Monthly Archives: April 2015

LEBRON JAMES POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE – GAME 2 vs CELTICS

LeBron James scored 15 of his game high 30 points in the 4th quarter to lead the Cavaliers to a 99-91 Game #2 vicotory over the Celtics. Here’s what the “King” had to say following another home win and heading to Boston on Thursday for Game #3 up 2 games to none.

Listen Here –

LeBron James Postgame Close Up Game 2 vs Celtics

KENNY’S KEYS TO A CAVS VICTORY IN GAME #2 OVER BOSTON

  1. START FAST – In Game #1 the Cavs looked rusty and Kevin Love looked nervous playing in his first ever playoff game. That allowed the Celtics to get off early, make shots, take a 31-27 lead into the 2nd quarter and it gave them confidence. In Game #2 with the rust and nervous gone, the Cavs need to come out aggressive at both ends of the floor, move the ball and jump on Boston from the get go to take away that confidence and impose their will on a far less talented team.
  2. KEEP THE PEDAL TO THE METAL – Once the Cavaliers did take control in Game #1, leading Boston by 20 points they started settling for shots instead of continuing to run their offense and play solid defense. This allowed the Celtics to crawl back to within 6 points in the 2nd half. In Game #2 once the Cavs get up by double-digits they need to keep their foot on the gas and play the game and not the scoreboard. Do what got you the big lead instead of taking for granted you have the big lead and think you can take any shot you want to. Finish them!
  3. THE BIG 3 NEED TO BE BIG AGAIN – When LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love score 65 or more points in a game the Cavaliers are (21-4) this year. They had 69 points in Game #1. For the Cavs to win the championship this season, those three players have to carry this team to the title. Yes, they have other players on this team who need to contribute, but Cleveland will only go as far as the “BIG 3” takes them. But the “BIG 3” need to take good shots, as opposed to just shooting because of who they are. As Kyrie Irving said in his post-game interview after Game #1, “We have to hold each other accountable. It’s as simple as it can be. We got together, we are the BIG 3. We have other great players on this team, but we set the tone.”
  4. CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS – The Cavs have a huge advantage under the basket with Love, LeBron, Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson. Those 4 players had 32 rebounds in Game #1, the Celtics as a team had 34. The Cavaliers not only outrebounded Boston in the first game of the series (46-34) but Cleveland dominated the offensive boards as well (15-7) which led to 18 second chance points. David Blatt’s team needs to continue to control the boards and in doing so it can limit Boston to one shot and it could lead to more fast break opportunities for the Cavs who only tallied 4 fast break points in Game #1.
  5. BALL MOVEMENT – For the most part in Game #1 we didn’t see a lot of the “Stankey Leg” offense by the Cavs. However, to get other players involved more in the offense better ball movement, consistent ball movement is a must. Work inside out. Move the ball side to side and make Boston’s defense work for the full 24 seconds of the shot clock. This will allow the “BIG 3” to still score their points, but it should also get Mozgov. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert more involved in the offense, getting them open looks.

CAVS NEWS, NOTES AND NUMBERS FROM GAME #1 vs CELTICS 2015 NBA PLAYOFFS

Kyrie Irving continues to thrive on the big stage. With an All-Star Game MVP and a World Basketball Championship MVP to his credit, Irving racked up 30 points in his first NBA Playoff game. According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, Kyrie is the 11th player in the last 20 years to score at least 30 points in his postseason debut, joining a list that includes four past MVP winners (LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan) and Anthony Davis, who scored 35 points in his playoff debut Saturday night. (Thanks Lloyd)

Kyrie Irving On Floor Postgame Photo vs Celts Game 1

Kevin Love struggled early making just 2 of his first 11 shots, but made his final 3 field goal attempts and in his first NBA Playoff game finished with a double/double 19 points and 12 rebounds.

LeBron James in his 1st NBA Playoff game recorded a triple/double against the Washington Wizards in 2006 with 32pts-11rebs-11ast in a Cavs 97-86 win. The last player prior to LeBron to go for a triple/double in his Playoff debut was Magic Johnson in 1980. (Fun Fact – Other players on that Cavs team were Donyell Marshall, Eric Snow, Flip Murray, an injured Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Damon Jones, Anderson Varejao, Ira Newble, Sasha Pavlovic, Alan Henderson and Z.)

Also in that Washington series LeBron made his 1st and 2nd game winning shots of his NBA career with game winners in Game #3 and in Game #5.

Big 3 Postgame Photo vs Celtics Game 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “BIG 3” combined for 69pts-21reb-13ast in the 113-100 win. When the “BIG 3” have scored 65 points or more in a game this season, the Cavaliers are now (21-4).

Even with J.R. Smith in foul trouble the Cavaliers starting backcourt dominated the Celtics outscoring them 39-17. Kyrie Irving finished with a game high 30 points while Smith netted 9. Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart shot just 7 of 16 from the floor for Boston.

The Cavs dominated the boards and should do so this entire series. Cleveland outrebounded Boston 46-34. Kevin Love had a game high 12 rebounds and Timofey Mozgov added 8. The Cavs had a 15-7 edge in offensive rebounds which led to 18 second chance points. Tristan Thompson led the way with 4 offensive boards coming off the bench.

Long distance continues to pay off for the Cavs as they made 13 of 31 shots from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers outscored Boston from 3-point country in Game #1  39 to 24. Like rebounding, 3-point shooting should be an area that the Cavs dominate in this series.

Tristan Thompson On Floor Postgame vs Celtics Game 1

The “Bench Bunch” comes up big in Game #1. While most of the focus is always on the “BIG 3”, role players are crucial in playoff series and a number of those role players stepped up in the 113-100 win. The Cavs bench totaled 29pts-13reb-5ast led by Tristan Thompson’s 12 points and 7 rebounds. James jones hit 3 HUGE shots, including two 3-pointers and finished with 8 points. Iman Shumpert played 32 minutes because J.R. Smith was in foul trouble and scored 7 points and grabbed 6 boards. Matthew Dellavedova hit a beautiful spinning, twisting lay up for 2 points and Shawn Marion contributed with 2 big steals.

DAVID BLATT ON WHY KYRIE IRVING PLAYS SO WELL IN BIG GAMES

Kyrie Irving is an All Star Game MVP. He was the MVP of the World Basketball Championships last summer and in his first ever NBA Playoff game he scored a game high 30 points. Why does Kyrie play so well in big games and on the big stage? I asked David Blatt that question after Irving led the Cavs to a 113-100 win over the Celtics in Game #1 and here’s what he told me –

Kyrie Irving On Floor Postgame Photo vs Celts Game 1

 

DAVID BLATT POSTGAME VS CELTICS GAME #1

Here’s what Cavaliers head coach David Blatt had to say to the media following his team’s 113-100 win over the Boston Celtics in Game #1 of the NBA Playoffs.

Listen Here –

David Blatt At Podium Postgame vs Celtics Game 1

KYRIE IRVING – “WE ARE THE BIG 3”

A strong statement from Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving on Cleveland’s “BIG 3” following the Cavs 113-100 Game #1 win over the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Listen Here –

Kyrie Irving On Floor Postgame Photo vs Celts Game 1

LEBRON JAMES, KYRIE IRVING AND KEVIN LOVE POSTGAME vs CELTICS GAME #1 NBA PLAYOFFS

The Cavs “Big 3” combined for 69 points – 21 rebounds – 13 assists in leading Cleveland to a 113-100 win over Boston in Game #1 of the NBA Playoffs. Here’s what LeBron, Kyrie and K-Love had to say afterwards.

Listen to the entire press conference here –

Big 3 Postgame Photo vs Celtics Game 1

 

JASON LLOYD AND KENNY RODA ON THE CAVS PLAYOFF CHANCES

Jason Lloyd, the Cavs beat reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal joined me on the Kenny Roda Show on News/Talk 1480 WHBC to discuss the Cavaliers chances of winning the 2015 NBA Championship. Listen tot he Podcast here –

Kevin Love, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving Sitting Photo Cavs Media Day 2014

KENNY’S KEYS TO A CAVS CHAMPIONSHIP PODCAST

On the Kenny Roda Show on 1480 WHBC I broke down the Cavaliers and what I thought they would have to do, or get from players and coaches in order to win the 2015 NBA Championship. My “Keys To A Title” listen here –

LeBron, Kyrie and K-Love Media photo - 9-26-14

OFFICIAL BROWNS PRESS RELEASE – JOHNNY MANZIEL’S STATEMENT

Statement from Browns QB Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel Ski Cap

“I would like to thank my family, friends, the Browns organization, my teammates and Browns fans everywhere for your patience, understanding and support during my stay at Caron. The doctors and staff have been amazing and what I’ve learned in the last couple of months has been tremendous. I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down. I take full responsibility for my actions and it’s my intention to work very hard to regain everyone’s trust and respect. I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say. I also understand there’s a lot of curiosity about this but anyone who has a friend or family member that’s been through things like this knows it’s an ongoing process. I’m going to continue to ask folks to try to respect my privacy as I determine to what degree I am comfortable talking about a subject which I consider very personal. Most of you have been considerate about that and I thank you for it. I look forward to seeing my teammates next week and focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be.”