05-12-08 Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal

Game four Selz cavs tonight at the Q. Celtics will need a whole lot better effort than what they gave you in game three if they want all -- having this series deadlocked at two wins appease. Joining us on the line right now to help get us a little better acquainted with via the series from the Cleveland Cavaliers perspective is the beat reporter for the cavaliers for the Akron beacon journal Brian win horse joins us Brian it's -- Michael Boston how are. Good thank you very much earlier. We're doing great thanks end up as my body Michael said to me early this morning. He said I just want somebody to explain to be how this team won 45 games this year.

Well and I tried to explain to people who -- picked up before the period there's going to be times when you think Theriot looked like a twenty when he came. At a -- you think it looked like a 55 point game and a lot of time LeBron James has an impact on that let. The one thing about the chances Derek ridiculously conflict not offensive style the way they play they can look really bad really Drew within there's just 24 hour span.

But Bryant even when they're at their best I look at this team if this is out of make -- play. -- at whatever team and if the Celtics if you know team acts in city acts. There's only one eye on the cavaliers I want my team and asked LeBron James everybody else you can have. Are we under rating LeBron James and is he that good where he can take this collection of talent that you know anybody else the other star player you put up with. With this group may be talking about 35 wins LeBron James underrated.

Well I think once they understand about the can't they got a lot of experience piece on the team a lot of guys on the -- success elsewhere and it their team a more structured to win you know ugly and they are that we pretty no matter what I think. If you you know they were a team that you don't believe Cadillac palpably -- round go to in the way that he put together they're always -- like utley to a certain extent you know I do think that the political rocket -- see them I think it has the year working -- he vehemently could've won the most valuable player Award beat tennis is simply could not win enough games look at what I want that -- the LeBron can play this year so you you know they were eight in the were 500 they were fifteen in the eye opener when you play. Okay -- a look at -- he can keep sort of outside of what you want the team. Don't let that I don't think -- rod has played even to his half of that capability so far in the series. -- you know only down 21 they what went -- on the road in game one. Look not like got it totally capable but I can understand why a lot of guilt.

Brian I -- and I had a view and value and what you're supposed to say it LeBron James is underrated you can read all about it my -- Guys already are atop their Terry Pluto who has written a what a hundred books goodness.

I don't like that again I don't think -- project is underrated I'll be -- over rated. I don't think you underwritten -- I don't think you can generate about fifteen years old but. In game it is so thick and underperform is because underperforming period -- our.

The guy who thinks he's not overrated. Is in Washington right now watching the playoffs like the rest of this on Stephenson who was foolish enough even if -- if you think he's he's operated. -- You have the right the St.

I don't know uphill at the winter car a lot of collection of guys that does not mean. Talk about you know running your mouth thing and not be able to -- and -- game it is unbelievable it goes. -- what probably committee Jordan on the outcome of the that you weren't so sometimes it. -- Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood missed on it -- certainly you know you know -- unfit to cover what you -- at the water treatment advising. DeShawn Stevenson because it certainly what anybody with any rationale.

Danny Ainge did most of his rebuilding in in the offseason last year almost all of written and made a lot of changes and rebuilt this roster. Danny ferry. Undertook most of his rebuilding in the middle of the season and especially a big eleven player three team deal at the deadline. What did you think of the deal of time and the cavaliers a better team because of.

Well I thought that the deal work in the battle all the difference maker in the play. And he's got a couple of good about but he really made a difference in an energy in game three area at night. But so far I don't think that it's really -- major attack on the you know ultimately didn't -- job he got here three years ago. -- try to find. Complementary big time player to put that LeBron sort of -- the -- formula that you need to win the title honestly you know you really look up string players that you definitely really heat up to it -- it is -- believe in. That you try to execute like kept it assigned players Larry Hughes. Was that colossal failure in that role and now he's you know pulled -- a big trade that there innately good marginally better but I don't really see them. Getting out he's this year no matter what happens in this series though I'm -- going to advance spared but I think you can and that added a look to make another sort of appealed to try to get better and you know wouldn't. If bidding to be able to pull off to trade back and actually you never say it's impossible I think that what's -- what the topic of the cavs some hope because they have a whole load of expiring contract this summer but in fact been searching and trying in the -- it's hard to disrepute because superstar the cat that that. The second I think maybe -- and all -- carpenter player next -- many Ginobili Scottie -- A player in the cabinet has not been able to do that with how over the tribe of.

They had that player in Carlos Boozer let's say Boozer is with the cavaliers right now so you have Boozer LeBron. What it just I obviously am asking him to speculate how different would this team be.

Well I think it would be such a different team because it would be hard they could play different style. -- generally you know basically good people answered her mother and a teammate. That'll run but they they they're battling a team that you know stick -- ballclub you'll around the -- But the bruising player and category kept on court chemistry. With LeBron -- what are they played together Carlos. Well the beneficiary of.

So many ways where he'll probably double team -- drive that he would be able to pick the ball and finished the editor and look up to the Nixon in the you know they could -- I mean they were always retain either right other -- is right as well you wouldn't you know a tremendous front court with will also have to achieve from mid range -- bruising game that -- probably can play inside and out. And I thought I'd have a like Bailey had a big into the ticket agent in the those three guys. And had -- to let Carlos Boozer put through their fingers like they didn't that you blocked them. If you're right my -- basically we'll try to apartment that.

Brian how -- most people in northeastern Ohio. View Mike Brown as a coach.

They have they they -- made they recovered pretty heavily in the low. Out of it offensively based there really sick and tired of watching not that breakdown that -- the other night in game two blocked that they've lost they can't break out of opposite in the olympics in Atlanta last two years. And dumb they don't give a lot of credit for how well -- offensively they get real frustrated because they feel like what brought in as one of the greatest ball and the players. Everett play in the NBA they don't like he's being used properly I think and don't get -- credit for David played decent look at. The team that is except for the NBA -- the team -- sent them and Mike is blocked out for the count but you know they are very tired of watching him try to predict -- that the work.

LeBron was better Saturday than he wasn't either of the two games here it would be hard not to be but he still wasn't LeBron James he still shot less than. 33% from the field I think he ended up with -- like 21 points. How much credit to the Celtics deep and get for the way LeBron has played how much blamed as LeBron get for this.

Well feel the public are letting LeBron hate opened fifteen to eighteen footer. And you've got to make some of -- shot at some point if it doesn't substitute great gotten seek him out of the way -- so. Effectively get it efficacy and that Austria. And he's so strong so even if -- he finished. And because he's so big and strong he did in there and really cause trouble going to break -- the keeping him out of there they get credit for that but they're giving him. It's great jump shot but you know the way you know total -- get a bad jump shot and and that's not true country wondering you never I think it three point here. But he was really improved this year I didn't get a great shot he. Shut 49% almost the favorite season. Out of career high and that was one of the reasons like you -- The League was born here but because if you look at the belt that mid range shot. I don't know allowed. You walk quite a puppet play pick and roll they dropped their guys are they -- the -- about it. And eat it you can he had that -- all day long uses. He's he's got its start got it score. You don't pay -- bet anybody on scholarship at division one schools government at 58 people there. But let you know the NBA's leading scorer and -- contract and I feel that they were probably got to make that shot but he's never going to --

Asking a question that that you haven't had a chance to look up but just anecdotally other than Saturday night. Do you think that -- the cavaliers won another game this year where LeBron James didn't have a single offensive rebound.

I'm certainly it because look robotic great offensively under because he liked to run the other way to get great but they may not have had they may not want to Medicaid this year with a -- shot left verdict is that -- silly not against Andre Pete Michael felt. And I think that actually spoke to how streak to cannot be dark night we'll make it asked is that -- double figures. But because they're most -- team they could have tonight we're McGraw I think he'll be gotten what the figures so I think. -- was more about other guys make -- shot and then LeBron you know -- for.

He just made a reference to division one kids on scholarship and I understand in the NBA it's completely different story in college these are grown men. That the coaches have to deal with public -- Bryant. Does Mike Brown have the cash -- or -- or does he have the confidence. You get a -- bronze face in say this is how it needs to be done in other words can keep discipline LeBron without watching his back and worrying about his job up.

That is not Mike Brown coaching style he really raised some red flag around here this year when he basically that the he -- is LeBron James -- an equal in the to Levine but he but he will listen the LeBron would invite people the fertile ground while the irons. And I know that -- for pop he'd help somebody like Phil Jackson matter you know over the great coaches chuck Daly Pat Riley is they just would probably laugh at hearing that but that is -- coaching style. One of the things I think that might not have a problem -- is that what blog about the don't get kinda respect him as a mop up the old. I think he's done a tremendous job in -- the -- defensively. He's going to commit you know he's totally turtle -- around. To be a guy who really concentrate on defense but. And put focused on the open the only to a degree heat brainwashed abroad the way LeBron -- about the game focus on the game in the -- Mike Brown you gave. This is if at first like to keep that a great stuff. I gave -- to respect but the defense on the floor offensively people dropped spot all the time great -- plays. Well I play in that can't be that but it'll put. It but probably -- them but what brought great but opted to leave. If the failure of the catwalk and from what brought let The League in scoring he should be averaging thirty points and seven set. I think we'll look a lot will be -- his -- let that happen in Cleveland at the world. I think you could average 2425 and close to ten or eleven that the game. I think that's what it would be added that I think. The fact that he had his score vehicle we believe is quite received a one point five games when -- has passing it should be just that that isn't scoring I think that the failure -- I'll put some degree.

Okay if that's the case that they respect Mike Brown as a defensive mind. Who is who is Cleveland's and this is just the opposite Boston organization was Cleveland's comfortable on Boston it is people respect Doc Rivers is an -- with the coach and Tom pivotal as a defensive -- well. Head coach in this case it -- got -- offensive guy if even exist and that's that.

Well another another contentious point at that rate over the years a lot of saying that the media -- forward other people would believe it off for it might Robinson. Higher offensive coordinator if you look got a cup and we just let the offense can you don't fight for the coach out there and it it worked for Mike and -- I even you know Pete Correll if you want to look at the opposite beat -- another job or. The hired somebody -- huge hold -- throughout the offense -- Like privately that the you know instead -- browse on over to Italy last the last summer and spent three weeks learning. -- from the coaches -- block out that pharmacy that is sort of Internet signal for his pocket often. And he came back and try to teach himself but it just didn't work out very well so. That the that the people in that immediately it was called for an opposite of course picked up -- years. And out of the real red flag topic -- The cavaliers organization you bring it up here in all the other people's faces it read the I expect if you haven't faced is they don't believe they needed but I speak out and walked out of this series. -- got averaging you know except the point of the third year in a row they've been brought to their knees offensively. That's what they've lost that advantage the playoff slept through it because they're eat at the eighteenth but the -- I think if you look at teams like the spurs -- they -- them -- after. Desperate search for the that the that the team that probably lineup or -- but they also are great offense at one pick up and put the pressure. And we can't -- need to make some legitimate -- what their bat against the but he can peak -- is that.

Our Brian here's our final question for the team won't be called the Brooklyn nets the team is going to Brooklyn jay Z has a stake in the team I don't know what they're going to be called. But the big question I'm -- in Cleveland is this LeBron James. I'll be the star of that franchise.

Well I think it's going to come down to. -- going to be a free agency years -- really you know the -- term extension next summer I really -- besides that no matter what happens. He's going to be quite -- your thought that. And he's going to be fighting at prospect and we'll take you to the prime of his career so we felt that the rocket play what was -- but. You know age 25 -- 48 you know is really going to be an infinite potential players about about the and he's going to have to side with the team at east thanks to get him put NBA title if -- That is driving people into Brooklyn because they've been broken ground. On anything over there that -- the other but could be injured or it could beat New York Knicks or hit in the Miami Heat or whoever I think I think what trot has the capacity to lead -- I don't think. But there's going to be home town that kind of like that I think he'll lead that he thinks the winning adult but I don't think it should be assumed that he'll go to New York just to make money from go to your just played your I think. But ultimately you don't want to win and it -- give the cat seven years they hit the opening stretch but I think he'll leave. But if you looking at a New York Knicks keep it coming up there and I expected it wouldn't even. Was looking -- that team that's in the middle I rebuilding project I don't know how consciously he himself and go to my product by the people but it ain't. I think that'll happen they could impact that it thing.

Right we really appreciate stick a few minutes to join us and and give us the Cleveland perspective we appreciate time and hope we get a chance talk against him.

Apply today -- one more question we're we're we're we pick up the book.

games. And I became declared that he is today about a lot of that sorry about it high school years and is Hilliard in the NBA end up. All the wrangling he located his shoe contract -- like that but it is evident that --

Could he have been make -- he could have been up college football player was he aggravated that and I know the Allstate receiver in high school but in the same the same area they've never been known for pass in the football that much.

Let's make it safe bet. Well -- electrical -- with the football player called the top let. Well I watched and played tightly that went across the middle it was but that's sort of known for alligator arming -- I think he was that your proper decision to protect those need emotional period but -- if you Atlanta again stopped by the Pentagon but that that. If you look at his side that let the -- IP he probably. But easily played in the LP you know children and maybe that is --

we appreciate it thank you. I -- are there Ryan win -- Akron beacon journal book is called the franchise