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Team off to good start after filling up tank and tuning up motor
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Nov 17, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: With its plodding pace and reliance on LeBron James in the half-court game, the Cavaliers used to drive like a Yugo, one of those boxy import cars guaranteed to draw snickers from onlookers.
No one is laughing now.
The Cavs' offensive attack is running like a sleek, efficient and cool Mercedes-Benz.
The numbers speak for themselves as Cleveland has blown up the scoreboard. The Cavs scored more than 100 points in six of the past seven games, averaging 105.4 points on 48.5 percent shooting. They rank fifth in the league in overall offense. The 8-2 Cavs have won seven in a row and lead the NBA's Central Division.
Not a bad start.
Coach Mike Brown finds himself smiling these days. ''Offensively, we're further along now than ever before since I've been here,'' he said.
Brown has taken criticism for the team's lackluster offense over the past several seasons. He relied on the team's defense and James' skills, and figured the offense would come later.
''That started a little bit last year and it's obviously carried into this year,'' Brown said. ''The guys that we have are intelligent. They really like each other and they want to get better. And it's starting on that end of the floor.''
The starters have been the key. Led by James, four of the five starters average double digits in scoring. The bench has contributed significantly, too.
The acquisition of point guard Mo Williams is proving to be the difference. Williams initially struggled as he tried to find his role in the Cleveland offense.
Judging from the past two games, it looks as if he might be getting there. In those two, he averaged 22 points per game and five assists.
He's doing exactly what the Cavs had hoped. He, for one, isn't surprised about what the offense is accomplishing.
''We have a great team and great chemistry off the floor,'' he said. ''I think it wouldn't take long on the court for it to get done. I think people under-estimate how much the chemistry off of the court affects what goes on on the court. We are around each other a lot, especially off the court.''
James, who is averaging 29.8 points a game, understands that this offense allows him to be the force on the court without having to shoulder the burden. In fact, some of the Cavs' most impressive efforts came when James was on the bench and the team expanded upon a lead.
''I'm all over the floor,'' James said. ''I feel comfortable shooting jumpers. I feel comfortable going into the paint, and when you have release guys like Mo, Delonte [West] and Z [Ilgauskas], where you can take a few possessions off on the offensive end, it makes it a lot easier.''
Cavs fans can only hope that the offense continues to run this smoothly.
Gibson's back
Daniel Gibson suffered a sore back in Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz after crashing to the floor hard. He said that it was nothing to worry about. ''It just got sore in the second half,'' he said. ''I feel like I would be out there and able to play if we had a game tomorrow. Luckily, we have tomorrow off to recuperate and ice and get ready for Tuesday.''
Big Ben's benefits
Ben Wallace grabbed 10 rebounds against the Jazz on Saturday, the fourth game he's gone in double digits. The Cavs are 4-0 when that happens.
Follow tonight's game on Ohio.com
Cavaliers beat writer George M. Thomas will be blogging live during Tuesday night's game against the New Jersey Nets. The game starts at 7:30 p.m., so join Thomas on the Ohio.com Cavs blog.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
INDEPENDENCE: With its plodding pace and reliance on LeBron James in the half-court game, the Cavaliers used to drive like a Yugo, one of those boxy import cars guaranteed to draw snickers from onlookers.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Barberton, OH
Posted 02:25 PM, 11/17/2008
LeBron has been doing much better since he became Mayor of Akron. Maybe he should have taken on that title as soon as he started in the NBA.
Posted 09:31 AM, 11/18/2008
He's the best-oiled mayor of Akron since Roy Ray!
Posted 05:53 PM, 11/18/2008
you guys are missing the point; even MJ didn't win anything until he got players around him.
talent is one thing - you don't have to like others to work well with them, but when you *do*, you (and they) become capable of playing at a higher level. morale makes a big difference, especially over the course of an 82 game season which includes long road trips, especially games back to back.