Can the Cavs take it to another level?
By Chris Beaven
CantonRep.com staff writer
Posted Feb 03, 2010 @ 07:45 PM
CLEVELAND —
If the Cavaliers possess another gear — and they’re confident they do — the rest of the NBA doesn’t want to see it.
Playing without their top two point guards and only recently emphasizing Shaquille O’Neal more on offense, the Cavs take a nine-game winning streak into tonight’s home game with Miami. Tipoff is 8 p.m.
“We’re just playing basketball,” Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown said after Tuesday’s 105-89 win over Memphis.
Translation: The Cavs own the best record (39-11) in the league but aren’t doing anything to special other than in the words of Brown, “playing the right way.”
That means being active on defense, moving the ball on offense and coming up with the hustle plays that make a big difference. With LeBron James playing beyond last season’s MVP level and O’Neal making more of an impact, it has the Cavs rolling.
They are playing with a purpose and showing no ill effects to not having Mo Williams and Delonte West, both out with injuries. Williams has missed the last seven games and West the last six.
“They built this team with the right type of personalities,” guard Daniel Gibson said recently. “Everybody is able to deal with a lot of different things. On top of that, we’re a deep ballclub. We have guys one through 12 who are capable of stepping in and playing big minutes.
“If we continue with the right type of attitude toward wanting to get better and wanting to win, nothing will stop us.”
What jumped out at Memphis Head Coach Lionel Hollins is how much better O’Neal is moving within Cleveland’s offense compared to two months ago when Grizzlies beat the Cavs.
“I think they are starting to figure out how to play with him,” Hollins said.
The numbers back up that belief.
O’Neal is averaging 16.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the last eight games, shooting 68.3 percent from the floor.
“He looks great. He’s motivated,” James said. “When Mo and Delonte went down, he decided to step his game up.”
James sees a bounce in O’Neal’s step that wasn’t there earlier, which tells him Shaq was pacing himself.
“He was just saving it for the second half of the season,” James said. “He tricked all of us, I guess.”
O’Neal has set or matched a season high in scoring or rebounding four times in the last six games.
“I see him turning it up as the All-Star break comes along,” J.J. Hickson said. “He’s Shaq, and he’s going to do what he’s going to do. Like LeBron said, I think he has another gear. It’s just a matter of time before we get going and we all catch our second wind going into the playoffs.”
It’s scary to think that James has another gear, too, considering what he’s done of late. He’s effortlessly playing the dual role of scorer and distributor depending upon the situation. James has at least 11 assists in seven of the last 11 games. He’s also mixed in a seven 30-point games in that stretch.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” James said. “I just try and do whatever I can to help the team win. ... Whatever it takes for our team to be successful, I’m up for it.”
Don’t be surprised if James plays both roles tonight. Miami and friend Dwyane Wade often bring out the best in him. When the Cavs edged the Heat, 92-91, a week ago, James and Wade put on a show, including a second quarter where they combined for 37 points. James won the game with two late free throws after stealing a pass by Wade.
“It’s going to be fun,” James said of the rematch. “We always compete against each other at a high level. We’re playing at a high level right now, so I’m looking forward to it.”
