Readers like staying power James provides Cavaliers

David DuPree, USA TODAY says the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers, tied for the fourth-best record in the NBA at 9-4 going into Monday’s games, are the league’s biggest surprises. But readers responding to this week’s question as to which team has more staying power picked Cleveland, mainly because of LeBron James.

“With all due respect to (Corey) Maggette, (Elton) Brand, (Cuttino) Mobley and (Sam) Cassell, none of these guys is a megastar,” said Derrie Ross of Cleveland. “LeBron is God-given extraordinary talent that can’t be taught or coached. He is like M.J., Bird or Magic – a leader, coach, player – all in one on the floor. He is the difference in the two teams.”

Jeffrey Wright of South Orleans, Mass., says the fact the Clippers play in what he considers a much weaker division than the Cavaliers gives Los Angeles the advantage. He also says that Brand-Cassell tandem will keep the Clippers going.

“The Cavs play in the best division in basketball, top to bottom,” he said. “This should enable L.A. to get a better playoff seed in a conference with less dominant teams. While the Cavs have some shooters, the Clippers have certified scorers everywhere, the excellent low post presence that Cleveland does not have in Brand and, of course, Sam Cassell providing the leadership and clutch shots. Cassell may have a big mouth sometimes, but he’s a proven winner.”

Tyrone Terry of Dallas feels James and Larry Hughes give the Cavaliers the best perimeter duo in the league and he isn’t sure Cassell can stay healthy all season. He also thinks James’ improvement and maturity will carry the Cavaliers. “LeBron has improved every year he has been in the league, and I expect him to improve to a winner this year,” he said.

Both teams will be bolstered by the return of injured players. In the Clippers’ case, that’s 6-7 guard Shaun Livingston. The Cavaliers will get a huge lift when Ira Newble, a starter last season, and Anderson Varejao, a Marcus Camby-type big man, return. When you can send out a second unit of those two along with Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones, the tempo and defense can be sustained when the Cavaliers go to their bench

What Does It Really Mean?

Mike Kahn of FOXSports.COM tells us what it really means: “The Cleveland Cavaliers were rolling along at 9-2, including a 6-0 mark at home for an average of nearly 21 points a game until Thanksgiving Day at Conseco Fieldhouse against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers embarrassed them by 22 points; then two nights later, they lost at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

What this really means: The Cavs found out late last week that they’re not over the hump yet. Pacers forward Ron Artest got into LeBron James’ face and never left. James missed his first eight shots, and the rest of the team began launching from the perimeter instead of executing in the half court.

What James, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow and everyone else have to remember is that they re-signed 7-foot-3 center Zydrunas Ilgauskas because he’s that rare breed of scoring center. Instead of forcing jumpers and fast breaks when they’re not there, they should execute the half-court offense around the soft hands of Ilgauskas.

Young power forward Drew Gooden has improved a lot this year; so now that they’ve gotten off to the good start, it’s time for them to listen to new coach Mike Brown and focus on defense and executing when the early offense isn’t there. A three-game West Coast swing, beginning Friday night in Seattle, will be a good barometer of just how much they’ve grown up.”

Wednesday is Z Bobblehead Night

Even his Bobblehead towers over the others. At 7’3”, Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is not only a big man, but a tall Bobble. Standing 9 inches high, “Tall Z” will be the center of attention at the Cavaliers vs. L.A. Clippers game on Wednesday, November 30th at 7:00 p.m. at The Q.

Like his shorter bobblehead teammates previously given away this season, the Tall Z Bobblehead will be given to every fan in attendance (one per person, not per ticket). Tickets are still available for the Cavaliers vs. L.A. Clippers game. Quicken Loans Arena doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Carlos Boozer has some bad karma

Paul Benedict from NBASource.COM writes: “After stabbing a blind man in the back last summer when he reneged his verbal promise to resign with the Cavaliers, instead accepting a more lucrative offer to play with Utah, we all knew Boozer was due for some serious repercussions. Now between having missed 45 games since the beginning of last season and being despised by the entire city of Utah, including the organization, Boozer finds himself the topic of many trade discussions. My question is – if Boozer is traded, is he back to even-par in karma? Or should he prepare for another tumultuous stint with his new team? For the other top 25 click HERE.

The Cleveland Cavaliers still have their problems on the road

Paul Benedict of NBASource.Com writes “While an exciting win in Philadelphia was a step in the right direction the Cavaliers took a beating from the Pacers and lost a close one to the Timberwolves. If there’s one thing we know that no team can be considered a contender until they learn how to win big games. A 3 game west coast trip beginning on Friday in Seattle and continuing on Saturday at Staples against the Clippers and Tuesday against Sacramento could be very telling of where Lebron’s team is headed. For his other top 25 click HERE.

Even With 2 Losses – CAVS Are The Real Deal

Eric Williams from BETUS.COM thinks the Cavaliers are the real deal.
“It was just a couple of days ago that I wrote my weekly NBA column and pointed out the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers should be thanking their lucky stars for the presence of general manager, Danny Ferry.
The former Cavaliers player has transformed the Cavs from “Cav-nots” (sorry, I couldn’t resist the play on words) to real Cavs in just one offseason.

Not only did Ferry acquire immensely talented shooting guard, Larry Hughes, but he followed that up by acquiring two more talented sharp-shooting veteran players in swingman Donyell Marshall and point guard Damon Jones.
Those transactions combined with the re-signing of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and reemergence of enigmatic power forward, Drew Gooden, have the Cavs looking like contenders for the eastern conference crown. Oh, by the way. Did I mention that the Cavs still have the best young player on the planet in LeBron James? James, who is one part MJ and one part Magic, has already learned a valuable lesson that it took Jordan years to learn – and one that Kobe Bryant is just learning – you need to have competent teammates (not outstanding) that you can trust to help make certain plays during the course of any game. Of course, James, like MJ, can take over at any time he wants but that is beside the point”.

For a complete review of his story CLICK HERE.

World B Free Is In The House

If only temporarily, former CAVS star World B Free will be at the Q. Branson Wright, Plain Dealer writer, writes “Free spent some of his most memorable times in the NBA while playing for the Cavaliers from the middle of the 1982-83 season to the end of the 1985-86 season.

Free, however, has not been honored or been back to Cleveland to watch a game for at least 15 years. Free is scheduled to attend the Cavs’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 30 at The Q. It is a homecoming that Free has looked forward to for years.

“I’ve always wanted to get back to Cleveland, but things happened, and I stayed away,” Free said. “When I come out there and get into the middle of floor, and as I wave my hands up, I want the fans to stand up just like I’m going to stand up for them. If they appreciated me, they’ll stand up and cheer just like I appreciated them.”

Despite his success with the Cavs, Free remains disappointed that his No. 21 jersey isn’t hanging in the rafters. He hopes his return will spark more conversation about that possibility.

For a complete look at his story click HERE.