May 22, 2013

Box Score: Celtics 93, Cavaliers 90

January 31, 2012 by 5 Comments

Bummer. The Cavaliers were down 18 points heading into the 4th quarter, and then went on a crazy run to close within 2 points. In the end, though, they just didn’t quite have enough to overcome the hole they dug. On one hand, the Cavs showed a lot of pride in not giving up and a ton of heart in coming back. On the other hand, it was disappointing seeing them let themselves fall so far back in the first place. The Cavaliers will have to learn to put together 4th quarter effort in the first 3 quarters before they start consistently beating good teams and winning these kind of games.

The real story of the game, though, was Anderson Varejao. When the rest of the team was doing nothing, it was Varejao who put the team on his back and just carried them to keep them from falling behind by 30+ points. Andy finished the game with 20 points and 20 rebounds for an amazing 20-20 game, the team’s first since Carlos Boozer.

Boston

Starters Pos Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
R. Allen(notes) G 38:06 4-10 2-5 2-2 +9 0 2 8 4 2 0 0 3 12
A. Bradley(notes) G 37:05 4-7 0-0 0-0 +5 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 3 8
J. O’Neal(notes) C 23:15 5-7 0-0 2-2 +4 1 3 2 1 1 2 0 1 12
P. Pierce(notes) F 33:58 7-14 0-2 6-9 +2 0 4 6 1 3 0 0 1 20
K. Garnett(notes) F 31:49 5-12 0-0 3-4 +7 1 4 4 0 1 0 0 3 13
Bench Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
Totals 37-73 5-14 14-19 7 28 25 14 9 2 3 20 93
Percentages .507 .357 .737 Team Rebounds: 12
B. Bass(notes) 28:58 6-9 0-0 1-2 -4 1 6 2 2 1 0 0 3 13
M. Pietrus(notes) 18:13 2-7 2-6 0-0 +1 0 5 1 1 1 0 2 1 6
C. Wilcox(notes) 11:22 0-2 0-0 0-0 +5 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 0
E. Moore(notes) 10:58 2-3 1-1 0-0 +1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 5
S. Pavlovic(notes) 6:02 2-2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 4
M. Daniels(notes) DNP – Coach’s Decision
J. Johnson(notes) DNP – Coach’s Decision
G. Stiemsma(notes) DNP – Coach’s Decision

Cleveland

Starters Pos Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
K. Irving(notes) G 37:25 6-15 0-1 6-6 0 0 1 6 2 0 0 0 1 18
M. Thompson(notes) G 30:52 3-9 2-4 0-0 -13 0 1 4 3 1 1 0 2 8
A. Varejao(notes) C 41:10 10-17 0-1 0-0 -4 10 20 2 4 0 1 1 2 20
A. Jamison(notes) F 35:14 5-11 1-5 1-2 -4 0 2 3 1 1 1 1 3 12
O. Casspi(notes) F 18:49 2-5 2-2 0-2 -14 2 3 1 1 1 0 0 3 6
Bench Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
Totals 33-74 6-16 15-21 13 39 26 16 7 3 2 18 87
Percentages .446 .375 .714 Team Rebounds: 9
A. Gee(notes) 29:15 3-6 1-3 4-5 +8 0 3 1 0 4 0 0 3 11
R. Sessions(notes) 27:37 3-5 0-0 0-2 +1 1 5 9 3 0 0 0 1 6
S. Samuels(notes) 14:17 1-5 0-0 4-4 +1 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 3 6
T. Thompson(notes) 5:06 0-1 0-0 0-0 -5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S. Erden(notes) DNP – Coach’s Decision
C. Eyenga(notes) DNP – Coach’s Decision
R. Hollins(notes) DNP – Coach’s Decision

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Celtics-Cavaliers Set To Rematch In Cleveland

January 31, 2012 by 5 Comments

Irving with the game winner

Lets do this all over again.

Tuesday night the Boston Celtics (9-10) travel to Cleveland for a rematch with the Cavaliers (8-11).

I’m going to keep this one brief. Rajon Rondo is out again for the Celtics. Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson are out for the Cavaliers. No word yet (as of this writing) on who will be the starting SG. Coach Scott could start Irving and Sessions together in the backcourt, but then they’d be without a backup PG. Mychel Thompson could start, or Alonzo Gee could slide over to SG to start.

If I were the coach of this team, I would probably start Irving and Sessions together and then substitute Gee in early for one of them, and from there get creative in doing circular rotations of Thompson, Sessions, and Irving from there. No matter who starts, all of the above mentioned are going to be called upon to play extended minutes tonight.

As for the game itself, Boston is going to come out looking to make a point. The Cavs snuck up on them once. It’s not going to happen again. If the Cavaliers are going to win this time, they need to earn by giving consistent effort from start to finish. [Read more...]

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Scott: Cavs Feel They Can Win No Matter Who They’re Playing

January 31, 2012 by 5 Comments

I get the sense that, just, the fact that when we’re in games, we feel we can win. I don’t know if it’s keeping it close or what, but when we play the way we’re capable of playing, we feel we can win the game no matter who we’re playing. [...] That’s the ultimate confidence, when you have a guy [like Kyrie Irving] who can deliver in the crunch like he did [against Boston] , it not only gives him more confidence, but his teammates confidence as well. Every team needs one: you have to have a closer, you have to have somebody who can close the deal. The players out there feel pretty good when the ball is in his hands.

- Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott, Tuesday, on the team’s ability to compete or beat some of the better teams i the NBA. The Boston Celtics will visit Cleveland as the two teams square off for the second time in three nights.

[Related: NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Interested in Cavs’ Ramon Sessions]

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My Season Without Fantasy Football

January 31, 2012 by 11 Comments

Before the NFL season began, I made the decision that I was done with fantasy football. I wrote about that decision and the two years worth of thought that had gone into it here. I wasn’t entirely sure what this football season would hold for me without updating a starting line-up and making waiver wire moves for the first time since 1992. I thought it would be worth a post to let you know the results, for the couple dozen who responded at the time.

I want to highlight something from the original piece first-

I realize that it is difficult to judge a writer’s mood or attitude when reading a piece. Let me assure you, that I make these comments without a hint of animosity, nor any judgement on those that love the game.

The same still applies. I hold no grudges nor would I consider condemning those who love to play. Enjoy the game. [Read more...]

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Hillis Will be Back if He Wants to Be Back

January 31, 2012 by 49 Comments

According to a report by Mary Kay Cabot yesterday Peyton Hillis might have done enough for the Browns to reverse previous course and consider bringing the big bruiser back.  While I don’t doubt that with Hillis’ late-season surge after finally getting healthy enough to get on the field, I am not sure how much exactly he has proven in terms of dollar signs.

In November Tony Zarella from 19 Action News reported that the Browns were offering three years for $16.5 million with $3 million fully guaranteed.  Other reports/rumors came from LeCharles Bentley that the Hillis camp was seeking somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million guaranteed.  Obviously at that time the Browns and Hillis’ people were very far apart. [Read more...]

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MLB Trade News: Indians Acquire Russ Canzler from Rays

January 31, 2012 by 34 Comments

The Indians have imported a right-handed batter that plays a plethora of positions.  Last season in Triple-A, Russ Canzler played 41 games in right field, 33 games in left, 40 games at third and 17 games at first.  He is now a member of the Cleveland Indians.  From the Indians’ press release…

Canzler, 25, was named International League Most Valuable Player at Triple-A Durham in 2011 where he batted .314 (149-474) with 40 doubles, 4 triples, 18 home runs and 83 RBI in 131 games (.401OB/.530SLG/.931OPS).  He also drew 67 walks and scored 78 runs for the Bulls and hit .356 (63-177) w/17 2B, 8HR & 30 RBI in 47 second half games (1.034OPS).  The International League midseason and postseason All-Star led the IL in doubles (40) and slugging pct. (.530), finished tied for second in runs (78), third in hits (149), fourth in the IL in batting average (.314), fifth in RBI (83) and second in on-base pct. (.401) and total bases (251).

This isn’t a big splashy move for the Indians as they traded “cash considerations” for the 25-year old.  Still, it is a nice risk for a team in need of a right-handed bat that can play both outfield and first base.  It isn’t Prince Fielder, as we all know, but he could very well end up having a bigger impact than Carlos Pena or Casey Kotchman.  Let’s just hope he can have a bigger impact than Matt LaPorta and Austin Kearns did a season ago.

[That Sinking Feeling: On Matt LaPorta and Moving On]

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POLL: Who are the Best Browns Players Since 1999? Special Teams

January 31, 2012 by 18 Comments

Whew. That exercise yesterday was difficult to say the least. I know for some of you it was just downright depressing. Well, today things get a lot easier. This is a walk in the park compared to yesterday. I figure the only really difficult question is who is the best punter and second place for pretty much every other category.

So have fun. Enjoy today’s poll. Tomorrow is going to be considerably more difficult with defense.

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Ohio State Lands First 5-Star Commitment For Class of 2013

January 31, 2012 by 12 Comments

Middletown's Jalin Marshall

Urban Meyer just doesn’t stop landing recruits. This is a period of recruiting unlike anything else I’ve ever seen before. It feels like hardly a week goes by without Meyer bringing in yet another 4 or 5 star recruit. National Signing Day for 2012 is coming up tomorrow, but that’s not stopping Meyer from already securing playmakers for 2013.

First it was Cam Burrow committing last week, now Middletown freak athlete Jalin Marshall has decided to become the 2nd member of the 2013 class and the first 5-star recruit for that class. Marshall, the top recruit in the state of Ohio for 2013 may not have been a surprise, as his long time desire to be a Buckeye was a poorly kept secret, but never the less, this is a huge get for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.

Scout.com’s Bill Greene has the story: [Read more...]

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Video: DeSagana Diop Airballs Free Throw

January 31, 2012 by 12 Comments

Former Cleveland Cavaliers lottery selection DeSagana Diop airballed a free throw recently and it was fairly epic.

The best part may be that his second attempt went glass.

Over 10 NBA seasons after being selected eighth overall in 2001, Diop has averaged 2.0 points per contest. The 7-footer is making $6.5 million this year.

(h/t to Brian Boesch)

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While We’re Waiting… Lugo Deal Off, Ranking Recruits and Picking the ‘Best’ of the New Browns

January 31, 2012 by 2 Comments

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 at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.


No Lugo- “A little over a week ago, it was reported that the Indians had agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with veteran infielder Julio Lugo. He was to join the long list of non-roster invitees in camp with the Tribe this spring. The deal is now apparently off.

Cleveland did indeed come to terms with the 36-year-old Lugo, but the contract is not going to come to fruition. The specifics behind why the deal fell apart are not known. Considering the sides reached an agreement on terms (he would’ve earned $650K plus incentives if on the Major League roster), I’d speculate that it had something to do with his physical. All that really matters is that Lugo will not be heading to Arizona for Spring Training with the Indians. For those keeping track at home, that means the Indians have 20 non-roster invitees in the fold for this spring. Lugo would’ve competed for a bench job — given his experience around the diamond – but his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster seemed slim from the start.” [Bastian/MLB.com] [Read more...]

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POLL: Who are the Best Browns Players Since 1999? Offense

January 30, 2012 by 54 Comments

A fun little project we are undertaking here and at Cleveland.com to come up with the best Browns players the team has had since 1999. Today we are doing offense first.

Enjoy this little trip down memory lane!

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NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Interested in Cavs’ Ramon Sessions

January 30, 2012 by 23 Comments

According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Lakers have had talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire reserve point guard Ramon Sessions.

With Derek Fisher approaching 40 years of age and Steve Blake fighting the injury bug, the Lakers evidently feel that the 25-year old Sessions could help Mike Brown’s new team get back to levels of offensive prominence.

In an interesting twist, the Lakers have nearly $9 million in a Traded Player Exception which they could send Cleveland’s way along with draft-related assets which Chris Grant and the Cavaliers have been acquiring since the day LeBron James decided to play for the Miami Heat. Unfortunately, if we are talking players in return, the Lakers, per Wojnarowski, have a slew of short-term players who cannot be traded until March 1. They had attempted to acquire point guard Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets but their trade proposal was rejected by David Stern on behalf of the league-owned franchise.

Several teams, including the New York Knicks, have expressed interest in acquiring the athletic Sessions’ services. Though he has struggled as of late, giving way to rookie point guard Kyrie Irving, Sessions is a career 45 percent shooter and has an innate ability of getting to the free throw line. He averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in 2010-11.

The Cavaliers have reportedly also been involved in discussions for veteran center Chris Kaman.

[Related: Revisiting the Anderson Varejao Trade Discussion]

(Source: Yahoo! Sports)

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Irving: No Pressure With Game-Winners

January 30, 2012 by 2 Comments

There’s no pressure [with taking game-winning shots] unless you’re unprepared. It’s a game of percentages. If you miss the first, you have to tell yourself ‘I’ll get the next one.’ It’s all about feel and having confidence in your teammates. It’s a team game.

- Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, Monday, following the team’s practice. Irving hit what would amount to be the game-winning lay-up against the Boston Celtics with 2.8 seconds remaining. Irving claims to have hit game-winners in his past and was quick to point out that the team has an upcoming game this Tuesday when Boston comes back to Cleveland.

[Related: Cavs and Celtics: Who Gets Your Gameball?]

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Revisiting the Anderson Varejao Trade Discussion

January 30, 2012 by 56 Comments

Anderson Varejao's Value Shining Through This Season

In the midst of watching the Cavaliers’ incredible comeback against the Celtics, I was also keeping one eye on Twitter. (On a side note, I don’t know how those of you who tweet during games do it…I always feel like anytime I try to tweet during games, I feel less connected and distracted from the game. So kudos to those more adept to multi-tasking that I am). I noticed something interesting happening on Twitter during this game.

As Anderson Varejao kept pouring his heart and soul into that game, giving every last ounce of effort and want-to he could possibly find inside his seemingly tireless body, Cavs fans on Twitter were making arguments as to why this should be the showcase for trading Varejao.

The irony of people asking for the Cavaliers to trade Varejao as we were all watching the man give the type of effort without which the Cavs certainly would have lost was absolutely not lost on me. Nor was the fact that Varejao, always considered a fan favorite, seems to be the guy many Cavs fans are most eager to have the team trade away. [Read more...]

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Buckeyes Secure First Place With Rebounding Effort vs. Michigan

January 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In a battle for sole possession of first place in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes faced some adversity against a worthy foe in rival Michigan. A well-executed gameplan kept Jared Sullinger from dominating the low post, but the Bucks kept their home winning streak alive thanks in large part to the 38-29 rebounding margin in their favor, led by Lenzelle Smith Jr.’s team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, as OSU pulled away late for a 64-49 victory in The Schott.

Michigan came out strong in a hostile environment, and the first half was played entirely at their pace. Defensively, Michigan threw a couple variations of zone at the Buckeyes, all based upon keeping the ball out of Jared Sullinger’s hands. In that respect, for the first half and really most of the game, it was a resounding success. Sullinger was held to 5 points on just 2-of-5 shooting at the half. Jordan Morgan, Evan Smotrycz, and Zack Novak all played a role in keeping tight tabs on Sully. Morgan made a difference on the other end too, slipping on screen-and-roll situations for three first-half buckets to lead Michigan in scoring. Sullinger picked up one early foul, so he was hesitant to be physical on that end of the floor, which we’ve seen in the past. Sully did pick up that second foul off the ball with just under six minutes remaining, so he was relegated to the bench. With just a 24-21 lead at the half for Ohio State, Michigan had to feel pretty good about how things were going.

[Read more...]

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Report: Indians Arbitration Dates Set with Cabrera, Perez

January 30, 2012 by 6 Comments

For the first time since 1991 with starting pitcher Greg Swindell and infielder Jerry Browne, the Cleveland Indians could head to arbitration after not agreeing to terms with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera or relief pitcher Rafael Perez. The team has reportedly received their dates at which the two men could receive their final compensation totals.

The Indians had seven player eligible for arbitration heading into this offseason with five avoiding their hearings by agreeing to one-year deals: Jack Hannahan, Chris Perez, Justin Masterson, Joe Smith, and Shin-Soo Choo.

Cabrera has reportedly asked for $5.2 million with the team offering $3.75 million.  The 26-year-old glovesman, who started for the American League in the 2011 All-Star Game, hit .273 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs in 151 games for the Indians last season. He set a franchise record for home runs by a shortstop and was awarded an American League Silver Slugger Award as a result. He pulled in $2.025 million in a one-year deal which was agreed upon prior to any arbitration.

As speculated by our own Jon, Asdrubal could be offended by the team’s unwillingness to move off their low-ball offer ultimately not boding particularly well for the team’s chances of keeping him beyond 2013 with last season’s first-round pick Francisco Lindor waiting in the wings.

The left-handed Perez, who was 5-2 with an ERA of 3.00 in 2011, has reportedly asked for $2.4 million with the team offering $1.6 million.

This year’s arbitration hearings are scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg from Feb. 1 through Feb. 21. The team and the players in questsion still have the chance to settle prior to their dates.

[Related: Asdrubal Cabrera’s Curious Contract Situation]

(Source: Paul Hoynes)

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Tribe On Tour: A Success For the Kids

January 30, 2012 by 1 Comment

The Indians do as much as they can from a PR standpoint to reach out to the community and engage with their fans. Its something they obviously must do, considering the economics of our market. The Tribe was dealt a significant blow this past week when the rival Detroit Tigers decided to replace the injured Victor Martinez with the biggest fish in the free agent pond, Prince Fielder. Nine years and $214 million later, Tribe fans coast to coast felt as though we had been kicked in the stomach. In the meantime, a couple of days later, Manager Manny Acta and some of his players hit the road on a four mall PR run called “Tribe on Tour” and undoubtably be asked about it, and the opening at first base.

Things wrapped up Sunday at Beachwood Place mall. Acta, Josh Tomlin, Jason Donald, Jason Kipnis, Vinnie Pestano, Jack Hannahan, and Shelley Duncan all met the fans for an hour of Q & A followed by an autograph session. [Read more...]

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Video: Kyrie Irving’s Game-Winner in Boston

January 30, 2012 by 10 Comments

The de-fense chants only add to the beauty. The kid is tough as nails.

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Ohio State Lands Commitment From 4-Star DB Armani Reeves

January 30, 2012 by 8 Comments

Sunday night, while Cavs fans were still basking in the joy of Kyrie Irving’s game winner over Boston, 4-star defensive back prospect Armani Reeves from West Roxbury, Massachussetts tweeted that he was going to announce his collegiate destination on Twitter.

Reeves, a potential impact player in the secondary, something the Buckeyes desperately needed, was said to be down to OSU and Michigan, with many recruiting insiders feeling like Michigan had gained a slight lead over the Buckeyes for his services. This would have been a bit of a blow to OSU’s recruiting momentum under Urban Meyer. An impact player at a position of need going to the rivals is always a bitter pill. But alas, in the end, Reeves took to Twitter to announce he was joining the Buckeyes.

From Eleven Warriors:

At the end of the day, Reeves (5-10/185) took the opportunity to come play in Columbus, where his skills are needed after the departures of Derjuan Gambrell and Dominic Clarke at the corner back position. He joins Najee Murray as the only two corners in this class, and will likely compete for the final spot in the two deep right away (Travis Howard, Bradley Roby, and Doran Grant likely have the first three).

The commitment of Reeves is a big one for the staff, as it filled a position of need and kept a very good player away from rivals Michigan and Penn State. With corner back depth being an issue these days, expect to see Reeves on the field from day one, either locking down receivers or on special teams. The Buckeyes continue to compile a very good recruiting class under Urban Meyer and only have a few slots left before things fill up.

The Buckeyes are still waiting to hear from Kyle Dodson, Devonte Neal, Stefon Diggs, and Jamal Marcus as we head to National Signing Day this Wednesday. The Buckeyes are currently holding the #3 ranked recruiting class (according to Scout.com) and if they hit on all 4 remaining players, they could move as high as #2.

 

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Cavs and Celtics: Who Gets Your Gameball?

January 30, 2012 by 12 Comments

Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly the cover boy for Game Winner magazine on this very Monday morning. After his high screen pirouette through Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley resulted in an off-balance, left-handed lay-in, jubilation obviously careened throughout the homes of Clevelanders who just witnessed the Wine and Gold coming from behind to take down the Boston Celtics in their own home.

Irving’s conversion with just over two seconds remaining was the shot that capped off a 12-0 run that gave the Cavaliers their first win which would firmly plant a feather in the cap of confidence. Sure, this team has won several games. Sure, they came back from a monumental defecit against the Lakers only to fall just short of a road upset. But this one, this comeback win fueled by youth and hustle, gave the Cavaliers one of those “know how to win” moments.

[Read more...]

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