WaitingForNextYear

Cavs at New York Knicks | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
8:00 PM EST | TV: ESPN | Radio: WMMS/FM 100.7  | Line: Cavs (-8)

AP Photo

Apologies for running out of time on a Cavs preview for tonight’s game.  Needless to say, this team really needs to get ahold of some sort of identity.

The Knicks and Mike D’Antoni will come with a ton of running and three-point shooting.  Al Harrington – a center - plays like a shooting guard.  Danillo Gallinari has buried a slew of threes already this season.  Larry freaking Hughes has been playing like the guy we thought we traded for.

If Mike Brown rolls with the two centers on the floor again, it could be fatal.  Again.  LeBron James is bound to get quite the ovation by Knicks fans, so at least we have that going for us.  He always seems to up his game at MSG, so it can only help, right?

Feel free to follow along in the comments, but please keep in mind that we have a policy.  If you want your comment to show up, adhere to it.

Cheers, folks.  Have a great weekend.  Go Cavs.

Much has been made of the jerseys that will be worn by the Ohio State Buckeyes during their “rivalry” week against the Michigan Wolverines. Thanks to Eleven Warriors, we finally know what the jerseys look like complete with white helmets.

Feel free to unleash your thoughts and opinions in the comments.

The Tribe’s new coaching staff is slowly taking form as the team announced today that they have promoted/hired Tim Belcher to Major League Pitching Coach.

The first overall pick in 1983 (as well as the 1984 secondary draft) has spent the last eight years with the Indians as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations. 

Per the Indians media relations:

Tim worked extensively within the Indians Player Development System, providing instruction and evaluation at each level of the organization.  Read the rest of this entry →

Look.  We get it.  You desperately need attention in your life.  For some reason the only attention you think you can get is by being contrary in the brashest way possible.  Not only have you decided to wear your NFL jersey and matching NFL team hat to the Cleveland Cavaliers BASKETBALL game, you decided to do it even as a Steelers fan who seemingly adores Lamar Woodley, a Steeler who is also a former Michigan Wolverine.  You know the majority makeup of the Cavs’ fanbase, and yet, you decided to be you.  Did you enjoy yourself?  You got yourself on the jumbotron and people booed you.  Did it all play out the way you wanted?

Read the rest of this entry →

Leave it to the Browns to be 20 times more exciting during their bye week than at any time on the field so far in this toilet-bowl season. The he said/he said/he said drama continues to unfold in the aftermath of Kokinis being shown the door. Except that, now according to Peter King, Randy Lerner says he never “fired” Kokinis. He’s just, errr, no longer active in the organization.

Lerner’s official statement is fairly ambiguous: “George is no longer active within our organization, but at this time has not been fired.” Lerner also apparently said he began to “have doubts” about Kokinis as early as training camp, but as has been par for the course refused to address any specifics across the board.

Translation of all of this? “We haven’t found a legal loophole that allows us to fire him ‘for cause’ so at this time he’s not ‘fired’ yet.” Read the rest of this entry →

The Cavaliers can continue to use the excuse of “still working out the kinks.”  They can say that they are more concerned about the playoffs – or games in May and June – than they are now.  Those are both valid arguments.  But when a team that won 66 games the year prior is at home against a tough conference opponent, you also play to win now. 

Not that the Charlottes of the world are not deserving of our undivided focus, but I would prefer that this Cavaliers team work out the rotations and try new things then.  Against the Bulls, an athletic team that could run you right out of the building, you play to win now.  Read the rest of this entry →

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

More on the “Brown Out”… “Folks, including commenters here, and Tony Rizzo, and Mike and Mike, have congratulated Randall for obtaining so much apparent support for his cause, and for his success in getting Lerner to meet with him and Schaefer, as though that in itself was an unqualifed good.  But it’s not.  It’s an abuse of power. [...] Because when ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and just about every other national sports media outlet in the country writes and talks about Randy Lerner meeting with Browns fans, and you are the most vocal of the only two Browns fans who these outlets are writing and talking about, then you do represent Cleveland Browns fans, whether you like it or not, and no matter what you self-servingly say.” [Cleveland Frowns]

Read the rest of this entry →

Chicago Bulls (2-2) vs
Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2)
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
Thursday, November 5, 2009
8:00 PM EST
TNT/WTAM

You have to be proud of the game the Cavaliers played against the Wizards on Tuesday. Admit it, when the Cavs found themselves down 18 points in the first half, none of you really believed they would fight their way back. But that’s exactly what happened. In the end, the Cavaliers walked away with a fairly easy win over the team that loves to hate us so much. People are so quick to criticize Mike Brown when things aren’t going well, but credit belongs to the coach for recognizing the massive size mismatch the Cavs had inside and sticking to it. Credit goes to realizing Boobie Gibson had the hot hand in the 2nd half and he gave him the proper minutes to have a strong affect on the game. Granted, these things should be obvious, but hey, baby steps. So it is that the Cavaliers welcome division rivals Chicago into the Q where the Cavs will try to extend their 3 game win streak. The Bulls come in limping a bit in terms of confidence and performance, and being shorthanded won’t help them much at all either.   Read the rest of this entry →

In what is a relatively bad day for Indians fans, we can at least take solace in the fact that we have one of the top prospects in baseball in Carlos Santana.  The young catcher continues to rack up awards, with his latest just being released today as Santana was named Topps/Minor League Player of the Year for the Eastern League.

The Indians media relations had the following:

[Santana was] also named league MVP at the end of the season as he led Akron to the Eastern League title… The 23-year old batted .290 (124-for-428) with 30 2B, 2 3B, 23HR, 97RBI and 91 runs scored in 130 games…He led the league in slugging% (.530), OPS (.943) and walks (90), was second in home runs, RBI and OBP (.413), and was third in runs scored…His 90 walks were a new franchise record…Santana was an Eastern League mid and postseason all-star selection and played for the World Team in the Futures Game in St. Louis.

Just remember that we received Santana in a mid-year deal for Casey Blake. 

Does that help a little?

Per the Washington Post:

According to two league sources, the NBA will upgrade Shaquille O’Neal’s crushing personal foul against DeShawn Stevenson to a flagrant foul. With the Wizards leading 41-28 with about seven minutes left in the second period, Stevenson was driving to the basket when O’Neal stepped up and knocked Stevenson on his back.

This foul-calling issue has had quite a shelf life since the Cavs beat the Wizards by a dozen almost 48 hours ago.  Looks like it will continue through tip-off tonight.

Yes, Larry. We're tired too.

Not that it will help ease the pain today when we look through the images of CC Sabathia and the Yankees celebrating yet another MLB championship, but exactly ten years ago today, Dick Jacobs sold the Cleveland Indians to Larry Dolan for a whopping $320 million.

A quick look back at the New York Times article that chronicled the purchase, there is one comment that sticks out the most.

”I don’t want one World Series for the Indians, I want a string of them. I want to reach the Holy Grail,” said Dolan.

Unfortunately, Dolan has attempted to reach said Grail without spending money and due to such and has only seen the Indians achieve the postseason twice – never once making it to the World Series.

Read the rest of this entry →

I’m sure you know by now, but the New York Yankees are the World Champions of Baseball. I didn’t bother to stay up and watch the end as I find it tough to watch the evil empire collect their 27th ring. My favorite is how some Yankee fans actually that nine years is actually a long time to wait for a title. I mean how laughable is that?

I’m not here to rant and rave about how unfair the current system in baseball is (which it is) or to talk about how the Yankee fans don’t deserve another ring (the don’t).  I want to celebrate a guy who indeed earned his first ring and the happiness that goes along with it – our old friend CC Sabathia. Read the rest of this entry →

It defies logic. Despite what we might have thought, it appears that the more things change with the Browns, the more things might just stay the same. What Randy Lerner said after the loss to Chicago was that “Eric Mangini will not be fired during the bye week.” What Cleveland fans heard was “It’s only a matter of time really.”

According to an email interview (Are you serious? you can’t talk to a reporter face to face or even over the phone? An email interview in which no follow-up questions are allowed? Is this a joke?) with Tony Grossi, Lerner continues to defend Mangini: Read the rest of this entry →

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

Your must-read article of the day: “There are no best practices or guides for dealing with an athlete with a diagnosed mental illness.  The Cavaliers have been patient with Delonte West. Every decision regarding their talented but troubled guard is made with caution because, although they dealt with West last year, the situation is an unfinished puzzle of doctors, coaches, front-office execs and counselors. [...] The organization and the league aren’t the only ones in uncharted waters. The media that regularly cover the team are in a similar position. How do you couch analysis or report information when the affliction is mental, not physical?” [Vince Grzegorek/'64 and Counting]

Read the rest of this entry →

Just a heads up that I’ll be appearing on the Sportstalk with Koza show today at 5:05 on ESPN Lima’s 93.1 The Fan. I believe you can listen to the show through the site here. I’m not sure how long the segment will be, but I appreciate Vince giving us the chance to talk Cleveland sports with those in the Northwestern part of the state.

Those interested in calling the show the number is 1-888-894-ESPN. I hope to get to talk about the Cavs, as well as the current sad state of the Browns.

And yes, I realize this is shameless self-promotion. But admitting that is best right?

Almost one month ago to the day, we discussed the potential of Larry Hughes was pegged to return back to Cleveland.  This curio of sorts originated from Chicago Bulls beat writer Sam Smith.  In the post, we said the following:

If there was a Mount Rushmore of NBA [scribes], I’m not exactly sure who would all be on it. What I can tell you, though, is that one name that would probably get some consideration (in some circles) is Sam Smith. The former Chicago Tribune writer who covered the Bulls beat in the MJ era and currently writes exclusively for the Chicago Bulls’ official site (Bulls.com) probably earned his most fame for writing his essential must-read book “The Jordan Rules.”

Smith has undoubtedly had his name in NBA fan ears for quite some time, and deservedly so.  But then there is this: Read the rest of this entry →

San Jose Sharks (10-4-1, 21pts) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7-5-1, 15pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
7:00 PM EDT
FSOhio HDTV/WWCD(fm)/WBNS(am)

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets are back at home after a rousing come-from-behind win in overtime on Sunday against the Capitals. They’ve played better in their last two games, earning three out of four possible points. But, the Sharks bring all manner of challenges: in their first meeting of the year back in the opening stretches of the season, the Jackets had no answer for Dany Heatley who notched a hat-trick against them in his first Sharks home game. The Jackets get a big boost with the return of Jan Hejda tonight, and their beleaguered defense could certainly use the help. Without The Big Czech in the lineup, the Jackets were 3-4-1, and their goals-against average as a team jumped from 2.20 to 4.25. In other words, welcome back Jan! But, the news up front is not good, as Columbus was dealt a big blow with two injuries to their top-6 forwards.

Read the rest of this entry →

Have you ever prayed for God to do something, or give you something specific in your life? Asked for a certain someone to love you? Begged for a job, promotion or opportunity? Can you think back to a time when you did, certain that what you were asking for was the best thing for you? How did that turn out? I’m guessing that many of you, like myself can answer that question in at least one circumstance by saying “I’m glad that prayer wasn’t answered the way I wanted.”

Here’s where I get to the point. The Cleveland Browns are an absolute mess. I’ve heard and read so many opinions and ideas over the last 72 hours about what it will take to fix the situation. Most of them are ridiculous. Here’s one- Bernie Kosar should be the next GM of the Cleveland Browns. Really?

Bernie Kosar is the Browns QB of my youth. I remember watching Brian Sipe, but Kosar was the man during my football formative years. I remember fondly Bernie and Webster Slaughter hooking up to beat the Three Rivers Jinx. I wept with all of Cleveland when the Kosar’s Browns came up short in the AFC Championship games. I fumed and openly rooted against the Browns against Seattle after Kosar was dropped because of ‘diminishing skills’, and yes I was thrilled for him when he won his ring with the Cowboys. Read the rest of this entry →

In my recap of last night’s game, I failed miserably at explaining what I meant by ‘turning point’. As was quickly pointed out in the comments, a 3-2 team does not really need a ‘turning point’. You are correct, except I wasn’t really talking about wins and losses with that statement.

What I saw last night was a team that for the first time all season looked like the Cavs we loved last year. After getting embarrassed in the first quarter, they played suffocating defense all night long. More than that, they enjoyed watching each other succeed. The new Cavaliers got to experience a little bit of what they saw from the Cavs last season. Even in the Cavaliers wins this season, it was never like it was against the Wizards. Read this quote from Mike Brown after the Minnesota game- Read the rest of this entry →

As Rick touched on in his recap, the Cavs definitely flipped a proverbial switch after a slow start and came on to trounce the Wizards 102-90. And, as Rick pointed out, “Shaquille O’Neal had his best game as a Cavalier.” Granted, the sample size is a bit small with only five games, but to my eyes we definitely caught a glimpse of what the Cavs are expecting from Shaq when the games really count (you know, in April and on).

A couple of things stood out to me as I watched this game, specifically in relation to The Big Aristotle and his game. Read the rest of this entry →