Postgame Quick Hits from last night’s 111-103 win over the Bucks in Milwaukee:

The Good:

AP Photo/Darren Hauck

1.  LeBron James.  Really, words can’t describe it.  More “No-no-no-no-YEAH!” shots in two minutes and fifty seconds than you’ll ever see.  Not an iconic performance from LeBron by any means, but it was a performance that had everyone saying “I didn’t think LeBron could do that.”  Apparently he can.  The question remains whether you want him to or not.

2.  Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11 points) once again proved he is the toughest Cavalier, standing up to Charlie Villanueva when he tossed Anderson Varejao down by the face.  While the team is good about coming to the aid of an injured teammate, they aren’t especially tough when it comes to getting the back of a teammate taking a cheap shot.  Z was right there to tell Villanueva that his antics were not appreciated.  I’m not an advocate of the “enforcer” role in basketball - this isn’t hockey -  but it’s nice to see a little meanness from the big fella.

3.  Mo Williams was at times very good (23 points), at times very bad (4 turnovers), but he provided a much-needed second offensive weapon with Tarence Kinsey, Wally Szczerbiak and Daniel Gibson combining for just 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

The Bad:

1.  I was worried about the Cavs and their commitment to excellence after the trade deadline.  The defense has been inconsistent of late, and we aren’t seeing the intensity and the attention to detail that the Cavs were demonstrating in November and December.  If the opposing team is committed to getting to the rim, the Cavs haven’t done much to stop them.  That continued last night, as the Bucks had 44 points in the paint and 24 second-chance points.  Those are easy points, and they allowed the Bucks to hang around despite LeBron’s prolific scoring.  We know that the Cavaliers have consistently raised their defensive performance in the Playoffs, I’m just not as confident that they have the players to do that.

2.  Speaking of personnel, today Brian Windhorst has a story saying that Zydrunas Ilgauskas is still dealing with an ankle injury that might not be completely healed until after the season.  WHAT?  You’re telling me that the Cavs didn’t add another big man at the trade deadline, not just knowing that Z was aging and could suffer an injury, but rather knowing that he currently had a semi-chronic ankle injury?  Z has looked okay lately, but he definitely looks slower than he did early in the season.  I am really bothered by the idea that a Championship run could be hobbled by an injury that the Cavs knew about before the deadline and failed to support.  It looks like whoever the Cavaliers sign off waivers in the next few weeks will is not just going to get emergency work, but will also be asked to help rest Z later in the season.  I’m not happy about this.

3.  I was disappointed by Charlie Villanueva’s classless attacks above the shoulders of both Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.  Shots to the face happen through the course of the game, but Villanueva put his hand on Varejao’s face and kept it there after Varejao grabbed the rebound.  It was intentional and unnecessary, and therefore classless.  Then he put his hand around Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ neck when Z stood up for his teammates.  I like Villanueva as a player, and he had a fantastic game last night (23 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists).  But there is no place for his behavior last night, and I think a one-game suspension is in order.  Then again, when Zach Randolph is sucker-punching guys and only getting a two game suspension, I would say a suspension is unlikely.

The Questions:

1.  Will we start seeing some more focus from the Cavaliers?  I’m still concerned that the lack of moves at the trade deadline will have the Cavs a little too comfortable and complacent, especially against the lesser teams.

2.  What’s wrong with Daniel Gibson?  Gibson has been awful of late.  I don’t know if it is injuries or what, but it might be time to put him on the shelf when Delonte West returns, because his 20 minutes a night are a waste.  

3.  Why is tomorrow’s game at night?  It’s Sunday.  It’s Oscar Night.  This doesn’t make any sense to me.

Go Cavs.

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