2009 Cavs: Gone, But Not Forgotten (Look Ahead to 2010)

Every year, it’s a seamless transition for me: football to basketball to baseball to football to basketball to baseball. It never ends, and you really can’t distinguish the where it begins (just ask my wife).

It’s been that way since I was a kid. I’ve followed the Redskins as long as I can remember (1982) and somewhere along the line, I picked up the Reds and the Cavaliers. Since college, I’ve also added the University of Oklahoma to my list of teams, but if we’re talking the “big three” for me, it’s the Redskins, Reds, and Cavs (in no particular order).

For argument’s sake, we’ll say I’ve followed all three of those teams “closely” since 1990. That is a total of 58 seasons. Of those 58 seasons, exactly two have ended up in championships (1990 Reds and 1991 Redskins). In addition to those two teams, only the 2007 Cavs won even a conference championship. The Redskins haven’t even appeared in a conference title game since that 1991 season and the Reds haven’t made an appearance in the NLCS since 1995.

These are not good numbers.

Still, a good number of the 58 teams have wrapped me around the collective fingers. Here are my top 5 all-time favorite teams (it has a point).

5. 2007 Cavs: First team in Cavs history to make it to the NBA Finals. They won 50 games that year (16 fewer than they won this year) and they were truly a one-man show in the post-season. They had no answer for the Spurs in the Finals, but they did provide Cavs fans with the greatest season in their history and a thrilling series win over Detroit in the East Finals.

4. 2005 Redskins: A triumphant season for Joe Gibbs in his second year back in the NFL. A gritty team that caught fire late in the season and beat their three NFC East rivals down the stretch to make the playoffs (including a 35-7 drubbing of the Cowboys). They upset the Bucs in the wild card round before bowing out to the eventual NFC champion Seahawks in Seattle. Sean Taylor led the defense and Santana Moss and Clinton Portis had huge years for the offense. A memorable team.

3. 1999 Reds: Had they won one more game that season, they may have found themselves at the top of this list. I LOVED that team and what they brought to Reds fans in the summer of 1999. They won 96 games, but fell to the Mets in a one-game playoff for the wild card. In almost any other year, 96 wins would have easily earned the Reds a playoff berth, but they picked a bad year to be very good. The Reds lost two of three games during the last series of the season in Milwaukee and the details from those losses are forever etched in my memory. An underdog team with huge heart.

2. 1991 Redskins: Undoubtedly the most dominant team I’ve ever followed. The Redskins started 11-0 that season and cruised through the playoffs and the Bills in the Super Bowl. An underrated team on the all-time scale as well—often forgotten because that season was so incredibly easy for them. A very typical Joe Gibbs team that had all the right parts working in unison. Two Hall of Famers in their prime on that team (Art Monk and Darrell Green) and several other players who have HOF arguments (Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Wilbur Marshall). Also boasted a brilliant coaching staff.

2009 Cavs: Yep, my all-time favorite team, despite the fact that they came up short against Orlando. The Cavs had a phenomenal season—out hustling and out working their opponents on a nightly basis. Lebron James earned his MVP award, but he was not alone—his supporting cast was excellent and gave Lebron plenty of time to rest throughout the year. An infectiously fun team that was historically good at home. A very good cast of characters that were unfortunately exposed on the floor in the East Finals by a superior Magic team. You don’t win 66 games by accident and you don’t do it by being a one-man show. They clearly had flaws we didn’t see until the very end, but the reason we didn’t see them was because they played so hard all year to cover them up—and I will never fault a team for that.

As a fan, this Cavs playoff loss will rank as one of my all-time disappointments—quite possibly the most down I’ve ever been following the end of a season. This is a team that deserved to win and a fanbase that deserved a winner. The way this season ended will linger for a long, long time. But on the bright side, I do not feel as if a window has closed on these Cavs—maybe this was needed in order for them to put the final pieces of the puzzle together? But truth be told, it’s hard to focus on bright sides less than 24 hours after your season ends.

Off-Season Thoughts:

Lots of criticism being levied at Mike Brow, Mo Williams, and Delonte West for the loss to the Magic. While it’s fairly obvious that Brown got out-dueled by Stan Van Gundy at least a little bit in the series, I do not think there was a coaching answer to what the Magic presented the Cavs. It’s pretty simple: The Magic had a big man dominate down low (Howard) whenever the Cavs went one-on-one with him. And when the Cavs doubled, his teammates hit shots—they did it all game, every game of the series.

The big problem with the Cavs in this series was their lack of post presence. Not only did Howard own the paint when the Magic had the ball, but the Cavs were completely unable to establish any offense from the post. Their best bet was Lebron driving to the lane or West backing down his man for a turn-around jumper. Zydrunas Illgauskas is still a perimeter threat, but his low post game has dwindled to almost nothing. When the Cavs have the ball, the basically run a four-guard offense (Lebron, West, Mo, and Z). Anderson Varejao is a good garbage man and nuisance for the other team, but he and Z are a poor combo to have on the floor at once. Problem is that Mike Brown had few other options. Ben Wallace provides zero on offense and he is on his last legs due to age and injury anyway.

The Cavs need more size, athleticism, and youth at the 4/5 positions. Lebron, Mo, and West are a fine trio and you can live with the lack of size from the two guards if you have big men who can handle things in the paint.

The Cavs should target two types of players in this off-season:

--A true big man that has merit on BOTH ends of the floor.
--A longer, more athletic 2/3 to help defensively and add an offensive boost off the bench).

The list of unrestricted free agents this summer is somewhat underwhelming. Obviously, the Cavs main priority is to get Lebron to sign an extension. But that is out of their hands. They can (and will) offer him the max, it’s up to Lebron if he wants to sign it or wait until next summer to decide. In the meantime, all the Cavs can do is prepare the roster to entice Lebron to come back. With Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade free agents after next season, the Cavs may not want to lock up much money this coming off-season.

But if they decide to spend the cash, here are some interesting names:

Rasheed Wallace: A fantastic complementary player when he wants to be. But is age catching up with him? Would he be willing to play more in the post?

Chris Anderson: Nuggets will most likely re-sign the Birdman, but he could fill Varejao’s role if he leaves for a big contract elsewhere.

Shawn Marion: Never been a huge fan, but his game might suit the Cavs well. They will not need to rely on him for any sort of perimeter offense—he could play the 3 or 4 position and be a defensive stopper/slasher. I could see him doing well with Lebron.

Ron Artest: Not sure if he’d be the right fit, and you’re always worried about what he might do next, but there is no doubt that he is one of the finest defensive players in the NBA and he is also a bigger guy that can handle the ball and spell Lebron for brief stretches.

Trevor Ariza: Makes perfect sense, but no way the Lakers let him walk after what he’s done for them in the post-season.

Each of the players on the above list have size and versatility—it would stand to reason that the Cavs would improve by signing any of them.

The one name not on this list that intrigues me the most?

Shaquille O’Neal. He looked refreshed and motivated last season and you know he’s dying to win one more title—especially if Kobe gets his this year. And it doesn’t hurt that Shaq seems offended by Dwight Howard’s success. The Suns have no use for Shaq at this point and a team like Cleveland is a logical destination. The Cavs could use Shaq sparingly in the regular season and save him for the stretch run. Depending on the price, I might make Shaq my number one off-season priority if I was Danny Ferry. Shaq gets his last ring while helping Lebron get his first? I can see it now.......

The Ultimate E-Mail War: Kobe vs. Lebron

My good friend Eric is a die-hard Lakers fan, and therefore, a Kobe supporter.

I am, of course, a Cavs fan, and therefore, a Lebron supporter.

As our two teams have crept closer and closer to a possibly meeting in the NBA Finals this June, our exchanges have gotten more and more heated. I am posting a recent email exchange that articulates both points of view pretty well.


From Eric:

Not surprisingly, I have a response for our little email exchange last night.

There are certain teams in sports that are just immensely hateable. We talk about them all the time, and I mentioned a few in the subject. Now, you hate some teams more than me and I hate some more than you, but we all really despise certain teams for our own reasons. It just so happens that most of these teams are very successful and are definitely hated more by people than loved. Kobe Bryant may not be a team, but you can definitely add him to this list.

Is it all because of Colorado? No, but it does play a contributing factor. He has a personality which makes it hard to like him. Growing up it Italy, very distant from the best country in the world for basketball, and his dream of playing in the NBA, I think he felt isolated. I think he felt that he was "away from the action" and every day the guy drilled and thought about nothing all day except how to get better, and how to take on all great young players in America when he returned. Does this mindset still reside within him? Yes, but not to the extent that it used to. He has matured a bit. This is where I compare him to Favre. Both of them amaze, excite, and enthrall their fans. They both love their sports more than life itself and it defines who they are. Both play every game like it is their last game, and both expect their teammates sometimes to do things that Favre and Kobe just don't understand why they cannot do. It is the price of their competitiveness and greatness.

While both men have become smarter as their careers have ensued, and I do believe Bryant to be a slightly better hooper than Favre a football player, they still have that edge to them that excites everyone in the building. Through rape allegations, fights with superstars, an aloof personality, drama queen syndrome, constant griping at the front office, constant comebacks and interviews, and doing things that make fans cringe at times, there is a certain quality Kobe and Favre possess that make them "cult heroes" to the people that love them. They do it their way, and, in Kobe's sake, the "rebel" way. Remember, Kobe is a Laker and the Lakers are hated. And he is like Jordan. And he fought Shaq. And he fought Phil. And Colorado. In some ways, I think Kobe is a bit misunderstood, and when he retires, I bet he stays retired.

Lebron is just in another universe right now. Granted, the competition is less than stellar (not a shot), but the Cavs just play with so much heart, passion, and togetherness. Lebron is not the only reason, as Mike Brown and a very underappreciated supporting cast have been flying somehow under the radar all season. AV is a warrior, Z is still very good with no feet, DW is very tough and solid, Mo has been Jason Terry, the bench gives you energy and many guys who were former starters. While the Cavs have no clear # 2, they have all the other pieces. And, with Lebron, the need for a great # 2 is not there. Maybe if they lose to the Lakers in the Finals, it will be exposed. But this guy is on another planet. He is drilling midrange jumpers that he used to miss, and he is hitting the 3. Passing? Very good. Rebounding? Only 10 per game. Defense? Second best in the league after the whole world was ripping him for not playing it consistently. Free throws? Improved 8 percent.

The difference is Lebron learned this summer what it takes to be a professional in the truest sense. Guys like Shaq and Lebron have so much physical superiority that it tended to come easy for them. I am not comparing Lebron's work ethic to Shaq (The Crispy Cream Commercial is epic, you tube it), but you see my point. Kobe, Magic, MJ, Bird, Russell, Hakeem, Duncan, Jabbar, those guys were not perfect athletic physical specimens. Lebron, along with Shaq and Wilt, are the three specimens of the game. Shaq has the flaws of conditioning and free throws. Wilt had the questions about his heart and he couldn't hit free throws. Right now, there is not a thing Lebron is doing wrong. He has it all. He scores like Kobe and MJ, passes like Bird, powers like Karl Malone, handles the ball and his team like Magic, as well as excites the entire stadium and city, like Magic, and is now starting to even shoot almost as well as Kobe, MJ, and Bird (not him). Simply put: There is nothing stopping this guy from being the greatest player ever. He is the most talented player to ever play the game.



Yet, the man from Italy, who enjoys and probably has been dreaming his whole life for the opportunity to have this type of challenge, is in the way. Good vs. Evil. Likeablility vs. Non-likeability, Hero vs. Villain. Hollywood vs. Coal Town. Let's just hope it happens.



My Response:

It's tough to really judge any of these guys personally, because we obviously don't know them. Having said that, it's human nature to pick and choose sides and decide who you "like" more. We'll never truly know about these guys-- all we can go on is what we see, hear, and feel in our gut.

Based on his public actions, private rumors, and my gut, I don't like Kobe. I don't think he's a "good dude." I'm not saying he's evil or a horrible human being, but he seems like a jerk to me-- a selfish jerk. Kobe is a basketball phenom and I truly do admire his work ethic and committment. In that way, he is very much like Jordan and even as a Cavs fan and Lebron admirerer, I can fully aknowledge that Kobe is at least still Lebron's equal, if not a tad better as an overall player. Kobe is a once-in-a-generation player, no doubt.

But I disagree with your Favre comparison and your "love of the game" comment. I"m not sure Kobe loves basketball as much as he loves proving something to the world. What "that" is, I'm not sure, but I think you hit on some good points.

Here is the reason Kobe is not as widely embraced as you'd think he would be: No joy. Kobe never looks like he's having fun. His intensity manifests itself in scowls, cocky stares, etc.. there is no playfullness to him-- no irony or humor. He is a brick wall. Lebron goes through his little routines and antics, but those routines and antics always seem to be done a little tongue-in-cheek, and they quite often involve his teammates.

Mike Tirico, who does pro sports all over the place, said that Quciken Loans Arena is the best atmosphere in pro sports right now-- that's quite a statement and a testament to the kind of joy Lebron has brought to that city and team.

As much as I think Favre is overrated, I know why he is so loved: He was a joyful player-- and that kind of thing is infectious for both teammates and fans. Kobe is very clearly trying extremely hard right now to be a leader and "toughen up" a somewhat soft team-- and it might work, but it just looks so awkward and forced to me. He doesn't seem comfortable with any kind of personal interaction-- and that makes it tough to lead. Kobe is a loner...in some ways, I am sure that helps his game...he is still the best go-to guy in the league because he has no fear on the court. I think some of Kobe rubbed off on Lebron at the Olympics-- because Lebron does seem to take things a bit more seriously now and he has absolutely stepped up his defense and nightly intensity.

But I'm not sure Lebron has rubbed off on Kobe because I just don't think Kobe is wired that way. I think Lebron is more like Favre and Kobe is more like A-Rod. If the Lakers and Cavs meet in the Finals, it will be a true classic for all the reasons you mentioned.