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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

A little Black Dog for you

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Finnan chat on Thursday

The News-Herald's website will host a chat at noon Thursday with Cavs beat writer Bob Finnan. A vast array of topics will be discussed, including the just-completed 2010-11 season and the 2011 NBA draft.

To participate, click here: http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2011/04/21/sports/doc4daf5f08938b7949878988.txt

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Game 82: Wizards at Cavs

CAVS (19-63) 100, WASHINGTON WIZARDS (23-59) 93
at Quicken Loans Arena
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: It's hard to believe the season is over. Furthermore, it's also the end of Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Tait's career.

He final signoff was: "Have a good LIFE everybody."

Both are very sad. For the Cavs, this has been one of the worst seasons in franchise history. But they have finally figured it out. Coach Byron Scott said he wished the season would last about a month longer.

For Tait, 73, he's ready to retire, even though his fans aren't ready for him to go away. He'll go back to his palatial estate in Medina County and do some traveling and just take it easy. He's worked hard in his broadcasting career.

Center Semih Erden (bruised heel) missed Wednesday's game. He played just 64 minutes since coming to the Cavs on Feb. 24.

The last time the Cavs faced the Wizards, they were totally embarrassed on the boards. The Wizards won the battle of the boards on Wednesday, 44-40, but the Cavs competed. That didn't happen the last time.

The Cavs won four of their last six games, as well as six of their last 12.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Maurice Evans (6-5, 220)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Andray Blatche (6-11, 260)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. JaVale McGee (7-0, 252)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Jordan Crawford (6-4, 195)
PG Ramon Sessions (6-3, 185) vs. John Wall (6-4, 195)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, F/C Samardo Samuels.
Wizards - G Trevor Booker, G/F Josh Howard, F Rashard Lewis.
OFFICIALS
Marc Davis, Tony Brown, Eric Dalen

Monday, April 11, 2011

Game 81: Cavs at Pistons

CAVS (18-63) 110, DETROIT PISTONS (29-52) 101
at The Palace of Auburn Hills (Mich.)
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: Unlike the Joey Graham incident the other night in Toronto, Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva legitimately wanted a piece of Ryan Hollins.

With 5:47 left in the game, Villanueva and Hollins clashed. Both grabbed each others' faces and got tangled up. After they were ejected, Villanueva had to be restrained from going after the 7-foot Hollins.

He finally ran off the court, but ran down the hall toward the Cavs locker room. Later, he tried to go into the Cavs locker room and presumably fight Hollins.

Villanueva will likely be suspended for the Pistons' finale at Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Graham, meanwhile, went after Toronto's James Johnson on April 6 at Air Canada Centre. When I asked him about it two days later in the Cavs locker room before the Chicago game, he just laughed and said, "We have to put on a good show."

After Hollins was ejected, the Cavs were forced to finish the game with both centers out of the game. J.J. Hickson was forced to man the middle. He ended with 20 points and 11 rebounds, his 10th double-double in his last 12 games.

Semih Erden, who made his first start with the Cavs, was knocked out of the game with pain in his heel.

Coach Byron Scott bemoans the fact that Hollins just doesn't rebound like he wants him to. Erden didn't get a rebound in 19 minutes on Monday. He had five points and was 1 of 5 from the field, 3 of 4 from the foul line.

Hollins, meanwhile, had 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Tayshaun Prince (6-9, 215)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Greg Monroe (6-11, 250)
C Semih Erden (7-0, 240) vs. Chris Wilcox (6-10, 235)
SG Manny Harris (6-6, 185) vs. Rip Hamilton (6-7, 193)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Rodney Stuckey (6-5 205
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, F/C Samardo Samuels.
Pistons - C Ben Wallace, G Will Bynum, F Jonas Jerebko.
OFFICIALS
Ed Malloy, Brent Barnaky, Eric Lewis

Mark Cuban's take on new media

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Game 80: Cavs at Bucks

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (33-47) 108, CAVS (17-63) 101
at Bradley Center
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: Ex-Cavs forward Drew Gooden was forced into the starting lineup after season-ending injuries to centers Andrew Bogut (elbow) and Jon Brockman (shoulder).

Gooden was fabulous with his first triple-double of his 613-game career. He finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists and two blocks. How he got the 13 assists, I'll never know. He passes well out of the post, but 13 dimes? C'mon.

He was pretty good. John Salmons was better. He converted 14 of 18 shots from the field en route to a game-high 32 points. He wore out everyone the Cavs put in front of him. Even Christian Eyenga got some minutes.

The Cavs lost shooting guard Anthony Parker to back spasms. He was limited to seven scoreless minutes. It's unknown if he'll play in the final two games. Coach Byron Scott could start Manny Harris or Daniel Gibson.

The Cavs dropped back into a tie with Minnesota for the worst record in the NBA at 17-63. The Cavs play at Detroit on Monday and vs. Washington on Wednesday in the regular-season finale.

This is a strange time for Cavs fans. Many don't want them to win any more games and get the No. 1 pick. As guard Baron Davis explained after Friday's game, "We are not trying to lose."

Don't expect to see forward/center Samardo Samuels the rest of the way. His groin strain will likely keep him out of action. Fans will probably see a lot of center Semih Erden, who played 23 minutes on Saturday and ended with six points, three rebounds and two blocks.

The Cavs are intrigued by his talent and size.

Guard Baron Davis paced the Cavs with 19 points and six assists on Saturday.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Carlos Delfino (6-6, 230)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (6-8, 230)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. Drew Gooden (6-10, 250)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. John Salmons (6-6, 207)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Brandon Jennings (6-1, 169)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, F/C Samardo Samuels.
Bucks - C Andrew Bogut, F/C Jon Brockman.
OFFICIALS
Ron Garretson, Kane Fitzgerald, Courtney Kirkland

Friday, April 8, 2011

Game 79: Bulls at Cavs

CHICAGO BULLS (59-20) 93, CAVS (17-62) 82
at Quicken Loans Arena
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs played ran into the league's hottest - and possibly best - team. The Bulls are gearing up for the playoffs. The Cavs are thinking about going home.

The Cavs hung around on Friday, but the Bulls never felt seriously threatened. Midway through the third quarter, the Cavs were still in the game. That's where Derrick Rose & Co. went to work.

They closed the third quarter on a 16-6 run to take control of the game. The Bulls and Knicks both have six-game winning streaks. The Bulls have also won the last six meetings with the Cavs, including 4-0 this year.

The Bulls clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Rose, an MVP candidate, had 11 points and eight assists. He might be the best player in the league right now. Experts think he'll run away with the MVP voting.

He's always been able to get to the basket at will. Now, he can make a mid-range jumper with regularity. I just love watching the guy.

It's amazing that this was the next-to-last home game of the season. As crappy as the Cavs have been this year and with seemingly little to write about, Coach Byron Scott gets a save for keeping things interesting. He always has something to say worth writing about.

If this is home game No. 40, then that means radio broadcaster Joe Tait is nearing the end of a fabulous Hall of Fame broadcasting career. Whoever replaces him next year - I have a pretty good idea who it will be, by the way - will have a hard time filling those shoes.

I've always felt lucky to know him on the level that I do. If I see him covering the NBA Finals or filling a prescription at CVS, he's always the same, always has a smile on his face.

I'll miss him.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Luol Deng (6-9, 220)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Carlos Boozer (6-9, 266)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. Joakim Noah (6-11, 232)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Keith Bogans (6-5, 215)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Derrick Rose (6-3, 190)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, C Semih Erden.
Bulls – G John Lucas III, G Jannero Pargo, F Brian Salabrine.
OFFICIALS
Bill Kennedy, Nick Buchert, Derrick Collins

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Postseason awards ballots are in

I received my postseason awards ballots from the NBA. Here are the ones I'm voting on:
Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a ballot for Most Valuable Player.

I'll devote a future column on how I vote and how the other voters on my NBA-wide conference call voted. It's usually a good indication on how the voting will turn out.

At first glance, there are no Cavaliers players in line for any of the postseason awards.

X X X
The local chapter of the Pro Basketball Writers Association voted for the Austin Carr Good Guy Award on Thursday. The coveted award winner will be announced next week. We present the winner with a plaque before the last home game of the season.

X X X
As a way to honor retiring radio broadcaster Joe Tait, the local media will wear Tait-like sweaters for Friday's game. I have to tell you, I'll really miss having him around.

My idea was to hang a giant Tait-like sweater from the rafters instead of a jersey. It's not the worst idea. The Cavs will hang his jersey on Friday and, as per his instructions, there will be a brief ceremony.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Game 78: Cavs at Raptors

CAVS (17-61) 104, TORONTO RAPTORS (21-57) 96
at Air Canada Centre
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavaliers are getting it together, now? Just when it looked like they had the worst record in the NBA wrapped up, they decide they want to win games.

They won back-oto-back games for the first time since they won three in row on Nov. 5-9. They also beat Charlotte at home on Tuesday.

The Cavs opened up a 22-point lead in the first half. However, the Raptors pulled within five points with eight minutes remaining.

It wasn’t until guard Baron Davis returned to the game that order was restored for the Cavs. He ended with 19 points, 12 assists and three steals. If you haven't noticed - and not all of you have - he's pretty good and brings a swagger to the court.

As I wrote last Sunday in my NBA notes, if the Cavs are lucky enough to draft Kyrie Irving, who better for him to work under than Davis?

J.J. Hickson paced the Cavs with 28 points, 10 rebounds and a block against the Raptors. Hickson has 23 double-doubles since Jan. 9 (42 games), including seven double-doubles in the last nine games. In those nine games (since March 23), he is averaging 20 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

The Cavs turned the ball over just eight times on Wednesday.

They’ve been the NBA’s worst team all season, as evidenced by their 26-game losing streak. They are now 17-61, one-half game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the worst record in the league. The Timberwolves are 17-62 and have seemingly packed it in. They've lost 12 in a row.

The Cavs have four games remaining. Only one of their opponents is a playoff team (Chicago on Friday at The Q). The Timberwolves have just three games left in the 2010-11 season.

Cavs forward/center Samardo Samuels sat out with a strained groin. Center Semih Erden didn't even make the trip. Swingman Christian Eyenga made the trip, but suffered a DNP-CD.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. James Johnson (6-9, 245)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Reggie Evans (6-8, 245)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. Ed Davis (6-10, 225)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. DeMar DeRozan (6-7, 220)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Jose Carderon (6-3, 200)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, C Semih Erden.
Raptors – F Linas Kleiza, C Andrea Bargnani, G Leandro Barbosa.
OFFICIALS
Mike Callahan, Matt Boland, Brian Forte

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Game 77: Bobcats at Cavs

CAVS (16-61) 99, CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (32-45) 89
at Quicken Loans Arena
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs avoided having the worst record in franchise history, but it came at a price.

The Cavs' all-time worst marks were set in 1970-71 and 1981-82 at 15-67. Now, they have 16 wins and won't go into the record books for the worst team ever.

However, with Minnesota's loss to New Jersey, it is just one-half game behind the Cavs for the worst record in the NBA. The Cavs are 16-61, while the Timberwolves are 17-61.

My guess is that the Timberwolves won't win again this season. The Cavs could win one or possibly two. They don't want to blow this now. Prediction: Both teams finish 17-65.

There are no tie-breakers in this affair. They just split ping-pong balls.

For a team with so much on the line, the Bobcats played with little emotion. They are now 2 1/2 games behind No. 8 Indiana for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

J.J. Hickson took it upon himself to stop Bobcats forward Boris Diaw on Tuesday. He held him to just three points. Diaw had 26 points in Charlotte's win last week.

The Bobcats played without veteran swingman Stephen Jackson, who is bothered by a sore hamstring. That contributed to them shooting 39 percent from the field.

Samardo Samuels was sidelined for the Cavs with a strained groin.

The Cavs are 11-1 lifetime against the Bobcats at The Q.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Dante Cunningham (6-8, 230)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Boris Diaw (6-8, 245)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. Kwame Brown (6-11, 270)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Gerald Henderson (6-5, 215)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. D.J. Augustin (6-0, 180)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, C Semih Erden.
Bobcats – C DeSagana Diop, C Joey Przybilla, G Shaun Livington.
OFFICIALS
Tom Washington, David Guthrie, Mark Lindsay

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Game 76: Cavs at Knicks

NEW YORK KNICKS (38-38) 123, CAVS (15-61) 107
at Madison Square Garden
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED The Cavs' luck ran out against the Knicks, who wrapped up their first playoff spot since 2004 with the victory.

The Knicks snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Cavs. Some how, the Cavs had won the first three meetings with the Knicks this season. That all came to an end on Sunday.

Perhaps the Cavs should petition the league to stop playing on the Sabbath. The Cavs are 0-12 on Sunday this season. When they look back on Sunday's loss, they need to look no futher than their 22 turnovers. It doesn't matter who you are playing, you're not going on the road and winning after turning the ball over that many times.

The Cavs welcomed back forward/center Samardo Samuels on Sunday. He finished with nine points and nine rebounds. But he turned the ball over five times.

He had missed the previous three games with a sprained right wrist. His post presence is missed on the Cavs. They competed on the boards on Sunday, 38-36. That's a stark contrast to Friday's game in Washington when they were ambushed on the boards.

The Knicks' Big Three of Amar'e Stoudemire (28), Carmelo Anthony (25) and Chauncey Billups (23) combined for 76 points. They pretty much scored at will against the Cavs.

Forward J.J. Hickson paced the Cavs with 23 points and eight rebounds. Guard Baron Davis added 22 points, 12 in the second quarter.

Besides the turnovers, the Cavs also were miserable from the foul line. The Cavs shot 53 percent from the field, but only marginally better at the foul line (58 percent).

The Knicks only missed two free throws in 33 attempts.

The Cavs need one win to avoid tying the worst record in franchise history (15 wins in 1970-71 and 1981-82). They have six games remaining in the dreadful 2010-11 season, starting with Charlotte on Tuesday at The Q.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Carmelo Anthony (6-8, 230)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Amar'e Stoudemire (6-10, 240)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. Sheldon Williams (6-9, 250)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Landry Fields (6-7, 210)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Chauncey Billups (6-3, 210)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, C Semih Erden.
Knicks – G Roger Mason, G Andy Rautins, F Derrick Brown.
OFFICIALS
Derrick Stafford, Brent Barnaky, David Jones

Friday, April 1, 2011

Game 75: Cavs at Wizards

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (19-56) 115, CAVS (15-60) 107
at Verizon Center
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED The Cavs failed to take advantage of a major break when Wizards guard John Wall was suspended without pay for Friday's game. He allegedly threw a punch at Heat center Zydrunas Ilgauskas in Wednesday's game.

He was replaced by rookie Jordan Crawford, who recorded his first triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. In the game before that on Wednesday vs. the Heat, he scored a career-high 39 points.

Do you think the Wizards should let this play out a bit? He's obviously ready to play.

The Eastern Conference's two worst teams clashed on Friday. The Wizards embarrassed the Cavs on the boards, 56-38. They had an incredible 27 offensive rebounds, 16 by power forward Andray Blatche.

That's a season high in the league this year and just five shy of the all-time NBA mark set by Moses Malone.

Center JaVale McGee was also huge with 25 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Blatche, though, was just unstoppable. The Cavs' bigs - J.J. Hickson, Ryan Hollins and Luke Harangody - just weren't up to the task of keeping the 6-11 Blatche and 7-1 McGee off the boards.

The Cavs have just a 1 1/2-game lead on Minnesota (17-59) for the worst record in the league. The Timberwolves appear to have totally packed it in and would love nothing better than to head into the draft lottery with the worst mark.

The Cavs have 15 wins and need one more to escape the worst record in franchise history. There are six games remaining in the dreadful 2010-11 season.

The Cavs played without forward/center Samardo Samuels, who is suffering from a sprained right wrist. He'll likely play in the New York game on Sunday.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Maurice Evans (6-5, 220)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Andray Blatche (6-11, 250)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. JaVale McGee (7-0, 252)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Othyus Jeffers (6-4, 220)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Jordan Crawford (6-4, 195)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, C Semih Erden.
Wizards – F Rashard Lewis, G/F Josh Howard, F Trevor Booker.
OFFICIALS
Pat Fraher, John Goble, Josh Tiven