Blog Posts

THE POSITIVES FOR THE CAVS IN THE SWEEP OF DETROIT

Tyronn Lue Postgame - Game 2 vs Detroit

TYRONN LUE – He was the first individual  that popped into my mind as the good from this first round series. He out coached and Stan Van Gundy with his adjustments and out of bounds plays or as they’re known in NBA circles – ATO’s – After Time Out plays! Not bad for only coaching half a regular season and coaching in his 1st ever playoff series as the head coach.

Kevin Love, James & Irving at Podium Postgame vs Detroit Game 1

THE BIG THREE – They finally looked like they can play together. They clicked in this series. Each of them had their moments and in those moments helped the team win games. They combined to average 69ppg – 23.2rpg – 13.2apg.

Kyrie Walking Off Court

 

KYRIE IRVING – He looked healthy, shot the ball well from distance, didn’t over dribble for the most part, actually played some defense especially on the final play of Game #4 and did something that is very rarely done, he led a LeBron James team in individual scoring with 27.5 points per game in a playoff series!

 

 

LeBRON JAMES – He continued his great all-around game attacking the basket at times in the series but still not enough for me. Hopefully he will attack the rim more in the next round, but you can’t argue with his final numbers in sweep (22.8ppg – 9rpg – 6.8apg). “The King” has been in “Zero Dark Thirty – 23” mode for quite some time now and is playing  his best basketball of the season.

LeBron James In Game Lay Up Game 1

KEVIN LOVE  Despite not shooting it well at 41% from the field, he did score points 18.8ppg and led the team in rebounding 12rpg and his effort was outstanding on defense even though he may not have always been that effective. A good series for Love, and like Irving he came out of it healthy and gained some valuable playoff experience!

J.R. SMITH – “Swish” did his job in three of the four games knocking down three-point shots and unbelievable “end of the shot clock baskets” to become that fourth scorer that the Cavaliers need. He also played good defense and kept his cool, which is paramount for him and this team moving forward. In other words, he didn’t lose his mind and have a J.R. moment that could hurt his team.

MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA – “Delly” was the one consistent player off the bench as he played outstanding on offense and defense. The Cavaliers need him to continue this type of play throughout the playoffs and into the NBA finals.

TRISTAN THOMPSON – His Numbers don’t look great but he was the sacrificial lamb in this series and accepted that role. He had to give up statistics and take one for the team in guarding “HUGE” Andre Drummond and he did an outstanding job of that. A total team player.

A SERIES SWEEP – Regardless of how it happened, anytime you can “Broom” a team in the playoffs and come out of that series healthy it’s a great thing. Now you can rest and watch the next team you’re going to play in the NBA Playoffs as they continue to battle in their first round series and maybe get a little banged up or at the very least, get tired The less games you have to play, the less chance a player on your team can get hurt.

PREVIEW: CAVS-PISTONS SERIES BREAKDOWN

WHO HAS THE EDGE?

Cavs Game Wide Shot 2015

PGKyrie Irving 19.6ppg-4.7apg-3rpg-88.5%ft-32%(3fg)-  vs  Reggie Jackson 18.8ppg-6.2apg-3.2rpg-86%ft-35.3%(3fg)

EDGE: Cavs – In the 2 games Irving played against Detroit this season he averaged 29 points per game. Jackson played well, but as bad as Kyrie is on offense, he should be able to outscore Jackson.

 

SGJ.R. Smith 12.4ppg-40%(3fg)-63.4%ft  vs Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 14.5ppg-31%(3fg)-81%ft

EDGE: Cavs – If the under control, hot shooting, effort giving defensive player we’ve seen this season from J.R., then this could be a big advantage for Cleveland. If Smith can’t control his emotions (Boston series last year) and is ice cold from the outside (Golden State last year), then this position could come back to hurt the Cavs like it did in the NBA Finals last season.

 

SFLeBron James 25.3ppg-7.4rpg-6.8apg-73%ft vs Tobias Harris 16.6ppg-6.2rpg-2.6apg-37.5%(3fg)-91%ft

EDGE: Cavs – Nobody, not even Steph Curry is playing as well as James is right now. He should again put up dominant numbers and take the young Harris to school, especially since he has officially shifted into “Zero Dark Thirty – 23” mode.

 

PFKevin Love 16ppg-9.9rpg-36%(3fg) vs Marcus Morris 14.1ppg-5.1rpg-36%(3fg)

EDGE: Cavs(slightly) – I almost went “EVEN” here. I am not sold on Love yet in the playoffs. He’s been so inconsistent this season and only played in 3-plus games last year in the postseason before getting injured. Having said that it will be a MAJOR disappointment if he doesn’t outplay Morris in this series and become more consistent as the playoffs move along.

 

CTristan Thompson 7.8ppg-9.0rpg-61%ft vs Andre Drummond 16.2ppg-14.8rpg-36%ft

EDGE: Pistons – Drummond is one of, if not the best center in the league. His massive frame, strength and ability to play at both ends is the one undeniable edge the Pistons have in this series. It’s going to take both Thompson who will start, and Timofey Mozgov coming off the bench to try and keep Drummond in check. When in doubt with the “Big Fella”, foul him as he only makes 36%of his free throws. In one of the close games expect the Cavs to play “Hack-A-Drummond”.

BenchCavaliers: Matthew Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert, Timofey Mozgov, Channing Frye, James Jones and Richard Jefferson.

Pistons: Steve Blake, Jodie Meeks, Stanley Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie Aron Baynes and Joel Anthony.

EDGE: Cavs – Delly could be the wild card in this series. His experience from last year in the playoffs, the ability to play relentless defense and a team leading 41% shooting from beyond the arc make him the best bench player on both team. Also the defense of Shumpert, the 3-point shooting of Fyre and again Mozgov’s help off the bench give the Cavs the edge.

 

Head CoachTyronn Lue (0-0) in Playoffs vs Stan Van Gundy (48-39) in Playoffs

EDGE: Pistons – Van Gundy’s Magic upset LeBron and the #1 seeded Cavs in 2009 in the Eastern Conference Finals 4 games to 2 with Dwight Howard in the middle on offense and defense and 3-point shooters everywhere else. Expect a similar game plan with Drummond in the paint and plenty of players launching 3’s. Now granted the talent on this Pistons roster doesn’t come close to equaling the Magic’s in 09, but Van Gundy will try and play it that way, or figure out another way if necessary, to try and make it a series.

 

Series Prediction:

Even with Drummond dominating the paint and Van Gundy’s postseason coaching experience, it won’t be enough for Detroit to pull off the #8 vs #1 upset, as LeBron will make sure that doesn’t happen and hopefully he’ll finally get the help he’s been waiting for from his two max player teammates in Irving and Love.

Cavs in 5 Games

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS 2016 SCHEDULE

PRESEASON

Week 1: Aug. 12 – at Green Bay Packers – 8 p.m./WEWS

Week 2: Aug. 18 – Atlanta Falcons – 8 p.m./WEWS

Week 3: Aug. 26 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 8 p.m./CBS

Week 4: Sept. 1 – Chicago Bears – 8 p.m./WEWS

 

REGULAR SEASON

Week 1: Sept. 11 – at Philadelphia Eagles – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 2: Sept. 18 – Baltimore Ravens – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 3: Sept. 25 – at Miami Dolphins – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 4: Oct. 2 – at Washington Redskins – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 5: Oct. 9 – New England Patriots – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 6: Oct. 16 – at Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 7: Oct. 23 – at Cincinnati Bengals – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 8: Oct. 30 – New York Jets – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 9: Nov. 6 – Dallas Cowboys – 1 p.m./FOX

Week 10: Nov. 10 – at Baltimore Ravens (Thursday) – 8:25 p.m./NFL Network

Week 11: Nov. 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 12: Nov. 27 – New York Giants – 1 p.m./FOX

Week 13: BYE

Week 14: Dec. 11 – Cincinnati Bengals – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 15: Dec. 18 – at Buffalo Bills – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 16: Dec. 24 – San Diego Chargers (Saturday) – 1 p.m./CBS

Week 17: Jan. 1 – at Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m./CBS

 

*Home games in bold print*

BROWN WAIVE JOHNNY MANZIEL

Browns Official Press Release 3-11-16

 BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have waived QB Johnny Manziel.

Manziel appeared in 14 games with eight starts after being selected by the Browns in first round of the 2014 draft. He completed 147 of 258 passes for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 259 rushing yards and one score. Last season, Manziel started six games and threw for 1,500 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 230 rushing yards.

 

 

 

CAVS RELEASE DAVID BLATT FROM HEAD COACHING DUTIES TYRONN LUE NAMED HEAD COACH

Cavs Press Release Logo

CLEVELAND, OH – Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today that David Blatt has been released from his duties as head coach. Associate Head Coach Tyronn Lue has been named Head Coach. The current Cavaliers assistant coaches and staff remain under contract and will continue working with the team.

“On behalf of the organization, I would like to thank David Blatt for his efforts and commitment to this franchise,” said Griffin. “He spent the last year and a half battling intense scrutiny, working to mold a very willful group and we all recognize that is not at all an easy task.”

“But with that said, when you have the clarity of purpose that our ownership has instilled in this entire organization, decisions often make themselves. Every decision made is an answer to the following question: does it put us in the best position to deliver Championships to Northeast, Ohio.”

“So, today, we are elevating Tyronn Lue, from his role as Associate Head Coach to Head Coach. I am more than confident that he will have the pulse of our team and the buy-in required to enhance the habits and culture that will foster the kind of identity and results we must have.”

Blatt was named the 19th head coach in  Cavaliers history on June 20, 2014. During his one and half seasons as head coach, Blatt compiled a regular season record of 83-40 and a 14-6 mark in last year’s playoffs.

“Over the course of my business career I have learned that sometimes the hardest thing to do is also the right thing to do,” said Dan Gilbert, Majority Owner of the Cavaliers. “Our ownership group supports David Griffin’s decision.  We would like to thank David Blatt for his work over these past two seasons where the Cavaliers transformed into a playoff team after a rebuilding phase.  We believe Tyronn Lue is the right coach at the right time to put us in the best position to take the last but most challenging step to complete our mission to deliver Cleveland an NBA Championship.”

Lue is in his second season with the Cavs after being hired as the associate head coach in June 2014. He was previously an assistant coach on Doc Rivers’ staff with the Los Angeles Clippers, who captured the Pacific Division title with a 57-25 record in 2013-14. Prior to the Clippers, Lue spent four seasons as a member of Rivers’ Boston Celtics staff, the last two as an assistant coach. He began his time in Boston as the Director of Basketball Development in 2009-10.

Originally drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 23rd overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, Lue played 11 seasons in the NBA, appearing in 554 career games with the Lakers, Washington, Orlando, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas and Milwaukee. The former University of Nebraska star won NBA Championships in 2000 and 2001 with the Lakers.

 

cavs.com

10 REASONS WHY HUE JACKSON IS A GOOD HIRE AS THE BROWNS NEW HEAD COACH

In my opinion, Hue Jackson is the right choice from the the candidates interviewed by Jimmy Haslam and the Browns to be their next head coach and here’s why I believe that:

He has previous NFL head coaching experience with the Oakland Raiders in 2011.

He has experience as an NFL and college Offense Coordinator most recently with the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as the OC with the Raiders, Falcons and Redskins. In college he called plays for USC and Cal.

He has experience in many different NFL coaching roles with 5 different NFL teams (Redskins, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Bengals) during his 15 years in the National Football League.

He comes from the Cincinnati Bengals, a team in your division, so he already knows all three teams in the AFC North that you play twice a year and must beat to win the division.

He has experience in working with quarterbacks from being an OC and QB coach in the NFL, while also playing the quarterback position in college at Pacific.

He has experience working for a dysfunctional NFL franchise from when he was the head coach in 2011 with the Oakland Raiders. He guided them to an 8-8 record, still their best record in the last 5 years.

He has playoff coaching experience as an assistant from throughout his NFL career.

You strengthen the Cleveland Browns with an experienced head coach and also at the same time, you weaken one of your rivals in the Cincinnati Bengals who won the division in 2015.

With his 15 years in the National Football League with 5 different teams and with different coaches, he should be able to put together a solid coaching staff.

Addition by subtraction! He’s not Mike Pettine, Rob Chudzinski or Pat Shurmur. The Browns actually got a head coach they wanted instead of having to settle for their third fourth or fifth choice.
#TurnAroundBrowns

Browns Part Ways With General Manager Ray Farmer, Head Coach Mike Pettine

Here is the official press release from the Cleveland Browns on the firings of Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine with thoughts from team owner Jimmy Haslam.

BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns on Sunday night relieved General Manager Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine of their duties.

Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer - Courtesy of AP

Farmer joined the organization in March of 2013 as the Assistant General Manager and was promoted to General Manager in February of 2014.

Pettine was named the 15th full-time head coach of the Browns on January 23, 2013. In two full seasons with the team, he compiled at 10-22 record.

Jimmy Haslam Standing Photo

Owner Jimmy Haslam released the following statement:

“We greatly appreciate Ray’s and Mike’s dedication and hard work while with the Cleveland Browns. We’ve made this decision because we don’t believe our football team was positioned well for the future. We are all disappointed with where we are and we take full responsibility. We will approach the search for our next football coach and executives to lead our football operations with a clear vision regarding what we need to do to build a successful organization. We will be methodical in looking for strong, smart leaders with high character who are relentlessly driven to improve our football team, willing to look at every resource possible to improve, and who embrace collaboration to ultimately make the best decisions for the Cleveland Browns. We are fully committed to bringing our fans the winning organization they so clearly deserve.”

Owner Jimmy Haslam will be available to the media in the postgame press conference room at FirstEnergy Stadium at approximately 8 p.m. tonight. Accredited media may park in the North Port Authority lot and should enter through the west service-level gate.

 

 

CAVS PRESS RELEASE ON THE PASSING OF JOHN “HOT ROD” WILLIAMS

Cavs Press Release Logo

The entire Cavaliers family is deeply saddened with the news of John “Hot Rod” Williams’ passing. Hot Rod was, first and foremost, a great teammate, and also the kind of dependable person and player that made the Cavaliers organization proud during his almost decade-long time with the team. Hot Rod was the guy that willingly and pridefully drew the toughest defensive assignment. He was the kind of talented, unselfish and versatile player and person that earned the respect of everyone around him, including his teammates and opponents, and those who knew and worked with him off the court as well. In many respects, he was the humble embodiment and unsung hero of one of the most memorable and successful eras of Cavaliers basketball.

 

Hot Rod will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

 

LEBRON JAMES NAMED NBA’S EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

WINS AWARD FOR NBA RECORD 49th TIME OF CAREER AND

FIRST TIME THIS SEASON

LeBron James Postgame vs Bulls Game 6

 CLEVELAND – The NBA announced today that Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has been named the Eastern Conference Player of Week for games played Monday, November 16, through Sunday, November 22. This marks the first time this season James has earned Player of the Week accolades, as well as the 49th time in his career, the most in NBA history. It also marks the 49th time in franchise history a player has earned Player of the Week honors and the 30th time James has earned the honor as a member of the Cavaliers.

James led Cleveland to a 2-1 record this past week, averaging 25.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 36.0 minutes per game. He shot .571 (28-49) from the field, .600 (6-10) from the three-point line and .875 (14-16) from the free throw line. No other player in the NBA averaged at least 25.0 points while shooting at least .500 from the field, .600 from beyond the arc and .800 from the charity stripe this past week. Among Eastern Conference leaders, James was third in points per game (25.3), tied for fifth in field goals made (28), tied for 11th in assists per game (5.7) and tied for 14th in rebounds per game (8.7). The 11-time NBA All-Star also scored in double figures in all three games, extending his double-digit scoring streak to 654 games, which is the third-longest streak in league history.

James started the week off by tallying a game-high 30 points on 11-21 (.524) shooting from the field, including 4-7 (.571) from long distance, six rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes at Detroit on Nov. 17. With his 10th point of the night, a three-pointer at the 3:06 mark of the first quarter, he surpassed Jerry West (25,192) for 19th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. In the Cavs’ 115-100 win over Milwaukee on Nov. 19, James posted a team-high 27 points on 9-13 (.692) shooting from the field, nine rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes. He ended the week by registering his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points on 8-15 (.533) shooting, 11 rebounds, a game-high eight assists and two blocks in 33 minutes during Cleveland’s 109-97 victory over Atlanta on Nov. 21.

In 2015-16, James has appeared in 13 games (all starts) with averages of 26.6 points on .518 shooting from the field, 7.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 36.2 minutes per game. The 6-8 forward currently ranks fifth in the NBA in points per game and is the only player in the league to shoot at least .500 from the field while averaging at least 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. With 25,259 career points, he is 21 away from passing Reggie Miller (25,279) for 18th all-time in NBA history.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors was named the Western Conference Player of the Week.

 

cavs.com

INSIDE THE BUCKEYES – GOIN STREAKIN

The Buckeyes extended their winning streak this season to 9 games, their overall winning streak to 22 games and their regular season Big Ten winning streak to 29 games with their 28-14 victory over Minnesota in Big Ten play.

OSU Offense vs Oregon Defense In Game Action Shot Nati Championship Game 1-12-15

Ezekiel Elliott extended his 100 yard rushing yards streak to 14 consecutive games with 26 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown.

Ezekiel Elliott Media Day Podium Photo Nati Championship 1-10-15

Elliott now has 1,244 yards on the season with 14 rushing TD’s.  He is now 4th in school history with 3,384 career rushing yards and has scored 34 rushing touchdowns and 35 overall touchdowns in his career to this point at Ohio State.

 

Wide receiver Michael Thomas extended his consecutive games streak of catching at least  1 pass in a game to 25 straight games. His 6 yard touchdown catch in the game was his 16 scoring grab of his career at OSU.

 

Cardale Jones extended his unbeaten streak as the starting quarterback at Ohio State to 11 straight games. Jones was 3-0 last year and is now 8-0 this season. Jones threw for 187 yards and 1 touchdown in the win and also rushed for 65 yards and a score in the 14 point victory. That touchdown scamper  of 38 yards was the longest run of his career.

 

In his first 50 games at Ohio State, head coach Urban Meyer’s has a 47-3 record, the third greatest start for a coach at one school in FBS history. That’s a (.940) winning percentage.  Meyer’s career overall record improved to 151-26, that good for an (.853) winning percentage which is the highest among active coaches.