Red Right 88

In Cleveland, hope dies last

Archive for the category “LeBron James”

08 May 2010

The James Gang Returns

“I never did anything alone. Whatever was accomplished … was accomplished collectively.” – Golda Meir

As the Cavs prepare for Game 4 today against Boston, there are several positive signs that the team has finally entered playoff mode.

In Game 3, LeBron James showed the Celtics why he is the league’s MVP. James scored 21 points in the first quarter to break the will of Boston and the crowd – handing Boston its worst home playoff loss EVAH and retaking home court advantage.

Just as important was the Cavs remembering what they are – a defense-first team that is clearly superior to the Celtics. And it was a team effort that carried the Cavs in Game 3.

The Cavs defense returned as the Celtics missed 10 of their first 13 shots and shot only 27 percent in the first quarter. The Cavs held them to 42 percent shooting for the game and outrebounded Boston by 15. James once again used Paul Pierce as his personal whipping boy, holding the Celtics alleged top gun to 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting. For the series, Pierce is shooting 13-of-42 as he is completely unable to deal with LeBron on either end of the court.

Anthony Parker’s work on Rajon Rondo was huge and helped swing the series back in Cleveland’s favor. Sticking to the Celtics’ shooters was also key, as the Cavs were able to force Boston to settle for outside shots that were not falling.

Shaq had his best game of the series, Antawn Jamison was back to doing what he does best, and the guard trio of Mo Williams, Delonte West and Parker were solid.

Boston knows they have a huge problem on their hands. The question is, with only one day off to fix things and rest their tired legs, will it make any difference?

The Cavs have a chance today to put a lock on this series with a win. If they bring the team effort again from the opening tip, they have a very real chance to come home for Tuesday night’s game up 3-1.

And there’s no telling what they can accomplish going forward if they work together.

10 wins to go.

Posted in Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, NBA playoffs | Leave a comment
26 Apr 2010

Surrounded by Conspiracies

The secret kabal that is behind the scenes of all the LeBron to New York scenarios has struck again, this time roping in a headphone manufacturer in, of all places, Utah.

According to The New York Times, Skullcandy, based in Park City, Utah, has produced a run of NBA Limited Mix Master headphones, a continuation of its NBA Player Series of headphones.

The signature models – Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, David Lee (seriously?) Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade – are available on the company’s website and at Apple stores in the players’ hometown cities – except in Cleveland!

So you are going to the trouble of making a LeBron James signature product but you won’t make it available in his home city? Are you serious?

Then The Wall Street Journal New York sports section (yes, there is such a thing because New York sports needs more coverage) read the tea leaves and came up with this:

“Speculation about where the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James will play next season, and whether the Knicks and Nets are on his list, is starting to bubble. But one big New York sports figure says he’s not counting on it.

“Mitchell Modell, chief executive of Modell’s Sporting Goods, one of Nike’s biggest accounts in New York, said the apparel giant isn’t planning to push huge amounts of LeBron merchandise for the fall.

“From what we hear, there’s a very, very long shot of him coming to New York,” Mr. Modell said. “We speak to our retail partners about our athletes on a regular basis,”

“Nike spokesman Derek Kent said. “At this stage, there is absolutely nothing specific or out of ordinary relating to LeBron and NYC.”

Gotta go to Mo’s!

The conspiracies aren’t limited to just the Cavs, of course.

When the news came out that Ben Rothlisberger was suspended for six games it was good times for Browns fans. But as details came out, it was revealed that the “six game” suspension could be reduced to four games if Rothlisberger behaved.

So when the suspension is reduced to four games, which you know it will be, Rothlisberger will return during the Steelers’ bye week, just in time to prepare for Pittsburgh’s Week 6 game against – wait for it – the Browns.

Of course.

Cleveland sports baby. You gotta’ love it!

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, conspiracies, LeBron James, Nike | Leave a comment
26 Apr 2010

Are we not entertained?

The Cavs apparently brought their “A” game to Chicago for Game 4, rolling the Bulls to take a 3-1 series lead.

Or did they?

While it feels like Chicago has been competitive in this series – just ask the Bulls, they’ll tell you just how close they are to leading the series – the numbers don’t back it up. Last year, during the Cavs’ first-round sweep of Detroit, Cleveland won the four games by an average of 15.5 points. This year, in the three wins so far against the Bulls, they are winning by an average of 15.3 points. Not a big difference. In the three losses, the Bulls have shot 42 percent, 44 percent and 37 percent.

So, while it seems like a more competitive series, it really isn’t.

After posting a triple-double, there’s really not much more to say about LeBron. Nothing he does amazes me any more. According to Brian Windhorst in the Plain Dealer:

“Including his triple double in the Cavs’ Game 4 victory over the Chicago Bulls Sunday, James is off to the most well-rounded first-round performance of his career. That includes averaging 32 points and 11.3 rebounds in last season’s sweep of the Detroit Pistons.

“James is averaging 35 points, nine rebounds and eight assists against the Bulls, which are numbers no one else currently in the playoffs can match. Beyond the numbers, it is James’ efficiency that has been so impressive … James is shooting 59 percent (50-of-85) from the field and 55 percent (12-of-22) from 3-point range. He’s also averaging 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals.”

And after Game 2, ESPN had this to say:

“LeBron James made 16 of his 23 shots to finish with 40 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds in the Cavs’ 112-102 victory over the Bulls in Game 2 of their first-round series. How does LeBron’s game compare to some of the bigger performances in recent playoff history? Let’s take a look at this using John Hollinger’s adjusted game score, essentially a single-number summary of how good a player’s game was, in terms of his box score statistics, adjusted for pace.

“The numbers can be roughly thought of on the scale of points: 30 is very good, 40 is great and 50 is spectacular.

“Last night, LeBron’s adjusted game score was 42.55, which is:

  • The best single game by any player in the first three nights of this postseason
  • The fourth best single postseason game of James’ career
  • The 13th best single game performance in the first round since 1996
  • The 24th best single game playoff performance in last 15 years”

Simply incredible. And LeBron has never had to miss the end of a crucial game because of menstrual cramps, the way Dwyane Wade had to in Game 3 against Boston.

I also am continuously surprised at the play of Antawn Jamison. It’s incredible how, time and again, he gets into position under the basket for a pass and an easy layup. I don’t know how the defense forgets about him so often, but the mid-season trade for him goes down as one of Danny Ferry’s best moves.

Game 5 is Tuesday.

13 more wins to go.

Posted in Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, NBA playoffs | Leave a comment
20 Apr 2010

Dropping a deuce on Chicago

The Cavs took the Bulls best shot in Game 2 Monday night and, for the Bulls, it wasn’t good enough, which means the series is effectively over.

The Bulls scored 21 second-chance points, scored 56 points in the paint – the third-highest total against the Cavs this year – committed just four turnovers and took 22 more shots than the Cavs. Shaq only played 15 minutes because of foul trouble, Z was mostly non-existent and Anderson Varejao struggled.

And the Cavs still beat them by 10.

Then there was the brilliant idea by some of the Bulls to dare LeBron James to shoot from the outside.

“They were telling me I can’t make jump shots,” James said. “They asked me to shoot a jumper so I did that. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.”

James finished with 40 points on 16-of-23 shooting, so that may not have been the best strategy on the Bulls part.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Chicago.

14 more wins to go.

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, NBA playoffs | Leave a comment
18 Apr 2010

Play Today, Win Today

There’s a tradition in tournament play to not talk about the next step until you’ve climbed the one in front of you. I’m sure going to the state finals is beyond your wildest dreams, so let’s just keep it right there. – Coach Norman Dale

Pretty in the first quarter, gritty the rest of the way, the Cavs took the first step on what hopefully will be a long playoff road by beating the Bulls in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Like several of their games this year, the Cavs took a big early lead (22 points at one time, helped by seven turnovers and several missed shots by Chicago in the first quarter), let most of it dwindle before putting the game away with some clutch shooting down the stretch – after a Brad Miller basket cut the lead to seven with 2:29 to play, LeBron James’ traditional three-pointer and Mo Williams 3-point shot put the Cavs back up by 13 and sealed the win.

The Bulls actually outscored the Cavs over the final three quarters of the game, something that hopefully won’t give them momentum heading into Monday’s Game 2.

And while Derek Rose had 28 points and 10 assists for Chicago, Williams offset him nicely with 19 points and 10 assists. If Williams can stay close to Rose’s output for this series, what little chance the Bulls have to win the series evaporates quickly.

The Cavs were right at their season average in free-throw shooting as they hit 70 percent (12-of-17) for the game. Something to keep an eye on as the series progresses, plus the Cavs were weak from 3-point territory, hitting on six of 23 attempts.

Any rust the Cavs may have had due to taking time off or injuries was a non-issue, as Shaq looked ready as he and LeBron combined for 36 points and seven blocks.

Plus Shaq irritated the crap out of Joakim Noah. Always fun.

Game 2 comes Monday night.

One down, 15 more to go.

Posted in Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, NBA playoffs, Shaq | Leave a comment
09 Apr 2010
2 Comments

Where would you rather be?

With all the foo-faa over where LeBron James will sign when he becomes a free agent this summer, one potential angle has been overlooked.

Fast-forward to opening night of next season. The Cavs are coming off a season that saw them capture their first NBA championship – only one fewer than the “storied” Knicks franchise – and the first title in Cleveland since 1964. Quicken Loans Arena is full and the TV audience is through the roof as the team prepares to raise a championship banner.

You’re LeBron James, the local kid who vowed to make Cleveland “light up like Vegas,” who put a dying franchise on his back and carried them to the top of the NBA, the reigning MVP who has exceeded every expectation placed on you.

On this night you could be with the Knicks playing a meaningless game against Toronto. Or you could be with the Nets, playing in a temporary arena in the Terminator-like wasteland of Northern New Jersey.

Or you could be on the court in your hometown watching as a championship banner is raised.

You have to wonder:

Where would you rather be?

Posted in Cavs, championship, Cleveland, Knicks, LeBron James, NBA playoffs, Nets

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