Le King

In addition to the LeBron commercials I gathered a while back comes some more Bron Bron footage thanks to youtube.com.   Check out this page of Bron vids which includes some shoe promos, chinese commercials, and of course LeAmazing highlights.  Seriously, watch that dunk over Damon Jones again just to refresh the memory of how awesome that really was. 

  I mean if that's not old skool...

Moving On..

ESPiN - you suck..you really do.  

And in honor of you sucking I give you two solid links.  First, check out this insightful article from Deadspin about the latest in the world of Michael Irvin:

No answer was given to the perfectly legitimate question a reader asked in the comments yesterday: The incident happened Friday. So, did Irvin neglect to mention it until he had to own up because someone else found out and told ESPN? Did he mention it immediately and ESPN buried it till Sunday afternoon, after NFL Countdown had aired? If he didn't mention it and ESPN found out thru other channels, shouldn't that be deemed fireable in itself? And if he did tell ESPN on Saturday when he arrived in Bristol, aren't they incredibly negligent in allowing him on the air without saying anything?

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Secondly, I'd like to thank EveryDayShouldBeSaturday for giving us 52 reasons why ESPiN sux..

my favs:

1.  Synergy.  Promo the games you have the rights to while barely mentioning the big games on in other places, no matter how important they might be.  Push your product over THE GAME.  Vile corporate entertainment thinking that yields little but viewer disgust.

19. Making the story, not reporting it. Two words: Terrell Owens.

42. ESPN, the Magazine. Huge pages, fellatio-style coverage of the shittiest citizens of the athletic world, and very, very little content.

There's always next week..

well..as i mentioned there was plenty to be thankful of heading into the holiday break, but leaving it was just about as awful as it could get.  My buddies and I were witnesses to two of the most poorly played games I have ever seen.  Ever..I mean almost as bad as late 90's Cavs.

We couldn't hit anything vs the Pacers or Timberwolves.   I began the Timberwolves game by asking what exactly does Eric Snow contribute, then sadly realized his point total was 7 times that of Donyell's and Damon's combined.  I mean it was bad, real bad. Apparently it was too much pressure for the young team with people home for Thanksgiving, a 6 game domination streak at home, and of course the blue jerseys.. 

Obvious highlights include a spectacular performance by the King both shooting and dunking.  His drive to the left then slamming it down with the right hand was out of control.  The team had just gone down at that point and we needed him to take over.  The King knew his role, but one man can't win it all.  This team will grow or rather this team HAS to grow.  I agree with the comments in the previous post about dishing Snow.  He is really not worthy of a starting spot on the floor.  I mean Damon not starting shouldn't make a difference, but you just feel someone who is that cocky actually will be happier thus play better if he starts.  Let Snow go to NY and attempt to save that awful team.  And I can't wait for Anderson to get back.  Our defense now is struggling and we need more than Bron's/Hughes steals.  Granted Gooden is playing better than 'almost' everyone on the team, but Andy's energy adds a whole new dynamic to the game. 

Overall, the team is still learning the ropes and if we want to make it in the East we have to beat Detroit and Indiana.  With the Clippers around the corner then a 3 game West Coast road trip, it's going to be another tough week.  (I still can't believe the Clippers are actually a force in the NBA).  Anyways, I hope our shooters are practicing a little extra this week..

Turkey Time

I am sorry I couldn't update the blog before Thanksgiving break, but I will be back next week in full force.  Hopefully by that time the Cavs will have the best record in the NBA and Buckeye country will still be glowing.  I'd like to leave you with a few positive quotes from the past few days:

Senator Tressel - "There are going to be a lot of youngsters out there on Thanksgiving weekend making plays in a pile of leaves."  (including myself in the annual Akron vs Cleveland Turkey Bowl, but at this rate substitute snow for leaves)

LeKing - "We've got so much confidence, we're riding on an all-time high right now,'' James said. "This is the most fun I've had in my two and half years.''

Enjoy the break everyone and I'd have to imagine every Ohio Sports fan has something to be thankful for this holiday.  

Sorry, Sorry

Been slammed today with meetings but...an update will arrive soon.

In summary, this weekend was basically LePerfect. 

 you just knew Akron would come through in the end..

LeAwesome

you gotta love getting forwarded your buddies site from a random friend..
I am sure most of you have seen this but here is a classic page put up by a fellow Akronite..

also had to include these shots from the '02 game (photos credited to Ryan Clery)

Much Love

So this morning I am tuning into Mike & Mike on my way to work and after the usual dose of NFL talk, I was shocked to hear the subject actually move to college football.  I mean why bring up college football on the day before the most important weekend in the sport. Anyways, enough bitterness, but what transpired next shocked and delighted me.  Greenberg started it out by apologizing to Red Sox/Yankees fans then proceeded to proclaim that any of the college rivalries this weekend are more meaningful.  Then Golic jumped on board and agreed saying even if each team was 0-9 this one game is just as important and STILL as important as a Red Sox/Yankess Oct series to make the playoffs..damn.  This is something we all know in Buckeye country, but great to hear an understanding on a national level.  And while they didn't actually say that OSU vs scUM itself was the best rivaly in sports, we all know what's up.

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FireJimTressel

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and in the most heartwarming news of the day..my buddy Aaron is volunteering this week for his job by teaching 2nd graders.  And let's just say his lesson plan was slightly diverted today..

aaron: i've been volunteering all week
aaron: teaching 2nd graders
aaron: so today, i wore my buckeyes football coaches polo
aaron: so i explained the significance of the game
aaron: and then i taught them OH-IO
aaron: and we did it three times real loud
aaron: how awesome is that

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And finally my buddy Paul threw over this stat of the day:

National Title Since 1950:

scUM: .5
OSU:   5

Oh to be young again

ahh yes..tonight is indeed the night for a little late night swim in Mirror Lake.  To clarify what that exactly means, many OSU students will take the plundge tonight (keep in mind its 30 or so degrees) into a lake on campus in preperation for the Michigan game.  Absurd yes, but tradition is a powerful force.  Check out this article on the festivities as well we other signs of Michigan week around C-Bus.  (remember use BugMeNot)

Here's a sample:

Everywhere in the city, signs point to Buckeyes football. Clocks that countdown to the Michigan game year round. Newspapers that remind readers how many days are left. Streets named after Woody Hayes. Namesake bars, restaurants and arcades. Rental signs in front of apartments that entice renters with "stadium view," as though the "Horseshoe," as it's affectionately called, is a wonder of the world, a Grand Canyon-like opening in south central Ohio.

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Let's all take a few mins and remind ourselves how good Archie Griffin actually was...

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sup now..

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 straight from espin.com...at least the readers know what's up

3 days and counting..

You always know it's the week leading up to the OSU vs scUM game when you exchange emails with college friends you haven't talked to since well..last year's game.  To all of you who don't understand, 'The Game' is really that big of a deal and in honor I'd like to share some of the awesome & absurd links thrown my way recently:

Is this kid named Scott Kropko a bigger fan that Neutron Man?

My buddy Tom's OSU football card site..

A highlight reel from last year's blowout of scUM (excuse the crappy music)...

UPDATE:  and this one just came in...a song called Ted Ginn did Everything from the Dead Schembechlers


enjoy..

Oh how sweet it is..

Money baby..money. 

Tonight, the Cavs easily took care of the overrated Wizards on Larry Hughes bobblehead night in CLE.  This matchup pitted Hughes against his former teammates for the first time since making the best choice of his career.  And for all of you out there, tonight also marked the first time Larry smiled in public. 

But this was indeed a big game for our Cavaliers.  The Wiz came into tonight after a commanding victory of Seattle and an upset of the former champion Spurs.  So we needed to prove that our team was for real.  That in fact happened as we played well on both sides of the ball.  Combine that with an awful shooting effort by the Eastern Conference Player of the Week and you got yourself an easy Cavs victory.   I think it's pretty obvious not only to the fans, but the NBA that the Cavaliers are on their way to becoming a real ball club.

I think the best part of it all is that our team is deep.  While Bron is our leader, the rest of the team plays an equal part.  Tonight for instance, the stats were once again spread evenly.  Like I mentioned last week, it was easy to forget who was in charge at times.  Bron took over in the first half, Z owned the 3rd quarter and bobblehead boy domniated the 4th period.  Throw in a bunch from Donyell and a monster rebounding effort from Gooden and everyone played their part.  Think about it..if this team can be egoless (minus Bron when he needs to be) then we're gonna have a real shot at the playoffs.  Yes, I am being conservative here, but the first goal is playoffs then in a few months we can talk second and third round. 

Anyways..great victory tonight and more importantly, congrats to Larry Hughes who didn't disappoint on his own bobblehead night.  Go Cavs..

The Rivalry

Thankyou to FanBlogs for this great find from the PD.  This comes from a former Big 10 official named Bill Kingzett who once worked an Ohio State - Michigan game: 

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Big Ten officials work in crews, and some people don't know this, but back then, when a crew was chosen to work the Ohio State- Michigan game, if that crew had an official from Michigan, he had to be approved by Woody Hayes; and if the crew had someone from Ohio on it, he had to be approved by Bo Schembechler. If Woody or Bo didn't approve, the Big Ten had to find someone to replace you. For that game, I was the only Ohio official that Bo approved. One member of our crew was from Dayton, and Bo would not accept him, so they had to replace him.
...
I remember our crew went in on Friday, and we were staying at the Student Union in Ann Arbor the night before the game. With the excitement, the parties, the anticipation of the game, that place never shut down. I'm a great sleeper, but with the combination of noise and the atmosphere, I woke up at 3 or 4 in the morning. I went into the hallway for a walk, and I bumped into a couple of other members of our crew. They couldn't sleep either. So we walked for a little while and then managed to get some sleep. That was the only time I was awakened before any game I worked.
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This game is what college athletics is all about..

Good Old Links

As we all know by now, Le Bron has been inshrined in a massive way over downtown Cleveland with his own 110ft by 212ft billboard.  I must admit I am pretty damn excited to check this out over Thanksgiving break.  And you gotta love this statement from Nike, who flipped the bill for the billboard:

“The ‘We are Witnesses’ wall is a statement for all Cavaliers’ fans to watch the growth, development and legacy of LeBron James through his play on the court and outreach activities in the Greater Cleveland-Akron community.”

Anyone else think the team should be renamed to the Cleveland-Akron Cavaliers?

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My buddy Karl is now aware of where the Black Keys are from..

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I just discovered the site LebronTalk this morning and as far as I can see does a great job detailing the King's various shoes as well as other sightings of the King around the media.  Definetely a good site to bookmark in terms of all the Bron gear out there. 

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It's always nice to learn your blog is getting promoted by one of the biggest sports blogs on the net.  YAYsports hooked it up on a few weeks ago cause of the Bron/Batman picture I posted.  If you poke around the site you can tell the main editors have much CLE love. 

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Congrats Donyell for a pretty clutch 3-pointer last night.  The Cavs improve to a solid 5-2 record with the Wiz just around the corner on Tuesday.  Hughes was a fantasy god last night with a crazy stat line..in fact, check out this box score from last night..if that's not a team, then by golly bring me back Ricky Davis..

Happy OSU vs Michigan Week Indeed..

My Apologies

My deepest apologies to Brain (sugknight114) for mistaking your Insider information with Mark's plebeian (non-insider's) analysis.  To be honest, I really just got excited that I could finally link to Zack Morris' homepage.  It looks like I need to take a giant step back and realize that life can not be controlled by the greatest TV show to hit the airwaves in the past two centuries. 

Once again I am sorry.  As you can see not only I, but Zack apologies as well. 

 I'm sorry and I've been nothing but a loser post SBtB..

Dis is very very nice..

you gotta love waking up to 2 reviews of last night's game sitting in your mailbox/comment field.  Thankyou to my buddies Mark and Paul (no, not Mark Paul Gosselaar) for offering their insights into last night's action..one from inside the Q and one from inside the brain of a mad man..

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Mark...

I have never exprienced a better sports moment than when LeBron James recieve the alley oop from Donyell Marshall, and watching the entire Quicken Loans arena errupt into what some might describe as a riot. This group is not fully together on the court as you can tell by some un-needed turnovers, missed oppurtunities and they just don't see the extra pass quite yet, but it is comming.

  As for the rest of the Quicken Loans, as Gilbert promised they are working on the new seats. The enitre lower bowl is now Wine color, and it looks amazing. The scoreboard is out of this world, and absolutly amazing.

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Paul..

So last night another Cavs domination.   The Cavs look mighty comfy at the Q, as we have pounded our two opponents there (and we have 6 of 9 to get some more home cookin in).  First and foremost, LeBron was a stud as usual, as he totally dominated.  He is postin up more, and there ain't no small forward that can guard the King on the Box, and there aint no big man who can guard his highness on the perimiter.  Pretty much making LBJ unstoppable, as the Royal one went to the line 11 times (and made all 11, of course). 

Big props also go out to Drew "Double-Double" Gooden, who barely missed another one with 11-9.  And the other half of the Double-Double brothers, Donyell, put up 13 and 9. Big props also go out to L. Hughes, who doesn't do anything totally that blows your mind, but got 13-5-5 in an efficient 32 minutes.  

The key to this game was the Cavs total domination on the glass, 56-21.  If we can pound the backboards like that, then no one is gonna be able to stop us.  We even had 21 on the offensive side.  Big Z and Alan Henderson each had 9, so it was a total team effort in controlling the glass- just like Mike Brown wants it.

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Thankyou gentleman for your insights..I think it's quite obvious this year is special and as far as I can tell..people really do believe.

One final note here..in the DC area you can actually pick up the Clevland broadcast of 1100AM which is totally random, but sick.  My buddy recently pointed this out and last night I tuned in on the drive home to hear the sweet sweet sounds of Joe Tait.  Wow..was this a treat.  Only Swenson's will bring you closer to home than Mr. Tait. 

That's it...

I've Got a Feeling

You might be asking why I didn't post after the opening night domination of the nomadic Hornets.  Well..while I was crazy excited after the victory, I knew it was still just the Hornets.  Our team was in synch..Donyell, Damon, and Hughes all played their part.  At times it was quite easy to forget LeBron was actually the team's star..well until the 3 point parade.  One thing I noticed is that the media coverage was light after the opening night victory.  While CLE fans had already placed the Cavs as important as Jesus, most of the sports world knew it wasn't yet time.  And they were right.  Then the next game rolled around.  Now granted it was vs the Spurs, but we just couldn't hang post halftime.  It was very rough..  First the Spurs, then the Grizzlies, then the skeptical press. 

Even though we handled the Raptors quite easily last night, I think this team is gonna need a good 20 games to get their rhythm.  There are just too many new players introduced before each game.  Keep in mind Anderson would have probably been our starting PF if not for his injury (remember Gooden had a scoring mentality last year).  The one thing Cavs fans should be happy about is that our bench is deep.  I mean I will argue with anyone that our talent is better top to bottom than any other team in the Association. 

The tricky part will be how to layout our offense.  I think after a few games it's quite clear Damon Jones will shoot from anywhere on the court no matter how many people are in his face.  And now we have Donyell who wants to shoot plus we have the King who apparently practiced his shot (a lot) at the JCC this summer.  Then when Luke gets in, that's all he really wants to do (although he made a few sweet drives to the hoop last night).  I mean we went from a team where Z was one of the top shooters to basically a Three-Point Contest roster.  This obviously isn't a bad problem to have and I have no doubt Mike Brown will cleanup everyone's role in thenext few weeks. 

This season the Cavs have more rebounders, stealers, shooters, and slashers than I have ever witnessed in my lifetime as a fan.  Right now, I am just excited to watch our team grow together and with time this team should start to take shape with roles being ironed out.  Until then..we just have to watch the beginnings of something really special.  Think of it like being in Liverpool at the Cavern Club in the early 1960's ...yea, that ended up working out pretty well..

Dolla Dolla Bills

LARRY HUGHES -  $10.3 million

ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKA -  $9.2 million

ERIC SNOW -  $5.48 million

DONYELL MARSHALL -  $4.8 million

LEBRON JAMES -  $4.62 million

DREW GOODEN -  $4.065 million

DAMON JONES -  $3.5 million

IRA NEWBLE -  $2.95 million

LUKE JACKSON -  $1.95 million

SASHA PAVLOVIC -  $1.27 million

ALAN HENDERSON -  $1.13 million

ANDERSON VAREJAO -  $866,000

ZENDON HAMILTON -  $850,000

MIKE WILKS -  $700,000

MARTYNAS ANDRIUSKEVICIUS -  $398,000

Pre-Game Notes

And here we go..  Will the addition of a few stars mixed in with a few average players equal success for the Cavs?  We shall see.  It took Jordan a while and a supporting cast, but as we all know too well..he rose to glory.  LeBron has the ability, the attitude, and now the cast to bring it home. C'mon now..

Given the Cavs haven't won an opener since 2000, I am hoping for a W tonight as a sign of what's to come.  We got the Hornets this evening and Spurs manana, so we will be tested early.  Granted we have players and coaches who really haven't worked together, but I am hoping that's just part of the fun.   Go Cavs..

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Drew Gooden will start as well alongside Snow, Hughes, Bron, & Z.   But this might be his last season starting for the Cavs given the team declined him a contract extension.  Yesterday was the final day to extend his contract and it looks as though he was left in the dust.  Since he is now an unrestricted free agent at the close of the season, expect a big contribution for the make-shift Loozer.  Just to clarify, next summer the Cavs can match any offer, but depending on how good he does, the Cavs have to be careful and not match over the salary cap.

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Apparently the third most burning question from SI.com about the NBA season is as follows: 

3. Who will make more news in Cleveland -- LeBron James or flashy new owner, Dan Gilbert?

Answer:  If it's Gilbert, the Cavs will be in trouble; if it's James, I think they have a chance to finish as high as third in the conference.

While Gilbert is somewhat flashy, he is no where near Cuban style.  He will be more outgoing as far as Cleveland owners go, but I think he knows his place.  Oh and I do agree with the tail end part of the answer...Third or even Second place will be fine. 

Ahh..Chief

When Sheryl Swoops announced she was gay, you knew it was only a matter of time before NBA players were asked how they would handle the same situation.  Well, after this spectacular answer by Robert Parish, I would hope those questions come to a screeching hault:

“No time soon,” Parish said. “It would be a very, very uncomfortable environment to step forward in. It would probably make someone retire, because they couldn’t take the heat. Men in general are more homophobic. Society is more accepting of woman-on-woman sex than man-on-man. Women on women? That’s a man’s fantasy right there.”

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So Snow is our starting PG.  Seems as though his defense skills put him on top.  Expect Snow and Jones to split time evenly. 

The contract on Sasha Pavlovic was extended through the 06-07 season.

Boozer is placed on the inactive list...poor baby.