^In terms of proven talent, the Knicks arguably gave up more.  They gave up a 1st rounder, so that is a wash, plus three more draft picks.  They sent Gallinari, Chandler, and Mozgov to Denver and Randolph, Curry, and cash to Minnesota.  So they gave up a mixture of starters, regular rotation players, draft picks, and cash.  It was a lot.  I'd take any of the three guys they sent to Denver in a heartbeat.

 

Woj Bomb.  Wiggins, Bennett and protected pick for Love.  No third team. How does that work with the money?

 

Wiggins + Bennett's contract, I believe, come within the 150% rule with Love's numbers prior to him signing an extension.  If not, the Cavs can throw in 2 of the 3 Utah players with non-guaranteed contracts.  1 of those guys, for some obscure reason, can't be traded for 60 days from when we acquire him, so he is not likely to be included, which is fine because he was the one who could play Center in a pinch and/or will allow us to waive him when the time comes

Just think, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one Tim Duncan ankle sprain away from locking up the 2015 NBA title.

^ got it.  Thanks thats great info.  I think i have come full circle on Wiggins and Bennett.  At first I wanted to keep these guys or at least one of them, but i have to say good luck to both.  This is incredibly exciting and we need to win right now.  Hanging onto Wiggins and Bennett wont guarantee anything in the future.  Heck, look at Kevin Durant.  go back 6 or 7 years and it was Durant...if people said "dont get rid of Durant"...he is obviously a GREAT player right now, but he does not guarantee a ring.  We have to do what we have to do this moment to win rings right now.  I think once the Lebron and Love thing ends in 5 years, if Dion and Kyrie have great runs here and are happy with the cavs there will be very good life after Lebron

Just think, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one Tim Duncan ankle sprain away from locking up the 2015 NBA title.

 

i cant believe we are still talking about Tim Duncan with such high regard.  The guy is what, 60?

Broussard now saying the he heard a few weeks ago that Ray Allen was going to sign if we got Love. 

i cant believe we are still talking about Tim Duncan with such high regard.  The guy is what, 60?

 

Age is just a state of mind. Just ask Uncle Drew and Wes. "Gotta get out there and put the team together".....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E25srrJsq5g

^"We home, baby!"

Age is just a state of mind. Just ask Uncle Drew and Wes. "Gotta get out there and put the team together".....

 

Speaking of...time for a shout out to K Love's uncle Mike!

 

 

Summer Madness indeed!

 

Broussard now saying the he heard a few weeks ago that Ray Allen was going to sign if we got Love.

 

Excellent news for Miller and Jones, that means the three of them can now afford a nice suite at Judson without breaking the bank. Especially considering they're all going to be receiving the minimum.

I'm with you, Coach K

 

“There’s absolutely not one second of hesitancy. I’d trade for Kevin Love,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told John Feinstein on CBS Sports Radio last month. Krzyzewski is also the coach of USA Basketball. “There aren’t many double-double guys who can spread the floor; he can go inside and outside. There may be a low post player that gets you a double-double, but Love, you can do a lot of different things with him …

“You look at LeBron, and you have the best player in the world. He’s 29, I’m not saying he’s at the end of his career, but he’s in the second-half of his career. And in the first half of his career he was becoming a great player. It took time. Just like with Andrew Wiggins, it takes time. LeBron is a great player right now, you do not want to waste any year of a great player’s career. Love is close to being that. He’s not as great a player as LeBron, but he’s there.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/report-cavs-timberwolves-finalize-trade-for-kevin-love-complete-monumental-offseason-1.511464#.U-PFom6rR84.twitter

Reminder:  The Welcome Home LeBron event/party is tonight at Infocision Stadium starting at 7:15.  No more tickets are available but you can watch it streamed live on cavs.com.  I'm sure ESPN, FoxSports1, and every other major network might also drop by

If all your interested in is LeBron's address to the crowd, that segment begins around 53:00...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g9JgP4m4Y

 

Prior to this event, there was a media Q&A.  He confirmed the reasons why he signed the shorter contract and reinforced hiss commitment to essentially end his career as a Cav.  He also talked about Kevin Love almost as if he was already a Cav, but choosing his words carefully.  The one quote about Love which I couldn't agree with more - "I don't care about the 26(ppg) and 12(rpg), I care about the basketball IQ."

 

One comment about his noticeable changes in mannerism (if that is the right word)..... he has been spending a lot of time with his kids.  It does that to you.  Softens you up a bit.

 

Some reports out there that the Cavs are closing in on a deal for Larry Drew to join Blatt's coaching staff.  That would be a tremendous pick-up, given Drew's NBA head-coaching experience.  He was the one who was ousted (unjustifiably, many argued) in Milwaukee this summer when the whole Jason Kidd fiasco went down.

 

This move should be officially announced very soon

^This is good news.  Blatt needs an assistant coach with the NBA experience that Drew brings.

^This is good news.  Blatt needs an assistant coach with the NBA experience that Drew brings.

 

He already has assistant Tyronn Lue, but this move adds NBA experience.

Drew has been a head coach, whereas Lue's experience is as an AC. Lue will be the lead assistant, but adding a former HC who has a decent reputation adds some credibility

The offici schedule will be released tonight, but latest word is we will open the season at home against NYK on 10/30

And a Christmas Day game in Miami

More reports (in addition to the opener and the Xmas day game in Miami):

 

@Chicago 10/31 (followed by a trip out west starting in Portland)

@Minnesota 1/31

 

25 games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Tied for most in the league with Bulls and Thunder. In fact, I think 25 is the maximum

Just took a look at tickets. I really, really, regret not just buying season tickets during the offseason speculation period. Opening game tix starting at 500 on resale market. 1000+ for anything good. 5k to sit courtside. Good for the team/city, not great for me. :)

25 games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Tied for most in the league with Bulls and Thunder. In fact, I think 25 is the maximum

 

I think the whole NBA is in for a disappointment from the Chicago Bulls.  Noah is their best player, IMO.  Rose is now entering Grady Sizemore territory and I dont see him ever being the exposive player he once was.  Gasol is OLD!! He has been marginal at best as a Laker even going back to when Kobe was healthy.  Boozer is gone.  They have some good young talent, but that wont peak this year.

And a Christmas Day game in Miami

 

Christmas in Miami... The one day out of the year that snow is beloved and they hold the freakin' game under the palms. Whatev.

Boozer is gone. 

 

I think that is a positive for the Bulls.  Taj Gibson was a much more effective player in their system.  A lot of what the Bulls do will depend on Rose staying healthy.  I too doubt he will.  But if he does, they are dangerous..... especially if Mirotic and Dougie McBuckets perform as advertised.

Quite frankly the love affair that the national media (see: ESPN) has with the Bulls is baffling to me.  Some are picking them to win both the most games in the east as well as the EC championship.  Really?  Do they really think Derrick Rose, assuming he can indeed stay healthy, will lift them to the promise land?  And remember, the Cavs/LeBron made short work of that team (with the same core group) back when Rose (and Noah) were young and vigorous.  Do they think old-ass, perpetually soft Pau Gasol is that missing piece, or that young McDermott is going to shoot their way to the promise land?  Honestly, I don’t get it.  And as much as we all despise Carlos Boozer in these parts – and for good reason – and despite the fact he did disappear in various playoff games, I can’t agree that his jettisoning will be positive for the Bulls despite what I like better about Taj Gibson.  Boozer can, and did, reliably knock down that 10-15 footer. 

 

Nevertheless, anyone NOT picking the Cavs to take the EC – presuming the Love deal goes through -- is either a (Chicago) homer, a Cleveland-hater, … or is smoking some killer stuff I simply must get my hands on.

 

I'll bet on Cavs working through growing pains over Rose being healthy and good, but it's not like a sure thing as far as I'm concerned. I don't think either team is going to run away with it despite Indiana's tragedy.

Chicago is a really good team without Rose.  They have proved that the past two years.  We shall see, but a lot of people more knowledgeable about b-ball than I am are picking them at or near the top without any bias towards or against Cavs or Bulls.  Boozer being gone is a plus for them because he went from being a 'lunch pail' kind of player to a finesse player over the past 5 years.  He used to earn his shots though hustle and hard work.  Now he needs someone else to create his offense for him.  Part of the reason he left the Cavs is because he wanted to have more offensive opportunities, which the Jazz offered him.  Silas never ran a play for him while he was with the Cavs.  He never defended well and that is Chicago's M.O.  Gasol is not much of a defender either, but his back-to-the-basket game was sorely needed.  They already have a face-up PF in Gibson, and they are sure to use McDermott at the 4 in smaller lineups.  Boozer doesn't have any versatility.  He can't play the 3 or the 5.  He is strictly a 4, and has trouble guarding most 4's in the league.  Even if you put aside his prior debacle here, I wouldn't want him on our team.

Chicago is a really good team without Rose.  They have proved that the past two years. 

 

But they were 1-and-done in the playoffs last year, despite Noah's D player of the year award.

^But they still made the playoffs, something most teams won't do when their MVP is lost for the season.  Last year, they also ran into that Washington team, which is really on the rise.  The predictions for this year largely rely on Rose staying healthy.  If he doesn't, they are a team that won't go far in the playoffs, but will likely still make the playoffs.  Our team couldn't do that last year.  I personally think that we will have the better record, but it is hardly ridiculous to say that a fairly stable 48 win team plus Rose can compete for the conference championship against a 33 win team plus LBJ and Love but also with changeover in the coaching staff and front office.  Not ridiculous at all.

I want the Bulls to be good. Noah is a good villain. But not just for entertainment purposes, but we need some healthy competition in the East.

Washington and Charlotte are on the rise.  Either one of them will present a challenge.  Both have a legit center and good depth.  If Horford is healthy, the Hawks would also bounce back.

Washington and Charlotte are on the rise.  Either one of them will present a challenge.  Both have a legit center and good depth.  If Horford is healthy, the Hawks would also bounce back.

 

Cavs/Wash had a good rivalry, though I cannot exactly remember what years they were. It's hard for me to dislike Charlotte, they've just been so hapless.

Cavs/Wash had a good rivalry, though I cannot exactly remember what years they were. It's hard for me to dislike Charlotte, they've just been so hapless.

 

1975-76....

 

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2011/11/02/20111103_1976_miracle_richfield.nba/

Pretty sure Surf was referring to the first Lebron era when Wash had Arenas, Jamison, Butler, etc and we faced (and beat) them in the playoffs 2 or 3 times

Pretty sure Surf was referring to the first Lebron era when Wash had Arenas, Jamison, Butler, etc and we faced (and beat) them in the playoffs 2 or 3 times

 

Could be. But we routinely beat them. That's not much of a rivalry then.

Pretty sure Surf was referring to the first Lebron era when Wash had Arenas, Jamison, Butler, etc and we faced (and beat) them in the playoffs 2 or 3 times

 

Could be. But we routinely beat them. That's not much of a rivalry then.

 

Well, they were trash talkers IIRC. I want our opponents to be hated, it's more fun that way ha ha. Like it was so easy to hate on Boozer. And then Noah with his anti-Cleveland comments.

 

Was just thinking, can you imagine the nba coverage if the Knicks had any sort of team going right now? It would be insane. And love or hate NYC, meaningful games at MSG are always a good thing for the league.

According to ESPN and other sources Shawn Marion has committed to joining the Cavs. Will play for minimum for a chance to win.

Matrix!

^But they still made the playoffs, something most teams won't do when their MVP is lost for the season.  Last year, they also ran into that Washington team, which is really on the rise.  The predictions for this year largely rely on Rose staying healthy.  If he doesn't, they are a team that won't go far in the playoffs, but will likely still make the playoffs.  Our team couldn't do that last year.  I personally think that we will have the better record, but it is hardly ridiculous to say that a fairly stable 48 win team plus Rose can compete for the conference championship against a 33 win team plus LBJ and Love but also with changeover in the coaching staff and front office.  Not ridiculous at all.

 

OK you're free (as we all are) to speculate, but as I noted above the pre-2010 LeBron-led Cavs team dispatched a younger, fully healthy Rose/Noah/Deng (prime) team in the playoffs.  And that was a much lesser Cavs team than the stacked bunch we're putting together this year (with btw a more seasoned, 2-time title bearing LeBron James). And even if Rose is healthy all year -- and I hope he is as an NBA fan who hates seeing any great talent lose his career to injury -- it'll still be a Derrick Rose who hasn't played competitive basketball for the better part of 2+ years.  Also Rose-less Chicago was worse then even last-year's woeful Cavs in scoring even though, yes Thibodeau's D got them to the playoffs. So I maintain it's NBA fantasy driven by what (?) I'm not sure, that has them competing with and even beating out the Cavs for the best record in the East or the EC championship, absent the unthinkable injury and disastrous implosion of our 3-max player led Cavaliers.

^Btw Hts, you can throw out the “33-win” Cavs team you note – it’s totally irrelevant;  just as irrelevant with LeBron returning as that 26-win team was the year after he left.  In 2006-07 the Celtics with Paul Pierce in his prime won 26 games. The next year, after Boston added KG and Allen, they LOST 26 games in route to an NBA championship.  And as much as I fret somewhat about Blatt’s inexperience, if you championship-caliber talent you can hire Jethro Smoot to coach them and they’ll be in line to win a title… Erik Spoelstra proved that. 

^Btw Hts, you can throw out the “33-win” Cavs team you note – it’s totally irrelevant;  just as irrelevant with LeBron returning as that 26-win team was the year after he left.  In 2006-07 the Celtics with Paul Pierce in his prime won 26 games. The next year, after Boston added KG and Allen, they LOST 26 games in route to an NBA championship.  And as much as I fret somewhat about Blatt’s inexperience, if you championship-caliber talent you can hire Jethro Smoot to coach them and they’ll be in line to win a title… Erik Spoelstra proved that. 

Paul Pierce only played half of that season.

^Btw Hts, you can throw out the “33-win” Cavs team you note – it’s totally irrelevant;  just as irrelevant with LeBron returning as that 26-win team was the year after he left.  In 2006-07 the Celtics with Paul Pierce in his prime won 26 games. The next year, after Boston added KG and Allen, they LOST 26 games in route to an NBA championship.  And as much as I fret somewhat about Blatt’s inexperience, if you championship-caliber talent you can hire Jethro Smoot to coach them and they’ll be in line to win a title… Erik Spoelstra proved that. 

Paul Pierce only played half of that season.

 

If I recall, the biggest Boston homer of em all, Bill Simmons, was calling for Doc to be fired before KG and Allen showed up. They did and they were good. Not saying Doc had nothing to do with it, just saying a mediocre coach can coach superstars pretty easily.

Bill Simmons is the most over-rated piece of self-indulgent meat I've ever had the displeasure of hearing his disgorged brain farts.

After tomorrow, the Cleveland Cavaliers' starting roster will likely be:

 

POS PLAYER -- PPG - RPG - APG

SF LeBron James -- 27.1 - 6.9 - 6.4

PF Kevin Love -- 26.1 - 12.5 - 4.4

PG Kyrie Irving -- 20.8 - 3.6 - 6.1

SG Dion Waiters -- 15.9 - 2.8 - 3.0

C Anderson Varejao -- 8.4 - 9.7 - 2.2

 

This starting roster will have to make some sacrifices as their combined usage percentage from last year is 129 percent. But it's still pretty mind-boggling that their starters, combined, averaged 98.3 points per game last season! I've never seen such a formidable offensive team in Cleveland.

 

And if that wasn't enough, consider this bench which is almost as productive as any Cavs' starting roster of the past four years except perhaps last year's!

 

POS PLAYER -- PPG - RPG - APG

SF/PF Shawn Marion -- 10.4 - 6.5 - 1.5

PF Tristan Thompson -- 11.7 - 9.2 - 0.9

PG Matthew Dellavedova -- 4.7 - 1.7 - 2.6

SG Mike Miller -- 7.1 - 2.5 - 1.6

C Brendan Haywood -- 3.5 - 4.8 - 0.5 (#'s are from 2012-2013; DNP 2013-14)

 

Others......

 

PG John Lucas III -- 3.8 - 0.9 - 1.0

SG Joe Harris -- ROOKIE

C Alex Kirk -- ROOKIE

 

It's highly possible Haywood doesn't play much this season. But I liked what I saw from Kirk (and Harris) in the summer league games.

No big surprise, but Kyrie made the final 12 man roster going to Spain for the FIBA World Cup.  He and DRose are the PGs.  Wall and Lillard were cut in the first and last round of cuts, respectively.  Curry is on the team too, but Coach K has been using him at SG

Two thoughts at the moment:

 

1) I'm happy that Kyrie is representing the United States at the FIBA World Cup, but I always get a little worried about burnout. The Cavs will need him for about 100 games (truthfully he'll be able to sit out 10-15 of them if necessary, but still) and I think front-loading his schedule is a bit of a concern. Especially considering his durability issues thus far.

 

2) I think Joe Harris could be a key piece for this team if given the opportunity. He's the more youthful version of the veteran players that the Cavs acquired in the offseason, but his perimeter shooting could be one of the best on the roster.

I hear that concern a lot.  However, I heard some coach (can't remember which) explain it away best.  It's not like Kyrie wouldn't be playing ball everyday.  Would you rather have him training and playing with the best, under Coach K, or would you rather him playing pickup games at some gym or park with s bunch of guys intent on proving they were robbed of their chance to play in the NBA?  The players don't go into a bubble during the offseason. The older vets could use the time off, but Kyrie is young and wouldn't have his feet up if he remained home

“@WFNYScott: Timberwolves website wasting no time http://twitter.com/TWolvesRu/status/503191438327562240/photo/1”

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!).