as they beat them four times in last spring's playoffs, using a strong second half to win, 90-85, on banner night. It's not just a fact, it is a stinging comparison in an area the Cavs are desperate to avoid.
Prickly similar to the end of last season, when this game got serious, the Cavs' offense lapsed. That's a paramount issue they've been trying to fix by playing a quicker lineup featuring new point guard Mo Williams. After Game 1, there's plenty of time to show improvement, but also lots of room for it.
That includes late-game management as the Cavs missed key free throws and displayed general bad mechanics. That included stuff like losing Celtics while pressing and ending one play with Anderson Varejao taking a 3-pointer.

After an impressive start filled with ball movement, some easy baskets and numerous trips to the foul line in a progressive first half, things regressed in an unexpected but familiar fashion. As the game wore on and the Celtics made the charge you'd expect from a defending champion, the Cavs did a great deal of standing and dribbling as their offense dried up.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Cavaliers Insider: Sasha, Wally battling for playing time behind James

by Brian Windhorst Tuesday October 28, 2008, 8:04 PM

Duane Burleson/Associated PressWally Szczerbiak figures to duel with Sasha Pavlovic for playing time behind LeBron James during the early part of the season.
BOSTON -- At some point, there's probably going to be an odd Cavalier out. Coach Mike Brown started the season against the Celtics Tuesday night attempting to use a 10-man rotation. That's likely one too many, and Brown knows it. Though rotations are fluid throughout the season depending on injuries and other factors, Brown historically has used nine or even eight-man rotations.
It appears the two players in position for the last spot, at the moment, are Sasha Pavlovic and Wally Szczerbiak. Szczerbiak played better in the preseason, especially on offense, though Pavlovic was hampered by a sprained ankle he is just now starting to completely get over.
Both will get playing time so LeBron James can get some extra rest for the time being, but it won't last.
"I'm going to give [the 10-man rotation] a chance, I'm still trying to figure it out," Brown said. "I don't want to exclude anyone too soon."
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Brian Windhorst's Cavaliers Blog: Fresh reminder of an old problem in the opener

by Brian Windhorst Tuesday October 28, 2008, 7:42 PM


Celtics 90, Cavs 85
? First half: 53 percent shooting, 11 assists, 22 trips to the foul line. Second half: 39 percent shooting, five assists, 11 trips to line. That sums it up right there. A major factor was the Celtics' defense, they are physical and they set the tone right off the bat in the second half. The Cavs' reaction was to look at the officials and hope for fouls and then stop moving all together. There was a lot more 1-on-1 play in the second half, which plays into the Celtics' strength. It is just the first game, but this was a regression back to last season.
? Mo Williams looked like he played tight to me. He was tenative at times and wasn't aggressive in the halfcourt. He had just two assists, both coming on fastbreaks in the fourth quarter. But he also had four turnovers, two in the fourth on back-to-back possessions. One, in his low moment of the night, when Rajon Rondo just picked his pocket at halfcourt. Overall in the second half, Mo, Delonte West and Daniel Gibson were a combined 2-of-12 with three assists. These are the guys who are supposed to get the offense moving and take pressure off LeBron James because of their multi-dimensional skills. On this night it didn't happen but it wasn't the missed shots or turnovers that were bothersome, that stuff is going to happen. It was the way things shut down after halftime with lazy offense. That is what cost the Cavs the series last spring.
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[osugrad21]

Canton

Celtics get rings, then get win vs. Cavaliers
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
BY JIMMY GOLEN
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON Banner No. 17 is up in the rafters, and win No. 1 is in the books.

NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce scored 27 points, and the defending champion Boston Celtics followed an emotional ring ceremony and banner-raising with a 90-85 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. LeBron James scored 22, but he missed a driving layup with 41 seconds left and two free throws in the last 11 seconds.

It was the Celtics' first game since beating the Los Angeles Lakers to clinch their record 17th NBA title, and Boston honored the 2007-08 team with a 20-minute ceremony that brought Pierce to tears.

The Celtics captain ? and the longest-tenured member of the team ? choked up when he was handed the championship trophy by Hall of Famer John Havlicek, and again when he received his ring from owner Wyc Grousbeck. Once all the players had received their gaudy diamond and emerald baubles, Pierce took the lead in pulling the ropes that slid the "2008 World Champions" banner into the rafters among all the others.

"It's moments like these that you cherish. Whenever you can raise that banner and grab that ring, and be there in front of the people closest to you, it's very emotional," Pierce said. "I'm just glad I pulled together in time so we could come out and play the game."

The Cavaliers chose to return to their locker room rather than watch, having been deprived of a chance for their first title when Boston eliminated them. But the Cleveland players were on the bench when Pierce addressed the fans before the game, and they also saw former stars Havlicek, Bob Cousy and Tommy Heinsohn get their rings between the first and second quarters, along with Randy Auerbach, the daughter of late Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach.
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[Brutus1]

Whoever the idiot is that said Varejao sucks must have been watching a different game. He's not out there to score, yet chipped in with 9 points. He took 1 stupid shot but led the team in rebounds 9 and offensive rebounds with 4. He shot better from the ft line than LeBron and had 3 steals. His defense and hustle are never a question so pay attention next time before you say something stupid.

I'll admit alot of the calls were questionable, but that happens in the NBA.

Wally trying to guard Leon Powe was a joke. If he's not hitting shots, he should only be getting 8 min a game. His defense needs help. At his age, it may be too late.

I love Gibson, but he is not a pg. He can't create, but I do like his new floater shot. He needs to have Lebron out there when he is in the game, that's where he earns his money.

Agree with CBF40 that the rotaion was bad. I'll give Brown a pass on this just because it was the first game. I think (hope) it will get better as the teams learns to gel.

They looked good in the first half, but reverted back to last years problems of sucking in the 3rd quarter.

I think the offense hurried some shots that they didn't need top and that was a problem.

They need to take better advantage of Z's shooting ability. I'd rather him shoot from 18 ft than to see him try to dribble in the paint.

Lebron needs to quit worrying about being a Billionaire and global icon and learn to hit clutch shots and more importantly, clutch free throws.

 

[exhawg]

I'll give Andy 1 missed 10 footer per game as long as he doesn't try to drive to the hoop. Those are the only two possible things you can dislike about Andy. If everyone gave the effort that Andy does the Cavs would be NBA champs.

 

[Piney]

The game last night reminded me why I shouldn't pay attention to the NBA til February.

 

[exhawg]

The game last night reminded me why I shouldn't pay attention to the NBA til February.

What else are you going to do?

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Cavaliers' Williams keeping optimistic after 'average' effort in opening loss to Celtics

by Mary Schmitt Boyer Wednesday October 29, 2008, 8:20 PM

Terry Gilliam/Associated PressAfter 12 points in the opener against Boston, Mo Williams said "It's just getting to a comfort level. It's not a confidence thing. There's a difference between confidence and comfort. Once I get there, I'll be fine."
Cavs are 11th in NBA ticket costs

It wasn't quite the debut point guard Mo Williams and the Cavaliers were hoping for, but rather a reminder that the Cavaliers' new offense is a work in progress. "Overall I thought he was pretty good," Cavs coach Mike Brown said of Williams' performance in a 90-85 loss at Boston in the season opener on Tuesday night. "I thought he responded well playing into the fourth quarter for the first time with the starting unit. I wouldn't give him an A, but probably a little bit above average."
Williams didn't disagree.
"It went OK, obviously it could have been better," said Williams, acquired last summer in a three-way trade with Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. "I'm still trying to feel my way. It's going to come with playing more meaningful games. It's just getting to a comfort level. It's not a confidence thing. There's a difference between confidence and comfort. Once I get there, I'll be fine."

Williams made 4 of 10 shots against Boston, including three of five 3-pointers, for 12 points. He had three rebounds, two assists and a steal. But he also had four turnovers and five fouls. As a team, the Cavs shot 42.6 percent with 21 turnovers, and in the second half, their offense reverted to the stagnation that was so troublesome last year.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Cavaliers just short of top 10 among NBA's priciest tickets

by Bill Lubinger Wednesday October 29, 2008, 7:39 PM

Marvin Fong/Plain Dealer file photoWith all of the pyrotechnics and one of the greatest players in basketball, the Cavaliers remain in the middle third of NBA teams in terms of average costs of attending a game at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavaliers open their 41-game home schedule Thursday ranked among the NBA's best. At the ticket booth, they're closer to middling. The average ticket price for a Cavs game this season is $55.95 -- near the league average of $49.47, according to Team Marketing Report. The Chicago sports marketing firm tracks fan costs for the NBA, NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball.
League-wide averages range from $93 for a Los Angeles Lakers ticket, to $24 to watch the Memphis Grizzlies. (Average prices don't include much high-end club seating or luxury suites.)
The Cavs' average ticket, 11th highest among the 30 teams, was about identical to last season, in which the team lost to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

Jon Greenberg, TMR's executive editor, was surprised there wasn't a significant price jump, given the team's success and marquee player, LeBron James.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Scribbles in my notebook after the Cavaliers begin their season --- Terry Pluto

by Terry Pluto Wednesday October 29, 2008, 6:02 PM


There are times when something is so obviously wrong, that I wonder why anyone could miss it. I'm talking about how Mike Brown had Mo Williams, LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas on the bench at the same time near the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth period. The Cavs struggled to score. I thought, well, there is an obvious reason for that -- the scorers were on the bench! The Cavs lost, 90-85, at Boston, and the substitution pattern was only part of the problem. But it's also something easily fixed.
James needs to rest and he had foul trouble, so he had to be off the court. But this should be a rule: When James is out, Mo Williams has to play. They need someone who can create a shot off the dribble -- and has a scorer's mentality. That's why they traded for him.

Winslow Townsend/Associated PressMo Williams' regular-season debut for the Cavaliers Tuesday in Boston wasn't all that fans or the team might have hoped for.
Yes, Williams had a tough night with only 12 points -- and his two assists coming in the fourth quarter. There also were moments when it was clear that he and James were not sure how they wanted to play with each other. That's why when James is out, Williams should feel free to play his run-and-gun game, and he's very effective, averaging 17 points over the last two seasons. He's also a career 85 percent foul shooter, so give him the green light to drive to the basket.
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