Joe Vardon
Appearances
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
There has never been a game between teams that are both on, I guess, well, I was going to say 10 game win streaks. This is the third time ever that both teams on game on winning streaks of at least 10 games are going to play each other.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
The first time ever that one of the teams is on a 15-game winning streak, which is what we have with Oklahoma City riding a franchise-best 15-game winning streak coming to Cleveland to play the Cavs, who, A, have won 10 in a row all by double digits, which has never happened before in franchise history. So the Cavs are just hammering everybody they play.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
And then secondly, the Cavs also have a 15 game winning streak under their belts this season. That's how they open the year. So this is the first time also in NBA history that we've got two teams from one from each conference that have a winning percentage of at least 850 points.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
uh this late in the year i mean you know we're we're this is going to be game 36 for both teams the calves are 31 and 4 which is tied for the the fifth best record ever through that many games and right behind them are the oklahoma city thunder we've got two teams that are both legitimately on track to win 70 games um i guess for both of them to do it uh maybe they'll split
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
These next two because the Thunder hosts Cleveland next week. So, you know, a couple other ones that are really good. This is the second time in league history that we have that we've had multiple teams, two teams, you know, win at least 30 of their of their first 35 games. As Dave and I were talking off air, the last time that that happened was in 71-72 when the Lakers and the Bucks both did it.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
And I believe, as Dave mentioned, they wound up in the finals. So is this a finals matchup? You know, history kind of says that it is. We also have...
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
you know to just to kind of uh stop it here um we've got the number one offense in the league in cleveland which currently they are on track to post the second best offense of all time now that sounds awesome and it is uh but the celtics of last year set the greatest offense ever so this has a lot more to do with the dramatic change in style of how we play our sport um than anything else but still
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Uh, second best offense ever, maybe by the time it's all said and done the greatest and the thunder had the number one defense in the league. So, you know, we're really going to see, um, you know, we're, we're going to see like, uh, you know, who blinks here, uh, as far as the two best teams, historic one's great.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Both are really going on both sides of the ball, but, uh, you're talking about bests here.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Well, this has been a point of discussion in Cleveland. New coach Kenny Atkinson has talked about this. And one of the things that does seem to be different under Kenny than under Darius's previous coaches is they are asking him to take these challenges. Uh, they prefer not to quote unquote, hide him.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Um, they know that opposing teams, you know, will occasionally try to hunt him, um, you know, hide and hunt, you know, we're using all these loaded fun terms here. Um, but listen, you know, I, I would suspect, um, that you will see, uh, Either Darius start there or you can mess around with whoever they have at the three. It's been Dean Wade. You know, he's 6'9".
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
They would like to put a bigger body on Shea. Shea's too fast probably for that. I was going to say. You know, so, I mean, Donovan is sturdier and better defensively than he's given credit for. But, you know, Lou Dort is a load and – certainly too heavy for, for a Darius. So, you know, I mean, just kind of working through it like that.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
I think you start out with Darius, you know, Shay's going to score a ton, but you've got the best offense in the league. And I think, you know, you, you, you use good offense to set up a defense.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Well, I mean, I guess the short answer is I don't know. A lot of coaches will be tuning in for this. Absolutely. Yeah. And I would be about the last person they'd ask for advice when it comes to X's and O's. But what makes the Cavs offense so special? It's not just that they're really good on the ball. It's not just that they are shooting more threes, I think, even than Boston is right now.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
It's not just that they have two guys that can roll to the rim. It's that they do all of this, and there's so much happening away from the ball. Unlike pretty much any offense they've ever had, There is a certain element of cutting and moving without the ball. There's the extra pass. Charles Lee, who was an assistant in Boston last year, now he coaches the Hornets.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
He was talking about this the other night in comparing, at my request, the 16 Warriors to the Cavs of today. And you're talking about the pressure. When the Warriors were that team, uh eight nine years ago and the calves who ultimately beat them in the finals but but just whether it was that year or those four years the calves would talk about the pressure
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
That the Warriors put on you, on your defense, like just the pressure of Steph coming over top screens and shooting those threes and then the slip screens and the, you know, clay moving without the ball and just all the things that could happen to you. And... Charles point was they don't have Steph, but they do have so many different facets to what they do.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
So, you know, if you are trying to take away the catch and shoot three, the corner three, which is something we talked about off air, um, If you're trying to take that away from Cleveland, then you are definitely leaving yourself vulnerable to, you know, Jared Allen or Evan Mobley at the rim.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
If, you know, if you are trying to take away, you know, that second pass that's again around the perimeter, you know, if you go behind on screens, you know, Darius Garland will shoot that pocket three and he will make it. So I think that you're looking at a fabulous chess match that's coming here where you're going to see both sides shine at what they do best.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
I guess I'll just keep you in mind that the Thunder, they're great defensively, but it's in an era where it's almost hard to judge because of the amount of points being scored. I do think they're still allowing...
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
well over 100 points per yeah yeah per 100 possessions yeah yeah so so that's still happening but yeah i mean they that you know they they shea is a good defender dort is awesome you know williams is out there you know they've got the size and the flexibility and the speed you know it's it's certainly as tough of a matchup as you're gonna find maybe outside of boston
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
You used at least four words that I can't spell in running through that.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Just adjustments. So we'll start there. Listen, Evan Mobley is different than he used to be. And that is one of the biggest reasons why the Cavs are who they are this year is he is an actual threat player. Um, to shoot a three and make one, which has changed everything as far as like what defenses have to do to go out there and honor that. And if they don't, you know, he can shoot it.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
You know, there's room around the pruner, but that means then that they can adjust to what you do. Um, he can play the five. And then you can have four shooters around him. You know, they can interchange Jarrett and Evan. They start the game with both of them. But then, you know, they're both each other's backup for most of the rest of the game. You can go small and have Dean Wade at the five.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
I mean, he's you know, the thing about Dean, Dean Wade is he gets hurt often and usually at the worst times. Um, he misses swaths of, of playoff games he did last year. And then the year before there was a confidence thing. Um, you know, when he's right and out there, the Cavs win a bunch and that's currently the case. Um, so, you know, he's six, nine, uh, but he can, he can do that.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
He, he can be your, your center and a small ball. Um, you know, they've got a number of shooters, you know, uh, We mentioned off air, Isaac Okoro is not going to be out there. Sam Merrill, maybe, you know, he's like a Kyle Korver light. So they can do, you know, they can play however you want them to play.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Yeah. This is the last test.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
This is the last test for Cleveland. We knew Oklahoma City was going to be good this year. They had the number one seed in the West last year. They came into this season as a highly regarded ball club. The Cavs were just... you know, as far as expectations go, they were just sort of there, you know, like just somewhere. Yeah. I mean, just somewhere in that four to seven range in the East.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
And they have obviously played way above that. That's not who they are. They, they are, you know, a truly historically great regular season team. Now we can say that. Um, but yeah, If they can handle these two games, win at least one, then I think that puts all of the questions to bed. That will show that they are physical enough to play against a Boston or a New York in the East.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
You worry about the finals later. But that'll show that it'll show they can handle the pressure and that they can they can deal with teams that are truly dynamic, that they don't see that much. That's that's it for me. So I guess my so to your question, Dave, can can either of these teams win both the games? I think they can. I'm going to say that's Oklahoma City. I'm giving them the benefit here.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
Uh, because to me, the team that's being tested is Cleveland. They're the ones who are being judged. Um, so, you know, I, I guess I expect to split. I will tell you, um, if you look at the quality of the opponents lately, obviously, you know, the thunder of just had to deal with New York and Boston, um, the Cavs are coming off a game against Charlotte. But then before that, they were out West.
The Athletic NBA Daily
The last test for Cleveland | Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Zion’s return
But, you know, the Warriors aren't good right now, and the Lakers are okay, and the Nuggets are not who they used to be. And then the Mavericks didn't have Kyrie or Luka out there. So, you know, certainly the more tested team right now, the last two weeks, has been the Thunder. And I wonder if that has anything to do with how this plays out.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
True. Yeah. I mean, like it's almost every single time. I feel like Adam Maris might've made that joke, but the moment of this game, In a game where Jokic just does all kinds of crazy things. He hit a shot to end the third quarter at the buzzer. And I went and checked ass and we talked about this before the show. We checked the footage. The play-by-play data gives him credit for 66 feet.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
i know dave has a lot listen i've got a lot of takes on that i think one of the big things that they're doing a good job of is staying decentralized so just keep your schools keep your clubs and uh keep the fresh ideas coming you know we don't need uh basketball colonialism um it it stunts growth and stunts ideas some of the greatest players are coming from overseas because they grew up learning how to play from from you know people who
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Gained their own experience, had their own ideas, wasn't drilled into them by the old basketball coach. I don't want to go into a whole basketball development discussion, although we will at some point because, you know, we're going to talk some international stuff.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
But I do want to talk about a little bit like the vibes around the game, because, you know, a lot of these games, you know, I'll watch an NFL game when they go to London. A lot of American fans go. It becomes like a vacation. It's a little bit of a trip. What was the crowd like there? We were at the NBA Cup, and for the final, it felt a little flat because the team's fans weren't there.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Obviously, Wemby's a huge star, and I think the Spurs have a strong following. David Robinson and Manu Ginobili were there. What was it like in the arena? Did it have an NBA atmosphere? Was it more of an international style of basketball atmosphere, which you have a lot of experience with?
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
It's like Nuggets fans in Serbia. Yeah, like Nuggets fans in Serbia.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
And we think it's at least 70 feet. It feels like it's 70. So we're waiting on the Hawkeye or the Raptor or whatever the camera technology it is that they're using this year to tell us. But man, another ridiculous game for Jokic.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
That's interesting. I don't see it happening. I mean, there's not been much of an appetite for the NBA academies in Europe. And even the ones that they've launched in other places haven't really been gangbusters. I think that that is an indicator. And also, there's not much incentive for...
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
the teams in europe to to buy into an nba league and allow it to happen i mean fiba still has to work you know the world politics of basketball go i mean i don't have to tell you joe they run really really deep and these leagues already exist on a knife edge when it comes to their you know revenue streams and whatnot i think that it's probably a non-starter you know what they're not thinking outside the box though when it comes to expanding to europe because like couldn't the nba fund like the return of the concord
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
and just do the cross atlantic flight in like two hours you know i i think that i mean look for you've been covering expansion for a while and i think that and would you agree the most likely scenario is the the two u.s team base teams probably seattle and you know this theoretical idea that vegas is now a sports hub and could definitely support an nba team that seems most likely right
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Joe, get out of it. I know it's late for you right now. It's pretty early for us. So get out of here. And we're going to get out of here, too. It's a good place to stop for us. Joe Varden, thank you very much, as always. For S. Baraheni, I'm Dave DeFore, and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Well, that's what the Spurs used to do, right? Like, I mean, the Spurs didn't shoot many, but they got these great looks. And, I mean, obviously we've talked a lot about Boston and how they settle for okay looks quite often, right? And Jokic just doesn't. You know, he's not – it's funny because he'll often go full, you know, quarters without taking a shot.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
I think there was a game a couple weeks ago where the first 10 minutes – And they had a 15 point lead and he didn't take a shot. So, you know, he's not like this guy who's always out there looking for his own shot, but this season he's done it more often than maybe at any point in his career took 19 in this game, but only three threes. Yeah.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Yeah. The Russ move to the starting lineup kind of has overshadowed Jamal Murray's resurgence. You know, we talked a little bit like. this season about him looking like he's had to play himself back into shape. And now he looks like he's in shape. Like some of these step backs that he likes to get to the mid Rangers that were coming up flat in the games.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Like he's actually hitting those now and it just opens up the floor for everyone. But it is amazing what they're able to do with Russ and Christian Brown. I think like we're, we're, We talk a lot about the offense with this team, but I think some of the defensive disruption that these guys are able to pull off.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
I mean, there's a couple of sequences where they're jumping passes, you know, in the backcourt even and applying pressure. So that has also been kind of a difference for them.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
It has the experience, right? Yeah. They've done it before. They've been there before. They know what it takes. I'm working on some Nuggets takes over the next few weeks. I just think this team is back in a big way. I've got a question for you. Yeah. How many rings would Nikola Jokic need to be in your top 10?
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
We've got a big French theme. No, not really. We just talked to Joe Varden, but that'll be after the break. That Paris game is pretty fun, man. I really like that court. You know, it's funny. They didn't go too garish with it like we've gotten used to with like the NBA Cup courts. You know, the little design inside the three-point line was nice.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
It's at least a conversation. It's at least a conversation. No matter the name for any stretch of time. I mean, again, he's basically put up the best season ever for five years in a row. To the point where you have to start – I mean, there's – I don't know. Do you trust the stats? I don't know. The stats match the eye test with him. Yeah, I'm not ready to say he's top 10 ever.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
But, man, if he wins four rings, it's not going to be a hard conversation. Yeah.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
uh it's it's been rivalry week all week s i'm not sure if you're aware i know because like some of these games haven't had the luster you know the pacers and spurs having this french game you know i think also throws things off a little bit because we've been really focused on that um but the lakers and celtics met and by the way it was delayed because the bucks and And heat were delayed.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
The Bucs were delayed getting out of New Orleans because of all the weather. You know, it's snowing in the south. And so the start of that game was delayed, which the Bucs won. So Lakers game was delayed a little bit. Two blowouts.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
So, yeah, we got a bunch of blowouts, which shout out to Zena for calling this the other day. We're in blowout zone. But the Lakers, hey, they looked really good against the Celtics. And, you know, a lot of people can try to throw this away and say, well, the Celtics are a little bagged up. Second, I have a back-to-back. You know, I think outside of all that, the Lakers just looked –
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
It was cool. Yeah, it was. The lighting was nice. I don't know. We could go on and on. Yeah. The French do it right, I guess. Someone there is going to win a nice award for the lighting. Speaking of awards, Nikola Jokic, I think, is still making a very strong case for MVP. I know that we have even said here maybe that Shea Gildress Alexander has wrapped up. He scored 54 last night.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
I mean, at some point, though, look, Anthony Davis has been asking to play the four for his entire career. And, you know, he's a great center, though, which is so frustrating. So who knows? But I'll say this. When you look at their game tonight and you start looking at their rotation, I mean, Jackson Hayes has given him good minutes.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
You know, they're about to get Jared Vanderbilt back this weekend, maybe against the Warriors. We've talked about.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
So they're getting a little bit healthier. I think there's a little bit more clarity. And, you know, like I know that we probably feel like, OK, see, maybe Denver climbing up there as far as favorites in the West. But, you know, anyone has a puncher's chance because we know health is not guaranteed for anybody. So I think they can set themselves up.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
This is a team that it's proven to be pretty tough. and can match up with anybody but Denver in a series, I think, in a way that could be scary. But if they got the Nuggets, it's over.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Anybody but Denver. What out? We got the All-Star starters announced tonight. That's what else we got. The E starters, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jason Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carl Anthony Towns. That's a pretty good list.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Yeah. The West starters, Shea Gildas-Alexander, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for January 24th, 2025. Coming up, Nikola Jokic, still the best player in the world. The Lakers just totally demolished their rivals, the Celtics. And we got Joe Varden to stay up late in Paris because he went to watch Wimby. Bonjour and bienvenue, everybody. Hey, good morning, everybody. Good morning, S. He told me to throw some French in there. Bonjour.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
So, you know, should he have been a starter? I think so, because the story of this season, I think, does. You know, Wemby is one of the main characters for sure. And I think that when you're looking at the All-Star game and you think about the starters, that that's kind of the stuff that you think back to.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
And I think a moment where you had these guys walking out to line up and it's Wemby next to Jokic. I do think that would have been kind of a moment for the league. Now, it doesn't matter. They're get it next year. Yeah.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Yeah. But I will. Yeah. That that was the one name that that jumped out to me. And again, LeBron, he should just get in there for the rest of his career. I'm fine with that. I'm fine with like the the honorary star. You know, please, LeBron, Steph, KD, you guys are three of the 10 best to ever do it. You can come here every year. I don't care. Stick around after the break.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Of course, two nights ago, they lost last night. not that that means he's not the front runner for MVP but in stark contrast the Nuggets won and Nikola Jokic puts up 35 points 22 rebounds 17 assists numbers that we haven't seen since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1969 which it was funny enough like you could basically make that Nicola Jokic's middle name, like not since Will Chamberlain did it.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
The NBA was in Paris, and we sent Victor Wiminyama home, and for some reason, the Indiana Pacers, because, you know, maybe for the offense, I'm not sure. And we also, at The Athletic, we sent Joe Varden, because he's our man, international man of mystery, or...
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
journalism and uh you were in the building for the game man uh victor women yama we at this point uh we have a little bit on the show where it's what did wimby do yeah and uh wimby went home and the spurs put up 140 on the pacers wimby had 30 points 11 rebounds six assists five blocks a steal you know ho-hum line for him yeah pretty regular stuff
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
Yeah. I mean, first of all, they've lost two out of their last three and they were blowouts. And whatever the finals for was, I think it was a 20 point game. It was 42 in the third quarter. I mean, this was a, you know, to pantsing, whatever you want to say. It was awful. There was nothing the Cavs did well. No one really showed up.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
Darius was okay in the second quarter, but by then it was already, I think, a 26-point game, really, when Darius kind of joined the fray. So on the one hand, you just kind of crumbled up and throw it away, but... If you look now, they've lost six times, which is not that much, out of 40. But in all six losses, it has come to a team that is bigger and stronger on the perimeter than what they have.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
And that is becoming an issue. And it's like, you want to say, well, do you make that big of a deal out of it? Because that kind of defense bothers everybody. The Thunder bother everybody. Lou Dort, who has just wreaked havoc on the Cavs these two games, he certainly bothers everybody.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
But for a team that's otherwise looks pretty deep and looks like they're able to make a long run, they have been cut down the size when they play against teams that are bigger on the perimeter than they are.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
To crumble it up and throw it away. I mean, they weren't impressed. It was a very quiet room. You know, neither Donovan nor Darius... You know, you speak differently when you win or on a game where, like, you really can just shrug your shoulders and say, let's get them next time. This was a national TV game. It was a rematch. You know, there was a lot going into it, and they just laid an egg.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
So... They understand that they have to be better. And, you know, I hate to talk about physicality because I almost think it's a cliche when we're talking about the playoffs. Of course, the level of how you play raises and what the officials allow. goes up, um, in the, in playoff basketball and the Cavs have struggled with that over the last two years for sure.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
But they, they were speaking as though they understood, um, that they cannot be pushed off of their cuts and pushed off the line and not be allowed to get into the paint. You know, all the things they do that have made them the number one offense in the league, um, when they see a Dort and a Caruso in Oklahoma City or Nembhard and Matherin with the Pacers or Daniels and Johnson with the Hawks.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
It hasn't been good. And, you know, they can say that they're just going to be better. And that's great. They need to be. But it is a little bit of a concern because when you think about what has gotten them in the playoffs and then you've seen it in this very small handful of games in the regular season that they actually lose, the reason is the same.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
Yeah, you know, they've been, the Cavs were ninth, I think, in defense. And Darius has, you know, Kenny reiterated again before today's game that they are not hiding him the way past Cavs teams used to do that. Like Darius takes on the matchup. He's not going to guard Shea. The Cavs are going to put either a Coro or they use Dean. You didn't see that much of Mowgli there. Maybe you should have.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
But yeah, I mean, point of attack is that that's another concern. You know, Darius told me tonight that he's 25 pounds heavier than he was last year. So that's a good thing. Yeah, that's a good thing that Well, yeah, I mean, and Donovan is thick, too. So strength wise, you feel like they should be better at the point of attack at the point of attack.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
But, you know, Shea Gilgis-Alexander is a bona fide perennial MVP candidate who's averaging like 32 a game or whatever it is. And there's just going to be nights where you're not going to stop him. And tonight was one of those nights like he just was gliding to the rim. And it helps when the Thunder knocked down threes. I think they had 18 threes tonight.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
You know, so it was just a recipe for disaster. Kenny called it an avalanche. And that's what it was.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
Yeah, I mean, that's a great point. It's a great question. You know, this is, as I mentioned earlier, they've lost two out of three earlier this year. Those two losses to the Hawks were back to back. So they've been in a situation like this before and bounced back before. The way you do it is you go into Minneapolis on Saturday night.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
I mean, you know, things aren't working out like the Timberwolves had planned, but they're still a very dangerous team. They're at home. And, you know, this is a way for the Cavs to finish off what we knew would be a tough road trip and we knew would be a dangerous week. It's proven to be that. But you can set yourself back on a much better path just by winning Saturday.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
They don't have a ton of assets and their draft capital is, I don't want to say suspect. They have a treasure trove of second round picks, but they don't really have a first round pick that they can move until like 2030 or 2031. So you have to keep that in mind when I say the following, that multiple teams throughout the league have said the Cavs are expressing interest in Cam Johnson.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
they wouldn't be the only team. There are other suitors who potentially could offer more, but the Cavs, uh, do have a combination of players and picks that could match the money, uh, and would give a rebuild rebuilding team in Brooklyn. Um, the kinds of picks that you can use to turn into better picks. Uh, And so, you know, in Cam, I don't have his exact height in front of me, but he's tall.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
He's a perimeter shooter. He's an athlete. You know, he's not the best defender and that's an issue. But but he if you talk about what is the thing that bothers the Cavs, we've spent all this time talking about it tonight. Cam's the answer. And so this is something that has been emerging over the last week, that the Cavs are among the teams who are interested in him.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
Or Horford or anybody. I think this was Evan's worst game of the year.