^I like that.  Tweet it to Dan G.  The gray goes much better with the wine IMO.  That said, we are going back to the blue for the reason I stated above.

 

I suppose, however, that the league was given enough notice because word is that the Cavs are going to wear these on opening night.

 

Here is a full image (although in graphic form, not an actual picture).  Here, the blue does look closer (but not quite as light) as the Price/Daughtery/Nance era than the former LBJ navy's

 

I still think the 2003-2010 Cavs jerseys are the best and wish we would go back to those.

How's this for a great pic?

 

All I can say is wow.  The final score from Rio last night is more than a bit deceiving.  The Cavs won in overtime against the Heat in front of a sold out arena, but the game only went to overtime when the Heat closed the gap during the scrubs v. scrubs time in the 4th.... mostly with players who won't make either roster.  During the meaningful parts of the game, we maintained a 10-20 point lead..... with Kyrie not playing..... and with LeBron not playing like greatest player in the world.  KLove dropped 25 pts on something like 9-12 shooting.  He showed his 3-point range, his mid-range game, and his post game.  The Heat could do nothing to stop him.  Wade looks old, but Waiters made him look even older...... totally outplayed him.  Andy got the start and played really well.  Tristan came in and wore the Heat bigs out.  The added muscle on TT is noticeable, especially around the shoulders and he seems to have slimmed a bit at the waist.  He is flying around the rim and perfectly playing the role of 'scrapper.'  Delly started in place of Kyrie and did just fine, especially pressuring the ball on defense.  The other notable in my book was Smokin' Joe Harris (at least that is what Fred and Austin are calling him.... we'll see if it sticks).  That kid can shoot the rock and is not shy about it. 

 

The halftime stats told the tale...... Cavs were up double digits.  Cavs shooting near 60% and the Heat near 40%.  Cavs doubled up the Heat in assists, rebounds, and points in the paint.  Total domination.

 

The offense still looks clunky at times and there are some defensive breakdowns, but that has to be expected with new coach/system

In this first game against NBA competition, I was very impressed with Waiters. Dude is the Tasmanian Devil out there.

 

One worry I have is LeBron's back. I keep hearing about it as a reason for him needing rest. I have a bad back myself, and I have to wonder if his is going to be a problem going forward.

LeBron will not play in tonight's home preseason game against Milwaukee.  Giving him a one game rest this week was part of the plan.  He chose tonight over tomorrow in Cincy.  Smart move from a team marketing standpoint, I suppose.

'Dress rehearsal against the Bulls last night in Columbus.  Cavs won by 10..... would've been more if DRose did not go bananas during a few stretches of the game.  He finished with 30 points in 24 minutes..... certainly with the help of shooting 80% from 3, which he will probably never do again.  Kyrie had 28pts, 7 assts.... Lebron finished with 16pts, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds..... KLove had 8pts and 13rebs...... Andy was fantastic with 22pts, 8rebs.

 

A few insights:

- The Cavs' big men more than held their own against Chicago's formidable front line.  We controlled the boards for most of the game and didn't get pushed around at all.

- I think we can count on an offensive explosion from one or more of LeBron, KLove, Kyrie, or Dion each night.  Every preseason game, we have seen one of those guys come close to a point per minute

- Andy started at C

- Off the bench were Delly, Tristan, and Marion playing significant minutes....... Miller did some spot duty.  I think that is our 9 man rotation to start the season.

- This team wants to run at every opportunity

- Chicago will be as good as advertised..... so long as DRose can stay healthy

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

It's still odd to see Varajao drop 20+ points in a game. The first half of his career, that guy was the biggest offensive liability since Dennis Rodman. Crazy how he's developed a jumper.

The first half of his career, that guy was the biggest offensive liability since Dennis Rodman.

 

That's a bold statement

The first half of his career, that guy was the biggest offensive liability since Dennis Rodman.

 

That's a bold statement

 

No, that's a bold statement.

About last night, I was surprised to see the Cavs offense going so effectively through the center position. Andy showed us what's going to happen when other teams leave him room to operate,  he looked tough. One of the broadcasters said that Andy's offense is still limited, and that teams are going to see tape and defend him better. Still, he's hitting a mid range jumper and looking comfortable.

 

Both LeBron and K Love played tentatively. While LBJ just seemed to be testing the waters, Love looked very out of sorts. There seemed to be long stretches where he didn't even touch the ball on offense. But even him just standing outside helped spread out the floor. His unguarded air ball three was indicative of how Love's night, but he was active with the rebounds. Also LeBron had some uncharacteristic lapses on D.

 

The Winking Lizard tv was enormous, but still not HD enough for me to tell Kyrie from Dion. The player I now call "Kyon" looked good.

 

Noah looked overmatched by Thompson/Varajao. Gasol looked crafty. Rose was great.

 

It's going to be so fun watching this team gel. Right now, it's like you can see all the pieces but it's still somewhat a mystery how it's going to fit together exactly. At one point there was a miscommunication over a time out and Kyrie went ballistic on the team...I'd like to see him be cool down a bit. And Thompson, I wish he'd just do the opposite and take some angry pills. He had the most tentative, most apologetic alley oop "slam" I've ever seen. I think he apologized to the ref and the Bulls bench on his way back down the court.

 

Dammit Tristan, get mean. Even if it means you lose your Canadian citizenship. We don't need you to be Brad Daugherty...be Tyrone Hill.

 

 

About last night, I was surprised to see the Cavs offense going so effectively through the center position. Andy showed us what's going to happen when other teams leave him room to operate,  he looked tough. One of the broadcasters said that Andy's offense is still limited, and that teams are going to see tape and defend him better. Still, he's hitting a mid range jumper and looking comfortable.

 

The Bulls were using the man guarding Andy to double team our stars.  Andy moves too well to do that.  He found the openings and his teammates found him.  He also has developed one of the best mid-range set shots (he doesn't have a 'jumper') in the entire league.  He is nearly automatic if left open from 10-15 feet.  What has blown me away this preseason is that mini-sky-hook he is using when guarded with his back to the basket.

 

The Winking Lizard tv was enormous, but still not HD enough for me to tell Kyrie from Dion. The player I now call "Kyon" looked good.

 

Kyrie wears a full arm sleeve.  Dion also has a darker complexion.  That's how I do it.  But it is getting tougher now that Dion has slimmed down a bit.

 

It's going to be so fun watching this team gel. Right now, it's like you can see all the pieces but it's still somewhat a mystery how it's going to fit together exactly. At one point there was a miscommunication over a time out and Kyrie went ballistic on the team...I'd like to see him be cool down a bit. And Thompson, I wish he'd just do the opposite and take some angry pills. He had the most tentative, most apologetic alley oop "slam" I've ever seen. I think he apologized to the ref and the Bulls bench on his way back down the court.

 

Dammit Tristan, get mean. Even if it means you lose your Canadian citizenship. We don't need you to be Brad Daugherty...be Tyrone Hill.

 

Ha.  Tyrone is one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.  Tristan is not a 'dog' for sure.  But he definitely added some muscle and strength.  Just look at his shoulders compared to last year.  It has been evident with his ability to go up through the defender to finish the shots which he was routinely having blocked earlier in his career.  He also rag-doll tossed a Heat player down in Brazil when they were fighting for the ball.

 

FWIW, Kyrie was yelling at Tristan, not the entire team.  Those two had a miscommunication which forced the timeout.  They kissed and made up in no time.

 

Re the alley-opp.... are you talking about the one at the end of the game?  I was impressed with his ups on that one.  He did, however, nearly miss the dunk as it seemed the ball slipped out of his hands as he was about to throw it down and glanced off the rim on the way through the basket.  I wonder if Tristan has problems palming a basketball.  That is not unheard of for someone his height.  Durant can't palm a bball.

^ Right, the alley oop at the end. I want to see TT bring down the glass!

^Better?

 

This is all I can see haha.

 

This portion of the requested page has been blocked.

Click here for details.

 

Can you post the link I evidently can't get embedded video anymore.

I don't know how to post the youtube link without it embedding..... but here is another option - http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=tristan+thompson+alley+oop+preseason+vs.+grizzlies

I don't know how to post the youtube link without it embedding..... but here is another option - http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=tristan+thompson+alley+oop+preseason+vs.+grizzlies

 

That dunk was acceptable.

 

Though he still looked goofy running back down the court!

Re the alley-opp.... are you talking about the one at the end of the game?  I was impressed with his ups on that one.  He did, however, nearly miss the dunk as it seemed the ball slipped out of his hands as he was about to throw it down and glanced off the rim on the way through the basket.  I wonder if Tristan has problems palming a basketball.  That is not unheard of for someone his height.  Durant can't palm a bball.

 

Tristan has great hops, but he doesn't have much touch.  I don't think it has to do with him not being able to palm the ball, I just don't think he has a great feel for the ball and sort of catches it in his palm too much instead of with the pads of his fingers.

 

I will admit, however, that overall he looks like a better player at this point in his career than I ever thought he would.

Some encouraging/fascinating stuff in this "The Player's Tribune" piece written by Kevin Love.

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-love-how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation/

Hey Minnesota fan: Love was traded. He wasn't a free agent like Lebron was. Out.

Where is the urban ohio thumbs down button when you need it?

Are we there yet? It's not Thursday yet??

 

Boo!

 

 

 

 

The scoreboard (5,500 Sqft) is 700 Sqft larger than most Lakewood lots!!

How 'bout some fire!

Tom Withers ‏@twithersAP  1m1 minute ago

Downtown Cleveland hopping. LeBron/Nike banner being readied. Stage being set up for Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar concert. No parking.

Word is that tomorrow will be star studded event. In addition to the above, Mr and Mrs Carter are supposed to show up, as well as Kevin Hart, Justin Timberlake..... Probably more. I wish the weather forecast was better

I wish the weather forecast was better

 

Weather Channel says it will be dry but chilly, with temps in the upper 40s at 7-8 pm.

This is crazy. Sportscenter is broadcasting live from downtown ALL DAY today. TNT has a live onsite broadcast for the hour before the game

I posted this in another thread, but it works here too:

 

Where/when to find @NBAonTNT party, @nikebasketball banner unveiling, @espn set, watch parties http://t.co/E2Bj1akIet

 

I was shocked when I turned on Sportscenter and see E.4th street.

 

The fanfare Downtown has got to be insane

I hate that they said LeBron was the reason for the downtown resurgence and kept portraying it that way.

 

What time is the banner unveiling?

 

Just saw the new Nike/Cleveland commercial on ESPN while at lunch. WOW

Just saw the new Nike/Cleveland commercial on ESPN while at lunch. WOW

 

Holy shit.

 

Just saw the new Nike/Cleveland commercial on ESPN while at lunch. WOW

 

 

When did they film that???

That commercial is awesome.  Anyone going to any of the watch parties? 

Neat article in Scene Mag about the how the Cavs' floor from Richfield Coliseum ended up in......Virginia.

New Lebron banner up and running. Pic from @HomaBash. #CavsOpener

I almost forgot San Fran won the World Series yesterday with all this Cleveland coverage on Sportscenter...not complaining!!!

So I see Kyrie, Andy, Dion, and Tristan in the commercial.  No KLove.  Not surprising since he has his own shoe deal with some Chinese company.

good lord what an epic commercial. fitting as there is a lot of expectation. here we go!

The big cheese liked it....

 

Dan Gilbert ‏@cavsdan  6m6 minutes ago

Hey Cleveland, if this doesn't give you goosebumps, nothing will... @KingJames & @Nike just released this video. Wow! http://bit.ly/1E6ljTw

The big cheese liked it....

 

Dan Gilbert ‏@cavsdan  6m6 minutes ago

Hey Cleveland, if this doesn't give you goosebumps, nothing will... @KingJames & @Nike just released this video. Wow! http://bit.ly/1E6ljTw

 

Was that Dan's skywalk at the 34 second mark?  LOL

Huge set of photos from downtown today

 

http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2014/10/30/downtown-cleveland-celebrates-cavs-2014-15-season-opener/

I'll have a batch this weekend :-)