I enjoy reading about what new coaches emphasis in their first training camp with their new teams. As expected Brown is working on defense first. Dwayne Casey - T-Wolves and Brian Hill - Magic are also working on defense. (Intersting to read player comments from those two teams) In fact in each situation they spent every minute of their first two practices soley on defense. If I were running an NBA team I would not hire a coach who did not spend most of training camp working on defense.
Here are a couple of articles about Mike Brown an the Cavs
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/...s/12840990.htm
In defense of the Cavs
That's the emphasis so far for team, and it shows at Rhodes Arena scrimmage
By Terry Pluto
Here's what you need to know about the Cavaliers before anything can be said about their scrimmage Thursday night at Rhodes Arena -- this was their sixth practice in three days, and nearly every moment has been spent on defense.
If you watched the Cavs last year, here's what should be your immediate reaction: It's about time!!!
Even better, it showed.
The fans probably wished for a little more scoring and a lot more sizzle during the hour the Cavs were on public display before a packed gym on a night when fans were admitted free if they secured vouchers in advance.
It was a terrific move by the Cavs and the University of Akron, allowing many fans who normally can't afford to see the team in a building with an intimate setting. A lot of good can be created, especially with all the give-away T-shirts and other items.
The fans saw LeBron James flash back to his St. Vincent-St. Mary days on a few plays, especially a baseline drive where he held the ball in his right hand like the Olympic torch, soared then doused it through the rim.
James had some splendid no-look passes for assists. On one play, people were trying to figure out if he threw the ball between his legs or around his back -- it was done so quick.
``This is my home court, I love it,'' said James, who played most of his high school games at Rhodes Arena.
James dueled Larry Hughes for much of the night. Both players defended each other well. It's great to have Hughes not only as the shooting guard next to James in games but to push him in practice as well. Twice, Hughes forced James into turnovers with his fast hands tapping away a dribble.
James did a solid job of keeping his body between Hughes and the basket, not allowing Hughes an easy road to the rim.
All of this and more had to please first-year coach Mike Brown, who after the game talked about ``effort,'' talked about ``defense,'' talked about ``grinding it out.''
Get used to hearing that. These principles will be the holy trinity of his coaching gospel. It also will determine if the Cavs make the playoffs.
``We haven't done that much on offense yet,'' Brown said. ``I know we have guys who can score.''
Playoff directive
Brown was brought to town to get the Cavs to the playoffs, and he correctly believes that it begins with defense.
The basic basketball play is the pick-and-roll, a two-man play. One guy dribbles the ball, the other guy stands in the way of a defender. The hope is to cause confusion for the defense.
A year ago, it sure did for the Cavs, a team that never could decide how to defend the pick-and-roll. Do they want to be aggressive, jump out and double-team the dribbler? Or lay back and take away the dribble-drive to the basket?
Or... what?
Last year, the Cavs often stared at that play like a caveman who just saw someone light a match for the first time. They were utterly dumbfounded, frozen in their tracks.
With Brown's defense, there is constant movement. Players jump out quickly for double-teams, then fiercely retreat to help guard the basket.
Very few players had open spaces when they dribbled to the basket -- usually, someone came from somewhere in an attempt to defend.
The Cavs are a work in progress. Imagine a blank piece of paper. What Brown has done is drawn the basic lines, almost like a coloring book before anyone touches a crayon.
These lines won't change, these are our basic boundaries.
As James said, ``This is what we need.''
Long shots don't fall
The players obviously had weary legs from all the practices in such a short span, so jumpers banged off the rim. Damon Jones missed his first five from 3-point range, before drilling two. James was 0-of-4 from 3-point land.
In this scrimmage, there were four quarters, 10 minutes apiece. The clock never stopped. That's why the final score was just 47-40.
It's also why Drew Gooden's performance of 14 points and seven rebounds was impressive. He worked hard for rebounds. He scored inside. He paid attention to defense. One of Brown's main goals is convincing the 6-foot-9 Gooden that his game is rebounding, defense and scoring inside.
Free-agent pickup Donyell Marshall had a nice night with 13 points and eight rebounds and showed a shooting touch from outside and driving to the rim. He's battling Gooden for the starting power forward spot.
It was reassuring to see 2004 No. 1 pick Luke Jackson moving well after back surgery and swishing a couple of 3-pointers from the corner. Eric Snow and Jones seemed to run the offense reasonably well. Snow does a very good job defending the pick-and-roll in Brown's system.
The surprise of the night was Kelenna Azubuike, a 6-foot-5 free agent who averaged 15 points at Kentucky last season. He played with poise, shot 4-of-6 for nine points. He also was one of the Cavs' most impressive players in the summer league.
The real story was defense.
They actually played some.
If you're a Cavs fan, that's good news already.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are a couple of articles about Mike Brown an the Cavs
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/...s/12840990.htm
In defense of the Cavs
That's the emphasis so far for team, and it shows at Rhodes Arena scrimmage
By Terry Pluto
Here's what you need to know about the Cavaliers before anything can be said about their scrimmage Thursday night at Rhodes Arena -- this was their sixth practice in three days, and nearly every moment has been spent on defense.
If you watched the Cavs last year, here's what should be your immediate reaction: It's about time!!!
Even better, it showed.
The fans probably wished for a little more scoring and a lot more sizzle during the hour the Cavs were on public display before a packed gym on a night when fans were admitted free if they secured vouchers in advance.
It was a terrific move by the Cavs and the University of Akron, allowing many fans who normally can't afford to see the team in a building with an intimate setting. A lot of good can be created, especially with all the give-away T-shirts and other items.
The fans saw LeBron James flash back to his St. Vincent-St. Mary days on a few plays, especially a baseline drive where he held the ball in his right hand like the Olympic torch, soared then doused it through the rim.
James had some splendid no-look passes for assists. On one play, people were trying to figure out if he threw the ball between his legs or around his back -- it was done so quick.
``This is my home court, I love it,'' said James, who played most of his high school games at Rhodes Arena.
James dueled Larry Hughes for much of the night. Both players defended each other well. It's great to have Hughes not only as the shooting guard next to James in games but to push him in practice as well. Twice, Hughes forced James into turnovers with his fast hands tapping away a dribble.
James did a solid job of keeping his body between Hughes and the basket, not allowing Hughes an easy road to the rim.
All of this and more had to please first-year coach Mike Brown, who after the game talked about ``effort,'' talked about ``defense,'' talked about ``grinding it out.''
Get used to hearing that. These principles will be the holy trinity of his coaching gospel. It also will determine if the Cavs make the playoffs.
``We haven't done that much on offense yet,'' Brown said. ``I know we have guys who can score.''
Playoff directive
Brown was brought to town to get the Cavs to the playoffs, and he correctly believes that it begins with defense.
The basic basketball play is the pick-and-roll, a two-man play. One guy dribbles the ball, the other guy stands in the way of a defender. The hope is to cause confusion for the defense.
A year ago, it sure did for the Cavs, a team that never could decide how to defend the pick-and-roll. Do they want to be aggressive, jump out and double-team the dribbler? Or lay back and take away the dribble-drive to the basket?
Or... what?
Last year, the Cavs often stared at that play like a caveman who just saw someone light a match for the first time. They were utterly dumbfounded, frozen in their tracks.
With Brown's defense, there is constant movement. Players jump out quickly for double-teams, then fiercely retreat to help guard the basket.
Very few players had open spaces when they dribbled to the basket -- usually, someone came from somewhere in an attempt to defend.
The Cavs are a work in progress. Imagine a blank piece of paper. What Brown has done is drawn the basic lines, almost like a coloring book before anyone touches a crayon.
These lines won't change, these are our basic boundaries.
As James said, ``This is what we need.''
Long shots don't fall
The players obviously had weary legs from all the practices in such a short span, so jumpers banged off the rim. Damon Jones missed his first five from 3-point range, before drilling two. James was 0-of-4 from 3-point land.
In this scrimmage, there were four quarters, 10 minutes apiece. The clock never stopped. That's why the final score was just 47-40.
It's also why Drew Gooden's performance of 14 points and seven rebounds was impressive. He worked hard for rebounds. He scored inside. He paid attention to defense. One of Brown's main goals is convincing the 6-foot-9 Gooden that his game is rebounding, defense and scoring inside.
Free-agent pickup Donyell Marshall had a nice night with 13 points and eight rebounds and showed a shooting touch from outside and driving to the rim. He's battling Gooden for the starting power forward spot.
It was reassuring to see 2004 No. 1 pick Luke Jackson moving well after back surgery and swishing a couple of 3-pointers from the corner. Eric Snow and Jones seemed to run the offense reasonably well. Snow does a very good job defending the pick-and-roll in Brown's system.
The surprise of the night was Kelenna Azubuike, a 6-foot-5 free agent who averaged 15 points at Kentucky last season. He played with poise, shot 4-of-6 for nine points. He also was one of the Cavs' most impressive players in the summer league.
The real story was defense.
They actually played some.
If you're a Cavs fan, that's good news already.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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