02/11 Morning Minute: AI, DA, and CC

Could this portion of the schedule be catching up to our Cavaliers?  Smack in the middle of their four-in-five run, the Cavs simply fell flat on their collective face last night, failing to top 20 points in either of the final two periods.  LeBron did his part (30 points in 33 minutes), but Larry Hughes was the only other Cleveland player in double figures.  It doesn’t help when Ira Newble (welcome back!) and Eric Snow combine to shoot 1-for-11 from the floor, though taking up 46 minutes of playing time.  The team shot 34 percent from the floor and 68 percent from the line (James was 6-6) for the game.  We need to get healthy, and fast.  Could this be the understatement of the day?

And not that Cleveland is big on road shows these days, but those that were in attendance last night got to see a few of the more exciting players in the league.  Allen Iverson continues to be electric (25 points, 13 assists); Carmelo Anthony is one of the better pure scorers in the league (27 points, 11-19 FG); and one of the most underrated big men 0utside of fantasy circles continues to be Marcus Camby (17 rebounds, two blocks, three steals).  Not bad, aside from the final score.

And while you hate to pin the AFC falling to the NFC in yesterday’s Pro Bowl, you have to admit that the team looked great until Derek Anderson took over.  I’m as big of a fan as anyone – aside from those who want to give him a six-year deal – and his 10-of-26 from the pocket opened the door for the NFC to get back into the game.  34.6 passer rating?  Ugh.  Now I’m not ready to use this as a gauge for DA’s future, but it didn’t exactly help his cause.

Does anyone else find it a bit odd that Adrian Peterson had more carries in the Pro Bowl than he did during seven games in the regular season? 

A very interesting report from Paul Hoynes this morning.  Reportedly, the money that will be offered in C.C. Sabathia’s pending contract extension is not an issue – it is the length that will be the deciding factor.  The Indians have a four-year extension on the table as of right now.  As you all know, Johan Santana received a six-year deal from the New York Mets.

One for the “He’ll never learn” file.  Perhaps Rasheed Wallace should have kept his mouth shut regarding not wanting to play in the All-Star game.  With Kevin Garnett withdrawing due to injury, Wallace has been named a reserve for the East.  Go get ’em, Sheed.

And finally, while I hate to go back-to-back on the Pistons, NeedForSheed has a pretty good find of Rip Hamilton draining threes.  Typically not one to drain a boat load of long-balls, he is in this year’s three-point challenge against our own Daniel Gibson.  Assuming Gibson can get healthy, and if this is any indication, he’ll have his work cut out for him.

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