More info.....

 

Cavs trade Keith Bogans to 76ers

Updated: September 27, 2014, 5:48 PM ET

By Marc Stein | ESPN.com

 

....The Cavs will create a $5.3 million trade exception in the process. They had just acquired Bogans on Thursday from the Boston Celtics in a five-player deal that saw rookie Dwight Powell and the unguaranteed contracts of John Lucas, Erik Murphy and Malcolm Thomas go to Boston.

 

....The Cavs were motivated to turn around and move Bogans so quickly, sources said, to ensure they stay away from the league's $78 million luxury-tax threshold for the 2014-15 season.

 

Cleveland hopes that, by moving Bogans into the Sixers' cap space, its new trade exception generated by this deal can prove as valuable as a trade chip and simply keeping Bogans and dangling him in potential deals over the next several months.

 

The Cavs still possess another valuable potential trade piece in veteran center Brendan Haywood, whose $10.5 million salary in 2015-16 is fully unguaranteed and thus likely to appeal to teams seeking ‎cap relief.

 

Cleveland can now no longer aggregate the contracts of Bogans and Haywood ‎next summer to potentially pursue a player with a superstar salary, but trading Bogans away now likely ensures that the Cavs will have no luxury-tax issues at season's end.

 

MORE AT:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11598637/keith-bogans-traded-cleveland-cavaliers-philadelphia-76ers

 

 

And still more info.......

 

The real deal behind the Cleveland Cavaliers trades involving Keith Bogans -- Terry Pluto

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

on September 28, 2014 at 10:53 AM, updated September 28, 2014 at 10:57 AM

 

...Q: Meaning what?

 

A: Here we go: If the Cavs had kept Bogans and his $5.5 non-guaranteed contract, when they went to trade him later they would have been limited. Any player they took back would have to make at least $3.4 million. Don't ask why, that's the salary cap. Futhermore, the Sixers have the NBA's lowest payroll, so they could easily take on Bogans' contract to trade later. Bogans also has a non-guaranteed deal for about $6 million in 2015-16.

 

Q: What's the problem?

 

A: Cavs General Manager David Griffin wants a player at mid-season to help who makes about $2 million. They could not have traded Bogans' contract for that player.

 

Q: OK, so what?

 

A: The $5.4 million trade exception is like a pool of money. They can break it up in any amount. So they could trade for a $2 million guy ... or a $1 million guy. It gives them more options. They need guys whose contracts fit into the exception.

 

Q: What's the big deal?

 

A: The Cavs know this is not a finished roster. They know that Anderson Varejao, Brendan Haywood, Mike Miller, Irving and others have a history of injuries. Some of their veterans are older. They may need help. The trade exception is better for a team in the salary cap position of the Cavs to add help during the season.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2014/09/the_real_deal_behind_the_cleve.html

Cavs sign a couple of camp bodies....

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/signing-140928

Rumors are that Cavs have inquired about Pacers Center Roy Hibbert. The rumors are the Pacers want Dion Waiters, Brendan Haywood and a 1st round pick.

 

EDIT:

"@NBAReeves: Hearing reports of #Cavs interest in Hibbert are accurate. #Pacers offered him to PHO but doesn't mean they're determined to move him."

 

"@tspence26: Kings are not trading Cousins, however, hearing they are a possible 3rd team in Cavs/Pacers deal sending Hibbert to Cavs. Nothing imminent."

 

Seems the Cavs have been trying to get Hibbert since late August....

"@CavsNtn: Report: Cavs would have to give up Dion Waiters in a trade for Roy Hibbert."

Background info suggests the Cavs only need to trade Haywood to afford Hibbert's $15M contract. Pacers will want to do more than clear cap space, however. They'll want players/picks....

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2014/07/brendan-haywoods-contract.html

 

No thanks

I think if the Cavs didn't give up more than draft picks + Haywood and Hibbert was used almost exclusively on defense and rebounding, I'd definitely consider that. We really don't need him to score. Although I am concerned with his disappearing acts in the playoffs.

 

My preferred big man to trade for is Chris Gasol who is a free agent at the end this season.

"@SamAmicoFSO: For those asking, I've been told there's nothing at all happening involving the Cavs, Pacers, Roy Hibbert, etc."

^^Marc Gasol.

 

I like both him and Hibbert.  My issue is that both are lane cloggers, which is good for this team on defense but bad for this team on offense.  Given the makeup of our roster, I either want a C who can shoot from the outside or someone who is athletic enough to play in transition and really work the pick and roll.  We need someone who is going to pull the opposing center out of the lane and/or run him ragged.

 

^TSpence is only a notch above Beachwood trainer guy

^^Marc Gasol.

 

I like both him and Hibbert.  My issue is that both are lane cloggers, which is good for this team on defense but bad for this team on offense.  Given the makeup of our roster, I either want a C who can shoot from the outside or someone who is athletic enough to play in transition and really work the pick and roll.  We need someone who is going to pull the opposing center out of the lane and/or run him ragged.

 

 

Do you think Andy's shot has gotten good enough to pull this off?

More...

 

"@ESPNCleveland: Windhorst: The #Cavs have checked in on the availability of Roy Hibbert but I dont see the Pacers making a move. CLE is looking for a center"

 

Other reports are that Cavs are in the market for a center, just not at the price the Pacers wanted. Supposedly the Pacers wanted Dion but the Cavs (thankfully) didn't want to part with him.

Andy has turned into one of the best set shooters amongst the league's big men from beyond 10 feet.  He used to be awful, but now is close to 50% on anything outside the lane.

 

For big men, take a look back at how those championship Bulls teams used a center-by-committee approach.  Bill Cartwright, Will Perdue, Bill Wellington, Scott Williams, Luc Longley, Andrew Lang, James Edwards, etc....... just a bunch of bodies who were used to burn fouls and knock down 10 foot jumpers.

Hey I love Andy. I just wish he could be counted on to play in 60+ games a year. He's averaged 53 games in his 10-year career, and fewer than 31 games in three of the last four years. Also, he averages only 0.7 blocks per game. I want a guy who can at least double that amount.

Rim protectors can have a massive impact on the game and no team is worse off for having one.  That said, over-zealous shot blockers sometimes leave a bit to be desired on the defensive rebounding front, and vice-versa.  Neither Love nor Andy are great shot-blockers, but a lot of that IMO has to do with their focus on not taking themselves out of position to rebound a missed shot.  Love actually led the league last year in defensive rebounding.  Taking away a team's second shot is just as effective as blocking their second shot.  Also, you don't need to actually block shots to be a rim protector.  You can be so good at interior defense that your opponent never gets a clean look.  Or you can be really good at altering shots, which has the same basic effect as blocking it.  Hibbert and Anthony Davis are two guys who alter way more shots than what shows up in their block stats.

Good point about Love's defensive rebounding (and Andy's and Tristan's). Plus I think a lot of folks are overlooking the contributions Shawn Marion could have on the team -- especially on defense. I'm amazed how seldom anyone talks about him joining the Cavs. Even though he's slowing down, I suspect he can teach some defensive cues to look for in anticipating what opposing players will do, as well as body positioning, hand placements, etc. etc. 

I've always loved Marion.  I recall the 2004 Olympics, in which we won the Bronze because Larry Brown insisted on playing vets like Richard Jefferson and Stephen Marbury over James/Melo/Wade/etc., Marion and LeBron played exceedingly well together.  They (along with Wade) really pushed the pace and always had a better plus/minus than the rest of the team.  I remember thinking that LeBron would be lucky to play with either of those guys.  Turns out he will play with both before his career is out.  Marion, for sure, is not the same player he was, but he is another high b-ball IQ guy who is highly respected by his teammates and opponents.  He's tough, but not a bully.  You won't find many people, if any at all, who have bad stuff to say about the guy.

man i wish you wouldnt have mentioned AD. it would be great to have mono-brow, but no doubt he about as locked up as you can get.

I think he has officially decided on "The Brow"...... so we don't have to debate whether it is a uni-brow or a mono-brow, or if there is a difference.  ;)

Our newly designed floor for the Q.  I like it....

 

^ Is that Price/Daugherty/Nance blue/orange on the perimeter?!!

I'm going to the Wine and Gold scrimmage tonight with the fiance'e. Among all the other exciting things to witness (no pun intended) I can't wait to see the new scoreboard.

^I'm not sure the new scoreboard is operational yet

 

^^I don't think so.  It is the dark blue we use in our current uni's, with wine letters outlined in gold.

Ahhhh... ok. Oh well

 

 

From the twitter:

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4t0wR-2xks

Pardon Our Construction...

 

Due to the on-going construction of The Q's new HD video scoreboard system, Cavs install temporary displays and speakers to deliver in-game scores, stats, video and sound elements for tonight’s W&G Scrimmage and upcoming preseason games

 

As Quicken Loans Arena prepares to unveil its brand new HD scoreboard in time for the tipoff of the Cavaliers 2014-15 regular season, fans are asked to “pardon the dust” during the team’s preseason action. High-quality temporary video and audio systems will be in place during the Cavs preseason matchups to allow fans the opportunity to still experience all the fun and excitement of the Cavs’ game presentation.

 

Beginning with the Wine & Gold Scrimmage tonight, Wednesday, October 1st, fans can expect to see four high-definition temporary projection boards hanging from the rafters on each side of the arena bowl. These temporary boards will serve as alternative screens for fans to catch the game entertainment action. The lower level LED fascia will be used to display game statistics that will keep fans privy to what’s happening on the court.

 

On Sunday, October 5th as the Cavs face Euroleague power Maccabi Tel Aviv, two brand new, permanent screens will be in place in the northwest and southeast corners of the arena bowl and display the score feed.

 

Details and renderings of The Q’s new HD video scoreboard system will be released at a later date closer to the start of the regular season.

 

 

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/pardon-our-construction-141001

Just read this article where LeBron has supposedly already mastered Blatts offense and was working on installing it with other players after practice when the coaches walked out of their meetings. it's probably Nice bit of fluff out of the Cavs front office but I do get the feeling that both  LeBron and Blatt are on the same page and expect the rest of the team to be on the same page ASAP. They could come out of the gate in sync for the most part.  This is definitely different than Miami.

 

 

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24732773/blatt-takes-needed-and-successful-first-steps-with-lebron-cavaliers

Just read this article where LeBron has supposedly already mastered Blatts offense and was working on installing it with other players after practice when the coaches walked out of their meetings. it's probably Nice bit of fluff out of the Cavs front office but I do get the feeling that both  LeBron and Blatt are on the same page and expect the rest of the team to be on the same page ASAP. They could come out of the gate in sync for the most part.  This is definitely different than Miami.

 

 

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24732773/blatt-takes-needed-and-successful-first-steps-with-lebron-cavaliers

 

Well, he didn't show it in the scrimmage. Lots of garbage and isolation from Lebron, Kyrie, and Dion. Hopefully they were just showing off in front of the home crowd. Delly, Andy, Marion, and Miller showed really crisp ball movement however. Love also flashed those outlets he's become famous for.

Tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwLtNE9-m8U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

^  Saw some Globetrotter action there ha ha.

Great article....

 

Cavs Head Coach David Blatt takes needed, and successful, first steps with LeBron, Cavaliers http://t.co/igv2pQZUJq via @cbssports

LeBron James Returns to Cleveland — Israel's Champion Hoops Team a Side Show

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv Take on Old Coach and Superstar

 

By Hillel Kuttler

Published Wednesday, October 1, 2014

 

“Going to Cleveland, playing against our old coach, LeBron, Kyrie – some of the best players in the world – I’m a huge competitor, so to be able to take part in a game like that, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m psyched,” said the heavily tattooed Landesberg, who sat out Maccabi’s title runs with an injury.

 

“It’s going to be a packed house, I’m guessing, and I don’t think I’ve played in front of a crowd that big before. It’s going to be amazing.”

 

---

 

The games in Cleveland and Brooklyn also bring a serious dimension — as fundraisers for organizations benefiting Israeli soldiers and children from Israel’s South affected by the rocket attacks from Gaza that prompted Operation Protective Edge this summer.

 

Twelve Israeli soldiers wounded in the Gaza battles will be flown in for both games. In Brooklyn, the Nets will wear uniforms with their names spelled in Hebrew.

 

http://m.forward.com/articles/206643/lebron-james-returns-to-cleveland-israels-champi/

^  Saw some Globetrotter action there ha ha.

 

I was just thinking that with all three of "them" on the Wine, the Gold had to feel like the Washington Generals.

Also check the projected win totals for other teams -- including the Heat.....

 

SuperBook sets Cavs' wins at 58.5

Updated: September 30, 2014, 10:15 PM ET

By David Purdum | ESPN.com

 

With LeBron James back in uniform, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to win more games than any other team, according to one Las Vegas sportsbook.

 

But it's close.

 

The Westgate SuperBook posted its NBA season win totals Tuesday. The SuperBook opened the Cavaliers' season win total at 58.5. The Oklahoma City Thunder (57.5), defending champion San Antonio Spurs (56.5), Chicago Bulls (55.5), Los Angeles Clippers (55.5) and Golden State Warriors (50.5) also are projected to win 50-plus games.

 

Last season, the SuperBook set the Cavs' season win total at 40.5. Cleveland went 33-49 but significantly upgraded its roster with the return of James and the trade for All-Star forward Kevin Love.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://espn.go.com/espn/chalk/story/_/id/11619674/las-vegas-westgate-superbook-sets-win-totals-nba-cleveland-cavaliers-league-best-585

Ahhhh... ok. Oh well

 

 

From the twitter:

 

 

 

 

 

The new floor is a little too busy for me. I prefer simplistic.

 

Also I don't understand the point of the navy blue. The team's colors are now just wine and gold, right? Blue hasn't been used since LeBron's first tour here and unless that's changed it shouldn't be part of the court's color scheme.

Ahhhh... ok. Oh well

 

 

From the twitter:

 

 

 

 

 

The new floor is a little too busy for me. I prefer simplistic.

 

Also I don't understand the point of the navy blue. The team's colors are now just wine and gold, right? Blue hasn't been used since LeBron's first tour here and unless that's changed it shouldn't be part of the court's color scheme.

It's not to busy, it's uneven. the skyline on one side of the floor makes the court look uneven.  The court should be mirrored on all sides.

It is a one sided floor.  Everything is positioned to be upfront for the TV camera.  With the large "C" in the middle, it had to be oriented one way or the other.  The skyline looks good on TV.  Not too loud, but noticeable enough that it stands out.

 

Cavs looked good last night.  A little rusty with the new systems on O and D.  But the ball movement was crisp and the rebounding was dominant.  From what I saw, teams better bring their running shoes to town, because the Cavs are trying to turn every miss into a fast break opportunity, especially when KLove grabs the board.  TT looked good at C with this team due to its running midset.  Joe Harris also impressed me.  He is better than I thought and has a legitimate chance of not being sent to the D-League to start the season.

^ Cool you saw the game? How did AV look?

 

In the espn highlight reel it's kind of funny, TT looks so freaking surprised to be getting such great passes and spacing toward the basket lol. He'd better get used to it!

AV came off the bench and looked like AV.  15 rebounds from your backup big man is quality production, especially when TT had 13 and KLove had 11

I like the idea of Tristan at center.  But there will be teams where he is going to be over matched. Will be interesting to see what Blatt does at that point. Regarding the look of the floor. I really like the Cavs logo that has the sword thru it, I would like to have seen that one used in the center of the floor. I like the sword as an identifying piece, should be used more. And not a fan of the blue, doesn't match well.

^ yeah i agree the sword would be cool and the price, daugherty, nance era blue, which was a mistake in the first place back then, should be retired.

 

hts when you can tell us more about the D --

^That is not the Price/Daugherty/Nance blue on the floor.  That is the 'alternate' navy we have had for several of the years since 2005 or so.  It is a favorite of LeBron's and I would expect the jersey to be back in the mix next year (advanced notice to the league is required).

 

The defense was "active" in terms of getting in the passing lanes and pressuring the ball-handler.  Macabi is a 'system' team and swings the ball around as well as anyone in the NBA, except maybe the Spurs.  They got some good looks against us and some open lanes for cuts.  I think we are a work in progress on that end.  I also don't think they (the Cavs) were going 100% on defense last night.  One thing for certain was that Macabi was allowed one shot and only one shot.  We gobbled up pretty much all of their misses.

Shoot, I forgot former Akron Zips hustle-guy Nate Linhart plays for Macabi!

 

Played 21 minutes, had 5 points (nailed a corner 3 and hit two FTs), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block.

Good preview of the Cavs and what to expect:

 

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nba-windows-the-cavs-have-all-the-makings-of-a-title-contender/

 

Summary? Watch the score counter roll like a pinball machine's.

I think Andy is a must-follow for the next week while the team is in Brazil.  He seems to really be relishing in this opportunity to bring the NBA game to his homeland.....

 

https://twitter.com/VAREJAOANDERSON

^ Oh that's some funny stuff

Well.... I hope either Windy's twitter has been hacked or the Cavs are playing some kind of twisted joke, because he is saying he just saw Kyrie in Brazil with a walking boot on.  Didn't mention crutches and he made the trip, so even if true, I hesitate to assume it is anything serious.

 

EDIT:  To be clear, Windy said he "ran into the Cavs as they were going sightseeing in Rio."  Again, I really doubt that Kyrie would go sightseeing with a serious foot/ankle injury.  He might wear a boot to protect a minor sprain, I suppose.  One can hope....

"@ohiodotcom: via @PhilTrexler - Ohio inmate to parole board: Free me to witness @KinGJames chase title  http://t.co/6DWNkwmHLi"

Amico to the rescue (for probably the first and maybe the last time in his media career....... I kid, Sam.... sorta)

 

@SamAmicoFSO - "Kyrie Irving tweaked foot in practice yesterday.  All X-rays & MRI negative.  Not serious.  Cavs just taking extra precaution with treatment."

Here's the intro video the Cavs will be using during the preseason. Can't wait to see what they come up for the regular season but something tells me it will heavily involved in the 3D floor projectors

 

http://youtu.be/PocwgXHuDpM

For those wondering about the floor coloring, Dan Gilbert just tweeted out this photo

 

http://twitter.com/cavsdan/status/519979059401752577/photo/1

"Whats not to like"?

Still not crazy about the blue but the one @cavsdan is the best version yet.

I was thinking maybe like a slate gray, idk...