May 19, 2013

NBA News: Cavs’ Waiters, Zeller named to All-NBA Rookie teams

May 14, 2013 by 23 Comments

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters and center Tyler Zeller have been named to the 2012-13 All-NBA Rookie first and second team, respectively, the NBA announced on Tuesday.

Waiters received 21 first-team votes and eight second team votes (for a total of 50 points) while Zeller received 15 total points (three first-team and nine second-team votes) from the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

ALL-NBA Rookie“I’m honored to receive an award like this and it makes me hungry to keep working hard and focus on taking the next steps to improve my game,” said Waiters. “I can’t wait to get back to work with my teammates and Coach Brown, though, because I’m excited about what our potential can be as a group.”

Waiters averaged 14.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.8 minutes per game this season. Among all rookies, he ranked second in points per game, fourth in assists per game and fourth in steals per game. Waiters won the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for February and also participated in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend where he posted 23 points on 11-12 (.917) shooting from the field. He was one of three rookies to have a 30-point game this season and had 14 games of at least 20 points on the year. Waiters made more field goals and free throws than any other Eastern Conference rookie this year.

Zeller averaged 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game this year. He also shot .764 from the free throw line, the second highest among all rookie centers. Among rookies with at least 70 games played, he ranked first in offensive rebounds per game (2.1), second in defensive rebounds per game (3.6), second in total rebounds per game, second in blocks per game and seventh in points per game. He recorded seven double-doubles, which was tied for fourth among rookies. As a starter (55 games), he averaged 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 block in 28.1 minutes per contest. Zeller also participated in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend, scoring four points.

“My rookie year gave me a great opportunity to learn and grow and understand what it takes to be a pro, so this is a very nice honor,” said Zeller. “I’m excited to keep working and improving with my teammates because we know we can grow as a team next season and that’s the most important thing.”

[Related: Cavalier NBA Draft Film Room: Nerlens Noel]

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Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving a “future MVP?”

January 29, 2013 by 12 Comments

In ESPN’s latest 5-on-5, several scribes tackle the point guard position. Given his recent accolades and award-winning week, it comes as little surprise that Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is considered to be the consensus player with the most potential.

Kevin Arnovitz: It’s safe to say Kyrie Irving has graduated from potential status. That being the case, Damian Lillard tempts the imagination, as does Bledsoe, but the trajectory to follow is Jrue Holiday’s. Would love to see what he could do alongside a wing who demanded real attention.

DJ Foster: Kyrie Irving. You simply can’t stay in front of this kid. Irving hasn’t even played 100 games yet, but he might already be the best scorer and ball handler at the position, and his weaknesses defensively should melt away with more time. He has all the ability to be one of the best ever.

David Hopkins: I have to keep reminding myself that Kyrie Irving is only 20 years old and in his second season. Irving is the next truly elite-level point guard — one of those awe-inspiring players who upgrades his game every offseason. If I were a GM, I’d take him over almost anybody not named LeBron James or Kevin Durant.

Brett Koremenos: Kyrie Irving. The kid is already an elite passer and scorer at just the tender age of 20. It’s almost scary to see where he’s going to be in five years

Jeremy Schmidt: Even the sky seems like too much of a limit for Kyrie Irving. He controls the ball on the dribble like it’s part of his body. There’s nothing he can’t make it do. And he combines his ball-handling prowess with incredible athleticism, a deadly jumper and an obvious desire to win. He’s a clear future MVP.

Presently, Irving gives way to players like Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo when it comes to defense and Stephen Curry when it comes to spot-up shooting. As recently seen with the All-Star debate, the Cavaliers will undoubtedly have to win considerably more games if the All-Everything guard is ever able to lob his name in to league MVP talks.

[Related: Does Kyrie Irving have a second act up his sleeve?]

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From Introvert to Accolades, the Kyrie Irving Story Adds Another Chapter

May 15, 2012 by 41 Comments

The last time the Cleveland media collective sat alongside one another on the floor of the expansive gym at Cleveland Clinic Courts, we were being introduced to the team’s first overall pick in Kyrie Irving. Roughly 11 months later, we were back to celebrate the same player and his achievements during his first season with the team, one which led to nearly 20 points per game, a handful of game-winning shots and an ear-to-ear smile that would only be stunted in the short-term following a loss.

For Irving’s hard work and determination, which started as early as his fifth-grade year of school wherein a 10-year-old kid from West Orange, New Jersey would spend hours running Mikan drills with his father, he was presented with the Eddie Gotlieb trophy which represented his 2012 Rookie of the Year honors, receiving 117 of 120 possible first-place votes. The front row of chairs on this day were comprised of the same bodies which sat proudly during Irving’s introduction: Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert, vice chairmen Jeff Cohen, managing partner Nate Forbes, Irving’s father Drederick and his agent Jeff Wechsler. The messages conveyed, however, could not be more different.

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NBA News: Cavs’ Kyrie Irving to be Named Rookie of the Year

May 14, 2012 by 3 Comments

In a collaborative effort between ESPN’s Marc Stein and The Plain Dealer’s Tom Reed, multiple reports have named Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving as the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year.

With Irving leading all rookies in scoring, netting just under 19 points per contest with very efficient shooting percentages, and providing the city of Cleveland with a sense of excitement that was alleged to be missing with this entire draft class, the only question remaining is if the first-overall selection was a unanimous recipient of the award that he has seemingly had locked from the very beginning.

The Cavs used the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft to select Irving, who played in just 11 games as a freshman at Duke due to a toe injury. The 6-foot-3-inch Irving quickly stepped into a starting role and didn’t look back, winning several contests in the final possession and becoming one of the best young points guards in the game.

In a recent press conference, Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert reiterated the importance of the team building with Irving as well as the rest of the young players on the Wine and Gold roster.

The Cavaliers have reportedly set aside Tuesday morning to hold a press conference to provide Irving with another piece of hardware for his mantle. Irving will be the fifth point guard in the last seven years to win the award, joining Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Tyreke Evans and Derrick Rose.

[Related: With his casino nearing open, Dan Gilbert hoping luck continues to fall his way with the Cavaliers]

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Kyrie Irving wins Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for March

April 2, 2012 by 2 Comments

Just as he has during every other month of the 2011-12 season, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has won NBA Rookie of the Month for March.

Through 15 games, Irving averaged a season-best splits of 19.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists.

On March 7, Irving scored or assisted on the Cavs final 12 points in the last 2:36 of the game, including making the game-winning layup with 4.0 seconds remaining, in a 100-99 win at Denver. He finished the game with 18 points, a game-high eight assists, five rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes.

Irving set a career high in assists with 12, to go along with nine points, six rebounds and three steals against the Thunder on March 9. In that contest, Irving scored the go-ahead basket in the fourth quarter to help the Cavs to a 96-90 road victory, snapping Oklahoma City’s 14-game home winning streak.

He also finished with 29 points, a career-high nine rebounds, nine assists and three steals at Atlanta on March 21, becoming the first rookie this season to reach totals of at least 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. This would serve as Irving’s final game as a 19-year old.

On the season, Irving is averaging 18.9 points (47.1 percent shooting), 4.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Sacramento’s Isaiah Thomas, as he did in February, won the award for the Western Conference.

[Related: Injuries to Varejao and Gibson Lead to Several Off-season Questions]

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Kyrie Irving Nabs Rookie of the Month Honors for February

March 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving has been named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, 2012.

Though February, Irving averaged 19.3 points (on .422 shooting), 3.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35.3 minutes per game. In six of the 10 games played, Irving notched at least 20 points and became the stage where the first-overall selection notched his NBA career high in assists (11). During the month, he ranked 1st in scoring, three-point percentage, free throw percentage and assists among Eastern Conference rookies.

Not included in the decision was Irving being deemed MVP of the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend.

This marks the second time this season where Irving was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month as he received such accolades for December/January as well. Other rookies receiving consideration were Detroit’s Brandon Knight, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker and New Jersey’s Marshon Brooks.

Sacramento’s Isaiah Thomas, the bookend to Irving with regard to the 2011 NBA Draft, received the honors in the West.

[Related: Irving and Rondo: Which Point Guard Was the All-Star?]

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Kyrie Irving Nabs Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Award

February 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Cleveland Cavaliers first-overall draft selection Kyrie Irving has been named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January 2012.

Year to date, Irving is averaging 18.1 points (on 51.1 percent shooting) and 4.9 assists in 28.8 minutes per game, leading the Cavs to a record of 8-12 which is good enough for ninth overall in the conference. Among Eastern Conference point guards, Irving trails only Chicago’s Derrick Rose, New Jersey’s Deron Williams and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings in scoring.

Irving is among the top-15 in the entire NBA in True Shooting Percentage (59.7) as well as Effective Field Goal Percentage (55.4). The 19-year-old’s PER (22.6) presently ranks him 12th in the entire league, trailing only Rose and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook in terms of a peer group.

Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio took home the honors in the Western Conference. 

[Related: Video: Kyrie Irving’s Game-Winner in Boston]

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James, Varejao Get NBA All-Defensive Recognition

May 5, 2010 by 10 Comments

Through the 2009-10 NBA regular season, LeBron James and Anderson Varejao finished first and third overall in point differential.  Today, the two players were recognized for their extensive efforts on the defensive end.

The NBA has announced that James and Varejao were named to the NBA All-Defensive first and second teams, respectively.  Overall, James came in third with 45 points, receiving 20 first- and five second-place votes.  Varejao received 15 points overall, receiving two first- and 11 second-team votes.  Points are awarded on a 2-1 basis. 

In terms of measurables, James averaged 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocked shots through the regular season.  Varejao (playing considerably fewer minutes than James) averaged 7.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocked shots.

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Dwight Howard’s Sour Grapes Get Impressionistic

March 31, 2010 by 53 Comments

With the 2009-10 NBA regular season coming to an end, a second MVP trophy in as many years seems to be a lock for LeBron James.  Winning the award last season, James has gone on to win every Eastern Conference Player of the Month award thus far, while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA-best record of 58-16.

And while James continues to put up numbers that even make John Hollinger blush (more on this later), Orlando’s Dwight Howard continues to compare himself to LeBron James and simultaneously play the disrespect card while he’s not being considered for the award.

His latest soundbites come in the form of impersonation, as Howard allegedly attempted to sound like current NBA analyst and always free-spoken Charles Barkley.

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Could LeBron Sweep POM Awards?

February 4, 2010 by 28 Comments

lebronpomThe NBA announced yesterday that Cleveland’s LeBron James had won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for January. This is more than likely not really news to anyone.

LeBron had an incredible month in leading the Cavaliers to a 12-3 record despite living out of suitcases for the majority of the month. His stats were, well phenomenal of course. From the press release-

James averaged 30.7 points on .503 shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists in 39.1 minutes per game, leading the Cavs to an NBA-best 12-3 (.800) record for the month of January. Their 12 wins also marked the Cavaliers most wins in any January in franchise history and the team finished January by winning their final eight games of the month. The Cavs currently stand at a league-best 39-11 and own a season-high nine-game winning streak. James has now won the award for the 14th time in his career: for the third consecutive month this season, four times in 2008-09; two times during 2007-08, once in 2006-07, twice in 2005-06 and twice during the 2004-05 campaign. During the month, James ranked first in points per game (30.7), second in assists per game (8.5) and fifth in steals per game (1.6) among Eastern Conference players. He scored 20 or more points in 14 of the 15 games this month, including nine games of 30 or more points.

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LeBron Deemed First Team All-Defense

May 6, 2009 by 17 Comments

And the awards continue to pile up during this amazing season.  With LeBron James being the runner-up to Dwight Howard as the league’s top defender for 2008-09, today’s news comes as no surprise.  Per the PD’s Mary Schmitt Boyer:

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been named to the NBA’s All-Defense First Team, the league is expected to announced this afternoon.

The only other Cavalier to make the All-Defense First Team was forward Larry Nance in 1988-89).

There was a lot of argument that James should have earned the top honor over Howard, as he defends the opposing team’s best player every night and Orlando’s big man has to guard a position that has been considerably watered down since the days of Hakeem and The Chief. 

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Exec of Year: Ferry Loses out to Denver’s Warkentien

May 3, 2009 by 10 Comments

Though Brian Windhorst was all over this via Twitter, Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the news.

Denver Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien has been named the NBA’s Executive of the Year, a league source said Saturday afternoon.

Warkentien engineered the early season trade that sent Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons for point guard Chauncey Billups, a move that helped turn the Nuggets into one of the top Western Conference contenders.

Forget the guy that put the pieces together that ultimately landed the best record in all of basketball.  Couple the decision to not mess with the team chemistry at the trade deadline and facilitating the return of Joe Smith.  Sure, that Billups trade was huge for Denver.  But I can’t see how it was better than swapping Damon Jones for Mo Williams.  The Nuggets gave up a guy who will likely be in the Hall of Fame in Allen Iverson .  Again, Ferry gave up Damon Jones.  Just saying.

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LeBron James Earns Player of the Week

March 17, 2009 by 5 Comments
Getty Images

Getty Images

For the 19th time in his career, LeBron James has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.  Just think about that.  Six seasons in the NBA, at about 21 weeks per season.  Taking into account that this season still has about five weeks left, James has played 120 weeks of professional basketball.  During said weeks, he has won the Conference award nearly 16 percent of the time. 

One player, 16 percent of a weekly award, for six years.  Pretty remarkable.  But after last week’s performance, is there any doubt that this one may have been the most deserved yet?

Over a three-game span on the west coast, James essentially put the entire team on his back to overcome two different double-digit, fourth quarter deficits.  Through the four-game week, in which the Cavaliers went 4-0, James averaged 34 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, and nearly three blocks and three steals.  The complete game. 

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