Luol Deng Slowly Brought Maturity To Cavaliers

[jonathanlambert33]

After the first couple weeks of the season, I didnt think mature was a word I would use to describe this Cavs teams mindset or even my own. Its happening slowly, but its happening, and I hope the Cavs are able to hold on to this change. When Luol Deng was traded to the Cavs, he brought an above average defense and often times struggling shot in his suitcase . He also brought some maturity. He knows no rash emotions and it shows when he is asked about missing the playoffs for the first time in four years in this Bob Finnan piece.

Its definitely tough, [Deng] said. But I think its tough for everybody, not just because Ive been there and some other guys havent. This group of guys wanted to be in the playoffs so bad. We did everything we could.
Weve had our ups and downs. We havent been consistent. Weve shown how good we can be and also shown how bad we could be.

If Deng leaves after this season, Ill remember him for being so even emotionally. He could have leaked stuff about our failing locker room and tried to explain away his troubles, but he stayed quiet and played hard.

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In school, I remember learning about Ronald Reagans form of trickle-down-economics. If you give money to rich people, it will eventually trickle down and help everyone in society. What about trickle-down attitudes? Luol Dengs maturity seems to have permeated the whole team. There was talk last week about Dion Waiters taking responsibility for the loss to the Thunder. Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer is continuing the talk about Dions growth.

In another somewhat ironic indication of his maturity, Waiters has recently been playing the peacemaker when an opponent, like Phoenixs Channing Frye, takes exception to a teammate, often pesky rookie Matthew Dellavedova, or when Brown gets upset with the officials, as he did in the recent game against San Antonio. Last year, more often that not, it was Waiters who needed to be calmed down.

http://www.cavstheblog.com/?p=25154

 

[jonathanlambert33]

This is a gem.

https://twitter.com/ChrisVito/statuses/437287686769238016

 

[elcheato]

Henry Sims has had a few nice games in Philly. Thought he looked like a solid 4th big in pre-season to be honest.