The Late Shift Blog - Opening Night! Cavs Roll, Spurs Spank Warriors

The Late Shift Blog is daily recap of all things NBA

by Rodney Fisher

We are back!

The 2016-17 NBA Season opened just as the season ended...with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tonight was the city of Cleveland's biggest sports night in history. The Cavs raise a championship banner while the Indians start the World Series a few blocks away.

LeBron James celebrates his third ring with a triple-double performance (19 points, 11 boards, 14 assists) as the Cavs rout the New York Knicks 117-88.

Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 29 points.

For the Knicks, the trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose were the only players in double digits for points. Joakim Noah played 19 minutes with 0 points and 0 blocks. So much for the new and improved...

Nothing is for Certain

So, the Golden State Warriors open the season with a 29 point LOSS to the San Antonio Spurs. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry had 27 and 26, but my sleeper pick for MVP Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 35 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge 26 and 14. Jonathon Simmons came off the bench to hit 20, including not missing a shot the first three quarters. He also had a chase-down block on Curry in the third quarter.

There is no doubt the Warriors will be a great team, but having the best starting 4 in the game today does nothing to replace the rebounding and defense you lost with Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. The seven new players in the Bay will need more time to get it together.

The young Spurs have established themselves as THE team to beat in the West...Early.

Portland beat the Utah 113-104.

The Late Shift Podcast is available fresh every Monday here on NTXGame.com

One For The 'Land

Lebron James makes good on his promise to Northeast Ohio and delivers an NBA Championship to Cleveland. The Cavaliers come back from 3-1 to win Game 7 on the road. James is named MVP.

82 Points: Watch Kyrie Irving and Lebron James Make History

In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Lebron James and Kyrie Irving make history by becoming the first duo to both score 40+ points in the same Finals game. They both went for 41 each to take the series back to Cleveland 3-2.

NBA Finals: Game 4 Adjustments

The Cleveland Cavaliers still have a hill to climb to even the series with the Golden State Warriors.

by Rodney Fisher

Golden State Warriors

Matching Intensity

The Warriors allowed the Cavaliers to feed off their home crowd in the first quarter of Game 3. It is not that they were caught off guard, they know to expect the Cavs to come out swinging in their first home game of the series, but they normally match the intensity with a deadly three-pointer or block at the rim. In Game 4, the Golden Boys need to bring their own fight early.

Lineup Change

This is simple...If Kevin Love starts, so does Andrew Bogut. If Coach Lue keeps Richard Jefferson in the the starting five, then you make the move to start last year's NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.

Make Free Throws

We all know the Warriors need to shoot better, but 17-26 from the charity stripe needs to improve. Free throw shooting on the road is all about nerves. It is one of the best indicators to see the mindset of the road team in the playoffs. Klay Thompson was 1-3 from the free throw line. Draymond Green was 2-4.

Make the Cavs Run Half-court Sets

This has been cryptonite for the Cavs offense. When they have to run plays the settle for jumpshots, and in Game 3 they made them. That is risk you are willing to take with you have a more superior shooting team overall. The Cavs looked their best on the break in Game 3, but Lebron could not finish at the rim in with the half-court offense.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Don't Get Cute Lue

Coach does not need to make the rookie mistake of thinking that not having Kevin Love in the starting lineup is the right move. If Love is cleared to play, you have to let him start regardless of what fans, media, or Lebron has to say. If you lose Game 4 and don't start Love even though he is ready to play, the decision may cost you more than a trophy. Richard Jefferson is available to come in at anytime, he does not have to start.

Run, Run, Run

Play like your hair is on fire! Start Game 4 just like Game 3 without slowing down in the second quarter. Running will get the Cavs easy points in the paint or free throw attempts. The Cavs outscored the Warriors 15-8 on fast break points.

Lebron Needs 40

James does not need to let his foot off the gas now that Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith have decided to show up to The Finals for only one game. He has way more at stake in this series than any other player on the team. He has to play like a man possessed. Yes Lebron, you have to channel the legends of the game like Jordan, Magic, Kobe, Shaq, Olajuwon, Jabar, and others to take over.

The Willie P Show Episode 2: Cavs and Raptors Series

The Willie P Show Episode 2: Cavs and Raptors Series

Join basketball analyst Willie P as he breaks down the NBA Playoff series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors.

Brought to you by NTXGame.com

Can Any Team In The Eastern Conference Beat The Cavs?

What teams in the NBA Eastern Conference can beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs? 

Can any team in the Eastern Conference beat the Cavs?

by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright

Can any team in the Eastern Conference beat the Cavaliers? Well the answer is.. NO! Cleveland is hands down the best team in the east. Look at who`s next. Nobody. Im not a LeBron fan at all. The Cavs are a stacked team across the board. Let`s take a look at 4 teams that can push the Cavs for their limits.

Miami Heat

The Heat has some pretty good players. LeBron has won a championship with DeWayne Wade and Chris Bosh but stopping him would be an undaunted task. Deng matches up well against LeBron but limited minutes always hamper his 4th quarter production against LeBron.

Toronto Raptors

Could give them a run, but I only see them losing in 5 games easily. Young and talented they just don1t have the veteran leadership to compete with the Cavs.

Boston Celtics

Head Coach Brad Stevens unleashed the dogs against the Cavs last year. Marcus Smart can guard LeBron but he`s spending way too much time on being a knucklehead instead of being a professional.

The Celtics should allow David Lee to play his game because he`s the only champion on the roster winning a title with Golden state. You have to remember when Draymon Green disappeared during the final, David Lee was the catalyst for the turn around last year.

Chicago Bulls

The ONLY team in the east that match up well across the board. Jimmy Butler can play with these guys. He`s a proven start that can score and defend. PG Derek Rose is the key. If he`s healthy the point guard match between Kyrie Irvin and D`Rose is an awesome ticket in person or on network TV.

Let`s see how this all play out! Tyron Lue has his hands full with this cast of characters.

Could Buzzer-Beater Lead To Series Loss?

LeBron James steals Game 4 in Chicago to even series 2-2. Photo credit: SI

By now, if you don't live under a rock, you know that LeBron James tied the Cavs-Bulls series 2-2l with a buzzer-beater shot at the end of regulation. Sure it was a magnificent performance by one of the great players of our time, but will this cost the Cavs the series?
Let me explain..

by +Rodney Fisher 

Kyrie Irving Goes Off For 55 Against Portland

Kyrie Irving scores a career-high 55 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the
Portland Trailblazers. Photo credit: CBS Sports 

In case you missed it, Kyrie Irving had a career high 55 points in the Cavs win over the Blazers. With LeBron James out, Irving filled in just fine...

by +Rodney Fisher

Kevin Love Trying to Find His Way in Cav's Offense

 

Love still trying to find rhythm in Cavs offense. Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

Kevin  Love has had trouble finding his rhythm and place in this Cavaliers offense so far this season. He continues to try and find  a solution to this problem.

By: Michael Hanley

NBA Nitecap Blog: The Nerve of New York

Spike Lee tells the Cavs fans what to do. Photo Credit: Clevelander

Another big night in the NBA and another late night of writing...But hey, it could be worse.

by +Rodney Fisher

Cavaliers' Kevin Love Sidelined as a Precaution

Love expecting big year for Cavs . Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault/ USA Today Sports 

Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love was hit in the ribs Tuesday and taken out of practice as a precaution.

By: Brad Stainbrook

NBA: Lebron James 3.0

The new version of Lebron James could be the best.
Photo credit Cleveland Cavaliers

Lebron James decided this summer to "come home" after spending four years with the Miami Heat and getting two championship rings in the process. Now back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, we take a look at this new King James as he transitions into his 3.0 stage of his career.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Why Cavs Say Wiggins Trade Will Not Happen

Andrew Wiggins will remain a Cleveland Cavalier for good reason. Photo credit: NBA 

Cleveland Cavaliers have told #1 NBA draft pick Andrew Wiggins that he will not be traded for anyone, including Kevin Love. The Cavs have a great reason why.

+Rodney Fisher

LeBron Coming Home: More Than Basketball, It's Business

LeBron James coming home to Cleveland. Photo credit: NBA 

There are some lessons to learn from LeBron James return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His decision was more than just basketball related, it was a great business move.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Cleveland Wins First Pick Again; 2014 Draft Order

Cleveland Cavs are awarded the number one pick again. Photo credit: CBS Cleveland

For the third time in four years, the Cleveland Cavaliers have bee awarded the number one pick in the NBA draft. This will be the Cavs second straight year with the first pick. The teams with higher percentage chances of winning the lottery, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, will pick second and third. 

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Bynum Trade To Chicago For Deng Leaves More Questions

Andrew Bynum traded to Chicago for Luol Deng. Photo credit Chicago Tribune 

by +Rodney Fisher 

After all the rumors that circulated around Andrew Bynum since he was suspended by the Cleveland Cavaliers he has now been officially traded to the Chicago Bulls for three future draft picks and Luol Deng.

NBA Preseason Power Rankings: Three Pivotal Corrections

by Matt Silverston
via blog.sidelinesapp.com:

NBA Preseason Power Rankings are about as reliable as Wikipedia “facts.”

Read them over with a grain of salt because with only rosters, preseason stats and predictions to work with, NBA analysts are bound to make mistakes.

Harmless as they may be, three errors need to be corrected.

Lofty predictions for the Atlanta Hawks, an underestimation of the Orlando Magic and low expectations for the Cleveland Cavaliers are three examples of how the current NBA Power Rankings are far from perfect.

Here is a re-analysis of those three teams:

2013 NBA Draft Lottery Order - Cavaliers Get First Pick - Dan Gilbert Reacts

2013 NBA Draft Lottery Order. Photo credit NBA 

The Cleveland Cavaliers get the 1st pick in the upcoming draft...again. They way the lottery works, only the first three picks are selected. The rest of the picks follow in order by worst to best regular season record.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said via twitter: "On plane back from NYC. Did that just happen? Again! @Cavs will be force in east for years to come. Happy for best fans in world: Cavs fans!"

Here is the official order:

Mike Brown Back In Cleveland? Are You Sure About That?

Mike Brown gets a 2nd chance with Cleveland. Photo Credit Sports Illustrated

Mike Brown has an impressive win percentage of .653 in his seven year head coaching career in the NBA. His 314-167 record is due to his 5 years coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers, more importantly, coaching LeBron James. He is a familiar face for Cavs fans and is good with Dan Gilbert, so I can see why bring him back, but the circumstances around his release from the Cavs and Lakers should raise concern for Cavs Fans.

LeBron returns with a Ring

LeBron James and Miami Heat take their 23 game win streak to Cleveland

The pride of Akron, Ohio returns to his Cleveland to face the Cavaliers and Cavs fans. The same fans that burned his #23 jeserey in the streets, cursed