|
|
Stepien Rules - A Cleveland Cavaliers Blog
|
Written by Brendan Bowers
|
|
Saturday, 13 March 2010 13:00 |
|
The Cavaliers beat the Sixers by five last night, and during the game, LeBron James scored two points by doing this:
As for the rest of the details...
Curse of Cleveland - Kirk:
"Coach Mike Brown won't save any space in his coaching memory book for this one, but the Cavaliers continued to do what they need to at this point in the season: beat teams that you are supposed to beat. Despite giving up a season-high 66 points in the paint, the Cavaliers clamped down to hold Philly to just 38 second-half points, and Mo Williams and the Cavalier bench led the second half charge. Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand played up to their salaries, but the wine and gold used 44 bench points to absorb the absence of Antawn Jamison."
King James Gospel - Cody:
"TheBron returned to the floor and led the way with 23 points and 10 assists. However, he was a miserable 3-of-10 from downtown and an even less impressive 6-of-12 from the charity stripe. I think it’s safe to say that he was a tad bit rusty from the week long break. Mo Williams chipped in with 21 points on a reassuring 8 for 13 shooting performance but only managed two assists from the point guard position. And I couldn’t help but think to myself while I sat back and watched Friday night’s matchup, “Is there a point guard in the league that can’t beat Mo off the dribble?”
Waiting For Next Year - Jacob:
"Game ball should definitely go to Delonte West for sealing the deal and playing yet another key role off the bench in this win. Sure it was nice to have LeBron back in the starting lineup after a week of rest, but I have no idea where this team would be without the constant safety valve of West. He finished with 17 points, four assists and a pair of steals. In 12 games since from the injured list on February 11th, he is averaging 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.8 steals in 28.1 minutes per contest." |
|
Written by Dave Wooley
|
|
Thursday, 11 March 2010 18:38 |
This week we will look at Maurice (no longer Mo*) Williams, and break down his numbers both before and after his recent shoulder injury...
Pre-Injury:
43 games, 1534 minutes (35.7/g), 253-557 FG (45.4%), 97-226 3FG (42.9%), 122-136 FT (89.7%), 145 rebounds (3.4/g), 225 assists (5.2/g), 52 steals (1.21/g), 734 points (17.1/g) and 1.32 points per shot.
Post-Injury:
11 games, 330 minutes (30.0/g), 44-126 FG (34.9%), 25-68 3FG (36.8%), 13-15 FT (86.7%), 23 rebounds (2.1/g), 50 assists (4.5/g), 6 steals (0.55/g), 117 points (10.6/g) and 0.93 points per shot.
Behind the Numbers:
These are significant drops in every major category. Some of this can be chalked up to Jamison arrival, but his drop in FGA is only 1.4 per game, which can account for a 1.8 point drop in his average (1.32 PPS x 1.4 FGA). Additionally, he is actually shooting more three pointers post injury (6.2/g compared to 5.2/g). So, while Jamison’s arrival can account for a small part of his scoring average drop, it is not even near the whole story. The scary stat right now is his drop in points per shot, which has dropped to a very Larry Hughes like 0.93 (For reference, LeBron James is currently at 1.49 for this season).
What concerns me the most is the fact that his FTA/G have dropped from 3.16 to 1.36. With Maurice’s free throw shooting ability, this is 2 points he is giving up. He is playing tentative and is not driving to the basket shooting his “Mo-Flow’s” as AC would say. Plus, I am a big believer of the theory that if you are struggling shooting, seeing the ball go through the basket is a way to break the slump. Despite his recent struggles, Maurice has still made his free throws, and getting to the line could be a solution to his current shooting struggles.
On top of all this, Maurice has never been a great defender, but when he is scoring 17+ per game and hitting clutch three pointers, we can handle the occasional lapse. The problem comes when he is scoring 10 points a game and letting up 17.
Let’s look at the opponent's starting point guard over the last 11 games:
Billups, Den: 18p, 8a, 1r
Felton, Cha: 16p, 6a, 2r
Nelson, Orl: 18p, 5a, 4r
Collison, NO: 22p, 10a, 4r
Rondo, Bos: 19p, 11a, 4r
Jack, Tor: 24p, 3a, 3r
Rodriquez, NY: 9p, 5a, 0r
Harris, NJ: 11p, 1a, 0r
Stuckey, Det: 8p, 10a, 2r
Jennings, Mil: 25p, 6a, 2r
Hill, SA: 23p, 4a, 3r
On average that is 17.5 points, 6.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game for the opposing PG over the last 11. This is not a murderer’s row of Steve Nash, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose and Tony Parker we are talking about either. Billups and Rondo are legit All-Stars but other than that, this has been a group of average point guards
Here’s hoping Mo resurfaces soon, we will not make it far with him scoring only 10 points per game.
* Kyle Whitling was the first to suggest this name “demotion” and I will give credit where credit is due.
After the jump is an update on recent events regarding the Cavs statistical history, as well as the scoring title race...
|
|
Written by Brendan Bowers
|
|
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 12:28 |
|
In an attempt to shamelessly self-promote my basketball writing endeavors humbly notifiy Stepien Rules readers of my basketball blogging/writing efforts posted elsewhere on the web, below are a couple of my latest links...
CollegeHoops.net - MAC Tournament: Game by Game Preview:
I will be posting my credentialed coverage of the MAC Men's Basketball Tournament on CollegeHoops.net as play gets underway this Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. As a primer, my previews and predictions for the tournament went up this morning, and can be found here. There will be more to follow, so check back with me at CollegeHoops.net over the weekend if you get a chance.
NBA Base Line - Shaq's still out, Antawn's day-to-day, and LBJ's coming back:
Our ever expanding Bloguin Basketball squad launched a new all inclusive NBA Blog yesterday - NBA Base Line.com - and I chimed in with a short update on the Cavaliers injury situation, highlighting the news of Antawn Jamison's MRI results specifically. For a look at that, click here. Also, feel free to add NBA Base Line to your book mark tab, and look for that to become the hub of the Bloguin Basketball wheel over the weeks to come. |
|
Written by Brendan Bowers
|
|
Monday, 08 March 2010 23:11 |
A post-game Q and A with Jeff Garcia from the best Spurs blog in the blogosphere, Project Spurs, is below. To check out my post game answers to Jeff's questions regarding the Cavaliers 97- 95 win over the Spurs tonight, go here. Also, for our pregame exchange, go here.
Stepien Rules: I look at Ginobili and part of me sees a guy who's bald spot's bigger ever time I watch him, while the other part sees a guy that blocks a Durant dunk straight-up, and explodes for almost 40 tonight in Cleveland. How much does Manu have left in the tank, and what's he capable of down the stretch here?
Project Spurs: Coming into the season I was expecting Manu to drop off considerably. Now I am eating crow and I will gladly eat more if it means this kind of play. Manu, despite the fragile ankle, has performed well since mid-point of the season. Games like tonight show he still has something in the tank. If the Spurs do not resign him, like they said they would not, then whichever team picks him up in this summer's free agent crop will have a solid vet, clutch player, and championship pedigree.
SR: Popovich talked about the importance of getting Parker back 'in rhythm' come playoff time earlier tonight. Assuming he's out 6 weeks, how long do you think it'd take him to get in that rhythm?
PS: Good thing Parker is still young and can bounce back rather quickly from the hand injury. Hopefully. Also he has been under the Pop system since he was 19 years old as a rookie from France. Not to mention this could be a blessing in disguise. He needed rest. Two ankle injuries, a bout with plantar fasciitis, stomach ailments, and now this recent hand injury. The time away from the court will do him wonders and he should get back in playoff rhythm with ease. Besides, his injury will not require surgery.
SR: As the Spurs jockey for position in the West, what is a likely first round match-up your hoping for?
PS: You know, I just don't trust this team taking on any team from the upper crust of the West teams. Right now the Spurs are matched up with the Mavs. But the Jazz swept us, Lakers are the Lakers, Blazers are too athletic, Mavs recent additions of Butler and Haywood scare me which leaves the Nuggets which the Spurs have beaten in Denver. If any team I'd pick it be the Suns for obvious reason. You know, the Spurs dominance of the Suns in the playoffs. So you know Spurs nation is pushing for the sixth seed.
SR: Were you surprised a bit to see the Spurs not get this one considering LeBron was out - even without Parker - after playing it close all night? Where did the Spurs go wrong in your opinion tonight?
PS: No. I am not surprised. Let me put it this way, the Spurs lost to a Blazers team without half their squad earlier this season, lost to the Lakers without Bynum and a hobbled Bryant. I could go on and on but basically it appears if the opposing team is without their star players, the Spurs most likely will lose. Tonight the Spurs went wrong on both ends of the court. Offensively it was all Ginobili and Hill. No one else stepped up to contribute. The Spurs had three players in double digits scoring. Cavs had six. Which leads me to the defensive end. Again, the Spurs allowed six Cavs players to score in double digits. Their defense was porous and Richard Jefferson and DeJuan Blair got the Pop "treatment" after defensive lapses. Pop benched them for replaced them with Ian Mahinmi and Malik Hairston.
SR: If you saw these Cavaliers in the Finals, could they win it against whoever comes out of the West?
PS: Good question. If they go up against the Lakers, they got a shot. Gasol is softer than Jefferson's defense, and their bench is suspect. Guys like Shaq, Big Z, Varajao will take it to Lakers' Gasol, Odom, and Bynum. Artest will deal with Jamison but Lakers do not have anyone to contend with James but who really does? Lakers would expose the Cavs weak perimeter defense with Bryant running wild. Seven games, Cavs win. Against the Nuggets, it be tough for the Cavs. The Nuggs bigs are not soft. Birdman, Nene, Keyon Martin won't back down. I don't see anyone slowing down Melo from the Cavs and Chauncey Billups will be a handful. Nuggets in six. If it's the Mavs then on behalf of Spurs nation. Please sweep the f#@K out of them! |
|
Written by Brendan Bowers
|
|
Sunday, 07 March 2010 10:38 |
|
Brandon Jennings took the court Saturday night looking like Simon Phoenix from Demolition Man, and not only went for 25 and the win, but he also felt it necessary to go 'goosey' - as evidenced below at the 29 second mark.
Now, for me, if you're gonna try to show the Cavs up with a dose of their own shimmy's and shenanigans, you should probably do it when LeBron James isn't in street clothes. That said, even without LBJ active, there's no way this could have gone over well in the Cavaliers locker room. Especially not if you're Mo Williams.
Mo looked like someone shot his dog last night in the post game interview, and maybe its more like someone shot his 'goose.' He did nothing to slow Jennings - the guy who's subsequently replaced him in Milwaukee - all night, and he didn't make the rookie work on the defensive end either. And by the time he saw the guy he was guarding flash that goosey signal right past him over towards his bench, there wasn't much he could do about that either.
In response to his performance on Saturday night, Mo Williams posted the following three tweets on his twitter account...
via @mogotti2:
"I apologize to all my fans and Cavs fans for a shitty performance to say the least. I will get past this a get better, stay with me pls"
"Woke up this morning, and I feel great. Mentally I'm strong. It's hard for things to effect me. Thx to all my Twitter fam for all the love"
"On to the next one, all black everythin"
Besides being a catchy twitter handle, I see no other reason for Mo Williams to refer to himself as a guy that once headed the organized crime underworld of New York City. Meaning, he seems to me more like that nice friendly neighbor you have down the street than he does in any way resemble John Gotti. That said, I think he's a genuine guy who wouldn't have tweeted that apology if he didn't mean it. I'm sure he's sorry, and I'm sure he cares about the fans in Cleveland. However, I do think its possible he might care a little too much. I think he wants to be a guy that LeBron wants to play alongside of, and help bring a title to this town soo bad, that I think it sometimes rattles him. Like it did last year in the ECF. If I could post a tweet in response to Mo's, that he would read, it would simply say this:
"You have game for days...just relax, and do your thing. If you play your game, your tough to stop, and so are your Cavaliers."
And ps, I counted, its less than 140 characters, so it would work...just hope he hears me. |
|
Written by Bill Nagel
|
|
Saturday, 06 March 2010 09:41 |
|
After their first 3 game losing streak in years our Cavs have used the last 6 games to pick the sky back up and hoist it upward where it belongs. The Cavs of course are doing so minus a few large pieces, literally and figuratively. Much like our last streak we are finding ways to win games without key pieces of our rotation and people are stepping up all over the place. The Cavs are continuing their offensive onslaught following up a February in which they averaged 107 points per contest. During the win streak the Cavs are averaging 112 pts and shooting over 52% from the field. A lot of the offensive success is due in part because Lebron, to go along with his unbelieveable scoring ability, has channeled his inner Steve Nash and has averaged 10.5 assists for February and has averaged just about 10 over the last 6 games with a 4.5/1 Assist-to-Turnover ratio. Incredible for a guy who handles the ball as much as he does.
 Here are some more observations from the past 6 games:
Anthony Parker doesn't shoot much...AP over this stretch is shooting 45% from beyond the arc. My only complaint is that he doesn't get enough shots up. He plays 29 mins a game and should get more than 5 or so shots per game considering he's 4th in the league in 3 pt shooting. Atleast he gets more looks at the hoop than number 2 in the league, the new papa Daniel Gibson.
Mo is still easing in....Mo is shooting a solid 45% from 3 pt land since he declared himself "back "before a national audience in Boston. He's averaging 13 and 6 assists with a limited number of turnovers and has displayed some clutch shooting when the Cavs have needed it. With that said, he still has to work himself back into his game that he developed throughout the course of the season. He was playing more aggressively off the dribble using floaters and even posting opposing PG's up before his injury. Since his return 60% of his shots have been 3's as compared to only 42% for the season as a whole.
Delonte's contributions.....he's averaging a solid 12 pts, 4 rebs, and 4 assists and shooting 50% overall. Considering he's one of our primary ballhanders his most important stat may be that he hasn't committed a turnover since February 23rd.
Lebron James shoots a lot of threes...Enough in fact to be 4th in all of the NBA in 3 pointers attempted.
|
|
Written by Dave Wooley
|
|
Friday, 05 March 2010 10:38 |
Editor's note: Dave Wooley is a statistical guru who's works include a detailed history of CWRU football stats, both team and individual. He is also a contributer here at Stepien Rules, and part two of his 'Cavs Stats of the Week Series' is below. For part one, click here.
Comparing some significant stats in Wins/Losses:
WINS
Team PPG: 105.2
LeBron PPG: 29.4
LeBron APG: 8.83
LeBron 3ptFGA/G: 4.75
Players other than LeBron PPG: 75.8
LeBron FG%: .510
LeBron FGA/G: 19.4
Players other than LeBron FG%: .502
Players other than LeBron FGA/G: 57.9
LOSSES
Team PPG: 94.1
LeBron PPG: 31.3
LeBron APG: 7.64
LeBron 3ptFGA/G: 6.71
Players other than LeBron PPG: 62.8
LeBron FG%: .486
LeBron FGA/G: 22.2
Players other than LeBron FG%: .419
Players other than LeBron FGA/G: 56.3
What this tells me: LeBron will trust his teammates almost to a fault. In losses they are still getting the same amount of opportunities, but the are converting at a 10% lower rate. LeBron gets frustrated and will begin hiking up more three point attempts (2 more per game in losses). We all know LeBron will show up, but the question becomes, will his teammates? It will be interesting to see how the addition of Antawn Jamison affects these stats.
|
|
Written by Bill Nagel
|
|
Thursday, 04 March 2010 17:30 |
The Cavs completed a two game sweep of the NBA's biggest dreamers over the last 3 days with their 111-92 rout of the hapless, and I mean hapless, New Jersey Nets last night. During the 2 game "show me something to impress me" tour the Cavs completely dominated and outmatched each opponent. The Cavs at one point were up 49 in the 2nd half against the Knicks on Monday and ran out to a 20 point lead after the 1st quarter of the Cavs dunk contest, errrrr, the Nets game last night. I can almost hear the collective voices of each team's front office: "Listen, Lebron (followed by the awkward car salesman laugh) we know we're horrible. But we did this all for you."
Never have I felt better about Lebron sticking around C-Town. His biggest pursuers all along were the Nets and the Knicks and they still are. Of course we've all heard the pipe dream of Lebron going to Miami to team up with Wade but I myself never thought they could co-exist. Each of them are alpha dogs and have every desire of being "the man." I just don't see this happening. A million other scenarios have popped up and a million more are sure to come. But personally as a Cavs fan over the last couple years my biggest concern was him leaving for the bright lights or to team up with his boy Jay-Z. But seeing as how putrid both of those teams are I just can't see it happening. Lebron came into a losing culture with the Cavs and it took years to turn the ship around to get to this point. Of course the Knicks have cap space for two max players. But then what?  Photo Credit: The News-HeraldYou have two great players and to quote Bill the butcher in Gangs of New York "a handful of rag tags?" They play zero defense and D'antoni's teams never have. Lebron has developed a love for defense and knows how vital it is to winning. He comes from a culture in which his coach didn't even install an offense until his team could defend. The Nets.....well they're 6-54!!!! Not one time have they won more than one game in a calendar week. The Cavs are on a 5 game winning streak. You have to go back to January of last season for the last time they won more than 5 games in a month. The culture of losing in these places is running rampant and pretty much has been deemed acceptable by their front offices because they believe the end will justify the means.
Think of Lebron's current situation compared to the others. Right now
|
|
Written by Brendan Bowers
|
|
Wednesday, 03 March 2010 22:06 |
|
Earlier this evening, Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dearler reported that "Former teammates Anderson Varejao and Anthony Parker were in a group, along with strength and conditioning coach Stan Kellers, that visited with Ilgauskas after the team arrived here [New Jeresey] Tuesday night. Ilgauskas has a place in New York City and has been spending time there since his release by the Wizards."
And according to a couple follow-up reports I've also stumbled across, it appears the Cavs found a group of guys who referred to themselves as the 'Nets' to work out with at the IZOD center on Wednesday night while in town visiting Z. I didn't get a chance to talk to any of the Cavaliers players about that work-out, but I heard it went well, and most of the players were pleased with the opportunity to both break a sweat, and work through some offensive sets without the interruption of defense.
Which is basically all Wednesday night's game against the worst NBA team I've ever seen was.
|
|
Written by Brendan Bowers
|
|
Monday, 01 March 2010 21:14 |
|
With six minutes left in the fourth quarter Bill Walker hit a three to give the Knicks their 74th point of the night. That basket cut the lead to 36, and matched the total (74) the Cavaliers scored in the first half. Part of me wants to stop right there. There's no real point in belaboring the fact that the Knicks are a god-awful team. We all know by now that they're allergic to defense, and continue to insist on shooting jumpers every 7 seconds despite the fact that they don't have all that many jump-shooters on the roster. They're an embarrasing group that has to come back in the fourth quarter (down by upwards of 40 points) to lose by 31 (124-93), and I can't see how anybody would make the choice to join them next season. With that said, I will stop there, and speak on the Cavs moving forward.
As much as I was discouraged to hear the reports that Shaq will be out for 6-8 weeks earlier in the day,
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 25 |
|
About Stepien Rules
Ted Stepien was the owner of the Cavaliers from 1980 to 1983. In 1982, the New York Times wrote an article calling Stepien's Cavaliers the "worst club, and most poorly run franchise in professional basketball." During his tenure as Cavaliers owner, the Cavaliers went 66-180, had five different coaches, and had losses of $15 million. Click Here to Read More...
Top Cleveland Sports Stories
Best And Worst Trades In Cavs History
A couple possible answers...
BEST:
- Cavaliers acquire first overall pick in draft -- and select C Brad Daugherty -- from the Philadelphia 76ers for F Roy Hinson and $800,000, June 17, 1986.
WORST:
- Cavaliers trade 1982 first-round draft choice (became overall No. 1 pick, F James Worthy) and G Butch Lee to the Los Angeles Lakers for F Don Ford and Lakers' 1980 first-round pick (became G Chad Kinch), Feb. 15, 1980.
|
RSS Feed 
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 