Andrew wrote:Damn, that's certainly going to add to the challenge. Pretty amusing that the game didn't acknowledge it by having him do the post-game interview though. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather just go back to the locker room now."
Phil89 wrote:It's a shame that you lost Kyrie for such a long period of time, especially after you started the season so well.
Nice presentation btw
Following the injury to Kyrie Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers immediately had a free agent workout day while we reported the injury. General Manager David Griffin, before even the information came about Irving's injury got busy. Yesterday the Cavaliers hosted Georgia Tech alumni, Jarrett Jack. They reportedly called former Cavalier Mo Williams, who declined wishing to stay retired. Current off-and-on TNT analyst, Nate Robinson also was invited to the workout. The final two invited was former LeBron teammates, Mario Chalmers and Toney Douglas.
After a report from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, the Cavaliers were apparently leaning heavy after the workout to sign Jarrett Jack after his great 3-point show out, and Griffin's like for him playing off the ball with LeBron and mixing well when Kyrie returns. However, from what Smith reported, LeBron disagreed and wanted Chalmers who undoubtedly was more proven with his championship history with LeBron. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers officially released the young big man, Edy Tavares yesterday. And announced late yesterday that not only have they signed free agent Mario Chalmers to a one-year minimum deal, but the league has also allowed Chalmers to play tonight in Philadelphia!
So far only Coach Lue has commented on the change. "He [Chalmers] makes a great addition to this already great team," Coach Lue said, "I don't see how we don't improve with him here, even after Kyrie returns."
It was a wild night for the defending NBA Champions going their first game without PPG leader and All-Star point guard, Kyrie Irving. After multiple reports of the LeBron James influence on the Cleveland Cavaliers, the end result was a replacement and new backup guard: Mario Chalmers into the lineup. Also, tonight was a night of LeBron putting distance between his career points and the legend of Wilt Chamberlain who he passed recently.
The Cavaliers opened the game hot scoring 20 points in a blur before the 76ers could even score 10. LeBron started the game 3-4 hitting 3 free throws in his two trips to the line. One of the reason for the hot start, outside of LeBron's quick start to the game, was actually Joel Embiid having early foul trouble. Embiid couldn't play 6 minutes before having to be pulled from the rest of the 1st. With his exit, the 76ers were at the mercy of LeBron who began dishing assists to Korver, Love, and Deron. The 76ers caught up however when backup forward and center Richaun Holmes caught fire and scored his 7 game points in the first. The first ended with the Cavaliers up 8 points, with a 31-23 lead.
Throughout the game, Richaun gave the Cavaliers fits as he also began the 2nd and began dishing like LeBron with his time there on the court, finishing the game with 6 assists. With Holmes holding the fort until Embiid came back, the scoring load began to fall on the backup center, Jahlil Okafor for the Sixers. Posting up, catching off the cut, Okafor offensively really held the team and got them closer and closer. This was when Coach Lue had enough and put LeBron back into the game. LeBron began playing point as he dished the ball to shooters increasing the Cavs lead. Kevin Love really came alive here with LeBron's assists as he scored 6 of his 17 points. LeBron himself finished with 25 points, 7 assists, and 9 rebounds.
The game came to the wire until JoJo [Embiid] began his dominance. Having foul trouble all night allowed an ease to the rim for the Cavaliers and allowed their lead to improve. However, midway through the fourth, Embiid began defending the rim to legendary proportions. He recorded both of his blocks in the 4th, and in turn scored on the other end in turn. Embiid showcased his potential as he single-handedly leads the 76ers in the final run putting the Cavaliers away. For that reason, as far as we're concerned, he was tonight's player of the game finishing with 16 points and 9 boards.
Reporters: "LeBron, tonight being the first game without Kyrie, it appeared there were hiccups that came out of not having him in regards to the offense slowing down. Coach Ty seems to think, despite the loss, seems to be okay with the overall performance. How do you feel about tonight's offensive bumps?"
LBJ: "Yeah, well we miss Kyrie. That's for sure. There is no getting around us not having him and we need to adjust accordingly. There's always good that can come out of the bad though, and tonight we did a great job executing for two and a half quarters. Now down the stretch, obviously a lot of our offense runs through me and Kyrie usually, so it was sluggish trying to get other guys used to the increased role. All three of our possessions weren't terrible, from the three Channing missed to the drive Kev made that drew the foul right as Joel went on that run. We had some good execution of the gameplan, but there were other plays where this team obviously wasn't used to missing one of our guys. That's on me. I will do better in the next game to lead them more in the fourth. We will clean it up, but tonight was a great learning experience for us. It was good for us to have this game now."
Reporters: "LeBron, tonight saw the debut of Mario Chalmers for you guys. Now there is a report that you had a big hand-"
LBJ: "Yeah, I saw that. It's not true. I don't know where Stephen A. heard that, but it's not true. It's trash. I'm a player here, I'm not the general manager. Grif deserves more credit for his decisions and role. Like I said, the report is trash, just something to give sports heads something to watch. 'Rio is going to be great for us, and that's all there really is to say about that."
Reporters: "Tonight saw a great run from Joel, that you mentioned, starting with a block on Love. Did you feel that was goaltending?"
LBJ: "Yeah, you saw me talking to the refs didn't you? That's what I was talking about. You heard it. Boom, boom. That's not- it was clear what that was."
Reporters: "You also ran into him a few times with screens and going inside. What were your impressions of him?"
LBJ: "Yeah, he's a big boy. Him and Okafor as well, they got two beasts down in the low post. Tonight also will probably have a lot of NBA fans put some 'respect' on Holmes' name. Now it's only waiting, as a Sixers fan, until they get Ben back for them. They got some really good talent."
Reporters: "It seems the Phili fans were a lot more excited tonight than in the past. Did you feel that?"
LBJ: "They're really excited about their young guys. Their draft picks are finally turning around, with the exception of Ben, but he'll get back. Coach Brown has done an exceptional job. That was made more obvious with their win tonight."
Reporters: "Deron Williams had a rough night tonight starting to replace Kyrie, shooting 0-6 from three especially. Do you get on him for that?"
LBJ: "Absolutely not. It's a make or miss league at times. Tonight I missed 4 wide open threes myself, and D-Will gave us a great chance there with six minutes to go hitting the mid over Bayless and the rebound which led us to the break. He had a rough night, but you can never let that deter you from how you affect the game. D-Will did that tonight."
Joy: "Following another win by the Warriors, they have started off at a scorching hot six and oh start. Skip Bayless, how much credit does Kevin Durant's departure have with the Warriors' great start and do you feel this validates Kevin Durant's decision?"
Skip: "Well let me start off by saying what I said when Durant left, and even after Rus's big FIFTY POINT triple-double against the Warriors last week. I feel Kevin Durant made the right decision leaving Oklahoma City. Now, before I get started on if KD's decision helped the Warrior's get their hot start, let me get into why I feel Kevin Durant made the BEST basketball decision of his life! Last week we talked about after that momentous night by Rus, which Shannon and I both thought he would have, and I said then that will be the typical response from Russell Westbrook. He put up great numbers, but he took THIRTY-THREE shots! He played an excellent game, and don't get me wrong about that, but Kevin Durant would have been at Russell Westbrook's mercy of when he can and cannot get the ball in OKC! That is what Kevin Durant walked away from, and I can't blame him! Now on to the Warriors' hot start. I know how hot that last year's Warriors were, but man, has Kevin Durant ARRIVED in Golden State! I mean yeah his points per game aren't as impressive at twenty-six points, but then you look over the rest of his box score and there isn't anything the guy ISN'T doing! In the past, I've talked about how I feel Kevin Durant has come to just be apart of the gang in Golden State, but on the court, he has taken over! These first six games of the regular season, Kevin Durant has played possessed. He's played angry in ways I'm not sure I've ever seen him play! In the past, we have criticized him for lacking on the defensive end? Not anymore! He's average two blocks and two steals a game! Also, might I add, before you get started Shannon, as a big Kevin Durant fan - I'm very happy to see him play this way so far night-after-night! It's been something to even really beat-out the 'so-called' King out East who couldn't even beat Philadelphia without the real hero, Kyrie Irving!"
Shannon: "C'mon Skip! This topic has nothing to do with LeBron! You and I both know LeBron is taking breaks to get his team, ONCE AGAIN, back to the Finals!"
Skip: "Well he better pick up his play with Kyrie having a broken ankle."
Shannon: "Oh don't you worry about the King, Skip. The King will come in and just give a nice 27 points, 9-10 rebounds, and give you 8-10 assists and still rest his way to the Playoffs! But I digress, Skip. So far this season, Kevin Durant truly has played in the top tier in the League. The most interesting thing about this Skip, however, is that the Warriors are doing more talking now with Durant than they ever did without him!"
Skip: "Yep."
Shannon: "They always used to say they 'let our play speak for itself.' The question of does Durant help better the Warriors - of course, it does! Let's not kid ourselves, Skip. They are the favorites in the league. You mentioned the game against OKC, and as we pointed out then, Westbrook averaged FIFTY-ONE POINTS and had TEN and TEN, Skip! And even with those numbers, the Thunder STILL lost! This team is something amazing and looks on pace to be historic like last year's Warriors were. I don't know if this 'validates' Durant's decision, as I think only a 'chip will do that, but it is impressive. But don't you worry Skip, I'm confident LeBron will have something to say about that!"
Andrew wrote:Good pickup in the wake of the injury!
The woes keep on coming for the defending champions as now on top of Kyrie Irving's broken ankle, J.R. "Swish" is now also out with a broken toe. From the Cavaliers' reports, Smith injured his toe during a grueling practice. Following the practice, Coach Ty Lue has apparently decided to soften up his practice regimen considering the practice schedule perhaps culprit of these injuries. The Cavaliers have the depth to counter his injury with Kyle Korver, Shumpert, & Richard Jefferson able to step into his role, but the injuries back-to-back must be devastating for the morale of that locker room and front office. Hopefully, the Cavaliers can prevent further injuries down the line and gets out of this bad luck.
The scene in Cleveland was amazing following the unfortunate news of J.R. Smith going down earlier today. The Cavaliers seemed to have the injuries in mind and just dominated the game from the jump. To put in perspective how this game truly was, All-Star Power Forward, Kevin Love had 24 points before the 1st even ended and the entire Hawks' team, they could barely score 11. Yeah, it was that kind of day for your Cleveland Cavaliers. Love finished the game as the undisputed player of the game with 31 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, and 2 stls on 13-19 FGs and 3-6 from 3. He was having the game in his hands the entire time he was on the floor. Fans have been clamoring for "Minnesota" Love, well they got that tonight.
The man dishing him the ball? That was none other than LeBron James. LeBron started the game off slow, but by the 3rd, he already racked up his triple-double. The game was never in doubt, however, LeBron put up an impressive 23, 13, & 10 to add on 2 stls and 1 blk. That was also an efficient night for the King on 8-15 FGs.
For the Hawks, it was, unfortunately, a pedestrian showing by most of the roster. Tim Hardaway really led the team with an inefficient 16 pts on 33% shooting. The game was a mess for the Hawks and they really look to be miles away from their last year ECF opponent.
Andrew wrote:I'd say you made the right call in terms of the story, what with his history with LeBron and the championship teams in Miami. Hopefully it works out while Kyrie is on the shelf.
cavs4872 wrote:Yep, Chalmers was the right call given his history with LeBron (good or bad ).
Andrew wrote:Jeez, another tough break. Anyone waiting in the wings (i.e. free agent pool) this time?
Reporters: "You didn't seem to start the game off too well, not making a shot in the second, and getting only six points in the first, is that something that bothers you?"
LBJ: "Nah! We started the game off extremely well with Kev taking over the offense. We didn't need me to score too much and when the Hawks began their comeback in the third, I took over then. But it was a spectacular game for Kev. Tonight I think I actually did a better job playing defensively as I have the last few games. I felt like I did a better job playing one-on-one defense and really containing my guy while my offense wasn't going. That I also feel was easier as all my guys were picking up defensively with us being short-handed."
Reporters: "Today the news spread across the NBA with another injury you guys have had with J.R. Smith. How has that impacted this game tonight?"
LBJ: "Well, it really hurt with Swish going down. J.R. is such a valuable three-point shooter and offensive weapon for us, so losing a guy like him always hurts. We're a deep team though, and just like Kyrie going down, we have a deep enough team to hold the fort until he gets back. With guys like Kyle, Channing, Shump, and R.J. we are really next guy up. Still, can't wait to get J.R. back."
Reporters: "Tonight you guys dominated a team that last year you faced for the Eastern Conference Finals. What have you noticed changed about them from that year to this? Were they a different team on the floor, or?"
LBJ: "Yes and no. They were obviously off tonight, but that team always- Coach does a great job keeping those guys moving. They do a great job moving and keeping the ball moving. I think they just had an off-night tonight and with their first game facing Kyle instead of having him on their side probably was a difficult game for them. Defensively they still played a decent game tonight, and they are a good team. By the end of the day, end of the regular season, they'll be right there in the playoffs."
WASHINGTON, DC -- Another guard bites the dust for Cleveland during their 123-115 win over the Washington Wizards. During the game, landing wrong, Iman Shumpert twisted his ankle causing the Cavs to once again go back to the drawing board on who will be playing in the immediate sense. The fortunate news, if you can say fortunate, is that the injury appears to be minor and doctors only advise a few days off from the game.
Nonetheless, with this injury, the Cavaliers are short on guards. Looking for the short term, the Cavs will be using the next two days to open another free agency camp to get a replacement player. More news to come as we are updated.
Andrew wrote:I like the idea of bringing in a veteran. Neal might be the best option, having a similar game to J.R. Smith in terms of being a long-range gunner.
LeBron James youngest player to 27,000 points
by Chris Smoove, Youtube
Nov 12, 2016
Cavaliers' Boxscore
LeBron James becomes the youngest player in NBA history to score twenty-seven thousand points after a monumental triple-double against the Wizards. It's another milestone for LeBron James. Kobe Bryant was thirty-two years old when he got the twenty-seven K, LeBron did it at thirty-one!
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