Tag Archives: Cavaliers

I.T. and the New Look Cavs

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I just read an article by Isaiah Thomas entitled “This Is For Boston”. It was the heartfelt outpouring of emotions from a little guy who has always fought against the odds, persevered by his will and skill, and thought he’d found a home with the Celtics. It broke his heart to find himself traded, again, and it broke mine reading his account of when it happened and what the experience was like for him.

Anyone who hasn’t read that article should. It gives a very human account for the disruption in one’s life brought about by sudden, unanticipated change. Most people aren’t in the N.B.A. But still most people know the trauma of the plant closing, or reducing staff, or being fired or laid off. There’s the stark realization, the uncertainty, the cognitive dissonance. And then, there’s the acceptance: then the objective analysis. I.T. walks us through those processes in his recognition that the Celtics had let him go. Whether or not one feels that the business decision to go with Kyrie Irving makes sense, one has to sympathize if not empathize with I.T. If you saw him compete for the Celtics, its much easier to do.

But business is business. I remember Ray Allen, part of the Big 3 with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and how he was treated when Rajon Rondo disrespected him, and Avery Bradley pushed him for his position on the team. I recall the constant trade talk involving him. I also recall the reaction when Ray left for Miami. There was much animus toward Ray Allen, especially because he left and joined the dreaded rivals, led by Lebron James. Pierce and Garnett treated him like the reincarnation of Benedict Arnold, traitor. But Ray made an assessment, and took the opportunity he felt best for he and his family. It worked out for Ray Allen. He won another championship in Miami, and was an integral part of that championship run. He walked into a back-up role, accepted it, and excelled in it. One of my favorite photos is of Paul Pierce walking behind Ray Allen, complaining about a foul call, as Ray strode confidently to his team’s huddle.

Business is business. The Celtics have sent I.T. packing, just as they did Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk, and anyone else who didn’t fit the needs in their business plan. When that happens, you think about Lebron having left Cleveland. You think about D. Wade having left Miami. You think about Kevin Durant having left OKC, and for the dreaded Warriors no less! It is less offensive when you think about it. Its business.

I’m a Cleveland fan: a Lebron fan. I wasn’t pleased to see Kyrie leaving, and still don’t agree with his decision to do so. But I respect Kyrie’s business decision to seek the optimal business opportunity for his personal brand. I have also gained insight into the man for whom he was traded. I have mad respect for I.T. now, and look forward to the time when he is rehabilitated, and in the rotation for Cleveland.

What do I want to see? I want to see a trade, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, and the Net pick from Boston all to the New Orleans Pelicans for Boogie Cousins. I want D. Wade to get a buy out from Chicago, and sign with the Cavs. And I want to see I.T. putting his heart and soul on the line for the Cavs just as he did for the Celtics. Think about that lineup. At the point Isaiah Thomas/D. Rose. At shooting guard D. Wade/J.R. Smith. At center Boogie Cousins/Tristan Thomas. At power forward Kevin Love/Jae Crowder. At small forward Lebron James/Kyle Korver. By the way, you still have Jeff Green, Cedi Osman, Jose Calderon, Richard Jefferson, Ante Zicic, and Kay Felder on the outside of that rotation, looking in. If the Golden State Warriors can handle that, they truly are a super team. Personally, I won’t bet against all that talent, nor against the will and skill of Isaiah Thomas.

Arrogance Nearly Prevailed

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What best exemplifies the arrogance and entitlement surrounding the Golden State Warriors? Steve Kerr as Coach of the Year after coaching half of the regular season? Steph Curry turning away, taunting his opponents upon release, before the shot reaches the basket? Klay Thompson lecturing Lebron James on manhood? The owner, Lacoub’s proclamation that the Warriors are constructed light years ahead of the other NBA franchises? Thrown mouthpieces and kicks to the groin? Ayesha Curry literally biting the hand (NBA) that feeds her? Its difficult to pinpoint one, but when viewed together they make clear the mindset of privilege and superiority. And they almost won.

They almost won because the team is an abundantly talented bunch. Mark Jackson accepts with dignity his exile from coaching them, but the obvious lack of discipline which led to their demise has to at minimum amuse him. He built their cohesion, their confidence, and their focus on the defensive end. He did not instill the swagger, the hubris.

What next for this group? Lebron, Kyrie, and the Cavaliers are the new champions, despite the Warriors’ record number of wins. Not even his parents can argue today that Steph Curry is the better player compared to Lebron with any credibility. So, where do they go from here?

The core of Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green is still intact, and that means they will be very good for years to come. But they won’t be champions. They will contend for sure. Harrison Barnes won’t be around after his miserable shooting, and they will improve at that position. There are questions at the center position, but that’s not been their strongest suit, and isn’t their greatest vulnerability either.

In a post game interview, Russell Westbrook was asked about Steph Curry’s defense, and rather than address the question, he buried his head in his hands, and couldn’t suppress a smile of frustration. After attacking this man at will, he had made errors down the stretch, lost the game, and had to sit and listen to questions about, of all things, the defense of someone he thought he’d demonstrated was weaker and slower. But this was Curry, and these were the Warriors. Until he’d won the series against them, there would always be these perceptions of their superiority. He didn’t beat them.

Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers beat them. Kyrie, in the words of Stephen A. Smith, “…gave Steph Curry the business…” The Cavs forced switches, and when Curry stood between a Cav and the basket, they gleefully, relentlessly went at him. Steph isn’t a bad defender, but he’s not strong enough, quick enough, nor tall enough to dissuade such an onslaught. The world saw it. His opposing NBA guards all saw it. There will be more of the same come next season. It will wear him down, affect his offense, force adjustments which inevitably lead to advantages for his opposition elsewhere.

Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are very talented players, a handful for anyone, and sometimes unstoppable. When Steph isn’t playing like the “…baddest man on the planet…”, they will attempt to take on more of the load. But that won’t get them 73 wins. It won’t get them through the West and to the NBA Finals either. As they lose more games, they will lose more swagger. Their opponents will be more confident, and more determined. Their glory will fade, and they will again be a really good team, but not the best team.

And it almost didn’t happen. They nearly prevailed.