Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have found their formula. Shorten the available time by walking into the offense and milking the clock, running down so much time that at one point they had back-to-back 24-second violations. Shrink the floor by getting back on defense and turning this into a half-court game, then contesting every pass and shot. And, oh yeah, win the game.
After leaving that last little detail off the list in Game 1 and even at the end of regulation in Game 2, the Cavaliers have drawn even in the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors with a 95-93 win.
More than that, they are dictating the terms of this series. It’s not being decided by rainbow 3-pointers or high-flying alley-oops. It’s being decided in the in-between spaces and down on the ground, where Matthew Dellavedova was diving for loose balls. It’s being decided with the old-school arts of defense and rebounding, which is how the Cavaliers won Game 2 despite shooting 32.2 percent.
ESPN – Cavs’ style wins game 2
After the Kyrie Irving injury announcement came out on Friday morning, it was assumed this series was over by a majority of pundits. I was certainly in agreement with our own John Karalis when he wrote that the NBA Finals ended when Irving was officially shelved. He still might be right, because asking the Cavs to pull off that kind of effort for three more wins, which will probably take five more games, is a lot to ask. For at least one night though, the Cavs gritty effort and the Warriors poor shooting, passing and decision making gave pause to an entire world of NBA fans outside of the city of Cleveland. Does anyone want to guarantee that the Dubs will walk into Cleveland and take two from Lebron and his ragtag supporting cast? I certainly don’t. We have a series. But if you are asking me for a revised prediction, I’m wagering that the Cavs can’t pull off three more victories. Warriors in 7.
One more thing: I’ve never cheered for Lebron (respect his all-world talent, sure) as a fan, and I won’t start pulling for him now. But if he’s going to get skewered after poor performances going forward, as he has throughout his entire career, then this year’s MVP deserves criticism for his game two performance. Guys have off-shooting nights — even the best shooter in the world. But outside of a nifty behind the back pass on a Leandro Barbosa three and his game tying finger roll to send the game to OT, Steph Curry was really bad last night.
His last two offensive possessions were a big reason why this series is going back to Cleveland 1-1. He air-mailed a potential game-winning shot. If it wasn’t there, he could have found a teammate, but if he was going to take that shot, he needed to draw iron. Less egregious but more crippling was his turnover while trying to push the ball across half-court to Klay Thompson in the waning seconds.
He deserves to be criticized majorly for his performance. Hopefully he bounces back in game three.
On Page 2, how would you feel about Bismack Biyombo in green?
Charlotte Hornets backup center Bismack Biyombo may be the best-kept secret on this summer’s free agency list. He has unbelievable potential and unteachable physical traits.
Biyombo also fills a very specific hole the Boston Celtics have had for the past couple seasons.
He’s a big man who can protect the rim and intimidate ball-handlers who get into the paint.
According to Bleacher Report’s Michael Pina, here’s why the Celtics should offer Biyombo a contract:
“The 6’9” Biyombo has physical characteristics that can’t be taught. His wingspan is a pterodactyl-like 7’6”, and he’s the rare center who’s quick enough to chase smaller ball-handlers on the perimeter. Rim protection will always be valuable in the NBA, but big guys who can’t do much else on defense are severely less useful than those who switch on screens 30 feet from the basket and hedge pick-and-rolls with quick enough feet to recover back to the paint. It’s a bonus and adds to Biyombo’s value.”
Fox Sports – The Boston Celtics should go after Bismack Biyombo
We’ve spent a lot of time speculating about some of the bigger name free agents signing to play in Boston, but not much time has been spent on middle-tier free agents. Biyombo would certainly fill a need that may not be available at pick number 16 in the draft. His defense at the rim and really all over the court would be a huge lift, as indicated above.
The Cs would need to fill the court with scoring options when Biyombo hit the court, however. His offensive game is completely non-existent.
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