May 23, 2013

Cavaliers’ Schedule Gets Tougher With Chicago Bulls In Town

January 20, 2012 by 3 Comments

Joakim Noah, Cleveland-hater

The Cleveland Cavaliers (6-7) officially kick off the most brutal part of their schedule Friday night when they host the Eastern Conference leading Chicago Bulls (13-3) to the Q.

This game is naturally being billed as the first showdown between Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving, a pair of young PGs who will be playing a lot of games against each other in the next few years. Of course Rose, the reigning MVP and one of the absolute best players in the game today has a pretty healthy head start on Irving. But it would still be fun to see how Irving matches up with Rose at this early stage in his career.

Unfortunately, we may not get to see that matchup. Rose has been battling a toe injury and will be a game time decision. He did not participate in shootaround this morning, though, and in my opinion it might be a long shot to see him play tonight. [Read more...]

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David Lighty Steals the Show Against Illini

February 23, 2011 by 2 Comments

David Lighty is a cagey NCAA veteran at 22-years of age. He has seemingly been in Columbus forever.  

We’re talking about a guy who played with Mike Conley and Greg Oden in a losing effort against Joakim Noah and the Florida Gators.  That age and experience is certainly paying off for the Buckeyes right now.  Behind the efforts and leadership of the Cleveland VASJ alum, the Buckeyes knocked off Illinois 89-70 last night in Columbus.

In a tough stretch including losses to Wisconsin and Purdue after becoming the #1 team in the nation, Lighty has provided the steady hand.  The Buckeyes appeared again to be especially susceptible to the long ball on Tuesday night in Columbus.  The Buckeyes had a fifteen point lead at halftime 47-32, but the Illini bombed in eight three-pointers, four of which were knocked down by Mike Tisdale*.   [Read more...]

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About LeBron and the Chicago Bulls

May 17, 2010 by 81 Comments

Somewhere between the beginning of this NBA season and the exit for the Cavaliers at the hands of the Boston Celtics, the Cavaliers’ star LeBron James got linked to the Chicago Bulls.  The Bulls are positioned financially to give LeBron a contract with their approximate returning salaries totaling just under $32 million.  That money is spread across six players, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, James Johnson, and Taj Gibson.  Add LeBron James to that core of players and it is pretty easy to understand why Chicago became the destination du jour for all the desperate scribes across the NBA landscape.  Is it that simple though?  The Bulls seem positioned slightly better than the Cavs right now because of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, but are two players and cap space enough knowledge of a franchise for LeBron to make that decision?

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The NBA Playoff Boots: Joakim Noah, LeBron, Boston Talking Trash and More

May 1, 2010 by 13 Comments

The Boots are my form of reporting current information from the sports world. Boot Ups and Boot Downs are assigned to various events, people or stories as I first used in my e-mail based Sports Report. For possible topics in any future articles, as always, e-mail us at Tips@WaitingForNextYear.com.

Boot Up: Joakim Noah’s Future – If there was one thing that I learned in the series victory against Chicago, it is that Joakim Noah is the real deal. The agitating former Florida Gator averaged 14.8 points and 13.0 rebounds during those five games, and was clearly the leader of that mediocre team on both sides of the ball.

Derrick Rose did average an impressive 26.8 points per game, but required 25 field goal attempts per contest to put up those numbers. The 25-year-old Noah was efficient and relatively consistent against the Cavs throughout the series. Rose surely has a higher overall ceiling as a prospect, but Noah definitely had a breakout season in 2009-2010. Combining Luol Deng, Rose and Noah with another fringe All-Star could make for an awfully good team in another year or two.

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Your 2010 Playoffs NBA All-Animal Team

April 27, 2010 by 36 Comments

The NBA Playoffs are a lot of fun. We get all sorts of great play, some chance at upsets (though not much), and we get more exposure to some funny inanities that I appreciate.

One such thing: player nicknames. A couple of weeks ago, Sebastian Telfair made his debut for the Cavs, and I photoshopped the head of a Bass on him because of his nickname “Bassy”. I thought this was the end of my photoshop fun. For those of you who know me even remotely, you would have told me that it was not.

With the playoffs going on, Twitter has been buzzing about the NBA. A mistake in announcing of Spurs rookie Dejuan Blair’s name resulted in the awesome Tweetmeme DejuanBear. Inspired by this, here’s the 2010 NBA Playoffs All-Animal Team (Spoiler: Bassy is not on the team).

Guard: Jameerkat Nelson [Read more...]

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Cavaliers vs Bulls: Round One, Game Four Numbers and Words

April 26, 2010 by 16 Comments

For a quarter and a half, watching the Cavaliers take on the Bulls was once again like pulling teeth. Finally, at long last, with 4:52 left in the first half and the Cavaliers trailing 43-40, the team flipped the switch. The defensive intensity rose, the rebounding effort peaked, and even free throws started going in. The Bulls would only make 3 more FGs that half, and the Cavaliers would ride the momentum to a 121-98 statement over the Bulls. What follows is my analysis in numbers and words.

-  Today’s quote comes from former German president Richard von Weizsäcker who once said “Seeking to forget makes exile all the longer; the secret of redemption lies in remembrance.” This pretty much sums up what happened in this game. The prospect of exile from the NBA Playoffs was becoming more real the longer the Cavaliers tried to ignore their problems. In this game, they finally seemed to accept what was happening, and they proactively did something about it. It was refreshing to see as a fan, and I can only imagine the relief Mike Brown must feel as his team finally played a full game and exerted their will on a game. I was extremely critical of the team after Game 3, so I must give them equal credit for the way they played in Game 4.   [Read more...]

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NBA Playoffs: Cavs 121, Bulls 98 – Can We Have This Version Of The Cavs Show Up *Every* Time Please?

April 26, 2010 by 40 Comments

There was definitely some doubt as to which Cavs team we might see on Sunday: would it be the team that did just enough to earn victories in Games 1 and 2, or would it be the team that sleep-walked through Thursday night’s game only to wake up when it was almost too late and see a frantic comeback fall short? Or, we hoped, would it be the team that had gotten a splash of cold water on Thursday and would finally show us the dominance that earned them the best overall record in the league?

Through the first quarter and a good chunk of the second, it was hard to tell, though there was a moment (pic to the right) in which LeBron would give us a foretaste of what was to come with a slashing drive and thunderous dunk. The Bulls were hanging around, though the Cavs were holding them to a lower shooting percentage. The Cavs’ free-throw woes were evident again early, as they were only 5-for-13 at one point in the second quarter. It looked like the Cavs were going to struggle to get anything consistent going on either end of the floor. The teams were trading punches, in a sense, as each team had a few mini-runs in it. With 5:05 left in the second quarter, Luol Deng hit a jumper to give the Bulls a 43-40 lead. It was the last time the Bulls would really have anything to be excited about on this day. [Read more...]

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Cavs/Bulls Game 4 Open Thread

April 25, 2010 by 58 Comments

The Cavs take on the Bulls in Chicago this afternoon (3:30, ABC, WTAM 1100) for Game Four of their first-round playoff series. Today’s game is anticipated with a number of questions from fans. (Ed. Note: Join Rick on the Plain Dealer’s Live Blog here)

  • Will Coach Brown do something different with the rotations?
  • Will the team come out listless and uninspired as they have in the past few weeks?
  • Will Mo Williams continue his hot streak?
  • Does anybody on this team want to play defense?
  • On a related note, can anybody on this team stop Derrick Rose?
  • Has there ever been someone less HD-pretty than Joakim Noah? [Read more...]

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Cavaliers vs Bulls: Round One, Game Three Numbers and Words

April 23, 2010 by 55 Comments

Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Right now the Cavaliers are absolutely insane. A lack of urgency and being ok with letting their opponent dictate the style of play caught up to the Cavaliers in this game as the Bulls won 108-106 to get themselves back into the series. What follows is my analysis in numbers and words.

- This game reminded me of the Steven Wright quote “Right now I’m having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.” At this point I’m pretty sure the Cavaliers are incapable of learning lessons and lack the desire needed to win the NBA Championship. And before you think this is a reaction to just one game, I remind you to look back at some of the things we’ve been saying about this team for the last few weeks. The habits they picked up while sleepwalking through March have ingrained themselves into the team’s DNA. The Cavaliers have forgotten who they are and how to give full effort, and they just keep playing this sloppy, lethargic style of basketball game in and game out. We thought it was just effort and a lack of interest in the regular season. I don’t know how to explain this series away. With the exception of the 1st quarter of game one, the Cavs look like an average basketball team at best.  [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… Lerner’s Fans, NFL Draft Economics and Thoughts on Clausen

April 22, 2010 by 27 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

On the varying grades of Randy Lerner: “There’s a clear favorite sports owner in Cleveland — Dan Gilbert. You couldn’t find a single soul who wouldn’t pick Gilbert at the top. Finishing the rankings, Lerner would fall second, not because any fan would want to give him credit, but because Larry Dolan is so miserable and cheap that he has to be dead last on the list. If there were a category for “Would beat him with a tire iron,” then most fans would probably pick that option.

So Lerner falls in the middle by default, for now, and about the only nice thing a fan might say about Randy is that he has a lot of money and he doesn’t mind spending it. Beside that minor compliment, there’s a whole busload of hate directed at Lerner.” [Vince Grzegorek/'64 and Counting]

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While We’re Waiting… Plight of Perez, Cleveland Villains, and Even More Tebow

April 21, 2010 by 27 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

An ode to Rafy: “I’ve never felt the angst that others do about Raffy. This is one instance where I don’t feel “Why us?!?” but instead just shrug my shoulders. I don’t think Perez is all that unique in the context of baseball at large: many relievers, young and old, go from great to bad in short periods of time. Perez existed in some pretty elite company but it’s not a club that you’re not allowed to leave. He comps decently to Guillermo Mota, JJ Putz, and, especially, Brad Lidge. Relievers’ inherent volatility is well-trod territory: part of it’s the nature of the work and part of it’s the nature of the kind of pitcher that gets pulled into the job. By the former, I mean that relievers are constantly either benefiting from or being snakebit by the size of their samples. A reliever can have a horrible multi-year stretch because he loses his release point for a number of innings that would be a blip for a starter. What I mean by the type of pitchers that become relievers can be best expressed through the lens of Rafael Perez.” [Lets Go Tribe]

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Cavs 112, Bulls 102: James and Moon Trump Noah’s Big Night

April 20, 2010 by 26 Comments

It was a bizarre three days for Chicago’s Joakim Noah.  His production on Saturday was hampered by foul trouble and Cavs center Shaquille O’Neal.  Sunday provided the world with soundbites that will likely be the storyline of the entire Cavs-Bulls series thanks to the players disdain for the city of Cleveland.  But on Monday, Noah backed up his talk with a very productive 25 points, 13 rebounds, a steal and a block. 

But his night would not be enough as LeBron James and Jamario Moon would provide one of the more entertaining fourth quarters in quite a while, leading the Cavaliers to a 112-102 win over the Bulls.

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While We’re Waiting… Noah the Comedian, Calling-Up Carlos and Passing on Berry

April 20, 2010 by 29 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

Sam Smith, master of high comedy: “Of course, the joke is no one wants to go back the way Noah playfully inflamed the locals with mocking comments about Cleveland. You had to be there at practice Sunday as Noah said it all with a laugh and a wink, as he does many things, but it also was another impressive sign of leadership.  

Everyone knows what that brings: The wrath of the community. They make fun of their city, as anyone living in Cleveland would. After all, as someone noted, the fish can’t even stand the smell of the lake. Don’t let some outsider do it, though. 

But the subtle message was lost on the Clevelanders.” [Sam Smith/Chicago Bulls Blog]

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While We’re Waiting… Cavs Fans: “Noah Sucks,” Noah: “Cleveland Sucks”

April 19, 2010 by 29 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

“[Joakim Noah] openly ripped a common opponent, the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett, Sunday by repeatedly calling him a “dirty player” in the wake of Garnett’s ejection from the Celtics-Miami Heat playoff game Saturday night. Garnett has a history with the Cavs and their fans, too.  But then Noah had to divert his aim to his weekend host, the City of Cleveland, and ensure he remained the designated nemesis for fans in the series.

“I don’t know about Cleveland, man, there is nothing going on,” Noah said Sunday, lamenting the options for his off day on a typical cloudy and chilly spring day. “It’s bad, man.”

When asked if his dislike for the town would motivate him more in the series, Noah continued.

“What, that Cleveland really sucks?” Noah said.” [Brian Windhorst]

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Shaq Returns with Instant Impact; Rotation Shrinks

April 18, 2010 by 8 Comments

**This will focus on Shaquille O’Neal’s first game back from injury and his impact on the game yesterday.  Click here for a full recap.

Rick initiated the “Release the Shaqken” campaign this past week and yesterday afternoon we witnessed the Diesel’s return to the floor for the first time since February.  Shaq had been cleared to play in the final week but was held out along with LeBron in preparation for the postseason.  He is the Cavaliers’ most experienced postseason player with 4 rings and he had an immediate impact against the Bulls.  We had heard that he made an effort to stay in shape and had even lost around 20 pounds in his time off.  In his postgame press conference,  he said that “Uncle Jerome had me on the three-day workout and special diet.”  He did appear thinner in his home white uniform.  It will undoubtedly take some time for him to return full game condition, but he provided a significant boost to the Cavalier frontcourt in an effective 25 minutes played.

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Cavs Open Postseason with “Look of a Champion”

April 18, 2010 by 6 Comments

The Cavaliers began their quest for a championship yesterday afternoon with a 96-83 win over the Chicago Bulls.  The Cavs had not played a meaningful game with a fully healthy roster since February and much had been said and written regarding the organization’s approach to resting LeBron and other stars at the end of the regular season.  While there were lapses in the 2nd half, the Cavs displayed no rust coming out of the gate in front of one of the louder crowds that I have heard at the Q in quite some time.

It sounded as if the fans were certainly ready for the playoffs to begin with the clamor reaching a crescendo for Shaquille O’Neal and his return to the lineup after more than a month away.  While it is only the beginning and just 1 of 16, when prompted by TNT analyst David Aldridge in the postgame press conference on whether or not the Cavs have the look of a team that can march through the postseason and take care of business regardless of what any opponent presents, LeBron responded that he felt they certainly had that “look of a champion.”

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NBA Playoffs Game 1 Preview/Open Thread (and Player Videos)

April 17, 2010 by 29 Comments

The Cavs take on the Bulls today at 3pm in Game 1 of the first-round series between the two squadrons. While we’ve already listed what the Cavs will need to do to win and the wait is finally over, we obviously would like to enjoy this basketball game with you folks.

Rick will be live-chatting the game over at the Plain Dealer’s webbersite [Link], so head on over there to catch up with him as the game unfolds. As always, we’ll be collecting thoughts here in the comments, so feel free to leave your thoughts here as well. OK – now that we’ve got that out of the way, here are the pertinent details going into today’s basketball match:

Statisticals: [Read more...]

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Relax Tonight; It Starts Tomorrow

April 16, 2010 by 19 Comments

As you prepare to spend your final evening free from the day-to-day grip of anxiety and excitement that makes up the NBA playoff season, your Cleveland Cavaliers enter the postseason proclaimed as the favorite to capture the NBA title.  Aphorizing pundits have firmly affixed the “target on the back” of the Cavs.  With these lofty expectations, the pressure on MVP LeBron James and Coach Mike Brown is at a level which they have not likely experienced in their careers.  One writer this morning framed it as “the legacy of the 2010 playoffs is about LeBron: If he wins, it is his career-affirming first title; if another team wins, the story is that LeBron didn’t win the title.”

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While We’re Waiting… All About LeBron’s Dance Moves

December 7, 2009 by 33 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.

90041139_DLK019_CAVS_V_BULL ”Incidents like these will stick in craws more this year because we are jaded by LeBron’s regular-season brilliance; he’s already done nearly all a player can do from November to April, and now we will await his ultimate triumphs in the NBA playoffs, poaching on incidents like last night’s to impugn the man. Fairly, LeBron should (and will) ignore that like we ignore his routine excellence, and his chance to paper over any puerility with an NBA title this summer has nothing to do with whether he was gyrating on the sidelines during a December win. Winning, especially winning the big one, makes almost anything easy to forgive. 

And, Jo, if you don’t want ‘Bron to dance, make sure he loses the game. It’s a lot harder to justify celebrating a loss.” [The Sporting Blog]

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“Bang..Zoom..Right to the Moooooon!” or, A Tale of Two Halves

December 5, 2009 by 23 Comments

LeBron pink sleeveThe Basketball Cavaliers took it to the Bulls last night at The Gund, winning 101-87. More specifically, they took it to the Bulls for 24 minutes. Luckily, those 24 minutes were in the second half. The Cavs opened up the game with 10 turnovers in the first half and numerous misses at the free throw line. Though up by one at the half, not much was going very well for the Cavs as they took on a Bulls team that dressed nine players due to widespread injuries.

Luckily for all of us, the Cavs decided to actually play good basketball in the third quarter for once. In the third and fourth quarters the interior passing was excellent. The Cavs’ defense held the Bulls to 15 points in the third. Jamario Moon caught a great alley-oop from Mo Williams (which prompted the Bang/Zoom quote from Eli over IM). The Cavs started to display the ‘outward chemistry’ that has been seemingly lacking this season. Lots of dancing happened.

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