Game Quotes: Cavaliers vs. Nets - February 9, 2009

(On what the team struggled with tonight):
“Obviously, there were some things we could’ve done better on both ends. I thought that in the first half, we didn’t have as much grit as we normally do. That’s something we have built our reputation on. It wasn’t quite there in the first half, it wasn’t quite there in the second half, but with other guys stepping up, especially offensively, we found a way to get the W.”

(On opponents shooting over fifty percent the past two games):
“That’s where I say that the grit wasn’t quite there tonight. I don’t think that defensively, we were as locked in or as physical as we have been in the past. I don’t know why, there are probably numerous reasons why…but it’s something we can hopefully change for the next game, especially with Orlando coming in here. We are going to have to be more of a physical team on the defensive end in order to get the win.”

(On their current 12-game winning streak):
“You know, to have a 12-game winning streak on this level or any level is impressive. Again, you want to be greedy as a coach. You want to play better defensively this game than the last game. Our guys have earned the 12-game winning streak. They have found a way to win these last two games. For the most part defensively, we have been really good. We’ve been physical without sending teams to the free throw line a ton. Offensively we haven’t ran much, but we have got the ball from one side of the floor to another…so we have done some nice things on both ends of the floor throughout this winning streak.”

(On if this team has exceeded his expectations):
“We still have a ways to go, we can still get better. I didn’t have any expectations on our win total this year and I still don’t. I think we just need to go out and approach it as one game at a time and try to play that opponent in order to get the win and play the right way on top of that. The win/loss record will take care of itself as long as we focus in on the things that we need to.”

(On playing focused despite trade rumors and other distractions):
“We have a nice veteran team, which is good. We (also) have a couple young guys, but the vets on the team do a nice job of leading and keeping the young guys focused, so I really haven’t had to do much except for coach the team. That’s what’s a joy about being around these guys – they have great heads on their shoulders. We have guys that have won championships, we have guys that have played in big games and done some nice things in this league. They are trying to play the right way for each other, which is good and fun to be around. I haven’t said much about it. I’ve just been able to coach with the rest of the coaches.”

(On the team’s recent fast break success):
“We’re just pushing the ball and getting into our offense early. We have a lot of guys who can run the floor with Andy, Jamario and Parker. We just try to get easy buckets to help our team in the long run. You always need easy points like that.”

(On team being able to flip a switch):
“We played well throughout the whole game. We got stops in the fourth quarter and Jawad hit two three-pointers to bump the lead up. I’m not sure if it’s much of a switch; we just decided to get some stops.”

(On the bench contributions):
“Our bench is one of the deepest in the NBA, if not the deepest. Their job is to come in and give us energy as it puts a lot less pressure on the starters.”

(On the team’s success):
“It’s all about us trying to get better every day. If we do that, we give ourselves a chance to win. We have to continue the flow. We have guys who’ve been in the league a long time and know how to play good basketball, we’ve got a great coaching staff and we just try to execute the game plan. I didn’t think we’d be 42-11 near the break, but we are playing some good basketball.”

(On Thursday’s game against Orlando):
“They’re a good team. We always play well against good teams. It’s the last game before the all-star break, so we know it’s going to be exciting.”

(On the team’s performance tonight):
“Coming into the game, we knew that those guys play hard. They’ve been in a lot of games that they haven’t been able to win. We knew they were going to play hard and we just wanted to stick to our game plan and finish the game the right way.”

(On the current win streak):
“This win streak is definitely a real productive win streak. A lot of guys, maybe with those guys (Mo Williams and Delonte West) in, would not be getting the opportunity to play and play well at that. A guy like Jawad is getting a lot of minutes right now, and with those guys (Williams and West) out, he’s getting valuable experience out on the floor that will help us come playoff time.”

(On the mindset of the team going against Orlando on Thursday):
“We understand that they’re one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, and we know that it’s going to be a challenge for us. At the same time we know our approach can’t be any different from tonight. We have to approach it the same way with the same mentality that we are going to impose our will.”

(On the Nets and the game):
“I thought we played well. I think the Cavs showed why they are such a great team, especially at home. They finished the game well. We just have to learn to finish off games. It’s the little things that are getting us. But, I can’t fault the effort. We played very, very hard and I thought everyone who played contributed.”

(On playing through tough stretches):
“I think we had a couple of tough stretches, we had one toward the end of the first (quarter) when we really had a lot of momentum. We gave it back, we had a few turnovers right in a row. The beginning of the fourth (quarter), I think we gave them a few turnovers right in a row and took a few ill-advised shots. But, all in all, that’s going to happen in short minutes. Again, it’s a couple possession game. For us, this (Cavs) is a very good basketball team. I have no complaints with our guys.”

(On Jarvis Hayes and Courtney Lee):
“They kept us in the game. When we needed buckets, they came through for us, Jarvis in the first half, Courtney in the second half. They were both very, very good, and not only, they played very good defense.”

(On what to do with LeBron James in the fourth quarter of a close game):
“What you try to do is double him and get it out of his hands. We tried to do that, at times he scored anyway. But, that’s why he’s LeBron James. He’s just a great basketball player clearly. At the end, you’ve got to be perfect if you’re going to win.”

(On the Nets):
“We played tough again. There was a part where we were down 17 (points), and we fought back to single digits and that gave us a shot at the end of the game. They (Cavs) are probably the best team in the league right now. LeBron is going to get his tough ones, we just have to shake it off and go back at the other end.”

(On Nets coming back in recent games):
“We’ve definitely become more resilient. And, you can see it, obviously, in each game. So, we’re definitely growing.”

(On reaction to Shaquille O’Neal’s compliments about his game the last time the Nets were in Cleveland):
“It’s a huge compliment. It just gives me a lot of confidence. He’s definitely one of the greatest, if not the most dominant, centers of the game, so it’s definitely a feather in the cap. Every time I go up against him, I take it as a challenge to see where I am at and try to improve my game. Obviously, he’s one of the greats, so I take it as a benchmark to see where I am at.”

(On LeBron James taking over a game in the second half):
“You know in the first half, he’s trying to get everyone involved and get some guys hot. He’s going to come out very assertive in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, depending on how the game is going. We were sticking around for three quarters, so he definitely had to assert himself.”

(On LeBron James in the fourth quarter):
“You know he’s going to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game. And, he’s such an elite player in this league, that he’s going to make a play. We’d have to capitalize on a miss, or make it up on the other end. But, when he did make a play and his teammates missed, it seemed like they always came up with the loose ball, or get the extra possession that they needed to extend the game.”