Damon Jones Adds Spark In Win

Damon Jones scored 19 points, including the go-ahead basket with 19 seconds left, to the lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 87-83 pre-season victory over the Raptors at Nationwide Arena. The Cavaliers record is now a respectable 5-2 with one game left in the pre-season. The Raptors fall to 2-3.

LeBron James scored 22 points and fellow all-star Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 19 for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers defense limited the Raptors to just 16 points in the final period.

The Cavaliers played without four players who should be part of their rotation – guard Larry Hughes (finger), forward Drew Gooden (knee), forward Luke Jackson (ankle) and swingman Ira Newble (foot).

Donyell’s playing days in Toronto were not the best of times. Marshall’s 14 points did all of his talking though. Marshall left the Raptors as a free agent over the summer. “I loved the fans, the organization and ownership,” said Marshall. “I’ve moved on because I’m in a better time of my life. I’m laughing and smiling now and that’s all that matters.”
The Raptors, who play another exhibition game tonight in Winnipeg against the Portland Trail Blazers, made their first personnel moves of the preseason over the weekend, cutting guards Tierre Brown and Robert Pack, along with forward Bryant Matthews.
The moves leave Toronto with 16 players. The team must get down to 15 before the start of the regular season on Nov. 2.
For a complete look at the box scores click HERE.

Number 23 admits being “stupid”!

Alright, before anyone get confused here, I am talking about the other 23, Michael Jordan. That’s one thing I have in common with LeBron James beside my high flying dunk ;) we are both big fans of MJ. So, in case you read our blog, LeBron, you might want to DVR this interview.

Jordan told CBS “60 Minutes” in an interview to be broadcast Sunday Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. ET, that he admits being “stupid” in his gambling, but never jeopardized his livelihood or his family.
He said his gambling is related to his fierce competitiveness. But he realized when he stepped over the line.
Michael Jordan new book - Driven from within
“Yeah, I’ve gotten myself into gambling situations where I would not walk away and I’ve pushed the envelope,” Jordan said in the interview.
“It’s very embarrassing. one of the things you totally regret. So you look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I was stupid.’ ”

Jordan feels used by the Washington Wizards and he was only trying to help the organization to get back on their feet.

“I didn’t have to start playing again,” says Jordan. “But I did it with the benefit of trying to help an organization to get back on their feet. And the gratitude that was given? It was, ‘your service is no longer wanted or needed.’ So I felt like I was used in a sense,”

Michael Jordan also has a new book titled “Driven from Within.”

How Have They Fared So Far?

The Cavaliers are 4-2 through six of the eight pre-season games. How do you think they have played so far this season? Who do you think, if anyone, has either met or not met your expectations? We would like to hear from you. Please send us an email with your thoughts or comment to this posting. For a rundown of the scores and Stats per game through the first six games, click HERE.

Cavaliers Vs. Wizards W 116-94
Cavaliers Vs. Celtics W 96-86
Cavaliers Vs. Sixers L 100-98
Cavaliers Vs. Bucks L 91-89
Cavaliers Vs. Grizzlies W 88-84
Cavaliers Vs. Sixers W 106-102

Friendly Reminder to LeBron, Get Back on Defense

LeBron James finished with a team high 30 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Philadelphia 76ers 106-102 Thursday night.

Midway through the fourth quarter on a baseline move, LeBron thought he had been fouled which resulted in a turnover.

He glared at the nearest official. He stood indignant as the play headed to other end of the court.

Coach Brown called James to the bench for a reminder about hustling back in transition. LeBron had no problem with the coach friendly reminder about playing both ends.

“I got to respect Coach for that and get back on defense… instead of standing down there and crying about a foul,’” James said. “I got a bad habit with that, but I’m working on it.”

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 21 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, and Damon Jones added 14 points. With 7:20 left, Jackson hit a shot clock-beating 30-footer to give the Cavaliers the lead at 93-90.

Larry Hughes sat out the second half for precautionary reasons, nursing a finger injury he sustained Saturday night against Milwaukee.

Donyell Marshall missed the Sixers game with tendonitis in his right elbow. Marshall said the injury isn’t serious and that he would have played if it had been a regular-season game.

Ira Newble missed his sixth consecutive game with a foot strain. Martynas Andriuskevicius (flu-like symptoms) did not make the trip.

This was James first time back at Sovereign Bank Arena since scoring 50 points there in a high school game.

CAVS WIN – Lebron Is BACK

The Cavaliers won their pre-season game Wednesday evening 88-84 against the unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies. The Cavaliers (3-2) were led by Lebron James with 26 points followed by Drew Gooden with 18. Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 24. The offense for both team were fairly sluggish. Lebron, fueled by his innate desire to win, scored a 3 pointer and grabbed a commanding rebound to help seal the win. For a complete game recap click here.

LeBron James Support New NBA Dress Code

On Monday, the NBA announced in a memo to teams that a dress code will go into effect at the start of the season. Saying players must dress in “business casual” attire, the league banned items such as sleeveless shirts, shorts, sunglasses while indoors, and headphones during team or league business.

The policy also requires players on the bench who are not in uniform to wear sport jackets, shoes and socks.

LeBron James was among those who saw the reasoning behind the new rules.

“Sometimes you feel lazy on a flight and you don’t want to put (dress) clothes on,” James said. “But this is a job and we want to have fun, but it’s a job and we should look like we’re going to work.”

LeBron Hopes to Play Tomorrow

LeBron James is feeling better, and will try to play in the Cavaliers’ exhibition game Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I’m 90 percent better than I was last week, but I’m not where I want to be,” he said. “But I’ll get there.”

“I want to get out there with my teammates and see how it goes,” James said after practice. “I’ll play as many minutes as I can or as many minutes as coach (Mike Brown) will allow me.”

Martynas Andriuskevicius (flu-like symptoms) – Did Not Practice Today – DOUBTFUL for tomorrow’s game vs. Memphis

Ira Newble (right foot strain) – Practiced Today – QUESTIONABLE for tomorrow’s game vs. Memphis

Sasha Pavlovic (left hip pointer) – Practiced Today – QUESTIONABLE for tomorrow’s game vs. Memphis