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

[Brutus1]

The thing that killed them (besides the Pistons hot shooting) was a stretch in the third quarter when the Cavs were up by 10, they had a few turnovers in a row, 2 or 3 by Ben Wallace, then, as Detroit got closer, the Cavs went back to their bad habit from last year: taking stupid shots. LeBron took a couple of those bad 3's, Andy shot one from past the free throw line and someone briced a layup. They just need to give the ball to Mo and let him create. Take it to the hoop for the easier shot or get fouled.

They played pretty well for most of the game. They just need to do that for the whole 48 minutes against the good teams.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Cleveland Cavaliers fall to Detroit Pistons, 96-89

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday November 19, 2008, 11:18 PM

Duane Burleson/Associated PressCleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James drives to basket against Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, left, and Rodney Stuckey on Wednesday in Detroit.


AUBURN HILLS, MICH. -- Wednesday wasn't just the end of a winning streak for the Cavaliers, it was a learning experience. Or at least a re-learning experience.

The Detroit Pistons gave the Cavs a few lessons in their 96-89 victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Not the least of which is how potent they can be offensively with Allen Iverson in the lineup. That and they can still bring out the worst in the Cavs offense if permitted.
After looking in control for much of the game's first 30 minutes and perhaps well on their way to a ninth straight win, the Cavs (9-3) were thoroughly outplayed over the last quarter and a half. It came in a fashion seen quite a few times before on the same red, white and blue floor.

Continued...............

 

[exhawg]

At least it looks like the Cavs wore down the Pistons last night. I doubt they have a 4th quarter comeback in them tonight.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Cavaliers Buzz: To trade or not to trade

Posted by [URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/about.html"][URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/"]Dan Labbe, cleveland.com | Contact[/URL][/URL] November 20, 2008 12:58PM

AP photoJoe Dumars and the Pistons - the poster boys of stability in the NBA - shook things up in their quest to get back to the Finals.


Watching the Pistons with Allen Iverson got me thinking about trades. More specifically, it got me thinking about the Cavs making a trade with Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract. Let me make two things clear: First, I'm not the biggest Wally Szczerbiak fan in the world. In fact, every time he puts the ball on the floor to try and create a shot I turn the TV off. I have a little guy running around and that sort of viewing just isn't appropriate for him. Second, part of my prediction of the Cavaliers winning a title was based on the fact they still had a significant piece to use to get better in Wally's expiring contract.

Continued.............

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Cavs' Williams already a valuable contributer

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter Friday November 21, 2008, 1:06 AM

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerMo Williams has become a valuable contributor for the Cavaliers. Williams is averaging 21.3 points in the past four games.


It is easy to see Mo Williams is playing well for the Cavaliers, but it is what you don' t see that is truly making the difference.
The Cavs' eight-game win streak ended Wednesday in Detroit, but Williams had his best scoring game of the season, putting up 25 point, including five 3-pointers. Over the past four games, in fact, Williams is averaging 21.3 points on 50 percent shooting, the sort of stats the Cavs dreamed about when they traded for him in August.
The statistics, though, tell just part of the story. Williams is playing better because he' s feeling better, both physically and emotionally. But he' s also making contributions that go deeper than the box score.

Continued.................

 

[buckeyemania11]

Cavs take down the Hawks 110-96

7-0 at home now

 

[crazybuckfan40]

They played great last night...Delonte, Mo, Z, and LBJ in double figures...

LBJ with some sick dunks as well...

 

[stowfan]

Cav's box score from Saturday night, nicest looking one so far this year.
Sadly my guy JJ did nothing in 8 minutes. We may have to find ourselves another big.

cleveland.com

 

[Brutus1]

Cav's box score from Saturday night, nicest looking one so far this year.
Sadly my guy JJ did nothing in 8 minutes. We may have to find ourselves another big.

cleveland.com

Nah. He's the 4th option and, if lucky, get 8 min a game. I notice when he's playing, he appears to be making defensive improvement his top priority. He know's that's the way to getting increased time. Notive that he never takes more than 2 or 3 shots when he's in there. He'll learn. Until Wally gets traded, they're fine in the Bigs dept. I still love JJ's long term outlook.

 

[exhawg]

JJ will be a good player. The game just needs to slow down for him. I won't be upset if they can't trade for another big because I think JJ will be ready for the challenge when the postseason rolls around. I wouldn't want to bring in anyone else that would hinder his growth unless it is a move that the Cavs can't turn down.

 

[aurorabuckeye13]

I know its the Knicks who just traded away half of their team... but the Cavs just look like an elite team tonight... lead by 29 at the half

 

[exhawg]

I know its the Knicks who just traded away half of their team... but the Cavs just look like an elite team tonight... lead by 29 at the half

31, which is only 5 less than the Knicks have for the game.

 

[buckeyemania11]

nice beatdown of the Knicks in their house

Hickson was able to get 17 minutes (and score 10 points)

Darnell Jackson got into action for the first time this year as well

 

[stowfan]

Props to the Cleveland Plain Dealer for getting to the box score:

cleveland.com

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Cavaliers 119 Knicks 101
Cavs cruise to win; NYC courts LeBron

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 3:21 AM
By Brian Windhorst


The Plain Dealer

NEW YORK -- About an hour before tipoff last night, one of the Knicks' most famous fans stood outside the Cavaliers locker room waiting for news.
Wearing a brand-new pair of LeBron James' Big Apple-themed shoes, Spike Lee stopped the first reporter he knew to ask what James had said in his pregame media session. The answer was not much, at least when it came to his future.
Then Lee, like the rest of the Knicks fans in sold-out Madison Square Garden, went and sat through a night of very bad Knicks basketball as the Cavs blew them away 119-101.
So there it was, a microcosm of the Knicks' and Cavs' reality. While the Knicks fans, massive media representation and seemingly their front office hang on James' every word regarding the year 2010, the Cavs shrug it off and focus on the day's assignment.

Continued.............