The real question is what will the Cavs beat reporters do now for a sound bite?!?!

well what are our Cavs doing??

 

your cavs are staying competitive in their own division (though really something should have been done in the offseason)

Haha the Cavs don't even have the league minimum on their roster.. they'll HAVE to sign someone now! Ha!

PS - Dear David Wesley, Please retire.. you're old, slow, and will not play more then 100 minutes this year.. just hang em up.  Please, we need the cap room, any will help..

Are the Cavs interested in bringing in any vets such as P.J Brown, Gary Payton, Charles Oakley, Scottie Pippen, etc.? Although they may not be able to provide much offensively, they could assist us in other areas like physical and/or mental toughness, which we desperately need. -Torri Acoff, Beachwood, Ohio. Aey, Torri: I don't believe the Cavs are interested in any of those players you mentioned, but Brown, Payton, Oakley and Pippen would make a heck of an old-timers league team. The Cavs don't need any older players, well, no players that old. The only thing those players could assist the Cavs with is their discounts for Geritol. Cleveland Plain Dealer

 

So far the Cavs have not done much this off-season, but the off-season isn't over until training camp starts in October, so that means Ferry has more time. Doing something isn't as easy as it sounds because you need someone else to help you make a deal. Remember, the Cavs went to the Finals last year, and I'm sure no other team, especially in the East, is going to help the Cavs get better. But on the other hand, if Ferry believes this team will make it back to the Finals with no improvements, he's surely mistaken. Cleveland Plain Dealer

 

The contracts of Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, Ira Newble and David Wesley expire after the 2007-08 season. The contracts of Eric Snow, Drew Gooden, Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall expire after the 2008-09 season. There is a player option for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and two team options for Shannon Brown after the 2008-09 season. The contract of Larry Hughes expires after the 2009-10 season. LeBron James can opt out of the last year of his contract after the 2009-10 season. The NBA and I do not know where the cap will be set in those years. The cap varies on a year-to-year basis. It's calculated as a percentage of the NBA's revenue from the previous season. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers preseason schedule announced

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Mary Schmitt Boyer - Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Playoff rivals Washington and Detroit, and Kevin Durant, the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, await the Cavaliers in three preseason games at Quicken Loans Arena before the team leaves for China.  The Cavs will face the Wizards on Oct. 9 and the Pistons on Oct. 11, while Durant will make his Cleveland debut Oct. 12.

 

Then the Cavs will take off for China, where they will face Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic as part of NBA China Games 2007. The teams will play in the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai on Oct. 17 and in the Venetian Arena in Macao on Oct. 20.  The Cavs will wrap up the preseason with games at Toronto on Oct. 25 and against new Celtics Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Scot Pollard at Boston on Oct. 26.

 

Tickets for the three home games at The Q go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.  Tickets can be purchased at the Quicken Loans Arena box office, at all Ticketmaster locations and online at cavs.com or ticketmaster.com.

 

Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1187167445257600.xml&coll=2

TED STEPIEN: 1925-2007

Successful, except as owner of Cavs

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Bob Dolgan - Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Theodore "Ted" Stepien always wanted to be somebody.  He could never settle for being an average man.  He pursued his destiny vigorously and usually got what he wanted.  Except for the three years he owned the Cavaliers, Stepien was successful at almost everything he tried.

 

Stepien died Monday morning of cancer in his Willoughby Hills home at age 82, according to his daughter Carol.  Calling hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Schulte & Mahon-Murphy Funeral Home, 4090 Mayfield Road, South Euclid.  Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 6850 Mayfield Road, Gates Mills.

 

Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1189501322154300.xml&coll=2

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James undergoes Lasik surgery to improve his vision

Posted by Branson Wright September 12, 2007 20:08PM

 

LeBron James took another step in improving his game last week, undergoing Lasik eye surgery in Beverly Hills, Calif.  The procedure, performed by Dr. Kerry K. Assil, is designed to improve vision and assures a faster recovery.  James' vision has improved to 20/15, according to Assil, and he has already been cleared to resume workouts.

 

Full story at http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2007/09/cleveland_cavaliers_star_lebro.html

LeBron James to appear on 'SNL' By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer

 

LeBron James is treating his appearance on the 'Saturday Night Live' season premiere like a fast break. "I'm going to just wing it," the Cavaliers All-Star forward said Thursday during a rehearsal break.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070928/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_lebron_snl

Ex-Hornet Brown signs with Cavs

Friday, September 28, 2007

 

The Cavaliers have signed journeyman guard Devin Brown to a contract, league sources said Thursday.  Brown, 28, is 6-5, 220 pounds and holds the career scoring record at Texas-San Antonio.  He has played in 274 games over parts of five seasons, averaging 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds.  He started 49 games for New Orleans last season, averaging 11.6 points and 4.3 boards.

 

Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports-3/1190975368213400.xml&coll=2

Cleveland Cavaliers trade David Wesley to New Orleans Hornets

Posted by Branson Wright, Plain Dealer Reporter September 29, 2007 14:07PM

 

Today, the Cavaliers traded guard David Wesley and cash to the New Orleans Hornets for 6-9 forward Cedric Simmons.  Simmons made four starts in 43 games last season. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.  Simmons, a first-round pick by the Hornets in the 2006 draft, left North Carolina State after his sophomore season.  Simmons is a good shotblocker and will see time with the Cavs from off the bench.

 

Wesley, 36, played in only 35 games in his only year with the Cavs last season.  Wesley is expected to retire.  Wesley will end his 14-year career with a 12.5 points per game average.

 

Full story at http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2007/09/cleveland_cavaliers_trade_davi.html

what's up with Anderson and Sasha?  The news said something about them playing in Europe?

A lot of the NBAs international players, play in the Summer European league.

 

The issue is they haven't negotiated new contracts.

 

Andy, se voce pensar voce vale a pena 1 milhao dolares, retorna a Brasil!  smooches

No, that's not the reason MTS.

 

The reason Sasha is talking about playing in Europe is because the Cavs aren't looking to pay what his demands are.  But since he is a restricted free agent (Like Andy) he has no other NBA options.

 

The beauty of this is, is that if he goes to play in Europe say for 2 years and wants to return to the NBA, the Cavs will still own his rights. 

 

So pretty much these two will sign with the Cavs or they won't be playing in the NBA anytime soon.

I thought that they were both playing in sumemr european leagues to stay in shape, where did I read that?

Cleveland Cavaliers missing keys from NBA championship run

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Branson Wright - Plain Dealer Reporter

 

As expected, the Cavaliers began defense of their Eastern Conference title at training camp without two key pieces to last year's success.  No one is sure when restricted free agents Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao will join their teammates at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence.  But for LeBron James, a few things are certain.

 

"I don't know Sasha or Andy's side, I don't know [General Manager Danny Ferry's] side, but I need my soldiers here to play," James said.  "I hope something can get worked out because those two guys are a big part of our team.  We don't make that run last year if we don't have Andy and Sasha. . . . We need those guys on this team and as a leader I need them.  I hope we can get them in here soon."

 

Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/119131472028890.xml&coll=2

Training camp is here, and I have a few questions

Posted by Dan Labbe, cleveland.com October 02, 2007 14:28PM

 

Well, it is a time to look ahead at the upcoming Cavaliers season and 10 question that will need to be answered.

 

1. Can Daniel Gibson start at one of the guard spots?

2. Will Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao be on this roster?

3. What will the offense look like?

4. Will Larry Hughes show up?

5. How committed will the Cavaliers be to going inside?

6. Will the Cavaliers have a consistent scorer off the bench?

7. What will the Eastern Conference look like?

8. Can Ferry pull the trigger

9. Will LeBron James play like he did in 2005-06?

10. Is this a step back year?

 

Full story at http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/2007/10/training_camps_here_and_i_have.html

Wow, can Larry Hughes have any more bad things happen?  I was just complaining about all the bad things that happened to me in '07.  As they say, when you think you've got it bad, someone else is having an even worse time.

Cleveland Cavaliers like guard Brown for his versatility

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Branson Wright - Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The desire for General Manager Danny Ferry to sign free-agent combo guard Devin Brown had roots in their shared past.  Ferry could not erase the memory of a determined and versatile Brown as a rookie several years ago.  Ferry discovered that good all-around play from Brown when the two first met during the 2002-03 season when Ferry was a player.  Brown observed and absorbed all he could.

 

Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/119140040373120.xml&coll=2

no news on the shannon brown beating??  Come on PD.

Shannon Brown, a guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cavs' first round draft pick in 2006, was involved in a night club beating over the weekend in downtown Cleveland. It wasn't an angry bar patron that went off on him, but rather, a bouncer at Club Liquid.

 

The issue was apparently Brown's hat, which was not up to par with the dress code. Several of Brown's teammates, including Larry Hughes, are reported to have witnessed the event, which saw Brown being kneed in the neck outside the club Saturday evening. According to police reports obtained by 19 Action News, bouncers also threatened Brown with a taser.

 

Shannon Brown was treated at the Cleveland Clinic for abrasions and bruising on his face, which he hid from reporters over the weekend.

 

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/3253

wow!

 

I wonder what type of hat it was and what transpired on BOTH sides?

 

I mean, how do you beat up a player on your NBA finals team?

 

He's 22 does liquid have a min age limit?

My staff is giving me the rah rah's on so many levels today.

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7rkosq9Nh2o

 

 

Cavs player claims he was assaulted

 

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers' first round draft pick of 2006 claims he was assaulted in the Warehouse District.  Shannon Brown, the 6'4'' 205 pound guard apparently went to Liquid night club Saturday evening.  Reports say the assault incident involved the club's bouncers.

 

It apparently was triggered by the Cavs Championship hat Brown was wearing, a violation of the dance club's dress code.  Brown released this statement: "I was involved in a situation several nights ago that has

caused me to file charges against people that I feel assaulted me.  My father, who is a policeman in Illinois, has been here to help me with this and we're going through the legal process on it right now. I'm going to respect that process by not commenting further at this time."

 

Full story at http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=75437

From ESPN Insider:

 

Olympics For Ilgauskas?

 

Oct 4 - Lithuanian center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said he's considering whether to suit up and play for his national team. Injuries have prevented him from doing so throughout his career.

 

Ilgauskas has been healthy for six years and knows this is his last chance to play for his country. His best friend, star Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, has appealed to him for years to play.

 

"Everybody in Lithuania is asking me about it," Ilgauskas said. "I don't know, I will think about it. Ask me again in the spring." -- Akron Beacon-Journal

From ESPN Insider:

 

Uncertain Status

 

Oct 4 - "I'm just excited about being here right now and getting out here and practicing with these guys every day and having fun," Damon Jones said Wednesday.  "What happens tomorrow, I don't know. I'm not worried about that right now. I don't, for the most part, control those cards. While I'm here, I'm going to be professional and give it all I've got."

 

Jones, who is in the third season of a four-year, $16 million deal, asked GM Danny Ferry, the man who signed him to that contract, to trade him shortly after the Cavaliers were swept by San Antonio in the NBA Finals. That never materialized.  Even with Sasha Pavlovic absent from camp because he doesn't have a contract and Eric Snow out for the entire preseason due to knee surgery, it doesn't look like Jones is really in Cleveland's plans.

 

More at www.espn.com

From ESPN Insider:

 

Quick Shots

 

Oct 4 - It took three days, but the Cavs' veterans have started complaining about the two-a-day workouts. Coach Mike Brown is far from a taskmaster, but he is known for his taxing early season workouts.

 

Business Week named LeBron James the 19th most powerful person in sports the highest-ranked active NBA player. -- Akron Beacon-Journal

LeBron looks great, but composition of Cavs still unclear

By Brian Windhorst - Special to ESPN.com

Updated: October 11, 2007, 12:30 PM ET

 

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- By the time James goes through his intense post-practice stretching routine, maybe a short run on the underwater treadmill, a shower and a massage to keep his hamstrings loose and his lower back limber, it's a full day's work on his game and his body.  At age 22 and entering his fifth NBA season, James has never been in better shape or worked harder on his game at this stage of the season. In theory, this is good news for the Cavs: A motivated superstar is perhaps the grandest weapon in the modern NBA.  Especially for James, who is still working to fix flaws in his game.

 

But when it comes to the chances of the Cavs, who have proven themselves an elite NBA team despite guffaws from observers, it isn't really about LeBron. It is always about his supporting cast. Which is why even a merited discussion about what James has done to better himself over the summer is mitigated by what the Cavs have done to themselves since the Finals wrapped. The answer is negative.

 

Full story at http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp07/news/story?page=cavscamp&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

No Interest In Boykins, Varejao Perturbed?

 

Oct 11 - A league source said the Cavs have offered guard/forward Sasha Pavlovic a three-year, $9 million deal. Contrary to what was written previously, Anderson Varejao's agent, Dan Fegan, reportedly asked for a six-year, $65 million contract.  Former Cavs guard Earl Boykins, who opted out of a $3 million contract in Milwaukee, is still out of work. The Cavs don't appear to be interested.

 

More at www.espn.com

DAMN IT! We need Sasha, Andy and Boykins. Give the boot to the random schmucks they brought in!

I would say go get Kobe, but his ego would probably tear this team apart, plus he's apparently not interested in coming here.

verajo is asking for 11 million per year? ouch.

How did the city treat LeBron at the pre season game?

How did the city treat LeBron at the pre season game?

 

Just like I said.. nobody would boo when he's dunking on people's faces.

Good luck Cavs! (photo 8/07)

 

I would say go get Kobe, but his ego would probably tear this team apart, plus he's apparently not interested in coming here.

 

Um, I don't think that would happen even if he wanted to come here AND he wasn't such an egomaniac.  We have nothing to offer LA for him.

I would say go get Kobe, but his ego would probably tear this team apart, plus he's apparently not interested in coming here.

 

Um, I don't think that would happen even if he wanted to come here AND he wasn't such an egomaniac.  We have nothing to offer LA for him.

 

True, short of Lebron and that would put us right back where we are. Guess we'll just have to sit out two years before we can trade in some productive talent.

Meeting In Brazil

 

Oct 15 - Several league sources said Cavs GM Danny Ferry went to Brazil last week to meet with unsigned forward Anderson Varejao. 

 

The Cavs were careful not to let word of the meeting leak out, and no one from either side was willing to talk about it. If there was any progress, it was minimal; the holdout continues.

 

With the Cavs and Ferry in China all week, it is doubtful there will be a resolution soon. Varejao is believed to have been working out in his hometown of Vitoria.

 

More at www.espn.com

Simmons Out

 

Oct 12 - An MRI exam performed Wednesday on forward Cedric Simmons' left ankle revealed a bone bruise. The team isn't saying how long that will sideline Simmons, who figured to get a chunk of minutes with Anderson Varejao unsigned. He probably will not play tonight against the Seattle SuperSonics or the two exhibition games in China against the Orlando Magic next week.  The Cavs will be conservative with the injury because Simmons has been dogged by problems with his left ankle for a year.

 

More at www.espn.com

Backdoor Play Backfired

 

Oct 16 - Without the knowledge of agent Dan Fegan, GM Danny Ferry traveled to Brazil and met with his 6-10 backup center/macho forward to promote management's perspective, and, perhaps cut out the hardcore middle man. Evidently the backdoor play backfired.

 

Indications are Anderson Varejao is remaining loyal to Fegan and adhering to his demand. Nonetheless it was a calculated risk worth taking.

 

More at www.espn.com

Heat Eye Pavlovic

 

Oct 17 - The Heat has been speaking with the agent for Cavaliers restricted free agent guard/small forward Sasha Pavlovic, and Miami interests him.  But sign-and-trade talks haven't produced a deal.  Also available via trade, according to one GM: Utah's Gordon Giricek and Minnesota's Ricky Davis.

 

Some have wondered whether 2005 first-rounder Wayne Simien, who is due $997,000 and is still out after knee surgery, could be cut.  But Pat Riley said, "When he gets completely healthy, whenever that is, he's going to be a rotation player in this league."

 

More at www.espn.com

Extending Their Stay

 

Oct 22 - The Cavs have a week to pick up the options in the contracts of Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons for next season. It is likely they will exercise them.  Brown has shown potential in the preseason and Simmons is a project who needs time.  The options are worth $1.1 million to Brown and $1.7 million to Simmons.

 

More at www.espn.com

Varejao's The Boss

 

Oct 22 - During the NBA Finals, Sandro Varejao and Dan Fegan sat together in the stands at Quicken Loans Arena.  They were also together when the Cavs had a bargaining session in late September with Danny Ferry. Sandro, who played for West Virginia University, also works out with his brother during the summers and, presumably, now in Brazil.

 

So it must be assumed that Varejao knows fully well all the ins and outs of the contract talks because his brother has been there every step of the way.  Which is probably why Ferry's mission to Brazil did not bear fruit.  It's not just Fegan who thinks a young big man who averages six points and six rebounds is worth eight figures a year; Varejao himself must believe it as well.  Even if the Cavs, and most objective observers, simply do not agree.

 

More at www.espn.com

Starting To Worry

 

Oct 23 - "We're worse (without Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic)," he said. "We're not as good as we are with those guys. Those two guys are a big part of our team. That's simple. There's no reason to say we're better without them. We have to continue to get better."  James said he is starting to get worried about the situation. He also continues to hint at the fact that he wasn't real thrilled the Cavs stood pat this summer and didn't improve the roster. 

 

How do you balance in the short term of getting them signed versus the long-term value of keeping flexibility like the franchise is saying?

 

LeBron James: "That's not my job to worry about. For me as a leader, you want guys around you that are going to help you win ballgames. I'm going to do what is best for the team. But at the same time you see teams regrouping and reshaping, and with our team we didn't do any reshaping, we didn't do any regrouping. You start to think a bit, 'How are we going to continue to get better?' Something is going to have to happen within the next week so we know for certain whether we have them or not."

 

More at www.espn.com

My feelings are that they'll get Varejao in, but not Pavlovic.  I think Sasha is more easily replaced then Anderson is.  Gibson can shoot just as well as Sasha, however Sasha has a much bigger frame.

 

We'll see what happens, if anything is going to happen, it'll be within the next week or so.

You're right, Pavlovic is more replaceable than Varejao.  But I think that makes it even more likely that Pavlovic would come to terms.  Varejao has more leverage -- big men are always in demand and the Cavs don't have a ready answer for him.  Pavlovic has little leverage.

Neither have a terrible amount of leverage.. because neither have received an offer sheet.. PLUS, very few teams have any money left since the season is a week ago.

 

Even if they go play in Europe for a year and try to sign next offseason.. the Cavs still own their rights.

Tired Of Talking

 

Oct 25 - LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas said they have talked with Anderson Varejao, but they are not willing to divulge any details.  James said he has talked with Sasha Pavlovic, as well, and is a bit tired of talking about their situations to reporters.  "I don't need to keep on harping on it. I've said enough; everyone knows how I feel," he said. "I'm not signing deals for Andy or Sasha, and I'm not making deals for Andy or Sasha."

 

Ilgauskas said he exchanged text messages with Varejao recently.  "We didn't talk about contracts," he said. "That's none of my business. I wanted to see if his spirits were OK and if he's working out. More than anything, it was friend stuff. I stayed away from the business stuff. He's OK. At some point, he'll have to decide one way or the other. We hope they will be here. It's out of our control."

 

More at www.espn.com

I don’t really follow what goes on in the NBA during the off season, but I did see the roster in Sports Illustrates yesterday.  I was not happy at all to see Varejao missing from the list.  I hope they can work something out.

I hate to panic, but I am not looking forward to this season. They are getting blown out in these exhibition games, and Ferry did absolutely nothing to solve the problems they had LAST season! This is not good because the NBA is the only league I follow religiously and understand what's going on!