Pete Carroll: Grade-A Jerkwad
January 16, 2009Jackets Preview Game #44
January 16, 2009I am a huge Delonte West fan. I even specifically asked for his number 13 t-shirt for Christmas this year and it now proudly hangs in my closet. The dude was certainly the most underrated piece of the Cavs’ personnel moves last season. He plays bigger than his height, plays both sides of the ball, and generally just adds to the flow of the game for the Cavs. So, when he went down last night, trust me when I tell you I was disappointed. West will be missed. Still, I don’t want to overstate the injury.
This morning in the emails with the WFNY crew, the talk immediately turned to anecdotal emails that we had gotten from some friends who are starting to use the c-word. No not that one, you dirty people. Cursed. People are starting to call the team cursed because Delonte West went up hard to try and defend the bucket on a fast break and fell down and fractured his wrist. A fracture, mind you, that many are saying is the best kind you can have if you have to have one at all. Yes, I understand that when people say the word “cursed” they are kind of half kidding. Still, I think it is rather instructive of the Cleveland sports tradition that I find so interesting.
The curse thing is a cop-out. While not insulting what Delonte West means to this team, we as fans, cannot just write off the next X number of games because Delonte is out. This team is definitely worse off today, but where is the swagger of a team that was blowing people out like crazy to start the year? That swagger is what we saw from the Boston Celtics last year when Ray Allen forgot how to shoot and score down the stretch. You remember when they were getting meaningful play from P.J. Brown, Eddie House, Big Baby and players like that? Who says the Cavs can’t get big play from Boobie, JJ Hickson, Wally and Sasha? Those players aren’t world-beaters, by themselves, but they still get to run along side Lebron James and Mo Williams.
When players go down on championship caliber teams, the players and coaches have to step up and set the tone that there will be no holding pattern until that player gets back. A team that has Lebron James and Mo Williams on it should be able to beat at least 8 or 9 out of 10 NBA teams, right? I am going to try and adjust my attitude as a Cleveland fan, at least as it relates to Lebron James and this Cavs team. My current theory is that sometimes the whole curse thing is a self-fulfilling prophecy from the fans to the players. If we look at Delonte West’s injury as a viable reason that the Cavs should go on a losing streak, then it is almost like a tacit acceptance that other players don’t have to step up. That kind of thinking is not for teams that are in the hunt for a championship, right?
And maybe I will be wrong. Maybe 10 games from now, I will want to eat my words. Still in the NBA where the Cavs get to play a New Orleans team that lost to the Knicks two days ago, or a Lakers team that doesn’t have Jordan Farmar and relies on Lamar Odom to act as point guard sometimes to give Derek Fisher a break, sorry if I am not ready to pack it in. Assuming the worst is easy. All these teams have to deal with adversity. Now is the time for the Cavs to deal with a little bit more. I expect the Cavs to battle through it.
So who is with me?
13 Comments
The Cavs will be fine. Delonte should not be out that long, plus we’ll get Z and Big Ben back soon enough. Don’t forget, we’re not even to the All-Star break yet. It’s still weeks away! If the Cavs were cursed, Delonte would have sufferred a far worse injury. Knock on wood. Fingers crossed. Sacrificing a chicken….
the problem goes beyond just losing Delonte. if the Cavs are missing 3 of their 5 starters and Mo and Lebron have to be running with Lorenzen Wright, JJ, Sasha and Wally, it gets very hard to compete with the Hornets, Lakers, Trailblazers, etc.
we might be in for a rough stretch. i hope im wrong but i think things could be tough for awhile
The NBA season is a long grind-the CAVS just need to tough this stretch out until Delonte and Z return. On the positive side, this will provide opportunity for others on the bench to get some PT (Sasha, JJ, DJ) and provide even greater depth in regards to injuries.
Tough break for Delonte……he’s just been playing great from the get go, he’s totally surprised me with his smooth move to the two guard spot. Hopefully it’s not too too long……..we’ll need his shooting, his aggressive play, and his spirt. He’s just become a really good dude and teamate, which counts for a lot.
But……please, enough of Lorenzen Wright, just play DJ or JJ. I’ve just seen enough of that guy…….enough!
You guys can can buy CursedCleveland.com. It’s for sale if you really think we’re cursed!
I already own ClevelandSportsCurse.com and don’t use it anymore. Thanks, though. 🙂
so, worst case (even missing 3/5 starters), we go back to keeping the game close and letting LeBron win it the last few minutes of every game. I can handle that though blowing teams out has been fun.
As much as Delonte will be missed, you are absolutely right. I believe this might be a rough stretch, but we aren’t the only team that’s suffering right now.
I also think the whole ‘curse’ thing is ridiculous…it’s just an excuse. I mean, I know that our sports teams have suffered more than most, but we can’t blame their problems on a ‘curse’.
All I see this as is another test – can this team, the same team that clearly dominated early in the season, survive without a few of its more valuable pieces? In the end, I think a little adversity would be good for the team – remember they haven’t really faced any since the season began. Yes, Z went down, but we were still taking care of business just fine (Until last night, and the exception of the Wizards game).
Now I just hope I don’t end up eating my words…and even after saying that, tonight is going to be very, very tough. Home court advantage will need to play a HUGE part in this one.
Lebron has gotten us to the finals with Sasha Pavlovic and Larry Hughes the the starting backcourt, so I think he will do alright with Mo Williams and Wally, or Sasha, or whomever. Granted, Lebron has to actually try, unlike last night against the Bulls. We might struggle a bit for the time he and Z are out, but it will only make us more prepared for the playoffs. Adversity like this in the regular season is a good thing in the long run
The games between now and the all-star break will be tough to watch. We can expect to see a lot of LeBron taking it himself, refusing to pass it out (Much like last night). It will be retro Cavs circa 2007.
Craig, can this column be read before tipoff tonight in the Cavs locker room? Seriously, awesome piece. I was real bummed about the injury last night and into this morning and starting to get the “woe is me attitude”. But your right, every team goes to adversity. No one ever said getting to the top would be easy. You got me sold. Now, lets see if Mike Brown can get the rest of his team to step up in D-West’s absence…
I second post #10. After reading that post, I’m coming with an all new intensity for the AC game tonight.
Nice work Craig.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Repeat after me…there is no curse. There IS NO CURSE.
It’s kinda like Stephen King’s “It.” The curse only exists because people believe in it.
THERE IS NO CURSE. THERE IS NO CURSE. THERE IS NO CURSE.
Well we killed the Hornets tonight, they have probably 4 legit all-stars/real good players in paul (superstar) Chandler(all-star caliber) West (all-star caliber) and Peja (former all-star, still knock down shooter). I say let’s keep on rolling baby!!!!!