Posted on Tuesday 7 November 2006 by John Blake @ 10:10 pm
The sweet start by the Cavaliers has suddenly turned sour. With their latest 104-95 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks, their record falls to 2-2 on the young season. With the Cavs up two at the end of regulation, a LeBron James missed free throw allowed Tyronn Lue to go the length of the court to tie it and send it to overtime, where Joe Johnson scored seven of his 25 points.
LeBron finished with 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists and Drew Gooden continued his solid season with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
The Cavaliers led by as much as 10 but a 62% average from the free throw line and a 36% average from the field doomed the Wine and Gold. Offensively, they often looked sluggish and unorganized. Whatever momentum they had after the San Antonio game has officially disappeared. Perhaps they think they’re just going to waltz into games, go through the motions, and come out with a win. It’s not that easy. I don’t know if the Cavs think they’re better than they are right now or what, but some sense of urgency needs to be developed, especially towards the end of games.
Gotta make those damn Free Throws for cryin out loud!!!! This team better stop playing down to its level of competition!!!
Championship teams don’t blow a 10 point lead with 8 minutes to go at home! They better step it up. I’m not worried about the free throws - these guys are professionals and that part of the game will improve. It’s the poor filed goal shooting that concerns me.
I also heard Lebron walked off the court last night with 7 seconds left in the game - did anyone see that?
Nothings Easy,
and the Cavs should see that. 60% at the line is not acceptable. Last year they started off slow at the line and maybe it’s a feel that comes as the season progresses, but these are teams that the Cavs should handle easily. They can’t just have 2 players have a good game, there needs to be more and Brown better do something about it. Screw the rotation, put the players in who give effort night in and night out.
The Cavs are not playing up to their level. They are a better team, they just lack fundamentals. Their not making free throws, they settle for shots instead of looking for the extra pass. It’s still early, and this is a young team, but If they consider themselves one of the elite teams in the east, they have to stop blowing leads in the 4th quarter. They must concentrate more when they’re shooting free throws. They’re getting kinda lazy on defense. Mike Browns is a good coach, but he needs a little more intensity. Just imagine if Phillip, or The Oil Slick were the coach. With this talent, they’d probably keep their foot on the gas the entire game. No Shannon Brown, no Pollard, why did they go after these guys, to sit on the bench? I think Shannon would’ve smothered Brevin Knight, and Tyron Lue.
I agree with Rich S. - need to make those free throws. Had the CAVs made even half the free throws missed; there would not be OT and the CAVs win the game. Didn’t any of the guys play HORSE as a kid????
Pathetic
this team is young and stupid.
it has NO KILLER INSTINCTS.
you need to go into a game wanting to step on your the throat until he’s dead and then you send the second team in for mop up.
these guys let teams hang around and then get beat and scratch their heads on how it happend.
michael jordon was never my favorite person or player… but i will never disrespect the fact that he wanted to just dismember people on the floor.
he was a scoring machine and was told his defence was week so he went out and won defensive player of the year.
this team needs TO TAKE WHAT’S THEIR’S AND STOP SETTLING FOR TAKING WHAT THEY ARE GIVEN !
by the way, they can stop walking out to the free throw line and giving a player who just missed a shot “a love bump” any time now.
the guy just missed a shot.. why should you go out and give him Love…. [always give him Love if he hits it though].
in closing.
this team needs to put people away and not be ashamed about beating someone down.
blowout city is a cool place.
i once played for a team that went undefeated and untied and won our leage championship and always had the second string in by the 3rd quarter. did i EVER feel bad about our opponants getting crushed ?
hell no…
i had to take on the first team ever day at practice and that made whomever we were playing look tame.
kill
or be killed.
eat
or be eaten.
the Cavs need to grow into killers and eaters and have no shame about it, as that is what powers the heart of a champion.
HAYWOOD