[mookieParticipant]

 Are you guys sick of ESPN’s love affair with Lebron?  I mean geez the guy can do no wrong.  I been watchin ESPN the past few days and they are talking about how lebron is taking a back seat and even "quitting" on his team so that he can teach them a lesson so that he will be able to play his way and have the team play his way as the season progress if they continue to lose.  Remember how bad the media butchered Kobe when he supposedly quit on his team?  Now I know playoffs vs regular season is different, but where do they get these stories from?  Can they prove Lebron or Kobe quit?  And why are they so hard on Kobe but justify what Lebron does?  They can’t prove either one but make up stories.  Now they are saying that Lebron and Kyrie "exchanged words" after the loss against the Blazers.  If that’s the case did he still "quit" or was it cuz they had beef?  Now they are saying it wasn’t a heated exchange.  Good God get off Lebron already.  He is the best player right now, but tell it how it is.  They simply haven’t meshed yet.  How much longer till its Lebron vs the coach?

[ncballer]

 I don’t think that Clevland’s struggles have much to do with Lebron.  If trends continue, I expect Irving’s value to go down tremendously in the league.  I have felt that he has been overrated for a while.  He and Isaiah Thomas have put up similar stats with similar records on similarly talented teams since both were drafted.  One is regarded as a franchise PG, the other one will probably be pushing for a 6th man of the year award.  If their struggles continue he may start to get a rep as a me-first PG who doesn’t make talent around him better. 

Of course it is too early for me to be jumping to conclusions, just what I believe will happen if these trends continue.  

[ncballer]

 I don’t think that Clevland’s struggles have much to do with Lebron.  If trends continue, I expect Irving’s value to go down tremendously in the league.  I have felt that he has been overrated for a while.  He and Isaiah Thomas have put up similar stats with similar records on similarly talented teams since both were drafted.  One is regarded as a franchise PG, the other one will probably be pushing for a 6th man of the year award.  If their struggles continue he may start to get a rep as a me-first PG who doesn’t make talent around him better. 

Of course it is too early for me to be jumping to conclusions, just what I believe will happen if these trends continue.  

[King CaluchaParticipant]

ESPN has become some sort of talk show. They put every athlete on an either "good guy" or "bad guy" label. There’s absolutely no objectivity whatsoever in their opinions. And this is a global problem, it happens in all latinamerican branches of the network (mainly with soccer players) as well.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

ESPN has become some sort of talk show. They put every athlete on an either "good guy" or "bad guy" label. There’s absolutely no objectivity whatsoever in their opinions. And this is a global problem, it happens in all latinamerican branches of the network (mainly with soccer players) as well.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

When people were anointing the Cavs as a lock to make it out of the East, I was dumbfounded. I knew that it would take time for the Cavs to gel and I didn’t think they would make it out of the East this year anyways. Kyrie and Kevin are incredible talents with absolutely zero games of playoff experience between them. Kyrie’s, “Is this what a playoff game is like?” bumbling statement to Mike Miller just shows he hasn’t ever really played in any big time games that matter in the NBA, Dion Waiters is an absolute train wreck and unwilling to do any sort of sacrificing for the good of the team. I knew it would be a struggle for the Cavs early, but after about 6 games, it really is looking worse than I thought it would be. Of course the Cavs have plenty of time to turn it around, but as of now, the parts just look mismatched and they really have to decide what to do with Waiters. Lebron’s greatest challenge of his career will be bringing this team together and in position for a run come April.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

When people were anointing the Cavs as a lock to make it out of the East, I was dumbfounded. I knew that it would take time for the Cavs to gel and I didn’t think they would make it out of the East this year anyways. Kyrie and Kevin are incredible talents with absolutely zero games of playoff experience between them. Kyrie’s, “Is this what a playoff game is like?” bumbling statement to Mike Miller just shows he hasn’t ever really played in any big time games that matter in the NBA, Dion Waiters is an absolute train wreck and unwilling to do any sort of sacrificing for the good of the team. I knew it would be a struggle for the Cavs early, but after about 6 games, it really is looking worse than I thought it would be. Of course the Cavs have plenty of time to turn it around, but as of now, the parts just look mismatched and they really have to decide what to do with Waiters. Lebron’s greatest challenge of his career will be bringing this team together and in position for a run come April.

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Lots of Cavs drama going on according to ESPN! By the way be sure to watch the Cavs Friday on ESPN

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Lots of Cavs drama going on according to ESPN! By the way be sure to watch the Cavs Friday on ESPN

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Watching LeBron makes me remember how much I used to like watch Dominique Wilkins when he was slightly past his prime.

The 2014-2015 Cavs might also give the 1989-1990 Atlanta Hawks team a run for its money.  Nique, Moses Malone, Doc Rivers, Spud Webb, Kevin Willis, Kenny Smith, Cliff Levingston, and Antoine Carr.  What could go wrong? (Besides missing the playoffs.)

That team was also involved the first NBA game I ever went to.   An exhibtion game between the Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks.

If Sam Perkins played on that Mavs team then I might have seen Sam Perkins play in exhibition games with 3 different teams (Mavs, Lakers, and Sonics).  That might be some kind of record.

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Watching LeBron makes me remember how much I used to like watch Dominique Wilkins when he was slightly past his prime.

The 2014-2015 Cavs might also give the 1989-1990 Atlanta Hawks team a run for its money.  Nique, Moses Malone, Doc Rivers, Spud Webb, Kevin Willis, Kenny Smith, Cliff Levingston, and Antoine Carr.  What could go wrong? (Besides missing the playoffs.)

That team was also involved the first NBA game I ever went to.   An exhibtion game between the Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks.

If Sam Perkins played on that Mavs team then I might have seen Sam Perkins play in exhibition games with 3 different teams (Mavs, Lakers, and Sonics).  That might be some kind of record.

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Call Guiness Records.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Call Guiness Records.

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Irvings number compared to john walls numbers last night 31-10-6 vs 34 and zero assists

irving is playing with lebron love mike miller waiters vs wall playing with temple pierce nene gortat

WOW

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Irvings number compared to john walls numbers last night 31-10-6 vs 34 and zero assists

irving is playing with lebron love mike miller waiters vs wall playing with temple pierce nene gortat

WOW

[ncballer]

Most important post on this thread.  

[ncballer]

Most important post on this thread.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If the Cavs called the T Wolves and offered LeBron, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Mike Miller, and Brendan Haywood for Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Thad Young, Gorgui Dieng, Zach Lavine, and Corey Brewer how fast would the T Wolves hang up the phone?

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If the Cavs called the T Wolves and offered LeBron, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Mike Miller, and Brendan Haywood for Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Thad Young, Gorgui Dieng, Zach Lavine, and Corey Brewer how fast would the T Wolves hang up the phone?

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Rubio, Dellavadova, Lavine, Waiters, James Jones, Wiggins, Corey Brewer, Thad Young, Tristan Thompson, Dieng, and Varejao would win the East.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Rubio, Dellavadova, Lavine, Waiters, James Jones, Wiggins, Corey Brewer, Thad Young, Tristan Thompson, Dieng, and Varejao would win the East.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

miami started the 2010 season 8-7 before getting into a groove..this team needs time to adjust..last season lebron scored 79% of his points at the rim..this yr its 53%…they need to decide whose the better 2nd option irving or love?

their defense and ball movement needs improving….the cavs at the bottom in assist

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

miami started the 2010 season 8-7 before getting into a groove..this team needs time to adjust..last season lebron scored 79% of his points at the rim..this yr its 53%…they need to decide whose the better 2nd option irving or love?

their defense and ball movement needs improving….the cavs at the bottom in assist

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

 

I was at the Portland game and LeBron’s effort was completely lackluster. He likes to talk about leading by example but his display that night was disgraceful. Never went full speed, never looked interested after the 1st. I understand saving your legs for the playoffs but he continues to talk about this team needing to gel and learning how to win but that’s not how you do it. It was the first time I had seen him live and walked away wondering why I love the NBA more than college. At least you know those kids will bring it every night…

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

 

I was at the Portland game and LeBron’s effort was completely lackluster. He likes to talk about leading by example but his display that night was disgraceful. Never went full speed, never looked interested after the 1st. I understand saving your legs for the playoffs but he continues to talk about this team needing to gel and learning how to win but that’s not how you do it. It was the first time I had seen him live and walked away wondering why I love the NBA more than college. At least you know those kids will bring it every night…

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Kyrie Irving is becoming what Stephon Marbury was. Great stats but could never lead a team as a PG 

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Kyrie Irving is becoming what Stephon Marbury was. Great stats but could never lead a team as a PG 

[McDunkin]

ESPN has devolved since launching in the late 70’s… they’ve focused solely on the STAR ATHLETE rather than a game/sport for entertainment. Since 2004, their main focus has been always on A-Rod, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, Tim Tebow, Kobe , Johnny Manziel, Jameis Winston, and maybe a few other mentionables… they campaign these athletes as the idols we must worship, when in fact, they’re just becoming great Tweets/Retweets… ESPN has lost the integrity of a game.

Look at any of their coverage of the Cavs game in the last 24 hours. You might catch a glimpse of Hayward’s game winner and maybe his run down block…because it was on Lebron. Pretty much the Cavs lost the game Utah didn’t win.

Atleast NBATV truly tries to be neutral. Espn could have made some kind of mention of Utah as a rising young team or showed Hayward’s heartfelt post game speech like NBATV did.

http://youtu.be/_YP_oOg1LcM

[McDunkin]

ESPN has devolved since launching in the late 70’s… they’ve focused solely on the STAR ATHLETE rather than a game/sport for entertainment. Since 2004, their main focus has been always on A-Rod, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, Tim Tebow, Kobe , Johnny Manziel, Jameis Winston, and maybe a few other mentionables… they campaign these athletes as the idols we must worship, when in fact, they’re just becoming great Tweets/Retweets… ESPN has lost the integrity of a game.

Look at any of their coverage of the Cavs game in the last 24 hours. You might catch a glimpse of Hayward’s game winner and maybe his run down block…because it was on Lebron. Pretty much the Cavs lost the game Utah didn’t win.

Atleast NBATV truly tries to be neutral. Espn could have made some kind of mention of Utah as a rising young team or showed Hayward’s heartfelt post game speech like NBATV did.

http://youtu.be/_YP_oOg1LcM

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 Don’t forget Favre!! 

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 Don’t forget Favre!! 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’s early, but the growing pains are going to be significant for this Cavs team lol… Even more so than they were for the Heat. There is no Pat Riley. No D. Wade. There isn’t even an Erik Spoelstra lol. This Cavs organization just doesn’t have the same type of strong personalities that Miami does. And like LeBron said… A lot of their key guys haven’t played winning basketball. 

Everyone is talking about them at the offensive end, but the real problem is at the defensive end. These guys just simply don’t understand where to be. LeBron was annoyed several times last night vs the Jazz (even though his defense wasn’t that great either). 

LeBron is known as a great leader, but I’m still not sure that he really is. I’m interested to see how the team responds to him. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’s early, but the growing pains are going to be significant for this Cavs team lol… Even more so than they were for the Heat. There is no Pat Riley. No D. Wade. There isn’t even an Erik Spoelstra lol. This Cavs organization just doesn’t have the same type of strong personalities that Miami does. And like LeBron said… A lot of their key guys haven’t played winning basketball. 

Everyone is talking about them at the offensive end, but the real problem is at the defensive end. These guys just simply don’t understand where to be. LeBron was annoyed several times last night vs the Jazz (even though his defense wasn’t that great either). 

LeBron is known as a great leader, but I’m still not sure that he really is. I’m interested to see how the team responds to him. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 ESPN is a problem.. I’ve never liked the company or what they bring to the table, they are really trying to turn professional sports into a tabloid affair.. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 ESPN is a problem.. I’ve never liked the company or what they bring to the table, they are really trying to turn professional sports into a tabloid affair.. 

[doubledribblerParticipant]

It’s hard to win when two of your players are too busy worrying about getting theirs. You can definitely get by on talent, but if you don’t move the ball you end up netralizing the guys around you. Surely a lot of you guys have played pickup basketball and you end up on a team with one guy that tries to score every time or he only passes because he gets himself in a bad spot or calls for the ball back as soon as he passes it. Imagine playing with two of those guys on the court at the same time. Waiters and Irving don’t care to pass, they don’t defend, they don’t rebound, they just shoot. There is no way a guy with Irving’s talent and with as much as he has the ball doesn’t get 1 assist in that game. NBA scoring tables are way too lenient for that to happen, along with the fact he has scorers around him.

I like the Cavs frontcourt. Some people would say it is an overreaction, but I would easily trade Irving. The team has too many holes  and you might be able to fill enough of them with him. The Cavs, including Waiters played much better when Irving was out last year. Luol Deng might be declining, but he looked fine with the Bulls and he looks fine now. He stood around a lot with Cleveland.

Blatt needs to step up and make some tough decisions and get everyone on board with whatever his plan is. Either you get on board or you don’t play. He has nothing to lose.

 

 

 

 

  

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’d trade Waiters, but there’s no way I’d trade Irving. He has some holes in his game, but he’s just too gifted. 

Even with having zero assists and overdribbling a few times vs the Jazz the other night, he was phenomenal offensively and made some huge plays. His aggressiveness will pay off for the Cavs later. 

Irving is still young. People need to be patient and allow him to grow as a player at both ends. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[doubledribblerParticipant]

Irving is talented, but like I said the team has too many holes. You can get way more back for Irving than Waiters. I think once they traded for Love that changed how fast they needed to compete for the title. It is early to panic, but sometimes I think going in you know that certain guys don’t fit. That is how I felt when NY went after Melo and already had Amare on the team. Now if they had never made the trade and kept Wiggins, then there is no way I would say trade Irving. Maybe Irving would have been better off at this point if Cleveland had did a better job of trying to build around him in the pre- Lebron comeback years, but that is something we will never know.

[doubledribblerParticipant]

Irving is talented, but like I said the team has too many holes. You can get way more back for Irving than Waiters. I think once they traded for Love that changed how fast they needed to compete for the title. It is early to panic, but sometimes I think going in you know that certain guys don’t fit. That is how I felt when NY went after Melo and already had Amare on the team. Now if they had never made the trade and kept Wiggins, then there is no way I would say trade Irving. Maybe Irving would have been better off at this point if Cleveland had did a better job of trying to build around him in the pre- Lebron comeback years, but that is something we will never know.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’d trade Waiters, but there’s no way I’d trade Irving. He has some holes in his game, but he’s just too gifted. 

Even with having zero assists and overdribbling a few times vs the Jazz the other night, he was phenomenal offensively and made some huge plays. His aggressiveness will pay off for the Cavs later. 

Irving is still young. People need to be patient and allow him to grow as a player at both ends. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[doubledribblerParticipant]

It’s hard to win when two of your players are too busy worrying about getting theirs. You can definitely get by on talent, but if you don’t move the ball you end up netralizing the guys around you. Surely a lot of you guys have played pickup basketball and you end up on a team with one guy that tries to score every time or he only passes because he gets himself in a bad spot or calls for the ball back as soon as he passes it. Imagine playing with two of those guys on the court at the same time. Waiters and Irving don’t care to pass, they don’t defend, they don’t rebound, they just shoot. There is no way a guy with Irving’s talent and with as much as he has the ball doesn’t get 1 assist in that game. NBA scoring tables are way too lenient for that to happen, along with the fact he has scorers around him.

I like the Cavs frontcourt. Some people would say it is an overreaction, but I would easily trade Irving. The team has too many holes  and you might be able to fill enough of them with him. The Cavs, including Waiters played much better when Irving was out last year. Luol Deng might be declining, but he looked fine with the Bulls and he looks fine now. He stood around a lot with Cleveland.

Blatt needs to step up and make some tough decisions and get everyone on board with whatever his plan is. Either you get on board or you don’t play. He has nothing to lose.

 

 

 

 

  

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

a javale mcgee for dion waiters trade would be nice for both teams

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

a javale mcgee for dion waiters trade would be nice for both teams

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas once played on the same team.  And, I don’t remember hearing about the Cincy Royals ever winning a title.

22.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.4 blocks.  That’s what John Havlicek averaged in his 12th season.  Right in line with Rick Barry, and basically what LeBron is doing so far this year.  Another close stat line (so far) would be 38 year old Jordan on the Wizards.  

Luckily, 12th year Hondo ended up winning a title with the Celtics that season.

Dave Cowens averaged 19 and 16 with 4 assists for that C’s squad.

JoJo White pumped in 18 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.

Paul Silas also went for a double double with 11 and 11.

Don Chaney averaged 10 points a night at guard (I am guessing) to go along with a few boards and assists.

33 year old Don Nelson went for 11 and 4. 

23 year old Paul Westphal went for 7 a night.

They went 56-26 during the regular season.  Not good, not great.

They actually beat the old Buffalo Braves in the first round of the playoffs.  That team is now the LA Clippers.

You want a comparison team?  

The 1973-1974 Boston Celtics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas once played on the same team.  And, I don’t remember hearing about the Cincy Royals ever winning a title.

22.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.4 blocks.  That’s what John Havlicek averaged in his 12th season.  Right in line with Rick Barry, and basically what LeBron is doing so far this year.  Another close stat line (so far) would be 38 year old Jordan on the Wizards.  

Luckily, 12th year Hondo ended up winning a title with the Celtics that season.

Dave Cowens averaged 19 and 16 with 4 assists for that C’s squad.

JoJo White pumped in 18 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.

Paul Silas also went for a double double with 11 and 11.

Don Chaney averaged 10 points a night at guard (I am guessing) to go along with a few boards and assists.

33 year old Don Nelson went for 11 and 4. 

23 year old Paul Westphal went for 7 a night.

They went 56-26 during the regular season.  Not good, not great.

They actually beat the old Buffalo Braves in the first round of the playoffs.  That team is now the LA Clippers.

You want a comparison team?  

The 1973-1974 Boston Celtics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^^

Hondo, of course, was from Ohio.

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^^

Hondo, of course, was from Ohio.

 

[Author]

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