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

[osugrad21]

CPD

Season on the rebound: Cavaliers' Ben Wallace regains his irresistable force on the boards

by Bill Livingston/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday December 02, 2008, 6:29 PM

Roadell Hickman/The Plain DealerIf Ben Wallace's 7.2 rebounds per game average was extended over a full 48-minute contest, he would rank seventh in the NBA. Healthy so far this season, Wallace is back to being the high-energy defender the Cavaliers hoped for after last season's trade.

Much can be learned from a man's dreams. The sun around which the Cavaliers orbit, LeBron James, wanted to be like Mike, and so wears Michael Jordan's No. 23. The previous generation wanted to hover like Dr. J.
After a turnover, point guards in the generation before that had to answer the taunting question, "Who do you think you are? Cousy?"
Ben Wallace, "Big Ben," patrolman of the paint, doom-toller for the unwary, wanted to be ... who?
"As a kid, I wanted to be L.T.," he said.
That would be of the NFL's L.T.
The connection is evident. Lawrence Taylor, a Pro Football Hall of Famer at outside linebacker, brought such mayhem to offensive schemes that it became foolish to try to block him on blitzes with a running back. Teams actually stationed an extra tackle in the backfield, and L.T. still came screaming in like something with a smokestack, iron wheels and fire box.

And, no, the connection with Wallace is not the havoc he wreaks on rims, but his irresistible rebounding.
Wallace is, however, only a 41.8 percent foul shooter, the worst in NBA history. Like Wilt Chamberlain, his spiritual ancestor and a 51.1 percent career free-throw shooter, Wallace can pour shots in at practice, from the top of the key and either baseline.
In a game, it is different. In a game, the "Hack-a-Ben" strategy of off-the-ball fouls is a frequent tactic against him.

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[buckeyemania11]

Cavs roll over the Knicks 118-82

10-0 at home

 

[OH10]

Cavs roll over the [insert NBA team here]

This team is coming together much better and faster than I think anyone thought.

How good can they get?

 

[Brutus1]

I'm diggin' those old throwbacks. Very nice.

Nice to see them get the Knicks down big early and continue to play hard the whole game.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

I was hoping Hickson would get some run earlier in this game with the first team.

Still, Cavs just playing amazing all around ball right now. It's beautiful to watch when everyone on the team is doing their thing.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Love how they continue to put teams away...It is helping keep guys like LBJ, Z, and Big Ben rested and not having to play them a ton of minutes...

 

[exhawg]

How the hell are the Knicks the second highest scoring team in the NBA? Hopefully the Cavs D is just that good. 3 back to backs in a row now with some tough games mixed in.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

I noticed that too looking at the schedule a few days ago. The Next six games are:

Fri: Indiana
Sat: @ Charlotte

Tue: Toronto
Wed: @ Philly

Fri: Philly
Sat: @ Atlanta

If we can come out of this 4-2 I'll be pretty happy. Those last four games could be tough.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

We are clearly the better team in all those games...If we can get some rest in some of them, we could go 5-1...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

LeBron dismisses free-agent chatter Teammate Williams and James both say topic not distraction
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
CLEVELAND: The brouhaha over where LeBron James will be driving to the basket in 2010 is dying a slow death apparently.
Instead of having to address the issue with the New York media on the first question, he didn't face it until the second ? a snail's pace when compared with his recent appearances at the Izod Center in New Jersey and Madison Square Garden, respectively.
Given recent comments made by TNT's Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, who both intimated that James' free-agency issues had become a distraction, it's of little surprise that was the topic du jour in the Cavs' pre-game locker room. James dismissed the notion of that being the case.
''For us? No. It's a distraction for the Knicks. It's not a distraction for us; we're good,'' he said.
''Players on that team don't want to hear about LeBron James or Chris Bosh coming to their team at this point. It's a year-and-a-half away. They've got better things to do.''
Teammate and Cavs point guard Mo Williams agreed.
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Cavs snapshot Published on Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
Key stat: The Cavaliers forced 28 turnovers.
Key moment: A 17-5 run by the Cavaliers at the end of the first quarter that gave them an 11-point lead.
Thomas' three stars:
1. LeBron James, Cavs, 21 points, five steals.
2. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cavs, 14 points, 10 rebounds.
3. Al Harrington, Knicks, 20 points, seven rebounds.
Next: Pacers at Cavaliers
Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
TV: FSOhio.

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

CAVALIERS 118, KNICKS 82
Cavs, LeBron flatten Knicks 10th win in a row at home sets record
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
CLEVELAND: After shaking off a layer of rust that sometimes seemed to be an inch deep and sopping wet, the Cavaliers humiliated the New York Knicks 118-82 on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavs have won 14 of their last 15 games, and their 10th consecutive win at home to start the season set a franchise record.
''It's great. It's always good to go out and protect home court and we did that tonight, which is really good,'' LeBron James said.
As usual, they accomplished their task with stifling defense and pinpoint shooting, something that has evolved into a trait in recent games. The Cavs held the Knicks to just 39 percent shooting for the game, stole the ball 18 times, forced a season-high 28 turnovers and blocked eight shots.
For a little perspective: The Knicks scored 82 points in the first half against the Golden State Warriors Saturday. For a while, it didn't look as if they'd hit that number at all against the Cavaliers.
The Cavs weren't slouches on offense either. They dominated in every facet of the game. They hit close to 51 percent of their shots, scored a season-high 56 points in the paint. At one point, they held a lead of 42 points.
James led the Cavs in scoring with 21 points and added six assists and five rebounds. Once again, his teammates aided his effort, as Mo
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Near-perfect 10: Cavaliers continue their impressive march, dominating the Knicks by 36

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday December 03, 2008, 10:53 PM

Tracy Boulian/The Plain DealerAnderson Varejao (right) and Daniel Gibson enjoy another big lead over an overmatched foe on Wednesday night. The Cavaliers, wearing 1970 throwback uniforms, moved to 15-3 with the biggest victory over a Knicks team in franchise history.
Insider: Wallace needs a new shoe (deal)

There may never have been a better time to take the kids to a Cavaliers game; these days it seems like there's practically a guarantee they'll be home for normal bedtime. Once again, the Cavs made short work of an opponent at home Wednesday, hammering the New York Knicks, 118-82. Once again they were dominant at both ends of the floor. Once again their front line was able to take the fourth quarter off when the doubt had been removed. Once again they made some history.
Now at 10-0, the Cavs (15-3) are off to the best home start in franchise history. The 36-point win was also the largest ever over the Knicks in 171 games. They have now won 14-of-15, which also has never before been accomplished in team history. The current winning streak is now at six.
Four of the Cavs' five starters, including LeBron James, played less than 10 minutes in the second half. By jumping on team after team early and not letting up, the Cavs are ending games without much drama. Their last six home wins have been by an average of 20.5 points.
"This is the thing when you run into a good team without any gas in your tank," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We got down by spirit and things unraveled."

The Knicks (8-10) had disadvantages everywhere. They currently only really have seven healthy rotation players. Several players are out with injury (Eddy Curry, Jared Jeffries, Nate Robinson), one is out due to a medical concern (Cuttino Mobley), one D'Antoni just refuses to play no matter the circumstance (Jerome James), and one is famously in exile (Stephon Marbury).

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Cavaliers Insider: Wallace rejects shoe deal with troubled company

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday December 03, 2008, 8:14 PM

Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerBen Wallace's bounce-back season with the Cavaliers (he's tormenting Atlanta's Zaza Pachulia on this play) has been briefly interrupted by the collapse of the company that produces Wallace's shoes.


Ben Wallace is now a free agent, at least when it comes to shoes. Last year when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls, Wallace launched a partnership for a signature shoe and clothing line with Steve & Barry's. Like Stephon Marbury, Wallace joined up with the discount sporting goods retailer to offer low-priced shoes and apparel. One of 11 children, Wallace grew up in a family where money was tight and was pleased he could be part of an effort to offer low-cost shoes.
Like with Marbury, though, the good intentions did not work out.
"Things didn't happen the way they said they would," Wallace said. "They didn't produce all the pieces they said they would."
Last week, Steve & Barry's announced it was liquidating its 173 remaining stores nationwide five months after it initially declared bankruptcy. Wallace became frustrated with the company earlier this year but has continued to wear his signature shoes, called the Big Ben, which had retailed for $14.98.

Earlier this year, Marbury sued Steve & Barry's for $2 million in unpaid royalties. Wallace hasn't taken such actions, but is looking for a new company to endorse.
"I like the shoes and I still have quite a few new pairs so I'll wear them for a while," Wallace said. "But I've been a free agent."
New York distraction: Before facing the Knicks for the second time in eight days, LeBron James was asked whether all the speculation about this future and the Knicks was a distraction. James flopped the question around and took a shot at the Knicks at the same time."It's a distraction for the Knicks, not for us; we're good," James said. "Players on that team, they don't want to hear about LeBron James and Chris Bosh coming to their team at this point. It is a year and a half away, they've got better things to do."

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Windhorst's Beat Blog: Cavs enjoying each others' company

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday December 03, 2008, 6:56 PM


Cavs 118, Knicks 82
? After the game nearly the entire Cavs team stayed in the shower area for an hour. They were leaning against walls, sitting on counters and enjoying adult beverages all in towels. They were talking, making fun of each other, hanging out. It may seem like normal locker room behavior, but it isn't. Maybe these guys go hang out with each other in groups after the games at restaurants or their houses. But in my six years covering the Cavs I'd never seen that after a game. You have to preface everything you say about these Cavs with "it's still early," but I have not seen chemistry like this before. The season is long, trying times are certainly ahead, but the team is more than just winning, they are enjoying doing it with each other.
? I've talked to a couple of the veterans privately and they insist this is the best chemistry they have ever been a part of. Again, I have to reserve some judgment; a couple years ago I was noticing how well the Cavs got along. But Larry Hughes was unhappy and messing some things up behind the scenes. So sometimes you can't really know, but right now it seems true.
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