The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Hill has been a catalyst in Cavs’ success
Columnist Jeff Schudel says George Hill was a catalyst for the Cavs in the Toronto series.
Emeril Lagasse and other chefs go through failed attempts, adding this seasoning, holding back on another seasoning and making other changes before presenting the finished product at their famous restaurants.
That’s the way it has been for Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue this season. He doesn’t wear one of those puffy white chef hats while pacing in front of his team’s bench, but the taste left in the mouths of fans after the Cavaliers wiped out the Toronto Raptors, 128-93, on May 7 suggests he has hit on the right recipe.
The Cavs battled through the regular season to finish 50-32. It was their worst record on a team with LeBron James on it since they finished 45-37 in 2007-08.
The struggles of the regular season followed them into the start of the playoffs. They needed a seventh game to eliminate the Indiana Pacers, needed overtime to beat Toronto in the first game of the semifinals and needed a buzzer-beater by James to win Game 3.
The 35-point victory in Game 4 was more than just a stepping stone to the Eastern Conference finals against the winner of the Boston-Philadelphia series. It was a statement of how good the Cavaliers could be when George Hill, J.R Smith and Kevin Love get involved early in the offensive attack. Players are inspired to play better defense when they know they’ll be contributing on offense.
“Defensively, we’re playing pretty well,” Lue said after the game. “When we get stops, we’re
able to get out in transition and play with pace.
“This series, we made shots. A lot of guys stepped up. Having four or five guys in double figures every night is big for us.”
Hill, one of four players acquired on Feb. 8 at the trading deadline, was a catalyst for the Cavs in the Toronto series. The starting point guard helps facilitate the offense so James doesn’t have to do everything.
Hill missed three entire games of the Indiana series and one half of two others with a stiff back. He had 12 points in Game 4 against Toronto to go along with five assists. He had six points in the first four minutes — four of them on running dunks.
Either the Celtics or the Sixers are going to have trouble doubling James if Hill and the rest of the supporting cast continue to play as it did in closing out the Raptors.
“It was good ball movement,” Hill said of the Cavs offense that shot 59.5 percent and notched 29 assists. “We set the tone early. We were pushing. It gave LeBron a break. It took (the Raptors) from laying their body on him where he was able to get to his spots and come give us a spark later in the game.”
It is no surprise Hill is making the biggest contribution of the players
acquired at the trading deadline.
The playoff stage doesn’t overwhelm the 31-year-old veteran.
Larry Nance Jr. plays only in garbage time now that Tristan Thompson is getting increased minutes. Jordan Clarkson isn’t as aggressive shooting the ball as he was in the regular season.
Rodney Hood, the fourth player acquired at the deadline, reportedly refused to enter Game 4 in garbage time. The Associated Press reported Hood is not being disciplined.
The Cavaliers don’t return to practice until May 10. They will be working without knowing their next opponent if Philadelphia wins Game 5 in Boston on May 9.
“(Playing) every other day is tough on your body,” Hill said. “I’m glad we got a couple days (off). We’ll get to enjoy it and come back locked in ready to play whoever we have to defend.”
Schudel can be reached at jschudel@news-herald. com; @jsproinsider on Twitter.