The Sports Guru

Theeeeey’re Baaaack!!! And so am I!!! I have been focusing all my time on the football side, over at The MHR, and have inexplicably ignored this site. But no more, as the Cavs got their 2006-2007 basketball season underway with a virtual repeat of 6 playoff games they played last season with teh Washington Wizards. Let me just say this, I don;t know whether I’ll be able to handle 81 more of these. The game had a playoff feel, and the intensity is definitely there. Everything that was absent from the Miami Heat was evident in the Cavs. Energy, intensity, and most importantly hunger. The Cavs looked hungry. It’s just awesome to have basketball back, especially with expectations so high. here are some of my thoughts about last nights game…

1. LeBron looks as fresh as ever. I was a bit concerned after D-Wade let out that he was fighting exhaustion from all the games he has had to play the past 12 months. Now, LeBron is a bigger guy, more equipped to take the beating that D-Wade endures night in and night out, but still it was nice to see LeBron have a jump in his step. It was also great to see LBJ only play 40 mintues in a game as closely contested as this one was. Last season James would have played 48 minutes without blinking an eye.

2. How good is Larry Hughes? What a night for Hughes, who played like the guy the Cavs gave 60 Mil to last season. Damn near a triple-double and tough as nails defense on Gilbert Arenas(more on him in a bit). I’ll admit, when I watched him limp back to the locker room I was a bit concerned, but relieved when it turned out to be leg cramps. Even more than the points and defense was a calming influence he brought to the court when he was in the game. If Hughes can be an effective force when LeBron is getting a blow that would go a long way towards the Cavs winning alot of games, and LeBron being ready when April rolls around.

3. Gilbert Arena hasn’t gotten over his playoff failures. I can’t say collapse becuase Gilbert was money in that series until he stepped to the line and LeBron psyched him out. Gilbert had that same blank stare in his eyes the entire game, and after starting 0-9 from the field, Arenas finished 2-12, 7 points. Ouch. The Wiz are going to need Arenas to get his head screwed back on if they are going to do anything this season.

4. Would anyone out there NOT want Eton Thomas on their team? A force on defense, not afraid to bang with anyone, and every now and then can drop a 7-7 on ya with 14 points. The anti-Brendan Haywood played well last night, and essentially kept a team with much bigger names and several more zeros on their paychecks, in the game. Withour Thomas, who also blocked several shots around the basket, the Cavs would have blown this game wide open.

5. Mike Brown has got to get this team to practice Free Throws, or else. Less than 50% from the line is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, and mark it down, I’m saying it now, if the Cavs don;t get the FT woes figured out, and soon, it is going to cost them — BIG TIME. Another reason this game was so close. The Cavs left 15 points at the line. They might have won last night, but I guaruntee you that their record in games that they miss 15 free throws will be under .500

In the end, though, it was a W, and a great way to start the season. Next up is a tough matchup with the Spur in San Antonio, and a true guage as to where this team is early in the season….

Technorati Tags: NBA, Cavs, LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, Gilbert Arenas, Eton Thomas