Not Intimidated
First, let’s state the obvious – this has been a terrific series so far. Orlando is certainly not intimidated by playing the Cavaliers in Cleveland, already coming back from two huge deficits.
Why
The Magic’s ability to knock down 3s at an alarming rate, Cleveland’s starting backcourt's mediocre/poor play, and the lack of frontcourt athleticism for the Cavaliers makes my five game series prediction look foolish at this point. That’s okay. You get the same credit for winning in seven as you do for sweeping. Nothing has changed. It's still the first one to 4 wins!
Game Winner
LeBron James’ fade away 3-pointer at the buzzer becomes the biggest shot in franchise history ONLY if the Cavaliers win the NBA Championship this season. All it has done so far is perhaps saved Cleveland from being embarrassed in the conference Finals.
As for the shot, give credit to Mo Williams for a strong inbound pass. It helped the Magic chose not to pressure the inbound pass – which is always a mistake. As for all the other talk about the play – just credit James on a great individual effort.
As George “Ice Man” Gervin, my favorite all-time NBA player once said – “In the NBA, great offense beats great defense every time.” The post-game panel on TBS rightfully gave "Ice Man" the credit for that comment.
Sasha
I don’t have a problem with playing Sasha Pavlovic some in this series based on the fact the Cavaliers don’t have the youth and athleticism in their front line to cover the Magic’s athletic front line. However, he had no business being on Hedo Torkoglu on Orlando’s final possession in game #2.
First-Team Defensive All-NBA
LeBron James needs to be on Turkolu for the majority of the game. Period. That will likely keep him for getting 14 assists like he did in game #1 and from burying the near game winner in game #2.
Back to Pavlovic – we have said over and over again he has a low basketball IQ. That was on display again in the final seconds of game #2 when he took a ridiculous foul on Torkoglu. That’s what you get with him – he’ll do something outstanding then take two steps backwards by doing something dumb.
Had James not nailed that game-winner, we would be talking about Sasha’s bone-head play in the final seconds. However, Brown had to play him once James called for him to be inserted prior to game #2. James runs the show. That’s how the NBA works. The stars are in charge.
Regardless what the Cavaliers do defensively, if Orlando goes 8-of-12 from beyond the arc, like they did in the second half of game #1, you aren’t going to beat them. When jump shooting teams knocks down 3s, they can come back from nearly any deficit.
Glass Half Full
On the plus side, Mo Williams is too good a shooter to continue to shoot 33% from the field and Delonte West is too good an all-around player not to make an impact over the course of the remainder of the series. We shall see if they show up in Florida. If they don’t, the Cavaliers won’t be playing in June.
By the way, James’ play in game #1 of this series is the best single-game playoff performance I have seen this side of his “out of this world” play in game #5 versus the Pistons two years ago. The fact the Cavaliers lost game #1 doesn’t take away from that performance in my mind.
Coaching Staff
Mike Brown and his platoon of coaches will need to START earning their checks from here on out.
My problem with them (coaches) in game #1 involved not posting Z up once in the entire game. They did so only on occasion in game #2. The Cavaliers have to post Z on occasion – if only to give James a rest once in awhile offensively.
It’s like having your quarterback hand it off after asking him to pass it 10 straight times. Plus, there is always the chance Z will be effective and/or draw some fouls inside. You won't know unless you try it.
LeBron James posting up has also been MIA. Why not put him in the blocks and see how Orlando deals with it?
Also, as stated early, the coaching staff inexplicably forgot James was their ONLY First-Team All NBA Defense performer when it came to drawing up who would check Turkolu in this series. This one isn’t complicated to figure out.
Torkoglu has had a comfortable smug on his face the entire series so far. That means he’s way too comfortable out there. James should be able to change that expression.
Finally, you have plenty of fouls to give with your bigs. Make Howard, who is a poor free throw shooter, convert at the line instead of allowing him dunks. That did not occur in game #1. He finished with 30 - mostly on dunks. It did in game #2. Better late than never I guess.
It would be nice if the Cavaliers were in possession of Ben Wallace circa 2003. Unfortunately, they aren't. That Ben Wallace would have been able to make life somewhat difficult for Howard inside.
Nuggets – Lakers
I am also enjoying this series as well. The Lakers are fortunate the Nuggets have a tendency to fall into bad habits and make dumb plays – including not being able to inbound the basketball in the clutch.
It looks like Cleveland and LA will have to earn it if the league office is to get its "Dream Finals." That's the way it should be.
Indians
It’s over. Last week I mentioned the season was quickly slipping away. That was wishful thinking. This group has all the looks of a 90+ loss team.
It’s time to call up the top prospects in the system and let them get their feet wet.
At some point, we will discuss which veterans are keepers and which should go. One thing is for certain – the farm system lacks quality arms – again. The garbage they’ve brought up so far makes me long for the days of Scott Bailes.
When your pitching stinks – you have NO chance. It’s like having Trent Dilfer at quarterback with the NFL’s 28th ranked defense backing him up.
Now the question turns to which veterans will be traded and when?
If Cliff Lee continues to pitch well, he is the likely candidate to bring back mucho talent. Unfortunately, based on Mark Shapiro recent track record, I wouldn’t expect another Bartolo Colon deal in the making.
As for the infield, how hard is it - DeRosa at 2B, Cabrera at SS and Peralta at 3B. What's with all the shuffling around?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday's Thoughts
It’s been awhile…I know.
Some thoughts follow.
Basketball
I like the Lakers today to hammer the Rockets in game #7. That’s why you play the regular season - to win home court in the post-season.
Remember, NBA role players play much better at home. That's why the home court is so important in this sport.
Regardless, congratulations to the Rockets' players and coaching staff. They play smart and play hard. Rick Adelman got the most out of that club – especially once Yao Ming went down.
By the way, if Phil Jackson is such a genius, how come his team has to go seven to beat an undermanned Rocket team when he (Phil) has Kobe Bryant on his roster?
The guy (Phil) is simply too smug for me.
Boston should also win game 7 as well. Why? The Celtics are at home and simply have a higher basketball IQ than Orlando, even thouhg the Magic have more talent without Garnett dressed in Celtic green.
It would be nice to see Orlando take away the right elbow when Paul Pierce has the ball today. Pierce has been able to go to his sweet spot, time and time again, in this series. Maybe forcing him left occasionally or doubling him when he’s on would help.
Look for Ray Allen to show up as well in game 7. He's far from the player he was several years ago but he can still occassionally shoot lights out. I don't see him going 4-for-14 tonight.
As for Dwight Howard, he may be the “least skilled” star I have ever seen. He’s all size, power and quickness, possessing no post moves whatsoever. He’s just more athletic and stronger than the guys who cover him.
Whoever advances will likely take one from Cleveland - two max. Cleveland is just much better. Period.
Yes, I still like the Cavaliers to take the Lakers in seven games. Nothing I've seen since November tells me otherwise.
Football
Eric Mangini hasn’t coached one game as the Browns’ new boss, but we at least know he looked at film and surmised the obvious – Cleveland had arguably the worst wide receiver group in the NFL in 2008.
Mangini drafted two receivers in round two of the ’09 draft and he’s also signed several veteran wide outs trying to add depth to an extremely weak position.
Recently, a local scribe wrote a piece that has gotten a lot of local attention with the theme that Brady Quinn has been “the most mismanaged player” since the franchise’s return in 1999.
You think?
Speaking of the media, don’t expect Mangini and company to get much of a honeymoon period. Mangini is from Mr. Bill’s school of “the less information divulged the better and expect minimal access to players and coaches.”
That will result in a very short honeymoon period if Mangini doesn’t win early. They’ll be all over him ASAP.
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t sold on the quarterbacks on their roster based on their latest pursuit of Brett Favre. No kidding.
I still don’t understand why they wouldn’t want DA taking snaps for them this coming season.
They have a decent offensive line, one of the best running backs in football (Adrian Peterson) to take pressure of the quarterback, and a solid defense. It seems like a good fit for Anderson, who is available, would come relatively cheap at this point (a #2 and #3 pick) and has had more success under center than anyone on that roster.
Baseball
The Indians have finally started playing Astrubal Cabrera at SS. Again, better late than never. We called for the switch two years ago – although this corner wanted Peralta playing second.
Regardless, the defense is now stronger up the middle – as it should be. That should help a pitching staff that needs all the help it can get.
Speaking of pitching – is it me or do the Indians have more soft tossing lefties than any organization is baseball?
As for their current black hole, otherwise known as their middle relief, I would try every quality arm I had in the farm system until I found two or three guys who can help.
Instead, they recently called up a 39 year old and continue to sign veteran cast offs from other organizations. Why?
Go to the kids and see who sinks and who can swim. If a youngster fails, send him back down. The experience will do him some good and make him less anxious the next time around.
I simply don’t believe you ruin a pitcher by bringing up too early if you are only asking him to give you 20-30 pitches per outing. It’s not like they are looking for their best young prospects to give them 200+ innings at the ML level.
Soft tossers especially, who depend on changing speeds and pitch location, could be more effective in middle relief if they are able to adapt.
Most of these guys get hit the second and third time around as starters. The reason – their stuff isn’t good enough to get them much past the fifth or six innings most nights.
So why not see if a couple of these guys aren’t better suited to go through the line-up just once two or three times a week?
A third option is to trade one or two of your better position player prospects for ML established set up men.
The point is- if you are the Tribe, you have to try everything at this point or the season will quickly be lost.
Calling up 39 year olds and signing cast offs doesn’t cut it with me.
Some thoughts follow.
Basketball
I like the Lakers today to hammer the Rockets in game #7. That’s why you play the regular season - to win home court in the post-season.
Remember, NBA role players play much better at home. That's why the home court is so important in this sport.
Regardless, congratulations to the Rockets' players and coaching staff. They play smart and play hard. Rick Adelman got the most out of that club – especially once Yao Ming went down.
By the way, if Phil Jackson is such a genius, how come his team has to go seven to beat an undermanned Rocket team when he (Phil) has Kobe Bryant on his roster?
The guy (Phil) is simply too smug for me.
Boston should also win game 7 as well. Why? The Celtics are at home and simply have a higher basketball IQ than Orlando, even thouhg the Magic have more talent without Garnett dressed in Celtic green.
It would be nice to see Orlando take away the right elbow when Paul Pierce has the ball today. Pierce has been able to go to his sweet spot, time and time again, in this series. Maybe forcing him left occasionally or doubling him when he’s on would help.
Look for Ray Allen to show up as well in game 7. He's far from the player he was several years ago but he can still occassionally shoot lights out. I don't see him going 4-for-14 tonight.
As for Dwight Howard, he may be the “least skilled” star I have ever seen. He’s all size, power and quickness, possessing no post moves whatsoever. He’s just more athletic and stronger than the guys who cover him.
Whoever advances will likely take one from Cleveland - two max. Cleveland is just much better. Period.
Yes, I still like the Cavaliers to take the Lakers in seven games. Nothing I've seen since November tells me otherwise.
Football
Eric Mangini hasn’t coached one game as the Browns’ new boss, but we at least know he looked at film and surmised the obvious – Cleveland had arguably the worst wide receiver group in the NFL in 2008.
Mangini drafted two receivers in round two of the ’09 draft and he’s also signed several veteran wide outs trying to add depth to an extremely weak position.
Recently, a local scribe wrote a piece that has gotten a lot of local attention with the theme that Brady Quinn has been “the most mismanaged player” since the franchise’s return in 1999.
You think?
Speaking of the media, don’t expect Mangini and company to get much of a honeymoon period. Mangini is from Mr. Bill’s school of “the less information divulged the better and expect minimal access to players and coaches.”
That will result in a very short honeymoon period if Mangini doesn’t win early. They’ll be all over him ASAP.
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t sold on the quarterbacks on their roster based on their latest pursuit of Brett Favre. No kidding.
I still don’t understand why they wouldn’t want DA taking snaps for them this coming season.
They have a decent offensive line, one of the best running backs in football (Adrian Peterson) to take pressure of the quarterback, and a solid defense. It seems like a good fit for Anderson, who is available, would come relatively cheap at this point (a #2 and #3 pick) and has had more success under center than anyone on that roster.
Baseball
The Indians have finally started playing Astrubal Cabrera at SS. Again, better late than never. We called for the switch two years ago – although this corner wanted Peralta playing second.
Regardless, the defense is now stronger up the middle – as it should be. That should help a pitching staff that needs all the help it can get.
Speaking of pitching – is it me or do the Indians have more soft tossing lefties than any organization is baseball?
As for their current black hole, otherwise known as their middle relief, I would try every quality arm I had in the farm system until I found two or three guys who can help.
Instead, they recently called up a 39 year old and continue to sign veteran cast offs from other organizations. Why?
Go to the kids and see who sinks and who can swim. If a youngster fails, send him back down. The experience will do him some good and make him less anxious the next time around.
I simply don’t believe you ruin a pitcher by bringing up too early if you are only asking him to give you 20-30 pitches per outing. It’s not like they are looking for their best young prospects to give them 200+ innings at the ML level.
Soft tossers especially, who depend on changing speeds and pitch location, could be more effective in middle relief if they are able to adapt.
Most of these guys get hit the second and third time around as starters. The reason – their stuff isn’t good enough to get them much past the fifth or six innings most nights.
So why not see if a couple of these guys aren’t better suited to go through the line-up just once two or three times a week?
A third option is to trade one or two of your better position player prospects for ML established set up men.
The point is- if you are the Tribe, you have to try everything at this point or the season will quickly be lost.
Calling up 39 year olds and signing cast offs doesn’t cut it with me.
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