|
Photo: Scott Shaw/The Plain Dealer
The Cavaliers got some pretty tough news today with Shaq's 8 week absence ahead of them, but they didn't waste any time in getting back to work. Coach Mike Brown rolled out a new-look starting lineup, and what ensued was a complete destruction of the lowly Knicks, who still consider "defense" a foreign word. D'Antoni's dummy D led to a season-high margin of victory (31), largest lead this season (49), most points in regulation (124), a tie for most points in a half this year (74, also against the Knicks), and a rim-scorching 57% shooting. The wine and gold have now won 4 in a row as they look to keep piling up as many wins as possible in this advantageous month of March.
The bitter news: Word came from Baltimore today that the surgery on Shaquille O'Neal's thumb will likely keep him out for 8 weeks. That would keep the man in the middle out for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. The Cavs hope to re-sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas in three weeks, but until then it's going to be a feeling out process with lots of small lineups. Luckily for the Cavs, the March schedule is favorable, and they have a cushion in the Eastern Conference. The most important thing is that the Cavaliers likely would not face the Orlando Magic until the Eastern Conference Finals as it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the Celtics or Hawks will jump up and knock the Cavaliers from one of the top two spots. Let's hope the time off for Shaq is beneficial, and he will be well rested for what could be up to seven of the most important games in Cleveland sports history.
Switching up the lineup: Shortly before gametime, it was revealed that J.J. Hickson, not Anderson Varejao, would be the team's starting center tonight. Brown thinks that he may go with this look for the time being, and it is most likely because he values Varejao's bench presence so much. It also could help keep Varejao in games longer, considering he fouled out in Toronto Friday night. Hickson, who started his first NBA game at power forward against the Knicks in New York earlier this year, thrived with the promotion, running around and making plays on the court left and right. J.J. posted 17 points and 9 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting in only 23 minutes. He also had 2 blocks, including a very impressive block on David Lee.
Fastbreaking the fastbreakers: Normally, it's a terrible idea for the Cavaliers to get caught in the transition game with a run-and-gun team like the Knicks. However, with no true center for the time being, the Cavaliers were more equipped personnel-wise and more prepared to outrun a team like New York, and that's exactly what they did in resounding fashion. The wine and gold had 22 fastbreak points in this game, and a good chunk of those came in the first quarter. It seemed everyone was sprinting out in front of the ball looking to be the one rewarded with a slam. The team had so many layups and dunks in the first half that I lost count very early on. The key to the Cavalier victory was their willingness to defend in transition and prevent a flurry of easy hoops like the Knicks surrendered. The Knicks had just 59 points in the first three quarters, and the wine and gold made it a point to not repeat their prior mistake of allowing a Knick comeback after an amazing first half.
Delonte and Andy run circles around New York: The two most energetic guys on the floor in the first half when the game was decided were Delonte West and Anderson Varejao hands down (man's down). Despite the solid efforts of LeBron (22 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists), Antawn Jamison (17 points, 12 boards), and Hickson, the Cavaliers top two bench producers showed why they are exactly that. Varejao looked right at home off the bench once again, achieving a double-double in just 16 minutes with his 14 point, 10 rebound effort. His effort on the offensive glass was impressive, and it bought the Cavaliers six extra possessions. Andy continues to show more offensive skill, banking in a hook shot and hitting multiple shots while in spin-cycle mode around the rim. Delonte's aggressiveness was so great to see as he has games where you can tell he just isn't all there. He was 100% with it on this evening, and his carefree attitude was infectious. Delonte didn't just take it to the basket, he took it through the iron on several occasions. His two dunks off the dribble on Eddie House and off an in-bound and over the top of Tracy McGrady were sensational. West had 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 22 minutes.
The highlight reel is long tonight: This one was full of Kodak moments. There was LeBron's chasedown block of Sergio Rodgriguez where Mo Williams baited the Spaniard, J.J.'s block of David Lee, Delonte's jam on T-Mac, J.J.'s one-handed putback slam off a missed Jamison three, and several Varejao offensive rebounding efforts. The unquestionable cherry on this sundae, however, is a play that did not even count. I am talking of course about the 2-on-1 Delonte and LeBron fastbreak where Bill Walker fouled West for a clear path foul as he was tossing the alley-oop to LeBron. LBJ finished the play with an emphatic reverse slam that would have won this and most other slam dunk contests without a doubt. My theory is that if you put not one, but nine NBA players out there to assist LeBron in a dunk, simulating a 5-on-5 situation, LeBron would crush one of the most epic dunks in NBA history. For tonight, however, this was a great sneak preview of what could be someday at All-Star weekend.
Third quarter chalupas?: That's right. This game was so stupendously one-sided that the Cavaliers hit triple digits in the third quarter, while the Knicks were still south of 60 points in the game. With Andy's one-handed twisting slam, the Cavs made the Cavalier fans happy and hungry with a free chalupa. That set the stage for a cruise control fourth as the Cavs outscored the Knickerbockers 27-11 in the quarter, preventing the tremendous comeback the Knicks had the last time the Cavs put 74 on them in the first half.
Fourth quarter mopup tidbits: The Cavalier fivesome of LeBron, Mo Williams, Jamison, Anthony Parker, and Varejao sat for the entire quarter, but the Cavaliers didn't give up all that much ground, although they led by as many as 49 at one point early in the fourth. Delonte West stayed out there for much of the quarter because he was required as a ballhandler and the only point guard available besides Mo with Daniel Gibson on the inactive list for personal reasons. The three active players who didn't see time in the first three quarters (Jawad Williams, Danny Green, and Darnell Jackson) saw plenty in the final quarter, and each of them got in the scoring column, so all 12 Cavaliers scored in this one, a feat that happens only a couple times a year. The stretch was made difficult by the officials who called multiple fouls, including a couple offensive fouls, on the Cavalier mopup crew, after they called little to nothing in the first three quarters. I guess the referees didn't have postgame plans. When Delonte did finally exit with a few minutes remaining, Danny Green assumed the point flanked by Jawad Williams and Jamario Moon.
Changing digits for good: After the game, LeBron told The Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst that he has filed the paperwork to change his jersey number for next season from 23 to 6. James speculated as such after Jordan was at a Cavalier game against the Heat earlier this season, and he has apparently followed through on this notion. So, wherever James winds up next year, he will be leaving the number 23 in Cleveland, to be hung in the rafters someday, hopefully a long way down the road.
 goes to: Anderson Varejao, Delonte West, and J.J. Hickson. Varejao and West provided a surge of energy that put the game out of reach in the second quarter. They simply outworked and overpowered the careless and unfocused Knicks. Andy posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in just 16 minutes, while Delonte posted 13 points, 3 boards, and 3 assists. J.J. was all over the place as well, and he filled in well for Shaq at center in this new look for the wine and gold. Hickson's 17 point, 9 rebound, 2 block effort was phenomenal.
Team Grade: A
The Cavaliers could do no wrong in this game. Just a sampling of the phenomenal statlines from tonight's game includes 57% shooting, holding the Knicks to 41% shooting, outrebounding the Knicks 60-31, assisted on 31 of the 51 field goals, had 53 bench points, 74 first half points (ties a season best), and had five score in double digits with everyone scoring and nine guys with at least 7 points. The Cavs also dominated the paint 66-32 and took fastbreak points 22-9. To be frank, it was an all-around blasting of the Knicks.
The Cavaliers move on to the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night in the swamp, hoping to find some more light work. However, Brook Lopez will present a tough cover for Hickson, and the Nets are fresh off a victory over the Celtics this weekend.
All for one. One for all.
Kirk
|
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 