Cleveland Sports Minute

01/30 Morning Minute: Movin’ On Up!

Scott @ WFNY — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:28:02 +0000

Today’s morning minute is up and ready for your reading pleasure. But to see what I have going on, you’ll have to head over to WaitingForNextYear– a collaborative effort from three of the finer Cleveland-based bloggers around.

I have teamed up with Rick from HalftimeAdjustments and RockKing from the Cleveland Sports Authority to bring you (what we hope is) the finest blog of all things Cleveland Sports. Original content, game previews/reviews, and gambling tips – if they were legal – are just a click away.

We hope you’ll join us – you won’t be disappointed.

Ch-ch-ch changes

Scott @ WFNY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:00:58 +0000

While this blog is still in its baby stage, I come to you with the news that something new will be unfolding in the near future.

I cannot get into details, but stay tuned as a new URL will be coming your way.

Until then…

01/19 Minute: Jakeless, But We Have A Damon/Romeo

Scott @ WFNY — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:33:08 +0000

You know it is a slow sports night in Cleveland when the biggest news is the physical removal of the “Jacobs Field” sign. While this may mean a lot to those within the organization or even those that are employed by Progressive Insurance, I refuse to exude emotion towards something when it will make the slightest of difference. Those that have recently lost their jobs are obviously going to feel bitter towards this whole situation. I feel for them more than anything as being a Clevelander always comes along with the fact that whatever business you work for may not be there a year from now – let alone your position. So I get that. But those that either hate corporate involvement or just feel like they need to voice their opinion simply need to stop.

Isn’t it crazy how Damon Jones went from not even being in the rotation to being a main part of this latest slew of wins? Maybe his whining to the media had a point. Either way, he’s supporting his arguments on the floor, and that is what is most important. Let’s just hope this isn’t a showcase for him to go somewhere else, only to nail a buzzer-beater against us.

The Plain Dealer is reporting that Romeo Crennel’s agent will be meeting with the team next week to continue this whole path of contract extensions. At this rate, they’ll be coming in the mail with samples of Tide. Hindsight will be the main speaker in this one, so let’s revisit this a year from now. Personally, I’m more concerned with Jamal Lewis. Maybe that’s just me.

There are some great college basketball games on today, for those that have nothing to do. I’ll try to catch them on Sirius as I hit the road. Have a good day, all.

01/18 Morning Minute: A Good Night For Cleveland Hoops

Scott @ WFNY — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:32:36 +0000

I admit that when I entered in the URL for Pounding the Rock this morning, I was expecting to see some one-sided whining about the officiating in last night’s game between the Cavs and Spurs. Instead, they were understandably unhappy with the way that the Spurs left timeouts on the table while Manu Ginobili took a last second shot to tie the game – but missed front iron.

The Cavaliers have been bitten by this before, think Utah Jazz earlier this season thanks to Deron Williams. Greg Popovich likely took this into consideration before letting Ginobili take the shot – after all, he did have a game high 31 points. Credit this team for not assuming anything and getting back on defense after LeBron James missed a shot to seal the game with about five seconds left on the clock.

The game ended in a 90-88 win for the team from Cleveland, and while it will not make up for getting swept by this same team a few months back in the NBA Finals, the win shows that this team is playing excellent ball right now – just as James said in the post-game interview.

The Spurs had plenty of chances to win this one, especially with that great start to the fourth quarter. But Manu’s miss at the end coupled with Tony Parker missing both free throws did not help. I guess that was karma for getting a bogus continuation call on a reaching foul that occurred about 18 feet from the hoop – that resulted in a lay-in. But a wins a win and this team has won nine of its last 11 games. Check out BW’s thoughts on the teams that we have topped over the last month.

In other Cleveland basketball news, Cleveland State University topping 12th ranked Butler made front page news in today’s Plain Dealer. The game ended with a four-point win and fans (yes, CSU fans) pouring on to the floor. The Vikings haven’t beaten a ranked opponent since 1986, so this was a pretty big deal. Coupled with the University of Dayton, and I’d say this state is playing some decent basketball right now.

Have a good Friday, all.

01/17 Afternoon Minute: Kicks to the Junk

Scott @ WFNY — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:37:15 +0000

While I’m on the side of the argument that the whole “LeBron James-Yankees Hat” ordeal was a bit overblown, I’m sure that this won’t make matters much better.

Via TheSportingBlog’s relatively new piece called Fresh Cuts, we see that the new version of LeBron James’ Zoom V will have a “Yankees Edition.” The pictures were apparently posted at X-Kicks.com, but it is a Chinese site, and I’m not about to install various languages on my work computer. Have at it.

And while I typically do not post pictures on the site, here’s a peak at what the likely limited edition shoes will look like…

As much as I despise the Yankees organization and everything it stands for, I have to admit that those are pretty tight. Now if I only had a spare $200 laying around…

01/17 Morning Minute: Which Team Show Up?

Scott @ WFNY — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:27:37 +0000

The month of January has already welcomed the Cleveland Cavaliers with six wins on the season. The one loss was the second game of a back-to-back, on the road. A combination that never seems to bode well for the Cavs.

Excuses aside, tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs will be very telling. Will we see the Cavs team that is a defensive unit that has held the Atlanta Hawks (twice), Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Seattle Supersonics under 95 points each? Or will we see the Cavaliers team that has given up over 100 to the Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis Grizzlies?

Granted, these were overtime games, but these are also opponents that should have been finished off handedly in regulation.

As much as tonight’s game will be thought of as a rematch between the two Championship teams from a few months ago, many need to realize that this team is currently well behind where they should be if they want to be thought of in the same light. There’s a solid chance that LeBron James takes the game over, leading the Cavs to a win. But I refuse to believe that that puts us in the same category as the Spurs.

This upcoming stretch that features the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trailblazers will be tough. Starting it off right tonight will be key in the Cavaliers’ ability to stay among the elite in the East – if we’re even there at this point.

01/16 Afternoon Minute: May I Direct You To…

Scott @ WFNY — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:48:48 +0000

There’s nothing I can say this afternoon that will be more intriguing than The Big Lead’s interview with Brian Windhorst.

Check it out here. You won’t be disappointed.

01/16 Morning Minute: 51 > 101

Scott @ WFNY — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:27:56 +0000

In yesterday’s Basketball Jones podcast, it was mentioned that a Kobe Bryant 50-point game should be on the horizon now that their center Andrew Bynum is out for the next eight weeks with a knee injury. Not that he’s overlooked, but the fact that LeBron James does not have an Andrew Bynum makes last night’s game of little surprise.

James dropped 51 points in a 132-124 overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night. The fact that this output tied Allen Iverson for the top night year-to-date in the NBA is one thing. The fact that James put up 50+ and the Cavaliers still won the game is another. Don’t forget that the Cavs have twice dropped games where #23 has put up at least 50 points, so it is not far-fetched by any means.

If its any consolation, James also added nine assists and eight boards. And wouldn’t you know that it was Damon Jones who once again played a big role. With the Cavs down one with a little over two minutes to go, Jones drained a three-ball (got it!) put Cleveland up by two. They never turned back from there. One guy who didn’t help out much? You got it. The third quarter was easily the worst.

3rd Quarter Highlights:
8:14 Larry Hughes bad pass (Rudy Gay steals)
5:24 Larry Hughes misses jumper
4:20 Larry Hughes misses 19-foot two point shot
3:49 Larry Hughes bad pass (Rudy Gay steals)

Are you surprised that he was benched in the fourth quarter for the rest of the evening? Me neither, but its going to make it that much harder to move his contract if it doesn’t come along with any production. Its no secret that we’re trying!

Have a good day, all.

01/15 Morning Minute: Birds of a Feather

Scott @ WFNY — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:22:01 +0000

Well, I have to admit that I’m pretty shocked to read today’s news that All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis will be returning to Ohio State for his senior season. While Vernon Gholston has locked himself in to a top-10 selection this spring, Laurinaitis was one that was more of a question mark – despite his gaudy tackle totals. Top 15 most likely, but the way he would produce at the next level was not for certain.

Laurinaitis admits that the decisions made by his teammates several days earlier impacted his decision, and while it was a tough move to pass up the NFL, the All-American thinks that the experience will do him well.

“Money can’t give you this experience, especially your senior season with the way this season could go,” Laurinaitis said. “I’m excited about my choice to come back.”

Another guide for Laurinaitis’ decision? Former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk.

“I talked to A.J. and he said you can’t take back that college experience,” Laurinaitis said. “And I can do nothing but solidify my draft position with another year, and this was the right decision for me and he helped me with it.

I think it’s great that these guys are coming back, self-interest pushed aside. Gholston was a fourth year junior, so all of the returners were a part of the same draft class, thus will go through the entire journey together – at least until this path approaches us next season. These four helped take a team that was not even supposed to be in the top two in their conference, and wound up playing for a National Championship. That September game in Southern California is looking that much better.

There are mixed emotions around Cleveland regarding the extension of Mike Brown. Some feel it was long overdue due to the fact that he was one of the lowest paid coaches in the NBA. Others feel that there was a reason that he was just that. I do agree with CSA that it seems like we as a Cleveland market have been a bit trigger happy to extend the contracts of coaches. I was blown away by the Eric Wedge extension, but look where that got us? I guess I will cast judgement when it is all said and done.

Have a good morning.

01/04 Afternoon Minute: Party Over Here…

Scott @ WFNY — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:59:49 +0000

No word on if LeBron James was rocking a scarf when he was pulled over doing triple-digits, but with these pictures that have been dug up from his 23rd birthday party, he definitely was in New York City. Note that these were taken on December 18th, a few days before the speeding incident.

Some names that were on the guest list included hip-hop artists Jadakiss, DJ Clue, and Fabolous. Teammates Drew Gooden and Donyell Marshall were also in attendance.

Here are some thumbnails from the evening:

Man, that beard is getting out of control. I love it.