First, let me say that I like Kellen Winslow and his toughness.  He might have been a high maintenance player, but he usually was thinking of the team with his comments after games.  He didn't complain that the quarterbacks were not getting him the ball, just that he should have been on the field.  And by most accounts, he went through a great deal of pain to get himself on the field each week. 

 

Of course, critics will say had he not gotten in that motorcycle accident following his rookie year, he wouldn't have had to go through the pain.  To me, the shame of the accident was that the last time Browns' fans got to see the real Winslow was Miami's loss in the national championship game to Ohio State.  He was a beast in that game.

 

Still, the Browns made the correct move in moving the tight end to Tampa Bay for a couple of draft picks yesterday.  It has been reported Cleveland will get a 2nd round pick this year and a 5th rounder in 2010.  With the physical problems mounting for KII, GM George Kokinis probably maxed Winslow's trade value with the deal.  And it is no secret the brown and orange need as many draft picks as they can get their hands on.

 

Winslow was not a good fit with the new regime.  Kokinis and Eric Mangini was restyling the Browns into a defensive team, that offensively will rely on the ground game.  Since Winslow is not a particularly good blocker, he doesn't fit in with that style of offense.  That's not to say he won't be a good fit with a team that runs a west coast style offense, but that is not what the Browns are going to employ this season.

 

There will be more moves to follow, and probably will be made to garner more draft choices.  Some have speculated that this deal means Derek Anderson is the frontrunner at QB, but I don't think it means that at all.  I don't think the Browns will enter training camp with both Brady Quinn and Anderson on the roster, and that means Anderson will likely be dealt for more picks, perhaps a low first round pick or another second round choice. 

 

Mangini and Kokinis want to use these picks to build the defense, which needs a big infusion of talent.  They obviously feel the tight end spot is in good hands with veteran Steve Heiden and 2nd year man Martin Rucker, and that made Winslow expendable.  Moving Anderson and picking up a solid veteran signal caller to back up and mentor Quinn would also be taking advantage of a strength.  That's good management, dealing from a position of strength to shore up weaknesses.

 

The move itself was surprising because there was no inkling the team was looking to move the former All Pro TE, but with the cloak of secrecy the Brown operate under, it's not a shock there were no rumors.  This is a 4-12 football team, nobody on the roster should be looking in the mirror thinking they are irreplaceable.

 

MW

 

They say there are two sides to every story.  Yesterday, Browns’ NT Shaun Rogers announced that he would prefer the team not pick up his roster bonus, and instead release him as the NFL free agency season approaches.  Rogers said he is not happy that new coach Eric Mangini did not acknowledge him in the two times they were in the same room.  He is also upset that the Browns want to add a weight clause. It’s kind of odd timing, don’t you think.

 

Sure, Mangini should have talked to Rogers, who was the Browns’ best defensive player in the 2008 season, and made the Pro Bowl.  It’s the right thing to do.  The same way former GM Phil Savage should have contacted Kellen Winslow when he was in the hospital with a staph infection.  It’s common courtesy, especially when you consider Rogers is one of the Browns’ best players.

 

The way most football coaches operate is absurd.  Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick started this technique of handling players with rudeness, and since they won, other coaches copy the style.  However, Tony Dungy is a nice man and he won a Super Bowl.  I understand that players should be pleasing the coach, but being uncivilized is not acceptable behavior, even for a football coach.

 

However, Rogers is blowing this way out of proportion.  Does the coach need to cajole his players on a weekly basis?  Or is Rogers using his Pro Bowl season to his advantage and angling for a new contract?  What he weighs should be a concern to his employer.

 

Rogers needs to realize he was not the best defensive player on a playoff team; the Browns went 4-12 last season.  There are no sacred cows on this team, nor should there be.  Granted, at times, Rogers was an unstoppable force on the defensive line, and he played a huge role in one of the team’s four wins, the one at Jacksonville.  Still, he was the best player on a defense that gave up gobs and gobs of yardage.

 

It seems to me that Rogers needs to impress his coach, not the other way around.  Mangini might have been aloof with the nose tackle, but he is trying to change the culture of this football team.  He has one job right now, to evaluate the talent that played for the 4-12 Browns, and figure out how to improve this squad so that type of season never happens again.

 

As far as the weight clause goes, since the team is paying him a pretty good amount of money, they are simply protecting their investment.  Rogers said his weight wasn’t an issue last season, and he had an excellent year.  If he ballooned up to 400 pounds (50 over the teams’ requested limit), perhaps he wouldn’t be as effective.  The Browns certainly have the right to request that players be in shape. 

 

Rogers isn’t going anywhere.  Releasing him would be a huge hit on the salary cap, and the Browns aren’t going to get fair value in a trade.  This seems to me to be a salary ploy by the big man and his agent.  He’s trying to cash in on a big year, and is using the I’m disrespected card as his bait.  Both parties need to sit down and straighten this out. 

 

As is usual with the Cleveland Browns, a molehill has grown into a mountain.  More great leadership from the Randy Lerner regime.

 

JD 

 

With the Central Division title just about wrapped up after Sunday night’s destruction of last year’s division champs, the Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers know they will be one of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference.  Now, the wine and gold are playing for positioning, trying to get the top spot in the conference, and thus home court advantage until the NBA finals. 

 

What should we be watching for in these last 27 games?  Here are some questions the Cavs need to answer…

 

·          Is Delonte West the answer to the team’s defensive struggles?  I say yes.  Having a guard who cannot control penetration breaks down your entire defense.  West keeps his man in front of him; something Daniel Gibson has not been able to do.   If the big men don’t have to leave their men to pick up guards, the interior defense will be better as well.  West adds a lot with his offense, but his defense makes the Cavs an elite defensive squad.

 

·          Will GM Danny Ferry add another big man?  I think Ferry will take the same tact he used at the trading deadline.  That is to say, if the right fit is there, the Cavs will sign him.  The Cavaliers could use another banger inside, particularly defensively.  Joe Smith would be a good fit with his solid defense and intermediate jump shot.  A guy like Mikki Moore, who likes to hang around the perimeter, would not.

 

·          Will Daniel Gibson return to form?  Last night’s game notwithstanding, Gibson has been bothered by a toe injury and his shot is not the same as in his first two years.  Right now, Gibson looks like someone who will not be able to help this team in the playoffs.  Since West is back in the lineup, maybe it would be best for Gibson to sit out some games to get his foot healthy.  His shot making is the key to getting playing time.  His defense and ball handling are not good enough at this juncture. 

 

·          Will J.J. Hickson be a contributor?  It depends on whether or not Danny Ferry adds another big man.  If he doesn’t, Mike Brown should start giving the rookie some consistent minutes to get him ready for the post-season.  I don’t see Hickson getting 10-12 minutes per game in the playoffs, but he could be an energy guy if he continues to improve.

 

·          Are the Injuries Over?  Let’s hope so.  None of the NBA’s elite teams (Lakers, Celtics, Magic, and Cavs) have had the injury problems Cleveland has suffered.  Yes, Andrew Bynum is out for LA, Kevin Garnett is out for Boston, and Jameer Nelson will miss the rest of the season for Orlando.  However, no team was missing two starters for a good chunk of the season.  The Cavs are now 25-4 with both Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West in the lineup.  Giving rest to the older players down the stretch may help stave off any nagging injuries.

 

Starting tomorrow, the Cavs have a brutal road trip facing four playoff teams in Houston, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Miami.  It would be ludicrous to expect four victories.  A 2-2 record would be great.  After this stretch and a road game in Boston next week, the schedule lightens up a bit.  The only road games of consequence for the rest of March are games at Phoenix and Orlando.

 

On the other hand, maybe a 3-1 trip would gain the wine and gold some respect nationally.

 

JK

 

The Cleveland Indians did the right thing last week by designating 3B Andy Marte for assignment after they acquired another relief pitcher.  They traded a minor league infielder to Tampa Bay for right-hander Juan Salas, who was in the minors most of last year, but spent a considerable amount of time in the majors in 2007 with the Rays. 

 

The Tribe seems to be stockpiling relievers.  Besides the guys who seem to have the roster made (Kerry Wood, Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis, Masa Kobayashi, and Joe Smith), GM Mark Shapiro has assembled a cadre of veteran arms to compete with rookie fireballer Adam Miller for the last spot in the bullpen.  At the very least, Columbus will have a heck of a good relief staff.

 

Salas joins rookies Jon Meloan and Tony Sipp, and vets Matt Herges, Greg Aquino, Jack Cassel, and Vinnie Chulk as other bullpen options, while Tomo Ohka and Kirk Saarloos are competing for starting spots with Aaron Laffey, David Huff, Jeremy Sowers, Zach Jackson, and Scott Lewis.  There are a lot of arms in camp, and I don’t think it all has to do with the World Baseball Classic.

 

The bullpen is the most volatile part of a pitching staff, so it’s certainly not a bad idea to have several back up options in case of an injury or ineffectiveness.  The Indians are taking this plan to another level.  They have almost an entire back up bullpen made up of guys who have been effective at the major league level. 

 

However, the depth also gives you an opportunity to make a trade from a position of strength.  Especially when you have a weakness in your starting rotation.  Would dealing a Betancourt with a position player bring the team the starting pitcher they need?  Having a Miller, Salas, or a Herges in reverse certainly makes working that deal a little less painful.

 

Any deal of this type could also involve the overload at 1B/LF.  The Tribe has several options at these spots behind the incumbents, Ryan Garko and Ben Francisco.  Victor Martinez can play first, opening up the catching spot for Kelly Shoppach, and the team also has Carlos Santana in the wings.  Santana will likely start at Class AA Akron this spring.

 

Cleveland also has Matt LaPorta, the centerpiece of the C.C. Sabathia trade, who can play first and leftfield, as well as Michael Brantley, who also came over in the Sabathia deal, who can play LF.  And don’t forget about former first round draft pick Trevor Crowe, who Eric Wedge said is the closest of this trio to make the big club. 

 

Couple these options with David Dellucci, giving Garko and Josh Barfield some time in the outfield, and the fact that Mark DeRosa can also play left, and you have the ingredients to a possible trade.  If the starting rotation doesn’t show well in Arizona, and Shapiro thinks he has to make a move, look for a trade involving these positions.

 

The 2009 Cleveland Indians will be able to score runs, they will only go as far as there starting pitching will take them.  Shapiro may be searching for ways to do that when the regular season is dawning.  He’s given himself some players that may not make the team, but could make someone else’s club.

 

KM 

 

The NBA trading deadline came and went without the Cavaliers making a move.  GM Danny Ferry tried as rumors had a number of players heading to Cleveland, including such notables as Shaquille O’Neal, Richard Jefferson, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Marcus Camby.  However, in the end, Ferry decided to stand pat with a team that has a 41-11 record.

 

I think that was the right move.

 

Although fans have pressed the panic button because the wine and gold lost twice to the Lakers, and overall have gone 1-4 against the other teams in the big four of this NBA season (Lakers, Celtics, and Magic).  What I keep coming back to is only one of those games were played with the Cavs having their entire roster, and that was the opening night loss at Boston.

 

Remember, this team has basically played the last six weeks of this season without one or two starters, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West.  They are 24-4 with both Z and West in the lineup.  Getting these two players back healthy and in the lineup are far more important than anyone Ferry could have received in a deal.

 

Some of the players mentioned didn’t make sense.  I keep reading that the Cavs were interested in Vince Carter, but I find that very difficult to believe.  Carter is not a good defender, isn’t the toughest guy on the planet, and has a contract the runs past 2010, which Danny Ferry is not interested in.

 

Still, you have to be intrigued with some of the names involved, particularly one of the greatest big men to ever play the game in O’Neal.  Shaq would have given Mike Brown the ultimate low post weapon, and he would have been highly motivated to win a fifth ring for his enormous hand. 

 

The perfect fit for the Cavs would have been a guy who is a defensive player with some offensive skills, yet didn’t need the ball to score.  Among big men, Camby would have been the perfect fit, while Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace would have been a nice addition at a big guard/small forward spot.

 

This isn’t the same situation as last season where the Cavs weren’t playing great, and they needed to change things up.  This year’s edition of the wine and gold is humming along like a well oiled machine, so getting a player who would have forced a change in the offensive or defensive philosophy would have caused an unnecessary upheaval.

 

Since Ferry couldn’t get anyone who is a perfect fit, he stood pat.  That’s the correct thing to do.

 

Of course, there are still rumors that Joe Smith will ask for a buyout from Oklahoma City, which will put him on the open market.  He would be a good fit as another reverse big man, one with a nice touch from outside.  Rumors have him going to Boston to reunite with former Minnesota teammate Kevin Garnett, but The Plain Dealer’s Brian Windhorst reports the Cavs are very much in the mix.

 

Getting Smith would give Mike Brown a reliable alternative to rookie J.J. Hickson in the playoffs.  Hickson will be a good player, but he’s not ready to be a contributor in the playoffs.  Also, getting Smith means that Boston doesn’t get him.

 

As Charles Barkley once said, “if it’s not broke, don’t break it”.  That’s the advice Danny Ferry used yesterday.  The Cleveland Cavaliers are in quite good shape for the stretch drive.

 

JK

 

Recently, the new out of the Cleveland Browns’ offices in Berea have been about change.  A couple of scouts have been let go.  There was the big hubbub about the mural showing the franchise’s greats in the lobby being removed.  However, outside of the mural, which coach Eric Mangini explained is being relocated, what’s the problem?  This franchise should get a major facelift.

 

It seemed when the two scouts were let go; there was an underlying feeling that it wasn’t fair to the pair.  I got that same sense when former Phil Savage assistant T. J. McCreight was also fired.  My thought was that this sort of thing happens all the time in sports.  And when you have made the playoffs just once in ten years, changes need to be made.

 

Why should there be all kinds of loyalty to people who have produced a 24-40 record over the last four seasons?  The first step Mangini and new GM George Kokinis should take is to clean house.  The culture of losing needs to be changed. 

 

One of the criticisms several people have had regarding the Browns is they do tend to live in the past.  Owner Randy Lerner prefaces virtually every press release announcing the hiring of a new employee, as the new person understands the rich tradition of the Cleveland Browns.  That “tradition” ended in the early 1970’s.  Since that time, more often than not, the Browns are on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

 

What needs to be done now is building a solid football organization, something that will be the hallmark of all Browns teams.  I think both men understand a winning football team starts with defense, and that’s where Mangini and Kokinis will start the process.  Mangini is a former defensive coordinator, that’s his field of expertise.  He should start on that side of the ball.

 

Despite the struggles scoring touchdowns of any kind at the end of the season, there is also probably more of a foundation on offense anyway.  There is a quarterback in place in Brady Quinn (I feel Derek Anderson will be traded before the draft).  They have a Pro Bowl left tackle in Joe Thomas, and a better than average left guard in Eric Steinbach.  They have a former Pro Bowl wide receiver with all kinds of talent in Braylon Edwards, and a great pass catching tight end in Kellen Winslow. 

 

Sure, there are some parts missing, but compared to the defense, there is talent there.

 

The only impact players on defense are NT Shaun Rogers and ILB D’Quell Jackson.  The cornerbacks may be good someday, but both Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are very raw.  So this year’s draft is likely to be defense, defense, and more defense, with a running back sprinkled in. 

 

Kokinis should fire his biggest free agent bullet at cornerback, and I would go full speed ahead for the Raiders’ Nnamdi Asomugha if he were not franchised by Oakland.  If he were, then I would try to get Dunta Robinson from the Texans.  Getting one of these guys would allow either Wright or McDonald to be the nickel back. 

 

The linebacking corps can be upgraded in the draft by getting either Rey Maualuga from USC or Aaron Curry from Wake Forest.  The team needs at least two new starters at linebacker, so drafting one and signing a lower ranked free agent would upgrade that spot. 

 

Then, I would go for a running back with a second round pick.  They should be able to get another second rounder for Anderson if they decide to trade him.  They could look for another linebacker or a safety with that choice.

 

The Cleveland Browns need change.  What they have been doing for the last ten years hasn’t been working.  If Mangini and Kokinis want to go with new toilet paper in Berea, then I’m all for that as well.

 

JD

 

One of the best scenes in a sports movie is Kevin Costner’s rant in “Bull Durham” talking about what he believes in.  Watching the NBA All-Star weekend got me thinking that I could go on a similar rant, particularly on the NBA, but also some other stuff as well. 

 

I believe:

 

·          That if NBA Commissioner David Stern thinks Joey Crawford’s foul call against LeBron James last week was a good call, then he doesn’t know anything about basketball.  The call against the Pacers’ Danny Granger wasn’t a good one either, but Crawford’s whistle was terrible and it makes Stern look foolish to say it was a legitimate call.

 

·          NBA Slam Dunk Contest should be abolished.  It was clearly set up to have Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard in the final twosome.  I don’t say stuff like this often, but when I was younger, I could have done Robinson’s dunk off of teammate Wilson Chandler’s back.  And if I could do it, how good could it have been?

 

·          That TNT needs Charles Barkley back.  Am I the only one who was getting annoyed with Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller telling us how great they were?  At least, Miller was a legitimate all-star player.  Smith’s career scoring average is less than 13 points per night (12.8), and while it is true he played on the Rockets’ two championship teams, he was not a star on those teams. 

 

·          The Cavs will ruin ESPN’s hopes for another Celtics-Lakers championship series by defeating Boston in the Eastern Conference finals.  Cleveland is improved from last year’s team and the Celts will start getting some nagging injuries to their older “Big Three”.

 

·          That WKNR’s move to put Michael Reghi on the afternoon drive shift is a big winner.  Reghi’s insights, particularly on the NBA, are right on the mark, and he is more analytical than the people he replaced in that time slot.  Those others thought more like fans.

 

·          If the Browns use the fifth pick in the upcoming NFL draft on an offensive player, I will scream at the top of my lungs.  I think GM George Kokinis and Coach Eric Mangini realize you can’t be a consistent winner in pro football without building a strong defense.

 

·          The Cleveland Indians will win less than 90 games this season, but that will be enough to win the Central Division championship.

 

MW

 

The All Star break couldn’t come at a better time for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  They had a remarkable first half of the season, entering the gala weekend with a 40-11 record, currently the 2^nd best in the Eastern Conference and third best overall.  However, the Cavs have not been playing with the same dominance they enjoyed earlier in the season.  It looks like the injuries have taken its toll.

 

Over the past two months, the wine and gold have lost starters Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West to significant injuries.  Also, key reserves Sasha Pavlovic and an emerging Tarence Kinsey are currently on the shelf.  The latter injuries have forced Mike Brown to give additional minutes to Wally Szczerbiak and Daniel Gibson, neither of who are defensive stalwarts, although they do work hard on that end of the floor.

 

For a team that is built on defense, that’s a tough pill to swallow.  Still, although they haven’t played well, they have continued to win.  The Cavs are 7-3 in their last ten games going into All Star weekend.  Compare this to Orlando, who after their loss of Jameer Nelson, are playing .500 ball since his injury.  Sure, they’ve lost to some elite teams like Orlando (with Nelson) and Los Angeles, but they are winning the games they should win for the most part.

 

It looks to me like the extra workload for LeBron James, Mo Williams, and Anderson Varajao have worn them down a little bit, and they need some rest.  James and Williams will participate in the All Star festivities, but they won’t work as hard as they would during a normal Mike Brown practice.  Varajao hasn’t looked the same since Ilgauskas returned to the lineup, and he should spend the weekend relaxing on his couch.

 

Another result of the injuries is the ball movement that had been a staple of the offense has decreased greatly.  This comes from having to play people who aren’t real offensive threats or are stand still shooters.  Getting West back, which could come right after the break, will help a lot in this regard.  West has an ability to shoot the jumper and take the ball to the hole, which opens up the attack.

 

Remember that West, next to LeBron James, may be the most indispensable player on the team.  He provides good shooting from outside, can drive to the basket, has the ability to play the point, and is a good defender.  The Cavs’ success with Delonte West doesn’t mean that he is a replaceable part.  Make no mistake about it, he will be a key factor for Cleveland as they finish the season and enter the playoffs.

 

He is also a better point guard option than Gibson, who is really a shooting guard in a point guard body.  Hopefully, it also means less of James initiating the offense, which means less of him pounding the ball outside the circle letting the shot clock run down. 

 

It should be obvious to everyone by now that the Cavs offense flows much better with Williams and/or West starting it than with #23.  James should be the finisher.

 

The break should also give Ilgauskas more rest for his ankle.  He clearly is not back to 100% after the chip fracture of his ankle. 

 

Getting West back and Ilgauskas’ continuing improvement with his ankle will be the medicine for what has ailed the wine and gold over the last few weeks.  Injuries are part of the game, and when you think about it, the Cavs have coped with them very well.

 

JK  

 

The NBA trading deadline is a little over two weeks away, and Cavalier fans are anxious.  They believe their team has a chance to win the NBA title, and they are clamoring for the deal that will put their team “over the top”.  However, it’s not as easy as getting a big bat or an extra starting pitcher in baseball.  Basketball is a sport that relies on each player working with each other.  The chemistry involved is very important.

 

Right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers have great chemistry, both on and off the court.  The right trade could solidify the wine and gold’s title hopes.  The wrong deal could end the season earlier than most people would like. 

 

My comment to Cavs’ fans is to be careful what you wish for.

 

Let’s take the case of Phoenix power forward, Amare Stoudemire, who is currently on the trading block.  The Cavs could use some help on the front line; so naturally, Cleveland fans are salivating at the thought of having the big man on the floor with LeBron James, and newly named All Star, Mo Williams.  Still, would this work out on the court as well as it looks on paper?

 

First, let’s remember the Cavaliers’ philosophy.  They want to win with defense and rebounding.  Stoudemire has said he wants to go somewhere where he can be “the man”.  I take this to mean he wants to be the main scorer.  Well, he’s not going to be that as long as #23 is suiting up for Cleveland. 

 

Stoudemire is not a particularly a strong defender, so if he’s not willing to work hard on that end of the floor, he’s going to have a problem with Mike Brown, and the rest of his teammates, who have bought into Brown’s mantra of defense, defense, and more defense.

 

He also is not a strong rebounder.  At 6’10”, he is currently averaging eight rebounds per night, just one more per game than James.  He has never grabbed more than 10 boards per game in any year of his career.  As of late, the Cavs’ problem has been the drop off in rebounding, so Stoudemire is not a solution in this area.

 

If GM Danny Ferry is going get some help before the trading deadline, the player he gets has to fit in with both the players and the coaching staff.  This means he will have to be a good defensive player, not need the ball, and have a contract that expires before the end of the 2010 season.  We’ve heard the names that fit those criteria, guys like Marcus Camby or Gerald Wallace. 

 

This isn’t fantasy basketball.  It’s not as simple as getting a guy like Amare Stoudemire and plugging him into your lineup.  Perhaps Ferry can talk to the big man and find out that he will work hard on defense and his rebounding.  However, I would feel better about Stoudemire if he said he wanted to be a champion, instead of “the man”.

 

MW

 

It is a testament to how good the Cleveland Cavaliers are that their fans panic over a loss, particularly yesterday’s defeat by the Los Angeles Lakers, 101-91, that ended the wine and gold’s home winning streak at 23 games.  I understand the Lakers took both games from the Cavs’ this season, but do I need to remind you that two years ago, the Cavs won both regular season games against the Spurs?

 

San Antonio swept the Cavs in The Finals at the end of that season.

 

Yesterday’s loss was a combination of things, but the Cavaliers did not play their best game, make no mistake about it.  Here are some things that stood out to me:

 

·          The Cavs shot very poorly in the second half.  The Lakers interior defense had a lot to do with the huge edge Los Angeles enjoyed in the paint (62-24), but the wine and gold also missed many wide open looks after halftime.  These were good looks from the 15-18 foot range, shots they normally knock down. 

 

·          Ben Wallace needs to lay the ball up when he doesn’t have a running start at the hoop.  Wallace missed two dunks early in the third quarter that could have stalled the Laker rally at that point.  Big Ben received very good passes from LeBron James and couldn’t convert.  I’ve seen Wallace dunk the ball on drives, but not standing flat-footed underneath.  Those two baskets could have kept the momentum from shifting to LA.

 

·          J. J. Hickson picked the wrong time to show he’s a rookie.  LA’s Lamar Odom beat Hickson like a drum in the third quarter.  The rookie failed to box out Odom time and again, which gave the Lakers several chance points.  That’s why there will be clamoring for the Cavaliers to add another big man by the fans.  After Odom’s put back dunk at the end of the third quarter, I knew Hickson was done for the rest of the game.

 

·          The officiating was bad.  Phil Jackson did his usual subtle influencing of the referees prior to the game, talking about how James gets all the calls.  Ironic, considering Jackson once coached Michael Jordan, but I digress.  What’s disturbing about this is that it works, for some reason.  Luke Walton carried a rebound out of bounds and the Lakers maintained possession, and late in the game, Anderson Varajao was called for a phantom loose ball foul. 

 

·          Mike Brown showed his displeasure with the officials by calling a timeout with 12 seconds left, and having Wally Szczerbiak foul with around six seconds remaining.  The coach didn’t let the game end, making the referees stay out of the court as long as he could.  This is not even mentioning how many times #23 was hit going to the basket, and that Kobe Bryant clearly traveled on his high, arching jumper over James late in the fourth quarter.

 

The Lakers were without Andrew Bynum, but the Cavs were still without Delonte West.  When Sasha Pavlovic went out with a sprained ankle in the first half, it affected the wine and gold on the defensive end.  It meant Szczerbiak had to get more minutes, and although he has been shooting very well as of late, and he tries to play defense, he is lacking in that area.

 

The only alternative now that Tarence Kinsey is also out, is Daniel Gibson, and when he is in the game with Mo Williams, it makes for a very small backcourt.  So West’s injury, and the fact that the Cavs played the Lakers both times without him, makes you wonder how the Cavs would fare with Delonte in the backcourt.

 

It’s also funny that James’ excellence is such that when he scores 16 points, doles out 12 assists, and grabs 8 rebounds, people say he has an off night.  The truth is James shot the ball poorly from the floor, but he played a very good game other than that.  The Cavs needed James to get the ball in the basket on his drives, but the shot wasn’t falling for him. 

 

The Cavs still have 33 games remaining, and a lot can change between now and this June when The Finals would start.  It would be nice to see the wine and gold get healthy before the trading deadline, but it won’t likely happen that way.  GM Danny Ferry has a week and a half to ponder whether or not he needs to make a move.  It’s not like the Cavs played well and got beat yesterday.  They were far from at their best yesterday.

 

JK

 

There is a division among basketball experts on just who is the best player in the world.  Is it Kobe Bryant or LeBron James?  There seems to be no middle ground.  Either you love the raw scoring ability of the Lakers’ Bryant or the all around dominance of the Cavaliers’ James.  It will be a treat to see both of them on the floor Sunday afternoon at The Q, mainly because they meet just twice a year.

 

These same people are comparing each of the superstars’ performances against the New York Knicks this past week.  Kobe dropped 61 points on New York on Monday night, but had no rebounds and just three assists.  LeBron threw in 52 points on Wednesday, but added 12 assists and 10 rebounds, the first triple double in a 50-point game since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it in 1975. 

 

They are even comparing the reactions of both performances by the Knicks fans, which is utterly stupid.  The New Yorkers serenaded Bryant with chants of “MVP, MVP” at the end of Monday’s contest.  James did not receive such adulation.  Maybe the Big Apple faithful have grown used to seeing their team dominated by the best players in the NBA.

 

If Bryant is still the best player on the planet, his reign has a short expiration date.   He turned 30 years old last August.  James just turned 24 at the end of the year, and is still improving, which is a scary thought for the rest of the league.

 

There is no question that Bryant is a better shooter from outside, and his accuracy from the perimeter is why most people would prefer the Lakers’ superstar with the game on the line.  His shooting percentage from beyond the 3-point arc bears this out as Bryant is shooting 36.1% from behind the line, compared to #23’s 29.7 percentage. 

 

Kobe is also a better free thrower at 86.6% from the line.  Even though James has improved this year, he still is under 80% from the charity stripe at .774.

 

It is in the non-scoring/shooting categories that James shines.  The King isaveraging 7.5 rebounds per night, two more than Bryant, and #23 is getting 7.0 assists per game, almost two more than #24 for the Lakers (5.1). 

 

Bryant is renowned as a shutdown defender, and I would agree that he has an edge on James in this category, but LeBron is gaining rapidly and is getting support for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.  In the past week, James has guarded Allen Iverson, a 6’ guard, and Jermaine O’Neal, a 6’11” power forward.  Now that’s versatility. 

 

Still, James has the edge in steals (1.9 per game compared to 1.3 for Bryant) and in blocked shots (1.3 vs. 0.4).  LeBron has always been a good defender playing the passing lanes looking for steals and weak side blocks, and he is now improving as an on the ball defender. 

 

There is no question that Kobe Bryant is a better pure scorer than LeBron James, but James is the better all around player.  James makes his teammates better.  For example, look at Delonte West.  West wasn’t considered a good player in Seattle, but he’s a starter and a key component in the Cavs’ success.  People in Milwaukee were happy to see Mo Williams leave, but he’s put up all-star numbers here. 

 

Who has Bryant made into a better player?

 

I would put it this way:  Kobe Bryant is the better scorer, but LeBron James is the better basketball player.  I believe every team would want James, not only because of his age, but because he can fit into a team concept.  I would venture to say not every team would want Kobe because of chemistry issues. 

 

JK

 

I have made no secrets about my desire to see Manny Ramirez return to the Cleveland Indians.  Baseball Prospectus ran an article late last week identifying five teams that should go after Manny, and they included the Tribe, who need an alternative to Travis Hafner if he doesn’t return to form, and they also could use a upgrade in leftfield. 

 

Unfortunately, GM Mark Shapiro has said there isn’t any money left to spend on free agents unless he deals off some payroll.  He couldn’t trade enough players to clear payroll to sign Ramirez, who is looking for $20 million per year, although nobody is offering that kind of cash.  Besides, starting pitching is a bigger need for the 2009 Cleveland Indians.

 

However, the fact the arguably the best right-handed hitter of the last 25 years is still unsigned makes me and others wonder what is going on.  Many people point to Ramirez’ behavior prior to getting traded last season as the reason no long-term deals are being offered.  Everyone remembers the accusations by the Red Sox that Manny stopped playing hard in an effort to get the Red Sox to give him a contract extension.

 

Some people pointed to his agent, Scott Boras, as masterminding a strategy of Ramirez forcing the Red Sox hand, so that they would decline the option years on his contract, thus making the future Hall of Famer a free agent at the end of the ’08 season.  The argument was that unless Manny received a new deal for 2009, his new agent, Boras, would not get a healthy commission.  

 

If that was the case, how is that strategy working for you now, Mr. Boras?  One of the best hitters in baseball history is having a problem getting a new contract because teams are worried about whether or not he will put forth a big effort if he and his agent don’t get the amount of years and dollars they thought they were going to get. 

 

That’s my problem with Boras.  At times, he treats his clients as if they are scientific experiments, using them as guinea pigs to try to find loopholes in the system.  He has done it with top high schools players, turning down large signing bonuses and moving players to the independent leagues.  He had a junior in high school take his GED, and then try to create a bidding war with major league teams.  You have to question whether or not he is doing it for the player, to satisfy his huge ego, or to make baseball look bad.

 

Now Boras is trying to sell Ramirez by saying that the revenue his signing will generate will pay for his contract.  His remarkable career doesn’t create enough buzz on the open market.  If Ramirez didn’t dog it to get out of Boston last year, he would have gotten a three year deal somewhere, an appropriate amount of years for a player who will turn 37 years old this season. 

 

If the agent came up with that strategy, he did a disservice to his client.  Manny Ramirez has always been a different character, but no one considered him a “jake”.  The current financial climate has made Manny a risk no owner wants to take.  He should have been embraced as a player who can put a team over the top, instead it is two weeks before spring training starts, and he has no place to play.

 

MW

 

 

Super Bowl Sunday?  Who cares?  The big game for Cleveland sports fans yesterday was the Cavaliers big road win against the Pistons yesterday afternoon.  After a loss to Orlando Thursday night that had many people questioning the wine and gold, they smacked the Clippers at The Q on Friday night, and basically put the Central Division title away at The Palace with a win on Sunday. 

 

Only one All-Star?  It appears LeBron James and crew is taking the snub of their teammate, Mo Williams, personally.  It gives them just another chip on their collective shoulders.

 

The win against Detroit emphasized how important Willilams is to this team, and the Cavs no longer collapse when James is getting some much-needed rest.  Cleveland trailed 66-58 going into the fourth quarter yesterday, but caught up and took the lead before #23 re-entered the game.  Daniel Gibson got it going to start the final stanza by scoring seven straight points, and Williams finished the job. 

 

In all, Cleveland outscored Detroit 32-14 in the fourth quarter, and they now lead the Pistons by 12 games in the division and the last two games between the two teams are in Cleveland.  You can order up a Central Division Champion banner, the second in franchise history (1975-76). 

 

Anyway, Mike Brown will be coaching the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game on February 15^th in Phoenix, so at least James will not be the only person from one of the best team in the NBA represented there.  It is a joke that Williams will not be there. 

 

Last year, the Cavaliers won 48 games for the entire season.  They have won 37 games this year with 36 games remaining on the schedule.  This team is on pace to win more than 60 games this season. 

 

True, they added Ben Wallace, Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak at the trade deadline last season, but there is no question that it is Williams’ presence that turned the Cavs from a very good team into one of the league’s best.  Besides giving James more rest, he is averaging three minutes less per game than the past four seasons, he has allowed James to get the ball going to the basket.  He has definitely changed the offense of this team.

 

The Cavaliers are averaging four more points per game than they did last season.  Who do the NBA coaches think is responsible for that?  Certainly, LeBron James has improved, but Mo Williams has revitalized the wine and gold’s attack.  He deserves to be in Phoenix. 

 

The biggest reason he isn’t is the fans’ vote, however.  Allen Iverson does not deserve to be a starter, and if he wasn’t voted in, it is unlikely he would have been added to the squad.  That essentially is Williams’ spot.

 

Besides the big win, the coolest thing for the Cavs was Santonio Holmes’ celebration after the Super Bowl winning touchdown, homage to LeBron’s tossing the powder into the air before every game.  Pittsburgh might have the World Champion Steelers, but Cleveland has the best basketball player in the world.

 

JK