^ I think the Lakers are better than the Celtics this year, with a healthy Andrew Bynum.

 

That said, I think the Cavs have a very good shot at winning it all this year, certainly looks to be the best of the LBJ era.

^I'd definitely agree with that.

 

Celtics just got their rings...booooooo... time for the Cavs to get their's!

^I'd definitely agree with that.

 

Celtics just got their rings...booooooo... time for the Cavs to get their's!

 

Not so fast, the Cavs just blew another game in the Gaaaden as it were a repeat of last year's Cavs' elimination script at the hands of the Celts:  Cavs dominate the 1st 2.5 quarters cruising to big (even double-digit) leads.  Then they have their usual 3rd quarter collapse (just 13 points) at which time Boston seizes control and never looks back except for a furious run by the Cavs at the end (close, but no cigar as, once again, nobody can step up and sink the big shot or free throw); this time LeBron himself is a big cultprit, missing a 4-foot lay in he makes in his sleep, then blowing 2 of 4 free throws that could have backed Boston into a corner with under 10 seconds left...

 

It's only 1 game, though, and Brown, as well as the Cavs, themselves, are still trying to find their way with all the new faces... There were some good signs, like Mo Wms pushing the ball up court and LeBron in the post at times.  But Gibson was ice cold and we committed 22 turnovers: no way you can do that and expect to beat Boston, esp at home.

^Yeah...the turnovers were a killer and there is no exuse for poor free throw shooting!  :whip:

cavs have been free throw shooters for a long time...no news there...but the turnovers were atypical...Cavs generally are very good at keeping them at a minimum....

 

...what worries me is our depth in the front court.  If we sustain an injury to Z or Varejao, we're in trouble.  Ben Wallace best days are behind him, JJ Hickson is largely unproven, and the much-traveled L. Wright is not much more than a big-body that can take up space.

I agree with you on the front-court depth.  I have a feeling that we'll be making a midseason trade for front-court help.

Great all around game offense and defense looked strong.  How about Boobie and Mo Wills!!

team looked great...all 12 players saw action.  JJ Hix  had some nice defense down low...LBJ only logged about 30 min, it would be nice if they can keep his minutes down this year, allowing him to be more fresh come playoffs...

^Maybe they also can get use to running an offensive package that doesn't include LeBron, AND WORKS TOO! 

:laugh:

 

November 13, 2008

 

Cavaliers Declared NBA Champions As Basketball Knocks Off Early

 

 

NEW YORK—A happy, triumphant, and visibly relieved LeBron James accepted the 2009 NBA Championship trophy from commissioner David Stern at a small ceremony in New York Wednesday, just hours after the NBA announced that it would be canceling the remainder of the 2008–2009 season to give itself, and sports fans, a much-needed break.  "On behalf of the Cavaliers, I'm glad I could bring them the title, but mostly I'm just glad I don't have to play all that basketball," said James, who wore street clothes to the 15-minute presentation and left without taking questions. "You have to admit, 80 games is a lot of damn basketball. I'm still tired from last season."

 

From http://www.theonion.com/content/news/cavaliers_declared_nba_champions

 

Hilarious!  The Onion, I assume?

you bet! its on the cover of the current onion. i forgot to add the link:

 

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/cavaliers_declared_nba_champions

8 in a row...

Well, we're 1/8 of the way into the season. I can't remember the last time that we've gotten off to such a good start. Long way to go..

Well, we're 1/8 of the way into the season. I can't remember the last time that we've gotten off to such a good start. Long way to go..

Agreed.  However, a "W" is a "W"!

 

and congrats to LeBron-Bron for becoming the youngest player to reach 11k points the fastest.

I hope everyone here in Jersey/NY enjoyed seeing LeBron last night.. it'll be one of the four times a year they get to see him for the rest of his career :)

^ speaking of that....make up your own mind yet again after you read this....

 

the newsday interview:

 

LeBron begins 2010 free-agency campaign

Ken Berger    11:24 PM EST, November 18, 2008

 

Last month, LeBron James stood at a voter registration rally in downtown Cleveland and shouted to the top of Terminal Tower: "I love you, Cleveland. I love Ohio and I'm not going anywhere."  Seemed like the most definitive statement yet from LeBron about his future.  But LBJ doesn't have those initials for nothing.  As not only an interested observer of politics, but also a participant -- he actively supported Barack Obama -- LeBron clearly has learned something from his dabbling in the Beltway ballet.

 

Political candidates often visit unionized auto workers in Michigan and brag about driving American-made, gas-guzzling SUVs.  A week later, they tell the green tea and organic food crowd they drive hybrids.  With less than two years to go before his own personal election day -- the free agency bonanza of 2010 -- LeBron has mastered the art of saying what his constituents want to hear.

 

Full story at http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spberg1119,0,4254895.column

 

Saw that.. still not worried.

 

Sick of all these NY f's in the bars saying 100% LeBron is a Knick/Net.

we win a championship this year, story is over, he wont go anywhere...it will be so sweet to shove it in the rest of the country's face too.

we win a championship this year, story is over, he wont go anywhere...it will be so sweet to shove it in the rest of the country's face too.

 

Sloooooooooooooooow ya roll partna'.  With 12 games down and 70 to go, anything can happen.  Lets win the central championship FIRST.

Im just saying, IF we win a championship, THEN he wont go anywhere (why would he leave?)...I didnt say we were going to win it all(although I think we will). 

In my opinion LeBron will consider two things; He'll want the biggest contract, and an opportunity to win multiple championships. The city that can best provide both wins. This kid wants to surpass not only Jordan, but every professional athlete in both money and legend.

 

On another note; tough loss last night. They need to start wining the road games against strong teams in order to put the fear into the league.

i cut them slack on the pistons loss being as they had back to back games.

 

on a related note --- man, my first (extended) time seeing iverson as a piston weirded me out.

i cut them slack on the pistons loss being as they had back to back games.

 

on a related note --- man, my first (extended) time seeing iverson as a piston weirded me out.

 

Agreed, I forgot about the back to back. Still; it would speak volumes had they toughed it out, I think they were up 11 at the half.

 

Plus there's just the Cleveland curse in general. Many religious scholars now suspect God doesn't want Cleveland to win a championship in any sport!

 

incorrect. cleveland sports have won many championships in the past. most recently cleveland won championships in the pro soccer of the 80's.

 

There's only one problem with the NY/NJ teams that they have overlooked as they frantically clear space for 2010... they are both going to suck.  Someone is going to have to explain to me why LeBron James is going to want to go play for a sh*tty team for less money before I ever start to worry about this.

i know, but money and a bigger stage may trump that championship quest for awhile as he also wants to be the richest too. we'll only know for sure after he signs on the dotted line.

 

in the meantime, i hate having all this stuff in my face in all the local news today.  :shoot:

incorrect. cleveland sports have won many championships in the past. most recently cleveland won championships in the pro soccer of the 80's.

 

Soccer is widely viewed as the anti-christ of sports in America. Where I grew up, America, it was only accepted as a sport for cute slutty chicks at my high school (and even then, girls basketball still beat the hell out of it, and even softball had hotter chicks that'd draw bigger crowds). Professional soccer just doesn't resonate in the United States. It's too damn European for us to handle, and it's not violent or jacked up enough. Americans like steroids, violence, and macho dudes, preferably all of the above (NFL). Hell, MMA is far more culturally important to us than soccer. So is street fighting.

 

I'm strictly talking the four big professional leagues- NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB.  The last time Cleveland won any sort of championship that America cared about was in 1964 with the Browns. They have a 44-year city drought in major sports, probably the longest in the country. I'd call that a curse. :wink:

 

well thats fine. however, your opinion differs from the facts and what you said. cleveland sports have won plenty of championships in baseball, hockey, soccer & football, so god ain't aganist them.

 

and you can bet columbus will be jumping around today too if they win a championship in the world's most popular sport. now of course cleveland, which btw had parades and all that after they won the soccer titles, may not be america to you, fine. but now is columbus red, white and blue enough for ya?  :wink:

 

McCleveland made an excellent point, the New York teams will be awful in 2010. Also, the Cavs will have cap room to resign Lebron and potentially another superstar. Imagine this three-headed monster: Mo Williams, Lebron and Bosh. What if the Cavs win a championship this year or next year? Do you think Lebron is going to bolt? Who knows, but the national media needs to relax. Nobody knows what Lebron is going to do. Right now the Cavs are 10-3 and look pretty good. They still have Wally's expiring contract to find a potent power forward. By the end of this season, the cavs could be the best team in the league. Quietly, Ferry has put together a nice core of talented players under the age of 25.The New York media should be worried about how the Knicks/Nets are going convince Lebron to turn down over 30 million dollars to play on talentless teams.

if there is one thing we can be sure of, its that the knicks and nets will suck.  :laugh:  even when its closer to lebron's big decision date.

 

i know, but money and a bigger stage may trump that championship quest for awhile as he also wants to be the richest too. we'll only know for sure after he signs on the dotted line.

 

in the meantime, i hate having all this stuff in my face in all the local news today.  :shoot:

 

LeBron won't become the richest off his contract, that's gonna come from endorsements..

^^ Do you really think that people in China, Europe and South America care if he plays for NY?  LBJ is a global icon and NYC and its "market" are small peanuts to him.

 

Boy, we sure weren't off this LBJ to NY talk for long, if we ever actually were off it.  Wasn't it all locked up that he was going to sign with the Knicks at the end of his rookie deal?  Oh yeah, that's right.... he re-signed with his team, the Cavs.

 

One thing I think people are drastically underestimating is Lebron's marketing savvy.  He is on the front page of every major media source right now because of this "2010" talk.  Fans and media from all over are swooning over him.  All this is good for him and his marketability.  The more he keeps dominating the "2010" headlines when there are players such as Wade, Bosh, Nash, Stoudamire, etc. all available during the same summer, the more it appears he is simply head and shoulders above all of them in terms of being a true superstar.

 

Further, he also knows that despite the love fest now, his public image might take a huge hit if he bolts for NYC in 2010.  The Cavs can and will offer the most money, so he can't use that as an excuse.  The Cavs will have the best foundation out of teams that can possibly afford him, so that excuse is out the window as well.  In the end, he would be viewed as a hometown kid who turned his back on NE Ohio for the lusture of MSG. 

 

All that said, if he fails to win a championship here, people will still love him.  He should ask A-Rod about the NY scrutiny before making a decision to head to the Big Apple.

Lebron would not make anymore $$$ than he does now from Nike or his other sponsors if he played in a major market.  That clause was thrown out after his rookie contract. 

In 2010 Cavs can offer 6yr 133mil, other teams would be able to offer a 5yr 105mil max deal. 

^^I agreed on most points, especially that if he wants to be a WORLD icon, is there much difference for him being in Cleveland than NYC?  I do disagree that his public image would take a "hugh hit" for bolting to NYC.  The only place it's going to hurt his public image is here in Cleveland.  If he went to NYC (the largest market in the US) they would love him for it and the rest of the country and world would be fairly indifferent.

 

Here's a take on why Clevelander's should find a silver lining in all of this.  WE have Lebron and everyone else wants him.  He grew up in the area and is arguable the best player in the NBA while playing for CLEVELAND.  The team he is playing with THIS year is a d@mn good team and one of the elite teams in the NBA.  Enjoy it people!  I know I enjoyed the beat down they put on NYC last night.

Who cares about Lebron in 2010. Let's not forget there is still a season to play and more teams to beat. We kicked NY's sorry ass last night, even with the bench players getting significant time. That's the only story that matters, and beating Oklahoma City tonight. The Cavs' job is to stay in first place in the division by being more aggressive than the team they are playing. Everything else is noise.

Who cares about Lebron in 2010. Let's not forget there is still a season to play and more teams to beat. We kicked NY's sorry ass last night, even with the bench players getting significant time. That's the only story that matters, and beating Oklahoma City tonight. The Cavs' job is to stay in first place in the division by being more aggressive than the team they are playing. Everything else is noise.

 

agreed!

Who cares about Lebron in 2010. Let's not forget there is still a season to play and more teams to beat. We kicked NY's sorry ass last night, even with the bench players getting significant time. That's the only story that matters, and beating Oklahoma City tonight. The Cavs' job is to stay in first place in the division by being more aggressive than the team they are playing. Everything else is noise.

 

Yep!

 

Man, I just looked at their schedule through the rest of the year and it looks soft.  I don't think we are really going to find out what this team is all about untill Jan. or Feb. when they have some really tough games. 

I'm so tired of ESPN, I rarely watch any of their sport shows anymore. On Around the Horn its pretty much a done deal that Lebron will be going to New York.

 

"Would you rather be in Cleveland or New York."

"It's not fair for Cleveland for this to go for a year and a half."

 

Why does ESPN disrespect everything from Ohio?

"In my opinion LeBron will consider two things; He'll want the biggest contract, and an opportunity to win multiple championships. The city that can best provide both wins. This kid wants to surpass not only Jordan, but every professional athlete in both money and legend."  me

 

 

"Wow, now, lay off the pot for a second. Lebron is good, don't get me wrong, but Jordan?! I don't think anyone will pass him, not Lebron, not Kobe, not ANYONE." C-Dawg

 

Hang on C-Dawg; I didn't say he has surpassed Jordon, I didn't even say he will surpass Jordan, I said he wants to surpass Jordon, big difference. For a young guy, no college, he has demonstrated a level of maturity and leadership that Kobe (the other straight to the pros phenom)is just now starting to show.I read he was actually the leader on that Olympic team that just brought home gold. He is supremely confident and the current media circus only reinforces that. He has already shown he can attain the numbers ( youngest to do this, youngest to do that, blah blah) now he has to start getting the rings and the MVPs. Once he gets on that road he knows folks will be talking about him in the same breath as Michael Jordon and some will conclude he's better. No he is not there yet, and he may not get there but you can tell it's his personal goal. He talks about being the first athlete billionaire, and winning multiple championships so my comment isn't even speculation, just his words. I believe he is already the 2nd highest paid athlete in endorsements behind Tiger (it should be noted that has happened all while living in little ol' Cleveland; I'm not even sure where in Florida Tiger lives). Anyway, I just hope Cleveland can provide him what he wants and needs. I could stand a championship dynasty, now pass me the bong son.

 

BTW,  mrnyc: what Cleveland soccer team won a championship in the 80's?

BTW,  mrnyc: what Cleveland soccer team won a championship in the 80's?

I can't believe you asked this!  You whippersnappers.  This is what an internet internet search engine is used for.  :P

BTW,  mrnyc: what Cleveland soccer team won a championship in the 80's?

I can't believe you asked this!  You whippersnappers.  This is what an internet internet search engine is used for.  :P

 

Now if you know the answer, just give it up Skippy. I spent as much time as I was willing on Google and came up with nothing. BTW, I can only wish I fall into the category of whippersnapper. Tragically, I fear I'm older then you. Happy Thanksgiving  :wave:

 

 

...and another nice win for the Cav's tonight; LeBron with only 17 minutes.

BTW,  mrnyc: what Cleveland soccer team won a championship in the 80's?

I can't believe you asked this!  You whippersnappers.  This is what an internet internet search engine is used for.  :P

 

Now if you know the answer, just give it up Skippy. I spent as much time as I was willing on Google and came up with nothing. BTW, I can only wish I fall into the category of whippersnapper. Tragically, I fear I'm older then you. Happy Thanksgiving  :wave:

 

 

...and another nice win for the Cav's tonight; LeBron with only 17 minutes.

 

my goodness, a forgotten era? such is the power & fame of pro soccer in the usa!  :laugh:

 

the force/crunch won them in the 1980's-90's. the championship starved city had parades too. dont ask me anymore i dont remember either!  :laugh:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Force

 

So ESPN IS capable of thinking rationally on the Lebron to NYC talk...

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=lebronbigapple-081126

Ahh man...a trip down memory lane with all the indoor soccer talk.  I wonder if the soccer ball I have signed by all the Force members from sometime in the 80's is worth anything?

How in the world did a discussion about the Cleveland Cavaliers turn into a nostalgia-fest about professional soccer?!? That was a rhetorical question, so please don't answer it. If you do, I'll delete it.

 

Discuss the Cavs. Want to talk indoor soccer, go start your own thread (yes, I looked -- there's isn't one. What does that tell you?).

How in the world did a discussion about the Cleveland Cavaliers turn into a nostalgia-fest about professional soccer?!? That was a rhetorical question, so please don't answer it. If you do, I'll delete it.

 

Discuss the Cavs. Want to talk indoor soccer, go start your own thread (yes, I looked -- there's isn't one. What does that tell you?).

 

To answer or not to answer?    :wink: :-P :| :?

Cool site: http://www.cavshistory.com/

Ugliest uniforms in team history:

 

 

To go with the ugliest court in team history:

 

Hey I liked them.  They were so ugly they were "ok".  I never like the "cavs" I've only liked the Cavaliers. 

 

Ahhh...the memory time machine.

yeah, those were quite a shock from the classic wine&gold. but there were a spate of ugly uni's around that time.

 

remember the oakland raiders inspired black uniform trend too in football? just as dum.

 

best uni's ever? besides the "miracle of richfield" era wine&gold, my favorite cle sports team ever, i'd give the nod to the early 60's san diego chargers: