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Matchup guarantees action, suspense. Brown just focuses on defense
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Jan 29, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: There are enough storylines running through tonight's game between the Cavaliers and Orlando Magic that director Martin Scorsese just might be able to craft a serviceable script and movie.
LeBron James vs. Dwight Howard.
Mike Brown and Stan Van Gundy vying for the honor of coaching the Eastern Conference All-Star team Valentine's Day weekend.
The sheer spectacle of two teams at and near the top of the conference jockeying for position for home-court advantage in the playoffs. And Brown cares about none of them.
Playing the right way and getting a win is what Brown is focused on. If they do the former — play defense — the latter should follow.
The problem: The Cavs haven't exactly been focused in the area of defense in recent games. Although they are 4-1 in the last five games, in three of them they've given up more than 100 points. During that same span, they have allowed teams to shoot close to 47 percent. That explains why a frustrated Brown vented after the Cavs beat the Sacramento Kings 117-110 Tuesday night.
''Tuesday we weren't good on the ball,'' Brown said. ''We obviously have five guys guarding the ball, but we didn't give our teammates a good enough opportunity to let them help defend the ball.
''There were too many direct line drives to the rim or what we call 'blow bys,' so the help couldn't get there in time and we didn't get into the shooters good enough to take away their jump shots when we know they're a good jump-shot shooting team.''
While the Cavaliers are a team that rarely ever makes excuses, there's little doubt that the loss of two starters hurts their defensive efforts.
That's especially true in Delonte West's case. West's dozen points per game are easy enough to make up, because the Cavs possess offense to spare, but it's his defense that makes him particularly valuable, Mo Williams said.
''He's one of the better defenders on this basketball team,'' he said.
''He sets the tone on the defensive side of the basketball; so yes, we definitely miss him.''
The absence of West and Zydrunas Ilgauskas means that the team loses Anderson Varejao's defensive skills and energy off the bench, forcing the Cavs to rely on younger players, such as J.J. Hickson, who, though improving lately, still isn't quite there.
Still Brown isn't one to make excuses for his team and doesn't believe it's a case of them missing West's defense.
''He's a very good defender. He's one of the best in the league, one of the best I've been around in my opinion, but it doesn't matter who you have,'' Brown said. ''You give effort. You pay attention to details and things like that. You're physical on that end of the floor and anybody can play defense.''
The Cavaliers went through their practice on Wednesday, and the coach said his team looked good on that side of the ball.
''I don't want anyone to mistake me being upset Tuesday for me thinking we're not a good defensive team or we're back to square one or step one,'' he said. ''We're not. We know how to defend. Just as of late, we haven't done it the way that I like.''
No Z yet?
It looked as if Ilgauskas had shaken off some of the rust he accumulated as he popped in 3-pointers during Wednesday's practice, but the Cavs center, who was benched by an ankle injury at the beginning of January, remains doubtful for tonight's game against the Magic. He did, however, travel with the team.
Are we done yet?
Yes, Williams would like to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Yes, he'd be disappointed if he didn't. No, it wouldn't be the end of the world for him. Yes, the Cavs should probably have another player other than James there to represent the conference's best team and lastly, it seems like Williams can't wait for the brouhaha related to all of this to be done.
''Yeah, I'm thinking about it. Tomorrow will be the last day I can think about it,'' he said of waiting to learn whether he will make the reserve team for the East. ''It's going to be over with tomorrow.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas.
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Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:24 AM, 01/29/2009
If Mo doesn't get the All Star birth it just shows the lack of respect the Cavs are getting around the league. Too many still think of the Cavs as just LeBron. I live in Florida and talk to many former Ohioans who are basketball fans yet know little about guys like Mo and Delonte, Z etc. Perhaps a snub of Mo will give this team the added incentive to prove to the world they are more than a one man team.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:50 AM, 01/29/2009
Interesting tidbit - Knicks are in 8th slot and Cavs #1 - Playoff matchup? Tell me the NBA isn't fixed.
Posted 09:03 AM, 01/29/2009
Did you think Mo was an all star last year? His numbers are no better this year. I think he might make it, but his numbers don't exactly shout out all star lock. It's not all that hard to find players that average 17 3 and 4. If he doesn't make it he has no more of a complaint than guys like Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Derrick Rose, or even Jose Calderon.
Barberton, OH
Posted 09:26 AM, 01/29/2009
The NBA isn't fixed in the regular season. It's only fixed in the playoffs.
This Place, 32
Posted 04:11 PM, 01/29/2009
Mo has been killing it. Why ya gotta hate?
Typical Cleveland Fan....never happy.
What next, LeBron is not a superstar?
I can't wait until the championship parade comes through Cleveland. All of you haters better stay home. WE DON'T NEED YOU ANYWAY.
