May 24, 2013

NBA Rumors: Cavaliers could deal first-overall pick

May 22, 2013 by 23 Comments

Just hours after winning the first-overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, rumors are circulating that have the Cleveland Cavaliers considering trade options which would include their lottery prize.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst points out that, while a top pick has not been dealt in 20 years, the stars are aligned for the Wine and Gold to pull the trigger in the event an offer presents itself.

“The Cavs are in a favorable position to make a deal,” writes Windhorst. ”The team has more than $20 million in salary cap space, the No. 1 pick plus the No. 19, No. 31 and No. 33 picks, and a roster with young prospects that could be used in a deal.”

The 2013 NBA Draft, like several that came before it, is widely considered to be a weak draft in terms of star potential. Kentucky center Nerlens Noel (who is presently pegged to go to the Cavaliers in the event the team keeps the selection) is coming off of ACL surgery and is very raw offensively. There are several wing players who could go within the top five, and two of the better frontcourt players not named Noel—UNLV’s Anthony Bennett and Maryland’s Alex Len—are presently nursing injuries of their own.

Rumors have circulated that link the Cavaliers to deals with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trailblazers. Nothing concrete has been reported, however, outside of a report that the Blazers and Cavaliers had been discussing a trade that would send forward LaMarcus Aldridge to Cleveland.

“You want to look at all your options and make the best decision for your team,” Cavs general manager Chris Grant said following the lottery. “This is a valuable asset that we can add to the group, whether it’s in trade or keep it and add a player.”

[Related: Dear NBA Lottery, I think we should see other people]

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NBA Draft: Cavaliers interview CJ McCollum, Ben McLemore at combine

May 16, 2013 by 6 Comments

Lehigh guard CJ McCollum and Kansas guard Ben McLemore told reporters that they were each interviewed by the Cleveland Cavaliers at this week’s NBA Combine.

McCollum, a 6-foot-3-inch guard out of Canton, Ohio, will likely be a top-10 selection due to his scoring abilities and high-end quickness. Boasting incredible efficiency (49.5 percent from the floor, 84.9 percent from the line, and 51.6 percent from three-point range).  McCollum averaged 23.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game during his senior season at Lehigh.

Many Clevelanders may remember McCollum’s run in the 2012 NCAA Tournament where he helped Lehigh get past the Duke Blue Devils. He is considered to be a bit of a tweener guard that is also recovering from a foot injury which he suffered in early January. It wasn’t long ago that he was found at the bottom half of most big boards, but McCollum has moved up considerably following workouts and interviews.

McLemore is a 6-foot-5-inch shooting guard who has drawn comparisons to Ray Allen. Highly athletic with a smooth jump shot, many feel that McLemore could be the best player to come out of the 2013 NBA Draft class. The 20-year-old averaged 15.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game at Kansas in 2012-13. Kansas Coach Bill Self described McLemore as the most talented kid he’s ever coached.

The Cavaliers, conversely, were not one of the teams to interview Georgetown small forward Otto Porter Jr., a player whom they are widely considered to be interested in with the first of their two first-round selections.

[Related: Waiters vs. Barnes: Comparing Players, Teams, And Situations]

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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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Dion Waiters: Mike Brown says I’m a starter in this league

May 9, 2013 by 9 Comments

I just met with Coach Brown. Everything we talked about so far is great. We shared stories about one another. I can’t wait to get out there and play for him. He said that he loved my game and that I have a lot of potential to be a special player in this league. He loves a person who plays with a chip on his shoulder—the type of attitude I have, he loves every minute of it. He definitely did his homework as he knew things about me before I could even say something. [...] I’m a starter in this league. Coach and I talked about it—he said it himself. He also said I could play the “one.” Coming off of the bench, those were my college days.  

— Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters in an interview with 92.3 The Fan’s Anthony Lima. Waiters says that his knee is in good shape and that he has spent a good portion of the offseason working on his jump shot, focusing primarly on his balance and not fading away from the hoop.

[Related: Cavalier NBA Draft Film Room: Alex Len]

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NBA News: Draft hopeful Alex Len out 4-to-6 months with stress fracture

May 3, 2013 by 16 Comments

Former Maryland Terrapins center Alex Len will miss 4-to-6 months with a stress fracture in his left ankle.

Len, a 19-year-old center who has drawn comparisons to former Cavalier Zydrunas Ilgauskas, was thought to be a high lottery selection prior to this news. Recent runs of ESPN’s Draft Predictor had Len landing in Cleveland if the team were selecting in the four-to-six range. Len, however, must now go into the June draft without the benefit of any pre-draft workouts.

One of the better centers in the upcoming draft, Len comes equipped with the ability to rebound and block shots while hitting the mid-range jump shot on the offensive end—perfect for pick-and-pop situations that Mike Brown ran very frequently during his last tenure with the Cavaliers. The seven-footer will likely still go high in the draft, but he now comes with some considerable risk.

In a recent piece for ESPN, Fran Franschilla stated that he would select Len over Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel, who is widely considered to be the top pick in the June draft. Len averaged 12 points in his 26 minutes on the floor, but was the victim of an offense that did not incorporate his skill set. In 16 of his last 19 games as a Terrapin, Len took fewer than 10 shots, averaging only 7.4 per contest.

“The tough part is the timing,” Len’s agent Mike Lelchitski said via press release.

[Related: The Diff: Regression to the mean and the Cavaliers]

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NBA Rumors: Cavs want to re-sign Ellington, may decline Miles and Speights

May 2, 2013 by 21 Comments

With Mike Brown looking to take hold of the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into 2013-14, it appears that Wayne Ellington appears to be one of the only reserves in the plans going forward.

In a recent report from Bob Finnan of The News-Herald, the Cavaliers appear geared to present Ellington with a qualifying offer that will allow the team to match any offers he gets in the restricted market. Finnan added that the team is not 100 percent certain on bringing back veteran swingman CJ Miles ,and is set to part ways with forward/center Marreese Speights.

“The Cavs would like to sign Ellington,” writes Finnain. ”That means presenting him a qualifying offer of $3 million. It’s not as easy with Speights. It appears as if they hope he opts out of his deal. He might not fit their culture… The Cavs [also] own a team option on swingman C.J. Miles’ $2 million contract for next season. It’s not cut-and-dry that they pick it up, like once thought.”

Miles is under contract for an affordable $2 million in 2013-14, and provided quality depth off of the bench last season, averaging 11.2 points per game. The 25-year-old Speights is a bit of a different story as he will likely decline his player option and test the open market where he will garner more money that the team is willing to spend at this stage of their rebuilding process. Following the trade to Cleveland, Speights averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, largely as a reserve.

If the Cavaliers do decline Miles’ option, and Speights opts out of his, the team will have less than $26 million in committed salaries heading into the draft.

[Related: The Diff: Regression to the mean and the Cavaliers]

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Video: Kyrie Irving gets the “Inside Acces” treatment by Nike

April 25, 2013 by 2 Comments

The kind, money-printing folks at Nike have released a new “Inside Access” video with their latest subject being Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving.

“Anywhere I go or any accomplishment I get, I bring it back to Cleveland… I just want to win a championship with a great team and be a part of something special.”

[Related: Three years the wiser, Cavaliers admit past mistakes and set the stage for the future]

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Three years the wiser, Cavaliers admit past mistakes and set the stage for the future

April 24, 2013 by 7 Comments

Dan Gilbert, Mike Brown, Chris Grant

The second verse will not be the same as the first. While it will be easy to cast a wide narrative net of repeat performance or straw-man trope of remarriage and second honeymoons, the Cleveland Cavaliers hiring of Mike Brown to help guide them in their continued quest of rebuilding toward contention is firmly saddled on a horse rooted in continued growth, but also one of change.

[Read more...]

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John Kuester to re-join Mike Brown in Cleveland

April 24, 2013 by 26 Comments

The band is getting back together. Former Cavaliers assistant coach and Detroit Pistons head coach John Kuester will reportedly rejoin Mike Brown in Cleveland.

FOX Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico reports that Kuester will be joined by Jamahl Mosley who will be retained after spending the last three years as an assistant to Byron Scott. Kuester is largely credited with overseeing the Cavaliers’ offense during his tenure with the team. Mosley has spent the last two years working with power forward Tristan Thompson and was vital in the player’s progress between his rookie and sophomore campaigns.

[Related: Mike Brown Take Two? In The Right Situation, Yes]

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NBA Rumor: Cavaliers discussed trade with Portland for LaMarcus Aldridge

April 24, 2013 by 63 Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently entertained trade discussions with the Portaland Trailblazers that would net the wine and gold All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

In a column aimed to chastise Cleveland for something being perpetuated by the media, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowksi reports that the Cavs and Blazers discussed swapping quality for youth and upside.

“Privately, the Cleveland front office has pitched a fantasy of trading young players and picks to Portland for All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge,” writes Wojnarowski. “Only, that’s never going to happen. Cleveland is far higher on its two top-five picks, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters, than the rest of the NBA.”

Aldridge, 27, is coming off of his third-consecutive season of at least 21 points and eight rebounds per game and possesses a very efficient game. He is due to make over $30 million over the next two seasons, a contract that would tie up some of the team’s salary cap space into the 2015-16 season.

Thompson, garnering votes for NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2012-13, averaging 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In his rookie season, Waiters averaged 14.7 points on 41.2 percent shooting. He was second on the team in per-game scoring.

[Related: Mike Brown Take Two? In The Right Situation, Yes]

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NBA News: Cavaliers announce hiring of Mike Brown as head coach

April 24, 2013 by 20 Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers have named seven-year NBA veteran head coach and Cavaliers all-time winningest head coach Mike Brown as the team’s new head coach, confirming reports which leaked late Tuesday afternoon.

“I am more than excited about Mike Brown’s return to the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said team majority owner Dan Gilbert. ”Mike has done nothing but win in this league since he was a first-year assistant many years ago. He is going to instill a much-needed defensive-first philosophy in our young and talented team that is going to serve as our foundation and identity as we continue down the path of building the kind of franchise that competes at a championship level for many years to come.”

Brown has won at least one playoff series every full season he has been a head coach in the NBA. Among head coaches who have coached in the NBA 5-years or longer, Brown and Phil Jackson are the only coaches whom have never missed the playoffs in their entire coaching career. He is also the only head coach in NBA history to win the first round of the playoffs every year of his head coaching career (coached five years or longer).

During Mike’s six full years as an NBA coach with the Cavaliers and the Lakers, Brown had the 2nd highest winning percentage (.657%) among all NBA head coaches who were at the helm four years or longer.

In five seasons with the Cavs, he compiled a record of 272-138 (.663). Brown was named the 2009 NBA Coach of the Year by members of the media and compiled a post season record with the Cavs of 42-29 (.592). He led the team to at least the second round of the post season in each of his five seasons, including Cleveland’s first ever trip to the NBA Finals in 2007.

“Mike is an excellent head coach and a proven winner,” said Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant. “He has a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed as a team and that will be integral to helping us reach our full potential, said Grant. “We are fortunate to have Mike back and I look forward to him leading our team to a very successful future.”

Brown led the Cavaliers to NBA-best records in both 2008-09 (66-16) and 2009-10 (61-21). During those two record seasons, the Cavaliers ranked at, or near, the top of the NBA in the majority of all major defensive and offensive statistical categories. Following the firing of former head coach Byron Scott, Grant stated that the team would be looking to hire a coach who would instill defensive focus, as the Cavaliers were dead last in the league in opposing field goal percentage in 2012-13.

“I am thrilled to return to Cleveland to coach the Cavaliers,” said Brown. ”The commitment ownership and management have shown in their efforts to build a successful team and organization is deep and I am excited to lead the team forward. Nothing would mean more to me and my family than to help bring success to this very special community and to all of our committed and loyal fans.”

Brown, 43, most recently coached the Los Angeles Lakers and was the head coach of the Cavaliers from 2005-10. He has a career head coaching record of 314-167 (.652) which is the 6th-highest winning percentage in NBA history among coaches with at least 400 games coached.

[Related: Mike Brown Take Two? In The Right Situation, Yes]

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NBA News: Cavaliers to announce Mike Brown hire on Wednesday

April 23, 2013 by 79 Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly set to announce the hiring of Mike Brown as the team’s head coach. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal reports that the addition of Brown will take place Wednesday, ensuring that the decision to re-hire him encompassed fewer days than the decision to fire him three seasons ago.

When addressing what the team’s next coach would bring to Cleveland, Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant cited a defensive focus coupled with the ability to develop young talent. “We’re looking for someone with proven success, looking for someone who has a strong defensive system, someone who is a teacher, grinder and a worker,” he stated.

Brown, who had decided to move back to Cleveland prior to the Cavaliers’ coaching vacancy, recently met with the team’s majority owner Dan Gilbert over dinner—the sit-down reportedly went very well. Though the team had reached out to Phil Jackson, but the long-time Laker coach reportedly did not have interest in the Cavaliers’ situation.

Brown was fired by owner Dan Gilbert after back-to-back 60-win seasons following the 2009-10 season. Despite the ousting, sources recently told ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst that there were no grudges held by either side that would prevent a dialogue about a fresh start. Brown was highly coveted by other teams in the league, forcing the Cavaliers to move quickly in their decision.

The deal is reportedly going to be for five years and $20 million.

[Related: Mike Brown Take Two? In The Right Situation, Yes]

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NBA Rumor: Cavs covet Mike Brown, may move fast

April 19, 2013 by 49 Comments

In one of the more surreal events in Cleveland coaching history the Cavaliers are not only interested in former coach Mike Brown, but may move quickly to obtain his services in order to ensure that another team does not swoop in and take him.

Mary Schmitt-Boyer of The Cleveland Plain Dealer has provided a source report stating that the Cavaliers are intersted in re-hiring the defensive specialist who they fired after the completion of the 2009-10 season, one year after he won the NBA’s Coach of the Year Award. In firing Brown, the Cavaliers hired the offensively focused Byron Scott, but relieved him of his services after a combined record of 64-166 and one of the league’s worst defenses over the three-year span.

In discussing the decision to fire Scott, Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant repeatedly stated that the team would look to hire a coach who will focus on the defensive side of the ball. In 2008-09, Brown’s Cavaliers allowed opponents to shoot a mere 43.1 percent from the floor, a mark that led the entire NBA.

Brown reportedly had not been contacted by the Cavaliers on Thursday night, but would be open to returning to Cleveland if the opportunity presented itself.

“”If anybody calls, you have to listen,” Brown said via telephone. “I’m not rushing to get back to [coaching]. Whether it’s the Cavs situation or anybody else, it has to feel right for both sides.”

[Related: Fair or not, it was time for the Cavaliers to move on]

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Life after Byron

April 18, 2013 by 26 Comments

Kyrie Irving Byron ScottThey walked over one by one. Clad in sweats and somber faces, the men who comprise the current Cleveland Cavaliers roster were one-man processions, walking from the far corner Cleveland Clinic Courts over to the padded wall that is laced with marketing blocks of the namesake. The Courts themselves are pristine, featuring some of the brightest, whitest light this side of Christmas. But on this day, while the fluorescent bulbs buzzed, the mood was very dark. On a day that should have been a collective sigh of relief given the end of a 24-win season, it was an afternoon laced with more uncertainty.

The team deemed it a “release,” but Byron Scott, the team’s head coach since the circus of 2010, was fired. Releasing is what you do to a fish that was just a bit too small. Firing is what happens when you swing a sword of accountability and opt to slice the lowest of the hanging fruit in hopes that the loss of one piece helps the rest of the tree grow taller. The players, one by one, slowly migrated over to the half circle of media members and spoke of a man lost. They spoke softly. They often looked down as they shared their thoughts. At one point, power forward Tristan Thompson got choked up and had to take a deep breath before continuing on with what Scott meant to his progress as a player 1 . They all claimed to be shocked by the team’s decision, many of them claimed they wish they could have done more to prevent it. A eulogy for a man who was still in the building.

[Read more...]

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  1. Thompson finished the season with a PER of 16.1, just 0.4 points shy of this season’s likely Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard [back]

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NBA News: Cavaliers part ways with head coach Byron Scott

April 18, 2013 by 80 Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided to part ways with head coach Byron Scott, per a report from the Akron Beacon-Journal.

“I have tremendous respect for Byron professionally and a great deal of admiration for him personally. At the same time, it is critical for where we are as a team to ensure that we capitalize on every opportunity for development and success and we have fallen short of that on the court,” said Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant on the matter. “I believe we needed to make this change in order to get to a better position to achieve our goals. I know I speak on behalf of the entire Cavs organization and the Cleveland community, in thanking Byron for his three years here and his hard work and many contributions on and off the court. We wish Bryon and his wife, Anita, the best.”

Scott, 52, was named the 18th head coach in Cleveland Cavaliers history on July 1, 2010. The Cavaliers’ record during Scott’s tenure as Head Coach was 64-166.

“I want to thank Chris Grant, Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers organization for the opportunity I had to coach this team the last three seasons,” said Scott. “Anita and I have enjoyed our time here in Cleveland and greatly appreciate the support we received from this special community and the many friendships we developed. I am certainly proud of the progress that many of our players have made and greatly appreciate the dedication of my coaches and our team in our efforts to attain the success we all desired.”

The Cavaliers will immediately commence a search, led by General Manager Chris Grant, for the team’s next head coach. Names that have been speculated about include Miami Heat assistant coach Tim Fizdale and former NBA head coaches Mike Brown and Stan Van Gundy. Brian Shaw, a candidate in 2010 when the team hired Scott, is reportedly also a potential candidate.

“I wish Byron Scott and his entire family the best going forward. Byron is a class guy, both on and off the court, and I thank him for his three years of coaching the Cavaliers,” said Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert.

“I fully support the difficult move that was made today. Although we saw progress with young individual player development, we did not see the kind of progress we expected on the team level this past season. We understand it was challenging with the injuries, but when you are at our stage in the building process, you don’t only measure team progress in wins and losses.

It has been our strong and stated belief that when our team once again returns to competing at the NBA’s highest levels it will be because we have achieved our goals on the defensive side of the court.

Our fans have been incredibly loyal and supportive during these transition years. They deserve better than we have been delivering as of late and it is our full intent to deliver them the kind of competitive team that they expect to see on the court beginning next season,” Gilbert concluded.

Scott, hired in the wake of The Decision in 2010, amassed a .278 winning percentage with the Cavaliers. He was brought on to spearhead a rebuilding process that involved multiple lottery selections, dealing with many injuries along the way. Nevertheless, Scott’s team regressed throughout the 2012-13 season, finishing 29th in field goal percentage (.434) and dead last in field goal percentage allowed (..476)—they allowed a league-worst 1.27 points per shot.

Scott had his option for the 2013-14 season picked up by the Cavaliers this past summer, but the lack of growth and direction—coupled with rumblings of a locker room lost—would eventually prove to force Dan Gilbert and Chris Grant to look in another direction. Gilbert and Grant had been mysteriously quiet for much of the last six weeks of the NBA season.

Speculation surrounding Scott’s dismissal was reported earlier this week.

[Related: A big summer for Kyrie, in more ways than one]

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A big summer for Kyrie, in more ways than one

April 17, 2013 by 10 Comments

Kyrie Irving

Before his Cleveland Cavaliers would take the court against the Miami Heat on Monday night, Byron Scott sat in front of the town’s media horde and addressed items of past, present and future. In looking long term, Scott would say that the next several months set the stage for what is a “big summer” for Kyrie Irving, his All-Star, 21-year-old point guard who had seemingly taken a turn for the worst and has become the subject of scrutiny throughout the league.

[Read more...]

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Kyrie Irving apologizes to Cavalier fans following disappearing act

April 16, 2013 by 23 Comments

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving sent a message to fans on Twitter Tuesday morning, apologizing for his actions following the team’s one-point loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night.

On what was dubbed Fan Appreciation Night at Quicken Loans Arena, Irving bolted from the floor immediately following the contest while the rest of the team stayed on the court to give away prizes and some of their game-warn apparel. A Cavalier staff member was forced to scurry to the locker room, reappearing with shoes and a jersey with Irving’s name and number on it.

Following the incident, the Cavaliers claimed that Irving had to head to the locker room to be checked by team trainers—the alleged result was a “bruised heel” which was quickly refuted by the player who jokingly asked “am I out 4-to-6 weeks?”

Irving is averaging 22 points and six assists per game on the 2012-13 season, but has seen his typically stellar shooting percentage plummet to 34.8 for the month of April. The Cavaliers have lost 15 of their last 17 games.

[Related: The Best Laid Plans and Fan Loyalty for the Indians and Cavaliers]

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NBA News: Byron Scott expected to be fired by Cavs per reports

April 16, 2013 by 70 Comments

Multiple sourced reports are circulating on Tuesday which state that the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to part ways with head coach Byron Scott following the conclusion of the 2012-12 NBA season.

Joe Kotoch of Pro Basketball Draft tweeted late Monday that the erosion of the second half of the Cavaliers’ season will lead to the end of Scott’s tenure with the team despite having one more year on his contract.

This is corroborated by a report which was  published later in the evening in by NBA analyst Sam Amico which stated, while the Cavaliers would not comment, Scott is about to be fired.

Scott is en route to his third-consecutive lottery-bound season. While injuries and youth have played a role, the Cavaliers hae seemingly regressed since the month of February when they were .500. Shoddy defense and several losses that included 20–point leads have resulted in heavy scrutiny being placed on the head coach. Following Monday night’s loss to the Miami Heat, Scott said that he is operating under the premise that he will be back for the 2013-14 season.

“I am going to be back to coach them next year,” said Scott. ”I’ve got a year left on my contract, that’s how I figure it, unless I’m told differently. But that’s the way I approach that.”

When asked how he felt, All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving gave Scott his vote.

“Absolutely,” Irving said. “I do want coach Scott back.”

If Scott were to be fired, Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers would have to find a replacement amidst several other vacancies that are expected to be among the coaching ranks in the NBA.

[Related: The Best Laid Plans and Fan Loyalty for the Indians and Cavaliers]

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Cavs will not rule out surgery for Dion Waiters

April 15, 2013 by 8 Comments

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters still has a loose fragment of cartilage in his knee and the team has not ruled out arthroscopic surgery this summer. Waiters recently missed 10 games due to the injury but he has since returned to play in the Cavs’ two past contests. It appears as if he will suit up the rest of the way.

“It feels good,” Waiters said about his knee. “I’m jumping and dunking. If I can do that, then I’m ready to go.”
If the Cavaliers do elect to have Waiters go under the knife, he will still be ready for training camp next season. The only thing that he could miss would be Summer League.
In 59 games through the 2012-13 season, the recent fourth-overall pick has averaged 14.6 points (41.0 percent), 2.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest.

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Quicken Loans Arena invests $5 million for enhanced wireless signal, Wi-Fi

April 11, 2013 by 14 Comments

Quicken Loans Arena has joined in a partnership with Verizon Wireless to enhance the in-game fan experience. Verizon’s installation of a new distributed antenna system (DAS) combined with The Q’s own free Wi-Fi network delivers, per the team, a “one-two punch” that supports high-capacity simultaneous user activity inside the arena.

“Our fans can now access the digital world easy, free and with the speed they need and deserve anytime they are at The Q,” said Len Komoroski, Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO. “These new DAS and Wi-Fi systems are a reflection of our entire organization’s commitment to do whatever we can to make the in-arena experience fun, engaging and dynamic.”

The Q’s new carrier-led DAS, built by Verizon Wireless, remarkably distributes a powerful cellular signal through a network of more than 200 small antennas strategically placed around the arena. The antennas grab the signal from on-site base station equipment and transmit it through the facility to provide stronger wireless reception at 4G LTE speeds.

Built to augment the DAS as an alternative connectivity point, Quicken Loans Arena installed QWiFi, its new high-speed wireless internet system. The high-density Wi-Fi network covers 100 percent of the arena and is free to fans and everyone visiting or working at The Q with their smartphones, tablets or devices. The system is designed so that if a loss of a critical Wi-Fi component occurs, it will recover within seconds without interrupting the user experience.

“Our network team worked closely with the Cleveland Cavaliers to construct this new DAS that will provide our customers with even more capacity at The Q,” said Mark Frazier, region president for the Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “Sports fans are increasingly reliant on their wireless devices, such as smartphones and tablets, for streaming video, accessing social media and downloading apps, music, photos and other content. We built this in collaboration with the Cleveland Cavaliers to offer our subscribers a superior wireless experience while at the arena.”

To install both the DAS and WiFi in the 750,000 square foot Quicken Loans Arena required 106,575 feet of cable and 461 antennas (235 DAS antennas and 230 Wi-Fi antennas).

[Related: Lack of cell and WiFi service another black eye on Indians’ Opening Day]

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