Cleveland Beats Celtics - Gets Closer to Playoffs

[George O'Brien]

No one on this board seems to know the exact status of the Cav pick. Some believe it would go to the Suns if the Cavs make the playoffs. Others believe it is a fixed ranking, which would protect it because some western non-playoff teams will have better records.

The Cavs beat the Celtics 97-89 in Cleveland to move one game closer to the playoffs. Currently the Cavs are in 8th place now 2 1/2 games ahead of the Cavs.

Neither team shot the ball well: Cleveland 40.2% and Boston 39.5%. But Cleveland out rebounded Boston 54-42 and shot 23 of 30 from the line compared to Boston's 19-23.

Recent addition Jeff McIness of the Cavs shot only 2-10 from the field, but dished out 9 assists and grabbed 5 rebounds. LeBron was only 9 of 24, but he had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steal.

ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS of the Cavs had a big game with 8-15 shooting and 16 rebounds while Boozer had 5-8 shooting and 9 rebounds. Ex-Celtic Eric Williams went 5-10 and had 8 rebounds.

Paul Pierce continues to score, 32 points tonight, but his shooting average at 40.5% has to be a big concern. (12 of 30 is exactly 40%). The next highest Celtic scorer was Mark Blount at 13 points. Ricky Davis had 10 points, but was only 3-8 shooting. Welsch was 4 of 12 and Mihm was 1 of 5. Is it any wonder that the combined rebounding number was so high.

Neither team is particularly good, but the Cavs show some promise of getting better. The jury is still out on the Celtics.

 

[slinslin]

We have the 4th worst record now. Atlanta also won.

Washington has played 4 games less than us. If they go 2-2 we are 3rd worst.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by slinslin
We have the 4th worst record now. Atlanta also won.

Washington has played 4 games less than us. If they go 2-2 we are 3rd worst.

Wow. Is this exciting or what?

 

[Joe Mama]

I know I'm a homer, but it just doesn't seem like the the Suns are THAT bad.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I know I'm a homer, but it just doesn't seem like the the Suns are THAT bad.

Joe Mama

The Suns have been close enough to win all but a couple of games over the past four weeks. If they had been completely healthy, their record since the trade could have been reversed.
As it is, the team is still struggling to get to know each other and learn what they are supposed to be doing.

Look at how much trouble other teams have when a key player is lost. Without Baron Davis, NO is a pretty average team. When Duncan was hurt, SA was less than average. Look at the Lakers. One or two injuries is all it takes to kill even elite teams.

Obvioulsy health is not the only problem with the Suns. They are very young and lack discipline. They still have some talent holes even if healthy, but it is worse when they are hurting.

But look at how quickly the Nuggets turned around with a couple of personnel changes and a healthy Camby. With luck, the Suns will make just as spectacular jump next year.

 

[capologist]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
Look at how much trouble other teams have when a key player is lost. Without Baron Davis, NO is a pretty average team. When Duncan was hurt, SA was less than average. Look at the Lakers. One or two injuries is all it takes to kill even elite teams.

You’re putting Amare and Zarko in the same category as Davis, Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe?

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by capologist
You’re putting Amare and Zarko in the same category as Davis, Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe?

Prior to his recent return, the Suns were at 500 when Amare was in the lineup and won about 20% without him. He may not be as great a player as the other guys, at least not yet, but he could be just as important to the Suns.

 

[sunsfn]

The Irishman O'Brien said,
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No one on this board seems to know the exact status of the Cav pick. Some believe it would go to the Suns if the Cavs make the playoffs. Others believe it is a fixed ranking, which would protect it because some western non-playoff teams will have better records.
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The suns will get the Cavaliers pick, when the Cavaliers make the playoffs. If they make the playoffs this year, they will get the Cavaliers pick.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by sunsfn
The Irishman O'Brien said,
---------------------------------------------------------------
No one on this board seems to know the exact status of the Cav pick. Some believe it would go to the Suns if the Cavs make the playoffs. Others believe it is a fixed ranking, which would protect it because some western non-playoff teams will have better records.
--------------------------------------------------------
The suns will get the Cavaliers pick, when the Cavaliers make the playoffs. If they make the playoffs this year, they will get the Cavaliers pick.

That was my understanding, but a couple of people disputed it.

 

[elindholm]

That was my understanding, but a couple of people disputed it.

You can say that the Earth revolves around the Sun* and people will dispute it. That's not the same as "no one on this board seems to know."

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* I know that this is technically not quite correct. Don't bother me.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by elindholm
That was my understanding, but a couple of people disputed it.
You can say that the Earth revolves around the Sun* and people will dispute it. That's not the same as "no one on this board seems to know."

My problem was that while I was pretty sure I was right about the contract, I was not able to prove it. The fact that some people insisted it was a fixed positon listing rather than lottery and this was not corrected made me question myself.

OK, it doesn't happen often. But it does happen. Really.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
My problem was that while I was pretty sure I was right about the contract, I was not able to prove it. The fact that some people insisted it was a fixed positon listing rather than lottery and this was not corrected made me question myself.

OK, it doesn't happen often. But it does happen. Really.

No, I don't think it was argued that the pick was at a fixed position--I think the debates in the past were about what number the pick would be if Cleveland made the playoffs, that's all. It mainly came about because of the Bobcat pick.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
No, I don't think it was argued that the pick was at a fixed position--I think the debates in the past were about what number the pick would be if Cleveland made the playoffs, that's all. It mainly came about because of the Bobcat pick.

The key issue is whether the Suns get the pick rather than where it is. Since there are several deals that only work if a pick is included, the third pick could be huge. Since most people figured the Suns might never get that pick considering how awful the Cavs are in the draft, it would be like a mid summer Christmas present.

 

[sunsfn]

If Cleveland does not make the playoffs this year, (there is a chance they will not ) I think they will make it for sure next year. Then the suns will get the pick finally......