Byron Scott's team has lost its last two games by a combined 66 points with LeBron James and the Heat on deck
View full sizeAtlanta's Joe Johnson drives between Omri Casspi and Anthony Parker in a 121-94 win over the CavsATLANTA -- A week ago, the Cavaliers were being lauded for their effort and pluck and energy. Yes, they were losing as much as they were winning, but at least the games were competitive and, wait for it, they weren't like last season.
Then, they lost by 39 to Chicago and by 27 to Atlanta with LeBron James sharpening his talons in South Beach waiting for piece of the suddenly reeling Cavaliers.
Now, coach Byron Scott and general manager Chris Grant are going to get some answers about what kind of players they have on their roster. Adversity doesn’t build character it reveals it.
The Cavaliers offered little blow back for a second straight night in a 121-94 loss to the Hawks in Phillips Arena. They rarely competed – a characteristic that hadn’t been part of the previous seven defeats. A week ago, they forced Lakers coach Mike Brown to keep his starters on the floor in the fourth quarter to subdue the Cavaliers. This weekend, the games were over midway through the third quarters.
Yes, they are facing better teams, but how can a club not have a second-chance point after three quarters? How can it repeatedly get beat on pick-n-rolls? It’s not about lack of execution, but effort.
Scott is not pleased with the defensive intensity of his rookie point guard. Kyrie Irving is showing the ability to score and run an offense, yet the coach wants more. It often takes time for youngsters to figure it out defensively. But Scott is tired of hearing Irving say he knows he must get better on that end of the floor without doing it.
The conflict doesn’t end with coach and point guard. Veteran Antawan Jamison said he has “no clue” what the Cavs are doing offensively. He said the club is guilty of too much “one-on-one basketball” recently. Of course, we all know Jamison isn’t shy about shooting.
So when he attempted just three shots in the first half I asked if the sum was attributed to the Hawks’ hard work or not getting enough touches.
“I have never seen a defense that prevents me from doing what I do on a court,” Jamison said.
The Cavs flew home after the game and will practice Monday before making the trip to Miami. Nobody needs to tell the players – not even the rookies – what a Heat game means to fans back home.
NOTES
Then, they lost by 39 to Chicago and by 27 to Atlanta with LeBron James sharpening his talons in South Beach waiting for piece of the suddenly reeling Cavaliers.
Now, coach Byron Scott and general manager Chris Grant are going to get some answers about what kind of players they have on their roster. Adversity doesn’t build character it reveals it.
The Cavaliers offered little blow back for a second straight night in a 121-94 loss to the Hawks in Phillips Arena. They rarely competed – a characteristic that hadn’t been part of the previous seven defeats. A week ago, they forced Lakers coach Mike Brown to keep his starters on the floor in the fourth quarter to subdue the Cavaliers. This weekend, the games were over midway through the third quarters.
Yes, they are facing better teams, but how can a club not have a second-chance point after three quarters? How can it repeatedly get beat on pick-n-rolls? It’s not about lack of execution, but effort.
Scott is not pleased with the defensive intensity of his rookie point guard. Kyrie Irving is showing the ability to score and run an offense, yet the coach wants more. It often takes time for youngsters to figure it out defensively. But Scott is tired of hearing Irving say he knows he must get better on that end of the floor without doing it.
The conflict doesn’t end with coach and point guard. Veteran Antawan Jamison said he has “no clue” what the Cavs are doing offensively. He said the club is guilty of too much “one-on-one basketball” recently. Of course, we all know Jamison isn’t shy about shooting.
So when he attempted just three shots in the first half I asked if the sum was attributed to the Hawks’ hard work or not getting enough touches.
“I have never seen a defense that prevents me from doing what I do on a court,” Jamison said.
The Cavs flew home after the game and will practice Monday before making the trip to Miami. Nobody needs to tell the players – not even the rookies – what a Heat game means to fans back home.
NOTES
-- The Hawks scored a season-high 121 points. It's the most the Cavs have allowed.
-- Tristan Thompson, who contributed 16 points, sprained his left ankle. X-rays were negative and Thompson said he should be fine.
-- The Hawks finished the night 11-of-24 from behind the 3-point arc, but were 10-of-20 at one point.
-- Irving was 8-of-10 from the floor, but also matched his season high with seven turnovers.
-- Tristan Thompson, who contributed 16 points, sprained his left ankle. X-rays were negative and Thompson said he should be fine.
-- The Hawks finished the night 11-of-24 from behind the 3-point arc, but were 10-of-20 at one point.
-- Irving was 8-of-10 from the floor, but also matched his season high with seven turnovers.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2012/01/cavaliers_getting_their_first.html
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