Cleveland Sports Forum

rusty - thanks for asking, I had actually read a transcript of this earlier today.

Let me post this then we can look at it in a more detailed way.

"I think around that time, it felt incredible, in terms of the energy that we were building, especially for the future in Boston. It was something that I couldn't really explain at the time because, personally, I don't think I was acknowledging the things that were surrounding my life as well. And how to lead this group of guys that I had been traded to -- I wasn't drafted by Boston, I had no type of affiliation with Boston before I left Cleveland. There weren't any works, anything that happened, Boston was a surprise team, with [owner] Wyc [Grousbeck] [and [president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge], that took the chance on trading for me.

And, when they did, and the way our first season happened, and also the way the end of the season happened, and having so much youth and so much exuberance and goals set personally, I think that some of the actual knowledge that needed to be had, in terms of being a championship team, takes more than just two years. It takes more than just an environment that you feel just comfortable in. Hey, I think I want to re-sign here, if you guys have me -- Boston crowd was immense. It was crazy. They loved me in Boston, I loved the Boston fans.

"Then, two weeks later, things just got really really rocky for me in terms of when I left, I believe you know, after the Phoenix [game], I went to my grandfather's memorial, and he passed on Oct. 23 and, after he passed, basketball was the last thing on my mind. A lot of basketball and the joy I had from it was sucked away from me. There was a facial expression that I carried around with me throughout the year. Didn't allow anyone to get close to me in that instance, and it really bothered me. I didn't take the necessary steps to get counseling or get therapy or anything to deal with someone that close to me dying. I've never dealt with anything like that.

So, for me, I responded in ways that are uncharacteristic and, like I said, I had to acknowledge that fact. And I had to acknowledge that fact to the organization first. Because that was our internal bond and trust that we had. I talked to Danny, I wanted to re-sign.

So throughout the year, it started becoming more and more clear that my relationship within my home life has way higher precedence than the organization or anyone and I barely got a chance to talk to my grandfather before he passed, from playing basketball. So you tell me if you would want to go to work every single day knowing that you just lost somebody close to you doing a job every single day that everyone from the outside or anyone internally is protecting you for. Like, ‘Hey, just keep being a basketball player.'

"So, throughout that year, just became rocky and a lot of the battles that I thought I could battle through from the team environment, I just wasn't ready for. And I failed those guys in a sense that I didn't give them everything that I could have during that season, especially with the amount of pieces that we had. My relationship with them, personally, were great but in terms of me being a leader in that environment and bringing everyone together, I failed.

For me it's like just a huge learning experience just to slow down and acknowledge that I'm human in all this. Then also take my steps going forward as reaching out to Danny and talking to those guys, and Wyc, and reaching out to them and letting them know, ‘Hey, look, basketball is [inaudible] tomorrow. I care about you guys as human beings. I know this is a competitive environment but let's move past this and let's go forward.

"Marcus [Smart], Terry [Rozier], all those guys just want to be great. We were all internally trying to be great and I don't think we were trying to be great as a team to meet at the top. And that happens in human environments all the time, whether people want to admit it or not. There are personal goals that everyone has, family, friends, media, telling everyone, ‘Hey, you need to be doing this, you need to be doing that.' In actuality, none of that crap matters.

So everyone has a role to play. And you see the most experience teams end up winning the championships because they all buy in and they sacrifice. It's usually the oldest teams in the league that make it there every single year because they don't have to deal with the same youthful expectations that are unrealistic for players that really have to earn different things in this league to be at that level -- including myself."

First of all, from a technical standpoint - just doing this unscripted like that shows how smart and articulate he is. I do give him credit for attempting to address this question soooo many asked.

I also give him credit for the times he took personal responsibility. Saying things like "I failed them" takes guts.

Before this my opinion was that the young guys who made such a good run the year before had a tough time reducing their roles (sacrificing) when they had been successful in the playoffs the year before without Kyrie and Hayward. I also felt the trading of Rozier (who he mentioned) further showed that he (Rozier) was young and wanted to be "the man" since he ran the point in the previous playoffs. So Kemba comes in and Rozier goes out where he could try to max out his abilities. And Charlotte got salary relief from Kemba. (Reminds me of when talented Reggie Jackson did the same moving to Detroit from OKC...didn't work out so well in that instance for either party).

Finally (sorry for rambling) after reading and listening to this, my opinion doesn't change all that much. He fills in a lot of the gaps as to WHY what happened happened and does take responsibility in a couple places but the main original narrative was correct.

For example he acknowledges that he messed up the "grandpa" thing and acted strangely. IT seems he felt somewhat unsupported there but also said he didn't take the steps he should have to manage that time in his life. (This reminds me he is just a kid really, growing up in public. Very hard to have your life magnified out like that)

He acknowledges that he failed as a leader. And that he probably wasn't equipped to deal with all the youth on the team. He certainly isn't the first league veteran to point out that the early years tend to be more selfish. Most league vets even point to that about themselves.

He certainly hints that perhaps some of the young Celtics have inflated views of their abilities. Rozier is the obvious one but he does mention Marcus Smart too (not in that specific context). We also know Tatum is very talented but perhaps did not enjoy no longer being the "go to guy" he was the previous season. We'll see now just how talented they turn out to be.

So, just me, I felt it was genuine and pretty much jibed with most of the public knowledge of what happened. I think he was being "transparent" and that's always appreciated.

It wouldn't surprise me if both he and Danny thought it would be better if he moved on, along with Rozier. Kemba is a very nice player but obviously not the absurd offensive talent Kyrie is (and no better defensively), but team fit is likely better there. (And the structured Boston offense might not be best for Kyrie either. Shoot with Lebron the coach pretty much just rolled the ball out there offensively and said "go")

Lastly you can usually tell if someone has ill feelings towards another person and I didn't detect that when he mentioned anyone (Ainge, Rozier, Smart). So I appreciate him not throwing others under the bus like he could have. He did say "including myself".

We've been around. Wrong place, wrong timing. This was a marriage that wasn't meant to be. Probably good people but in the wrong situation. I expect, in a wide open (unlike Boston) system like Brooklyn and with Kyrie having a fresh start he will have a huge season. And the more mature, year older young Celtics get back to what made them successful under their stellar head coach Stevens.

Of course I'd love to hear your, and anyone's, view on this as well.

I thought it was refreshing to hear someone be so articulate and honest about a situation he did not handle well and not blame everyone else.

Personally I love hearing the enthusiasm in his voice once again.

ESPN rated Kyrie the 11th best player in the NBA on a list that did not include the injured Durant.

LeBron in trouble again ! This guy does not know when to leave things alone......

In the immortal words of Dirty Harry, "Man's got to know his limitations."

LeBron is so full of himself. Like his high school diploma from St Vincent's St. Mary's made him some kind of expert on foreign policy and politics.

If I were a family member or friend I would tell him the same thing Laura Ingraham told him, "Shut up and dribble". Just because he embarrasses himself and I'd hate to see that for him.

But he's in America, not China, so he has the freedom to say whatever he wants.

He should be thankful for that, and wish that for others.

But he's worried more about how many sneakers he sells than human rights. Republicans in America are worse than Hitler for wanting to keep all of our freedoms, but China is OK even though they have murdered 10's of millions the last hundred years.

Has anyone else noticed what a horribly bad pro Andrew Wiggins became?

Damn, that trade paid off.

Unfortunately he does not have a skill that is above average.

From ESPN the other day ...

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Ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season, ESPN rolled out its annual list of the top 100 players in the league.

Absent from it was Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins, who doesn't agree.

"I don't really look at that too much, top 100 or not top 100," Wiggins told ESPN on Thursday. "There's not 100 players better than me, so it doesn't matter what people think. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. My job is to come out here and hoop, and that's what I'm going to do."

Wiggins, 24, is looking to have a breakout Year 6 after having heard criticism throughout his career concerning his effort, most notably after agreeing to a $147.7 million max contract extension in 2017.

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So look at it this way. There are 30 teams in the NBA, and at least 100 players better than Higgins in the mind of the ESPN people who do that list. That means, in their mind, there is an average of more than 3 players per team better than Wiggins, who is making max money.

assuming Love is the only Cav on that list?

Kevin Love trade this Season?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 07:
Jason Miller/Getty Images
Age: 31

Remaining Contract:

$28.9 million in 2019-20

$31.3 million in 2020-21

$31.3 million in 2021-22

$28.9 million in 2022-23

Kevin Love doesn't want to be traded. The Cavaliers feel he's important for the development of their young guards and don't want to deal him.

But still...

"There's always going to be that noise. ... I think there's always going to be that idea to restart and go younger," Love said this preseason. "Until that time comes, or if it ever comes, I'm just going to continue to be me and play great, stay healthy and try to get the best out of myself and the other players on this team."

If Love stays healthy this season, he'll hear his name in rumors more and more on what should be a lousy Cavs team. Cleveland also needs to finish with a top-10 pick to keep its selection, stemming from a 2017 Kyle Korver trade with the Atlanta Hawks (now owned by the New Orleans Pelicans). Dealing Love would help in that pursuit.

Should Love stay on the court, he's worth his current four-year, $120 million extension. He's averaged 22.2 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists and shot 38.7 percent from three per 36 minutes over the past three years and should be an All-Star this season on a young Cavs team that needs him to score.

While his desire to play for a championship may eventually lead to a trade request, Cleveland should hope he stays happy and healthy while the bidding war inevitably increases.

Cavs were fun to watch tonight. Thompson and Love looked real good tonight. Love almost triple double. Coach has the team playing real well.

That's a really nice win. Indiana is legit.

And all kinds of kudos to Love for being the bridge from the old to the new. And not bitching or wanting out - at least publicly.

In a perfect world he helps this team out, leads the way until the trade deadline. Plays so well his value increases and they deal him for a nice future setup package.

Based on last night every playoff team is going to want Love and Thompson. Austin Carr and Brad Daugherty could not say enough great things about both. Garland looks smooth. Henson looked real good in a spot role.

Nine observations from Cavs’ home opener: John Beilein’s first win, offensive production, tribute to Fred McLeod


By Kelsey Russo Oct 26, 2019 13
CLEVELAND — The celebration of 50 years as a franchise rang through the home opener, with past Cavs’ greats recognized in the opening introductions with their retired jerseys hanging in the rafters and in the spotlight.

“I was looking at some of the names and coaches and the owners and everyone who had been a big part of this organization for so long, and I thought that was so cool,” Kevin Love said. “It did make me feel good to be part of it; all the top names were up there.”

In the midst of the celebration, the Cavs claimed their first win of the season and John Beilein’s first win as an NBA coach.

Here are nine observations from the Cavs’ 110-99 win over the Pacers.

1. Tristan Thompson had himself a night. He started off with a two-point shot within the paint during the first quarter and a handful of floaters throughout the game. He was working on a drill of the floaters in the warmup as another option to score.

“Learned it from Al Jefferson because he was really good at it, and just been practicing it,” Thompson said.

Thompson also hit a 3 in the first quarter. Yes, you read that right. It was his first 3 out of 10 attempts in his nine years in the league. Beilein emphasized throughout the preseason about evaluating the big’s 3-point shooting and if it merits them to take the shots during the games.

“Told y’all I’m going to shoot it,” Thompson said. “It’s a new season, new chapter.”

He finished the game leading the team in scoring with 25 points. The shots from 3 continued for the bigs, as Love and Larry Nance Jr. also hit a 3 in the first half, while Love hit two more in the second.

2. With Thompson’s three blocks, he joined three other Cavaliers — LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and John “Hot Rod” Williams — as players with 400 blocks and 4,000 rebounds. He also finished the night with 13 rebounds.

3. The celebrations continued as the final seconds of the game ticked down. When Love was subbed out in the final minutes, he gave Beilein a hug. Love said Beilein just expressed his excitement to get the first win of the season.

“When I came off the floor, I said, ‘Congratulations, this is awesome,” Love said.

Beilein came into the postgame news conference with a wet shirt, and he apologized for his appearance.

“I went into the locker room, and everybody was very subdued, and I got a little … wait a minute, guys, we’re always going to celebrate every win. But they know what they’re going to celebrate. It was very, very good,” Beilein said.

In the video from inside the locker room, his suit jacket was drenched in water. It looked like a team that won and was going to the Sweet 16 with the water shower he received. It was a reminder for the players and the staff that while Beilein has been in the coaching business for years, getting that first NBA win in the home opener is an achievement.

They also grabbed the game ball for Beilein, which was presented to him in the locker room. While he has a number of game balls, Beilein said this one will be special because it’s an NBA ball.

“I know it will be among the basketballs that I really cherish that I currently have,” he said. “I don’t know where I’m going to put ’em someday, but that one will find its way to being seen.”

4. The Cavs offense clicked and shots were falling for them. Of the 12 players who checked in over the course of the game, nine scored points. At the half, they had gone 9-of-16 from 3 and 21-of-44 from the field for 65 points. They finished shooting 50 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from the arc and 65.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The Cavs outscored the Pacers only in the second quarter, 39-20. The offensive production took a slight dip in the second half, Cleveland being outscored by the Pacers in both quarters. The 18 turnovers didn’t help the Cavs’ offense, as the Pacers scored 27 points off turnovers.

Their 12 offensive rebounds helped create second-chance opportunities, which the Cavs mostly capitalized on by scoring 14 points off of second chances. They finished the night with a 111.1 offensive rating.

5. After the season opener, in which Love scored 11 points, Beilein discussed in Friday’s news conference that they needed to use Love more in scoring.

“We’re crazy if Kevin doesn’t get more touches than he got. Let’s put it that way,” Beilein said Friday.

On Saturday, they did. Love scored 21 points in his 33:07 on the floor. He also had nine assists, which helped create opportunities for Thompson, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. Love knows that when he has the ball, he can make strong plays happen on the floor. His presence in passing the ball and also the depth in having a big who can shoot from 3 added to the Cavs’ offensive success.

“I saw a whole different side of Kevin’s passing ability today,” Beilein said. “At game time he really saw cutters, and we were purposely trying to play through him, but I hadn’t seen what I saw today with the way he can pass the ball, as he was on time and on target.”

6. Garland continues to illustrate his potential two games into the season. He earned the starting spot again for the home opener and scored 12 points, made four assists and grabbed one rebound.

While he had success leading at the point, he also had opportunities created for him that showed off his range. He hit a 26-foot 3-point stepback as the shot clock expired in the final three minutes of the game to give the Cavs an 11-point lead.

“He had a lot of composure tonight and played well, was really receptive, and like I mentioned, those guys are going to take leaps and bounds and get a lot better faster,” Love said.

7. John Henson played in his first game since November 2018. He dealt with a groin injury through the preseason, after being traded to the Cavs last season and recovering from a wrist injury. He played for 8:17 and scored three points on a layup and a free throw. He adds a depth at center, which the Cavs need, and provided rim protection when he was on the floor.

“He has not practiced other than two or three days when we opened camp, so for him to go out there and have that presence out there and plus give some other guys some time to rest was big,” Beilein said.

I wrote about Henson’s recovery at the beginning of training camp and what his role could be for the Cavs when he is healthy.

8. After Nance dunked the ball at the end of the third quarter, he tapped the top of his head as he ran back on defense; the Cavs bench players were doing the same.

“Watch your head, watch your head. Don’t jump, basically. It’s a bad idea,” Nance said.

9. During the first-quarter timeout, the Cavs ran a tribute video honoring the late television play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod. Fans were on their feet clapping and cheering in recognition of the man whose voice is wrapped into part of the history of the franchise. Clips of his iconic calls throughout the years, in particular when the Cavs won the 2016 NBA Finals, highlighted the video.

Members of the team, media and others close to McLeod wore ties gifted to them from Beth McLeod.

“I would like to say that I am proudly wearing this tie today,” Beilein said. “Fred’s wife, Beth, gave it to me this week, and it’s a great day to honor him by wearing this tie today.”

Henson's one day back puts him back on the injured list, now with a hamstring injury. He sounds like an NBA Lonnie Chisenhall.