GT: 1.23.15 Hornets vs Cavs

[JebronLames]

I pick the Cavs

[RedBlackAttack]

Big game for the Cavs. The Hornets are quietly 8-2 in their last 10.

Shumpert is expected to make his debut tonight.

[Uncle Drew]

JR Smith is a God.

[JebronLames]

JR Smiff> Ray Allen

[D-Wait]

JR SWISH!!! :pimp:

[Uncle Drew]

Iman debut. :applause:

[Meticode]

Cavs offense and defense looking good so far. Iman out there, almost got a stealth on the first rebound.

[Meticode]

End of 1st quarter. 33-13 Cavs.

[Trollsmasher]

I like how absolutely everyone is clicking in:applause:

[SamuraiSWISH]

Is Stephenson kissing LeBron's neck this time? Crazy MF'er

[JebronLames]

Iman debut. :applause:
YEss

[Uncle Drew]

Wow. We're balling.

[Meticode]

J.R. to LeBron oop! :bowdown:

[G0ATbe]

It's ridiculous how stacked this team is.

33 point lead and not even halftime..

[MP.Trey]

Are you kidding me with that sequence?

[D-Wait]

Damn... this half has been insane :applause:

[Meticode]

:oldlol: LeBron to Love oop layup!

[Uncle Drew]

Mozgov. :roll: That's a murder.

[Meticode]

:roll: at Austin Carr...

Get....that....weak....stuff....out....of......her e!

[Uncle Drew]

This is ridiculous.

[Twiens]

WOW, most stacked in NBA history

[edrick]

WOW, most stacked in NBA history

:rolleyes:

Hornets are garbage.

[D-Wait]

shame we missed 3 shots in a row now... would have been nice attempting to crack 80 Points in a half :lol

[Meticode]

:rolleyes:

Hornets are garbage.
True, but to be fair in their last 10 games they were 8-2.

[ArbitraryWater]

Cavs :applause:

[lilteapot]

The Cavs seem to have found an identity. Hopefully they're seeing how much fun they're having in transition and this inspires them to play defense

[supernova5912]

Cavs are looking like a championship-caliber roster. It probably is their best half of the season.

[Meticode]

Wow... 75-40 halftime. Cavs...

The last 3 games the Hornets haven't allowed more than 80 points and in the last 10 games they haven't given up 100 points. The Cavs just scored 75 points in 1 half.

[D-Wait]

Having scored that much in a half, got me interested in the all-time record...

Apparently, the Suns had a 107 Point half in 1990, how the **** is that possible? :eek: :eek:

[JohnFreeman]

I did a double take when I saw the score on ESPN. wtf

[Meticode]

Having scored that much in a half, got me interested in the all-time record...

Apparently, the Suns had a 107 Point half in 1990, how the **** is that possible? :eek: :eek:
Didn't break the season record this year. Was 84 by the Blazers.

[bluechox2]

and lebron still wants ray allen

[D-Wait]

Didn't break the season record this year. Was 84 by the Blazers.

Yeah, I heard Fred say that... 84 is crazy enough, but I can't believe that 107 Points in a half from the Suns :lol

[lilteapot]

Yeah, I heard Fred say that... 84 is crazy enough, but I can't believe that 107 Points in a half from the Suns :lol
Why are you listening to the cavs announcers? If you want to keep your sanity listen to the Hornets guys

[Hey Yo]

:roll: at Austin Carr...

Get....that....weak....stuff....out....of......her e!
I laughed out loud when he did that.

[Hey Yo]

Cavs scored on 24 of their first 33 possessions.

[Trollsmasher]

Why are you listening to the cavs announcers? If you want to keep your sanity listen to the Hornets guys
They have been pretty funny today. I am getting used to them again.

[Lebron23]

This is a playoffs ready team.

[Trollsmasher]

softest call ever

[I<3NBA]

Holy shit. This scoreline is crazy!

[Trollsmasher]

JR:bowdown:

[Meticode]

:oldlol: Love with a 3/4 inbound pass to J.R. for the three. This is NBA 2K type shit going on.

[TylerOO]

Splash Bruddas wit the aim

[D-Wait]

I need to change my user name to JR Swish :applause:

[Meticode]

103-62 Cavs after 3 quarters.

I would assume Love is done for the night, maybe LeBron too and Irving, but Mozgov needs 1 more point and Love 6 for all 5 starts to have 15+ in third straight game. Last time that happened in the NBA was 84-85 season apparently.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Cavs up 40 and Kyrie/Bran/Love still in the game

:roll: :roll:

[MP.Trey]

I can't believe I'm watching this. J.R. for all star. :oldlol:

[Hey Yo]

J.R "headcase locker room cancer" Swish is on fire!!

[Uncle Drew]

Cavs up 40 and Kyrie/Bran/Love still in the game

:roll: :roll:No, they're not.

[MP.Trey]

Old school Matrix!

[Hey Yo]

Cavs up 40 and Kyrie/Bran/Love still in the game

:roll: :roll:
That's how new teammates/starters gel. Especially with 2 more new starters.

Not hard to understand, yo

[TheMarkMadsen]

That's how new teammates/starters gel. Especially with 2 more new starters.

Not hard to understand, yo

:roll: :roll:

[Meticode]

:roll: :roll:
It's true, plus it wasn't even the 4th quarter yet. I'm sure they won't play in the 4th, if so, stupid.

[TheMarkMadsen]

No, they're not.

oh i must have missed the assist from lebron to smith that put the cavs up by 43

http://www.nba.com/games/20150123/CHACLE/gameinfo.html?ls=slt#Q4

oh wait..

[Meticode]

Iman even chipped in with 5 points in 8 minutes. 2/2 with a 3.

[RedBlackAttack]

In retrospect, it should have been obvious that JR would be good on this team. Has he ever been bad on a good team? He's the kind of guy who is going to always make a bad team far worse and a good team far better. I'm loving him in this role.

Iman hasn't done a lot tonight, but he fits in great just with his length and skillset.

This team went from borderline unwatchable a couple weeks ago to the most entertaining team in the conference, possibly the league.

I always took up for Waiters, but with his recent running of his mouth in the media and with how good this team looks with these new additions and his attitude gone?

I hope the door didn't hit you on the way out.

This Charlotte team has actually been pretty good recently. They had won 8 of their last 9 and their defense had been very good. We have 70+ points at halftime and 100+ after three.

The Cavs are no joke right now. We'll see OKC on Sunday. Should be fun. What would really be great is if KLove had a 40/15 type game, which wasn't all that out of the ordinary in Minnesota. He still doesn't look totally comfortable, though better especially defensively. I have to think that -- eventually -- his game is going to adapt to this new role/style. Scary to think that this could still get a lot better.

[Meticode]

:oldlol: @ J.R. after Iman made that 3. He was blowing on his hand towards Iman like "Here, take some of my magic dust."

[Cocaine80s]

Shumpert 8/2/2 on 3/3 shooting in 10 minutes


:applause: :applause:

[Meticode]

Shumpert 8/2/2 on 3/3 shooting in 10 minutes


:applause: :applause:
Good first game to come back to after being out a long time, get comfortable, make some shots.

[RedBlackAttack]

For the record, I still like a lot of what Joe Harris can do. It is going to be a couple years before he's ready to really contribute on a roster like this, but he has a "3&D" look to me once he matures a bit. I like his all-around game.

He's a rookie on a team that everyone expected to be a title contender right out of the gate. Early in the season, he played 30+ minutes in several games. That's a recipe for serious criticism and people coming down on a guy.

But I think he can eventually get to where he needs to be.

[Kvnzhangyay]

For the record, I still like a lot of what Joe Harris can do. It is going to be a couple years before he's ready to really contribute on a roster like this, but he has a "3&D" look to me once he matures a bit. I like his all-around game.

He's a rookie on a team that everyone expected to be a title contender right out of the gate. Early in the season, he played 30+ minutes in several games. That's a recipe for serious criticism and people coming down on a guy.

But I think he can eventually get to where he needs to be.

I feel like he has the potential, but he needs to learn to play within himself. He kinda suggests that he's always trying to do more than he should

[Meticode]

The best thing about Haywood is he's worth $10 million next season for a trade. Dude looks absolutely horrible out there. :lol

[lilteapot]

Why the hell is Big Al playing now?

[Meticode]

Haywood made a basket! OMG Haywood made a f*cking basket!? :rockon:

[RedBlackAttack]

Why the hell is Big Al playing now?
I don't think he started tonight. I don't know if that is an injury thing or they're just trying him in a different role.

Either way, it is ridiculous for him to be on the floor at this stage.

[Meticode]

129-90 Cavs. Great win. :applause:

[navy]

Big AL was injured so they moved him to the bench. Just conditioning now. He will be a starter soon.

[RedBlackAttack]

129-90 Cavs. Great win. :applause:
I may never say this again, but the 39-point margin doesn't do justice to just how bad this beating was.

[RedBlackAttack]

David Aldridge ‏@daldridgetnt 8m8 minutes ago
Just asking: has anyone trademarked #TimofeyforMVP yet? #mozgovcocktail

:applause: :applause:

[Meticode]

Big test this Sunday against the Thunder. Time to see if the defensive improve is legit or if it's just been against shitty playing teams at the time.

I have to say, Irving has given so much more effort on defense. He's not been giving up on plays and has been deflecting tons of passes the last 2-3 games.

[JebronLames]

mozgod!

[DukeDelonte13]

shades of 2009 tonight.. Complete domination on both ends and Lebron didn't get in in the 4th. Love it.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

LeBron James is carrying this team. And why is JR smith playing so well?

[edrick]

LeBron James is carrying this team. And why is JR smith playing so well?

Pretty simple. Less attention is being paid to him, because of the 3 stars.

[J Shuttlesworth]

LeBron James is carrying this team. And why is JR smith playing so well?
two words

LeBron ball

[RoundMoundOfReb]

two words

LeBron ball
Greatest system of winning ever invented :applause:

[RedBlackAttack]

LeBron James is carrying this team. And why is JR smith playing so well?
Seems an odd time to say that "James is carrying this team," when the Cavaliers are playing so well as a team... doing things from a contribution standpoint that haven't been done in years. The last two games were the first time in the last five years that all five starters scored 15+ points in consecutive games. Tonight would have made it the first time since the early 80s that it happened three consecutive times had the starters played at all in the last quarter and a half. Still, three of five starters scored 15+ and Mozgov was a point away.

This has been a complete team effort to turn things around. It also has a lot to do with the trade that brought in three (perfect) pieces.

[dubnation]

Seems an odd time to say that "James is carrying this team," when the Cavaliers are playing so well as a team... doing things from a contribution standpoint that haven't been done in years. The last two games were the first time in the last five years that all five starters scored 15+ points in consecutive games. Tonight would have made it the first time since the early 80s that it happened three consecutive times had the starters played at all in the last quarter and a half. Still, three of five starters scored 15+ and Mozgov was a point away.

This has been a complete team effort to turn things around. It also has a lot to do with the trade that brought in three (perfect) pieces.

RBA is hyped :bowdown:

Hard to believe how low morale was just a week or two ago... The body language is infinitely better. Excited for this OKC matchup, even though they aren't playing their best right now.

[Cocaine80s]

Lebron is not carrying this team at all

Mozgov and Jr (kinda) changed everything

[SpaceJammeR]

Lebron is not carrying this team at all

Mozgov and Jr (kinda) changed everything

if lebron was still injured cavs would still be losing.

[Lebron23]

Showtime Cleveland. Smith to LeBron.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRUEM8JhsCE

[Hoopz2332]

Lebron is not carrying this team at all

GTFO:roll: lebron is clearly the key




Mozgov and Jr (kinda) changed everything

They are playing a part buyt it'sno coincidence that the Cavs still looked like trash with Mozgov and Smith when lebron was out


23-12 with lebron

http://i.imgur.com/mYnsuHF.png


1-8 without:biggums:

Jr Smith played 3 games with the Cavs prior to lebron's return in PHX

http://i.imgur.com/XX8jGrs.png


Mozgov played 2

http://i.imgur.com/oN3DYRk.png



Kyrie played like a combo of 2-3 games with them before LBJ came back

http://i.imgur.com/dMB23Z4.png



The streak and bigs stats from Mozgov and Smith all started when LBJ came back

http://i.imgur.com/zvHQsYh.png

[Meticode]

Besides LeBron coming back, the way Mozgov and Smith have fit in has changed the dynamics of this team. Here's an interesting thought from ABJ writer Jason Lloyd...


he Cavs’ ultimate vision is Shumpert starting and Smith thriving in that sixth man role he has flourished in before. Smith made seven 3-pointers tonight and has 29 in just nine games with the Cavs. Dion Waiters made 22 in 33 games with the Cavs.

The way Smith is playing right now is exactly what the Cavaliers need offensively from that position. He doesn't shy away from any type of shots.

[Meticode]

Big test Sunday. They get the Thunder coming off a hard fought loss to the Hawks and the return of Waiters (how will he respond)? I suspect he's going to get booed by fans if most of the fans know about his comments me made after being traded.

[RedBlackAttack]

LeBron is playing like the best player in the league again. Of course that has a major impact on everything. A healthy, motivated LeBron James would significantly raise the level of any team in the NBA, from the Spurs to the Warriors to the Sixers and Knicks. But, to say he's "carrying" the team right now is just factually incorrect. I don't even see it as a viable opinion. It's just wrong.

And, to those saying, "well, Mozgov and Smith played a game without LeBron and still lost" is a simple case of molding the facts to suit your argument. They also played a game with LeBron and lost. That was during a West Coast swing at which point the guys were essentially just thrown out onto the floor with zero time to even get to know, let alone practice with, their new teammates and coaching staff.

This has been a completely different team since the moment Blatt had an extended practice with the new guys in the middle of last week. In that practice, he didn't just work on the chemistry of the team, he implemented a totally different defensive strategy, one that is only possible with a defensively sound, mobile rim protecting true center. It is now all about funneling the action to Mozgov instead of being the human layup line that they were prior.

Pick and rolls are being handled totally different now than they were eight days ago. The defense is light years improved and you can see it very clearly. That is not due to LeBron "carrying" the team. He is playing a part just like all the guys out there, but Mozgov is the one who allows the Cavs to play this style of defense. Hell, Kyrie has been killing it on the defensive end in the last five games mainly because he knows he has help behind him for the first time in his career. His five steals a couple nights ago weren't due to LeBron "carrying" the team. And, all of those turnovers -- being created by everyone now, not just KI -- are resulting in a lethal transition game with arguably the best group of transition players in the NBA. That's only going to improve as Shump gets acclimated too.

Meanwhile, JR Smith has fit in far better than Waiters ever did. So, we filled two gaping holes with a rim protecting center and long wing defensive specialist and upgraded the 2 spot in the last 10 days. That has led to a completely different gameplan.

Then, you have a healthy, happy, motivated LeBron back on the floor to show he is the best player in the league once again. That certainly helps, but it's not the lone reason for the turnaround... not by a longshot.

You want to start handing out praise for this team being totally different now as compared to two weeks ago, David Griffin would be a good place to look. It's still a long season and anything can happen, but that trade is looking like a masterful maneuver.

[LBJ 23]

Mozgov with Birdman effect :bowdown:

Expect Cavs to go on a crazy winning streak

[Meticode]

LeBron is playing like the best player in the league again. Of course that has a major impact on everything. A healthy, motivated LeBron James would significantly raise the level of any team in the NBA, from the Spurs to the Warriors to the Sixers and Knicks. But, to say he's "carrying" the team right now is just factually incorrect. I don't even see it as a viable opinion. It's just wrong.

And, to those saying, "well, Mozgov and Smith played a game without LeBron and still lost" is a simple case of molding the facts to suit your argument. They also played a game with LeBron and lost. That was during a West Coast swing at which point the guys were essentially just thrown out onto the floor with zero time to even get to know, let alone practice with, their new teammates and coaching staff.

This has been a completely different team since the moment Blatt had an extended practice with the new guys in the middle of last week. In that practice, he didn't just work on the chemistry of the team, he implemented a totally different defensive strategy, one that is only possible with a defensively sound, mobile rim protecting true center. It is now all about funneling the action to Mozgov instead of being the human layup line that they were prior.

Pick and rolls are being handled totally different now than they were eight days ago. The defense is light years improved and you can see it very clearly. That is not due to LeBron "carrying" the team. He is playing a part just like all the guys out there, but Mozgov is the one who allows the Cavs to play this style of defense. Hell, Kyrie has been killing it on the defensive end in the last five games mainly because he knows he has help behind him for the first time in his career. His five steals a couple nights ago weren't due to LeBron "carrying" the team. And, all of those turnovers -- being created by everyone now, not just KI -- are resulting in a lethal transition game with arguably the best group of transition players in the NBA. That's only going to improve as Shump gets acclimated too.

Meanwhile, JR Smith has fit in far better than Waiters ever did. So, we filled two gaping holes with a rim protecting center and long wing defensive specialist and upgraded the 2 spot in the last 10 days. That has led to a completely different gameplan.

Then, you have a healthy, happy, motivated LeBron back on the floor to show he is the best player in the league once again. That certainly helps, but it's not the lone reason for the turnaround... not by a longshot.

You want to start handing out praise for this team being totally different now as compared to two weeks ago, David Griffin would be a good place to look. It's still a long season and anything can happen, but that trade is looking like a masterful maneuver.
I heard up until that practice or near that practice, Blatt hadn't had an extended practice with everyone for weeks? Does that sound correct? They just didn't have the time?

Also don't forget about Irving in the middle of this. While 3 holes have been filled and LeBron is happy and healthy, Irving has been turning it up defensively. Not locking down anyone by any means, but he's certainly played harder, been deflecting passes like crazy the last few games too. The overall energy of the team is just completely different.

[BigTicket]

I think we need to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves here. Sure the Cavs have looked great the last 5 games, but that's not the first time this year they've had a good 5-game streak. The question is whether they can now maintain this level, which they haven't been able to do in the past.

The next three games should be a good test of that, with matches against the Thunder, Pistons and Blazers, three teams the Cavs lost to previously.

IF the Cavs can go 2-1 or better over those three games, then I will start to buy the hype, but not before that.

[RedBlackAttack]

I heard up until that practice or near that practice, Blatt hadn't had an extended practice with everyone for weeks? Does that sound correct? They just didn't have the time?

Also don't forget about Irving in the middle of this. While 3 holes have been filled and LeBron is happy and healthy, Irving has been turning it up defensively. Not locking down anyone by any means, but he's certainly played harder, been deflecting passes like crazy the last few games too. The overall energy of the team is just completely different.
Yeah, I did hear that one of the biggest transitions for Blatt in going from Euro basketball to the NBA is the amount of games and lack of preparation. I didn't even know this until I read it recently, but there are usually only a couple games a week at most in Europe. That gave Blatt plenty of time to get his gameplanning together and get everyone on the same page.

In the NBA, you basically have to do it on the fly. You get a couple days off at most during a regular week in the season.

[RedBlackAttack]

I think we need to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves here. Sure the Cavs have looked great the last 5 games, but that's not the first time this year they've had a good 5-game streak. The question is whether they can now maintain this level, which they haven't been able to do in the past.

The next three games should be a good test of that, with matches against the Thunder, Pistons and Blazers, three teams the Cavs lost to previously.

IF the Cavs can go 2-1 or better over those three games, then I will start to buy the hype, but not before that.
Even during the eight game winning streak earlier in the season, the play was often sloppy and the defense shaky at best. I don't think the excitement comes from the number of wins we're racking up, although that obviously helps with morale. The optimism comes from the way we are winning. It feels far more sustainable this time around because the foundation is sound defense and not just shots falling.

The team looks totally different.

[RedBlackAttack]

Some context from Jason Lloyd regarding yesterday's 129-90 win:


Here’s a quick rundown of the historical significance of this win, based on research by the Cavs and Elias Sports Bureau: Friday set Quicken Loans Arena records for most points in regulation and the largest margin of victory for a Cavs team. It was their most lopsided win overall since a 43-point win over the 76ers on Jan. 15, 1994. The 75 points in the first half were the most since they scored that many against the Hawks on Dec. 11, 1999. The 35-point halftime lead was the largest in franchise history.

And, this addresses my above comments of the change in strategy defensively and the recent defensive surge by Kyrie Irving individually...


21. Anyway, back to the defense. The Cavs have held their last three opponents to 42 percent shooting or less. Now the Bulls were a wreck when they were here (they have since rallied to score huge back-to-back wins against the Spurs and Mavericks), the Jazz can’t score and the Hornets – despite their recent hot streak – are still lousy offensively.

22. I’m not begrudging what the Cavs have done lately defensively, I’m just trying to reveal the entire picture. Still, the way opposing point guards have struggled against the Cavs recently is noticeable. Eric Bledsoe shot 3-for-8 against the Cavs, Chris Paul shot 4-for-15, Derrick Rose shot 5-for-14, Trey Burke shot 1-for-10 and Kemba Walker shot 3-for-14 Friday. All of that is within the last 10 days.

23. Irving deserves the bulk of the credit for that, although the Cavs’ new pick-and-roll scheme and the presence of Timofey Mozgov helps.

There may come a point in the semi-near future wherein people have to grudgingly accept that Kyrie is a quality defender for his position. J/S


Oh... sauce: http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-1.275356/cavs-129-hornets-90-jason-lloyd-s-33-final-thoughts-on-lebron-s-vision-trade-possibilities-1.561112