Terribly frustrating effort tonite. Especially losing to Atl, what a horrible basketball town that is.There were like three people in the stands for a pivotal game. The Q would have been packed. And I agree about Windhorst what's that idiot always commenting on the Cavs for. You made your 'decision' stay in your lane.

Cavs are WATCHING this game just like me. They are watching their own season come to an end, right before their very eyes. And Kyrie doesn't seem all that interested.

 

I post this with a proviso: that Windhorse didn't want to be in Cleveland either and couldn't wait to ride LeBron's coattails to plasticsurgeryland....

 

Brian Windhorst: Kyrie Irving doesn’t want to be in Cleveland, that should impact contract extension talks

Kurt Helin Apr 4, 2014, 6:52 PM EDT

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/04/brian-windhorst-kyrie-irving-doesnt-want-to-be-in-cleveland-hat-should-impact-contract-extension-talks/

 

 

 

Kyrie's responses on Twitter to the above report.....

 

Kyrie Irving ‏@KyrieIrving  1h

Sick to my stomach with all these rumors and accusations. Can I play without media guessing at my life and putting B.S out for headlines.

 

Kyrie Irving ‏@KyrieIrving  1h

It brings nothing but negativity to the team and portraying me as something I'm not. I don't want or need the attention, so it can stop now.

 

Kyrie Irving ‏@KyrieIrving  1h

At least be man or woman enough to come and ask me. There's no such source as "Kyrie's camp", nothing but nonsense.

 

Kyrie Irving ‏@KyrieIrving  57m

#Clarity

Well I am certainly glad I didn't watch that.

The one thing that Windy is right about is that Kyrie and Dion are not particularly mature 21 and 22 year olds (neither was I or most people at that age).  But I think Windy's perspective on that subject is Lebron, who was more mature at 20 than most people are at 30.  Something was up last night..... not sure what.... but I thought to myself right from the start that the team didn't have that pep in their step they've been playing with.  It may have had something to do with the rumors.  Add to that Atlanta came out smoking hot and then got a huge boost off the bench from some no-name guy who couldn't miss whatever he threw at the hoop.

 

I'd still like to finish the season strong, to carry the momentum into next season.  As for this summer, I also agree with Windy that if Kyrie balks at signing a max, full 5 year deal, then the team needs to ship him.  I would give him the 5yr deal.  Pretty sure I've seen him look great when its not all-star weekend...... probably the reason he was voted into the game as a starter.

The hope of ending the season strong went out the window last night.  We didn't just lose this critical game, we were humiliated and it appeared we didn't bring the effort which is both disgusting and upsetting.  And Kyrie, especially, came out small except for his rebounding totals.  Mike Brown was clearly upset with Kyrie, yelled at him on the sideline (3rd quarter) and yanked he and Kyrie until the 4th until the game was clearly out of reach.

 

I would move Kyrie too if he balks at the 5-year max, and you know Gilbert will do so.  He will NEVER be "LeBronned" again.  The negative impact of last night will be far-reaching, well beyond just that one game.  I do think Brown will return.  It's pretty clear now (at least to me) that Brown is working his butt off, but that his key players, maybe player, isn't listening to him.  I would definitely bring Mike back because the team showed evidence over the last several weeks of how good they could be when the listen to him.  But when the blow him off? ... Remember earlier in the season when Brown was trying to explain something to Kyrie and Kyrie walked right past, ignoring him?

 

A lot of people are very angry about last night, so there can be no happy ending to this season.  Happiness won't come to the Cavs, at least until the Lottery.

Eaaaaasy Trigger.  If they win more than thy lose to close the season, that would continue a relatively strong finish for the second youngest team in the league.  Lets not be typical Cleveland sports fan who posts/says nothing during a good run and then fills  a whole page when they lose.  They've had some sustained success over the past 30 or so games

^Totally disagree.  This year has been a huge disappointment.  The last 2-3 weeks had been a chance for redemption, and the team responded.  But you can't ignore the disgrace this team has been to management and fans this season.  That January losing streak, including the Super Bowl Knicks blowout and the loss to the 4-man Lakers at the Q, was the most disgusting and gut-wrenching display I've ever watched as a sports fan.  The team quit.  They go on to fire the GM and then, mysteriously, get their mojo and win 6 in a row. Btw, it's interesting to note that during the January losing streak, Dion was hurt/out and during the last 2 weeks of hard-nosed Cavs' ball, Kyrie was hurt/out.  He comes back and they have 1 feel good blowout-fest over hapless Orlando, and then last night, when it really mattered... What does that tell you?

 

I will say that, despite questions about Waiters' maturity and team-spirit -- which were/are legit questions -- Dion has been exonerated to the fan base and, I think, management.  He needs to grow up, too, but Kyrie Irving more than anybody on this team, is the problem.  I'm not saying I want to get rid of this kid.  He's young; he's extremely talented -- most talented on the team -- and I hope beyond hope that this thing can be repaired and he can remain and grow with this team...

 

But putting on blinders and whistling pass the graveyard is not going to fix the problem on this team... and there, indeed, is a problem whether you like it or not.

Sure wish Kyrie didn't need a hit piece like Windhorst's to get him going. Kyrie scored a season-high 44 tonight. At least Windy could have done us a favor by writing it a day earlier, before the Atlanta collapse and Kyrie's no-show effort!

 

See you next year Cavs, although four more games will only make it official. This could be an absolutely crazy offseason!

Jason Lloyd: Kyrie Irving fighting back, but final verdict will come this summer

 

By Jason Lloyd

Beacon Journal sports writer

 

Published: April 5, 2014 - 07:34 PM | Updated: April 6, 2014 - 07:51 AM

 

Before and after games lately, Kyrie Irving is still shooting. At Josh Gordon, at the media. Irving is firing back.

 

A turbulent Cavaliers season began to tremble again in recent days. Just when peace and harmony seemed restored with hand pounds and back slaps — within the Cavs’ roster, within Irving and Dion Waiters — it has all started to peel away again.

 

First it was Gordon, the Browns’ Pro Bowl receiver, appearing on ESPN a few days ago talking about a “rift” between Irving and Waiters. Then ESPN.com writer (and former Beacon Journal Cavs writer) Brian Windhorst told a local Cavs blog Irving wants out of Cleveland.

 

All of that left Irving in a fighting mood.

 

“Guys like Josh Gordon need to stay in his sport and mind his own business,” Irving said prior to shootaround Friday morning. “Does he still play for the Browns? I’ll continue to root for the Browns, but in terms of this stuff here, what goes on in this locker room, he needs to stay out of it.”

 

Then Irving took to Twitter following Friday’s game to blast continuing media reports he wants out of Cleveland.

 

 

 

http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/jason-lloyd-kyrie-irving-fighting-back-but-final-verdict-will-come-this-summer-1.478710?localLinksEnabled=false

Sure wish Kyrie didn't need a hit piece like Windhorst's to get him going. Kyrie scored a season-high 44 tonight. At least Windy could have done us a favor by writing it a day earlier, before the Atlanta collapse and Kyrie's no-show effort!

 

See you next year Cavs, although four more games will only make it official. This could be an absolutely crazy offseason!

 

It wasn't "Windhorst's hit piece." It was a blog post on Cavs: The Blog. Windhorst didn't choose to post it. Windhorst answered a blunt question from the person interviewing him, then Cavs: The Blog posted it on their own accord.

 

 

You're correct, but the source of the info that Kyrie doesn't want to be here is from Windhorst. It's pretty clear to me that Windhorst didn't want to be here and I think he assumes everyone else feels the same as him. If he really didn't want to be here, that's fine with him. But I wish he would just shut the f-ck up and go enjoy "life" in plastic-surgery-land.

No poll, so I will go ahead and make my BOLD predictions:

 

- Cavs make the playoffs in the 5-8 seed range

- TT wins or is in serious contention for Most Improved Player

- Kyrie starts the All-Star game for the East

- Karasev doesn't come close to winning it, but finishes ahead of Bennett in ROY voting

- Bennett struggles at times and there are some stretches in the season in which he doesn't get any PT

- Bynum plays about 60 games (less than 30 mins/gm) and Andy gets serious consideration for 6th Man of the Year

- Dion's PPG don't improve much, but his efficiency goes through the roof

 

Time to revisit this post now that the season is over

-Nope.  Close, but nope.

-Definitely not.  It looked that way for maybe the first week of the season, then he settled back in to being TT.  Maybe another summer working on shooting with the proper hand will help.

-Kyrie did start the All-Star game

-Sub in Dellavedova for Karasev.  Sergei was not ready physically for the NBA.

-That was an understatement, but correct.

-Nope

-At first this appeared to be wrong, but by the end of the season it was fairly accurate.... although his points went up with his efficiency.  Over the last 15 games of the season, he averaged 21ppg, 4.5apg, 2.5rpg, while shooting 46%fg and 35%3pt.  I actually think this had a lot to do with the Hawes acquisition.  Nobody benefited more from having a big man that pulled the guy guarding him out of the lane.  Dion can blow by anybody in the league.  In fact, he might have the fastest and most explosive first step in the NBA..... no joke.  His problem has always been finishing at the rim (and fading away on his jump shots).  Not having that big body in there to make finishing difficult, was a huge benefit to Dion.  I also think he really stepped up his defensive game as the season progressed.

Time for the offseason predictions!

^Good luck with that ;).  On the radio yesterday or the day before, they asked the listeners to name one player they would guarantee would be back next season.  I honestly could not think of a single player who is 'guaranteed' to be back.  Everyone and anybody is on some type of 'block' (trading, chopping, etc).  Best I could come up with was Delly, and I think that is only 'guaranteed' if Brown is back.

 

Kyrie - I think the Cavs will begrudgingly end up offering him the max and I would be surprised if he didn't take it.  If he balks in any way (wants a shorter deal, or time to think about it), I ship him before that news makes it out into the public.

 

Dion - Brown seems to really like him and he really improved.  The issues with Kyrie, I've heard, are purely basketball related, not personal (that is a big misconception).  Bottom line... both guys want the ball in their hands.  I think we keep him too.  I can't see us getting optimal value for him based on his late season play.  He also is one of the few 'tough guys' on our team

 

'Cap'n Jack' - he started awful and then really settled in.  He is probably the ideal veteran guard with guys like Kyrie and Dion.  He should be back unless some other team really wants him.

 

Delly - what's not to like?  He's a menace on the court to whomever he is guarding.  His shot improved dramatically.  His teammates seem to love him.  He's a keeper, albeit will probably never be much more than a 3rd guard / scrapper / energy guy.

 

CJ - I say find the team most desperate for outside shooting and get what you can for him in a S/T or just let him walk.  Good guy.  Talented.  Total tease with his short spurts of borderline all-star level play before shrinking back down to role player with a good outside shot.

 

Gee - I think he is gone.  Delly has assumed his role as the team's designated scrapper.  His handles and passing ability have never been at an NBA level for a SF.  Would probably do better in another system.  But he is signed to a team friendly deal for next season, so they may hold onto him for the purposes of dealing him at the deadline.  Too inconsistent to be relied upon for regular minutes.

 

Deng - definitely gone.  I can't see us offering him anywhere close to the deal he had already turned down from Chicago.  And his scouting report just doesn't translate.  He's a nice guy who might get too much of the benefit of the doubt.  It doesn't help his value that Chicago was hovering around .500 when it traded him and have been 20 games over .500 since they sent him packing for nothing.

 

Sergei - Donuts, weight room, repeat.  His summer schedule shouldn't consist of much more.

 

Felix - never really got a chance.  Probably will be given a chance to become that lockdown wing-defender we may need at times if Gee and Deng are gone.

 

Tristan - He needs to solidify his 10-15 ft jumpt shot and he MUST get stronger in the upper body.  He needs to be able to power up through the defenders with his shot.  He is still getting stuffed too much at the rim because he is not strong enough to do that.  The work ethic is there.  The desire and hustle is there.  It is experience and physical maturity he is still lacking.  His ceiling is Horace Grant.

 

AB - needs confidence, which his infamous bad start took from him.  He has to start playing with his chest out, not sucked in.  I could see him pushing TT by the end of next season for the starting job if he can get his 'swag' back.  He has to come into the season next year in great shape.  No more playing his way into shape.  Hopefully, this season will be a wake up call that he can't simply show up and be successful at the top level in the world

 

Andy - still the backbone of the team.  He is what he is and we know what he is.  Another team will have to blow us away with an offer to pry him out of here for the last season of his contract.  Given the intangibles he brings, that is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.  He will also be a valuable chip at the trade deadline.

 

Hawes - I think he fits and I hope the team brings him back.... at a reasonable price.  I wouldn't sign him to be the franchise center for the next 10 years, but I would give him Andy-type money to be a solid big man for us (starting or off the bench) for the foreseeable future.

 

Zeller - still needs to get stronger and, somehow, someway he needs to play tougher.  He very well might be our most athletic big man, but he doesn't play like it..... at least not consistently.  I would use him as a chip if some team came calling.

 

Did I miss anyone?  (besides that guy who they signed for strategic off-season cap purposes)

 

So, in the end, I think the biggest question is what will happen with Kyrie.  The second biggest issue will be who are we going to get to play SF.  I doubt LBJ opts out of his deal short of an early exit from the playoffs and I think Melo stays in NY.  Evan Turner, Rudy Gay, Xavier Henry, Jonas Jerebko, Trevor Ariza, and Chris Singleton could all potentially be free agents and might be worth a look.  None of them light my world on fire.

 

Short of an absolute lottery miracle, we will be picking somewhere around 9 in the NBA draft.  I think this year's draft is a bit overrated..... but it is nowhere near as bad as last year's.

Excellent write up Hts.

Even though it was junk-time against a Nets' backup team that didn't really care about winning last night, I liked what I saw of Felix.  He's super athletic, quick and can even shoot a little bit.  And he showed flashes of that lockdown D everyone talks about.  If CJ is gone, which I suspect, Felix could easily become our no. 2, 2...

^I think Carrick's future is at the 3.  I think the backcourt will remain relatively the same.  We have four guys who can play both backcourt positions to some degree and the Kyrie/Dion/Jack/Delly rotation was working well once installed.

^Felix is a swing 2/3, but at 6'6", 201 lbs, I'd rather run him at 2 rather than against bigger, stronger SF's like LeBron, Melo or even Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.  A guy Gee's or Deng's size more of what I think of for traditional 3.  But at Felix's size, quickness and with his athletic ability, I think he could pose a lot of problems for opposing 2s... We'll see.  I'm excited to see him after a year under his belt and (hopefully) healthy next season.  For Felix and many Cavs, 2013-14 a lost season.

I don't think he has the ballhandling ability or outside shooting to be a 2.  He has no ability to create his own shot off the dribble.  That is not something which will magically come to him at this stage.  He's taller than Gee (who is 6'4 and some change in actual height).  I'm not thinking of him as a future starter at the 3...... but that is where he will get his minutes.  He's athletic enought to guard most 3's.  We don't have room in the rotation at 2, especially when you consider that is likely to be Sergei's position with the way he plays the game.

^He's young and didn't even have a season, really.  The Nets' game was the most PT he's had all season and it just happened to be game 82 of 82... Give him time.  People said Dion couldn't hit the broad side of a barn when he came in the League, and now he's developed a sweet outside shot and is one of the more deadlier 2s in the league scoring-wise.  Felix did square up for a nice easy trey Wednesday night.  I wouldn't pigeonhole him into 1 position or another at this early date in his career.

I'm not pigeon-holing him.  Players in the league play a wide variety of positions.  Lebron plays 1,2,3,4 (in fact, for all intents and purposes, he starts at the 4), but people refer to him as a 3.  Regarding developmental potential with Carrick, we are not talking about a kid straight out of HS.  He had a full college career under his belt.  Ideally, with his height, Gee would be a 2 as well.  But he can't do the things that 2's have to do in this league.  You see drastic improvements in shooting (who would've ever thought Varejao would become one of the statistically best 10-15 ft jump shooters in the league?) much more than you see drastic improvements in ball-handling and penetrating ability.  I can think of more than a few players who have made monumental leaps in shooting, which has a lot to do with muscle memory and discipline, and I can't think of one player who has made similar improvements in ball-handling and penetrating ability, which both have more to do with hand-eye coordination, lateral quickness, and explosive first steps.  To analogize it in honor of the upcoming NFL draft, you can easily go from benching 200lbs to 300lbs..... but good luck cutting your 40yd dash from a 5.0 to a 4.5, no matter how many hours you put in. 

 

As for Dion, he still has some wild misses on his outside shot.  It is usually an issue with his form, which he has worked on.  But the reason Dion went in the top 5 of his draft was his ability to break down a defense and create his own shot..... characteristics which make him an ideal combo guard.  It is a bad comparison to use Dion in this convsersation.  Carrick will get some minutes at the 2, but we are going to be in trouble if he is ever our best bet for regular minutes at the 2

 

Look at it another way.  Ideally, TT would be a 3.  He is shorter than or the same height as guys like Durant, Deng, Lebron, Melo.  He weighs less than Lebron.  He's clearly undersized compared to the prototypical PF.  But he isn't going to ever be a 3.

This morning Rizzo said he had 'good sources' that Kyrie wants to sign a max extension...... for 3 years.  Well, that's not a 'max extension'.  If he wants only three years, I would consider offering him something less than max money.  But my first inclination is that, if true, he is trying to force a trade without appearing to force a trade.  He has to know how Gilbert will react to the less-than-max max deal. 

Multiple sources, Mike Brown out as HC.

I was just about to post that.  Shocker.  I'm not mad about it, but definitely surprised. 

 

Griffin is staying on as GM.  That's a good move and I assume he had the final say on Mike Brown.  I wonder if Griffin's former ties to the Suns gets us in the Steve Kerr sweepstakes.

So he's still getting paid by the Lakers and now the Cavs? That's a good life.

And, after we hire the next coach, we will be paying three head coaches, right?

Might as well continue the carousel and bring back BScott!

Wow 3 #1 picks since LeBron left AMAZING how much luck the Cavs have!

I'm speechless!!! 1.7% chance!!!

This is great

I love that the cavs won the first pick again.  That being said, I completely understand Bill Simmons' position

I love that the cavs won the first pick again.  That being said, I completely understand Bill Simmons' position

Bill Simmons is just mad at cleveland , he is  a national media guy  and wanted to sniff Johnny footballs rookie camp but couldn't

i dont think this has to do with johnny football.  Its more to do with the fact that the cavs have had so many early picks and still suck.

I think we just need the right coach, the only early pick that hasn't impressed so far is Bennett, we have Deng (maybe), Hawes (Maybe) but if everyone comes back there is no reason not to perform well we have an Eastern Conference playoff team.

I can't believe we won it ... again!?... I heard Simmons trashed Cleveland ... what did he say?

I'm speechless!!! 1.7% chance!!!

 

It's even more amazing than that. Consider......

 

@NBA_thoughts_:

Cavs chances 2011: 2.8%

Cavs chances 2013: 15.6%

Cavs chances 2014: 1.7%

 

Chance to get #1 in ALL THREE?

.007426%

Simmons didn't trash Cleveland, he trashed the Cavs for being incompetent (fair) and the lottery for having the potential to produce absurd results (also fair).

 

That said, TOO BAD. Go get Wiggins.

Wiggins and Johnny Football.  I feel as though we're entering a golden age of Cleveland sports.  What's next?  Lebron comes home and three-peats with the Cavs?

 

You can pinch me anytime, or I can just about 6-8 months and reality will set back in....

Bill Simmons is the worst. Boston has won like 29 championships in the last 3 months. Sports is 75% luck.

Uh, doesn't the Stepien Rule state that you can't have the #1 pick in back to back years?  I guess by default Milwaukee gets the #1 pick this year!

Uh, doesn't the Stepien Rule state that you can't have the #1 pick in back to back years?  I guess by default Milwaukee gets the #1 pick this year!

 

No, it says you can't trade your first round pick in back to back years.

Bill Simmons is the worst. Boston has won like 29 championships in the last 3 months. Sports is 75% luck.

 

Simmons is a Boston honk and has always hated Cleveland.  He said some pretty weird and hateful things back around 2007 when the Cavs and Indians were on a roll.  When the Red Sox were down 3-1 to the Tribe he said something like, "I can't believe the Red Sox are getting beat by a team with a guy named 'Ass-dribble' (Asdruble Cabrera)."

This from a supposedly respectable national sports journalist?  He's a classless hack in my opinion.

 

I can't believe we won it ... again!?... I heard Simmons trashed Cleveland ... what did he say?

 

 

 

 

Sooooo... what did he say?

 

 

from "us" - those who are too lazy to look it up

 

 

 

 

Question, Anthony Bennett is supposed to have "upside" but so far really stinks, are you all comfortable taking Wiggins and not the more NBA ready Parker? Honestly I used to root for the NBA ready prospect but Otto Porter stunk up the joint. That being said, I feel that the Cavaliers will pull a Cleveland Browns move and draft the player no one expected (happened last year) and that player is the Kansas C Joel Embiid with the reported back problems. Personally I would love to have Andrew Wiggins (Did you see his 44" vertical jump?!) I just don't have faith that the Cavs will go with the obvious pick that everyone is talking about (Wiggins).

Simmons didn't trash Cleveland, he trashed the Cavs for being incompetent (fair) and the lottery for having the potential to produce absurd results (also fair).

 

That said, TOO BAD. Go get Wiggins.

 

Oh, from the way friends and local media were crying, it was much worse.  I would actually agree with him; the Cavs have been totally incompetent -- as bad as the Browns; the Mike Brown-go-round just highlighted what a joke we've become... I'm hoping for better days with Griffin.

 

... Speaking of Simmons, for some reason this morning, both Simmons and Philly media are predicting the Cavs will take Embiid.  A serious big man would be nice, considering how Thompson and Andy were constantly pushed around by big/tough front courts like Chicago and Detroit -- before the latter completely fell apart by season's end... But I'd much a rather have Wiggins.  For one thing, Embiid's back issues scare me; that's worrisome for a big man (remember Brad Daugherty?).  Plus, although Embiid has more scoring potential than Noel, he's not projected as a scorer ... yet.  As Anthony Davis has proven, though, that can change...

 

But Wiggins just has sick upside.  He's so quick, has long strides and gets to the hoop easily, like,... like, well, you know who.  Let's hope Griffin doesn't have the Smartest-Guy-in-the-room disease like Grant, and make the safe pick which would be Wiggins.  Parker wouldn't upset me; he's a nice player who will be very good also, but I want Wiggins.

Parker or Wiggins.  Considering we are courting James, Parker would be better in my opinion.  I am actually VERY interested to see how this all plays out.  We could very well trade picks too.  Plus you can never predict what Lebron is going to do. Im pretty sure he doesnt even know until the playoffs play out.  The Coach search is ANOTHER crazy element.  I mean, this job is VERY appealing now.  There are a ridiculous amount of variables to play out, should be interesting.

IF they think the can get lebron, it wouldn't be a good idea to draft a SF. 

IF they think the can get lebron, it wouldn't be a good idea to draft a SF.

LeBron was a PG/SG in his rookie year and can play that position, and have Waiters come off of the bench.

 

IF they think the can get lebron, it wouldn't be a good idea to draft a SF. 

 

That's my thinking also.  Wiggins swings between the 2 and 3.

I hope we are not thinking of renting Kevin Love for one year. Unless we get him to sign for an additional 3-4 years. HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!  Go after Lebron or someone we can sign to a max deal for many years. No rentals. Any of the three can help immediately, Wiggins, Parker or Embiid.