Let it all out. The Cavaliers Rant Thread

[buzzdog]

Was he purposely trying to lose the game against the Warriors on monday? Why would he pick out a non national televised game against the Magic, a game nobody outside the respective fanbases is watching, to prove a point? Why wouldn't he just let the Warriors beat the living hell out of this team to let the whole basketball world see that something needs to be done? If he is really trying to force Gilberts hand, why this game?

Lebron clearly made questionable if not blatant bad plays going down the stretch against the Warriors. That game was totally winnable until Lebron himself stopped ball movement and started doing things like dumping the ball into TT in the post for critical crunch time possessions.

I won't pretend to read his mind or inner motivations. But if a "basketball savant" like Lebron wanted to do just enough to ensure a loss that's exactly how he would go about it. Just stop doing what was working, stop the ball, make a few turnovers and feed the guy who can't shoot.

As for people calling for suspension after last night's game, that was clearly not serious, just post game angst and frustration. Nobody would seriously expect a suspension.

Lebron's passive-aggressive mind games wear on the fan base. People need to keep reminding themselves that Lebron clearly gives no shits about games in January and he will most definitely use them to send his bullshit messages to Gilbert, to make sure everyone knows who is really in charge.

 

[cavsfever]

Was he purposely trying to lose the game against the Warriors on monday? Why would he pick out a non national televised game against the Magic, a game nobody outside the respective fanbases is watching, to prove a point? Why wouldn't he just let the Warriors beat the living hell out of this team to let the whole basketball world see that something needs to be done? If he is really trying to force Gilberts hand, why this game?

You guys act like you are the only ones who have watched Lebron play over the years. I watched him too. Almost every single game of his career, that is. You wanna know what I see?

1. He is obviously frustrated, not going to deny it.

2. His shooting has been off this whole month and I mean WAY off. It's just brutal right now.

3. He has not quite figured out how to play with Isaiah Thomas. Since he came back, Isaiah has been taking more shots than lebron as he is trying to get a feel for the game again and lebron is at times hesitant ( as has been noted by others that he passed up easy bunnies at the rim).

Could it be that Lebron, who if you really watched him play in his career like all of you claim you did, is overhinking things? Is letting all the outside noise ( don't forget: it was reported that players on this team have complained about his play) get to him a little bit too much? I mean, is that really that hard to fathom? This man choked away a whole finals series ( and it could have been two if you count the spurs series in 2013 where it took him 5 games to realize that he has to trust his jumper) because he was overthinking the situation.

Come on guys. People out here calling for a suspension, my god. Grow up. But yeah, I'll bet this franchise would be better off without him. You've seen all the banners raised up the Q. Whew, he should be lucky to play for a storied franchise like this. And the fans. Man o man. They are so unbelievably loyal to the best player that will ever dress up for them that they even would excuse a bad 2 week stretch in his 15th season after he brought them their only championship.

Clowns.

Thanks for bringing some common sense to this board. What is there to say about the collective intelligence of a board that gives the front office a free pass for their almost comically awful handling of the Kyrie situation and consistent failure to make good roster decisions, while losing itself in ludicrous conspiracy theories about the best player ever to put on a Cleveland uniform?

 

[inliner311]

Lebron clearly made questionable if not blatant bad plays going down the stretch against the Warriors. That game was totally winnable until Lebron himself stopped ball movement and started doing things like dumping the ball into TT in the post for critical crunch time possessions.

I won't pretend to read his mind or inner motivations. But if a "basketball savant" like Lebron wanted to do just enough to ensure a loss that's exactly how he would go about it. Just stop doing what was working, stop the ball, make a few turnovers and feed the guy who can't shoot.

As for people calling for suspension after last night's game, that was clearly not serious, just post game angst and frustration. Nobody would seriously expect a suspension.

Lebron's passive-aggressive mind games wear on the fan base. People need to keep reminding themselves that Lebron clearly gives no shits about games in January and he will most definitely use them to send his bullshit messages to Gilbert, to make sure everyone knows who is really in charge.

I think Lue needs to create situations where he can ride the team without LeBron in the 4th quarter at least till after the trade deadline. If he doesn't use full lineup changes it would help. Riding a IT with Rose or Wade lineup where Lue can explain it as giving guys confidence and allowing LeBron to get some rest.

 

[ChosenOne23]

Lebron clearly made questionable if not blatant bad plays going down the stretch against the Warriors. That game was totally winnable until Lebron himself stopped ball movement and started doing things like dumping the ball into TT in the post for critical crunch time possessions.

I won't pretend to read his mind or inner motivations. But if a "basketball savant" like Lebron wanted to do just enough to ensure a loss that's exactly how he would go about it. Just stop doing what was working, stop the ball, make a few turnovers and feed the guy who can't shoot.

So let me get this straight: He scores 20 points in the first half, then realizes "Damn, we're ahead, that can't happen, I have to prove a point here" and all of a sudden starts to sabotage his team in the fourth quarter? That's how it went down? Alright then.

Seriously, the mental gymnastics this board is exercising when it comes to LeBron is just mind boggling.

So it's totally out of the realm that Bron is just having a bad stretch caused by the disappearance of his jumper and trying to integrate Isaiah Thomas, a ball dominant Point guard, who himself has something to prove?

 

[buzzdog]

It has nothing to do with his jumper. It is Lebron choosing to stop the ball. It is Lebron making sloppy careless passes and turnovers not worthy of a D-League player. Above all his decision making is what people are questioning, the conscious choices he makes at key points of the games. Regardless of if his shot is falling or not, are you saying Lebron somehow forgets how to pass the ball to wide open teammates who are open for easy dunks?

Do you really think Lebron sucks that bad? Bottom line is he doesn't. He turns it on and he turns it off. He has a lot more control and ability than you seem to acknowledge. He doesn't GAF about January and he's well in control of the situation enough to use it to send messages to ownership.

 

[LennoxLewis]

I don't think it's difficult to say that LBJ can still put up #s with minimal effort, but when you translate that minimal effort to defense and rebounding, I think it's OK to call that out, as you would with any player. I get it's January and all, but to not rotate or get a rebound, and then look at another player? It's annoying to watch to say the least.

 

[Mavaliersfan]

LeBron is doing the same thing he's always done when he realizes he can't win a championship. He starts creating a scapegoat. In last years finals he did the same thing as he flaunted about his stats.... "I'm averaging a triple-double in the finals..etc." As if to say look I've done all I can do. Basically throwing his teammates under the bus in his classic passive aggressive way.

He clearly gave up in the Boston series right before he left the first time. He was checked out mentally.

When we lost in 2015 his scapegoat was justifiably the loss of Love & Irving.

In 2014 finals it was leg cramps and having an old roster.

In 2011 he had no excuse/scapegoat he could point to, which actually forced him to look at himself, accept greater responsibility to be better.

This is why I keep saying - we need to go all-in right now and put together a roster that could effectively get to the finals without him. Then we could put the pressure on LeBron to take us over the edge. The onus needs to be on him if we expect to get the best out of him. Right now he's loving the fact that we haven't used the pick. When we lose in the playoffs that's the first thing he'll point to when he leaves.

 

[Green Lantern]

Thanks for bringing some common sense to this board. What is there to say about the collective intelligence of a board that gives the front office a free pass for their almost comically awful handling of the Kyrie situation and consistent failure to make good roster decisions, while losing itself in ludicrous conspiracy theories about the best player ever to put on a Cleveland uniform?

Comic handling of Kyrie..explain that me.
Dude told them he wanted out..didn't respond to anyone, didn't talk to anyone dating back to the playoffs.
Don't throw it out about all the offers, as we know some were not finished offers,in time we may really find out.
We know they were pushing to get PG, but Indy wasn't going to be short-sighted and trade him in their own division to their rival who would simply stomp on them and the rest of EC even more..no...I never expected that to happen..

But if he was forcing his way out, the next step might have been for him to sit out..that what you wanted to see happened?
I didn't want him to go, but they did what they thought was best..they traded him and got some pieces.
But explain again how they mishandled it.
As far as good roster decisions..I might agree with how the former GM built the team, with no defensive skilled players and trading out a lot of picks.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

This is why I keep saying - we need to go all-in right now and put together a roster that could effectively get to the finals without him.

Oh, sure. And while we're at it, let's trade JR for the first overall picks in the next twelve drafts. And get a 10'6, 520 pound center with a 14 foot standing reach who moves like Iverson. Because those things are just about as likely as the Cavs being able to put together that kind of roster.

Any other genius ideas?

 

[Mavaliersfan]

Oh, sure. And while we're at it, let's trade JR the first overall picks in the next twelve drafts. And get 10'6, 520 center with a 14 foot standing reach.

Any other genius ideas?

It doesn't take a genius idea, just common sense. Our entire roster outside of IT, Wade, Rose, and J. Green are dependent upon LBJ to be effective. It's nothing but a bunch of specialists and one-way players. It's set-up for everything to run through him so if he isn't playing well or decides to not go full-go throughout the regular season then we struggle severely.

The opposite of that is when LeBron elevates his level of play he's able to maximize the potential of some of the guys around him, assuming their engaged. The problem is, LeBron has been coasting the last 3 seasons and trying to flip the switch. In the meantime the team develops bad habits because they think they can coast too and are banking on LBJ making them better when it really counts.

Then when the pressure really mounts in the Finals these guys can't flip the switch like LBJ, and they have trouble knowing their role and how to positively impact the game.

I think it's time to build a roster around him that is against the status quo. Instead of a bunch of one dimensional / specialists, we need guys who are either facilitators or capable of creating their own offense. That way it FORCES Bron to be assertive if he wants to impact the game.

EDIT: For example - We all know Bron prefers the drive and kick game AKA "Bron Ball". Which is the reason our roster is full of spot-up shooters (Korver, Calderon, JR, Love, Crowder, Frye). Well sorry to say this but Bron ball doesn't work in the league like it used too. Teams are playing at a faster pace. Especially as Bron is getting older and it's more difficult for him to take his defenders off the dribble. Bron is actually most effective now playing off the ball, like a true Small Forward.
We need guys who don't need LeBron. Who can go get their own while still playing the right way as far as moving and sharing the ball.

 

[TheProdigy]

It doesn't take a genius idea, just common sense. Our entire roster outside of IT, Wade, Rose, and J. Green are dependent upon LBJ to be effective. It's nothing but a bunch of specialists and one-way players. It's set-up for everything to run through him so if he isn't playing well or decides to not go full-go throughout the regular season then we struggle severely.

The opposite of that is when LeBron elevates his level of play he's able to maximize the potential of some of the guys around him, assuming their engaged. The problem is, LeBron has been coasting the last 3 seasons and trying to flip the switch. In the meantime the team develops bad habits because they think they can coast too and are banking on LBJ making them better when it really counts.

Then when the pressure really mounts in the Finals these guys can't flip the switch like LBJ, and they have trouble knowing their role and how to positively impact the game.

I think it's time to build a roster around him that is against the status quo. Instead of a bunch of one dimensional / specialists, we need guys who are either facilitators or capable of creating their own offense. That way it FORCES Bron to be assertive if he wants to impact the game.

EDIT: For example - We all know Bron prefers the drive and kick game AKA "Bron Ball". Which is the reason our roster is full of spot-up shooters (Korver, Calderon, JR, Love, Crowder, Frye). Well sorry to say this but Bron ball doesn't work in the league like it used too. Teams are playing at a faster pace. Especially as Bron is getting older and it's more difficult for him to take his defenders off the dribble. Bron is actually most effective now playing off the ball, like a true Small Forward.
We need guys who don't need LeBron. Who can go get their own while still playing the right way as far as moving and sharing the ball.

Lol and what, those players are gonna fall out of thin air? You want to trade our trash for other teams good players.....right. The type of players you mentioned don't grow on trees and other team damn sure aren't going to take the likes of JR, TT, or Shump for it. I find it laughable when these trades come up. We're stuck with the current roster we have unless we attach picks to our trash.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

It doesn't take a genius idea, just common sense. Our entire roster outside of IT, Wade, Rose, and J. Green are dependent upon LBJ to be effective. It's nothing but a bunch of specialists and one-way players. It's set-up for everything to run through him so if he isn't playing well or decides to not go full-go throughout the regular season then we struggle severely.

The opposite of that is when LeBron elevates his level of play he's able to maximize the potential of some of the guys around him, assuming their engaged. The problem is, LeBron has been coasting the last 3 seasons and trying to flip the switch. In the meantime the team develops bad habits because they think they can coast too and are banking on LBJ making them better when it really counts.

Then when the pressure really mounts in the Finals these guys can't flip the switch like LBJ, and they have trouble knowing their role and how to positively impact the game.

I think it's time to build a roster around him that is against the status quo. Instead of a bunch of one dimensional / specialists, we need guys who are either facilitators or capable of creating their own offense. That way it FORCES Bron to be assertive if he wants to impact the game.

EDIT: For example - We all know Bron prefers the drive and kick game AKA "Bron Ball". Which is the reason our roster is full of spot-up shooters (Korver, Calderon, JR, Love, Crowder, Frye). Well sorry to say this but Bron ball doesn't work in the league like it used too. Teams are playing at a faster pace. Especially as Bron is getting older and it's more difficult for him to take his defenders off the dribble. Bron is actually most effective now playing off the ball, like a true Small Forward.
We need guys who don't need LeBron. Who can go get their own while still playing the right way as far as moving and sharing the ball.

You've got 28 teams in the league trying to put together rosters to get to the Finals, and your "solution" to the Cavs' problems is to put together a roster that can get to the Finals even without LBJ so that he'll want to stay here.

That's absolutely ludicrous - how the are fuck are we supposed to do that???

 

[Mavaliersfan]

Lol and what, those players are gonna fall out of thin air? You want to trade our trash for other teams good players.....right. The type of players you mentioned don't grow on trees and other team damn sure aren't going to take the likes of JR, TT, or Shump for it. I find it laughable when these trades come up. We're stuck with the current roster we have unless we attach picks to our trash.

No, but I think Bron and Griffin fucked us more than most people realize. For all of Bron's basketball genius on the court, he sure is clueless when it comes to building a roster.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

No, but I think Bron and Griffin fucked us more than most people realize. For all of Bron's basketball genius on the court, he sure is clueless when it comes to building a roster.

Did you eat paint chips as a child?

 

[Mavaliersfan]

You've got 28 teams in the league trying to put together rosters to get to the Finals, and your "solution" to the Cavs' problems is to put together a roster that can get to the Finals even without LBJ so that he'll want to stay here.

That's absolutely ludicrous - how the are fuck are we supposed to do that???

No, you have about 3 or 4 teams actually trying to build a roster for the finals. We need to capitalize off the other 25 or so teams who are taking a long approach to wait out Golden State.