2023-2024 Playoffs: March Toward _______?

[CleveRocks]

You see parents from all classes committed to getting the best opportunity for thier kids. You also see the opposite. But it's great to see the appreciation coming along..

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

You see parents from all classes committed to getting the best opportunity for thier kids. You also see the opposite. But it's great to see the appreciation coming along..

The appreciation has always been there. I just don't think the stories get reported as much because they don't attract consistent interest/clicks.

 

[2 For The Brew]

The appreciation has always been there. I just don't think the stories get reported as much because they don't attract consistent interest/clicks.

People would rather watch or read about Paris Hilton or the Kardashians or some other spoiled rich kids.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

People would rather watch or read about Paris Hilton or the Kardashians or some other spoiled rich kids.

Well, it's kind of like how many stories in a row do you want to hear about great moms or family support? There are literally millions of them. So inevitably, they can't be represented proportionately in the media even if some of them do get told.

They have to be taken as representative of a larger reality rather than just the rare exceptions. But most people won't do that, and they assume that because such stories are no more common than Paris Hilton stories, that their prevalence in the real world is about the same. And it obviously isn't because there are lots of great, supportive families out there.

 

[Dr No]

The appreciation has always been there. I just don't think the stories get reported as much because they don't attract consistent interest/clicks.

That's right. There are few guys that make it to this level without adults sacrificing a lot of time and money to get them the experiences necessary. One of the things that has changed in my lifetime is the financial cost of excelling at sports. Kids with access to resources have a big advantage. Even looking at our team, I don't think very many, if any, grew up poor. They might not all have been rich, but DM, DG, Evan, Jarrett, Max, Dean, Caris, Sam, Isaac and Georges weren't poor either. All of them had access to resources & coaching that helped them develop.

 

[The Oi]

This is why a guy like Jimmy Butler is for real and not to be fucked with.

 

[Cavatt]

From The Athletic:

The Cavs are turning the ball over too much and shooting just 29 percent from 3-point range. Orlando has successfully goaded them into joining the rock-throwing contest.

The Magic have the right to adjust and play better in these next two games in Orlando, but there has been no convincing evidence to suggest they will come all the way back in this series. Since 1984, teams that go up 2-0 win 91.2 percent of the time, and the deficiencies the Magic have shown in the backcourt and on the 3-point line do nothing to make anyone think this series will end as an outlier.

Yeah, it's not like the Magic were a very good offensive team during the season and they are mysteriously missing a lot of shots. They had a losing record against the teams ranked in the top six defensively.

I expect they will shoot better at home. In the regular season they shot 55% at home and 52% away in terms of eFG. They should cut back on the 3-point shots and take more mid-range shots. Banchero has been deadly on those jumpers from the foul line and the elbows.

“I think there’s a level that we can continue to improve,” Mitchell said. “I think the fourth quarter, the last seven minutes or so, like, that can’t happen. You know what I mean? Like, we’re fortunate we got the win. We did a lot of good things. But the challenge is we got to fix that. You know what I mean? It starts with me.”

I'm seeing people say that the Cavs are "dominating" and they are "in command". I'm not buying it. Yes, they are turning it over too often and they are shooting well under 30% on 3's. Their interior defense and bad 3-point shooting by Orlando is the only thing saving them right now.

Too many turnovers and missed 3's will get you beat, even against these guys. Mitchell is right - they have things they need to fix.

I think it is just as likely the Cavs finally crack open the offense as Orlando comes to life.

Orlando was creating most of those turnovers, and they are especially good with late contests due to their length. Saw some stats that said Orlando got more open looks.

This is their time to clean stuff up and figure out how to beat defenses. I want to see the offense working better and guys performing better under pressure.

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Both teams have had two days to analyze the first two games and make corrections and adjustments. Can't wait to see what Orlando tries to do to get some more points. Franz Wagner is only shooting 37%. What do they do to get him going?

Their guards off the bench have been awful. Fultz has one point, Ingles 3, and Anthony 4. The starting guards, Suggs and Harris, are shooting 29% and 31%. They are a combined 5-for-22 on 3's. Does Mosley tell them to keep shooting and hope they start hitting?

Bickerstaff said he wants the Cavs to push the pace more and get the ball up the floor quicker to get a good shot before the Magic can set up their half-court defense. I'm looking for quicker outlet passes after rebounds and the Cavs trying to set up open 3's in transition. It won't be easy because the Magic are a young team that can run. They don't have any plodders like Brook Lopez.

 

[Douglar]

Succinct summary of game 2:

The Cleveland Cavaliers are letting the Orlando Magic shoot themselves out of the playoffs

Cleveland is executing J.B. Bickerstaff’s plan to perfection.

www.fearthesword.com

Paolo Banchero had an open transition three after two Cleveland Cavaliers fell down behind the play midway through the first quarter of Game 2. Instead of confidentially taking it, he pump-faked and tried to drive into the paint, which allowed the defenders to get back into the play. He settled for a contested midrange jumper that led to a fastbreak dunk the other way.​

​

This is what it looks like when a team is out of its comfort zone.​

 

[Cavatt]

Both teams have had two days to analyze the first two games and make corrections and adjustments. Can't wait to see what Orlando tries to do to get some more points. Franz Wagner is only shooting 37%. What do they do to get him going?

Their guards off the bench have been awful. Fultz has one point, Ingles 3, and Anthony 4. The starting guards, Suggs and Harris, are shooting 29% and 31%. They are a combined 5-for-22 on 3's. Does Mosley tell them to keep shooting and hope they start hitting?

Bickerstaff said he wants the Cavs to push the pace more and get the ball up the floor quicker to get a good shot before the Magic can set up their half-court defense. I'm looking for quicker outlet passes after rebounds and the Cavs trying to set up open 3's in transition. It won't be easy because the Magic are a young team that can run. They don't have any plodders like Brook Lopez.

The parallels with Mosely really not having any levers to pull is so similar to JB last year. You can start Cole Anthony or something.

I wonder if Goga might be given a shot. I could see him doing that to try to contain Allen.