Thursday, May 2
Ricky Rubio to put career on hold
5Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Ricky Rubio to put career on hold

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran point guard Ricky Rubio has announced he is putting his career as a professional basketball on hold. Rubio stated that he will be focusing on his mental health during his time away from the game. https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1687831844748754944?s=20 Taking time to focus on one's mental health is very important should an individual deem that necessary. Personal matters should always come first as there are more important things in life than a game. Basketball will always be there. There is no reason to put mental health on the back burner in order to play the game of basketball. Stepping away and taking the right steps to improve mental health when needed is and will always be the correct course of action.
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Darius Garland on Knicks: “They beat us up”
4Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Darius Garland on Knicks: “They beat us up”

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland did not mince words when describing their postseason exit at the hands of the New York Knicks. Garland spoke with Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor and described the overall physical nature of their playoff matchup with New York. I think their physicality took a toll on us in that series. They beat us up. We now know how physical the game is in the playoffs and we know how fast the pace is and every possession matters. Just taking little bits and pieces of that series and trying to put it together for the regular season and then also carry that into the playoffs. Darius Garland on series with Knicks Darius Garland also made sure to note that this was the first playoff action for a lot of the Cavs' players. This is something that is very importan...
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Cavs crack Top 10 in ESPN Power Ranking
3Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavs crack Top 10 in ESPN Power Ranking

Are the Cleveland Cavaliers a Top 10 team in the NBA? ESPN seems to think so as they have the Cavs just making the cut in their post-offseason power rankings. A group including Kendra Andrews, crybaby Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim McMahon, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk was consulted when putting together this list. This group ultimately has Cleveland ranked ninth in the NBA. McMenamin provided the information on the Cavs' entry. After the franchise's momentum was stalled with a first-round flameout against New York, the Cavs have had a strong offseason -- from adding Max Strus and Georges Niang to rookie Emoni Bates looking like a potential steal in Cleveland's run to the summer league championship. Still, the biggest question remains if the team can make enough...
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When to expect a possible Donovan Mitchell extension
2Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs, Featured

When to expect a possible Donovan Mitchell extension

What is the expected timeline for contract extension talks between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell? The future of Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland has been one of two recurring topics this offseason, (the other being trade rumors involving Jarrett Allen). While there is no genuine information at this time about a potential departure, that not has stopped speculation from those in other larger markets. ESPN's Brian Windhorst made an appearance Monday on NBA Today, providing some insight into the situation. I don't think under any circumstances he was ever considering extending this season, and I think the Cavs knew that when they traded for him Brian Windhorst on Donovan Mitchell Windhorst would also add that it is next year when should be any sort of pressure to s...
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Jarrett Allen an option for New Orleans? Cavs big man named possible target for Pelicans
1Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Jarrett Allen an option for New Orleans? Cavs big man named possible target for Pelicans

Trade rumors involving Jarrett Allen just never seem to go away. Unlike those involving Donovan Mitchell, this seems to be rooted more in reality. There are concerns about the long-term viability of Allen and Evan Mobley and moving the former could lead to better results for the latter. A discussion-style article between William Guillory and John Hollinger appeared in The Athletic with Jarrett Allen being mentioned as a possibility to go to New Orleans. Guillory mentioned the Cavs' center as an option for the Pelicans. With Valančiūnas heading into the final year of his deal, the Pels have been sniffing around for other options in recent months. There have been rumors of them exploring potential deals for Jarrett Allen or Isaiah Stewart, but nothing has materialized quite yet. Wil...
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MLB trade deadline: More teams in the mix for Justin Verlander
1Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Beyond Believeland

MLB trade deadline: More teams in the mix for Justin Verlander

At least one mystery team has emerged as a potential suitor for New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander. This is according to a report from Jon Heyman via Twitter. Mystery team(s) emerging for Justin Verlander. In other words “other significant interest” beyond the known Astros and Dodgers Jon Heyman on Justin Verlander's market via Twitter The Dodgers and Astros were mentioned as teams interested in Verlander previously with Houston being seen as an also-ran of sorts due to difficulties they could have in making a deal. The Astros are still in the mix and should be considered as such until Verlander lands elsewhere. Los Angeles still appears to be a very likely destination but the presence of at least one mystery team could alter the chances of Verlander donning a Dodgers uniform....
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Are the Cavs projected to be better or worse in 2023-24?
31Jul By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Are the Cavs projected to be better or worse in 2023-24?

There are plenty of reasons for optimism regarding how the Cavs will do in 2023-24. The front office addressed areas of need, but will the team actually be better next season? This is a fair question to pose about the newly reconfigured Cavaliers. A recent article published by Bleacher Report's Dan Favale believes that to be the case. This is not necessarily surprising considering the Cavs were named as one of the most improved teams previously by Favale. The additions of Max Strus and Georges Niang were noted as reasons to believe they are better off. Max Strus and Georges Niang bring legitimate outside touch on high volume. The floor will open significantly for Cleveland's Core Four, both in the playoffs and regular season, with Strus sponging up reps at the 3. The Cavs br...
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Is Justin Verlander the next to go? Mets could trade another starting pitcher
30Jul By James MastrucciNo Comments
Beyond Believeland

Is Justin Verlander the next to go? Mets could trade another starting pitcher

Even after trading Max Scherzer to Texas, the New York Mets could continue to sell. Plenty of teams have expressed interest in Justin Verlander and he could be the next arm making his exit from Queens. Verlander was reportedly a target for the Giants, but those rumors appear to have gone by the wayside. A reunion with Houston was rumored to be on the table, but it is now considered unlikely. A more realistic landing spot appears to be in Los Angeles with the Dodgers. Verlander would certainly be a big-time pitcher for a contender that is still looking to add to their rotation. The Dodgers will be able to make things work out from a prospect and financial aspect. This would be appealing to the Mets should an acceptable offer be on the table. But as far as Verlander being on the move is...
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Cavs “rolling out the red carpet” for Donovan Mitchell
29Jul By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavs “rolling out the red carpet” for Donovan Mitchell

The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing everything they can to convince Donovan Mitchell to stay with the organization. Despite the almost non-stop pleas from ESPN's Tim Bontemps, the Cleveland Cavaliers are not looking to trade Donovan Mitchell "today" as he requested. In fact, they are taking an approach that was embraced by George Costanza known as The Opposite. According to a recent report, the Cavs are going above and beyond to make sure that Donovan Mitchell is happy. They’re doing their best to reconfigure things around him and just keep rolling out the red carpet, making sure he knows he is taking care of, all of that Additionally, it was noted that the team is not looking to give up on Mitchell's time in Cleveland after just one season. The Cavs made this trade by giving...
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Is Max Strus Cleveland’s weakest starter?
28Jul By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Is Max Strus Cleveland’s weakest starter?

Max Strus has played exactly zero games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that has not stopped him from being labeled as the weakest starter on the team. A recently published article from Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey titled "The Weakest Link in Every NBA Team's Starting Lineup" has identified the recently acquired Strus as the so-called weak link in the Cavs lineup. If this seems unfair, well that is because it is. Bailey even stated that he got this designation by default. It is not ideal, but that can be the reality of evaluating a team's starting five. This is the tough thing when it comes to evaluating a new complementary player on an already established team. Cleveland had a very specific need this offseason and they went out and addressed it. It is not a super sexy move or an...
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