Spurs @ Cavs discussion thread

[EVAY]

Kawhi and Danny cant make a 3 right now. They'll snap out of their funk sooner than later no doubt. In the mean time i wished kawhi would handle the ball in a pick n roll situation more . I can remember last year in the golden state game (where the big 3 sat out) he handled the PnR fine. He looked real natural imo, he was creating, hitting a smooth pull up off it, etc etc.

but Tiago was in that game, wasn't he?

I honestly think we are trying to assess team performance in the absence of the full team.

I think we have all learned how much Tiago has helped in the past.

I am glad to see Baynes getting the practice in with the first team...it helps him develop and he does seem to improve a bit from game to game. But we really miss Tiago.

[Brazil]

The lack of 3 pts shooting is not helping the spacing and the spacing was not very good imo this game...

As others said, winning games based on Defense overall very solid great at times with an O messy is a strong fundation. Defense is putting Spurs in a reasonable good shape in the W/L column.

Regarding Diaw and Parker I'm not surprised by this game... It is quite clear that against Lebron Spurs like to go through Boris and let him handle the ball.

Offensively Parker was not good but I thought he played good defense especially in the fourth against Irving.

There are no reasons imo to be concerned by the Offensive struggle of this team, they will figure out soon enough.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

but Tiago was in that game, wasn't he?

I honestly think we are trying to assess team performance in the absence of the full team.

I think we have all learned how much Tiago has helped in the past.

I am glad to see Baynes getting the practice in with the first team...it helps him develop and he does seem to improve a bit from game to game. But we really miss Tiago.

Yeah him and tiago were ballin that game iirc

[ElNono]

can't be a coincidence that it happened with beli out.. now if danny and kawhi would make their open threes, everything would be great.

We were top 3 with Beli playing all year last season... you can't just pin that on only one player, IMO... I think what we're seeing is a team that know their rotations well, pays attention to detail (transition defense, etc), and lately has been turning the ball over much, much less... there's also the fact that other teams, outside of maybe Sacto, haven't really hit their stride yet...

[Cry Havoc]

I think it's a lot easier to go through a season with your defense in synch and to drag your offense along than to have an elite offense and try to shore the defense up later in the year.

Maybe it's good that Tiago's out. Keeps our guys active on the perimeter knowing they don't have the extra big to help shut down interior penetration.

[Beaverfuzz]

Not to mention 6 of those 15 pts came from 2 quick threes at the start of the game which didn't really matter in the long run. It's amazing how Leonard contains the best player of the planet tbh. Even in the finals, Bron's points came when we were already up by double digits.

Yep, in reality the one basket (and 1) by LBJ where he did fake out KL in the third and the last layup (which I can't remember if KL was on him or not) were Lebron's highlights. Well that and missing the inbounds pass and dribbling off his leg but who's counting?

[Mr Bones]

Kyrie Irving looks lost in Cleveland. He needs to be traded for two lesser but more system-fit players for LeBron.

I agree. His stock is high now, and they could get easily two good defenders who score 8-10 ppg each for him. A shoot first/no defense PG is not what that team needs.

[Old School 44]

Diaw was great tonight. Hopefully this game grows his confidence and he becomes a legitimate 2nd or 3rd option when Manu or Tony is off their game.

I sometimes think Diaw can be anything he wants to be on the basketball floor. He's that good. For whatever reason, he just chooses not too. He seems to be such a carefree guy. I wonder how he'd play if he was really angry with his opponent.

[Cry Havoc]

I agree. His stock is high now, and they could get easily two good defenders who score 8-10 ppg each for him. A shoot first/no defense PG is not what that team needs.

What teams need a 2nd tier PG and have a ton of stock to give?

Maybe Irving to Boston for Rondo? I feel like Rondo would fit in better to the Cavs system than Irving, although he's hardly an ideal player.

Irving for Beverly and Ariza?

[EVAY]

I sometimes think Diaw can be anything he wants to be on the basketball floor. He's that good. For whatever reason, he just chooses not too. He seems to be such a carefree guy. I wonder how he'd play if he was really angry with his opponent.

I agree with this. The guy looks positively serene most times on the floor. He is so unflappable, but so talented. The one thing he is NOT, apparently, is driven...which just makes it all the more interesting to watch him.

[Mr Bones]

What teams need a 2nd tier PG and have a ton of stock to give?

Maybe Irving to Boston for Rondo? I feel like Rondo would fit in better to the Cavs system than Irving, although he's hardly an ideal player.

Irving for Beverly and Ariza?

A guy like George Hill comes to mind... or Shabazz Napier/ Josh McRoberts for Irving + someone else?

[Splits]

Austin Daye made a 3 pointer. I almost myself.

[szkorhetz]

Leonard is bad as on offense, TBH. He is forcing too much, always tries to post-up, even the bigger, stronger LBJ. That's not the kind of offense we need from him. I loved him in Finals Game 3-4-5, because he did not force anything just let it come for him. But now he is forcing and that makes him look garbage.

If the Cavs don't get a shot blocking presence, they will lose in the second round, TBH. Their defense is so bad that our offense which was like at 35% of what it is best capable of, easily killed them.

[spurraider21]

Game would've been easier if Kyrie didn't go all Steph Curry at one point

[ElNono]

Game would've been easier if Kyrie didn't go all Steph Curry at one point

Lots of if's, tbh... if we hit 3s at a respectable rate, this is likely a blowout win too

[timtonymanu]

The Cavs have room for improvement but damn, the Spurs are a bad matchup for them.

[Silver&Black]

Kyrie Irving looks lost in Cleveland. He needs to be traded for two lesser but more system-fit players for LeBron.

I agree with you that Kyrie looks lost in Cleveland. But...what trade proposal do you suggest? Cause I don't think too many teams are ready to take on that 90 million.

Well...not too many western conference teams imo.

[MI21]

Yep, in reality the one basket (and 1) by LBJ where he did fake out KL in the third and the last layup (which I can't remember if KL was on him or not) were Lebron's highlights. Well that and missing the inbounds pass and dribbling off his leg but who's counting?

The last layup was with Tim Duncan trying to defend him out at the 3pt line, so really, LeBron score what, 4 baskets on Leonard?

[Venti Quattro]

I agree with you that Kyrie looks lost in Cleveland. But...what trade proposal do you suggest? Cause I don't think too many teams are ready to take on that 90 million.

Well...not too many western conference teams imo.

Dragic + filler for Kyrie

Both parties remain in contention for the playoffs and they get the upgrade that they need.

[Silver&Black]

Dragic + filler for Kyrie

Both parties remain in contention for the playoffs and they get the upgrade that they need.

Suns would have to throw in a uva "filler" to get Kyrie.

BTW...Is Kyrie really that big of an improvement over the Dragon? Don't see the Suns ever doing that deal....

[Venti Quattro]

Suns would have to throw in a uva "filler" to get Kyrie.

BTW...Is Kyrie really that big of an improvement over the Dragon? Don't see the Suns ever doing that deal....

I tried the ESPN trade machine and every trade that worked is massively in favor of Phoenix. Basically it's Kyrie and Amundson for Goran and a bunch of scrubs whose names I didn't even take note of. There's another viable proposal out there somewhere, but Phoenix for me is out of the equation.

[100%duncan]

Dragic + filler for Kyrie

Both parties remain in contention for the playoffs and they get the upgrade that they need.

Why would phx want another ball dominany pg. Bledsoe thomas kyrie all chucking 3s in a do or die game in the playoffs, what a sight.

[Robz4000]

Dragic + filler for Kyrie

Both parties remain in contention for the playoffs and they get the upgrade that they need.

Dragic wants to play PG, not be a spot up shooter. Cleveland would be trading for the same kinda player they'd be trying to trade.

[Venti Quattro]

Dragic wants to play PG, not be a spot up shooter. Cleveland would be trading for the same kinda player they'd be trying to trade.

At first I thought about that. However, it looks like Cleveland really needs a point guard beside LeBron. He can't do everything. Dragic can play point guard, he can score and slash, and he doesn't shoot (nor does not have the penchant to chuck) as much as Kyrie does. Sounds good to me tbh. However, any PHX-CLE trade wouldn't work so it's kinda pointless.

[Venti Quattro]

Why would phx want another ball dominany pg. Bledsoe thomas kyrie all chucking 3s in a do or die game in the playoffs, what a sight.

That's why I also said that a PHX-CLE is out of the question. Forgot to mention that, my bad. Bledsoe and Kyrie alone would be hard-pressed to work because both need the ball to be effective. If anything, Phoenix is probably looking to trade for a shooting guard or center.