What a blessed Wednesday! Two podcast episodes and a Cavs W!
On my drive to the Moda Center yesterday, I saw a new Fear the Fro pod in my feed and thought “Oh, awesome! Some good laughs and some insight into the game.” For Bob to give these posts of mine as well as our community a ‘shout out’ was an unexpected honor, one that had me even more hyped to go watch our Cavs get a W. Now whenever my girlfriend complains about the time I spend on Reddit, I have evidence that at least one person is listening as I electronically scream into the void.
Also, here’s some proof I am not Bob’s burner account.
I had a longer post all typed out but bungled it as I tried to post the photos and now its lost to history. Here are my abbreviated takeaways from the game:
- Just as Bob stated, Skylar Mays does NOT dribble with his left hand. I made a point to watch for that, and I honestly don’t think his left hand touched the basketball a single time.
- Strus and Mobley had struggles in the first half but seemed to elevate each other in the second. Mobley had a few missed passes that I thought he should have caught… He came back strong in the second half and found ways to impact the game in a ton of ways. However, I wonder if some of the lapses in focus are evidence of what he’s battling mentally with the insane expectations placed on him by the fans and media.
- Donovan is unreal. Last night felt like watching an NBA player going against a college team. He is also very clearly the vocal leader of the Cavs. Most of the team carried themselves with a laid-back, casual demeanor, but DM was fully engaged, professional, and confident the whole time. Not a knock on anyone, but I think this is a sign of his age and experience. For the fans saying it was a mistake trading for him, I would say that having him setting this example, if only for a couple years, will do wonders for DG, Mobley, and the rest of the guys.
- I’ve noticed this in previous games, but Niang seems like such a well liked player around the league. Guys on the Cavs seems to love him and he is always chopping it up with players on other teams, usually with laughter. Also, the Mini-Van is never afraid to throw his body around, get in front of guys, or take a collision.
My biggest takeaway from last night is that this is a team of young men who are living a dream of playing NBA basketball. They are taking it seriously but also enjoying it. They’re having fun, even in this up and down season. And I’m having a lot of fun following them. I hope you are too.
Listen to the pod, LET 'EM KNOW, and GO CAVS!
Let’s go Cavs! Didn’t get to watch this game so I’ll take any type of recap of how things played out in Portland, thanks! I have definitely seen Mitchell direct the energy needed with urgency, and it would be great to see more of that as the year progresses from our “nice young men” Garland, Mobley, and Allen. I think Strus, Okoro, and even LeVert are some of the others that seem to lead by not only their actions but the energy they bring.
You are 100% right that basketball is fun and that this team is having fun. Winning is always more fun, so if we ever get healthy, I don’t see these guys wanting to lose any more games like the ones we’ve lost this season. Hopefully they get ready for battle and come out each game setting the tone, especially after the all star break when we’re gearing up for the playoffs.
I think your Mobley point and conclusion here is emblematic of the rocky start. I think there’s some “we have to prove ourselves” jitters happening across the board after getting trounced in round 1 last year. We are also actively trying to play different with Strus and Niang in the rotation with a decimated guard rotation.
I’m glad the growing pains are happening now and not April. Would really like to get above .500 here soon. Looking at the standings and seeing the Cavs 7 to 8 seeds below preseason predictions is rough. Makes me feel like 2015 when LeBron returned and he had to take his Florida sabbatical for the gang to get it together. Hopefully Mitchell’s confidence starts to feed into others soon. I feel like Strus has a relentless style of play as well.
Also, 1Q84 is a wild read.