Kobe to Dallas?

Mercurial Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says you can count out Dallas in the Kobe Bryant sweepstakes.
During Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cuban said that the team is not pursuing a trade for the Los Angeles Lakers star.
“We haven’t talked to them,” Cuban told ESPN’s Lisa Salters during a sideline interview. “It’s not going to happen. We’ve got a great squad. We like it.”
Cuban was asked if the team has any interest at all in Bryant.
“We’re always looking for bargains, but I don’t think they’re going to give us any bargains,” he said.
The Bulls appear to be the primary partner in trade talks with Los Angeles. As ESPN.com reported on Saturday, the Lakers have asked for Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Ben Gordon and rookie Joakim Noah as the core parts of any trade for Bryant.

Source:  ESPN

Simmons In – Brown Out

The Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday exercised the third-year contract option on forward Cedric Simmons.
The Cavs also announced they have declined the third-year option on guard Shannon Brown.
Acquired from New Orleans on September 29, Simmons will now be under contract through 2008-09. His option for 2008-09 was worth $1.742 million.
Simmons, who did not play in Wednesday’s season opener, has averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 43 career games.
“Cedric is intriguing player for us,” Cavs general manager Danny Ferry said. “The decision on Cedric’s option was primarily made when we traded for him. We look forward to working with him the next couple of years.”
The Cavs were not as intrigued by Brown, who has wallowed on the bench since being selected 25th overall by the Cavs last season. He has averaged just 3.0 points in 24 career games.
“We like Shannon and understand that his playing opportunities have been limited thus far,” Ferry said. “We will continue to support his development as a player. Currently, we thought it best to re-evaluate the situation next summer.”

Source:  SBRFORUM

HORROR-able opening night for the Cavaliers

The highlight of the game was the scream team performance to Michael Jackson Thriller song. Other than that every thing was flat from start to finish.

Lebron had the worst opening night of his career. He shot just 2-of-11 from the field, made five turnovers.

Larry Hughes summer training didn’t pay off. He shot 2 of 13 from the field.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas was at his best and tried to keep the Cavaliers in the game. He had 17 points and 18 rebounds.

“We got our behinds kicked,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “Dallas came in here and did what they wanted to do offensively and defensively.”

“It’s the first game, hopefully we can put it behind us,” James said. “We didn’t play well — at all. It’s kind of how we have been playing in the preseason. We didn’t do anything right. We didn’t play hard. We didn’t execute.”

Box Score | Play by Play | Full Recap

Gear up for the 2007-08 season

The Cavaliers will open the 2007-08 season at the Q tomorrow in a nationally-televised game against the Dallas Mavericks.The Cavaliers will then play host to the New York Knicks before heading out West for a six-game stretch from Nov. 4-12 with games at Phoenix, Golden State, Utah, Sacramento, the L.A. Clippers and Denver.

Here are some information about the 2007-08 Cavaliers:

  1. Download the 2007-08 Full Schedule (PDF Printable format)

    ical_20.jpg Download to iCal for Mac users (Right click and click on “Save Link As” or “Download Linked File” in Safari).
    Click here for instructions to import into iCal.

    outlook_icon_20.gif Download to Outlook. (Right click and click on “Save Target As”)
    Click here for instructions to import into Outlook.

  2. View Complete Team Roster
  3. 2007-08 Regular Season Media Guide
  4. 2007-08 Promotional and Giveaway Schedule
  5. Meet the 2007-08 Cavalier Girls

Howard Listened to the Cavs Offer but picked the Mavericks

Juan Howard will sign with the Mavericks according to sources. The fact that his family lives in the Houston area played a factor in the decision. Also Howard has already played for the Mavs during two seasons, and is familiar with the overall approach of Avery Johnson.

“Howard, who averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds with the Rockets last season, was bought out by the Timberwolves on Monday. He was not thrilled the Wolves were rebuilding and wanted to play for a contender. There’s no doubt the Mavericks are a contender. They’ve also got some big men with injury issues and Howard’s played there in the past.” Windhorst said.

Howard will not play tomorrow against the Cavaliers.

Next Stop Cleveland?

Dejected over not getting to play in Minnesota with Kevin Garnett, Juwan Howard could end up a teammate of another superstar: LeBron James.
Howard, a 13-year veteran forward whose contract was bought out by the Timberwolves on Monday, would fit nicely with James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are desperate for experienced front-line help.
With restricted free agent Anderson Varejao still unsigned in a messy contract holdout, the defending Eastern Conference champions have been exploring the possibility of signing Howard to improve their depth before Wednesday’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks.
“I hope we get him,” James said after practice Monday. “He can help us. We need a guy to play down low.”

Source:  The Canadian Press

Sasha Pavlovic Ends Holdout, Agrees to a three year deal

Sasha Pavlovic Ends Holdout, Agrees to a three year dealSasha Pavlovic and the Cavaliers have come to a three year agreement. Contract details hasn’t been revealed yet.

Sasha will join the team tomorrow but will not play in the home opener against the Dallas Mavericks. He is in his home town in Serbia and getting ready to return.

“Sasha is very excited to be returning to the Cavs,” Cornstein said. “I believe he can help the Cavs build on the success they had last year.”

Pavlovic didn’t take the summer off. “He’s been working out twice a day with a personal coach. He’ll be in excellent condition. Once everything is official he’ll be ready to go.” Cornstein said.

Anderson Varejao, remains unsigned with sources close to the negotiations claiming that the two sides are still far apart with little movement over the last week according to ESPN.