The one-two punch is back: Cavs vs. Bulls Game 5 Behind The Box Score
May 12, 2015Watch Joe Thomas lose it pumping up the Cavs crowd
May 13, 2015Happy Wednesday, Blawg Pound. Have you recovered from last night yet? The Cavaliers fell into an early hole, they climbed out of it, they fell back into it, and climbed out of it again. They looked like they might take one last header into the pit, but they stood tall, sank their free throws down the stretch, and got the win. They lead the series 3-2, with Game 6 in Chicago Thursday night.
It was a whale of a game. LeBron was incredible: 38 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 0 turnovers — zero turnovers! It was one of his finest all-around games, and he re-set the tone after Chicago opened the first quarter with an 8-0 run. He drove into the lane early and often (though there were stagnant stretches in the second half), threw down a breakaway dunk, and had a vintage block on Derrick Rose in the final minute to help secure the result.
It was the sort of performance the Cavs needed from LeBron, although he had some help. Tristan Thompson had a double-double, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith combined for 25 points, and Matthew Dellavedova had a hand (er, foot) in more big plays than anyone ever might have expected. And, let’s see, did I forget anyone…
Ah yes, Kyrie Irving scored 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting. He was still hobbled, still laboring, still a liability on defense, but he persevered, battled, and absolutely played his ass off. He could barely run, but in moments he looked like himself, slicing into the lane or pulling up for jumpers.
I don’t have anything profound to say about Kyrie — he was just great last night. He’s perhaps the most enjoyable player I’ve ever watched, loaded with creativity and athleticism and skill. He’s been sapped of much of his burst, and that made each of his 25 points in Game 5 all the more special.
I’m proud of Kyrie Irving. I have no real reason to be — I have certainly played no role in his basketballing development — but I am. I’m proud of the kid. Injuries were a concern before he even entered the league, having played just 11 games at Duke due to a toe injury, and he’s had plenty more since. He could have sat out. He could have played a token 20 minutes. He could have been a decoy like he said he was going to be.
But he didn’t. He said that he couldn’t have looked at himself in the mirror if he sat. Instead, he went out there and outscored Derrick Rose despite two bad wheels. He rose to the occasion even as the stage threatened to crumble beneath him. That is what a playoff game feels like.
Expectations are a funny thing. The Cavs were frustrating for much of this season in part because they were penciled into the Eastern Conference Finals right away. Watching them was a bit like seeing a movie that your friend had hyped up for weeks — instead of simply enjoying it, you were waiting for it to be great. Even if it is great, the experience is still diminished. The injuries and setbacks the Cavs have suffered dampened expectations for them, and that has made victories like last night’s all the more enjoyable. They can’t just show up and get wins because they’re better — they have to earn them.
On the other hand, these Cavs are so fun because the role players’ roles are so clearly defined and because each has his own expectations. We know exactly what each guy is supposed to do and excels at, which increases our anticipation and enhances our appreciation. Tristan Thompson attacks the glass and finishes lobs. Timofey Mozgov protects the paint. J.R. Smith shoots and shoots and shoots. Iman Shumpert hounds opposing ballhandlers. Matthew Dellavedova is a pest that occasionally makes threes. Perk shows up to throw a shoulder every once in a while.
The willingness with which each player takes on his role is what makes this team special. Tristan doesn’t mope about not getting the post touches, nor does Shump cry about wanting more shots. Veterans like Mike Miller, Shawn Marion, and especially Brendan Haywood, have not complained one bit about not seeing more of the court. As hokey as the old “All for one, one for all” tagline is, these Cavs embody it.
Last, Monty Williams was fired by the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday. That may not mean much to you — it’s about as far removed from the Cavs’ win as one can get while staying in the NBA — and that’s fine. The Pelicans made the playoffs as the eighth seed this year, but Williams’ coaching was derided by many, and it’s little surprise that he got fired.
I bring Williams up not because he got fired, but because of how he handled it. He was interviewed yesterday, and he was hurt, but he burned no bridges. If anything, he strengthened their foundations. He praised Pelicans fans, the city, the players, the ownership, everyone. A bit like LeBron’s post-Game 4 comments, it was how he said it as much as what he said. He was sincere and forthcoming. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to coach in the NBA. He was saddened by losing his job, but held on to little achievements like helping bench player Luke Babbitt improve. Perhaps he was just being diplomatic in hopes of landing another coaching gig, but I’m still impressed with his disposition and genuineness.
A selection of his comments, from the video below: “I don’t have any bitterness in my heart. I’m a bit hurt, I’m a bit scuffed up…I’m so blessed to have done what I’ve done here and to be a part of this great city…I can’t reiterate enough the opportunity that they gave me…I’m gonna be okay. It’s part of life.”
It’s part of life, indeed — adversity, that is. LeBron knows it. Kyrie knows it. Injuries, physical and otherwise, happen, and sometimes in big moments like the playoffs. Just as Kyrie has shown us, it’s not the injuries that define you — how you handle them does.
Someone get that on a T-shirt ASAP.
Enjoy your day, all. Thanks for reading.
10 Comments
Jeeze, I have a lot of catching up to do.
I’ve been busy the last week and a half…
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That interview may have given Monty Williams his next head coaching job. Class act all the way.
and, with the speed that the NBA couching carousel spins, he will likely not have to wait too long.
I liked Monty I think he was discarded so NO could possibly chase UK’s head coach.
I’ll say it again…Cavaliers continue to show tremendous heart and grit. Nobody on this team is a playoff virgin anymore especially KI who is discovering he can mentally overcome some injuries.
Just think: next year you can go watch them for half the price in the Championship.
True, but I can’t see him being ahead of Thibs or Ty Lue at this point. There are other qualified assistants that i think may get first crack over him, too. I think he catches on as an assistant at a championship-caliber team for a year or two, then gets another shot.
We went with a friend who’s a Newcastle fan.
My team is already in the Championship…
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As a Newcastle supporter (I mean, I’m already a Browns fan, so why not root for the Browns of the EPL, right?), I am insanely jealous. I really hope to make the trek to St James sometime in my life.
St. James is really nice.
Much nicer than poor old Ewood where my Blackburn Rovers play.
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