The Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2009-10 season last night with high expectations…and a loss to the Boston Celtics. While a victory would be have been nice, and needed with the success of our football and baseball teams, no one should be hanging their heads in shame over this loss.
Remember, the Cavs started last season 1-2, and finished 66-16.
The wine and gold looked like a team that was trying to figure out a way to play with each other. You have to realize they changed 40% of their starting lineup with Shaquille O’Neal at center and Anthony Parker playing the #2 guard spot in place of Delonte West.
There was no rhythm to the offense with the guards ever mindful of O’Neal’s presence in the middle, as it seemed they were trying to force the ball inside instead of looking for shots. Mo Williams took just eight field goal attempts, only one in the fourth quarter. He needs to be getting 12-15 shots per night.
The Cavs shot just 41% for the night, and if you remove LeBron James’s 12 for 22 effort from that total, the rest of the guys wearing wine and gold shot 29%. That’s not going to win a lot of games.
The attack was stagnant, with the offense regressing into James handling the ball outside the three-point arc and initiating the play rather than getting the ball below the foul line and finishing. LBJ had eight assists, but he would better served attacking the rim that playing out on the perimeter.
There is no question the team needs Delonte West healthy. West provides an alternative at the point guard spot, and can share the ball handling responsibilities with Williams when both are in the game. He’s also a very good defender. That’s why the team is interested in Antonio Daniels, because Daniel Gibson simply cannot handle the ball well or start the offense. Gibson had no assists in 13 minutes last night. But keep in mind, Daniels is not a replacement for West.
Working new guys into the mix is not an excuse. The Cavs have to be mentally tougher when things aren’t going well, and I think for the most part they are and they will be. The coaching staff also has to recognize when the offense is back to the “everyone watches LeBron dribble”, and get back into a normal flow.
Also, Mike Brown played James too much, putting too much emphasis on this opening game. In fact, when LBJ is pounding the ball outside, perhaps the coach should take him out and force other guys to get involved in the offense.
Still, it’s just one game, and it was a game played against one of the NBA’s elite teams. When you are playing these teams, you have to bring your “A” game, and the Cavs didn’t do that last night. However, as they become more accustomed to playing together, they will get better as a team.
Of course, the national “experts” have probably eliminated the Cavaliers from title contention. Let them. This team has talent, and will play better, probably starting tonight against Toronto. Don’t worry, this season shapes up as one to enjoy.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 