Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: ***Official: Lakers @ Cavs Game Thread***
The Cavs bring an 11-15 record into tonight’s game following an embarrassing loss at New York (90-108) last night. The defending Eastern Conference Champions have struggled to find their rhythm this season but there are a few good reasons. First, they have had key players miss stretches of games with injuries. LeBron missed five games and Larry Hughes missed three weeks. Another reason is that two key players off their playoff run last season were not signed until late (Pavlovic and Varejao). Finally, as the defending conference champs they have a bullseye on their backs for the first time. All these factors add up to a challenging start to the season. They now have their pieces together and coming off a bad loss this will be a mad team that we see tonight.
The Cavs most recent starting lineup consisted of Dan Gibson at the 1, Pavlovic at the 2, James at the 3, Gooden at 4, and Ilgauskas at the 5. Gibson is a solid point who hit some big shots in the playoffs last year. Pavlovic is a shooter who moves well without the ball. The offense runs through James whether he is handling it as the point or posting up/isolating. He is extremely unselfish so defensively we have to know that if we double he will be a willing passer out of the traps. Gooden has been playing well on the boards and with his mid-range shot and Ilgauskas is a former all-star who is capable of picking and popping or operating on the low post.
Two key members of the Cavs’ bench are Anderson Varejao and Larry Hughes. Hughes is a good defender, has an improved shot, but is still more dangerous as a driver. Quite simply we cannot let Varejao out-work us. If he is able to create extra possessions for the Cavs with offensive rebounds, steals and by taking charges (flops) then we could be in trouble.
One of the biggest threats that Cleveland has offensively is when they let James bring the ball up the floor and go straight into a screen and roll. He is so powerful on the drive that once he gets a head of steam going towards the hoop he is almost impossible to stop. As stated earlier, he is very unselfish so if we double team him late he will find the open three point shooter. Another part of this action that is difficult to deal with is the fact that they will change the angle of the screen. This subtle change creates different lanes for LeBron to attack and it changes how the defense can help. At some point of the game we will have to successfully defend these screen and rolls without fouling.
Lakers 108
Cavs 93 _________________ The only thing standing between me and greatness, is me.
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 12609 Location: Not "at all" LMAO!
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject:
MBLakerfan wrote:
When do you plan on changing that signature, LakersForLife?
lol, ur right, I was considering it the other day when Kobe said he's happy he wasn't traded and he's happy he's a Laker. And now that Luol Deng is playing hurt, time to get rid of it. _________________ LAKERS ARE THE NBA CHAMPIONS
Come out sharp, and play 48 minutes of good basketball. The Cavs will be looking to make a statement after last night. Keep them under 100. _________________ "It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."-The Greatest
Come out sharp, and play 48 minutes of good basketball. The Cavs will be looking to make a statement after last night. Keep them under 100.
I actually think a high scoring game favors the Lakers. The Cavs have seemed so anemic on the offensive end of late that I really don't like their chances if the scores reach triple digits.
Of course, I'd prefer to keep them under 100 and be over 100 ourselves. That's the best case scenario. _________________ Jeffs
I feel like I just watched someone TRULY give 100%. Not the BS I'm-gonna-give-a-110%-just-like-everyone-else-says platitudes, but someone that went until he just....broke. - GT
Come out sharp, and play 48 minutes of good basketball. The Cavs will be looking to make a statement after last night. Keep them under 100.
I actually think a high scoring game favors the Lakers. The Cavs have seemed so anemic on the offensive end of late that I really don't like their chances if the scores reach triple digits.
Of course, I'd prefer to keep them under 100 and be over 100 ourselves. That's the best case scenario.
Well see, thats exactly what I meant.
_________________ "It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."-The Greatest
Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 4520 Location: Hollywood, Ca.
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:
The Lakers are hopefully not taking tonight's game lightly at all. The Cavs will certainly be looking for a little redemption after being embarrassed last night by the lowly Knicks, and as we all should know the Lakers have lost a number of close games (involving late Cav rallies) to Cleveland in recent years. The Lakers need to be all business and hope that Bynum gets a solid edge over his matchup with Big Z. Odom and Bynum need to control the boards and the perimeter guys need to hit their shots. The Cavs are backed into a corner right now and the Lakers are rolling, so the Lakers really need to make sure they're not complacent, cause Cleveland is still the defending East Champs from last year and could have a big game at any point. _________________ "People don't think it be like it is, but it do." - Oscar Gamble
Just a reminder folks: "a lot" is two words. So is "no one".
Joined: 02 Aug 2002 Posts: 18408 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:03 pm Post subject:
The Lakers just need to STAY FOCUSED. These are the Lakers - you can darn well bet that the Cavs will bring a lot of energy to tonight's game. We'll get their best so if we don't play OUR best, we will lose.
Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Posts: 6280 Location: Central Coast
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject:
Odom against Gooden could be the defining matchup of the game. If Lamar boards like he did against the Bulls, we will be styling. Bynum's matchup will be interesting,as the Cav's big man is more of an outside shooter, and is tall enough, that Bynum won't be able to jump over him for boards. But if Bynum plays like he did agains the Clippers Kaman, he should win the matchup. _________________ LAKERS 2019-2020: NBA World Champions!
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: ***Official: Lakers @ Cavs Game Thread***
minorbravo wrote:
The Cavs bring an 11-15 record into tonight’s game following an embarrassing loss at New York (90-108) last night. The defending Eastern Conference Champions have struggled to find their rhythm this season but there are a few good reasons. First, they have had key players miss stretches of games with injuries. LeBron missed five games and Larry Hughes missed three weeks. Another reason is that two key players off their playoff run last season were not signed until late (Pavlovic and Varejao). Finally, as the defending conference champs they have a bullseye on their backs for the first time. All these factors add up to a challenging start to the season. They now have their pieces together and coming off a bad loss this will be a mad team that we see tonight.
The Cavs most recent starting lineup consisted of Dan Gibson at the 1, Pavlovic at the 2, James at the 3, Gooden at 4, and Ilgauskas at the 5. Gibson is a solid point who hit some big shots in the playoffs last year. Pavlovic is a shooter who moves well without the ball. The offense runs through James whether he is handling it as the point or posting up/isolating. He is extremely unselfish so defensively we have to know that if we double he will be a willing passer out of the traps. Gooden has been playing well on the boards and with his mid-range shot and Ilgauskas is a former all-star who is capable of picking and popping or operating on the low post.
Two key members of the Cavs’ bench are Anderson Varejao and Larry Hughes. Hughes is a good defender, has an improved shot, but is still more dangerous as a driver. Quite simply we cannot let Varejao out-work us. If he is able to create extra possessions for the Cavs with offensive rebounds, steals and by taking charges (flops) then we could be in trouble.
One of the biggest threats that Cleveland has offensively is when they let James bring the ball up the floor and go straight into a screen and roll. He is so powerful on the drive that once he gets a head of steam going towards the hoop he is almost impossible to stop. As stated earlier, he is very unselfish so if we double team him late he will find the open three point shooter. Another part of this action that is difficult to deal with is the fact that they will change the angle of the screen. This subtle change creates different lanes for LeBron to attack and it changes how the defense can help. At some point of the game we will have to successfully defend these screen and rolls without fouling.
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: ***Official: Lakers @ Cavs Game Thread***
Rashomon wrote:
minorbravo wrote:
The Cavs bring an 11-15 record into tonight’s game following an embarrassing loss at New York (90-108) last night. The defending Eastern Conference Champions have struggled to find their rhythm this season but there are a few good reasons. First, they have had key players miss stretches of games with injuries. LeBron missed five games and Larry Hughes missed three weeks. Another reason is that two key players off their playoff run last season were not signed until late (Pavlovic and Varejao). Finally, as the defending conference champs they have a bullseye on their backs for the first time. All these factors add up to a challenging start to the season. They now have their pieces together and coming off a bad loss this will be a mad team that we see tonight.
The Cavs most recent starting lineup consisted of Dan Gibson at the 1, Pavlovic at the 2, James at the 3, Gooden at 4, and Ilgauskas at the 5. Gibson is a solid point who hit some big shots in the playoffs last year. Pavlovic is a shooter who moves well without the ball. The offense runs through James whether he is handling it as the point or posting up/isolating. He is extremely unselfish so defensively we have to know that if we double he will be a willing passer out of the traps. Gooden has been playing well on the boards and with his mid-range shot and Ilgauskas is a former all-star who is capable of picking and popping or operating on the low post.
Two key members of the Cavs’ bench are Anderson Varejao and Larry Hughes. Hughes is a good defender, has an improved shot, but is still more dangerous as a driver. Quite simply we cannot let Varejao out-work us. If he is able to create extra possessions for the Cavs with offensive rebounds, steals and by taking charges (flops) then we could be in trouble.
One of the biggest threats that Cleveland has offensively is when they let James bring the ball up the floor and go straight into a screen and roll. He is so powerful on the drive that once he gets a head of steam going towards the hoop he is almost impossible to stop. As stated earlier, he is very unselfish so if we double team him late he will find the open three point shooter. Another part of this action that is difficult to deal with is the fact that they will change the angle of the screen. This subtle change creates different lanes for LeBron to attack and it changes how the defense can help. At some point of the game we will have to successfully defend these screen and rolls without fouling.
Lakers 108
Cavs 93
Good scouting report.
I hope the Lakers are prepared.
yep I typed this up last night after I watched the Cavs-NY game
_________________ The only thing standing between me and greatness, is me.
Z is a better center than many teams have had, and we really don't have anyone other than Drew to go against him so he has to stay out of foul trouble. Kobe can't get into a mano a mano duel with LeBron to show who is the better player. DFish needs to have a good game. _________________ Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
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