Cleveland Sports Chatter

[POJO_Risin]

a blog about the Cavs moves...and that Lithuanian kid...

Who will be runnin' the show?

Sarunas Jasikevicius has been rumored to be the Cavs' top choice at point guard, but recent reports have said that Marko Jaric may be their new top target.
Man o man ...the point guard saga seems to be taking a turn from its original course of action, to somewhere in Clipper land.

The Plain Dealer's Bill Livingston wrote in his column today that Sarunas Jasikevicius seems to be the favorite to take over at point guard for the '05 season.

A reporter for the San Antonio Express-News reported that a contract between Jasikevicius and the Cavaliers was all but done.

And then came a report in today's Akron Beacon Journal that Marko Jaric seems to be the Cavs' main target at point guard.

So who's right and who's wrong?

My guess is that the Beacon Journal may be jumping to conclusions on this one. Yeah I know it's reported that Jaric is visiting the Cavs on Thursday. I also know that the Journal has been relatively accurate during this rumor season, but it doesn't make much sense to sign Jaric, albeit a solid player, to an outlandish $6 million contract. Why not add Jasikevicius at a cheaper rate and find someone to backup Z.

We need bodies to fill out the roster at this point. Remember, starters win you games, depth wins you championships.

Steven Hunter, Dale Davis, Cliff Robinson and Robert 'Tractor' Traylor are all unrestricted free agents who could be added as a backup to Z.

A few points about Jasikevicius

* Shot 50+% from behind the arc in Euro league action (the international 3 point line is 3 feet, 3 inches shorter than the NBA's)

* Is considered by many to be the top player in Europe

* Was best man in Zydrunas Ilgauskas' wedding

* Played college basketball at Maryland

* Not a real sound defender

* Has a tendency to turn the ball over more than your average point guard

Click here for a complete bio

A few points about Jaric

* Was one of the NBA's best in assist-to-turnover and steal-to-turnover ratios last season.

* Shot 42 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range last season.

* Has career averages of 8.5 ppg and 4.5 apg.

* Netted 5 3-pointers against Denver on 12/21/02.

* Is versatile and can play more than one position.

* Missed a total of 72 games throughout his 3 year career.

* Hails from Serbia-Montenegro

Click here for a complete bio

NY Post: Marshall to Cleveland

Leave it to the NY Post to once again stir the pot in Cavaliers land.

They are reporting that the Cavaliers have come to terms with PF Donyell Marshall. It's literally turned our Forum into a "what if" circus.

They are currently the only source reporting this signing.

All pundits, both on the local and national scene, have learned to steer clear of NY Post rumors.

I will keep you up-to-date if anything regarding Marshall and the Cavs comes to light.

[POJO_Risin]

I don't know what our cap situation is now...so I don't know who the fuck we are going to sign...but another blog...

Point guard search continues
We are in the midst of a dead period during this free agency season. The initial contracts have been offered and verbally agreed upon by the top notch free agents, and teams now are waiting for the market to unfold before offering more money to second tier players.

Nonetheless, the rumors are still swirling regarding who the Cavaliers would like to go after for their second wave of spending.

FoxSports.com writes that the Cavaliers are targeting Earl Watson, Antonio Daniels, Marko Jaric and Sarunas Jasikevicius to fill their vacancy at point guard.

I could live with any of those point guards mentioned above.

Marko Jaric would cause a lot of match up problems at guard. Could you imagine a lineup of Jaric (6'7), Hughes (6'5), James (6'8), Gooden (6'10) and Z (7'3). He's a solid shooter (34% beyond the arc) and a solid passer (6.1 apg). He would look real nice in wine and gold.

One source said the Cavaliers have a 60% chance of landing Sarunas Jasikevicius, and he's apparently their top choice. Jasikevicius would add that shooting threat the Cavaliers DESPERATELY need. He's a bit prone to turning the ball over, but it's a game of give and take I guess. According to Larry Bird, he's the best player in Europe. Not a bad compliment from a great talent evaluator.

Earl Watson is the smallest of the bunch at 6'1. He would be my last option if all else fails. He's more of a slashing point guard. We already have two guys who can get to the hole at will in James and Hughes. You throw Z into the mix and you can forget about playing an up-tempo style of basketball. He would not address our shooting needs either. Watson's career average from behind the arc is around 30%. We need someone who can stroke the three 35-40% percent of the time.

Antonio Daniels is a solid all-around guard. He can score (11.2 ppg), pass (4 apg) and defend well (close to 1 steal per game on limited minutes). He led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.89) during 2003-04 season. If I remember correctly so did Kevin Ollie at one point, and we all know how that one turned out. He strokes the three relatively well, averaging close to 33% throughout his career. Daniels would be a nice fit, but lacks experience in a starting role.

[ALinChainz]

I know the T Wolves are hot after Jaric too.

He needs to put in an injury free season before Im sold, but he can be solid.

[POJO_Risin]

Well...whenever you have a guy his size...playing point...that can shoot...and play 2 other positions...injuries or not...he's going to make some coin...

We'll see...

I think with the Marshall signing...Cleveland is going to be tight to sign him...not sure how much under the cap they are...or if they can sign him to an extension...

[ALinChainz]

Would probably have to be the dreaded "sign and trade" deal for it to work.

[POJO_Risin]

It's probably not worth it then...I think they can get someone a bit more worth it much cheaper...with a look at the playoffs...

[POJO_Risin]

Okay...here we go with potential moves...

It looks like Larry Brown is pestering the Cavs for Eric Snow...

would be a great move if Ferry can get rid of Snow's contract...

I think this will happen...but not until the Cavs get another PG...

[POJO_Risin]

The Cavs really want Mario Jarik...but any deal they try and sign him to will be blocked by the Warriors...

ah well...they'll end up with a decent point...and probably not as injury prone...

[POJO_Risin]

We're also looking at signing Dale Davis to a deal to come off the bench...a good veteran presence...on a pretty young team...

he'll fill the role that Scott Williams had been in...and talk about a fucking upgrade...

[POJO_Risin]

and finally...the pg they've been looking for?


Jones the man?
Reports in today's Miami Herald claim the Cavaliers have made a "significant" contract offer to unrestricted free agent point guard Damon Jones.

Jones was the league leader in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and was among the tops in the league from beyond the arc.


They could certainly do much worse...and he will provide another outside threat...

[POJO_Risin]

Oh, and not only will LeBron have the "4 horseman" running his non-basketball endorsements...

but he hired Iverson's agent today to deal with basketball matters...

and did I just see a LeBron Bubblicious commercial?

[POJO_Risin]

CENTRAL W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
Chicago Sox 71 38 .651 - 35-22 36-16 533 437 Won 1 5-5
Cleveland 59 52 .532 13 27-27 32-25 510 465 Won 2 7-3
Minnesota 57 53 .518 14.5 32-25 25-28 484 455 Won 2 3-7
Detroit 52 57 .477 19 26-29 26-28 498 500 Lost 2 3-7
Kansas City 38 72 .345 33.5 23-31 15-41 479 634 Lost 9 2-8

and Cleveland claims 2nd place...

AHEAD OF THE TWINS...

nice...

[Phil theStalker]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
and Cleveland claims 2nd place...

AHEAD OF THE TWINS...

nice...

POJO,

why da hard on f4or da Indians?

[POJO_Risin]

Cleveland is only 3 games out of the wildcard...ahead of the Yankers...by a game...

and just as hot as the A's...

should be interesting down the stretch...

[vheddyrmv8]

The Twins SUUUUUUUCK. They have some of the best pitching around...or at least they did last year, but these people couldnt hit a beach ball with a bat. That's why I stick with the Red Sox...too bad I couldnt have been back there. But this happens every year, the Indians get ahead of the twins, but the twins come back and land a playoff spot somehow. Cept since they released boone, and hunter is out for the year, they can kiss their playoff spot goodbye. The Indians will have trouble taking out the A's or the Angels.

[twonabomber]

hey Poj...howzabout that Jimmy Thome? does ShaPIEro look like a genius, or what?

[POJO_Risin]

Well...our first baseman situation certainly isn't bad with Hafner, Brousard...and a slew of prospects...

and Thome is a limpdick...fuck Thome...fuck Ramirez....the faggots...

[Sammy Who??]

1948

[POJO_Risin]

Indians win again...14 games over .500...playing well...and the staff is looking good.

Great young lineup...don't know if this is their year to get into the playoffs...but like the look of the future. What a signing Millwood turned out to be...

would have freaking loved a big bat at the deadline...perhaps a 3B...not sure why they weren't in the hunt for Aubrey Huff...but what can you do...

Good to be back in the thick of things...

[POJO_Risin]

2005 American League Standings
EAST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
Boston 73 53 .579 - 39-18 34-35 717 635 Won 1 5-5
NY Yankees 71 56 .559 2.5 42-24 29-32 686 617 Won 2 6-4
Toronto 64 64 .500 10 34-26 30-38 622 566 Lost 2 3-7
Baltimore 61 66 .480 12.5 33-32 28-34 575 612 Lost 1 4-6
Tampa Bay 53 76 .411 21.5 35-32 18-44 612 757 Won 1 7-3

CENTRAL W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
Chicago Sox 78 47 .624 - 37-27 41-20 581 496 Won 3 4-6
Cleveland 72 57 .558 8 32-31 40-26 620 540 Won 2 8-2
Minnesota 67 61 .523 12.5 36-29 31-32 556 520 Lost 3 6-4
Detroit 61 65 .484 17.5 32-33 29-32 593 597 Lost 3 6-4
Kansas City 42 84 .333 36.5 25-38 17-46 528 729 Lost 1 4-6

WEST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
LA Angels 73 55 .570 - 37-28 36-27 607 514 Lost 2 4-6
Oakland 71 56 .559 1.5 39-26 32-30 610 515 Won 3 4-6
Texas 60 67 .472 12.5 34-28 26-39 684 678 Won 1 4-6
Seattle 54 73 .425 18.5 30-33 24-40 559 600 Lost 1 4-6


Cleveland's only 8 games behind the Sox...they have a shot at the division title...

[POJO_Risin]

Cleveland up on Minnesota and their vaunted pitching staff...3-0...6th inning...early yet...but Sabathia is looking damn good...finally...

[POJO_Risin]

damn good is an understatement...Sabathia has a perfect game going through five innings...with 5 K's...

of course...that isn't saying much with the fucking Twins and their fluff hitting...

[POJO_Risin]

Perfect game and no hitter gone in the sixth...

[POJO_Risin]

Tribe up 4-0 in the 8th...

[POJO_Risin]

Make that 6-0...

[POJO_Risin]

American League
Team W L PCT GB
Cleveland (20) 81 61 .570 -
N.Y. Yankees 80 62 .563 1
Oakland 79 63 .556 2
Minnesota 73 68 .518 7½
Toronto 71 70 .504 9½
Texas 70 73 .490 11½
Baltimore 67 75 .472 14
Detroit 65 76 .461 15½
Seattle 61 81 .430 20
Tampa Bay 59 84 .413 22½
Kansas City 46 95 .326 34½


After today's slaughter of Minnesota is complete...

Cleveland will be 1 1/2 up on the Yankees...

and...

only 5 1/2 in back of the white sox...

[POJO_Risin]

and 6 games left with the Sox...the AL East isn't the only division that's still up in the air...

Cleveland has a shot at this one...

[POJO_Risin]

Cleveland is 9-1...

Cleveland is 4 1/2 back of the White Sox...

I've been saying it for weeks...they would win the division...

now...I gotta listen to these fuckers on TV acting like they knew it all along...

fuck them.

Chicago is losing 4-0 today...

Cleveland has 6 games left with the Sox...

[twonabomber]

i was at a high school game last night, and they kept updating the Indians score. pretty funny.

[POJO_Risin]

It's funny though twona...how different baseball is in Cleveland than the big baseball cities. I know it happens in other cities...but I fucking hate how easy people in our hometown turn OFF the Indians, and how easy they hop back on the wagon. I lived through the bad years as well...

but I'm glad they are back on. Maybe we'll actually get some sell outs for the White Sox series at the end of the year...when we win the division.

[POJO_Risin]

Who's lookin' big this year in Cleveland high school football...

[twonabomber]

i dunno, haven't looked at much of the standings yet. around me, Madison is pretty good, and Mentor's been getting clobbered the last couple weeks. Chardon is usually good but they're 2-2, got the shit kicked out of them by Massilon last night. Avon Lake is 4-0.

[POJO_Risin]

That's what I was getting at...lmfao...the Shoremen...

kinda curious if they are continuing where they left off...

So what's the town like...with the Cavs making a bunch of seemingly good moves...

The Tribe making the turn again...

and the Browns...

well...

playing...

[twonabomber]

this was in the News Herald today:

Fans: Dolans, prices are keeping us at home

Jim Ingraham

An unidentified Indians official, quoted in Sports Illustrated this week, called it "the best Cleveland sports season nobody has seen."
Make no mistake about it, Indians officials are miffed, mystified and frustrated by all the empty seats at Jacobs Field. Since the wild-card race has heated up, and with the Indians moving to the top of the wild-card standings over the last week, the crowds have gotten slightly bigger. But only slightly.

The atmosphere, however, has greatly improved. The fans who do show up are into the games right from the first pitch. Every game this week had a playoff-type atmosphere. Even if the ballpark was barely half full.
Indians officials obsess about attendance because of ownership's policy that says increases in payroll will only follow increases in attendance. Whether that puts the carrot in front of the horse or the horse in front of the carrot depends on your perspective.

It was my feeling, stated in a column last week, that there is probably a lot of factors, rather than one overriding reason, for the Indians' below-average attendance this season.
In response to that column, several readers sent e-mails explaining their decision to stay away.

As I suspected, the reasons vary.

Economics, geography, and, shall we say, philosophical differences with ownership, were all cited as reasons some fans have decided to experience the wild-card race from their couches.
"Let me tell you why I feel the attendance is so low," said Tedd Wagner of Mentor. "On July 4th, I decided on the spur of the moment to take my two daughters to the stadium. We rode the bus down and waited 50 minutes for tickets, missing the first two innings. So (the next day) I wanted to go to the game. I got online to purchase tickets, knowing that they have an e-mail delivery system. At this time, an hour after my purchase, and being on hold for over 15 minutes on the phone, I still do not have my tickets. Couple this with an owner that does not want to spend money, and there is no wonder people do not want to go to the game."

Reader Ken Runner said, "The main reason I have not attended any games is that I work and live in Sandusky. For me to attend a night game, I would not arrive home until around 11:30 p.m. When you have to be at work at 6 a.m., and my son has school, it's too late. Almost every Indians game is televised, so I can see the final out and be in bed one and a half hours earlier than if I attended.

"The second deciding factor is obviously cost. For my family of three going to an Indians game would incur the following costs: Gas: 120 miles at $2.85 a gallon, figure $15; parking: $15; tickets for three: $60 (for average seats, not nearly as good as my living room with no instant replays and closeups); Food, beverages and a program, souvenir for the kid, maybe $40. Grand total: $130. Granted, $130 is not going to break me, but can you at least see my point?"

Jeff Johnston from Willoughby believes fans are turned off by the way the Indians are being run. "The problem," said Johnston, "is, simply, that the Dolans have issued numerous statements that "our revenue will dictate what we spend on salaries," saying to the fans "if you come down to the park and spend, we'll reinvest your money in better players."

"When the Dolans say that, as fans we hear: 'This team is not worth investing any money into it.' We, the fans, are furious enough about this policy to the point that we are sending them a message by staying away in droves. Think about what they are really saying, as this is about trust. How else can we interpret their policy that, in effect, says to us: "I don't believe you will support a $75 million investment in a winning baseball team, you have to show me."

"As fans, what do we have to do to earn the trust of an owner, given that we have 455 straight sellouts in our recent history to demonstrate that we will support an owner's investment in a franchise?
"By staying away this year, we are saying back to the Dolans, 'When you think enough of this team to put some money into it, so will we.'

"We, the fans, do not trust that the Dolans will spend the money to keep this team together. We look and see a team that could lose (Kevin) Millwood, (Bob) Wickman, (Bob) Howry, (Scott) Sauerbeck and (Ron) Belliard this offseason and be right back where we were in 2002.

"The only option is for the Dolans to issue a statement that they were wrong about their 'come and we will spend' policy, to show us something tangible by signing Kevin Millwood to a three-year contract, and to promise us that Mark Shapiro will be given the necessary budget to keep this bullpen together and add another right-handed bat in the offseason. On behalf of the Indians fans, I say to the Dolans, "if you spend it, we will come."

Caught in the middle of the front office wanting more from the fans, and the fans wanting more from the front office is the team itself. It's a team that is in the hunt this season and could remain there for the next few years.

In summarizing where the fan-franchise relationship is at currently, reader Ken Runner preaches patience.
"It's not that this team isn't good," he said. "I think they will win the wild-card and finish three back of the Sox. It's not that this team doesn't have stars."

"Please tell Mr. Dolan, that it's not personal, it's economic. With layoffs, downsizing, rising gas and ticket prices, and the impending Katrina-related prices, we must all be the Mark Shapiros of our own pocketbooks. We will look for bargains (discounted tickets), scan the waiver wires (be on the lookout for freebies from friends and neighbors), and invest in the future (Lake County and Akron aren't that much farther away).

"I see my pocketbook being a contender as early as 2007, hopefully with no more layoffs at the plant and cutting corners and saving when we can, my family will be back for our usual five-to-10 games a year soon. Be patient with the fans, like we were with you, and trust in us like we did in you when you told us the Colon trade was a good one."

[POJO_Risin]

Interesting...I didn't realize that Dolan was taking Modell status. I guess following Jacobs wasn't an easy deal.

[twonabomber]

Dolan is notoriously cheap. anyone in Chardon will tell you that.

last Sunday there was a half marathon in the morning, the Browns game, and then the Indians game at night...the PD did a story on people that were going to all three. enthusiam is pretty high, the Browns fans always have high hopes (at least until Halloween) and most of the writers are being very complimentary of the Cavs' moves. the Barons are somewhat lost in all this, there were rumors of their departure last year, so we'll see how that turns out.

this week a lot of the buzz was about Dan Gilbert/Quicken Loans bringing 300 "high paying" jobs downtown, and the Gund Arena name change to Quicken Loans Arena, or "The Q." Gilbert bused in a lot of his veteran employees for the weekend, they had a private party/concert at the Gund on Saturday and did a lot of sightseeing on Friday. he's really getting a lot of positive ink lately.

[POJO_Risin]

It's really fucking funny how different the Dolan brothers are. His brother is a spending machine.

As is Gilbert. It's funny how different the perception of Gilbert is since he unleashed on a money run.

The funny thing about it is that Gilbert actually has a marketable player in James.

As good as the players are in Cleveland, I don't know that there is a guy there right now that you can market...in all that youth. Peralta and Sizemore are fantastic, as is Martinez...but none of them have that marketable piece...lmfao...that they'll ultimately find with another club...

[POJO_Risin]

hehehehehhe...

the hottest team in baseball wins again...

15 back on August 1st...

2 1/2 back on September 19th...after beating the horrible White Sox tonight...

a sweep...and we are 1/2 game out...

and we keep the 1 1/2 lead on the Yanks...who picked up another game on the Sox...

[POJO_Risin]

Hafner is a hitting machine...

3 for 3 tonight...

and coincidentally...he came off the DL...

you guessed it...

August 1st...

This team is going to be good for 4 more years...until the Sox and the fucking Spanks...buy all their players...

the whores...

[POJO_Risin]

Call him clutch: Boone helps Indians get within 2 1/2 games of ChiSox
Sep. 19, 2005


CHICAGO -- Aaron Boone's clutch hit sent the surging Cleveland Indians to another victory and one game closer to the sliding Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

Boone delivered a two-run, two-out single in the eighth inning Monday night, and the Indians cut the White Sox's one-time huge lead to 2½ games by rallying for a 7-5 victory.

Boone, who homered earlier to help the Indians build a 4-0 lead they couldn't hold, worked his way out of an 0-2 hole and lined a single up the middle off Bobby Jenks to silence an electric crowd of 35,748 at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Indians trailed the White Sox by 15 games after Chicago swept a four-game series at Jacobs Field from July 14-17, and were still 14 behind in early August.

But they've won 13 of their last 14, including six straight, while the White Sox have lost eight of 11 in what is turning into a colossal collapse.

Cleveland also maintained its 1½-game lead for the AL wild card over the Yankees, who beat Baltimore 3-2 Monday night.

Carl Everett homered in the seventh off Rafael Betancourt (4-3) to give the White Sox a 5-4 lead. Paul Konerko's two-run, two-out double had capped a four-run fifth off Kevin Millwood -- three of the runs were unearned - to tie the game.

The teams play twice more at U.S. Cellular Field before closing the season with three at Jacobs Field.

Down 5-4, the Indians rallied against Damaso Marte, who relieved with out in the eighth, walked Travis Hafner and gave up a double to Victor Martinez. Marte (3-4) then fanned Ben Broussard for the second out and was replaced by rookie Jenks, whose fastball is nearly 100 mph.

Boone got the count back to 2-2 before hitting a liner to center just past Chicago shortstop Juan Uribe.

Chicago threatened in the bottom half when pinch-hitter Pablo Ozuna led off with a double, but former White Sox reliever Bobby Howry got the next three batters.

Hafner hit a run-scoring double in the ninth to make it 7-5 and finished 3-for-3 with two walks and three RBIs.

Bob Wickman pitched the ninth, getting Konerko to pop to second with two men on to earn his 44th save in 49 chances, including 15 straight.

Playing against Chicago for the first time since he was hit in the mouth by Mark Buehrle's pitch on July 16, Hafner hit an RBI double in the first and his 27th homer in the fifth to make it 4-0. Boone added a solo shot in the second and Broussard had a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the third off Chicago starter Freddy Garcia.

Chicago finally broke through for four runs in the fifth against Millwood, who entered the game with the AL's lowest ERA at 3.02.

Right fielder Casey Blake dropped Aaron Rowand's leadoff liner for a two-base error and Joe Crede, who just missed a home run in his previous at-bat, hit an RBI single to center. Scott Podsednik followed with a single to make it first-and-third before Tadahito Iguchi delivered an RBI single and advanced to second on the throw.

Millwood got Everett on a popup, but Konerko hit a long liner that a leaping Grady Sizemore just missed in center for a two-run double to tie the game.

Coco Crisp drove a pitch from Neal Cotts to deep left in the seventh, but Podsednik leaped against the fence to pull it down.

Garcia, with one win in his last nine starts, lasted 6 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and four runs. Millwood went six, surrendering eight hits and four runs.

Notes
The White Sox lead the season series 10-4. ... Indians 2B Ronnie Belliard missed his fourth straight game with an abdominal injury.