Cavs Regular Season

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/2/06

Unpleasant deja vu

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers already employ a private sports psychologist, a masseuse, and a chaplain. Perhaps, though, it's time to call in an exorcist.
It's getting a little eerie these days and no one is denying it -- the ghosts of 2004-05 are starting to be heard in the dark corners of Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavs are playing tight and it's showing on the court, in the locker room and certainly in the standings. They were at it again Wednesday night, losing their composure, a big lead and another game, 97-90, to the Sacramento Kings.
Their losing streak is at five and dangerously close to mimicking last season's post-All-Star Game collapse.
Last year, the Cavs (32-26) returned from the break and went 1-6. This year's ledger reads 1-5 and the don't end with the records.
LeBron James is being left to do things on his own, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is being neutralized in the clutch, and the role players are getting nightly failing grades.
``Right now it's all `here we go again' and with the talk of last year we try not to let that affect us,'' forward Donyell Marshall said. ``But obviously it is affecting us right now.''
Losing a home-and-home set to the Detroit Pistons can be explained right away. So too can a loss to the hot Washington Wizards. But the Kings? A sub-.500 team that was 7-19 on the road when they arrived Wednesday? There's no rationalization there.
No doubt the Kings (27-30) played well. In fact they accomplished a rare statistical anomaly. They played seven players and all scored in double figures, led by Kenny Thomas' 22 points and Mike Bibby's 16. Sacramento also shot 51 percent, most of them on dead-eye jumpers. In fact, it seemed they hit more shots than the Cavs have collectively made since their All-Star Weekend respite.
Still, the Cavs owned a 14-point lead in the first half and then came crumbling down. They allowed the Kings to shoot 60 percent (24-of-40) in the middle quarters, a stat that won't work under any circumstance.
``We're just losing ball games, we've got to turn it around someway, somehow,'' James said.
``We're still third in the Eastern Conference, we can't get down on ourselves, we're still in great position.''
That sounds fine, but like the Cavs' inconsistent play, that sort of talk was commonplace last season. Third became fourth became fifth became out of the playoffs. As it is, the Cavs now occupy the fourth playoff seed by one game over the Indiana Pacers.
James had 19 points in the loss, the fifth time in the last six games he's scored 26 or less. For the second time in a week, and the second time in his career, James did not make a basket in the second half and scored just three points.
Double-team defenses allowed James to tally 12 assists, but his teammates were not all that helpful. Ilgauskas scored 19 points, but was 1-of-6 shooting in the second half. Flip Murray had 19 points but added five turnovers.
``I don't think it's slipping away,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
``We have to keep our heads up and support one another, we're going to get through it.`

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

3/2/06

CAVS AT BULLS
Tonight, 7
United Center, Chicago
TV FSN Ohio, TNT




Kings 97, Cavaliers 90
CLEVELAND - A winnable game turned into a loss for the Cavaliers.
So what else is new?
The fans who show up at The Q are watching this rerun with alarming regularity. Teams fighting to make the playoffs and those who have no chance to make the postseason are winning here.
It was Sacramento’s turn Wednesday. The Kings wiped out a 14-point first-half deficit and handed the Cavs their fifth straight loss, 97-90.
This was Cleveland’s sixth loss to a team under .500 at home in 12 tries. The Cavs looked unbeatable in their own arena at the start of the season. And yes, some of the league’s best teams have left The Q with a loss.
Make no mistake, though. Failing to take advantage of the easier opportunities is going to cost the Cavaliers in the long run. This slump is threatening to push them out of the No. 4 spot in the East. The other teams behind them are capable of closing the gap.
Tension appears to be building. After the game, team security quietly escorted Damon Jones back to the locker room when he came out and headed toward a tunnel that leads to the court.
Jones has felt the wrath from fans because of his shooting struggles. He hit two 3-pointers and had four assists against the Kings, ending a streak of two straight scoreless games.
“I don’t feel things slipping away,” Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown said. “ ... We have to try to increase our effort level. I have to increase my effort level. We just have to get it done.”
The Cavaliers (32-26) did not get it done defensively in the third quarter when the Kings (27-30) outscored them, 35-26, and grabbed a 78-73 lead.
Sacramento hit 13-of-19 (68.4 percent) field goals in the period. Kenny Thomas and Brad Miller were a perfect 3-for-3.
“That was a back-breaker,” Cavs forward Donyell Marshall said of the Kings’ 35-point third quarter. “I think we gave them confidence instead of coming out in the third quarter and sticking it to them and getting the lead. When you let teams stick around, they get confident.”
The Cavaliers rallied early in the fourth quarter. Flip Murray’s jumper with 8:37 left gave them an 82-80 lead.
Sacramento regained the lead, but Murray’s layup with 4:15 left cut it to 90-88. Then the Cavs went ice cold, just like they did during the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss to Detroit. The Kings held the Cavaliers to just 1-of-8 shooting down the stretch.
“It just comes down to knocking down shots late in the game,” Cavs forward LeBron James said.
All seven Kings who played scored in double figures. Thomas led the way with 22 points.
Murray, James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 19 points apiece to lead the Cavaliers. James scored just 3 in the second half, but handed out eight of his 12 assists over the final two quarters.
“I have always said if they are going to put two or three on me, I am going to give the ball up,” James said. “I did that tonight, and guys made shots and missed shots. It happens.” Reach Repository sports writer Mike Popovich at (330) 580-8341 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[scarletngrey11]

“I don’t feel things slipping away,” Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown said.

Is he that stupid? Or that bad of a liar?

How the hell dont you feel things slipping away? Its the exact same as last year so far this second half, and theres nothing saying it wont end the same.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

“I have always said if they are going to put two or three on me, I am going to give the ball up,” James said. “I did that tonight, and guys made shots and missed shots. It happens.”

What was that about no killer attitude. You could put 15 fuckin' guys on Kobe and he is taking the shot down the stretch.

Sacramento hit 13-of-19 (68.4 percent) field goals in the period. Kenny Thomas and Brad Miller were a perfect 3-for-3.
“That was a back-breaker,” Cavs forward Donyell Marshall said of the Kings’ 35-point third quarter. “I think we gave them confidence instead of coming out in the third quarter and sticking it to them and getting the lead. When you let teams stick around, they get confident.”

No shit really, why the hell dont you try and stop them then.

 

[exhawg]

I can't even say anything about the game last night. It looked like the Cavs played up to their potential for a 5 minute run in the first quarter, and that was it. If they could play a whole game like that 5 minutes they would be amazing. The way this team is playing right now they deserve to get booed at home. The only player on the team that doesn't get out hustled is Varejao. Z needs to get the ball more often especially when they've had a few bad possessions. Lebron is easier to read than JT's playbook. Every time he stands on the 3 pt line and starts dribbling the ball he is going to shoot it from right there. I like what Flip Murray has brought to the team, but he needs to stop shooting 3's. Everything else is acceptable with him. Most of his turnovers were aggressive errors because he doesn't know the team very well yet. Lebron had like 5 turnovers in the first few minutes of the game. Totally unacceptable regardless of shoe problems. How about this lineup Snow, Pavlovic, Lebron, Gooden, and Varejao start. Jones, Murray, Graham/Newble, Marshall, and Z sub in every 5 minutes. That would insure that all players play hard the whole time they are out there. Sub in Graham/Newble or Henderson anytime someone doesn't hustle. I don't care who is on the floor, but I just want to see 100% effort the whole freaking game.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I can't even say anything about the game last night. It looked like the Cavs played up to their potential for a 5 minute run in the first quarter, and that was it. If they could play a whole game like that 5 minutes they would be amazing. The way this team is playing right now they deserve to get booed at home. The only player on the team that doesn't get out hustled is Varejao. Z needs to get the ball more often especially when they've had a few bad possessions. Lebron is easier to read than JT's playbook. Every time he stands on the 3 pt line and starts dribbling the ball he is going to shoot it from right there. I like what Flip Murray has brought to the team, but he needs to stop shooting 3's. Everything else is acceptable with him. Most of his turnovers were aggressive errors because he doesn't know the team very well yet. Lebron had like 5 turnovers in the first few minutes of the game. Totally unacceptable regardless of shoe problems. How about this lineup Snow, Pavlovic, Lebron, Gooden, and Varejao start. Jones, Murray, Graham/Newble, Marshall, and Z sub in every 5 minutes. That would insure that all players play hard the whole time they are out there. Sub in Graham/Newble or Henderson anytime someone doesn't hustle. I don't care who is on the floor, but I just want to see 100% effort the whole freaking game.

Couldnt of said it any better my self.

 

[OH10]

If you don't have a problem with the booing, go jump on another bandwagon. This is a team that lost its second leading scorer over two months ago. Lebron has been carrying this team with a point guard that no one needs to guard, Sasha Pavlovic and Flip "freaking" Murray. I don't want to hear any whining from some of you so-called "fans" when Lebron realizes Cleveland fans are just bandwagon fans and bolts for something better. Right now, he deserves better.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

If you don't have a problem with the booing, go jump on another bandwagon. This is a team that lost its second leading scorer over two months ago. Lebron has been carrying this team with a point guard that no one needs to guard, Sasha Pavlovic and Flip "freaking" Murray. I don't want to hear any whining from some of you so-called "fans" when Lebron realizes Cleveland fans are just bandwagon fans and bolts for something better. Right now, he deserves better.

I will back him 100% and think it was ridiculous for our fans to boo, but he needs to step up and be a leader.

 

[exhawg]

If you don't have a problem with the booing, go jump on another bandwagon. This is a team that lost its second leading scorer over two months ago. Lebron has been carrying this team with a point guard that no one needs to guard, Sasha Pavlovic and Flip "freaking" Murray. I don't want to hear any whining from some of you so-called "fans" when Lebron realizes Cleveland fans are just bandwagon fans and bolts for something better. Right now, he deserves better.

I wouldn't boo the individual players especially Lebron, but I would boo their effort. I.E. when they make a stupid turnover or don't hustle to a loose ball and the other team gets it. You can't possibly watch these games and think that the players are giving 100% effort right now.

 

[tsteele316]

I wouldn't boo the individual players especially Lebron, but I would boo their effort. I.E. when they make a stupid turnover or don't hustle to a loose ball and the other team gets it. You can't possibly watch these games and think that the players are giving 100% effort right now.

the team has no vocal leader right now. Mike Brown is a good teacher and decent X's and O's guy, but he's not a vocal fire up the troops kind of guy, and he's having a hard enough time with his substitution patterns. Nobody on the team is consistent enough for brown to have a set rotation every night.

The more minutes jones and marshall play, the more ineffective they become. The whole team plays sloppy, uninspired ball. It really looks like most of them are going through the motions with the mindset that they will turn it on when they need to to get in the playoffs, then take it from there. They did it last year as well.

 

[scarletngrey11]

All I know is the last two games Lebron is 0-15 field goals in the second half. Im tired of Marshall shooting the ball, he is horrible. Damon Jones plays defense as well as a tree, and Gooden is so inconsistent some nights hes a double-double guy, the next night he cant even tie his damn shoes.

The players bitch about people booing, yet they show no heart or brains.

 

[exhawg]

All I know is the last two games Lebron is 0-15 field goals in the second half. Im tired of Marshall shooting the ball, he is horrible. Damon Jones plays defense as well as a tree, and Gooden is so inconsistent some nights hes a double-double guy, the next night he cant even tie his damn shoes.

The players bitch about people booing, yet they show no heart or brains.

How about the breakaway dunk that Gooden muffed last night. Drew, you don't have to make it fancy, just put the ball through the hoop.

 

[OH10]

All I know is the last two games Lebron is 0-15 field goals in the second half. Im tired of Marshall shooting the ball, he is horrible. Damon Jones plays defense as well as a tree, and Gooden is so inconsistent some nights hes a double-double guy, the next night he cant even tie his damn shoes.

The players bitch about people booing, yet they show no heart or brains.

You don't have to watch the games. You can do what most Cleveland fans did during the Shawn Kemp years - countdown to baseball Opening Day.

 

[scarletngrey11]

Marshall is shooting .315 from behind the arc. So why does he keep jacking up 8 3-pointers a game? Especially during a clutch situation?

And can anyone else explain why Damon "I cant do shit without Shaq" Jones was guarding Mike Bibby the whole 3rd quarter?

 

[exhawg]

You don't have to watch the games. You can do what most Cleveland fans did during the Shawn Kemp years - countdown to baseball Opening Day.

Why are you being such a dick about the bandwagon thing? Nobody wants to watch a team play bad especially a team with as much talent as the Cavs. If you like that style of bball maybe you should be a Knicks fan. Personally I would like to see the Cavs play up to their potential like they did for 5 minutes of the first quarter last night. Until then I will feel free to give them shit when they are lazy for 43 minutes a game.