What the f*$k??! 3 Straight losses?

It seems like it was yesterday I was talkin' with my boys about how unstoppable our Cavs were and what 13 straight victories meant for us in the eastern conference. I also have recent fond memories of the result of our trade campaign. "Aww snap, Antawn Jamison in tha house!!!". I remember thinkin that and envisioning LeBron finally getting a championship. It was great!

Then, things started happening: bad things. We loss the first game with Jamison in the lineup. I'm like "Ok, its cool. Just a matter of chemistry."

Game 2 since the trade: We get Mo Williams who as mentioned in earlier post has been out via injury. Things can only keep getting better right? Thats what I was thinking. Nope. A VERY impressioned 110-93 loss got branded on their jerseys against the Charlotte Bobcats (27-26). Jamison went 0-12 from the field. Needless to say, this loss hurt. Again, I believe chemistry is a factor here.

Game 3: If you're a true Cavs fan, you know what a game against the Orlando Magic means nowadays. Jamison showed up this game, blowin' up with 10 points and 8 boards. I don't need to tell you LeBron did his thing, coming up with 33. And yet, we still get the short end of the straw in this one. They do everything right, but lose 101-95 in a heartbreaker.

Three straight losses? Really?! Its so infuriating watching our guys play like this. Inpaticularly in that third game, it seemed as if chemistry was forming, what with having all of the guys out there. I firmly believe that Jamison is the type of talent needed to get to where we want to go. Thet just have to figure out shot distribution and whatever newly formed teams do. What do you think? Thoughts on this recent funk? Jamison's performance? Let's chat!

Stoudemire= Championship??

I gotta say I've really grown tired of this trade deadline talk. Yes I touched on it a little bit, but whats going on in the NBA at the moment is ridiculous. As a NBA fan, I know this is the trade climax of the season and a big part of the season but DAMN!! This little tidbit is about the hype goin around with Amar'e Stoudemire and his involvement with the wine and gold as well as what it could mean for us.

Out of all the hundreds (ok, maybe thats an exaggeration) of possibilities proposed and talked about among General Managers, about five have been confirmed and labeled as major priorities. These include deals that would acquire Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison, Indiana Pacers forward Troy Murphy, and the biggest and apparently the most desired prospect, Phoenix Suns Big man Stoudemire.

The deadline is the LAST CHANCE to amp their rosters up for playoff/ championship contention, prepare for early stages of rebuilding (buying out contracts or clearing up cap space for a draft pick etc.). It's pretty obvious that, based on the level Ferry and Co. seem to be pursuing him, Amar'e is what will get the Cavs over the Lakers. In the end this is what it's about. We all know the implications that were created when this team got formed in the beggining of last season. And what it was when we pull Shaq in. We ain't playin around. It's a championship, or its nothing.

Stoudemire is a well known entity in the league. He's coming off of one of his best seasons in which he played with O'neal in Phoenix. He averaged 21 points as well as 8 rebounds. While this trade doesn't inherit much talent that would would be given the Suns' way, the trade will open up space for some possiblilities in terms of the off-season. But we don't care about them. It's about that status of our Cleveland Crew! That trade deadline is Thursday. As much skepticism as theres been, there is alot of positive thoughts and feelings of assurance that this trade WILL go down.

Now I always have to put my view on here!

Like I say, the organization has made it blatantly obvious that Stoudemire is the caliber player Cleveland needs to finally get over that hump and back to the finals. Amar'e is a BEAST!! I would welcome him with open arms....if he wasn't so dependant on the ball being in his hand. Now theres nothing wrong with that. He's most effective in that regard. I just don't think thats what we need. We will not be able to function very well using the same system applied when He and Shaq were in Phoenix. In the event that this trade does go down, we will have to see what happens.

Honestly, although he wasn't a feature mention in here, I think Jamison would be a perfect fit for us. He puts almost the same type numbers, and I feel he'd be more open to a role-oriented gameplan. But thats just me.

Trade Deadline talk

There are about three major prospects on the Cavalier roster that can legitimately be called out for trade talk, but I'm gonna focus in on one critical one. Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

I keep on hearing a lot on these boards about how it would be a shame to trade Z and how the only way Ferry should trade him is if he is guaranteed to return via a buyout. That's one way to look at it, but there is more to it than the emotional aspect. Most of us love Z. He's been here for his entire career. He could have taken the easy way out and walked away from it all a millionaire. Instead, he had massive surgery on his foot so he could play again. And since then he's done so much for us.

Nobody is questioning the man's heart or loyalty. I'm a big Z fan and really appreciate what he has done for this team.

Having said that, it is the job of the General Manager to make the team as strong as possible. With an owner like Dan Gilbert who has essentially provided Ferry with an open check book, I feel that balking at a trade offer that involves Z without the buyout would be doing this franchise a huge disservice.

I have 2 major concerns about the idea of not trading Z:

1. This is really it: Z's expiring contract is the last opportunity to improve the team before the 2011-2012 season. Going into next season, the Cavs have about 50.5 million on the books. That money does not include Z or Shaq's contracts. While the Cavs do have Bird Rights on both of those guys, do we really want to move forward into THE summer of 2010 with (at best) a front line rotation of Z, Shaq, JJ and Andy? There is little in way of salary cap space or expiring contracts until after next season
2. It is Ferry's job to improve the team: Like I said, this is really the last big opportunity to imrove the Cavs before the summer of 2010. Z's contract (which is 75% paid plus a 2 million dollar trade kicker) is a very attractive asset to many rebuilding teams. We all appreciate what Z has done for the Cavs, but he is not getting any younger. Being loyal to Z in 2010 won't do much for me or the fan base if the Cavs fail to reach the finals again. That trade asset will be long gone.

1. What to do next? Knowing the lack of cap space and tradeable assets, how do you propose Danny Ferry improve the Cavs this summer when they are going to try and convince LeBron that Cleveland is the best place for him to be if he wants to win championships
2. The Cavs will need bigs: The Cavs will either retain Z and Shaq this summer because of their Bird Rights. Even if they do so, is that really what the bigs rotation that we want moving forward?
   

I also want to throw in there that I firmly believe that, as constructed, this Cavs team has what it takes to win it all this year. In light of that my concern is not this year. My concern is the short-term and long-term future of this franchise.

The many aspects of LeBron's game

King James continues to kill opponents routinely. They have yet to lose against a western conference team (10-0). They also retain the leagues best record yet again. James is coming off of a legenday hot night aganist the L.A. Clippers where he scorched them for 23 out of the teams 46 in the first quarter. He's also on pace to have his best season. Thats better than 2007's 30 ppg, 7 apg, and 7 rpg he posted! So far especially in light of being 2-0 against Kobe's Lakers, Bron Bron seems unstoppable.

LeBron, LeBron, LeBron....What is it about Cleveland's savior that makes him so damn dominant? Why can't he be stopped? Is it the fact that he can play positions 1-4 and maybe even the 5? Is it that as a defender you not only have to worry about the relentless drive to the basket, but now the perimeter jumpshot? Could it even be the different ways in which he can score whether it be off the dribble or in the post with his 6 foot 8 260 pound frame? What ever it is, as a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, I'm cetainly glad he's on our side and not someone elses. I for one definately hope he reamins a Cav after his contract is up at the end of the seaon, but then again what Cav fan doesn't? LeBron does that to franchises. What he does on the court he makes look so effortless.

In my opinion it is his eye popping ability to get to the opposing teams paint area and make plays that amazes me the most. Wat about you?