NBA FanHouse

Tractor Traylor Resurfaces in Vegas

Tom Ziller — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST

[Before you ask: no, that was not a whale joke.]

Via BallHype, that menacing Michigan product Robert 'Tractor' Traylor has been thrust back into our world, as he'll compete with Cleveland's squad in the Vegas Summer League. Cavs.com reports Traylor played in that hotbed of basketball fame San Juan, Puerto Rico, last season after a European stint and some time in, er, prison.

Famously, Traylor's girth forced him out of NBA competition. What had been a boon in 1998 when he was drafted sixth overall and traded for Dirk Nowitzki [!!!] became an albatross when Tractor couldn't control his horizontal depth. Traylor always rebounded well in his limited minutes with the Cavs, Hornets, and Bucks, and he blocked some shots, too. But scoring -- or any sort of offensive potency, really -- never materialized, and Traylor probably didn't belong in an NBA uniform by 2004.

It wasn't all cheeseburgers that got Tractor here, as Michael David Smith outlined in this 2007 FanHouse post. Prison is bad for the career, no matter what line of business you're in. Let's hope Summer League is a sign Traylor's getting himself cleaned up.

Tractor Traylor Resurfaces in Vegas originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You Can't Accuse Danny Ferry of Not Trying

Tom Ziller — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:48:00 EST

Filed under: Nets, Cavaliers, NBA Rumors, Cleveland, New York

The roster around LeBron James is, for the most part, lamentable. The Global Icon carried his team almost single-handedly to the Finals in 2006-07 and to a seventh game against the would-be NBA Champions this season. He's basically a two-time defending MVP without any trophies. He desperately needs some help.

Danny Ferry takes plenty of lumps for the minor disaster around LeBron, but at least he tries. He has spent plenty of Dan Gilbert's money to put guys who at one point could play a little around James, and he pulled off a major trade at the deadline (though the return package remains circumspect). And apparently, he's off to an active start this offseason, according to the Newark Star-Ledger's Dave D'Alessandro.

As they were putting some of the finishing touches on the Richard Jefferson-Yi Jianlian deal, the Nets received a call from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who offered them Wally Szczerbiak and his expiring, $13.2 million salary for Vince Carter.

According to two Eastern Conference executives, who asked for anonymity so as not to spill Rod Thorn's secrets, the Nets considered it -- but not for very long.

The one thing Ferry has in his favor: he can take all the bad contracts he wants, because the single goal going forward is proving to LeBron this team can take him back to The Finals repeatedly. Teams will always been pawning off stars for expiring contracts, and so long as you employ LeBron you wouldn't be slipping into that Knickerbocker despair.

The funny thing about this trade offer, of course: Ferry wants Carter to help LeBron win a title and resolve to stay in Cleveland. Thorn would want to trade Carter to help free up the cap space to sign LeBron. I imagine these two teams will be hesitant to work with each other in the next few seasons.

You Can't Accuse Danny Ferry of Not Trying originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': Cleveland Cavaliers

Will Brinson — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Draft, Cleveland

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.

Clearly, the Cavs have not only the talent but the need to try and to win now. If Danny Ferry decides to wait, he might end up trying to win without LeBron James (or without a job) and that ain't gonna happen.

Picks: #19

Needs: In order to win now, Cleveland needs legit (sorry Wally) scoring from the perimeter or some backcourt help. Say what you want for their interior offensive needs, but they have three centers who are going to play. And seriously, think about how Wally and Delonte got loose in the playoffs -- that's a direct result of James being on the same team, not their talents. Now let's add someone who isn't washed up.

Best case scenario: Mario Chalmers somehow falls down to them at 19, which seemed a lot more likely a few weeks, or even days, ago. Instead, how about Courtney Lee, who easily could fall here? Either one would be good (Lee being the better scorer but Chalmers can run the Cleveland "offense")but yet, seems somehow unlikely ...

More likely scenario: Citing a need for "an inside presence" and talking about the "best player available", Ferry makes Roy Hibbert the pick at 19. Mike Brown gleefully almost-smiles as he "draws up" a go big gameplan that involves LeBron at point, and Varejao, Big Ben, Big Z and Hibbert filling out the rest of the lineup spots in some metaphorical big man orgy that sets basketball back another 12,000 years.

Please don't take: Um, Hibbert. Or someone big.

Trade possibilities: Distinct, particularly when you consider that Wally's contract expires after next season, making him pretty valuable. It'll be tough for the Cavs to take on any more salary, but using Wally to vault up in the draft and get a ready-from-the-start scorer, should it look like Chalmers or Lee aren't going to drop.

NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': Cleveland Cavaliers originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jermaine O'Neal to Cleveland? No, Say Pacers

Tom Ziller — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Pacers, NBA Rumors, Cleveland, Indianapolis

A rumor that has Jermaine O'Neal headed to Cleveland (with the #11 pick) for expiring-in-2009 contracts has picked up plenty of heat over the past week, as happens with most J.O. rumors these days. But Pacers general manager David Morway squashed the idea in a conversation with RealGM's Andrew Perna Friday, saying the teams haven't discussed the center.

"It's tough to answer questions on trades, but in this particular case, I will say that the rumor is completely false," Morway added.

Morway's going to have to squash a lot of J.O. rumors this summer, it seems. Last year, the Lakers rumor strung from May to October and beyond, and almost became one of those inevitabilities, like Ron Artest-for-Peja Stojakovic circa 2005.

Indiana's decision (or inability, who knows) to begin the rebuilding process over the past 12 months has been a bit astonishing. The team has one solid youngster (Danny Granger) and two interesting roleplayer prospects (Shawne Williams and Ike Diogu). The team's best player (Mike Dunleavy Jr.) turns 28 this fall and might have just completed a huge fluke year. The highest paid player (J.O.) played only 1,200 minutes this season and has hit the 30-year-old wall of (potential) doom. The #11 pick could add a great piece ... but the Pacers need many great pieces to begin the healing process. Hopefully, they started working on that sometime soon, lest Indiana fans be trapped in the too-good-to-draft-a-franchise-player, too-bad-to-contend purgatory.

Jermaine O'Neal to Cleveland? No, Say Pacers originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buzz Growing on Michael Redd to Cleveland

Matt Moore — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Bucks, Eastern, NBA Rumors, Cleveland

While the reigning MVP is busy trumpeting his way to the finals and Chris Paul at least able to be satisfied with the progress made this season, the Cavaliers are looking at how to improve their team. And by "improve their team" I mean, "do whatever in God's name it will take to convince LeBron James not to go to New York and abandon them to a cold and lonely legacy of abject failure after being granted one of the greatest draft picks ever." You know. In so many words.

So if you're going to go out and get an upgrade for LeBron, and it's pretty evident that it needs to be scoring. So who's available?

Survey says: Michael Redd.

In an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, Pat McManamon writes that there is a "lot of talk about acquiring Michael Redd from the Milwaukee Bucks" for the Cavs. Redd's got a big contract on a rebuilding squad, and it's been proven that he can't be the guy to get the Bucks where they need to go. Putting him on the Cavs for the 19th pick and trigger-happy Wally Szczerbiak plus parts may be the way to make it happen.

Acquiring Redd would give LeBron the firepower necessary to at least pull up to the next level and force teams to only completely abandon Ben Wallace on the defensive end. The question is whether GM Danny Ferry will do as he did for most of the year, passing on viable big-move trades until it was too late and then making what ended up being a zero-sum trade with the Bulls and Sonics, outside of the surprisingly valuable acquisition of Delonte West.

Ferry can't wait and let opportunities like Redd sit out on the open market. If he watches the pitch go by, he may find that it's LeBron who's "out."

Buzz Growing on Michael Redd to Cleveland originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Brown Belongs on the Hot Seat

Matt Watson — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Eastern, Cleveland

I haven't seen a single rumor suggesting Mike Brown's job is in jeopardy. In fact, considering the man signed a two-year extension just four months ago, he probably has as much job security as anyone in the entire league. But if the Cavs really want to take the next step forward, GM Danny Ferry should put "find a new coach" at the top of his summer to-do list.

I know, I know: the Cavs advanced all the way to the Finals last year, and only a true cynic could fault them for losing to a 66-win Celtics team this year. But LeBron James has been the reason for their success, not Brown. If Brown were simply along for the ride it wouldn't be all that bad, but all too often he's actually standing in the way.

How so? By being oblivious to knowing how to use the best player in the game. There's no way around it: the Cavs' offense is simply atrocious. The mainstream media turns a blind eye because they're too busy celebrating LeBron's amazing individual numbers, but for people actually paying attention, it's almost unbearable.

I've pointed this fact out every chance I've had, and I'm glad to see other people are noticing, as well. Here's how noted basketball author Brian McCormick described it in a blog post prior to Game 7:

[Boston's defense looks] good because the Cavs put LeBron in positions to fail. He gets the ball 30 feet from the basket, nobody moves and the entire defense plays him. They run down the shot clock so he is forced to take terrible shots.

Now, LeBron is not perfect. He can only shoot jump shots going to his left. If he dribbles right and has to shoot a jumper, he puts it behind his back to his left hand and steps back for the shot.

Why are the Cavs afraid to shoot in the first 14 seconds of the shot clock? Why doesn't James post-up? When he does get the ball near the post, however, he always reverse pivots to the baseline side, rather than to the middle, which takes away space and makes for a tougher shot or move. Now, he did make a great move off this in Game 6, but he makes it so he has to make near spectacular plays to score.

To be fair, Brown is a fine defensive coach, but he's severely under-qualified to handle a weapon like LeBron. The Cavs have learned a lot under his tenure, but he's not the man to take the Cavs over the hump. Against the Celtics in Game 7, LeBron was unstoppable. But with the right offensive mind calling the shots, the rest of the team could be unstoppable, as well.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, a Michigan native and lifelong Pistons fan, has admitted to trying to mold his franchise after the Pistons. But right now, Gilbert has unwittingly reproduced the Rick Carlisle/Jerry Stackhouse era -- good enough to win 50 games but not a serious contender by any means. Unless Gilbert is willing to realize that the current formula will always simply be "good enough" and never "great," the Cavs will remain an afterthought for the foreseeable future.

Update: a counterargument by Henry Abbott at TrueHoop

Mike Brown Belongs on the Hot Seat originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 19 May 2008 03:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron James Speaks About Darfur

Matt Moore — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:29:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Cleveland, USA Basketball

A year after getting blasted by everyone under the sun for refusing to sign a letter by Ira Newble condemning China for its role in the Darfur genocide, LeBron James is finally willing to talk about the situation. Even if he's not really saying anything.

On Friday, James agreed to an interview with ESPN for Outside the Lines, and agreed to talk about the Darfur situation, defended his reputation, and stressed the importance of the situation, all without actually saying anything negative about China. He did stress that the situation is "about human rights" and that he does support Newble, even if he's not signing the letter yet. He was careful to indicate that he wanted the Olympic participants to come up with a group decision regarding the situation, which sounds an awful lot like cover.

But at the same point. James doesn't have to come out, political guns firing at China. All he has to do is raise the awareness of the issue and all he has to do in order to accomplish that is raise the subject matter. As long as he spurs the conversation with his massive public profile, he's succeeding in the really important fight. Letting people know about one of the worst atrocities in human history that continues to go on under our noses.

LeBron James Speaks About Darfur originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 19 May 2008 02:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celtics - Cavaliers Game 7 Live Blog

Will Brinson — Sun, 18 May 2008 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Live Blogging, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland

There is nothing more exciting in sports than a Game 7. Expect perhaps finding out that both Mike Brown and Doc Rviers have been kidnapped before this game and that there will actually be some offense. Since that is unlikely to happen -- and certainly not endorsed to happen by anyone here -- we'll have to settle for seeing whether LeBron James can have his best game of this series on the biggest stage.

He has slowly been stepping his game up after abysmal Games one and two, possibly in the pretense of going off during the Eastern Conference Finals and trudging the Cavs back into the Finals. But first things first -- the Celtics are staring at most scrutiny they have faced in years, without a road playoff win and with another Game 7 against a team they should have closed out already, if they were anything like the Boston team of the regular season.

Live Blog begins here at 3:30, or shortly before.

Celtics - Cavaliers Game 7 Live Blog originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 18 May 2008 15:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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7 Things to Keep an Eye on in Game 7: Cavaliers at Celtics

Matt Moore — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:37:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Playoffs, Cleveland

Game Seven. No way out except onward. The best team in the league (record-wise) has been pushed to the brink, twice now. This time it's by a King seeking to dethrone them. The Celtics have been unstoppable at home, but it only takes one bad game now, and this one's in Beantown. In an expanded edition of our playoff game previews, here are seven things to keep an eye on in Sunday's Cavaliers-Celtics showdown.

1. It Starts And Ends With The King: LeBron James finally had the game. 32 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, including monster points down the stretch. He had 8 turnovers, but that's okay, because ... okay, that's not okay. James has woken up more and more as this series has gone on, and managed to put together the complete game in Game 6. He's playing with confidence, desire, passion and focus. He's going to need all of that and his God-given obscene talent if he wants to walk out of Boston with the first win by a visitor in the playoffs. The Cavaliers actually ran James at point for long extended periods in the second half of Game 6, which attributed to James' turnovers. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. The advantage is that it ensures that LBJ has the ball and lets him dictate the offense as he sees fit. The disadvantages are the turnovers and the ability for the Cavs to bring the perimeter double. The Celtics brought the low post defender (Leon Powe, usually) to the perimeter to cover LeBron, trap him if he goes to the wing, and force the ball out of his hands. With any other team, this would mean a pretty simple 1-2-3 touch passing to an open low post player for a lay-in. Unfortunately the Cavs have a bazillion dollars in low post players, none of which can actually score consistently down low. Regardless, I would expect more of the same from Game 6 in terms of James strategy on both sides. The question is whether those shots will fall. And if it'll be enough.

2. Kevin. Freaking. Garnett: This is why Kevin Garnett was brought to Boston. To win games like this. Not just this game, but however many he needs to in order to get them a championship. Garnett needs to quiet the suspicions that he's unable to close games, unable to be the winning anchor, and that all his passion and intensity combined with his considerable skill is a recipe for greatness. The Cavaliers have primarily opted to play Garnett one on one, and in all honesty, Anderson Varejao has done a pretty good job. Garnett has a tendency to go to the baseline fadeaway and that's not necessarily been his best shot recently. Not to say he can't hit it consistently, but he's much stronger facing up or going towards the basket. Garnett also needs to take the lead as the low post defender to float to James. He's got the length, speed, and athleticism to stick with James if he manages to penetrate. Maybe most importantly, though, Garnett needs to provide the emotional lift for the team so that they maintain defensive focus. This is not a good offensive team they're facing, and will only succeed if the Celtics suffer mental breakdowns.

3. On Point: Delonte West and Rajon Rondo are the proverbial swing votes for this series, this game. Whichever team's point guard outperforms the other will most likely be the victor. Rondo has had a hard wakeup in this series, with the wide open lanes he's used to clogged with block experts and surprisingly good defense from veteran opposition. Conversely, Delonte West has had a tremendously solid series for a guy that was considered trade fodder a few months ago. He's been a reliable scorer and has been a team leader for a squad that desperately needed one. Rondo's played well at home, and needs to continue that tomorrow for the Celtics not to suffer a rather ignominous exit.

4. Where Art Thou, Paul Pierce?: Pierce had a terrific Game 5. Then followed it up with a terrible Game 6. 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 of 15 shooting, and 6 turnovers. The word you're looking for is "yech." Pierce is far and away the second best player on the Celtics, and should be the primary scorer for them. Instead, he's disappeared, trying to slow down King James. If this was a conscious strategy devised by the Celtics' coaching staff, it's been a disastrous one. Pierce needs to be slashing to the basket, drawing fouls, knocking down jumpers in transition, and feeding Garnett and Ray Allen on drive and kicks. Instead he's running himself ragged trying to get calls against the second biggest star in the league. Pierce needs to quit worrying about LeBron, stop him to whatever degree he can without sacrificing too much energy, and get back to his game. If he doesn't, the Celtics are going to be forced into another low scoring slugfest. And with James on the floor, that's a risky proposition.

5. Coaching Self-Disadvantage: This series has been a fascinating look into what happens when two coaches that are unable to effectively manage rosters or make strategic adjustments face off against each other. Each time Doc Rivers inserts a herk-a-a-jerk lineup, Mike Brown counters with another set play call for Wally Szczerbiak. Mike Brown holds a slight edge for more effectively keeping the best players on the floor and not sticking with the same slumping players over and over again. Luckily for Celtics fans, Doc Rivers has no choice but to do the one thing that got them into the playoffs and had them dominate Game 5. He'll leave the starters in for as long as possible and let the Big Three try and win the game. Good strategy from a bad strategist. Maybe all that complaining about officiating will give him the edge at home as well. Good job, Doc.

6. Andy and Joe, The Dynamic Duo: Joe Smith and Anderson Varejao have been the proverbial 'X-Factor' for the Cavs in this series. Smith's small but reliable shooting has been key, and Varejao is like a mascot that can rebound. He provides so much energy off the bench that he forces even me to admit that he does "more than the stat sheet shows" which I am loathe to write. The Celtics need to clamp down on them. Zydrunas Ilguauskus is a much more acceptable contributor, given the nature of his game. Baseline jumpers are fine. Attacks at the basket and offensive rebounds, are most certainly not.

7. All The Little Things: Things that are hilarious volume one: Celtics fans insinuating that the referees "stole" Game 6. There is absolutely no conceivable reason for the NBA to want the Celtics to lose, no matter how big LeBron James is. Furthermore, you have to expect James to get a few considering his superstar power. And finally, none of that would have mattered if the Celtics could have, you know, put the ball in the basket. Nevertheless, I would imagine that Boston gets a little home cooking love that the fans will fail to appreciate in this one. But a Game 7 has a lot more in the way of the extra things that matter. The Boston crowd going bonkers, the poise of superstars who play with confidence, the intense momentum swings, and the sheer intensity of a two-way elimination game. Everything we've said above are all great reasons, but the best reason is pretty simple. This is Game 7. Win or go home.

7 Things to Keep an Eye on in Game 7: Cavaliers at Celtics originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 17 May 2008 23:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Things to Keep an Eye on Tonight: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 6

Matt Moore — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Celtics-Cavs Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6 this evening.

Nowhere To Go But Up. Or ... Home: Demolished in Game 4. Daniel Gibson out. Unable to get LeBron hot. Rajon Rondo shaking off doldrums. Kevin Garnett. There's a mountain of stuff lined up against Cleveland tonight. They are at home, but as much as it's been a saving grace for teams so far in the playoffs, that's got to end at some point. I hate using cliches, but they're unavoidable in this situation. The Cavaliers are in a position to bond together, give 110%, rise to meet the challenge, and let the hometown crowd buoy them to a Game 7 in Boston. It's not quite that simple though.

Delonte's Inferno: Okay, Delonte West. You're up. Gibson is down, you've been great at home, and this team needs a shooter like nothing else. If the Cavaliers are going to push this thing back to Boston against all odds, they need West to do three things. Create, contain, and close. He's got to spark the offense. He's done a better job of that than even Gibson has done, and has done well both in transition and in the half court set of finding the open man and making the right decision. He's got to contain Rajon Rondo and send him back to his dreadful pre-Game 5 ways, and he's got close out by knocking down and defending three point shots.

3. Death By Efficiency: Interesting twist. LeBron James doesn't have to be huge. He just has to be efficient. Even though James had 35 in Game 5, it was useless. He also was only 12 of 25 from the field, had only 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and had 4 turnovers. So maybe the key for the Cavs isn't for LeBron to go off and score a bazillion points. He needs to break 25, no doubt about that, especially with Gibson out. But he needs to be more active in all stages in the game, getting rebounds, creating open shots for Z on the baseline and West on the perimeter, and playing hard enough to exhaust Paul Pierce. Cleveland doesn't need a bigger King, it needs a smarter, more efficient L-Train (worst nickname, ever).

4. Back To What Doc Knows: The best thing Doc Rivers can do tonight? Stay out of the way. In Game 5, 4 out of 5 starters (Perkins being the predictable exception) played 40 minutes or more. Essentially, the same problem with Doc Rivers is the same problem it's always been. He's a bad coach. Okay, but more specifically, the man couldn't manage a lineup to save his soul. So the best option for him is just to ride his starters. Would it be nice to rest the big guns for later on? Yes. But they need to close this out so there's not a Game 7. They need to kill Cleveland while it's weak and doubting itself. Otherwise Game 7 is going to be just more intensity and physical strain.

5. MIA: Ray Allen and Zydrunas Ilgauskus. So much for veteran leadership and scoring. Both players were absent for Game 5, and Allen's been a dud for the entire playoffs. This is an elimination game. Both teams need everything their players have. The Cavs cannot win with Zydrunas Ilgauskus in single digits. It's a simple formula. For the Celtics, they don't need Allen to shoot a lot, just hit the few he takes. But that's not really his style, any more than Z's style is no longer attacking in the post. Both players need a renaissance tonight.

5 Things to Keep an Eye on Tonight: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 6 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 16 May 2008 16:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron Either Understands Or Overestimates How Important He Is

Matt Moore — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, NBA Playoffs, Cleveland

Brian Windhorst, who is one of the finest NBA reporters in the land, let alone for the Cavs, has a terrific quote this morning from LeBron James that gives us some insight into where his head at, both with his identity and his team's. After the Game 5 loss in Boston, James was quoted as saying,

"A LeBron James team is never desperate."

Now, there are a lot of ways to interpret this. One is that any team with James on it is going to be confident, because he knows what he's capable of. And you can't really fault him for that. I personally hate it when guys are overly modest to the point of it being facetious. The Cavs are LeBron James. And for them to really excel, to beat the Celtics in a seven game series, especially winning a Game 7 in Boston, if it even comes to that, he has to be the guy. That kind of honesty is kind of refreshing in a league where so many players talk about their teammates but don't actually trust them in the game.

More analysis of the King and "his team" after the jump.Another way to look at it, though, is that this is how LeBron approaches the Cavs. They're "his" team. Not the Cavs, but the LeBron James team. There have long been jokes about the "LeBronites" and the "LeBrons" in referencing Cleveland. And while his honesty in addressing his importance to the squad may be interesting, this quote does pose the question of just how much he appreciates the supporting cast around him. Because after a disappointingly mediocre regular season, the Cavs are in Game 6 in Cleveland only because of his teammates. Delonte West, Boobie Gibson, Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskus have all played huge against the Celtics while LeBron has been shut down for the most part. They wouldn't have survived Games 3 and 4 without the rest of that team. So what does it say that LeBron views this team as a "LeBron James" team, even though other guys have led this team against the Celtics?

It's a tough spot for LeBron to be in. Lean too much on his teammates, and he's viewed as shrinking from the challenge. Put it all on him and he's viewed as selfish,self-grandizing, and more concerned with his image than his team's fortunes. All in the life of the "global icon" as James has said he strives to become. Oh, well. If things don't work out, he can always comfort himself in the gigantic playground made of $100 bills he can build.

LeBron Either Understands Or Overestimates How Important He Is originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 15 May 2008 13:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Doing Lines: Rondo Suddenly Has Range

Matt Watson — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Lakers, Boston, Cleveland

Every now and again there are some stupendous, silly, stupid, or downright outlandish individual lines from around the L. Doing Lines lets you know which one tops the list.

The Celtics came from behind to protect their home floor on Wednesday, which is kind of important considering they've yet to win on the road in the playoffs. Paul Pierce (29 points, 11-13 FT) took over in the fourth quarter and Kevin Garnett (26 points, 16 boards) filled the bucket and cleaned the glass, but the guy who impressed me the most was Rajon Rondo.

Rondo scored 20 points with 13 assists, both personal highs for him thus far in the playoffs. Rondo even hit 2-3 from long distance, which might not sound all that special until you realize he shot just 5-19 from three-point land the entire regular season. Rondo can drive the lane with the best of them but has little to no range -- except when the Celtics desperately needed points to climb over the hump and erase a Cavaliers lead.

Also Receiving Votes:
Bad back and all, Kobe Bryant was still able to score 26 (6-10 FG, 13-17 FT) with seven assists and six boards to lead the Lakers to victory. He finished the game with only 10 field-goal attempts (and six makes), but that's a bit misleading when you also consider he went to the line 17 times (converting 13 times).

Entering the game, LeBron James hadn't scored more than 21 points in a single game against Boston. He had that by halftime, but unfortunately his production slowed to a crawl in the third quarter. He finished with 35 points, five assists and three boards -- a rather ho-hum performance given his fast start.

Doing Lines: Rondo Suddenly Has Range originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 15 May 2008 05:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celtics-Cavs Game 5 Live Blog

Matt Watson — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Live Blogging, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland, The Word

Sorry, Celtics fans, but as of right now the only thing 66 wins gets you is a supporting role in LeBron James' poster. That said, It's not a real series until someone wins on the road, which is what King James and the LeBronettes will be trying to do tonight. The ball tips at 8pm on TNT; my inane commentary follows thereafter. Join me below the jump as I try to survive watching two teams fight, scratch and claw their way to shooting 40% gaining the series lead.

Celtics-Cavs Game 5 Live Blog originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 May 2008 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Cavs at Celtics, Game 5

Matt Moore — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Cavs-Celtics Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 this evening.

1. This Is Not Your Momma's House: Let's take a step away from slamming the Celtics' horrific road performances for a moment, as fun as it is. This team is a seven-dagger-tailed demon with light coming out of its eyes at home. And tonight's game just happens to be at the "Garden." While there are certainly a variety of warning signs about this Celtics team and their inability to do that vastly underrated exercise of putting the ball in the little hole with the net hanging from it, this team has still always responded when it needed to at home so far in the playoffs. They have their backs up against the wall, facing a daunting return to the suddenly intimidating Q in Cleveland for an elimination game if they don't hold serve tonight. With so many superstars and Hall of Famers on this squad, you'd have to figure someone or someones will still up tonight.

2. No Regard For ~~Human Life~~ Shooting Slumps: Lost in the dunk that blew doors off hinges was the fact that LeBron James still didn't have a very good game in Game 4. He scored 21 points on 7 of 20 shooting. Not bad, but nothing amazing either. However, he did start to significantly warm up in the fourth quarter of Game 4, topped off by that redonkulous jam in the face of Kevin Garnett. We've been waiting for him to catch the spark necessary to get him going, and if that was it, the Celtics may not be rolling to another home blow out tonight.

3. Bonzai Boobie: In Game 3 it was Delonte West. In Game 4, Daniel Gibson decided to play the role of "surprisingly good Cavs guard who is surprisingly better than Rajon Rondo and Sam Cassell." Gibson added 14 points and shot 50% from the arc, including a few absolute daggers in the second half, to help the Cavs push the pressure back on Cleveland. The Celtics seem absolutely perplexed that the Cavaliers could have the advantage in the backcourt, but with Ray Allen looking 900 years old, and the young guys for Cleveland doing their job and not forcing things ... yet, it looks like that's the case. If the Cavs are going to keep the rabid green faithful from busting their eardrums, West and Gibson need to continue to hit dagger shots.

4. Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter The Rotation: The biggest knock on Doc Rivers historically and particularly in Boston has been his inability to develop a consistent rotation and stick with it. He often jerks players in and out with seemingly no regard for the flow of the game or their performances. He won't allow a cohesive unit to gel, and once it does, he tends to tinker with it anyway, because, well, no one really knows why. It was thought that this problem had been fixed when "Garnett Lottery Winner Executive of the Year" Danny Ainge gave him three players so good he didn't have to worry about rotations. But once we've reached the playoffs, the real Doc Rivers has come back. If Rivers doesn't make the necessary adjustments and sit Rondo down when he's struggling, give House his due time and admit that Cassell can't keep up on those old legs for extended minutes, he's going to have a lot more to worry about. Like his job security.

5. He's Still Garnett: The Celtics still have Kevin Garnett. Now, I'm not really sure what that means. Garnett is treated as one of the greatest to ever play the game, a fierce competitor that never backs down from a challenge and plays with an intensity unlike anyone seen before. So it's likely that he'll go off tonight, put the team on his back. score 30 points, grab 18 rebounds, swat 5 shots, invent the wheel, bend steel with his mind, and shut down LeBron James just by looking at him. But the more these playoffs drag on, the more the questions start to come. What exactly is he doing in the fourth? Why isn't he scoring more? Why does he spend more time screaming after a breakaway dunk on a cherry pick than effectively covering the weakside cutter? Garnett is a tremendous player, and should make his presence felt tonight. He needs to.

5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Cavs at Celtics, Game 5 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 May 2008 19:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Pierce, LeBron, a Mini-Rumble and the Potential for a Slew of 'Yo Momma' Jokes

Will Brinson — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Fans, NBA Media Watch, NBA Videos, Boston, Cleveland

With about four minutes to go in the second quarter, Paul Pierce pulled what is called a "wrap up" foul on LeBron James. He carried it for quite a while -- although it wasn't flagrant -- and some people took exception to it. Including LeBron's courtside mother, who gets in Pierce's face and pushes Kevin Garnett out of the way, before LeBron told her to "chill!" (at least what it looked like anyway).

Doug Collins did have a, gulp, good point though, when he said these wrap up fouls can actually end up being dangerous. Not as dangerous as LeBron telling his mama to settle down, but dangerous nonetheless.

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Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James celebrates during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final basketball series against the Boston Celtics in Cleveland, Ohio, May 12, 2008. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES)

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Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) celebrates with Joe Smith in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics Monday, May 12, 2008, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers beat Boston 88-77 to even the series at 2-2. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

CLEVELAND - MAY 12: Wally Szczerbiak #10 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate their 88-77 win against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2008 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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CLEVELAND - MAY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks over Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2008 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Cavaliers won 88-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James reacts after a dunk against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final basketball series in Cleveland, Ohio, May 12, 2008. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES)

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Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James (R) celebrates with teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final basketball series in Cleveland, Ohio, May 12, 2008. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES)

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CLEVELAND - MAY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on as he waits to be announced during player introductions against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2008 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Paul Pierce, LeBron, a Mini-Rumble and the Potential for a Slew of 'Yo Momma' Jokes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celtics-Cavs Game Four Live Blog

Will Brinson — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Live Blogging, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland

I was a wedding on Saturday night and our group of friends kept sneaking checks of the score, all the while saying "The King is going HUGE!". When we saw the box score after the game, needless to say, we were pretty shocked. What does that say about the Celtics in general? Probably not good things. But you can believe that Kevin Garnett is going to have this crew fired up to get some revenge after being embarrassed in Cleveland during Game 3.

Hopefully, it won't turnout to be a blowout. But with my record (0-4, scoring at home, etc) and the way this series has been going, the odds aren't great on that. Still, we're gonna live blog it, beginning at 8:00 pm. We would kick it off earlier, but with the Law and Order rerun special, there's no reason to get things going officially until then. Looking forward to yet another stupendous evening of commentating and NBA basketball.

Celtics-Cavs Game Four Live Blog originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 4

Matt Moore — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Celtics-Cavaliers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 this afternoon.

1. The Pink Elephant With A Crown In The Room: If LeBron James doesn't have a huge night tonight, and we're talking 25+ points, double digit boards, 5+ assists, the Cavaliers are sunk. There. I said it. The Cavaliers can definitely win this game without James being a dominating factor. They did it in Game 3 and the Celtics look like they have no intentions of winning any games on the road. I seriously question Boston's will to win and chemistry if they're not among the Irish, loud and proud. However, the Cavs cannot win this series without James being his usual magnificent self. Credit Boston's defense for keeping him under wraps, though he seemed to be straining at the ropes in Game 3, threatening to bust loose. The Celtics have done a terrific job on him, forcing him to give the ball up to his questionable teammates. But once this series gets caught into a maelstrom wherein there is a game where both offenses are actually clicking, the Cavs must have James in top form. One huge game from him tonight could set him off. But after three games, the Cavs are only going to get so many chances to spark him. If Coach Mike Brown isn't getting paid to figure out ways to adjust to the defensive pressure on James and get him involved, what is he getting paid for?

2. Dangerous Delonte And The Diligent Daggers: I told you people, Delonte West is the real deal. Point guards who can actually handle the dribble, know their role in the offense and can hit the three ball are of vital importance in the playoffs, and West is the only Cavs guard with that set of skills. West absolutely went off in Game 3 for 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting with 7 assists and 4 of 6 shooting from the arc. At some strange, nebulous point in this series, the point guard battle shifted and Rajon Rondo lost the edge. West took it from him. If he maintains that level of aggressiveness and smart decision making, the Cavs are going to be awfully tough to beat at home.

3. Perkins Pancake: All this season, when I'd watch the Celtics, I'd see Kendrick Perkins grabbing rebounds because Kevin Garnett was double-covered, tapping in put-backs because Garnett was double covered, getting the last chocolate eclair because Garnett was double covered ... you get the message. I have to tell you though, while superstars like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have absolutely wilted under the spotlight of the playoffs, Kendrick Perkins is playing his tail off. He was the only Celtic in Game 3 who looked ready to play, ready to battle, ready to win (besides Garnett. Always just assume I'm excluding Garnett in those kinds of statements). He was all over the place, making buckets, grabbing boards, blocking shots. He may not be the big star on that squad, but the rest of that team could learn from his example.

4. The Incredible Shrinking Guards: Remember when it was all "Look at the great supporting guards the Celtics have?" Wah-wah. Rondo looks scared and lost. Sam Cassell looks ineffective and slow suddenly, but maybe it was just a bad game. They have no legitimate depth beyond those two and Allen, and Allen's not playing great either. Zydrunas Ilgauskus, LBJ, and Anderson Varejao should be able to theoretically cancel out Garnett, Pierce, Perkins. The Celtics have a small advantage there but not a huge one. The Celtics were supposed to win this series based on their frontcourt. That's no longer a certainty. Rondo and Cassell need huge games to get the first road win of the series for the Celtics.

5. Your Best Five: There's been some folly in terms of rotations between these two clubs, on account of the massive FAILboat both coaches are piloting on a collision course towards one another. For instance, one one end, I can definitely understand Mike Brown wanting to send wave after wave of power forwards at Boston, considering their depth at that position and in the frontcourt overall. However, why on earth did he use a lineup that featured Daniel Gibson, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak for stretches? I like the idea of using both West and Gibson to maximize shooters, but Wally is shooting 37.4% in this series. If you're going to rotate him through, rotate him at the 2 spot in relief for one of the combo guards. Yet Bron insists on starting him. Conversely, Doc Rivers, rotation master that he's known to be, essentially let his starters get gassed at the start of both halves, and then decided to ride Sam Cassell for two long stretches, instead of allowing him to spark the offense and then rest his older body. It really is a Mensa match between these two. We'll see who outsmarts who tonight.

5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 4 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 17:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cavaliers' Fan Sneaks Into Team's Locker Room Before Game 3

Brett Pollakoff — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, NBA Fans, NBA Gossip, Cleveland

What do you get when you combine an enterprising fan, a pass resembling a media credential, and some less than detail-oriented security personnel at Quicken Loans Arena? A Cavaliers' fan questioning head coach Mike Brown in the locker room before Game 3.

The man still managed to wander into coach Mike Brown's press conference held just outside the locker room, and he not only crowded around Brown with the rest of the reporters, but also couldn't resist asking a question.

"Hey, is LeBron going to score 50?" he blurted.

Brown appeared flummoxed for a second before responding, "Uh, I hope so."

The fan, donning a red "Rise Up" T-shirt that should have been the tip-off that he wasn't a real reporter ...

This guy's got some serious, uh, testicular fortitude, doesn't he? I mean it's one thing to get past security and get a glimpse of what it's like to have media access to a game, but it's quite another to do so wearing the give-away t-shirt of the day, while asking the team's coach a (less than intelligent) question.

No word on whether or not the guy was arrested or allowed to stay and watch the game, but either way I'm guessing this little adventure was more than worth the price of admission all by itself.

Cavaliers' Fan Sneaks Into Team's Locker Room Before Game 3 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 16:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 3

Matt Moore — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Cleveland

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Celtics-Cavaliers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 this evening.

1. 19%: That's what LeBron James is shooting in this series. That's abysmal. Horrid. Disgusting. Wretched. Other adjectives. It's pretty simple. The Cavs will not win a game in this, or any other series with LeBron James shooting 19%. Let me put it this way. Other than James, they don't own a gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire rack. If the Cavs are going to crawl their way back into this pathetic wreck of a series, they need LeBron James to get back into his rhythm.

2. Acceptable Ziggy: Zydrunas Ilgauskus is averaging 20.5 points per game this series, and have been essentially the lone bright spot for the Celtics offense. The Celtics seem content to let Ilgauskus have as many baseline jumpers as he wants to, provided the rest of the team stays in the doldrums. They haven't pursued him on the pick and roll, often abandoning him to make sure LeBron doesn't turn the corner. I actually like Z's game, and appreciate a big man with range. but there are always scorers a good defensive team will allow. Z is Cleveland's.

3. Sam I Am, Green Eggs And Ham, And Other Dr. Seuss Allusions: Sam Cassell is averaging 11 points off the bench in this series. That's serious huevos in a low scoring affair in 25 minutes or less. Throw in the veteran leadership, and Sam's a big part this series has been so one sided. The Cavaliers need to find a bench contributor that can counter his production. Letting him just do his work isn't acceptable. Likewise, on defense, the Cavs need to use their youth and athleticism to attack him. There's too much standing around and watching the Celtics kick the crap out of them on the Cavs' side.

4. Still Waiting: Anybody know where Paul Pierce is? Anyone? I mean, I know 19 on 7 of 13 was pretty good in the low scoring affair that was Game 2. But I've yet to see Paul Pierce really take over a game, even for a small stretch. He's just kind of getting his. Kevin Garnett has periods where he's unstoppable. Pierce has just kind of gone in, picked up his points, played pretty good defense, and been there. You have to wonder about whether this new team is going to allow him to be the premier player he has been in the past. Not that he necessarily needs to be with this team, but playoffs require big performances, and Pierce needs to be the scoring guy for the Celtics.

5. Road Wusses: No one has won on the road in the Conference Semifinals. So it's not like anybody's really playing well on the road. But the Celtics have not won on the road in the playoffs. Yet. You know the old adage about a team winning on the road and the start of the series, so I'll spare you. But the Celtics do not want this series going 7 games, 19% or not. It's just a risky proposition to hope you can hold James powerless for 4 games in your building. Getting a win tonight will crush the Cavaliers' spirit and make it much easier to get some rest for a team that's too good to play 14 games through 2 rounds.

5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 3 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 10 May 2008 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bribed by Pizza, Ohio Forgives Papa John's

Matt Watson — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Wizards, Eastern, NBA Fans, Cleveland

Every Papa John's franchise in Northeast Ohio sold one-topping pizzas for 23 cents yesterday to atone for the "crybaby" t-shirts given away in Washington last week. And as you'd expect, it was a complete cluster. From the Columbus Dispatch:

The offer, intended to remedy a franchisee's insult to Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James (No. 23), resulted in closed stores, long lines and angry customers after stores became overwhelmed by the demand. Police were called to help control the crowds at some outlets.

"It's total chaos," said Ann Marie Buswell, 33, a social worker who got her pizza at the Hudson Avenue store after waiting an hour and a half.

If you think waiting an hour and a half is bad, consider that some people waited five hours for the free pie. Five freaking hours for a pizza that usually costs $12. But mind you, these people weren't just looking for free food; no sir, they were making a stand:

"I did it for the principle of it. The principle of it is he's not a crybaby and Papa John's should not have gotten into it," Jennie Moore, 54, of University Heights, said as she waited for a pepperoni pizza.

Yes, the principle! Justice has been served! Papa John's has learned it's lesson! Everybody who cried about LeBron James being called a crybaby has been heard! Of course, while all these people were busy making a stand for principle, three people were arrested (one for public intox, another for disorderly conduct and one for line-jumping) and police had to patrol stores after they closed to make sure they weren't vandalized.

And even if you were lucky enough to get a pizza, you still had to contend with trying to get it home:

One customer, who bought her pie about 10 p.m., told police she had her pizza stolen as she was walking down Turney Road. She said a man started talking to her, then grabbed the pizza and ran away.

The shop replaced her pizza.

While this stunt does little to restore my faith in ~~humanity~~ Ohio, there was some good that came of it: Papa John's donated every penny of their 23-cent sales plus $10,000 to the LeBron James Family Foundation, a sum of nearly $40,000. That may be what James makes in a single game, but that's not the point: it's money to charity that otherwise wouldn't have been donated, and that's always a good thing.

Bribed by Pizza, Ohio Forgives Papa John's originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 09 May 2008 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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