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

Can we all agree now that the Cavs don't need to be afraid of the Celtics?

Yesterday, I received a message from a friend who asked me what I thought about him betting the Celtics +2.5 v the Cavs.  Paul Pierce was going to be out, and the Celtics were at home.  The person, who sent me the email, mentioned that he'd just watched a game where the Cavs didn't play much defense and were hoisting 3 points shot, etc.  To be honest, I hadn't caught the last couple of Cavs games (i.e. or maybe I had, and just don't remember them).  Anyway, since I hadn't "seen" the last couple of games, I told my friend he'd probably be OK. However, I added the caveat, that I didn't like "betting againt Lebron".  ***I've been catching plenty of games (i.e. college and pro) lately on TV, and they're all beginning to swim in my head.  I'm almost to the point where I want to start traveling again, so I can experience something "new" and hopefully more memorable. 

So here's what happened.  Yesterday, I went to a Women in Sports Media Panel event; and therefore, missed the first half of the game.  However, I managed to get out and catch most of the 2nd half of the Cavs v Celtics match-up.  I actually figured that the Cavs would start out hot and have a huge lead v the Celtics, and that the Celtics would rally back on their homecourt for the win.  Why?  Because the Cavs haven't won on the Celtics' homecourt in their last 9 tries...  I checked out the play-by-play summary, and it turns out that my assumption was correct, INITIALLY...  Why "initially"?  Well, by the time I planted myself in front of the TV and looked at the score in the 3rd Q, it was a relatively close game (i.e. working off memory it was 78-77, I think ~ but exact numbers aren't important here). 

At around the 9 minute mark in the 4th Quarter it looked as though, my initial guess would be incorrect.  The Cavs kicked into gear and started SCORING.  The Celtics might as well have sat on the bench and watched as the Cavs surged, since the scoring was so one-sided.  In that final quarter, Mo Williams made four 3-pointers, and the Cavs BLEW OUT the Celtics 35-14.  Yes, you read those numbers correctly.  Wow!  Can you imagine the feeling on the Celtics bench and the feeling in the hearts of all the Celtics' fans out there?  I can only imagine what Bill Simmon's tweeted during the game...  ***Just went to my Twitter and it looks like Bill was surprisingly quiet.  Also, "Thank you," to everyone who contacted me regarding my Twitter account getting hacked last night.  I'm not promoting the use of Viagra, but if it works for you and you're happy ~ "YOU'RE WELCOME".

Final score of the game was 108-88, and the Cavs finally won a home game in Boston.  Boston, I actually still need to hit that venue...  ***Remember, I'm trying to hit a home game for every professional basketball, baseball, and football team.  I'm up to 59 venues, right now.  The last time I saw the Celtics in town (i.e. verses the Wizards earlier this month), Paul Pierce went to the floor injured and Kevin Garnett was playing in one of his first games back, since he was coming off of an injury.  Everyone in my sports and social circles were telling me that as a Cavs fan, I needed to be scared of the Celtics.  Well, I've said it many times before and I'll reiterate it now.  The Celtics are "old", not  healthy, and not to be feared.  Last night's performance is further evidence that the Cavs should only be concerned with Orlando in the East.

Speaking of Orlando...  The main reason Cleveland picked up Shaq this season, was to add a large presence and be able to give up 6 quality fouls when the Cavs go against Dwight Howard in the playoffs.  Shaq left the game last night with an injury to his right thumb.  Did you see the video?  Why did "Big Baby" Davis challenge Shaq to a "Thumb War"?!?!?  Aren't they both LSU alumni, so can't there be some level of respect?  Lol.  Who knew "Mean/Bad Baby" Davis played a little dirty?  Anyway...  With an injury to Shaq, and Zydrunas not re-signed yet ~ the Cavs are vulnerable in the middle and must rely on Varejao's defensive play.  It's no secret that I'm not a fan of Varejao's basketball skills...  I must give credit where credit is due, and Varejao did play well last night.  However, I continue to keep my finger's crossed EVERY TIME he steps on the court, and pray that he doesn't become a liability and ruin the Cavs' (i.e. and MY) dreams of an NBA Championship.

Back when the Celtics were a "threat", April 2009

But even, then the Cavs blew the Celtics out...

Go Cavs!!!


THE WIRK