Preseason observations

Post #1 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:48 pm

Just a couple things that I've noticed.

We foul way too much
We turn over the ball too much
We give up way too many offensive rebounds
we suck in the 3rd quarters

All these things will have to improve for us to contend for anything other than a lottery pick.

Post #2 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:36 am

Sure we are missing a bunch of people, but we have no identity on the court. Just bad play all around. I could easily see us in the lottery once again.

It'd be nice if Brown would play some of the starters in the 4th quarter, it's not like these guys have learned how to close out games yet.

mcfly1204 · Post #3 » by **mcfly1204** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 3:01 am

I think our offense comes naturally with the talent we have, but our identity will be that of an athletic team that defends and plays hard for 48 minutes. If things go well, Bad Boys 2.0.

tidho · Post #4 » by **tidho** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:20 pm

This team is really deep. I think we're going to end up letting a couple decent players go.

My overall observation is that its tough to get a great feel for where the Cavaliers are at because the likely season roster played so infrequently together. Even ignoring Zeller and Bynum, there seemed to be two guys on the floor that won't be making the team at all times.

Henry Sims is going to make this team. Didn't see that coming.

SmoothKobra · Post #5 » by **SmoothKobra** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:12 am

TheOUTLAW wrote:Just a couple things that I've noticed.

We foul way too much
We turn over the ball too much
We give up way too many offensive rebounds
we suck in the 3rd quarters

All these things will have to improve for us to contend for anything other than a lottery pick.

I think the fouling is a good sign, it's a sign of giving defensive effort. Obviously right now it's a negative, but I think it will get cleaned up as players get used to their defensive rotations and the effort they have to give on a daily basis. Didn't see this kind of effort under Scott at all.

Turnovers are probably happening because Irving-Waiters-Jack haven't really played much together. I think they will get it together relatively early on. Irving's continued high rate is a bit troubling though.

Since we don't have to play Henry Sims and Kenny Kadji 25 mins a game during the regular season, I think our rebounding will be fine. Tristan and Varejao are both good offensive rebounders.

The 3rd quarter trend comes from last year and it's troubling. But too early to say if it's going to stay.

Overall I think this is a much improved team that makes the playoffs. SO much more talent than in past years.

gflem · Post #6 » by **gflem** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:22 pm

Again, the real weak spot has been the SF position. Clark just hasn't looked comfortable as yet, kind of like CJ Miles last year he has looked lost at times though it seems he is playing a little better the last few games.
Outside of that one stretch Bennett hasn't looked too good either. Just watching him on defense, he will show on the pnr but he shows no sense of urgency getting back to the post, whereas Andy and TT are flat out hustling back. Maybe its just a rookie thing but it looks like Bennett hasn't bought into the way Brown wants to play the pnr on defense yet.
It will be interesting to see the rotation once the season starts, but with Zeller down I expect to see a good bit of Sims, who to me looks pretty solid for a back-up big.

JonFromVA · Post #7 » by **JonFromVA** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:49 pm

I don't think the team has been trying in the second half the past few games. Mike Brown treats it like an extended practice, and players are allowed to try things they wouldn't in the regular season.

So give it a few games, and we'll have a much better idea which symptoms from pre-season are actual problems.