I hope Shump used the downtime to strengthen his knees. And I think his knees may be a bigger reason why we're rushing him back into the lineup so he's in game shape. Even so, I don't expect him to play starters' minutes even if he's put into the starting role tonight. He's officially listed as questionable for this game.

Now that was a whoopin'!!!

 

Good to see Shump so productive in limited playing time coming off injury

Welcome back NBA on ABC Sunday's. I'm more excited about the cavs-thunder game than I am the super bowl. Huge game tomorrow. I hope the crowd doesn't boo waiters...no reason to, he worked hard when he was here, it just didn't work out

A beautiful slaughter of a team that hadn't allowed more than 80 points in a game for the past three games. And the Hornets hadn't allowed 100+ points yet in 2015. Then the Cavs dropped 75 on them in the first half, and let up in the second half on the way to 129!

 

The offense was sparked by the defense, which is improving every day. And if anyone thinks Kevin Love has been a disappointment, check out this chart from Waiting For Next year on the Cavs offense with/without the Big 3 playing. This offense is a machine with Kevin Love in it:

 

 

More.....

 

@WFNYJacob  ·  4h 4 hours ago

J.R. Smith already has three games of 6+ threes with the Cavs. Only Matthews, Curry, Harden and Korver have more all season.

 

@WFNYJacob Dion 22 3s in 33 games. JR 29 3s in 9 games is a fun stat.

impressive win today. what looks like a 'classic' current cavs mix of scoring. i like how shump is being eased in. his +/- today already suggests good things happen when he is around, even if he isn't 100%.

I can't believe how well they are playing. The new players help a lot, but the effort is a joy after that crap the last few weeks. I had  all but given up on them based on their effort starting with the loss to 76ers. I am so glad to be wrong.

 

 

Great win today against a quality, physical opponent. If this team stays healthy, they are going to be tough to beat.

I don't understand why fans booed Dion. It's just such a salty look in front of a national audience, like we're so pissed at this guy for whatever reason. The guy worked hard when he was here, it just didn't work out. His game is hard to complement and he comes across as a "me" player but he didn't do anything wrong to our team or fans. In front of a national audience we need to start acting like we are above that stuff, in my opinion

I don't understand why fans booed Dion. It's just such a salty look in front of a national audience, like we're so pissed at this guy for whatever reason. The guy worked hard when he was here, it just didn't work out. His game is hard to complement and he comes across as a "me" player but he didn't do anything wrong to our team or fans. In front of a national audience we need to start acting like we are above that stuff, in my opinion

 

Totally agree - it's a really bad look.  Dion is less than graceful but we didn't part ways on a sour note.  I just can't figure out where the bad feelings come from.  I still root for the guy and enjoyed watching him play his first couple years in the league.  He felt like one of us when he was here.

Cavs fans seem to boo every former player, no matter the circumstances of their departure, for whatever reason.  The exception I can think of was Z.  My guess is that, with Dion, there just weren't any cheers to drown out the scattered boos.  He was a lightning rod, and a lot of fans did not like him.

Cavs fans seem to boo every former player, no matter the circumstances of their departure, for whatever reason.  The exception I can think of was Z.  My guess is that, with Dion, there just weren't any cheers to drown out the scattered boos.  He was a lightning rod, and a lot of fans did not like him.

 

In large part because of that imbecilic rumor about him skipping the national anthem because he was a Muslim.

Nah.... that was swept under the rug rather quickly.  Nobody really cared, especially after the clarification.  I'm sure a few knuckleheads/morons held some type of gripe..... but no larger than the crowd who thinks the President is/was a muslim.... thankfully a very small minority here in NEO, at least amongst those who would actually attend an NBA game (which eliminates probably 99% of that already small group)

i could care less about the Muslim thing.  I dont know, he came off as a guy who was not a team first player, but he worked hard when he was here.  Can anyone dispute that?  I thought he played hard for the cavs and wanted to succeed, his strengths just did not mesh here.  In fact, they may not mesh anywhere unless he tweaks his game.  Dont think he is worthy of the boos though.  Hes not the cavs problem anymore and another team thought highly enough of him to facilitate this incredible trade.  I say just wish him the best and move on.  Our fans need to be classy and smart.

Besides the "he used to play for us but now he's gone so we might as well boo him" I doubt there is any more of a broad consensus for why he got booed. I'm sure it's all of the above plus being a high draft pick and not living up to expectations.

I really think Dion should have been groomed as a PG.  He just does not have the verticality to be a dynamic SG in the NBA.  Too late now.  If he ever goes to a losing team and is made the focal point of the offense, he could average 20+ppg.  On a winning team, he has to accept his role as a sparkplug off the bench.  Not sure he will ever truly accept that role.

Through 10 games in CLE, JR Smith has put up 85 threes. He's 60th in Cavs history for threes attempted. IN 10 GAMES. http://t.co/xQDU3Z6bD0

^Christian Eyenga attempted 93 threes for the cavs?? Did I fall asleep for two years and not see him play one game??!

I think some of the Booing of Dion comes from his remarks stating that in OKC, they actually give him the ball. "like, I actually touch the ball"... Yes, he tried to backtrack his statement in the following days, saying he got the ball with the cavs. But the damage was done. I was at the game, and it wasn't that bad except for when he was shooting free throws. Oh well. Go cavs.

^Christian Eyenga attempted 93 threes for the cavs?? Did I fall asleep for two years and not see him play one game??!

 

Yeah I don't know how you missed out on Skyenga. He was there with a catchy nickname and everything.

I think Griffin's outstanding wheeling/dealing has put the Cavs, finally, on a realistic trajectory for a championship run.  Still, I'd like to have the backup PG since nightmares of a Kyrie injury/Delly starting at PG keep me up at night.  As much as I'd love to hang onto Harris, I think he's the last, most realistic bargaining chip we have left -- he's clearly talented but a year (or years) away from realizing himself, plus he happens to play a position that's log-jammed on our roster -- and could become even more so if LeBron coaxes Ray Allen out of retirement.  I'd really prefer to hang onto Haywood's giant contract till the off season when its value balloons...

 

And if I really wanted to get greedy, I'd wish for another big banger dude to come in and absorb some hits/minutes for Mozgov. I was kinda/sorta hoping Blatt would have groomed Capt. Kirk for that role, but, well... 

^Haywood is the trade piece most likely to be used to obtain a backup PG, I believe.  I read something, but can't remember exactly, that we won't be able to use his contract this offseason in the way originally envisioned due to these latest additions and the effect they have on our salary flexibility.  Therefore, his greatest value would be now, giving him to another team that can trade him over the summer for something of worth.

 

I think some of the Booing of Dion comes from his remarks stating that in OKC, they actually give him the ball. "like, I actually touch the ball"... Yes, he tried to backtrack his statement in the following days, saying he got the ball with the cavs. But the damage was done. I was at the game, and it wasn't that bad except for when he was shooting free throws. Oh well. Go cavs.

 

I don't understand that quote.  Dion led us in FGA in plenty of games.  And watching him in OKC, he seems to be playing the role of stand in the corner guy and wait for the pass.  He doesn't seem to be handling the ball all that much.  I doubt his FGAs have significantly increased, if at all.

^Haywood is the trade piece most likely to be used to obtain a backup PG, I believe.  I read something, but can't remember exactly, that we won't be able to use his contract this offseason in the way originally envisioned due to these latest additions and the effect they have on our salary flexibility.  Therefore, his greatest value would be now, giving him to another team that can trade him over the summer for something of worth.

 

Interesting.

oh it was the nightlife. thats what it was. ok. lets see how long he can keep up this new man routine. hopefully he sees by now its paying off well for him:

 

http://nypost.com/2015/01/27/j-r-smith-late-nights-behind-inconsistency-with-knicks/

 

THE MAN! The go ahead basket. Kyrie is a monster, a maven.

 

https://t.co/9yMDN9Clxh

I was there, it was awesome. It was apparent he was going to put up 40 or so, from the start. No way would I believe he'd hit 55.

 

Fun fact: LOVE had 10 PTs in the first 5 minutes.... And finished with 10 PTs. Nothing was falling except the shots he was defending.

^^^ for his career, he is worse on sundays than the other days

^^was also there CBC- the best cavs game I've been to since the 09 playoffs. The magic is back.

 

And no that's not a fun fact. Love couldn't look more pedestrian out there. He's like Ben Wallace right now. Minus the defense. He's spreading the floor for kyrie and LBJ but man, I hope he gets it together before April. Mozgov is significantly better than him at the moment.

 

I'm wondering if lebrons play just minimizes a 4. Bosh was a different guy to after he signed with miami

That last 3 pointer was just flat out cold-blooded.  I'm jealous of you all who were there at the Q.  It seemed to be really loud watching it on TV.

 

Love's first quarter efficiency vs. the rest of the game has become a pattern.  It seems to indicate that he has some significant wear and tear which is affecting his game.  My guess is he has one of those back injuries which he can play through but will require off-season surgery.  Just a guess.  There is all this talk of him being not being involved enough in the offense, but the truth is that he would average over 20ppg if he simply was hitting the shots he is more than capable of hitting.  He gets good looks in this offense.  I think his practice time needs to be focused on his mid-range game.  There is no reason why he is not money from 15 feet, hurt or not.

 

 

That last 3 pointer was just flat out cold-blooded.  I'm jealous of you all who were there at the Q.  It seemed to be really loud watching it on TV.

 

Love's first quarter efficiency vs. the rest of the game has become a pattern.  It seems to indicate that he has some significant wear and tear which is affecting his game.  My guess is he has one of those back injuries which he can play through but will require off-season surgery.  Just a guess.  There is all this talk of him being not being involved enough in the offense, but the truth is that he would average over 20ppg if he simply was hitting the shots he is more than capable of hitting.  He gets good looks in this offense.  I think his practice time needs to be focused on his mid-range game.  There is no reason why he is not money from 15 feet, hurt or not.

 

 

 

Good comments. I think when LeBron comes back, Love needs to sit for at least a few games and get some R&R.

 

And yes, when Kyrie sauntered up to the 3-point, he casually dribbled the ball, watched the shot clock and without any apparent emotion, drilled the game-winner. Balls of steel. Like Nick Nolte dropping the psycho who was holding Eddie Murphy against his will at end of the movie 48 hours.... "You're done. End of story."

FOX Sports Ohio ‏@FOXSportsOH  8m8 minutes ago

Thx #CavsNation! Last night @Cavs win highest rated non-simulcast game so far this season on FSO, reaching 170K homes. Ratings up 141% y2y.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/j-r-in-cleveland-an-ohio-nightlife-guide-for-the-famous-nyc-party-animal/

 

This article makes me want blood. What is with these writers? Nobody wants to be fresh with their journalism? How lazy and tired. And you go out of your way to highlight the velvet dog? Of everything in our great city, the velvet doc. Sigh. Sounds like a little jealousy. We stole smith from the Knicks and they have 7 wins. Writer is from NYC

 

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/j-r-in-cleveland-an-ohio-nightlife-guide-for-the-famous-nyc-party-animal/

 

This article makes me want blood. What is with these writers? Nobody wants to be fresh with their journalism? How lazy and tired. And you go out of your way to highlight the velvet dog? Of everything in our great city, the velvet doc. Sigh. Sounds like a little jealousy. We stole smith from the Knicks and they have 7 wins. Writer is from NYC

 

 

There's always been a certain breed of NYC writer that takes great offense to anyone challenging the pre-eminence of The City. and Cleveland's always been a little more guilty of that than most.  Throw in the fact that many of them felt Entitled to get LeBron there.  But as I alluded to in another thread, this is a preview of what could be store for RNC.

 

The last two paragraphs are ironic together, as the last member of BTH in the area lives in Chardon Township.

. I think when LeBron comes back, Love needs to sit for at least a few games and get some R&R.

 

This.

 

I'd give Kyrie some time off too when Kevin is back.

Ho hum, just another win. ;)

 

. I think when LeBron comes back, Love needs to sit for at least a few games and get some R&R.

This.

 

I'd give Kyrie some time off too when Kevin is back.

 

I'll bet Love uses the All Star break to recuperate. If that doesn't heal him, then he'll take some time off.

 

The way this team is getting better at playing defense, I think they've got an improving chance to win it all THIS year. They've been good at scoring all year, but first Kyrie learned to play defense and now I'm seeing Love getting stops! The playoffs are going to beat the hell out of these guys, and they need to give the top guys some breathers going into it.

 

Oh, and screw jealous New York and their sh!tty Knicks. Entitlement gets you zip. Talent, hard work, loyalty, passion, and yes, a little luck earns victories.

 

 

 

TODAY!

NBA ‏@NBA  28m28 minutes ago

ICYMI... @KyrieIrving's NBA season-high 55 points vs. Portland re-airs on @NBATV at 1pm/et & 4:30pm/et!

Was working tonight, and while catching up on social media it just turns to "Well Lebron decided this game is over, and so it is."

It was frustrating through 3+ quarters, and it was obvious the Cavs playing 4 games in 5 nights was causing them to play down to Minnesota's level. But they seemed to dig down and grab some energy, play some defense and blow out the T-Wolves 30-11 in the fourth. Game over.

 

And to show you how unprecedented of a turnaround this Cavs' season has been, consider this....

 

@ESPNStatsInfo

Cavaliers: won 9 straight after 6-game losing streak; longest win streak immediately following a 6-game losing streak in single season(ELIAS)

And to show you how unprecedented of a turnaround this Cavs' season has been, consider this....

 

@ESPNStatsInfo

Cavaliers: won 9 straight after 6-game losing streak; longest win streak immediately following a 6-game losing streak in single season(ELIAS)

Amazing! Maybe all stats involving LeBron should get an asterisk.

 

I've gotta say it's been awesome seeing the highlights and fans finally getting into the games. This is the kinda stuff we've been waiting for.  Sending positive vibes from the west coast!

Decent article with decent stats here, especially regarding the defense...

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2349417-cleveland-cavaliers-finally-starting-to-live-up-to-title-level-expectations

 

The article also has a good description of how Mozgov and Shumpert have allowed Blatt to employ a new defensive scheme which doesn't require as many defensive rotations. If Mozgov keeps his hands straight up and avoids foul trouble, this defense has been the best in the league. The only way to break it down is for an opponent to use a sacrificial bruiser to put Mozgov in foul trouble. But even when Timo has had to sit, I've been more impressed with Tristan's defense lately. He's become a more effective shot-blocker. But the most-overlooked defensive improvement has come from Kyrie. Look at the FG percentage of the guards he's had to defend. Most are below 40 percent and some below 30 percent. They said Kyrie couldn't play defense. I don't think he was ever asked to, until now.

 

 

Got buyers' remorse with KLove? Don't....

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/402/as-wiggins-rises-cavs-love-choice-works

We're only 1 game back on the Bulls.  Things have changed pretty quickly for the Cavs.  Not only are they winning, but it seems as if they just run the other team out of the gym when they get going.  20 point 2nd or 3rd quarter leads are becoming fairly routine.

The pieces Griffin secured have eased the pressure on KLove considerably, especially Mozgov who, on defense, serves as a backstop for both the guards and forwards who "cheat" their counterparts toward the middle where the looming, athletic center is blocking the rim.  On offense, Mozgov is proving his serious 3rd option scoring threat in the front court.  This frees up Love as a kick-out option on the wing as opponents' bigs either sag in the middle or are forced away from the rim to cover the Timo.  Mozgov also uses his big body to set hard picks which are freeing up Love for more runners, tear-drops, hook shots and a greater variety of shots inside the arc.  Love seems a lot more comfortable exercising his full arsenal of shots as opposed to standing on the 3-point line waiting for LeBron or Kyrie to hit him... And when he has an off scoring night, as he did both against Portland and Sacramento, no problem.  The Cavs, with a healthy LeBron, an energized Kyrie plus JR, Shumpert and, once again, Mozgov, has the firepower to cover Love's absence from the scoring column, esp after the 1st quarter (where Love has been scoring the lion's share of his points for the Cavs)...

 

... it's all good. 

We're only 1 game back on the Bulls.  Things have changed pretty quickly for the Cavs.  Not only are they winning, but it seems as if they just run the other team out of the gym when they get going.  20 point 2nd or 3rd quarter leads are becoming fairly routine.

 

I think we're also only 2.5 games back of Washington. But there is something about leading a division! As long as the Cavs get to host at least the first round of the playoffs.

 

The pieces Griffin secured have eased the pressure on KLove considerably, especially Mozgov who, on defense, serves as a backstop for both the guards and forwards who "cheat" their counterparts toward the middle where the looming, athletic center is blocking the rim.  On offense, Mozgov is proving his serious 3rd option scoring threat in the front court.  This frees up Love as a kick-out option on the wing as opponents' bigs either sag in the middle or are forced away from the rim to cover the Timo.  Mozgov also uses his big body to set hard picks which are freeing up Love for more runners, tear-drops, hook shots and a greater variety of shots inside the arc.  Love seems a lot more comfortable exercising his full arsenal of shots as opposed to standing on the 3-point line waiting for LeBron or Kyrie to hit him... And when he has an off scoring night, as he did both against Portland and Sacramento, no problem.  The Cavs, with a healthy LeBron, an energized Kyrie plus JR, Shumpert and, once again, Mozgov, has the firepower to cover Love's absence from the scoring column, esp after the 1st quarter (where Love has been scoring the lion's share of his points for the Cavs)...

 

... it's all good. 

 

I think Mozgov is the best center we've had since Zydrunas. Both Shaq and Wallace we're at the tail end of their careers when they joined the Cavs. Zydrunas was a better shooter (especially from the outside) than Mozgov is now, but Mozgov can at least contribute scoring-wise. And I think Mozgov is at least as good as Z on defense and clogging up the middle.

NOW we're 1.5 games behind Washington. The Wizards lost to a surging Charlotte team tonight, and Atlanta is at risk of losing.

 

It was an ugly win vs. Philly tonight, but it counts the same in the W column.

 

Surprisingly, some of the credit goes to Dellavedova and his 3-pointers!

 

These guys need this upcoming two day break.  Their January schedule was brutal.  I think there was only one time all month they had more than 1 day off.  They look tired.  The All-Star break should give them a good rest too.

yeah i was thinking about rest again, particularly for love and shumpert. good news is the sixers game had absolute ideal minutes they should continue to strive for until the end of the regular season and beyond. that is, keep the big 3 within the 30-39 minutes range, shump, delly & tristan in the 20-29 minutes range and marion & miller in the 0-10 minutes range. give or take, but that'll work.

I was able to catch up on a few games from the winning streak I had DVR'd.  One quick observation.  While I still love Timo, one weakness I have noticed is he does not have the best hands.  He fumbles the pass a lot.  I thought it might just be that he is not anticipating the pass, but it appears he is just a bit clumsy with the ball, especially when he catches it in traffic.

Good observation on Timo. He fumbled a few easy lay-ups/dunks tonight. The Cavs absolutely dominated the Clippers until they put in the second string in for the whole fourth quarter. 12 in a row and now tied for first place with the Bulls..