Ben Wallace attended shootaround this morning and looked much better...he says he is feeling better from that viral infection in his inner ear, but is still doubtful for Game 3 tonight. Anderson Varejao will get the call in his place.
In the middle of most if not all heated playoff series, are friendships on opposite sides of the ball, such is the case with Joe Smith and Kevin Garnett, who along with Wally Szczerbiak, played together for four years together in Minnesota. Joe and KG forged a bond that is just as strong today as it was then...something that has to be put aside when they are dueling each other, trying to get to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Joe and Kevin also have a little ritual when they see each other, a quick hug and a tap of each other’s tattoo, to honor their fallen teammate from the T-Wolves, the late, Malik Sealy. In 10 days, it will be eight years to the day, since Sealy was leaving KG’s birthday party, when his life was senselessly taken by a drunk driver going the wrong way on a suburban Minneapolis freeway. Thus, Joe had a tattoo placed on his right forearm, which reads, “Only God can judge me, rest in peace MS 2 (Sealy’s number)." Soon after, Kevin joined Joe with his own tattoo honoring their close friend, who died at the age of 30.
On a side note, the driver who served a four year prison term as a result of that accident, was recently arrested on suspicion of drunk driving again in Minnesota, and has been sentenced to an even longer prison term...a sobering reminder for us all.
See you tonight on FSN Ohio, for Cavaliers Live at 7:30.
Showing posts with label Ben Wallace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Wallace. Show all posts
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ring the Bell...
Ring the bell to start round 3, Cavs and Wizards. This is a rivalry because of intense playoff competition, especially two years ago, in one of the best series I can ever recall.
So, naturally these teams will get after it. DeShawn Stevenson and Gilbert Arenas' comments only add fuel to the fire. Ben Wallace was asked about it in which he replied..."It's time to put up or shut up...talking never wins any game I've ever played in."
Mike Brown said if his guys have to be motivated by bulletin board material then they don't belong in the playoffs. In other words, his guys are focused on what's on the floor, not off it.
LeBron chuckled at Gilbert's "we want Cleveland" mantra, adding he's actually surprised by the tameness of Agent Zero's blog, adding, "that's not as bad as he can get...and I know Gilbert well." King James motivates himself and doesn't need "he's overrated" bravado from Stevenson to kick his game up a notch.
His dual with the Wizards two guard will be fun to watch because of the ability of this defensive stopper. Some guys make the individual challenge personal, thus disrupting themselves and their team, but LBJ is too team oriented to let that happen. Stevenson by the way has to be guarded at the other end. He finished the season strong outside the 3-line.
LeBron says his back is not 100%, but then conceded this is April. In other words, every player is banged up to a point and he does not anticipate sitting out any games.
See you tomorrow at Noon on FSN Ohio and WUAB channel-43!
So, naturally these teams will get after it. DeShawn Stevenson and Gilbert Arenas' comments only add fuel to the fire. Ben Wallace was asked about it in which he replied..."It's time to put up or shut up...talking never wins any game I've ever played in."
Mike Brown said if his guys have to be motivated by bulletin board material then they don't belong in the playoffs. In other words, his guys are focused on what's on the floor, not off it.
LeBron chuckled at Gilbert's "we want Cleveland" mantra, adding he's actually surprised by the tameness of Agent Zero's blog, adding, "that's not as bad as he can get...and I know Gilbert well." King James motivates himself and doesn't need "he's overrated" bravado from Stevenson to kick his game up a notch.
His dual with the Wizards two guard will be fun to watch because of the ability of this defensive stopper. Some guys make the individual challenge personal, thus disrupting themselves and their team, but LBJ is too team oriented to let that happen. Stevenson by the way has to be guarded at the other end. He finished the season strong outside the 3-line.
LeBron says his back is not 100%, but then conceded this is April. In other words, every player is banged up to a point and he does not anticipate sitting out any games.
See you tomorrow at Noon on FSN Ohio and WUAB channel-43!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Sound the Bell...
Get ready for Round 2 of the Cavs and Pistons, with two more to follow...and then perhaps they will meet again in May. There is no love lost here on either side for obvious reasons. It will be intriguing to see how the Ben Wallace factor plays in. Ben, better than anyone, knows what makes the Pistons tick, and vice versa. Ben has only lost once in the regular season to the team loaded with his closest friends. He says these games will always be special because of the battles they went through together.
Z had an interesting take on the rivalry, saying there is "a lot of BS" that goes back and forth and as a player if you get caught up in the grudges, it will take you out of your game.
The Pistons have their best bench in years, certainly since the championship year of '04 when Corliss Williamson, Mehmet Okur, Mike James and Lindsey Hunter provided 29 points a game and defensive energy. This group is even more youthful.
The most amazing aspect of the Pistons current run is their durability. Think about this...in the 4 and a half years since Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups have been together, the team has played in 420 regular season and playoff games. Combined, that quartet has played in 96 percent of those games, a rarity for four starters.
That kind of number speaks volumes about LeBron, Ben and Z's durability as well. Over that same period, King James and big Ben have also played in 96 percent of their games and Z, 95 percent. It's the difference between good teams becoming great, just ask the resilient San Antonio Spurs about that.
Z had an interesting take on the rivalry, saying there is "a lot of BS" that goes back and forth and as a player if you get caught up in the grudges, it will take you out of your game.
The Pistons have their best bench in years, certainly since the championship year of '04 when Corliss Williamson, Mehmet Okur, Mike James and Lindsey Hunter provided 29 points a game and defensive energy. This group is even more youthful.
The most amazing aspect of the Pistons current run is their durability. Think about this...in the 4 and a half years since Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups have been together, the team has played in 420 regular season and playoff games. Combined, that quartet has played in 96 percent of those games, a rarity for four starters.
That kind of number speaks volumes about LeBron, Ben and Z's durability as well. Over that same period, King James and big Ben have also played in 96 percent of their games and Z, 95 percent. It's the difference between good teams becoming great, just ask the resilient San Antonio Spurs about that.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Complementing Each Other Well...
Even if it is for only 21 hours, its nice to catch some sun in Orlando. LeBron looked out the window today during brunch and asked..."What is that orange thing in the sky?"
A nice turn of events was a real night's sleep here which is a far cry from the last trip in. Back on February 11th we had to fly in the day of the game and yet came up with one of the most impressive wins of the season. This game will decide the season series and tie breaker. The Magic lead the Cavs in the loss columm by 5 games with 14to play.
The Cavs 118-111 win was punctuated by the brief benching of Dwight Howard in the 4th quarter with the Cavs up 7, when Stan Van Gundy was not happy with something Howard said on the floor. He then took his star to task after the game saying the big man is thinking too much about his offense and gets too frustrated. Van Gundy added he needs the NBA's rebounding leader to concentrate on getting defensive boards and worry about offense 2nd. Since that game, Howard is averaging 14 and a half boards a game, and got 24 the very next game against Denver. this will be the Cavs first look at the Magic since the big trade.
Big Z and Ben Wallace with play their 5th game together tonight. Ben is averaging 10 rebounds with Zydrunas along side. Likewise for Z, with 10 a game on the glass in those four, but tonigh is a tough cover with Howard and Turkoglu playing so well.
See you on St. Patty’s Day coverage on FSN...
A nice turn of events was a real night's sleep here which is a far cry from the last trip in. Back on February 11th we had to fly in the day of the game and yet came up with one of the most impressive wins of the season. This game will decide the season series and tie breaker. The Magic lead the Cavs in the loss columm by 5 games with 14to play.
The Cavs 118-111 win was punctuated by the brief benching of Dwight Howard in the 4th quarter with the Cavs up 7, when Stan Van Gundy was not happy with something Howard said on the floor. He then took his star to task after the game saying the big man is thinking too much about his offense and gets too frustrated. Van Gundy added he needs the NBA's rebounding leader to concentrate on getting defensive boards and worry about offense 2nd. Since that game, Howard is averaging 14 and a half boards a game, and got 24 the very next game against Denver. this will be the Cavs first look at the Magic since the big trade.
Big Z and Ben Wallace with play their 5th game together tonight. Ben is averaging 10 rebounds with Zydrunas along side. Likewise for Z, with 10 a game on the glass in those four, but tonigh is a tough cover with Howard and Turkoglu playing so well.
See you on St. Patty’s Day coverage on FSN...
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Must See TV!
We’ll all be filled with curiosity not only tonight, but for remaining two months of the regular season and beyond, to see how the new Cavaliers meld with the rest.
No one knows how quickly, from Danny Ferry and Mike Brown to the new guys themselves...chemistry on and off the floor is an elusive carrot that every team chases.
In Detroit and San Antonio, the corporate blueprint has been the road map...and in Cleveland, the Cavs' version is being crafted...and it's around LeBron James and Mike Brown's defense.
I think Ben Wallace will thrive in this system, which demands paint protection. Ben is still a dominant off-the-ball defender, and in his first practice session looked lively. For those in Chicago, who overpaid in the first place, the expectation of the man known as “Body” to score is unrealistic. Ben was most successful under Larry Brown, when he got a few low post touches to keep defenses honest. The rest was typical Ben dirty work, which he thrives on...rebounds, blocks, and toughness.
The Cavs now have three of the top 16 offensive rebounders in the NBA in Ben, Zydrunas and Anderson. Joe Smith, for a 4th big is no slouch either.
Mike is still toying with different starting combinations tonight, and as the game goes on, will work combos by feel.
I’m really interested in watching Delonte West. He will bring a different kind of perimeter defense than Larry Hughes. Like Larry, he is long, just not as big…while Larry was more of a passing lane defender and could guard big 2’s. Delonte is a ball pressure battler...it’s how assistant coach, Michael Malone spotted him as a high school junior outside DC. Michael, who was an assistant at Manhattan College in New York, was scouting another player from Delonte’s high school when he was mesmerized by a feisty left handed guard, who refused to back down and never stopped. Michael eventually told Delonte, you will play in the NBA some day if you continue this work ethic. For the longest time, Manhattan was the only scholarship offer Delonte received until St. Joe’s of Philly came along.
Must see TV tonight on FSN Ohio…see you then!
No one knows how quickly, from Danny Ferry and Mike Brown to the new guys themselves...chemistry on and off the floor is an elusive carrot that every team chases.
In Detroit and San Antonio, the corporate blueprint has been the road map...and in Cleveland, the Cavs' version is being crafted...and it's around LeBron James and Mike Brown's defense.
I think Ben Wallace will thrive in this system, which demands paint protection. Ben is still a dominant off-the-ball defender, and in his first practice session looked lively. For those in Chicago, who overpaid in the first place, the expectation of the man known as “Body” to score is unrealistic. Ben was most successful under Larry Brown, when he got a few low post touches to keep defenses honest. The rest was typical Ben dirty work, which he thrives on...rebounds, blocks, and toughness.
The Cavs now have three of the top 16 offensive rebounders in the NBA in Ben, Zydrunas and Anderson. Joe Smith, for a 4th big is no slouch either.
Mike is still toying with different starting combinations tonight, and as the game goes on, will work combos by feel.
I’m really interested in watching Delonte West. He will bring a different kind of perimeter defense than Larry Hughes. Like Larry, he is long, just not as big…while Larry was more of a passing lane defender and could guard big 2’s. Delonte is a ball pressure battler...it’s how assistant coach, Michael Malone spotted him as a high school junior outside DC. Michael, who was an assistant at Manhattan College in New York, was scouting another player from Delonte’s high school when he was mesmerized by a feisty left handed guard, who refused to back down and never stopped. Michael eventually told Delonte, you will play in the NBA some day if you continue this work ethic. For the longest time, Manhattan was the only scholarship offer Delonte received until St. Joe’s of Philly came along.
Must see TV tonight on FSN Ohio…see you then!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
New Faces in Town
An awful lot to digest over the last few hours...six players dealt, with four coming. I think the Cavs have upgraded themselves for this reason: and that is because of how these pieces fit, and how the club retains its financial flexibility to be even better a year from now.
Ben Wallace will be a driving force as always at the defensive end. He's never played with a talent quite like LeBron. He comes full circle, coming back to Cleveland, where it all started for him at Tri-C Metro 15 years ago. You know his pal, Charles Oakley is smiling, since he is the one who led him to Cleveland and then Virginia Union in the first place.
Ben has never played with a talent like LeBron James before, and that's no disrespect to his championship teammates in Detroit. Big Ben allows teammates to gamble on the perimeter. I think he can bring the same kind of edge and toughness that Nate Thurmond brought to town 23 years ago...and Ben is even younger than Nate was at that time.
Wally Szczerbiak flourished with Kevin Garnett for six and a half years, because of all the attention KG drew in Minnesota...he'll get similar open looks with LeBron. Same for Joe Smith...don't fall asleep on this guy, who is still a very accomplished shooter on the baseline and from the elbows.
And Delonte West, whom Dwayne Jones knows so well from their days together at St.Joe's, is a tough-minded guy who will be able to apply ball pressure...plus, he has a knack for blocking shots on help-out.
The gamble here, is of course tinkering with chemistry...but the Cavs culture is well entrenched by now, and the four new guys have been through the battles. Wally and Joe were teammates in Minnesota for three years...so, there is inherent knowledge there.
The most telling statement Danny Ferry made tonight was the current Cavs team was not good enough to win a championship...a move had to be made to upgrade for the short term, still with an eye on the long term. This team, when healthy will be very deep...it will be fascinating to watch things unfold over the next few months, and years for that matter.
Ben Wallace will be a driving force as always at the defensive end. He's never played with a talent quite like LeBron. He comes full circle, coming back to Cleveland, where it all started for him at Tri-C Metro 15 years ago. You know his pal, Charles Oakley is smiling, since he is the one who led him to Cleveland and then Virginia Union in the first place.
Ben has never played with a talent like LeBron James before, and that's no disrespect to his championship teammates in Detroit. Big Ben allows teammates to gamble on the perimeter. I think he can bring the same kind of edge and toughness that Nate Thurmond brought to town 23 years ago...and Ben is even younger than Nate was at that time.
Wally Szczerbiak flourished with Kevin Garnett for six and a half years, because of all the attention KG drew in Minnesota...he'll get similar open looks with LeBron. Same for Joe Smith...don't fall asleep on this guy, who is still a very accomplished shooter on the baseline and from the elbows.
And Delonte West, whom Dwayne Jones knows so well from their days together at St.Joe's, is a tough-minded guy who will be able to apply ball pressure...plus, he has a knack for blocking shots on help-out.
The gamble here, is of course tinkering with chemistry...but the Cavs culture is well entrenched by now, and the four new guys have been through the battles. Wally and Joe were teammates in Minnesota for three years...so, there is inherent knowledge there.
The most telling statement Danny Ferry made tonight was the current Cavs team was not good enough to win a championship...a move had to be made to upgrade for the short term, still with an eye on the long term. This team, when healthy will be very deep...it will be fascinating to watch things unfold over the next few months, and years for that matter.
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