With the 1st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...

I've written about the NBA Draft lottery before, and from what I can tell most of you have read that post today.  Here's the link, in case you have no idea what I'm talking about: http://www.thewirk.com/2010/05/iswas-nba-draft-lottery-rigged-depends.html.

Yes, I do think the NBA Draft lottery is somehow rigged.  I'm not saying it's done every year, but some years look more suspicious than others.  Don't ask me how it's done, especially since they went to the ping pong balls, but something seems awfully interesting about the Cleveland Cavaliers getting the 1st and 4th picks this year. 

It's a shame that the player talent pool is shallow this year.  As a Cavs fan and a Duke fan, I'm interested to see how Kyrie Irving does in Cleveland.  After the debacle and let down associated with last year's season, I'm looking forward to rebuilding the Cavaliers under Byron Scott.

At least Cavs fans will have something to be excited about.

Incidentally, I received an email this morning from a former customer of mine in Minneapolis.  His email read, "You got our draft pick.  Please treat it kindly."  Funny.  For the record, I think the Timberwolves are just fine with Kevin Love and Michael Beasley...

It may be a small victory, but I'll take it.  Go Cavs!  I can hear David Stern now, "With the 1st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select..."

Oh, and you have plenty of time to sign up for a Twitter account so you can follow the NBA Draft when the actual picks are made.  Trust me.  If you're a basketball fan, you'll want to follow the commentary.  It's pure comedy.

Update:  I just heard David Kahn's comments.  He's not alone in his thoughts.  We've all seen the 1985 footage.  I remember thinking the same thing for the 2003 lottery, when I saw Gordon Gund's positioning near the podium.  I didn't watch last night's draft lottery, but I'm just saying the outcome looks "interesting" after the previous, dreadful Cavs' season.


THE WIRK

Cavs v Wizards ~ Andray Blatche had a career night, Wizards get the "W"

Yesterday, I was flipped a last minute ticket to the Cleveland Cavaliers v Washington Wizards game at the Verizon Center.  I wasn't overly excited about going to the game, but I thought it'd be a good chance to see an old friend and watch two under-performing squads battle.  I didn't expect much from last night's match-up, especially since John Wall was serving a suspension (i.e. he had scuffled with the Miami Heat's Zydrunas Ilgauskas on Wednesday night).

*****  I'd be lying if the chance to eat Dippin' Dots again didn't factor into the equation also.  I have new found love for those treats.  You'd think they were new, but I've re-discovered my love for the ice cream.  Incidentally, at the Verizon Center, the serving size is smaller than the larger size at the Quicken Loans Arena, but the Verizon Center charges more (i.e. $5).  Beggers can't be choosers, though so I spent the money.  Oh, it's cash only at the Verizon Center so be prepared.

The story of the game was Andray Blatche's performance to lead the Washington Wizards to victory.  That's right, boys and girls, the Wizards won the game.  Blatche had 36 points and 19 rebounds. 16 of Blatche's rebounds were offensive.  JaVale McGee added 25 points, and Jordan Crawford notched a triple-double (i.e. 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds).

In the losing effort for the Cavaliers Ramon Sessions led the team by dropping 26 points.  ****  I remember when he "played" for the Minnesota Timberwolves...

Another thing that was interesting was seeing Baron Davis is a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform.  I actually wonder if he's gotten used to seeing himself in the uniform as well.



The Cavs look very different this season



The Wizards, without Wall, take the court



I may not be familiar with the roster of Byron Scott's Cleveland Cavaliers, but since Ohio will always be "home" I do feel connected to them.  It was great to see Max Benton, the trainer, on the bench still.  Veteran, Strength and Conditioning coach, Stan Kellers, was there also, sitting behind the bench.  It must be strange for them to be a part of and remember the Cavs' glory days and now be a part of the organization...

At least things can only get better for the Cavs franchise...  Right?!?!

Wizards won: 115-107.

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

Lakers crush the Cavs, and LeBron tweets about karma

For those of you not on Twitter, I have no idea what it's going to take for you to get with the times if you're a sports fan.

Check the latest Tweet from Lebron James (aka KingJames on Twitter): "Crazy. Karma is a b****.. Gets you every time. Its not good to wish bad on anybody. God sees everything!"

Yeah, the Cleveland Cavaliers just got blown out by the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Cavs were without Anderson Varejao, and the fact that that makes such a difference is sad in itself.  The final score of the game was 112-57.

Ouch.

I think that the Cavs should offer Ted Williams (i.e. the man with the voice) more than an announcing job.  Perhaps they should let the man try out for the team.  It couldn't get much worse...  Could it?!?!

Ugh.  I'm not a fan of contraction for the NBA, but I do think based on some of the box scores I've been seeing that the NBPA and NBA should explore the idea of a mercy rule.  Some of these teams are just horrendous...

I feel bad for Byron Scott.


THE WIRK

Quick Poll: Who should coach the Miami Heat ~ Riley v Spoelstra?

There has been a lot of chatter about who should be head coach of the Miami Heat. 

I have been a fan of Erik Spoelstra ever since he was on the other end of the bench (i.e. from Pat Riley).  Believe it.  Why?  Because I think he's cute.  ****  In the interest of full-disclosure, I'm half Filipina.  Spoelstra started his career with the Miami Heat as video coordinator and is currently the head coach (i.e. after more or less being hand picked by Riley). 

I never really watched the Miami Heat, until Riley joined them in the mid-90s.  I remember watching the Heat go against the New York Knicks in the late-90s and the physicality of those games.  ****  I'll admit that I probably should have been studying, since I was in medical/graduate school at the time.  Sorry, dad.  Haha.  There's no question that Pat Riley has had amazing success as a head coach.  Riley, the current Miami Heat team president, has won 5 NBA Championships as a head coach (i.e. 6 if you count when he was an assistant). 

Riley made me a Laker fan when I was younger, because I couldn't take my eyes off of Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Byron Scott, and A.C. Green.  ****  Til this day, I have a poster of the Los Angeles Lakers in my mom's house and a framed Magic Johnson picture at my dad's house.  I dare both of them to get rid of either item.  When most girls dreamt about going to the beach or Disney World, I dreamt about going to The Forum.  Incidentally, I never made it to The Forum, but I have been to the Staples Center twice.

It wasn't The Forum, but I was still happy

Back to Miami...

With the trio of Chris Bosh (i.e. I can't believe I just typed his name), Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James performing below public expectations (i.e. notice I said "public" and not "my"), the chatter about a change in leadership has increased in volume...

What do you think?  I remember watching a debate about players v coaches.  A former NBA player argued that players are judged by whether or not they have a NBA Championship ring.  Coaches, he argued, are judged by their win v loss percentage.  In another article a case was made that a coach should be judged by his record v expectations (i.e. games that you should win count less, because you SHOULD HAVE won them anyway).

There's no question that the final score of the Miami Heat v Indiana Pacers, was a game that the public "expected" the Heat to win.  My buddy is in Vegas right now and he texted me that the money line was Indiana +425.  That was a nice pay out for anyone who had the nerve to bet it.  He also texted me that, "Every time the Heat lose, an Angel gets his/her wings."  But I digress...

What do you think?  Do you think Pat Riley could get more out of the Miami Heat (i.e. than Spoelstra) or is it just growing pains as the team develops its own style and rhythm?  Oh, and I have to ask:  Do you think Riley will replace Spoelstra this season?


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

Thoughts on LeBron and The Decision

Thoughts on the LeBronathon... 

I'm watcing The Decision while logged into my Facebook and Twitter accounts....  Here are my thoughts.  I'll update them as I go ~ so this post is a "Wirk" in process...  Some are bullets and some are tweets.  The hashtags will help you figure out what's what.

I'm still calling the Cleveland Cavaliers.

• I love Mike Wilbon, Jon Barry, and Stuart Smith - but come on now, the NBA season is over.  Did we really need a panel for this announcement?
• My brother is in Florida and says everyone is calling the #Heat.
• Am I the only one flashing back to elections when everyone tried to call #Florida first?!?! Go #Cavs! #Lebron #NBA #Heat

****  Updated at: 9:28.  I'm no longer a LeBron supporter.  Enough is enough.  Trade Delonte West to the Heat now.  Just saying...

• congrats #heat. good luck with it.
• ugh, poor byron scott...
• #lebron just said the "kids are our future"... seriously?!!? ok, #whitney.
• seems like everyone drank the #heat kool-aid, but then again so did the folks at #jonestown... #lebron #bosh #dwyane #nba
• anyone know how to #unsubscribe from #lebronjames.com?

It's 10:30 PM, and the Cavs just released a statement.  There's no mention of LeBron.  I got the urge to check their website.  99% of the  Lebron pics are gone.

I was in Miami for Game 5 when the Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA Finals. 

Don't kid yourself, LeBron.  The opening chalk routine.  The Lebron-centric pre-game.  I'm guessing all the shenanigans will be gone.  Heaven help me if there's a new handshake.  I like Dwyane Wade's style.  I don't know him at all.  To quote the Pussycat Dolls, "Be careful what you wish for, 'cause you just might get it."

There's definitely not 3 "I's" in TEAM

It's 11PM and the Cleveland police have used their cars to keep people away from the large LeBron Nike Witness banner.

THE WIRK

Is it time for Cleveland Cavaliers fans to panic?!?!

I read the following article, Cavs owner won't discuss Izzo reports, and I can't even tell you how many problems I have with this article.  Do I believe it?  No.  And if it's true, well then - I'm CONVINCED that LeBron is going to leave Cleveland, and you know what - I'll offer to help him pack.  Wow...

Dan Gilbert can refuse to admit that Tom Izzo has been offered the head coaching job...  I don't believe him.  Maybe he's trying to do something Jedi and make this job seem more appealing to Byron Scott or Jeff Van Gundy.  I have no idea.  However, I believe that Izzo has been made an offer and I'm terrified, that he might take it.

If you expect me to believe that LeBron has had no say in who the coach is going to be, then I ask you to paypal me $100...  I promise to spend it frivolously.  My paypal address is: thewirk@gmail.com.  Seriously ~ send the money.  AND further if it's true that LeBron has had no say in Ferry and Brown's departures and that he's not engaged in ANY capacity with looking for a new coach, then I believe that the Cavs think he's leaving ~ and you should still paypal me, so I can afford counseling for the depression I'd experience...  I remember the days of Gund Arena.  I remember the NBA lockout.  I remember the years after it, when Gund Arena was quieter than your local library.  WNBA games might have been louder.  And, yes, I've actually attended a few Cleveland Rockers games so I know what I'm talking about.

In the article, Chris Grant is quoted as saying, "People look at this organization and have seen what it's done over the last five years and they're really impressed," he said. "They see games on TV, they see what the business side has done, they see the sellouts. People look at this and say, 'Wow, it's a desirable place and I'd like to be there."

Ummm yeah, Chris.  It's not rocket science.  You guys had LeBron James.  When you're a .500 team or below and you land such an impactful player OF COURSE people are impressed.  The quote is unnecessary and shows a degree of naivete, since he stated the obvious.  EVERYONE knows that the tide can turn in a few weeks.  Let's not be foolish.  Take a look at the contract numbers and birth certificates of my beloved Cavaliers and you can see that the Cavs could lose their core team easily and quickly to free agency, retirement, or Alzheimer's!

I hate to admit it ~ but Danny Ferry might have been one step ahead and onto something by leaving the Cavs... Ugh...

Congratulations on your new gig, Chris Grant.  You might have just become "Captain of the Titanic"... 
 
 
THE WIRK