"PSSSST.....do you see those scars on Dr. Einstein this morning?"

"Ya....it looks like a Predator got a good strong hold of him."

"His skin has been slashed and shredded!"

"ROR!...ain't it great!?"


" I'll bet Mortimer attacked him last night."


"I didn't get a chance to sneak a peek at the board last night....but my Father did. I know becuase I heard him laughing his head off at the computer."

"Oh no----he's setting up another experiment with explosives."






" Maybe we should make up an excuse so we can get out of h

I missed the first 3 quarters at my son's little league game. I missed the first 3 quarters of the first game and the last 3 quarters of the 2nd game as well due to little league commitments. So I only saw game 3 in it's entirety and the 4th quarter last night. So I will offer no game analysis. I am obvoiusly biased. I could offer no coherency.

A very smart man would probably say something smart about it so I won't. I saw what I saw in the 4th quarter however.

I think I read something like it is way,way too late for the selfish one to learn team basketball even though he finished in the top 10 in the league in assists as a non-point guard and somehow accumulated 13 more of them last night being the biggest ball hog on the planet. 13 more of them last night don't really mean much. What do 82 games really show anyway??

I think I read he doesn't really understand anything from a very smart man...that's all we need to know. Let's end this thread now.

Hose Garden and Main Course have been embarrrased so thoroughly it is time to end this affair immediately.

THREAD OFFICIALLY OVER

You are so right as you clearly remember my words......"This guy should shoot less and do what he does best...and that is his ability to pass like or even better than Magic Johnson. He'd average 18 to 22 points and 14 assists and the team would be much better."




You don't know what it's like to be right all the time,HOC.

Believe me...it's not as much fun as it may appear to be to neophytes like you and HoseGarden.

A special post for the Bid...(I didn't write it...I just know how much he loves MIke Brown and thought he'd appreciate this one!)

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE GAME:

Some Love For The Guy In The Suit: Listen to (okay, read) these four numbers: 76. 89. 84. 77.

No, those aren't test grades from my high school physics class. Don't be silly; I had the foresight to buddy up with the nerdiest kid in the room. I was only too happy to play Ringo to his rest of the Beatles. Hey, when you're trying to get into a good school, everything's fair game.

Anyway, those four numbers are the Celtics' point totals for the first four games of this series. That makes an average of 81.5 points per game. (By comparison, the Celts averaged just over 99 points per game in their first-round marathon with the Hawks.)

And that means it's time to give it up for the real hero, so far, of these playoffs: Coach Mike Brown. Yes, he can frustrate the hell out of fans with his schemes on offense; but the man knows defense like few others. And when you're playing games in the spring, defense tends to be just a bit more important than in the regular season.

Coach Brown has done a terrific job of covering the Celtics' big threats - their Big Three of Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce - and basically daring the other Boston players to beat them. That's a hallmark of great coaches - they take away what the offense wants to do the most. (Speaking of Boston, some coach named Belichick has done fairly well for himself by using that approach.)

Last night's game was perhaps the Cavs' best defensive performance yet. They held the Celtics to 39% shooting from the floor (and a Hughesian 21% from three-point range). They rarely allowed the Celts to have uncontested shots; and on the few occasions when that did occur, it was always a Rondo or Sam Cassell who was getting them. (To be fair to Rondo, he did make seven of his 14 shots from the floor - approximately seven more than he had made in the previous two games combined.)

These playoffs are teaching us (or re-teaching us) a lesson, people. Glamorous, offensive-minded team like the Suns and Mavericks are watching the playoffs from home. The defensive-oriented teams, such as the Pistons and Spurs, are alive and well. The Cleveland Cavaliers are built for the postseason. And while it would be nice to win 60 games in the regular season, isn't winning in April and May (and June) really what it's all about?

[This Space Available; Corporate Sponsors, Are You Listening?] Play Of The Game: Yes, LeBron had another rough game from the floor, making only seven of his 20 shots. But he had the most significant shot of the game. With just under two minutes, and the Cavs leading 82-75, James had the ball at the top of the key (I know; try to imagine it). He dribbled to his right, drove past Pierce, got to the hole ahead of the Celts' James Posey, and threw down a thunderous dunk, with Garnett on the bottom half of the poster. That dunk, which could have reminded one of a young George McInnis, (a) effectively ended the game and (b) may have been the wakeup call that Bron has needed. (James also drained two shots from three-point range, including one that pushed the Cavs' lead to 79-73 with just over three minutes remaining.)

[We'll Whore Out This Space Too, For The Right Price] Play Of The Game: James's dunk was preceded by perhaps the most impressive defensive play of the game. Joe Smith grabbed a rebound of a missed shot in traffic, and refused to let go of the ball despite the entire city of Boston taking a swing at the ball. (Yes, we are prone to exaggeration, why do you ask?) That rebound, along with the James dunk that followed, was the dagger that ensured that the Celtics' team flight home would be a quiet one.

Hey! He Made Other Plays Too!: Do you ever watch a game, and see a player make several good plays - always seeming to be in the middle of the action - and then after the game, you look at the boxscore and see that Mr. Middle of the Action had so-so numbers? That's Joe Smith this morning. The boxscore will show that he had eight points and six rebounds in just under 25 minutes of run. Those eight points and six rebounds all came at the most important points of the game, or at least they seemed that way.

But He May Not Have Even Been The Best Big Man Off The Bench: In many ways, the 2007-08 season has been a lost year for Anderson Varejao. First there was that silly holdout, which cost him the first several weeks of the season. Once he did sign, he had to get back into game shape. He then had to battle some injury issues, with both an ankle sprain (which affected his movement) and brain tendinitis (which made him think he can put the ball on the floor) affecting him.

Last night, Varejao was the Andy of old. Twelve points, six rebounds, a lot of hassling of Garnett, and plenty of hustle. If THAT guy continues to show up ... this postseason will get even more interesting.

Nor Was He The Best Performer Of The New Cavs: Wally Szczerbiak, who like Smith came to the Cavs in the big trade last February (yes, I know that you know this; I just need to make the tie-in to the section header), really showed up last night as well. Wally was brought in for one reason: his outside shooting. Last night, he delivered, making six of 11 shots (including two from long distance) for 14 points and at least two "WALL-Y!" chants from the home crowd. If THAT guy continues to show up ... we may have more than a couple of games remaining this season.

You Asked For It....: Last night was not Zydrunas Ilgauskas's greatest career moment. He scored just nine points. He played less than half of the game.

But he's here for one play. In the third quarter, with the Cavs nursing a two-point lead (54-52), he put a hard foul on Celtics point guard Rondo. Z went for the ball - it was not a dirty play - but he knocked Rondo to the deck. And while we can't prove it is a cause and effect, Rondo did miss both of the resulting free throws.

I remember that post. You, however act like he shoots 55 times every game. That has never been the case. HE has always been fully aware of team ball....proven by his multiple double digit assist games this post season. You have always been correct in that he is not a one man team...if I ever stated that I apologize. I'm pretty sure I just stated the remainder of the team was "average"...not a non-entity. I am of the perhaps wrong opinion, that there are times when he goes off shooting when the "team" is not shooting well and he tries to make up for it. (IF you recall in the one point loss in game 5 to Wash...Varejao, Smith, Wally, Brown, Gibson shot a combined 6 for 31.) I think in games such as that it may be ok for him to shoot a bit more. He took 3 shots in the 4th quarter of game 4 in Wash as West and Gibson were red hot. IN game 5 he took plenty of shots as no one was making them. What then happened in game 6?? He dished out 13 assists as Wally and Gibson were hot again.

In essence, he seems to me to pretty much be fully aware of what is going on. A lot of his bad misses come at the very end of shot clocks when nothing has happened in 16 seconds and he is the only one who can create his "own" shot. That happens quite a bit. Sometimes it's better to shoot with 2 on the clock than just hand the ball over. But honestly, do you not realize his wild penetrations is what often times sets up his teammates?? HE absolutely HAS to do that at times.

Whatever...I don't think you appreciate how good he is at times. He is not a ball hog though.

What you fail to see,HOC, is yes...players have cold shooting nights, but more often than not James likes his one man show....and players, as humans do, lose interest as he tells them to spread out so he can do his own thing....but when he plays team NBA style offense...they get interested...they ,too, pass to find the open guy...are in the right positions...and everyone move in and out of that.


You see...bad shooters.

I see...bad James play......and that's what people who know what they are talking about see.




It's funny how their best games happen when the later happens.

Very good stuff---and about time.

And what player screams at his own Mommy....on national tv...the day after Mothers Day!!?

Here's one just for you AVery from the same site. .

4) A glimpse of things to come

I probably bend over a little too backwards in defending Jhonny Peralta, a guy I latched on to because he was able to hold his own in the majors at such a young age. It's sometimes sobering to realize that Peralta, with three whole seasons under his belt and parts of two others before that, won't turn even 26 until the end of this month. To "give up" on Jhonny Peralta would be foolhardy: he is over a year younger than the source of much wailing and gnashing, Brandon Phillips. Although never an Acutally Good defensive shortstop, he's a guy capable of putting up plus offensive numbers from a defensive-premium position, and as such can be a real asset. He is hitting poorly this season, but this distinguishes him in no way whatsoever from half his teammates.

However, I have seen the future of the Cleveland Indians at shortstop, and his name his Asdrubal Cabrera.

Now, Cabrera is one of the players who is actually more offensively inept to this point than Peralta. He is hitting an honest .194, and his slugging percentage is not simply anemic, but all but exsanguinated at .245. But Cabrera is even younger at 22, and Saturday made several outstanding plays at shortstop, including snaring a run-saving line drive that Peralta would not only not have reached, but I would have thought it perfectly defensible for him not to have reached. I would like to see an overhead shot of that play to see when Cabrera started moving, as it seems inconceivable that he waited until the batter made contact.

Cabrera, in the fine tradition of Venezuelan shortstops, wears #13. It fits him.

back to me...
( I did actually see his Vizquelian DP he turned in game 1 yesterday...flabbergasting!)

Very kind of you.





The only thing that bugs me is what I hear from Shapiro..and now this guy......that" he's an offensive player at a defensive position."




Which would be great if he could play defense.

By the way...and not a point of argument......just wondered your opinion.

I think Hafner has had it...I really do.

What do you think?

The problem with the team this year is not defense to this point. Cabrera will be the full time shorstop at some point if not right now as you prefer. I think the biggest concern right now is the complete lack of power from the three "power" hitters alledgedly...Hafner, Martinez and Garko. Martinez is hitting well, but as of mid May you generally want more than Zero homers from your cleanup hitter. The only player in the lineup having his "typical" type season is Sizemore. No one else is even really close. Incredible as it may seem, I'd actually call Blake their second most productive offensive player so far behind Sizemore. That is not really what you want. Hafner is the guy completely killing them I think. Shelton's usefullness as a hitting coach seems to be fading to me. They are not .500 right now becuase of poor defense or pitching. It is completely offensively related. You should generally win games you get 9 shutout innings from your starter.

It's getting to the point where last year does not just look like a bad year/contract situation/minor ailments. In today's society, it simply makes me wonder if he simply came off substances last year and signed his contract and is clean now and we're seeing the results. I hope not...but at some point he has to do something. He is just bad right now.

I can't argue that for the most part....but great plays by at least Gutierrez and Martinez avoided late inning runs in that game.


It's really baffling and it's a shame the great pitching they get is too often wasted.Wedge continuing to mess with young talent,though,really s upsetting. If you choose to go with Fransisco and Frank...then play them every day.You won't know what you have until you find out so one has to show these guys some confidence.Not that it's the problem...but he messes with young talent too much.

My fear is when a "slump" last for over a year and he continually keeps making rookie mistakes at the plate....that it's not a slump for whatever the reason---I'm afraid I think he's had it.

If the Cavaliers do not beat Boston tomorrow...it is over.







That's the NBA for ya!

Ah wonder war HoseGarden is??






:o















:)






















:D

























10....Blowing up Gotti ( ror!!)


9....Solving Rubicks Joint ( double ror!!)


8....In Physics remedial school.....class taught by Professor Irwin Corey.


7....Applying for Bulls head coaching position.


6....Out filming Bellicheck....already denies knowing it was against the rules.


5....Making window pane out of acid rain


4....Fingers still stuck in Chinese magic trick.


3....Losing his shirt in shell game hosted by Andy Serling


2....Making pennies out of melted copper




And the number one place HoseGarden could be.....




















.....1....Ordering shell extensions at the local Internet Cafe for his trained oysters

Oh Mr. Garden....when you get out of the can for blowing up the physics room....and you still think the Cavaliers offense the last 2 games is no different than the first two and you can honestly say that.....then I will leave upon seeing that post from you...and not return ...ever.




Is this fair?