air's Cavs dynasty

[air]

Cavaliers trade Pavlovic for Peeler
by Chuck Collins, cleveland.com sports writer

Cleveland Cavaliers made an early-season trade last night by trading a shooting guard for another. NBA veteran Anthony Peeler joins the team from the Washington Wizards, while young shooter Aleksandar Pavlovic joins the D.C. team.

Peeler brings to the team a wealth of experience and an accurate outside shot, something that the team has been missing in the first three games. Should the Cavs be unsatisfied with him, he is on his last year of contract and by not re-signing him the Cavs could free up even more cap space for the summer.

[Kobe101]

Good trade! You get a shooter!

[air]

CAVS GET BLOWN OUT AGAIN

Cleveland 76
Chicago 98

Cleveland Cavs' losing streak now stands at three after another loss, this time against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago. As usual, the Cavs completely lost their rhythm after LeBron James was substituted, and as they kept making several mistakes on both ends of the court there would only be one winner. Cleveland players showed some flashes of their skills, but they played too many bad offensive plays, as well as defensive, giving Bulls space on the perimeter to fire in threes. The Cavs rebounded well, Drew Gooden leading with 17 boards, but couldn't make use of their second chances, being blocked several times in succession. Bulls center Eddy Curry was on fire with 28 points and 13 boards. Kirk Hinrich added 17 and Ben Gordon had 16 and four assists. Cavs star James, who started at shooting guard, scored 24. New signing Anthony Peeler shot a terrible 0/8.

"It's back to the drawing board for us. We must make better plays and get better shots. Then we won't have to try and force things. We made bad decisions on offence and defence", said Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

The Cavs are facing teams they are capable of beating early in the season. If they fail to find their game, it will still be tough to win against the top teams in the league. They face the Milwaukee Bucks next.

Starters:
Cleveland (1-2 before game)
C Z. Ilgauskas
F D. Gooden
F L. Jackson
G L. James
G J. McInnis

Chicago (0-1 before game)
C E. Curry
F T. Chandler
F L. Deng
G B. Gordon
G K. Hinrich

Player of the game:
Curry CHI 28/13

Box scores:
Cavs
Bulls

Pictures:


Ilgauskas couldn't stop Curry from scoring.


He had to get a mismatch to score himself.


James had a solid game but he can't do it all himself.

air's note:
Too bad I didn't get the sliders fixed before I started this. I played games but obviously there was still some adjustments to be made. Tyson Chandler 7 blocks!? And I still can't score with McInnis.

[air]

Figured I should add my settings somewhere here too.

Rosters: 1.15
Skill level: Superstar (doh)
Season length: 29 games
Playoffs: 7-7-7-7
Quarter length: 10 min (explains low scores)
Sim quarter length: 10 min
Sliders: most of them still apply from what I posted

[Sac-1]

ouch another huge loss...Curry went crazy on you..good luck next game

[Kobe101]

Tough loss. Maybe put it to All-Star?

[Keo]

Man another tough loss. Better luck next game.

[air]

Thanks for your feedback once again, Sac-1, Kobe101, Sensation!

Kobe101, All-Star level? NEVER.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAVS EXPLOIT BUCKS' ZONE DEFENCE, PEELER EXPLODES

Milwaukee 81
Cleveland 95

Cleveland Cavs took a much needed win against Milwaukee Bucks at the Gund Arena in Cleveland last night. New face Anthony Peeler started the game and it didn't take him long to make his mark, draining his first three shots from beyond the arc. Milwaukee stuck to their zone defence, which allowed the Cavs to take a 14-point lead going to half time. The third quarter saw the Bucks worryingly come back into the game, and the Cavs' lead was cut to just four at one stage. The game was decided by Peeler's three-pointers in the end, when the Cavs played calmly, Jeff McInnis taking the time for Peeler to find an open shot. Peeler finished with a whopping 30 points, hitting 8 of 10 outside attempts. He was left open way too often by the Bucks' defence. LeBron James scored 20, while Drew Gooden made the most of his strength when against Toni Kukoc, scoring 16 and adding 11 rebounds. Michael Redd led the Bucks with 27 points, while Desmond Mason had 18 and rookie center Andrew Bogut had 14 and 7.

"I'm glad I got my shot to fall today", said Peeler. "I took some bad shots in the last game and wanted to make up for it tonight. But really, I got way too many open looks and it's my job to knock those shots down."

The Cavs will face the Toronto Raptors next, a game where they should be able to make it an even record or 3-3.

Starters:
Milwaukee (1-2 before game)
C A. Bogut
F J. Smith
F D. Mason
G M. Redd
G T. Ford

Cleveland (1-3 before game)
C Z. Ilgauskas
F D. Gooden
F L. James
G A. Peeler
G J. McInnis

Player of the game:
Peeler CLE 30/4

Box scores:
Bucks
Cavs

Pictures:


LeBron had another solid game scoring-wise but his rebounding is non-existent for some reason.


Redd was on fire.


This is how open Peeler was left many times.

air's note:
Well, this is not so realistic either but I can live with it because there's only a couple of teams that play zone. Makes for a different game. I still had less shots despite more rebounds. I still can't score with McInnis, can't rebound with James...

[Kobe101]

Good win! Looks like you shut me up!

[air]

What do you think about my Peeler trade?

I doubt he will ever get 30 again but not a bad short term option.

[Sac-1]

You finally got one...great win..wow Peeler really came up big...good luck next game

[Kemp]

Peeler is on fire man, 8/10 from downtown. You should definitely keep Peeler for sure. This is a good Cavs duos, James and Peeler!

[air]

Well, the only simple reason he got 30 points was the Bucks were dumb and playing zone.

[air]

I made some calculations:

If I let Williams, Diop, McInnis, Peeler and Ilgauskas go at the end of the season it will leave me 22 million salary cap room.

I understand that if, say Eric Snow gets 4.88 mill over 4 years, a quarter of his salary (1.22 mill) will be freed up in the summer.

After calculating these I would be 30.8 million under the cap!!

[Kobe101]

Cool! Who to sign?

[Keo]

After struggling, you pick up a big win. Good for Anthony Peeler, he's a great shooter.

[air]

Thanks for the feedback. Who will I sign? Jason Richardson? Larry Hughes? I know I will be signing more than one player, especially if I let McInnis and Ilgauskas go because the team will be depleted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAVS SUFFER BITTER DEFEAT AGAINST TORONTO

Toronto 92
Cleveland 90

Cleveland Cavs suffered a close loss against Toronto Raptors at the Gund Arena in Cleveland last night. Toronto recorded only their second win, having already lost six. After a slow start where the Cavs got their first points after three minutes into the game, they slowly came back and went to half time with the game tied at 42. The Cavs seemed to have it all under control, especially when LeBron James came off the bench in the fourth quarter and stepped up his game to finish with 23 points. Toronto did their best to keep the game close with their outside shooting, but the Cavs still held a one-point lead when Eric Snow was fouled with 21 seconds to go. The veteran point guard, who made his first start of the season, couldn't hold his nerve and missed both shots. Toronto played the ball up court and a Morris Peterson three-pointer won the game for the Raptors. Cleveland dominated the paint despite being outrebounded by Toronto, Zydrunas Ilgauskas got 21 and Drew Gooden had 20 points. Rafer Alston led the Raptors with 20 points and five assists, while the rest of the team scored evenly. Donyel Marshall earned player of the game honours with a solid 12 and 10.

"I can't believe I missed both of the free throws", said Snow after the game. "It really feels like I've let the rest of the team down. They're telling me it's just bad luck but right now it's very disappointing for me."

Starters:
Toronto (1-6 before game)
C C. Bosh
F D. Marshall
F J. Rose
G M. Peterson
G R. Alston

Cleveland (2-3 before game)
C Z. Ilgauskas
F D. Gooden
F L. James
G A. Peeler
G E. Snow

Player of the game:
Marshall TOR 12/10

Box scores:
Raptors
Cavs

Pictures:


I could use more ways to score with LeBron. A dribble and pull-up jumper has never really worked for me in Live.


It was like playing with the previous sliders. Easy post-up move and the basket. Very weak D and no double teams, still I lost.


The crowd chants "MVP" as LeBron comes off the bench to score in the fourth.

[Kobe101]

Tough loss man.

Lets hope you can bounce back again!

[Keo]

Ouch another tough loss. At least you weren't blown out.

[.LA.]

Ouch that one hurts. Maybe time to go get Joe Johnson? Hey it helped in your Nuggets dynasty.

[air]

Thanks for the feedback once again.

.LA., there's no way I can get JJ. He is rated 71 and my only player above 71 is LeBron! Although, Johnson's contract is running out....

You know, as much as I liked playing the game below, it's too bad I still don't know how to score with a player like McInnis. I could practice taking players off the dribble but a shot off the dribble NEVER GOES IN! I could drive and layup but I get blocked. Turn down blocks and wahey, it's 35 points for your power forward and center again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAVS BEAT SONICS AFTER SECOND HALF HEROICS

Cleveland 87
Seattle 83

Cleveland Cavs performed an amazing comeback against Seattle Sonics at the KeyArena in Seattle last night. Faced with the tough task of overcoming a 32-47 Seattle half time lead, the Cavs came out to play with a totally different attitude in the second half. Their lazy defence had changed to intense, and their offensive play had changed from cautious to aggressive. After the third quarter, the game was tied at 61. The Cavs didn't stop there. LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden somehow just forced baskets, by grabbing an offensive rebound or going hard at the basket. Cleveland got the win by a margin of four points. James had 24 points, while Ilgauskas and Gooden got 20 and 17 respectively against a weaker opposition of James and Evans. Ray Allen got 23 for the Sonics, followed by 18 from Rashard Lewis and 16 from Antonio Daniels.

"We made a really intense performance in the third and fourth quarters", said Cavs star LeBron James. "We all gave it 120 percent. Instead of trying to make a perfect play we put our effort into defending hard, rebounding hard, and going to the basket hard. That counts for a lot in basketball."

The Cavs return to Cleveland for a game against Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow.

Starters:
Cleveland (2-4 before game)
C Z. Ilgauskas
F D. Gooden
F L. James
G L. Jackson
G J. McInnis

Seattle (1-5 before game)
C J. James
F R. Evans
F R. Lewis
G R. Allen
G L. Ridnour

Player of the game:
James CLE 24/4

Box scores:
Cavs
Sonics

Pictures:


James brings his intensity into the game.


While Cavs are on a roll, Ridnour and Allen combine for a great play.


But Ilgauskas pulls down a board and hammers it down!

[Kobe101]

Good comeback and win!

[Emiliano]

Nice win...btw I like your pics They look very nice.

[air]

Thanks for your feedback, Kobe101 & Emiliano! Yep, I try to pick the best-looking pics, and maybe some important players too.

Now that I have time to play until the morning hours here's another game (yay).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAVS TAKE TREMENDOUS WIN OVER PORTLAND

Portland 78
Cleveland 88

For once this season, it seemed like the Cleveland Cavs were controlling the entire game. A solid team effort boosted by LeBron James' best game of the season saw Cleveland make it an even record of four wins and four losses this season. James scored 32 points and also had three rebounds and three assists. The rest of the Cavs team shared points well, keeping the aggressive nature of the game from the last game against Seattle. This way the Cavs were able to get to the line several times. Portland didn't have a bad game either, with power forward Zach Randolph leading the way with 22 points with incredible 11/12 shooting. Nick Van Exel had 19, most of them in the first quarter, and Damon Stoudamire had 17.

"It's a great feeling. Everything went right for me and the team, and I think we deserved it too. We believed in ourselves and played a solid game from the first quarter to the fourth. This is the first time we've been able to do that this season."

The Cavs face the Washington Wizards next, who are hoping for Larry Hughes to be fit for the game.

Starters:
Cleveland (3-4 before game)
C Z. Ilgauskas
F D. Gooden
F L. James
G A. Peeler
G J. McInnis

Portland (2-2 before game)
C T. Ratliff
F Z. Randolph
F S. Abdur-Rahim
G N. Van Exel
G D. Stoudamire

Player of the game:
James CLE 32/3/3 ast

Box scores:
Trail Blazers
Cavs

Pictures:


Randolph gets called for goaltending.


This is another dance move picture (Joel Przybilla).


Randolph dunks, he made some nice jumpers too on 11/12 shooting! He might be a free agent come next season. Hmmm...

[Kobe101]

You scored 11 with Micinnis! Good job and good win!