No Trade News is Good Trade News

The NBA Trading Deadline passed on Thursday without the Cavs making a move. While many are disappointed in GM Danny Ferry’s failure to make any sort of a trade with the rumored offers out there Ferry made the right move by standing pat.

While there will not be any new blood entering the equation the eminent return of Delonte West can provide the spark that a trade might have otherwise brought. West has missed the last 16 games and counting, including both losses to the Lakers, and was playing the best basketball of his career before injury.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas has also missed 16 games this season and is still being bothered by a sore ankle and foot at times. Reserve guard Tarence Kinsey was finally starting to get some quality minutes before he missed seven games with an ankle sprain.

Sasha Pavlovic is also out indefinitely with a sprained ankle and Daniel Gibson has had what can only be referred to as a horrible season and that is being kind. Ben Wallace’s touch football injury that may keep him out for a few games is the latest injury issue to befall the Cavs.

Despite all the injury issues the Cavs still sit at 42-11 with a 15 game lead in the Central Division over the Pistons. They are one half game behind the Celtics for the best record in the East and 2 ½ games in front of the Magic. While the Cavs are getting healthy the Celtics and Magic have been dealt injuries to Kevin Garnett and Jameer Nelson, respectively. The opportunity to seize the number one seed in the Eastern Conference play-offs has presented itself.

Yes, Wally Szczerbiak’s expiring contract was a big chip they had to play, but would the cost have been worth it?

If they would have shipped him off to Phoenix for Shaquille O’Neal it would have left them with a dearth of big men and short in the backcourt, especially with the aforementioned injuries. It also would have put them in a salary cap conundrum for the next two years with Anderson Varejao up for free agency after this season. LeBron James is eligible in 2010… in case you didn’t know that.

Everyone cried about not trading Szczerbiak for Marcus Camby, but the Clippers did not make him available. The same goes for the Suns’ Amare Stoudamire. He was taking off the trading block after Terry Porter was fired as head coach. Richard Jefferson may have been a nice fit, but Milwaukee already did the Cavs a huge favor by delivering Mo Williams on a silver platter in the off-season.

Szczerbiak may be a role player but his presence has been valuable especially with the injuries that occurred in the first half of the season. He may not be winning games for the Cavs on a nightly basis but he is contributing and the Cavs do benefit from his expiring contract after this season.

For what was being offered by other teams, Danny Ferry made the right move by standing pat and not taking a deal that would handcuff the team. It may not be the most popular or glamorous move but if the Cavs seize the opportunities laid of in front of them everyone will forget the lack of activity in February.

2008 Cleveland Cavaliers Cut List

Every year after my beloved Cleveland Browns finish up their season, I come up with a satirical look at the roster. Who I'd like to see stay, who I'd like to go and who I'd like to be hit by an oncoming 18 wheeler (you're still on that list Dennis Northcutt). Some reason are performance related, some as obscure and some are just plain asinine, but hey, it's my list.

Well over the past few years I have actually started caring about the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time since the days at the old Richfield Coliseum that featured Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty and Mark Price. So at the request of one of my pals let's take a shot at the first ever Cleveland Cavaliers Cut List.

Now the NBA works a little different than the NFL in the way contracts area handled so for clarification purposes, if I declare someone CUT, I realize that it probably would be better served if they or their expiring contract would be used in a trade. But, quite frankly, just to make it easier on me I am just going to declare them cut.

Is it lazy? Yes. But I'm writing the damn list, not you. So deal with it, please and thank you.

Without further ado...

The 2008 Cleveland Cavaliers Cut List

#23 - LeBron James - 6'-8" - F/G
I think you're safe, Bron Bron. But since I've got you here... You're really good. Like really, really good. But there are a number of things that are lacking in your game that could really put you over the top, because honestly, you are no where near as good as Kobe. Maybe if you worked on some facets of your game like your mid-range jumper, or developing some post moves, or (going out on a limb here) free throw shooting. Also, the acting is a little over the top. I know you are getting hit, jabbed, poked and bumped multiple times each play. But if you get hit in the scrotum and you grab your face NO ONE IS GOING TO BUY IT. Grab your scrotum if you get hit in the scrotum. Maybe you've been following the NHL and are emulating Sydney Crosby. Talent wise that is great, acting and diving not so much. Plus he's a douche bag who plays in Pittsburgh. That should tell you enough right there. Also, be nice to Mom, she popped your 6'-8" butt out of her hoo-ha which is amazing in of itself. Don't get me wrong, LeBron, you are amazing, but you could be epic. You just need to focus on it and work at it.
LBJ - KEEP

#11 - Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 7'-3" - C
You did the one thing you really needed to do to take your game to the next level this year. Shaving the dome. It actually makes you look respectable... and like a monster in an horror film, but hey it works for you. Seriously, there are not many talented big men and we are fortunate to have you. After all those foot surgeries you've had an above average career. If anything you are not utilized enough as you seem to be the forgotten man on offense for periods or games at a time.
Z - KEEP

#41 - Lance Allred - 6'-11" - C
You are the first legally deaf player in NBA history, Caucasian and your name is Lance. Lance! An NBA player named Lance! Who would have thunk it?!? I can't cut the partially deaf guy.
LANCE ALLRED - KEEP

#33 - Devin Brown - 6'-5" - G
You were actually a nice, pleasant surprise this season and then you disappeared in to Mike Brown's doghouse, never to be seen again. I mean you were productive, played good defense and hustled. Those are all things Mike Brown likes, what happened? The only thing I can think of is when Marv Albert has his off-court "issues" he would sign into hotels under an assumed name. Steve Albert, his bother! Maybe you were doing some freaky-deaky S&M stuff at the Downtown Sheraton and signed in as Mike Brown. I don't know I can't figure it out. You are not signed for next season, I'd like to see you back.
DEVIN BROWN - KEEP

#1 - Daniel Gibson - 6'-2" - G
You were money in the 2007 playoffs and I wonder how you would have been this year if you hadn't have gotten hurt mid-season and again in the play-offs. You desperately need to work on your ball handling skills but have shown you can hit some big shots. It was only your second year. We need you to continue to develop. Plus your nickname IS Boobie. Hee hee!
BOOBIE - KEEP

#19 - Damon Jones - 6'-3" - G
You have no D and no J hence you are Amon Ones. An oldie but a goodie. And it still fits. Mike Brown doesn't like you as you seem to find your way into his doghouse annually. I actually find you quite entertaining on the bench and before the game but you do have a $4.4M expiring contract next season! Plus you wear #19 and are ruining it for Bob Feller, Bernie Kosar and Lenny Wilkins.
AMON ONES - CUT! (EXPIRING CONTACT TRADE BAIT)

#27 - Dwayne Jones - 6'-11" - C/F
You don't play. When you do it's uninspiring. You don't have a contract next season. Do the math.
DWAYNE JONES - CUT!

#3 - Aleksandar "Sasha" Pavolvic - 6'-7" - G/F
I am going to come out and say it... you are my Dennis Northcutt. I cringe when you check into the game. I cringe when you get the ball. You actually started to "get it" last season and you showed flashes of breaking out. And then you held out. You. Sasha F'N Pavlovic. Then you got hurt, probably because you weren't in playing shape, and floundered the entire season. Somehow you worked your way back into the rotation for the playoffs and were so awful that it was like watching a monkey try to (expletive deleted) a football. You have 2 year at $4.5M left on your new contract. I hope you are shipped out of here well before that.
PAVLOVIC - CUT! (FOR MY HEALTH)

#32 - Joe Smith - 6'-10" - F
You were an effective role player after the big trade and you can actually hit a mid-range jump shot. You are going to be 33 next season but I think bringing you back on a short term deal could be an asset. People often bash you for being a #1 overall pick, but you didn't pick yourself, you're a solid vet and this team could use a few of those.
JOE SMITH - KEEP

#20 - Eric Snow - 6'-3" - G
Kudos for being the hometown boy who came home to play. Kudos for playing through an injury and I hope it doesn't hinder your life after basketball. You do tons of stuff for the C-Town community and I hope that continues. But, in the eyes of The Cut List, all you are is a $7.3M expiring contract.
ERIC SNOW - CUT! (EXPIRING CONTACT TRADE BAIT)

#10 - Wally Szczerbiak - 6'-7" - F
You were a hired gun. You fired blanks. Especially in Game 7 against Boston when you scored 0 points. 0 points. Your last three games against the Celtics: 3-8, 2-11, 0-3. The 0-3 tells me you were afraid to put the ball up or your teammates were afraid to pass it to you. Not good for a shooter. Maybe you need a year to get accustomed to the team or maybe your gun is empty. You are $13M expiring contract, however.
WALLY WORLD - CUT! (EXPIRING CONTACT TRADE BAIT)

#12 - Billy Thomas - 6'-5" - G
You hit a 3 in the Playoffs against the Wizards but have bounced around the NBA for 3 years. I haven't seen anything to warrant keeping you around. Maybe you'll surprise me.
BILLY THOMAS - CUT!

#17 - Anderson Varejao - 6'-10" - C/F
Are you Brazilian or retarded? Seriously, if I see you try to drive the lane off the dribble one more time I might bash my head through the kitchen cabinets. It's THAT BAD of a move. And the flopping continues to get worse and worse. I personally get embarrassed when you do it so imagine how Dan Gilbert, Danny Ferry, Mike Brown, LeBron and everybody else feel. You may have had the most poorly thought out hold-out in the history of sports, too. What were you thinking? You used to be one of my favorite players but now you just gnaw and gnaw at me with each passing flop and turnover. It would not surprise me that you think they speak Spanish and not Portuguese in Brazil, and you are from Brazil. That's how stupid I think you are. But that $5.8M contact next year with a player option the next may look tasty to somebody else.
WILD THING - CUT! (EXPIRING CONTACT TRADE BAIT)

#4 - Ben Wallace - 6'-9" - C/F
We have you for 2 more years at $14M/year so I don't think anyone is going to want to take you off our hands. You have games here and there where you look like the defensive force you were in Detroit. Maybe the karma in Chicago put you in a funk and you haven't shaken it off yet. But you need to. You could play a huge role for the team if you can just get motivated and focus on what you do best, play defense and rebound.
BIG BEN - KEEP

#13 - Delonte West - 6'-3" - G
You too showed flashes of brilliance here and there and maybe playing with LBJ can bring out the best of you. But for the love of Pete, STOP DRIBBLING THE BALL OFF YOUR FRIGGIN' FOOT. Seriously, you do it 2 or 3 times a game. Listen, I could do that. You should not. It's your 4th year, you're a restricted free agent and I think you could form a nice rotation with Boobie. We need you to continue to get better, especially with the dribbling.
DELONTE - KEEP

So that's all she wrote. LeBron work on your game. Mike Brown PLEASE hire an offensive consultant. Danny Ferry please use expiring contracts, anyone but LeBron and anything you can to get LBJ some much needed help. And Cavs Fans stay strong, keep the faith and get ready to Rise Up in 2008-2009.

Cavs-Wizards: Washington and DeShawn Stevenson Prove They Are #2

As a native Clevelander living in DC, the past couple of weeks have been unbearable. The hatred of Cleveland, the Cavaliers and especially LeBron James has been palpable. We heard it all: overrated, overprotected, over hyped, crybaby. But in the end the Cavs eliminated the Wizards for the 3rd consecutive year at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Why? Because they ignored the BS, played basketball and played as a team.

Now I could focus on how LeBron was the bigger and better man. Or I could focus on how under appreciated Zydrunas Ilgauskas is in the grand scheme of things. The fact that Daniel "Boobie" Gibson is becoming Mister May in Cleveland sports lore and that Wally Szczerbiak found his magic stroke for the first time in who knows how long were also huge factors. But to me the biggest fact in the series had nothing to do what the Cavs did and everything to do with what the Wizards TRIED to do.

The NBA has had it's share of bullies. The Bad Boys of the Detroit Pistons and the Pat Riley led New York Knicks come to mind. After that there are about 1oo other teams that you would put ahead of the Washington Wizards. Why you would try and play Hardguy when you are about as soft as soft can be in unfathomable. The sad thing is, the Wizards could have, and really should have, won the series if they had just played they're style of basketball. The Cavs don't have the legs or the gunners that Washington posses. But rather than just play their game, the Wizards players took it upon them selves to try and be tough and play selfish.

The only player who is exempt from this whole embarrassment is Antwan Jamison. From day 1 he said the Wiz just need to shut up and play basketball and that's what he did. He ofter getting over looked because of his flamboyant teammates steal the spotlight but this 2-time All-Star is a great player and a great person. He is an unrestricted free agent and I hope he find a new team and city that appreciates and more and utilizes him better than DC.
But the BS that is the Wizards all starts with their Captain, Agent 0.





Now, Gilbert Arenas is a great player, but he is a selfish one first and foremost. When he "shut it down" before Game 5 I was very nervous. Anyone who watched the Wizards all year could see that with Agent 0 out that the offense runs more smoothly through Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison. Supplementary players like Brenda Haywood, Antonio Daniels and Roger Mason gets touches and were productive all year.

But Agent 0 couldn't miss the playoffs. Not when he's opting out of his contract and is going to be on National TV. And he started the entire month of trash talking by saying that the Wizards (and the entire Eastern Conference) wanted the Cavs and LeBron James because they knew they were beatable. How'd that wish turn out for you, chief? Looks like the Hibachi has been turned off for the summer.

Mr. Tough Juice, Caron Butler, who came up big in Game 5 came up small in Game 6 when the Cavaliers focused their attention to him he wilted. Horribly. He had the quietest 18 point you could ever have. He didn't get his teammates involved with only 1 assist. He was visually frustrated throughout the game. I wouldn't call that Juice. I'd call it Tinkle. Enjoy the off season, Tough Tinkle.

Brenda Haywood called LeBron soft, called him a crybaby and made fun of him at every opportunity. This form a guy who couldn't get out of coach Eddie Jordan's doghouse until this year, has had conditioning and effort issues since he entered the league and has a history of sucker punching Etan Thomas because Brenda couldn't beat him out for more playing time. Brenda the Washington Mystics season just started, maybe you can be more effective there. Considering you have no balls, you should be allowed to play.

And then of course there is #2, DeShawn Stevenson. Ah yes. #2 really started everything in the regular season when he called LeBron over rated after James missed a game winning 3. Um, #2, who are you? The fact that you are one of the few starting players who makes under $1M should tell you something about your standing in the NBA. #2 those 3 points you put up in Game 1 were great. And then you backed it up with 12 points in a 30 point loss in game 2. But hey, #2, the "you can't see my face gesture" you did while down by 20 points was priceless.

The only reason I could think of why you did this is that you were checking to see if you hand smelled like ass, but it was your head you were smelling since you head has been up you ass for weeks now. And the 2-9, 10 point clunker you trotted out in the clincher was the perfect way to end your season, #2. Because you showed everyone that not only do you wear #2... you ARE #2! A big, stupid, ignorant, walking talking piece of #2 and you made your whole team come off as #2 when it was all said and done as well.

A Cleveland Christmas List

A Cleveland sports fan's Christmas list...

For THE Ohio State University football program:

A competitive BCS Championship Game capped off with a Buckeye victory.
A silencing of the SEC propaganda machine.
Another great recruiting class for Coach Sweater Vest.
A trip to New York for Beanie Wells.
That Rich Rodiriguez's rivalry game struggles at WVU carry over to up north.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers:

A way to dump the awful contracts of Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, et al.
Some legitimate play making help for LeBron James and Boobie Gibson.
Another late season run reminiscent of the 2006-2007 season and playoffs.
That LeBron rises up and stays here forever.

For the Cleveland Indians:

A power bat for one of the corner outfield spots.
An affordable contract extension for C. C. Sabathia.
The rebirth of Pronk.
That Grady, Frankie G and the As Man continue to amaze with their gloves (and bats).
That Victor Martinez remains the heart of this team for a long time.
That the heat gets turned off of Eric Wedge for a while.
Another amazing season in 2008 where the Tribe proves their team is greater than the sum of its parts, complete with revenge on the Massholes.

For the Cleveland Browns:

Sort Term
A win over San Fran, a Brady Quinn appearance and a Colts win over the Titans.
A spot in the postseason versus the Appalachian Inbreds and a win over them.

Long Term
Another great draft and free agent class in 2008.
Some effective defensive linemen.
A new deal for Jamal Lewis.
A long term resolution of the QB situation.
Continued development of the juggernaut offense of Rob Chudzinski.
Continued health and lack of injuries for the team.
Consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 80's.
That Cleveland Browns stadium continues to be a happy place on Sunday afternoons.. or maybe even Monday Night.

Eastern Conference Champions

Well, despite the criticism and skepticism heading in to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals the Cavs pulled off the upset knocking off the Detroit Pistons by winning 4 games in a row to advance to their 1st NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. They will take on the San Antonio Spurs starting Thursday.

For all the complaints about Coach Mike Brown's offense, most of which are deserved, no one can doubt the incredible defensive schemes and strategy he brings to the table. That combined with LeBron James finally taking it "to the next level" and the emergence of Daniel Gibson the Cavs are somewhere that no one expected them to be.

They now stand 4 wins away from Cleveland's first major sports championship since the 1964 Browns captured the NFL Championship.

In the immortal words of Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger):

"I guess there's only one thing left to do... Win the whole, fuckin' thing."

THE DOCTOR IS IN

What the hell am I doing here?!?
Well, living in an area that is almost completely devoid of Clevelanders makes it difficult to find someone to relate to when it comes to sports. I love to rant, bitch, moan and just give my humble opinion of all things Cleveland. Whether it's the Browns, Indians, Cavs or Ohio State I love to chime in at anytime. Being in exile kind of helps in a fact that I don't get inundated with the hometown bias and blinders that sometimes come with being in C-Town. I consider myself and optimist yet a realist (i. e. I hope the Browns win Super Bowl XLII but realize if they go 8-8 it will be a miracle) and I don't get swayed too easily by either side. You'll find me mostly ranting about the Browns and Tribe but I will chime in on the Cavs and Buckeyes now and then. Then there is the random posting normally about Van Halen or something from the 80's, times were so much simpler back then.

So sit back, relax and enjoy. I hope you find this stuff as insightful to read as I find it fun to write.

The Doctor is in. You have been warned.