We're at "The Dunk", or the Dunkin Donuts Arena in Providence, where Lenny Wilkins #14 hangs in the rafters...
I now know why Mike Brown likes this trip - on my run this morning I saw a sign that said "building up Brown". Actually it's Brown University that's being added on to. It's already a beautiful, stately campus. I've now gone on runs through 5 Ivy League schools, unfortunately it hasn't made me any smarter...
Wally Szczerbiak is Ivy League smart though...he considered Harvard before winding up at Miami. He would have come to Brown every year, and probably averaged 35 a game...
Providence is no stranger to assistant, Michael Malone, who coached under Pete Gillen here. Michael says he loved his days here, especially since this is where he met his wife, Jocelyn. Smart man!
Talk to you tonight during the game with the Celtics...
Good atmosphere here for a pre season game...we're only 45:00 from Boston, so, lots of Celtics green in the crowd and Red Sox hats (Rays in 7 by the way)...
Good energy here...both teams are going at it pretty good...LeBron has great bounce...he's come off the ball on every possession except one...he's got 8 of the 15 points so far...one of them off a quick defense to offense break...that's something the Cavs have been working hard at...a quick transfer down the floor to see what's there..Boston up, 17-15 mid first...
Another time out....27-22 Cavs...another thing is really evident in the difference between now and last May.. Mo's quickness is an issue for the Celts...he's gotten to the line for 6 FT's because of his burst...plus he quick pushed it earlier for a Wally 3...LBJ had 12 points in less than 9:00...he looked superb...
The Back-ups finished the quarter...Jawad Williams continues to be solid (gotta root for those Clevelanders) he had a nice post up in the lane, a good assist on a Boobie 3...and a late quarter bail out from the corner, with a good pump fake to get to the line for 3, and he knocked 'em down...twice in practice this past week, he hit the final FT's to end practice...if he had missed the guys would have had to run again...I like his make-up and his basketball understanding...37 points in the quarter...Cavs up 9...The first teamers were pretty much a push...Gee, what a shock since these two teams went 7 toe to toe in May with a hair difference between the 2...I can't wait 'till opening night...
For those of you who don't know about Jawad...he's a St. Ed's guy with a state title ring...went to Carolina and won a ring there too in '05...he can play...and he knows he belongs...time will tell if he can make the roster, but he's doing the right things...2nd Qtr...Cavs still up 3...JJ has just missed on a couple of finishes...he's probably rushing things a bit...LBJ is coming back in..."he told Doc Rivers...I got 2:00 left, that's it"...:)
55-50 CLE at the half......I would say the building is about 3/4 full...they're really into it...LeBron played just over 13:00...15 points, on 6 of 9...Got into the lane when he wanted to...The Cavs got to the line 19 times, and made 17...another by product of Mo being on board...he makes FT's...when you include Wally and Z, that's 3 starters who shoot over 80% from the line...Wally played well too with 13...his 2 3's came off Mo pushing it..For the Celtics, rookie, Bill Walker looked good...remember, he played HS ball with OJ Mayo in Cincy...he scored 7 and was very active..
The old adage in the NBA is you don't know a player until you coach him...same can be said for announcers and fans...as I've watched Mo in every practice...he really sees the floor and MOVES the ball...we think of him as a score and he can do that...but he is going to make a big impact with this offense...you watch...
Mike Brown just said something in the huddle, presuming about Mo...the entire team applauded and Mo wore a huge grin...you rarely see that...I'm going to guess because Mo passed up a wide open J for a better Z look inside..
Mike does that a lot in practice when guys do unselfish things...he's stop practice and make a point about playing the right way and leads the applause himself...CLE 65-57...
thoughts thru 3...Cavs shooting 54%...Mo had 7 assists...Joe T's call of "something out of nothing" about Mo's base line leaner was right on...he was trapped with no where to go and a short shot clock...it was a Houdini act...Andy looks very light on his feet...he's dropped some weight and it really shows...His confidence is back where it was last season before he turned that ankle in LA...
Post Game Thoughts .....
liked what I saw in Providence, especially from an offensive standpoint...Mo Williams' 7 assists tells you how much of an impact he can have with this team...and not so much for the pure assist number, but pushing the ball into early offense and moving it from side to side...LeBron was able to play off the ball virtually every possession, something he looks forward to doing...and not only because of Mo's addition, but the ability of he, Delonte and Daniel to initiate things...LBJ got to the hole as a result....Mo was able to get the ball in a push mode on both of Wally's 3's...The Cavs emphasize passes being on time and on target, and Maurice does that...
Mike Brown was not thrilled with his defense, but I'm sure Doc Rivers wasn't either, as points came too easily for both teams when the rotation guys were in there..
During one time out, Mike spent the entire time pointing out a charge that Mo had drawn against a Boston big man..guys starting applauding in the time out huddle...LeBron then spoke up and pointed out Mo had also just passed up a wide open jumper for a better shot inside on a Z lay-in...so, the guys applauded again for Mo, who wore a huge grin...it's all about playing the right way...
Same two teams, Tuesday night in Pittsburgh...
Don't forget to give us some nice updates of the game. If you get a chance, why not give us a little info in the official game thread?
No Offense02:09 PM EST