If Antawn Jamison doesn't explode for 30+ in the first four quarters he never has a chance to miss those game winning free throws at the end of regulation. That's both the really good and the really disappointing part of Jamison's game last night.
I've been kinda hard on Antawn over the course of this season, and even last season too really. The way he patterns his shooting style after your uncle's driveway game I find amusing, the new launching points for shots he invents with regularity I am constantly in awe of, and I also get the feeling that he's consciously shooting his way out of town by way of a trade sometimes too. Maybe all that's true in some ways, maybe it isn't. What is true for sure though, is that this team would probably never win if Jamison wasn't always trying to score. You do need somebody who wants to do that, and he's been hanging some major numbers on the board here lately.
In the last three games, Antawn has scored 25 at Miami, 27 in a win over the Clippers, and 34 last night in that 113-112 OT loss to the Bucks. He also grabbed 11 rebounds last night too, getting himself fouled grabbing that last on on the defensive end to set up those two FT's that he eventually missed. So even though he could've won things at the stripe last night, I think he deserves more praise for the game he had than snarky commentary about the two he missed.
Below is video of Daniel Gibson (17 points, 8 assits, 6 rebounds) saying pretty much the same thing I did at the open here:
Gibson has now scored 17 points in each of his last two games since returning from that neck infection, and I wanted the ball in his hands down the stretch last night. After not touching it for two possessions, he did eventually get it late but they called him for a charge. Byron Scott said that play was set up for Booby to shoot a three coming off a screen, and if it wasn't there for him to keep going to the basket. Daniel did that, shot a floater, but got called for that charge. He was politically correct, if not real professional about that call after the game, but I kinda thought I saw dude's foot on the no-charge circle during the replay. Oh well I guess.
Ramon Sessions kept filling in for Kyrie Irving by channelling his inner-Steve Nash again last night, finishing with 12 points and 16 (!!!) assists. If you're Chris Grant, and maybe trying to field as many calls as you can for Sessions around the League right now, Sessions has given you more than anybody could've asked for with Kyrie out here. He's averaging 19 points and 14.5 assists in his last two games. Yikes.
Tristan Thompson was unable to play on Wednesday night, but he did speak to the media before tip-off just after being named to the NBA's Rookie-Sophomore Challenge later this month. He will join Kyrie Irving in representing the Cleveland Cavaliers down in Orlando, and below is video of Tristan talking about all that. He also offered an update on the status of his injury right now too.
Tristan said that he was "honored to be named to the team" right before I started rolling tape too. My question is the first one you hear in the video, and a transcript of all he talked about is below:
I caught up with Chris Paul yesterday afternoon, prior to the Cavaliers 99-92 win over his visiting Clippers, and he talked about Kyrie Irving as well as the Coach he played for during his rookie season in New Orleans. That conversation is included in my latest at SLAM Online, and here is the link to all that. Good stuff from CP3 on both the Cavaliers rookie as well as their Head Coach, so be sure to check it out if you get the chance.
SLAM Online - Mastermind: CP3 on Kyrie Irving and learning the NBA game under Coach Byron Scott.
Kyrie Irving was a late scratch last night due concussion-like systems sustained when his head banged into an opposing Heat players knee on Tuesday. He participated in shoot-around, but was later diagnosed with a concussion by team doctors and didn't play. You already knew that though. If you followed me on Twitter, you also knew I was more bummed out than an adult my age should've been about something like that too. During the day on Wednesday, I became exceedingly gassed up by my anticipation of Irving's first ever match-up with Chris Paul. That'll have to wait until next season though.
After then thinking aloud that the only thing that could make up for Kyrie's absence for me would be Christian Eyenga treating Blake Griffin like Kendrick Perkins on a Skyenga-style dunk, I ended up being more than pleasantly surprised by what actually transpired. The Cavaliers earned themselves the type of 99-92 win over a quality team like the Clippers that play-off caliber teams do. With their best player sidelined, and their All Star Center playing his way through some serious collisions.
Coach Vinnie Del Negro was pretty upset with his Clippers effort following the game, but in truth they didn't play horrible. Blake Griffin went for 25 and 15, Chris Paul went for 16 points and 12 assists, Caron Butler scored 21, and Randy Foye added 15 starting in the place of Chauncey Billups. The reason the Cavaliers did end up winning actually had more to do with the Cavs themselves in my opinion. Specifically Ramon Sessions, Antawn Jamison, and Daniel Gibson. In no particular order really, but also kind of in that order too at the same time.
Sessions was spectacular. I don't think I'm using that word for effect, I think he earned that. 24 points and 13 assist performances, starting opposite Chris Paul in 39 minutes of work, deserves that type of description. He was a beast on Wednesday, and so was Antawn Jamison. With his ex-Wizards teammate Caron Bulter on the floor, Jamison looked more charged up than he usual does. The game was admittedly "chippy" according to Coach Scott afterwards, and Jamison clawed his way to a game high 27-points, to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 (!!!) assists. Every one of the shots Antawn hit were huge too.
The same can be said about Daniel Gibson as well, in his first game back from a neck infection. Booby hit two extremely clutch threes, and finished with 17 points on 6 of 11 shooting starting in place of the still injured Anthony Parker. His plus minus number of +11 in 35 minutes was bested by nobody.
As I mentioned before, it's team wins like this with Irving out that make you kinda think that when Byron Scott talks about contending for a playoff spot this season he isn't just that lobbing stuff out there. He's serious. As is he serious about the need for Christian Eyenga to focus on the defensive end of the floor first when he's out there. Something Skyenga did during his 16 minutes of work on Tuesday, while coming off the bench to block 2 shots, and also finishing 2 of 3 from the floor for 6 points as well.
The win moved the Cavaliers to 10-14 overall, and they're technically a half game behind Milwaukee for the 8th playoff spot out East right now.
Before the game I caught up with Tristan Thompson after being named to the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge earlier in the day, along with Kyrie, and I'll have that video later on in the afternoon. Below is the post-game interview I did with Antawn following the win, and also a play-by-play of how nervous I got when said interview unexpectedly became surrounded by every media member and each camera covering the game last night.
My postgame interview with Antawn Jamison:
WE FORMED OUR OWN SUPERTEAM AND CALLED IT CAVS ZINE
An amalgamation of writing and artistic talent straight out of the CLE. Writers, artists and the enduring heartland Cleveland Cavaliers rock song from legend Michael Stanley on WINE AND GOLD flexi vinyl. And when you spin it on a turntable and you close your eyes, you are guaranteed to picture that sweet Larry Nance mid-range jumper. Not saying that if you spin it backwards you can hear me making a passionate plea for the retirement of Lenny Wilkens jersey, but, you know, it's something to consider, just in case.
It's the damn greatest thing ever, and you can get it in your hands. It will lift your heart. It will extinguish your anxiety. And it's totally free if you're a Cavs fan. Free as in, you just got to find it, and it's yours, your tangible reward for dilligent loyalty to our basketball team. And if you aren't a Cavs fan, its just another reason to become one. As in, the only price is your loyalty and passion.
What is Cavs Zine 2? It's like Cavs Zine 1 on steroids, HgH or something even more powerful. You remember this Brendan Bowers interview about Cavs Zine 1 from last season? http://www.stepienrules.com/2010-articles/october/cavszineqaa.html - I know you do. Use that as a baseline for your imagination to begin wondering how far we could take this thing. Free flexi vinyl with the legendary Michael Stanley Cavs song? Check. Vegan recipe section? Check. More original Cleveland Cavaliers comics? Check. Cover art based on the best alliance in hip-hop? Check. Indeed, we came to rock it to the tip-top.
It's a moral imperative to have Cavs Zine 2 in your hands. There's no digital versions of this content.
It's a peice of art and you need to have it with you though the Kyrie Irving Era.
Here's our roster:
Scott Raab - Author of the book "Whore of Akron" and Esquire writer
Dawn Griffin - artist, cartoonist and transplanted CLE fan www.zfcomics.com
SPACE FUN MARS - www.igohardnow.com writer, artist and raconteur
BOOSH - www.igohardnow.com writer and tall guy
Josh Flagner - co-founder www.morethanafan.net
Eric Knappenberger - the @CavsWitness guy on Twitter
Brendan Bowers - founder/proprietor of www.StepienRules.com
Ben Cox - founder www.benblog.net and writer at www.waitingfornextyear.com
Mike Brenkus - cover artist and @cre8ive_juice guy on Twitter
Scott Sargent - co-founder of www.waitingfornextyear.com
Justin Meiser - the @CONCEDE guy on Twitter - featured at www.yardbarker.com
Alex Raffalli - PodCAVS founder
Robert Attenweiler - Founder www.Cadavalier.com, author (w/ Scott Henkle) of the play "Our Greatest Year"
Reshae Hanes - founder, www.CLEfoodgoddess.com
Sam Drew - founder, www.SamDrewTakesOn.com
PLUS
Michael Stanley - Cleveland's Legendary Heartland Rocker
I know your jaw just dropped. You can go back and read that list again. Then check out these details:
There's only going to be 300 copies, and I'm keeping one, so really there's only 299. Also, I promised the Michael Stanley Band copies, so keep that in mind too since they have priority. 
The official release date (tentatively scheduled for the All Star Break) will come as soon as I know exactly when the flexi discs will come back from the record pressing plant. (What's a flexi? It's how we do... http://en.wikipedia.org/
DO NOT MISS THIS. ONLY 300 COPIES WILL BE MADE. IF YOU GET A BOOTLEG COPY IT WILL PROBABLY NOT INCLUDE THE FLEXI, UNLESS SOMEONE GETS REALLY AMBITIOUS. STAY ALERT FOR MORE DETAILS. AND, GO CAVS.
The Cleveland Cavaliers effort was okay last night in Miami. Their bench didn't give them anything. The Miami Heat were finally able to get their revenge on Ryan Hollins, and missing Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker, and Tristan Thompson really hurt last night. You need to be at full strength to have a chance against a team like the Miami Heat, especially when their lined up at full strength opposite you. By you I am referring to all NBA teams.
There's not much more to really say about last night's game. Luke Harangody can't shoot 1 for 9 in 14 minutes. Ramon Sessions can't play 30 minutes and finish with 4 turnovers, shoot 2 of 8, and finish with a game worst plus / minus of -24. Ryan Hollins can't really do what he did last night when he was out there either. Nor can the Cavaliers afford to miss 10 free throws in a game like. These are all things everybody knows though, so that's why I don't really feel like talking about it all that much.
Samardo Samuels should've gotten Hollins' minutes, but Ryan was previously known to be a Heat killer so I don't mind him getting a look too much based on that. I just mind the way he played. I also didn't mind seeing my man Skyenga out there, thought he played one heckuva floor game, but he's going to need to either make a couple shots or not take four of them next time. That block he had on Norris Cole got me up out of my couch though, and I loved the effort diving into the bench there too, so hopefully Sky Man can build on that defensive effort he had and get some additional run here tonight.
Hopefully too, if Antawn Jamison is able to go for 20 on the first half next time he wont get into foul trouble early and have to sit for most of the second and follow that up with only 5 to close out the next two periods. Anderson Vareajao had kind of an off-night, but still finished with an 11 point, 11 rebound double-double while playing tons of defense. Kyrie Irving hit a couple mid-range jumpers last night, in his continued effort to make those cool again, and finished with an All Star stat-line that ready 16-6-6. Alonzo Gee played real well last night at the two, scoring 17 points on one end and adding some solid defense against LeBron and Wade on the other, and if I was forced to pick a Cavs player of the game it would be him.
I did like the starting five as a unit that they had out there though for whatever that's worth, over the one with Anthony Parker in it, and that five man unit actually finished +8 as a group overall for the game. Not bad when you lose 107-91. Daniel Gibson is supposed to be back tonight against the Clippers, but I'm not sure on AP or Tristan. Oh yeah, and hopefully Skyenga gets a real chance here over the next twenty games for some on-court NBA development opportunities based on his effort last night. For everybody bashing my boy right now, dude hasn't even played in an 82 or even 66-game NBA schedule of games yet. Back off.
I'm heading down to the Clippers shoot-a-round here shortly though, so time to move on from Tuesday's game in Miami for me. As much fun as last night could've been had the Cavaliers won, tonight at home is a game I've had circled for a while. Blake Griffin. Lob City. Mo Williams comes back to Cleveland playing really well right now for the Clipps. And then you have the main event in my opinion: Kyrie Irving vs. Chris Paul. In the words of Terrell Owens, be sure to have your popcorn prepared. I'll have more on all this later.
Kyrie Irving scored 17 points in just under 26 minutes down in Miami during the Cavaliers 7-point loss (92-85) to the Heat on January 24th. At that rate (roughly 0.65 points per minute), if he played 40 minutes, he'd have finished with 26 and the Cavaliers would've won by two. Of course nothing at all about the game would've been different, besides Kyrie simply adding nine additional points to the Cavaliers total, so I imagine that's one adjustment the coaching staff is considering. The other would be to figure a way to keep Dwyane Wade out of this one too, because he didn't play last time, and he is tonight. 
Win or lose it's another fun and interesting test for Kyrie Irving and his Cavaliers tonight to be sure. My hope is they keep it competitive, and I'm starting to think that maybe they expect that after beating Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Dirk Nowitzki recently. As good as those Hall of Famers are though, they aren't Dwyane Wade or LeBron James in their prime. A LeBron James who comes in, after probably being forced by Pat Riley to operate almost exclusively in the painted area this season, scoring over 29 points per night on a 55.2% clip from the field, and a D-Wade who after coming back from his injury is averging over 23 per night in the last six.
The Heat have won 7 of their last 8 as a team, LeBron is 4-1 against the Cavaliers since he left, but this isn't about the Miami Heat at all really. It's about growth, it's about watching Kyrie continuing to play like an All Star, continuing put up overall numbers that have him ranked 5th in the NBA amongst all Point Guards, and continuing to give his team a chance to win each time he steps on the floor. It's also about Anderson the double-double machine Varejao, his beast mode performances that have people calling him untouchable, and finding out how this team responds collectively while Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker, and Tristan Thompson stay home rehabbing their respective injuries.
Tip-off tonight at 7:30. More following the game.
Shout out to Mychel Thompson:
Early energy for 48 minutes. That's what it said in blue dry erase marker ink on the Cavaliers white board prior to tip-off with the defending World Champions last night. All of the other offensive sets, game notes, and match-ups were written in black.
Coming off a series of games where the Cavaliers waited until the fourth quarter to wake up and play with the energy needed to beat a quality NBA opponent, this would be critical to having even a chance against Dirk and the visiting Dallas Mavericks. Thus the blue ink. A message that Anderson Varejao not only received, but basically smacked each one of his Cavs teammates in the head with by way of two thunderous dunks to open the game.
After the second one, which made it 4-0 Cavs, he looked over at his team's bench pumping his Wild Thing arms, and Quicken Loans Arena went crazy. He finished the game with 17 points and 17 rebounds, a Kevin Love-type statline that's becoming routine for Andy over the last few weeks, and after the game I asked him about that start.
He was right in that the game wasn't won there, but it did go a long way to helping his Cavs hang around in the first half. They went into the locker room down 8 (51-43), kinda looked like maybe it could get out of hand from there, but the Cavaliers then responded with their best third quarter of the season. Collectively.
The Cavaliers made their usual surge during the fourth quarter last night, which is probably more encouraging than it is frustrating, and can't be completely dismissed even in an eight point loss (102-94). Last year they used fourth quarters following a 29% shooting from the field for three periods performance, like Friday in Orlando, to really get blown out by a team like the Magic. Last night, despite their struggles offensively highlighted by both those shooting woes and eight Dwight Howard blocked shots, they didn't quit and put a little run together late. It was actually too late though, unfortunately.
Ramon Sessions rallied the troops some, finished with a team-high plus / minus of +16 in about 27 minutes, and Alonzo Gee finished up a 20-point, 5-rebound for the game performance with some emphasis down the stretch as well. After digging too much of a hole though, and not playing the way they did or do in the fourth for the three quarters preceding, the Cavaliers ended up losing by eight even though they improved that field goal percentage as a team by 8 for the game overall (37%) in that final period.
Only Jason Richardson (+19) finished with a plus / minus as good or better than Ramon Sessions last night, which is kinda crazy if you think about how much the Cavs were losing by and eventually lost by. His 19 points in 28 minutes were as many as his teammate Howard ended up scoring, to go with those 8 blocks and 16 rebounds hauled in by the big man who wants to be traded. The Cavs went to the Hack-a-Howard late, and I really don't like the Hack-a-Howard at all - especially when Mark Jackson spent Golden State's fourth or fifth game of the season doing it all night - but it was relatively effective in just that last quarter for the Cavs kinda. They had no other option really, but Howard did split those last 14 FT's and that would be more than enough for the win.
When this season started, I said that I did not believe it would end with Anderson Varejao playing for the Cavaliers. The reasons I thought so were because it is in the Cavaliers best interest to acquire first round draft picks, and that a number of teams would be willing to include such picks in a trade package for Andy. I also didn't think, at the time, that any other veteran on this Cavs team could be traded for a first round pick this season either. But it is starting to seem like maybe Ramon Sessions can be. If he eventually is, I'm to the point with Anderson's All Star performance this season, that I wouldn't see any reason to move Varejao at all then if that first rounder can be acquired through a Sessions deal. 
It's obviously not a sure thing that a team will eventually trade a first round pick for Ramon, but there has been a lot of talk about that lately. This week began with Adrian Wojnarowski's report about the Lakers interest in Sessions, and while Woj didn't specifically say that the Lakers were willing to give up a first round pick in exchange, he did indicate that such compensation would be Cleveland's asking price for their back-up PG. The Los Angeles Times since reiterated the Lakers interest in Sessions, as well as that first round pick the Cavs would be looking for, but stopped short of saying LA should trade a pick like that to Cleveland for him. Then today, the New York Post said that the Knicks are also interested in Sessions, and that the Cavaliers would be looking for either a draft pick, cash, or a young player at another position in return.
That Post report went on to note that the first round pick the Knicks could trade isn't until 2016 though. While I'd be looking for a 2012 first rounder specifically if I were Chris Grant, and definitely not interested in cash or either of the two players NY was talking about, that 2016 pick - while four years later than what Cleveland needs right now - is still a first round pick. The Lakers, meanwhile, currently hold a top-20 protected pick in 2012 they received from Dallas, in exchange for Odom, as well as their own. They're sitting with the 8th best record in the West right now, at 13-9, and if I had to guess they'll finish this season with anywhere from the 21st to the 25th pick in the first round come June. I'd also bet, at this point at least, that Dallas will eventually finish out of the lower 20, and LA will end up with two 2012 draft picks at about the same spot; call it the 22nd and 24th pick overall this summer, or something like that.
There is the Dwight Howard issue, and maybe LA holds onto those picks for him, but their PG position is horrible right now. If Mike Brown doesn't want to maybe get run out of town in year one, he might need to really push for the "get better immediately type move" that Sessions would afford him. As opposed to waiting to find out whether Dwight is cool with living out the rest of his NBA life as Shaquille O'Neal 2.0 or not. The Knicks could also get pretty desperate if Baron Davis doesn't actually come back reincarnated as a young Oscar Robertson and save the franchise from the humiliation of their continued awfulness single handedly too. In that case, it's possible they bring a third team in and somehow exchange that 2016 first rounder for the same type of pick next year in a three-way deal with the Cavs for Sessions. Theoretically, maybe, possibly.
