2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[WiggyRuss]

Lopez/larkin givr and go is killing Mo Williams

I have no clue why Mozgov is playing. Hes not healthy. This is stupid. Play Varejao. All Varejao has done is play great when he has gotten minutes- and they refuse to play him and insist on a hobbled Mozgov...I dont get it.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Jason Lloyd: Cavaliers rid of history's longest losing streak, while Sixers fumbling through unending growing pains


GREAT article from Jason Lloyd today on the Cavs- how the Sixers just broke the Cavs losing streak- how bad that 2011 season was- and "The Plan".

That’s how long the Cavaliers went between victories in 2011. Both of them just so happened to come at home. When they finally ended their 26-game losing streak in overtime to the Los Angeles Clippers, Baron Davis was so upset and embarrassed he admitted he intentionally got himself ejected so he didn’t have to watch the celebration. Two weeks later, incidentally, Davis was traded to Cleveland.

They’re off the hook now, this franchise, no longer owners of the longest losing streak of all four major professional sports leagues. The Philadelphia 76ers must now carry that yoke just as they carried it last season after tying the Cavs’ mark, which was also shared by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Counting the 10 losses to end last season and the 17 to start this one, the record has been exhumed from Cleveland and dropped on another passionate, unfortunate sports town.

The Cavs’ 2010-11 season was an 82-game death march. I was in my first year covering the NBA and had the same look most nights as Antawn Jamison: What the hell are we doing here? I took this job expecting to cover LeBron James. Jamison came here expecting to play with him and contend for a championship. Instead he was sharing a locker room with Semih Erden, Samardo Samuels, Joey Graham and plenty of others who never played in the NBA again. They had to scrub his skid marks from the Gateway garage when his contract expired.

I didn’t know it at the time, but there was a plan. It was risky, borderline insane. But there was a plan. From the time LeBron left, the plan was to get him back in 2014. I began writing that around 2012 and people thought it was lunacy — and rightfully so. The letter, the jersey burning, the “Akron hates you” chants. It all seemed too raw. The idea of James returning seemed ridiculous.

But the Cavs’ plan was to lose — a lot — compile high draft picks and stockpile trade assets to use when the time was right. And if James never came back, they would build around this nucleus of young talent. There were draft blunders along the way — Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett — and the unwillingness to bring in strong veteran voices left a locker room of kids to unsuccessfully fend for themselves.

And yet somehow the plan still worked.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Mozgov- 0/5 2 boards in 3 turnovers in 11 minutes.

PLEASE just play Varejao in the 2nd half more.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

It was not coincedence the Cats were "ice cold". Blatt stuck with a defensive lineup that was kicking ass.

The Bobcats had been averaging 110 points a game at home. The Cavs held them to 90 last night. Love played the entire 3rd quarter- was of course scheduled to come in during the 4th- but the Cavs went on a run. Love even TOLD Blatt that he was ready- but to stick with the lineup he had.

14 points in the 4th quarter. The Cavs went with a small lineup that was almost all defense besides of course Bron---- Delly, JR, Jefferson, Bron, Thompson- and seriously- Jr Smith has actually been a pretty darn good defender- not only this year- but his whole tenure with the Cavs. Its amazing what happens when you actually give a guy some trust.

From JAson Lloyd's column-

"Kevin Love had a double-double by halftime. He scored 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds through three quarters. Yet apparently he approached David Blatt at some point during the fourth quarter and said he was ready if needed, but to keep rolling with the unit on the floor as long as it was working. As a result, Love watched 11 minutes, 58 seconds of the fourth while the Hornets made six baskets and shot 26 percent in the quarter."

So you're at the movies, and I'm watching the game but you're going to tell me what happened?

Cavs did a nice job of taking Jefferson out of the game, but Kemba and Batum were missing wide open looks.

As far as Love, I agree he's out for defensive reasons, but I don't think he was promoting or expecting it.


From CBS sports:

Love said he was a little surprised he didn't play in the fourth but was fine with the decision after the game.

''Those five we had out there were rolling in the fourth quarter,'' Love said. ''I was ready, but we kept those guys in and they did a great job.''

 

[bksballer89]

Lebron absolutely mugged lopez and the refs ignored it. That ended up winning the game for Cleveland. 2 refs standing right there as lebron clearly slapped him across the wrist. What a joke

 

[bksballer89]

Make up call. Bogus foul against JR will give Joe Johnson 3 shots and a chance to tie it

 

[bksballer89]

Lebron wins it

 

[WiggyRuss]

LeBron just BRILLIANT down the stretch.....draws offensive foul, steals the ball, sinks his free throws- and the fade-away hook shot to win it?!!!! UNREAL.....

too much fun.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

LeBron just BRILLIANT down the stretch.....draws offensive foul, steals the ball, sinks his free throws- and the fade-away hook shot to win it?!!!! UNREAL.....

too much fun.

Steals the ball?
Are you serious?
He hacked Lopez.

Previously, Lopez appeared to have an and1, and a very questionable offensive foul was called.

James did carry them down the stretch, and made a nice play to win it, but the refs get a huge assist.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Lebron absolutely mugged lopez and the refs ignored it. That ended up winning the game for Cleveland. 2 refs standing right there as lebron clearly slapped him across the wrist. What a joke

I understand how a ref might miss seeing it, but there's no way they miss hearing it.

 

[WiggyRuss]

damn..im freaking exhausted....its been a LONG freaking day starting with some partying for THE Ohio State University beat down of Michigan

Steals the ball?
Are you serious?
He hacked Lopez.

Previously, Lopez appeared to have an and1, and a very questionable offensive foul was called.

James did carry them down the stretch, and made a nice play to win it, but the refs get a huge assist.

I mean- are you kidding me right now? Lopez OBVIOUSLY had him hooked on the offensive foul- I mean- Stevie Wonder could see that---- and on the steal LeBron TOTALLY punked him- Lopez did not even see him coming, LeBron snuck up right behind him when he wasnt watching and ripped him. It was freaking AMAZING....those type of plays dont show up in the box score like points or are replayed over and over like that crazy fade-away hook he drained- but those are such LeBron style plays- winning plays....honestly he is the Jeter of basketball in that way- making those brilliant plays. Its just amazing- LeBron says- Ill guard your best player down the stretch- I dont care if its your former all star 7 footer averaging 20 pts a night.

just unreal. Its why he is the King.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

damn..im freaking exhausted....its been a LONG freaking day starting with some partying for THE Ohio State University beat down of Michigan

I mean- are you kidding me right now? Lopez OBVIOUSLY had him hooked on the offensive foul- I mean- Stevie Wonder could see that---- and on the steal LeBron TOTALLY punked him- Lopez did not even see him coming, LeBron snuck up right behind him when he wasnt watching and ripped him. It was freaking AMAZING....those type of plays dont show up in the box score like points or are replayed over and over like that crazy fade-away hook he drained- but those are such LeBron style plays- winning plays....honestly he is the Jeter of basketball in that way- making those brilliant plays. Its just amazing- LeBron says- Ill guard your best player down the stretch- I dont care if its your former all star 7 footer averaging 20 pts a night.

just unreal. Its why he is the King.

I had the Nets broadcast on because I can't stand Austin Carr.
They showed the play from 2 different angles and James hit his arm, hard, at least 8" from anywhere near where the ball was.
Not sure if Cavs were over the limit, but if they were then Lopez should have been shooting FTs.
If not, the Nets would have been in position to use the clock so they at least have last possession.
What happens in between? Who knows, but it was clearly a foul.

The offensive foul on Lopez was one that could go either way, and prob goes Nets way if they were at home.

 

[WiggyRuss]

and of course- have to make the caveat- having to win on a LeBron game winner at home vs. the Nets isnt ideal....the team only shot 40% from the field (which is pretty low- especially considering Love had another great night going 8/14 from the field- and 6/11 from 3....- and Mo going 7/13 himself) and really struggled offensively all night.


JR SMITH actually said these words- "This team has enough scoring - they need my defense". The Cavs have really supported this guy and made him feel wanted. Its really paying off too because - obviously they got him as a throw in - albeit with talent.....JR Smith earlier this year said that Coach Blatt told him to just "keep shooting and shoot more 3's"- and he said hes never had a coach tell him that. Smith played really good defense down the stretch. I guess im writing this because I just really love how this organization- from Gilbert, to Griffen, to LeBron- has put in a culture where they can get a guy like Jr Smith and earn the trust of this guy and get the best out of him. Thats so awesome.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Kevin Love is on FIRE lately. The first couple weeks he was playing really well but his shooting percentage was a little low...lately though?

Tonight: 8/14 fg 6/11 from 3
Charlotte: 7/12fg 2/3 from 3
Toronto : 7/14 5/8 from 3
ORlando : 11/18 6/9 from 3
Atlanta: 9/15 fg and 2/7 from 3
Milw. 7/15 3/5 from 3

Those last 6 games total: 49/84 FG for 58.3% from the field and 24/43 for 55.8% from 3!!!!......shit man...taking over 7 three pointers a game and hitting over half of them.......not only that- but hes also the 3rd leading rebounder in the entire league- behind only 2 centers- DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond. Its great to see this guy play this way.

Its just great seeing this guy play the way your were expecting him to play. There was clearly an extended process where he took a long time to truly get acclimated and comfortable. The coaching staff has finally made some adjustments- making sure Love gets plenty of post touches- but also staying flexible enough were on nights like tonight- they can get Love 10 attempts from 3 and he can just go bombs away.

Im just so interested to see the evolution of this partnership between Love and LeBron continue. BOth are in it for the long haul. Both are immensely talented guys. Should be fun.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Kevin Love is on FIRE lately. The first couple weeks he was playing really well but his shooting percentage was a little low...lately though?

Tonight: 8/14 fg 6/11 from 3
Charlotte: 7/12fg 2/3 from 3
Toronto : 7/14 5/8 from 3
ORlando : 11/18 6/9 from 3
Atlanta: 9/15 fg and 2/7 from 3
Milw. 7/15 3/5 from 3

Those last 6 games total: 49/84 FG for 58.3% from the field and 24/43 for 55.8% from 3!!!!......shit man...taking over 7 three pointers a game and hitting over half of them.......not only that- but hes also the 3rd leading rebounder in the entire league- behind only 2 centers- DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond. Its great to see this guy play this way.

Its just great seeing this guy play the way your were expecting him to play. There was clearly an extended process where he took a long time to truly get acclimated and comfortable. The coaching staff has finally made some adjustments- making sure Love gets plenty of post touches- but also staying flexible enough were on nights like tonight- they can get Love 10 attempts from 3 and he can just go bombs away.

Im just so interested to see the evolution of this partnership between Love and LeBron continue. BOth are in it for the long haul. Both are immensely talented guys. Should be fun.

If whatever you see doesn't evolve into a championship this year, then whatever happens in between means nothing.

James left here partially because just winning the East wasn't good enough, and apparently he thought the Heat couldn't improve enough to beat the whoever would come out of the West.

Well guess what.
Wonder how he'll feel about being in the same shoes with his body beat to hell another 2 years later.

 

[WiggyRuss]

that game winner by LeBron was really cool.

It was like a hook fade-away type thing over the seven footer Brook Lopez.....too cool.

 

[WiggyRuss]

man....Wizards lost again at home....this time to a Raptors team that has been pretty good. Corey Joseph with the 3 at the buzzer!! too cool.

Raptors added Carroll and Joseph who both fit in really nice. That team really needed a solid small forward. HEs their 3rd leading scorer too behind DeRozan and Lowry.

Lowry is playing like a beast thus far. 2.75 steals per game?! lol...thats insane. Almost 36 minutes a night- and a PER of 24.5....thats DAMN good. 40% from 3.....

I underestimated the Raptors a little bit i guess....

 

[bksballer89]

I had the Nets broadcast on because I can't stand Austin Carr.
They showed the play from 2 different angles and James hit his arm, hard, at least 8" from anywhere near where the ball was.
Not sure if Cavs were over the limit, but if they were then Lopez should have been shooting FTs.
If not, the Nets would have been in position to use the clock so they at least have last possession.
What happens in between? Who knows, but it was clearly a foul.

The offensive foul on Lopez was one that could go either way, and prob goes Nets way if they were at home.

Yeah I had the Nets feed as well. Anyone who didn't think that was a foul is a freaking clown. Knowing how those Cavs commentators are homers, I'm pretty sure they never showed the view that the Nets feed did because they wanted to make it seem like a clean steal

 

[bksballer89]

Refs admitted they blew 2 calls last night in the final minutes.

1. The obvious one when LeBron hit Lopez arm and not the ball.

2. The offensive foul on Lopez should have been ruled a double foul with Brooklyn keeping the ball.

2 huge missed calls

 

[ChrisGar15]

Refs admitted they blew 2 calls last night in the final minutes.

1. The obvious one when LeBron hit Lopez arm and not the ball.

2. The offensive foul on Lopez should have been ruled a double foul with Brooklyn keeping the ball.

2 huge missed calls

To be fair, neither call resulted in an immediate basket on the other side, and the official report also notes a missed three-second call that benefited Lopez. And of course, LeBron James’s final game-winning shot was as clean as they get, perhaps better than any look the Nets got down the stretch. But two calls going in favor of James and the Cavaliers in a late-game situation on the road doesn’t help their cause.