The Cavaliers seem distracted by the trade deadline as they rack up embarrassing losses, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The latest came last night as the Warriors broke a 10-game road losing streak with a 19-point blowout in Cleveland.
“Every loss is hitting me really hard and hitting us … I know it’s hitting me hard, I can’t answer for other people,” coach John Beilein said. “It’s just trying to find solutions and trying to find a better way to get our guys to play harder and smarter, which will lead to wins. But there’s some things that just happen because we’re young and some things happen because of persistence in our effort and some things happen because we’re just missing some pieces in the roster here and there.”
The team may have a different attitude and a different look once the deadline passes Thursday afternoon. Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, John Henson and Matthew Dellavedova are all veterans on expiring contracts who may be sent elsewhere. Kevin Love, the team’s highest-paid player, has displayed frustration throughout the season and is also a candidate to be moved.
One question Beilein couldn’t answer last night is whether he still has the support of the players as the Cavaliers have fallen to the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 13-37.
“I think that our guys have to measure themselves,” he said. “Are they bought in to playing winning basketball? I don’t think it has anything to do with a particular coach or coaches, whatever, they’ve just got to go and play hard.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton was “shocked” to be passed over for the Rising Stars Challenge, Fedor adds in a separate story. “I knew I deserved to be there,” said Sexton, who also wasn’t invited to the game last year. “I knew the hard work every day, coming here and playing the game. I knew I deserved to be out there, but I took the good with it. Hey, just continue to build. Can’t be too mad because it is what it is.”
- The Pistons are benefiting from an under-the-radar trade last February that brought in Svi Mykhailiuk from the Lakers in exchange for Reggie Bullock, notes Keith Langlois of NBA.com. “He’s on track to be one of our core pieces as far as his shooting ability, his ability to make plays off the dribble,” coach Dwane Casey said. “He’s right with Luke (Kennard) as far as being able to put the ball on the floor, run pick and rolls. And the kid’s a sponge – you can get on him, you can coach him, you can teach him.”
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo were thrilled to be in the starting lineup together on Friday, relays Eric Woodyard of ESPN. It marked the first start of Thanasis’ NBA career, and Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer made the decision because it was Greek Night in Milwaukee.
Man, Beilien is oblivious.
But at least Cleveland has their lone championship from 2016!
Development is a hard thing to root for.
The more I watch these guys, the more obvious it is that Colin Sexton needs to be priority #1 to be traded.
The guy puts up points, which would make someone want him, but it’s always in Iso Ball and he completely ignores his coaches and teammates. He’s completely uncoachable and a very average shooter with no defense to boot.
Terrible player. Like a really awful version of Knicks Carmelo.
After they dump him and all of the expiring contracts, Koby Altman needs to be shown the door too.
Did I mention that Sexton has the least amount of assists of any PG in the NBA?
He holds the ball for 23 seconds and fires up prayers like LeBron but has the skills of Spencer Dinwiddie.
Sexton’s skills are all about running & getting the shot off but he is not a PG and was not good at it when he was one.
PG Garland, who often seems bored or confused but makes shots that way, who pretty much opened the door for GSW to make a comeback.
By far the highest PER on the team belongs to Dellavedova, who however is not hitting anymore. Cavs need a PG still despite all the investment (+ Exum/Clarkson, Knight).
At this point Sexton PER is more than Delly and Garland combined.
My bad, I meant on/off not PER. Delly’s number is a relection of how well he sets up teammates & the offense for scoring, not his own shooting. He’s also working on D if not quick.
Sexton’s problems on defense is a mystery given his effort. It works out so well for his driving but not for his defense! Like Osman.
Part of that is defending 2 guards or and defending whatever guard is better on opponents team because Garland has the worst defende in the NBA. Sexton was terrible on defense last year, this year he has improved tremendously, especially effort wise. Garland will get better as he gets stronger but Sexton is a natural competitor and is who I would place my chips on. Next to a Luka (Simmons, Harden, Lebron, SGA, Brogdon even Booker) or any big natural PG would allow him to defend PGs but play SG on offense.
Sexton is the only guy on the team that plays hard. There is no one on the entire team other than Sexton that has got on a team flight after a game this season and said “we lost but I gave my all” and would be telling the truth.
Wow, Bucks really want to keep Giannis there. Must be nice to have a good enough team to start your star’s brother as a fan promotion.
Considering Thanasis actually played well in his first starting gig speaks volumes to the chemistry this team possesses
He played a total of 5 minutes, and if you can read it had nothing to do with pleasing Giannis.
Milwaukee does this weird thing where they celebrate a LOT of different ethnicities, heritage, etc. That’s why his bro got the start. A quick look at each game’s box score tells me giving T Ante a ton of run to appease G Ante really is the furthest thing from reality as you can get.
Cavs drafted Garland because they didnt draft Lillard. When you really suck the idea is draft for who you believe will ultimately have the most talent with no regard to needs. Years ago I remember them saying Lillard had the best workout but they couldn’t justify taking him after Kyrie.