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**Pioneer10** · 03-13-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

–Cavs lost this game in the third quarter when they allowed 70 percent shooting and 34 points. Let’s get that out of the way first. The Cavs do not play evenly on defense and recently they have had huge periods where they get lazy. I am not sure exactly where the blame goes here, but they will continue to have losses until they learn that lesson. They are not good enough on offense to give up 30-point quarters, especially on the road.
–As for LeBron James deciding to go for a 3-pointer on the last shot. No, it wasn’t the best idea, especially waiting until the buzzer so there could be not chance at an offensive rebound. But there’s no doubt he was tired after playing 46 minutes last night and almost 44 tonight. The Cavs had expended so much energy trying to catch up. He said after the game he didn’t want to play overtime, I don’t blame him. He tried to be a hero and he missed. In other circumstances it may be an issue. But he didn’t even go to the basket in the fourth quarter much, which I think had to do with fatigue, too. He had seven turnovers, also something you don’t see from him much. That didn’t decide the game.
–DeShawn Stevenson did do a good job in the fourth quarter guarding LeBron. In fact, the Wizards did a nice job pressuring him on pick-and-rolls and not letting him get a head of steam to the basket in the second half. But Stevenson took personally. He missed the final shot in Cleveland when the Cavs beat Washington last month and he was trying to atone. He was carrying on with LeBron and Damon Jones all night. In the first half, Damon made a 3-pointer and waved his hand in front of his face to mock what Stevenson does when he makes 3s. Stevenson didn’t like that and in the second half when he made a couple 3s he looked over at Damon and mocked his “three on a platter” and how Damon sometimes slaps his butt when he hits shots. Damon just stood up and glared at him.
–But the stuff with LeBron was more personal. He told Michael Lee of the Washington Post after the game that LeBron was talking trash to him and that he wanted to get under LeBron’s skin. Then he said: “LeBron is overrated” and made sure the quote was attributed to him. When LeBron is tired after playing 90 minutes in 24 hours, he isn’t the same player, I agree. Stevenson did a good job in the fourth, so props to him. Yet poking one of the best players in the league just isn’t a good idea. LeBron has proven to be tough on people who challenge him. Especially considering Stevenson shot 19 percent in the playoff series with the Cavs last season. Too bad the Cavs don’t play the Wizards again this year, it would be interesting to see LeBron’s response.
–Ben Wallace played much better tonight. The time off did wonders and he was a real factor defensively down the stretch defending the basket. He was much more active overall. That is a major positive the Cavs can take out of this game. If he plays like that more often, he’ll be valuable in the playoffs.
–Wally Szczerbiak played just 12 minutes tonight and went 2-of-9. Last night he played lots of minutes but didn’t get many shots and it looked like he was getting frozen out a bit. I think the fact that he takes so many shots gets on some of his teammates nerves, especially since he’s making less than 30 percent of them right now. If Sasha Pavlovic gets some traction, and tonight he played pretty well, Wally might force some hard choices with playing time if he doesn’t heat up.
–Anderson Varejao had 10 rebounds in the first half, two in the second. He got tired, too. When one team is on a back-to-back and the other isn’t, it makes a difference. Still, third quarter cost the game.
–32 3-pointers attempted tonight, way too many. Again, I think a product of a tired LeBron and not having Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/

**Basel57** · 03-13-2008, 10:59 PM

I kind of like these player rivalries...it really is too bad, though, that they don't play again this season.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 03-14-2008, 08:44 AM

Stevenson is a scrub. He isn't even good enough to get in a rivalry with Lebron.

It's like Gerald Wilkins and Jordan was a "rivalry" and MJ just destroyed him in that 1 series.

I hope we end up facing the Wiz in the playoffs

**ehmunro** · 03-14-2008, 10:22 AM

So the Wallynoma is raising his ugly head again, eh? Can't say I didn't warn you guys. Danny Ferry should have stuck to trading for Smith and West.

futuristxen · 03-14-2008, 12:20 PM

What a coward. He knew that he wasn't going to play Lebron again this year and so he talked trash about him.

Sigh.

Don't know about Wally getting frozen out. It's more like he's ice cold. Why pass to a guy who is just going to miss and miss and miss? I have no problems with Sasha taking his playing time if he's going to shoot like he did last night.

Fact of the matter is, there is competition. And if you can't bring it, we have players on the team who will. If wally doesn't step up, he won't play, simple as that, and I think that's the correct policy.

**Ruff Draft** · 03-14-2008, 12:26 PM

He's got balls, and I respect that.

Big Mike · 03-14-2008, 12:36 PM

That scrub DeShawn got into LeBrons head alittle last night, enough for him to have a bad game and taking a ill advised shot at the end that helped the Wizards get a much needed win. I'd say it worked out real well for the scrub.

**Brandname** · 03-14-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Mike

That scrub DeShawn got into LeBrons head alittle last night, enough for him to have a bad game and taking a ill advised shot at the end that helped the Wizards get a much needed win. I'd say it worked out real well for the scrub.

If he had a bad game and still outplayed DeShawn, his comments are all the more hilarious.

**Brandname** · 03-14-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruff Draft

He's got balls, and I respect that.

No, he'd have balls if he called out Lebron before the game.

As it is now, he just looks like he's scared of Lebron by waiting until he doesn't have to see him again this season.

Big Mike · 03-14-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandname

If he had a bad game and still outplayed DeShawn, his comments are all the more hilarious.

Yes he outplayed DeBrick, but Bricks team won. I think his comments were alitte uncalled for after the game. Hes probably thinking like a lot of others do but has the balls or ignorance to come out and publically say what he said.

futuristxen · 03-14-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Yes he outplayed DeBrick, but Bricks team won. I think his comments were alitte uncalled for after the game. Hes probably thinking like a lot of others do but has the balls or ignorance to come out and publically say what he said.

I'm sure you're right. A lot of players resent James and don't think he's as good as he is. But he just keeps going. I don't think he really cares about them. Paul Pierce similarly has a "problem" with James.

Big Mike · 03-14-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futuristxen

I'm sure you're right. A lot of players resent James and don't think he's as good as he is. But he just keeps going. I don't think he really cares about them. Paul Pierce similarly has a "problem" with James.

No LeBron shouldn't care what people think and I'm sure he won't make much out of DeShawns comments since hes clearly a surperior player to DeShawn, I'm also sure he hopes Washington moves up to that 5th spot. I just think people on message boards make too much out of things like this, its just "trash talk".

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