Mid-April Random Thoughts

I simply did not have anything of note to say last week.

Cavs Limping Into Post-Season
I just watched the Cavaliers struggle to earn a home win over the lowly & injury-riddled Miami Heat, bringing their magic number to one in an attempt to clinch home-court in round #1 of the playoffs.

The way they have played down the stretch, it won’t matter where the Cavaliers play that final game. It won't get that far. The Cavaliers look slow defensively and out of sync offensively. We know they have had injuries, but excuses will get you one and done in the post-season.

The good news is their potential first round opponent, the Washington Wizards, have been busy trash-talking and requesting another post-season date with Cleveland. The Cavaliers have remained above it all – probably because they have been too busy struggling to get it together since the 11-player deal back in February.

Perhaps the Wizards will do with their collective mouth, what Head Coach Mike Brown and his staff have been unable to do with practices and game-day clipboards – motivate the Cavaliers to play well at both ends for an extended stretch of time.

Last year, the Cavaliers were the beneficiary of a soft post-season schedule and a coaching gaffe for the ages - (see Flip Saunders) allowing LJ to score 29 of his team’s final 30 points in pivotal game #5 versus the Pistons.

This time around, the Cavaliers limp into the playoffs unsure of even who to play, when and how much. While other playoff teams have spent the past few weeks shrinking down their rotation for post-season, the Cavaliers have yet to find one that works.

Last spring, Andy V. and Boobie Gibson played well throughout the playoffs. LJ will need their help and much more if we can expect to see pro basketball in northeast Ohio well into May.

Questions abound for the locals:

Will Ben’s back hold up so he can do what he was brought to town to do – defend the post in the playoffs?

Does Wally have anything left in the tank?

Can anyone in the backcourt PLEASE stop guard penetration?

Has anyone seen Shasha this year?

And there are more problems on the horizon. This year, the competition is stronger (i.e. Boston) and some of the teams in the way have a score to settle with the Cavaliers (see Wizards & Pistons).

With two games remaining in the regular season, it doesn’t look good for the locals. However, don’t forget – they do have 23. If healthy, he will get his and consistently get his teammates open looks in the playoffs. And if they can stay close late, he will close more often than not.

LJ just might have to average a triple-double in the playoffs for the Cavaliers to advance.

That's okay, he's used to having a load on his back this time of year. Why do you think it hurts so much?


So Much For Spring Training Numbers
Much was made of the Tribe’s rotation success in spring training. Everyone go their work in and dominated in the process. A lot of good that did!

The Indians have gotten out of the gate slowly – to put it kindly. It’s early, so there is no reason to panic. The beauty of baseball is in its “marathon” nature. Over the course of 162 games, talent reaches its expected level. That should be the case with the Tribe.

The start isn’t pretty, but it could be worse. You could be a Tigers’ fan right now looking at that $130+ million payroll that is suspect in pitching and scratching your head.


Third Time Is the Charm
MLB and the players' union have agreed on another drug testing policy. I think this is the third try in the past two years. Let me get this right – the new deal includes amnesty for past violators (see Mitchell Report), no outside agency placed in charge of the testing as was recommended, no revealing when someone flunks a test unless it reaches the suspension stage and no human growth hormone testing. Nice!!! Somehow, I doubt Congress, or anyone else will buy it.

Browns & Corners
I strongly suggest the Cleveland Browns acquire a quality cornerback or two before September rolls around. They traded their best cover corner (LB) and another one (Wright) is in trouble with the MAN (aka police). That’s never good.

As of now, the Browns seem to be better prepared to stop your first and 10 carry off tackle than cover WRs on third and five.

Memphis vs. Kansas
I know what coach Calipari was trying to do by stating over and over again that free throw shooting wasn’t that important. He was playing amateur psychologist – letting his kids think the coach isn’t worried about it, so they (players) should not be.

It didn’t work out too well however.

Memphis blew a nine point lead with just over two minutes MAINLY BECAUSE they missed four of five charity tosses down the stretch. It isn’t any more complicated than that.

It wasn’t because their post player fouled out. It wasn’t because Memphis had to play its starters huge minutes which led to fatigue in OT. It wasn’t because a great shot sent it to overtime. And it wasn’t because Kansas earned it by making all the plays.

As Calipari put it, “a perfect storm” happened that kept the Tigers from winning the title. His thesis was that everything that had to go wrong for his team to lose did go wrong.

I don’t buy it.

They (Memphis) shot 20% from the line in crunch time. That opened the door and Kansas walked through it. I felt badly for the Memphis kids who didn't knock down the charity tosses late. Those misses will be hard to forget.


The lesson - with all the great athleticism in basketball today at all levels, it still boils down to fundamentals – including making a standstill 15 footer with no one in the way.

Next time you watch a college or pro lay-up drill that turns into a dunk fest in pre-game, think about Memphis and how the time would be better spent knocking down those free-bees from 15 feet.

Funny thing is, we hear over and over again how players today are so "selfish."

Yet, a wise man once said "the only time a basketball player can be totally selfish is when he's at the line."

Irony can be cruel.