Cavs Re-Sign Varejao, Sign Parker

We'll have more coverage of this over the weekend but I wanted to post some immediate thoughts on these signings:

Varejao:

When I first heard that the deal was 6 years, $50 million, I almost started crying. We are just now crawling out of the deep dark Larry Hughes/Ben Wallace hole that Ferry dug for us 5 years ago. Why on earth would we jump right back into it? That was my first thought. I don't have any problems with Varejao as a player. He's big, he plays a position that's tough to fill, he doesn't usually disappear in big games against physical teams like some other key Cavs tend to do, and most importantly, Lebron likes to play with him. With that being said, if Fegan had actually pulled 6 years and $50 million out of the Cavs, he should've made Varejao sign it wearing a ski mask. In spite of all his hustle and grit, Varejao is still and always will be a very limited player best suited to be a sixth man. He'll probably never average more than 10 pts or 10 boards a game or have a PER over 15. I doesn't matter how much "energy" a guy brings . . . you don't give him 6 years and $50 million for those numbers. It's just too hard to make $8.5 million dollars worth of annual impact when you're virtually useless at one end of the floor.

So, now we know that Varejao's deal is really 6 years, $42 million, with the final year only partially guaranteed. If that's the case, in reality, it's a 5 year deal worth roughly $35 million with the final year allowing allowing the Cavs to cut bate or use Varejao as a very attractive trade piece. Is that still overpaying? Yes. In this market, $7 million a year is a little too much for a guy like Andy, and 5 years is way too long (keep in mind, guys like Artest are only getting a few years at the MLE this summer). Let me ask you this: Who was the last non-superstar that you can think of who signed for 5+ years and who ended up working out well for his team? Usually, long-term deals for non A-listers just don't end well. This could very well be the case with Varejao.

With all of that being said, there is still another side to the story. At this point in the offseason, they HAD to re-sign Varejao. There may not have truly been a market for his services, but if Ferry had called Fegan's bluff and been wrong . . . DISASTER. I highly doubt there were really any serious suitors out there offering any more than the MLE, but then again, it only takes one. We can bitch and moan about overpaying by a couple extra million a year, or giving him 5 years instead of 3 or 4, but how would we have felt if Fegan, out of spite, had inked Andy to a deal with a team like Oklahoma City? We would've all laughed at OKC's stupidity for signing a guy that can't really help them win, but at the same time, where would that leave us? With a bunch of frontcourt players that need oxygen tanks to move around, that's where. As much as we, and I include myself in this, love to play armchair negotiator, it's a lot more difficult when you're actually across the table staring at the prospect of having to make your title push with your youngest rotational big man being 34. Yes, the Cavs held most of the negotiating cards because there could've only been a couple of teams out there that could have even possibly given Varejao more than the MLE. Still, that doesn't change the fact that the Cavs had to be careful with this one. They could not lose Varejao for this year or it would've been ballgame for the Lebron era. Do I think Ferry overpaid given what the market is bearing these days? Yes. In a world where Ron Artest is only getting $5.8 million a year, Varejao can't really be worth $42 million. Still, the contract is a little bit more justifiable when you consider the way it's structured and the dangerous game that the Cavs were playing.

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So, in conclusion, my feelings are that the deal is probably too long by a year, that the Cavs overpaid by about $1-$2 million a year, but that overall, I can live with it as opposed to the alternative.

One final thought: My buddy Rick once described Varejao's appearance as follows: "He looks like he should be waiting in line for a gang bang while trying to get a boner with a needle sticking out of his arm." Look at the picture for this post. Could there be a more perfect description of Varejao's physical appearance?

Anthony Parker:

Anthony Parker probably doesn't fulfill anyone's wildest dreams for the Cavs this offseason. He's a slightly long in the tooth wing that can shoot a little bit and can add some perimeter scoring but is not a great player on the defensive end. If given a real choice, I would've much rather had a player like Josh Childress, who can really shut down an opposing 2-guard or small-forward, than a guy who is merely serviceable on that end of the floor. Still, depending on what the Cavs gave Parker, as long as there's still enough left to sign another big man like Channing Frye, I can live with it. Keep in mind, this team won 66 games last year with the minutes that will now be played by Parker going to the likes of Sasha Pavlovic and Wally Szczerbiak's corpse. It may not be a gigantic upgade but at least the 09-10 Cavs will have the ability to insert a backcourt player who is over 6'1, moves better than a WNBA center, and is not basketball-retarded.

I'll talk more about this later, but there really isn't a single guy that was out there in free agency this year that the Cavs genuinely had a chance to sign that has signed elsewhere for an enviable dollar amount. Artest was never coming here so long as the Lakers would have him. Neither was Villanueva so long as he could get more than the MLE elsewhere. Trevor Ariza for 5 years at the full midlevel? I'll pass. Jason Kidd for three years, $25 million? I'm laughing. Diva Marion for five years at the full midlevel? Let me know how that works out for you Dallas.

I know in a sense, I'm trying to talk myself into this, but if the Cavs could somehow fill out their roster with Channing Frye, you might even be able to say that the they had a decent offseason, all things considered. I would've liked for them to have taken serious runs at some of the restricted guys like Marvin Williams, Millsap, and Childress, but my guess is that any offer sheet for those guys is getting matched anyway, and that's why other teams haven't been sniffing around (If one of those guys leaves for the MLE, I'm going to be very pissed).

One last thing: The Magic apparently just finegled themselves into the Marion deal so that they ended up getting a massive trade exception for Turkoglu. That's not good since apparently, Orlando is flush with all that pyramid scheme cash and prepared to pay a ton in luxury taxes if need be.

That's all for now. Time to go to work.

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It's Orlando: The Road to the Finals Just Got Harder

And so ends the reign of the Celtics . . .

I can't help but feel a little disappointed. There were so many reasons to want the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals: The inflated media hype they generate, the cliche' "team of destiny" storylines that would've inevitably developed, the fact that they're completely finished and would've probably been pounded by the Cavs in 5 games, the revenge factor associated with embarrassing an aging and decimated Celtics team . . . It would've been a lot of fun.

With that said, I guess I can appreciate the silver lining in the Celtics' defeat: This was absolutely the end for them. Garnett may come back but he's never going to be the defensive enforcer that he used to be. Paul Pierce has crested the hill and is rapidly crashing back toward earth. Did you see him trying to take guys off the dribble in these playoffs? He looked like he was running in sand the entire time. Ray Allen? Entering the Reggie Miller "I can only contribute on a great team that can create wide open looks for me" phase of his career. The Celtics are done . . . for a while. Of course, when their cap situation improves, they are bound to land a marquee free agent or two. Players are always going to want to play in Boston. It's a decent town that gets a ton of media attention and the Celtics have a fantastic basketball tradition. But before the Celtics rebuild, they're going to have to pay the bill for the Championship they (along with Kevin McHale) won last year.
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Another silver lining from the Celtics' failure: With Garnett going down, Glen Davis got to show just enough for someone (hopefully the Celtics) to wildly overpay for him this Summer. As a Cavs fan, you have to appreciate that. Sure, we may have our own bill coming due with Varejao but at least he's a legit 6'11 and can play center when called upon. The Celtics are genuinely screwed. Seriously, they're probably a 50-55 win team next year. It's our time now.

Bring On Orlando:

Before I can start breaking down the Magic as a team, I have to address a major subplot to this upcoming series that the networks are sure to miss. You may not have known this but Magic Center Dwight Howard has a real thing for porn stars; and not just any porn stars. He likes porn stars that poop in hot tubs. The sight of a floater cruising along in a steaming whirlpool really turns him on. Don't believe me? Follow the link below:

http://yourhollywoodnews.com/?p=7919

Some highlights:

-Howard invited his porn star friend to a Magic game but insulted her by giving her crappy tickets.
-The object of Howard's affection seems to enjoy defecating and menstruating in hot tubs.
-Howard cornered Ms. Carey in a bathroom and whipped it out.
-Howard is a devout Christian.

You stay classy Superman.

Ok, so I've been waiting to post that for about, oh, I don't know, two years. Now that I've gotten it out of my system, lets talk basketball. Just for fun, we'll break down this matchup Terry Pluto style:

Can the Magic beat the Cavs?

Yes. Orlando is extremely dangerous but very little of that has to do with Dwight Howard. Howard may be able to protect the rim and hammer the glass but there's only so much damage he can do by himself. Rather, it's Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu that really present the problem for the Cavs. Both are 6'10 and can be extremely dangerous from the outside. If one or both of them get hot, there won't be a ton that the Cavs can do about it. When you're giving up that much size on the perimeter, closing out on a shooter will only protect you to a certain degree. The Cavs' defense thrives on packing the paint and making teams beat them with jump shots. Orlando is one of the few teams in the league that can actually win that way (hence the reason they were able to beat the Cavs twice by double-digits this year).

Can the Cavs pound Orlando like they did Detroit and Atlanta?

Yes. Here's the thing about Orlando: They may punch harder than Boston, and they may present a greater danger of knocking us down (aka, winning at the Q) but they don't have Boston's jaw. If we hit them hard in the mouth early in the series, they might just hit the canvas for good. This is a team that is a) inexperienced, b) built around the 3-point shot, and c) coached by a guy who is prone to freaking out in big moments. If the Cavs had taken games one and two at the Q against Boston, the Celtics would've come back and fought hard at home. However, if the Cavs really take it to Orlando Wednesday and Friday, the series might be over early. Orlando may have more talent than Boston but they don't have the Celtics' leadership, experience, or intestinal fortitude.

So what's the game plan?

Well, I'm sure with as much time as they've had off, Mike Brown and his staff know exactly how they're going to handle the Magic. If it were me, I'd make it my number one priority to contest EVERYTHING from the outside and take my chances with Howard. If nothing else, the Cavs have enough big men in Z, Varejao, Wallace, and Smith that they can just foul the shit out of him and make him beat them from the line. I'll take my chances with Howard shooting lots of jump hooks and free throws.

The Magic will win if:

They have an absolute lights out shooting night in either games 1 or 2 and steal one from a stunned Cavs team at the Q. Then, they go back home, take advantage of their crowd, and beat a still somewhat bewildered Cavs team twice more to go up 3-1. Then, they come back to Orlando for game 6 and finish it.

The Cavs will win if:

They can keep Orlando from penetrating. It sounds counter intuitive to worry about penetration when you're talking about a team with a dominant center and a bunch of 3-point shooters but realistically, it would be tough for the Cavs to lose 4 times unless they're getting beat off of the dribble. Howard might be good for one Orlando win on his own. Turkoglu and Lewis could win two more with hot shooting nights. Still, I don't see Orlando getting to 4 unless Alston and the other perimeter guys can break down the Cavs' defense allowing Howard to dominate the glass and get easy second-chance points. If the Cavs can stay in front of their men, I like them to win the series.

The good news for Orlando is:

The Cavs might have to rely heavily on Sasha Pavlovic in this series. Aside from Lebron, he's the only guy with both the size and quickness to bother Orlando's big shooters.

The good news for Cleveland is:

Lebron might just assassinate Orlando by himself. This isn't the same player we've seen in years past. He is now good enough not only to win games by himself, but to win entire series by himself. Then again, even if he doesn't, the great thing about having the home court is that you can count on your complimentary players to show up for at least 4 games in the series.

More good news for Cleveland:

Orlando's point guard is Rafter Alston. He is, uh . . . let's just say unreliable.

Prediction:

If you're betting against the Cavs at this point then you're insane. Orlando is capable of giving the Cavs a very tough series, and even capable of beating them if everything breaks just right for them. Still, if you're playing the odds, the Cavs have to be a pretty good favorite in this series. I'd say with the homecourt and the extended rest, they could probably beat Orlando in 7 series out of 10. That's why for my prediction, I'm going with Cavs in 6.

Wednesday can't arrive soon enough. Read the rest of this article

Power Rankings: Make Way For Intangibles

As the Cavs continue their throat slitting tour through the Eastern Conference and the Indians continue to "fade into Bolivian," it seems like an appropriate time to reshuffle the Power Rankings a bit. My first inclination, and one that has been supported by a few members of the CMRC faithful, is to automatically ban all Indians from this list for trying to ruin summer in Cleveland.

As much as I would've liked to act on this impulse out of spite and pettiness, in all fairness, I couldn't do it. Is Sizemore off to a pathetic start hitting .227? Yes. But the power rankings are supposed to be a reflection of the comprehensive feelings that fans have on a daily basis about the players in this city. Cleveland fans might be upset with Grady right now because he strikes out every time he comes to bat, but they still love him, they still haven't forgotten how good he can be, and he's still the second most famous athlete in Cleveland. Similarly, Victor Martinez may be on the verge of irrelevance (at least until we hear his name start popping up in trade rumors), but he's still beloved in this town and he's still hitting at an absurd .374 clip. The fact that he was moved down in the power rankings is more a reflection of the fact that fans will begin to forget about him with the Indians being so terrible, because unlike Sizemore (and rather inexplicably since Victor has twice the personality that Grady has), he doesn't have the star power to keep himself in the Cleveland conscience with the team out of it.

In addition, I had to move Varejao up right now. He's beloved, he's playing insanely good basketball, and this team is starting to build a lasting legacy for itself in this town. The same is true for Delonte who, after months of not being the same guy he was at the beginning of the season, finally appears to be back at full strength. He's playing inspired defense, picking up the scoring load when needed, and endearing himself to the Cavalier faithful. He deserves a spot in these rankings.

Falling off the list is Shaun Rogers, not because of anything he did, but because with Browns fans resigned to the fact that the Browns are going to be bad again this year, nobody is going to give a damn about the veteran players. All of the focus will be on Quinn and our sexy high-octane young rookies like Brian Robiskie and Alex Mack (shaking head).

Just missing this list: Dave Dellucci, Rafael Perez, Lorenzen Wright

That's it for now. GO CELTICS! (and if you don't get why I'm saying that, you don't know the NBA)

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Updating the Power Rankings

After a couple of months, the revised power rankings look strikingly similar to the original. The only new name on the list is Anderson Varejao, who replaces Cliff Lee (currently getting shelled for a second straight game) and knocks Josh Cribbs and Shaun Rogers down a spot. The justification for the move is pretty obvious: The Cavs have been the talk of the town for months, Varejao is having his best season as a pro, and the fans and media are all in love with the way he plays the game.

As for Lee, it's not that all of the goodwill of a Cy Young season has been wiped away with two bad starts. But considering the way the Indians and Lee have stumbled out of the gate, the truth is just that Varejao is probably more beloved in this town right now than Lee. Rogers barely hangs on to the 10th spot after reconciling with the Browns after previously demanding his release.

Others just missing the list: Delonte West, Travis Hafner, Cliff Lee, Matt LaPorta

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The 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers (Automotive Edition)

Two disclosures before you decide whether to read this post:

1. It represents an idea that my buddy DC and I have been discussing for about a year now, but in all fairness, I'm pretty sure I saw a link recently where another blogger did essentially the same thing. Thus, I'm not claiming that this is an original idea (not that it's good enough to warrant any sort of props for whoever really came up with it).

2. There is absolutely no information to be ascertained from this post. It is highly probable that if you decide to read it, you'll be left to ponder the fact that you just wasted 5 minutes of your life that you can never get back. With that said . . .

If each member of the Cleveland Cavaliers were a car, what kind of car would he be? Think about the Owen Wilson Pixar flick for an idea of what I'm talking about. The brash young athlete represented by the hybrid stock/formula one car. The wise, gruff, past his prime veteran represented by the Hudson Hornet. The sexy and mysterious (don't try to tell me that Sally Carrera wasn't sexy) female portrayed by the powder blue 911 . . . Well if they were to make a "Cars II" about the 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers, what type of car would represent each player? He's are my best guesses.

1. Lebron James: 2009 Bugatti Veyron - This was too easy. Pick any ridiculous supercar and you could make a case that it's the car that should play Lebron. I went with the Bugatti because it's the fastest production car on the planet, it's built like a Sherman Tank, and it packs more power under the hood than you can possibly wrap your brain around: A turbocharged 64 Valve W16 that generates over 1,000 horsepower. It's an absurd vehicle to represent an absurd athlete.

2. Mo Williams: 2004 Honda S-2000 - If someone were to show up at your house one

day and offer you a 2004 Honda S-2000, you'd be pretty excited right? I mean, you wouldn't go berzerk as if someone were handing you the keys to a Ferrari, but nevertheless,

that would be a great and memorable day, would it not? That's the type of reaction many of us had when the Cavs got Mo Williams. He certainly represented a massive upgrade over our then existing point guard options, much like the 04 S-2000 would represent a massive upgrade over what most of us are currently driving. Moreover, the S-2000 is a deceptively fast and sporty vehicle, and while it doesn't have the flashiest body or garner the most recognition in its class, it's clearly more than just a solid everyday performer. The same can be said for Mo.

3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas: 1988 Chevrolet E20 Conversion Van - Anyone caught driving this relic would be mercilessly ridiculed by their friends. But, that wouldn't change the fact that it would still be just as roomy and comfortable as it was the day it rolled off the assembly line. You could make the same argument for big Z. He's awkwardly large, painfully slow, and his game is a bit of an eyesore, but I challenge you to find more than a few players who have been more consistent and effective over the last 10 years.

4. Delonte West: Modified 2007 Honda Civic - The crazy appearance and cliche'

nature of this vehicle take away from the fact that, as modified, it's a pretty high performer. In much the same way, Although Delonte is, well . . . he's not a particularly attractive man, but in spite of his unusual appearance, he's a very solid guard. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well but much like the modified civic, he's a reliable above-average performer.

5. Ben Walace: Dump Truck - This vehicle is large,

one-dimensional, and serves a very narrow purpose. Need I say more?

6. Anderson Varajao: 2004 Land Rover Defender - The defender is a big, rugged, off-road vehicle that you just don't see a lot of in the U.S. Similarly Varejao is a tough, gritty banger in the paint with a look and playing style that are equally unique.

7. Daniel Gibson: 2001 Chyrsler PT Cruiser - When the PT made its debut in 2001, it received a ton of hype based on the fact that there was nothing on the market at that time that was anything like it. After the initial excitement faded, however, people

began to realize that the PT was a bit of a dud on the road. Now, the vehicle's look is terribly outdated and anyone seen driving one looks a little ridiculous. When Dan Gibson emerged onto the scene in the 2007 playoffs, Cavs fans went wild. For years, we had been searching for a pure shooter to play with Lebron and finally, one had arrived. Now, a couple of years later, Gibson looks one-dimensional and his one above average skill, shooting, is now either matched or surpassed by several other more versatile players on the Cavs' roster.

8. Wally Szczerbiak: 1995 BMW 745iL - Sure it was a status symbol in its day but the truth of the matter is that it was was always wildly overpriced and a maintenance nightmare. Do I even need to draw the parallels to Wally's career? We may love him as an expiring contract and he was even an all-star in his prime but overall, his career has been a little underwhelming for a guy who was once viewed as a great white hope or sorts.

9. Sasha Pavlovic: 1988 Pontiac Fiero - It looks sporty. It should've been fun to own. Unfortunately, the Fiero never took off due to a host of issues including a reputation for engine fires. If you look at Pavlovic, he should be a useful player. He's big, fast, and at one time, was supposedly a decent shooter. By now though, we know it's just never going to happen for him. Much like the Fiero, Pavlovic's career is destined to be short and forgettable.

10. J.J. Hickson: 2006 Pontiac Solstice - The Solstice made a pretty good splash in 06 as a surprisingly sleek and affordable roadster. Sure, it had next to nothing under the hood but it was still an appealing start for a model that we suspected would have a pretty bright future. Hickson has been a pleasant surprise for a guy drafted in a spot where few before him had made a significant impact. Sure he's raw and a defensive liability but he definitely has the potential to be a solid rotation player in the future.

11. Tarence Kinsey: 2001 Hyundai Elantra - It's not flashy and it's made by a company that is only now starting to get any respect, but it's a reliable compact that will get you from point A to point B. Similarly, Kinsey doesn't get a lot of respect after spending the last year in Europe and while he isn't flashy, he'll give you a few passable minutes every night to give your other guards a blow.

12. Lorenzen Wright: Rusted-out Pickup Truck - This vehicle may have been servicable in its day but now, it's just a useless corpse waiting to be loaded into the shredder.....like Lorenzen Wright.

13. Darnell Jackson: Hearse - This vehicle serves an extremely narrow purpose and every time you see it, it makes you a little uneasy. The same could be said for Darnell Jackson. He's in the league solely for his big body and every time I see him on the floor, I'm reminded of the fact that our frontcourt is still one man short.

14. Trey Johnson: 1991 Geo Metro - If you saw a 91 Metro on the road today, you would wonder what the hell it was doing there. I have that same thought every time I see Trey Johnson on the floor in an NBA game.

15. Eric Snow: 1990 Toyota Tercel - In its day, there was nothing wrong with it. By the end of the decade, there was absolutely no reason for anyone to be driving one. The Snow parallels go without saying. Just remember: Up until 2007, the Cavs starting point guard was the equivalent of a 1990 Toyota Tercel. Thank you Danny Ferry.

OK, now for the fun part. I'm holding an informal contest for the best car comparison in the comments section of this post. To have realistic shot at winning, a suggestion must be strong in three areas: 1) comparison accuracy, 2) creativity, and 3) comedic value. Have at it CMCR nation.

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Cavs-Celtics Running Diary

Here is my belated running diary on last night's Cavs-Celtics game, which will be completed with the help of my Tivo. It is late, but I love reading running diaries even after games I watched so this is for those who cannot get enough of the game or who missed it. The Cavs and Celtics are two of the 3, maybe 4, elite teams in the NBA so this is a huge game for a regular season game. The Cavs really have a chance tonight on national television to make a statement about the pecking order in the NBA. Without further ado, it is time to press play on my Tivo:

First Quarter

12:00 - No surprises in the starting lineups. Starting for the Cavs are Mo Williams, Delonte West, Lebron James, Ben Wallace, and Anderson Varejao. Starting for the Celtics are Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, and Kevin Garnett.

12:00 - I thought a throwback jerseys were throwbacks to jerseys that used to be worn or are at least close to it. Did the Cavs ever wear anything like that?

11:50 - Ben Wallace with a drive and score to the basket off a pick and roll. Never thought the game would start like that. This can only be a good sign.

11:05 - Anderson Varejao with a nice double pump layup off a Lebron James assist. Andy simultaneously being in shape this and learning to play under control this year has been huge, especially now that Z is hurt. I no longer cringe when he drives, spins, and attempts a layup because he no longer does it wildly.

10:20 - Celtics with some nice ball movement between Pierce, Garnett and Perkins for a Perkins layup.

10:07 - Varejao hits a jumper, which is another improvement in his game. I think the assumption that he is gone after this year is starting to look like a premature one. I am starting to think that the Cavs should keep him even though he is going to want a lot of money. He is just too important to the Cavs.

9:42 - Same three players, same result for Boston. Another nice play.

9:29 - Lebron with a nice pass to Big Ben for an easy layup. The Celtics pay for overloading on Lebron.

8:40 - I think Mo Williams has now hit three tear drop shots to the start the game. Cavs are up 12-8.

7:45 - Pierce to Garnett to Perkins again. Nice wrap around pass by Garnett. This is a battle between low-scoring big men right now in the form of Perkins, Wallace, and Varejao (although you could say that title no longer applies to Andy).

7:15 - Big Ben gets an offensive board, passes to a cutting Varejao, and Varejao is fouled on the layup attempt. Andy makes the two free throws, and the score is Cavs 14, Celtics 10. The battle of low scoring big men continues.

6:47 - Ben Wallace with the steal, which leads to Lebron getting fouled on the way to the hoop. I am not sure that Garnett fouled Lebron although he might have hit him on the face. Cavs are up
16-10 after Lebron makes the two free throws. Garnett is T'ed up for arguing. Score: 17-10.

6:25 - Garnett misses another shot. He has started cold.

6:04 - Delonte West with a nice short jumper over Garnett. The Cavs have started hot tonight.

5:03 - Cavs are forced to call a timeout as Lebron looks like he was hit in the eye on the last play. No call was made. Garnett gets his first points on the following play on a dunk with Lebron still holding his head at the other end of the floor.

4:44 - Lebron takes on Paul Pierce, gets buy him, and gets fouled as he makes a layup over Garnett. Cavs 22 Celtic 14.

3:50 - Daniel Gibson and J.J. Hickson checks in for Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao.

3:17 - Kendrick Perkins is fouled as he attempts another close-in shot. He has been scored over half of Boston's points thus far, surprisingly enough. He has nine points after he splits the free throws. Cavs 22 Celts 17.

2:54 - Lebron drives and kicks to Wally who knocks down a 3. Wally apparently snuck into the game without me noticing. Cavs 25 Celts 17

2:20 - Lebron with another assist as J.J. Hickson slams the ball home. Lebron has really been making the Celtics pay for overloading on him, and the big men (Wallace, Andy, and Hickson) have been in the right spots for the scores.

1:04 - James is rewarding for all his sharing as Gibson now hits a cutting Lebron for a big slam. Cavs 31 Celts 21

0:47 - Ray Allen misses a three as the Celtics are not shooting well.

0:35 - Pierce gets a fast break dunk after Rondo stripped Lebron. Cavs 31 Celts 23.

0:14 - Lebron drives for a nice layup on the ensuing play.

0:00 Lebron James comes out of nowhere to reject Perkin's short shot attempt at the buzzer. The crowd is buzzing as the quarter ends. Hickson also altered Rondo's shot on the same play. He has gotten into good position to affect shots a couple of times this game, which is good to see from the rookie. Cavs 33 Celts 23 after a strong first quarter from the Cavs. The Cavs are making shots, playing tough defense, and are really attacking the basket right now.

Second Quarter

12:00 - On the floor to start the quarter for the Cavs are J.J. Hickson, Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Mo Williams, and Wally. For the Celtics, Leon Powe, Eddie House, Ray Allen, Gabe Pruitt, and Glen Davis.

11:30 - Hickson misses a dunk, but once again gets in the right position on offense for the Cavs. He is playing the way he needs to thus far for the Cavs. He is working hard on defense and getting into positions to score by cutting to the basket at the right time.

10:24 - Powe makes a tough shot over Varejao who was playing some tight defense on him.

9:30 - Hickson is fouled on short jumper off a decent post move. I wondered how J.J. would respond when playing extended minutes with Z hurt against a good opponent. So far so good. Cavs 34 Celtics 27 after the free throws.

9:01 - Not much to say on the Celtics thus far as Ray Allen misses another shot. None of their stars are lighting it up. They are still in the game though.

8:24 - Leon Powe scores off a cut and a nice feed. He is a really nice player. He is Boston's version of Andy.

7:32 - Mo Williams has hit two straight baskets to give him 9 points. Cavs have Delonte, Gibson, Williams, Hickson, and Varejao on the floor. Cavs 38 Celts 31.

6:23 - Cavs with some great hustle to knock the ball away from Powe and get the loose ball. Boobie knocks down a 3. The Celtics call a timeout. The Cavs are hot tonight. They are in total control right now of this game. Lebron is back in when the game restarts.

5:05 - The Celtics miss 3 shots (House, Davis and Pierce) on one possession as the Cavs defense is getting hands in people's faces and the Celtics are not hitting their shots.

4:20 - Ben Wallace steals the ball and leads a fast break. He does not do a bad job although Lebron misses the shot, but let's never see that again.

3;37 - Lebron hits a 3. Not much scoring in this quarter. Cavs 44 Celtics 33. It was 33-23 after the first quarter.

3:18 - Ben Wallace alters Pierce's shot on a miss. Ben Wallace has been great.

2:27 - Allen misses another shot on a 3 point attempt. I am not sure he has scored. Garnett miss a short jumper too.

1:52 - Delonte has a nice drive and kicks the ball to Varejao who makes the jumper.

1:43 - Rondo hits Garnett on a nice alley oop. Someone lost Garnett on that play.

1:14 - Lebron hits another 3. Cavs 49 Celtics 35.

0:00 - It's halftime. The Cavs are playing really well tonight. I am not sure anyone could say anything bad about their performance thus far. Their defense has hustled and contested shots. The Cavs big men have done a good job in the middle. The Cavs offense has been attacking the basket and not settling for jumpers. Most jumpers have been on drive and kicks. The ball movement has been good. Even if they were not making their shots, this is exactly how you want to see them play every game. Let's not get too carried away though. They are only up 9. If Pierce gets hot, things could change quickly. Cavs 49 Celts 40.

3rd Quarter

12:00 - Starting lineups are back on the floor as the 2nd half starts.

10:30 - Rondo knocks the ball away from Mo Williams, immediately gets it back, and is fouled by Lebron on a fast break layup attempt. Jeff Van Gundy would like me to know that that was not a foul; however, Lebron got him with the body although the block was clean. Celtics are closing in. The score is 49-45 after Rondo's free throws as the Cavs have yet to score.

10:00 - The scoring has really slowed in this game after a 33-23 first quarter. Both teams are holding the the other defensively. Their defenses are the true reason that these two teams are tops in the east.

9:28 - Lebron with a crossover, drive, and a made left-handed layup as he is fouled. He completes the 3 point play and the score is Cavs 52, Celtics 45. Lebron is just as good around the basket with his left hand as he is with his right, which we all probably know but is still amazing.

7:56 - Van Gundy and Marc Jackson both think Lebron has been the MVP thus far. I cannot disagree although Wade has been really good this year.

7:17 - Lebron with an nice double pump layup. He has 22 points. Cavs 56 Celts 49.

5:51 - Steals on both ends: one by West and the other by Rondo. More missed shots. The Cavs turn the ball over again. The Cavs have scored just 7 points in this quarter, but hold on to a 56-51 lead. This has really become a defensive battle.

5:10 - Pierce misses a 3 pointer. It looks like he has only 5 points in this game. He often has huge games against the Cavs as he seems to love the challenge of playing against Lebron. Credit Lebron with playing good D.

4:44 - The game has gotten sloppy. I think the Cavs have turned the ball over on their last three possessions. For the most part, the Celtics are returning the favor. Varejao ends the Cavs turnover streak with a nice one-handed layup over his head for 2 points and a trip to the foul line. Cavs 59 Celtics 51 after the made free throw.

4:26 - Ray Allen hits a 3. He now has 7.

3:58 - Varejao hits a jumper on a Lebron assist. He is having a solid game with 13 points.

3:45 - Rondo drives to the basket and falls to the floor after it looks like he is hit in the head by one of the Cavs. There is no call. I have now watched this three times, and I am pretty sure that he bounced the ball off the top of his head when he tried to shoot. I have never seen that before. Wow. The play ends with Garnett hitting a jumper after a scramble for the ball after Rondo's head maneuver.

Unknown time since ESPN stole the clock from the screen: Lebron with an amazing (for a normal player) block from behind on Allen's fast break layup attempt. That move is becoming routine for him. Remember when everyone was amazed when Tayshaun Prince blocks Reggie Miller's layup from behind a few years ago. Lebron now does it about once every game or two.

2:35: On the other end of the floor, Lebron hits a jumper while being fouled by Rondo. Lebron is doing everything tonight: dishing the ball, driving for layups, hitting a few threes, blocking shots and playing huge D on Paul Pierce. Cavs 64 Celts 56.

2:14: Lebron swarms Pierce and forces him to give it up. He had the ball for about 10 seconds and could do nothing with it. Hickson gets the board when Powe misses.

1:25: Van Gundy is stating that Mike Brown does not get enough credit for the Cavs defense. Amen. Lebron hits another 3. Cavs 69 Celtics 58.

0:40: Delonte West and Daniel Gibson show how the Cavs offense should run. West fakes a 3, drives to the basket, and kicks it to Gibson in the corner. Gibson does not have an open 3 so he drives to the basket, and kicks it to West who knocks down the 3. They worked the ball in and out with great ball movement.

0:00: Pierce misses a fallaway jumper with Lebron once again in his face to close the quarter. Cavs 72 Celtics 60 after 3.

Fourth Quarter

12:00 - Varejao, Szcerbiak, Williams, Hickson and Gibson are out there for the Cavs to start the 4th. House, Allen, Powe, Davis, and Pierce for the Celtics. Let's see how the Cavs handle the lead without Lebron on the floor when Lebron provided much of their offense in the 3rd.

11:12 - Pierce hits a jumper over West who is now guarding him. Although West is a good defender, Pierece could take advantage of this matchup.

11:00 - Mo Williams hits a running tear drop. This is his time of the game with Lebron being out.

10:14 - Mo Williams with a nice pass to Varejao who is fouled on the layup. Cavs 74 Celts 62 after Andy misses both free throws.

10:00 - Pierce with a turnaround jumper over Wally who is guarding him for some reason. A shot of Lebron shows he wants back in the game to guard Pierce. You have to love his desire to get back in their to play defense.

9:24 - Pierce is really forcing it with Lebron out. He gets two close-in layup shots and offensive rebound before Powe scores. Lebron is coming back in.

8:49 - Varejao forces an offensive foul on Leon Powe. Lebron follows with a driving layup. Then, he knocks the ball away from House, runs the length of the floor, and dives for the ball before it goes out. The crowd is loving it. Lebron wants this game. This is a huge game for him.

7:44 - Lebron hits a jumper in the corner. Cavs 78 Celts 66. Unless Pierce goes off on the Cavs, it is hard to see the Cavs losing at this point.

6:36 - Lebron with a steal and a tough left-handed layup over Allen. He how has 36 points and 4 steals. Cavs 83 Celts 68.

5:40 - Boston has now turned the ball over three straight times after a West steal.

5:20 - Are the Celtics resorting to Hack-a-Ben in a regular season game? They fouled Ben Wallace far away from the ball. Maybe smart but weak. Ben hits 1 of 2. Cavs 84 Celts 71.

5:00 - Following a Pierce missed layup with Lebron and Ben in his face, the Celtics foul Ben Wallace again. The crowd is booing. Varejao looks like he is going to come in for Ben who makes 1 of 2 again. I would leave Ben in just to make a point to Boston and because we are up 14.

4:55 - Varejao is called back from the scorer's table to the bench. I love it.

4:32 - Wallace is fouled again. Lebron tries to shoot before they can do it and makes a 3 pointer from about half court. He did not shoot in time, but it has the crowd going crazy. Wallace makes 1 of 2 a third time and Lebron slaps the ball out for the offensive rebound. The Celtics choose to cease fouling Big Ben as Lebron forces his way into the middle and is fouled. Cavs 90 Celts 71 after Lebron's free throws.

4:01 - According to the announcer, the Celtics will fall to third in the Eastern Conference after this game. Incredible. A few weeks ago, they were 27-2.

4:01 - More Ben Wallace fouling by the Celtics. Doesn't the Hack-a-Ben seem a little desparate for a reigning champion in the regular season? The Celtics are really struggling right now. They will have lost 7 of their last 9 after this game.

3:13 - Lebron is now on the bench. Hickson, Varejao, and Gibson are in. The Celtics big 3 are out. It is officially garbage time. Gibson knocks down a 3 after some nice ball movement. Cavs 95 Celts 78.

0:00 - Final Score: Cavs 98 Celtics 83.

Post Game Thoughts

This was a fun and exciting game tonight for Cavs fans. They took on one of the top teams in the NBA and beat them by 15 to extend their record at home to be 19-0. I wrote before the game that this was their first chance for a statement win to provide the final proof that they are an elite team. The Cavs made a statement tonight although we should keep in mind that Boston is struggling right now. The game was often close, but the Cavs always seemed like they were in control. Not to mention, they did all this without Zydrunas Ilgauskas. When the Cavs play defense like this, are aggresive on offense, and have good ball movement, I am not sure anyone can beat them.

Lebron James was all over the place tonight and had 38 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Also, I think he earned some All-Defensive team, if not Defensive player of the year, votes tonight with his defense on Pierce who only had 11 points. It was really obvious he wanted to win this game. Anderson Varejao also had a strong performance with 14 points and 9 rebounds. However, as Lebron basically stated after the game, this is only one game. Hopefully, the Cavs can use this game to build some momentum on their quest to get the #1 seed for their playoffs.
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Takin' Care of Business

Quick reactions from a great night of basketball:

1. I'm sorry for going a little off topic with thought number one but this has to be said: If the FCC doesn't have someone from ESPN arrested tonight in connection with the decision to broadcast closeups of Doris Burke in HD, then they are officially sanctioning broadcast obscenity. My dear god! I've seen reptiles with better faces.

2. In case you've been living in a bomb shelter for the last few months, allow me to fill you in on something: Lebron James has widened the offensive gap between himself and the rest of the basketball playing planet. Oh yeah, and just for fun, he's become one of the top 10 defenders in the world as well. It has been well documented that Boston lacks the intimidation factor that many other defending champions have had over the years. As an opposing fan, you respect their abilities but they don't really scare you per se. On the other hand, if I were rooting for Boston, Lebron James would absolutely terrify me. I mean I wouldn't sleep at night thinking about having to face Lebron 6.0 in the playoffs. If you asked me to describe his dominance right now to someone who had never seen him play, the only adjective I could think of would be "Tigeresque."

3. If Boston has the 1 seed and they meet the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, it's probably 50-50 as to who wins. If the Cavs have the home court, i'd say its 70-30 Cavs. I just don't see this team losing 4 games at home in a playoff series. In addition, if the Cavs have the home court, it probably means Boston will have to slug it out with Orlando in the Eastern Conference Semis. If that's the case then I REALLY like our chances. Don't underestimate the importance of the route to the conference finals. Remember in 2007, the Cavs got Detroit after the Pistons had played a tough 6 game series with Chicago. With a very thin and not getting any younger Boston team, being forced to go through two elite teams to get out of the East would be an extremely tall order. The Cavs have a tough month ahead of them and it is imperative that they at least stay within striking distance of the best record in the East. I know right now it seems like they might run away with the one seed but Boston will right the ship and the Cavs will, at some point, hit a skid themselves.

4. Right now, aside from having the basketball equivalent of the atomic bomb in their arsenal, the Cavs have two huge advantages over Boston: 1) their bench is infinitely better, and 2) Lebron's versatility allows them to give a lot of different lineup looks. Who would've ever thought that having a guy who is the best player in the league at four different positions would be such an advantage?

5. Garnett is a fantastic player and an absolutely HUGE liability for Boston going forward. If things start going south for the Celtics in a playoff series, I would expect Garnett to be the first one to completely lose his cool in a very Rasheed-like way. For all the credit he gets for his intensity, he could single-handedly sink Boston's ship if adequately provoked. And if this scenario plays out, I would expect Anderson Varejao to be prominently involved. You could say I'm a little excited for the Playoffs.

6. In the next month, Mike Brown needs to earn his paycheck by keeping this team hungry. They will be coming down from an emotional high after playing well in a game they had probably been looking forward to for months. They could very easily fall back into the lazy apathetic basketball that we've seen glimpses of over the last couple of weeks. This is a crucial time for this team. They absolutely must keep the pressure on Boston and Orlando to maintain the torrid pace.

7. If his team makes a big move before the deadline, my head might explode. If you added the right guy to the mix, and I haven't yet formed an opinion as to who that might be, it might be lights out for the rest of the East. I'll stop short of bringing the West into it until I see how these Cavs match up with LA.

8. If they haven't already done so, the Cavs should probably make sure Z starts traveling with a body man just in case Dan Fegan decides he likes the Cavs' current starting lineup.

9. Great crowd tonight. I hate it when fans resort to cliche' chants like "Overrated" and "Boston sucks" but it's hard to find fault with the noise level and intensity on display in the Q tonight. There is a reason that Cavs are unbeaten at home. They win with defense. Defense is all about effort. Great crowds inspire great efforts. You see the connection.

10. If you haven't noticed, Lebron has become a real live version of Bill Brasky. Every single television analyst can't wait to tell us how big he is and all of them come up with different numbers. On any given night, Lebron can range from 6'6 250 to 6'9 285.

11. Get excited for the rest of the regular season. Seeding is going to be EVERYTHING this year. That means that for the first time in as long as I can remember, the Cavs are going to be playing extremely meaningful games all winter. As a fan, what more can you ask for? (Image from Plain Dealer)

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Cavs Thoughts

Two reasons not named LeBron why the Cavs are currently atop the NBA Standings:
1) Z

2) Shooters

1) Z is critical to the post-season chances of the Cavs. His two biggest contributions to the team are his put-back buckets when he is around the rim, and his ability to play away from the basket to create open lanes for penetration and pop-outs. I love Andy. We need to re-sign him at whatever his market value is. But he just can't get all of the easy baskets a 7'3" Z can get off put-backs and he can't reinvent himself as a 3 point threat like Z has become.

2) We have been trying for years to find the right compliment of players to surround King James. One problem was never having enough shooters. That problem was so bad we were forced to use Damon Jones in our regular rotation just so we could have any shooter on the floor.

Houston, we don't have a problem anymore. Our backcourt is now stacked with shooters. We have Delonte and Mo shooting .386 and .359 from three. If they have an off night we can throw in Wally. If he doesn't work we can throw in Boobie. If he doesn't work we can throw in Sasha. If he doesn't work then we end up losing to the Wizards. The point is, all five of them have the ability to consistently hit it from downtown. With only two backcourt positions, we should almost every night find a combination that works. Rarely will all of them be off on the same night.

Combine these factors with the King, and the Cavs are the best of the best.
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Cavs Thoughts

1. I'll save you from a detailed recap of what can only be described as a disgusting Cavs game. In a nutshell, the Cavs were gross, they did everything in their power to lose the game, and after they "won" as a result of what was clearly a "David Stern Special," I felt like I needed to take a shower. I've seen the replays and we got some absolute phantom calls down the stretch. Now, generally speaking, I'm fine with this. The Wizards are a deplorable bunch and lord knows that we've been on the wrong end of a few "Sterns" in our time as well. The larger issue, however, is why we needed a "Stern" to beat a 4-22 team in a nationally televised game at home. I'm not going to start sounding alarm bells after one crappy effort but there were a lot of things about this game that make me question whether Cleveland is really the 65 win team that I thought they could be.

2. Dear Cavs, don't take so many god damn 3's. We all know you're just being lazy. Stop it.

3. When you're playing a team that has NO frontcourt, maybe it would make sense to get Z involved.

4. There seems to be growing support out there for the notion that the Cavs shouldn't trade Wally because they don't want to screw up their current chemistry. I'm sorry but that's stupid. If the Cavs have a chance to improve at the deadline without completely destroying their '10 cap situation, they need to take it. I love it when people make the argument that the Cavs might be good enough as constructed to win a title. Oh really? And if we stand pat and you're wrong, are you going to be able to go back in time and change your answer? Listen, the Cavs are probably every bit as good as the Lakers or Celtics. But I would have a hard time saying that at this point, they're any better than either of those two. Luckily, by some dumb luck, we have a giant expiring contract at a time when 75% of the league is dying to shed salary. This is the perfect storm. The Cavs are the only one of the big 3 teams that has the right contract to make a move. I'm not saying they should just go for anything but if a decent deal materializes, they HAVE to pursue it. This type of opportunity comes around once in a blue moon. The Cavs can't squander it just because they have a 1-3 chance as currently constructed to win a title.

5. I'm starting to accept the fact that the Cavs are going to have to pay big dollars to Varejao this summer. Two years ago I would've said that doing so would be crazy. Now, it's the right thing to do. Our frontcourt is two years older and Varajeo's game has come a long way. The league isn't exactly crawling with young 6'11 guys that can run the floor, rebound like crazy, and defend three positions. Oh, and in case you missed it, 07 finals jokes aside, his offensive game is really developing to the point where it's almost feasible to put him and Wallace on the floor at the same time. In terms of dollars, I couldn't find a perfect analogy but I'd say he's worth somewhere between Shane Battier money ($6.5 million a year) and Tayshaun Prince money ($9.5 million a year). I know it seems like a lot but he's extremely valuable to this team and given the paucity of frontcourt options for the future, they can't afford to let him walk.

6. I'd say its 50-50 that the Cavs will be 30-4 when they play Boston on January 9th. That would be extremely exciting for the city. You can tell, given the type of year we've had on so many levels, that this town is just itching to go nuts for something.

7. I was all set to bash Craig Sager for the ass-clown tie he had on last night but then a funny thing happened: I read his Wikipedia page. The dude is married to a girl that's 21 years younger than he is. He has 2 kids with her and 3 from a previous marriage. He's 6'4. And finally, he has the following quote in his profile. "In a humorous, tongue-in-cheek interview with the Washington Post he claimed he had a "blonde fetish" and that the Hooter's in China was not up to his standards."

Well then...

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