Wednesday, June 29, 2005

HOLY Crap

The rumors are true. 

There is a new addition(s) to the Ohio State commit list. 

  oh snap..

Lawrence North’s Greg Oden, probably the nation's top high school baller, announced this afternoon he will attend Ohio State and become a Buckeye.. 

Hello 06-07 contenders.  Hello Final Four and Goodbye bad reputation. 

Along with Oden comes his boy Mike Conley.  Throw those guys on top of two more highly touted Ohio athletes in David Lighty and Daquan Cook and we might win the whole thing with 18 yr olds.  Screw the Fab 5 of the state up north.  We are gonna reinvent the term with only 4 players.  And this time our team will win instead of calling 'fake' timeouts. 

Good Job Matta. 

Why Not


Early this morning, the Cavs acquired a Darko of their own without having to waste the #2 pick in the draft. 

Just a few hours before the draft, the Cavaliers traded Jiri "the other flop" Welsch and cash to the Bucks (former home of Michael Redd) for a 06 second-round pick. Then an hour after the draft finished up, Ferry & Co sent the newly acquired 06 pick to the Magic for 7'2'' center Martynas Andriuskevicius (44th pick overall).

While I don't know really anything about this massive Lithuanian, I can only tell you he is 19 and has been tutored by Lithuania basketball legend Arvydas Sabonis for several years (trust me he is quite the teacher).  Also, he entered last year's draft but pulled out.

So once again we give up our future draft picks but we do get to throw Jiri's $2.1m salary in to the pot to give the Cavs a total of almost $28 million to spend in the market when the free-agent period begins on Friday.

Finally, in response to a comment in the last post, I think the move to acquire a Lithuanian was smart given we have no idea if Z will resign and more importantly no center under contract. 

Monday, June 27, 2005

Good Old Danny

From the Danny Ferry news conference:

And back with the Cavaliers, Ferry will get reacquainted with a few Cleveland fans who have never gotten over Cleveland's 1989 trade that sent Ron Harper, two first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ferry and forward Reggie Williams.

Ferry laughed loudly when asked if he would have made the same deal.

"No comment,"  he said.

1 for 2

Well..Fairy is in and Brown is out. 

On Sunday, Danny agreed to take a few million less per year than his 1990 contract to become the Cavs new GM.  And Gilbert's plan to only acquire staff from successful teams is actually on target.  Brown from Pacers..Ferry from Spurs..not bad.  

 still worth nothing..

But it seems Larry Brown is out of the running for our team Prez and this announcement will be made later today.  Who will be the front runner now?  To be honest, I don't know and last week when I spoke with Gilbert he made no hints as to who it might be.  We shall see. 

So the nba draft is tomorrow and we are gonna try to dish our sweet midseason pickup of Jiri Welsch.  Boy did he turn out to be a bust.  I would be happy if we could get a 2nd rounder of this guy and hopefully that's what Mr. Ferry will do. 

On a very positive LeAkron note, LeBron's bike-a-thon turned out to be hugely successful.  Ballers came out in full force except Iverson who pansied out.  Charlie Frye was also there, but didn't exactly get the royal treatmant as the organizers for the bike race didn't even have a bike for him to ride.  Given the good Akronite he is, he still walked along the sidelines signing autographs.  Also, the Beacon questioned as to why the players didnt wear helments..hmm..i wonder why. 

 tmac, lebron, wade on the streets of Akron..sup now..

Friday, June 24, 2005

Let the Games Begin..

Finally..it's over..the NBA season has come to a close thus the fun begins for the city by the brown lake.  We all know Larry Brown's next stop is at the Mayo Clinic, but that visit has been pushed back till after the NBA draft next week.  hmm..do you have an important meeting Larry?  I am wondering myself if you might be passing by Cedar Point on your way to Dan Gilbert's mansion. 

And will what I have been happily avoiding might happen in that the Cavs choose to hire their worst player pickup ever in Danny Ferry?   The Akron Beacon Journal, a publication that tells no lie, says it's going down today.  Danny Ferry could seriously become our GM.  Wow..I remember this guy coming into the league.  He was beyond hyped and I had no idea where he came from.  At age 9, I was confused if he was a french player or was he a white Dukie.  I assumed all players started on the playgrounds and moved their way up. What is all this training in LeFrance...is the guy that good?   Well, a $5million a year contract later, we all found out this guy was a bust..a huge bust.  See..the Cavs were a team who spent very little money back in the day.  This was a team who hired good guys like Nance, Price, and Kerr.  Respectable guys who played with heart.  But then comes Mr. Fancy French trained Ferry.  The Cavs were taking the 'next step.'   Well screw that next step.  That was about as beneficial as all the Brown's draft picks in the past decade.  So Ferry bombed and his playing time dwindled to nothing as the years past. 

And now he is about to represent our team.  Make decisions which affect our future.  Granted he does work for the Spurs, who just won it all last night, but still..this is a guy who really ticked off the city of Cleveland.  I think I even went as far to throw away his Fleer rookie card in disgust.  It's gonna take some time for this guy to win us back.  And Danny if you can bring us a championship or even a trip to the Finals, I will forgive you.  And I might even go as far as commeding you.  But don't get me wrong, you still were the worst transaction ever in Cavs history...   

So next Friday is when free agents can start locking up deals.  But in that nice cushion of 7 days, we have to hire our whole upper management staff.  And once that happens, everyone has to be aligned on our future.  Picture this..a rookie coach, a very young & hated GM, a first time President of Ops, and a very young owner..all trying to work together to keep the future of the NBA at home

It sure as hell won't be easy, but at this point, we don't have a choice.  The next week is massive and the decisions made WILL affect the history of the Cavs franchise.  We have never won in our franchise history and we have never had the opportunity we do now.  We have the King..the NBA is his..this needs to happen.   

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Just In Time


Whew..it seems as though King James snuck in the NBA at just the right time.  Because of the new terms set by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, LeBron would not have been eligible for the Cavs thus deferring to Akron U or OSU for a year. 

The new collective bargaining agreement includes a lot of upper management details such as luxury tax and escrow withholdings.  But for the rest of us, the agreement means:

1) minimum age for entering the draft will be 19 (plus one year removed from high school for those 5 year high school seniors who are 19 yrs old)
2) 14-player rosters
3) players in their first two seasons in the league may be placed on teams in the NBA Development League for skills development (a good thing for Neil Yanke)
4) players will be subject to 4 random drug tests per season (sorry Portland) and penalties for use of performance-enhancing drugs will be increased
5) an increase in the salary cap
6) maximum length of player contracts will be reduced to 6 years from 7 (damn)
7) maximum annual increases in salaries will be reduced from 12½ to 10½ percent for teams resigning their own players (from 10% to 8% for teams signing free agents - think Redd long term...)

So thank goodness for not only Cleveland, but the NBA that LeBron made it in on time. 

On another LBJ note, this weekend in Akron LeBron is holding the first ever "King for Kids" Bike-a-thon.  On the site you will notice this event includes other "celebrity" guests, but I was informed these guests will be none other than Iverson, D-Wade, Carmello, Charlie 'Akron' Frye, Braylon 'the healthy receiver' Edwards and other Cavs players.  I can't remember the last time that caliber of talent hit up the AK. 

Monday, June 20, 2005

Sup Tribe

Yes, we are finally turning the corner.  Since Eric Wedge shaved his mustauche, the Tribe have been on fire.  And of course once a team in which everyone likes to ignore gets hot, the press jumps on board.  But I am happy to welcome any positive press we can get.  And I am especially happy to see the Tribe's yearly respects from the main man, Peter Gammons.  For all of you out there who aren't aware, Mr. Gammons jocks the Tribe and loved our firesale move back in the day.  He has been waiting for these young stars to come of age and it seems like it's finally happening. 

 the next fantasy stud?

Oh and did anyone realize that the AL Central is the best division in baseball.  When was the last time you heard that..

Sunday, June 19, 2005

OH my


Apparently a large figure in the world just scored the hardest ticket in College Football for this upcoming season.  The OSU vs UT game, on the night of sept 10, is the first meeting of the two largest public universities in the US of A.  Speaking of the good old red, white, & blue, the man who might be attending is none other than Mr. Axis of Evil.   I am thinking this possible addition might make it a little harder to sneak in those flasks of Cpt. Morgan.  

This visit should cause a lot of unnecessary media attention to an already extremely hyped game.  On top of that, this is going to take away from the positive atmosphere that surrounds a college football game.  Yes, we are gonna boo UT, but its all in good fun.  A college football game, especially a Buckeye game, is a religious experience in itself.  I know faimly friends who hated OSU until they walked in the Shoe.  Once you're in there with 100k other die hards, I mean what's not too fall in love with.  People screaming at the top of their lungs on every play, the OH..IO's, the dotting of the I (voted greatest college tradition in football), and of course the amazing play of those Buckeye atheletes.  Fall Saturdays are well...LeAmazing.  

We all know Bushy is gonna be cheering on UT which hopefully upsets the millions of central Ohioans who voted for this monkey.  I hope on this day, Bush will be just a fan and there won't be any speeches or fancy introductions.  If he is just a fan in the stands..loge I mean..I could deal with that.  But please everyone in OHio...boo him just as you would any other UT fan.  

Friday, June 17, 2005

Another One Gone


Goodbye Tractor and now goodbye Lucious.  Cavs interim GM Mark Warkentien is on fire in his second layoff in two days.  This one I pretty much agree with as Lucious was a good player but rarely excelled. 

Harris averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 15.5 minutes in 73 games last season.

Our roster is now down to just 8 players.  When the free-agency signing period begins, potentially July 14, it is expected the team will let go of the rights to Z, McInnis, Flop (aka: Diop), big bust Wagner, and the old man Scott Williams.  Damn Gina..

That leaves us with just $24 million committed in salaries for next season. Last season's salary cap was $43 million, but should reach $47-$50 million once the new collective bargaining agreement is settled.  If that is the case, we might be able to sign 2-3 solid free agents. 

I knew the offseason was gonna be exciting and so far there it's been no joke.. 

Thursday, June 16, 2005

So Long Big Man

Well, it seems the Cavs made their first move regarding the future of our non-business roster in letting go the big man, Tractor Traylor.  

yes i know its from his days as a Wolverine, but still this was a hugemoment..seems like this was a first for the refs.  


Traylor averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes in 74 games last season.

And in one of his first major statements, interim GM Mark Warkentien justified not picking up his option with this:

"This decision was a difficult one to make. It was made in order for us to gain additional cap flexibility heading into free agency, where we expect to be very active and aggressive," Warkentien said. "We thank Robert for his professionalism, intensity and effort during the 2004-05 season and wish him well moving forward."


*while I agree with your reasoning to free up more cap room, Tractor proved again and again that he was a huge force off our bench

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Good Luck Sir..

In a very shocking revelation, Craig "Perfect" Krenzel will not be heading back to the Bears next season.  I was personally shocked he even made it to the NFL in the first place, but I guess its not a bad job to have out of college. 

 legend status achieved..


Looks like poor old Craig will have to rely on his Molecular Genetics degree to attempt to find a job in this world.  Good luck with that..

I am thinking this for Craig..apply to Med School..chill in the meantime.  Hit up Med School..tear it up (a given) then open a nice little practice in Columbus.  I mean how sweet of a life is that.  People would line up out the door to get in there.  He is a legend not only at Ohio State but in Columbus.  

So Craig I am not sure if you plan on givin the NFL one more try, but even if you do your backup plan is well..LeFabulous. 

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

There are other players on the team

Taken straight from the Akron Beacon Journal:

 i mean come on guys..who is editing this great publication


Speaking of Tractor, a player who actually came through when we needed him, the Cavs have until Wednesday to exercise the option in his contract for next season.  This is a big decision..well kind of..as it is the first personnel decision for the Cavaliers' immediate leadership.

Also, it appears Larry Brown is all but out of the running for the Cavs GM which leaves the Kikster in the drivers seat.  We shall see..

Thursday, June 9, 2005

On Another Note..

So as you can tell, it’s a quiet time in the world of Ohio Sports. 

*The Crunch’s season is over (which we are all deeply sad about).
*The Indians are playing .500 ball with our sometimes on and mostly off hitters.
*The Cavs are trying to fill top business positions which really mean nothing to most of us.
*The Browns are well..trying to dig themselves out from a place lower than the basement by signing whoever will come our way.
*And the Buckeyes are practicing away for their season opener in Sept (and they even brought on a LeAkronite to help them out).

Yes, it’s quite a time folks.  But something that never goes out of style in Ohio is the food.  There is a reason Ohio is one of the fattest states in the nation. 

My personal favorite is Swenson’s in LeAkron.

construction for the official museum is underway

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this place..first off I am sorry, but basically it’s a drive up burger joint in which the waiters run out to your car, take your order (only with the lights on), and have some other random waiter bring it out once that goodness is cooked.  This joint was started in 1934 by Wesley T. "Pop" Swenson.  What a great man..

Swenson’s has stayed local all this time while I am sure fielding plenty of offers to franchise.  Everytime I go home, Swenson’s is seriously the first thing on my list. 

Actually, a cool story just recently happened that pertains to good old Swensons..a friend was coming to dc for the weekend and decided to do the first ever hamburger drop.  First, he purchased a Galley Boy (their signature sandwich with two patties, cheese and two sauces..soo good) at 11:30pm on Thurs.  Brought it home, put it in the fridge.  Woke up on Friday..put the burger in a cooler while wrapped in ice packs. Then carried it on the plane and headed over to my office once he landed.  Then the drop off.  At this point with the burger in hand, I debated on eating it cold but resorted to microwaving for 20 secs and bam..pure satisfaction.  You could even taste the butter on the bun.  My day was complete and I didn’t eat anything else for lunch (till Ben’s Chili Bowl later at night). 

So yes folks I am talking about a hamburger here but these are seriously the best ever.

To food..

Monday, June 6, 2005

Cavs Rumor Time


so the rumors are flying like crazyness in the OH.  I think we maybe had like 20 potential head coaches and now we are looking at a cool 50 options for GM. 

so here is my attempt at keeping you up to date on all this madness (on everything, not only the GM nonsense) in which is definetely proving to be the most exciting off-season in Cavs history..

Denver Post (Kiki)
Plain Dealer (Egan)
Detroit News (Larry)
New York Daily News (LeBron & Larry)
Plain Dealer (Newton)
NJ.com (Z leavin)

thats it for now..this will surely change as of tomorrow so i will do my best to collect the best gossip out there..

P.S.  I have added a permanent link for BugMeNot on the top right...for future surfing needs..

Friday, June 3, 2005

Welcome..


One Brown down..(maybe) one to go..

Well, today it became official that Mike Brown is indeed our coach..
ok..we all know this, but I really just wanted a reason to post this picture..

umm..yeah..


Other Notes:

Gilbert said we're def gonna go after a first round draft pick..  I think a PG is prob our best option since more than likely we will acquire a SG in the offseason, but you never know cause Z might leave too so then a C is needed..oh decisions, decisions..
The ABJ reported the only player whom the team would be willing to part with that would generate a pick is SG Sasha Pavlovic.  I guess I (we) can let him go..

Also...

Several league officials said there's a growing belief that if the Cavaliers are willing to throw a maximum contract at Michael Redd, they might be able to get him away from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Woh..Woh..Woh


Calm down here Cavaliers..
So Mike Brown is official..at least I haven't heard otherwise.
And according to the Plain Dealer, Danny Ferry might become our GM...hmm.
And then this whole Larry Brown swirl...it's pretty freakin nuts. 

So while nothing is set in stone yet on (Larry) Brown, check out these different takes on the matter:

Terry Pluto
Philly.com
Detroit News
New York Times
Roger Brown
Boston Globe
Newsday
Miami Herald


Also, some Michael Redd gossip (I guess) while we are at it..there is still hope..


Remember use BugMeNot to read all of this good stuff..