Tag Archives: Tristan Thompson

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

Posted: Apr 20, 2015 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 34 Comments

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.

CAVS NEWS, NOTES AND NUMBERS

Posted: Apr 16, 2015 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 35 Comments

The Cavs at 53-29 posted the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference and the 7th best record in the NBA.

The Cavaliers are a perfect 23-0 at The Q when they score 100 points or more.

The Cavs posted a 27-17 record  against the 15 teams who made the NBA playoffs this season.

The Cavs were 18-10 against all Eastern Conference playoff teams this season.

The Cavs went 9-7 against the Western Conference playoff teams.

The only Eastern Conference playoff team the Cavs had a losing record against was the Atlanta Hawks 1-3.

The Cavs beat every NBA playoff team at least one times this season except the Houston Rockets 0-2.

In their final 43 games the Cavs went 34-9.

In 69 games with LeBron James in the line up the Cavaliers posted a 50-19 mark.

The Cavs starting line up of Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov posted a 29-4 record, best winning percentage of any starting 5 in the NBA this season. (Thanks John Michael for that info)

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

The Cavaliers “Big 3” of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love combined to average roughly 63ppg – 19rpg – 15apg. James played in 69 games, Irving and Love in 75.

When the “Big 3” scored 80 points or more this season the Cavs were a perfect 6-0.

When the “Big 3” scored 75 points or more the Cavs went 11-1.

When the “Big 3” scored 70 points or more the Cavs were 14-2.

When the “Big 3” scored 65 points or more the Cavs went 20-4.

The Cavs without LeBron James in the line up went 3-10 this season.

The Cavs without Kyrie Irving in the line up went 1-6 this season.

The Cavs without Kevin Love in the line up went 3-4 this season.

After making the trades for Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov and with all 3 in the line up the Cavs posted a 30-9 record.

The Cavs record by month: October/November 8-7, December 10-7, January 11-6, February 8-3, March 11-4 and April 5-2.

LeBron James led the Cavaliers in scoring average at 25.3ppg.

Kevin Love led the Cavaliers in rebounding average at 9.7rpg.

LeBron James led the Cavaliers in assists per game at 7.4.

Timofey Mozgov led the Cavaliers in blocked shots per game at 1.2.

Tristan Thompson Podium Photo Cavs Media Day 2014

Tristan Thompson was on the only Cavalier to play in all 82 games this season. “Doube T” has now played in 288 consecutive games.

The Cavaliers home record of 31-10 is the 2nd best in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavaliers 103.1 points per game is 2nd best in the Eastern Conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CAVS ARE “FRANK THE TANKING IT”

Posted: Jan 25, 2015 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 33 Comments

Yes the Cavs are streaking from L.A. to Cleveland and here’s a look at some numbers during the Cavaliers current 6 game winning streak that would make “Frank The Tank” want to do as many beer bongs as possible because it tastes so good, and has Cavs head coach David Blatt feeling so good because of his team’s play at both ends of the floor.

frank-the-tank

Photo courtesy of ibankcoin.com

The Cavs have now won 6 games in a row for the second time this season.

Their season high winning streak is 8 games (Nov.24-Dec.9).

During their current 6 game winning streak the Cavs margin of victory is 16 points per game – (114 to 98).

3 of those 6 wins have come against teams with records of.500 or better (Clippers, Bulls and OKC).

In all 6 of those games the Cavs have won the rebounding battle and have out rebounded their opponents (287-244).

In the last 4 games the Cavs opponents are shooting just 39.7 percent from the field .

The Cavs are a perfect 13-0 at home when scoring at least 100 points this season.

After finishing the first half of the season at (21=20), the Cavs are now  (4-0) to start the second half off the season.

 

In the 6 wins:

LeBron James is averaging 31.5 points per game.

LeBron James Jumper Over Dion Waiters 1-25-15

Kyrie Irving is averaging 22.3 points per game and 5.3 assists per game.

Kevin Love is averaging 16 points per game and 9 rebounds per game. (Only played 5 games)

Timofey “I Must Break You” Mozgov is averaging 10.5 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks per game.

Ivan Drago - I Must Break You

Photo courtesy of pinterest.com

J.R. Smith is averaging 15.3 points per game and shooting 40 percent from 3-point country  as he’s made 22-55 from beyond the arc.

Tristan Thompson is averaging 9 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game.

 

Next Up For The Cavs:

At Detroit on Tuesday, January 27th.

Home against Portland on Wednesday, January 28th.

Home against Sacramento on Friday, January 30th.

At Minnesota on Saturday, January 31st.

 

DAVID BLATT ON ANDY STARTING AT CENTER, HIS BIGGEST CONCERN, AND IF THE TEAM IS PICKING UP BLATTSKETBALL

Posted: Oct 24, 2014 by . Filed under Audio, Current Interviews | 126 Comments

CDavid Blatt Post Game vs Maccabi Tel Avivavs head coach David Blatt in a round about way announced today that Anderson Varejao will be his starting center, how the team is picking up his principles of “Blattsketball” and more.

Listen to the post practice press conference with David Blatt below.

 

 

CAVS HEAD COACH DAVID BLATT POST-SCRIMMAGE PRESS CONFERENCE

Posted: Oct 1, 2014 by . Filed under Audio, Current Interviews | 1 Comment

So what did Cavs 1st year head coach David Blatt say following the Cavaliers “Wine and Gold” in front of nearly 17,000 fans at The Q. Listen here –

David Blatt Post-game Photo 10-1-14

 

SAM AMICO PODCAST – CAVS PRE-SEASON THOUGHTS

Posted: Sep 30, 2014 by . Filed under Audio, Feature Articles, Podcasts | 41 Comments

FoxSportsOhio.com Cavs beat reporter Sam Amico joined me to look back at Cavs Media Day and look ahead to the challenges that LeBron and this new Cavs team will face in the pre-season and beyond.

Sam Amico Photo

THE ANDREW WIGGINS FOR KEVIN LOVE TRADE DEBATE WITH SAM AMICO

Posted: Jul 18, 2014 by . Filed under Audio, Feature Articles, Podcasts | 48 Comments

FoxSportsOhio.com’s Sam Amico joined me once again and this time we debated about whether or not the Cavs should give up Andrew Wiggins in a trade package to acquire Kevin Love from Minnesota.

Sam Amico Photo

WHO’S ROSTER WOULD BE BETTER, THE CAVS OR THE HEAT?

Posted: Jul 8, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 38 Comments

LET’S PUT LEBRON JAMES ON BOTH TEAMS AND THEN COMPARE THE CURRENT ROSTERS.  WHO GIVES THE KING A BETTER CHANCE FOR MORE RINGS NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND?

Cavaliers                                                                             Heat

 

Kyrie Irving –6’3–193-22 (20.8p-6.1a-3.6r)       PG      Mario Chalmers –6’2–190-28 (9.8p-4.9a-2.9R)

 

Andrew Wiggins –6’8-200-19 (17.1p-1.5a-5.9r)    SG      Dwyane Wade –6’4–220–32 (19p-4.7a-4.5r)

 

LeBron James –6’8-250-29 (27.1p-6.9r-6.4a)         SF      LeBron James -6’8-250-29 (27.1p-6.9r-6.4a)

 

Tristan Thompson -6’9-238-23 (11.7p-9.2r-1a)   PF   Josh McRoberts – 6’10-240-27 (8.5p-4.8r-4.3a)

 

Anderson Varejao – 6’11-267-31 (8.4p-9.7r-2.2a)  C    Chris Bosh – 6’11-235-30 (16.2p-6.6r-1.1a)

LeBron Powder Toss Photo

Cavs Bench – Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett, Tyler Zeller, Brendan Haywood, Sergey Karasev, Matthew Dellavedova, Jarrett Jack, Joe Harris and Carrick Felix.

 

 

 

 

LeBron Disgusted Photo 6-14-14

 

Heat Bench – Norris Cole, Shabazz Napier, Greg Oden, Udonis Haslem, Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, Michael Beasley, Danny Granger and James Jones.

THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT LEBRON

Posted: Jul 4, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 47 Comments

Who’da thunk it right? The Cavs and Dan Gilbert meeting with his agent Rich Paul, about the potential of Akron’s favorite son coming back home. Not me!

Four years ago after “The Decision” there was no way I ever wanted to see him back in a Cavaliers uniform.  Would never root for him again, the fan in me said. However after four excruciating, non-playoff years and a (.313) winning percentage, it’s funny how constant losing will change your mind. How all of a sudden in sports, you’re willing to forgive and forget for wins.

LeBron James photo small 11-27-13

Was he wrong in how he handled free agency in 2010 with the circus-like atmosphere and then the TV special to rip our hearts out? Hell yes, and he knows that. But from a business stand point, let’s admit it; he made the right move as the Heat played in four straight NBA Finals, winning two of them. He became a champion.

If he comes back, and it would make for a great story, does he owe the city and Cavalier fans everywhere an apology? You bet your sweet you-know-what he does.

But he wouldn’t be coming back for just sentimental reasons, or to be closer to home and his family. If he returns to the Cavaliers it’s because he feels they give him the best chance to win because of the roster they have now and for the future.

Will he ever completely forgive Dan Gilbert for that scathing letter he wrote? No, not completely, just like Gilbert and true Cavs fans will never forgive him for the pain he put them through. However the Cavs owner and the 4-time league MVP are smart enough business men to realize that they can’t let those hard feelings from four years ago damage what could be a very successful and lucrative partnership. Plus he knows that @CavsDan is willing to pay into the luxury tax, something Heat owner Micky Arison would not do last year.

The longer Pat Riley and the Heat go without signing a legit free agent to bolster Miami’s roster this off season, the better the chances are for the Cavaliers and all the other teams of luring him away from South Beach. But don’t count “Riles” out just yet. The man has a total of 9 NBA Championship rings for a reason and that’s what scares me.

Plus, as the Cavs roster is constituted today, is their enough talent there for the 2-time Finals MVP to think he can return and win?

LeBron and Kyrie shake hands at Z jersey Ceremony 3-8-14

You’d have two-thirds of a “Big Three” with Kyrie Irving and the 8-time All-NBA first teamer, but who completes the trio? Is it #1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins? If so, how long will that take? Would the 2-time All-Star MVP coming to Cleveland make Dion Waiters a better player and that third amigo? Hard to imagine Waiters being able to play with two ball-dominate players when he can’t even play with one.

So is a trade necessary to bring in a big time All-Star like Kevin Love here to complete the trifecta? You have plenty of assists, but which ones would you be willing to give up for a player who could be a free agent after just one season in Cleveland? Are you willing for maybe a little “Love” to part with the bright future of Andrew Wiggins before he even plays a game for the Cavs? What about a lottery combo package of Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson and future number #1 draft picks? Yes, you have to give up something, to get something in return. But is Gilbert willing to gamble on that, like so many of you do at his casino?

It’s the “Fourth of July” and fireworks will be filling the skies all over this great country of ours, but imagine the fireworks that would occur if “The King” came home and apologized, and then fulfilled his original promise of leading Cleveland to its first championship since 1964. Sure, it may be a long shot, and who knows he may turn his back on us again, but at least there’s a shot. Four years ago I never would have even considered it; in fact I never would have given it a thought. But as free agency is upon us and LeBron James is out there, it’s all this basketball junkie can think about.

WHAT THE CAVALIERS NEED MOST

Posted: Jun 15, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 32 Comments

The Cavs biggest needs this off season via the draft, free agency or trades are very simple, they need a center and they need multiple wing players.

When you look at their roster they’re overloaded at point guard with Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack and Matthew Dellavedova.

While their shooting guards really aren’t shooting guards, they feel they have a young pair in Waiters and Sergey Karasev.  Waiters to me is a point guard, or at least what I call a “Ball Guard”. He needs the ball in his hands in order to be effective and that really doesn’t mesh well when he and Kyrie Irving are on the floor together. The Cavs may be willing to try one more season to see if Irving and Waiters can create chemistry on the floor together, but then again remember; David Griffin didn’t draft either one of them so he may be willing to pull the trigger on a trade of one or the other.  But for now let’s say Waiters stays.

Tristan Thompson and Anthony Bennett are their power forwards, while neither one of those guys excite meet, at least they have what is considered a starter on this team, in Thompson. So again that takes us back to small forward and center positions.

Anderson Varejao could be the team’s starting center if need be, but there’s the possibility they could trade him this off season. But if they do keep him, he’s really not a true center, he’s more of a power forward.  Tyler Zeller is a nice back-up center, but nothing more and Spencer Hawes is a free agent and he’s not your typical center either.  Hawes is a stretch 5, who prefers to play away from the basket and gives you no defensive presence around the rim at all, as well as no toughness.  So depending on what he’s asking for, the Cavs may not resign him.

After watching Luo Deng struggle to stay healthy all season and with all the NBA miles he’s put on his body, I have no desire to bring him back as the starting small forward, especially for what he’s going to be commanding in free agency dollars. Alonzo Gee is nothing more than the 8th, 9th or 10th player on this team.

So as David Griffin and Dan Gilbert prepare for the June 26th NBA Draft, they must decide where they are going to get their center and small forwards(plural) from. That’s what makes this draft so interesting and important. “G and G” have a chance to fill one of those major needs with the first overall pick and possibly another with the 33rd overall pick. If not there, then in free agency or with a major trade.

Joel Embiid would plug the hole at center and be an immediate upgrade defensively, athletically and physically. He’s a little raw on offense, but that’s because he’s only played basketball for about four years and considering his lack of experience, he has shown great improvement in his offensive game. However with Embiid it all comes down to the health of his back. If he cleared all the Cavs medical tests then I believe they should, and will take him number #1 overall. If his back did not pass the medical exams, then it comes down to Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins in the draft.

Parker is the more ready to play right now of the two both physically and mentally. His offensive game is more well-rounded and his outside shot is better at this point than Wiggins. However Wiggins in my opinion, has a higher ceiling and athletically and defensively he blows Parker out of the water. On top of that, Wiggins will still score the basketball from the wing position, just maybe not as consistently as Parker.

But luckily for the Cavs their biggest needs in the draft coincide with the best players in this draft. Meaning they really can’t wrong with whomever they pick. I would have gladly taken anyone of these three before the draft lottery, so they truly are in a win-win-win situation.  Now will one of the top three picks separate himself from the others eventually, probably, but you’re still going to get what many believe is an all-star caliber player no matter who you take.

My order of preference is Embiid first, but only if 100% healthy. Wiggins second because of defense and more upside and Parker third because unlike the other two, he’s more of just an offensive player.

Is it out of the realm of possibility that the Cavs maybe use the number #1 pick and a player to make a trade for an already established all-star caliber player? No it’s not, but I believe it’s unlikely considering the talent and potential that each of the top three picks possess.

So once the Cavs do make their selection with that first overall pick, that should tell us what direction they’re headed in as far as free agency and that’s when things could get even more interesting than the draft, depending on what you know who does in Miami.