Cavs Regular Season

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

3/24/06

<H1 class=red>Tonight: Cavaliers vs. Boston

</H1>

Friday, March 24, 2006



Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. tonight at The Q.

TV/radio: FSN Ohio; WTAM AM/1100.

Notable: In the teams' last matchup on Feb. 15 in Boston, Paul Pierce scored 50 points for the Celtics (29-40). . . . In that same game, LeBron James led the Cavs (39-29) to victory behind a triple double. . . . James has nine triple doubles in his career and five this season. . . . The Cavs have won three straight, including five straight at home.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/24/06

James, Pierce resume rivalry

Cavaliers standout set to go head-to-head with star of Celtics 10th time

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - Over the last three years, much has been made of the story line, ``LeBron James vs. (opposing star's name here).''
Whether it's Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant, when they're playing James and the Cavaliers, it's usually televised nationally and much-hyped.
But the schedule-makers and TV decision-makers seemingly haven't noticed James' most fierce and entertaining individual rivalry: the one against Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics.
Tonight marks the 10th regular-season matchup between James and Pierce over the last three years, as the Celtics visit Quicken Loans Arena. Their history and rivalry goes beyond those games, however. In fact, including the four preseason games the Cavs have played with the Celtics over the last two years, James has faced Pierce more than any other contemporary star.
The last time the two hooked up, the result was one of the best Cavs games for viewing this season.
James put up 43 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a double-overtime victory. Pierce scored a career-high 50 points and might have forced a third overtime -- or led his team to victory -- had he not drawn his sixth foul.
The next day, both flew to Houston to take part in the All-Star Game.
``We didn't script it, it just kind of ended up that way. I look at it like it was a classic,'' Pierce said. ``You had two all-stars going toe to toe, and I think it was fun just being a part of it.''
It was just the latest in a series of intense matchups. The start goes back to James' rookie season, when he scored 37 points and Pierce bested him with 41 in a Celtics victory.
Over the last two seasons, the Cavs have played three games with the Celtics that have come down to the final seconds, two of which have gone to overtime.
Since James came into the league, the Cavs are 5-4 vs. Pierce and Boston. Pierce has averaged 30 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists in those games. James has averaged 28.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. The two have guarded each other a majority of the time, which hasn't always been the case with high-profile opponents such as Bryant, Wade and Anthony.
``I always like going up against him,'' James said. ``We're both similar players and we play the same position, so we usually guard each other. It's always a lot of fun.''
They were guarding each other before last season during a preseason game in Columbus at Value City Arena when things got heated. James and Pierce were aggressively going after each other on the offensive and defensive ends. It boiled over after James got a steal and dunk.
Being chirped at from the Cavs' bench, Pierce spit at the reserves. He later was fined.
Following the game, Pierce and James got into a fiery exchange in the hallway between the locker rooms with then-coach Paul Silas having to break things up and Pierce having to be carried away by teammates.
The two later made up at the All-Star Game in Denver, but they still make sure they bring their best game to face each other.
``He's a top scorer and I'm a top scorer and we kind of offset each other,'' Pierce said. ``He's a very nice guy. He's having an MVP-type year guiding his team to the playoffs.''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/24/06

Winning shot just the start for James

Cavs great's potential for late-game heroics limitless

By Tom Reed

<!-- begin body-content -->The Charlotte Bobcats were part of the lead story Wednesday on the late edition of ESPN's SportsCenter.
No, it had nothing to do with their reaction to the obvious snub by the National Invitation Tournament selection committee.
North Carolina's third-best basketball team made headlines because it was beaten by LeBron James' first game-winning shot of his three-year pro career. Never mind Tiger Woods skipped the final Tournament Players Championship practice round to be with his ailing father or that the Miami Heat were facing the Detroit Pistons in a key matchup.
James' walk-off jumper in overtime against the NBA's worst team apparently trumped all. You half expected to see Jeremy Schaap summoning Charles Barkley in bathrobe and slippers to his front porch for late-night analysis.
The story of the Cavaliers star's inability to make clutch plays has taken on a life of its own. Fueled by three close losses in January -- two coming on national television, one against Kobe Bryant -- James suddenly became cast as the superstar who couldn't close.
Barkley added to the debate by concurring that James lacked a ``killer instinct.''
Now that he has hit a game-winner, a 22-foot jumper to deliver a 120-118 win over the Bobcats, Cavs fans can return to their regularly scheduled worries: When is LeBron going to leave Cleveland for a larger market?
Sometimes, it's not so good to be the King.
Everything comes in time, but with James, we're not used to waiting. His muscles rippled by his senior season at St. Vincent-St. Mary. He was an NBA sensation in his first game at Sacramento as an 18-year-old.
Forty-point performances have become routine. He fills out a stat sheet the way Pavarotti does a tuxedo. He is averaging 30.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Being the most hyped prep player in basketball history, however, never allows for a minute's rest -- especially when rookie coach Mike Brown controls the substitutions.
So some have used one of James' best characteristics, his unselfishness, against him. Wasn't this what everybody liked about the kid, his willingness to share the ball? Now he has to be more like Kobe or Allen Iverson? More like his hero, Michael Jordan?
Iverson's Philadelphia 76ers are 32-35. As Bryant continues to post phenomenal scoring numbers, his Lakers sit two games (36-34) over .500. (Funny how Phil Jackson seems a little less Zen-like with Lamar Odom rather than Shaquille O'Neal at center.)
Will James need to develop into the go-to guy when the Cavaliers start making deep runs into the playoffs? Absolutely. His late-game leadership and play-making have been brilliant in recent games.
The Cavs have won four games in a row decided by one point. His ability to penetrate and find open players on the perimeter resulted in dramatic wins at Chicago and Toronto.
James forced overtime Wednesday with a 40-foot diagonal pass out of a double-team that Flip Murray converted into a wide-open 3-pointer. His pass was more spectacular than his game-winning shot.
Brown emphasized that James changed the play in the huddle and wanted to take the last shot in OT. He said James made the same request in the 99-98 loss to the Lakers on Jan. 12, when his shot drew iron.
``I'll live with him taking the shot at the end in every single game,'' Brown said.
What psychological boost, if any, James receives from Wednesday's basket is yet to be determined. Don't look for him to start attempting every last shot, though. James simply isn't wired that way. He is unapologetic for an approach that has earned universal praise during the other 47 minutes of games.
The addition of Murray -- General Manager Danny Ferry no doubt received the Employee of the Month parking spot for that trade -- has given the Cavaliers another legitimate last-minute threat.
If Brown ever gets his offense in sync, James and the Cavaliers might not be so vulnerable to fourth-quarter fades. It says here you are going to see more late-game heroics from James as he continues to take ownership of the Cavs. The upcoming playoffs will supply an excellent proving ground for the 21-year-old.
Next season, his game-winning shots against Charlotte probably will follow Winter X-Games wrap-ups on SportsCenter.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

3/24/06

Rumblings....

Flip Murray is making a strong case to return to the Cavaliers next season, but he could be playing himself out of town. Murray has raised his price tag by averaging 12.8 points since joining the team and is the main reason they have thrived since losing Larry Hughes. But the Cavs will not have much salarycap space after their spending spree last summer. They would like to figure out a way to keep Murray and forward Drew Gooden, but could lose both.

 

[exhawg]

Dispatch

3/24/06

Flip Murray is making a strong case to return to the Cavaliers next season, but he could be playing himself out of town. Murray has raised his price tag by averaging 12.8 points since joining the team and is the main reason they have thrived since losing Larry Hughes. But the Cavs will not have much salarycap space after their spending spree last summer. They would like to figure out a way to keep Murray and forward Drew Gooden, but could lose both.

Rumblings....

I don't see how they will be able to keep Flip. He has played well enough that someone will play him more money than the Cavs will be able to this off season. I'm just glad that he took the trade to the Cavs as a chance to showcase himself rather than just going through the motions and hoping to get a contract next year. I just hope he keeps a good attitude when Hughes comes back. I also don't think the Cavs need Murray as much next year since they have Hughes. They are pretty much the same player except Hughes is a little better. With a healthy Lebron and Hughes I think the Cavs would be better off with Pavlovic or Jackson coming off the bench as a shooter. Now if Hughes comes back and Murray can play well at PG he might have a case to be brought back even though I don't think there is a way for that to happen.
I'm not sure what I would like the Cavs to do about Gooden. Sometimes I don't know how they could get along without him, but other times he is invisible. He is a restricted free agent, and been with the Cavs long enough that they can keep him if they want to. The salary cap isn't an issue with guys like Gooden and Lebron, they can go over to sign them if they want to. The only problem with going over the cap is that you have a harder time signing any outside free agents. I wouldn't mind if the Cavs did a sign and trade with Gooden for a PG or physical PF. When you are over the cap you don't want to let good players go away for nothing since you can only build from trades and the draft. The only big problem with losing Gooden is that leaves Z as the only player that can create a shot in the post. That might not be a huge issue given Hughes and Lebron's ability to go to the hoop, but look how much not having a post presence is hurting the Bulls this year. If Gooden is gone Varejao will need to become a better scorer and Little Z might get a look as well if he can bulk up a little.

 

[Brutus1]

Hawg,
You're right on regarding Gooden. Some nights he looks like he can't possibly be allowed to leave and the very next night, you forget that he's even on the team. When he wants, he has great offensive skill and he's always a good rebounder. The inconsistency, which he's been labeled with since he came into the league, drives you crazy.

I think serious consideration would be given to trading him, if we could land a decent pg in return, and no, not Chris Duhon.

 

[exhawg]

Hawg,
You're right on regarding Gooden. Some nights he looks like he can't possibly be allowed to leave and the very next night, you forget that he's even on the team. When he wants, he has great offensive skill and he's always a good rebounder. The inconsistency, which he's been labeled with since he came into the league, drives you crazy.

I think serious consideration would be given to trading him, if we could land a decent pg in return, and no, not Chris Duhon.

i.e. tonight Gooden had 4 pts 9 boards. Of course Marshall was playing well so Brown went with him at the end of the game rather than Gooden. The problem with a sign and trade is that you have a hard time getting equal value. I can't even think of a PG that the Cavs could get for Gooden. The Bulls have a lot of cap space and a good young group of players so I expect them to make a run at Gooden. Unfortunately a player like Gooden is exactly what they need. How many teams need a player like Gooden, and what would they give up to get him?

 

[scarletngrey11]

Good win tonight.

Snow and Lebron played good defense on Pierce, I believe he was 6 of 20 from the field. Marshall and Jones are starting to play better. Our defense was very good tonight, alot of steals and block shots. Lebrons 3-point shooting the last week or so has been great. Hopefully this team can put a streak together and carry some momentum into the play-offs.

 

[Smooth Olaf]

The Cavs' magic number is 3. Either they win three or Chicago loses three and the Cavs are back in the playoffs.

Last year, we had a winning record and missed the playoffs. This year, I wouldn't be surprised if two teams from the East made the playoffs with losing records.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Tonights game was a great win. There were a ton of things I liked.
We hit the 3 ball.
LBJ took over in the 4th when he needed to.
I really like the way that Brown is playing the vetrans, b/c they really seem to be stepping up.
DJ and Marshall are finding their stroke.
Snow is really orchastrating things and keeping everyone on the same page.
I also liked when Brown went with DJ at the point.
Sasha saw some pt.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

anybody else concerned that Varejao makes Shaq look like Mark Price from the foul line?

If I'm coach, I cannot have him on the floor in crunch time.. because every team will only foul him...

 

[crazybuckfan40]

anybody else concerned that Varejao makes Shaq look like Mark Price from the foul line?

If I'm coach, I cannot have him on the floor in crunch time.. because every team will only foul him...

Confidence, he actually has good touch on his 15 foot jumpers and during the telecast they said that he was out there at 5oclock working on his FT's with one of the coaches. I have confidence he will find his stroke.

 

[exhawg]

Confidence, he actually has good touch on his 15 foot jumpers and during the telecast they said that he was out there at 5oclock working on his FT's with one of the coaches. I have confidence he will find his stroke.

I think he's young and just needs time. By next season he should hopefully get up into the 60's and by they time he's a veteran he will probably be around 70. Being a big man Varajao knows that he is going to get fouled so he needs to work on his FT's. It looks like he spent this off season working on his shooting because it is much improved from last year. I'm sure the injury didn't help his development.
Nobody makes Shaq look like Mark Price from the line. Hell I probably shoot a worse FT % than Shaq, but my shot looks 10x better. :p

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/25/06

Posted on Sat, Mar. 25, 2006
Victory march ends homestand

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - LeBron James' fourth-quarter prowess is flourishing by the game. Per the master plan, his Cavalier teammates are doing the same.
There was no one dramatic moment Friday night, as there has been recently, just a 12-minute final march led by James that resulted in a 94-82 Cavs win over the Boston Celtics. It completed a 4-0 homestand, restored the Cavs (40-29) to their high-water mark of the season at 11 games over .500 and reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to three.
That final spread belies how tight the game was. Boston led by as many as nine points in the second half, but it does indicate just how strongly the Cavs finished. James scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, the most points he's scored in a quarter this season, as the Cavs dusted the Celtics (29-41) 36-23 down the stretch.
He did it by making six of his eight shot attempts and all five free throws in the fourth. It was the third consecutive game the Cavs put it together in the final minutes to find victory, and James' fingerprints are all over them.
In case you'd forgotten, in the victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday, James had 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including the game-winning basket.
Equally as important to the outcome Friday was James' defense on Celtics star Paul Pierce in the final quarter. Defending him for most of the fourth, James held Pierce to 0-of-6 shooting and just four points. Pierce finished with 24 points but was just 6-of-20 from the field.
``I tried to be physical with him,'' James said. ``I did a great job of moving my feet and I got my hand on a few balls as he was going up.''
James' hands were everywhere on defense. He had three blocks and two steals on the night, but he also had three of his eight assists in the fourth quarter and four of his seven rebounds.
Two of those assists went to Donyell Marshall, who has been following James' lead in picking up his game in crunch time.
Enduring the worst shooting season of his career, Marshall made three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for nine of his 14 points. Over the last three games, he's made six of his 10 3-point tries and 12-of-19 overall.
After his biggest make, a rainbow 3 with 1:17 left that put the Cavs up by nine points, Damon Jones leapt into his arms. Jones, who didn't score but had three steals, and Marshall have become a support system for each other.
``We haven't shot the ball that well this year and a lot of people have been down on us,'' Marshall said. ``We're not happy with the way we've played this season, either.''
But there were all smiles this night as the Cavs won their sixth consecutive home game. After missing their first 11 shots, the Cavs shot 51 percent the rest of the way. They also held the Celtics to 37 percent shooting.
Surely beating the Celtics, like the Bobcats, isn't reason for a gala celebration. But the way they've performed in the clutch of late has confidence rising.
``These games are important no matter who we play and we've been closing them out,'' Marshall said. ``You've got to learn to win all those games and we're starting to do that.''

 

[Brutus1]

i.e. tonight Gooden had 4 pts 9 boards. Of course Marshall was playing well so Brown went with him at the end of the game rather than Gooden. The problem with a sign and trade is that you have a hard time getting equal value. I can't even think of a PG that the Cavs could get for Gooden. The Bulls have a lot of cap space and a good young group of players so I expect them to make a run at Gooden. Unfortunately a player like Gooden is exactly what they need. How many teams need a player like Gooden, and what would they give up to get him?

If the Bulls want to give Gooden the big contract, I can't see any way Ferry matches it. I really like Gooden, but is he worth all the money he'll get, given his propensity to pull a Casper every other game or 2 ? I love his offense, but Wild Thing is a better defender and rebounder. He'll never get to Goodens offensive skill set, but what's more important to the team in the long run: offense or defense from the power forward?

The most impressive stat from last night was zero turnovers for Lebron.

Snows defense and hustle are never a question.

Great games by DJ and Donyell. And, I'm not just talking about the offensive side of the ball. They played some good D, too.

After the way the game started with the Cavs still at zero points 5 minutes into the game, they played very well after that.

Anyone know the magic number to clinch the 4th spot ?