An MVP For Cleveland

LeBron James will hoist up the NBA's MVP trophy tonight before the Cavaliers tip off their series against the Hawks, with the typical fanfare that is associated with winning the award. David Stern will be there, the crowd will go berserk, and the image of King James raising the trophy above his head will be played over and over again in the years to come, as that moment typically is.

But LeBron James is no typical MVP.

There may be no MVP in the history of professional sports that has meant more to his team, his franchise, his city, or his geographic region than LeBron James does.

The cliches of the MVP debate always ask, well what does this honor reward? Does it go to the player who is the most valuable to his team? Is it the leagues best player? The player with the best statistics? Or does it go as a reward to the best player, on the leagues team with the best record? These questions will invariably be asked again this year by the talking heads, however, there is more than a sound argument to be made that James is all four of these things. However, what shouldn't be lost there is, that he is those things, and much more to the city he plays for.

This franchise was one that won (17) games the year before he got here. Northeast Ohio watched him closely that season, waiting, hoping. Cleveland was a punch line at the time. But since he arrived, nobody seems to be laughing at Cleveland anymore. Its all changed.

A town who once believed it was cursed, who's river caught on fire, who's running back fumbled, and closer blew the save, now seems poised, determined, and firm in its belief that a title is looming. LeBron James did that.

Since his rookie year he has put Cleveland sports fans hopes, and dreams on his back. And when he raises that trophy above his head tonight, he is bringing Cleveland up with him, and letting us all know, that its okay to believe now.

Danny Ferry Got Robbed

The Denver Nuggets Mark Warkentien won the NBA's Executive of the Year Award on Sunday, but the Cavaliers Danny Ferry deserved it.

I stated my claim for the Cavaliers General Manger in a post I wrote for the Midwest Sports Fans on Sunday night.

And excerpt of that post is below:

"If Ferry would have traded Damon Jones to Milwaukee for a box of basketballs, that would have been a good move. However, in return for the services of Damon Jones, the Cavaliers got an All Star PG, and the best second option that LeBron has had in his NBA career..."

Read the rest of the post at MWSF

Game 3 Tonight: 8pm TNT / WUAB

Game Three, live from the D, tips off at 8pm - you thought I was gonna say 8p didn't you - anyways, in preparation for that, I will offer you my score prediciton for tonights game:

Cavaliers 99 - Pistons 86

My series prediction is still the same...Cavs in 4...the workmanlike dismantling of the Pistons continues.

Previous Playoff Re-Caps:

Game 1: 1 Down...15 To Go

Game 2: Pistons Mail It In...Cavs Roll

Remembering The 2007 Cavaliers Roster

As the Cavaliers cruise past the Pistons, with (66) regular season wins in the rear view, the NBA world is well aware of how good this team is this season. Everybody also remembers that the Cavs went to the Finals (2) seasons ago. But do you remember how bad the roster was that LeBron carried to an Eastern Conference championship? If you don't, I'll remind you...

Of the (15) players on the 2006-2007 Cavaliers Roster, only (5) still rock the wine and gold.

The hold-overs include LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, and Sasha Pavlovic.

Here's the list of the other (10) guys from that Finals roster...let me if you miss 'em:

1. Larry Hughes
2. Drew Gooden
3. Donyell Marshall
4. Damon Jones
5. Eric Snow
6. Shannon Brown
7. Ira Newble
8. David Wesley
9. Scot Pollard
10. Dwayne Jones

Here is who Danny Ferry - Executive of th Year - has replaced those guys with:

1. Mo Williams
2. Delonte West
3. Joe Smith
4. Ben Wallace
5. J.J. Hickson
6. Wally Sczerbiak
7. Tarrance Kinsey
8. Darnell Jackson
9. Lorenzen Wright
10. Jawad Willams

On that roster from (2) years ago, Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones, averaged (37) mpg, (28) mpg, (17) mpg, and (20) minutes per game respectively for the season.

Even being forced to play with those scrubs, LeBron still took his squad to the Finals.

Now let him play with guys like Mo Willams, Delonte West, Joe Smith, and Ben Wallace instead of the aforementioned (4)...and you wonder why it looks like he having so much fun this year.

Pistons Mail It In...Cavs Roll 94-82

Don't make too much of the 4th quarter comeback by the Detroit Piston J-V team. Last night's win was a laugher.

Prior to last night I did not think it was possible to win a Seven Game Series in a little over a game and a half. But apparently it is. When LeBron James, on a break-away, went with the underhand, windmill slam, with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter to put the Cavaliers up (22), the series was completely over by the time James landed. The Cavs went up by (29) at the end of the third, tried to give their starters the rest of the night off, and ended up bringing them back in with (5) minutes left, still preserving their second of back-to-back double digit wins.

They'll play the last two games out, but forget Piston bench players on cell phones, I am predicting that at least (2) Pistons are caught on camera taking a nap at various points during games (3) and (4). After watching the game last night, for the life of me, I can't Remember the Pistons teams that went to the last Six Eastern Conference Finals at all. The will of this team is completely broken. Don't let Will Bynum fool you.

Quick Hits from Game 2....

On the Amir Johnson foul in the first half, how does LeBron not fall down? That was three guys, 6'5 plus, 225 plus, that hammered him, and he doesn't fall...He's Shaq O'Neal on wheels.

How about Darnell Jackson...our boy...playing in his first minute and half ever he picks up a Technical Foul...classic...nice work D-Block...nobody likes Kwame Brown anyways!

Mo Williams seem to have found his playoff legs..look out now.

Oh and the Cavaliers were up by 29 going into the 4th and only won by (12) who cares...Cavs in 4.

Mike Brown Deserves Coach of the Year

Mike Brown was named the NBA's Coach of the Year yesterday, and there is no other sideline stomper in the Association that is more deserving of the Award. But don't make the mistake to think that Mike Brown was a great coach this year, and not in his previous three. The commitment to defense, commitment to winning, and commitment to team play that he has brought to, and instilled on this team, so evident in their play this season, started when he got here. He knew what he was doing all along, even if he'd never tell you that.

Like any good young coach, or manager, Mike Brown picked his battles early. He figured, if I can just get these guys to play defense first, believe in defense first, then eventually, with a talent like LeBron James, the offensive end will take care of itself. You could see him working early on. It's not as easy as it sounds, get a bunch of NBA millionaires to D-up? For who, what's your name, Mike what? He knew what he was doing though. Yet along the way, despite the 50 plus win seasons, a trip to the Finals, and all that comes with it, he caught a lot of grief around here from fans, specifically directed towards the Cavaliers offensive execution.

To that point, people would call sports talk radio and rant on about 'why is LeBron just pounding the ball out top?' What? Did you want him to pass to Damon Jones. How about Donyell Marshall? Where you looking to get Drew Gooden more touches? And if you even try to say you wanted LeBron to come off screens or post up to get the basketball, who was gonna pass it to him? Larry Hughes? No. Mike Brown figured - and he'll never admit this - I'll get these stiffs to play defense, I'll let LeBron do whatever he wants with the basketball, and then when I get some decent players to surround James, I'll put in an offense.

So enter 2009: Mo Williams is your point guard, instead of Larry Hughes. Delonte West is your two guard instead of Sasha Pavlovic. And then you still have LBJ rounding out the backcourt. So now, with these ball handlers, who know what pass to make, what shot to take, how to execute in the half court, he opened it up a little bit. And all the sudden Mike Brown is not only a great defensive mind, but an offensive one too. Give me a break.

This guy can flat out coach, he can flat out run a team, and I am glad to have him on the sidelines here in Cleveland. He's been deserving of this award, and he'll win a couple more before its all said and done.

"Its Basketball Time at the Q"

As my Uncle Three Times Removed on my Mothers Side, the Great Joe Tait, likes to say...

"ITS BASKETBALL TIME AT THE Q!"



I'll see you at the Parade... Go Cavs!

Mitch Albom, and His Hair, Believe LeBron Stays

On ESPN's Sports Reporters this morning, award winning sports writer Mitch Albom said the following in regards to LeBron James, marketing, and the NBA Finals:

"They (young sports fans) also don't care that he comes from Cleveland. Now the NBA and marketing used to say that he (LeBron) has to be in New York. What's gonna happen here, though, is if he gets to the Finals, if they (Cavaliers) don't win, or they do win, he is cementing his place in Cleveland. Everyone keeps talking about how he is going to New York. I don't think so. I think he's going to stay there. Because of the way the whole global views of things (are now), it doesn't matter if you play in Cleveland, or whatever. You can be that big a star, he's got every big commercial there is. What I want to see is, these two guys (Kobe and LeBron) play against each other in the Finals, they go to commercial break, and I want to see who's commercial comes up first. "

Good point Mitch, as always...now cruise back into Best Cuts and get that lettuce trimmed up.

Cavs Clinch #1 Seed In Eastern Conference

With the 102-92 win over the 76ers last night, the Cavaliers clinched the Eastern Conference (1) seed. This may come as a foregone conclusion, to some, but it is nevertheless worth feeling good about.

LeBron James agrees:

"It means a lot for us to go out there and set out a goal and accomplish it. We all know there is a bigger season out there, but anytime you get an opportunity to do something like this, you should feel good about." (Brian Windhorst)

While this good feeling may not cause people to flood the streets of Cleveland in celebration, accomplishing that goal for the 'bigger season' certainly will.

Wallace Coming Back...as Others Go Down

While key players continue to go down with injury on the two teams that ended the Cavaliers title chances the past two seasons... San Antonio and Boston ...the Cleveland has a key guy coming back. Expect Ben Wallace back in the line-up shortly; this according to Joe Gabriele at Cavs.com. And don't mistake the record of 18-3 over the (21) games that Wallace has missed to mean they don't need him. That run with the team's starting PF on the shelf doesn't mean anything other than the fact that the Cavaliers are a very deep, very good, team. Ben coming back is a good thing, and may be even bigger come playoff time.

Relax Cavs Fans...Scot Pollard Says Its All Good!

After the Cavaliers followed a disappointing effort on Thursday, with an emphatic beatdown by the Magic on Friday, some in Cavalier Nation began to panic. With the Spurs on the docket for later today, it doesn't get any easier, but fear not Cavs faithful - Scot Pollard says its all good. On GameTime Live last night, NBA TV's own analyst Scot Pollard, offering the following analysis:

"Nothing against my Celtics but I am calling a Cavs - Lakers Finals and I'm calling the Cavs if they stay healthy. They are sputtering right now, and I think they are just getting into the end of the season doldrums right now, they're just kinda like eehh not really fired up, but when the playoffs start up they are going to be re-energized."

And Scot...while I don't agree with your hair-cuts, or your use of the word eehh, I do agree with the latter analysis. They will be re-energized come playoff time, and these end of the season doldrums are nothing to get too shook up about. Look for the Cavaliers to come out fired up today against San Antonio.

Remember the Pistons?

Are you old enough to recall when the Pistons mattered? Alright, I know, it wasn't that long ago. But my how the mighty have fallen. Did you realize the Pistons are (24) games back of the Cavaliers? Well, they are. And after tomorrow night, they'll be (25). Shouldn't be a surprise to Detroit either. The Cavaliers have been taking apart sub-.500 teams all season, and at 36-37, that's precisely what Rasheed and the fellas are these days. Additionally, reports are that AI is healthy and will play. Reports about PistonNation letting out a collective groan upon hearing that news are unsubstantiated. What's the problem, don't you want him to play, you traded your best player for him?? Anyways, Rasheed is healthy too, and while I know Hamilton will be wearing a nose brace to protect his healthy nose for the 658th time in a row, I am not sure if he will be starting, or coming off the bench in favor of AI. Irregardless, here's hoping the Cavs make it (25) after tomorrow night.

Cavs Beat Heat...Chalmers Bombs From Half Court

The Cavaliers are a premiere basketball team. Sunday's win was big, and tonight's was bigger. 3-1 on the trip, come back from (11) with 7 minutes left in the game. Win on the road against the Five Seed in the East. Team defense. Blocked Shots. Half Court Shots by the other team for no real reason. And the King. LBJ was awesome.

The flurry to get back in the game, from 7:15 left in the 4th Quarter to 6:29 left in the game, was the most entertaining 0:46 seconds of NBA action I have seen for as long as I can remember....

First, Mo hits a (3) to make it 91 - 83...deflections, a scrum, a dunk by LBJ, a Halfcourt shot by Mario Chalmers (which was the funniest thing in the NBA I have seen this year), and another (3) by Mo with 6:29 left, and the Cavs were down (3), 91-88 before you can say Ocho Cinco (who was in attendance Monday). Then, after the Cavs scored (8) points in (46) seconds the cameras picked up the Heat's (12) year old coach and Mario Chalmers talking to the Ref at the T.V. timeout about Chalmers' heave with (22) seconds left on the shot clock, (7) minutes left in the game, from just over half court, by the sidelines.

"I don't know what he's doing, " you could hear the ref say to the both of them.

Classic. No one did.

The Cavs then took the lead with (4) minutes left 92-91 on a sick lay-up by Mo Williams in traffic, and had a stranglehold on the game from there. LeBron scores (42), Cavs win 107-102.

Not that they need him, but bring on Joe Smith.

A Couple Cavalier Related Thoughts...

* I am glad Danny Ferry did not make a move at the deadline, and I think the Cavaliers are going to be better off down the stretch as a result. I have a post up on Midwest Sports Fans discussing this topic: Danny Ferry Makes the Right Move at the Deadline - Again.

* The guy I used to think was the best GM in Basketball is bringing his club to the Q tonight, but these days I am not sure even Joe Dumars knows what he wants to do. He looked good when they added Sheed some years back, but since then, there has been (3) coaches, declining win totals, and now Allen Iverson? With the Pistons (14) plus back in the division coming into tonight, I expect the Cavaliers to make short work of Tayshaun and company. I'll be down there, so I hope so.

* Reports are out of Boston that Kevin Garnett will miss 2-3 weeks. Not that you want anyone to be injured, but with the Big Ticket sidelined, and Skip to My Lou replaceing Jameer Nelson in Orlando, you gotta think that it looks like thing are lining up for a 1 seed in the playoffs, whether David Stern likes it or not.

One More Laugher

That makes (9), and that's an NBA Record Cavs fans.

The Cavaliers had to beat the Raptors by (12) or more points to set the NBA record for most dominating wins in a row on Tuesday night, and they did. They won by (20) 114-94.

Get this too...during this current winning streak, the Cavaliers average 'Diff' is (22) points per game.

They just won (9) games, In A ROW, IN THE NBA, by an AVERAGE of (22) points per game. That's nasty.

In (30) minutes, LeBron scored (31), and moved past Mark Price on the career steals list. Big Z moved past Brad Daugherty on the career rebounding list as well.

Delonte West and Mo Williams combined for (17) assists and (1) turnover...look what good guard play does for offensive coaching Mike Brown haters.

The Cavaliers moved to 12-0 at home, and have won (17) of their last (18). The only bad news was that Boobie got dinged up a bit, but hopefully he is okay.

Next up is Philly: Get (10) fellas.

Cavaliers Roll: 8th Straight Laugher

With the 1st quarter of the NBA season in the books, the Cavaliers are rolling - in historical proportions. With the 20 point laugher on Saturday, the Cavaliers tied a record set by the 1995-96 Bulls by winning their (8th) game by (12) or more points. If the Cavaliers beat the Raptors Tuesday by more than a dozen, they will be the 1st team ever, in NBA history, to win by (12) or more (9) games in a row. And oh yeah, those Bulls went 72-10 that year and won the NBA title...

With the win, the Cavaliers go to 17-3. For whatever its worth, after (20) Games, the last (3) NBA title winners looked like this:

2008 Celtics - 18-2

2007 Spurs - 15-5

2006 Heat 10-10

...the most encouraging game stat Saturday was the fact that LeBron scored 25 points, with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in only 28 minutes. He was able to get his Tarrance Kinsey on once again for the entire 4th quarter, and that is huge.

This season, LeBron is (49th) in Minutes Per Game averaging (35 mpg). A season ago, LeBron was (3rd) in the NBA averaging 40.4 mpg. This rest could prove to be the difference come June.

Knicks Preview: Handle Success

Tonight's is an opportunity for the Cavaliers to show that they are a team that can handle success, and continued to stay focused on both ends of the floor when things are going good. Complacency will be their enemy tonight if they want to improve on their 14-3 record despite the fact that Cleveland has every reason to be complacent.

They already beat the Knicks 119-101 at the Garden - and could have won by 46 points if they wanted two. In addition to that, off the court, people are also now telling the Cavs how good they are. ESPN's Power Rankings have the Cavaliers as the 2nd best team in the NBA behind only the Celtics. Another ESPN ranking system that I can't pretend to understand -Hollingers Team Offensive Efficiency Rankings - has Cleveland Number 1. Outside the (216), some people are even saying - ughh admitting - that LBJ's best chance to win a title might just be right here in northeast Ohio. Imagine that.

With all that said, now is the time to rise up - uh sorry - capitalize, play with focus, defend your home, and beat the teams you are supposed. And in case you care, I am totally confident the Cavs will do just that. Look for them to score a lot of points in the process as well. The Cavs come in ranked 4th in the NBA in scoring offense (103.6 ppg) and New York is 24th in scoring defense. They won't be booing the King tonight, chalupas all around.

Cavalier Fantasy Values

On ESPN's website Bill Simmons' Fantasy Preview was posted along with an ESPN Consesus panel ranking of ESPN's Top 190 Fantasy Basketball players - for those of us who, in week 8 of the NFL season, have lost all hope in their fantasy football's chances for glory, and are shifting their focus to the 82 regular season games that make up NBA Basketball season. But I digress.



The rankings have LBJ ranked number 1.

Respeck.

Thank you Forest City Fanatics for correcting my spelling of this word on previous posts.

I would pick LBJ number 1, but it is just nice to see him at the top over the likes of Kobe, Chris Paul, D-Wade, etc.

Here is the way the rest of the Cavaliers rated out:


Mo Williams was the next highest Cav at (53).

If for the sake of arguement, Fantasy Rankings for PG's are any indication of how good a PG is, Mo Williams is rated higher than the likes of Tony Parker (62), Mike Bibby (64), Raymond Felton (77), Gilbert Arenas (81), and Rajon Rando (85). The only PGs in the East that were rated higher than Mo were Jose Calderon (33), Chauncey Billups (34), Andre Miller (50), and Devin Harris (51). Maybe Mo Williams can be an Eastern Conference All Star this Year.

Also Ranked in the Fantasy Basketball top 190 for this upcoming season:

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (89) Andy Varejeo (164) Wally Sczerbiak (185)

To be Continued...

Cavaliers: Roster Preview

In Brian Windhort's latest article on ESPN.com he talks about LBJ's approval of the way the Cavaliers are currently comprised.

LBJ is quoted as saying:

"There are no excuses for us now," James said. "We should be able to go out and dominate."

LeBron likes the roster, and really, that is all that matters. But for the sake of mindless blogging Shaver Sports will be taking a look at what various prognosticators think about the roster of your - Cleveland Cavaliers.

First up, ESPN's Player Efficiency Ratings. These ratings rank players on a basis of overall production per minute.

ESPN's John Hollinger ranked players from #1 thru #321 along these lines.

This is where your Cavaliers ranked going into the upcoming season:

ESPN's PER Rankings

LeBron James: #2
Mo Williams: #59
Zydrunas Ilgauskas: #80
Wally Szerbiak: #155
Delonte West: #177
Anderson Varejeo: #180
Daneiel Gibson: #188
Ben Wallace: #210
Sasha Pavlovic: #306

ESPN Ranked 321 Players.

The Cavaliers ESPN PER Ranking Average is: 150.78

Mo Will Be an All Star for Cavaliers

I am predicting that Mo Williams will be an All Star this season for the Cavaliers. Three Reasons Below:

1. Numbers: He will put up All Star Numbers. He will score over 15 points a game and be near 10 dimes as well. I predict 17.9 pts, and 8.4 assists per game...Mark that down.

2. The Cavs Will be a Good Team: Maybe not great at the All Star Break, but they will be a good. While the Cavs might not be in 1st or 2nd in the East at the break, they will be in 3rd, 4th or 5th for sure. Besides that, voters are going to see Mo Williams regularly. With LBJ, the Cavs are going to be on National TV more than the NHL, which is light years away from Sports Time Milwaukee Every Night.

3. All the best PGs are in the West: Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Deron Williams, Baron Davis, Allen Iverson, Brandon Roy, Jay Kidd...they will all be splitting votes every which way in the Western Conference. Mo Williams will have to beat out Chauncey Billups, Gilbert Arenas, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Rajon Rando, Andre Miller, and Steph Ma----- just kidding. Its certainly possible, and I say it happens.