“That’s What I’m Talking About!”
November 23, 2008Open Thread: Browns vs Houston Texans
November 23, 2008LeBron James didn’t get to his scoring average, but it didn’t matter as the Cavaliers rolled to a 110-96 rout of the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavs led the Hawks from wire to wire and LeBron found ways to dunk the ball all game long. He caught alley-oops. He faked behind the back passes on the way to the hole. He even dunked with his left hand as he was getting knocked to the deck in dramatic fashion. It makes me wish I had heard Joe Tait’s call of last night’s game in addition to seeing it on TV.
And still, as someone who watches the Cavs every time they play, I am going to have to steal that much-deserved gameball from LeBron so I can give it to Delonte West. Delonte finished the game with 19 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds. He also had 1 turnover, no steals and no blocks. His effective game couldn’t be measured in the box score. At least not in the Cavalier portion of the box score.
Delonte West spent the night covering Joe Johnson. In 32 minutes, Johnson scored 4 points, with 2 rebounds and five assists while committing 3 turnovers. In Johnson’s previous four games he scored 31, 25, 19, and 30 respectively, before Delonte and company badgered him into 1-8 shooting last night in Cleveland. If defense wins championships then Delonte West could easily be an important piece in any Cavaliers championship run.
Also notable last night was Mo Williams’ 23 point scoring night, Zydrunas Ilgauskas scoring 17, and Ben Wallace’s 8 rebounds and two blocks. Trust me when I tell you that all anyone will truly remember about this game is the LeBron James highlight reel, but they should also remember the amazing passing and defense from the Cavaliers.
4 Comments
I found it funny that a yahoo story about this described LeBron’s performance – in the headline – as “mediocre.” I get that it was below his norm, but it was not mediocre.
I found it unfunny that Wojnarowski wrote yet another story about LeBron leaving in 2010 (based on the Knicks’ recent moves).
Sometimes, I think I should just get rid of my yahoo email account so that I can prevent myself from meandering to their sports coverage.
Loved how MB actually had a good gameplan regarding Joe J. Sent Z at him every touch b/c Atl has no scoring big guys with Smith out. Great job.
Also, I am very prepared to send Wojnarowski every negative article he’s written about LBJ when he chooses to re-up in Cleveland.
Laundro – it was mediocre for him – but I have yet to read something like that about Kobe’s game over in LA. He has put up some stinkers and they win in spite of it and because he jacks up more shots than anyone he scores more points and gets the headline treatment.
The game wasn’t broadcast AGAIN down here (groan) but I am really starting to lose some confidence in Gibson. I’d almost prefer Pavlovic play more since he’s not a defensive liability. When Boobie is not making shots, he’s much like Szczerbiak – hurting us.
Delonte has been so special this year, I hope he can keep it up. I think he can – only because he has been in rhythm for almost all his shots. He has not been forcing the issue or taking crazy shots off the dribble. He’s set, open, and he fires and hits when the ball swings to him.
@ Lyon, you can copy me on that e-mail to Wojnarowski. I’m a huge Cavs fan, but I’m also a Clevelander, and that means I’m a realist. The chance of LeBron signing with the Cavs in 2010 is probably around 2% if not less. The only thing that would keep him here is loyalty to the city he grew up near, but we already know that he doesn’t have a shred of loyalty to his local sports teams. It’d be better to prepare your heart for the eventuality of LeBron in a Nets jersey and just enjoy him for his two remaining years.