Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[crazybuckfan40]

Great move...Lots of scoring options in the backcourt now with Boobie, West, Mo, Sasha, and Wally...I still assume that Wally could be moved midseason tho...

 

[exhawg]

Great move...Lots of scoring options in the backcourt now with Boobie, West, Mo, Sasha, and Wally...I still assume that Wally could be moved midseason tho...

I would be shocked if Wally isn't moved.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Countdown to training camp: A look into the future

Posted by [URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/about.html"][URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/"]Dan Labbe, cleveland.com[/URL][/URL] September 23, 2008 09:50AM


Today we take a look into our Cavaliers crystal ball and assess the Cavaliers through the lens of next June. A word of warning, though: what you're going to read are the extremes. They are not predictions. I don't really think Mo Williams will be Gilbert Arenas of 2006, but his game can be Arenas-esque at times. I also don't think that Zydrunas Ilgauskas will remind people of Chris Dudley, but this is a conversation of extremes. The truth will probably lie somewhere in the middle for most of these players.
Each player assessment is what could happen if everything goes right for that player and what could happen if things don't work out so well. For one or two players, the extremes may play out. But for most players, these assessments offer a ceiling and a floor that I'll use to evaluate them once the season comes to a close.

Daniel Gibson

His role: With Mo Williams and Delonte West in the fold, Gibson no longer has to focus on being the team's point guard. Now he's the primary shooter and, when he's healthy, he's one of the league's best.
What we'll be saying if things go right: "Gibson's star continued to rise this season as a top 5 three-point shooter in the league. It will only get better from here, too, as his ballhandling skills improved dramatically."
What we'll be saying if things go wrong: "Another promising season cut short by injuries leaves the Cavaliers thankful they signed Mo Williams and brought back Delonte West, but wondering if they can count on the man who was formerly their most cold-blooded shooter."

Continued......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Cavaliers Insider: Williams gets another audition

by Mary Schmitt Boyer Thursday September 18, 2008, 6:47 PM


Eric Gay/AP file photoA star at St. Edward and at North Carolina, Jawad Williams has yet to find a steady spot in the NBA.


Former St. Edward High School star Jawad Williams has been invited to take part in the Cavaliers' training camp, which opens with media day on Sept. 29.
Williams, a 6-9, 218-pound forward who played on the Cavs' summer league team, has played in the NBA Development League and overseas since graduating from North Carolina in 2005. He had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2006-07 season.
Roster move: The Cavs granted guard Billy Thomas his request to be released. He signed a guaranteed contract to play in Greece.

Continued.......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Countdown to training camp: The focus turns to Mike Brown

Posted by [URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/about.html"][URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner"]Dan Labbe, cleveland.com[/URL][/URL] September 18, 2008 10:09AM


"Here's the main issue...Mike Brown's offense!" -dblue

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerAt times this is what Mike Brown's teams have seemed like offensively. Then again, he's never had the weapons he has going into this season.


The response to my post about 2008-2009 being the Cavs' year was overwhelmingly positive. The above comment was an exception. But it raises a valid concern.
Personally, I like Mike Brown. I've been critical of him at times, but you can't argue with results. And the guys over at Cavalier Attitude go so far as to ask if Mike Brown might just be the best head coach in Ohio.
Mike Brown's tenure boils down to two things: More overall team success than in any three-year span in Cavs history and no semblance of an offensive gameplan.
That's why, for the first time, we're going to get a chance to see whether Mike Brown really is able to coach on the offensive end as well as he has on the defensive end. For the first time in his head coaching career, Brown will go into training camp with a team offering him legitimate offensive weapons and plenty of flexibility in his rotation.

Continued......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Countdown to training camp: For Cavs, the time is now

Posted by [URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/about.html"][EMAIL="[email protected]"]Dan Labbe, cleveland.com[/EMAIL][/URL] September 16, 2008 10:30AM

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerBy the middle of June, 2009, LeBron James could be holding a much nicer trophy.
Enough about 2010.


We know all about 2010. We know LeBron James can opt out. We know teams are scrambling to clear cap space. We know the Cavs, at least for now, have plenty of cap space. We know the Cavs can offer more money and more years. We know Cleveland doesn't offer the gargantuan marketing and merchandising opportunities, fan-base size and mystique some other cities may have.
But who cares about 2010? Are we so paranoid as a fan base that we're losing sleep over something two years away? Are national sports writers (and me...) so bereft of ideas that all they can do is churn out the same thing we've read 100 times or more?
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, the time is now.

Continued.......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Count on the Cavs: Frustrated Cleveland fans can believe in NBA franchise, says Terry Pluto

by Terry Pluto Thursday September 25, 2008, 6:33 PM


Tony Dejak/Associated PressCavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, as head coach Mike Brown (right) listened, expressed confidence on Thursday about the upcoming NBA season and the long-term future of the franchise.



Gilbert, Ferry eager to get new season started.

Here's a prediction: The Cavaliers will not let the fans down this season. They may not win an NBA title, but they will be serious contenders.
That's what I was thinking while hearing owner Dan Gilbert, General Manager Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown at a pre-training camp press conference Thursday.
I was thinking about how Cleveland sports fans desperately need a reason to cheer, after the Indians dropped from World Series contenders to the dreaded spoilers. And how the Cavs can be some medicine to discouraged Browns fans who have watched their team slip from 10-6 in 2007 to 0-3 and in serious trouble, especially if they lose Sunday in Cincinnati.
I was thinking about how I'd be stunned if this season became the same sad story for the Cavaliers, as it has been for the other two local franchises.

I was thinking that as long as LeBron James is healthy and in uniform and as long as Gilbert is paying the bills, these guys should give fans reason to dream that a championship is possible.

Continued.................

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Things to consider as Cavs prepare to open training camp

by [email protected] Saturday September 27, 2008, 10:56 PM



The last time Cavaliers fans saw LeBron James on the basketball court, he was wearing the red, white and blue of the United States and celebrating the Redeem Team's gold-medal victory over Spain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Naturally, Cavs fans want to know if he -- and they -- will be celebrating after the NBA season as well. Heading into training camp, which will begin with media day Monday and two-a-days Tuesday, there aren't a lot of questions. But, since we're paid to ask, here are five that spring to mind.
Can LeBron James lead the Cavs to the championship this season?
The young superstar has done all anyone could ask on the basketball court, but it hasn't been enough. Yet. The team's off-season moves were designed to address some weaknesses and, at the same time, build continuity. If they work out, the team has to be considered a strong contender to unseat the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. James, of course, is the key. How does he see this team? What are his plans heading forward, and how will the Cavs try to pace him after his summer-long stint with Team USA?

Continued...................

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Cavs must learn to trust entire team Defense is priority for Cavaliers coach
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist

Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: Trust will be a big word for the Cavaliers this season.
It was a big concept for the Boston Celtics in last season's championship drive. Not because Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce trusted each other, but because they trusted the others on the team.
Doc Rivers said that was the key to the Celtics uniting to win a title.
So it is with the Cavs, who have to learn to trust everyone on the team, not only LeBron James.
Coach Mike Brown referred to trust in general terms at a news conference last week. He said that this season he wants to ''show our players that I believe in them on both of ends of the floor, that I trust them on both ends of the floor no matter who's out there.''
Translation: He does not always want James to feel he has to do everything.
The reason: The team around James is strong enough that he should not have to do everything.
James finally has a point guard, Mo Williams, who can shoot, drive and pass.
He has another guard he grew to respect in Delonte West, as well as Daniel Gibson, one of his preferred teammates.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

LeBron tells it like it is He hits on both old issues and business, says he's excited about Cavs' chances
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: The NBA season started anew Monday as training camps kicked off for most of the 30 teams.
LeBron James, reporting for duty for his sixth season and quite excited about the Cavaliers' chances, felt he needed to use the annual media day to address a few old topics that never seem to go away.
First on the list was his future when his contract with the Cavs expires in two years. Especially after a summer when the two New York-area teams started making moves in earnest to clear cap space for that precious summer of 2010.
''Go on the Internet and look at every time I have been asked am I happy in Cleveland and see my response,'' James said to the large media gathering.
''I've never given any indication that I was leaving or didn't like being here. Every time I am asked the question ? I love being here, I love playing in front of these fans, my family is here, I grew up 30 miles away ? I never gave any indication that I did not like playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.''
Then on to hot button part two, an issue that seems to be equally as debate-worthy in Northeast Ohio: James' support of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. James brought up this one on his own and he was equally serious in relating his feelings.
''Now, I'll say I like the Yankees and the Cowboys, but that has nothing to do with the Cavaliers,'' he said.
''It's not fun [to be questioned about it]. Am I not allowed to be a fan? When I grew up watching sports, the Cowboys were a team to love; Michael Jordan was [a player] to love. If I say I like Michael Jordan, is that a problem because I didn't say Mark Price?'' James asked. ''Is that a problem? Is it? That is who I grew up watching. These are the teams and the people that inspired me. Now I broke it down for you all.''
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Ilgauskas isn't thinkingabout retirement... Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
Ilgauskas isn't thinking
about retirement yet
INDEPENDENCE: At age 33, Zydrunas Ilgauskas says the offseasons feel like they are getting shorter and the regular seasons are getting longer.
Yet as he enters his 11th season with the Cavaliers and is within 81 games of tying Danny Ferry for the franchise record for games played, he's not thinking about retirement.
''Why shouldn't I keep playing?'' he said Monday at media day. ''I'm going to be able to do nothing for the rest of my life so I might as well do this.''
This is actually a contract year of sorts for Ilgauskas, who has an option in his deal to become a free agent at the end of this season.
Normally this would be a big topic of conversation for a former All-Star, especially a big man.
But Ilgauskas said he isn't even considering opting out for the moment and doesn't want to think about playing anywhere else. He is scheduled to make $10.8 million this season and $11.5 million next year if he chooses.
''I don't foresee myself going anywhere. Where am I going to go?'' Ilgauskas said. ''I grew up here basically. I want to retire as a Cavalier.''
VAREJAO FEELS HEAT ? You would think this would've been an easier summer than last year for Anderson Varejao, when he was embroiled in a protracted contract holdout. Last summer, he was constantly in the headlines in America while working out in Brazil. But this summer, he got heat in the media in Brazil for working out in America.


Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

James believes Cavs have golden opportunity

by Mary Schmitt Boyer Monday September 29, 2008, 10:37 PM




David I. Andersen, The Plain DealerAs Lebron James poses during Cavaliers Media Day on Monday, Anderson Varejao walks up with his "I'm with stupid" T-shirt to get a laugh.
By all accounts, LeBron James had a pretty good season last year.
He became the Cavaliers all-time leading scorer and the only Cav to lead the league in scoring with 30 points per game. He was the MVP of the All-Star Game and made the all-NBA team. Then he went to the Beijing Olympics and led the U.S. Redeem Team to a gold medal, avenging its bronze-medal finish in Athens, Greece, in 2004.
So, how much better does he think he is heading into this season?
"Me, as an individual, I know I've improved, I think five times [better] than I was in Game 7 of the Boston series," James said during the Cavaliers media day on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Five times better? That's a scary thought for the rest of the NBA. But the Cavaliers captain put the rest of the league on notice.

"As a leader, I think I can lead these guys to a championship," James said. "We really believe that. It's not about making the playoffs any more for our team. It's about winning a championship."

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Pics and vids at link

CPD

Cavaliers Media Day

by Joey Morona/cleveland.com Monday September 29, 2008, 7:06 PM


LeBron and company at the Cavaliers media day

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Cavaliers notebook: LeBron James says he's not going anywhere
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BY CHRIS BEAVEN
[email protected]

INDEPENDENCE LeBron James has an answer for fans worried over speculation that it's a foregone conclusion he will leave the Cavs in the summer of 2010.

"Go on the Internet and look at every time I've been asked if I'm happy in Cleveland and see my response," James said. "It's simple. I never gave an indication that I was leaving Cleveland. I never gave an indication that I didn't like being here."

James answered that question again from reporters during Monday's media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

"Every time I'm asked that question, I love being here, I love playing in front of these fans," he said. "My family is here. I grew up 30 miles away from here. I've never gave any indication that I did not like playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, I'll say I like the Yankees and the Cowboys, but that has nothing do with the Cavaliers."

James often wears a Yankees baseball hat, which to some people furthers the belief he's going to head to New York in 2010. He also has to defend himself against some who get worked up about him being a fan of the Cowboys, something he did yet again as he kept a good-natured smile on his face.

"I'm a fan of those teams," he said. "Am I not allowed to be a fan of a team?"

He said growing up as kid, the Cowboys were "the team to love."

"If I say I like Michael Jordan is that a problem cause I didn't say (former Cavs All-Star) Mark Price?" James asked. "Is that a problem? Is it? ... That's who I grew up watching. These are the teams and people that inspired me when I was growing up."
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Nothing short of NBA title with satisfy Cavaliers
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BY CHRIS BEAVEN
[email protected]

INDEPENDENCE A month removed from winning a gold medal, LeBron James does not sound anywhere close to being satisfied as a basketball player.

The Cavaliers superstar made it clear Monday that his sole purpose this season is to earn an NBA championship ring.

"I think I can lead these guys to the championship," James said during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "We really believe that. It's not about making the playoffs for our team anymore. It's about winning a championship."

James is far from the only Cavalier talking about a title. In fact, it was pretty much a chorus.

"That's what we're about ... that's where our focus is, that's what this team has been built for," third-year guard Daniel Gibson said.

"We all have one goal I guarantee you, talk to anybody, everybody's saying a championship, that's the goal," point guard Mo Williams said.

The addition of Williams creates much of the optimism. A 17-points-a-game scorer in Milwaukee the last two seasons, Williams' ability to create offense for himself and others has him viewed as the missing piece to a championship puzzle.

"Mo Williams is an unbelievable talent," said James, who saw Williams average 26.0 points and 9.0 assists against the Cavs. "You can watch any film of what he did to us last year in four games. It was like, 'Wow, he either has something against us or he's sending up smoke signals to go get him in a trade.' "

The addition of Williams is part of the positive vibe around the team.

"We're going to have a dedicated team, we're going to have a team that has one goal in mind," Williams said. "We're not competing against each other. We're competing against the other team."

Cont...