Friday, March 3, 2006

Still Sad Times


Regardless of last night's outcome, this team is in trouble.   As I believe Doug Collins pointed out last night, the Cavs have no identity.  He said there is not one thing this team does exceptionally well.  Granted LeBron does everything well, but as a team we don't excel in rebounding, passing, scoring, whatever..  I mean while an image isn't the most important thing, it still sux that other's view us in this way. 

Now the case against LeBron not wanting the final shot is building as last night showed us a horrendous pass over Anderson's head and hair.  And I don't blame Andy for those missed FT's.  The kid is just not used to that kind of pressure.  But since the King and Andy couldn't step it up, it was the Flipster who took us home.  Between the driving layup with 15 secs left (when you assumed this team was taking a 3) then the final 3 point dagger, I take back my words against Mr. Flip.  Granted he is still an awful shooter, but he brings what this team needs.  Someone who has the balls enough to create plays while not being afraid to take the crucial shots.  Not bad Flip, not bad. 

We shall see what happens, but as Windhorst puts it, Don't ever bet either way on the Cavaliers.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whoa whoa whoa.  Let's lay off the Assasin.  Look, there are two possible paths for a man of his caliber.  

Path 1: Be a ball hog, take all the shots, eventually learn how to pass the ball in the clutch (ie, Jordan- passes to Kerr and Paxson only later in his career in late game situations).  

Path 2: Pass the ball all the time, eventually learn when to take over the game.  This is LeBron.  

Now look, I am not saying that LBJ should pass the ball all the time.  Clearly, he should not.  In fact, he needs to know that when the game reaches a certain situation, its up to him to take over and pass only when his teammate is open and has a very makeable shot (ie, pass to a great jump shooter who has a good look).  But that time will come.  It took Jordan 6-7 years to learn the other way.  I think that's harder to learn, too- you must trust other people and depend on them.  It's harder to execute being a ball hog (ie, making the winner), but its simple to do- just shoot it.  

I say don't worry.  LBJ is not going to change during the season.  Its not what he does.  But in the offseason, he always add something new to his game.  You watch- not only will he shoot tons of FTs, but he is going to watch every late game situation of the past year and learn when he should keep it and when he should pass it.  And I guarentee you that when he does, all this talk about LeBron not being able to make the clutch shot will be all but forgotten, remember only as "wow, did he grow up" kind of joke.  

Anonymous said...

Coughnewcoachcough