Been there, seen that, wrote it
Posted February 25th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
Miami — So the Cavs lost here after a terrible offensive effort. I simply refuse to go over all this old ground. So I am going to do what I said I was going to do. I will refer to this blog post and this story from December and move on the to the next game. Oh, and, of course, the Cavs always remind me why I hate the jump shot. Nothing I had to say back then is any different today.
I have seen this same game, over and over and over. Then I’ve heard Mike Brown say he was going to watch the film over and over and over. Then I’ve heard LeBron James say the team had good looks and they didn’t go down over and over and over. Free-throwing shooting, 3-point chucking basketball. Defense is good, but the rules require you to take the ball as well.
On other matters:
–Zydrunas Ilgauskas spoke to the media today about why he had to leave the team. It was very difficult for me just to listen, I cannot imagine how hard it was for him and his wife to go through it. They lost twins, a boy and a girl. His wife, Jennifer, was about five months pregnant. The Cavs officials let the media know what was going on awhile ago because they didn’t want anyone to think it was about basketball and we all, except for the Lithuanian media, respected those wishes. It was Z’s decision today to talk about it.
In the preseason, Z joked with me at a game in Rochester that he needed to hurry up and have kids because "If I have a girl when she goes to senior prom I still want to be able to intimidate her date." At the time he knew Jen was expecting but didn’t want to say a word. When I found out later, I went up to congratulate him and he asked me not to tell anyone about it. He was obviously cautious about it all. As sportswriters, we are supposed to be like referees, icy islands of objectivity. But when it comes to these matters, it is impossible not to be human, especially for a person who is as kind as big Z. So as his voice was cracking as he told a few of us in the locker room before the game, I couldn’t help but experience a little welling in the eyes.
–The Cavs dearly miss…Sasha Pavlovic. Did you ever think that would be the case? Without him over the last two games, not only has Brown been forced to deploy David Wesley, but whenever James goes out of the game the offense gets really ugly because nobody is creating their own shot. Before the game Brown said Sasha was so sick with the flu it was "…coming out of everywhere. Both ends, his ears and his nose." Gee, thanks for that, Mike. Um, so Sasha is pretty sick. Not sure about his status for Tuesday.
–On a brighter note, Bob Finnan of the Willoughby News-Herald delivered perhaps the line of the year for us media-types today. As we walked into AmericanAirlines Arena there was a noticeable foul odor. Finnan’s line: "Either the circus was just here or Shaq got some bad shellfish."
February 25th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I don’t know what you’re talking about Mr. Windhorst. I made 2 of 3 from three point range today. Therefore, I’m going to continue shooting them.
- Larry H.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Remember the good old days when Larry Hughes was hurt? And we weren’t forced to watch him chuck up terrible-looking jumpers every game? Ah, how I miss that time…
February 25th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
It’s a tragedy when anybody loses a child, whether born or unborn. You’ve now written what happened, and wrote it for publication in the newspaper. This should be it, end of story. It’s been published in the paper. But please, no more.
I’m not heartless, but I am a hardcore sports fan. You are the Beacon Journal’s Cavaliers beat reporter, not Ahmad Rashad’s cabana boy. If people want to experience a daily dose of maudlin, then they can simply tune into one of those long filmed “human interest” segments with the piano soundtrack playing in the background that they regularly force upon the viewing public on Sportscenter.
I do feel compassion for Ilgauskas, but I also feel sorry for loyal Cavs fans that are forced to be married to this guy and his contract for the next 3 1/2 years. It is a valid concern that you and others in the local sports media will use this unfortunate event to do that apologist thing you guys love to do. There’s a track record here. If it’s not his “surgically-repaired feet,” it’s playing too many minutes. If it’s not his feet or not too many minutes, it’s not getting him the ball. If it’s not his feet, not too many minutes or not getting him the ball, it will be the pain of losing his unborn children.
Don’t get me wrong, it is perfectly fine to post this sort of stuff in a blog. No problem there. But I *do* have a major problem with yet more Zydrunas/Jennifer stuff in the newspaper’s sports section. Which, unless I am reading you wrong, you may indeed write. Tom Reed wrote an amazingly sappy love story piece concerning those two last year, and that should have been more than enough to last for the rest of eternity.
No matter how strongly you may personally feel, it’s the sports section, not “Oprah.” Please don’t forget that.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
All I can say is thank God that the Cavs lost that game. My biggest fear through 3 quarters was that they would somehow pull it out at the end and take it as some sort of validation of the way they played. I needn’t have worried.
I’ve only missed one game this year, but I’ve got to say I think its time for me to take a little break from the Cavs. I just can’t keep watching the same fundamental mistakes being made over and over and over again. Too much dribbling. No movement off the ball. No assists. Larry Hughes throwing up bricks. LeBron settling for silly contested jump shots (the worst part is that he hits just enough to keep shooting them). I’ve been inclined to give Mike Brown the benefit of the doubt, but I think we’ve gotten to the point that he has to shoulder the blame. Every analyst in the league knows why the Cavs offense sucks so badly. Yet they just keep doing the same things and the players seem to have no idea what they’re doing wrong. Watching these games is just an exercise in frustration any more.
On another note, if I was a praying man I’d send one out to Z and his wife, but my best wishes will have to do. I hope getting back on the court will at least bring his some temporary solace from the overwhelming grief he must be feeling right now.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Agreed. Not even fun watching, hasn’t been all season. Where is the magic from last season? They have arguably the most gifted, exciting player in the league in Lebron and they are borderline unwatchable. How come it doesn’t seem like the coaches and players are even slightly frustrated.
And Larry Hughes is the most overpaid player in the NBA. He does nothing for this team, offensively or defensively.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
The Cavs should take the play with about 4:30 left in the 3rd where LBJ had the ball, passed to a cutting Gooden in the middle of the key, who then found another cutting Hughes for a layup and a foul. Why cant they see that cutting and movement creates easy hoops??? Everybody else can. The problem is Brown is soft. He is a politician and not a coach. He won’t call LBJ out for poor play. He wont bench Hughes after a bad shot. I think when Sasha comes back he should start instead of Hughes. Hughes is a punk. He is more intersted in partying and being a selfish basketball player. Who would have thought we would be wishing for another Hughes injury…maybe the wind will blow hard and he will pull a hamstring or something. Something needs to be done bc Hughes is killing this team. I know DJ, Marshall, “Everyone’s best buddy” Lebron, Gooden and just about everyone else on the team has underacheived, but Hughes has got to be the most frustrating Cavs player in years. He is a different player than he was in DC.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Alan - it’s only a game. Have some empathy.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
I know some jokes have been made at the expense of Hughes and his arm pantyhose, but seriously, why does he wear it? It’s on his left arm, not on his right arm, so it can’t be because he’s keeping his shooting arm nice and campfire toasty. Does he have a continuing physical ailment, or is it simply a preposterous fashion statement? Does he have an endorsement deal with L’eggs? Is Hughes a marsupial and his left arm is actually a pouch to keep his baby possums warm? I love animals, so I wouldn’t have any problem with this. Really, what’s the deal with his pantyhose?
February 25th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Tom, I believe you mean sympathy, not empathy. And it’s not “just a game.” Indeed, if it was “just a game,” then they wouldn’t print the Vegas odds next to the box scores.
Regardless, I said I do sympathize, and I clearly stated that personal feelings are perfectly fine for publication in a blog. But when a sportswriter’s personal feelings start to cloud their newspaper writing, then there’s a problem.
There is one good guy in the area whose sportswriting used to be rock-solid, but unfortunately has since been completely softened and ruined by the writer’s own personal feelings. I won’t say his name, but he used to be a planet. Our blog host has clearly not been immune, either.
I just think there is a point where enough is enough. It is the sports section, and there is a separate section in the newspaper for soap opera. Let’s keep it that way.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:16 am
The Gooden assist was sweet and it is the kind of play one would think the Cavs would aspire to but of course it doesn’t happen often because of the team’s preoccupation with the three point line. It begs the question as to why Ferry is so intent on trading Gooden (as BW explained in an article this past weekend).
Gooden is the one Cavalier veteran who has a fairly reasonable contract and who has been willing to change/sacrifice his game. He doesn’t pout about the number of shots he gets, though he just might be the team’s best shooter from 12 to 15 feet out. Those are the shots that open up inside lanes for cutters like LeBron, Hughes and Pavlovic.
It’s nice that Ferry has decided the team needs backcourt help (about 18 months after every one else realized it), and Gooden isn’t an all star. But the Cavs need to start using him on the offensive end, they need to stop benching him whenever he makes a mistake and they need to stop leaking to the press that he’s on the block.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Hey Alan,
The guy just lost not one, but two children to a miscarriage. Have some sympathy. And if Brian decides to do a story on it, with the blessing of the Ilgauskas’ of course, then the story should be told.
Z takes so much unwarranted criticism it’s not even funny. He is not used right at all. In a game like yesterday against Miami, you need him to be set up for the 15-17 foot jumpers that he can make because Shaq will not be bothered to defend that.
When he plays a lesser center like a Etan Thomas/Brendan Haywood, etc., Z can and will dominate them on the offensive end. Mike Brown is just too afraid to take the ball out of Lebron’s hands, so he won’t call plays for his PF and his C. Open your eyes and learn basketball before you try to criticize one of the top centers in the conference.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:33 am
A coupe things.
1. Alan Tucker, please shut up.
2. HOW ABOUT THEM BUCKEYES!!!!! #1 IN THE COUNTRY AND BIG TEN CHAMPS!
February 26th, 2007 at 5:24 am
“On Sunday, the Cavs shot a season-worst 48 percent, going 10-of-21. Not once did any player make both free-throw attempts.”
48%!! That is just an unreal number. How can these players not be embarrassed as hell with the way they are underperforming?
Those kinds of numbers indicate a lot more serious problem than shots just not falling. There is some kind of serious issue with mental preparation or performance anxiety going on with this team. Watching them shoot free throws reminds me of when Chuck Knoblauch lost the ability to throw from 2nd base to 1st or when Rick Ankiel lost it and couldn’t stop chucking pitches to the backstop.
February 26th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Sympathy to Z on his loss. We need the big guy to start playing like he knows he can.
What was with Wild Thing yesterday. Mourning
intimidated him then he started shooting air
ball three footers. We need to be more aggresive at the rim. Throw the damn ball
down instead of waiting to get hit and then
missing the free throws. This team has all
kinds of talent but they are mentally and
physically soft. Miami and Detroit are the
hard asses and we are the pansies. Instead
of Bibby we should have been looking at
Artest.
February 26th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Matt, if Ilgauskas goes up against Etan Thomas for a seven-game series in the NBA Finals, then I’ll agree with everything you just said.
But you are completely missing the point. The sports section is for sports, and the Ferry/Ilgauskas combo has already long received a free ride from the Beacon Journal’s sportswriters.
Let’s nip this thing in the bud. Death is part of life. It’s a tragic story, but if it’s for publication in the newspaper, writers assigned to the team need to focus upon what’s going on on the court, not off it.
February 26th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Tucker is BW too sappy for you? Did it
ever occur to you that he practically
lives with these guys and he also
works with them. He probably knows a lot
of their families personally. As a beat
writer that is his job. So when the Cavaliers starting center misses two
weeks and loses twins he is not supposed
to report or be emotional about this.
Lets say one of your friends or co-workers
got hit by a train. AND you were a writer.
Wouldn,t you write about it?
February 26th, 2007 at 8:14 am
To answer your question, jmoe, if I was a Cavaliers beat reporter for a newspaper, no, I would not write about it.
Northeast Ohio sportswriting is fluffy enough without outside influences further softening the dirth of rough edges. This is a type of story that is perfect for a Terry Pluto faith column. But in a section of the newspaper where objectivity is paramount? No.
February 26th, 2007 at 8:16 am
OK, that is about enough. Tom, Matt and the rest of you can continue the love fest over on the hallmark blog.
This is sports and NOT Oprah. Z’s whole family can rot in hell for all I care. What does or does not happen in the personal lives of these althletes cannot change the fact that some of them do not perform to the level that their contract demands.
I’m sorry if that is too harsh for you, but you are welcome to respond over on the sympathy blog.
February 26th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Listen, this isn’t Reverend Pluto rambling on with bible verses and otherwise poorly written platitudinous, moralizing drivel. This is a guy writing about a tragedy that has afflicted one of our local sports figures. Im sure BW has developed a relationship with Z over the years as well. It’s pertinent. It’s newsworthy. And it was handled tastefully.
Comments from shawn and matthew are right on. This team is UNWATCHABLE. As I said weeks ago, Mikey is completely overmatched. No one on the team respects him. He’s like a substitute teacher with everyone sitting in the back laughing and throwing spitballs (or, in hughes case, chucking an endless supply of long jumpers).
Just fire him already so the spotlight can shine hotly on the real culprit behind this mess: The King, the Savior, LBJ…. and his astonishingly precipitous drop-off in production, his complete lack of leadership, his massive ego, etc etc etc….
This was the year. You really think his awkward, overly muscular body is going to last a long time in this league? Like he’s going to be any quicker in three or four years? Like he won’t get fat? Like he’s going to actually do something so beneath himself like “practice”, when he could be off making commercials? This guy peaked at St V’s. I won’t give up on him yet, but please, let’s at least hold him 50% accountable for this train wreck.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Love Fest? Part of being a Fan is liking your team. Z has been a major part of this franchise and has been nothing but a professional his entire career. So often in sports you hear about athletes having illegitimate children (shawn kemps of the world). Here you have a true family man that is excited about having children with his wife and he is met with tragedy.
I thank BW for his professionalism in writing this story. I haven’t heard anyone (especially not Z) using this as an excuse for his play or his contract.
Alan - Please stop. Are you trying to incite us or something? You say you want to nip this in the bud but you’ve already posted like 4 times on this issue. And it’s one thing to make a point (that sportswriting should be kept to sports) - it’s completely another to say things like “can rot in hell”. I think your comments are disgusting and make you look like a fool.
As for the Cavs - it must be an opposing coaches DREAM to play against them. They are the most predictable team in the NBA. I can almost give the play-by-play 10 seconds before it happens. I will never understand why LeBron holds to ball for 4-6 seconds when he gets it in isolation. So often you hear people talking about how he gets double teammed so much it makes it hard to do anything, yet when he has the ball in iso - he just stands there. I can’t stand ‘Melo, but if you watch a Nuggets game, when he gets the ball in iso - he EXPLODES to the hoop and almost always gets fouled or makes the shot. I agree that more movement is better than ISO offense but they don’t even run their ISO well.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Just for clarification, some immature knucklehead attached my name to the post preceding doc’s above. Although my sentiments are to be found in it (albeit a little too harshly for my taste), I didn’t write it.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Doc, my point is that is HAS been handled “tastefully.” But it’s been written about, and it’s done. What more needs to be said?
As I plainly stated, in a blog it’s fine. But in the sports section of a newspaper, any additional stories about it will be inappropriate and becomes fodder for a faith column.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:24 am
This team needs an enforcer. They have
needed an enforcer since LBJ was drafted.
He gets hit in the face, knocked down,
nothing happens. Simply put the whole
front court are pansies. They can shoot
but they cannot box out and they do not
finish or defend at the rim. Go get that
idiot from Dallas Mbenga the one who decked
Lebron last year. Get somebody with big
thighs and a muscular hairy chest who is
up on assualt charges. Get Mahorn or
Oakley out of retirement. Get somebody who
can kick somebodys ass. I am tired of this
team getting pushed around by Mourning and
Rasheed the wicked bullies of the East.
February 26th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Alan is entitled to his opinion about what he thinks should be in the sports section. However, he doesn’t work there so he doesn’t get to decide. If Brian only reported what happened on the court, we wouldn’t know anything about LeBron and Jay-Z’s friendship and Alan would probably be a much happier man, so I can see why he’s upset. Sports is like entertainment, a lot of people want to know what is happening in the lives of the players and so the media gives it to them. Alan just doesn’t happen to be one of those people.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Alan Tucker is a moron.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
No thats
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Everyone knows Tucker doesn’t
have a _________________
February 26th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
TO DOC : YOU POSED A GOOD QUESTION AS TO WHY LBJ HOLDS THE BALL FOR 4-6 QUESTIONS THEN GETS TRAPPED UNLIKE CARMELO WHO GETS THE BALL AND EXPLODE . I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU NOTICE , LBJ DOES NOT HAVE AN EXPLOSIVE 1ST STEP THAT SOME OF THE LEAGUE’S GREATEST PERMITER PLAYERS HAD (JORDAN ,BRYANT,MCGRADY,WADE ,IVERSON) . IF YOU NOTICE , WHEN HE GETS THE BALL , HE HAS TO BACK IT OUT TO THE TOP OF THE KEY , THEN GO TO THE BASKET WHEN HE DRIVES , UNLIKE SOMEONE LIKE A WADE OR BRYANT , ONCE THEY GET THE BALL,THEY CAN EXPPLODE TO THE HOLE FROM ANYWHERE ON THE FLOOR .LBJ IS VERY FAST END TO END , BUT FROM A STANDSTILL POSITION , HE’S NOT QUICK .
February 26th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
All you Hughes whiners take note of the following. Andress will love this.
His 2006-2007 numbers are no different
than his career numbers except for foul
shooting. When we signed him everybody
thought he was the second coming. Now he
has a few off shooting games and you are
ready to crucify him. O ye of little faith.
CAREER AVERAGES
Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
06-07 CLE 45 43 36.1 .401 .366 .670 0.6 2.9 3.5 3.1 1.2 0.3 2.09 2.60 14.8
Career 525 391 31.7 .413 .292 .751 1.2 3.3 4.6 3.3 1.6 0.3 2.32 2.40 15.2
February 26th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I think that LeBron’s struggles can be traced to the fact that he is a truly unique type of talent but is being used in a rather ordinary way. He seems to want to be a Kobe, MJ type of wing player when his body type and skill set do not lend themselves to that type of play. At his size, he is just not “flexible” enough to do the things those guys to (quick shots off the dribble, fadeaways, etc.). His body has changed so much since high school but his game has not changed with it. The guy should be trying to be a sort of “supercharged” version of Chris Webber (back when he used to be Chris Webber), posting guys up, bulling his way to the rack, and just generally wreaking havoc down low. No excuse that he doesn’t average 10 boards a night. He either hasn’t been told these things (unlikely), hasn’t been told them enough times or with enough emphasis (more likely), or simply doesn’t care and is not truly coachable (unfortunately, probably the case).
February 26th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
What’s the problem with writing a piece about Z’s current tragedy? For one thing, it’s still sports-related if you’re going to be that anal about it (I had no idea why he had missed the past few games, hence an explanation as to what the cause was is not simply extraneous information). And then, look at the alternative: write yet another piece about how the Cavs have been terribly inconsistent all season and how we fail to have enough scoring from our offense to go along with a decent defense. How many times can that be written about in an “objective” manner? Honestly, it hasn’t changed from the start of the season, and as Brian wrote in his blog, he’s said it all before. Would you rather he keep rehashing the same story over and over simply to satisfy one reader who feels that he is “too sappy” if he writes about anything else?
February 26th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Everybody has tragedies in their life. We now know the facts, but anything more about it in the newspaper is complete filler. “Human interest” stuff the media loves to do that once was parodied on an episode of “The Simpsons.” It’s not Xs and Os. It’s not analysis. It’s not sports reporting.
I still kid Tom Reed about his Z love story column from last year. Tom is now writing some good stuff in the Columbus Dispatch features and entertainment department. Which is where this type of story belongs. It doesn’t belong in the sports section. Sorry if you disagree.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Tucker,
Although I typically find your posts entertaining, I never find myself agreeing with you. And that’s again the case here. I have three problems with what you’ve said on this thread.
1) Z’s contract is not a major problem for the Cavs. NBA veterans, particularly ones who have proven to stay healthy and productive, get paid accordingly. Z has been both healthy and productive in recent years. His contract isn’t even in the top 50 in the NBA. As for Hughes’ contract …
2) Z’s family problems is a story, and one that this bloghost was respectful enough to sit on until Z was comfortable talking about it. I found myself pretty upset by the death of the twins because Z is Cleveland sports to me. There’s no one I can identify with on the Browns, and there are not many strong personalities on the Indians. But Z is a guy I’ll cheer for as soon as he leaves the Cavs. By the time he retires he’ll rank up there with Vizquel and Kosar in terms of being a fan favorite. The Greg Ostertag incident aside, Z has truly been a “good guy.”
3) BW isn’t soft. At all. He rarely gives our star forward free passes. The same cannot be said for our head coach.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Just to clarify, in my last line I meant to imply that Mike Brown often gives LBJ free passes. Not sure if it came out that way.
February 27th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Ryan, Ilgauskas’ contract is huge, both in dollars and years. If it’s not John Holmes, then it’s certainly Tommy Lee. Huge for his declining level of talent, huge for his age. And expecially ridiculous in that he effectively has a no-trade clause. Indeed, when taking into account his 15% kicker if he’s traded, his contract might as well be in the same envelope with Larry Hughes’ contract. It’s its contractual brother.
Is any general manager or owner in his right mind going to trade for that? Ilgauskas is with the Cavs until the time he’s planted on the bench like a Lithuanian Luke Witte. It’s why, along with the other bad contracts Ferry signed two summers ago, it will be nearly impossible to seriously get better.
With respect to Brown, I don’t know why Brown gets the blame for being unable to coach the players out there. James should probably try to drive to the basket more often, but the guy has been put in a no-win situation. With that said, I think he’ll win a playoff series or two, or even three, all by himself.
Speaking of James, I just read something from the Bob Finnan archives. The media in Northeast Ohio is softer than two-ply Charmin, but at least it’s often entertaining. Finnan wrote that he noticed James with his huge entourage eating pancakes, and LeBron made the restaurant cut up his pancakes before he ate them!!! A global icon who needs his pancakes cut up before they enter his golden mouth. And some people honestly believe this guy will stick around…
February 27th, 2007 at 6:37 am
JDK: Excellent post, you are right on.
When Lebron and Hughes pass to the post
whether its any of the bigs and cut and
pick off of that we are very effective.
When they stand and fire good luck. This
goes for Jones and Marshall too. When they
don’t move and play in Browns offense it’s
easy to stand at the 3 and fire away. The
path of least resistance. We very much need
for DJ and Donyell to be effective and they
have not been.Everybody needs to see the ball on this team.
Tuckers points about Z’s and Hughes contracts and Lebrons big head are
unfortunately valid. If its poisons
Andy, Sasha, Daniel and Shannon then
this team has got trouble. Lebron can
back it up unless he becomes a ball hog
which is often the case. Hughes and Z
have to produce and get the young guns
involved NOW>
February 27th, 2007 at 6:39 am
fantastic anecdote about the pancakes. I can just see maverick carter storming into the kitchen knocking chef hats off the short order cooks to make that happen. Another interesting Lebron article from simmons yesterday… fair and balanced Id say. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons
February 27th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I’m no Lebron fan, but I find it interesting that people like Alan Tucker are worried about silly things that have nothing to do with the “Queen’s” game. Yeah I guess he could cut up his own pancakes,but then again he could have stayed home and cooked his own meal. Having the restaurant cut up his pancakes is no different than having a restaurant cut a sandwich in half. And what is this constant concern about his “entourage”? Why is it anyone’s business whom he chooses to spend time with? Yeah, something must be wrong with James because he would rather share a meal with family and friends, as opposed to star gazing strangers who want to nick pick him apart. And I’m sure Wade and Anthony have entourage’s also.
I think James should leave. I’ve said several times that the Cavaliers should trade him. The Cavaliers cannot get better as long as Lebron is on the team,and Lebron cannot get better as long as he is on the team. Mangement screwed up big time the day they drafted lebron, and then decided to turn a bad team into a mediocre team. And on top of that,decided it was a good idea to have that team coached by a novice. The only way out of this mess is to trade James and get back into the draft.
February 27th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Dear Mister Windhorst,
I’m a big fan of your blog and I want to say that I hope you will not further alienate Alan Tucker by writing another word about Zydrunas Ilgauskas’s tragic loss. It was tough on Mr. Tucker last year when Larry Hughes’s brother died, but he managed to hold on, sustained by his soulless disregard for anyone’s feelings but his own and his poignant fantasies of friendship with you. But this — a story about stillborn babies and a grieving papa, the very same man who inspires such bitter, impotent rage in Mr. Tucker that he rarely posts on any other subject — this may drive him off for good. And I, for one, don’t know if this blog would be nearly as good a read without having on regular display the obsessive arrogance of a complete and utter asshole.
Sincerely,
Tim Ilenick
February 27th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Having a restaurant cut up my pancakes is no different than having a restaurant cut my sandwich in half? Yes, I suppose you are right…if I was 2. To the best of my knowledge, the Golden Child is 22.
By the way, I ain’t Bob Finnan, pal. I wasn’t the guy that peeked at LeBron’s pancakes and wrote about it in a newspaper.
February 27th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Alan Tucker is an idiot. All in favor, please post a “Yey”.
Alan, please start your own blog over at alantuckersucks.blogspot.com so your drivel does not ruin this once useful blog. Your negativty and pessimism really tends to suck this place up. Please go away.
This has been a public service announcement on behalf of Cavs fans who do not want to read this idiots garbage anymore.
February 27th, 2007 at 7:22 am
JoeHoops, you have a major problem with me, Bob Finnan and pancakes? Sorry.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:40 am
I never know what the hell you are talking about. Its all jibberish. You never have anything worthwhile to post. Its all nonsense, negative, and pessemistic. In real life I totally stay away from people like you, but its hard to do in thhis blog when every other post is your nonsense. Like I mentioned, go away.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:44 am
All in favor of a steel cage match
Tucker vs. Joe Hoops
Post aye
February 27th, 2007 at 8:44 am
HEY ALAN TUCKER, GET A LIFE!!!! U R A SICK PUPPY.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Leeeeebron will be gone in three years, he was asked in a recent publication about his future with the team after his contract exp. and he said, “never put all your eggs in on basket”, but what he should of said was, “i am looking forward to spending my career in cleveland and winnning championships for this great city” translation, he will be gone when his option year come up, so brown get shannon brown ready.
February 27th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Billy, I thought the same exact thing when I read LeBron’s quote in BW’s article. As much as I hate to give any of Alan Tucker’s previous endless rants of “LeBron is leaving” any creedence, LeBron saying “never put all your eggs in one basket” when asked about his future in Cleveland was hardly a ringing endorsement for staying here.
February 27th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Joe Hoops, please speak for yourself. If you don’t agree with Tucker don’t read his posts. I don’t always agree with Tucker’s opinions, but he’s entitled to them. His posts are fairly humorous and all of you who cry about Tucker’s posts play right into his hands. I think it’s funny that he can incite such negative reactions. Tucker along with Larry,kj,Andress and doc is the reason why I read this comments section.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:11 am
great post j. phi…
February 27th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Well I begged and begged for them to trade Hughes. But, of course, who’d want him!!!
So, If Gilbert is willing to spend the money, admit the mistake and BUY HIM OUT!!!
I know that’s a bit extreme, Okay you can staple him to the 12th seat.
There is nothing worst to watch then the ball in Hughes’ hands.
Start Snow & Gibson in the backcourt!!!
Give those shots to Gibson!!!
Snow shoots a higher FG% then Hughes (40.5% vs. 40.0%) and he can play just as well defensively, plus he can distribute the ball.
They played very well without Hughes this year and last year in the playoffs.
I’m holding out hope (pipe dream) that Shannon Brown can play the role Flip Murray played last year, but will Coach Brown play the Rook?
February 27th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
hey dave, i have been holding out hope for shannon as well, i do not know what is wrong with mr. potato head, but if sasha is not back tonight shannon should be able to get 10 to 15 mins. esp. against this opponet, who the cavs will turn into the mavs or suns, because they play down to there opponent, hell other teams may start to think that they play down to us, quiet as it is kept leeebron is the only reason we even talk about this team or that this blog is so active.
February 27th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I didn’t get to reading this post until today, so my comments might not be timely. Still, I am disgusted by the way certain individuals have used the news of Z’s tragedy as an excuse to rail against him or his contract. This is not the time, this is not the place. You’ve had your opportunity to make your opinions known before, you will have that opportunity again. There was absolutely no reason to bring it up in this context, and anyone who did so was simply demonstrating how self-centered, self-agrandizing, and callous they can be. Such behavior deserves to be decried, with loud voices, because it is not welcome in a civilized and dignified setting.
Go Cavs,
Mike
February 27th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Hey Negative Neds:
GOOOOOOOO CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEAT THE CHARLOTTE I MEAN NEW ORLEANS
I MEAN OKLAHOMA CITY HORNETS NEST
February 27th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Man that was an ugly one - but we got the W. I just hope Hughes strings together a few good games in the playoffs. You can tell he’s trying, he’s just not quick enough to beat guys off the dribble and doesn’t have the hops to finish with shot-blockers in the paint. I was impressed with his rebounding tonight but man does he force a lot of shots.
Side Note: If LeBron would have not chucked about 4 fade-away jumpers in the 2nd half I would say this was his best offensive game this year. It’s almost like he feels he’s entitled to a few bad jumpers as long as he doesn’t put up a Hughes line. He easily could have been about 14-18 from the field today. His jumper still looks ugly but it seems as if he’s sort of got his hops back. As long as he bring the whole package come playoff time.
Lastly: More than ever I believe Sasha Pavlovic to be an integral part of this team. I almost believe we can’t win without him against good teams. He plays good defense, finishes incredibly well, and is becoming a very good passer. We’ll get to see the true Sasha once he completely gets over this flu. I’m really glad his ankle is ok.
February 27th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Mike C., you’re completing missing the point. Then again, you’re far from the only one. The post was targeted at the local media as a whole, not at Ilgauskas, per se. It’s a tragic story, but it’s not sports for the sports section. The facts have been properly written, anything more is soap opera to further prop Ilgauskas, as the local media has unabashedly done for years.
Look, I feel sorry for the guy, it’s tragic, but he’s a major reason the Cavs can’t do a damn thing with the roster. No more newspapers stories about his personal life are necessary, as our blog host, for one, has apparently threatened. Enough.
You DO like pancakes, don’t you, Mike C.? Pancakes are delicious. You’re not like that pancake-hating, JoeHoops, I trust. Terry Pluto’s recent faith column said that JoeHoops hates pancakes and foreigners, and therefore refuses to eat at the International House of Pancakes.