Peter C wrote:I am with Hillbilly on this one. James is a prima dona, no doubt. (So are most true super-star athletes.) But he has earned the right to have teams built around him and to be consulted on any big moves in personnel.

Look, to me this says it all right here. Welcome to the NBA, star power rules this league. Like it or not it doesn't matter.

If Kyrie found the one team that isn't true on, fine. But teams Lebron are on do pretty damn well. Boston the jury is out. But that doesn't matter because....

As Peter C said, any team would take Lebron and all that comes with him. It means instant contention. On a level that no other player can claim. He's an elite talent that gets others involved at an elite level. Unarguable.

They won a championship, if Lebron walks after the season so be it. It was all worth it - including whatever ride they take this season.

I thought Kyrie was honest. He'd be a fool to deny all the gains he got in Cleveland, yes UNDER Lebron and he said that - and he did not deny that for a minute.

Been there, done that and now time for a new adventure. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for, but remember if Lebron walks then Boston is the better situation - so he is likely covered there.

Ultimately it's a win/win. He gets what he wants at this stage and the Cavs move on with their haul and their ring.

New York Knicks sought Tristan Thompson for Carmelo Anthony, Cavaliers rebuffed
Updated on September 24, 2017 at 1:54 PM Posted on September 24, 2017 at 1:50 PM


By Joe Vardon, Cleveland.com

jvardon@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND -- The New York Knicks sought Tristan Thompson in a potential trade for Carmelo Anthony with the Cavaliers and were rebuffed, two sources told cleveland.com.

The Knicks traded Anthony, 33, a 12-time All-Star and close friend of Cavs superstar LeBron James, to the Thunder on Saturday for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a 2018 second-round pick.

Under pressure to deal Anthony before the start of camp this week, the Knick tried to get something going with the Cavs, one of three teams to which Anthony would accept a trade.

The Knicks wanted Thompson, 26, a center who like James is represented by Rich Paul. The Cavs told them no. Thompson is under contract for three more seasons, beginning at $16.4 million this year. Cleveland was willing to do a deal that would've cleared some contracts off the books, such as sending Iman Shumpert ($11 million this year) and others.

Thompson, who averaged 8.1 points and 9.2 boards last season, is a solid pick-and-roll defender and rebounder and was coach Tyronn Lue's starter at center last year. Lue is considering multiple lineups, including one where Love plays center and Jae Crowder moves into the frontcourt.

New York also asked about one of Cleveland's two first-round choices for 2018, and the Cavs weren't about to part with either.

The Cavs view the Brooklyn pick they own for 2018 as invaluable for multiple reasons. Trading the Knicks their own first-round pick would prevent them from being able to move the Brooklyn pick later this season.

If there's a bit of irony to this, one of the potential teams the Cavs might've eventually dealt the Brooklyn pick was the Thunder, in the event Oklahoma City's season didn't go as planned and the team made Russell Westbrook or Paul George available.

By adding Anthony, the Thunder are now considered a legitimate threat in the West to Golden State. It would not seem Oklahoma City will be sellers at the trade deadline.

Dwyane Wade nearing deal with Cleveland Cavaliers, reports say
Posted 12:32 pm, September 26, 2017, by Jen Steer, Updated at 12:39PM, September 26, 2017



CLEVELAND– It appears a reunion between Dwyane Wade and LeBron James could be in the near future.

Wade became a free agent when he agreed to a contract buyout with the Chicago Bulls over the weekend.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wade is nearing a commitment to sign with the Cavaliers. The deal could be finalized as soon as Wednesday. He’s eligible to sign a one-year, $2.3 million contract.

It’s rumored Wade was considering a move to the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs.

Wade, a Chicago native, left Miami after 13 years with the Heat. In 2010, he was joined in South Beach by James and Chris Bosh. The Big Three went to four straight NBA Finals and won two.

“I would love to have D-Wade be a part of this team,” James said during Cavs media day on Monday. LeBron called his longtime friend a play maker with a great basketball mind.

Wade, 35, is a 12-time NBA All-Star. Last season with Chicago, he averaged 18 points per game.

Dwyane Wade - G/F - Cavaliers

Dwyane Wade has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million deal with the Cavs.

Wade made it clear that he wanted to sign with a contender in his age-36 season and that he also wanted to be a significant part of the rotation, so it'll be interesting to see what his role looks like in Cleveland.

Getting to the Finals at 100 percent healthy will be a priority for the Cavs this year, so expect Wade's maintenance plan to include some sort of minutes restrictions and DNPs on back-to-back sets.

DNPs on back-to-back sets

Doesn't the NBA want to make those illegal?

They reduced exhibition games from 8 to 5 and started the season earlier in order to stretch it out and reduce back to backs. But they are still there.

Probably in the minority but I get it. Like concussions were swept under the rug for so long in football, I do think the physicality of NBA basketball makes back to backs ridiculous and it doesn't surprise me that the new data generation has pointed that out.

Love to see a few games knocked off the regular season and less teams in the playoffs to further bolster the importance of guys playing as many games as they can.

For Helen: Jae Crowder has dedicated this season -- and the rest of his career -- to his late mother


By Chris Fedor, cleveland.com

cfedor@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jae Crowder knew there wasn't much time left. His mother was unresponsive, lying in her Atlanta hospital bed the night of August 22 as her fight against cancer came to a close.

But she could still hear. She could moan to acknowledge. So, at the urging of the nurses, Crowder kept talking. He had some big news to share -- though it seemed minuscule in comparison:

"Trade went through. We're going to Cleveland. This is my opportunity to get a ring like I always promised I would."

Five minutes later, she passed away.

Strong in support

Helen Thompson was Jae Crowder's biggest fan, his personal sounding board and primary supporter.

Crowder's father, Corey, was a professional basketball player, spending a bulk of his career overseas while Helen stayed home. Those early years led to that tight bond between Crowder and his mother and she always stayed locked in on what he was doing -- on and off the court.

Crowder confided in her throughout the summer as his situation in Boston changed. She was aware that he wasn't thrilled. In July, at the peak of free agency, Crowder's role and future in Boston turned upside down when Gordon Hayward, an All-Star and starter at Crowder's position, announced his free agency decision, leaving Utah to be reunited with college coach Brad Stevens.

Helen knew about the Hayward situation and what it meant for her son, and that he wanted a change.

Crowder was thankful to the organization for giving him a bigger opportunity when he arrived in a midseason trade with the Dallas Mavericks in 2014. But he wasn't fully committed to Boston's new plan.

Helen advised Crowder to handle his situation like a businessman, to keep it in-house. So Crowder approached the Celtics and asked them for a sense of direction. He didn't think his time in Boston was over just yet.

General Manager Danny Ainge and a few coaches told him the team was going to play small this upcoming season and was open to the idea of shifting to a different style so there could be enough room for both Hayward and Crowder.

Deep down, though, Crowder was hoping for a trade.

Night of many emotions

In the early evening of August 22, reports surfaced about the Cavaliers and Celtics being engaged in trade conversations centered on disgruntled point guard Kyrie Irving. The initial report had Boston sending Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland, but the other details were fuzzy.

Then came more information, with Crowder's name attached to the blockbuster, along with a future first-round pick and young big man Ante Zizic.

Close to 7:30 p.m., there was an agreement in place between Cleveland and Boston. Crowder excitedly grabbed his phone and made one of his first calls. It was to Thomas, who had just landed from his one-year anniversary celebration. Crowder and Thomas had grown close in Boston. Cut from the same cloth, they bonded over their insatiable desire to win, rebuffing the Celtics' early tanking plan.

When Thomas answered, he beat Crowder to the punch, explaining how happy he was that they were going to Cleveland together.

That night brought a wide range of emotions. Joy. Pain. Sadness. Grief. Heartbreak.

Crowder, the youngest of five, doesn't know exactly what his mother was thinking in the moments after he was able to whisper into her ear. But he believes she would have been happy about him joining the Cavaliers.

"One hundred percent," Crowder said. "I think she would have helped me take in the whole transition a little better than I did. She would have helped me process it a little better. I know for sure she would have. She was just always my No. 1 supporter and whatever decision I've made in my life she was there for me. I knew a part of that had gone away when she passed. That was a tough pill for me to swallow, but I knew she would have been 100 percent supportive in that situation."

Delivering on a promise

At one point basketball was the furthest thing from his mind. But the daily grind helps keep his mind preoccupied. Hooping is his way forward.

"It gets hard at times, but at the same time I know how much joy me being between those lines brought to my mom," Crowder said. "I can recall back to a playoff game last year. About to play Washington and I told everyone, 'I'm not playing this game.' My mom had been readmitted to the hospital and it was a tough time. I woke up to a lot of B.S., a lot of stuff relative to her cancer, just woke up to a lot of stuff on game day. I just told everybody -- my team, my coaches, everybody -- that I wasn't playing.

"Then I got a phone call from her after I had told everybody. She called and said, 'You're going to play and I'm going to watch you play in the hospital and you're going to do fine. Don't come home.' That was in the heart of the playoffs so that's one of those moments where I knew, 'OK, I bring her joy.' And that's what made me go out there and lace them up."

Crowder played well that night, scoring 14 points to go with seven rebounds, and most importantly, the Celtics got the win, taking a 2-0 series lead.

Motivation is nothing new for NBA players. They lean on anything for reasons to wake up at 6 a.m. before the sun rises to get to the gym, reasons to work on their craft when nobody is watching. It can be any number of things, powerful forces driving them forward when they want to give in. Crowder's always had his.

Lightly recruited out of high school, Crowder started his collegiate career at South Georgia Technical College before ending up at Marquette, where he was named Big East Player of the Year. Despite a stellar senior season, Crowder slipped to the second round, was involved in a draft night trade and didn't get much playing time in his first two seasons. He was labeled a 'tweener and constantly fought that reputation.

Now he has something else: a promise made to Helen.

"I dedicated this season to her. And I've dedicated the rest of my career to her," Crowder said. "I do this for her and my daughter. I know she's watching down on me, watching what I do on and off the court. Just want to make her happy at the end of the day. I want to go out and give my all, never disrespect the game. That's what she always used to say. 'You love the game, you cherish the game, you show respect to the game.' That's one thing she taught me and I just want to make her happy. I dedicate my work ethic, I dedicate waking up every day. When it gets tough I know she would like me to keep going, she would want me to keep fighting."

Crowder has a new daily routine. Every morning, shortly after he wakes up, he thinks about Helen and asks himself a simple, but powerful question: What would she want from me today?

"Sounds funny and may sound cliche but it's not a morning that's passed since she has gone away that I have not asked myself either that question or even just had a piece of her voice or something in my head that reminds me of her," Crowder said. "It's been every morning since her passing, something that has come up in my head about her and what she would want, how she would want me to be and how she would want me to carry myself throughout the day. I take it day by day. You have to, but I've been able to cope with the fact that me asking those questions really helps me stay within my body and keeps me level-headed."

Hard work is at his core. It's helped him become the player he is today, one the Cavs have coveted for quite some time.
null

Coming off two good seasons with the Celtics, recording career-highs in minutes, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, rebounds and assists last year, the Cavs call Crowder an "analytics marvel," a core piece of the team moving forward. They salivate at the possibility of playing him alongside LeBron James.

And yet, Crowder believes his best is still to come.

"I think she will push me to new heights," Crowder said. "I know exactly what she would want from me as a son and I know exactly what she wanted from me as a basketball player. It makes it a little easier and makes me want to be the best I can be on the court, even more so than I did in the past."

While Thomas doesn't believe Crowder is different since that night, he has seen an increased drive, a ramped-up intensity.

"I think he is more motivated than anything," Thomas told cleveland.com. "Not to speak for him, but I bet he is doing everything in honor of his mother so that itself will make you work even harder than normal. He's a very hard worker and somebody that plays and works with a chip on his shoulder. He's a great friend of mine and somebody I'll go to war with any given day."

At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, with a defense-first attitude, Crowder has built a reputation as one of the league's toughest players.

But long before he became an NBA player, Crowder had earned another moniker, one that can give him a reason to smile -- even when recalling August 22, when a cheerful day turned somber in an instant: Momma's boy.

"I've always been a momma's boy. I'm very proud to say it," Crowder said. "I was always her baby. I will always be her baby. No matter how big of a man I am and how big of a stage I play on, I'm always my mom's baby."

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert gets 'racist' voicemails while NBA urges teams to promote equality before games


By Joe Vardon, Cleveland.com

jvardon@cleveland.com

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert said he received multiple, racist voicemails in response to LeBron James calling President Donald Trump a "bum" last weekend.

"I received voicemails after LeBron tweeted that were some of the most vile, disgusting, racist [messages]," Gilbert said, according to an ESPN transcript of an interview he gave to CNBC's "Squawk Box." Gilbert said the same thing in an off-the-record conversation with Cleveland-based reporters on Monday, and obviously chose to disclose the voicemails publicly.

"There's an element of racism that I didn't even realize existed in this country this much," Gilbert said.

Gilbert, who owns Quicken Loans mortgage company and several real estate and development ventures in Detroit, told Cleveland reporters he would potentially make suggestions on what the NBA should do regarding the playing of the national anthem before every game.

While Gilbert's suggestions -- if he made them -- haven't been disclosed, the league sent a memo to executives of all 30 teams Friday outlining how to engage the community over racial and political concerns that have seeped into the national conversation.

The memo gently reminds teams that it is the league's long-standing policy for all players and coaches to stand in attention for the playing of the national anthem.

Trump has called for NFL players who kneel in protest of racial violence while the anthem is played before football games to be fired.

James, who has never protested during an anthem, said he would continue to speak rather than kneel.

"For me personally, my voice is more important than my knee," James said Monday. "I talk (to media) every single day, what I say I think it should hit home for a lot of people. I don't believe I have to get on my knee to even further what I'm talking about."

In the NBA memo, it says the league would "will determine how to deal with any possible instance" of players not standing for the anthem. Players miss the anthem throughout the season, dipping into the locker room to use the restroom or get treatment.

The NBA's preseason starts Saturday night, and the Cavs host the Boston Celtics on Oct. 17 in the first game of the NBA season.

"Come October 17 ... I don't know what will happen, but I know that at least as an NBA community that we will all stand together," Kevin Love said.

The NBA is encouraging teams to produce videos or ask players and coaches to speak to crowds before their first home games to promote "the NBA's core values of equality, diversity, inclusion and serve as a unifying force in the community."

Watched Cavs last night.

Biggest impression to me was Dwayne Wade, Jae Crowder and Jeff Green. These 3 are elite athletes and give the Cavs a level of athleticism that they haven't had until now.

Green and Wade especially can score in ways they did not have last year.

Same old regular season yawwn - the bolded says it all

Tyronn Lue: Cavaliers look slow and intimidated to play with LeBron James

Updated on October 30, 2017 at 7:33 AM Posted on October 30, 2017 at 6:00 AM


By Joe Vardon, Cleveland.com

jvardon@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two new explanations/excuses were introduced into the discussion Sunday as to why the Cavaliers can't seem to either guard anyone or get out of their own way.

Following the Cavs' 114-95 loss to the New York Knicks, their third straight and fourth in five games, coach Tyronn Lue said " teams just look faster than we do, at every position.

"They're running fast, they're spreading, they're pushing the ball up the floor," Lue said. "It's like we can't keep up."

It's not just the Knicks who make the Cavs look this way, but let's start there. Tim Hardaway Jr. couldn't be stopped. He finished with 34 points. Kristaps Porzingis scored 32. Enes Kanter scored 18 and Courtney Lee added 15.

The night before, in a 123-101 loss in New Orleans, Anthony Davis scored 30. Demarcus Cousins posted a triple double (29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists). Jrue Holiday scored 29 and E'Twaun Moore added 24.

All eight of those players are starters. The Cavs' starters haven't been able to keep up.

The average age per player on Cleveland's roster is a league-high 30. Among the Cavs' starters, LeBron James is 32, J.R. Smith is 31, Derrick Rose is 29, Kevin Love is 28 and Tristan Thompson is 26.

Among Cleveland's top reserves, Dwyane Wade is 35 and Kyle Korver is 36.

This will shock you to learn that none of these players will get any younger this season. If they're too slow now, then how are they supposed to catch up later?

"I know we will," Lue said. "I know we can for sure. Older team, to drill and run 'em early in the season before training camp, with a shortened training camp, is tough, especially coming off three Finals.

"Guys got to get in better shape, we understand that. A lot of times when we make runs guys ask to come out because they're tired. It's got to be a balance, getting in shape, but also being smart."

The Cavs are 27th in the league defensively and 30th in 3-pointers allowed.

James said everyone, him included after missing most of training camp, needs to get in better shape on this team. But he said conditioning was not why the defense is so poor.

"I mean, at the end of the day, I missed the whole training camp so I knew it was going to be uphill for me but that doesn't stop me from defending or taking a challenge with my one-on-one guy," James said. "So that's not the reason. Especially for me personally."

The other interesting theory Lue introduced tonight: some of the Cavs' new players are struggling because playing alongside James is "intimidating."

"Guys have got to understand that LeBron, he's a giving person, he's a giving player," Lue said. "You've got to come in and play your game and we'll adjust. I think a lot of times we defer to LeBron or guys are scared to be aggressive because of that. He's not that type of player at all, so we've got to talk about that on Tuesday, guys being who you are, being aggressive and playing your game."

Lue was likely referring primarily to Jae Crowder, who's averaging 7.3 points on 6.6 shots per game. Rose scored 15 points against the Knicks in just his third game this season.

Wade is James' best friend and former teammate in Miami. Love, Smith, and Thompson have played with James for three seasons. Jeff Green is new, but on Sunday subbed in for James as the first player off the bench.

Team looks terrible....... They follow the leader...

Absolutely agree rusty, and Lebron made it clear in postgame comments that he isn't worried or even particularly interested in October results.

It does make regular season Cav viewing pretty crappy. That said of course at this point we have SEEN regular season garbage before followed by "switching on" at playoff time. It's not debatable - they've done it before. The regular season for them is one long exhibition season to get ready for REAL play in the playoffs.

It's why I said all along that the Kyrie trade netting Isiah Thomas was a good one because even if he joins the team in January it won't make a bit of difference.

HB - bottom line you were smart not getting the League Pass to watch that crap.

In my case, however, I am enjoying the League Pass to watch other teams - and Boston is one of the most fun teams to watch. They are young and intense with interesting talent to watch aside from Kyrie.

PS - Giannis is already on the doorstep to being the next Lebron

Rusty actually gave me the idea to cancel League Pass many seasons back. Because as long as Lebron is on the team they will play many national TV games anyway.

I did splurge and pay again for the pass last few years just because so much was expected. But after last year I decided it was time to take Rusty's advice again.

As the Cavs go to 3-5, that move looks better and better HB.

With the League Pass I am watching Boston a lot (as well as Houston, Orlando and other fun teams fulfilling potentials). Kyrie is just loving life in Boston.

He's the clear leader with him being the point guard, having championship pedigree, and really good young guys to lead like Jayson Tatum (rookie) and Jaylen Brown (2nd year wow, breaking out) playing with enthusiasm - add Marcus Smart to that young core with upside.

Includea total team effort on defense. Brad Stevens wouldn't have it any other way - he's a great coach.

More on Kyrie - he is really focused on involving eveyone - making that extra pass we only saw occasionally on the Cavs.

Meanwhile, the Cav veterans sleepwalk through another regular season. That Kyrie guy is one smart kid.

So can anyone explain how the Cavs have regressed so much on defense, when the player they lost wasn't much of a defensive presence? The other 4 starters are the same. And isn't the bench notably better than last year's? I don't get it.