The Official Cleveland Cavaliers Thread!

Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Mo has definetly made a huge difference, I also think that West has lifted his game, expected more from Big Ben though...
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

ozballer23 said:
Mo has definetly made a huge difference, I also think that West has lifted his game, expected more from Big Ben though...
Click to expand...

The Cavs are a real dark horse to win the championship this year.

All eyes are on the Boston Celtics in the East, and rightfully so after their 19 game winning streak, but I'd not underestimate the Cavs and Magic.

Come playoff time they will both be ready.

Delonte West has been one of my favourite players since college (St Josephs), because he was a combo-guard, a lefty who could shoot the trey and get to the ring, and most importantly because he is a scrappy do-it-all type player who contribute highly on the defensive end.

Why does that type of player appeal to me so much?

Because that's the type of player I am, complete combo lefty guard who some criticise as being too small to play the 2 and not a true 1.

But he's really come in and the Cavs have been faithful to him, which has helped him not only shoot at extremely high %'s this year but contribute, he's a real team player who could put up bigger numbers if he wasn't so selfless.

As for Wallace, he is splitting time with Varejao a lot so I'm not sure it's his fault his minutes are decreasing...

By the way, Nenjabin, or whoever it was who I debated with about Mo Williams coming in and simply being another Boobie Gibson?

Eat your words. The guys come in and put up just a clip under 16 ppg to go with 3.3 rpg and 4.1 apg on 48% FG's and a blistering if not league-leading 95.3% FT's. Did I mention he's only playing 32 minutes per game - and has more importantly added to the Cavs offense and helped it expand greatly.. I think it's safe to say he's had a huge impact.
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Almost a heart breaker!!! :lol:

I wondered when we are going for those defensive stops and go on a run... Good it came just in time with 1:39 left and the Wiz are up by 7pts. They didnt manage to put anymore on the scoreboard... Cavs went on a 11-0 run and win by 4!:thumbsup:

15-0 at home and still rolling… Well this one we have to work harder… But a win is a win no matter what happened… lol! Nice Boxing day for a Cavs fan… :thumbsup:
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

dam i was getting worried at the end, but the cavs Defense and offense came through, a tuff win for the boys but like you said a wins a win, and the Celts lost im stoked haha
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Big Ben Fan said:
dam i was getting worried at the end, but the cavs Defense and offense came through, a tuff win for the boys but like you said a wins a win, and the Celts lost im stoked haha
Click to expand...

Me too! Thank God we won... :thumbsup:

Next up are home and away against the Heat. I hope we do a better job in those 2 games... :)
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

i think this was just one of those games, they should be back to their 20 point wins in no time haha
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

jimboiitmac said:
The Cavs are a real dark horse to win the championship this year.

All eyes are on the Boston Celtics in the East, and rightfully so after their 19 game winning streak, but I'd not underestimate the Cavs and Magic.

Come playoff time they will both be ready.

Delonte West has been one of my favourite players since college (St Josephs), because he was a combo-guard, a lefty who could shoot the trey and get to the ring, and most importantly because he is a scrappy do-it-all type player who contribute highly on the defensive end.

Why does that type of player appeal to me so much?

Because that's the type of player I am, complete combo lefty guard who some criticise as being too small to play the 2 and not a true 1.

But he's really come in and the Cavs have been faithful to him, which has helped him not only shoot at extremely high %'s this year but contribute, he's a real team player who could put up bigger numbers if he wasn't so selfless.

As for Wallace, he is splitting time with Varejao a lot so I'm not sure it's his fault his minutes are decreasing...
Click to expand...

Not so much his time decreasing, this guy was known for his defence just a couple of years ago, look at how many def reb he is getting now and next too nothing block shots wise, he needs to lift his game, with the big ben of the piston days, the cavs will be unbeatable.
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

ozballer23 said:
Not so much his time decreasing, this guy was known for his defence just a couple of years ago, look at how many def reb he is getting now and next too nothing block shots wise, he needs to lift his game, with the big ben of the piston days, the cavs will be unbeatable.
Click to expand...

That's true, but it's also a different system.

With Big Z in there, and Ben, you have lots of length, you don't NEED to block a shot to make a defensive play.

Often the best defense comes not on the stat sheet, it's quite simply from stopping teams from getting to the cup, and that's by playing team defense - he doesn't need to accumulate 12 boards and 4 blocks per game to be a great defensive presence.

That being said - I'm not saying he's still as good as he was back then, but the stats definately don't say it all. It's not like he can just run in and block a guys shot out of the blue to bolster his stats, if he had the opportunity to block someone I'm sure he would, and it's not like he's getting consistently dunked on..

Different system, different defense, different stats. That's why I have ALWAYS said he should have stayed in Detroit, because it best highlighted the strong points in his game. Since he left his stats have dropped and as a result people who don't watch the games only see the box score and think he's now rubbish...
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

jimboiitmac said:
That's true, but it's also a different system.

With Big Z in there, and Ben, you have lots of length, you don't NEED to block a shot to make a defensive play.

Often the best defense comes not on the stat sheet, it's quite simply from stopping teams from getting to the cup, and that's by playing team defense - he doesn't need to accumulate 12 boards and 4 blocks per game to be a great defensive presence.

That being said - I'm not saying he's still as good as he was back then, but the stats definately don't say it all. It's not like he can just run in and block a guys shot out of the blue to bolster his stats, if he had the opportunity to block someone I'm sure he would, and it's not like he's getting consistently dunked on..

Different system, different defense, different stats. That's why I have ALWAYS said he should have stayed in Detroit, because it best highlighted the strong points in his game. Since he left his stats have dropped and as a result people who don't watch the games only see the box score and think he's now rubbish...
Click to expand...

I wasn't talking just about stats, but was using them as a supportive arguement. I watch most of the cavs games, and I can tell you the 20mpg he averages, he isn't effective, or near as effective as he used to be, mind you he had rasheed next to him, a far better big man imo in detroit. He has lst his way this year.
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Here's an article regarding the Cavs last game and highlights Big Ben, Mo Will, Varejao, etc... LINK!

In my opinion, Ben is just doing fine and Im really happy with the way the Cavs are mangaing his minutes... His back injury could still be there but I havent heard it playing up this season... The numbers you would expect from him (like when he was in Detroit) is not showing up but I think his veteran leaadership (with his 4 defPOY awards) is really making the Cavs defense very stingy... Proof: Cavs leads the NBA in team defense (89.2ppg by opponents) and points difference against opponents (+12.7ppg). None of those 2 stats were visible last year or the year befoe when we got to the finals... ;)

Cavaliers have wall of defense in Ben Wallace
Forward serves as enforcer on court, getting rebounds and blocking shots
It's the rarest of rarities when Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace crumbles to the floor like a stale, dried-up Christmas cookie.

Wallace hit the Quicken Loans Arena hardwood with a thud after Caron Butler drove into him with 8.7 seconds left in Thursday night's game against the Washington Wizards and the Cavs ahead 90-89. It might have been the most significant play in a 93-89 win.

After that play, point guard Mo Williams was fouled and made two free throws to seal the deal.

More than anything else, it points to Wallace's value to the Cavs. A four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Wallace averages just 24 minutes per game, but produces close to
seven rebounds and two blocked shots per game.

More important, he roams the middle of the Cavs' defense, acting as an enforcer. He doesn't score a lot, but the Cavs don't need him to.

''That's what I do,'' he said. ''I'm capable of making plays on the defensive end when the team really needs it.''

None was larger than taking that charge. He said that creating the play was a matter of staying in the moment. Wallace, however, was quick to give credit to his teammates.

''We just want to be up, make it tough on guys,'' he said. ''Bron did a great job of forcing Caron [Butler] out on the floor. We did what we always talk about — help your teammates out.''

Mo marches on

Guard Mo Williams has only been with the Cavs since late summer, but more and more, it feels as if he has been with the team for years, not months. He's been a perfect fit and has not hesitated to express his opinion and show leadership, despite being new to the Cavs this season.

During a fourth-quarter timeout on Thursday, Williams took charge of the huddle. James said Williams was interested in willing the team to victory: ''At that point, we knew we just had to have a will to win.''

Williams refused to take any credit for that moment.

''We were all talking to each other,'' he said. ''We all communicated — all five guys — we all did a great job of talking to one another.''

Quiet dominance

Lost in the excitement of Thursday's game was another outstanding performance from Anderson Varejao. Varejao came off the bench to post his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Varejao also made two free throws to give the Cavs a 90-89 lead in the final seconds.

''That's just the product of him working his tail off in the offseason,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said, ''and stepping up there with confidence when he's put in that situation and helping us win the game.''

More chalk talk

Cleveland fans actually left LeBron James almost speechless rather than vice versa. The club's chalk promotion, which had fans at Quicken Loans Arena throwing confetti in the air just as James was performing his nightly chalk-tossing ritual, proved a success.

''That was unbelievable. Cleveland fans, I will never forget that — ever,'' James said.
Click to expand...
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Great win by the cavs today! Come from behind, better D from Big Ben, usual all round game from Bron, nearly a double double, and mr. west and boobie played the back court quite awesomely!
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Great hustle and bussle by Andy final few seconds. Could of gone anyway if he didn't score.....not much i can say about the others.
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Another great game IMO, i like the way we are able to keep our heads at the end of the game and come back and not let the game slip away
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Big Ben Fan said:
Another great game IMO, i like the way we are able to keep our heads at the end of the game and come back and not let the game slip away
Click to expand...

Thats right and your man got the defense going again: 14 brds and 3 Blks! :thumbsup:

Our success this year is really getting over-shadowed by the Celts and the Lakers... I hope we win the game against the Celtics next week to get in front of themmm... ;)

GO Cavs!!!
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

gemini0928 said:
Cavs 93 - Heat 86
For the second straight game and at Home, we showed composure at the end of the game! Great to see winning games like these instead of always blowing out opponents. It shows that we can stand pressure...

Next up are the Heats again! Go Cavs!!! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

hmmm pretty luck IMO, few cruicial shots missed by heat, just the way the ball rolls instead of composure........good come from behind win for the cavs though
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

immune3 said:
hmmm pretty luck IMO, few cruicial shots missed by heat, just the way the ball rolls instead of composure........good come from behind win for the cavs though
Click to expand...

You'll have another chance tomorrow to beat us and see if luck will go your way this time... ;)
 
Re: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread

Its annoying to see that happened but if they can pull a win after that, is always a greater feeling than blowing out opponents early. Also you get to see Lebron play more and not sit out the 4th...;)

But I hope they dont do the come from behind often...:lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Matt26
2025 Elite NRL Official Thread
2
Replies
33
Views
1,358
Rocket1908
Rocket1908
S
2025 - March 2 - Malvern Town Hall - AFL only fair
Replies
4
Views
594
CTJR
C
Billyhoyle
2025 Collecting Goals
2
Replies
29
Views
739
ozsportscardcollector
O
Brendan_B
For Sale Zerocool Stranger Things Series 4
Replies
11
Views
398
Brendan_B
Brendan_B
banana
The Future of AFL Card Collecting
2
Replies
22
Views
3,093
jimboner
jimboner
Back
Top Bottom