Remember the old television shows, "In Search Of" with Leonard Nimoy, or "Unsolved Mysteries" with Robert Stack?  A current version of these shows would be looking for the concept of the offense for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  If you watch this team on a game by game basis, and can tell me what they are trying to do with the ball, you might also be able to tell me why Michael Irvin works for ESPN, and how he gets into the Hall of Fame over Art Monk.

 

There is no plan, no object for this team when they have the ball.  The floor spacing is poor, there is too much emphasis on the three point shot and too much pounding the ball on the floor.  In short, there is no ball movement when the Cavs are in a half court set, and they do not take advantage of the abilities of the players they have.  You can blame this on the lack of a good point guard if you want, but with the offensive concept being this bad, Bob Cousy or Magic Johnson could not succeed in this system.

 

The Cavaliers have some talent on offense, but they don’t make use of it.  Of course, LeBron James is one of the best players on the planet.  He can create, post up, can shoot relatively well, and can finish.  What is he doing?  Setting up the play.  He gets the ball too early in the possession which allows teams to double team him and make him give up the ball.  The offense should be designed for him to get the ball in an area where he can go to the basket and score or make one pass to someone else who can score.  Too often, James is standing 20 feet from the hoop pounding the ball on the floor.  That’s a gross misuse of his talent.

 

They also have a center with a very deft shooting touch.  Zydrunas Ilgauskas will never be Bill Russell on defense, nor will he be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on offense.  However, he can make an open shot from 15 feet and in, but he doesn’t get that opportunity often.  He looks terrible because the offense doesn’t play to his strengths.  Larry Hughes is slasher and can run the floor.  He displayed last year that we was an excellent mid range jump shooter.  This year, most of his jump shot opportunities are from behind the arc. 

 

Drew Gooden isn’t a bad shooter, and does a nice job with jump hooks from in close.  They have good three point shooters in Damon Jones and Daniel Gibson, but they don’t have a drive and dish game to set those guys up for open looks.  They shoot threes while the ball in being passed around the perimeter.  There’s no inside out plan to the offense. 

 

The most disgusting thing about the offensive philosophy is that the organization knew it was a weakness after last season’s playoffs.  Yet, nothing was done to fix it.  Brown did change his scheme early in the year, but then realized he completely eliminated Ilgauskas as an offensive threat.  It has to be addressed, and the sooner the better.  The philosophy works against poor defensive teams like the Warriors or the Bobcats, but it crumbles when facing a good team like the Pistons.  That’s when coaching needs to kick in.

 

There must be a better plan on offense the rest of the season.  Brown keeps talking about defense, and there is no question that defense wins championships.  However, you have to be able to put the ball in the basket as well, and be able to do it when the three point shot isn’t falling.  There has to be a new philosophy with the ball, otherwise Mike Brown is going to wind up being a defensive specialist as an assistant coach.

 

MW

 

 

I watched the Cavs-Miami game last night with interest since the Heat are the defending NBA champions, and of course the fact that they have two of the game’s most compelling figures, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade.  Put them together with LeBron James and you have the makings of a great matchup.  It’s too bad the contest was decided by three guys who didn’t play, the referees.

 

Coach Mike Brown complained about the officiating after the game, and I certainly can understand why.  Wade shot 24 free throws in the game the same number as the Cavs’ ENTIRE TEAM!  The wine and gold led by 12 points with eight minutes remaining before the refs took control of the game.  Wade started going to the hoop, and everytime he went he either scored or went to the free throw line.  Brown commented after the game that his defenders were backing off the former Marquette star and they were still blowing the whistle on the visitors.

 

I am not a conspiracy theorist.  I don’t think games are fixed.  However, when a game is as poorly officiated as last night’s was, somebody should be looking into it.  The game tape should be reviewed by league officials to examine whether or not the zebras (Monty McCutchen, Sean Corbin, and Leroy Richardson) did an acceptable job of officiating the game.  I know the superstars get the calls.  That’s the way it is in the NBA, whether we like it or not.  But when one player shoots as many free throws as a team, especially a team that has a winning record and a superstar, that’s questionable refereeing.

 

Wade made 12 free throws in the last seven and a half minutes of the game.  The Cavaliers did make mistakes down the stretch, turning the ball over, missing free throwns, and committing offensive fouls.  In a two minute span (from 7:00 to 5:00 remaining) the wine and gold took two shots.  Their other possessions resulted in turnovers.  Unless the rules of basketball have changed, you can’t score unless you get a shot off.  They also reverted to settling for three pointers and jump shots instead of taking the ball to the basket.  They didn’t play well down the stretch offensively.

 

They did try to win the game with defense, but the officials didn’t allow it.  They decided to give Miami every opportunity to win the game by putting Dwayne Wade on the line.  He made them and the Heat picked up a victory.  It’s tough to win when the game is officiated that way. 

 

KM 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday’s Cavaliers loss to the Phoenix Suns means the wine and gold have now lost three home games in a row, and have dropped six of eight overall.  What is very interesting is the players starting to make little comments showing they don’t have the utmost faith in Head Coach Mike Brown, which can’t be very comforting for him.  Larry Hughes talked about how the team needs to run more, and LeBron James discussed how Suns Coach Mike D’Antoni is an offensive genius.  Is there a coaching change on the horizon?  Should there be?

 

The fact that the team’s star player doesn’t appear to be on the same page as the coach, doesn’t bode well for Mike Brown.  However, LBJ is very conscious of his image, so he’s not going to pull a Magic Johnson and call for Brown’s dismissal.  But, if things don’t improve soon and the Cavs are dumped in the opening round of this year’s playoffs, it would not be surprising at all if a new guy is guiding the team at the beginning of the 2007-08 season. 

 

That Brown has made the Cavs a better defensive team is without question.  When he came here, this team had serious defensive weaknesses.  Now, the wine and gold are among the better teams in the NBA at stopping their opponents.  They rank 8th in the league in points allowed, and are in the top half (13th) in the NBA is field goal percentage against.  They are holding teams to 45% shooting.  However, his offense strategy and philosophy is terrible.

 

The thought of playing defense and not running is insane.  The Cavs should be using their defense to initiate a running game.  Instead, they are content to walk the ball up the floor.  The Bill Russell led Celtic teams all used defense to fuel a running game.  In fact, the best way to run a fast break is to play good D, get the rebound, and kick the ball out and go.  Brown’s defensive philosophy is to play solid defense, and then walk the ball up the floor.  Perhaps that’s because Eric Snow cannot push the ball, but Larry Hughes can and so can James.  Hughes’ comments yesterday seem to show that the coach doesn’t want them to run. 

 

With players who can run the floor like LeBron, Hughes, Drew Gooden, Anderson Varajao, Daniel Gibson, and even Sasha Pavlovic, there is no reason the team should play up and down.  By the way, Zydrunas Ilgauskas doesn’t impede the team from running.  Most centers are not flying up the floor on the fast break.  Also, this team is not a great shooting team.  Therefore, the best way to get easy points is to get out and run.  I think everyone would agree that the Dallas Mavericks are an uptempo offensive team, yet they are in the top five in the league in points allowed.  They play good defense.

 

Offensively, the Cavs are better suited to an up and down game.  They should be looking to run at all opportunities, especially early in the game.  If the fast break isn’t there, then wait for Z to get down the floor and work your half court offense.  It’s the same formula the Lakers used in the 1980’s, and there is no reason it can’t work now.  Of course, it has to be a philsophy and a commitment must be made to running.  There is no reason the team can’t run with Eric Snow as the point guard.  You don’t have to have blazing speed, you just have to make a effort to run.  The team needs to look to push the ball. 

 

As a coach, Brown gets all the credit in the world for improving the team’s defense.  Now, the offense appears stagnant.  Too many threes in the half court set, not utilizing Ilgauskas, no one who can penetrate and kick it out.  If Brown doesn’t know how to fix it, he better bring someone who can as a coach.  His future employment may depend on it. 

 

JK

 

The other day this site talked about the lack of effectiveness of the Cleveland Cavaliers bench.  If you assume that GM Danny Ferry is trying to swing a deal to bring more talent to the team, that move would be made to deepen the roster.  However, what can Coach Mike Brown do until then?  Here is one solution to alleviate the problem at least a little bit. 

 

The basic concept is not to have similar styles on the floor at the same time.  You don’t want to have periods of the game when you don’t have any inside presence, or no one willing to take a shot, or no one who can create his own shot.  This can be done by adjusting who starts the game, and adjusting the substitution pattern.  Currently, Brown starts two inconsistent players:  Drew Gooden and Eric Snow.  These type of players should come off the bench.  They should be replaced in the starting line up by Anderson Varajao and Sasha Pavlovic.  Brown stresses defense and Varajao is a better defender than Gooden.  Why Sasha?  It would move Larry Hughes to the point at the beginning of the game which keeps a defensive player at guard, and Pavlovic is a more complete offensive player than either Damon Jones (shoots only threes) or Daniel Gibson (not as strong on D).

 

This would bring Snow off the bench, reducing his minutes, making him more effective when you need a defender down the stretch of close games.  Also, Gooden would be free to be more of an offensive threat when he comes into the game.  If either player isn’t productive that night, their time could be adjusted easier.  Next, it’s time to sit Donyell Marshall down.  I would suggest actually using Scott Pollard as the other back up big man, and Daniel Gibson should be made part of the rotation as well.  He should be given steady time as a reverse guard. 

 

This would make the primary bench guys Gooden, Snow, Pollard, and Gibson.  Being able to go nine deep would allow the starters to get more rest, which not only would help in the 4th quarter, but also later in the season.  What about Damon Jones, who has played much better than last season?  He’s a specialist.  Period.  His game is too limited to get a regular spot in the rotation.  If the Cavs fall behind, Jones can get in to see if he can hit some threes to get the wine and gold back in the game.  Otherwise, he would be anchored to the bench. 

 

Marshall and Shannon Brown would be the 11th and 12th men.  If Marshall is going to be upset with his role, then the front office should approach him about buying out his contract.  I would like to see what Dwayne Jones could bring to the table, but there currently is no spot for him.  David Wesley and Ira Newble should be offered around to see if anyone is willing to pick up their contracts.  If Marshall can be moved, Newble isn’t a bad guy to have on the end of the bench.  It’s that he’s grossly overpaid. 

 

This set up allows the coach to use his preferred style of play, defensive oriented basketball.  Starting Varajao provides better defense and rebounding early in games which should allow for some fast break opportuinities.  Bringing Eric Snow off the bench will give the team some grittiness when they do go to the subs.  Regardless, this team needs a wake up call.  The loss to Philly brought that very much into focus.  Going 3-4 on a west coast trip isn’t bad.  Dropping a home game after one day off following that trip can be excused.  Losing to the worst team in the East at home can’t be tolerated. 

 

Mike Brown needs to get some players’ attention.  A change in playing time would provide a splash of cold water in the team’s face.

 

JK

 

 

 

 

 

Our fickle city’s relationship with the Cavaliers is in the sour mode once again since the wine and gold has lost four of their last five games.  Monday’s loss to Orlando was due to the NBA schedule, whether fans want to admit it or not.  It was really a continuation of the road trip since the Cavs played on the west coast just two days earlier.  This is not an excuse, it’s reality.  The NBA is telling you they want you to pay big bucks to watch a jet lagged team.

 

Of course, the usual suspects are to blame for the Cavs’ struggles.  Whenever the team loses a few games, the criticism of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Eric Snow heats up.  No one ever mentions when they play well, only when they struggle.  Snow was a key contributor in two of Cleveland’s west coast wins, the games against the Clippers and Warriors.  Ilgauskas played well against Sacramento and LA, and did well in the loss to the Sonics. 

 

What people fail to recognize is that the wine and gold get almost nothing off of their bench on a nightly basis.  The only consistent contributors off the bench are Anderson Varajao and even I’m shocked to write this, Damon Jones.  Donyell Marshall has lost it quicker than anyone could have imagined, and the others rarely get opportunities to play.  If you want to criticize Mike Brown, start with his failure to develop anyone into a reliable substitute.  Daniel Gibson has shown flashes of talent, and Sasha Pavlovic has more ups and downs than an elevator.  He tried David Wesley early in the campaign, and despite his decent performance against Golden State, he has showed that he is ready to retire.  Scott Pollard, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, and Dwayne Jones have played just slightly more than I have.

 

The Cavaliers really need to improve their bench to make a run deep into the playoffs.  You have to remember what type of team Brown and Ferry want to have when you discuss the type of player they need.  They stress defense!  I can assure you that any player who isn’t a good defensive player will get no interest from the Cavs.  That said, what they need is not a point guard who can score, it’s another combo guard who can defend and can make an open shot.  They also need a player to replace Marshall as a fourth big man in the rotation.  They are not going to be interested in the Steve Francis’ or Zack Randolphs of the world.  They aren’t good fits for the direction the team is taking.

 

It’s too late for the younger guys to develop into acceptable options off the bench this season.  That should have been addressed earlier.  They need to fit in a veteran to fill these spots, and will probably have to deal a youngster to get him.  Getting more players who can contribute on a nightly basis will ease the minutes the starters are logging, which will keep them fresher for the end of the season, and also in situations where they are playing a lot of games in a short stretch. 

 

Fans who pick on Ilgauskas and Snow are criticizing guys who can and do contribute to the success of the team.  Ferry needs to add more players who can make a difference every night.  At the beginning of the season, Ferry and Brown thought he had nine Cavaliers who could play.  Marshall’s slide and Wesley’s performance have left them two men short.

 

JK

 

The Cleveland Indians surprised everyone on Friday with the signing of free agent outfielder Trot Nixon to a one year contract.  It says here that it’s a good signing since the Tribe added an experienced hitter at a very low cost.  Although Nixon appears to be superfluous because he’s a left handed hitter, which it didn’t appear the Indians needed, he has put together very good numbers against right handers and is a much better hitter away from Fenway Park.

 

Nixon is a patient hitter and is slated to bat in the #2 slot against righties.  He’s also a grinder which GM Mark Shapiro and skipper Eric Wedge love.  He has battled injuries the past few years, but since he won’t play every day, it should be easier for him to make it through an entire season.  It looks like he will take the spot of Shin-Soo Choo, who will be insurance at Class AAA Buffalo.

 

Unless a bigger move is coming?

 

I think every Tribe fan is aware the team has three key players eligible for free agency by the end of the 2008 season:  Jake Westbrook after this season, and C.C. Sabathia and Travis Hafner following the ’08 season.  With the current market conditions, we can assume that the big lefty is going to command at least $15 million per year on the open market.  The Tribe’s best bet is to minimize the years on this type of deal, seeing if C.C. will do a 4 year deal.  Hafner’s value is somewhat limited because he’s a DH, meaning 16 teams (the National League) have no interest.  Still, Pronk will get over $10 million a season based on David Ortiz’ extension last season.  The only way the Indians can do these deal is to not keep Westbrook.  It would be better to get something before he leaves as a free agent in a trade than to let him walk away for nothing.

 

It’s possible that the Nixon acquisition means Choo could be included in a trade with Westbrook to bring back another starter who is a few years away from free agency.  If Shapiro could get a Dan Haren or Erik Bedard for those two players, it would help with the cost certainty that the front office is always talking about.  Again, I’m not saying the Indians should be trading for a prospect.  If they make a deal, it should be for a young starter, who has been in a major league rotation for a couple of years.  The pitcher they get ideally would have two or three years remaining before they can file for free agency.  I think Choo will become a pretty good everyday player, but if dealing him would help keep Sabathia and Hafner, you have to make the deal.

 

Getting another younger starter to replace Westbrook would allow the ownership to keep the ace of the staff, and still would allow the team to contend in ’07.  The sinker balling Westbrook is a solid starter, but is really a #3 or #4 slot in the rotation guy.  He’s an innings eater, which is a great thing to have, but he’s not a top of the rotation guy.  If Cliff Lee pitches like he did in 2005, he’s the #2.  The Wahoos also have Jeremy Sowers, who could be a #2 or #3 starter, and Adam Miller at Buffalo projects (a key word) as another potential ace.  So, there is depth in the organization’s starting pitching.

 

Then again, maybe Choo is going back to the minors to work on hitting lefties, and if a regular struggles early in the season, or Nixon has a re-occurance of his injuries, he’ll be back to make a major contribution to the 2007 Tribe.  However, it feels like another move is coming, and it won’t be a minor deal. 

 

MW 

 

 

 

The first question about new Browns’ offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is his sanity.  Don’t you have to question a guy who has a chance to run the San Diego Chargers’ offense to come and work for the Browns?  Why work with LaDanian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Philip Rivers, when you can work with Reuben Droughns, Kellen Winslow Jr., and Charlie Frye?  Seriously, this is spin by the Browns.  No one can be sure if Chudzinski would have been offered the San Diego job, especially since he was the team’s tight end coach.

 

Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage probably didn’t have people beating down their doors to take the gig, since the overwhelming theory around the NFL is that another bad season for Cleveland next season will mean Crennel and his staff will be looking for employment.  However, running the offense here is really a no lose situation for anyone, because you can hardly do a worse job than those who proceeded you.  That’s why the hire is greeted with a yawn here.

 

We really can’t judge the hiring until the games start in September.  We can speculate however, that if Chudzinski runs the offense like the Chargers’ attack, the Browns will try to draft Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson with its first pick in this April’s draft to be their version of Tomlinson.  And although the squad needs offensive linemen, I would concur the team needs a big time back like the former Sooner.  He would give the Browns a chance to have a playmaker behind the quarterback, and a good running game can make a QB look better.  Just ask Ben Roethlisberger.

 

Although some have questionned the fact that Chudzinski has never had this job in the professional ranks, I don’t think that’s a negative unless you can get a guy like Tom Moore from the Colts to take the position.  Tony Grossi mentionned Dan Henning, who really hasn’t had any success since the 1980’s, and to me he has his system and is unwilling to change according to the personnel he has.  Chudzinski is a young, up and coming coach, much like defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.  I think everyone would agree Grantham has done a good job with the defense.

 

It’s a foregone conclusion that offensive line coach Jeff Davidson will leave the organization, and that’s okay as well.  The line was among the team’s bigger disappointments, and the fact that a guy like Jeff Faine went somewhere else and did very well does not speak well of Davidson’s tutelage. 

 

We can’t judge the new man until the season starts as I said before.  Certainly there will be personnel changes on the offense as well.  The Browns needed an entirely new direction when they have the ball.  That they will have.  Hopefully, the direction is forward, not backward.

 

JD

 

 

 

ESPN’s Peter Gammons is reporting the Tribe has signed former Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon to a one year deal worth $3 million.  Nixon has battled injuries of late, but kills right handed pitching and has hit better away from Fenway Park the past three years.  Considering the low cost, this is another good move by GM Mark Shapiro.  More details to follow…

 

KM

 

I was reading a piece on the Detroit Pistons discussing their playing rotation and the lack of 2nd year man Jason Maxiell’s involvement in it.  The writer made the point that the media and the Pistons’ coaching staff were appalled that some people think the former Cincinnati Bearcat should be given an opportunity to play instead of a veteran like Nazr Mohammed.  The writer commented that this has been a pattern with Detroit.  His example was current Jazz center Mehmet Okur. 

 

The coaches and front office had a thousand and one reasons why Okur couldn’t play.  He couldn’t defend.  He wasn’t an inside player.  He wasn’t a shot blocker.  So, Okur signed a free agent deal with Utah and now starts on one of the better teams in the NBA.  He’s averaging over 16 points per game.  Obviously, there are some things he can do well.

 

What struck me is the same thing is going on here with the Cavaliers.  Can anyone explain why rookies Daniel Gibson and Shannon Brown cannot get any playing time.  I’m sure Mike Brown will tell you they don’t play defense well, they don’t take good shots, or they don’t understand what the Cavs are doing offensively.  My question is:  What makes them any different from Damon Jones or David Wesley?  Jones and Wesley are veterans, and coaches love experience.

 

The problem with this mentality is the young players might be able to do better if given the chance.  We all know what we are getting from Jones.  He’s a good three point shooter.  If he’s not making shots from behind the arc, he’s giving the team nothing.  We don’t know what Brown and Gibson can give us.  The latter has looked good in spurts, but the other night in Seattle, he didn’t get off the bench.  The following night in Portland, he jump started a lethargic offense in the second quarter, but didn’t get in the game in the second half until after the Trail Blazers were on a roll. 

 

Why wouldn’t coaches start the season giving the younger player an opportunity, and if it doesn’t work out, then he could go to the veteran.  It just makes sense.  You know the performance level the veteran will give you.  The rookie just might turn out to be a very good player, an upgrade over the veteran.  However, with the attitude of most coaches, you will never find out.  I know, I know, the veteran is outplaying the rookie in practice.  That’s because the older player knows the tricks of the trade, how to grab without being caught, etc.  But, how will be younger player learn these things if they can’t play in games.

 

It’s too late for the Cavs this season.  Let’s hope if Danny Ferry has to include Brown or Gibson in a trade to get an experienced player, they don’t turn out to be the next Mehmet Okur.  Maybe the so called missing piece for the Cavs is already on the roster.  It might just be a case of a coach focusing on what a player can’t do, rather than what he can.

 

KM

 

 

When Chris Webber received his buyout from the Philadelphia 76ers recently, there were several calls into the local talk shows voicing the opinion that the Cavaliers should pick up the former Fab Fiver from Michigan.  This shows me that these fans either don’t follow the NBA very closely, even though the wine and gold is doing quite well, or they haven’t seen the Sixers play this year. 

 

The Chris Webber who signed with the Pistons yesterday bares no resemblence to the C-Webb who played for the Sacramento Kings five or six years ago.  The guy who played for Philly earlier this year can’t jump, nor can he move.  This makes him a less effective rebounder, and a non factor on defense.  With the Cavs and Coach Mike Brown putting a great emphasis on the defensive end of the floor, Webber is not a good fit.  He may be able to help Detroit as a role player, but if he is going to play 25-30 minutes per night, the Pistons won’t be the force on defense they are accustomed to being. 

 

Then you have the question of Webber being happy if he’s not playing extended minutes.  My guess would be that he wouldn’t.  And where would C-Webb get minutes with the Cavs?  My guess is he would take playing time away from Drew Gooden and Anderson Varajao.  Fans don’t think about that option when they call talk shows.

 

Another guy who keeps coming up in conversations if he becomes available is Knicks guard Steve Francis.  Danny Ferry shouldn’t touch him with the proverbial ten foot pole.  The reason the public is interested in the former Maryland standout is, of course, the play of Eric Snow.  However, Francis is a shoot first point guard who also plays no defense.  Also, he has had injury problems of late, and couldn’t guard a stone.  Other than that, he’d be a perfect fit for the Cavs. 

 

At this point, Cleveland has the best record in the East.  Why is everyone looking to change the make up and chemistry of this team.  Adding all star type players who no longer play at an all star level isn’t the solution.  It quite possibly cause problems.  What GM Danny Ferry should be looking for is a role player, preferably a combo guard, who can come in and play 15-20 minutes per night at a high level.  That would be the piece that could get the Cavs to the Finals.  An aging or injured star won’t help the situation.

 

MW