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By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 01:46 p.m. EST, Jan 05, 2009
WASHINGTON: Cavaliers fans aren't used to this and the Cavs certainly aren't used to playing like this.
The Cavs are 3-2 in their past five games, something they've not experienced since the beginning of the season.
Looking for a culprit to go along with the lethargic starts? Try rebounding.
In those games, home-and-home against the Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards and a game against the Chicago Bulls, opposing teams outrebounded the Cavs by a 44-41 average margin and 13-10.6 on the offensive boards. The offensive rebounding deficit is especially significant because those rebounds often lead to second-chance points.
At no time was that more evident than against the Wizards on Sunday afternoon. The Wizards grabbed 10 more offensive rebounds than the Cavs and turned them into 20 second-chance points.
No basketball team will be successful when giving away points like that.
The loss of Zydrunas Ilgauskas is going to hurt on the boards, but Cavs coach Mike Brown said there are still enough players with size who can crash the boards aggressively and successfully.
''I think we're a capable rebounding team,'' he said. ''We just didn't get it done [Sunday].''
The primary problem has been a lack of physical play.
Opposing players penetrate into the lane, drawing defenders to them and freeing space around the basket for offensive rebounds.
The Wizards outscored the Cavs 38-28 in the paint Sunday. Many of those points came on easy drives to the hoop. When the Wizards weren't making them, they were able to grab 19 offensive rebounds.
''I don't think we're putting bodies on bodies and going to get the basketball, especially when we have to go out and help on dribble drives,'' Brown said.
LeBron James said that it's nothing to worry about in the future.
''It's very fixable. [Washington] outworked us,'' James said. ''They had 19 offensive rebounds, we can never give that up again. We just have to do a better job of boxing out.''
Sasha gets a shot
Wally Szczerbiak was ready to go Friday after recovering from a bruised right knee, but Sasha Pavlovic played more minutes in the game against the Bulls.
Pavlovic came off the bench before Szczerbiak against the Wizards. In this respect at least, Brown is still looking for the right rotation, especially with Ilgauskas out.
Pavlovic represents the type of player Brown likes — big, strong and athletic.
''I just went with Sasha, not necessarily out of precaution. Wally's fine,'' he said. ''He's practiced well, but those guys have been close so I just wanted to give Sasha an opportunity. Wally obviously edged him out and we'd been winning. That's why I went with Wally.''
Pavlovic delivered 13 points in 22 minutes against the Bulls. In seven minutes Sunday against the Wizards, he didn't score. Brown will likely continue to give him his opportunities, however.
''He's got to figure out a way to be aggressive out on the floor because he's just so big, athletic and agile, so that's what he can do,'' Brown said. ''He has to continue doing that and if he doesn't, it's like anything else, we have other options we can go to. But hopefully he will continue to look to try to attack the basket because we need that from him.''
A little clarification
Referee Bill Spooner clarified the traveling call on LeBron James that proved pivotal in Sunday's loss to the Wizards. With the Wizards ahead by two points, James appeared to make a game-tying shot using what he thought was his typical move — the ''crab dribble,'' a hesitation move on his way to the basket. After the game, James said it was a bad call. From Spooner's perspective there was little doubt about the call: ''Three steps on the move to the basket. Basic travel call.''
Quick hits
The Cavs return home Wednesday for a night dedicated to the members of CavFanatic.com. Members of the site will receive recognition throughout and have the chance to attend a reception at the team shop before the game for $25 per person. Fans get a chance to play CavFanatic Family Feud, win other prizes and will receive a $10 food voucher. The Cavs will wear throwback jerseys in blue, and it's Daniel Gibson bobblehead night.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
WASHINGTON: Cavaliers fans aren't used to this and the Cavs certainly aren't used to playing like this.
The Cavs are 3-2 in their past five games, something they've not experienced since the beginning of the season.
Looking for a culprit to go along with the lethargic starts? Try rebounding.
In those games, home-and-home against the Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards and a game against the Chicago Bulls, opposing teams outrebounded the Cavs by a 44-41 average margin and 13-10.6 on the offensive boards. The offensive rebounding deficit is especially significant because those rebounds often lead to second-chance points.
At no time was that more evident than against the Wizards on Sunday afternoon. The Wizards grabbed 10 more offensive rebounds than the Cavs and turned them into 20 second-chance points.
No basketball team will be successful when giving away points like that.
The loss of Zydrunas Ilgauskas is going to hurt on the boards, but Cavs coach Mike Brown said there are still enough players with size who can crash the boards aggressively and successfully.
''I think we're a capable rebounding team,'' he said. ''We just didn't get it done [Sunday].''
The primary problem has been a lack of physical play.
Opposing players penetrate into the lane, drawing defenders to them and freeing space around the basket for offensive rebounds.
The Wizards outscored the Cavs 38-28 in the paint Sunday. Many of those points came on easy drives to the hoop. When the Wizards weren't making them, they were able to grab 19 offensive rebounds.
''I don't think we're putting bodies on bodies and going to get the basketball, especially when we have to go out and help on dribble drives,'' Brown said.
LeBron James said that it's nothing to worry about in the future.
''It's very fixable. [Washington] outworked us,'' James said. ''They had 19 offensive rebounds, we can never give that up again. We just have to do a better job of boxing out.''
Sasha gets a shot
Wally Szczerbiak was ready to go Friday after recovering from a bruised right knee, but Sasha Pavlovic played more minutes in the game against the Bulls.
Pavlovic came off the bench before Szczerbiak against the Wizards. In this respect at least, Brown is still looking for the right rotation, especially with Ilgauskas out.
Pavlovic represents the type of player Brown likes — big, strong and athletic.
''I just went with Sasha, not necessarily out of precaution. Wally's fine,'' he said. ''He's practiced well, but those guys have been close so I just wanted to give Sasha an opportunity. Wally obviously edged him out and we'd been winning. That's why I went with Wally.''
Pavlovic delivered 13 points in 22 minutes against the Bulls. In seven minutes Sunday against the Wizards, he didn't score. Brown will likely continue to give him his opportunities, however.
''He's got to figure out a way to be aggressive out on the floor because he's just so big, athletic and agile, so that's what he can do,'' Brown said. ''He has to continue doing that and if he doesn't, it's like anything else, we have other options we can go to. But hopefully he will continue to look to try to attack the basket because we need that from him.''
A little clarification
Referee Bill Spooner clarified the traveling call on LeBron James that proved pivotal in Sunday's loss to the Wizards. With the Wizards ahead by two points, James appeared to make a game-tying shot using what he thought was his typical move — the ''crab dribble,'' a hesitation move on his way to the basket. After the game, James said it was a bad call. From Spooner's perspective there was little doubt about the call: ''Three steps on the move to the basket. Basic travel call.''
Quick hits
The Cavs return home Wednesday for a night dedicated to the members of CavFanatic.com. Members of the site will receive recognition throughout and have the chance to attend a reception at the team shop before the game for $25 per person. Fans get a chance to play CavFanatic Family Feud, win other prizes and will receive a $10 food voucher. The Cavs will wear throwback jerseys in blue, and it's Daniel Gibson bobblehead night.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
Comments
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Posted 05:18 PM, 01/05/2009
How is not having a center who averages 7 to 8 rebounds a game going to hurt rebounding? Not to mention the padded offensive rebounding stats with all the taps to himself? Sorry, the excuse doesn't wash. If anything, having Varejao in there instead of Ilgauskas should HELP the rebounding, not hurt it. Find another reason.
Bluffton, SC
Posted 08:34 AM, 01/06/2009
Rebounding is "WANTING IT MORE" than the other guy. The Cav's have been taking it EASY for a few games. Dennis Rodman was not bigger, stronger or jumped higher, he just out hustled everbody. Z being out is not the reason. "Come on Cavs, make it happen!"
