Occasionally, we here at SBS will venture outside the wide world of football and hear from our valued experts on other topics. Today we welcome Jeff Jerome to SBS to share his thoughts on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeff Jerome is a longtime Cavs fan and NBA enthusiast. Check back from time to time to get his no nonsense look at our favorite basketball team.
We hope you enjoy Jeff's contribution.
Last night, the cavaliers survived a close one in South Beach. Undoubtedly, beating the Heat means more than adding one to the ‘W’ column.
Cavs-Heat impressions:
First, the Heat currently hold the fifth playoff position in the East behind the Big Four. This shows the ridiculous amount of disparity in our conference. This is nothing new, but consider this. The Cavs went into South Beach without Mo Williams, the leader of our offense that sets the pace for our entire team. Delonte West, the player typically called upon to cover Dwyane Wade, missed the game with a fractured finger. The Cavs held D-Wade to 2 points in the second half without forcing LeBron to cover D-Wade until the end of the game. Miami had a full and healthy squad last night. The Cavs were a shadow of themselves last night (health-wise) and still ended up winning.
All-in-all, this reaffirms our initial belief that aside from Boston, Orlando, and Atlanta, there are no threats in the Eastern Conference this season. And I mean NO threats. If Miami represents the rest of the field, it is pretty embarrassing for the Eastern Conference.
Of second note, can we please put the LeBron-to-Miami rumors to rest? Look when you’re given that much talent, you grow up with every coach having you control the ball the majority of the time. I’d wager the same applies to D-Wade and every other great scorer in the league who needs the ball in their hands. And we think two players like this are going to co-exist on one team? I’m not buying it.
Last night showed us exactly that. Mike Brown drew up a defensive set for the final play that had D-Wade doubled (no kidding Mike) and LeBron called it off saying that he would cover him one-on-one. LeBron wants the spotlight even on the closing defensive sets. Look, we should all be grateful that LeBron thinks the way he does, but I can’t see him coexisting on the same team as a player who acts, plays, and thinks the same way. What were the odds last night D-Wade wasn’t taking the final shot? 2%? Maybe. Now who gets that shot if LeBron and D-Wade are playing on the same team?
What seems to be skewing the view of so many in the situation is the friendship that exists between LeBron and D-Wade. This as a league-wide trend as opposed to an isolated issue with LeBron. In the 80’s and early 90’s it was clear that players of certain teams were not fond of players on the opposition. (The Bad Boy Pistons, Jordan’s Bulls, etc.) The league isn’t like that anymore. Players will be competitive on the floor, and close friends immediately thereafter. LeBron is friends with a lot of the top players in the league. Will they play hard against each other? Of course. But will they eat dinner with each other’s families that night? Not a doubt in my mind. This is a business. Who else can a twenty-four year old making nine-figures really relate to, much less become friends with?
- Jeffrey Jerome
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
how bad was the arena last night? I heard no Miami fans cheering at all unti the end of the game. Even though the game was tied at the end of the 3rd quarter, nobody was on their feet. That would NEVER have happened at the Q. How could LeBron or any "marquee" player for that matter want to play in such a bad environment?
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis by Quadshot Jerome. Look for more from Jeff as the trade deadline approaches.
ReplyDeleteThe assist from Jeff!
ReplyDeleteEven though our record was better at this point last year, this year's version of the Cavs certainly has a different feel to it. I love the way we took it to the Lakers without Mo and have been able to close games recently wihtout Mo and Delonte against pretty good competition. I think missing Mo for a month may be a blessing in disguise in allowing (forcing) Mike Brown to give the younger guys more experience.