Oh, and think about this.... In Miami, LeBron James was the youngest of its Big Three. In Cleveland, he'll be the oldest of its Big Three.

Worth reading, even though it's by Wind Horse......

 

How Cleveland Landed Kevin Love

 

Essentially, five factors came together in a unique way that made it possible. Some of them were on the Cavs' dry-erase boards when they came to grips with their reality last spring. Some of them were unpredictable. But the sequence and timing ended up giving the Cavs one of the most dramatic and effective offseasons in league history.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11386670/how-cleveland-cavaliers-landed-kevin-love

Oh, and think about this.... In Miami, LeBron James was the youngest of its Big Three. In Cleveland, he'll be the oldest of its Big Three.

But none of Miami's big three were as old as Lebron is now when they got together.

Who would we rank in order as your top10 players on Cavs roster? Here are mine:

 

LeBron

Love

Kryie

Varajeo

Marion

Waiters

Thompson

Miller

Dellavedova

Harris

 

What could we possibly be missing from this list of players? How could you not like this!! I especially want to believe that Dion and Thompson improve. They both seem to have the desire. What a great season this is going to be.

Who would we rank in order as your top10 players on Cavs roster? Here are mine:

 

LeBron

Love

Kryie

Varajeo

Marion

Waiters

Thompson

Miller

Dellavedova

Harris

 

I think Marion is the least heralded offseason addition to this team. And I put Harris ahead of Haywood because of where they are in their careers and Haywood's recent injuries.

 

So half if the top 10 players on my list are new to this team. I'll miss Spencer Hawes and maybe Luol Deng. But I won't miss their huge contracts. If we're going to spend that kind if money, better get someone the caliper of Kevin Love (or Shawn Marion who came so much more cheaply!).

 

I would go:

 

LBJ

Love

Kyrie

Dion (Dion is a better SG than Andy is C)

Andy

Marion

Miller (Miller a better & proven role player than TT)

TT

Delly

Jones (Playoff experience over a rookie)

 

If Dion improves even slightly over last year we could be talking "Big 4" instead of Big 3.

I wonder what Brian Windhorst is going to do now that LeBron is back in Cleveland?  I'd say he should stay in Miami and continue to cover the Heat.

If Dion improves even slightly over last year we could be talking "Big 4" instead of Big 3.

 

If it wasn't for injuries, Varajeo would have made at least one all-star team in his career. And I agree that Dion is still improving and will be an all-star someday, possibly soon.

 

Imagine going to an all-star game every home game at the Q! That's what the Cavs will offer this season. And some of the players on our bench are all stars. Our bench!

 

Pinch me!

 

I wonder what Brian Windhorst is going to do now that LeBron is back in Cleveland?  I'd say he should stay in Miami and continue to cover the Heat.

 

He probably will stay. Notice how many of his articles dwell on the cold and snow of Cleveland? I think he hates snow to the core of his bones.

He's a good writer but he does not seem to be a fan of Cleveland.

He's a good writer but he does not seem to be a fan of Cleveland.

 

He's an expat Akron Beacon Journal guy.

 

Perhaps he's one of the seven people from Northeast Ohio that believe there's actually an Akron-Cleveland rivalry lol.

He's a good writer but he does not seem to be a fan of Cleveland.

 

He's an expat Akron Beacon Journal guy.

 

Perhaps he's one of the seven people from Northeast Ohio that believe there's actually an Akron-Cleveland rivalry lol.

 

I saw an interview with him recently.  I think I remember that he said he had a place in NY, but also, he said he never was able to sell his condo in Cleveland.  My guess is he "lives" elsewhere, but will be in Cleveland so much he keeps his condo.

Windhorst does not live in Florida.  He lasted there for only a year or two.  He now lives in the NYC area and his role with ESPN has expanded significantly beyond covering the Heat.  No way he takes the pay cut to 'come back home'

 

What could we possibly be missing from this list of players?

 

A rim-protecting big man.

 

The pickings are slim.  Okafur is available but won't play until mid-season.  Rizzo dropped a minor bombshell last night indicating Big Z is testing the waters on a comeback.  More likely, I would think, is that we trade the 3 Utah guys for some big man making in the neighborhood of $5mill annually...... which would equate to someone 'serviceable' at best.  We still have another 30 days or so before we can trade all 3 in a package.

He's a good writer but he does not seem to be a fan of Cleveland.

 

He's an expat Akron Beacon Journal guy.

 

Perhaps he's one of the seven people from Northeast Ohio that believe there's actually an Akron-Cleveland rivalry lol.

 

Windhorst doesnt hate the area.,..he has sour grapes.  He has lost a ton of reputation and took an absolute beating from radio people, twitter, national media for his inability to get any scoop with the Lebron thing.  Remember, the week Lebron announced he was coming back, windhorst went on Rizzo and Hammers show and told Cavs fans not to get their hopes up and dont get too excited.  I think Lebron and his group cut him and ESPN out of the loop and for that he is bitter.  Im surprised ESPN is keeping around, he rode Lebrons coattails to move up in the business, and it seems like that honeymoon is over.  In my opinion, windy is bitter that he guessed wrong, that Cleveland ended up the winner and he wasnt part of the party.  It seems like he had that attitude of "i got out of NE Ohio and made it big" only to have the show and universe come back to NE Ohio, where Windy is no longer part of the fun.

^It really has nothing to do with that.  Windy makes more money at ESPN than he did at the PD and ABJ combined.  He is one of their top NBA analysts.  He might've rode LeBron's coattails tot he top, but he seems to have solidified his place on his own merits.

We will have to agree to disagree.  I think he reports OK, but he is not really better than anyone else.  He sounds very well spoken and eloquent with his words, but what comes out of his mouth (especially this summer) is wrong.  And for that he has taken a beating.  He doesnt bring me any value when I want to get analysis on the NBA

Windhorst doesnt hate the area.,..he has sour grapes.  He has lost a ton of reputation and took an absolute beating from radio people, twitter, national media for his inability to get any scoop with the Lebron thing. 

 

He hated Cleveland long before that. How soon we forget his "Everyone leaves Ohio...." column from 2010!

 

Anyway.... I don't have a problem waiting until mid-season before getting Okafur. http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/33231/20140825/cleveland-cavaliers-rumors-kevin-love-trade-complete-as-ray-allen-chris-singleton-free-agent-options-after-andrew-wiggins-traded.htm

I am not sure what you are disagreeing with me about.  All I said is he is one of ESPN's top analysts.  That is a fact, not a matter of opinion.  That he evolved from covering the Heat to covering the entire NBA is also a fact, not a matter of opinion. 

 

As for being wrong this summer.... everyone was, except for Chris Sheridan, thanks to his leaks over at SI.

So the fact that ESPN employs him and has him cover the NBA makes it a fact that is the top analyst?  Thats the only support to your argument in my opinion.  There are plenty of highly respected opinions out there that believe he is not the best and he was employed at ESPn solely because of Lebron.  Hey, good for him.  I dont think he would ever be employed there if Lebron James didnt exist.  ESPN typically doesnt hire guys that are of his stature.

 

And as far as the Lebron thing...i dont think everyone was WRONG...but many just didnt speak up.  Wojnarowski wasnt WRONG, he just didnt say anything because he had no scoop.  Windy had no scoop and still chimed in and it bit him.  Brousssard and Windhorst were both wrong, they had inaccurate reporting the week of the Lebron decision...as called out by Chris Sheridan...which is also a Fact.  Im no expert and im not in journalism but when you start reporting opinions (and not getting paid for opinions) and not facts, you are not being a good journalist.

So the fact that ESPN employs him and has him cover the NBA makes it a fact that is the top analyst?  Thats the only support to your argument in my opinion. 

 

No.  That is not what I said.  I said that he was "one of ESPN's top analysts."  That doesn't make him THE top analyst for basketball or even ESPN's top analyst.  It makes him ONE of the top analysts under contract with ESPN.  At least it does in the minds of the people who make decisions at ESPN, which matters much more than your opinion of him and his talents.  Also, other media outlets pay more than ESPN, believe it or not.  Yahoo pays Woj more than any of the ESPN guys get paid.  Sheridan broke out on his own for the freedom and paycheck.  Others have gone to TNT, NBAtv, etc.

 

As for Windy being wrong about anything leading up to the LeBron decision, he was likely being fed bad info by Riley..... possibly via Broussard.  LeBron's camp completely shut out ESPN, not just Windy.  But I think the only thing that he was wrong about was whether the letter was still an issue.  He never said LeBron was not coming back. 

I want to Z in a Cavs uniform this year. I don't care how old he is, this year is going to be magic.

http://twitter.com/DustinFox37/status/503923885851807745/photo/1

SI Vault

‏@si_vault

This billboard is now hanging in Cleveland. Tell me old-school @Starter jackets are making a comeback.

 

^I still have that old-school starter jacket.  Found it a month or two back when cleaning out a storage closet at my mom's house.  I don't think mine has those stripes on the sleeves, however.

When I read this article, I thought back a few months to the 2014 Finals to LeBron cramping up. During the Finals, I'll bet LeBron thought "My body isn't going to last much longer without an experienced, top point guard around."

 

Get to the Point (Guard): LeBron James’ Search for a One

Posted on August 26, 2014 by William Bohl

 

There were plenty of reasons for LeBron James to go home. The Miami adventure, which resulted in four Finals appearances and two titles, had run its course. He saw a chance to return a hero, to right some of the wrongs ‘The Decision’ had spawned. James had the opportunity to put his stamp on an NBA roster, more or less assuming the role of General Manager, which was impossible with Pat Riley calling the shots in South Beach. And then there was the prospect of playing with Kevin Love, a true stretch four, rather than Chris Bosh, who’d made valiant efforts to become one, but ultimately wasn’t.

 

With all the press the Love trade has gotten, and all the speculation surrounding where the Cavaliers belong on the list of title favorites, Kyrie Irving has gotten lost in the shuffle. There’s a case to be made that the presence of the 22-year-old budding star had as much to do with drawing the King to Cleveland as anything else, and it all has to do with the fact that Irving is a skilled point guard, the kind of player LeBron has wanted to play with for a long time.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://hardwoodparoxysm.com/2014/08/26/get-point-guard-lebron-james-search-one/

KLove's press conference was held today.  Very personable guy.  He said that he was the first call LeBron made after announcing he was coming home.  Love's response to LBj was "I'm in".  He also confirmed that he is committed long term to the team.  He talked about his relationship and mutual respect with LeBron.  He mentioned how he thought Kyrie and Uncle Drew were both great players (tongue-in-cheek).  He said he has worked with Dion before during the summertime in LA.  He had just had a workout with Mike Miller and James Jones at the practice facility.  He already has a place to live.

 

He will wear #0.  #42 is retired and even though Nate Thurmond gave him his blessing, Love saw this as a chance to start fresh with a new number.  His second choice would've been #11, but that was Z's number.  His third choice was #7, but that was Bingo's number.  So he went back to #0 which he got by default when he was a kid for being late to a youth basketball game and no other jerseys left in the bin.  He noted that it would represent his home state of Oregon and his new state, Ohio.

Like I said earlier, pinch me.

 

David Griffin was interviewed on 92.3 afterward the presser and admitted Love never would have come to Cleveland without LeBron. But LeBron probably wouldn't have come back (at least now) without Kyrie signing the long-term max. And Griffin said he's not done as they need more defensive help. They also want to add a backup point-guard, naming Chauncey Billups and Ray Allen as in the mix but not imminent.

^I am surprised by that comment.  Delly played well last year and showed some real improvement in summer league.  I guess he can be considered more of a combo guard and you wouldn't necessarily want him starting if Kyrie is lost for any stretch of time.  I actually think that Dion would do well at PG in a pinch with this team as it is constructed.  For certain, I would not be opposed to adding Billups or Allen, as both are true professionals and would have a positive influence in the locker room.

We will have to agree to disagree.  I think he reports OK, but he is not really better than anyone else.  He sounds very well spoken and eloquent with his words, but what comes out of his mouth (especially this summer) is wrong.  And for that he has taken a beating.  He doesnt bring me any value when I want to get analysis on the NBA

 

I disagree.  Windhorst is one of the best NBA analysts on ESPN.  He's usually ahead of the others on most trades, and knows the nuts & bolts to each one in order to make it happen as he's cap-ologist.  I'm not mad at him at all.  He was a young, hungry beat reporter that happened to come along when the greatest player in the game turned the international spotlight on Cleveland... and Windy rode with it and left town on LeBron's coattails-- and became a national figure in his own right.  And while I don't consider myself a sexist (Mary Kay Cabot is excellent with the Browns imho btw) and have no ax to grind with Mary Schmidt Boyer, Windy ran rings around her as the Cavs PD reporter -- her stuff is weak (more fluff than stuff) generally, and even more so compared to Windhorst.  He's very detailed.  I would say that probably only Jason Lloyd at ABJ is closest to Windy in terms of talent in this market.

^I am surprised by that comment.  Delly played well last year and showed some real improvement in summer league.  I guess he can be considered more of a combo guard and you wouldn't necessarily want him starting if Kyrie is lost for any stretch of time.  I actually think that Dion would do well at PG in a pinch with this team as it is constructed.  For certain, I would not be opposed to adding Billups or Allen, as both are true professionals and would have a positive influence in the locker room.

I'm gonna be super bummed if Delly isn't in the rotation. He, Andy, and Dion formed the Cavs' best +/- trio last season. I actually want to see all of our leftover players from last year get hefty minutes going forward. As crappy as they were, I became very attached to the post-Lebron Cavs. It was fun to watch the players develop, with Delly and Dion at the top of my list.

We will have to agree to disagree.  I think he reports OK, but he is not really better than anyone else.  He sounds very well spoken and eloquent with his words, but what comes out of his mouth (especially this summer) is wrong.  And for that he has taken a beating.  He doesnt bring me any value when I want to get analysis on the NBA

 

I disagree.  Windhorst is one of the best NBA analysts on ESPN.  He's usually ahead of the others on most trades, and knows the nuts & bolts to each one in order to make it happen as he's cap-ologist.  I'm not mad at him at all.  He was a young, hungry beat reporter that happened to come along when the greatest player in the game turned the international spotlight on Cleveland... and Windy rode with it and left town on LeBron's coattails-- and became a national figure in his own right.  And while I don't consider myself a sexist (Mary Kay Cabot is excellent with the Browns imho btw) and have no ax to grind with Mary Schmidt Boyer, Windy ran rings around her as the Cavs PD reporter -- her stuff is weak (more fluff than stuff) generally, and even more so compared to Windhorst.  He's very detailed.  I would say that probably only Jason Lloyd at ABJ is closest to Windy in terms of talent in this market.

 

Thats fine, you have ur opinion. you think he is great.  Me and many others dont think Windhorst or as Jim Rome referred to him that "Jonah Hill lookalike" is not that great.

A good question came up on the radio today.  Who will have more losses this season, the Browns or Cavs?

A good question came up on the radio today.  Who will have more losses this season, the Browns or Cavs?

 

Perhaps the Browns... The Pettine regime is stumbling out of the gate so far (the Hoyer/start decision is absurd on all counts), and the Browns' offensive weapons look like, well, ... not weapons.

the cavs will lose more than 16 games.

^That's where I would put my money if I had to bet, but keep in mind that the 2009 Cavs only lost 16 games.  The 2008 Celtics (the first year of the KG, Allen, Pierce Big 3) only lost 16 games.  Regardless, the Browns are not losing 16 games.  No way.

 

I would say that probably only Jason Lloyd at ABJ is closest to Windy in terms of talent in this market.

 

Did the PD ever get around to hiring a new beat reporter? 

 

Tom Withers (AP) seems to have good Cavs info.  When he reports something, you can trust it.  He doesn't just throw spaghetti against the wall when it comes to trade rumors and free agency.  I just started following him, so I'm not sure how his game analysis will be.  I still think Pluto has the best analysis of on-the-court stuff.  Windy definitely understands the league best as it pertains to the way the NBA operates, the CBA, and the thinking of other franchises.  I'm pretty sure Lloyd's source within the Cavs was Chris Grant.  He had a good run while it lasted, but he hasn't broke any news in a long time.

 

Thats fine, you have ur opinion. you think he is great.  Me and many others dont think Windhorst or as Jim Rome referred to him that "Jonah Hill lookalike" is not that great.

 

Ain't nothing wrong with double negatives ;)

 

 

Did the PD ever get around to hiring a new beat reporter? 

Seems like it's Fedor. He writes like a sports talk radio host talks. Very informal and brash. I hope they hire a real writer.

^Do his articles get published in the print edition?  I thought he was more of an online contributor.  Sort of like Glenn Moore for the Browns, whereas Tom Reed is doing most of the print stuff.

Read this article now and again next June.....

 

The inside story of how the Cleveland Cavaliers chased after Kevin Love -- Terry Pluto

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2014/08/the_inside_story_of_how_the_cl_1.html

And this article....

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/08/27/kevin-love-trade-glen-taylor-minnesota-timberwolves-owner

Nice job

Read this article now and again next June.....

 

Why next June?  Before or after I attend the parade?

After the parade. ;)

 

Nice job

 

 

 

 

I "Freddie Mercury " Cleveland???

 

 

Levi: How will Kyrie Irving adjust to superstar-laden Cavs?

September 1, 2014 by  Oren Levi

   

There he goes again, the ball miraculously still in his hands, blowing past a player that up until that very moment was a hero in his home country, and now has to settle for second place in the heart of his nation’s fans.

 

Only the replay will tell just how in the world he found the angle to flick that layup in, with dizzy, confused defenders only finding the ball as it drops to them after falling through the net. Kyrie Irving’s artistry can be ego-crashing to the opposition. He will pull the rug out from under you with the world watching, and he will do so with the most charming of smiles.

 

As we enjoy Irving doing his thing on the international stage with Team USA in the World-Cup, we can’t wait to see how he will do as a part of new and improved Cleveland Cavaliers. The three-headed monster will be unleashed in the supposedly ‘up-for-grabs’ Eastern Conference, led by the rookie coach David Blatt.

 

Read more at http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/09/01/levi-how-will-kyrie-irving-adjust-to-superstar-laden-cavs/#1zO3Mc1Lfq02kjp6.99

Anderson Varejao: "I want to retire in Cleveland"

 

http://www.fearthesword.com/2014/9/1/6094427/anderson-varejao-i-want-to-retire-in-cleveland

Anderson Varejao: "I want to retire in Cleveland"

 

http://www.fearthesword.com/2014/9/1/6094427/anderson-varejao-i-want-to-retire-in-cleveland

 

Cool, wanna take a pay cut Andy so we can bring in another vet?? Seriously though, I can understand why. Andy turns 32 at the end of this month. Considering that Lebron, Love and Kyrie are probably going to play together for at least five years, that will take Andy to the end of his career (assuming he stays healthy in his final playing years!). What a great team to wrap up your career with!

^Andy taking a pay cut will not help us bring in another vet next summer.  Once Kyrie and KLove's new contracts kick in, and they add on to Lebron's, the Cavs are going to be left playing with the MLE at best for the next 5-6 years.  The only thing Andy taking a pay cut would do would perhaps save Gilbert some $$ on the luxury tax.  I have no issue with paying, even overpaying Andy.  The guy earns his money and he should be a Cav for life.  With that said, we already know that we are going to massively overpay Tristan next summer.

^Andy taking a pay cut will not help us bring in another vet next summer.  Once Kyrie and KLove's new contracts kick in, and they add on to Lebron's, the Cavs are going to be left playing with the MLE at best for the next 5-6 years.  The only thing Andy taking a pay cut would do would perhaps save Gilbert some $$ on the luxury tax.  I have no issue with paying, even overpaying Andy.  The guy earns his money and he should be a Cav for life.  With that said, we already know that we are going to massively overpay Tristan next summer.

 

I was thinking this year. Next year, it matters much less as the financial floodgates will open with the new TV deal. There have been reports that Lebron may get a max, multi-year contract in the neighborhood of $200+ million.

^That is 2 years from now when the new TV deal kicks in and max contracts will skyrocket.  But the salary cap should rise proportionally to accommodate a larger share of the revenue going to the players.  This year, the Cavs are over the cap already by a little more than $5mill.  Andy would have to take a cut of nearly his entire salary...... over $7mill of the $9.8 he is due.... to get us anymore flexibility than we already have with the minimum veteran exception.

BTW, the collective gasp on Twitter this AM when Kyrie took a hit against NZ in FIBA was almost funny. Almost.

Anderson Varejao: "I want to retire in Cleveland"

 

http://www.fearthesword.com/2014/9/1/6094427/anderson-varejao-i-want-to-retire-in-cleveland

 

Cool, wanna take a pay cut Andy so we can bring in another vet?? Seriously though, I can understand why. Andy turns 32 at the end of this month. Considering that Lebron, Love and Kyrie are probably going to play together for at least five years, that will take Andy to the end of his career (assuming he stays healthy in his final playing years!). What a great team to wrap up your career with!

 

In all fairness, hasn't Andy been a loyal Cav in the bad years, too?

 

In all fairness, hasn't Andy been a loyal Cav in the bad years, too?

 

I wasn't saying Andy would be leaving. I'm saying his retirement timing would work out great for him, so that his possible final years in the NBA/Cleveland should be some of the best years in terms of good teams/number of wins. Better to end on a high note.