2016-2017 NBA Season Thread [ARCHIVED] Basketball • Page 122

http://deadspin.com/maybe-not-the-b...source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

 

The last two games have reminded me a lot about last year's team. Last year, under Blatt, they'd win a lot of games playing like complete shit and not really giving a whole lot of effort until it was absolutely needed. I would find myself very upset after games last year, even though we won. Obviously, we all know what happened in June, so I'm trying to keep my head about these past two games.

I'm starting to see a lot of signs I don't like and some weaknesses are starting to shine through (interior defense, lack of bench, shot selection, etc). What impressed me so much throughout the first 13 games or so was how much effort the Cavs were giving throughout the games, because they are known to take the foot off the pedal and coast often times so it alarms me they're starting to fall back into that coast mode. Perhaps last night was the type of loss they needed to wake them up a little, especially with this tough stretch of games coming up (LAC, CHI, TOR, NY).

Also doesn't help we've been missing Frye, but that's still no excuse not to play with a stronger effort.

EDIT: What a weird night in the NBA, Cavs, Spurs and Clippers all lose to bad teams.

 

It's not really that big of a deal. You're going to have ebbs and flows during an 82 game season. JR will get hit for the non-play as he should. I think he finally outdid the play as a Knick where he untied his opponent's shoe.

Quite frankly, a lot of people want to see this team lose. They have won it so they've lost some of their charm over Golden State. But the truth is, before Sunday (which you could spin positively if you wanted), the Cavs were playing some of the best ball as a group. They had a couple historic games against two bad teams.This game was not good, but this loss needed to happen. It will be a good reminder for them like the Portland game last December or so. As a fan, I wouldn't read much into this one beyond they came out sloppy and got beat for it. It's really not as big of a deal as it is for the other team that won. Keep thinking big picture.

 

This play last night is my favorite

Man if he ever develops a consistent three point shot he will be unstoppable.

 

The Sixers-Kings game may be cancelled because there, uh, is condensation on the court

 

Sixers can't do anything right... smh

 

and/or Joel is scared of Boogie and sabotaged the court, I'll go with both

 

Mark Cuban sounding off on the zebras again. Can't say I disagree with him, but I'm surprised he is willing to get fined over a game that didn't involve his team.

 

Karl-Anthony Towns

 

Lost to the knicks.... blegh

 

For KAT to put forth all that effort, and for it to all come to naught, must really suck to feel. At least they didn't have a 3rd or 4th quarter melt down like they usually do, but instead came back to tie the game late. We need KAT, Wiggins and Lavine to step up even more. And start Dunn instead; Rubio just isn't putting up numbers like he should be

 

Dunn is fucking terrible right now.

Rubio helped us get back in that game in the 4th so i don't know what you're watching.

 

More based on Rubio's form this whole season so far, which has been pretty shit; I think Dunn just needs to be given more minutes. It's going to be hard for him to adapt to the speed of the NBA game if he's getting limited minutes

 

So then we have to decide if we are tanking or trying to win. If it's the first, then Dunn needs minutes. If we are still trying to come back, Ricky plays.

 

Only four games out of the 8th spot, you gotta keep playing it out and getting better. You have over two months until the trade deadline to move Rubio. I am a Rubio apologist though and don't believe there is a very good trade market for him right now.

 

There's a lot of problems with the wolves, one trade wont change anything. They'll be morons to make a trade just to start only losing games by a few points instead of getting blown out.

 

Going to Cavs/Clips tonight. Pretty jacked up about it.

 

Should be a spirited affair, given how the last games went for each team.

 

Have a feeling Cavs will win big. At home on National TV two nights after getting embarrassed.

Cavs by 18.

 

What is up with doug McDermott? He's had a concussion for like 3 weeks...

 

Brandon Jennings has no respect for Ricky Rubio’s shooting

Wolves guard Ricky Rubio trying to find his familiar spark

 

I don't really have a feeling one way on this game. I guess I lean towards the historical match ups. The Clips got embarrassed against Brooklyn in the sense that they were up big and gave away a sizable fourth quarter lead. Yeah, the Cavs got beat up, but it was just one bad night. How many of those did we have last year? Portland, depleted Memphis, Brooklyn, Golden State a few times, etc. The Clips' loss is more of a concern in that they let a bad team roll up in the fourth and come from behind to win. I think we are going to see a motivated team tonight. That said, I hope the fact that this LAC team does not match up well continues.

 

Been wondering this myself.