The Wine and Gold Rush

Breaking Down the Two LeBron-Less Cavs Games

Unless something unexpected happens, LeBron James will be back on the court on Friday, when the Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers. 

(Philadelphia won't be on a back-to-back, but they played last night and will play again tonight . . . while the Cavs will have had three full days off leading into the game.)

LeBron has sat out the last two games . . . Saturday in Milwaukee and Monday night at home against San Antonio . . . with a cornucopia of banged-up parts, including a left quad bruise, a right ankle injury and a little back soreness.

Thankfully, nothing serious though.

With the three-day break in-between the San Antonio game and Friday's game in Philly, it was a convenient time to give LeBron some rest.  He could pretty much shut himself down for an entire week, while missing just two (nondescript) games.

So, the LeBron-less Cavs got a shot to show what they could do.

But before we get to that, here are a few statistics we dug up regarding life without LeBron.

#1.)  Prior to this season, the Cavaliers have been LeBron-less 20 times.

• 2003-2004:  2-1
• 2004-2005:  1-1
• 2005-2006:  3-0
• 2006-2007:  3-1
• 2007-2008:  0-7
• 2008-2009:  0-1

J.J. Hickson Would Like To Remind You That Danny Ferry Did Not Trade Him

J.J. Hickson has a question for you, along with all Cleveland Cavaliers fans, Coach Mike Brown, the Association as a whole, and Brian Windhorst for one of his weekend "Hey Brian!" Q&A features:

"Do I have your attention yet?"

Last month . . . before the trading deadline . . . I wondered whether the Cavs already had the young, athletic, toolsy power forward that they were looking for in a mid-season pick-up. 

J.J. may not be ready to be a dependable star in the playoffs yet, but he does seem ready to be a playoff contributor . . . and someone who's capable of blowing up if he's ignored, like Daniel Gibson did in 2007.  Simply put, he was in my nine-man playoff rotation.

Unfortunately, he looked to be as good as gone.  Danny Ferry looked set on making a trade . . . a trade for a significant player . . . and J.J. was the commodity everyone wanted in exchange for handing over a great player, and agreeing to the Zydrunas Ilgauskas yo-yoing.

But the Cavaliers ended up being able to pry Antawn Jamison out of Washington without giving up J.J.  And once again, Danny Ferry's intellect, creativity, toughness, and resilience . . . coupled with Dan Gilbert's checkbook . . . proved to be a magic combination.

With Antawn in the fold, J.J. lost his spot as the starting power forward, and for one game (the losing streak-busting win against New Orleans last week) his spot in the rotation.  (It was his first DNP-CD of the season.)  But then Shaquille O'Neal went down, and J.J. was ready to resume his breakout season.

The Distance Between the Cavs and the Knicks Is Much More Than Just LeBron

Did you ever have an imaginary friend while growing up?

It's OK to admit it.  And actually, it's kind of weird if you didn't.  Like your brain was missing a few connections or something. 

I had one.  His name was Sidney J. Mussburger, and he was the CFO for a Fortune 500 company based in Minnesota.  He was pretty dull, and totally sucked at tennis.

The Cleveland Cavaliers may or may not have individual imaginary friends . . . or a collective imaginary friend . . . but they do have a collective imaginary foe:  The New York Knicks.  (And the term "foe" is used so liberally that it's actually being misused.)

The Knicks may or may not actually exist.  But either way, they totally suck at basketball. 

Case in point:  On Monday night, the Cavs beat their imaginary foe by 31 points, 124-93.  And it wasn't anywhere near that close.  Seriously. 

The 42-point lead the Cavs had after three quarters is a little more like it.  The last 12 minutes was basically an extra, full-on practice for the bench guys . . . in front of 20,562 live fans, and many, many thousands more via television.

For the second time this year, the Cavs have scored 74 points on the Knicks in a half.  Which, I suppose, isn't shocking since the Knicks have a 12-player logjam for their "Worst Defender" distinction.

Cleveland is playing like a team that has finally surrounded its megastar with a perfect complement of players to contend in the face of any adversity . . . and to win against almost every single one of them.

New York is playing like a bunch of local dudes who are really hoping to have a shot at winning a YMCA round-robin tournament.  Or, like an NBA team that's been punting seasons since LeBron was in high school.

The Cavs' Stellar Record While *Not* At Full-Strength Is About to Be Tested

You never wish injury on an opponent.

On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics were without Paul Pierce due to a right thumb injury.  Paul, of course, has served as the linchpin of Boston's "Big Three" (copyright 2007, 2008).

You also never wish injury on yourself.

For fans in other cities, that's an obvious joke.

For fans in the success-starved city of Cleveland . . . it's often a temptation, especially when it seems as though an injury is the only way to banish an overpaid, under-performing veteran who was brought in, almost inexplicably, to block the ascent of the younger, potential-filled kid waiting in the wings.

If an injury does not occur, the stubborn Cleveland coaches / front office may never unseat the fading vet to get a good enough look at the prospect.  Then, undoubtedly, that kid leaves or is traded to have an opportunity elsewhere.  And with uncanny frequency, a star is born and Cleveland is burned.

It's the modus operandi of the Cleveland Indians . . . but it's happened to the Cavaliers and the Browns as well.

Relax.

This is not an anti-Shaquille O'Neal / pro-J.J. Hickson (with a slice of Anderson Varejao) article, but if the Cavaliers weren't being run by a smart coach and an elite front office . . . it could've been.

Is LeBron Bummed About Zydrunas Ilgauskas Not Being with the Cavs?

LeBron OK'd the Antawn Jamison move.

Danny Ferry may be a mad GM genius, but he'd just be mad to make a major move without consulting LeBron . . . especially since LeBron is a free agent this summer and no one wants him to be uncool with any moves that were made or not made.

In a recent press conference, Ferry claimed that he did not clear the move with anyone on the team at the deadline . . . since we were going to have to give up at least one player, and you don't really want to put someone on the spot saying 'would you give up this teammate to get that player,' etc.

He says he talked with some of the team's core players before the season started, and asked for their input on a whole slew of players that he thought could be available before the trading deadline . . . just in case the Cavaliers had an opportunity to make a good move.

Maybe that's true . . . or maybe he did float some of the particulars by LeBron privately, and doesn't want to say anything about it to ensure that he doesn't say or do anything that would prohibit the likely buy-out and return of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. 

Even if it's obvious that the Z yo-yo was the Cavs' hope (or even intention) you don't want to make it sound like there was an illegal agreement in place. 

Regardless, at some point, Ferry and LeBron talked about Jamison.  They also talked about Z's expiring contract, and the possibility of trading him to take the opportunity to add a significant talent to the roster.

And since the trade happened, LeBron was cool with it.

But like a lot of fans, there's a chance that LeBron felt heavier about it once it was actually time to say goodbye to Z . . . even if it might only be for 30 days.  

Mike Brown Shrinks the Rotation . . . and the New Cavs Grind Out a Win

If you were Mike Brown, what would be harder:

Taking minutes away from one of your Top Seven guys (LeBron James, Anderson Varejao, Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams, Delonte West and Anthony Parker) . . . or allowing your team to play through periods of turbulence and ineffectiveness while the talents of your B-team (Daniel Gibson, J.J. Hickson, Jamario Moon, Jawad Williams, (soon) Leon Powe, and maybe Danny Green) . . . waste away on the bench?

Prior to the playoffs, the challenge might be finding enough minutes for everyone (or the Top 13, at least) to keep them in a rhythm, and to give them an opportunity to build on-court chemistry with each other, so that in the event they are needed in the playoffs, they can be plugged in without appearing disconnected from both their individual and team play.

Once the playoffs hit, Mike Brown's tendency (like a lot of coaches) will be to shrink the rotation down to seven or eight players . . . and barring any injuries or severe lop-sidedness, that's it.  That's the team.

If Zydrunas Ilguaskas comes back, he gets the final spot in that Top Eight.  That sure leaves a lot of talent on the bench.  This deep, deep depth is a good problem to have, but it doesn't exactly output easy answers.  The nagging question will always be:  Are my Top Eight really my Top Eight . . . right now?

Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Hornets was a "must win."

Not in a playoff, do-or-die way, of course.  And actually, not in any sort of real, necessary way either.  But it was nonetheless, and Mike Brown celebrated that fact by using a tight, playoff rotation.

Antawn Jamison Will Be Fine, and So Will the Cavaliers . . . Eventually

The Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business during their ridiculous seven-game, 20-day home-stand earlier this month.  They extended a 13-game winning streak, and won 11 of those without Mo Williams, and nine of them without Mo and Delonte West.

Even though 10 of the games were held at home, more than half (seven) were against teams with winning records . . . and with the loss of two of their top ball-handlers, the Cavaliers seemed primed to pick up a few disappointing losses. 

That didn't happen.

But while the All-Star Break was a fun and exasperating time for fans . . . because of the impending trade deadline, not because of the actual All-Star Game festivities, of course . . . the Cavs had the cards stacked against them on the other side.

And that was before they made a move.  

#1.)  The first condition was clear the moment the schedule was released:  Cleveland was going to go from spending 20 days at home . . . to a tough schedule, with lots of traveling and back-to-backs.

Last weekend featured the home Denver / at Charlotte back-to-back.  Denver is an elite team, and Charlotte presents one of Cleveland's toughest match-ups.  The Cavs had already lost to Denver once and Charlotte twice (before falling to them again last week).

Sunday they had Orlando for the second time in 10 days.  This one was away . . . and it ended in the Cavs' first loss (in three games) to the Magic this season, by a score of 95-101.

That gave Cleveland their first three-game losing streak in almost two full years.  Their last back-to-back-to-back losses came in March of 2008.

An Epic Game Lost at the Line(s)

Allow me to be cute for a moment.

If the Washington Wizards buy out Zydrunas Ilguaskas, the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up Antawn Jamison for free on Wednesday.  On Thursday night, the Cavs weren't getting anything for free.

Yes, this is yet another recap of the Cavaliers' 118-116 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets that hinges on missed free throws.  If you read a lot of Cavs blogs . . . like you should be doing during a special season like this . . . you've probably heard this before:

This was an epic game . . . and the Cavs could have won it, if they'd hit their free throws.

[If you missed it, first:  Shame on you.  You should at least be DVRing these games.  This is an exciting season, kids.  If you did record the game, but haven't watched it yet:  Oops.  Well, since it's already spoiled, the game came down to Carmelo Anthony nailing a tough shot with one-point-something seconds left in overtime . . . and Cleveland half-court inbounding to James, where he slipped and missed a three.]

But it shouldn't have got to that point.

The Cavs as a whole shot a very Shaq-like 57.5% (23-of-40) from the stripe.  (Actually, Shaq is at 50% for the season.)  And they would have been OK, if Shaq was Shaq-like.

Here are the missed free throw culprits:

Shaquille O'Neal . . . 0-for-6  (0%)

Daniel Gibson . . . 1-for-3  (33%)

Anthony Parker . . . 3-for-5  (60%)

LeBron James . . . 12-for-17  (71%)

Meanwhile, Mo Williams went 2-for-2 and J.J. Hickson went 4-for-5 from the stripe.

The Cavs also had twice as many turnovers as the Nuggets . . . but it was just 10-to-5.  Denver only had five turnovers in an overtime game.  That's pretty impressive.  (The Cavs average 14.5 a game.)

It's Official: LeBron James Has His Sidekick . . . and It Isn't Antawn Jamison

No matter how expected or unexpected it may have been, it still felt a little shocking: 

Yesterday, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally found LeBron's sidekick.  His #2.  His Pippen.  His Robin.  His Doctor Watson.  His Ed McMahon.  His Boo Boo.  His Michael Wilbon.  His Austin Carr.  His Anti-Hughes.

At around 6:30 P.M. Eastern, the "Washington Post" reported that the Cavs had traded for Washington Wizards star forward Antawn Jamison.  It was a three-team deal;  the L.A. Clippers were also involved.

From there, a cavalcade of Twittered reports burst through Cleveland's fervent, but divided and vacillating fan base.  It was a great relief;  things were finally coming to a conclusion.

When it was all said and done, the Cavs landed Jamison for Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a first round draft pick, and the rights to Emir Preldzic, who the Cavs drafted late in the second round of last year's draft. 

[Somewhat ironically, the Cavs purchased that pick from the Phoenix Suns.  Preldzic was born in Slovenia, is currently playing in Turkey, and is now a part of the Wizards' rebuilding project.]

No J.J. Hickson, no Jamario Moon, no strings.

In an odd twist, the Cavs also landed 24-year-old disappointment Sebastian Telfair.  Technically, he's a point guard, but he'll be taking over Coby Karl's end-of-the-bench spot on the roster.  The Cavaliers didn't want him, of course, they had to take him for the Clippers to participate.  [Telfair is out for the next three weeks with a groin injury.]

As has been widely reported, there's a decent chance Z will return to the Cavaliers this season.  If the Wizards buy him out (within the next two weeks) . . . and indications are that they will . . . he would be essentially a free agent.  As per league rules, he could sign with the Cavs after 30 days.

During that time, he can also field offers from other teams, some of which may be able to offer him more money than the Cavs.  Cleveland is over the cap, and their only liquid funds are the $1.9 million Bi-Annual Exception (BAE).  That should do the trick, though.  No frustration over being traded could be bigger than the reception Z is going to get at The Q when he walks back out onto the court.

But more on later, back to LeBron James' new sidekick.

Hey, Cavs Fans: Be Sure to *Not* Let the Trade Deadline Bum You Out

So . . . is anyone sick of the trade deadline hysteria yet?

Every day, there's a whole gamut of:  proposals and denials, excitement and anxiety, ups and downs, twists and turns, and chutes and ladders.  Names of "available players" are flying around like, well, flies. 

And at some point, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been or will be linked to each and every one of them.  Best of all, absolutely no levels of absurdity, pointlessness, impracticality or impossibility are off limits.  It's an exciting free-for-all!

For each name, there seems to be a pattern like:  the suggestion, the anonymous source tease, the "confirmation," the competition (from other teams), the doubt (from the trading partner), the denial (of any of one or more of these things), the re-suggestion (with or without a new wrinkle), rinse and repeat.

In a way, it's sort of like if every Cleveland fan suddenly became obsessed with 24-hour celebrity gossip.  You know, like:  "Do you think Angelina Jolie might adopt a kid from Panama?"  "A so-called 'source' says she will adopt a kid from Panama."  "'Star' magazine has confirmed that Angelina is adopting a kid from Panama!"  "But other 'sources' say she may be adopting from Costa Rica, not Panama."  "'Sources' in Panama say the country prefers to keep all of its orphans."  "Angelina's rep has denied the 'Star' report, and says she has no plans to go to Panama."

And then:  "Do you think Angelina might send someone to Panama to adopt a kid for her?"

[By the way, even though I obviously just made all that up . . . and wrote "I obviously just made all that up" . . . I wouldn't be surprised if some gossip site stumbled on this, and reported it as a new rumor.]

[Case in point:  Apparently, I started a mini freak-out in some Cavs forum because, in a post on this site, I suggested a Daniel Gibson + Delonte West for Corey Maggette trade . . . while poking fun at Chad Ford's Cavs-could-revamp-their-entire-roster article . . . and while I was mocking freak-outs in forums.]

It's all madness.  And it can be too much, at least for me.  It's addicting, it's emotionally-wrenching, it's exciting, it's exhausting, and it's upsetting . . . in alphabetical order.

Hopefully, you know when too much is too much . . . and can step away.

But in case you don't . . . and judging by some of the comments I've seen, some of you may not . . . I put together a fun test that will let you know if the trade deadline has you out of your mind.

Here it is: