Cavs-Wizards 1st round playoff series

[OSUScoonie12]

I dont buy that. Lebron played in a tougher division, every single team in the Central made the play-offs, the first time that has happened in 20 years. Other than Z, Lebrons supporting class was horrible all year.

Better division?? What the hell you looking at? Yes every team in Central made the playoffs but look at the records.
Central Division:
Detroit: 64-18
Cleveland: 50-32
Indiana: 41-41
Chicago: 41-41
Milwaukee: 40-42

Pacific:
Phoenix: 54-28
LA Clippers: 47-35
LA Lakers: 45-37
Sacramento: 44-38
Golden State: 34-48

The Pacific was definitly a better division overall. Three teams from the Central Division were .500 or below, only one team was .500 or below in the Pacific. You got to take into consideration that the West if also a better Conference and those teams still managed to get above .500 records. The East is still weak, but getting stronger, and three teams in the central still finish .500 or below. IMO the Pacific is alot stronger overall.

For MVP i see the voting like this:
1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Brand
4. Nash

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Better division?? What the hell you looking at? Yes every team in Central made the playoffs but look at the records.
Central Division:
Detroit: 64-18
Cleveland: 50-32
Indiana: 41-41
Chicago: 41-41
Milwaukee: 40-42

Pacific:
Phoenix: 54-28
LA Clippers: 47-35
LA Lakers: 45-37
Sacramento: 44-38
Golden State: 34-48

The Pacific was definitly a better division overall. Three teams from the Central Division were .500 or below, only one team was .500 or below in the Pacific. You got to take into consideration that the West if also a better Conference and those teams still managed to get above .500 records. The East is still weak, but getting stronger, and three teams in the central still finish .500 or below. IMO the Pacific is alot stronger overall.

For MVP i see the voting like this:
1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Brand
4. Nash

Comparing divisions in NBA is stupid to me. They really don't mean much and besides for the top seed and after that it is a wash. One thing that is very impressive to me tho is that the whole entire central divisoin reached the playoffs, while beating up on each other. I know the East is down in overall depth, but there isnt a shortage of overall depth in talented teams. There were reasons why some teams had the bad seasons that they did. Like Indiana was a team that could of easily been top 3 team in the East, but they had the injuries all season and the Artest situation. But that is enough about the divisoin and conference, b/c all teams play each other while not as many times, but the numbers that are put up are against basically the same competition.

I am guessing you are a Kobe fan, b/c all you seem to really be siding with Kobe, but to me there is no way that Kobe should be ahead of LBJ.

You saw what happened to the Cavs without LBJ in a couple of the last games of the season when he was resting the ankle injury.

Also LBJ played without his running mate in Hughes for most of the season.

I think it is decently impressive that Kobe had that many pts in a game, but he took so many shots. If LBJ chose to take as many shots as kobe did in that game, I promise you that he would go for more pts. Just look at how efficient James is. He doesnt force shots and plays within the game and makes his whole team alot better. That is the same thing with Nash.

I am kind of all over the place with this argument, but I think the main pt is there that I don't think that Kobe deserves the mvp over LBJ b/c of how effecient LBJ is compared to Kobe. Also as you saw in LBJ's first ever playoff game on a huge stage he puts up a triple double. I don't see how you can not see that LBJ has been more valuable than Kobe.

 

[buckeye247]

what time and what channel is the game on tomm.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Tues. 7:00 TNT or FSNohio.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

4/24/06

Snow pays off at playoff time

Monday, April 24, 2006

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BY Mike Popovich REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]
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Cavaliers guard Eric Snow, a McKinley graduate, attempts to block the shot of the Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas during the first half of Saturday’s 97-86 Cavs win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.​

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CLEVELAND - Eric Snow turns 33 today. As one of the Cavaliers’ elder statesmen, the point guard knows he must take on a significant leadership role. He realizes past experience can be a valuable asset, especially at this time of year.
No Cavs player has more playoff experience than Snow. Saturday’s Eastern Conference first round series opener against Washington was the Canton native’s 72nd playoff game. He helped lead Philadelphia to the NBA Finals in 2001. He also went to the finals with Seattle his rookie year.
If any of the younger players want to know what it takes to succeed in the playoffs, they can receive a lot of input from Snow. Seeing him score 14 points like he did in the 97-86 win over the Wizards also sends a good message.
“He has been here before,” LeBron James said. “He knows what to expect.”
Players know they have to keep an even keel during the playoffs. As great as the Cavaliers played Saturday, they know the slightest slip-up could cost them Game 2 on Tuesday.
Snow knows Game 1 wins do not automatically lead to series wins. After his Sixers beat Los Angeles in a hard-fought overtime game in the opener of the 2001 finals, the Lakers came back and won four straight.
“This is just one game,” Snow said Saturday. “There are going to be highs and lows. We just have to focus in and concentrate on Game 2. We just have to take it one game at a time.”
Snow did not have many 14-point scoring nights during the regular season. That never diminished his leadership role, though. It remained solid during some of the tough nights on the court.
“He has done a great job of keeping us focused and keeping us on the same page,” guard Flip Murray said.
Snow always talks about taking good shots and making plays when the opportunity presents itself. He did that early in Game 1, when the Wizards double-teamed James and left him open. Snow hit his first four shots and finished 5-of-7 from the floor.
“If LeBron gets most of the attention, then in order for us to be competitive, we have to be aggressive,” Snow said. “Hopefully make shots, but also take good ones.”
NOT TO WORRY
Guard Larry Hughes was able to make Washington’s Gilbert Arenas take contested shots in Game 1, but he had a tougher day on the offensive end himself. Hughes hit just 1-of-9 shots for 2 points.
“I got good looks, some chippies around the basket, but didn’t convert,” Hughes said. “That’s not going to dictate how I play basketball.”
Hughes’ tough day did not hurt the Cavaliers. James’ 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists helped him become the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double in their first playoff game. Four other Cavs scored in double figures.
“We ran everything through (James), and he was able to score and distribute the ball,” Hughes said. “I’m here when the time is right.”
JAMES BASKETBALL CAMP
James will hold his first basketball camp at the University of Akron from June 22-26.
The LeBron James King’s Academy is a five-day camp where kids will learn basketball skills on fundamentals from James and other coaches, participate in games and contests and watch James play with some of the top college players in the country in the evening.
Tuition will also include meals, a team photo with James, an autographed item, a camp t-shirt, a James poster, a bag full of other items and guest lectures. Overnight and day camp registration is available on a first-come-first serve basis.
For more information and to download a registration form, visit:
www.lebronjameskingsacademy.com Reach Repository sports writer Mike Popovich at (330) 580-8341 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

4/24/06

Varejao provides intensity

By Tom Reed

• History a warning for Cavs
• Playoff roundup: Suns prove just bright enough
• Varejao provides intensity

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - The NBA playoff debut of LeBron James drew comparisons to that of Magic Johnson.
Anderson Varejao's postseason entrance, meanwhile, was more along the lines of Cosmo Kramer.
The Cavaliers' reserve forward blew in through the side door Saturday afternoon with Hair Gone Wild, arms flailing, a disruptive and unwelcome guest for the Washington Wizards.
In Varejao's first one minute and 42 seconds of playoff action, he: grabbed three rebounds, made a free throw, committed a foul and drew two others against Wizards star Gilbert Arenas.
He finished with 24 high-energy minutes in a 97-86 win at Quicken Loans Arena.
``Every team that wins has a guy like Andy,'' Cavs guard Eric Snow said.
This Human Electron in a headband is becoming more than a cult hero for his floppy locks and bounce-off-the-walls intensity.
His defensive presence and fearless approach have made him an effective player off coach Mike Brown's bench.
Since the start of April, he has averaged 25 minutes.
Don't look for that to drastically change in the postseason.
His grinding, irritating, brand of basketball translates well to the postseason, where he can unnerve opponents who must contend with him for four to seven games.
Here's a prediction: Varejao will draw a flagrant foul before James in this series. By week's end, half the Wizards are going to want to throttle the Cav dubbed ``Wild Thing.''
``He is instant energy when he comes in,'' Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. ``I don't know where he gets it, but I'm glad he has it.''
The Brazilian international put up some impressive numbers in the regular season's final week, including a 14-point, 18-rebound effort against the Atlanta Hawks, as Brown rested his starters. Such production is unlikely to continue in the playoffs, but his hustle and willingness to sacrifice won't wane.
Varejao's traditional statistics (4.6 points, 4.9 rebounds) don't measure his value. During the regular season, he led the team in field-goal percentage (.527), rebounds per 48 minutes (14.2) and posted the best plus/minus ratio -- the team scores more points than it allows when he's in the game -- of any Cavalier backup.
The 23-year-old also has good hands. Rarely will you see him flub one of James' deceptive passes.
Varejao's raw offensive abilities, coupled with his poor foul shooting, however, probably won't enable him to become a consistent scorer. His development was hampered by missing the first 32 games this season due to a dislocated shoulder.
The Cavs, of course, don't rely on him for offense. Brown often uses him for long stretches in a quintet that includes James, Flip Murray, Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall.
On a team known for its skill level and finesse, Varejao supplies much-needed grit. Remember when our parents used to sarcastically tell us, ``Go play in traffic?'' That's Varejao's entire game.
He fights for rebounds. He takes charges. He fouls opponents often. He keeps plays alive by using his long arms and lanky 6-foot-10 frame to tap loose balls to teammates a la Dennis Rodman.
He gets in your face like a big, fluffy dog hopping on the bed at 7 a.m. Breath stinking. Slobber flying. Imagine dealing with that for 24 minutes a night for six more games.
Varejao absorbs his share of punishment, but doesn't back down. He has been the only Cavs teammate to physically challenge Rasheed Wallace for the Feb. 26 elbow that bloodied Ilgauskas.
``He really helps us with his versatility,'' Brown said of Varejao. ``He's quick enough to face a guy like Antawn Jamison around the perimeter, but big enough to bang with a guy like (Brendan) Haywood underneath and, of course, he always brings energy.''
Brown knows he can't expect three carbon copies of Saturday's game. The Wizards should improve. They rallied from an 0-2 hole a season ago to beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round.
It says here the series will be a long one, and the level of intensity is about to rise.
Varejao should have no trouble adapting to a chaotic stage. He's already proven he can make an entrance.
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[exhawg]

Better division?? What the hell you looking at? Yes every team in Central made the playoffs but look at the records.
Central Division:
Detroit: 64-18
Cleveland: 50-32
Indiana: 41-41
Chicago: 41-41
Milwaukee: 40-42

Pacific:
Phoenix: 54-28
LA Clippers: 47-35
LA Lakers: 45-37
Sacramento: 44-38
Golden State: 34-48

The Pacific was definitly a better division overall. Three teams from the Central Division were .500 or below, only one team was .500 or below in the Pacific. You got to take into consideration that the West if also a better Conference and those teams still managed to get above .500 records. The East is still weak, but getting stronger, and three teams in the central still finish .500 or below. IMO the Pacific is alot stronger overall.

For MVP i see the voting like this:
1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Brand
4. Nash

So if you had a 7 game series between the Pacific teams and the Central teams who do you think would win?

Phoenix at Detroit = Detroit wins. The Suns are good, but not when they have to play the Pistons
LA Clippers at Cleveland = Tough matchup, but I think the Cavs would pull it out with home court advantage and a healthy team, which they didn't have when they played the Clippers earlier in the year. Brand isn't a good matchup for the Cavs though.
Indiana at LA Lakers = I'll give Kobe the edge, but the way both teams played yesterday the Pacers could win
Chicago at Sacramento = I think Artest would win this one for the Queens. Ben Gordon would be the x factor and could win it for the Bulls.
Golden State at Milwaukee = The Bucks would win this series.

That puts the Central up at least 3-2

As far as MVP: Kobe is probably the best offensive talent in the NBA and he is a good defender as well, but he doesn't do much to make his teammates better. Nash is an amazing PG and has done more than he did last year with less talent around him. IMO the MVP is Nash vs. Lebron since they both do more for their team than any other player. The only difference is that it is much harder to stop Lebron than it is to stop Nash. I don't think you can give it to anyone from the Pistons since that team is so good than no one player is that important to them being a great team. I don't know if Lebron will win the MVP, but he deserves it as much as anyone.

 

[WestEnd]

I think the reason that it's hard for me, and some other cavs fans, to really get worked up over the whole MVP debate is because it just doesn't really bring together what LeBron James means to the cavs, Cleveland, Akron, the game of basketball etc etc etc etc ....

LeBron is on a mission that is way bigger than an MVP trophy. His natural gift for the game of basketball doesn't even compare to anyone else on this planet, that the only question is what level of greatness will he achieve. Before his career is over, he will have achieved things that supersede the MVP award to such an extent that the debate will be considered laughable.

But for now, the reason why Lebron's more of a VP than Kobe is because Lebron understands the game (and maybe even more so human nature) so well that he self-less play and attitude rubs off on all his teammates to the extent that he creates an atmosphere conducive to winning. I don't think you can say the same for Kobe. So in the end, if you can't quantitatively say that Kobe is undeniably more valuable than LeBron, then the nod has to go to LeBron. He's more valuable to his team, he's more valuable to his community, he's more valuable to the NBA, he's more valuable to the game of basketball, and .... AND ... he's more valuable to Nike:tongue2:.

He's just flat out the most valuable player in every sense.

 

[Brutus1]

Well said, Westend. Alot of times, I'm watching him and saying to myself "Do we all realize how lucky Cleveland is to have a player that can change the franchise for 15-20 years?"

He's like a combination of Jordan and Magic. His improvement ever year has been amazing.

MVP's don't mean a thing. All that matters is that the Cavs have LeBron and he's not going anywhere.

 

[OSUScoonie12]

I still think everyone is on this 'I hate Kobe' thing still. Ever since the Eagle County rape stuff and when Shaq was traded people started hating Kobe. I knew he was innocent the whole time and i do believe it is better to build a team around a gaurd then a big man. I dont know why every sees Kobe as such a bad player and why everyone hates him. If people could please tell me why i would love to know. Kobe has been my favorite player in the NBA since he was a rookie, and i've been following him since he was in HS at Lower Marion.

There is a great article in the Sports Illustrated that has Phil Mickelson on the cover after he won the Masters. The article is about how Kobe has been outcasted and how basically no one likes him anymore. If you guys havnt read i recommand you do.

Kobe is one of the most competitve people in the world, all he wants to do is win. This year he knows the team is on his back and that it is up to him night in and night out to win the game for LA. Yes he has Odom and Smoosh, but that is about it. Kwame was one of the worst #1 picks ever and you guys have probably never heard of the other guys in the starting lineup and the first 2-3 guys off he bench till this year....thats because that is all LA has. Phil Jackson told Kobe he was leader of the team and that everything depended on his play. Yes Kobe takes alot of shots and scores alot but that is because who else is going to take them on that team? If you watch LA play Kobe does pass the ball alot and gets it to the open man and creates a ton of shots by drawing double teams. The problem is that no one of the team can make a shot like him so he doesnt get the assists.

Like i said before, if LA didnt have Kobe on that team, they would easily be getting the #1 pick in the draft. I can't think of another team who's destiny is in the hands of one player. You guys may say LeBron, but you guys know just as well as me that the team would still get wins (maybe not playoffs) but they would still get their share of wins. Without Kobe i would say LA wins maybe 10 games if that.

Everyone knows that Kobe is the best player in the NBA right now, hands down. He may not be the most complete overall, but he is the best. Thats why i believe he should win MVP. When Jordan won MVP he was the best player in the NBA, and he wasn't the most complete player at the time. LeBron will have his time, dont get me wrong, and yes i will agree LeBron is the most complete player in the NBA. Kobe is still the best player and the most dominating though.

 

[jlb1705]

I'm sorry, but if ALL Kobe wanted was to win, he wouldn't have run Shaq out of LA.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I still think everyone is on this 'I hate Kobe' thing still. Ever since the Eagle County rape stuff and when Shaq was traded people started hating Kobe. I knew he was innocent the whole time and i do believe it is better to build a team around a gaurd then a big man. I dont know why every sees Kobe as such a bad player and why everyone hates him. If people could please tell me why i would love to know. Kobe has been my favorite player in the NBA since he was a rookie, and i've been following him since he was in HS at Lower Marion.

There is a great article in the Sports Illustrated that has Phil Mickelson on the cover after he won the Masters. The article is about how Kobe has been outcasted and how basically no one likes him anymore. If you guys havnt read i recommand you do.

Kobe is one of the most competitve people in the world, all he wants to do is win. This year he knows the team is on his back and that it is up to him night in and night out to win the game for LA. Yes he has Odom and Smoosh, but that is about it. Kwame was one of the worst #1 picks ever and you guys have probably never heard of the other guys in the starting lineup and the first 2-3 guys off he bench till this year....thats because that is all LA has. Phil Jackson told Kobe he was leader of the team and that everything depended on his play. Yes Kobe takes alot of shots and scores alot but that is because who else is going to take them on that team? If you watch LA play Kobe does pass the ball alot and gets it to the open man and creates a ton of shots by drawing double teams. The problem is that no one of the team can make a shot like him so he doesnt get the assists.

Like i said before, if LA didnt have Kobe on that team, they would easily be getting the #1 pick in the draft. I can't think of another team who's destiny is in the hands of one player. You guys may say LeBron, but you guys know just as well as me that the team would still get wins (maybe not playoffs) but they would still get their share of wins. Without Kobe i would say LA wins maybe 10 games if that.

Everyone knows that Kobe is the best player in the NBA right now, hands down. He may not be the most complete overall, but he is the best. Thats why i believe he should win MVP. When Jordan won MVP he was the best player in the NBA, and he wasn't the most complete player at the time. LeBron will have his time, dont get me wrong, and yes i will agree LeBron is the most complete player in the NBA. Kobe is still the best player and the most dominating though.

Kobe is so arrogant and full of himself it makes me sick. It is obvious that your opinion is one sided, but if you can honestly look at Kobe's stats and say his are better than LBJ's you are crazy.

Also just curious who would of led the Cavs to victories when they didnt have Hughes, and Murry never would of came over in the deal if LBJ wasnt on the team.

Z would of been the go to guy and he only average 16game and Drew Gooden wouldnt be much without LBJ. Snow can't score. Sasha would of been the starting 3 and he is lucky to put up 4 pts a game. Donyell could of scored, but the open looks he gets now wouldnt of been there and DJ would be the same way.

The thing about Kobe is, that he doesnt make the players around him better like Nash or LBJ.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

4/25/06

Cavs seek repeat of Game 1 tonight
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BY Mike Popovich REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]
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David Distelhorst Cavaliers forward LeBron James became just the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his playoff debut Saturday against Washington. The Wizards will be looking to slow him down during Game 2 of the first-round series tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.
​

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CLEVELAND - Game 2 is a chance for the Cavaliers to put themselves in a favorable and unique position.
A win over Washington tonight at The Q will give Head Coach Mike Brown’s team a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series. In 13 previous trips to the postseason, the Cavs rarely have been in that situation.
The Cavaliers have taken a 2-0 lead in a series just once —in the first round of the 1992 playoffs against New Jersey. The hold then was a little stronger because it was a best-of-five series. Cleveland won it in four games.
Saturday’s 97-86 win will not seem as significant if the Cavs cannot come through tonight. They want to keep the momentum on their side. They want to come out with the same level of intensity they had in Game 1 and preserve home-court advantage.
“This is what it takes,” Larry Hughes said. “We don’t plan on it being a different story. We want to stay focused and continue to do the things we plan to do.
“When we execute our game plan, this is the result of it.”
The series could not have tipped off any better for the Cavaliers. And LeBron James proved to be the Wizards’ worst nightmare.
James became just the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double in a playoff debut. He finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Past greats like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson fell way short of that scoring total in their first playoff games.
But it was not all James.
Donyell Marshall scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, including six offensive boards. Eric Snow scored 14 points. Flip Murray and Zydrunas Ilgauskas finished with 10 apiece. Drew Gooden also grabbed 10 rebounds.
“That was awesome,” James said. “The guys did a great job of coming in and contributing. They stepped up to the level of play and level of intensity. We need the same effort throughout the playoffs, especially (tonight).”
The Cavaliers did a great job of containing the Wizards’ big three of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. They combined to average a little over 67 points during the regular season, but were limited to just 48 on Saturday. Arenas, Butler and Jamison were a combined 15-of-47 from the floor.
“We don’t expect them to have a game like they had last game,” James said. “But that was a tribute to our defense.”
Hughes’ defense was a factor in Arenas shooting 7-of-20 from the floor. Brown expects the 6-foot-4 point guard will try to help the Wizards increase the tempo tonight.
“Gilbert is a great player,” Brown said. “He’s going to come at us and force the issue. We just have to make sure we continue to give Larry help and respect the other guys once he kicks the ball out to them.”
The 86 points the Wizards scored in Game 1 were almost 16 under their season average. Washington averaged a little over 102 points in three regular-season wins over the Cavs.
“We did a decent job of getting back in transition because they have been hurting us in transition,” Brown said. “We did a decent job of contesting shots and making the floor look as crowded as possible. They’re great at driving with the ball, especially Gilbert. And when the shot went up, we boxed out.” Reach Repository sports writer Mike Popovich at (330) 580-8341 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

4/25/06

Murray shows thinking won't turn backward

By Tom Reed

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - Flip Murray is a free agent-to-be, not an ``independent contractor'' as former Cavaliers guard Jeff McInnis viewed himself a season ago.
McInnis was such a cancer-causing agent last spring that the Surgeon General should have slapped a warning label on the practice jersey that he wore backward in protest of his benching.
What a difference a season and a professional attitude have made for the Cavs.
If anyone had a right to grouse about returning to the bench, it's Murray, whose Feb. 26 acquisition buoyed the Cavs' season.
The guard's quality work in place of an injured Larry Hughes rescued the Cavs from a post-All-Star Game funk and helped secure a first-round, homecourt playoff advantage. They used that to take a 1-0 series lead against the Washington Wizards with Game 2 tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.
With his team riding a wave, Murray opted not to create another.
He quietly accepted his backup role with a promise from Coach Mike Brown that his minutes would not be slashed.
Murray was a productive member of a Cavs reserve unit that outscored its counterpart 32-16 in the 97-86 victory.
What had the potential to become a dicey situation for a rookie coach and for his team was avoided. The chemistry is intact even as Hughes struggles to regain his touch due to an injured middle finger that he concedes won't be ``100 percent'' until next season.
``It's a win-win situation for the team and Flip,'' Cavs first-year General Manager Danny Ferry said. ``He has had a big impact on this team.''
Ferry is honest enough to admit that he had no idea Murray, a career backup, could supply the Cavs such a whopping return for Mike Wilks and cash considerations in what might rank as the best NBA trade of the season.
Murray was grateful to be airlifted from the Seattle SuperSonics, where selfishness within the organization had become a problem. Some contend Murray also was guilty of trying to boost his numbers early this season.
He arrived in Cleveland and felt that the players and coaches immediately accepted him. In a contract season, he recognized the obvious benefits of playing alongside LeBron James and capitalized by hitting a series of huge shots as the Cavs finished the regular season winning 14 of their last 17 games.
Murray saw something else, too -- a team competing with only one agenda. Corrosive elements such as McInnis and Ricky Davis had been lanced from the Cavs' periodic table.
``I took on the mind-set that whatever role they asked me to do I was willing to do it,'' said Murray, who averaged 13.7 points and 2.7 assists in 25 starts. ``What I see is us getting stronger as a team.''
Murray played 34 minutes Saturday, contributing 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Cavs' reserves have been so schizophrenic in the James Era, Hollywood should be filming a sequel to A Beautiful Mind not Spider-Man in Cleveland. And yet, Brown's bench players are peaking at the right time.
Anderson Varejao is playing well. Donyell Marshall scored 19 points and added seven rebounds Saturday. Damon ``Playoff'' Jones still could be a key factor, although his minutes were drastically reduced in the series opener.
None of it guarantees as much as another win. Hughes' finger and the offensive limitations that it creates are legitimate concerns. He was 1-of-9 in Game 1 and has not looked fluid since his April 4 return.
If Murray were an independent contractor, he might be lobbying support for his old job back. He doesn't need to hear his name called in the pregame introductions, however, and he appreciates what Hughes contributes defensively.
Hughes helped harass Wizards star Gilbert Arenas into a 7-of-20 shooting performance.
Regardless of whether he starts again, Murray should get a nice bump in salary next season based on his work with the Cavs. Just don't ask him to discuss it.
``That stuff will take care of itself,'' Murray said. ``Right now, it's all about the team.''
Isn't it refreshing to see a player who has his head and practice jersey on straight?
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

4/24/06

No more star treatment

Wizards might pay less attention to James, more to his teammates

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - When the Cavaliers and Washington Wizards face off for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series tonight, more than three days will have passed since Cleveland's opening victory.
Three days for film work and practice, three days of speculation from both sides, media and the fans as to what adjustments will be made. Much of it is centered on just how the Wizards will combat LeBron James after his big numbers in Game 1.
There is a chance that the answer might be surprising: pay less attention to him.
Despite James' triple-double, the Wizards actually did a respectable job of limiting No. 23. Now, his teammates, that is another story.
James was just 12-of-27 shooting in Saturday's 97-86 win, for 44 percent.
That's below his season average of 48 percent. He scored 32 points, which is right at his season average.
It took him 48 minutes to do it, above his season average. Considering the pressure and the stakes, the performance was masterful. But take into account it was just a short time ago that James had scored 35 or more points in nine consecutive games and it seems, well, average.
It appears that the Wizards will recognize this and, perhaps, give him more space on the outside. When James really burned them is when they brought double teams his way. His 11 assists were nearly double his season average.
``We have to live with the shots he makes,'' Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. ``Hopefully, the percentages are that he misses more perimeter shots as opposed to us giving help, so it spreads the defense out and he hurts us by driving the lane and finding the open man. We have to pick our poison.''
What flustered the Wizards is that Donyell Marshall had 19 points, Eric Snow 11 and Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Flip Murray had 10 apiece.
A review of the game film from Saturday revealed that James touched the ball on 68 of the Cavs' possessions, 39 times when he received a pass in the halfcourt and 29 times when he brought the ball upcourt himself. Washington brought a double team roughly 23 times, most of them when James was isolated on the perimeter but occasionally off a pick-and-roll.
Of those 23 double teams, 15 times the Cavs got a basket or drew a foul and just twice James turned it over. James didn't get many assists out of the double teams, but his passes to the open man routinely set forth a chain of events that led to a positive offensive result. It was not exactly the sort of percentage that the Wizards wanted.
The classic quandary reveals itself again: let the star get his points and stop the teammates or try to stop the star.
``I'm still going to find a way to get it, I'll just read the defense and make plays,'' James said. ``I've seen every defense possible, and I know how to attack them.''
Hughes smarting
Larry Hughes' 1-of-9 shooting performance Saturday wasn't because his jumper was off, but he had trouble finishing around the rim. This has been an issue for Hughes all season, even before two operations on one of his fingers. The hand has been sore all season, and it has robbed him of some of his feel and touch near the basket, and it doesn't expect it to get any better soon.
``You've got to put the ball on your fingertips and let the ball roll off, that's pretty much the struggle right now,'' Hughes said. ``The thing I shoot best is free throws because I have an opportunity to set the ball and have a relaxed shot. Right now I'm still in the bag trying to find something that works.''
Butler answering
Former Cav Eric Williams used to say whenever he needed some venom, he'd just go back to his old neighborhood in Newark, N.J., for a few hours. Caron Butler is taking a similar approach after his Game 1 performance with 4-of-14 shooting for 11 points, as he's stocking up on motivation.
``I'm already tired of turning on the TV right now and seeing and hearing about it,'' Butler said. ``The phone is ringing. People are like, `Did you hear what they just said about you?' That's fine. Let it all soak in. I'm going to keep answering my phone. I want to hear and see everything. I've got my antennas up, and I'll definitely be ready Tuesday.''
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