I was thinking more along the lines of O'Neal and Hardaway, or Dumars and Thomas, or more recently Hamilton and Billups.

Wow, lots of empty seats in Miami right now.  Can somebody say bandwagon?

I love how miami fans proudly say, "we have other things to do than watch sports". Really, like what, lay on the beach. Don't confuse ur city for a productive city. I was down there last weekend. It's just really not that great of a place

If they don't care for sports, then why have a sport team? Greater Cleveland has the economic output of Hungary. What is Miami's economic output equal to? Cuba??

 

And speaking of unproductive, there was way too much LeBron playing 1-on-5. And the defense was lethargic. I realize it was the second night of a back-to-back, but c'mon. And our bench isn't deep enough to give the starters a rest and still keep the team competitive. The starters MUST play. And that has me worried about injuries down the stretch.

If they don't care for sports, then why have a sport team? Greater Cleveland has the economic output of Hungary. What is Miami's economic output equal to? Cuba??

 

Not for this thread but I'd be careful with these kinds of comparisons.  Most all of the USA's economic and banking transactions with all of South/Central America run through Miami.  Per this list, Cleveland is 27th nationally, while Miami ranks 11th: 

 

http://www.usmayors.org/metroeconomies/2013/201311-report.pdf

 

 

If they don't care for sports, then why have a sport team? Greater Cleveland has the economic output of Hungary. What is Miami's economic output equal to? Cuba??

 

Not for this thread but I'd be careful with these kinds of comparisons.  Most all of the USA's economic and banking transactions with all of South/Central America run through Miami.  Per this list, Cleveland is 27th nationally, while Miami ranks 11th: 

 

http://www.usmayors.org/metroeconomies/2013/201311-report.pdf

 

 

Lots of money going there from Brazil these days.

If they don't care for sports, then why have a sport team? Greater Cleveland has the economic output of Hungary. What is Miami's economic output equal to? Cuba??

 

And speaking of unproductive, there was way too much LeBron playing 1-on-5. And the defense was lethargic. I realize it was the second night of a back-to-back, but c'mon. And our bench isn't deep enough to give the starters a rest and still keep the team competitive. The starters MUST play. And that has me worried about injuries down the stretch.

 

im just considering this a throw away game.  terrible performance, but not concerned.  the trends are in the cavs favor.  the roadtrip included two huge west victories on the road. 

 

Lebron, as great as he is, is still an emotional basketcase.  He doesn't look comfortable playing in Miami for the cavs and frankly they looked like they may have went out the night before.  Really sloppy and as you said, lethargic.  If we somehow got the heat in a 7 game series, I would expect them to be more prepared and focused.  My main concern is Wade.  Wade seems to have the edge on Lebron when it comes to playing with a chip on his shoulder.  Almost intimidates Lebron.  Ill be at the game on April 4th.  I think that will be an important game to show them who the boss is in case we have to play them in the playoffs.

Ill be at the game on April 4th.  I think that will be an important game to show them who the boss is in case we have to play them in the playoffs.

 

Isn't that game on Easter Sunday? That's April 5. Normally I wouldn't say anything about that, but I'm going to that game too and I want to make sure I've got the right date!

 

BTW, if the Cavs have the second seed sowed up, I have to wonder if the Cavs will rest any players for that game.

I apologize, the Heat game is Holy Thursday.  APril 2nd.  AN 8 PM game on TNT.  The bulls are on Easter Sunday at home

No need to apologize! :) I couldn't even remember who the Cavs' opponent will be in the April 5 game.... Senility has its drawbacks.

Yay, the four-game road trip is over!

 

 

It'll be interesting to see how they play against Indiana.  They have kind of had the Cavs number this season, but a few of those games we were not at full strength.  Almost would like to see the Cavs slip to the 3 seed, smoke Milwaukee and then smack around the Bulls for an East Finals showdown against the Hawks.

Pacers are slipping lately, losing three in a row. Let's hope that continues.

 

Gotta love yesterday vs. Brooklyn. Seven players in double figures, including all five starters by the end of the third period. And I thought Blatt used Kevin Love the best way I've seen so far, with Love putting the ball on the floor and pushing guys in the paint to get his shot. A lot of his shots didn't fall, but they will. Hope they keep it up.

The Clevelander in me fears a first rounf matchup vs the pacers.  They get Paul George back, a team that isn't afraid of and has gone toe to toe with Lebron in the past three playoffs.  Granted, we are the much better team. But for some reason facing them in the first round would not make me feel good.  I want to play the Heat.  You should've seen twitter after the cavs heat game the other night.  all of them want the cavs and feel they would win in 6.  I honestly think we would destroy them.  Lebron hasn't had his head right while in Miami and those two games just seemed different than the rest.  Luckily, we would be starting here and I don't think you go back to south beach anything other than up 2-0 for the cavs.

Lots of good comments following this incendiary article.

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nightmare-scenario-cleveland-cavaliers-getting-163538152.html

For sound economic reasons, Love will opt in to his contract for next year. Book it. The 'nightmare scenario' if there is one will come the following summer. He can then decide if he wants to go back to being the primary scoring option on a bad team or continue to be a vital piece of a team that will compete for a championship every year of his prime

For sound economic reasons, Love will opt in to his contract for next year. Book it. The 'nightmare scenario' if there is one will come the following summer. He can then decide if he wants to go back to being the primary scoring option on a bad team or continue to be a vital piece of a team that will compete for a championship every year of his prime

 

I know you never want to say "never" especially when it comes to athletes and their decisions....but I'd be very very shocked if Love didn't remain a Cav long term. It would be so hard to explain going to from a top tier team to a losing one.

 

Anyhow, we're just now starting to see the chemistry happen. This team is going to just keep getting better.

@CavsJoeG

#Cavs F LeBron James didn't shoot around this morning and is listed as questionable for tonight's game with Indiana.

Last night didn't make me feel any more comfortable about playing the pacers in the first round, especially with Paul George perhaps returning. Frankly, the Heat are playing really well too. Wade seems to want to outdo LeBron. The Cavs are by and far he most talented team in the East, but one weakness is lebron not getting out of his own head in emotional situations. The first game back, both heats games in Miami, the Houston game. I'm sure the cream will rise to the top, but id rather face the bucks or celtics in round 1. I would absolutely hate to have a team completely not intimidated by the cavs add to our storyline of disappointment

I really don't want to see the Heat in the first round. The Cavs are the better team for sure, but talk about facing a team that will be very motivated and if nothing else that could turn into a long, grueling series.

I really don't want to see the Heat in the first round. The Cavs are the better team for sure, but talk about facing a team that will be very motivated and if nothing else that could turn into a long, grueling series.

 

Love and Irving: ZERO playoff experience.

 

That's a bit scary.

I'm not worried about Kyrie. He shows up big at crunch time. I don't know what to expect from KLove.

Cavs trailed by 11 in the third period against the Bucks on the road.

 

Cavs won by 18.

 

LeBron & Co. sleep-walked through the first half. Sometimes I think this team decides when it wants to play. When it does, it's damn near impossible to beat.

cavaliers would have added steve nash

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/22/report-cavaliers-would-have-added-steve-nash-if-he-had-agreed-to-buyout-from-lakers/

ESPN Sportscenter ran a segment this a.m. with Brian Windhorst on K Love. It was hilarious, because it was essentially a highlight reel with audio clip of Love saying how geared up he is for finally playing for a contender....meanwhile Windhorst and the hosts are saying Love doesn't fit in, the Cavs are great without him, that LeBron hasn't embraced him and finally that he "only has to play nice for one year."

 

He'll be a Laker next year because someone on ESPN said so.

ESPN Sportscenter ran a segment this a.m. with Brian Windhorst on K Love. It was hilarious, because it was essentially a highlight reel with audio clip of Love saying how geared up he is for finally playing for a contender....meanwhile Windhorst and the hosts are saying Love doesn't fit in, the Cavs are great without him, that LeBron hasn't embraced him and finally that he "only has to play nice for one year."

 

He'll be a Laker next year because someone on ESPN said so.

 

Because ESPN was so right last year about where LeBron would play if he opted out of his contract. :roll: ESPN only loves front-runners and leeches off their success. So when Cleveland wins a championship, then ESPN will be our biggest and best buddies. Gee, I can't wait...

Doesn't fit in?  How so?  He allows LeBron and Kyrie to thrive. He's damn near the effect fit for us at the 4 on the offensive end. We replace him with a traditional 4 and we would have to make some major adjustments to the way we play

It is a weird situation, I don't know any facts. But I do find it weird that u don't hear anything from love all year and he goes on mike and Mike and doesn't exactly give a ringing endorsement for being lebrons teammate. That being said, we all work places where we aren't beat friends with talented people. If he says he is staying here, I believe it. Winning trumps pretty much everything, especially if u get the money u want

Doesn't fit in?  How so?  He allows LeBron and Kyrie to thrive. He's damn near the effect fit for us at the 4 on the offensive end. We replace him with a traditional 4 and we would have to make some major adjustments to the way we play

 

They were complaining that Love was being used improperly as a stretch four. I suppose it's not enough that the Cavs have a tremendous offense even as they're still getting to know each other.

 

Sowing the seeds of discord...they enjoy doing that.

The thing with Kevin Love is in the interview with Mike and Mike he said I'm going to be a Cavalier whether we win a championship in June or not. That was a paraphrase but had the same idea.

Funny how we keep saying "best win of the year" as the wins keep getting bigger and better against quality opponents. Tonight? A 111-89 beat-down of 50-win Memphis in their house.

Personally, with games like last night and the last quarter/OT of the San Antonio game, I find myself watching with amazement. I won't be super excited or cheering, just sort of slack jawed and  taking in how good this team is right now. I am hoping that they are the team to break the drought.

For those who haven't seen this yet...already a classic.

 

He keeps looking off to the side, too. Awesome.

For those who haven't seen this yet...already a classic.

 

 

It's like he watched the credit card commercial from Major League for inspiration!

The other night was Memphis' worst home loss of the season..... and it wasn't as close as the final score indicated.

 

We have beat every team from the vaunted Western Conf except the Rockets.....and one of those games against the Rockets we didn't have LeBron.  The other we took them to OT

 

We ended our season against the Western Conference winning something like 15 of the last 16 games.

 

We are now 13-0 on the season when we have more than one day's rest between games, giving us time to get a practice in.  That bodes well for the playoffs given the wider spacing between games and is a credit to our coaching staff.

 

KLove's numbers also jump significantly (over 20ppg and over 50%FG) when we have more than one day's rest.

 

They were complaining that Love was being used improperly as a stretch four. I suppose it's not enough that the Cavs have a tremendous offense even as they're still getting to know each other.

 

But he is a stretch 4.  He is not JUST a stretch 4 (a la Ryan Anderson), but he is a stretch 4 nonetheless.  He certainly is not an interior bruiser who is going to get the majority of his points in the paint.  He is a power forward who can shoot the 3.  That is what a stretch 4 is.  He gets inside touches.  He just isn't the focal point of the offense like he was in Minny.  The offense does not run through him at the elbow.  He had to know that wasn't going to happen coming in. 

Look at Love's numbers vs. Bosh's in his first year in Miami. They're very similar. Love has 16 points, 10 rebounds per game. Bosh had 18 points, 8 rebounds per game.

 

So many media talking heads either have the memory of a field mouse or they're just trying to stir up sh*t to get attention.

 

EDIT: some sanity in the national media.....

 

Kevin Love and LeBron: It's Chris Bosh all over again

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-03-26/kevin-love-and-lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-mvp-russell-westbrook-chris-bosh-miami-heat

NBA ‏@NBA

We go inside @Cavs practice as Head Coach David Blatt continues to build chemistry - WATCH: http://on.nba.com/1I4Zu83 

way to piss me off first thing in the morning walt cyde frazier. go eff yrself for yr birthday lol!

 

 

Q: Getting traded to Cleveland was devastating at that time for you, right?

 

A: Yeah, because I knew I only wanted to play maybe a couple more years, so like if Willis had come to me and told me, “Hey man, kinda groom Ray Williams,” I would have been amenable to that. Sometimes I often think how differently my life would be say if I wasn’t traded. Would I have gone into coaching? Would I still be around the city being Clyde? I know if I stayed in the city, I wouldn’t be in St. Croix [u.S. Virgin Islands]. I wouldn’t have that type of lifestyle that I have now.

 

 

Q: And of all places to be traded to, Cleveland.

 

A: Yeah, I always equated that to being shipped to Siberia, man (laugh). I remember the first night I went out, these guys used to always be talking about this one place to go. And finally we had a night off and I went there, man, I was like, “Oh my goodness, this is gonna be a long year.” They were all raving over that club, and I was like if it was in New York, I wouldn’t even go to that club. Then if I go out with my mink cost on, everybody wanted to know, “Hey man, where you going?” (Laugh). So I used to say to myself, “Man, you’re all dressed up and nowhere to go,” you know? J.R. [smith] has found it out (laugh).

 

 

http://nypost.com/2015/03/28/walt-clyde-frazier-on-defining-cool-his-suits-and-1-knick-regret/

 

 

Yawn...the joke is getting old just like Walt Frazier

This is how NY tries to console itself when the Knicks suck, which is pretty much the last 40 years except for that one spurt 20 years ago. The only way they can feel superior is by trying to put others down. I almost feel sorry for them.

Totally agree. This JR story pushed by the National/New York media is silly. The idea JR is playing better because there's nothing to do in Cleveland is stupid. The story should have been JR is playing better because he's playing on a better team with good players. Can't do that because that would mean the NY media would have to admit the Knicks are a sorry franchise. They took the easy way out and made it about Cleveland.

"Then if I go out with my mink cost on, everybody wanted to know, 'Hey man, where you going?'"

 

Mink coat?  Is he Mrs. Vanderbilt?

Nah, he's Huggy Bear.

Totally agree. This JR story pushed by the National/New York media is silly. The idea JR is playing better because there's nothing to do in Cleveland is stupid. The story should have been JR is playing better because he's playing on a better team with good players. Can't do that because that would mean the NY media would have to admit the Knicks are a sorry franchise. They took the easy way out and made it about Cleveland.

 

Or admit that they themselves are likely part of the problem.  The Cleveland media is reasonably smart and assertive, but they aren't amateur proctologists like in NYC.

 

Ironically, it may help us get FAs.  If a guy knows he's distractable and wants to refocus his game, why go to NY?

LeBron honored with local award

 

 

AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James may not add another NBA MVP trophy to his collection this year.

 

He's got an award, though, that just might mean a little more.

 

On Tuesday night, the Cavaliers superstar, who returned to Northeast Ohio last summer after four seasons in Miami, was honored by his hometown with a distinguished award for leadership, inspiring youth and philanthropic efforts.

 

James was given the H. Peter Burg Award during the Greater Akron Chamber's annual meeting held inside historic Goodyear Hall, once home of the Akron Wingfoots, a professional basketball team in the 1930s.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12596400/cleveland-cavaliers-star-lebron-james-honored-akron-civic-award

Did anyone read the Jose Mesa column on the Love and LeBron "situation"? He is a freelance sportswriters with the Herald today.

 

There was even a nod to his own love/hate relationship with Omar, though they've since made up and apparently play golf regularly. The gist of the article was Love and LBJ should settle their conflicts on the driving range, not Twitter or layered quotes to the media, much like him and Omar.

 

 

@SportsBoyTony As told by @vincethepolack, the Mozgov commercial shoot did actually take multiple hours and with multiple takes: http://t.co/jOIfJXrMbZ

Gotta love this supportive rail safety/anti-trespassing message by the Cavs and CSX.......

 

Cleveland Cavaliers ‏@cavs  5m5 minutes ago

You don’t want to get in our squad’s way – it’s like trying to take on a train. #NoContest #PlayItSafe @CSX

so nice to sit back at home and watch the cavs own the bulls on the big nationally televised game yesterday + watching noah getting uglier & uglier looking by the season lol!

 

 

Totally agree. This JR story pushed by the National/New York media is silly. The idea JR is playing better because there's nothing to do in Cleveland is stupid. The story should have been JR is playing better because he's playing on a better team with good players. Can't do that because that would mean the NY media would have to admit the Knicks are a sorry franchise. They took the easy way out and made it about Cleveland.

 

Or admit that they themselves are likely part of the problem.  The Cleveland media is reasonably smart and assertive, but they aren't amateur proctologists like in NYC.

 

Ironically, it may help us get FAs.  If a guy knows he's distractable and wants to refocus his game, why go to NY?

 

exactly. but also, frazier played for the cavs from 1977-80, when going out on the town was a lot sadder proposition in cle than it was just a few years later and is today lol!