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Windhorst Radio Show & Updates

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Another quick Windy nugget from the last few days in one of his appearances. Not sure which.

* In my experience, it takes players like Felder (really short players) a year or sometimes several years to "figure out" the league. This also applies to players who are non-athletic (like some Euros, he said). They have to adjust to NBA-level athleticism, physicality and size.

His point being that it might take a guy like Felder longer than 'normal' to be able to play at a reasonable/good level in the NBA as compared with, say, a point guard who is 6' 2" or so.

This isn't breaking news or surprising, but just wanted to share it because it just popped into my mind that Windy said it sometime in the last week.
 
LeShaq said:
...

* In my experience, it takes players like Felder (really short players) a year or sometimes several years to "figure out" the league. This also applies to players who are non-athletic (like some Euros, he said). They have to adjust to NBA-level athleticism, physicality and size.

His point being that it might take a guy like Felder longer than 'normal' to be able to play at a reasonable/good level in the NBA as compared with, say, a point guard who is 6' 2" or so.

...
Click to expand...

That's pretty helpful to know. Reason being... it's like how long it takes the big guys to adjust to playing at their size in the NBA. But for those small guys, it's similar to the 7 footers (in the opposite way). At least, that's how I look at it...
 
Brian Windhorst on the Really Big Show: There are no perimeter players available for trade
January 10, 2017 (before Jazz game)
http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play/_/id/18445485




* (Talking about NCAA football championship)
* HOST_1: So David Griffin doesn't have a contract extension yet. He's going to be back with the Cavs, right?
* You would think it's a formality that the Cavs retain David Griffin when his contract runs out at the end of this year.
* Griffin is not one to discuss his contract situation.
* It is true that Griffin does not currently have a contract extension.
* I'm sure Griffin is not happy I included his contract information in my report for ESPN today.
* It's my responsibility to report on things like that, though.
* Cavs had to re-sign many people last year. Assistant coaches, some front office staff, and players. Griffin/Cavs been busy with those things.
* So, there may not have been much time for Griffin (and Gilbert) to work on a contract extension yet.
* I don't think it's a concern (that Griffin will be re-signed by the Cavs).
* HOST_1: You said Gilbert and (Cavs managing partner) Nate Forbes are heavily involved with roster decisions. How much?
* "Very much so."
* I would say Gilbert and Forbes are as involved (with the team/roster decisions) as any ownership people in the league.
* "they probably wouldn't be happy with me saying that, but it is the truth."
* And this has been the case for several years (Gilbert/Forbes very much involved with the team and roster decisions).
* Nate Forbes is a very smart developer.
* Forbes has developed a number of malls around the USA.
* Forbes is "heavily involved" when the Cavs make roster moves. "He's a major player." Involved with contract negotiations, etc.
* In my book that's coming out (with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, available soon I think), I explain how the Cavs' operation works (who's involved, etc).
* Jeff Cohen, another Cavs owner, is also involved with the team. But Forbes is really involved in Cavs' Basketball Operations.
* And if you look at Griffin's/Gilbert's/Forbes' body of work, they're getting things done (making acquisitions, etc.)
* But it is true that when the Cavs make a decision, Dan Gilbert is heavily involved all along the way.
* HOST_1: I'm jealous of Forbes' tan. He's tan year-round.
* HOST_1: You mentioned Trent Redden (Snr VP) and Koby Altman (Ast GM), they're also in the Cavs' front office.
* HOST_1: You think that Redden and Altman are going to end up being general managers in the NBA, right?
* Not sure they'll get the job offer, but I've heard their names mentioned as possible general managers.
* Redden and Altman are on the short list of people to consider for future general manager positions.
* Griffin kept Chris Grant's people when Griffin came on as GM.
* Redden has worked his way up. When I first met him like 7 years ago, he was rebounding balls at a practice.
* Altman was an assistant coach at Columbia University. Grant hired him like 5 years ago. He's worked his way up.
* Cavs' front office, then, is very much a home-grown situation. Kind of like how Kyrie and Tristan have grown up in the Cavs' organization.
* HOST_1: Any updates or thoughts on the backup point guard search?
* No. They might end up signing a guy to a 10-day contract.
* The market is very tight right now for point guards and for perimeter players, in general.
* In the trade market right now, you can get your hands on big men, but not on point guards or perimeter players.
* This is why you're hearing names like Jarrett Jack and Mario Chalmers being discussed (point guards coming off of injury).
* Chalmers and Jack know that there is a demand for point guards right now.
* Jordan Farmar has been mentioned to me recently.
* 76ers are looking for a point guard. Grizzlies were looking for a point guard for awhile.
* Grizzlies signed Cavs castoff Toney Douglas for 10 days, while Mike Conley was hurt.
* Having a backup point guard is not vital in the playoffs. But you need one for the regular season.
* If Cavs are healthy, backup point guard won't play much in the playoffs.
* Since backup point guard not vital, Cavs not want to invest major assets in one right now.
* Backup point guard serves to bridge the gap between now and the end of the regular season.
* Cavs not want a guy who has to come in and work back into shape, like Jack or Chalmers.
* Cavs want a guy who is in shape now, because now is when the backup point guard is needed to be able to play (well).
* There are not a lot of good backup point guard options out there right now.
* HOST_1: What was Dunleavy doing (slowing down the trade)?
* I think there were two things going on.
* One, I think that the Hawks players were not happy that Korver was going to be traded. There was pushback.
* Not a coincidence that Paul Millsap has been pulled off the trade market since Korver was dealt.
* So, there was some question about whether the Hawks really wanted to go through with the trade.
* That's (partially) why it took so long for the trade to officially go through.
* Two, Mike Dunleavy didn't really want to play in Atlanta.
* Clippers and Rockets showed interest in trading for Dunleavy (being third team in Hawks/Cavs trade, I think).
* Mike Dunleavy wanted to go to the Warriors.
* If that happened, the Cavs would have been upset.
* You don't want to trade a guy, like Varejao, and he ends up playing with the Warriors.
* Bob Myers, the Warriors GM, used to be Dunleavy's agent.
* Dunleavy started his career in Golden State.
* Would the Warriors have taken on Dunleavy? I'm not sure, because they have a full roster.
* Had the Warriors waived someone to take on Dunleavy, it may have been Varejao.
* And if that happened, then Cavs may have been able to sign Varejao to replace Chris Andersen.
* Hawks ended up talking Dunleavy into joining their team, at least for now.
* HOST_1: Where are you with the Cavs (weak) effort right now in games? Do they look bored? Are you concerned at all?
* I'm not concerned.
* Cavs have built an offensive juggernaut. With so many offensive weapons.
* They have so many weapons on offense that they're going to be insulated (from losing) on most nights.
* Cavs did not play well against the Suns, and they still scored 120 points.
* The Cavs are going to score every night.
* Their problem will be when they don't give effort on the defensive end.
* Cavs now are playing with more possessions per game than they did the last few years.
* Because of this, when Cavs don't play defense well, more possessions for other team to get back into the game.
* So, Cavs' margin for error will be less when they are not trying on defense.
* It will be a mental challenge for the Cavs to not let up when they get leads.
* The other team that has this problem is the Warriors (giving up leads).
* Like the Cavs, the Warriors are an offensive juggernaut. They build leads, they lose focus, they let teams back into games (like the Cavs).
* The Warriors get bored (like the Cavs do).
* The Warriors can get come back on.
* The Cavs have shown that they can be mentally focused when they need to be.
* But, you don't want to give away games.
* Cavs want to make sure they get the #1 seed in the East.
* Raptors have played the hard part of their schedule already. So could make a run at the Cavs for the #1 seed in the East.
* HOST_2: What did you make of Draymond Green throwing a temper tantrum on the court in the middle of a televised game?
* I think Draymond was right.
* I think going isolation basketball at that moment (Durant) is the defeat of the whole purpose (offense) of the Warriors' team.
* You can read Green's lips, he tells Durant "we run that play, they can't stop us".
* Should he have handled this in the locker room or huddle (instead)? Yes.
* The Cavs also, at times, feel like isolation plays are their best plays. And they used one to win the title.
* The Warriors have actually been getting better recently at sharing the ball.
* Steph Curry has been coming around. He just had his best week of the season.
* In a way, what happened on Christmas helped the Warriors because it knocked them into reality.
* The Warriors realized then that they had to take care of Steph more and stop catering to Durant so much.
* So overall, the Warriors are getting better. Despite the bad loss to Memphis the other night.
* HOST_2: Windy, has Derrick Rose been tracked down? What happened in New York last night?
* I have no idea what happened there.
* In America, it's pretty normal to let your bosses know when you need to miss work because of a family emergency.
* Maybe Rose could not do that. I'll have to wait and hear more information about the situation.
 
"* Would the Warriors have taken on Dunleavy? I'm not sure, because they have a full roster.
* Had the Warriors waived someone to take on Dunleavy, it may have been Varejao.
* And if that happened, then Cavs may have been able to sign Varejao to replace Chris Andersen."

LMAO. If it happens, I would die. :chuckle::chuckle::chuckle:
 
Cavs have built an offensive juggernaut. With so many offensive weapons.
* They have so many weapons on offense that they're going to be insulated (from losing) on most nights.
Click to expand...

Windy with the accidental jinx this week
 
Hey Windy
January 26, 2017
http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play/_/id/18561166
[quick summary write-up edition]



* Was eye-opening to me that LeBron, Griffin went on record as they did earlier in the week (LeBron vs Cavs; Griffin hits at team's play).
* I knew Gilbert and LeBron would have rocky relationship when LeBron came back to Cleveland. Both are highly competitive Alphas and will rub each other the wrong way at times.
* I do think Cavs would add payroll, but will only do it for demonstrable improvement in the team. Not for fringe guys.
* LeBron feels Cavs should improve roster, no matter what it costs.
* No matter what he says or what tumult he may cause, Cavs should be thankful they have LeBron on their team.
* I do not think that LeBron wants Kevin Love gone at all (including for Carmelo Anthony).
* Griffin basically telling LeBron "Yeah, I will improve the team. Give me time. But in the meantime, how about you guys play better."
* Griffin called out the players for "on-court complacency." This was shot back at LeBron for LeBron ripping front office/ownership.
* I agree with Griffin -- Cavs not playing well right now, and not focused.
* LeBron played poorly in first half versus Kings after meeting with Griffin. I don't think pre-game meeting with Griffin made LeBron very happy.
* Cavs still playing LeBron too many minutes.
* In my mind, LeBron is exhausted on the court.
* I think the Cavs should give LeBron time off. Should sit him against the Nets.
* Is it the front office's fault that Cavs are missing free throws or not executing inbounds passes properly? No.
* I don't think Ty Lue is doing the best job right now. He played Korver 20 consecutive minutes to end the Kings game.
* Everyone is right here. LeBron's correct the roster is too thin. Griffin is right Cavs not playing well. Etc.
* Ultimately, I think Cavs need to play better to get through this tough time and I think that will happen and this all will be overcome.
* The organization did not like LeBron saying what he said on the record.
* LeBron also ripped his own teammates in that session (Felder, Liggins).
* I don't think you can put Felder on the court for meaningful minutes in a playoff game right now.
* LeBron comments could hurt Cavs' negotiating position in trade talks (give Cavs less leverage).
* It's quite clear that LeBron does not run the Cavs. That talk should be ended with these recent developments.
* In the past, LeBron would not speak up when he felt costs were cut (Heat). Now he will speak up.
.
.
* Cavs are likely one of the few places Melo might want to be traded to.
* If I were Cavs, I would do 2 trade scenarios for Melo ---> #1, Love not included; #2, Love included but Knicks send more than just Melo (picks, other players, etc).
* If you are Cavs, you are playing extreme hardball with Knicks for a potential Melo deal.
* Knicks can't trade for Blake Griffin unless DRose off the roster. NBA teams can only have one "designated player" on your roster at one time. Rose was the designated player for the Bulls; Griffin is the designated player of the Clippers (salary term stuff, I think). Kyrie is the designated player on the Cavs.
* (caller wants Cousins).
* Cousins going nowhere because Kings can offer him much larger extension than other teams can.
* (caller -- Spurs game comments; not want to trade Love).
* No one is untouchable (Love). But Love does fit well with LeBron and that's not easy to find (players who fit so well with LeBron).
* I suspect LeBron is off his game right now because he's tired. Even though he would not admit it.
* I see LeBron making "fatigue plays" right now.
* I think LeBron took the deep 3-point shot against the Spurs because he was tired.
* Cavs lost Kings game because of missed free throws and turnovers.
.
.
* (Kent State bball talk)
* Cavs will have a new player or two before the end of the season (going over Griffin comments).
* I wrote story on ESPN.com about tensions boiling for Cavs behind scenes. Going on for months.
* Tensions surround payroll.
* Ultimately, I think all this will be gotten beyond.
* Gilbert always been willing to spend; Griffin almost always made good roster moves; LeBron has almost always delivered.
* HOST: Are the Cavs focused on winning another title? I know LeBron wants to win more titles.
* "Dan and LeBron are two of the most competitive people you will ever meet."
* They are also two of the most sensitive people you will meet.
* They are also two of the smartest people.
* They are two self-made men.
* Gilbert and LeBron will never be friends because they are too alike. Both are alpha dogs, so they butt heads.
* "I promise you Dan Gilbert wants to win (another title)."
* Each guy has his own way of going about things, so friction is created by that.
* But, if Dan is handing off title trophy this year or next year or the year after that to LeBron, they'll be hugging again and all smiles. And then they won't talk to each other for three months again (Windy and host laugh). That's the way they are.
* (twitter user asks why Shumpert not brought back into game for Korver).
* Lue getting used to new pieces (Korver) now, how to use them. Lue not on his game right now.
* (twitter user asks about rebounding and issues with, I think. Or about Tristan.).
* Tristan can still be valuable.
* (caller -- Maybe team just not coached well? Is Lue the issue?).
* I don't think Lue is doing "horrendous."
* Lue brought ball movement to team.
* I do think Lue is searching a bit right now, in terms of how to deal with the bench rotation. Start of 2nd and 4th quarters.
* Lue is "in the lab" a bit right now, trying to figure out bench rotation.
* Ultimately, I think Lue has shown he's a good coach and he's shown he can get the players to play for him.
* Lue just struggling a bit right now.
* Free throw shooting is becoming an issue. It needs to be cleaned up with hard work and reps.
* (twitter -- how much influence does Lue really have on LeBron's minutes?).
* I'm not sure Lue realizes he has a problem with LeBron's minutes. He made flippant comment about them the other night.
* Lue needs to play LeBron less. Can't say it enough.
* Heavy minutes could lead to LeBron injury.
* I'd rather lose games than overplay LeBron.
.
.
* (caller -- which LeBron team was best? Which team wins head to head?).
* 2nd Heat title team was best. But Cavs could end up better, still, as Kyrie still developing.
* (caller -- bring in Mark Price for free throws teaching?).
* Cavs do need to shoot better. But usually it ebbs and flows. I think Cavs will be ok, in time.
* (twitter -- JR being out is the reason for struggles?).
* Beat Warriors without JR. Other good wins without him, too.
* Team will play better in the time to come.
* I agree with Griffin, team needs to improve from within.
* (twitter -- anyone Cavs can bring in?).
* I do think Carmelo situation will be revisited. I think Melo will be dealt before trade deadline.
* But need more than just "Melo for Love." Need more pieces from Knicks.
* (caller -- isn't this just normal LeBron drama in January?).
* I think that's a good point.
* Need to rest LeBron, so he not get hurt. If he gets hurt, it's all over.
 
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