Cavs Usher in Another Playoff Victory

Previously I blogged about Jay-Z's involvement with the New Jersey Nets, so in the interest of full disclosure, it is worth noting that Usher is a minority owner of the Cleveland Cavs.


I would also be clapping if I owned part of the Cavs. Every player on the Cavs starting five logged double digits in game two, and LeBron James was truly on fire, scoring 32 points and contributing 12 assists. The Cavs continue to dominate the offensive boards and second chance points with the help of Anderson Varejao, who finished with 6 offensive rebounds.

The Nets didn't help their cause - Jason Kidd had 8 turnovers, which equals the number of turnovers the Cavs roster combined. Ultimately, the Cavs shot the ball 21 times more than New Jersey, so even though the Nets were shooting around 51% from the field, the Cavs come away with the win. In case you're feeling sorry for Kidd, remember that he is an alleged wife beater.

Now the series moves to New Jersey. I previously predicted a Cavs win in six, but I would like to revise that to five, maybe even four. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that Cleveland will steal one of the Nets two home games away from them, and if it is game three then I expect the Nets to be demoralized and worn out in game four.

Monday Biz

First, big thanks to GasFace for his guest bloggerizing of the Swag. We got straight gassed, son. Stay tuned for more from the Gas one, as the Bulls-Pistons and Cavs-Nets series' unfold.

Next, after yesterday's Phoenix v. San Antone melee, there can be no doubt Steve Nash is the league's MVP. Either him or TDuncs, but whichever one of them it is, it sure as hell isn't Dirk "Early Exit" Nowitzki. In fact, watching Nash play through a Rocky Balboa-like bleeder on his face just makes the handing of the MVP to Dirk that much more of a joke.

Don't be fooled by the Pistons' game 1 shellacking of Chicago. This is still gonna be a hell of a series. The Bulls needed a game to find their sea legs. Now that they got that one out of their system, I'm expecting them to give the Pistons fits at home and hell on the road. This baby's going to 7 games. I like the Pistons to defend their home court and come out on top.

Cavs baby, Cavs. We didn't look magical, but Bronny gets the job done. That's all we need. We can ride the King all the way to the big show if we play our cards right. Look for the Cavs to dominate the match ups they can control. Nobody expects Larry Hughes to light the world on fire against J-Kidd, and Bronny on Jefferson or Carter isn't exactly a dream come true on defense for the Cavs. But Z, Gooden and Varejao should all have their ways with Miki Moore, Josh Boone and Jason Collins. I'm also looking to Eric Snow for a big defensive and experience push for Cleveland. He did it last year for the Cavs against the Wizards.

Shed a tear for TMac. I can't believe Utah stole this one. I knew it would be a tough series, and Utah's no bunch of slouches, but how does a team with Mac and Yao (not to mention Shane Batty) not get out of the first round? Either way this spells good news for the Warriors, I think. The Jazz are an excellent defensive team, but I feel like Yao would have absolutely eaten the Warriors alive in the paint. I don't think Golden State would have been able to play "small ball" against the Rockets. They should be right in their wheel house against the Jazz' 3 forward-2 guard lineup.
We still believe, Bay Area, don't let the fire die down. We can ride this wave of momentum all the way into a West Finals blood bath with San Antone or Phoenix.

LeBron's Sprite Disaster

LeBron's Sprite commercial that's been playing every 35 seconds on TNT playoff coverage, and just came on as I'm writing this (let's see if I can finish the post before the commercial ends... awww crap), is just awful. It's painfully not funny. Like a dentist dressed as a clown, but who isn't being jolly and is scaling your gums without anesthesia.
You've seen it; it has Bronny shooting up a giant tongue with lemon and lime paint balls. The whole thing is supposed to be like subliminal messaging, only they club you in the face with all the images, so it doesn't really activate your subconscious... although I do feel like playing paintball. It feels like they were hedging their bets, thinking "either they'll think it's avant garde and cool, or they'll think it's ridiculous and funny."
I also take issue with their "lymon," ad campaign for two reasons. First, that's not ground breaking. Citrus sodas were founded on the concept of lemon and lime. They've always featured the mix. From 7Up through Mello Yellow, none of them were strictly lemon, or strictly lime. The fact that Sprite is unveiling the lemon and lime together in a drink like it's an SUV that runs on Tang is just insulting. Secondly, and this may be the most important factor, "lymon," purports to be a mix between lemon and lime, which is all well and good. But neither the word lemon, nor the word lime, feature the letter "Y."
And as I wrap this up, it comes on again... I'm buying stock in 7Up.

Good to Be a Cavs/Warriors Fan

For Cleveland transplants to the Bay Area, such as myself, there hasn't been a playoff this exciting in a looooooong time. In fact, the Cavs and Warriors haven't won playoff games in the same year since the 1991-92 season. So for 415/216 hybrids like myself, yesterday was a foreign emotion. I couldn't believe my eyes; both the Cavs and Warriors won, and pretty handily at that. Neither team looks like a title contender, but they both look interesting, and they both have a good time in store.
The Warriors barely squeaked into the post season, and being their first time in 12 seasons, they could've gone out 4-0 in thirty point poundings, and you still couldn't wipe the grin off Bay Area faces. We don't care how bad they lose, and neither do they. The result is that they're playing loose, comfortable, scrappy and chaotic. In short; they're playing Nellie Ball. As Dallas fans can attest, it'll never get you to the big show, but it makes for enjoyable and exciting games, lots of three pointers, and just maybe a prayer. With an impressive game 1 steal, the Warriors, once again control their own destiny. All they need to do, however unlikely a feat, is defend Oracle Arena. As long as they can run the board in Oakland, there's a growing possibility we'll get to see Mark Cuban have an aneurysm on national TV.
The Cavs certainly didn't look as punishing and controlling as I may have hoped. And the announcers/pundits/bloggers/assholes have been making them pay. Despite winning by the largest margin of any of the opening games, the Cavs have been roundly panned as the least persuasive winner so far. But I honestly don't mind. Charles Barkley insists the Wizards should be heartened that they can win games, possibly the series. I don't know what game he was watching. The Cavs should still sweep the Wizards, and I don't care if they they win the rest of the games by 1 point each. Getting to the next round in as few games as possible is the priority. The Cavs'll do fine. Pacing themselves in the first round against a sorely over matched opponent is no different from pacing themselves in the regular season. When the Cavs see the Pistons/Bulls/Heat in the conference finals, I want them to be as rested and hard to read as possible. Wish granted.

Tuesday Tip Back

When there was talk before Jamal Crawford was hurt that Knicks guard Steve Francis might be bought out, the Cavs were said to be interested. But the word is they'll pursue Cleveland native Earl Boykins after the season. Chicago Tribune

You know I love Boyk. Not only because he's a baller, but because we have a lot in common. I rep 216(Cleveland) for life, just like him. I am a short guy from Cleveland with absurd basketball skills, mad hustle, a mustache that makes women's panties literally disintegrate, and a chip on my shoulder. Just like him. And just like him, Nike had an ad campaign designed around me too. Although instead of a blue poisonous tree frog, they likened me to an aging syphillitic tree squirrel. At any rate, I like Boyk. But I do not want him back in Cleveland. We need a true point. Not another shoot first, 35% FG "marksman" like the Duke of Earl. He rules, and he plays with the heart of a guy 3 times his size. But I don't want him in CLeveland, unless we unload Damon Jones or Larry Hughes, or both.


Got this off of TrueHoop (of course). Dunking over a row of kids may be the coolest thing in the history of cool things. His name is Henry Bekkering, but you can call him Whitey McJumpsalot.

Delonte West Falls On Face, Gets Horrible Call, Calls Himself Veteran

The Celtics had the ball for one last possession, and West made a move to the basket when he apparently stepped on Varejao's foot and fell to the ground. Cleveland was called for a foul, and West made both free throws to give Boston a 98-96 lead.
"Well, I didn't fall on my own," West said. "It was just one of my veteran moves. I drew the contact. I drew the contact and fell to the floor. The refs did a good job making the right call."'

WORST CALL EVER!

AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki

Oh Sweet Lord... Y'Know, Wait Just a Second...

It is unlikely that Francis will return next season. The Knicks reneged on a buyout agreement with Francis after Jamal Crawford suffered a season-ending ankle injury. A Cavs source said that the team was made aware of Francis' pending buyout and had internal discussions about acquiring him. New York Daily News

Initially I thought, "Oh great, the Cavs are gonna shell out for some overpaid bum." But then I thought about it. This might not be so bad. If the Knicks buy out Franchise's contract, he'll still bring home something in the region of 30 million over the next 2 seasons from New York. Which means he'll be inclined to accept a bargain basement vet's minimum to play with Bronny. What's more, I think it's safe to assume getting bought out and released by one of the sorrier teams in the league might be the motivation Francis needs to recapture that old fire. He's not that old, and when he wants to he has exhibited that he can still play.
I also think Francis would be motivated to sign a one year deal for the vet's minimum to raise his dollar to sign another fat contract with some poor sucker next year. If Stevie recaptures some of that spark, make no mistake, there'll be a line of chumps waiting to pay him like he's Sam Cassell. Problem is he's no Sam Cassell. But I'd have been happy to take him for the playoffs this year, and certainly for the whole campaign next year. Bottom line is Francis is a steal for under 2 million.
Hughes has been solid running the point for the Cavs, but we need a point guard. A real point guard. That may not be Francis, but for just over a million a year, that's a gamble I'm ready to take. He's never lit it up in the playoffs, in fact I'm not 100% sure he's ever even been to the playoffs, but he's still Steve Francis, one of the best opportunity creators in the league, one of the best rebounding guards, and one of the biggest egos. And that's actually something the Cavs could use a little of. We need some Franchise swagger.

Cavs on Fire

We don't need no water. That's right, the Cavs are peaking at just the right time. The most recent spanking was a 24 point bitchslapping applied to the Kings by a Bron-less Cavs squad. It's getting ugly for the rest of the league. With just under a quarter of the season to go and the playoffs looming, the Cavs are suddenly the best team in the East, and when they're on I wouldn't hesitate to throw them in with the top 5 seeds in the West. Buckle up Cleveland faithful, the legacy is about to begin...

Remember This?

It pains me to show a Cav getting posterized, but this dunk is as nasty as they come.



That's good old KJ sticking it to just plain old Hot Rod Williams. And just to give the Rod some dignity back, here's him rocking someone else's world on both ends.

Lunatics Running the Asylum

Over at the Washington Times, hyperbole is becoming fact. And at an odd juncture. Kevin Brewer writes, in an alarmist titled piece "Reign Over?," that Bronny has gotten worse. Maybe. So much so that while last year he was in a class with Shaq, Dr. J and Jordan (According to Brewer. I'd argue he was in a class by himself), this year he's not even in the top 15 players in the league. I'm not that familiar with Brewer's work, but this is the utterance of a man out of touch. LeBron's numbers have fallen off a bit this year, no doubt. But they're still in the top 5, easily, in the league. The only lines I'd take over Bron's are KG, DWade, Dirk and maybe Nash/Marion . Bron's still, most assuredly, top 5, definitely top 10, and even discussing top 15 is just a joke. Furthermore, at the time of this article's publication, peep Bron's line over the last 8 games:

33 pts, 5 rebs, 5 assists, 1 blk, 1 stl

The reign isn't over... it has barely begun.

For gods sake, Git R DONE!

Well well well, a chance to guest blog for the Cap'n. Welcome one and all, this is your first mate Johnny Stee at the helm of the swag. Just stopping by from http://www.paytoilet.blogspot.com/ to throw down a little rant on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Cavs fan, but for god's sake can we Git R Done already?

In response to Z's recent comments about upset about the Cavs just settling on jumpers - Bronnie replied - "We've been getting a lot of good looks lately, we just haven't been knocking them down."

These guys are getting terrible looks, firing it backwards off the dribble, upside down with a half reversal and a triple sow-cow and a full shot clock.

And maybe it hasn't occurred to him that even if a shot looks good, either him or Hughes may not be consistent enough to make 'em count?

Here's a short list of things that we can do to "Git R Done."

1. Get in the paint.
2. Have Mike Brown create more that one offensive play.
3. Get in the paint.

I'm sick of watching Bron's minutes get wasted out there on crappy low-percentage shots. He's missing them anyways. Man up and drive it to the lane more than once a night already. We've all seen what he can do, Mr. Brown, now it's time to get your players to commit. I'm no Red Auerbach, but it's pretty clear that what we're doing isn't working.

Also - On a similar note - Isn't it great how LBJ has taught Mike Brown to do that "Whiny Toddler Face" so well when they get a bad call?

Thanks Cap'n.
Here's to driving down my street and up yours.

Johnny Stee.

More Pippen Posturing

Apparently Pip's still a week or two away from making a decision, which seems odd, because, at his age, every week that passes is like a year. By next week he'll be playing Bridge and pinochle. At any rate, here's some more concerning rumblings from Cleveland (via ESPN):

I've learned that Cleveland is one of the two teams that contacted Pippen's former agent to find out how to reach him. General manager Danny Ferry is still recovering from the hangover caused by his 72-hour binge session right before the trading deadline in which he tried and tried to find ways to make Drew Gooden's base-year compensation status workable in a multiteam deal that would have landed him Mike Bibby.


Oh god. I hope Pippen's return goes well, because he's one of the greatest and I hope his legacy doesn't get tarnished by unnecessary foolishness. That said, I can't fathom how he could possibly be the answer the Cavs are searching for. I really don't want the Cavs to make this error, which won't be costly in a money sense as Pippen will only get the vet's minimum. But it could be hugely detrimental to a late playoff push, which the Cavs might need to prevent a first round matchup with someone who can actually beat them.

The Deadline Approaches...

It's trade deadline time...

From ESPN:
Bibby going to Cleveland, however, remains a possibility. The Cavs lack the trade assets to complete a trade for Bibby, but one scenario in circulation Tuesday had Minnesota joining in on a three-team deal that would potentially send Mike James, among others, to Sacramento as Bibby's successor at the point.

And also this:
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been trying to get in the mix on Kidd, too, and apparently are willing to discuss everyone on the roster outside of LeBron James.
A package of Larry Hughes and Anderson Varejao would be something the Nets would have to consider, although the consensus in front offices around the league is that Hughes would be worth taking a chance on only if his contract were half as big as it actually is.
Another factor working against the Cavs: They do not have a No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft to trade, having shipped it off for Jiri Welsch two years ago.

Woo smokies, I would love to see JKidd in a Cleveland jersey. Actually, I wouldn't mind Bibby in Cleveland jersey. The question in this tradular game of Russian roulette is, who pulls the trigger on a loaded 13 million dollar Larry Hughes?

Rubber Bibby Buggy Bumpers

Word on the street has the Cavs play for Mike Bibby rapidly turning into a full court press. With Bronny's interest dwindling, and the Cavs momentum slowed to a crawl, Danny Ferry is looking hard to give us a powerhouse point guard before the deadline. The obvious first choice is Kidd, but failing that, Mike Bibby has become the Cavs cream dream. This is good or bad news depending on what we'd have to give up to attain the Bibbinator. So here are a list of trades for Bibbs I would welcome, and some I would not (remember to click on the link to see the trade):

1. Green Light: Larry Hughes for Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin
No way in hell this trade would ever happen, for obvious reasons; first, Kevin Martin and Mike Bibby are both individually better than Larry Hughes. Secondly, they both have cheaper & shorter contracts. But a Cletown fan can dream, no? This deal would make the Cavs instant favorites to go all the way. Not to mention, Larry Hughes and Ron Artest could be an amusing combo of unrealized potential...

2. Red Light: Drew Goods, Sasha Pav, Anderson Varejao, Dan Gibson + expirers for Bibby
This is the type of trade Sacto would froth at the mouth over. They get 3 very legit prospects in Pavlovic, Gibson and the highly coveted Varejao, they get a solid boardsman in Drew Gooden and almost 3mil in expiring contracts in Scot Pollard and Dwayne Jones. This makes their team competitive, and gives them the freedom to trade 'Reef, Kenny Thomas, or both, for a new point guard. It doesn't lock them up in any obscene contracts and it doesn't send Bibby to a division rival. For the Cavs, this trade sucks from top to bottom, but we do get Bibby. Don't sweat it, no way Ferry's dumb enough to do this... maybe Billy King, definitely Isiah Thomas, but not Ferry.

3. Green Light: Z, Sasha P, Eric Snow and Pollard for Bibby and Kenny Thomas
I wouldn't mind a deal like this, and it would certainly be mutually beneficial, but the obvious hangup is why the Kings would pay Z 10 million dollars a year to be Brad Miller's back up. I'm not crazy about taking on Thomas' contract, but we'd have room for his services with Z leaving.

4. Red Light: Gooden, Marshall, Varejao, Pavlovic, Gibson + expirers for Bibby and Miller
I know what your thinking, Bibby and Miller to the Cavs? Suddenly the Cavs look awful damn intriguing, but hold on... it's not that simple. By giving up 3 expiring contracts, the Cavs pass on saving themselves 6+ million in salary next year. Additionally, they'd give up their two best prospects (Varejao & Gibson) and their 3 best role players (Gooden, Marshall and Pavlovic). What they're left with is a competitive starting line : Bibby and Hughes in the back court, Bronny, Miller and Z in the front court, no bench to speak of, and the most crippling long term salary structure in the league, featuring 5 guys at multiple seasons of +10million a piece. This trade would lodge the Cavs firmly in Knicks Luxury land for the foreseeable future. I'd love Bibby and Miller, but at what cost...

5. Green Light: All our worst players/contracts for all their best players.
This one is beyond a no-brainer: Bibby, Artest, Martin, Miller, Garcia and Salmons. All their best players. In exchange we would give up: Z, Hughes, Scot Pollard, Eric Snow, Shannon Brown, Damon Jones, David Wesley, Donyell Marshall and Dwayne Jones... in other words, the dregs of our underachievers and choke-holding contracts. This would make the Cavs the sickest team in history, imagine this starting line: Bibby and Martin in the back court, Bron, Miller and Artest in the front court, with Salmons, Varejao, Garcia, Gibson and Gooden as our second line? It would be pure murdah! I'd love it, but that would only be possible if the Maloofs ate one of those $17,000 Carl's Jr. Combos and it was laced with some sort of experimental KGB mind control serum. It could happen...

Bits & Pieces

Shaq: "I'm like President Bush. You may not like me, you may not respect me, but you voted me in."
Wow, Shaq's selling himself pretty short. I like and respect him way more than President Bush, and I didn't vote for either of 'em.

LeBron (when asked about staying a Cav): "You don't put all your eggs in one basket. But right now I am mentally focused on being a Cavalier and trying to win a championship."
Multiply that by Bronny throwing up Rocafella signs at the All Star game and you get a bad omen. I already hear the whispers on the winds, from the foul lands of Mordor. They say Orcs will be attacking, and LeBron will be Jay Z's employee before his current contract is up.


Chicago Tribune: "The Cavaliers are said to be very interested in signing Pippen." That's just great. Hey maybe the next garbage idea they come up with for our Point Guard woes can be another injury case like Larry Hughes... maybe they'll go after Tinsley... Don't look now... ESPN.COM 2/18: "Jamaal Tinsley is the guy I'm hearing they (Pacers) want to move. If Bibby and Kidd stay put, I can see someone (Cleveland, LAL, Miami) considering him the next best option."

Here's an innocuous little slip-in you might have missed, from VegasPop:
"The night before the all-star turnout at Body English included: Russell Simmons, Lebron James, Nick Cannon, Carmello Anthony, motorcycle stunt king Carey Hart, Suge Knight, Jaron & Jason Collins and former Hard Rock owner Harry Morton..."
I don't like Bronny hanging around Suge. And the impressionable Nick Collison could be signed to a Death Row Records contract before the week is up. Oh wait, that says Nick Cannon... he's hilarious... Imagine my shock when gunfire erupted in 2 separate incidents. Of all the stupid meaningless crap David Stern rules on all the time, he should absolutely consider adding a straight up rule prohibiting players from hanging out with Suge Knight. Which is not to say I have anything against the man... who seems very nice... and docile... and unlikely to come hunt down an innocent blogger who's seen Biggie & Tupac too many times... You know what, on second thought, forget I said anything. Suge rules...