November 28, 2023 • 38 mins
Tim Alcorn sits down with Cavaliers legend, Mark Price, as well as Steve Holtman, the voice of the Atlanta Hawks, to preview the Cavs-Hawks In-Season Tournament game.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome to calvs HQ presented by bet Way.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thank you for joining us on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audiovers.
Here are your hosts, Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
From the Cavaliers production studios at Rocket Mortgage Field House
in downtown Cleveland. Hi again, everybody, and welcome to calves
HQ presented by Betway. Great to have you with us
on this Monday night. Jim Jones with the week off,
Jim taking some personal time away. We expect him back
in the near future, so you get me yours truly,
(00:43):
Tim Elcorn, and of course the Dynamic duo on the
other side of the window, Senior producer Kurt McLaughlin along
with technical director Marty Allen. Boy, We've got a fun
show for you this week.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Last night, the Cavaliers in a thrilling one oh five
one oh two win over the Toronto Raptors to go
to nine and eight on the year. Outstanding performances from
Max Strus and of course Darius Garland. Evan Mobley had
another double double with twelve points and fourteen rebounds. So well,
here what JB. Bickerstaff had to say after the win
(01:15):
on Sunday night, and then two very special guests, Cavalier Legend,
one of the all time greats to wear the wine
and Gold, Mark Price will stop by and pay us
a visit. We'll talk a little current and past cavaliers
with Mark Price and the iconic radio voice of the
Atlanta Hawks, Steve Holman, will join US Caves and Hawks
(01:36):
tomorrow night at Rocket Mortgage field House. So we'll get
some thoughts from Steve Holman about Atlanta Hawks basketball. So
a busy show stay with US Cavs HQ presented by
Betway continues after this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse.
Garlic left in the lane. Garland pounced to a driving
(01:59):
Strews under and good Mitchell will push it to the
four court. Mitchell gets by, Scottie Bars left corner, Struce
Bax for three Perfitt Max for three bullside Max Druce
is feeling it a seventeen.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Point quarter max for three. God, oh my goodness, Max Struce.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
That bucket looks like the ocean and he's just throwing
the ball in there. Took a back calvs HQ presented
by Betway. On the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse. Those
highlights from the third quarter last night, I can tell
you they were from the third quarter because Max Struce
had a twenty point third quarter and that was it
(02:41):
for the ballgame. He was scoreless than one, two and four,
But my goodness, did he put it together in that
third quarter of play, all twenty of his points in
that period. That's when the Cavs roared back against Toronto,
ended up pulling to within two at the end of
three and then winning the game in the fourth by
a final of one oh five to one oh two.
(03:02):
And after the ball game, it was a very happy
head coach of the Cavaliers, JB. Bickerstaff, that talked to
the media about the Calves ninth win of the year.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
I mean, it was just about all the small things
that make up team and how we carry one another.
And you know, in the first half it felt like
we were just searching, but we were searching on our own.
Uh So we just wanted to make sure, you know,
to hit home that everything we do we do together,
(03:32):
and we're such a better basketball team when you know,
we're a collective and when we're lifting each other up
and when we're supporting one another and we're playing with
that positive energy that carries one another and uplifts one another.
So that was it, and I thought that did a
great job of carrying that through zero points.
Speaker 6 (03:50):
For Max in the first half and then twenty in
the third quarter.
Speaker 7 (03:55):
What is it like to see someone just get.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Like that hot?
Speaker 5 (03:58):
Yeah, I mean, you know, I mean it started with him,
you know, getting out in transition and getting too easy layups. Right,
So now those are momentum shifting plays, those are confidence
building plays. But then he had it going, and you
know what I was most pleased about. And we keep
talking about team, His teammates kept finding him. You know,
he didn't do that on his own, just creating ISOs.
(04:20):
His teammates did a heck of a job of getting
in the basketball. He did a heck of a job
creating separation to get to his spot. But I think
that's what the essence of team is, as you recognize
a guy's trying to pull you forward, and then you
do whatever you can to make sure you're helping him.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Darry said twenty.
Speaker 7 (04:36):
Four and eight. Tonight kind of looked like he was
finally getting into the rhythm of playmaking.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
What is it like for him to take that step and.
Speaker 7 (04:43):
Be able to get into the passing game.
Speaker 5 (04:46):
Yeah, I mean he's you mean, you know, when the
balls in his hands, everybody's an option.
Speaker 7 (04:51):
And I think his teammates know that.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
And that's the thing with you know, Darius is you know,
people want to play with him and people want to
play for him, and you know it's because you know,
he does things creatively, but he does things so selflessly
and he just makes the right play. And I think
are our big guys, you know, they feed off of
it because now they're able to make plays. And I
(05:13):
think we saw that tonight, how our big guys worked
together in crucial moments. So you know, it's great to
see him getting it going. You know, he only had
one turnover in the second half also, which is even better.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
But you know, we need him. We need him to
be big time every night because.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
It kind of Tristan played less than eight minutes, but
it seemed like he turned the momentum around for a
big offense rebounds.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Talking about his performance, yeah, I mean, you know, we
talked about it pregame, and you know, there's a reason why.
Speaker 7 (05:43):
He's made it this long in this league. Like the
dude impacts.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
Winning in a way that you know most people can't
and it's you know, not a score, not a you know,
whatever it may be, but it's just a gritty, tough,
you know, the thing that nobody else is willing to do,
you know, and it just makes a difference in winning.
And you know his teammates need that from him. So again,
(06:10):
I couldn't be more proud of him. But we're so
fortunate to have him here with us.
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Jackson Flickinger right down to you, Clid. So this is
a couple times now that you've gone to trust in
for those late game defensive stops. What what is it
about him that makes him so useful in that role?
Speaker 5 (06:25):
I mean, when there's a trust that he's not going
to make a mistake. You know, he studies the game
of basketball, he knows his opponents strengths and weaknesses. You know,
he's got size and he can move his feet. You know,
he can guarb multiple positions from fives to one. So,
you know, having the trust that he understands what's getting
ready to happen and then the ability to go out
(06:46):
and execute it.
Speaker 6 (06:47):
Didn't get any minutes tonight. Is that something that you
kind of expect going forward? When does team's fully healthy no.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I mean again, we got to figure out how to
get all those guys on the court. You know, we
want to put Craig on the floor. You know, it
is difficult when you have so many guards and you're
trying to work some guys back into the rotation to
make sure, uh they get minutes as well. But you know,
Craig is a guy who we want to play, and
just tonight it just didn't happen.
Speaker 8 (07:13):
And Nick Nick Toms ESPN radio coach, talk about you
kind of talked about the points in the paint already,
but what was the difference? Kind of elaborate why do
you think you guys found so much success tonight?
Speaker 7 (07:24):
The thing I mean, I think it was.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
You know, first of all, it starts with our defense
for us, and I thought in that second half, in
the third quarter in particular, you know, we just did
a great job of taking challenges and protecting one another
and limiting their opportunities, and that's where it all starts
for us. You know, we are a defensive first team
when we're at our best, and our defense translates to
offense for us. So I think it started there. But
(07:48):
then again, we were attack minded, you know, and That's
where our offense starts is. You know, we keep talking
about it. You gotta win the paint. And you know,
when you have dynamic drivers like we have, when you
have elite n I'm finishing in paint finishing bigs, you
know you have an advantage there and you got to
create as many of those advantages as you can.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Cavalier head coach JB.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Bickerstaff following last night's win over the Toronto Raptors at
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Good victory for the Calves one oh
five to one oh two, and the record is now
nine and eight as they get ready for the Atlanta
Hawks on Tuesday night in an nd season tournament matchup.
We'll take a quick time out on Calves HQ presented
(08:28):
by Betway. When we come back, Calves Legend, Mark Price
will join us, so stay with us Mark Price after
this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Verse Price out of the fourth corner of the woint
prisce to the line left side, vans Nance down on
the corner. The Price drives the baselineup with a six.
What Price wings behind already to the top of the
He drops in the brand downloin where Price makes you
smooth to the left side of the key, fifty in
(09:00):
out bracket, lave in by pass packed away, strolled by.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Price clicks it up for preak it.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
Calfley, Oh my, that's goosebump stuff. The legendary voice of
the Cleveland Cavaliers, Joe Tate, I'm no honor to sit
in the Joe Tate perch at Rocking Mortgage field House
and call Cavalier basketball. And of course those calls involved
another Cavalier legend, Mark Price, who joined us this week
(09:33):
on Cavs HQ presented by Betway.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
Mark.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
We appreciate you spending some time, and I know I
got goosebumps. I'm sure when you hear those calls from
the late great Joe Tate, it brings back some awesome memories.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
It really does, Kim, It really does it. You know,
brings back a lot of a lot of great memories
playing for the Cavs, playing in Richfield Coliseum and Joe
Tate calling the games. I didn't get much better.
Speaker 7 (10:00):
Than that, Mark.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
I asked this selfishly, because not because when players are playing,
they know every NBA announcer that's out there. But when
you and Brad and Ron Harper and the gang were
together at the Richfield Coliseum. Did you realize how great
Joe was, that he was one of the very best
in the NBA.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
I don't think you really appreciate it till later on,
just from the fact that we were out playing the game,
so we didn't actually hear Joe call the games, but
you know, on replays like that highlights and I just
know many many people in Cleveland, with all due respect
to whoever was doing the TV games, a lot of
people would watch the games on TV and turn the
(10:46):
sound down and listen to Joe Tait on the radio.
So that's how good he was. People wanted to hear
him call the game, and he just he was special.
There's no other way to put.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
It, no doubt about that. Well, Mark, you're a special
member of this organization and its history as well. Of
course your number hangs in the rafters and recently it
was announced that you will be becoming a part of
the Calves Legends program. So congratulations to you on that,
and take a moment or two and tell our listeners
(11:19):
and Calves fans what that's all about. It's a pretty
esteemed group that you're joining.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, the Calves approached me this summer about kind of
reconnecting with the organization again and being a part of
it and in some way, And obviously I don't live
in Cleveland right now, so I can't be there on
a day to day basis, but you know, we were
able to come together and work on an opportunity for
me to come in once a month, spend some time
(11:46):
in Cleveland, go to some games, get reacquainted with the community,
speak of different things, do a little TV. I'm doing.
I consider my role right at the moment a little
bit like a utility infielder, because you know, they kind
of say, hey, when you're coming in, we'd like you
to do this or this or this, and so I'm
(12:07):
pretty flexible. Just it's kind of a work in progress
honestly right now. But I'm excited about being in the
organization again. A lot of people have asked me over
the years why that hasn't happened before, but you know,
for one reason or another, it was never able to
work out. But it does now, and I'm excited about
being a part again and spending some more time up
(12:28):
in Cleveland watching games and spending time with the fans
in the community.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Well, again, congratulations to you and our guest is Mark Price,
Cavalier legend, and it was recently announced that Mark is
now becoming a member of the Cavs Legends program. And Mark,
one more question about the history of the Cavaliers as
you look at other teams in the NBA, and I
don't pretend to know every team and their relationship with
their former players, but that's something that the Calves have
(12:55):
really built a foundation with guys like my broadcast partner
Jim Jones, and Campy Russell and Austin Carr, yourself, Brad Doherty.
There's a real strong connection between the Cavaliers past and
this Cavaliers present. They really try to maintain that. Do
you agree.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Yeah, They've done a really really good job of, like
you said, getting getting some of the former legends to
be a part of the organization in one form or another.
And I think it's great. I think it's great for
the fans and the fans cheer for you, you know,
particularly you know, the older fans and middle aged guys
that were kids when I was playing, and they get
(13:35):
a chance to, you know, because those were great memories
for them as well, so for us to be back
part of the organization, our faces around people getting to
see us. I think it's just it's great for the
for the organization. I think it's great for the fans
and keeps that flow of past and present Cavaliers, you know,
(13:56):
being active in the organization. I think it's great again.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
We're talking with Mark Price and Mark Let's transition to
calvs present. Nice win last night over Toronto to go
to nine and eight on the year. I'm sure you
keep up with what's happening on the floor. We're still
very very early, seventeen games in my Matt tells me
there's sixty five more to go. But from what you've
(14:20):
seen so far, your thoughts on this twenty three to
twenty four Cavs.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Team, Yeah, I think just like everybody, and even the
Calves will tell you themselves, I think it's been a
little up and down. I think the disappointment of maybe
a lot of injuries early here in the season, the
core group of guys that everybody was excited about, plus
the new additions, the whole plate hasn't been full yet
(14:45):
and so hopefully that'll be happening soon. I know a
lot of people are focused a little bit on that
end season tournament right now. But it might not be
the worst thing in the world if the Cavs don't
advance in that, because once they go to Vegas and
all that, the teams that don't make it'll have some
days off rest. It might be good for the Calves
to get healthy. I'm not saying, hey, if they want
(15:07):
to continue to win and get in that, but it
might not be the worst thing. Get to have some
time to regroup and get healthy and then really make
a run at it after it.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Mark, You've mentioned it's been a little bit choppy, and
of course the Calves brought in some newcomers like Max
Druce who's been terrific, and George Niang, and you were
part of teams where guys would come in and guys
would leave.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
And how tough is that.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Process, or maybe a better way to phrase it is,
how challenging is it to get acclimated to new teammates
and learn what they want to do and they learn
what you want to do.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Yeah, there definitely is a learning process. You know, we
had a core group of four or five guys when
I played, and it seemed like we were always adding
a player two each year to try to kind of
find that missing piece or two to help us. But yeah,
it takes a little while to get used to guys.
Everybody has their strengths, weaknesses, and where they like the ball,
(16:05):
where they don't like the ball, all those little things
that most people don't think about when they're watching the games.
But that doesn't just happen overnight. It takes some time
to play with guys, to get at a comfort level
with them out on the floor. And I think you've
seen that happening with the Calves. Although their additions have
done a nice job, you know, it takes a little
(16:26):
off for everybody to get in a comfort zone with
a whole group, new group.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
A great point. We're gonna take a quick time out.
Thrilled to have Mark Price joining us on this week's
edition of Calves HQ, presented by Betway. We'll hear more
from this Cavalier legend after this on a Medical Mutual
Cavaliers audio verse.
Speaker 9 (16:50):
Earlier today, as part of the Season of Giving delivered
by UPS, J D. Bickerstaff and the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching
staff visited the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and assembled fresh
and shelf stable meal packs to support families in Cuyahoga
County for the holiday season. Thank you, Coach JB and
your staff for giving back to our community. Cavs Into
(17:12):
Community is brought to you by Discountdrup March. We'll be
back with the second half of Calv's HQ, presented by Betway.
Right after this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Verse, Garland fires out front of Kneeank George or of
the lane up with the right hand and no up
ahead by Tristan.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
It rolled around for Thompson, but he got a defall.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Garlett stepped behind the ruck.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Rock down down DG just bruised the defender and then
it's nothing but the bottom of the neck. Lob down
the Florida Garland in the middle of Allen.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
Bow with two heads.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Garland with five.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
On the clock around Allen.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Garland fakes the shot comes left of the drive, scooped
it a round riven In.
Speaker 7 (18:03):
It rolled and rolled and rolled and rolled.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
All the way home.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Welcome back, Kev's HQ, presented by Betway, Tim Melcorn along
with the Dynamic Duo on the other side of the window,
Senior Producer Kurt McLoughlin, Technical Director Marty Allen as they
put together that little highlight montage from last night's win
over the Toronto Raptors, and those highlights featuring one Darius Garland,
(18:30):
and certainly that's a topic that I want to delve
into with our very special guest this week, four time
All Star cavalier legend. His number hangs in the rafters,
one Mark Price and Mark as I said, I want
to delve into point guard play, and dGH just seems
to get more and more comfortable in that role. You
heard that little highlight montage. He can shoot from downtown,
(18:52):
he can dish, he can drive. As you watch DG,
what stands out to you.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, obviously you know, being a former point guard myself,
I really love watching Darius Garland play. I love his upside.
Still a very young player, it's still growing. I think
the point guard position, particularly at the NBA level, might
be the difficult, most difficult transition coming from college to
the pros, particularly if you're a scoring point guard. I
(19:20):
was a scoring point guard dariuses as well, and so
you have to learn to balance, you know, when to
get yours and to make sure you're getting everybody else
on the floor in the flow, and I think Darius
obviously is getting better. We know he can score the basketball,
he can shoot the three, he can drive it. But
the growth for him has got to continue to come,
and I've seen it already getting better and better. Is
(19:44):
looking for his bigs and when he drives and becoming
a playmaker in the midst of being a score.
Speaker 7 (19:50):
That's always a challenge.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
But he's doing a great job and he's going to
just get better and better at it.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Mark.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
A couple of weeks ago, you and I, along with
Brad Doherty, had an opportunity to talk to some season
ticket holders here at Rocket Mortgage field House, so the
Cavs United Group as they're called, and you mentioned then,
but I want to bring it up now. Not only
a point guard who scores and distributes, but a point
guard who learned from one of the best who ever
(20:15):
played the game in Lenny Wilkins. Talk about his tutelage
and what it means to have a guy as the
head coach who knows the game from that position.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Yeah, I think it's it's not necessarily the major things,
but when you have someone that was as good a
players as Lenny Wilkins was and a good coach as well,
who plays your position. They're just that wealth of knowledge,
a little little idiosyncrasies, I call it that most people
might not see that they can see and pick up
and pass along to you. And I was very, very
(20:47):
fortunate when I came in the league. There weren't very
many scoring point guards that it wasn't like it is
now where guards were. You know, shooting fifteen three is
a game in that kind of thing. The point guard
position was mainly a kind of run the team, a
mochique style point guard when I got in, and I
think some people might have shied away from me coming
out of college thinking I was more of a two
(21:08):
guard and a point guard body. Obviously I was too
small to play two guard NBA level, But you know,
Lenny Wilkins haven't been a great great point guard himself,
and Wayne Embury. I give them a lot of credit
because they saw what I was good at and they
knew they could help me with some of the other stuff.
But to get a guy that can score and shoot
(21:28):
like I could, it's hard to teach that, but you
can definitely learn the other parts of the point guard position,
and they took advantage of my skill set and allowed
me to use my skill set but also continued to
develop me to not only be able to score the ball,
but become a better floor leader and a general and
a coach on the floor.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Well, that's fascinating. You could go so many different directions
with your answer right there, but I'll ask you this,
as a point guard, is the general mentality still to
pass first and facilitate.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
I don't think so doesn't seem to be. You know,
guys are looking to score, they're looking to take threes.
They're obviously much more grow you see a lot more.
I would do it every now and then, maybe pushing
it up on a break. I was one of the
first guys to maybe just dribble up and stop and
pop and shoot a three. You see that quite frequently.
(22:24):
Now that's the first option rather than kind of a
last option type of thing. But even that being said,
it's still, you know, you still have to get your
other guys even though you're looking to score. Guys are
looking to score more today when the Cabs play well
and when they win, and when they're really good, like
you saw last night, you had four or five guys
(22:45):
in double figures. The ball was moving around the big
guys were getting their touches and that's when the Cabs
are going to be really, really good. So you know,
as Darius and Donovan as well, who plays the point
some for the Cavs. Both guys are a ball dominant,
like to shoot the three. But when they're getting everybody
else involved as well, that's when the Calves become really dangerous.
Speaker 7 (23:06):
Again.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
We're talking with Mark Price, Cavaliers legend. Great to have
him with us this week on Calves HQ presented by Betway. Mark,
you played with some big guys with a big front line,
Brad Doherty, hot Rod Williams, Larry Nance. They took up
some room in that front line. By the Calves have
a great tandem in Jared Allen and Evan Mobley. What
(23:26):
do you see developing with Jared and Evan when they're
on the floor at the same time.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Yeah, I really like I really like that tandem, and
particularly in the last four or five games, they really
started to pick it up. Get comforted. You see a
lot of big man to big man passing out of
the pick and roll action for the Calves. I like
that when they play and when they're aggressive on both
ends of the floor. That's when the calves are at
(23:52):
their best. And I really like that tandem, and it
looks like they're starting to get in the groove. Early
on injuries and other things, it seemed like they were
struggling to find their way a little bit. But like
I said, the last four or five games, I think
they've been terrific and I think they're just going to
keep getting better and better.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about this
young man undrafted in Craig Porter Junior. He's been given
an opportunity to play, and when he's been on the floor,
he has sparkled. A young man that just seems to
be so comfortable and so savvy out there as a
point guard. Again, looking at another point guard in Craig
(24:31):
Porter Junior. What have you seen from this young man?
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Yeah, I think, like you said, I think the word
you said, savvy was a great word for Craig. He's
really done a great job. I mean, he's probably I
would think he's got to be the story of the
NBA so far. I mean as far as an undrafted
guy coming in. I mean, he's been a big part
in helping him win games down the stretch, particularly when
they've had injuries out point guards out Tyji Erroome's been
(24:56):
out for a while, so it's really opened up an
opportunity for him and man to say he's taking advantage
of it as an understatement, I looked at his shooting
numbers the other night and they were just off the
charts and so, but he's also plays very under control.
He's not totally looking for threes all the time. He's
great in the mid range, and he plays at his
(25:16):
own pace, and that's for a young player to not
get sped up out there is huge and so been
very very impressed with Craig Porter so far.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Mark, is that just the result of all those years
of college basketball. There's so much one and done where
guys come in, But man, if you've got a few
years of college ball under your belt, that experience and
just going through those wars at that level has to
be a huge benefit coming to the NBA.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Yeah, no question. Plus, you know, just a age factor.
I think just a maturity coming into coming into the
league at twenty two or twenty three, you're obviously at
a much more mature level than eighteen nineteen, and so yeah,
I think there's a lot to be said. I know
everybody likes to get in the NBA quick and developed there,
(26:07):
but you know, stand four years is I mean, there's
been a lot of really great player Steph Curry being
one of them, Jim Duncan being another guy, some of
the all time greats. You know, we're four year college
guys and people wonder why they're so good and so
mature as they come into the league. Well, I think
that had something to do with it.
Speaker 3 (26:27):
Well, again, you were one of the greats in the
Cavalier uniform, and Ken, thank you enough for stopping by
Cavs HQ presented by Betway. And again, congratulations on being
added to the Cavs Legends program. It's just fantastic news
for Cavs fans and we look forward to seeing you
hearing you around the Cavs organization here in the future.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
All right, and well, I appreciate it and enjoyed talking
to you.
Speaker 3 (26:51):
Good talking to you too as well. Mark Price, Cavalier
Legend joining us here on Cavs HQ presented by Betway.
Great to have Cavalier Legend Mark Price with us this week.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
We'll take a quick.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
Time out when we come back Cavs and Hawks tomorrow
night at Rocket Mortgage Field House. So we'll check in
with Atlanta's radio play by play man Steve Holman. That
comes your way after this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers
Audio vers Al the middle Tray up straight away three
tray Dang Tray Young de Jahte dribbles up top deshat backing, turning, firing,
(27:29):
foul line.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Hey makes it djatte bari by huge punch basket.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
Hey, Young dribbling up.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
I goes right over to Bogey. Bogey pulls it over.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
Said now back to Trey along. Three is on the
way and good just over half court Tray Young knocks
it down and we welcome you back to Cavs h Q.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
It's presented by Betway all along the Medical Mutual Cavaliers
audiovers Great to have you with us tonight. Great job
by the guys on the other side of the window,
the Dynamic Duo Senior producer Kurt McLoughlin, technical director Marty
Allen as they put that highlight montage together of the
iconic voice of the Atlanta Hawks. Yes, Steve Holman, who
(28:11):
joins us now on dab's HQ. Stevia chuckle is iconic
the appropriate term.
Speaker 10 (28:18):
Yeah, I think it's just another way to say old.
Speaker 4 (28:24):
Well, you certainly are are legendary.
Speaker 10 (28:26):
Legend when they say legendary. When they say legendary, that's
also aka old.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
That's okay.
Speaker 10 (28:32):
I'd rather be old.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
Than not be that's true. That's very very true.
Speaker 10 (28:36):
Right as my father up at Massachusetts when I grew up,
used to say, it beats the alternative.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
There's no doubt about that.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Well, hey, tomorrow night, Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks in
season tournament game here at Rock and Mortgage field House.
So he thought it would be fun to bring you
in and talk a little Atlanta Hawks basketball. Of course,
coming off a tough loss last night in Boston, got
knocked off by the Celtics one thirteen to one oh three.
Hawks now eight and eight. That's where the Calves were
(29:04):
last night before they beat Toronto to go to nine
and eight. But just kind of give us a quick recap,
put it in a nutshell for the first sixteen games
for the Atlanta Hawks.
Speaker 10 (29:14):
Well, you know that they've started to put it together
and it takes a while, you know, Quinn Snyder was
here for twenty games last year. But really this summer
he added all of his own plays and things like that.
He changed the whole coaching staff. So it takes a
while for everything to think in. I think, and you know,
the game last night in Boston, as you know, I mean,
there were some of those games that are kind of
(29:35):
schedule losses. You know, the Hawks had played Saturday night
in Washington at a seven o'clock game, that had to
fly to Boston, got to the hotel about two am,
and then played a six o'clock game last night. Well,
of course, with the Celtics being off, as is usually
the case, they seem to work that schedule. So you know,
the Hawks didn't have much many legs left, and they
(29:57):
lost Jalen Johnson in the game in Washington, who's really
a lot of people probably don't know his name yet,
but he had been stepping up and playing and starting.
He'd been averaging almost fifteen points seven rebounds a game,
and you know, he's been terrific. And that's going to
be a big loss because he broke his bone and
his wrist and he's going to be out probably four
(30:18):
to six weeks.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Now.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
I want to ask you again last night, being an
outlier for Atlanta, as you said, certainly was one that
the schedule didn't do the Hawks any favor. So before that,
the Hawks had scored one thirty six, one forty seven,
and one fifty two in their three previous games before Boston.
(30:41):
What is going on with this team offensively?
Speaker 10 (30:44):
Well, unfortunately, they've given up almost as many points defensively
as well as the offense. So, you know, the offense
has not been a problem. I mean, that's something that
is going to happen. I mean when you've got scores
like Trey and Dadante and Bogey Buckovich, you know, guys
that can all put it in the basket, you know,
and you add like Sidique Bay who can shoot threes.
(31:06):
And Wesley Matthews is on the team this year and
he's a you know, he can shoot threes. So the
offense has not been a problem. What Quinn Snyder is
trying to do is incorporate defense into it. And this
he said last night before the game. You know, when
you give up as many points as the Hawks have
given up, which is right now one hundred and twenty
one a game, he said, it's hard to say, well,
(31:29):
we did some good things, but he thinks they're starting
to progress in that area. In fact, you know, Trey
has actually stepped up and you know, he's got a
bunch of steels this year and he's trying on the defense.
So I think they're trying to get it all together.
We are only sixteen, seventeen games in and sometimes it
(31:49):
takes you know, until Christmas or after to get everybody together.
So you know, we'll see, you know, I hope that
they go beyond the last year forty one and forty one.
You know, here we are eight and eight again, so
I hope that they can progress past that.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
This year again. We're talking with Steve Holman, the great
radio play by play voice of the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta
in town tomorrow night for an n season tournament game
against the Cavaliers. And Steve, you've been around the NBA
a long time. You've seen most of the changes and
the tweaks and some of the ideas that the NBA
has come up with. Some thoughts on what you've seen
(32:23):
and what you observed with this in season tournament.
Speaker 10 (32:26):
Well, you know, the tournament has been pretty interesting. I
think it's gotten fans excited.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
You know.
Speaker 10 (32:32):
Unfortunately, the Hawks, you know, kind of dropped out of
it early, although I guess there is a scenario where
they can get in the wild card and they have
to beat you guys tomorrow night by seventy eight points
to think that could happen.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
You know, we struggle on defense once in a while too,
but I'm not sure about that.
Speaker 10 (32:53):
So there's still a chance, you know, going in and
tomorrow Night's final game of the tournament, there's still a chance.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
Certainly it has been like I do like it.
Speaker 10 (33:03):
I like what it's you know, what it's happening, and
I think we'll all get a little more excited about
it when we see teams playing in Vegas for the
semifinals and finals. Uh, you know, we'd all like to
be there. But the interesting thing is too, you know,
for those of us that don't make the semifinals and finals,
they're going to add two games on the schedule, you know,
one home, one away, And as we sit here today
(33:25):
getting ready to play you guys tomorrow night, you know,
we still have no idea who that would be the
week of December fourth, which is only a couple of
weeks away or week away, and you know, you know
how that poses some problems for travel and things like that.
Scheduling and tickets and so that's going to be interesting,
I think an interesting part of it for teams that
have to you know, play at home, play away an
(33:47):
extra couple of games, which makes the schedule eighty two games.
Speaker 3 (33:50):
Yeah, you're right, that's going to make it very intriguing, Steve.
Circling back to the Hawks, you mentioned this offense is
really flowing, and of course Quinn Snyder in his time
and Utah did some very creative things. What's one or
two differences that you see offensively, even though you still
have Trey Young and do Johntay Murray and Bugdanovitch as
(34:12):
you mentioned earlier. But is there what is Quinn tweaking somewhat?
Speaker 10 (34:17):
Well, you know, he's got the philosophy of tee at
high and let it fly. You know, the three pointers
go they go up all the time, and he encourages
guys to take more threes. You know, he's not a
total you know what we call it analytics nerd type.
I mean, he uses analytics and he likes the fact,
you know, and it makes sense. If you score three points,
(34:39):
it's better than scoring two points. So if you've got
a shot that's open for three, why not take it
rather than pass it up for two, Although he's not
opposed to two point shots, you know, but that's that
to me, that's been the biggest philosophy. Moving around, gets
shots as quickly as possible, and therefore that's why they've scored,
you know, almost one hundred and twenty four points a game.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
I would thing for a guy like Trey Young and
others a Bogie, it plays right into the strengths that
they bring to the floor.
Speaker 10 (35:08):
Oh yeah, Bogie loves it. I mean he you know,
last night he had in that loss, I think he
had four or five six, No, it was seven and
eight I think at one time on three pointers. So
it's really worked out well for him. And you know,
he's just a pro. He's been out there for a
while and and Trey is really you know, Trey, A
lot of people, you know, they like to think he
just shoots threes and that, but he's got ten and
(35:30):
a half assists this year. He's twenty six and a
half points. And he's really been trying on the defense,
which has been a help. And I think he runs
the offense nicely. But you know, you've got the Jane
Murray too, who's you know, by nature point guard. So
the two of them are still working it out, you know,
trying to figure it out on Quinn's system. And I
think once they do get it together, you know, they
(35:51):
should be okay, I would think, I mean, but who knows.
I mean, like I say, we're eight to eight right now,
and is what was that? Doe Parcels always said, you
are what you record is you know.
Speaker 4 (36:01):
Yep, exactly.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
We got about a minute left. But Steve, I wanted
to ask you. You mentioned Quinn was there for twenty
games last year, so really this is his first full
season to kind of work in what he wants to implement.
What were the expectations coming into the year.
Speaker 10 (36:17):
Well, I think that, you know, they wanted to improve,
and that's one of his things is, you know, player
development is a big thing on his agenda, and he
thinks that, you know, if they can improve every night,
something on defense, something on offense, then it will all
start to come together. You know. The thing is is
we all try to battle for those top six spots,
you know, to avoid that play in which the Hawks
(36:38):
have been in the last two years. They've done well
in the play ins, but you know, why put yourself
in that situation. So I think that's one of the
things he really wants to He wants the team to
improve every night and try to get better every night,
which is kind of a cliche thing, I know, but
I think I think he really feels that way that
if they can start getting better by small increments, by
the end of the season, could be in high gear.
Speaker 2 (37:01):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
Steve has always a pleasure to have you on Cavs.
Heq really looking forward to seeing you up in the
Joe Tate perch tomorrow night. Sounds like this could be
a shootout on Tuesday. I don't know if the Hawks
have the seventy eight point differential to put themselves into
the knockout round, but let's hope you have a fun
game on Tuesday night.
Speaker 10 (37:21):
Well, I'll lets you know how our luck is on
Tuesday night after I get go to the casino tonight.
Speaker 4 (37:27):
Sounds good. You enjoy your time there, sounds good.
Speaker 10 (37:31):
Steve always like the healthy economy.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
In Northeast Ohio.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
You got that right, Steve Olman joining us on Cavs
HQ presented by Betway. Steve just the terrific play by
play announcer for the Atlanta Hawks.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
Quick time Out.
Speaker 3 (37:45):
We'll put the finishing touches on this week's edition of
caves HQU presented by Betway after this on the Medical
Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
Boy, that was a fun show.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
That's going to do it for this week's edition of
caves HQ present by Betway. Thanks to Steve Holman for
stopping by and paying us a visit. Huge thanks to
Mark Price. Great to have the Cavalier legend on, and
the biggest thanks goes to you, the listeners. Now we'll
be back with you again tomorrow night Calves and Hawks
in season tournament basketball at Rock and Mortgage field House.
(38:18):
It'll tip at seven thirty Huntington tip off show at
seven on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse. So until then,
thank you much for listening, and so long everybody,
Welcome to calvs HQ presented by bet Way.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thank you for joining us on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audiovers.
Here are your hosts, Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
From the Cavaliers production studios at Rocket Mortgage Field House
in downtown Cleveland. Hi again, everybody, and welcome to calves
HQ presented by Betway. Great to have you with us
on this Monday night. Jim Jones with the week off,
Jim taking some personal time away. We expect him back
in the near future, so you get me yours truly,
(00:43):
Tim Elcorn, and of course the Dynamic duo on the
other side of the window, Senior producer Kurt McLaughlin along
with technical director Marty Allen. Boy, We've got a fun
show for you this week.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Last night, the Cavaliers in a thrilling one oh five
one oh two win over the Toronto Raptors to go
to nine and eight on the year. Outstanding performances from
Max Strus and of course Darius Garland. Evan Mobley had
another double double with twelve points and fourteen rebounds. So well,
here what JB. Bickerstaff had to say after the win
(01:15):
on Sunday night, and then two very special guests, Cavalier Legend,
one of the all time greats to wear the wine
and Gold, Mark Price will stop by and pay us
a visit. We'll talk a little current and past cavaliers
with Mark Price and the iconic radio voice of the
Atlanta Hawks, Steve Holman, will join US Caves and Hawks
(01:36):
tomorrow night at Rocket Mortgage field House. So we'll get
some thoughts from Steve Holman about Atlanta Hawks basketball. So
a busy show stay with US Cavs HQ presented by
Betway continues after this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse.
Garlic left in the lane. Garland pounced to a driving
(01:59):
Strews under and good Mitchell will push it to the
four court. Mitchell gets by, Scottie Bars left corner, Struce
Bax for three Perfitt Max for three bullside Max Druce
is feeling it a seventeen.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Point quarter max for three. God, oh my goodness, Max Struce.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
That bucket looks like the ocean and he's just throwing
the ball in there. Took a back calvs HQ presented
by Betway. On the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse. Those
highlights from the third quarter last night, I can tell
you they were from the third quarter because Max Struce
had a twenty point third quarter and that was it
(02:41):
for the ballgame. He was scoreless than one, two and four,
But my goodness, did he put it together in that
third quarter of play, all twenty of his points in
that period. That's when the Cavs roared back against Toronto,
ended up pulling to within two at the end of
three and then winning the game in the fourth by
a final of one oh five to one oh two.
(03:02):
And after the ball game, it was a very happy
head coach of the Cavaliers, JB. Bickerstaff, that talked to
the media about the Calves ninth win of the year.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
I mean, it was just about all the small things
that make up team and how we carry one another.
And you know, in the first half it felt like
we were just searching, but we were searching on our own.
Uh So we just wanted to make sure, you know,
to hit home that everything we do we do together,
(03:32):
and we're such a better basketball team when you know,
we're a collective and when we're lifting each other up
and when we're supporting one another and we're playing with
that positive energy that carries one another and uplifts one another.
So that was it, and I thought that did a
great job of carrying that through zero points.
Speaker 6 (03:50):
For Max in the first half and then twenty in
the third quarter.
Speaker 7 (03:55):
What is it like to see someone just get.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Like that hot?
Speaker 5 (03:58):
Yeah, I mean, you know, I mean it started with him,
you know, getting out in transition and getting too easy layups. Right,
So now those are momentum shifting plays, those are confidence
building plays. But then he had it going, and you
know what I was most pleased about. And we keep
talking about team, His teammates kept finding him. You know,
he didn't do that on his own, just creating ISOs.
(04:20):
His teammates did a heck of a job of getting
in the basketball. He did a heck of a job
creating separation to get to his spot. But I think
that's what the essence of team is, as you recognize
a guy's trying to pull you forward, and then you
do whatever you can to make sure you're helping him.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Darry said twenty.
Speaker 7 (04:36):
Four and eight. Tonight kind of looked like he was
finally getting into the rhythm of playmaking.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
What is it like for him to take that step and.
Speaker 7 (04:43):
Be able to get into the passing game.
Speaker 5 (04:46):
Yeah, I mean he's you mean, you know, when the
balls in his hands, everybody's an option.
Speaker 7 (04:51):
And I think his teammates know that.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
And that's the thing with you know, Darius is you know,
people want to play with him and people want to
play for him, and you know it's because you know,
he does things creatively, but he does things so selflessly
and he just makes the right play. And I think
are our big guys, you know, they feed off of
it because now they're able to make plays. And I
(05:13):
think we saw that tonight, how our big guys worked
together in crucial moments. So you know, it's great to
see him getting it going. You know, he only had
one turnover in the second half also, which is even better.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
But you know, we need him. We need him to
be big time every night because.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
It kind of Tristan played less than eight minutes, but
it seemed like he turned the momentum around for a
big offense rebounds.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Talking about his performance, yeah, I mean, you know, we
talked about it pregame, and you know, there's a reason why.
Speaker 7 (05:43):
He's made it this long in this league. Like the
dude impacts.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
Winning in a way that you know most people can't
and it's you know, not a score, not a you know,
whatever it may be, but it's just a gritty, tough,
you know, the thing that nobody else is willing to do,
you know, and it just makes a difference in winning.
And you know his teammates need that from him. So again,
(06:10):
I couldn't be more proud of him. But we're so
fortunate to have him here with us.
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Jackson Flickinger right down to you, Clid. So this is
a couple times now that you've gone to trust in
for those late game defensive stops. What what is it
about him that makes him so useful in that role?
Speaker 5 (06:25):
I mean, when there's a trust that he's not going
to make a mistake. You know, he studies the game
of basketball, he knows his opponents strengths and weaknesses. You know,
he's got size and he can move his feet. You know,
he can guarb multiple positions from fives to one. So,
you know, having the trust that he understands what's getting
ready to happen and then the ability to go out
(06:46):
and execute it.
Speaker 6 (06:47):
Didn't get any minutes tonight. Is that something that you
kind of expect going forward? When does team's fully healthy no.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I mean again, we got to figure out how to
get all those guys on the court. You know, we
want to put Craig on the floor. You know, it
is difficult when you have so many guards and you're
trying to work some guys back into the rotation to
make sure, uh they get minutes as well. But you know,
Craig is a guy who we want to play, and
just tonight it just didn't happen.
Speaker 8 (07:13):
And Nick Nick Toms ESPN radio coach, talk about you
kind of talked about the points in the paint already,
but what was the difference? Kind of elaborate why do
you think you guys found so much success tonight?
Speaker 7 (07:24):
The thing I mean, I think it was.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
You know, first of all, it starts with our defense
for us, and I thought in that second half, in
the third quarter in particular, you know, we just did
a great job of taking challenges and protecting one another
and limiting their opportunities, and that's where it all starts
for us. You know, we are a defensive first team
when we're at our best, and our defense translates to
offense for us. So I think it started there. But
(07:48):
then again, we were attack minded, you know, and That's
where our offense starts is. You know, we keep talking
about it. You gotta win the paint. And you know,
when you have dynamic drivers like we have, when you
have elite n I'm finishing in paint finishing bigs, you
know you have an advantage there and you got to
create as many of those advantages as you can.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Cavalier head coach JB.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Bickerstaff following last night's win over the Toronto Raptors at
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Good victory for the Calves one oh
five to one oh two, and the record is now
nine and eight as they get ready for the Atlanta
Hawks on Tuesday night in an nd season tournament matchup.
We'll take a quick time out on Calves HQ presented
(08:28):
by Betway. When we come back, Calves Legend, Mark Price
will join us, so stay with us Mark Price after
this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Verse Price out of the fourth corner of the woint
prisce to the line left side, vans Nance down on
the corner. The Price drives the baselineup with a six.
What Price wings behind already to the top of the
He drops in the brand downloin where Price makes you
smooth to the left side of the key, fifty in
(09:00):
out bracket, lave in by pass packed away, strolled by.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Price clicks it up for preak it.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
Calfley, Oh my, that's goosebump stuff. The legendary voice of
the Cleveland Cavaliers, Joe Tate, I'm no honor to sit
in the Joe Tate perch at Rocking Mortgage field House
and call Cavalier basketball. And of course those calls involved
another Cavalier legend, Mark Price, who joined us this week
(09:33):
on Cavs HQ presented by Betway.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
Mark.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
We appreciate you spending some time, and I know I
got goosebumps. I'm sure when you hear those calls from
the late great Joe Tate, it brings back some awesome memories.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
It really does, Kim, It really does it. You know,
brings back a lot of a lot of great memories
playing for the Cavs, playing in Richfield Coliseum and Joe
Tate calling the games. I didn't get much better.
Speaker 7 (10:00):
Than that, Mark.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
I asked this selfishly, because not because when players are playing,
they know every NBA announcer that's out there. But when
you and Brad and Ron Harper and the gang were
together at the Richfield Coliseum. Did you realize how great
Joe was, that he was one of the very best
in the NBA.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
I don't think you really appreciate it till later on,
just from the fact that we were out playing the game,
so we didn't actually hear Joe call the games, but
you know, on replays like that highlights and I just
know many many people in Cleveland, with all due respect
to whoever was doing the TV games, a lot of
people would watch the games on TV and turn the
(10:46):
sound down and listen to Joe Tait on the radio.
So that's how good he was. People wanted to hear
him call the game, and he just he was special.
There's no other way to put.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
It, no doubt about that. Well, Mark, you're a special
member of this organization and its history as well. Of
course your number hangs in the rafters and recently it
was announced that you will be becoming a part of
the Calves Legends program. So congratulations to you on that,
and take a moment or two and tell our listeners
(11:19):
and Calves fans what that's all about. It's a pretty
esteemed group that you're joining.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, the Calves approached me this summer about kind of
reconnecting with the organization again and being a part of
it and in some way, And obviously I don't live
in Cleveland right now, so I can't be there on
a day to day basis, but you know, we were
able to come together and work on an opportunity for
me to come in once a month, spend some time
(11:46):
in Cleveland, go to some games, get reacquainted with the community,
speak of different things, do a little TV. I'm doing.
I consider my role right at the moment a little
bit like a utility infielder, because you know, they kind
of say, hey, when you're coming in, we'd like you
to do this or this or this, and so I'm
(12:07):
pretty flexible. Just it's kind of a work in progress
honestly right now. But I'm excited about being in the
organization again. A lot of people have asked me over
the years why that hasn't happened before, but you know,
for one reason or another, it was never able to
work out. But it does now, and I'm excited about
being a part again and spending some more time up
(12:28):
in Cleveland watching games and spending time with the fans
in the community.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Well, again, congratulations to you and our guest is Mark Price,
Cavalier legend, and it was recently announced that Mark is
now becoming a member of the Cavs Legends program. And Mark,
one more question about the history of the Cavaliers as
you look at other teams in the NBA, and I
don't pretend to know every team and their relationship with
their former players, but that's something that the Calves have
(12:55):
really built a foundation with guys like my broadcast partner
Jim Jones, and Campy Russell and Austin Carr, yourself, Brad Doherty.
There's a real strong connection between the Cavaliers past and
this Cavaliers present. They really try to maintain that. Do
you agree.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Yeah, They've done a really really good job of, like
you said, getting getting some of the former legends to
be a part of the organization in one form or another.
And I think it's great. I think it's great for
the fans and the fans cheer for you, you know,
particularly you know, the older fans and middle aged guys
that were kids when I was playing, and they get
(13:35):
a chance to, you know, because those were great memories
for them as well, so for us to be back
part of the organization, our faces around people getting to
see us. I think it's just it's great for the
for the organization. I think it's great for the fans
and keeps that flow of past and present Cavaliers, you know,
(13:56):
being active in the organization. I think it's great again.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
We're talking with Mark Price and Mark Let's transition to
calvs present. Nice win last night over Toronto to go
to nine and eight on the year. I'm sure you
keep up with what's happening on the floor. We're still
very very early, seventeen games in my Matt tells me
there's sixty five more to go. But from what you've
(14:20):
seen so far, your thoughts on this twenty three to
twenty four Cavs.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Team, Yeah, I think just like everybody, and even the
Calves will tell you themselves, I think it's been a
little up and down. I think the disappointment of maybe
a lot of injuries early here in the season, the
core group of guys that everybody was excited about, plus
the new additions, the whole plate hasn't been full yet
(14:45):
and so hopefully that'll be happening soon. I know a
lot of people are focused a little bit on that
end season tournament right now. But it might not be
the worst thing in the world if the Cavs don't
advance in that, because once they go to Vegas and
all that, the teams that don't make it'll have some
days off rest. It might be good for the Calves
to get healthy. I'm not saying, hey, if they want
(15:07):
to continue to win and get in that, but it
might not be the worst thing. Get to have some
time to regroup and get healthy and then really make
a run at it after it.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Mark, You've mentioned it's been a little bit choppy, and
of course the Calves brought in some newcomers like Max
Druce who's been terrific, and George Niang, and you were
part of teams where guys would come in and guys
would leave.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
And how tough is that.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Process, or maybe a better way to phrase it is,
how challenging is it to get acclimated to new teammates
and learn what they want to do and they learn
what you want to do.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Yeah, there definitely is a learning process. You know, we
had a core group of four or five guys when
I played, and it seemed like we were always adding
a player two each year to try to kind of
find that missing piece or two to help us. But yeah,
it takes a little while to get used to guys.
Everybody has their strengths, weaknesses, and where they like the ball,
(16:05):
where they don't like the ball, all those little things
that most people don't think about when they're watching the games.
But that doesn't just happen overnight. It takes some time
to play with guys, to get at a comfort level
with them out on the floor. And I think you've
seen that happening with the Calves. Although their additions have
done a nice job, you know, it takes a little
(16:26):
off for everybody to get in a comfort zone with
a whole group, new group.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
A great point. We're gonna take a quick time out.
Thrilled to have Mark Price joining us on this week's
edition of Calves HQ, presented by Betway. We'll hear more
from this Cavalier legend after this on a Medical Mutual
Cavaliers audio verse.
Speaker 9 (16:50):
Earlier today, as part of the Season of Giving delivered
by UPS, J D. Bickerstaff and the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching
staff visited the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and assembled fresh
and shelf stable meal packs to support families in Cuyahoga
County for the holiday season. Thank you, Coach JB and
your staff for giving back to our community. Cavs Into
(17:12):
Community is brought to you by Discountdrup March. We'll be
back with the second half of Calv's HQ, presented by Betway.
Right after this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Verse, Garland fires out front of Kneeank George or of
the lane up with the right hand and no up
ahead by Tristan.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
It rolled around for Thompson, but he got a defall.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Garlett stepped behind the ruck.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Rock down down DG just bruised the defender and then
it's nothing but the bottom of the neck. Lob down
the Florida Garland in the middle of Allen.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
Bow with two heads.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Garland with five.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
On the clock around Allen.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Garland fakes the shot comes left of the drive, scooped
it a round riven In.
Speaker 7 (18:03):
It rolled and rolled and rolled and rolled.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
All the way home.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Welcome back, Kev's HQ, presented by Betway, Tim Melcorn along
with the Dynamic Duo on the other side of the window,
Senior Producer Kurt McLoughlin, Technical Director Marty Allen as they
put together that little highlight montage from last night's win
over the Toronto Raptors, and those highlights featuring one Darius Garland,
(18:30):
and certainly that's a topic that I want to delve
into with our very special guest this week, four time
All Star cavalier legend. His number hangs in the rafters,
one Mark Price and Mark as I said, I want
to delve into point guard play, and dGH just seems
to get more and more comfortable in that role. You
heard that little highlight montage. He can shoot from downtown,
(18:52):
he can dish, he can drive. As you watch DG,
what stands out to you.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, obviously you know, being a former point guard myself,
I really love watching Darius Garland play. I love his upside.
Still a very young player, it's still growing. I think
the point guard position, particularly at the NBA level, might
be the difficult, most difficult transition coming from college to
the pros, particularly if you're a scoring point guard. I
(19:20):
was a scoring point guard dariuses as well, and so
you have to learn to balance, you know, when to
get yours and to make sure you're getting everybody else
on the floor in the flow, and I think Darius
obviously is getting better. We know he can score the basketball,
he can shoot the three, he can drive it. But
the growth for him has got to continue to come,
and I've seen it already getting better and better. Is
(19:44):
looking for his bigs and when he drives and becoming
a playmaker in the midst of being a score.
Speaker 7 (19:50):
That's always a challenge.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
But he's doing a great job and he's going to
just get better and better at it.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Mark.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
A couple of weeks ago, you and I, along with
Brad Doherty, had an opportunity to talk to some season
ticket holders here at Rocket Mortgage field House, so the
Cavs United Group as they're called, and you mentioned then,
but I want to bring it up now. Not only
a point guard who scores and distributes, but a point
guard who learned from one of the best who ever
(20:15):
played the game in Lenny Wilkins. Talk about his tutelage
and what it means to have a guy as the
head coach who knows the game from that position.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Yeah, I think it's it's not necessarily the major things,
but when you have someone that was as good a
players as Lenny Wilkins was and a good coach as well,
who plays your position. They're just that wealth of knowledge,
a little little idiosyncrasies, I call it that most people
might not see that they can see and pick up
and pass along to you. And I was very, very
(20:47):
fortunate when I came in the league. There weren't very
many scoring point guards that it wasn't like it is
now where guards were. You know, shooting fifteen three is
a game in that kind of thing. The point guard
position was mainly a kind of run the team, a
mochique style point guard when I got in, and I
think some people might have shied away from me coming
out of college thinking I was more of a two
(21:08):
guard and a point guard body. Obviously I was too
small to play two guard NBA level, But you know,
Lenny Wilkins haven't been a great great point guard himself,
and Wayne Embury. I give them a lot of credit
because they saw what I was good at and they
knew they could help me with some of the other stuff.
But to get a guy that can score and shoot
(21:28):
like I could, it's hard to teach that, but you
can definitely learn the other parts of the point guard position,
and they took advantage of my skill set and allowed
me to use my skill set but also continued to
develop me to not only be able to score the ball,
but become a better floor leader and a general and
a coach on the floor.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Well, that's fascinating. You could go so many different directions
with your answer right there, but I'll ask you this,
as a point guard, is the general mentality still to
pass first and facilitate.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
I don't think so doesn't seem to be. You know,
guys are looking to score, they're looking to take threes.
They're obviously much more grow you see a lot more.
I would do it every now and then, maybe pushing
it up on a break. I was one of the
first guys to maybe just dribble up and stop and
pop and shoot a three. You see that quite frequently.
(22:24):
Now that's the first option rather than kind of a
last option type of thing. But even that being said,
it's still, you know, you still have to get your
other guys even though you're looking to score. Guys are
looking to score more today when the Cabs play well
and when they win, and when they're really good, like
you saw last night, you had four or five guys
(22:45):
in double figures. The ball was moving around the big
guys were getting their touches and that's when the Cabs
are going to be really, really good. So you know,
as Darius and Donovan as well, who plays the point
some for the Cavs. Both guys are a ball dominant,
like to shoot the three. But when they're getting everybody
else involved as well, that's when the Calves become really dangerous.
Speaker 7 (23:06):
Again.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
We're talking with Mark Price, Cavaliers legend. Great to have
him with us this week on Calves HQ presented by Betway. Mark,
you played with some big guys with a big front line,
Brad Doherty, hot Rod Williams, Larry Nance. They took up
some room in that front line. By the Calves have
a great tandem in Jared Allen and Evan Mobley. What
(23:26):
do you see developing with Jared and Evan when they're
on the floor at the same time.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Yeah, I really like I really like that tandem, and
particularly in the last four or five games, they really
started to pick it up. Get comforted. You see a
lot of big man to big man passing out of
the pick and roll action for the Calves. I like
that when they play and when they're aggressive on both
ends of the floor. That's when the calves are at
(23:52):
their best. And I really like that tandem, and it
looks like they're starting to get in the groove. Early
on injuries and other things, it seemed like they were
struggling to find their way a little bit. But like
I said, the last four or five games, I think
they've been terrific and I think they're just going to
keep getting better and better.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about this
young man undrafted in Craig Porter Junior. He's been given
an opportunity to play, and when he's been on the floor,
he has sparkled. A young man that just seems to
be so comfortable and so savvy out there as a
point guard. Again, looking at another point guard in Craig
(24:31):
Porter Junior. What have you seen from this young man?
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Yeah, I think, like you said, I think the word
you said, savvy was a great word for Craig. He's
really done a great job. I mean, he's probably I
would think he's got to be the story of the
NBA so far. I mean as far as an undrafted
guy coming in. I mean, he's been a big part
in helping him win games down the stretch, particularly when
they've had injuries out point guards out Tyji Erroome's been
(24:56):
out for a while, so it's really opened up an
opportunity for him and man to say he's taking advantage
of it as an understatement, I looked at his shooting
numbers the other night and they were just off the
charts and so, but he's also plays very under control.
He's not totally looking for threes all the time. He's
great in the mid range, and he plays at his
(25:16):
own pace, and that's for a young player to not
get sped up out there is huge and so been
very very impressed with Craig Porter so far.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Mark, is that just the result of all those years
of college basketball. There's so much one and done where
guys come in, But man, if you've got a few
years of college ball under your belt, that experience and
just going through those wars at that level has to
be a huge benefit coming to the NBA.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Yeah, no question. Plus, you know, just a age factor.
I think just a maturity coming into coming into the
league at twenty two or twenty three, you're obviously at
a much more mature level than eighteen nineteen, and so yeah,
I think there's a lot to be said. I know
everybody likes to get in the NBA quick and developed there,
(26:07):
but you know, stand four years is I mean, there's
been a lot of really great player Steph Curry being
one of them, Jim Duncan being another guy, some of
the all time greats. You know, we're four year college
guys and people wonder why they're so good and so
mature as they come into the league. Well, I think
that had something to do with it.
Speaker 3 (26:27):
Well, again, you were one of the greats in the
Cavalier uniform, and Ken, thank you enough for stopping by
Cavs HQ presented by Betway. And again, congratulations on being
added to the Cavs Legends program. It's just fantastic news
for Cavs fans and we look forward to seeing you
hearing you around the Cavs organization here in the future.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
All right, and well, I appreciate it and enjoyed talking
to you.
Speaker 3 (26:51):
Good talking to you too as well. Mark Price, Cavalier
Legend joining us here on Cavs HQ presented by Betway.
Great to have Cavalier Legend Mark Price with us this week.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
We'll take a quick.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
Time out when we come back Cavs and Hawks tomorrow
night at Rocket Mortgage Field House. So we'll check in
with Atlanta's radio play by play man Steve Holman. That
comes your way after this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers
Audio vers Al the middle Tray up straight away three
tray Dang Tray Young de Jahte dribbles up top deshat backing, turning, firing,
(27:29):
foul line.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Hey makes it djatte bari by huge punch basket.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
Hey, Young dribbling up.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
I goes right over to Bogey. Bogey pulls it over.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
Said now back to Trey along. Three is on the
way and good just over half court Tray Young knocks
it down and we welcome you back to Cavs h Q.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
It's presented by Betway all along the Medical Mutual Cavaliers
audiovers Great to have you with us tonight. Great job
by the guys on the other side of the window,
the Dynamic Duo Senior producer Kurt McLoughlin, technical director Marty
Allen as they put that highlight montage together of the
iconic voice of the Atlanta Hawks. Yes, Steve Holman, who
(28:11):
joins us now on dab's HQ. Stevia chuckle is iconic
the appropriate term.
Speaker 10 (28:18):
Yeah, I think it's just another way to say old.
Speaker 4 (28:24):
Well, you certainly are are legendary.
Speaker 10 (28:26):
Legend when they say legendary. When they say legendary, that's
also aka old.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
That's okay.
Speaker 10 (28:32):
I'd rather be old.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
Than not be that's true. That's very very true.
Speaker 10 (28:36):
Right as my father up at Massachusetts when I grew up,
used to say, it beats the alternative.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
There's no doubt about that.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Well, hey, tomorrow night, Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks in
season tournament game here at Rock and Mortgage field House.
So he thought it would be fun to bring you
in and talk a little Atlanta Hawks basketball. Of course,
coming off a tough loss last night in Boston, got
knocked off by the Celtics one thirteen to one oh three.
Hawks now eight and eight. That's where the Calves were
(29:04):
last night before they beat Toronto to go to nine
and eight. But just kind of give us a quick recap,
put it in a nutshell for the first sixteen games
for the Atlanta Hawks.
Speaker 10 (29:14):
Well, you know that they've started to put it together
and it takes a while, you know, Quinn Snyder was
here for twenty games last year. But really this summer
he added all of his own plays and things like that.
He changed the whole coaching staff. So it takes a
while for everything to think in. I think, and you know,
the game last night in Boston, as you know, I mean,
there were some of those games that are kind of
(29:35):
schedule losses. You know, the Hawks had played Saturday night
in Washington at a seven o'clock game, that had to
fly to Boston, got to the hotel about two am,
and then played a six o'clock game last night. Well,
of course, with the Celtics being off, as is usually
the case, they seem to work that schedule. So you know,
the Hawks didn't have much many legs left, and they
(29:57):
lost Jalen Johnson in the game in Washington, who's really
a lot of people probably don't know his name yet,
but he had been stepping up and playing and starting.
He'd been averaging almost fifteen points seven rebounds a game,
and you know, he's been terrific. And that's going to
be a big loss because he broke his bone and
his wrist and he's going to be out probably four
(30:18):
to six weeks.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Now.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
I want to ask you again last night, being an
outlier for Atlanta, as you said, certainly was one that
the schedule didn't do the Hawks any favor. So before that,
the Hawks had scored one thirty six, one forty seven,
and one fifty two in their three previous games before Boston.
(30:41):
What is going on with this team offensively?
Speaker 10 (30:44):
Well, unfortunately, they've given up almost as many points defensively
as well as the offense. So, you know, the offense
has not been a problem. I mean, that's something that
is going to happen. I mean when you've got scores
like Trey and Dadante and Bogey Buckovich, you know, guys
that can all put it in the basket, you know,
and you add like Sidique Bay who can shoot threes.
(31:06):
And Wesley Matthews is on the team this year and
he's a you know, he can shoot threes. So the
offense has not been a problem. What Quinn Snyder is
trying to do is incorporate defense into it. And this
he said last night before the game. You know, when
you give up as many points as the Hawks have
given up, which is right now one hundred and twenty
one a game, he said, it's hard to say, well,
(31:29):
we did some good things, but he thinks they're starting
to progress in that area. In fact, you know, Trey
has actually stepped up and you know, he's got a
bunch of steels this year and he's trying on the defense.
So I think they're trying to get it all together.
We are only sixteen, seventeen games in and sometimes it
(31:49):
takes you know, until Christmas or after to get everybody together.
So you know, we'll see, you know, I hope that
they go beyond the last year forty one and forty one.
You know, here we are eight and eight again, so
I hope that they can progress past that.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
This year again. We're talking with Steve Holman, the great
radio play by play voice of the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta
in town tomorrow night for an n season tournament game
against the Cavaliers. And Steve, you've been around the NBA
a long time. You've seen most of the changes and
the tweaks and some of the ideas that the NBA
has come up with. Some thoughts on what you've seen
(32:23):
and what you observed with this in season tournament.
Speaker 10 (32:26):
Well, you know, the tournament has been pretty interesting. I
think it's gotten fans excited.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
You know.
Speaker 10 (32:32):
Unfortunately, the Hawks, you know, kind of dropped out of
it early, although I guess there is a scenario where
they can get in the wild card and they have
to beat you guys tomorrow night by seventy eight points
to think that could happen.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
You know, we struggle on defense once in a while too,
but I'm not sure about that.
Speaker 10 (32:53):
So there's still a chance, you know, going in and
tomorrow Night's final game of the tournament, there's still a chance.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
Certainly it has been like I do like it.
Speaker 10 (33:03):
I like what it's you know, what it's happening, and
I think we'll all get a little more excited about
it when we see teams playing in Vegas for the
semifinals and finals. Uh, you know, we'd all like to
be there. But the interesting thing is too, you know,
for those of us that don't make the semifinals and finals,
they're going to add two games on the schedule, you know,
one home, one away, And as we sit here today
(33:25):
getting ready to play you guys tomorrow night, you know,
we still have no idea who that would be the
week of December fourth, which is only a couple of
weeks away or week away, and you know, you know
how that poses some problems for travel and things like that.
Scheduling and tickets and so that's going to be interesting,
I think an interesting part of it for teams that
have to you know, play at home, play away an
(33:47):
extra couple of games, which makes the schedule eighty two games.
Speaker 3 (33:50):
Yeah, you're right, that's going to make it very intriguing, Steve.
Circling back to the Hawks, you mentioned this offense is
really flowing, and of course Quinn Snyder in his time
and Utah did some very creative things. What's one or
two differences that you see offensively, even though you still
have Trey Young and do Johntay Murray and Bugdanovitch as
(34:12):
you mentioned earlier. But is there what is Quinn tweaking somewhat?
Speaker 10 (34:17):
Well, you know, he's got the philosophy of tee at
high and let it fly. You know, the three pointers
go they go up all the time, and he encourages
guys to take more threes. You know, he's not a
total you know what we call it analytics nerd type.
I mean, he uses analytics and he likes the fact,
you know, and it makes sense. If you score three points,
(34:39):
it's better than scoring two points. So if you've got
a shot that's open for three, why not take it
rather than pass it up for two, Although he's not
opposed to two point shots, you know, but that's that
to me, that's been the biggest philosophy. Moving around, gets
shots as quickly as possible, and therefore that's why they've scored,
you know, almost one hundred and twenty four points a game.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
I would thing for a guy like Trey Young and
others a Bogie, it plays right into the strengths that
they bring to the floor.
Speaker 10 (35:08):
Oh yeah, Bogie loves it. I mean he you know,
last night he had in that loss, I think he
had four or five six, No, it was seven and
eight I think at one time on three pointers. So
it's really worked out well for him. And you know,
he's just a pro. He's been out there for a
while and and Trey is really you know, Trey, A
lot of people, you know, they like to think he
just shoots threes and that, but he's got ten and
(35:30):
a half assists this year. He's twenty six and a
half points. And he's really been trying on the defense,
which has been a help. And I think he runs
the offense nicely. But you know, you've got the Jane
Murray too, who's you know, by nature point guard. So
the two of them are still working it out, you know,
trying to figure it out on Quinn's system. And I
think once they do get it together, you know, they
(35:51):
should be okay, I would think, I mean, but who knows.
I mean, like I say, we're eight to eight right now,
and is what was that? Doe Parcels always said, you
are what you record is you know.
Speaker 4 (36:01):
Yep, exactly.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
We got about a minute left. But Steve, I wanted
to ask you. You mentioned Quinn was there for twenty
games last year, so really this is his first full
season to kind of work in what he wants to implement.
What were the expectations coming into the year.
Speaker 10 (36:17):
Well, I think that, you know, they wanted to improve,
and that's one of his things is, you know, player
development is a big thing on his agenda, and he
thinks that, you know, if they can improve every night,
something on defense, something on offense, then it will all
start to come together. You know. The thing is is
we all try to battle for those top six spots,
you know, to avoid that play in which the Hawks
(36:38):
have been in the last two years. They've done well
in the play ins, but you know, why put yourself
in that situation. So I think that's one of the
things he really wants to He wants the team to
improve every night and try to get better every night,
which is kind of a cliche thing, I know, but
I think I think he really feels that way that
if they can start getting better by small increments, by
the end of the season, could be in high gear.
Speaker 2 (37:01):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
Steve has always a pleasure to have you on Cavs.
Heq really looking forward to seeing you up in the
Joe Tate perch tomorrow night. Sounds like this could be
a shootout on Tuesday. I don't know if the Hawks
have the seventy eight point differential to put themselves into
the knockout round, but let's hope you have a fun
game on Tuesday night.
Speaker 10 (37:21):
Well, I'll lets you know how our luck is on
Tuesday night after I get go to the casino tonight.
Speaker 4 (37:27):
Sounds good. You enjoy your time there, sounds good.
Speaker 10 (37:31):
Steve always like the healthy economy.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
In Northeast Ohio.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
You got that right, Steve Olman joining us on Cavs
HQ presented by Betway. Steve just the terrific play by
play announcer for the Atlanta Hawks.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
Quick time Out.
Speaker 3 (37:45):
We'll put the finishing touches on this week's edition of
caves HQU presented by Betway after this on the Medical
Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
Boy, that was a fun show.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
That's going to do it for this week's edition of
caves HQ present by Betway. Thanks to Steve Holman for
stopping by and paying us a visit. Huge thanks to
Mark Price. Great to have the Cavalier legend on, and
the biggest thanks goes to you, the listeners. Now we'll
be back with you again tomorrow night Calves and Hawks
in season tournament basketball at Rock and Mortgage field House.
(38:18):
It'll tip at seven thirty Huntington tip off show at
seven on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers audio Verse. So until then,
thank you much for listening, and so long everybody,
Hosts And Creators
Tim Alcorn
Jim Chones
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Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.