^ True. The Lakers making the PO as an 8th seed would be optimal.   

^How is that somehow his fault?  I'd say he was running it fairly well until he got kicked in the balls by The Decision.  He is also severely handi-capped, in terms of attracting talent, in a way the Browns and Indians are not..... at least not to the same extent.

 

Simple. He's the man in charge of this crap product. Dan gets a break because he's liked, and can get by on his charisma way more than Lerner and Dolan ever could. But the bottom line is wins and losses. I'm not sure how you can really measure it any other way.

 

And re: LeBron, it's Dan's fault the franchise made the perilous decision to put all of it's faith in building around one player.

 

There isn't a franchise in the NBA that wouldn't happily build around Lebron James.  Not doing so would've been inexplicable...... unless you knew he was leaving.

 

Sure, you can always say that W's and L's is the bottom line.  But let's look at what he has done.  Can you imagine where the franchise would be without Kyrie?  It was Gilbert's willingness to take on Baron Davis's contract, in the middle of a disastrous season, which got us that pick.  He has also shown that he is not hesitant at all to pay into the luxury tax.  He can't do anything about the fact that the NBA is in such a diva stage that the top-notch players are dictating that they will only go to a very few select markets.  If he could open up the checkbook and sign the best player on the FA market, I'm sure he would.  The same certainly can't be said about Dolan, and you can't even compare the ever-absent Randy Lerner.

 

Andy, BTW, is out 6-8 weeks with a muscle tear...... errrrr..... I mean a 'bruise'

It's the way the team was built around James; it was dysfunctional. The way the team struggled whenever LeBron wasn't in the lineup was shocking.  You're right, credit getting Kyrie for what it's worth. But again I can't ignore the record. It sucks. This crappy team is absolutely unwatchable.  Someone in our office keeps offering me free tickets. Sorry, not going. I'd rather pay money and see the Monsters.

I'm certainly not going out of my way to go to any games, but I still enjoy watching them.  It is a watchable crappy team.  If I could make it through the Darius Miles/Ricky Davis year, I can make it through this.

I'm certainly not going out of my way to go to any games, but I still enjoy watching them.  It is a watchable crappy team.  If I could make it through the Darius Miles/Ricky Davis year, I can make it through this.

 

Oh, oh man what a comparison.  Remember Ricky's Renegades? And the infamous Triple Double attempt??

The team isn't good but there's a clear direction, and I think the Cavs are much better run than the Browns or Indians. The Cavs have 4 children in the starting lineup right now, which doesn't make for a lot of wins but makes them fun and interesting to watch.

The team isn't good but there's a clear direction, and I think the Cavs are much better run than the Browns or Indians. The Cavs have 4 children in the starting lineup right now, which doesn't make for a lot of wins but makes them fun and interesting to watch.

The team isn't good but there's a clear direction, and I think the Cavs are much better run than the Browns or Indians.

 

I generally agree.  The Indians, though, have made a lot of moves and, for once, the Dolans are spending money; esp. the Swisher deal... Still, I think Gilbert runs a much more stable organization; clearly Cleveland's best sports owner.

The team isn't good but there's a clear direction, and I think the Cavs are much better run than the Browns or Indians. The Cavs have 4 children in the starting lineup right now, which doesn't make for a lot of wins but makes them fun and interesting to watch.

The Cavs and Browns are pretty much in the same place right now. A bunch of rookies and second year 1st round picks in key positions. The hope for both is that they grow into a real team at some point before we all wither and die.

See, I told ya the Cavs were due for a big win tonight against Atlanta and end their losing streak! ;-)

The non-stop NBA rumor mill is now saying that we were in talks to trade Andy to the Clips for a package centered on DeAndre Jordan (with maybe Eric Bledsoe included as well).  Man would I have loved to land Jordan.  I am not sure he will ever be an All-Star, but he is going to play center in this league for a long time and is exactly the type of physical presence we need inside on the defensive end.  I suppose this is why the Cavs were trying to keep a lid on the issues with Andy's knee.  Regardless, glad to hear that they are no doubt constantly looking for ways to revamp this roster.

 

Last night's game was certainly "watchable" ;)  I really, really like what Shaun Livingston has brought to the bench bunch. 

Can Jordan be on the court for more than 20 percent of the season? If so, I'm SOLD! I love Andy, but damn he gets hurt a lot.

What's Andy's contract like?  Will the Cavaliers have a chance to unload him over the summer?  I don't think they can risk playing the waiting game each season anymore.

I don't think Jordan and TT could have shared the court together. Both are extremely limited offensively.

Cleveland Cavaliers looking to make a run for LeBron James in 2014, report says

 

Could the NBA see a Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James reunion in the summer of 2014? Don't be surprised if the Cavs at least pursue LeBron if he becomes a free agent after next season, a report says.

 

According to the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd, the Cavs are positioning themselves to make a legitimate run at James in 2014.

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2013/01/cleveland_cavaliers_looking_to.html#incart_river_default

Now all we need is someone for the Indians to be rumored about to complete this disgraced/disgruntled triumvirate of returning athletes with Derek Anderson and James.

Ive been saying this for about a year now.  The guys is unpredictable and disloyal.  He has no allegiance to Miami.  Wade will be another year beat up.  I think he went to Miami to figure out how to win a ring...he got it, probably will get another one this year.  What else is there to achieve down there?  He can come up here and run with Kyrie and Waiters and be right back in the thick of it.

 

Im over the whole thing, i would take him back in a second.

I think the sentiment against LeBron will continue to dissipate as the days go by...as has been proven over the last 2.5 years. 

I would welcome him back...I think it would be a cool story as well.

I think the sentiment against LeBron will continue to dissipate as the days go by...as has been proven over the last 2.5 years. 

I would welcome him back...I think it would be a cool story as well.

 

I'd welcome him back.  More so after there is a trophy up in Dan's office at the Q.

A lot of this LBJ coming back to Cle talk is coming from LeBron's people, not the Cav's front office.  They're trying to rebuild his image locally so when/if he does return he comes back as a savior. Like ChiCleveKid said it will make for a good story esp if he wins a championship here.  Me thinks LeBron leaving the way he did and "the return?" were already long in planning before the decision was even aired. 

I think the sentiment against LeBron will continue to dissipate as the days go by...as has been proven over the last 2.5 years. 

I would welcome him back...I think it would be a cool story as well.

 

I agree... As much as I hated watching "the decision" and the years that followed, I would welcome him back in a heartbeat... He's one of the best players to ever play the game, and it doesn't hurt that he's from Akron. I just want the Cavs (or any cleveland team for that matter) to be relevant again.

A lot of this LBJ coming back to Cle talk is coming from LeBron's people, not the Cav's front office.  They're trying to rebuild his image locally so when/if he does return he comes back as a savior. Like ChiCleveKid said it will make for a good story esp if he wins a championship here.  Me thinks LeBron leaving the way he did and "the return?" were already long in planning before the decision was even aired. 

 

I think you are giving a lot of credit to his people in that "the return" was planned before the decision even aired. 

^ maybe, maybe not...

It can't come from the Cavs front office because that would constitute 'tampering'

 

I'd certainly believe there is something to this..... at least that the LBJ is keeping it open as an option.  More than anything, the Cavs no pursuing Rudy Gay at all seems to provide some credibility to the rumor.  Their lack of interest makes no sense otherwise.

^I wouldnt rule it out for a second.  Lebron loves attention, whether he admits it or not.  I know he wants to win.  But the guy would absolutely shatter twitter and the internet if he ditched Miami and came back.  Its right up his alley.  Some could argue that at that point Lebron running with Kyrie, Waiters , Shabazz (?) would be better than running with a busted up Wade and Bosh.

In a few years the only missing part to a Cav's championship run will be a (stud) small forward.  Take that to the bank...

Well, Andy is done for the season. Blood clot. Wow....

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21593961/anderson-varejao-developed-blood-clot-will-miss-remainder-of-season

get well andy.

 

i wonder what that does to the trade rumors?

 

 

After hearing the news about Andy, I was just thinking how thin we were in the frontcourt.  Then, this morning, Dan Gilbert again shows why Cleveland fans should love him.  Memphis was in desperate straits in terms of the salary cap.  Their hand was almost forced to trade Rudy Gay to stay out of the luxury tax.  But the Cavs swoop in and agree to take on some salary to better our team.  Cleveland trades Jon Lauer for........ Maurice Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby, a 2015 1st Round pick (top 5 protected), and a future 2nd round pick.  I sure the driving factor for us was the 1st Rounder.  Speights also gives us some height we were missing.  He's a body to throw in there, if nothing else.  Ellington is nothing special, but is a decent role player.  Selby is intriguing.  He ran into some trouble in college after being a top recruit and had to leave Kansas before ever developing.  He was co-MVP (with D. Lilliard) of this past year's summer league.

From ESPN

 

Sources: Grizz trade sheds payroll

 

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a multiplayer trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, slicing more than $6 million off their payroll to get under the luxury tax threshold, league sources told ESPN.com.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8868058/memphis-grizzlies-cleveland-cavaliers-agree-multiplayer-trade-sources-say

 

 

I am going to guess that the acquisition of Ellington, who is a good defender and 40%+ 3-point shooter, means that Boobie's time in town is about over.  I anticipate he (and maybe Luke Walton due to the value of his expiring contract) will be moved before the trade deadline.  With Irving, Waiters, Pargo, Selby, Gibson, and Ellington..... half of the 12 man active roster would be guards 6'4 and under.  Add in Livingston, who has settled into the backup PG role, and I think the writing is on the wall for Boobie.

This deal keep getting better IMO.  The 1st rounder we received is not only top 5 protected for Memphis, but also top 15 protected for us in 2015 and 2016........ which means that they only send us the pick in those years if they are picking between 6 and 15.  In 2017 and 2018, the pick is then only top 5 protected and we get whatever Memphis has in the 1st round outside of the top 5.

 

Chris Grant sure loves to stockpile picks.  We have the right to swap the Lakers pick this year (if LAL makes the playoffs), we still have the Kings' pick from the JJ trade (although it is heavily protected and might end up defaulting into a 2nd rounder), we have two 1sts from Miami coming up over the next 3 years, and we now this 1st rounder from Memphis.  We still also have all of our picks.  I'd say we have some good assets moving forward.

Ironically, I was invited to tonight's game. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, but now I think I will -- assuming the weather cooperates and my friend can get here from Youngstown! I feel a lot more encouraged now, even if the results don't show up on the floor or even the scoreboard for a while.

This is a great trade!

Go Cavs!!!!

That win was most satisfying -- especially coming after that trade.

 

Watching Kyrie in person is worth the price of admission alone...Dude is an all-star. 

^ Funny you mention that.  Lebron James (@KingJames) said that TWICE on twitter last night.  Find me another time he is honking other players in the league not on his team. 

^ Funny you mention that.  Lebron James (@KingJames) said that TWICE on twitter last night.  Find me another time he is honking other players in the league not on his team.

 

Of course. He's trying to lure him to South Beach after his 4 year rookie contract is up in Cleveland.

you lose way too much money if you don't re-up your rookie contract.  I would expect lebron to leave miami after next year, leaving Wade's carcass to rot in the Florida sun.

^Agreed.  Kyrie has many years left in Cleveland b/c of how the contracts/caps/taxes work in the NBA. 

^ Funny you mention that.  Lebron James (@KingJames) said that TWICE on twitter last night.  Find me another time he is honking other players in the league not on his team.

 

Of course. He's trying to lure him to South Beach after his 4 year rookie contract is up in Cleveland.

 

Heat would have to pay him Mike Miller money to get Kyrie down there.  Im sure Kyrie would take that.

It's official...Kyrie = ALL-STAR!!! 

you lose way too much money if you don't re-up your rookie contract.  I would expect lebron to leave miami after next year, leaving Wade's carcass to rot in the Florida sun.

 

He won't lose a cent with a sign and trade. That's how the Heat could afford 3 max contracts when Lebron left.

 

Sorry the bullcrap i've seen in the NBA the past few years has made me beyond bitter. At this point I just expect Kyrie to leave.

It's official...Kyrie = ALL-STAR!!!

Congrats to him. He's the best young PG in the league. The sky is the limit for this kid.

 

 

He won't lose a cent with a sign and trade. That's how the Heat could afford 3 max contracts when Lebron left.

 

Sorry the bullcrap i've seen in the NBA the past few years has made me beyond bitter. At this point I just expect Kyrie to leave.

He'll lose more than cents when the Cavs dare him to walk and refuse to sign and trade him.  He'll re-sign, everybody does.

Congrats, Kyrie.

He'll lose more than cents when the Cavs dare him to walk and refuse to sign and trade him.  He'll re-sign, everybody does.

 

The Cavs sign and traded Lebron for draft picks. Better to get something, anything, than nothing. Besides someone playing just for money has locker room cancer written all over him. There is nothing in it for the Cavs to call a players bluff.

 

I don't mean to speak out of school. Irving seems like a sharp kid. Not saying any of this will happen. But I guarantee the Cavs would pick sign and trade over letting him walk free and clear.

The structure of NBA contracts makes it more or less impossible for a player to play less than 7 years with one team (if the team wants him to). The Cavs control Kyrie's rights until 2015-16. After that he is a restricted free agent, which guarantees 2-3 more years of Kyrie. He's not going anywhere until at least the 2018 season. That's almost Bladerunner times. It's okay to be paranoid, but at least be paranoid about the proper scenarios.

The new CBA changes things.  No team will be able to do what Miami did a few years ago offering near max contracts to 3 players.  This is what forced OKC to trade Harden.

 

Congrats to Kyrie.  He is without a doubt an "All-Star"........ but I had assumed the coaches were going to bypass him due to the teams record.  I suppose it didn't hurt that he dropped 40 on Boston the night before final ballots were due