The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their trend of playing a bad second half of basketball. Last night, the Cavs went almost 5 minutes without scoring and finally lost 95-89 to the New Orleans Hornets.
Cleveland’s defense has been a problem all season and last night was no exception. The Hornets shot close to 55% from the field and Chris Paul put in 30 points against the Cavs. LeBron James was held to 15 points as New Orleans focused on stopping him and forcing others to score.
The Cavaliers, at times, looked very confused and uninspired playing on the road. This team needs to find an identity and play with pride if they want to go deep in the playoffs.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Coach Mike Brown needs to wake up and take control of this team if he wants to stay in Cleveland a long time.
I fear Coach Brown is not cutting it…. we should be way better and he lets us bomb 3’s and take horrible jumpers. We may need a proven NBA coach in the near future.
Sorry but here I go again with the F word that while uttered is not practiced in Cleveland “Fundamentals”. How many times have you seen a Cavalier follow his shot and get the rebound? How many times have you seen a Cavalier shake his man and break for the basket when the double team comes on LeBron? How many times have the Cavaliers (other than LeBron) use a head fake, rocker step, or any other move to get his man in the air and take it to the hole, or get in closer for an easier jumper?
These are fundamental basketball lessons taught to Junior High players, and if not practiced you get BENCHED! I haven’t even mentioned primary and secondary rebounding positions or blocking off your man for the rebound.
Bottom line is that the Cavaliers under Mike Brown were supposed to be better on the defensive end, but have you seen them keep a team to the low 80’s. They did once but they only scored 63.
If the Cavaliers continue to give up double digit leads and have to fight through the fourth quarter, then this year will be very disappointing. And finally why did they sign Pollard? To enforce the lane, or to hand out Gatorade and high fives!
It seems like they play much better D now but on O it looks like street ball. They seem to have no set plays… It’s a shame…
Is Mike Brown a product of the system? He did coach the Cavs to a 50 win season last year. The second year in, the Cavs should be more fundamentally sound. They don’t really have an identity. Z is a liability on the defensive end, and Eric Snow is one on the offensive end, yet they’re starters. I really think it’s time to switch up and get a more athletic tempo on both ends of the floor. I wish they start looking for the extra pass, instead of hoisting up a jumper with 12 seconds left on the shot clock. I wish these guys would put it on the floor, and draw some contact, and not depend so much on their jumper. We all could knock down 7 shots, if we hoisted up 20 of them. Once the team develops that killer instinct, they’ll be unstoppable. Look at Detroit!
I’ve been thinking, maybe the Cavs are being punished for the Browns mistakes. Maybe we are so critical of them because we are so frustrated over the dismal Browns season. Maybe we should lighten up. The Cavs have a second year coach, and are coming off a year when they posted 50+ wins, and made it to the second round of the playoffs. Not to mention that they almost beat the Pistons in that series. Z was missing then, like he is now. Damon Jones is coming off the bench and giving us productive minutes, and hitting the shots that he missed last year. Marshall is improving from last year. Now we may have a legitimate point guard to push the ball up the floor, and not have to depend so much on Hughes and Lebron. Plus Gibson can score, an improvement from Eric Snow. The season is still young, and they have a winning record. These are our Cleveland Cavaliers. Let’s sit back and enjoy. They’re the best that this city has to offer.