Cleveland's Finest

2012 NBA Draft Cavs Discussion Current picks: 1st round: 4, 24 2nd round: 33, 34 Because the Cavs have so many picks this year, I can see them making a trade to move up. A player who I really like is Iowa State's Royce White. I saw him play against UConn in the first round of March Madness, and he looked like a leader with all-around talent. A lot of people expect us to draft a big man too. I'll be fine with whoever we take with the fourth pick as long as its a SG/SF. Of Beal, MKG, and Barnes, none of them really stick out to me yet. What should the Cavs do with their four picks?

I think there are a few guys who should be untouchable in Denver. Ty Lawson is one for his talent obviously. He's one of the quickest players in the league and energized Denver's offense in the playoffs. They should also keep Afflalo and Faried. Those are the type of players you win with. They have the intangibles and leadership that you want on your team. I think the Nuggets will be better once they get Wilson Chandler for a full and healthy year. They have the length and three point shooting. They also have the veteran presence in Andre Miller and Al Harrington. What do I think they need? A full off-season and full season with this group. Last year, they had Chandler coming in the latter half of the season, and they also had JaVale entering the team at the trade deadline. Faried didn't become a starter until later in the season. The Nuggets team that we saw come together against LA is a much different team than the one that started the season. Once they get an offseason to come together with a plan and a mindset, we'll see if they can expand on that playoff performance.

Right now, it's Pierce all day. He was more about team than Melo, and it shows by sticking with the Celtics organization and trusting in them to make a move. His playoff acumen speaks for itself. Carmelo, meanwhile, has let trade talks, free agency, and other controversies affect the locker room. After he left Denver, look how well the Nuggets played as a team. Sure, he sells tickets, and can be labeled as the guy of your franchise. But, I feel I have a better chance of winning with Pierce on my team, and I don't have to work as hard to build a team around him. With Carmelo, it seems that it has been a hard task to build a winner around him in Denver and New York. Just look at the playoff history. Boston wasn't just good in the Big Three era. With Pierce, they advanced past the first round twice before KG and Ray Allen got there. Sure, Pierce has had a longer career, so there is a bigger body of work. Carmelo still has time to adjust his game and become better at winning. But because I don't think Carmelo will ever achieve such success in this league - I think he'll be lucky to reach the finals in his career - I think we'll look back and say Pierce had a better career and was a better overall player.

That picture is funny until you realize that he values the fourth quarter, so it makes sense. He also values winning in pressure situations, so it also makes sense. Therefore, the picture isn't as funny. I personally like Skip and watch him every week. He and Steven A are the only good daily analysts for the most part on ESPN.

The Thunder could have done a better job of making him shoot threes. Way too many attempts in the paint. Looking at how well he did in the paint, you would think OKC played good defense on the 3 point shooters, but they gave up wide open threes. So, if they were giving LeBron what he wanted and giving up wide open threes, what was the defense trying to accomplish?

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I have to change my views. These playoffs have been a nightmare roller coaster. First, the Pacers take a 2-1 lead and are off to a hot start in game 4 and the end seems near. Then in the next round, Boston wins three in a row and loses a close out game in Boston. Yet they still have the lead in the fourth quarter in Game 7 before losing. Then, the team I had been holding out on, the Spurs, lose 4 straight after winning their first 10 in the playoffs, leaving the team that I had little confidence in, the Thunder, to face the Heat. They manage to win game 1 of the finals, but then proceed top drop three straight. As I hoped Russell Westbrook could carry his team to a 2-2 tie, I watched another close game go to Miami. Just like that, he's one freaking win away. I had it in my mind that LeBron would never win a title because I've held onto my feelings for almost two years. I'm fine with him chasing the ring, but I believed he will never win one. After watching these playoffs, it seems inevitable that he will win. What do I do once he does win? I debated that I would stop watching the NBA for awhile, but then I realized I'm the one who has to change. In order to respect someone, you have to accept them for who they are. I've held onto the past for too long. I've spoken my opinion and argued enough, so now it's time to just move on. Do I like LeBron now? No. Do I want him to come back to Cleveland or have his jersey retired here? No. I am now indifferent. If he wins, then so be it. I'm done rooting against the Heat. Times change and so do people, and I have to accept this. I've come to realize that my idea of LeBron never winning a title is unattainable. I am a Cleveland sports fan, and this is the first moment where I realize that things most of the times don't go our way. I wasn't present for most of the hard times when things didn't go our way, and I barely remember the Indians failures in the 90's. This is my first moment. The whole Decision and struggling with LeBron. This battle between the fans and LeBron is a no contest. We've shown our disgust, and it's done nothing. In fact, he's about to win a championship. The reason I considered not watching the NBA again is because everything will now be in the context of LeBron having won a title. During the post-game press conference, what will he say to us, if anything? How will ESPN show Cleveland's reaction? Heck, he's probably winning the MVP of the finals too. And then there's the banner ceremony next season. Then, when he comes back to Cleveland WITH the ring. It's not worth thinking like that anymore. I'm over it. I am a Cavs fan. I wanted to say this before the game to make things a little easier.

Going to the Indians/Pirates game today. We're 33-30, and the division-leading White Sox are 34-30, so we could be in first by the end of the day. Go Tribe!

I agree. A great example is Danny Green. He was the 16th pick in the 2nd round by the Cavs. He was a leader and a winner at UNC, winning a championship there and playing all four seasons (part of the most wins in UNC history). However, in the NBA, he barely played for the Cavs his first year. Next thing you know, he's starting shooting guard for the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. I'd prefer to take a player with leadership to accompany his tangible talents. It provides another useful dimension of the player, as opposed to just raw talent with no experience.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/No_Way_Out_%282012%29.jpg Steel Cage Match John Cena vs. The Big Show World Heavyweight Championship Sheamus © vs. Dolph Ziggler WWE Championship CM Punk © vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane Intercontinential Championship Christian © vs. Cody Rhodes Divas Championship Layla © vs. Beth Phoenix Brodus Clay vs. David Otunga +Also Triple H appears to address Brock Lesnar's situation

I expect Miami to do what it did in Game 1, and that is getting off to a fast start. I think the Heat will play much better defense, but the Thunder's ability to get out in transition will win them this at home. Expecting a big game from both Harden and Wade. Thunder 94, Heat 90

All of those would be good signings except Gerald Wallace. I don't see why he would go to a team rebuilding. Austin Rivers is too similar to Wall so I wouldn't draft him. They should draft Beal or MGK because they need wing players that can develop with Wall. No more Rashard Lewis

Underachieved. I understand Garnett was missing the second year, but they were up 3-2 on LA in the 2010 finals and couldn't finish them, which is unacceptable. They didn't show up to Game 6, and that one game alone killed a huge shot at winning a second title. If Garnett was healthy in 2009, I think they would have had a great shot at winning it...would've seen back to back to back Lakers-Celtics meetings possibly. They also get a bad mark for losing another possible series clincher against Miami last week at home. If they got one more title, I would have said that they had met my expectations.

Memphis doesn't need an elite wing defender...it already has Tony Allen. It gives Bulls some more athleticism, but it's unfair for Memphis unless a pick is added.

I heard rumors of us trading all four of our picks in the draft for those two, and it didn't involve Andy, so I'd rather do that. I would do the trade ONLY if the Cavs don't desire who the top 5 would be picking.

Boston had its opportunities...I'm in shock they lost it...had total control for awhile. Brandon Bass was great the first half. I've rooted for Boston so much since LBJ left that I felt somewhat sad for them. Their teamwork is fun to watch. At least they have that one title to hang their hat on. Oh well...time to Thunder up.

LBJ has Bosh and Wade, Durant has Westbrook and Harden...seems even to me Miami's supporting cast has more dependable three point shooters and better wing players. OKC has better length. I think both teams are pretty equal in talent.

Reminiscent of Cavs/Celtics Game 3 in 2010. That was impressive. It makes me sick that the Celtics played bad, even though it seemed more like the Heat were just better last night. Still optimistic about Game 7. During the third quarter Boston was so close to making a run but they kept missing shots after Heat misses.

Finished my first year of college, so I'll have lots more free time. Excited to see the change!

A lot of people here want us to trade up and get MKG.

Hard to believe...game 6 is going to be huge. That dunk by KG is my favorite play of the playoffs so far.

Celtics seem one step behind right now...hopefully they can pick it up.

I think I'm getting this after the Connected Careers reveal today...looks all-around entertaining.

I give huge credit to Boston. There were moments during that game when I felt it was over for sure. They played so well in the first half that it would be a shame if they lost, but I still felt that the Heat defense just would not let them score. They didn't really, as many Celtic possessions went the full 24 and ended with KG throwing up a bad jumper or even a 3 in one possession. Yet somehow, they were scrappy enough to prevent the Heat from taking a lead greater than two. With Pietrus and Daniels playing in overtime, they won. This was the Celtic's game to blow, and it felt like everything was transpiring the same way it did last year hone they played. Celtics are still in it. I don't know if they can win game 5. But if they win Game 6, don't discount the chance that they go on the road and win a Game 7. Celtics next time need to realize what Miami has in store in the second half, because the last three games Miami has really owned them in the 2nd half of the games.

Don't forget the partying with Dallas after the Mavs championship.

The fan in me realizes how many people were emotionally invested in the Cavs and LeBron as a loyal person to Ohio. Anything he brought to this franchise was tainted. I think "those were the days, but then again, knowing what he did, do those moments really have any value anymore?" I could care less about the money he brought us... Saying he "went about it the wrong way" comes nowhere close to the feelings he brought among the fan base. Maybe it does to non-Cavs fans who were initially pissed. Ilgauskas wrote a freaking letter in the Cleveland Plain Dealer thanking us after merely signing with the Heat. It's too late now for LeBron to have an emotional apology because if he hasn't gotten it now, he won't in the near future. The ONLY way I'll consider a true apology sincere is if he doesn't win in Miami. If he wins a title in Miami and then apologizes, it taints the realness of it. It would feel like such a FU. It's my standards in particular; maybe it's different for others. If he never wins and realizes "Gee, I had a right to leave, but boy, did I really [expletive] with those fans' feelings. Maybe saying 'I didn't go about it the right way' shouldn't justify as an acceptable apology. Maybe the passion and respect they had for me should be reciprocated in my apology. Maybe they deserve something from the heart, because that's all I ever got from them." This is coming from a fan who invested a lot in believing that he may be different from other athletes. The fan in me remembers the heartfelt and tearful reaction when we won the freaking Eastern Conference Finals, and I saw him and Z hug each other. It wasn't just them that were passionate though, it was a whole city buying into this guy as someone who we could trust. So yeah, "going about it the wrong way" may be due diligence for non Cavs fans who in the short term thought he was lame for what he did. But for the fans, who remember such moments and had an emotional investment into an athlete, as someone who could put the city back on the map and shut the haters up, maybe he could do something somewhat close to the heartfelt and passionate love we showed for him. A true apology should go to the fans and he should mention the city, Cleveland, by name. For guys who wanna say I'm butthurt, you know shit about this topic in comparison to me. There is no bias here because my feelings are perfectly understandable if you think about it from a fan's perspective who followed the franchise through this whole era. It makes perfect sense why I have such HATE because I see his ass being kissed all over on ESPN, and it continues to fuel my anger. Why shouldn't it? I'll never forget that moment because I owe it to my pride as a fan of this team to never forget what he did to disrespect it and its fan base.