Over the last month, a lot of things have changed for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but winning has remained constant. The wine and gold maintain a three game lead for the best overall record in the NBA with just eight games left on the schedule.
It is doubtful the Lakers will be able to overtake Mike Brown’s crew, especially when you consider that Cleveland has the tiebreaker by sweeping both games against Los Angeles.
Since the All-Star break, the Cavs have traded Zydrunas Ilgauskas and got him back, lost Shaquille O’Neal to a thumb injury, had LeBron James miss two games with an ankle injury, had Anderson Varajao miss a game an a half with a hamstring problem, and have a new second leading scorer in veteran Antawn Jamison, picked up in the deal for Ilgauskas.
Yet, they keep on winning and winning.
However, there is one more thing that has to change, and it is not getting Shaq back for the playoffs, although that will happen. This team needs the old Mo Williams back in the lineup, and the sooner, the better.
Since the all-star game, and coincidentally since recovering from his shoulder injury, Williams hasn’t been the same player. His scoring is down from 16.9 PPG before the break to 11.9 PPG since the break. Some of that drop off can be attributed to the arrival of Jamison, who has replaced Williams as the team’s second option, and the primary scoring threat while James is resting.
However, Jamison’s presence shouldn’t affect the guard’s shooting, which has declined since his return. Mo Gotti shot 44.6% from the field before the all-star game, and is shooting at a 39.5% clip since. His three-point prowess hasn’t been off as much, dropping to 40% from 42.9% before he went out of the lineup.
In his defense, his assists per night are up slightly (5.3 vs. 5.1), but that figure doesn’t mean he has turned into a point guard like John Stockton. The Cavaliers still need his shooting ability, especially as the playoffs come around and the interior defense gets better.
If you compare this season to last, there is a marked improvement in Williams’ assist total as he is averaging 5.3 in 2010 compared to just 4.1 in the 2008-09 season. However, he has dropped in points per game (17.8 in ’08-’09 vs. 15.3 this season), and his shooting percentage has dipped to .432 from .467 a year ago.
In watching him shoot the ball since his shoulder problem, it does appear that his shot is flatter than before, that is to say, not as much arc. This makes for an inconsistent shot. The coaching staff probably sees this as well, and is working with him on it.
The Cavaliers need a threat in the backcourt heading into the playoffs. Although James and Jamison can make the three, not having a primary ball handler be able to put it in the basket creates problems. It will allow teams to play off Williams, therefore giving them a double team chance.
Williams has not been taking the ball to the hoop since his injury, which affects his shooting percentage as well. One, because he’s not getting easier shots, and two, since he is hesitant to drive, defenders can get up on him tighter, therefore not giving him room for his jumper.
That might just be the solution. If Williams can start attacking the basket and using the “Mo Flow” teardrop shot he used last year, he may be more effective as a shooter.
Either way, the Cavs need the Williams who played in the regular season last year to help them in this season’s playoffs.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 