May 19, 2013

NBA Trade Rumor: Cavaliers and Grizzlies working on deal for Leuer and Speights

January 22, 2013 by 43 Comments

EDIT: It appears this trade is agreed upon and just waiting for league approval.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies are in talks on a deal that would see Jon Leuer sent to Memphis and Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, and Josh Selby coming to Cleveland. Per Windhorst, draft picks would also be included in the deal.

The Grizzlies have been trying to rid themselves of some salary, and this deal would certainly help them with that. Speights is making $4.2 million this year and will make $4.515 million next season. Wayne Ellington is making $2.083 million this year and will be a restricted free agent after this season. Jon Leuer is making $762,195 this season and will have a qualifying offer to become a restricted free agent after this year.

As for the talent impact, well, there’s not much. Speights is a solid offensive big man and a decent enough rebounder, but his defensive woes will fit in a little too nicely on the Cavaliers. He’s averaging 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 14 minutes per night. Ellington gives the Cavaliers some outside shooting that they do lack, but has never really developed as Minnesota or Memphis had hoped. He is shooting 42.3% from three point range this season.

[Related: Halfway Home: Cavaliers' Stats and Trends]

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NCAA Basketball News: Ohio State Revises Coach Thad Matta’s Contract

January 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

While this season has been a bit of an up and down year for the Ohio State men’s basketball team, their head coach Thad Matta is still being rewarded with a revised contract that sees a boost to his annual salary. According to Rusty Miller of the Associated Press, the new contract will see him receive a 10% bump to his salary (bringing him to over $3.2 million per year) including academic bonuses.

Additionally, the contract also revises some language regarding NCAA violations. The contract now requires Matta to report anyone who “may potentially have violated NCAA rules”. The new wording is presumed to be an effort by OSU to avoid some of the ambiguities that made negotiations with Jim Tressel a little trickier in the wake of the email coverup scandal that ultimately cost the coach his job.

Thad Matta is now under contract with Ohio State through July 2019.

[Related: Meltdown In Game’s Final Minute Spoils Deshaun Thomas Show]

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NFL News: Cleveland Browns Hire Michael Lombardi as VP – Player Personnel

January 18, 2013 by 67 Comments

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter via Twitter, the Cleveland Browns have hired NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi as VP of Player Personnel. Initially Schefter reported that Lombardi was hired as GM of the Browns, but shortly updated his report to say Lombardi’s title will be VP – Player Personnel.

The Cleveland Browns have since confirmed the hire and have announced an 11:30 am press conference where Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner will officially announce Lombardi’s addition to the front office.

This will be Lombardi’s 2nd stint with the Browns, as he previously worked as a scout from 1987 to 1989, before taking over as Pro Personnel Director until 1993. His most recent tenure was with the Oakland Raiders where he spent 8 years in the personnel department from 1999 to 2007. He has since been working as an analyst for NFL Network.

[Related: NFL Rumors: Arizona's Ray Horton Potentially Landing In Cleveland]

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When it Comes to NBA Trades It’s Not What You Ask For That Matters, It’s What You Get

January 15, 2013 by 13 Comments

Chris Grant“It was much pleasanter at home, when one wasn’t always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits. I almost wish I hadn’t gone down the rabbit-hole – and yet – and yet – it’s rather curious, you know, this sort of life!”
– Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Following NBA trade rumors often feels like a journey down Alice’s infamous rabbit-hole. We talk about this every season, but rumors are ubiquitous to NBA life. Agents and GMs leak information to trusted sources, often with an agenda in mind. What this means to the casual NBA fan sitting at home is that they are usually reading half truths that border on propaganda. Well intentioned beat writers and national scribes are frequently used as a medium to send a message to the other party in negotiations as well as to try to control the message that is being sent to the fans.

This isn’t to say NBA writers do a bad job or are somehow unaware of the game that’s being played. Far from it. It’s a give and take relationship in which a lot of good, solid, quality information is given to reporters to build rapport and trust. It’s just that every now and then a slight half truth might get slipped in there and nobody knows the difference. [Read more...]

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Sources: Cavaliers Have Drummond Ranked Higher Than Barnes?

June 18, 2012 by 31 Comments

While things have quieted down a bit in recent days with the rumors of the Cavaliers going after Andre Drummond in the draft, it’s possible this could be exactly what the Cavaliers want everyone to think.

The general assumption has been that the Cavaliers are targeting Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bradley Beal, and Harrison Barnes at #4, but according to ProBasketballDraft.com’s Joe Kotoch, that might not be the case. In reality, Drummond might be higher than Barnes. Kotoch writes:

Per sources Cleveland covets Michael Kidd-Gilchrist but seem less inclined to deal with Charlotte to acquire him.  After Kidd-Gilchrist the Cavs brass appears to have it ranked Beal, Drummond, Barnes, and Robinson but that their final draft board will not be set until next week.  The UCONN center arrives in Cleveland this week and it will be an interesting workout as Cleveland has been very hushed about their feelings on him.  Looking historically at Cavs GM Chris Grant he prefers to draft athletic prospects with high upside whenever possible as evidenced by J.J. Hickson, Christian Eyenga, and Tristan Thompson.  Grant was the assistant GM but in charge of the draft and ranking the Cavs board at the time Hickson and Eyenga were selected.  It would not be a shock to see the Cavs pull the trigger on Drummond as the Cavs, who could have as much upside as any player in this draft.  Sources in Cleveland do concede if the Cavs were to select Drummond the rest of the draft would be centered on finding perimeter scoring with their remaining picks.

Kotoch also notes that the Cavaliers have been extremely active in trying to trade with New Orleans, Portland, and Houston to see about getting one of the 10th, 11, 14th, or 16th picks in this draft. If the Cavaliers do take Drummond at #4 and trade back up in the first round, potential targets would likely include Jeremy Lamb, Dion Waiters, Terrence Ross, Austin Rivers, Moe Harkless, and Perry Jones.

The draft is just 10 days away, so expect plenty of rumors like this to be coming fast and furious over the next week and a half.

[Related: Cavaliers' Plans at #4 Need Not Include a Center]

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Report: Former Buckeye Greg Oden Undergoes Additional Microfracture Surgery

February 21, 2012 by 10 Comments

Undergoing what was supposed to be a procedure to clear debris resulted in yet another microfracture surgery in the left knee of former Ohio State center Greg Oden.

Reported by the Associated Press, the procedure performed in Vail, Colorado established that there had been additional damage sustained by the 7-footer’s left knee. The first-overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft, Oden has now had three microfracture surgeries, this latest being the second on this specific knee. The selection, and subsequent misfortune, of Oden will likely go down along side the Blazers selecting Kentucky center Sam Bowie ahead of North Carolina’s Michael Jordan in 1984.

Agreeing to a one-year deal prior to the 2011-12 season, it was hoped that Oden could see the floor for the Portland Trailblazers, but two separate set-backs have derailed his return. Oden, who has not played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009, has appeared in 82 career games for the Blazers, averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.

[Related: Varejao’s Injury Changes Cavs Outlook]

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Report: Packers Unlikely to Use Franchise Tag on Matt Flynn

January 15, 2012 by 6 Comments

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers are likely to use their 2012 franchise tag on tight end Jermichael Finley rather than back-up quarterback Matt Flynn.

The Packers were reportedly considering using said tag on Flynn to allow for sign-and-trade possibilities, ultimately netting them at least one additional draft selection with the counterparty inking the quarterback to a long-term deal akin to that off Matt Schaub or, more recently, Kevin Kolb.

Flynn, 26, was on the radar of many heading into the final week of the season and saw his stock rise considerably following a 480-yard, six-touchdown Week 17 performance against the Detroit Lions.  He has been linked to the Browns as well as other quarterback-hungry franchises like the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins.

The one-year tender for Flynn would cost the Packers $14 million in guaranteed money.

[Related: What Would it Cost for Matt Flynn if He is Franchised?]

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Report: Indians Will Not Pursue Manny Ramirez

January 13, 2012 by 3 Comments

Despite the ongoing search for a middle-of-the-order, power bat – one that is preferably right-handed – to help boost run production for the 2012 season, Cleveland Indians general manager Chris Antonetti reportedly went on record to say that the team will not look to add former Indians outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Ramirez decided to walk away from the game of baseball in 2011 after he failed drug test for the second time, opting to skip the season rather than face a 100-game suspension, penance that has since been reduced to 50 games due to something akin to “time served.” The 39-year old, oft-eccentric slugger recently told ESPN’s Pedro Gomez that he would like the chance to prove that he is a changed man.  ”I don’t want to leave the game like I did,” said Ramirez. “I also want to show my kids that if you make a mistake, don’t quit. Just go back and fix it. And if you’re going to leave, leave the right way.”

Despite not having a season over .300 since 2008, Ramirez’ career batting average stands at .312 with an OPS of .996 with 555 home runs and 1,831 runs batted in.

Tom Withers of The Associated Press states that despite the team’s lack of Manny-related plans, the Tribe front office remains “aggressive” in their search for an offensive addition.  On Thursday afternoon, it was reported that the team has interest in veteran first baseman Carlos Peña, but was seeking approval and the requisite resources from ownership.

[Related: Report: Indians One Of Six Teams With Interest In Yoenis Cespedes]

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On Character and the Future of Cleveland Teams

January 6, 2012 by 14 Comments

Over the course of the last few seasons of loss-littered sport within the city of Cleveland, the discussion of character, specific to those on the field of play, has been bantered about.

Case in point: The infamous 2009 NFL Draft wherein Eric Mangini opted for Alex Mack and Brian Robiskie over Rey Maualuga, and David Veikune over everyone else eligible for said draft, mostly due to their character. Motor, to be sure, but also character.  Or when, following the departure of one LeBron James, the Cavaliers were left in the hands of general manager Chris Grant, he of the Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Boris Diaw additions in Phoenix as well as the Kyrie Irving, Omri Casspi and Tristan Thompson additions in Cleveland. Brandon Phillips becomes a clubhouse cancer? His Gold Glove gets sent down 71-South.

The talk of “choir boys” or “convicts” typically represent the two character-based teams with the black and white argument leaving little room for the greys of the world. Up until they added Andy Dalton and AJ Green into the mix, the Cincinnati Bengals were notorious for their willingness to ignore off-field issues; Pacman Jones is the posterboy for such aggregious decisions. Same can recently be said for the New York Jets where, up until this past week, Rex Ryan’s willingness to place reward firmly ahead of risk was lauded and praised and writ large.  At least until the win-fueld music stopped and his Green and White cabal of underachievers are left standing, shoulders slouched and knees wrapped in ice, without a chair. [Read more...]

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Cavs Fall Victim in Their First Back-to-Back of 2011-12 Season

January 5, 2012 by 10 Comments

Live by the three. Die by the three?

Surely, partaking in what was the second night of a back-to-back slate on the road against what is proving to be a terrible matchup for the Cavaliers plays a large role. A team comprised of largely inexperienced players taking their first trip down NBA Schedule Lane, less than 24 hours removed from the final whistle of a high-possession game against the Charlotte Bobcats, looking to keep the momentum going only to fall a bit flat on both ends of the court – the narrative is still very ripe and is not without merit.

But just as it was troubling prior to Wednesday night’s 92-77 loss to the Toronto Raptors, it’s troubling afterwards: The Cavaliers are relying largely on low-percentage shots. [Read more...]

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Young Cavaliers Displaying Copious Amounts of Team Chemistry Early On

January 4, 2012 by 24 Comments

Soon after the media horde dispersed from the locker of Cleveland Cavaliers rookie power forward Tristan Thompson, I walk over to ask him how it feels to be called “unbelievable” by teammate and mentor Antawn Jamison. I had just spent the last several minutes attempting to avoid the mosh pit of microphones, speaking with the veteran who had one of his better games of the season1, but all of the focus was placed on Thompson who continues to show the world that he isn’t just an athlete who happens to be able to dunk a basketball when given a clear path to the rim.

Not long after my initial question, a freshly showered Anderson Varejao walks over to Thompson and begins to playfully toy with the buttons on the rookie’s cleanly pressed, white, slim fit v-neck henley; the “v” portion is scooped just low enough for the 20-year-old’s sprawling shoulder-to-shoulder chest tattoo to peak out.

“What, what is this?” Varejao, clad with a smile that reached to both sides of his ever-curly hair, asked rhetorically. “You’re ready for Toronto!”

[Read more...]

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Seneca Wallace Wants a Shot

January 3, 2012 by 37 Comments

Seneca Wallace hears the conversations surrounding the starting quarterback for the 2012 Cleveland Browns and wishes to add his name into the hat.

Under contract for two more seasons and entering his 10th as a professional, Wallace, in his postgame press conference, stated that he feels he deserves at least the chance to compete for the starting spot next season.

While the career-long back-up quarterback went winless in his three starts with the Browns, provided to him merely due to the now-infamous Colt McCoy concussion, Wallace was certainly quick to point out the fact that the Browns were at least in the discussion come late in the fourth quarter – “For us to come out here and go toe-to-toe with a team that could end up in the Super Bowl [is good].”

[Read more...]

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Cavaliers Live by the Three-Ball, if Just for One Night

January 2, 2012 by 3 Comments

Just one season ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers were being defeated by the three-point shot on what appeared to be a nightly basis. Whether it were the Los Angeles Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves, the opposition drained the long-range shot with ease as the Wine and Gold allowed a league-worst 41.1 three-point field goal percentage.

Compiling their issues was the fact that the Cavs were not exactly rife with shooters when the ball was in their possession; this was even more so when Ramon Sessions (a career 21.4 percent shooter from three-point range) would sub in for Mo Williams (38.6 percent).

But just as the 2011-12 season has graced Cleveland with a breath of fresh air in terms of roster and attitude, a novation of play has apparently been instilled as well with the Cavaliers using the vaunted three-point field goal to their advantage. [Read more...]

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Shurmur on Hillis: We Need to Consider Everything

December 30, 2011 by 37 Comments

With an offseason rife with question marks and holes in dire need of filling, and a coverboy running back about to finish up a tumultuous season, one of the many decisions being placed squarely on the shoulders of the Cleveland Browns front office surrounds the future of one Peyton Hillis.

In the last two weeks, the 250-pound back has amassed 211 yards and a touchdown on 50 carries.  This period marks what has been Hillis’ largest usage rate since his 31 touches in the Week 2 win over Indianapolis where he totaled 117 yards and two touchdowns.  The issues at hand are the 12 weeks in between that saw last season’s savior suit up for a mere five contests, recording more than 12 carries just once.  Hillis’ offseason issues have been writ large; injuries, illness and alleged mid-week nuptials are just a small portion of the 800-pound gorilla that continues to loom in Berea as the player is also in the final year of his rookie contract. [Read more...]

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Irving’s Shot Doesn’t Fall in Cavs Debut

December 27, 2011 by 12 Comments

After his final shot attempt caught the back of the iron rim and intentional fouls were rendered moot by the point differential, Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving simultaneously fought the glow of the arena backboards as well as the foghorn of a buzzer which would signal the end of his first contest within the National Basketball Association.

An “okay” debut, if judged solely by Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott, Irving – the first first-round point guard to start for the Cavs in his NBA debut since Terrell Brandon did so 20 years earlier – recorded seven assists and one steal as compared to one turnover. Scoring, however, would not be the first-overall selection’s forte on this evening, converting only two of his 12 shot attempts; a floater off of the glass as an icebreaker early in the contest and a desperation three-point field goal in the waning seconds as his team looked to mend the gap between they and their opponents.

[Read more...]

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WFNY Top 10 Cleveland Sports Stories of 2011: #9 – Key Cavalier Wins

December 22, 2011 by 3 Comments

As the year comes to a close, like we have done the last three years, WFNY will take a look at what we view to be the 10 biggest sports stories affecting our local sports scene. Each day through the rest of the year, we will be counting down from 10 to one. Just missing this year’s cut were the Dan Gilbert/Chris Paul trade reaction, the Ohio State Basketball Seniors getting their diplomas on the same day they thrashed George Mason in round two of the NCAA tournament, and the Browns actually winning on a goal-line stand against Jacksonville. 

No. 9 – The Cleveland Cavaliers top several opponents against whom they were given little chance

If the overriding narrative of the 2010-11 season didn’t involve one LeBron James as the antagonist, the arch enemy of the Wine and Gold was indeed tally marks in the win column.  Dropping a professional sports record 26-game losing streak, it’s easy to see how a team could become national news rooted in futility. 

Found in the muck and misery, however, were a few diamonds. These shining moments were not exactly bright in the context of the entire season – one which would result in the second-worst record in all the land – but their timing coupled with their opponents certainly provided Clevelanders with fuel for euphoria, regardless of how ephemeral it all may have been. [Read more...]

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McShay: With the Fourth Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft…

December 21, 2011 by 90 Comments

ESPN’s Todd McShay, the NFL Draft guru who’s not known for his hair, published his first mock draft of the season as it’s all several teams really have to look forward to as Week 16 approaches.

Here’s what he had to say about the Browns, the team who McShay pegs as selecting fourth-overall. [Read more...]

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Roster Battles Shaping Up For Cavaliers

December 20, 2011 by 4 Comments

Though handed a rather unorthodox preseason schedule, the Cleveland Cavaliers will finish up their second of two exhibitions tonight when they play host to the Detroit Pistons.  With 17  players in tow and the roster needing to be trimmed by two roughly 48 hours before their season tips off, tonight’s contest will undoubtedly be used to help Chris Grant and Byron Scott make any decisions they see fit.

[Read more...]

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Kyrie Irving Provides Cleveland With a Taste of What’s to Come

December 19, 2011 by 8 Comments

It’s only been seven quarters of high-level pick-up basketball, but rookie point guard Kyrie Irving is already giving Cleveland a reason to be excited about the upcoming compressed NBA season.

During Friday night’s preseason bout in front of approximately 27 Pistons fans in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Irving came off of the bench for the Wine and Gold, but finished the contest with a team-high 21 points. While his shot selection and handful of turnovers were that of a 19-year-old getting his first taste of NBA action, his willingness to be aggressive attack the rim led to 15 visits to the charity stripe in just 26 minutes of play. The kid also added two steals, one of which ocurred less than two minutes after he had checked in and led to foul in transition and two of his 15 free throw attempts.

[Read more...]

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WFNY 2012 Draft Not-so-Big Board 1.1

December 15, 2011 by 20 Comments

Heading in to the 2011-12 season, we figured we would get the ball rolling on some admittedly early NBA Draft talk. Unless the Cavaliers shock the world (150/1 odds as NBA Champion, bettering only Toronto), it is widely assumed that the team will be selecting fairly early in the lottery once again. That said, we’re going to provide WFNY readers with some thoughts on who should be a target of Chris Grant come this spring.

We will update this not-so-big board on a bi-weekly basis – feel free to comment, critique or debate in the comments below.  Do enjoy. [Read more...]

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