May 25, 2013

While We’re Waiting… More on Shaun Rogers, Celtics Lose to Clippers, and a Delonte West Injury Update

February 26, 2009 by 29 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

Another thought on the Shaun Rogers/Eric Mangini issue: “The NFL collective bargaining agreement ends at the end of the 2010 season. This brings some uncertainty to free agency and the dollars teams will be able to spend. The threat of Lockout by the Owners is making agents and players approaching their peak earning years very, very nervous. Players are looking to cash in now under the current agreement. Rogers may just be the first in line of players looking to opt out and sign a short term, high guaranteed dollar contract, vs. a long term, high total dollar contract. (notice the Nnamde Asomugha contract. Biggest contract in the NFL. HUGE dollars in the first two years, all guaranteed, with a club option for the third year. If the CBA changes the salary cap structure, the Raiders can opt out of the top contract in the league in year 3).” [Shaver Sports]

–

Checking out the NBA Standings and you’ll find that the Cavaliers are back as the top seed in the East.  How fitting that it was due to the Clippers, lead by a guy that the Knicks traded away to clear cap space?  The Mikki Moore era begings. [Celtics Blog]

–

And speaking of inter-conference rivals: “The Cavs have made a lot of teams look silly this year, but the loss was Detroit’s sixth in a row and their 15th in 20 games. Forget the Pistons’ streak of six consecutive appearances in the Conference Finals — at their current pace, they’re in very real danger of missing the playoffs completely. Sunday’s loss dropped the Pistons to .500 for the first time all year, but they could be five games under water in the blink of an eye. They still have to face the Heat, Hornets, Magic and Celtics on their current road trip, and in their first game home they host Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets. Considering only three games separate them from their current place as the No. 6 seed to the outside looking in as the No. 9 seed, the time to panic has long-since arrived.” [Matt Watson/NBA FanHouse]

–

If Joe Smith doesn’t get bought out, could the Cavs still make a move? “[Robert] Horry, 38, a free agent, hasn’t played a game this season. He made his name coming off the bench for the Spurs the last five seasons. A 6-10 forward and center, Horry has 16 seasons in the NBA. His career average is 7 points per game. In one respect, the Cavs’ interest in Horry makes sense. San Antonio is the former home of Cavs general manager Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown. If he’s kept himself in shape, Horry could be a valuable insurance policy in the playoffs.” [Ohio.com via SLAMOnline]

–

And some of the latest news on Delonte West’s wrist: “The Cavs are hopeful the soreness in Delonte West’s right wrist will fade and he’ll be able to play Thursday and have called him questionable. The team, which took Wednesday off to travel, will know more after West goes through shootaround Thursday morning. There is some question, though, as to whether West will be able to play in back-to-back sets with the wrist still going through recovery.” [Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer]

Related Posts

Zemanta
Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • deep13

    I would feel a lot better about tonight’s game if we knew Delonte would be playing (even off the bench).

  • Chris M

    -Still waiting to hear something publicly from Rogers or his agent. Doesn’t look like there has been anything yet, but they haven’t refuted reports either.

    -I’m not worried about Mikki Moore. It just looks like the panic button being pushed by Ainge. Give them Starbury too.

    - It’s really incredible how far the Pistons have fallen. As a fan of the Wine and Gold, I have to say that the Iverson / Billups deal may be the best single move that Dumars has ever made. I still can’t help but wonder why Hamilton is coming off the bench when he is head and shoulders above the level of play that Iverson is at now. Fragile ego for The Answer maybe? That would be my guess.

    Big Shot Rob? Abso-freakin-lutely. I’ve been reading that he’s still in shape ( game shape may be a different story ) but we’re talking about the best clutch shooter in NBA history. Seven rings? Let’s get him an eigth. I would certainly rather see him than Mikki Moore or Marbury.

    - As far as Delonte goes, I know he wants to play, but we need to really take it easy with him. Speaking the obvious, the last thing that needs to happen is hurry him along and further injure his wrist.

    Just my thoughts.

  • phil

    Delonte did remark after the last contest that he was able to play because adrenaline masked his pain. This suggests that, while he can play, he is not fully healed and may not be so for a good while yet. It might be best to use him sparingly, even though (or precisely because) his impact seems decisive.

  • RandyOSU

    “I didn’t know he was there”.

    Yea right double chin-the two of you in the same media room just didn’t see the other. Also……once made known of the issue…….you didn’t bother calling Rogers after a month went by. Pathetic.

    Odds on succeeding as a leader with such a total lack of personal attributes, commication accumen, and smartest man in the room complex?

    Viva la Mankok.

  • B-bo

    And the dead horse continues to take a beating…

    It’s an interesting point regarding Rogers and the end of the CBA in 2010. A smart agent is likely reading the tea leaves in Cleveland and noting the public isn’t sold on Mangini as coach, and seizing on an incredibly trivial slight to get his client bigger money now. Not doing much for said client’s reputation, though.

    Delonte definitely needs to take it easy at this point. I realize that the Cavs have a chance to seize control of the East with KG down, but I’m more concerned with having West at full strength come playoff time. Home court throughout would be great, but I think I’d rather have to battle on the road with West than at home without him.

  • Ryan S

    I dont feel good about this whole Shaun Rogers deal. Listen.. if you ask me he was the browns’ best player last year. If he doesnt return.. im going to be sad.

    cavs really did miss a big opportunity at the trade deadline. I understand they were very aggressive, and I understand why all the trades they tried failed.. but it seemed like they honestly started trying trades that DAY. or at least thats when we started hearing about them. No. I dont know what goes on in the front office.. and to be honest I dont know anyone who I would have gone after that they didnt. I guess im just in incredible denial that NObody was accepting trades.

    Delonte will be alright. Go Cavs.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig

    That’s what I like about you Randy. You are always willing to give people a chance to prove themselves. :-)

    All the news coming out suggests that there might be posturing by the player and his agent to cash in. What do you think of the part that came out about players uncertain about the future and looking for big short-term guaranteed money?

    Try and address that part of it without smashing Mangini for hurting someone’s feelings by not saying “hello.” Last I checked Mangini had glowing statements about all the video footage he had seen of Rogers. But, I guess that doesn’t count for anything because it doesn’t contribute to your thesis.

    Viva La Broken Record

  • http://www.twitter.com/dennymayo IRB?

    I think it’s good that they’re being rather conservative right now with Delonte. I know you can’t take your foot off the gas with Boston missing KG right now and every game being important for home court – but playing him sparingly is smart. If he plays 5 minutes a game for an adrenaline boost for the team, that’s great. If not we can hope that Boobie starts strokin after his game the other night.

    Can’t BELIEVE how bad the Pistons are. The straight up trade of Billups for AI was absolutely terrible. Their core starting five with Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Wallace and Maxiell was a very solid team, and had been for a long time. Amazing that trading the leader away and benching Hamilton happened. The results? Not so surprising.

    This Rogers business is ridiculous. Amazing how athletes somehow aren’t required to act like adults. Then again, he’s the size of a seal – he might as well bark like one. I hope Mangini sits him down and tells him that he can ignore him for real if that’s what Rogers wants.

  • http://www.twitter.com/dennymayo IRB?

    B-bo… you said “a smart agent” – oxymoron much?

  • RandyOSU

    Dead horse? Guess if it doesn’t map into you position point it’s moot.

    Craig-nice spin. Again, if it doesn’t fit your always pro Browns view then it ripe for criticism. How about consider both (all) sides of the equation?

    Smashing Mangini for hurting somone’s feelings? My friend-you’ve decided to pay no heed to Mangini’s character issues and past peformance; be my guest. What will be your next spin? Don’t you aspire to something more professional than you’re about to witness? Or…..is it “as long as they win”?

    The dead horse will continue to gallop.

    Viva la Mankok.

  • RandyOSU

    Craig-I’m always willing to give someone every chance, as long as they don’t enter the arena as an abject arrogant jerk without leadership skills and understanding of motivation. Come in with a clean slate and/or a resume with requisite skills and experiences and you’ll get all the support anyone can muster.

    Example? I’ve been Mike Brown’s BIGGEST supporter since DAY ONE-as soon as I heard this man speak it was obvious he was a man of character, class, leadership, et al-and he had no track record as a head coach. Point of reference: I knew BOTH Crennel and Savage would fail the moment they were hired…….read above.

    I’ll stand by my comments………regardless of how many times the homerism strikes at them.

  • bobby

    Randy, not trying to argue or anything here, but can you please list some of Mangini’s character issues rather then just say he has them. And his past performance? Wasn’t he 25-23 (maybe 24-24) with 2 winning seasons in 3 years? I wish anyone could do that for the browns.

  • bridgecrosser

    I think this is a Rogers bitnon-story, just his agent testing the waters… (which I am okay with, that’s what you pay your agent to do)

    Cleveland.com was SCREAMING this early yesterday and today the PD doesn’t even give this page 1 status? Hmmm… Sounds like the editors got word this isn’t the story they’d like it to be….

  • http://shakesthesnowglobe.blogspot.com EZ

    Ryan S:

    They’d been trying to land Camby for weeks, but the Clips were pretty steadfast about moving him. It’s fairly easy to say they should have tried *something*, but a trade for trade’s sake is pretty pointless. I’m sure people were willing to accept trades that would have been lateral moves for us. But why should we do that? The Cavs are one of the three best teams in the league, on pace to break 60 wins. There were very few possible trades this year that would have actually made us better.

    Also remember that Raef Lefrentz didn’t go anywhere either. The two big expirings both stayed put. Perhaps the trade market wasn’t everything it was lauded to be this year?

  • RandyOSU

    bobby…….i’ve already listed them so many times it would be just “beating a dead horse”. Do just a small bit of research in regards to his tenure with the Jets and you’ll find them.

  • B-bo

    @IRB? I immediately regret my wording. Though the “moronic” applies to most agents.

    @Randy: I offically give up on the hope of having intelligent discussion with you. I have said time and again that I have no issue with opposing views–my beef is with single-minded, egomaniacal know-it-alls who refuse to bring anything new to the discussion or consider any viewpoint besides their own, preferring to belittle them instead.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig

    Randy, you still haven’t actually commented on Rogers and his agent, for the record. That was what I asked you. We get where you stand on the first part of the equation. Does that mean you don’t believe that players posture for power in contract negotiations?

    What do you think about Rogers’ and his agent’s reaction?

  • RandyOSU

    If it’s such a “dead horse” then why do you guys keep headlining your blog articles with it?! I’m just commenting is all……I didn’t creat the topic.

    Is Mary Kay wrong (or a jerk as you guys call anyone like Grossi who’s not happy with what’s going down in Berea) wrong for reporting on the same story today as well as referencing that it was impossible for Mangini not to have noticed Rogers in the small media room?

    B-bo-you’ve obviously defined yourself, look in the mirror.

    Craig-since you ask….I’m certainly not disregarding that Roger’s and his agent may be negotiating……….but you’ve given zero tread to the fact that Mangini’s actions were just flat out wrong.

    Craig-why didn’t Mangini get back to Rogers in the month that ensued? Why wait until it becomes a media issue?

  • http://www.twitter.com/dennymayo IRB?

    Methinks B-bo just called Randy out for being all that he sees in Mangini (and loathes – or envies?).

    Point B-bo.

  • RandyOSU

    B-bo…….I’ll say it for the umpteenth time…….if you don’t like my comments don’t read them. Ok???? I could use the same grating words to describe your always homer comments in rgards to self-grandizement……but I won’t.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig

    Randy, and I quote from the article I wrote yesterday…

    “First of all, Eric Mangini was supposed to have learned something from his first head coaching experience in the NFL. While holding the hands of the players isn’t in the job description, if you wanted people to run through a wall for you on a Sunday, or partake in your stricter training camps, maybe, just maybe you should get to know the guys a little bit. I am sure Eric Mangini missed a couple of opportunities to make friends so far. He certainly must improve upon that”

    I haven’t given “zero tread” to Mangini’s actions at all. Clearly. Without a doubt.

  • B-bo

    @IRB: I believe that is known as “irony”

  • MacNip

    I have a very hard time believing that Randy didn’t want Mike Brown fired a couple of years ago or at the beginning of last year when the Cavs were struggling.

  • http://www.twitter.com/dennymayo IRB?

    B-Bo – it is a bit ironical, yes.

  • bobby

    Randy- Would you like to say Mangini’s character issues and past performance issues, even if it is beating an old horse. O, and I don’t mean character issues in regard to media, but how his players felt about him. Maybe you should see how Leon Washington feels? Also, when last off season Laverneus Coles was unhappy, Mangini went to his house to work it out. Is that a character flaw? From what I have seen, more players then not worked hard and loved Mangini as a coach. And you didn’t even bring up performance issues. 25-23 in 3 seasons… once again, since the browns have been back, I wish that could happen. 2 winning seasons seems horrible right?

    I get your beef on how he was hired, I was upset too, but its no reason to hate the guy. What if Lerner got a qualified VP and he ended up with Kokinis and Mangini anyways? would you still have beef? Granted in that scenario there would be an overseer, but still Mangini is qualified to be a head coach.

  • bridgecrosser

    good points Bobby.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    I don’t know if I’m bummed that I was stuck in a meeting all day, or happy to have missed the brunt of this.

    Misconception #1: Anyone that doesn’t go out of their way to rip on Mangini is automatically a “homer”.
    Clarification: Aren’t we all technically “homers” by virtue of reading/writing this website? More seriously, though… Randy, not everyone (in fact, I would argue hardly anyone) that isn’t outwardly critical of Mangini in turn automatically thinks he will suceed as coach of the Browns. I sure don’t. I’ve always been vocal of that. So, me calling you out (since I have done so on more than one occasion) for your continued, verbatim repetitive attacks (I will call them that, yes) of Mangini when he hasn’t coached a single game or even run a single minicamp practice yet is not me “being a blind-sheep homer” of the Browns’ franchise. I happen to think they made a mistake in their hiring process, and I for one am also not sure they hired the best coach for this team. But that doesn’t mean I need to select-copy-paste that sentiment into every single comment section of every single Browns thread, lest otherwise I be a blind-sheep homer. Seriously.

    Misconception #2: The phrase “kicking a dead horse” as used in the first comment in response to Randy was referring to discussion of the Rogers situation.
    Clarification: Randy, seriously, you literally say the same thing every single comment. We can almost fill it in: “Mangini is doomed to failure because of (insert personality trait, real or perceived). He should have done (insert preference of commenter). (insert name of commenter) is just a homer because he gets in line with the team, because he won’t call out Mangini. Viva la ManKok.” The dead horse is THAT.

    Misconception #3: no player in the NFL that ever asked for a trade had it blown out of proportion by the media.
    Clarification: I learned to take all of these “reports” during this stretch of the off-season with a grain of salt. If he asked to be traded, that’s certainly within his perogative. Personally, if he asked to be traded because Mangini didn’t say “hi” to him, then freaking trade him. You talked above about loving Mike Brown and knowing he would succeed because of his strong character. Why do you only hold your coach to that standard? If we’re so worried about building a “quality organization” do we really want players that pout simply because the coach didn’t say hello? Aren’t they professionals, too? Randy, are you supporting Rogers because he’s a good player, which would fly in the face of you calling people out for the “as long as they win” attitude? And, on a larger scale, are you truly being objective, given your predispositions toward Mangini?

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    Addendum:

    “Dead horse? Guess if it doesn’t map into you position point it’s moot.”

    This might be the most ironic thing I’ve ever read, seeing as how anyone that says anything that doesn’t jibe “Mangini’s a freakin’ jerk who will fail as Browns coach!” they are labeled as a blind-faith Browns homer not worthy of consideration.

  • http://www.shaversports.blogspot.com JD Shaver

    Appreciate the Shaver Sports shout out fellas!