Randy Lerner Wants His Money Back
October 8, 2010The Browns Will Win If…
October 8, 2010Though likely unintentional, the metaphor is surreal. The two lockers that were once occupied by LeBron James in the Cavaliers locker room – two, four-foot wide abodes huddled in the corner near the trainer’s room – are now filled by three individuals.
The spot that was once filled by dozens of Nike hightops, a few different pairs of Beats by Dre headphones and usually surrounded by at least 20 media members is now the home of Jamario Moon, who has the spot against the wall, with rookies Tasmin Mitchell and Manny Harris taking the next stall over.
Moon jokingly said that he moved down to James’ old digs because he wanted to be “closer to A.P.” But truth be told, Moon’s move only puts him about one locker closer as he had been only a few lockers down on the other side prior to this season. Also a bit of a metaphor, Moon will also be asked to fill in the shoes of James on the court as he is one of the small forwards that the Cavaliers will deploy for considerable minutes in the 2010-11 season.
The combo of Mitchell and Harris, however, may only be a temporary placement. While Moon will not be spreading out into the dwelling next door, both players are invites for training camp with their future in peril given the fact that the only (fully) unguaranteed contract belongs to second-year swingman Danny Green.
Following Tuesday’s win over the Charlotte Bobcats, there was a bit of a flashback as the media surged to their familiar corner looking to talk to the man of the hour. It just so happened that that man was Jamario Moon, who had just finished a solid game, providing 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. All smiles, Moon dropped one of the first feel-good lines of the year when he told the media that he was “home.”
“We were anxious to get out there and show that basketball is still alive in Cleveland,” he said.
Realizing that it is a period of transition with a hint of limbo and uncertainty mixed in, the team is embracing the “new” Cavaliers though still laughing, joking and dancing. The one guy who doesn’t mind the change, at least in the locker room, is Moon’s newest neighbor in Anthony Parker. Frequently having to change on the other side of the locker room due to the media horde that would squeeze into his locker space, Parker stretched out, enjoying the last few seconds before he would head home for the night.
Looking around at the rest of his teammates being interviewed post-game, with a smile on his face, Parker said “Man, this is nice.”
7 Comments
I have a strange feeling that I might love this Cavs team more than the 08-09 team.
The only positive I see about the upcoming Cavaliers season is the new head coach. I think you’ll see alot more ball movement and players being forced to play rather then wait and depend on one guy. They won’t have a choice which is unfortunate because perhaps had some of these guys stepped up and progressed we may not be where we are right now. I’m speaking directly to the Mo Williams, Daniel Gibsons, Jamario Moons and Anthony Parkers of the world. For me all of these guys underachieved when it was EASIER for them. Now when it’s HARDER watch they’ll suddenly step up and show us more unfortunately it’ll probably be to late. I guess this is why basketball is a TEAM sport.
Seems like we have the “nice guys” team. Parker, Jamison, Mo, Jamario.. these guys are all known around the NBA to be terrific locker room guys and big into charities. (at least from what I have read). In that sense, it’s so sad we lost Z.. another great teammate. He BELONGS here, but deserves a ring.
as much as I always like seeing the nice guys win for a change.. I realize I should not get my hopes up.
‘course, I said the same thing about my hopes last season. I never listen to myself.
These guys are talking like a massive ego has left and they can have fun now. Which of course is true. I don’t care what any predictions say this could be a fun team to watch.
i still don’t get why he always called himself: LBJ. i mean, his middle name is Raymone. It should be LRJ.
I love the “team” concept…
Lets face it, this “team” has the same amount of rings as the previous 7 years, so i am ALL IN – just like i always am!
Love these guys, pumped to buy the NBA Package so i can watch Cleveland every night…
I got that same feeling, Turk!