Lil Red Machine

I keep having all of these random thoughts about the bigger picture while I’m watching Cavaliers games in the present.  Obviously, the ultimate goal at this point is a championship, and anything short of that is a major disappointment.  With that said, coming from somone who has spent most of my life following just AWFUL sports teams, it’s an absolute joy to watch this team, and to have the confidence that no matter what, on most nights, they WILL find a way to win, no matter the circumstances.

Speaking of said circumstances, they were rough going into last night’s game against the Trail Blazers.  More bad news, as key reserve Wally Szczerbiak found out that he will miss up to three weeks with a knee injury.  Also, they were going against a young and hungry team fully immersed in a western conference fight till the bitter end.  Young teams that run like Portland does give the Cavs fit, as Cleveland isn’t a very good transition defense team.

The first half was brutal.  Absolutely brutal.  36-34 Portland at the half?  That’s right.  Not a 1st quarter score, but a HALFTIME score.  However, in the second half, LeBron showed off some excellent post moves, scoring from a position on the court where his critics said he didn’t score enough from.  Clutch shooting, and committing only two turnovers is a good recipie for victory.

One thing I have to say is, it’s a crying shame that Brandon Roy of Portland doesn’t get more pub than what he gets.  He is a fantastic player that hit big shots last night to help send the game into OT, but playing in the pacific northwest for a small market team is what keeps him largely out of the public eye.  Assuming they make the playoffs, rest assured, he will make a household name for himself.  Him, and the team as a whole, is a complete 180 removed from the “Jail Blazers” teams from the early part of the decade.  They are young, athletic, and have good heads on their shoulders.