2015 WFNY Author Spotlight: Best of Craig Lyndall
December 17, 2015Predicting the future of the Cleveland Browns, plus Star Wars and Cats: While We’re Waiting…
December 18, 2015Oklahoma City Thunder (17-9) 100
Cleveland Cavaliers (17-7) 104
A few hours ago, in an arena downtown …
[dun dunnnnnnnnnn, do dooo dooo dooooooo…..]
EPISODE XXIV
ATTACK OF THE THUNDER
It is a trying time for the CLEVELAND
CAVALIERS. Young Jedi Kyrie Irving
remains injured from a battle against
the evil Warriors, and several other
members of the Cavalier Guard
are sidelined with aches and pains.
Looking to continue a six-game winning
streak, the OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
come to the planet Cleveland seeking
a victory. With the dreaded Darth
Westbrook and Lord Durant, the
Thunder have the firepower to
decimate an entire league.
In an effort to protect their home
planet and save the galaxy, LeBron
James and Matthew Dellavedova
fight ferociously to repel the
Thunder assault, and restore
freedom to the Eastern
Conference…
30, 11 & 9 – On a night when Kyrie Irving, Mo Williams (thumb), and Iman Shumpert (groin and just delivered a freaking baby) were sidelined with injuries, James was going to have to shoulder a lot of the offensive burden — which he did (as usual). It was mostly an unspectacular game for James if you ignore the fact that he does more for his team than any other player in the league this season and he does it every game.1
James was unusually inefficient despite going into the paint often (he was 0-of-4 from his fav spot on the left wing, as shown above), but he found his teammates for 11 assists, carried the offense all game, had his fifth 25-point and eight-assist game of the season, finished one rebound shy of a triple-double, outscored Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter (with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting), and played some excellent defense on Durant in the second half because why not. His spinning behind-the-back assist to Thompson below was one of the plays of the night.
38 – Matthew Dellavedova, despite lingering back issues mentioned during the TNT broadcast, pitched in with 38 minutes on Thursday; and with a depleted backcourt the Cavs sorely needed all 38. Cleveland’s Saucy Aussie didn’t shoot that well (3-of-10), but did an admirable job attempting to defend human lighting bolt Russell Westbrook. He hit some crucial, momentum-swinging threes even though he couldn’t get his nifty runner to fall, and found his teammates to the tune of 10 assists.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan obviously did not read the post from Scott and myself on the Dellavedova-Tristan Thompson lob from November, because the Cavs successfully relied on the play in the second half on Thursday. The Cavs ran high double pick-and-rolls with Delly-James-Thompson that resulted in multiple buckets, and twice scored on out-of-bounds plays where Kevin Love handed off to Dellavedova who immediately went into a high pick-and-roll with Thompson. It continues to be an effective wrinkle to the Cavs offense, and outside of James being James, the Cavs offense has looked most at ease when Dellavedova is running the point — he gets everyone involved. Pats on the back to Jared Cunningham (13 minutes), Richard Jefferson (31), and J.R. Smith (24) for also contributing valuable minutes.
https://vine.co/v/imEPMX1EZQE
11 – I wrote earlier on Thursday about the Tristan Thompson contract soap opera, discussing how every game Thompson plays is treated like a referendum on the worthiness of his contract. Thompson isn’t paid to average 15 points (which is good, because he never will). He’s paid to steal rebounds from people and be the biggest damn annoyance on the glass in the league. The Cavs didn’t shoot great on Thursday (a decent 46.6 percent), and when they were down 12 points they needed as many extra possessions they could get. Thompson gave them 11 bonus possessions with offensive rebounds. When the game devolved into a frenetic affair in the second half, every Thompson rebound fell like a kick to the groin of Oklahoma City. Add his frequent and adequate switching on defense, his lob work from Dellavedova, and his 15 points, and the Thompson contract looks like a good deal for the Cavs — for a night.
5 – Kevin Love didn’t have a great game, finishing with only 11 points. Love’s shot went on holiday break early, as he’s gone 20-of-55 (36.4 percent) on field goals over the last five games and 6-of-20 (30.0 percent) on threes over the same span. But his passing continues to be exceptional for a big man, earning five assists on Thursday. He’s a great passer on the perimeter and on the interior, and it’s important for the Cavs that he never forgets that, trusting that his shot will come back while remaining a key cog in the offense.
Love seems to struggle against the Thunder, as Serge Ibaka is basically his hyper-athletic (and darker-skinned) clone.2 But Love did have two crucial threes in the fourth quarter, including a huh-uge four-point play at the start of the quarter that tied the game when the Cavs were down. He also made a young man in the front row the coolest kid in school for forever with a nice high-five after the shot.
75% – While the Cavs had six players in double-digits on Thursday, the Thunder had 75 percent of their points from three players. Russell Westbrook (27 points), Kevin Durant (25), and Serge Ibaka (23) are three of the best 15 players in the league. But the rest of the roster is disturbingly mediocre. In their Return to Waiters Island,3 Cavs fans saw their formerly beloved (by some) knucklehead go 1-for-7. It wasn’t a great night for the Thunder non-stars on Thursday, while it seemed like the Cavs peripheral guys all played a meaningful role (which may be because they were playing at home). While the Cavs backcourt injuries made things challenging on Thursday, that the Thunder were on the second night of a back-to-back didn’t hurt the Cavs’ chances.
35 – The number of times the TNT broadcast crew showed LeBron James plowing into Ellie Harvey, a young woman sitting courtside who is apparently Jason Day’s wife. I know you want to watch it another 500 times because you’re a monster — so there’s a clip below. Courtside seats aren’t for the elderly or the petite. It may be best to bring a catcher’s mask and chest protector to courtside seats within range of LeBron James. Though she was taken off the court in a stretcher, all indications are that Ellie’s “doing great,” and obviously we wish her the best. May the Force be with you, Ellie!
- Last season it was either James Harden or Russell Westbrook who earned this distinction. This year, it’s James so far. [↩]
- Seriously, they have very similar offensive playing styles. Love’s a little better in the post, and obviously Ibaka is a significantly better help defender. But otherwise, I find them to have very similar games. [↩]
- I think “Waiters Island” was started by Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe, if I’m not mistaken, and represents the loneliness of being a Dion Waiters supporter when all evidence seems to suggest he’s not good at basketball. [↩]
17 Comments
at least the basketball was good even if the movie fell flat
LOL DION WAITERS
The Cavs built up a 10 point lead with 6 minutes to play and then Blatt re-inserted Love and I immediately got worried. I know the 4-point play was huge if not lucky and he did hit another 3 after he came back in, but he was SOOOO ineffective last night, especially against Ibaka as Kyle noted. I did not like the decision at the time, hated it more and more as the lead dwindled the longer he was in (I think his man scored on the very first play after he came back in), but was thankful that we pulled it out in the end. I just hope Santa brings him his 3-point shot back…
I was on Waiters Island for a while. I was never one of those crazies who thought he was better than Kyrie, but I was in his corner. I’m so glad I don’t have to be anymore.
I thought Waiters Island was when he’s standing by himself outside the arc, clapping for the ball and not getting it. Those GIFs crack me up.
Hey, who was Delly matched up on, on D? Who guarded Westbrook throughout the game?
Really satisfying win. TT with 11 offensive rebounds? According to my Lake Catholic math, that’s like turning a 50% field goal % into a 75% each time- right? I guess 100% if he’s got the open look at the rim.
Hahaha… love the “high hand-off” from Delly to Thompson. Look at Enes Kanter in that video. My gosh he’s a horrible defender.
He mostly guarded Westbrook. Jared Cunningham got some Westbrook duty and I think RJ did as well.
Ibaka is a BAD matchup for Love. He gives Love a hard time when Love is on offense, and he makes Love defend mostly on the perimeter when Ibaka is on offense, which isn’t a strong suit for Kev.
I haven’t seen it yet, but you thought so? I’ve seen basically nothing but positive reviews from friends.
Which is why I was hoping Blatt wouldn’t bring Love back in the game.
I’m glad Blatt didn’t listen because Love hit a very crucial three pointer near the end of the game.
Overrated should be his middle name.
His two missed corner three pointers late were oh so Dion! Yea I don’t miss him.
Thompson finally looked like the $82M man but more importantly the guy we saw all playoff long last season. Cavs need more of it because the inside packs very little punch. I don’t know what kind of move if any can be done but if I was Blatt my inside scoring/defense would probably be my main concern so far. Well that and health.
In a series against OKC, if everyone’s healthy, Mo (and Love) would really be de-emphasized, I;d guess.
PS that math (above) is starting to bother me. I’m OCD’ing.
I believe this is how offensive rebounds impact the odds of getting that original field goal:
If (a = FG%) and (b = increased odds of a FG after the last off. rebound while still at the off. end of the court):
1 off. rebound = a x (1+a) = b
2 off. rebounds = a x (1+b) = c
3 off. rebounds = a x (1+c) = d
So if FG % is 50%:
1 off. rebound = .50 x (1.50) = .75
2 off. rebounds = .50 x (1.75) = ..875
3 off. rebounds = .50 x (1+c) = .9375
Ill be vague to avoid spoilers but in summary the plot was bland and the characters were either useless or unbelievably competent
I am getting a salary of more than 3700 dollars each week , that is awesome. Over a year ago I was in a horrible condition , jobless and Bank account with only few bucks . Thank one of my friends showed me a way where I was able to gather my self and making average of 85 d/h. So it can change your life as it has changed mine.
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