Despite Loss, Cavs Still Packing Punch

by Greg Kozarik

The Cavaliers fell apart late in the game on Wednesday and eventually lost to the Pistons, 96-89, and thus snapping their eight-game win streak. Despite this loss, the Cavs have a lot of to build on and are still one of the elite teams in the NBA.

During the win streak, the Cavs have seemed to take that next step that it needs to be a championship team. On Wednesday night, the Pistons opened up hitting 12-of-13 of their first shots of the fourth quarter and showed the poise that the Cavs have had throughout most of the season. This is what championship teams do!

A very nice surprise has been the play of guard Delonte West. West has been playing the two-guard and his game has improved mightily from where it was when he came to the Cavs last February. West is shooting 51% from beyond the three-point line and is shooting 52 % from the field.

Through 12 games, West has played tenacious defense for the most part and now fans understand why G.M. Danny Ferry had been trying to acquire the 6-foot-3 guard for the past two seasons. West has found a home and playing like the dynamic player he was when he played college ball at St. Joseph’s.

Most fans, including myself, were counting the days till the Cavs could trade forward Anderson Varejao without him having a say in where he went, it is a good thing Ferry didn’t try to trade him. Varejao is playing as good as he did two years ago with one major difference, he is now more consistent and playing in control.

‘The Wild Thing’ is playing like a man possessed. He has really developed that 15-foot baseline jumper and his defense has been superb. He is even hitting 70% from the free throw line. Head Coach Mike Brown can trust him once again down the stretch and does not have to be worried about Varejao playing out of control.

Finally, the Cavaliers are already reaping the benefits of having a second true scorer to go along with LeBron James and they have that in point guard Mo Williams. Williams has been playing well and his defense has been terrific. He moves around screens better than any guard in the Eastern Conference.

People in Milwaukee were so excited to get rid of Williams and they were even offering rides to the airport. Williams is only averaging 17 points-per-game along with a steal per game. He has been a true spark for this team and it shows why the Bucks are one of the sorriest franchises in the NBA. Thanks Milwaukee!!

Brown has been pushing the right buttons so far and of course James has been the MVP that we all know he is. If Ferry can add some depth in the frontcourt, then we can forget about the two other sorry franchises in this city and get ready for that parade downtown. The NBA championship is now within sight this year!