Conspiracy

[Greenbean]

No way. This is just a lame excuse. If Lebron wanted Brown out, one word to GM and he's gone. In a contract year they'll do anything for him. Also, this speculation means that Lebron is satying with Cavs, so it make sense for Clevlend fans to believe that.

Not every game/series in which Lebron plays bad is some sort of conspiracy.

It's been all playoffs, where have you been?  Lebron has put forth max effort in 2 games this playofs.  Game 4 against the Bulls and Game 3 against the Celtics.

Actually, my specualtion is that he is staying, the speculation in Cleveland is that he is going to Chicago with Calipari and Rose

.

See this is what i dont agree with. Do you think it is possible that he was putting out max effort to start game 5 but quickly got discouraged by our defense?

Eventually you have to start crediting the Celtics defense for stopping him. They did the same thing to him in 08. The Spurs did it to him in 07.

Coaching plays a part in this because they are utilizing his talents wrong, but please dont tell me that whenever he wants to he can flip a switch and the Cavs can win.

[Who]

They've tried it and Hickson just isn't as good as most people in Ohio think he is.  No one outside of LJ is consistent threat and replacing Mike Brown won't change that.

Hickson is a distinctly ordinary player but he has a good effect on the Cavs pick and roll defense, transition defense and is very talented complementary offensive player (as well as being a decent rebounder).

Simply put, unlike Jamison or Shaq or Big Z, Hickson isn't a major defensive liability. He is about average. A little vulnerable defending the post and misses the odd defensive rotation but his good defensive contributions add slightly more than his negatives detract.

So, a fairly mediocre defender ... but that is better than being a major liability (Jamison, Shaq, Ilgauskas).

Fair enough but, what you give up is someone that can actually score.  Hickson scores on offensive rebounds he has no post game whereas you can get some of that from the other 3.

Jamison scores 15.8 points per 36 for the Cavs on a TS% of 53%.

Hickson scored 8.5ppg in 20.6mpg which is about 14.7 per 36 on a TS% of 58%.

Hickson scores his baskets without ever having to a run a play for him. Just by using his smarts (excellent cutter), hustle (offensive rebounds, transition hoops) and via his pick and roll play (finishing).

It is very valuable to have a guy get you easy hoops at a high percentage -- especially without needing large numbers of touches or shot attempts -- and that is something that Hickson does very well. 

[Birdbrain]

No way. This is just a lame excuse. If Lebron wanted Brown out, one word to GM and he's gone. In a contract year they'll do anything for him. Also, this speculation means that Lebron is satying with Cavs, so it make sense for Clevlend fans to believe that.

Not every game/series in which Lebron plays bad is some sort of conspiracy.

Exactly.

[Fafnir]

I'm with Who on this one, I don't understand why Jamison is getting some much run ahead of Hickson.

Neither can guard KG/Sheed in the post, so why not go with youth?

[Birdbrain]

They've tried it and Hickson just isn't as good as most people in Ohio think he is.  No one outside of LJ is consistent threat and replacing Mike Brown won't change that.

Hickson is a distinctly ordinary player but he has a good effect on the Cavs pick and roll defense, transition defense and is very talented complementary offensive player (as well as being a decent rebounder).

Simply put, unlike Jamison or Shaq or Big Z, Hickson isn't a major defensive liability. He is about average. A little vulnerable defending the post and misses the odd defensive rotation but his good defensive contributions add slightly more than his negatives detract.

So, a fairly mediocre defender ... but that is better than being a major liability (Jamison, Shaq, Ilgauskas).

Fair enough but, what you give up is someone that can actually score.  Hickson scores on offensive rebounds he has no post game whereas you can get some of that from the other 3.

Jamison scores 15.8 points per 36 for the Cavs on a TS% of 53%.

Hickson scored 8.5ppg in 20.6mpg which is about 14.7 per 36 on a TS% of 58%.

Hickson scores his baskets without ever having to a run a play for him. Just by using his smarts (excellent cutter), hustle (offensive rebounds, transition hoops) and via his pick and roll play (finishing).

It is very valuable to have a guy get you easy hoops at a high percentage -- especially without needing large numbers of touches or shot attempts -- and that is something that Hickson does very well. 

Yeah for short periods of time. Not for big minutes.

Both him and Varaflop aren't NBA starters, and are basically energy guys off the bench.

[Who]

They've tried it and Hickson just isn't as good as most people in Ohio think he is.  No one outside of LJ is consistent threat and replacing Mike Brown won't change that.

Hickson is a distinctly ordinary player but he has a good effect on the Cavs pick and roll defense, transition defense and is very talented complementary offensive player (as well as being a decent rebounder).

Simply put, unlike Jamison or Shaq or Big Z, Hickson isn't a major defensive liability. He is about average. A little vulnerable defending the post and misses the odd defensive rotation but his good defensive contributions add slightly more than his negatives detract.

So, a fairly mediocre defender ... but that is better than being a major liability (Jamison, Shaq, Ilgauskas).

Fair enough but, what you give up is someone that can actually score.  Hickson scores on offensive rebounds he has no post game whereas you can get some of that from the other 3.

Jamison scores 15.8 points per 36 for the Cavs on a TS% of 53%.

Hickson scored 8.5ppg in 20.6mpg which is about 14.7 per 36 on a TS% of 58%.

Hickson scores his baskets without ever having to a run a play for him. Just by using his smarts (excellent cutter), hustle (offensive rebounds, transition hoops) and via his pick and roll play (finishing).

It is very valuable to have a guy get you easy hoops at a high percentage -- especially without needing large numbers of touches or shot attempts -- and that is something that Hickson does very well. 

There are two huge problems with using Shaquille O'Neal as a go-to scorer

• Boston have the best post defense in the league by a large margin. Perkins can neutralize Shaq. Boston do not need to offer help and limit Shaq's effectiveness enough for Shaq to be less efficient than Cleveland's ordinary offense.
• Cleveland's offense falls to a stand still when the ball goes into Shaq. They do not play off of him well. Especially without the double team.
• In particular, Mo Williams + Antawn Jamison do not play well with Shaq. Neither play is as aggressive as they are or can be when on the floor with Shaquille. They spend less time on the ball and take less shot attempts ... and when they aren't contributing at a high level offensively, their defensive weaknesses take away more from the Cavs than their offense adds to the team.
  

[MMacOH]

No way. This is just a lame excuse. If Lebron wanted Brown out, one word to GM and he's gone. In a contract year they'll do anything for him. Also, this speculation means that Lebron is satying with Cavs, so it make sense for Clevlend fans to believe that.

Not every game/series in which Lebron plays bad is some sort of conspiracy.

It's been all playoffs, where have you been?  Lebron has put forth max effort in 2 games this playofs.  Game 4 against the Bulls and Game 3 against the Celtics.

Actually, my specualtion is that he is staying, the speculation in Cleveland is that he is going to Chicago with Calipari and Rose

.

See this is what i dont agree with. Do you think it is possible that he was putting out max effort to start game 5 but quickly got discouraged by our defense?

Eventually you have to start crediting the Celtics defense for stopping him. They did the same thing to him in 08. The Spurs did it to him in 07.

Coaching plays a part in this because they are utilizing his talents wrong, but please dont tell me that whenever he wants to he can flip a switch and the Cavs can win.

Go look at what Lebron avaeraged against the Celics in 2008 and tell me how they stopped him.  Lebron took 2 shots in the first quarter last night, that's not the Celtics stopping him, that's Lebron being passive.

I've already said that the Celtics are playing excellent and I stand behind that.  I would just like to see the Cavs put their best foot forward.

And, actually, 2008 was a great example.  Go watch and game from that series and watch how Lebron played.  Now watch how he played last night and try to tell me his difference in play was all due to the Celtics defense.


And to the people who immediately discredit this, this is coming from someone within the Cavs organization, not an 'expert.'  Although Brian Windhorst, the Cavs beat reporter is basically aying the same thing as well.

[Who]

I'm with Who on this one, I don't understand why Jamison is getting some much run ahead of Hickson.

Neither can guard KG/Sheed in the post, so why not go with youth?

And even though Hickson is a below par defender in the post, he is still much better than Jamison + a vastly superior man-to-man defender in other areas + the superior team defense.

[Birdbrain]

Boston is actually playing better in this series then the did in 2008 which is why it's much more lopsided.

I mean they are more talented than the 2008 team overall, of course.

[Prof. Clutch]

It seems to me that this can't be a true conspiracy.  Quitting on their coach (or just playing awful in general after a 60+ win season) is way more reflective of the quality of the players than the quality of the coach.

[vinnie]

Who do I continue to read these threads? They are completely ludicrous. Ya. The Cavs decided to tank a few games to expose Mike Brown because they know they can turn it on any time and win this series. Wow.

[RockinRyA]

No way. This is just a lame excuse. If Lebron wanted Brown out, one word to GM and he's gone. In a contract year they'll do anything for him. Also, this speculation means that Lebron is satying with Cavs, so it make sense for Clevlend fans to believe that.

Not every game/series in which Lebron plays bad is some sort of conspiracy.

It's been all playoffs, where have you been?  Lebron has put forth max effort in 2 games this playofs.  Game 4 against the Bulls and Game 3 against the Celtics.

Actually, my specualtion is that he is staying, the speculation in Cleveland is that he is going to Chicago with Calipari and Rose

.

See this is what i dont agree with. Do you think it is possible that he was putting out max effort to start game 5 but quickly got discouraged by our defense?

Eventually you have to start crediting the Celtics defense for stopping him. They did the same thing to him in 08. The Spurs did it to him in 07.

Coaching plays a part in this because they are utilizing his talents wrong, but please dont tell me that whenever he wants to he can flip a switch and the Cavs can win.

Go look at what Lebron avaeraged against the Celics in 2008 and tell me how they stopped him.  Lebron took 2 shots in the first quarter last night, that's not the Celtics stopping him, that's Lebron being passive.

I've already said that the Celtics are playing excellent and I stand behind that.  I would just like to see the Cavs put their best foot forward.

And, actually, 2008 was a great example.  Go watch and game from that series and watch how Lebron played.  Now watch how he played last night and try to tell me his difference in play was all due to the Celtics defense.


And to the people who immediately discredit this, this is coming from someone within the Cavs organization, not an 'expert.'  Although Brian Windhorst, the Cavs beat reporter is basically aying the same thing as well.

if i remember right, lebron scored well during that series, but shot terribly. he even shot 2-18 from the field in game 1 and had 10 turnovers. he got his points, but he shot terribly.

although i forgot, lebron is so good only way he can have a bad game is to do it on purpose  

[Who]

LeBron is averaging 26.8ppg on a TS% of 56.5% along with 7.4rpg and 6.6apg and while shutting down Paul Pierce defensively.

In the first round, Bron went for 31.4ppg on a TS% of 66.8% along with 9.2rpg and 8.2apg.

My point -- LeBron James has played extremely well in the playoffs this season. He just had a stinker of a performance last night + Boston's tough defense and Mike Brown's inadequate lineup choices have made his life more difficult than normal.

[RockinRyA]

I'm with Who on this one, I don't understand why Jamison is getting some much run ahead of Hickson.

Neither can guard KG/Sheed in the post, so why not go with youth?

even big baby was abusing jamison.

[Birdbrain]

Who do I continue to read these threads? They are completely ludicrous. Ya. The Cavs decided to tank a few games to expose Mike Brown because they know they can turn it on any time and win this series. Wow.

It appears that to some C's fans this has some legitimacy.