Washington Wizards v Cleveland Cavaliers at 6PM ET

The Washington Wizards take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at 6PM ET.  The Wizards look to win their 1st road game when the venture into Quicken Loans Arena.  Currently, the Wizards are 0-25 on the road.  That's not a typo.  The Wizards are winless when they leave the Verizon Center.

The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't fared much better this season.  It's no secret that things have taken a 180-degree turn since LeBron James decided to take his talents to South Beach.  The Cavaliers were on a downward spiral and lost a string of 26 games.  26 games.  No, that's not a typo.  The Cavs lost an abysmal 26 games, and were the joke of everyone who had an interest in the NBA and a voice.  Finally the Cavs tasted victory this week, when they defeated Blake Griffin's Los Angeles Clippers (aka the "Blakers).  The Cavs hadn't won since 12/18.

The Onion Sports Network even did a piece on about the team.  The premise of the humorous piece was to scare kids straight by making them visit a Cleveland Cavaliers practice.  The link to the Onion Sports Network piece is here for your enjoyment: http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/kids-in-scaredstraight-program-visit-horrifying-cl,19156/.

I remember when the Cavs v Wizards match-ups used to mean something.  It seems like ages ago that LeBron James' Cavs were battling Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler's Wizards for a playoff spot in the East.  It was less than 5 years ago that these games meant something, but my how the times change.

The opening tip and arena will NOT look like this tonight...

The Cavs are going into tonight's game with a record of 9-45. The Wizards sport a record of 14-38.  For tonight's match-up, according to Covers.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a 1.5 point favorite.  If I were in Vegas, I wouldn't even think about touching this game.  I believe both squads have to be looking at this game as winnable.  The Cavs won the first game in Washington DC on 11/8.  Tonight's match-up will be interesting for all the wrong reasons, but since I'm in the TV market for the Washington Wizards, I may watch this game.  Antawn Jamison was the hero in the Cavs game against the Clippers, and he's facing his former team (i.e. the Wizards) tonight.  I expect him to play big.  The key word there is "expect".

As an Ohio girl, I'd root for the home team.  Go Cavs!

THE WIRK

Why am I angry that the Cavs are losing, when even they don't seem to care?

I've been putting off writing this post, because it's just too easy to write...  PLUS, as a girl from Ohio, I've been trying to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the nightmare that is going on in Cleveland...  HOWEVER, I'm in the mood to write so here goes.

For ANYONE to question Byron Scott's job security is ballsy and stupid at best.  As if anyone would want to coach a team of underachieving quitters that have now become a joke amongst the league and professional sports.  Writers of teams that are now experiencing success due to free agency, actually have the nerve to talk about "contraction".  How quickly they forget about the times when their own teams were in the cellar.

For many years the Cleveland Cavaliers were nothing to write home about.  During the mid 90s, I used to go to Richfield Coliseum and Gund Arena to watch the visiting teams come to town.  Sure, I liked Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty, Craig Ehlo, and Mark Price ~ but never did it occur to me to have any of them sign a pennant or pose for a picture.

When my ex signed his extension with Cleveland for 6 years and $70 million in the late 90s, I cried.  Those weren't tears of joy, people.  Those were tears because I COULD NOT believe he'd chosen to stay in Cleveland.  That we were going to stay in Cleveland.  I love Ohio.  Don't get me wrong, Cleveland sports haven't always been awful.  The Cavs were basically a .450-.500 team.  They weren't great, but they weren't good and I just happened to see them on local television enough to know that a championship would be a dream.

LeBron joining the Cavs in what looked like a "suspect" NBA draft lottery (i.e. ask me about it, and I'll tell you why things looked strange) gave me hope.  I know my ex was excited at what the team could accomplish.  Although he and I split up, I never gave up my allegiance to the Cavs.  I followed, supported, and believed.  I was a "witness".

Last summer, the core of the Cavaliers franchise took his talents to South Beach and my ex went with him.   Buddies.  You couldn't have scripted the story better.  I doubt either of them really looked back.

Cleveland now has a hodgepodge of pieces that are almost unbearable to watch.  They are supposed to be professionals, but I hear that they clown around during shoot around and pre-game warm-ups.  I only went to one game (i.e. LeBron's homecoming) and I was disgusted with the jawing from the bench.  Shut up and play.  I don't want to hear about injuries.  You are professional basketball players and you all don't have a "loser gene". 

The Cavs need to come out with intensity.  The guys have 2 arms and 2 legs and need to play.  If they want to quit, then they shouldn't even play.  Claim back spasms and sit on the damn bench.  Have some pride in yourself and play to win.

Byron Scott.  Wow.  I feel bad for him.  Yes, the man is paid millions, but how is he supposed to continue to deal with all the "losing"?  It has to be an awful feeling to be the only one who appears to care about competing.  I've been "blessed" to watch Kurt Rambis et al grow the talents of Michael Beasley and Kevin Love.  You mean to tell me that no one on the Cavs can improve?!?!  Where are Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, and Boobie Gibson now?  When I think of Antawn, I can see his big smile.  That's great, except there's nothing to be smiling about.  Get angry.  Play with some intensity, for goodness sake.

I need flashcards or a program to name the people on that roster.  If I cared enough, I'd look it up.  I don't.  All I know is that this is a prime opportunity for someone on that team to take the lead as a player.  Am I supposed to buy that the entire cast of characters on the bench are a bunch of supporting actors and no one has the balls to lead?!?  No?!?!  Then why is that what they're selling me?

Although the world is laughing, there's nothing funny going on in Cleveland.  The Cavs should be ashamed of themselves.  Yes, LeBron left.  Deal with it.  Am I really to believe that this losing streak of a bajillion games was unpreventable?!?! 

Give me a break.  I can't believe I have to "Witness" this crap.


THE WIRK

Cavs lose to the Nets ~ Mo Williams leaves the game injured

Right now the Cleveland Cavaliers are battling the visiting New Jersey Nets.  The Cavs are down 7 in the 4th with a little over 2 minutes left.  For those of us that know the NBA, it's GO TIME.

****  Photos are courtesy of Carm Olaes. 

Once my former boss, Carm, texted me that he was at the Quicken Loans Arena watching the Cavs game, I requested some pictures.  I haven't been back to the arena yet, this year and wanted to "see" what I was missing.  It's great to see that there's a good sized crowd out supporting the Cavs! 

Byron Scott has his work cut out for him this season, and it looks like his bench has been coming through for him so far.  If I remember correctly, I think I saw that Antawn Jamison is coming off the bench these days.  Well,  whatever works...

 

As I was typing this post, the Cavs ended up losing to the Nets with a score of 95-87.  The outcome might have been different had Mo Williams not left the game injured.  Let's hope, Mo returns to the line-up soon.  I'm not going to speculate as to his injury, since it seems as though the folks in Cleveland are confused.

I predict that the Cavs win at least 40 games this year.  Some of you might think that's optimistic, but what can I say...  I have to have faith, and I like the fact that the Cavs have a proven winner, Byron Scott, as their coach. 
 
 
THE WIRK

The Cleveland Cavaliers and I are "on a break"

As a Cavs fan, I have to ask, "Why am I friends with this guy?"  Ryan is just one of a few Celtics fans that were out Thursday night and wanted to talk about the game.  Seriously, he's a great guy and one of my many friends that I debate sports with regularly.  In case you are blind and didn't notice, he's also a huge Rondo fan...  During the game yesterday and after it, Celtics fans celebrated, while Cavs fans like myself were numb to the world.
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So, what did you do on Thursday night? Did you do/see anything good? As for me, I made it home just in time for the 2nd half of a heartbreaking game of basketball (i.e. Game 6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics series). When I made it home, the Cavs actually had the lead.

You know when you're in a relationship and it's not going well ~ but you wait it out and hope that it gets better?  Well, last night I broke up with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Actually, technically, I guess you can say we're on "a break".

The team mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted me.  Our relationship had such great promise this year and then it just fell apart. 

I feel cheated.  I feel misled.  I wanted more than they could give.  I've decided ~ I'm going to see other people.  I don't really care what the Cavs do.  It's time for me to cover baseball and other sports topics of interest.  ****  Actually, this morning I heard a rumor that someone on the Cavs slept with someone else's wife.  I made some phone calls and sent some texts and then learned that supposedly, it's a variation of that rumor.  I'm not going to go into details on this blog, because I don't know if it's true or not.  However, my sources are usually good...

Back to my relationship with the Cavs.  You are who you hang out with, and I believe that there is a lot of garbage on the team.  Antawn Jamison is not a winner.  Anderson Varejao is terrible and every time he touches the ball, I want to scream.  My last memory of game 6 is him launching a 3 pointer and missing (i.e. but you knew he missed it without me telling you, right?!?!).  Another Varejao image is him trying to stop play because he was bleeding.  Varejao if you're bleeding, keep bleeding - but NEVER stop playing defense or "offense".  Actually, NEVER play offense either.  I prefer you that if you must step on the court that you NEVER touch the ball.

I watch the Real Houseweives of New Jersey.  Yes, I like trash TV.  I was watching last week, and I heard the best quote from New Jersey matriarch, Caroline Manzo.  She said, "You hang around garbage long enough, and you start to stink."  That's what I think about some of Lebron's supporting cast (i.e. especially Varejao).
I didn't believe in the Shaquille O'Neal trade being the answer.  I like Shaq, and  I believed in his effectiveness years ago. Although I'm an Ilgauskas fan I recognize he can't play forever. I think Mike Brown should be fired. I also blame Danny Ferry, but then again I blame Danny for almost everything. I blame Ferry for the oil leakage in the gulf, global warming, overweight america, stock market crashes, and rain. It's always Ferry's fault.

Lebron.  Now comes the part where I jockey being a fan and being human.  I believe Lebron will stay in Cleveland.  I also believe that if the Cavs were to win a NBA Championship that this was the year for it to happen.  I can't imagine what it feels like in Cleveland today.  I know how it felt when I went to sleep last night.  I cried.  I actually cried because I know, that they (i.e. the city, the team) know, that this was "supposed to be their year".  I don't know if the rumors are true.  I believe the dynamic is flawed.  I hope Lebron doesn't become the new Brett Favre (i.e. stay, go, stay, go) and hold the Cavs hostage.  I do believe he does want to be recruited, but I do believe he will stay home.

As an Ohioan and a Cavs fan, all I can do is hope.  As I said, the Cavs and I are "on a break" and there's no time for tears, it's baseball season!


THE WIRK