Cavaliers Team Forecast by Hollinger

Here is a great article by John Hollinger recapping the 2006-07 season presenting an alternate narrative than “LeBron James, LeBron James, LeBron James, LeBron James, LeBron James, LeBron James, LeBron James.”

“While King James certainly was a major factor, especially when his outrageous one-man show produced 25 straight points to defeat Detroit in Game 5 of the conference finals, the Cavs didn’t succeed because of their ability to score.”

He discussed their shooting percentage witch ranked 29th in the NBA and contribute their success to great defense the team showed and coached by Mike Brown.

“Cleveland was good at nearly everything [defensively], including forcing a high rate of turnovers and a sub par shooting percentage, but where they really excelled was in a specialty coach Mike Brown imported from San Antonio — cutting off the 3-point line.”

He also credited Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry for the addition of Devin Brown because he is still “better than Snow or Jones. Compared to either of those two, Brown will seem like a godsend”

Hollinger predicting the Cavaliers to improve to 54-28 and finish second in the conference.

He is also predicting another move before mid-October because the Cavaliers have a $2 million trade exception that expires in mid-October. 

You can read the full article at ESPN.COM

Grizzlies hire Mark Price

Someone thought that the career leader in assists and 19th in league history with a three-point field-goal of 40.2% might be of some help  The Memphis Grizzlies signed Mark Price, the NBA’s all-time free-throw percentage leader, as their shooting coach.
Price, a four-time All-Star, spent 12 years in the NBA, most of them with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I’m very excited to be working for the Grizzlies,” Price said. “They have a whole new staff from the general manager to the coaching staff. There’s a lot of talent to work with, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Source:  ESPN

Cavaliers’ camp to open today, Eric Snow might have surgery

The Cavaliers will open their first day of training camp today in their new training facility in Independence. Point guard Eric Snow suffered a knee injury while training last week in Atlanta.

Snow might have surgery early this week to repair a torn meniscus, his agent, Steve Kauffman, said Sunday. He might miss all pre season because such injuries take about four to six weeks to heal after successful arthroscopic surgery.

Sasha and Anderson Varejao might not report to camp since the Cavs were unable to come to terms with Pavlovic and Varejao, both restricted free agents, by Sunday night. Their one-year qualifying offers expired at midnight.

Source: Akron Beacon Journal

Lebron James opens up to Cleveland Media

LeBron James discussed every thing from the Cavaliers’ new practice facility to his eye sur gery and the Indians’ chances in the playoffs in an exclusive telephone interview with The Plain Dealer on Thursday.

James spoke after completing a conference call promoting his appearance as host of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this Saturday.

In his first extensive interview since the Cavs lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals last June, James expounded on a variety of subjects, not all of which will please Cleveland fans. For a complete review of the Q&A click HERE

Devin Brown signs with Cavs

The Cavaliers have signed journeyman guard Devin Brown to a contract, league sources said Thursday.

Brown, 28, is 6-5, 220 pounds and holds the career scoring record at Texas-San Antonio. He has played in 274 games over parts of five seasons, averaging 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds. He started 49 games for New Orleans last season, averaging 11.6 points and 4.3 boards.  For stats and more information about Devin Brown click HERE

Source:  Cleveland.Com

King James Eyes 2008

LeBron James led the underdog Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA finals last season and the 22-year-old known as “King James” is seeking to do even better with two crowns in 2008.
The dream double for James is to lead the Cavs to their first NBA title and help return the United States to hoops supremacy at the Beijing Olympics.
“I want to continue to grow as a leader,” James told Reuters about his goals with the Cavaliers in a telephone interview on Thursday.
“It’s about becoming a better leader and leading our team. As an individual, as a basketball player, I want to keep on improving every summer.
“Can I lead my team to the promised land? I’m going to try and do that.”
James was no less emphatic about his Olympic quest.
“I think it’s a big challenge for us, and I think it’s going to be a great experience trying to bring USA basketball back on top…to try to help change what’s going on with the USA basketball team and bring it back to dominance.”
“Definitely playing into June made the summer shorter,” James said in a break from rehearsals for his hosting stint on the “Saturday Night Live” television show.
James said he did not feel worn out.
“I feel great. It was one of the best summers I ever had as an individual preparing for a new season. Physically, I’m fine and I’m ready to play another full season.”

Source:  Guardian Unlimited

DISH Network to offer HD for the Cleveland Cavaliers

DISH Network(r), home of the best sports and movies in HD as well as the best HD DVR in the industry, announced today the launch of four regional sports networks in high definition (HD).
The four regional sports networks now featuring game-only HD content on DISH Network are:
 * Altitude Sports and Entertainment (ch. 360), known as the
   television home of the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche;
 * Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic (ch. 374), providing extensive
   coverage of professional teams from Washington, D.C.;
 * Comcast Sports Net West (ch. 359), featuring Sacramento Kings
   basketball; and
 * FOX Sports Ohio (ch. 375), delivering coverage of the Cleveland
   Cavaliers and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

For more information about DISH Network and the best in HD, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com or contact a local DISH Network retailer.