Some (Simple) Cavs Thoughts

As I sit here literally watching the clock like a Friday afternoon, I can't help but to think a few things about tonights Cavs game.

1. I hope that LeBron James attacks the basket on offense.
-- It seems like every time he does, he either scores or Dwight Howard fouls him. I'd say that's a win-win for the Cavs.

2. I hope Mickael Pietrus misses every shot he takes.
-- I can't stand seeing his continual shit grin for 48 minutes of basketball.

3. I hope those two weird Orlando fans are back again to sit next to the Cavs bench.
-- Did anyone else notice those cats? One was wearing a Referee shirt, he was about 350lbs and just happy to be there. He also loved to jaw Mike Brown. The other one...well...I'm not sure how to describe it. I said he looked like a 200 year old version of Bob Dylan. Screwy hat, shiny gold coat I believe. Keep an eye out for them, unless they sold their home to get those tickets for the last game.

4. I hope we see Brawllace.
-- That's my new nickname for Ben Wallace when he gets physical. He's not out there to flop, he's out there to get physical. Somebody has to elbow Dwight Howard back, right? Man, I miss old school hoops where players didn't take shit. I blame the NBA and the Referees for changing that.

5. I hope Wally get's some playing time.
-- Sure, the Cleveland version of Zoolander is slow and gets burnt. I get it. He's also the definition of grit, hardwork and intensity. I think he fires up the rest of the team when he's hitting shots, diving for balls and getting physical.

6. I hope Rafer Alston misses every shot he takes.
-- See #2. 'nough said.

7. I hope Charles Barkley has lost his voice.
-- I don't think I hate anyone bashing the Cavs more than the Round Mound of Rebound. He's trrebile. Yes, that's what I said. trrebile. I also hope his suit fits him tonight.

8. I hope Cheryl Miller got her hair done.
-- Otherwise I will continue to call her 'dude' or Chuck Miller. Either way.

9. I hope Craig Sager has regained his sight.
-- Dude must be color and fashion blind. He's almost as obnoxious as the suits he wears.

10. I hope LeBron shines.
-- Pretty simple there. The kid has an entire city on his back. I think he knows how bad we need it, and we need it bad. Enjoy watching him because you may never see a guy play the way he does. Ever. "It's amazing. I'm the reason everybody fired up this evening." - Kanye

Some simple thoughts from a simple Cavs fan. I'll be watching the game tonight with some friends, and I think I speak for the City when I say it's been an amazing ride. Let's just stretch this fantasy road trip a few more miles.

ps: Screw Kobe. That's all.

Tug on Superman's Cape?

May 29, 2009
By Gregg Doyel
CBSSports.com National Columnist

CLEVELAND -- Dwight Howard is about to go national, and if you're Dwight Howard, that's not nearly as good as it sounds. Reaching the NBA Finals, which Howard and the Orlando Magic would do if they finish off Cleveland on Saturday night, would be great for Howard, the basketball player.

But Howard, the person? Going national? Not good. Because he's not ready.

And by saying that, I'm not being cruel. I'm being kind. Giving him credit. Because one day, he will be ready for this stage. But that day isn't now, and that's almost understandable. He's only 23 years old. He'll get there.

But he's not there now, and honestly, that's a shock. Dwight Howard's entire persona, when seen in person for the first time, is a shock. He's not what I was led to believe as a basketball player or as a person, and some of that is a compliment.

Howard is a better basketball player, a more polished offensive player, than I had been led to believe. When the Magic advanced in the playoffs to play Cleveland, a sportswriter whose judgment I trust told me to take note of how limited Howard's offensive game was, how he could score only on dunks. Well, I've been noting, and Howard has been scoring with a lot more than dunks. He has scored with both hands, and done that over the size of 7-foot-3 Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Howard isn't the second coming of fundamentally flawless Tim Duncan, but he's not a one-dimensional dunker, either.

So that was a revelation, and a good one.

Howard's personality? A revelation. And a bad one.

Rest of story here.

Welcome to our Hood

Cleveland, OH -- (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Browns signed free agent cornerback Rod Hood on Tuesday.Hood spent the past two seasons with Arizona where he appeared in 31 games and had 97 tackles and six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, and 35 passes defensed. The 5-foot-11, 27-year-old was signed by Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2003 and spent four seasons with the Eagles. He played in 56 games for the team and had 122 tackles, five interceptions and 28 passes defensed. He is expected to compete with Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald for a starting job with Cleveland.

I am Cleveland.

I am Cleveland.

I know heartache. I know what it's like to see more vacant spaces for lease than actual businesses. I know empty parking lots that used to be full. I know rusted semi's that no longer move freight. I know picket lines. I know Unemployment lines. I know how to tell someone they are being laid off. I know the feeling of hugging someone who just heard that news. I know how to watch an entire sporting event with my head down. I know where 'rush hour traffic' went. I know the current Unemployment rate. I know a shrinking city. I know the look on a child's face when they look at me and wonder why I'm so sad after a game. I know punch lines, all of them. I know being the other team in a highlight reel. I know how the movie Major League really ends. I know Jose Mesa, John Elway and Micheal Jordan. I know what it's like to avoid ESPN for weeks at a time after a series. I know bewilderment. I know to 'wait until next year'. I know the definition of; almost, so close, choke and "here we go again". I know let downs, factory shut downs and thumbs down.

I also know heart. I also know fortitude. I also know curses can be broken. I also know camaraderie. I also know what a real day of work is. I also know how to keep my chin up. I also know the value of 1 second on a shot clock. I also know Bob Feller, Jim Brown and LeBron James. I also know that 'next year' will be here sooner than you thought. I also know the value of a handshake. I also know team work. I also know it's never over until it's over.

Do you?

I am proud to be Cleveland.

Are you?

image courtesy of cleveland.com

Welcome...Yao?

Chinese basketball fans are already gleefully predicting Yao Ming will join LeBron James at the Cleveland Cavaliers after reports a Hong Kong-based company is set to take a minority share in the NBA franchise. U.S. media reported over the weekend that New World Development Company was to take a 15 percent holding in the Cavaliers, the second-largest stake after owner Dan Gilbert. The NBA is hugely popular in China with hundreds of millions tuning in to games involving Houston Rockets center Yao and the report has been met with great enthusiasm in Internet chat rooms.

Reuters

Browns receiver Josh Cribbs will report to voluntary minicamp today after skipping the first camp last week, his agent, J.R. Rickert, said in a text Monday night. Cribbs missed all three voluntary practices last week because he was waiting for the Browns to engage in "meaningful dialogue" regarding a new contract. Rickert has said Cribbs will ask to be traded if the Browns tell him they won't redo his deal.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mo-Back Guarantee

Cavs’ Williams makes series guarantee

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 14 hours, 23 minutes ago

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—Tinted sunglasses concealing the cuts and bandages framing his puffy left eye, struggling Cleveland guard Mo Williams(notes) plopped down on a table inside a ritzy hotel ballroom on Monday and quickly proclaimed the Cavaliers were not in any trouble.

Far from it.

“We’re the best team in basketball,” he said.

Really? The Cavaliers, winners of 66 regular-season games and their first eight straight in the playoffs, certainly haven’t looked superior to the Orlando Magic.

They can’t stop Dwight Howard(notes) inside. They can’t contain Orlando’s squadron of outside shooters. They are missing easy, open shots. They’re not giving LeBron James(notes) enough support, and they trail 2-1 in the Eastern Conference finals.

Williams remains confident.

“They deserve respect,” he said. “They are a good team. But we are the best team in basketball. I don’t feel that they’ve had to adjust to us one time in the series.”

So, Mo. You’re sure the Cavaliers will win Game 4 on Tuesday night and rally to win the best-of-seven series. Willing to guarantee it?

“Guarantee we’re going to win the series? Yeah, yeah,” he said. “We are down 2-1. But there is nobody on this team and definitely not myself that says we are not going to win this series. Yeah, it is going to be tough. We know that. We get this game tomorrow, go home, still got home-court advantage.

“We don’t see ourselves losing two out of three at home.”

The Magic brushed off Williams’ boast.

“We just got to go out there and play,” Howard said. “We can’t worry about what other guys are saying.”

James didn’t flinch when told Williams had guaranteed the Cavaliers would advance.

“He should. There’s no other reason why we should be here,” he said.

Orlando, relishing the underdog role in its first conference finals appearance since 1995, won 99-89 on Sunday night in a disjointed Game 3 that included personal fouls, technicals and a flagrant on Magic reserve guard Anthony Johnson(notes) for his elbow to Williams’ face in the second quarter.

The blow opened cuts above and below Williams’ eye, and Cleveland’s point guard said he was still feeling a little woozy from an unexpected shot he felt was intentional.

“My head’s still ringing,” said Williams, who refused to take off his shades to show the wounds. “The game of basketball is not played with throwing punches, throwing elbows.”

Rest of article.

The 'new' Shot

Tribe Trade Talks?

Seven weeks of bad baseball have made the Indians the subject of several trade rumors. Boston reportedly is interested in Victor Martinez to help carry the offensive load because of a slumping David Ortiz. It's been speculated that the Mets may go after Mark DeRosa to help replace injured first baseman Carlos Delgado. Cliff Lee, last year's Cy Young winner, is said to be on several contenders' radar in anticipation of a deal at the trading deadline. GM Mark Shapiro is talking to general managers, but it's not about subtracting players in preparation for next year. "We're doing everything we can to get better for this year," said Shapiro. Said manager Eric Wedge, "I've heard that talk and it's crazy. This division is still wide open. If we get on a roll, we're right back in the thick of it."

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Sources: Cribbs unhappy with Browns

Barring an unexpected and unforeseen change of heart over the next 24 hours or so, Josh Cribbs will not be participating in the first "voluntary" full-team minicamp of the Eric Mangini Era, multiple sources have told The OBR. The "voluntary" minicamp begins on Tuesday of this week, and there is "virtually no chance" Cribbs will be taking the field with the club. Cribbs' agent, J.R. Rickert, when reached via cell phone by The OBR yesterday, refused to comment on the status of his client or how contract talks have progressed. He did allow, though, that he will release a statement tonight to address the state of the Cribbs situation. However, a source familiar with the situation tells The OBR that talks between the two sides on a new deal "have gone nowhere. Absolutely nowhere." The last time the Browns spoke to Rickert regarding Cribbs' contract was a week ago. One Browns source stated that "the team is having a hard time figuring out a value to place on what Josh brings to the team. He's obviously a tremendous football player, a tremendous asset to the team and to the city, but we all just have to find some type of way to gauge financially what is acceptable in relation to what he does and to the [salary] cap."

Scout.com

My 'other blog' - Enjoy!

Did some writing for Scene's blog. Gotta love the LeBomb Shot (pictured at right!)

Read it here!

Punk'd!

How is nobody talking about this? Not that I think it was intentional, or an 'oh my God' moment, I'm just shocked nobody has mentioned it?

Big Baby hits the game winning jumper, veers around the Referee, and then gives this kid (the one in the white Tshirt, with his hat flying off) a solid shove. The kids hat flies off, he stumbles back and then starts looking for his hat.

Here's what I'm getting at:

If an Orlando player shoved a precious, fragile, over dressed, obnoxious, posing, wanna-be, paid-too-much-for-his-seat, praying to be on TV, Boston fan, the media would've been all over it.

Watch the highlight reel, it's classic.

- Salty

Manny Ramirez - Suspended

Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Dodgers (21-8) have the best record in baseball.

Salty's Thoughts: I think Manny will walk away from the game, immediately. I think he's played his last game, unless he fights this. If it's true, he walks away.

MVP! MVP!

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James will be named NBA Most Valuable Player for the first time Monday afternoon, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer is reporting on its website.

James finished second to Dwyane Wade in the NBA scoring race this season, averaging 28.4 points per game. The five-time All-Star also averaged 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists while also becoming a force on the defensive end.

James, whose best previous finish in MVP voting was second, to Steve Nash in 2006, will be the first Cavaliers player to win the award.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/11707834

Salty's Thoughts: Well deserved. Very well deserved indeed. It just goes to show, even Cleveland gets some love here and there. Bring it home, LeBron, bring it home!

Tired.

Boy am I tired of hearing about ARod. Seriously, who cares if he used Steroids in High School? Dude's a cheater. Once a cheater, always a cheater.

I'm tired of hearing about David Hasselhoff's drinking problem. Either get help, or you're going to die. Seems simple to me.

I'm tired about hearing how the Browns 'want' to trade Braylon Edwards. If they 'wanted to' so bad, they would've. If we trade him now, is Cribbs our #1 WR/PR/KR? I mean, seriously? We're enough of a joke as it is.

I'm tired of the Swine Flu talk. I get it, it's real, blah blah. Let's not create it to be more than it is. PS: those masks you're wearing, well, they aren't working. CNN discussed that yesterday. Ditch the mask, wash your hands, and get back to life.

I'm tired of Mondays. They just suck. Who created a 5 day work week as the norm? I bet someone who didn't have to work 5 days a week. Believe that.