It was a great weekend to be a Cavs fan. It was about as good of a weekend for the Cavs as it was for ‘No Country For Old Men’ at the Academy Awards. The Cavs won two games with basically two different teams. In fact, that’s now three wins in a row and the active roster looked totally different in each of them.
Last nights blowout win over the Grizzlies was awesome but it wasn’t even the best game of the weekend. For me, Friday night’s win over Washington was the highlight of the weekend. The Cavs were down to six players thanks to injuries and the trade. Despite advice from J Beanie, the Cavs signed two NBDL players, not Team River City Players. (Thank Rosie for introducing us two those two players early on Friday afternoon) The Cavs really had no business winning that game. Here’s just a quick list of reasons why other than the fact they had only six NBA players: Eric Snow played 32 minutes. That’s about as impressive of a list there is to have to overcome to win a professional basketball game. I forgot how bad Snow really is. My god, I’ve seen better basketball shots in a second-grade girls game.
This was Damon Jones’s dream game. He got to play 44 minutes and was basically the Cavs only shooter and second option. He knew he could shoot as much as he wanted without consequences. Maybe that’s how he should play every game. He lit it up with 27 points and 7 three’s. It was great to see the ‘Three on the Trey’ hand gesture back.
Of course, with LeBron James the Cavs will always have a chance to win. It could be LBJ, Rosie, Frank, new commenter Wes and Graig out on the floor and I wouldn’t count them out of the game even with the fact those four have about as much basketball ability as a pirate with two wooden peg legs and two hooks for hands (by the way, if I ever lose my hand, I’m definitely going with a hook as a replacement). LeBron almost got another triple-double, missing it by just two assists. For him to get eight assist with Damon Jones as your wing man, that’s even more impressive than a triple-double with a real NBA Team. And, of course, LBJ took over when he had to, making two free throws with seven seconds left to win the game.
But my favorite part of the whole game was Billy Thomas. The NBDL didn’t take his NBA moment for granted. He fired up 11 three-point attempts. That’s pretty impressive especially since he only played 19 minutes. I love it. He only made three but that didn’t stop him from shooting. He said, I know I shouldn’t be playing right now but I also know I may never get to play meaningful NBA minutes again, I’m going for it. Good for him. Keep shooting, Billy, where ever you may be.
Billy, always shoot f or the stars.
Yesterday’s game against Memphis was just plan fun. I know Memphis is awful and it was just the team the Cavs needed to play with their new team. The blowout gave the four new guys a chance to play with LeBron, without much pressure, and gave Mike Brown a chance to work different lineups and see what will work. Again, I know Memphis isn’t that good, but you could see just how Ben Wallace will fit into the offense. That is, by getting open dunks from LBJ and Delonte West drives. Wally did what everyone thought he would, hit some outside shots and Joe Smith was great off the bench. West was off shooting the ball but still played a good point guard game and solid defense. Oh, and LeBron almost got another triple-double.
My favorite part about yesterday’s game didn’t even come from the Cavs game. After it was over, I flipped over to ESPN because the Bulls were on and I wanted to see all the former Cavs and how they were doing. What was the first play I saw? Well, you can probably guess it if you remember that Larry Hughes is on their team now. It was a Hughes air ball from just inside the three-point line. Good to see that the uniform changes but the shot remains the same. Have fun Chi-town.
The win over Memphis was just one game but one game that was a lot of fun and showed a lot of promise. If they can play this good (albeit against a bad team) after just one practice, then only good things can come when they actually become familiar with each other. Any question about weather this trade was a risk worth taking should be gone. The final verdict won’t come in until after the playoffs but last night’s game has to make Cavs fans feel better about their chances in the playoffs than any game before the trade.
Fratello
It was a great weekend for the Cavs. I watched both games in their entirety and agree that Friday’s was way more satisfying. The Wizards should hang themselves for losing that game. Billy Thomas is my favorite player ever. We get 7 more days with him, maybe longer with the injuries.
The 5 second call that Ben Wallace caused was awesome. It was a 20 point game in the 4th quarter and he was still playing tough d on a POINT GUARD! He still has a lot left in the tank and he’s only going to help Z.
It will be interesting to see how the team reacts with back to backers at Milwaukee and Boston this week. I, personally, don’t think we will ever lose again so I’ll chalk up a 2-0 roadie here.
In Billy Thomas we trust.
Billy Thomas could be signed through the rest of the year. He will no doubt get a second ten day contract because of the injuries. Even without them, the Cavs have two open roster spots since they traded six guys and only got four back. After two ten-days, you have to sign the player for the rest of the year if want to keep him. I think the Cavs will do that with both these guys, but for sure Billy Thomas.