Cleveland Cavaliers: Is this Offseason a Setup for a Let Down?

At the end of every year there is a Draft. With every draft; every team gets a new sense of purpose, a new outlook about their organization. From the fans to the front office, this is a city wide feeling.

None more so than for the city of Cleveland, every year is a new chance to change the lasts misfortune.

If you’re a Cavs fan and remember watching the NBA lottery in 2003, you know the feeling of rejuvenation. Because you all knew that LeBron James was on his way to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame city, and if he wasn’t we were no longer going to be Cavs fans.

Hahaha. Sorry, had to laugh at that for the simple fact that it’s true.

The last six years have been a joy ride for the city of Cleveland. We have watched the Cavaliers rise from the worst to the first. From the theatrics of a Game Six in the Conference Finals of the 2006 campaign, this resulted into an uneventful trip to the NBA Finals, to a 39-2 home record (which was second best All-Time) and 66-16 overall season, which resulted in a playoff number one seed and an early exit at the hands of Orlando.

With the media constantly reminding Cavs Nation that this could potentially be the last season that Cleveland can claim the King as their own, we go into this offseason again with a sense of rejuvenation, holding our breath and crossing our fingers for the heavens to shine on Cleveland.

So the questions have to begin. Are Danny Ferry moves the right ones? Does Shaq really have any diesel left? Do we have enough pieces? Are we ready for a title run? Are we being set up for a letdown?

We mustn’t forget that we aren’t the only team making moves and jockeying for a position at the top. The LA Lakers, San Antonio, Boston, and Orlando are just a few. They have all made steps toward the ultimate goal, and by examination they are all better than they were last season.

It’s not going to be a cake walk, like people claimed it would be this past season before the Orlando series.

Right now, the Cleveland roster looks solid on paper, with the additions of Shaq aka “The Big Witness”, Anthony Parker (who will add much needed shooting, which was completely absent in the Orlando series), and the resigning of Anderson Varejao (although vastly overpaid).

LeBron will improve his game; he has every year since entering the league. Hopefully, the younger players will progress and the extra forward I believe is needed to be added to fill the cracks can be addressed from within.

Rejuvenation is taking place in Cleveland, and people have been bandwagon jumping since last season. The season almost feels as if its next week the way people are excited, engaging in full-fledged arguments like LeBron and Kobe just played the night before and they disagree on who the best is.

This excitement can be labeled as two types of driving forces. The first could be the driving force that propels the Cavs over the top and across the finish line, where championship t-shirts, hats, balloons, and champagne await the victor.

Or the second driving force, which is shaped like a rocket which is in a downward spiral toward earth. The failure to complete the task, the firing of a coaching regime, and worst of all, the departure of LeBron, that would send a franchise and a city reeling.

The true nature of any organism when constantly attacked, would be to form some kind of defense. In the case of Cleveland fans this would be to become numb or form thick skin to the idea and reality of failure. In all reality the case is the exact opposite; Cavs fans wear their hearts on their sleeves. Cavs fans support the team their fathers and mothers supported, with total loyalty.

If Cavs Nation is truly being setup for a letdown, I do not know if the sports area of Northeastern Ohio would recover.

Not to say NBA Championship or Bust.

But it can be summed up into, Keep LeBron or Bust!

What are your thoughts?

Allen Iverson: Pound for Pound the Best Ever?

When you talking about the best ever; we include all the common names, but we leave out one of the best. The Jordans, Birds, Magics, and Wilts are the first to roll of the tongue.

We even mention today’s players like Kobe and Lebron, but the 6'0", 180 lb guard from Virginia; who took a franchise to the pinnacle of the basketball world, is often never mentioned.

He is the poster child for "Never Give Up."

Playing amongst the Goliaths, this David slays his opponents with an arsenal that includes much more than stones.

With the handles that could rival any And1 player, and an ankle-breaking crossover dribble that has left even MJ himself in its ruin.

Fluidly dancing in and out the paint with the greatest of ease; seamlessly teasing his opponent with his talent.

This MVP is the hero of the little guy, the savior of the small fry, and the slayer of "You Can't Do It."

Now at the latter part of his career, some even believing he’s still in his prime. He is fishing for employment, and sources say he is getting little more than a nibble.

This is a prime example of how the NBA can chew players up and spit them out.

But I believe Iverson has more in the tank to once again disappoint all the doubters.

Where he lands he will bring the game possessing the heart of David, which will slay all the Goliaths.

Stephen Curry: Rookie of the Year?

Who will be the 2009-2010 NBA Rookie of the year?

Could it be Stephen Curry?

If we go by sheer weapons in ones arsenal, Curry is far ahead of the game.

Blake Griffin has the most potential and a NBA body to go with. But will he have the breakout year that sets him apart from the rest of the rookies?

Let’s face, the Rookie of the Year Award is given to the player with the most impressive offensive stat line.

Stephen Curry was blessed to be drafted by the Golden State Warriors, a team that focuses on offense. Golden State's run n’ gun pace will support Curry's game.

With Don Nelson running the system, there will be a little more room for error.

This means growth will take place faster; trial and error are the staples of excellence. Curry should be hitting his stride by the All-Star break.

The conversation will go on all season long. I'm not saying that Curry’s peak will exceed that of the Griffin's, Harden's, and DeRozan's; but he has a good lead on the race toward greatness.

Rookie Of The Year?

More to Come....

Cavaliers Being Timid: Where Is the Stretch Forward?

With the summer free agency period in full swing now after July 7, what is the Cleveland front office waiting for? OK, yes they did throw out a line and reeled in the “The Big Witness.” They even re-signed Anderson Varejao (although overpaid) to a multi-year contract, but where are those forwards who can stretch the floor?

The formula with Shaq is very simple, and should be patented. It consists of three elements (along with other fill in or roll players), first of which is Shaq, who clogs the middle and demands a double team.

Second is your outstanding perimeter scorer (LeBron, Kobe, Dwayne, Penny).

Third is your other big playing opposite Shaq, this position is known as your stretch forward—a term coined due to the fact that the forward can play away from the bucket and hit open perimeter shots out to the three.

Now, where is the stretch forward? Unless the plan is to play LeBron at this position, which would destroy the formula altogether, there needs to be a move in order for the Cavs to stand up to the Bostons, LAs, and even Orlandos of this league.The constant pursuit of small forwards is boggling.

But, Danny Ferry should be applauded for the Anthony Parker pick up, which adds shooting and depth.

With so much fuel being thrown on the LeBron to New York fire, you’d think the Cavalier front office would simply follow the formula that has worked with teams using Shaq to propel themselves to the peak of the NBA.

The free agency pool is starting to dry up and the stretch forward that the Cavs are in need of may not be found. With the exception of Matt Barnes and Linas Kleiza, the pool is completely dry.

Top NBA Players Compared to their Hip-Hop Counterparts

This is just a simple comparison of top athletes in the basketball world vs. the top artists in the hip hop world.

These days’ hip hop and athletics have become more and more closely related.

It's evident because you have basketball players who wish they could rap and rappers who wish they could play ball.

Both rappers and NBA players have peaks and valleys that are constant threw out there career.

We'll simply pair the hoop star to their rap star counterparts and let you judge whether or not they fit together.

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