Cleveland Sports Chatter

[chefcraig]

The more I think about it, the dumber this move sounds if Izzo doesn't have it in writing that James is staying put. He's pretty much mortgaging his future on LeBron's decision, which if results in his departure, could signify doom for the Cavaliers. Without him, attendance is bound to drop, which would have a resounding impact on not only the team, but all the bars and restaurants near the arena that trade on the guy. Pretty much the same thing would happen here with the Heat if Wade decides to split.

[POJO_Risin]

There absolutely would be an initial drop...but...I think there's a couple things to consider here.

1. Gibson is a billionaire, and he absolutely can build Cleveland into something without LeBron. It may take some time, but I think there's a part of Gibson, that makes him a successful business man, that wants to try it.

2. Izzo is respected, and if LeBron leaves, Cavs fans will rally around LeBron leaving. Gibson gives the fans Izzo, and a promise to make the Cavs better than ever. Unlike most owners in the area, he's done everything he said he would. He's dealt and overpaid, and brought in players that should have helped LeBron...

at six million a year...Izzo not mortgaging anything. It's a no-lose prop. If LeBron stays, he's going to win. If LeBron leaves, Izzo has an excuse, a la Pitino when the Knicks didn't get Duncan. If leBron leaves and Izzo wins, he's a hero...

I don't know that I want Izzo, but I see the thinking behind it.

[twonabomber]

Without him, attendance is bound to drop, which would have a resounding impact on not only the team, but all the bars and restaurants near the arena that trade on the guy.

yeah but the Cavs were bad before, and most of the Gateway bars made it until the Cavs were good again.

i think a bad Indians team could be worse for the bars than a bad Cavs team.

[twonabomber]

Izzo sez no.

supposedly Byron Scott is next, but i read he may want the Lakers gig if Jackson bails.

[POJO_Risin]

Well...they'd be stupid to hire anyone at this point...until they know LeBron's plans. If he stays...my guess is that candidates open up...like that piece of shit in Kentucky...or a guy like Phil Jackson, who may "retire," then sign on in Cleveland for a couple of years. I don't see that...but I think LeBron opens that door. If he leaves, then the Cavs will likely get the "other" guy in the LA Chronicles. If Jackson leaves, they'll get Scott or Brian Shaw...

whoever doesn't take the Lakers job...

Whatever.

LeBron and his egomaniacal summer continues. I love how he draws this shit out for his sponsors. Everything about this screams he's leaving. Look at DWade. He is screaming at the top of his lungs that he's staying...and busy recruiting. In the meantime, the Cavs can do nothing because of Mr. Hometown. Fuck him at this point.

I want him to stay...but this is bullshit...

[POJO_Risin]

Okay...so Chris Paul comes out and says he doesn't mind getting dealt...

I do believe that this would be LeBron's first choice...to play alongside CP3...so...can the Cavs get him? Well...they likely can...but I think the only way that they deal them is if they either get some youth...or expiring contracts.

Now the Cavs could offer up a deal...say Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison...for Paul straight up...but that wouldn't diminish money for NO...

Of course...there could be a third team involved...and if that's the case, a deal to get Paul could absolutely happen.

Of course...the Cavs would have a gap at center...but I don't believe at Power Forward. J.J. Hickson should get significant play (if not dealt), and is a better defender than Jamison...but the Cavs would still need a center.

Of course...they could add Okefor to the deal...

The next couple of days could get interesting, with the draft upon us. Watch for some maneuvering.

[POJO_Risin]

So, leave it to Phil fucking Jackson to fuck the Cavs...

Byron Scott is candidate #1, and he's holding out for the Lakers job...so...Jackson says he might retire. His timetable?

He'll know a week from Friday. The date next Friday?

July 2..the day after free agency begins...

Oh, how badly could thisend...

[POJO_Risin]

Nobody knows LeBron James better in the media than Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer. He went to the same high school as the King...and started covering the Cavs the same year as LeBron. He also co-authored two novels in which he followed LeBron extensively (with Terry Pluto, the greatest Cleveland writer of all-time). Why do I say this?

With rumors popping up and then being shot down routinely, one thing remains clear though all of the chaos surrounding LeBron James' free agency: the Cavaliers are still the frontrunner. A source close to James told The Plain Dealer Tuesday morning that James still considers the Cavs to have the edge in re-signing the two-time Most Valuable Player. This is based not only on the fact that the Cavs can pay him $30 million more than another team over the next six years, but also that it is James' home. The Cavs and likely a new head coach, which the team hopes to hire in the next two days, might also meet with James. While there have been reports that the Cavs are close to hiring Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, a team source said Tuesday morning that the Cavs have not made an offer to Shaw or other leading candidate Byron Scott. After all the meetings, according to sources, James is expected to make his decision over a period of several days. Until then, James does not plan on committing to anything. Over the last several days there have been a series of stories from newspaper and websites that have linked James to the Knicks, Bulls and Heat. Various denials then followed. Late Monday, ESPN reported that James met with fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade over the weekend in Miami. But sources close to James have told The Plain Dealer that James was in New York over the weekend and did not travel to Miami. It is possible that Wade, James and Bosh all spoke on the telephone about their options and plans as they hit free agency. All three are represented by the same agency. Wade and Bosh's agent, Henry Thomas, told the Miami Herald that the three did not meet in Miami.

Now, Shaw is an important cog. Why? Because Shaw runs the triangle, the offense that LeBron most wants to run.

The cavs aren't out of this yet...

[Unchainme]

You get shaw, you have a pretty damn good chance at resigning him

Would LeBron work in a triangle offense very well? and who would play center? Would a Bosh come here in an S & T, or would he rather be in NJ/Miami or Chicago?

[POJO_Risin]

Well...that's the key question. In any triangle, the center is key...it's actually too bad that Z wasn't younger and healthier...he'd be a perfect center...

There's a wildcard...Dirk Nowitki is opting out of his contract. He's not a center...but he is 7'0"...I'm not sure if he's going for a max deal...or trying to get with one of these players...

but...I do think the Cavs have something going on other than LeBron and the coach. It may not happen now...but I do think that if LeBron signs with Cleveland, it's a sign that there's something else afoot...Bosh, CP3, Nowitki....etc...

I actually STILL think Amar'e is the cleanest fit here...

Here's a list of the power-forwards/centers available:

Power Forwards
Chris Bosh (Player Option - owed 17.1 million in 10/11): Bosh's future remains very much up in the air. He could very well be traded by February's trade deadline if the Raptors feel he's leaning towards leaving…

Amar'e Stoudemire (Early Termination Option - owed 17.7 million in 10/11): With Suns owner Robert Sarver in financial trouble, the Suns appear to be in full-scale fire-sale mode, which makes Amar'e another prime candidate to be traded (sooner rather than later).

Dirk Nowitzki (ETO - owed $21.5 million in 10/11): You know Cuban will break the bank to keep Dirk in Big D, but is the feeling mutual? Does Nowitzki want to spend the rest of his career with the Mavs?

Carlos Boozer (Unrestricted): As detailed above, he'll be a hot commodity. A 28-year old that is still a legit 20/10 threat every time he steps on the court.

Udonis Haslem (Unrestricted): The type of banger and enforcer every team could use.

Al Harrington (Unrestricted): He's a volume shooter and isn't a great defender, but the guy can give you 25 on any given night.



Centers
Yao Ming (ETO - owed 17.7 million in 10/11): Unfortunately for both Yao and the Rockets, Yao's '09-'10 season, and possibly even his career, are in jeopardy due to a serious foot injury. It is now safe to assume Yao does not opt out.

Memo Okur (Unrestricted): Centers that can shoot the three and stretch out defenses are always in high demand.

Marcus Camby (Unrestricted): The former Defensive Player of the Year will supply copious amounts of blocks and boards.

Tyson Chandler (ETO - owed $12.8 million in 10/11): Another big man battling nagging injuries, Chandler is still being shopped by the Hornets. Depending on his health, he may or may not choose to exercise his option.

Jermaine O'Neal (Unrestricted): In and out of the lineup the last few seasons due to various injures (do we see a pattern developing here among the big men?), but put up respectable numbers when he was able to stay on the floor.

Shaq O'Neal (Unrestricted): The Big Witness claims his goal is to 'Get the King a Ring.' We will all find how just how much gas he has left in the tank.

Brad Miller (Unrestricted): A reliable, versatile pivot – he played well for the Bulls after being traded to Chicago last season.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Unrestricted): Although clearly on the down slope of his career, Big Z remains one of the best perimeter-shooting big men in the NBA.

[POJO_Risin]

You know what really fucking cracks me up? The beat reporter for the Cavs, and the guy with the ins, and a contributer to ESPN reports that LeBron is edging towards staying in Cleveland, and how much of this is reported by ESPN?

Fucking none of it.

Instead, their fucking "sources" say the big summit took place this week, even though all agents involved said it didn't happen. That gets the fucking press.

ESPN fucking blows ass. They want him in a major market...period.

In all seriousness, if fucking ESPN covered sports appropriately...a lot of the "market" issues would start to resolve. Fucking biased assholes...

[Unchainme]

ESPN has been worthless ever since about 2001.

It used to be like this sports nirvana for a fan, highlights every night on Sportscenter, sports generally on every other night.

then it just started to devolving into this shit hole E!/TMZ like affair, this whole LeBron summer 2010 is the pinnacle of this.

just really disgusted with what this network has become, from pushing shit country music into every goddamned broadcast of College Football to pushing douche nozzles like Mark May and Skip Bayless to give their opinions on really tired topics, just proves that channel is a shadow of it's former self.

[Unchainme]

Really what it boils down to is, that, though they may not admit it, the reporters and anyone involved in the media side of thing, really don't want to go to Cleveland in June to cover the finals or any other time of year.

It's their job, and they don't like spending it an a city like the 2-1-6, they'd rather be in South Beach, New York, LA or Chicago, hence why anything that would support LBJ going to c-town is pushed to the back-burner.

[POJO_Risin]

Well, they should look at it this way. When Cleveland finally does win a title, they won't have to deal with us any more, because the city will burn down...and of that, there is no doubt...

[Unchainme]

Well, they should look at it this way. When Cleveland finally does win a title, they won't have to deal with us any more, because the city will burn down...and of that, there is no doubt...

dad said that in in the AFCCG apperances the Browns made in the 80's, roads were dead. said you could bounce a basketball over 1-77, and not hit a car.

Huge reason why I don't want to see Miami get James, being that as a sports town, it's complete and utter shit. They should really only be allowed to have the phins and the u.