Game 55: Cleveland Cavaliers (32-22) @ Boston Celtics (40-17) - 3:30 PM EST

Mrakar · Post #2 » by **Mrakar** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 1:52 pm

New guys playing tonight?

cavs4872 · Post #3 » by **cavs4872** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 2:54 pm

Ty Lue is really dead set on a small-ball lineup for this team, then again he really doesn't have much of a choice, though I suddenly became disinterested in watching today's game if this is indeed the starting 5. At least give me Hill-Hood-James-Nance-Thompson; I believe this will be more of the same garbage we're used, though LBJ is an upgrade over Jae at the 4.

Mrakar wrote:New guys playing tonight?

Yep; it's also more of a matinee game.

bb22 · Post #4 » by **bb22** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:06 pm

cavs4872 wrote:Ty Lue is really dead set on a small-ball lineup for this team, then again he really doesn't have much of a choice, though I suddenly became disinterested in watching today's game if this is indeed the starting 5. At least give me Hill-Hood-James-Nance-Thompson; I believe this will be more of the same garbage we're used, though LBJ is an upgrade over Jae at the 4.

Mrakar wrote:New guys playing tonight?

Yep; it's also more of a matinee game.

I don't know. This starting lineup for the Cavs is mainly the result of injuries and new additions. Should change in the next few weeks. I like the matchup though. Who will Horford and Baynes guard? TT and Lebron can definitely matchup with Baynes and Horford on D, but there is no way either of them is defending Lebron (or any starter other than TT). Celtics will have to downsize too.
I definitely agree with the having Nance and Hood in there instead of Cedi and JR, but Cedi deserves another start after that line he dropped against the Hawks.
I'm looking forward to some athletic lineups like Hill, Hood/Osman, Lebron, Green and Nance.
All of this looks ok on paper, but so did the roster at the start of the season. Time will tell.

Stillwater · Post #5 » by **Stillwater** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 7:37 pm

It's going to be tough for a couple weeks getting the new players up to speed,but the break will help significantly.Hill and Nance should be able to play solid defense and impact the games from the start. Lack of good ball movement might be a a problem for several games until players get used to the system. All of these new players are strong basketball minds

cavs4872 · Post #6 » by **cavs4872** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 8:05 pm

In retrospect, it may be better to bring Hood off the bench since he can clearly do his own thing without LBJ's help; otherwise he would just be a spot-up shooter.

Nance is going to benefit from LeBron so much.

Stillwater · Post #7 » by **Stillwater** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:02 pm

LeBron banged knee with Baynes looks to be in quite a bit of pain. Hopefully it's nothing that sidelines him beyond today :nonono:

Back in the game .

Team hung with Celtics without him which is a good sign too.

Stillwater · Post #8 » by **Stillwater** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:40 pm

Boston who?

DEEP3CL · Post #9 » by **DEEP3CL** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:19 pm

You guys have a whole new team....more athletic, faster,younger and can defend a hell of lot better.

Stillwater · Post #10 » by **Stillwater** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:25 pm

Did not expect us to be this good this quick ,can't wait till we've had more time in

tugs · Post #11 » by **tugs** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:59 pm

The switches and effort in defense is refreshing.

nk657 · Post #12 » by **nk657** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:09 pm

Wow, I am happy for them.

Finally someone realized that you dont need to have 5 all stars to build a contender team when you have LeBron James

Finally there was balance in offense and thats the way it should have been but really i want to point out that there are some people now that cover the wings. And even that was not that obvious in tonight's game, I am pretty sure that Hood, Hill and Clarkson can put immersive pressure on opponent guards.

I dont know if you guys can beat GSW or even Toronto but definitely it is not premature to say that the season is saved...

Post #13 » by **jbk1234** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:14 pm

cavs4872 wrote:Ty Lue is really dead set on a small-ball lineup for this team, then again he really doesn't have much of a choice, though I suddenly became disinterested in watching today's game if this is indeed the starting 5. At least give me Hill-Hood-James-Nance-Thompson; I believe this will be more of the same garbage we're used, though LBJ is an upgrade over Jae at the 4.

Mrakar wrote:New guys playing tonight?

Yep; it's also more of a matinee game.

I suspect when Love comes back it will be a Love/Nance front court.

ZemGOAT · Post #14 » by **ZemGOAT** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:34 pm

Cavs Playing Defense brings me a smile

gflem · Post #15 » by **gflem** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 12:26 am

jbk1234 wrote:
cavs4872 wrote:Ty Lue is really dead set on a small-ball lineup for this team, then again he really doesn't have much of a choice, though I suddenly became disinterested in watching today's game if this is indeed the starting 5. At least give me Hill-Hood-James-Nance-Thompson; I believe this will be more of the same garbage we're used, though LBJ is an upgrade over Jae at the 4.

Mrakar wrote:New guys playing tonight?

Yep; it's also more of a matinee game.

I suspect when Love comes back it will be a Love/Nance front court.

Idk, I think that TT will stay in the starting lineup. It seems to me that in order to keep him and JR happy and into the game they need to start. Maybe I'm wrong but they were in the starting lineup that went to 3 straight finals and I don't think either one will be happy with coming off the bench.

Dupp · Post #16 » by **Dupp** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:51 am

jbk1234 wrote:
cavs4872 wrote:Ty Lue is really dead set on a small-ball lineup for this team, then again he really doesn't have much of a choice, though I suddenly became disinterested in watching today's game if this is indeed the starting 5. At least give me Hill-Hood-James-Nance-Thompson; I believe this will be more of the same garbage we're used, though LBJ is an upgrade over Jae at the 4.

Mrakar wrote:New guys playing tonight?

Yep; it's also more of a matinee game.

I suspect when Love comes back it will be a Love/Nance front court.

That’s what I’d like. I have a feeling it might be love and TT

DS17 · Post #17 » by **DS17** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:15 am

Please appreciate LNJ and JC... us Lakers fans miss them

Post #18 » by **Yuri Vaultin** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:50 pm

Cedi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kiwibrindle · Post #19 » by **kiwibrindle** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:48 pm

I'm thinking LBJ at the 4 is a good move. Everyone slows down over time. I think time will tell but I can see two likely starting lineups will end up being either:

Hill, Smith, Osman, James and Love. But I could see
Hill, Smith, James, Love and Kardashian,

One for more Offense the first and One for more Defense the later

Stillwater · Post #20 » by **Stillwater** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 9:54 pm

kiwibrindle wrote:I'm thinking LBJ at the 4 is a good move. Everyone slows down over time. I think time will tell but I can see two likely starting lineups will end up being either:

Hill, Smith, Osman, James and Love. But I could see
Hill, Smith, James, Love and Kardashian,

One for more Offense the first and One for more Defense the later

Yeah the rotation options are now primarily endless when Lebron is in the game, and very solid when he sits as well.
Lue should be able to drum up some solid plans for every opponent we might face in both conferences.
I don't see much weakness on this roster at this point. The only thing missing, not that it is absolutely necessary, is a true center that isn't a rookie[ or Zizic steps up as needed which won't be often]. We still have 2 open roster spots so the waiver wire and buyout market should yield enough for as little as the specialists would be needed.