Stalled at 11: Cavs Streak Ends in the ATL

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December 14, 2008

Stalled at 11: Cavs Streak Ends in the ATL

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The last time the Cavs lost a game - way back on November 19th at Detroit - all hell broke loose.

This time around, the Cavs lost a game for the first time against a team that isn't expected to compete for the NBA title. The same could not be said about the first three teams to oust the wine and gold this season: Boston, New Orleans, and Detroit.

But you can't win 'em all. Yes, this loss is going to bring out the critics in full force since it's the first road game against a team over .500 since the Pistons game, which was also the last loss. And although the Cavs were being asked to sweep a stretch of four game in five nights for the second time in two weeks to keep this streak going, Atlanta was also playing their fourth game in five nights.

The Cavaliers were missing starting center Zydrunas Ilgauskas in action for the second straight game, and the results of missing Z have been devastating. The Cavs, one of the extraordinary rebounding teams in all of basketball, were beat on the boards for the second straight night. They were beat by the Sixers, 40-39, on Friday night despite winning the game, but the Hawks took it to them, 40-34, on Saturday.

Sure, Anderson Varejao played well in Z's absence, but sliding Varejao to the starting lineup - combined with Daniel Gibson's injury - really hurt the bench. The unit combined to score all of 11 points, with seven from Sasha Pavlovic and four from Wally Szczerbiak's Expiring Contract. Rookies J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson laid goose eggs, and it's hard to win against anybody when your bench isn't giving you any production.

Varejao put up 11 points and eight boards, which would be superb numbers coming off the pine. Those kinds of numbers from the reserves is what has separated the Cavs from almost the rest of the entire league this season. But they're average coming from a starter, and they're definitely not what you're looking for if you're trying to make a push for the best record in the league.

LeBron James and Mo Williams definitely showed up. Cleveland's trademark 1-2 punch combined for 59 points, with 33 from James and 26 from Williams. But the team really isn't elite without its trademark "Big Three" with Ilgauskas. Still, Williams went toe-to-toe with former Cavalier Attitude mancrush Mike Bibby and outscored the Bibster, 26-24. Bibby, however, led five Hawks in double figures and hit the shot that put the Hawks ahead to stay, 84-83, with 4:40 left to play.

Brotha Redbush: A sick crush in Josh Smith's grill. We're not talkin' poster: We're talking about a full montage. Delonte West went to the left side off the dribble, darted into the lane, and threw down a one-handed smash right in Smith's mug in the first four minutes of the game to tie the game at five. It's good to see a guy other than LeBron making posters for the Cavs, and West certainly may be proving his versatility as the Cavs starting two-guard for not just this year, but the long term.

Play from the starting backcourt of West and Williams certainly has not been cause for concern this season, and it definitely had nothing to do with the Cavs coming up short on Saturday night in the ATL.

The sky is not falling: Cleveland's still 20-4. And they've got Minnesota coming next after three days rest, which is always a good thing. However, after that, they go to Denver, which has always been a tough place for the Cavaliers. Mike Brown's group will need Ilgauskas back for that one, although they'll probably still be without Gibson.

To truly be an elite team, the Cavs are going to have to find ways to come through when key guys are injured. Sure, if LeBron gets hurt, the team is (more often than not) f***ed. But guys like Hickson and Jackson have to step up and at least contribute in some way or another instead of going scoreless to pick up the slack. Just 11 points from the reserves while already having an offensively challenged starter in Ben Wallace to begin with is unacceptable.

Tip for Wednesday night in Minnesota is at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Tags: Anderson Varejao, Atlanta Hawks, Ben Wallace, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, Darnell Jackson, Delonte West, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, J.J. Hickson, LeBron James, Mike Bibby, Mike Brown, Minnesota Timberwolves, Mo Williams, New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Sasha Pavlovic, Wally Szczerbiak's Expiring Contract, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Discussion

15 Comments on "Stalled at 11: Cavs Streak Ends in the ATL"

Posted by Charlie, December 14, 2008 10:24 AM

I agree ... no need to panic. The Cavs were--unfortunately--due for a game like this. It seemed like none of the bounces, calls, or shots would go the Cavs' way when it mattered. Delonte had a particularly tough game, missing a few wide open shots for the tie or lead. Also, I don't think there's any doubt that if we had Z, we win the game.

Two things did worry me a bit though:

1) With the game close & late, LBJ reverted back into his old 1-on-5 habits. Let Mo run the offense. This team has better ball movement, better penetration, more open looks when Mo is allowed to do his thing. It's harder for defenses to react when LBJ is moving off the ball instead of dribbling out by the three point line.

2) No one could stay in front of Joe Johnson in the fourth quarter. He's a great player, so that will happen, but it highlighted the fact that the Cavs' guards are generally weak individual defenders (Delonte being perhaps the only exception). It would be nice to get a defensive stopper to complement all of the shooters in the backcourt.

But for now, just have to shake it off and start a new streak.

Posted by Brett, December 14, 2008 2:12 PM

Thank god this game happened, it shows we still need low post depth, still dont think we should risk chemistry and keep wally? If Z gets hurt for a long time not only may we not get the number one seed, we may not win the finals with out homecourt advantage. We need some depth and we need a strong low post scoring option not just in case but to truely develop the cavs into the historical great we are aspiring. The suns are underachieving look at amare, utah wants ak 47s contract out, look at him, we need a durable scoring option to rest z big ben, if we dont get something soon, i genunely fair another finals (be it eastern conference or the real deal) collapse

Posted by Amar Panchmatia in reply to comment from Brett, December 14, 2008 3:11 PM

I agree, Brett: I'm so glad this game happened. Fans - myself included - were beginning to think that this team walks on water and can't possibly lose again. One or two injuries and BOOM we can't even beat Atlanta on the road. I read a piece by Marc Stein saying that the Cavs are looking to stay put with Szczerbiak's expiring contract to keep the team chemistry in tact. That's dangerous and foolish, because this team clearly has holes that need to be filled if they want to be better than Boston or even the Lakers.

This loss shouldn't prevent the Cavs from winning 60, but if we're thinking championship (which I know we all are), then Ferry really needs to start doing his homework for that one last missing piece.

Posted by Brett, December 14, 2008 4:17 PM

Amar,

Who do you have your eye on if you were to pick a top 3 for potentially available. I really think if the Suns continue to blow it STAT can be had, the question is would it be worth dismantling half our roster, for a guy who wouldn't be happy in Cleveland because of his desire to be "the man". Other than him I don't see anyone as really a clear next level player. I have full faith in Big Ben containing (not shutting down) KG, but I really think we need someone for Garnett to lock down on in order to wear him out for the offensive end. Not only that, but to open up the middle for LeBron, someone who can pull KG out of the middle for drive room. Don't get me wrong Z is great, but he can't play forever, nor can he play the whole game. Just wondering what your thoughts are...
My top three

1)Amare
2)Chris Kaman
3)Kirilinko

I believe guys like Gerald Wallace and Vince Carter would be nice, but unnecessary. I have full faith in Mo Williams in a head to head battle with Rondo, and I believe Ray Allen can be contained by Delonte West. However, I do not want to see LeBron Guarding Paul Pierce, although LeBron is one of the best defenders in the game I really believe that against Boston it will take LeBrons best offensive attack to beat their defense. If we could land a premier perimeter defender, that may be just as useful as a low post scorer.

I don't really know whose available to fit the criteria.

Any ideas?

Posted by Celticsfanatic, December 14, 2008 8:41 PM

I know I am going to get blasted for this but - YAY THE CAVS FINALLY LOST! I will give you this though. Being a Celtics fan, I am more worried about where the Cavs are in our rear-view mirror than the Lakers. In fact, the Cavs might be right next to us, with the Lakers in the rear-view.

Posted by Amar Panchmatia in reply to comment from Brett, December 15, 2008 2:29 AM

The Suns won't move Amare Stoudemire this year, and if they move him next year, it will be in the last year of his contract, so they'll move him for talent instead of expirings. The only talent that the Cavs have on STAT's level is LeBron, and suffice it to say that they aren't trading LeBron for Amare...not even two Amares.

The one guy I've been keeping tabs on is Emeka Okafor. Given the Cavs' defensive identity and commitment on that end of the floor, I think Okafor would fit in nicely as well as be able to give a double double every night. He's a base-year contract player right now, and I know that the Bobcats had their eyes on J.J. Hickson in the draft. And maybe Larry Brown would like to have Ben Wallace back along with his shorter contract that's up in 2010 instead of Okafor's monster deal.

Given Okafor's status as a BYC player, it would be hard to maneuver a deal for him. I, of course, am no GM, but just to get creative and throw a scenario out there, the Cavs can package Wallace, Hickson, and two first-round picks for Okafor and Matt Carroll's bad contract. They can then buy out Carroll and just throw him off the roster.

Another scenario involves trading Anderson Varejao, Darnell Jackson, and two first-round picks for Okafor. The Bobcats were after Varejao last season, and this gives them AV as well as Jackson, two picks, and plenty of cap space.

Again, these are just scenarios, but I think Ferry should be zeroing in on the Bobcats and Okafor. That seems reasonable, and it would be a good fit.

Posted by swiggidy, December 15, 2008 8:25 AM

Wait, this isn't sarcasm? Thought you said the sky wasn't falling...

Posted by John, December 15, 2008 8:32 AM

"Wally Szczerbiak's Expiring Contract."

You aren't Simmons.

Posted by Brett, December 15, 2008 10:32 AM

The sky definitely isn't falling, but it was a good eye opener.

I don't like either of those trades honestly, I only want to get rid of Wally. I think Big Ben and AV are as critical as anyone but LeBron this year. I think trading Hickson would be foolish at this point. Do you think we could throw Charlotte something like; Wally, Eric Snow, either Pavs or Darnell Jackson, and 2 first rounders for Okafor? Or is that not enough talent, I'd probably be OK with Jackson, Hickson, Snow, and a 1st round but I'd be bummed about seeing Hickson go.

#10

Posted by swiggidy, December 15, 2008 11:11 AM

This has been said many times

1) z is out
2) gibson is out
3) 4 games in 5 days
4) 2nd of a back to back
5) road game vs team that plays great at home

We have a chance to win at the buzzer. How does this indicate the Cavs have holes (plural?). Take away one of those 5 and this is a close win, instead of a loss.

Guess what, sometimes basketball teams lose games. If we lose to Minnesota or get blown out by Denver or Houston it would be much more notable then this loss.

#11

Posted by Frank, December 15, 2008 2:41 PM

That loss makes me so angry I might curb-stomp someone.

#12

Posted by Brett, December 15, 2008 3:05 PM

Swiggidy,

Your failing to realize my point. I am saying we are very different team when those guys are out and we need more options in-case any of our top scorers are out.

#13

Posted by swiggidy, December 15, 2008 5:51 PM

My point is name the teams that can lose their #2 option, and their 6th man and still be very competitive.

The spurs played 500 basketball with parker and ginobli out. The Lakers would still be tough without Gasol, but not dominant. The Celtics looked human without Allen playing well and he's arguably their 3rd option.

Rosters just aren't deep enough to handle 2 significant injuries. COULD we be better? Sure, but losing to the Hawks on Saturday did not "expose" the Cavs weakness as a lack of depth, in my opinion.

#14

Posted by Brett, December 15, 2008 7:20 PM

Your comment is exposing the complacent mindset of a cleveland fan. Lets face it, the celtics are better than the cavs. Z wouldn't even be a number 2 option on any of the other teams you've mentioned, yet he is ours. With the spurs hes at the highest number four, with the celtics hes at the highest number 5 and with the lakers hes at the highest number 3. Simply put the fact that Z is our number 2 guy scares me, the sky is not falling on the cavs your correct, but the cavs current sky has a limit, and I have very good reason to believe its not an NBA championship just yet. Fortunately Wally's contract can turn into a LEGITIMATE number 2 option to make the possibilities for the cavs endless, and only because LeBron is THAT good.

#15

Posted by Phi, December 16, 2008 3:48 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-marion121508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

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