Cavs Can't Overcome 1st Quarter Defensive Collapse

Hughes scored 28 points ( 10/21 from the field, 4/8 from behind the arc, 4/4 from the free throw line) and had, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. However, his effort did not make up for the Cavaliers 1st quarter defensive collapse allowing 40 points by the Sonics.

Cavs Top Red Hot Blazers 84 to 82 Hughes Falters

After back to back productive games Hughes could not get it going in the Cavaliers 84 to 82 win over the Portland Trailblazers. Hughes shot just 2-11 from the filed, 0-2 from behind the arc and 4-6 from the free throw line.
Hughes was able to create shots within the offense. However, he was able to connect from the perimeter, or by attacking the basket and hoisting up floaters and pull up jump shots.

Larry Brown on His Former Player Larry Hughes

When you start out on a road trip and you have a big game like that, especially an Eastern team coming out west for a marquee game with Kobe versus LeBron, you’ll take any win you can get. To get a win without Varejao and Pavlovic on the road against the Lakers when they are playing well was huge. That is a great way to start a trip. LeBron is playing at such an unbelievably high level but I think since they put Larry back at point I notice he seems to be getting better by the game and that is such a key factor for them. LeBron can only do so much but when your point guard can score the ball, can defend and get other people involved like Larry seems to be doing it, it really takes a lot of pressure off LeBron.

A Fan's Tribute to Silky Smooth

Larry Accepts New Role

A key to the Cavaliers' stepped-up play--they entered the week on an Eastern Conference-best 11-3 run since Christmas--has been the bench, namely C Anderson Varejao, PG Daniel Gibson and SF Devin Brown. The trio has been so effective that when starting SG Sasha Pavlovic went out for at least six weeks with an injured left foot, coach Mike Brown inserted Ira Newble into the lineup to keep from breaking up his top reserves. Another factor in the team's improvement: G Larry Hughes was told to focus on defense and not worry about scoring, and he accepted the new role. . . .

Hughes Shines in Cavaliers Win Over Lakers

After scoring 25 points in a recent loss Hughes responded with another solid game in a 98/95 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Hughes scored 16 points (7/13 from the field and 2/4 from behind the arc), grabbed 4 rebounds, distributed 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. The second blocked shot came with 13 seconds remaining in the contest after Hughes's errant pass was defected by Laker Kobe Bryant.

Hughes would play an integral role in the Cavaliers reclaiming the lead in the fourth quarter. He found Ira Newble for an uncontested finish at the rim with 5:53 remaining in the contest. His turnaround jump shot with 5:22 remaining would bring brought the Cavaliers within 1 point of the Lakers. Hughes turnaround jump shot with 4:27 remaining gave Cleveland a 90/86 lead. Hughes would connect on the following possession to give the Cavaliers a 6 point lead with 3:07 remaining.

Larry Performs Well In Loss to Suns

Well Larry has not taken more than 10 field goal attempts for the 15th time this season. What was the result?????????????????????????

25 points, 6/13 from the field, 3/5 from behind the arc, 10/11 from the free throw line, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. I wonder what the difference was?

Happy Birthday Larry Hughes

Today Larry Hughes is 29 years of age. Best of luck in turning things around for the remainder of the season.

Website Warriors By The Numbers?

Given that such attention has been given to the low statistical production of Hughes. One must consider the performance of his team mates this season.

Superstar LeBron James has connected on a meager 29% of his 163 3 point field goal attempts in 35 games. James is shooting nearly 5 3 point field goal attempts per contests. Bad shots???? Hughes as been 70% as productive in this area in slightly over 1/3 of the attempts. Is Jame's shot selection worthy of its own website?

Sharp Shooter Aleksandar Pavlovic is shooting an impressive 35% from the field and 29% from the free 3 point line. One must note that Pavlovic has attempted more attempts than Hughes in each (shooting) statistical category and faired similarly well if not absolutely worse.

Daniel Gibson, one of the NBA's premier three point marksmen is the Cavaliers true point guard as he averages 5 more minutes than Hughes. He has also appeared in 12 more contests than Hughes and plays point guard exclusively. Which so much talk surrounding Hughes assist per game/turn over ration one fails to recognize that he is a combo guard who plays both positions every contest( that is when he is actually involved in the offense and plays shoots more than 10 field goals). Gibson has only averaged a half an assist more than Hughes for the duration of the season though he sees more action and plays the point ALL GAME.

Also with the emphasis being placed on fouls committed by Hughes on a certain illogical blog one must consider that Gibson ( a defensive liability) averages nearly one more foul per game, and one less steal per game than Hughes.

Power forward Drew Gooden is shooting a career low 44% from the field. Bad shots???

Is Less More

In the contests where Hughes has attempted 10 or more field goals I wonder how he has performed?

14 Games Total
25.64 minutes per game
An insignificant 10.9 field goal attempts per game
42% from the field,
12.6 points per game
3.5 rebounds per game
1.9 assists per game
1.5 steals per game
39% from behind the arc
89% from the free throw line

Hmmmm.... seems rather logical..

Hey Larry Hughes

http://heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com/

The aforementioned site was developed and frequented by Cleveland Cavalier fans who obviously don't understand the game of basketball. There is no in depth breakdown of the analysis provided. There are no sources cited and or strong statistical correlation just plain slander.

The fact of the matter is that Hughes is having a bad season. He isn't playing even ample minutes on average, he has no role in the Cavaliers offense but to simply bring the ball up and make an entry pass, nor are any set plays ran for Hughes.

However, these facts as well as any sort of detailed description of these phantom bad shots aren't provided in this joke of a blog. Also, there isn't a hint of expectation and for the player being urged to , " please stop taking so many bad shots". Since when does less than 10 attempts per contest constitute "so many"?

Since we are so concerned with establishing statistically correlations its is obvious that when Hughes attempts more field goals his productivity has significantly increased.

After Indiana

After his outburst against the Indiana Pacers Hughes has averaged 28.3333 minutes per game. In limited action Hughes has averaged 10 field goals per game and connected on a dissmal 31% of his attempts.

As a rookie, Hughes played played with Allen Iverson, who has a similar style of play.( Hughes is often referred to as a larger Iverson) Hughes averaged 8.28 field goals per game and a subsequent 9.1ppg in less than 20 minutes per contest. Larry is averaging 7.78 ppg post 12/11 and a near career low 9.2 ppg this season.

Also, one must take note that Hughes was re-inserted into the starting line up as the team's point guard( which history indicates that Hughes has not performed well as a point guard but more of a combo guard i.e playing along Arenas). For those who actually view Cavaliers games and not just look at the stat sheet one can see Hughes bringing the ball up court, dishing off to a teamate( James, Illgauskas, Pavlovic, or Gibson) and essentially standing around shortly thereafter.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this ordeal out. Hughes needs a higher degree of invovlement in the offense, to play off the ball, and to actually play more than 28 minutes per game. However, one should note that Hughes has not complained about playing time, or his role publicly.

07/08 New Hope

The expectation entering the current NBA Season(2007/2008) was to finally incorporate Hughes as an integral role in the office. This was to fulfil the promise/expectations that led to his signing. Hughes had a great off season in prepration for the season.

However, Hughes took just 45 shots in the season's initial 5 games. (9fga/game) A player who has earned a 65 million dollar contact would naturally want more than 9 field goal attempts per contest which only resulted in .4 free throw attempts in that 5 game span. Hughes also played an anything but substantial 25.6 minutes during that period.

The worst was yet to come as Hughes would be sidelined for a month with a lower leg injury. In his return against the Orlando Magic, Hughes only connected on 6/17 field goals but was 2/5 from the three point line as well as 8/9 from the free throw line. ( a 22 point outing) He was able to accomplish this coming off the bench in just 28 minutes of play.

Former NBA coach and current analyst Doug Collins ( who coached Hughes as a Washington Wizard) bassically sumarized Larry Hughes's game in describing him as a slaher, who creates opportunities for himself and others who likes to get to the free throw line. He went on to express that he has been religated to that of a spot up jump shooter as a Cavalier which is not his game.

Larry's approach and style of play was most evident on 12/11 in his second game back from injury. Hughes, came off the bench once again ( tallying 26 minutes of action) to connect 13/17 from the field, 5/8 from behind the arc, 5/5 from the free throw line, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

And 1 to Add To The Collection

If you have followed Hughes's career you'd know that he was initially an And1 signed player. He sported the And1 Tai Chi, as well as the Silky Smooth( the later derived from his moniker). However, in most recent years Hughes has worn Nike.

When his brother Justin passed away last May, Larry Hughes had to deal with the loss of his biggest fan and closest confidant. This special edition of the Nike Air Limelight, in home and away colors, honors Larry’s deep connection to his brother with Justin’s nickname, “Goo,” embroidered on the patent leather straps. As Cleveland continues to move forward in the postseason, Larry never forgets the true inspiration behind his game. Check back every Thursday for a new exclusive.

06-07 Season Mixed Results Change in Style of Play

Hughes appeared in 70 games (68 starts) during the 2006-07 NBA season. He connected on 74 3pt field goals the second best season total of his career. He also played in 2,596 minutes for the season( a career best), and decreased his turnover per game average from 3.3 to 2.3.

However, hughes would only connect on 5.4/13.6 field goals per game bringing him slighly under 40% from the field on the season. Even more astounding was him shoooting a career low 68% from the free throw line.

Mixed results definitely sums up Hughes performance during the season. However, one must take into account that Hughes played through injuries for the duration of the season and essentailly stood around on the perimeter watching the offense flow exclusivley through LeBron James. Once can view Hughes significant change in playing style by reviewing the mix provided below.

My Brother's Keeper

In the midst of a playoff battle Hughes brother Justin, passed leaving the player in utter despair. His teamates would lend support in attending Justin's funeral. Hughes would pay tribute to his fallen loved one by tatooing two tear drops below his left eye.

In the event of his brother's passing Hughes once again exhibited courage and resilience. "Hughes immediately returned to St. Louis to resume his role as the strength of the family. In the program for the funeral service, Hughes wrote, "I am my brother's keeper. My life is his world. His life is my everything."

Not A Good Fit

As a basketball player, fan of the game, and avid follower of of the professional sport for the last 10 years I could see that Larry did not fit the Cleveland Cavaliers. I viewed reports such as the one provided below with curiosity and lack of understanding.

Anyone who has watched Hughes play for his previous teams know that he is most proficient as an off guard, given the freedom to create and distribute. I did not understand why cleveland would pursue someone who's style does not compliment but mirrors that of their franchize player LeBron James. If pairing swing man Ricky Davis and James didn't work then Hughes certainly woulnd't work.



Larry's projected statistics were expected to be closer to his career numbers as he was to defer to James in all areas. He would go on to appear in 36 games (31 starts), average 15.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6apg, and 1.5spg. Thouugh he was missed the Cavaliers managed to advanced to the second round of the post season.

Joining King James Court

Deal believed to be worth $65M to $70M

By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
(Archive)

Updated: July 9, 2005, 7:49 PM ET

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Larry Hughes has come to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a five-year deal, his agent, Jeff Wechsler, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford.


Larry Hughes
Shooting Guard
Washington Wizards
Profile


2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
61 22.0 6.3 4.7 .430 .777

"Larry intends to sign a contract with the Cavs when the moratorium ends," Wechsler said.

Wechsler wouldn't comment on the actual numbers of the deal, but it's believed to be a five-year deal between $65 million and $70 million.

Wechsler told Insider that he informed Washington Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld on Thursday that Hughes won't be returning to the Wizards.

"Larry's agent informed us that he will not be returning to the Washington Wizards," Wizards spokesman Zack Bolno told The Associated Press on Friday. "Obviously, we provided Larry with a very fair and meaningful offer."

For the Cavs, Hughes gives them a great scorer and defender to put at the two alongside LeBron James. Hughes is a fantastic ball handler and rebounder for a two-guard making him -- like LeBron -- a very versatile piece in the puzzle. However, he's not a perfect fit in Cleveland. Hughes is not a good 3-point shooter (a big need for the Cavs), has a history of injuries and has been inconsistent throughout his career.

The Cavs had pursued both Ray Allen and Michael Redd before settling on Hughes.

With Hughes on board, the Cavs will now focus their atttention on bringing back free agent Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They're also in hot pursuit of Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, widely regarded as the best international player not playing in the NBA. The Cavs should have roughly $15 million left under the cap (based on an estimated $49 million cap) to make it happen.

The news comes as major blow to the Wizards, who were confident they could re-sign Hughes. The Wizards eventually offered up to six years, $70 million, a source within the team told ESPN.com, but it wasn't enough to keep Hughes in D.C..

The Wizards now have to start over from scratch. The team now has a big hole at the two to fill and must also deal with the likely departure of Kwame Brown. The Wizards can get about $9 million below the cap if they don't re-sign Brown. However, the market for two guards is getting thin.

The last major two guard on the market is Joe Johnson. However, Johnson is a restricted free agent and most teams believe that the Suns will match any offer. There's also talk from multiple league sources that Johnson is in serious negotiations with the Atlanta Hawks about signing a max offer sheet.

That leaves Bobby Simmons, Cuttino Mobley and Latrell Sprewell as the top two guards left on the board. The Wizards could also, at this point, try to work out a sign-and-trade with Brown that brings them back a top-flight shooting guard.

Cavaliers spokesman Tad Carper declined to comment on Hughes, saying the team is not speaking about the free agency process.

A member of the Wizards' so-called Big Three, along with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, Hughes helped Washington reach the playoffs for the first time since 1997. The Wizards' first-round defeat of the Chicago Bulls was the franchise's first playoff series victory since 1982.

Hughes has averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists over seven NBA seasons with Washington, Golden State and Philadelphia.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

Source ESPN.COM

Practicing Wizardry

In his first season as a Washington Wizard Hughes performed as GM Wes Unsled, coach Doug Collins, and his airness Michael Jordan expected. He played 1,2, and 3 as well as defended each of the positions. He shot a career best 47% from the filed, and 36% on 3 point field goals. Hughes has become a contributor in the half court set.

Approaching the 2003/2004 season Hughes pre-season performance earned him a starting slot alongside recently acquired Gilbert Arenas and veteran Jerry Stackhouse. Though he would only appear in 61 games Hughes would average a then career high 18.8 points per game. Fans would not get to experience the electricity of Arenas/Hughes until the following season.

Antawn Jamison would be swapped for Jerry Stackhouse. The trio of Hughes, Arenas, and Stackhouse would prove to be formidable. As Arenas and Jamison emerged as allstars Hughes posted careers numbers and would be recognized for his stellar defense. Most notably he would go on to lead the NBA in steals per game 2.9 s/g.





Year Team G GS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OFF DEF REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS


02-03 WAS 67 56 2,137 346-741 29-79 136-186 67 241 308 205 86 24 136 149 857
03-04 WAS 61 61 2,061 401-1,009 79-232 267-335 96 230 326 148 95 26 152 147 1,148
04-05 WAS 61 61 2,358 467-1,086 59-209 352-453 74 308 382 285 176 18 153 168 1,345

It Feels Good To Be Wanted

After essentially being displaced in Golden State, Hughes found a home in the nation's capital.

Wizards add free agent Hughes to backcourt


July 18, 2002
SportsLine.com wire reports
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WASHINGTON -- Free agent guard Larry Hughes signed a three-year contract with Washington on Thursday, choosing the Wizards over several other NBA teams.

"It's a tremendous opportunity to come into an organization whose goal is focused on winning, with a main focus of playing in that championship game and coming out on top," said Hughes, who also was considering Philadelphia, Minnesota, Miami and four other franchises.

The 6-foot-5, 184-pound Hughes, who can play either guard position, will have an opening salary of $4.5 million. He averaged 12.4 points and 4.3 assists in 73 games with the Golden State Warriors last season.

"We've been, in essence, trying to secure Larry for two years, so this is not something that just came about on the spur of the moment," Wizards general manager Wes Unseld said. "We feel real comfortable that he is going to bring some more versatility to our basketball team. He can play the 1, the 2 or the 3, but what we want him to do is just play basketball.

"There are times when we need a guard who can defensively play the 1 with a little more size than we have. And there are times when we need a backup or someone to play alongside Richard Hamilton. What we're trying to do is give the coaches as much versatility as we can."

Hughes has averaged 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists during a four-year NBA career with Philadelphia and Golden State.

"I'm a lot better player now than I was in Philadelphia," Hughes said. "I'm only 23, and I've learned a lot in these four years.

"I feel comfortable playing both (guard positions). I like giving my opponent different things to look at, whether it be off the ball or on the ball. I don't want to limit myself to any one position."

During the 2000-01 season, Hughes averaged career highs in points (16.5), rebounds (5.5), assists (4.5) and steals (1.5) joining Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, Steve Francis and Antoine Walker as the only players to average at least 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals that season.

Hughes left Saint Louis University after his freshman year and was the eighth overall selection in the 1998 draft by Philadelphia.

"It's good to feel like you're wanted, and Wes Unseld made me feel like I was top priority," Hughes said. "And I wanted to be here, so it was a good fit. I think this is the best spot for me."

Hughes would enjoy brief success both on and off the court as an emerging star in Oakland, Ca. He would host philanthropic events such as a gas giveaway where he pumped gas for local residents as well as be honored by the city by a mural depicting he and teamate Antawn Jamison being featured on a downtown high rise building.

However, after 2.5 injury plagued, and unsuccessful seasons Golden State did not match an offer from the Washington Wizards to Hughes a restricted free agent. It is ironic that Golden State attempted to convert Hughes into a full time point guard to play alongside recent draft pick Jason Richardson much like how the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently using Hughes. Also, irony can be found in Gilbert Arenas taking Hughes starting position. This displaced Hughes and established Arenas as a creditable point guard and emerging star.

In 2.5 seasons Hughes posted the following statistics as a member of the Golden State Warriors. G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
99-00 GSW 32 32 40.8 0.389 0.243 0.736 1.9 4.0 5.9 4.1 1.9 0.5 3.13 3.00 22.7
00-01 GSW 50 45 36.9 0.383 0.187 0.766 1.5 4.0 5.5 4.5 1.9 0.6 3.04 2.90 16.5
01-02 GSW 73 56 28.1 0.423 0.194 0.737 1.1 2.2 3.4 4.3 1.5 0.3 2.34 2.10 12.3

Though Hughes scored, distributed the ball, and rebounded well his shooting remained erratic, and his decision making needed improvement. However, in his final season Hughes would garner praise for his maturity as a player from his biggest critic Larry Brown. Hughes would opt not to resign with the Philadelphia 76'ers and head to the nation's capital to joint the Washington Wizards.

Flight Brothers of Philadelphia Part Ways

Hughes would play 1.5 seasons for the Philadelphia 76'ers. The combination of Allen Iverson and Hughes did not live up to expectations. In two seasons as a reserve for the 76'ers Hughes would posted the following numbers.

Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
98-99 PHI 50 1 19.8 0.411 0.154 0.709 1.7 2.1 3.8 1.5 0.9 0.3 1.36 1.90 9.1
99-00 PHI 50 5 20.4 0.416 0.216 0.746 1.0 2.1 3.2 1.5 1.1 0.2 1.90 1.90 10.0



Hughes would be traded to the Golden State Warriors after 50 games in the 1999-2000 season. This would mark a pivotal change in Hughes career. He would become a full time starter for the Warriors for the remaining 32 games of the 1999-2000 season.

According to Hughes NBA.com Bio "averaged 22.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 40.8 minutes in 32 games with the Warriors…scored a career-high 44 points versus Denver on April 9"

Hughes Drafted 8th Overall By The Philadelphia 76'ers

In 1998 then Philadelphia 76'er coach Larry Brown took a chance on a 6'5 185 combo guard with a streaky shooting touch out of the University of St. Louis. Here Hughes can be seen with NBA Commissioner David Stern as he is selected on that fateful day. Being selected was not only a triumph for Hughes but for his family who has served as a motivational factor for his professional aspiration.

Article Discussing Hughes as an NBA Prospect and Why He Chose to Enter the NBA Draft

Larry Hughes,
Saint Louis

Class: Freshman Position: Guard

Height: 6'5" Weight: 185

DOB: Jan. 23, 1979

Hometown: St. Louis

High School: Christian Brothers Academy

Vital Stats: 21.4 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.1 steals

by David Seigerman

The first rule of recruiting is to harvest your own backyard. That's especially the case when the would-be beneficiary is a mid-major program that may be one player away from making a peep on the national scene. Memphis kept Anfernee Hardaway at home and came within one game of the Final Four. Shea Seals stayed in Tulsa and took his hometown Hurricanes to back-to-back Sweet 16 showings.

After allowing outsiders to pluck Chris Carrawell, Loren Woods and Jahidi White in recent years (from a single high school, nontheless), Saint Louis University simply had to land Larry Hughes. Truth is, it was probably the easiest recruiting effort of Charlie Spoonhour's career.

Hughes, a McDonald's All America and top 10 point guard prospect, never thought much about leaving St. Louis. He spurned overtures from Syracuse and Michigan because he refused to leave his single mother, Vanessa, alone to care for his 11-year-old brother, Justin. Born with a defective heart valve, Justin went into cardiac arrest the last week of 1996. On Jan. 2, 1997, Hughes waited at his mother's side while Justin received a heart transplant, the gift of life from a 16-year-old girl who had been killed in a car accident.

Though he suffered brain damage after the transplant, Justin has recovered enough to become a regular around the Saint Louis basketball program. He didn't miss a single home game as his older brother emerged as the leading scorer in Conference USA and the primary reason the Billikens are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995—and for only the fifth time in school history. "I liked the idea of [my family] being able to see every one of my games and be at the locker room afterward," Hughes says.

Spoonhour, of course, is ecstatic about the way his cornerstone recruit has blossomed despite the family turmoil and the media scrutiny afforded hometown heroes. "He brings a maturity most people don't associate with freshmen," Spoonhour says. "He's pretty comfortable with himself."

Hughes made the transition to college basketball with such comfort that he now faces a barrage of questions regarding his NBA plans. "It's a question that's asked so many times a day by everybody you can think of—friends, classmates, professors, everybody who recognizes me," Hughes says. "I tell them I don't know, which is the only answer I can give them right now. Our focus is on this team, this season and how many games we can win."

Source: CNN SI