There are so many plays in Game 7 and in this series that players, coaches, you fans, and us broadcasters will replay over and over again. That means one thing: two teams a micro-fiber difference between each other.
As Delonte said best...there were few dry eyes in the locker room, because they knew as a group they had given every ounce of themselves. Especially for a 24-year-old point guard and a 23-year-old superstar, it means using that heartache of what just happened to sharpen their tools even more.
LeBron expressed his pride in what he and his teammates did in the postseason. They are in very good company, with outstanding teams who could not make it to the final 4.
To borrow a phrase from Dan Gilbert, at this stage it's all about inches...for the Cavs organization as a whole and for the players and coaches. Keep finding a way to improve every single aspect. It's the thirst to get better and keeping that single-minded goal of winning a championship that drives everyone.
As LeBron said so well..."We need to get better"..and this team will.
So, trust that there are even better days ahead...that's why as a fan, while I'm sure you feel that hurt too, you have to know we are very early in this ride. This was a speed bump.
And look at it this way...a new opportunity will come again, starting in only five months. And I can't wait.
Showing posts with label Delonte West. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delonte West. Show all posts
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Buzz Around Boston
Boston is a buzz of activity...not only Cavs-Celtics Game 5, but the scene of a movie...Rob Lowe and crew have been shooting for over a month here...a new romantic comedy entitled "This Side of the Truth" which also stars Jennifer Garner and Tina Fey. It's about a town that has never had anyone who has lied...hmmmm...sounds like those predictions of a Celtics series win may be exposed!
Delonte West is good to go, despite a scratched left cornea which he thinks he suffered around Game 3, but he's not even sure it happened during the game. He's been to an eye specialist to make sure all is well and all he knows is he had trouble keeping his eye open during Game 4...but with both eyes open this morning at shoot around he said there's nothing wrong with hands and feet, so, no excuses. The pre game fireworks and smoke bother him, so he will stay in the locker room with Ben Wallace during intros to avoid the haze. I asked him if this is what the term "Dead eye shooter" means...Delonte laughed and shook his head.
There is a lot of skepticism in Beantown if you listen to the local talk shows...some doubt I think has crept into Celtic nation...atleast a serious case of the nerves. It's called 0-5 on the road in the postseason and the weight of championship expectation in this town, including the marketing campaign of "Green 17"...as in a 17th championship. The Cavs, however, all believe the pressure is on both teams, not just the Celtics because of what is at stake, in now what is a best of three series.
See you on Cavaliers Live at 7:30 on FSN...
Delonte West is good to go, despite a scratched left cornea which he thinks he suffered around Game 3, but he's not even sure it happened during the game. He's been to an eye specialist to make sure all is well and all he knows is he had trouble keeping his eye open during Game 4...but with both eyes open this morning at shoot around he said there's nothing wrong with hands and feet, so, no excuses. The pre game fireworks and smoke bother him, so he will stay in the locker room with Ben Wallace during intros to avoid the haze. I asked him if this is what the term "Dead eye shooter" means...Delonte laughed and shook his head.
There is a lot of skepticism in Beantown if you listen to the local talk shows...some doubt I think has crept into Celtic nation...atleast a serious case of the nerves. It's called 0-5 on the road in the postseason and the weight of championship expectation in this town, including the marketing campaign of "Green 17"...as in a 17th championship. The Cavs, however, all believe the pressure is on both teams, not just the Celtics because of what is at stake, in now what is a best of three series.
See you on Cavaliers Live at 7:30 on FSN...
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Atmosphere in Boston
The atmosphere tonight will be much the same as Game 1...highly intense! Joe Smith noticed a difference in the atmosphere, in his first taste of a round 2 game.
As good as the atmosphere was in Washington, it was even louder in Boston...part of that is the function of being in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. But this is a very knowledgeable fan base, even though there is a generation of fans who know nothing about the banners, other than hearing about them from their parents, and looking up at the ceiling of the TD Banknorth Garden.
Expect things to get even scrappier in Game 2...Delonte West says he loves those kinds of games. He already had games of 19 and 20 against his former mates during the regular season...one with the Cavs, and one with the Sonics.
Mike Brown says, as always, his guys must stay ready, including Devin Brown, who did not play in Game 1...those minutes went to Sasha, who I thought gave the team a lift. Sasha talks more these days about wanting to establish his defense first, and rebound, then worry about his offense. He says before he enters the game, he’s thinking D from the start...perhaps a different approach from his earlier days as a Cavalier.
Devin, as you may know wears New Balance shoes, a rarity for an NBA player as most guys wear Nike, Reebok or Adidas. In fact, for years, players on all 30 teams have made the in-season migration to Nike for apparel when teams visit Portland...a bus is usually needed to take everyone to the company campus. Devin was asked when the bus is going to New Balance on this trip to New England, since their headquarters are here...Devin laughed of course, since he would be the only one on that bus, as a loyal wearer of the shoe.
See you tonight on FSN...join us at 6:30 for Cavaliers Live.
As good as the atmosphere was in Washington, it was even louder in Boston...part of that is the function of being in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. But this is a very knowledgeable fan base, even though there is a generation of fans who know nothing about the banners, other than hearing about them from their parents, and looking up at the ceiling of the TD Banknorth Garden.
Expect things to get even scrappier in Game 2...Delonte West says he loves those kinds of games. He already had games of 19 and 20 against his former mates during the regular season...one with the Cavs, and one with the Sonics.
Mike Brown says, as always, his guys must stay ready, including Devin Brown, who did not play in Game 1...those minutes went to Sasha, who I thought gave the team a lift. Sasha talks more these days about wanting to establish his defense first, and rebound, then worry about his offense. He says before he enters the game, he’s thinking D from the start...perhaps a different approach from his earlier days as a Cavalier.
Devin, as you may know wears New Balance shoes, a rarity for an NBA player as most guys wear Nike, Reebok or Adidas. In fact, for years, players on all 30 teams have made the in-season migration to Nike for apparel when teams visit Portland...a bus is usually needed to take everyone to the company campus. Devin was asked when the bus is going to New Balance on this trip to New England, since their headquarters are here...Devin laughed of course, since he would be the only one on that bus, as a loyal wearer of the shoe.
See you tonight on FSN...join us at 6:30 for Cavaliers Live.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Keep Your Composure
I would not be surprised to see Game 2 called a little bit tighter, given the intensity and physical nature of Game 1.
Delonte West says it's not hard to keep your composure because of the heavy fines the league will dole out. The consequences of one's actions he says are always in the back of every player's mind.
I look for three things tonight...LeBron to attack the rim even more, Gilbert Arenas to play more minutes and Caron Butler to take more than 10 shots.
See you tonight on FSN at 6:30...
Delonte West says it's not hard to keep your composure because of the heavy fines the league will dole out. The consequences of one's actions he says are always in the back of every player's mind.
I look for three things tonight...LeBron to attack the rim even more, Gilbert Arenas to play more minutes and Caron Butler to take more than 10 shots.
See you tonight on FSN at 6:30...
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Final Two Games
It’s down to two, Philly tonight and Detroit on Wednesday. We’ll be keeping tabs on the Wizards and the Pacers tonight on FSN.
The Sixers still have 6-7 seed business to tend to. Toronto has the edge with the tie breaker here and finishes with Miami and Chicago, so they are in the driver’s seat.
The Cavs will face a team tonight which has a lethal fast break. Philly is tops in the East and 3rd best in the NBA in fastbreak points. Many times you will see them go all 94 feet with only two passes. However, the other night, Washington made shots which slowed them down. In fact, the 76ers were 1-15 from the floor in the 4th quarter.
This is always a special road game for Delonte, since his college memories all came here at St. Joseph’s. It’s actually where he first met Eric Snow, when E was playing with the 76ers. The left hander comes in playing his best ball of the season.
Delonte is averaging 15 points a game over his last 7 games, knocking down half of his 3 point attempts.
See you tonight on FSN.
The Sixers still have 6-7 seed business to tend to. Toronto has the edge with the tie breaker here and finishes with Miami and Chicago, so they are in the driver’s seat.
The Cavs will face a team tonight which has a lethal fast break. Philly is tops in the East and 3rd best in the NBA in fastbreak points. Many times you will see them go all 94 feet with only two passes. However, the other night, Washington made shots which slowed them down. In fact, the 76ers were 1-15 from the floor in the 4th quarter.
This is always a special road game for Delonte, since his college memories all came here at St. Joseph’s. It’s actually where he first met Eric Snow, when E was playing with the 76ers. The left hander comes in playing his best ball of the season.
Delonte is averaging 15 points a game over his last 7 games, knocking down half of his 3 point attempts.
See you tonight on FSN.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Delonte At His Best. . .
Hats off to Delonte West, or should we say head band off to the Cavs point guard who came up with his best Cavalier effort. He told FSN's Jeff Phelps he thought there were no more head bands left, so he went without one against the 76ers...maybe he'll be sans the head garb again after this performance.
Delonte has always viewed himself as a shooter, so, knocking down big shots is what he expects to do. In this game he did not hesitate taking them, or setting up others as he became aggressive. He says it's still an adjustment to being so open, playing with LeBron James, but LeBron has encouraged Delonte all along to take those open looks and not think about it.
How about his chase down block of Andre Miller. He's showing the shot blocking skills we saw in Boston. He has impeccable timing for a guy at his position to get those swats...
A day off for the guys, then back to practice tomorrow before leaving for Charlotte. See you Wednesday night on FSN...
Delonte has always viewed himself as a shooter, so, knocking down big shots is what he expects to do. In this game he did not hesitate taking them, or setting up others as he became aggressive. He says it's still an adjustment to being so open, playing with LeBron James, but LeBron has encouraged Delonte all along to take those open looks and not think about it.
How about his chase down block of Andre Miller. He's showing the shot blocking skills we saw in Boston. He has impeccable timing for a guy at his position to get those swats...
A day off for the guys, then back to practice tomorrow before leaving for Charlotte. See you Wednesday night on FSN...
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Running the Point
Delonte West sat at the end of the scorer's table this morning after shootaround and exhaled..."I think I finally have the plays down". It's been a cram course for the Cavs' point guard since joining the team a week and a half ago. Mike Brown simplified the offense for the four new guys...Delonte says there are around 15 or so plays that he has had to learn, for both the one and two guard positions. It's what players go through when they change teams; it's as much terminology as it is the plays themselves...
Delonte has had Eric Snow in his ear a lot since the two play the same position and go back to the days when Eric played for the 76ers and Delonte played at St.Joes of Philadelphia. Eric says Delonte is still feeling his way when to be aggressive, making not only plays for others, but for himself and Eric's been helping him with the Cavs defensive concepts...
Clearly though we have seen a young guard who is very good at pushing it down the floor - sure helps when you have a LeBron James filling the wing. Since going 2 for 10 against Memphis in his first Cavaliers' appearance, Delonte has gone 20 for 40 from the floor...
See you tonight on FSN...
Delonte has had Eric Snow in his ear a lot since the two play the same position and go back to the days when Eric played for the 76ers and Delonte played at St.Joes of Philadelphia. Eric says Delonte is still feeling his way when to be aggressive, making not only plays for others, but for himself and Eric's been helping him with the Cavs defensive concepts...
Clearly though we have seen a young guard who is very good at pushing it down the floor - sure helps when you have a LeBron James filling the wing. Since going 2 for 10 against Memphis in his first Cavaliers' appearance, Delonte has gone 20 for 40 from the floor...
See you tonight on FSN...
Monday, February 25, 2008
First Road Trip With the New Squad
The first road trip with the fab 4 meant picking seats on the plane they'll stay with...in fact we all tend to sit in the same seats for roadies...part of the NBA superstition I guess.
A second practice today as Mike Brown continues to keep things simple, yet for Ben, Joe, Wally and Delonte it means one day closer to feeling totally comfortable. They all are blown away by the Cleveland Clinic Courts. Joe Smith says the ribs in the players lounge are awesome.
Being around Delonte it's apparent he has a quick wit. While walking through the hallway to the locker room, Delonte noticed that posterizing dunk picture hanging on the wall from two years ago against the Celtics...the man below King James in the helpless position? Delonte.
He saw the picture and smiled..adding..."You'll have to take that down now!" Gotta protect your teammates!
A second practice today as Mike Brown continues to keep things simple, yet for Ben, Joe, Wally and Delonte it means one day closer to feeling totally comfortable. They all are blown away by the Cleveland Clinic Courts. Joe Smith says the ribs in the players lounge are awesome.
Being around Delonte it's apparent he has a quick wit. While walking through the hallway to the locker room, Delonte noticed that posterizing dunk picture hanging on the wall from two years ago against the Celtics...the man below King James in the helpless position? Delonte.
He saw the picture and smiled..adding..."You'll have to take that down now!" Gotta protect your teammates!
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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