Cleveland Cavaliers: That feeling when Ty Lue might blow Game 5
The Cleveland Cavaliers evened the ECF, but Ty Lue’s decision to play Tristan Thompson and Jeff Green tougher is cause for concern moving forward.
The Cleveland Cavaliers reset the Eastern Conference Finals, but now the series shifts back to Boston where the Celtics dominate.
1. You just get the feeling Ty Lue’s going to mess things up. Look no further than his decision to play Tristan Thompson and Jeff Green at the same time during the Cavaliers Game 4 win.
He finally went away from this tandem, but it barely lasted a quarter.
Ty. It doesn’t work. Coaches have to stick with their guys, but man, Jeff Green Hill is a weird place to put your career on the line.
How bad does Green have to play for Cedi Osman to get his minutes? This question, of course, is rhetorical. It’s not something you’re going to see.
Lue would probably contend Green is better defensively, but what Cedi lacks in skill, he makes up for in effort. Plus, he has to be a help offensively.
At the worst, Cedi is more than capable of producing Green’s line of zero points on 1-for-5 shooting with zero assists, two turnovers and four fouls.
2. Kevin Love hasn’t totally disappeared, as he did in Round 1 against the Pacers, but the Cavs’ other supposed superstar is barely holding on.
Amico Hoops founder Sam Amico nailed it with Love, and the problems a physical opponent present for the All-Star.
"“While his numbers are sometimes good, the eye test will tell you it’s about more than numbers.”"
The series is four games old. Love’s had one good game. In Games 1, 3 and 4, he’s shooting 12-of-38 from the field, including 3-of-12 from 3-point range.
Love knows he’s bad.
After the game, LeBron James was on FaceTime with his daughter, who asked to see Kevin Love, according to a report. Love was handed the phone, and LeBron’s daughter said “Good game.”
"“Not me, Love reportedly said. “That was your Dad.”"
3. Not everyone can be a 6-8 man child like LeBron James was coming out of St. Vincent-St. Mary’s, so mammas, teach your sons to be shooters.
Kyle Korver is remarkable. Perhaps even more remarkable? He’s the Cavs second-best player in these playoffs.
Yes, that’s a drop-off from years past when Kyrie Irving played the role of Robin to LeBron’s Batman, but there’s no denying Korver’s impact on the game. When shots are falling for the former 2003 second-round pick, the stink from Kevin Love gets covered up.
To watch Korver come off a screen, catch and shoot in under a second, is just a work of at. There’s no other way to say it.
4. The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd estimated the Golden State Warriors made $3 million for one playoff game, which bodes well for Dan Gilbert, who has a $134 million payroll and will slapped with a $50 million luxury tax bill this summer.
The Cavs have played eight home playoff games already, matching last year’s total when the team advanced to the Finals.
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It’s just an estimate, but based off what Lloyd wrote, Gilbert may have pocketed $20-24 million in playoff earnings, and the Cavs will be hosting at least one more playoff game.