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Here is a Tweet from Stephen A Smith ......

Poor guy.

Stephen A Smith ✔@stephenasmith
This is absolutely crazy for me. 2 former Knocks -- JR Smith in Game 1, Iman Shumpert in Game 2 -- coming to the rescue.....for some1 else!
9:37 PM - 22 May 2015

I feel bad for Carmelo.

Did anyone see this at the end of the third quarter?
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/5/22/86...nd-of-the-third

It doesn't show the shot by the Atlanta player that proceeded this, but I think LeBron was mocking his shot. I was LMAO when he did it - what are everyone's thoughts?

This team is showing amazing resiliency..They have no answer for lebron so its good game. To beat them without kyrie is huge, should give Blatt the confidence to keep kyrie out until finals. I'd have him dressed to play just in case, but I wouldn't play him..2 weeks would be enough to get the tendinitis worked out. We will need a healthy Kyrie to have a chance against GS, their guards scare me. If we can continue to defend and slow the game down i think we can take them, if we don't, it will be a short series. Last night was in my opinion our most complete game of the playoffs, maybe the season. We defended, rebounded, moved the ball and stayed aggressive to the end. Not a whole lot of isolation. The thing thats going to break atlanta is, since we've had a different guy every night step up, they aren't going to know who to defend. I thought they would put up more of a fight, this series is over in 4. No way lebron doesn't close this out at home.


What was nice to see with Lebron was he didn't look like he was pressing..just playing his game then next thing you know he's an assist from a TD. Could you guys imagine how these playoffs would have gone with a fully healthy squad, including Andy, we would have swept all the way to a championship, as it is..crazy good experience for these guys to go through when its this difficult, it will make next year that much easier.

I don't know ... a part of me is REALLY enjoying the squad as is and I almost wonder how much of a benefit it is for them to be playing like this. I feel like this is one of the more mentally tough teams I've seen out of Cleveland in a long time. They've been down Andy and Love and mostly Kyrie since the Boston series. Shump has been hobbled as well. Haywood, Miller, Perkins and Marion should all probably be put out to pasture at this point. Yet all we do is keep finding way to win anyway. We could of easily laid down and given up, but we keep fighting and winning. We learned how to be a *tough* team by fighting through those Boston and Chicago series. Rather than being a team of mercenaries and meeting expectations, we feel like a team of wounded warriors that are overachieving and winning. These past two nights have been two of the most enjoyable games I've watched in a long time.

j/c

honestly, we might be better off against Atlanta WITHOUT Irving and Love.

Delly is MUCH better defensively against penetrating guards than Irving is ... and that forces LeBron to have the ball MUCH more on offense (which engages him)

I though this was a great read from Zach Lowe, especially the quoted part. Maybe Blatt isn't the dumb moron the national media wants us to think?

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/eight-...ference-finals/



That's a great description of what we've been doing. We're letting them have the long 2-pointer and not getting into scramble mode on Defense. I think that's where Atlanta beats teams. They get you scrambling on defense and just pass the ball around and wear you out. Instead, we're not going crazy on the help defense and just letting them take those long jumpers. By the end of the game, they look like the worn out ones and can't seem to hit anything.

wow.

RT @CVivlamoreAJC BREAKING: Kyle Korver is OUT for the remainder of the playoffs with ankle injury.

I don't feel bad about that one bit, sucks for him...but we have our own issues, so no excuses for them either. They are alot healthier than we are.

I don't think it matters anyway, but I really wonder what kind of fight they put up tomorrow.

sweeeeeeeeppppp

I hate to see anyone get hurt, but this just increases the Cavaliers ability to rest Kyrie all through this round of the playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers scribbles about LeBron James, Matthew Dellavedova, Tristan Thompson and a hard-working team -- Terry Pluto (photos) | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/05/cleveland_cavaliers_scribbles_20.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook the day after the Cavs took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals over Atlanta:

1. Once upon a time, the Cavs had this slogan: "Hard-working town, hard-working team." That's a nice way of saying this team has no stars, no real chance to contend for a title. But isn't this a hard-working team? That's what we've learned in this post-season. They rebound. They defend. They hustle. They throw their bodies on the floor for loose balls, and they pick up each other off the court when someone falls down.

2. Yes, they have LeBron James. No LeBron, no possibility of a title. Maybe even no playoffs. But when the playoffs opened, what chance would you have given the Cavs if you knew Kevin Love would not survive to the second round because of a shoulder injury. And that Kyrie Irving would battle a sore right foot, an inflamed left knee and rarely look like an All-Star guard.

3. LeBron or No LeBron, what chance would you have given the Cavs with Matthew Dellavedova and Tristan Thompson in the starting lineup, rather than Love and Irving? The Cavs took the court with James, Iman Shumpert, Timofey Mozgov, Dellavedova and Thompson -- and that starting lineup dominated the Hawks in Atlanta. Yes, dominated. The final score was 94-82, and the game was over late in the third quarter.

4. I kept thinking about that when coach David Blatt said: "LeBron's greatness is evident, but the other guys are completing him."

5. Thompson had 16 rebounds in Friday's victory. The ENTIRE Hawks starting lineup had 18. Thompson had 17 rebounds in the Game 6 close-out in Chicago -- one more than the Bulls' starting front court.

6. Some of Thompson's offensive rebounds are just as important to the Cavs as the long-range 3-pointers from J.R. Smith, Shumpert & Company. Thompson is breaking the will of the opposition.

7. When the Bulls and Hawks face the Cavs, they know Thompson has one main job -- rebound. That's it, rebound. So stop the guy. Block him out. They can't do it. Thompson's will is greater than theirs.

8. In the Hawks series, Thompson has been the primary defender on Paul Millsap. The Atlanta forward is a very good player, a 15-point scorer, a solid outside shooter and rebounder. He has been destroyed by Thompson. In the first two games, Millsap is 5-of-19 shooting. He has 17 ugly points, 12 rebounds.

9. In those same two games, Thompson has scored 21 points. The Cavs don't run a single play for him to shoot. At times, he sprints to the perimeter and sets a pick for James or Dellavedova -- and then rolls to the basket to catch a lob pass for a dunk. But that's the closest thing to a play the Cavs have for Thompson to shoot. Yet, he's outscored Millsap, 21-17. And Millsap is a key part of Atlanta's offense.

10. Then there's Dellavedova. As James said, "I love defense and having a guy like Delly -- he takes the challenge."

11. In Game 2, the Hawks thought they could spark their offense with quick point guards Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder. No way Dellavedova should be able to stay with those two athletes, right? Wrong! According to ESPN, the two Atlanta guards shot 3-of-14 for seven points when defended by Dellavedova. They were 8-of-12 for 18 points when covered by someone else.

12. Delly and Thompson playing big time in the biggest games of the season? Who knew?

13. Remember, it all starts with James. A reporter asked Blatt, "How does it help to have LeBron on your team?" The coach stared silently at the person, then said, "Do I really have to answer that?" Blatt meant the answer was so obvious.

14. That question came a few minutes after Blatt gushed about James, finally saying he's running out of superlatives to describe No. 23. Blatt and James are not only on the same page, but in the same sentence as they are developing what Blatt calls "The Big One ... One Team."

15. James keeps bringing different players to the podium. Since Love's injury, the following have made their press conference appearances with James: Thompson, Shumpert, Smith, Dellavedova and Irving. James said that soon it may be James Jones' turn. Why not? Jones had nine big points Friday.

16. After Friday's game, Shumpert was with James. Shumpert had scored 16 points, and was 4-of-6 on 3-pointers. James praised Shumpert's shooting, but then hit on his favorite subject ... defense: "We are the best defensive team in the playoffs ... it all starts with Shump ... he'll be on the (NBA) All-Defensive team real soon."

17. As Blatt said, "Defensively, we are playing at a very high level."

18. I've not said much about Mozgov, but the 7-foot-1 Russian was left wide open for medium-range jumpers early in the game. He made three. He's averaging 10 points and 9.0 rebounds against the Hawks. He has out-rebounded Hawks center Al Horford, 20-13, in the two games.

19. The Cavs have out-scored the Hawks, 53-33, in the third quarter. The coaches must be doing something right when it comes to adjustments. Just wonder when the national media will notice.

20. One last thought on Delly and Thompson: They never seem to get tired. They sweat buckets, but don't slow down. This whole team is playing like that right now.

I don't see how you guys think this is ganna be a sweep..

According to Kent Bazemore, Atlanta is still the better team..

Because ya know.. the regular season.. and stuff..

Editors Note: if I had never played NBA2K to the volume I have, I would not know who Kent Bazemore is..

Thinking you're still the better team after dropping the first two at home? You should.

Saying it to a reporter? ehhhh

Actually, he probably shouldn't even think it. Watching him try to check Lebron is pretty hilarious though.

There's no doubt in my mind we're sweeping this game, but I just hope it's done health-ily will no more blows to this team.

I've never seen a team lay a bigger egg than Houston has so far tonight.

It's like they have no fight at all ... giving up layups, accepting being out hustled, fighting with each other, etc ... pathetic

The worst part is that they are at home, as well.

I could almost see if a team were to just show up in game 3 on the road, of they were down 2-0 ..... but Houston is at home.

Most of the Rockets look like they are ready to begin their summer vacations. Only Dwight Howard looks like he has any interest in playing this game.

Get the brooms out.

If nothing else, it spells doom for Jeff Teague, because he's going to get swarmed like there's nobody else on the floor.

And I pretty much agree with most everyone else about sitting Irving. Right now they're better with Delly starting than a hobbled Irving out there. The Cavs have control of this series, and since Delly took over Irving's minutes in the second half of game 6 in Chicago, the Cavs have been an unstoppable force. Just keep rolling with it. Blatt stuck with Shump over JR even after the suspension ended, so I expect Irving to sit Sunday for sure, and probably the rest of the series.

I'd like to commend LBJ, not for his performance on the court, but his voice off. To paraphrase,

"Rally around the cavaliers, don't burn the city down"

No Korver now for Atlanta... I was expecting to win out the series had we won in Atlanta game two and we did just that. Now the confidence in a sweep is even more so greater, even at the threat of not having Irving for the rest of the series.

They were saying on the Golden State game yday that if GS wins out their series and we win out ours, there will be like nine days of wait, or perhaps you'd want to call it rest? Either of, factoring how crappy and boring Houston is playing, this outcome may very likely unfold out...

The finals start June 4th, regardless of when either series ends.

Now that it appears that we are definitely headed to the Finals, what are everyone's thoughts on Love? I ask because apparently Windhorst keeps running his mouth that he's being told by anyone who might know that Love is leaving. Apparently Love has only been to one of the three home games since his injury as well. I don't think he can yet travel.

Has the playoff run changed anyone's thinking on Love. Personally I think you stick to the plan and resign Love, but if he walked would that be as bad as everyone thought? We should be able to attract FAs no problem.

We need to keep him.

If not what was the point? We might as well had stuck with wiggins.

Love makes winning titles in the future that much easier.

I know the media has said that everything they hear is that he's gone, but I really think he's back next year on a 1 year contract. I know he hasn't been visible at games other than game 2 against Chicago, but I did read that the team face timed him on the flight home from game 6 in Chicago. I don't think he has issues with anyone on the team, including Lebron. I think that maybe at times he felt like he didn't have a place, but it's clear this team still misses his rebounding, his passing, and a lot of the other things he does, it's just that they are deep enough to deal with it.

Bill Simmons had him sized up for Boston, anyone think that's actually going to happen? LOL

I really hope they can find a way to keep most of this team around. I know they are going to have some tough decisions because both Shump and Smith are FA's (as great as Smith has been, I think I'd take Shump over him if I had to choose between the two) as well as the situations with Love and Thompson. You know Lebron is coming back, which is kind of weird, because it was 5 years ago when nobody really knew what was happening with him. He's the one given.

They have the Heywood contract too. I feel pretty good about David Griffin figuring all that out. I don't think we have to worry. Next year the Cavs are going to be really good, regardless of what they look like.

He'd be stupid to sign anything. Just opt in and wait for the salary cap to increase.

Anybody watched that GS game last night?

How curry body up Dwight and get that rebound?

Sweeeepp

http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/rumor-lamarcus-aldridge-could-join-the-cavaliers-if-kevin-love-bolts/


Not worried. This LeBron shows dedication to Cleveland and will attract free agents this time around.

What would we have to give up to get him though? A sign and trade means we'd need to give up picks or players...

We already gave up a fair bit to get Love, to give up more to replace Love would still be a loss IMO

A loss yes, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

j/c

Nothing against Tristan Thompson personally..

But guys that break out and have career years in a contract year scare the crap out of me..

He has this drive right now, because he bet on himself..

What happens next season.. After he gets paid, and is possibly already an NBA Champion?

What pushes him then?

I'd rest Kyrie tonight, if we lose, he plays game 4.

I honestly can't see Atlanta, with a hobbled Carroll, and no Korver, even putting up a fight..

Unless Teague goes off for 50 points and we play like crap..

But obviously we're only winning because Atlanta is being ravaged by injuries.. Us being 100% and all.. We are sooo lucky..

I would have said the same thing before he was injured. Now, get all the money you can.

I mean really.. When it's all said and done you're arguing being a free agent (after a 5 year extension) when you're 31 or 32.. Assuming his shoulder gives him no future troubles..

You take the 5 year deal now.. And you "only" lose one extra year at 16 mil.. And then you may miss out on what the max contract could be adjusted too..

After he signs a 80-90 million dollar extension..

I think he'll be fine going forward..

I do agree about the Hawks not putting up much of a fight. It isn't being said enough, but Horford is really struggling with Moz inside. He is really having a problem against Moz physicality and size. It's like you said. Other than Milsap and Teague who can realistically go off in this series? An injured Carroll isn't going to do anything against Lebron.

It just depends on the person.

I don't think much has changed about Thompson. His role is slightly different now that we have Lebron and others. How many times this year have you seen him pull up a 15 footer? I know I haven't seen it once in this playoff season. You saw it before Lebron came back, because the offense was a mess, and a lot of tims he'd end up with the ball late in the shot clock. I'm not blaming him for us being bad before Lebron, but stuff like that played into it. Now he just goes to work under the hoop.

He's a good kid and a hard worker. I don't think much will change when he gets paid. I just wonder who will offer him the max? I expect the cavs to match any offer, but I can't see some other team wit cap space giving it to a guy who doesn't score 20 a night. Most of the teams with cap space are not really all that good right? He's a complimentary player. I just don't see an offer for the max being offered to him, but who knows.

Has it hit anyone yet that we're 2 wins away from the damn NBA Finals?

Step on their throats tonight. Make them KNOW it's over.