There have been so many impressive "wins" or "victories" over the past few days in the world of sport/entertainment that I wanted to take a minute to recognize some of the more impressive ones.
...Team USA, again, for an impressive victory over the Aussie Kangaroos. Congrats on your victory! Now you get to take on the team that bounced you from the Games in Athens. Scola, Oberto, Nocioni, Delfino, Manu and Argentina. That's a pretty...pretty....pretty good team.
...Michael Phelps. Due to his fear of flying, he decided to swim back to the states and actually made it in record time.
...Kyle Busch, who won his third race in the Craftsman Truck Series last night. Busch extended his record for combined victories in NASCAR's three top series to 17. I don't know if that's good or not but it's a record and he won something so I decided to put it in here. I don't get NASCAR. Here's all I know: you drive in circles for an extended period of time, you have a lot sponsors, your wife/girlfriend has to be hot, there is a weird point scoring system and it's one way Jeff Foxworthy says you can tell if you're a redneck. Is that right, MTM?
...Pittsburgh Steelers. They signed James Farrior to a 5-year deal securing their linebacker core of the steel curtain. Yes, I'm a Steelers fan. Wanna fight about it? Just for the record, I have made no secrets about it that I think the Browns will win one game this year against the Steelers ending the 9 game winning streak by the Black and Gold (that should tell you what game I think they will lose), but I hope I am wrong. It has happened twice before, but the one time I thought I was wrong I was actually right.
...Japan's Olympic Softball Team. They beat Team USA 3-1 for the gold medal. This was the first time Team USA lost since 2000. Note to Team USA basketball...this could be you!
...CavFanatic.com. The website, about 3-months into it's BETA launch recorded it's 1,900th profile this week and is now up to over 1,930 Fanatics.
...Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh. They won back-to-back gold medals in women's volleyball last night and already announced they will defend their gold in 2012. What's more impressive, they didn't lose a set in 7 consecutive matches...wearing bikinis!
...Bob Saget, who was "honored," if you can call it that, by being roasted on Comedy Central. If you haven't seen it, make it a point to catch a replay. Academy award winner, Cloris Leachman, who I might add is 82 years young, stole the show by far. If you don't know who she is, click here. (If you clicked to find out who she was, shame on you.) I wish I could repeat some of her bit but Admin Witness is...well, he's an enforcer when it comes to foul language on the site. However, here was one of her clean lines, "Someone please punch me in the face so I can see some stars!" Jeffrey Ross and Gilbert Gottfried were great as well. Norm McDonald was absolutely brilliant.
...ME! I was actually deemed by the powers that be of CavFanatic.com as a Cavaliers employee with the "best profile." I have no clue of the criteria nor think that mine is better than any other's, most notably Joe Gabriele's, Moondog's, Mandizzle's or The Fanatic's, but I humbly accept this award. I'd like to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for through him all things are possible; my mother and father for deciding to stay in on that spring night in April ‘79; the Cavaliers for giving this bright eyed and energetic boy from Youngstown a shot; Admin Witness for making his vision a success and giving me a soapbox to speak from; the Fanatic for being, well, a Fanatic; Miss Holland; my grade school computer teacher who taught me how to type without looking at the key board; (music starts to play) ummm...ummm...and lastly, all of you on CavFanatic for reading because without you there is no CavFanatic. All for One. One for All.
Two blogs in one week? Yes, it is an anomaly and only happens under extenuating circumstances during the off-season but after yesterday's move by Danny Ferry, I think this warrants another soliloquy. Let's cut to the chase, we just got better. And not like 2-3 games better but like became "one of the most dangerous teams in the league" better. First of all, one of the biggest Cavs killers, avg. 26 pts and 9 dimes against us last year, is now a Cavalier. Hey, if you can't beat him, buy him. Mo Williams is a true point guard in every sense of the word. That's not a knock on Delonte or anyone else on our team, I'm just stating the facts...well, my opinion. He's a 6'1", 185, point guard who can push the tempo, run the point, create shots, knock down the open shots and, most importantly, shoot 86% from the charity stripe. Imagine this starting 5 - Mo, Delonte, Z, Ben and TheBron®. Not too shabby...
Now many people are going to say, "But RyZa, didn't we just lose an important role player with size in the front court with this trade?" Look, Joe Smith was no average Joe. Loved the guy and thought that he added something to our team but he was only averaging 6 pts and 4 reb in 20 minutes of action. We got guys to pick up those minutes, points and boards. Fact of the matter is, I hate to see Joe Smith and DJ go, but with Mo Williams coming to the Wine and Gold, I don't mind seeing them walk away...if you're picking up what I'm putting down.
To close, I would like to say goodbye to Joe Smith and Damon Jones. Joe Smith was a great player and arguably one of the biggest pieces to the trade last season as it relates to what he contributed and when he did it. We needed something done, he did it. Most importantly, he brought a maturity to the team and a arguable one of the happiest players I've ever seen on and off the court. He's got a great smile and an even better game. I wish him luck in OKC.
Last and certainly not least, DJ. DJ, DJ, DJ, DJ...what can I say? We had to pull Ahmaad off the roof when we learned DJ got traded. We're still keeping a close eye on Ahmaad and he's doing better but I do think he is looking for a timeshare in Milwaukee. He was the most entertaining player to watch during warm-ups and during the game. Whether he was putting a "3" on a platter, turning the faucet on or doing his little shimmy before shooting jump shots in warm-ups, he is one of the "best shooters in the world" (his words not mine), and I agree. When he is on, forget about it. I think what I'll miss most about DJ are his post game interviews. You NEVER know what he is going to say and I love it! If there's a camera on, DJ is on...ALWAYS! The prodigal son is returning to Milwaukee (ok, he was only there for one season but still...), is in a good system under Skiles and Redd will get him some open looks. Keep putting it on a platter, DJ!
Joe and DJ, best of luck to you and thank you for all you gave us here with the Cavs. We welcomed you to the family and you will always be a part of it regardless of the colors you now don. But, like the Beatles said, "You say goodbye and I say hello."
Happy Tuesday fellow Fanatics. The Olympics are underway and if the opening ceremony wasn't enough to show you that this was going to be an extraordinary event, then the past few days of unforgettable performances by OUR American athletes surely lead you to that conclusion. Our country is off and running...and swimming and fencing and water polo-ing and whatever else we are doing...bringing home medal after medal, leading all nations with 22 (7G, 7S, 8B). Michael Phelps is 3 for 3 in gold medal attempts, including 3 WR, on his way to become the greatest Olympic athlete since Zeus. Oh, not to mention, he was a part of the most dramatic and exciting moment I have ever witnessed in the Olympic games during the 4x100m freestyle relay. What else happened? In case you missed it, here are some highlights:
- USA went 1-2 in the Men's 100m Backstroke, with Aaron Peirsol defending his gold - Natalie Coughlin became the first woman to defend her 100m Backstroke gold - Glenn Eller took gold in the men's Double Trap Shooting (not a clue what that means) - Olivier is out of peanut butter - US Women swept the medals in Individual Saber Fencing (like we didn't see that coming) - USA men took bronze in their team Gymnastics competition and the women qualified for the medal round in the team competition using only 4 gymnasts when they were allowed to use 5. Apparently they are either THAT good or just didn't read the rules closely...oh that Bella Canoli loves drama.
But most importantly, Team USA appears to be on a roll as they head into their third contest, a rematch with the Greeks from Greece. Obviously, Team USA is looking to avenge their Grecian opponents from the stunning upset two years ago at the World Championships. In case you need to be reminded because apparently The Optimist is taking a sabbatical this summer, TheBron NEVER forgets. If you are expecting me to write about how great LeBron has been playing...sorry to disappoint, but I'm not. Truth of the matter is, it can't be compiled into words. Go to NBC.com and watch the highlights. You won't be disappointed.
Team USA looked sloppy at times and they still haven't figured out how to hit a jump shot from behind the arc, but their defense has been solid and their explosiveness has been...well, explosive really. But the most important thing is that they are a TEAM. Scoring is spread out, defense is collaborative and they are winning because everyone is contributing. Now we get down to the nitty gritty. Greece is not going to be a cake walk and neither will the likes of Spain, Australia and Argentina, although they were upset by Lithuania with a last second bucket. (By the way, if you are ever looking for a word to rhyme with Ilgauskas, just pick any last name of one of the players on Lithuania...ok with the exception of Linas Kleiza.)
Tune in Thursday for what is shaping up to be a great basketball game. Put the women, children and sheep to bed as Team USA take Greece. I'll catch you all later.
At a time when the media's top stories center around Tim Donoughy's jail sentence and whether or not Brett Favre had his eggs scrambled or sunny side up this morning (he had them scrambled according to recent reports in case you were wondering), there is a story that will surely fall through the cracks that showcases a side of athletes that might not be the most glamorous story but shows just how much athletes care about what they do and where they play.
In this morning's Cleveland Plain Dealer, recently traded Cleveland Indian and reigning AL Cy Young Award Winner, CC Sabathia (please note that he no longer uses periods between his initials, sort of like Prince not going by Prince any more but not really) took out a ¾ page ad in the Sports Section of the PD thanking everyone from the fans, his teammates, the Indians front office and the Dolan Family to corporate partners, communities throughout the area, charities, etc. (Click Here to view the ad) He practically thanked the cleaning crew at The Pro, the guy who parked his car at Johnny's on Fulton and the person who held the door for him that one time as he walked into Saks Fifth Avenue in Beachwood Place. However, Skip Bayless will still be bashing LeBron today, reporters will still be sifting through Brett Favre's trash or some other story will take the lead over this genuine act of kindness and gratitude.
For 10 years, CC called Cleveland home and embraced every moment of it. He began his career here. He started his family here. And from this small act, this small "Thank you," he definitely has demonstrated that he has grown into a man here. I thought that I was going to miss his 98 mph fast ball or his menacing presence on the mound or the way he wore his hat off to the side (that was great) when he was traded. After seeing CC, Amber and his family's "Thank you," in the paper today, all of that is secondary. I realize that I will miss CC because he was everything we want our superstar athletes in Cleveland to be: He was dominant on the field. He always represented himself, his family, his team and the city he called "home" with integrity and respect. He stayed out of the spotlight as much as possible because he knew that he couldn't succeed without his teammates. Last, and certainly not least, he cared about his team, his city and his family. That's all we really want, isn't it. To show that it's not all about the money. It's about doing what you love, in a city you love to live in with the people you love the most.
To close his ad, CC said in bold letters, "It's been a privilege and an honor!" Right back at you, kid. He may have played next door but there is no better example that clearly demonstrates what it means to be, "All for One. One for All." Thank you, CC.
We are all creatures of habit. We have our rituals that we do everyday and heaven forbid if someone/something adds a proverbial "monkey wrench" into our flow. We all hate change. We hated that 2Pac changed his name to Makaveli; we hated that Batman changed to being played by Val Kilmer; we hated Michael Jordan changing his number to 45 or that he played for the Wizards; hell, I'm still trying to deal with fact that the Slushi® machine here in our office changes from day to day (yes, we have a Slushi® machine here in our office...don't hate). But we deal with it and adapt, even if we don't like it. How do you think we have lasted so long on this planet? But I'm not blogging to talk about the evolution of man; I'm blogging about the evolution of our message boards.
We have, without a doubt one of the most active, passionate and dedicated message boards in the entire NBA. We read them internally because what you write matters to us...that and we have to keep out the riff-raff and profanity. We don't know how you get some of the information that you do sometimes, like how you found out about our first round playoff shirts were yellow or that you even had a picture (still trying to figure that one out but it's cool). Witness Admin has spent hours...no, days...NO, years developing the forums on Cavs.com into the cult following that we know today. Has he ever let you down? It's a rhetorical question but it's ok, you can answer "No." I guess you can say that it he has been the catalyst for EVOLVING the forums. And now he is ready to lead the next evolution. However, it is being met with resistance by a handful of people we shall refer to as "La Resistance."
CavFanatic.com is a community...just like the message boards. It allows you to, if I may, Stand Up and Stand Out. Does it suck for "La Resistance" who is used to going to Cavs.com to post their messages? Absolutely! But is it really that bad? Is it really that big of a change? What is your biggest complaint about CavFanatic.com: that you have to develop a profile? That it is a social network? It is a way to unite people together that share a common interest and can express their thoughts, concerns, whatever...like a forum or message board. (Mind blowing isn't it?) But yet "La Resistance" is vowing not embrace this evolution. I ask only one thing: try it out. Yes, it isn't performing at 100% (in Witnesses defense it is BETA right now), but then again neither do the Cavs at times. Do you give up on them? No, you write what's wrong and hope that your opinion is heard and something is done. We are trying it out before the season starts so that it meets all of your specifications and approval, "La Resistance." Ultimately, you are the one's who are going to be using it most. Rather than simply say, "No, I'm not doing it" or post profile pictures that would make Larry Flint jump out of his wheel chair, I ask that you try it out and critique it. Tell the supernatural being of Cavs.com, Admin Witness, what you like and what you don't like. Because guess what, he'll change it. That's that thing about change, it doesn't always have to be a bad thing.
OK, I'm hopping off my soap box and going to showcase my killer crossover on the Ticket Sales staff at our weekly, Wednesday night pick up games (yes, we have a Slushi® machine and get to play basketball at The Q...tough gig here). CavFanatic is not about making things more difficult and it really isn't about change. It is about one thing and one thing only: All for One. One for All.
