Sitting courtside at shootaround at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco. No I did not bring my clubs (darn!!!). For a golfer, this is the Firestone of the West. They'll host their 5th US Open in 2012. A lot of history here, including Bing Crosby's son, Nathaniel, who won the US Amateur here...
I know Mo appreciates golf history since he loves to play the game. I've never seen Mo swing the stick, but I would think his favorite club has to be the 3 iron, since he had that club working to perfection the other night in Portland. 6 of them to be exact. Although, come to think of it, his lob wedge is pretty good, considering those tear drop shots!!!
By the way, we're getting a tremendous response from you cavfanatics on coming up with a nickname for Mo's specialty shot in the lane...keep 'em coming...Mo will pick his favorite...
We're practicing at a spacious indoor court at the Olympic Club. Some members had their jaws drop when they saw the guys arrive....promoting one guy to say to another "hey, LeBron want to play you one-on-one". The other member laughed and shook his head "no thanks". I'm sure he saw the Cub Cadet commercial where LBJ blocked the neighbor's shot into Stark County. After all, members have to keep their reputation in tact at the Olympic Club!!!
We're in San Francisco, where most teams stay when they come to face the Warriors in Oakland. It's my favorite stop in the NBA...can't help it. If you're a runner or a walker, and come to the west coast, a run along the marina and across the Golden Gate bridge is a must. Did it again today...breathtaking...then topped it off with hunks of sourdough bread. Totally San Fran...not "Frisco" mind you. That is nails on a blackboard, and a definite no-no. "The city" is what locals refer to their gem by the bay...
While the Warriors have struggled, due in part to countless injuries, a buzz is back, Monte Ellis will return tonight for the first time this season. You may recall he had ankle surgery from a Moped accident in August. He promises he'll come back as fast as ever, and he is definitely top 5 in the NBA when it comes to going 94 feet...
Mo Williams isn't bad either. Check out his interview on this website, as we try to come up with a nickname for his patented tear drop shot in the lane. Mo says he'll pick one from the best three submissions from you fans, so be on the lookout for that. I have no way of knowing, this is purely a guess, but I'll bet Mo has made 75 percent of those shots this season. His touch and timing on that shot is the best I have seen in the NBA since Isiah Thomas...
"I love LA" blared over the loud speakers at the Staples Center after Game 1 of the trip. Hard to find fault with LA in this one. So much size was the difference, as the Cavs allowed over 100 points for just the 6th time all season, 42 of those points came in the paint. You can only wonder what kind of impact Z might have had in this one...
Cutting it from 18 to 7 late gave the Cavs some juice, but those two Trevor Ariza threes put it out of reach.
LeBron guarded Kobe Bryant for much of the 2nd half. You could tell they both relished the challenge. Bryant managed to go 7 for 14 in that toe to toe battle for 18 of his points - LBJ actually outscored him, 23-20. His massive left handed smash took everyone's breath away including Rocky Balboa, and Scarface...
LeBron had to leap the front row folks on one flying finish after a floor length sprint. The man he blew by on the fly over, was his long time pal, Maverick Carter. It's the first time that's ever happened...amazing considering all the games Maverick has had court side for LeBron.
Every fan of the Cavs I'm sure is thinking what a run of tough luck with injuries and illness..but you have to chalk it up to one thing...
Life in the NBA...
Delonte was in a positive state of mind with the wrist fracture. Darnell Jackson, as Brian Windhorst pointed out was not on the shelf too long with his left wrist fracture during the pre season...that was an undisplaced fracture like Delonte's...we'll know how serious the injury is following the MRI.
And think about how he fell, busting his tail to try and make a spectacular play...I loved the fact he came back out to be with his mates, and actually SHOT the ball in warm-ups before the quarter...he's a tough dude.
Here's what you have to remember...it's who's healthy come spring time that matters most...the Cavs, with the 30-7 start have atleast bought themselves some cushion.
They'll have to fight through this stretch and find a way...there's no other choice.
See you on the broadcast with the Hornets on Friday...starting at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 04:20 PM EST
[General]
The guys went back to college today, as they often do on the road...a practice session at Illinois-Chicago, where a Cleveland State banner hangs along with the rest of the Horizon League teams. After a video session, Mike Brown made this offer to cut practice early - make two halfcourt shots and it's back to the hotel (I figured this was a lock since Delonte had made back to back shots in Denver in a recent individual competition). Everyone shot one, including the coaching staff, the training staff, Mark Cashman - the equipment manager/traveling secretary - and Cobra front ironed it!!! All of us took a crack at it, 31 in all (don"t ask)! Director of Security, Marvin Cross nailed one (he's a long time hooper) and the place erupted. The guys hugged Marvin like he had just beaten the Lakers at the horn in June...
But the team needed one more...shot after shot came close...Boobie had one go half way down and pop out (but this offer only stood with two makes). Tarence Kinsey took Mike's shot...and he missed. Anderson finally nailed one, he said it was for "Z". One problem though...Andy, who shoots these regularly after practice, HAD ALREADY taken two other shots for Zydrunas and misfired....so, the swisher did NOT count (because Mike was keeping count). In the end no one could get that 2nd 47 footer to drop (perhaps saving it for the United Center), so practice went as usual, but some January dog days drama anyway...(again, don't ask!!!)
See you on the broadcast...gotta go and work on my release. :(
