- Batman? You ask why I say Batman? Because LeBron has his Batman and it is the four other guys starting games right now. Z, Sasha, Boobie, and Drew. This is not the NBA that I grew up on. This is the NBA where you need three or four good starters to really be a contender in not only your conference but in the NBA. This is not the Bulls being able to win with Micheal, Scottie, Rodman, and an average Kukoc off the bench. Bill Wennington, Luc Longley, and Randy Brown were fixtures on those teams as well. So the answer to the five year old question "who will be Bron's Batman" is simply this. Everyone, only in different combinations and on different days.
- I have a Larry Hughes poster in my dorm room. I have been a defender of his for years. Back to his days where he was miscast on a bad Philly team. Problem is, he stinks this season. The Cavaliers are clearly a better team with Sasha in the lineup. Larry is made of glass it seems and shoots rim rocking jumpers about 60% of the time. Is he being misused? Yes. However, has he adapted? No. Plus, I find it hard to believe that he cannot fit into a new European motion style offense where guys move around and LeBron draws double teams.
- It turns out that LeBron is super special. He has had back to back triple doubles against Minnesota and Toronto (which I WITNESSED in person). Not only do his penetrations create open shots, they do something that I have never seen in 17 years of watching the NBA. They create open driving lanes. Even Damon Jones has taken the ball to the hole a few times against Minnesota and Toronto, both teams with bonafied shot blockers, in consecutive games.
- Speaking of Damon Jones, good thing he has been buried on Mike Brown's bench for two seasons now. The point that he did not help his own cause is a valid one however we have seen what consistent minutes have done for guy's careers. Sasha benefited, Anderson Varejao benefited. He is making shots, running the offense, and even providing the kind of leadership that can be best appreciated by watching the games in person. For some reason, it seems like the team has a sense of calm with Damon, Devin Brown, LeBron, Z, and Drew on the floor with Damon running the show. With Damon showing this ability, I no longer believe that a major move for a point guard is necessary during this season.
- While I am thinking about the bench, what the heck has gotten into Ira Newble? He is playing solid defense, moving the ball well, not turning it over, and playing fantastic transition defense. Is he ever going to average double digits in anything? Not at all. However, you cannot ask for more from a guy off your bench than to provide some energy, defend, and make a couple open shots. Everyone went nuts about Varejao's "energy" but for some reason, we all overlook the energy that Ira has provided this season. Watch closely. Newble is what I call a "Good Things Guy". Good things happen when he is in the game. Coincidence or not, it is the truth and I think he may deserve a new contract assuming he can be resigned cheaply this offseason. Thank you Ira, for showing up and being consistently dependable. And yes, I am just as shocked as you are that I just wrote 10 lines praising Ira Newble. Weird.
All For One. One For All.
-Donnage
2 comments:
Perhaps Mike Brown has learned something in the off-season, and that something was: YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ACTUAL OFFENSE.
Perhaps LeBron learned something as well: YOU HAVE TO PLAY FOUR QUARTERS OF THE GAME.
Sadly, it appears that Anderson was absent or not paying attention during school. He has a lot yet to learn: KNOW YOUR ROLE.
Sure seems that he has learned a lot about not only offense but coaching overall.
Seems like LeBron has "gotten it" and become a complete player. STill a lack of shot selection in quarter 4 against boston but MUCH MUCH better thus far.
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