A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
It’s been 21 years since the state of Ohio celebrated a championship in one of the four major professional sports (to clarify: football, baseball, basketball and hockey).
During that time Ohio has suffered like few other states have. In addition to almost total futility on the field, the state has had to endure more than its share of off the field problems as well.
After an awful 2010-2011 season, thanks mostly to LeBron James’ departure, the Cleveland Cavilers were selecting in the lottery this draft instead of the mid- to late-twenties where Cavs fans have become accustomed to picking over the past few seasons.
It is apparent from the lack of talent on the Cavs roster that Cleveland will not have a playoff team anytime in the near future.
Basketball fans in Cleveland, and even those who don’t care much for the game, let out a collective sigh of relief on Sunday night following the Mavericks win in the Finals over the Heat.
Many were calling the Mavericks the “Mavaliers”, with Dirk being the favorite player of many Cavs fans. However, it did not matter that the Mavericks won the title; it was all about the failure of LeBron James.
There was a sense of optimism in the air for all Cleveland Cavaliers fans heading into last night’s lottery.
Dan Gilbert sent his 14-year old son Nick to represent the Cavs because he said Nick is the luckiest person he knows. This turned out to be true.
The Cavs headed into the lottery with two picks and came out with both of them in the top five.
The NBA lottery is tonight at 8:30, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have two spots in the lottery. This is the closest thing to the playoffs for us fans in Cleveland besides the joy of watching the Heat lose.
This is also the playoffs for the other 14 teams* who did not get into the real playoffs this year.
The Cavaliers defeated the Heat 102-90 on Tuesday night in a thriller. It was arguably the Cavs best game all season, and good games have been hard to come by.
The obvious importance behind this win is the fact that LeBron is on the Heat. He went from a hero to a villain in a matter of minutes on national television and has done nothing to apologize to the city of Cleveland. There was no love lost during the first meeting between the Cavs and Heat on December 2nd. LeBron heard boos every time he touched the ball. The only problem was that the Heat blew out the Cavs 118-90 and LeBron had 38 points.
Tuesday night was different for Cleveland fans.
The following picture, from last night’s inspired Cavaliers win over the Miami Heat in Cleveland for the last time this season, gives us a pretty nice baseline when it comes to these two teams.
The only important piece not pictured is that LeBron James fellow. (He must have been in the restroom…)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been very active during the trade deadline for many years. The main reason in years past was to try and find a complement to the self-titled “King”.
This year the reasons for trades were different. At 10-47, the Cavs are in the rebuilding process. Their first move, which is already well known, was trading Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and their 1st round draft pick in this year’s draft. I think it is a great trade by Cavs GM Chris Grant and the rest of the Cavs front office.
The Cavs may be the most inconsistent team in the NBA this season, but they continue to intrigue Clevelanders. And tonight, unlike many previous nights, the intrigue had nothing to do with losing.
Tonight the Cavs defeated the struggling – but still defending champion – Lakers in a 104-99 victory.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won their first game since December 18th last night, beating the Los Angeles Clippers.
After nearly two months of pure torture for players and fans alike, the streak has finally ended.
Ted Williams, the homeless man who’s dilemma went viral recently (including right here on MSF) due to his made-for-radio voice and engaging personality got a win today.
As reported earlier today by Darren Rovell, Williams was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers after members of their front office viewed the video in which he displayed his talents by the side of a Columbus area highway for spare change from passing motorists.
The Morning After is a look at the night that was in the NBA along with other NBA-related fodder.
The Miami Heat. Holy shit. Road game in hostile environment? Yup. Opposing team strong in the front-court and point guard positions, Miami’s two biggest weaknesses? Yup. A focused, unrelenting, fast-paced, ice-cold statement win? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
For the first time this season, the Heat played The Game We Were All Waiting For, when everything looked beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Have we finally seen the Dark Passenger?
The Morning After is a look at the night that was in the NBA along with other NBA-related fodder.
– Some of the Atlanta Hawks put up some ridiculous numbers in their 116-101 win over the New Jersey Nets: Sixth man du awesome Jamal Crawford poured in 26 points on 17 shots and Al Horford dropped 24 points, 10 boards and six assists.
However, it was Josh Smith who won the gold star, getting 34 points and seven assists while shooting 14-of-16 from the field. Remember, he’s shooting jumpers again too, making it, for one night, all the more impressive. But his outside shooting ventures remain, like a Skyhawk in flight, ultimately fleeting.
The Morning After is a look at the night that was in the NBA along with other NBA-related fodder.
One thing remained very clear in last night’s LeBronageddon: LeBron James still runs the Cavaliers. He runs through their minds and for three quarters worth of work (38 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists) en route to a 118-90 Heat scorching, he ran right past them.
Dear LeBron,
You are hated like never before. For the first time in your life, people are criticizing you. Old fans have transformed into haters, and your old home has transformed into enemy territory.
Of course, you don’t understand it. You have never been at fault for anything in your life, so why would that change now? Haters will be haters. Cleveland will be Cleveland. It doesn’t matter if people like you right now. They will all come back, as long as you win your rings…right?
Well, the charade is over.
