The Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to kick their play up another notch with the turning of the calendar to 2007. After a big home win against San Antonio on Tuesday, the wine and gold took off and swept a four game in five nights stretch to take over the division lead heading into a seven game West Coast swing which starts tomorrow night in Sacramento.
The Cavs now lead the Central Division by a game over the Pistons with a 21-12 record, and four consecutive victories. They followed up the win against the Spurs by almost frittering away a fourth quarter lead against Boston and then holding on for a victory. LeBron and the gang then went to Milwaukee and put the defensive clamps on the Bucks down the stretch to turn an eight point deficit into a win on the road, and then came home to defeat the Nets by closing out the fourth quarter in fine fashion after blowing a third quarter lead. An impressive week which cannot be debated.
However, the streak has occurred because it appears Coach Mike Brown has shortened up his bench. Rookie Daniel Gibson is only getting around five minutes per game, and the only bench players getting significant minutes were Damon Jones and Anderson Varajao. Donyell Marshall’s time has been affected by a shot to the head in the San Antonio game. Short term success has been achieved, but what are the effects in the long term. LeBron averaged 43 minutes per night in the four games. Brown is always quick to point out that he doesn’t give James the rest he needs, but it seems he can’t stand to see the franchise on the bench.
The streak had improved play from two of the most maligned Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden. Z averaged 15.5 points and 9 rebounds per game in the four wins, continuing his solid play of recent weeks. It appears that Ilgauskas is finding ways to score in Brown’s new offense. Gooden had a huge game against Milwaukee, scoring 31 points and grabbing 16 caroms. He averaged almost 19 points and 11.5 rebounds in the five day span. The former Jayhawk is more closely tied to the team’s fortunes than anyone. When he plays well, the Cavs roll.
It is important the Cavs pick up a win against the Kings to start the trip tomorrow night. Sacramento is just 14-17 on the season and only 10-9 at home. They have dropped consecutive overtimes contests to the Lakers and TrailBlazers in their last two games. The next two games are against Phoenix and the Clippers, neither of which will be easy games. Plus, it will keep the momentum going. Here’s hoping that Mike Brown can get more people involved on this trip, because it is important for the starters to get some rest. A 3-4 trip is very possible since games against the Sonics, Blazers, and Warriors are on the slate in the second week of the sojourn.
If the Cavs win their first division title since 1976 and get the top seed in the East, the first week of January could be the time we look at as the time the Cleveland Cavaliers put it into gear. A bad trip will start the questions regarding the team all over again.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 