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NEOMG
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enigmatic
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citizentino
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Not gonna lie...I LOL'd during Channel 5's coverage of Blatt's postgame presser. They showed most of it, but as soon as Vardon got to ask a question, they cut him off in mid-sentence to go back to the anchor desk.
Soda
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I was hoping I wasn't the only person who noticed how out-of-his-league Joe Vardon was with his questions. He looked like he was scared out of his mind.
I don't hate the slant he's supposed to write with, but I just don't think he's going to get much content from a post-game presser... If you're pursuing the impact of LBJ on Cleveland, go and speak with the thousands of people outside or the business owners about the 2015 playoffs...
Ob1
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http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/06/issuing_respect_and_apology_th.html#incart_big-photo
"
CLEVELAND, Ohio – When you're wrong, you're wrong. And for me, it's time to eat crow.
It's official: Matthew Dellavedova is one fearless, hard-nosed son of a gun. The mark he has made in these Finals has been nothing short of amazing. The Cavaliers' backup point guard has completely overshadowed the league's MVP, Stephen Curry, and it hasn't even been close.
• Related: Dellavedova hospitalized with severe cramping
Dellavedova is doing it with a relentless drive and determination that's overpowering the long-range marksman. The second-year player went for a postseason career-high of 20 points in a Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors to put the Cavaliers up 2-1 in the series.
Chants of "Delly, Delly" throughout the arena have become frequent, and the team hasn't missed a beat with Kyrie Irving gone for the season. No one saw this coming. I sure didn't, and for that, I must apologize.
In early March, I wrote about how head coach David Blatt was overusing Dellavedova and how he likely sees himself in the Australian. Blatt remembered that story and graciously invited me into his office for an exclusive interview after the Game 3 victory.
We sat on his sofa and that's when, as the young folks would say, he went in.
"And you were full of s---," Blatt said in hilarious fashion, referring to that article. "I've been waiting to tell you that for a long time."
His childhood friend from Boston was in the office as well and couldn't hold it together, bursting out in laughter.
"Chris is a man. He can take it," Blatt said with a smile. "And basically Chris is a real good guy, but sometimes, like other writers, when the sun goes down, they turn into a------."
Blatt was having fun. It wasn't anything malicious. It was just a couple of guys shooting the breeze, talking hoops. I asked what gave him the confidence to use Delly in crucial moments of games at a point in the season when the decision was unpopular. What was it that he saw that was unrecognizable to others, including me?
"I think the thing with Delly is that he has an impact above and beyond just what you see on the floor," he answered. "He's a character kid. He's a teammate He does the dirty work. He takes on the tasks that a lot of guys aren't willing to and he relishes it.
"It's hard to see it from the outside. It really is. I think it's a character thing. I really do. Plus he has a little bit more ability than people give him credit for. But he's not a thing of beauty and he's not ever going to wow you on SportsCenter except in unusual ways, but he's always going to be there."
J.R. Smith and Brendan Haywood were on the bench marveling at what Dellavedova was doing out there last night. While Dellavedova was locking down his man defensively, stepping in and hitting a 25-footer, knocking down clutch free throws, throwing alley-oops to LeBron James in transition and diving for loose balls, the two agreed during the game that this guy's story needed to be told in detail.
"We were just thinking on the bench that somebody has to write a book on this kid," Smith said. "Who would have thought he would be in the NBA Finals and 20,000 fans chanting his name? He's a rugby player and what not. To be in this situation, it's incredible.
"Every time he touches the ball, every time he gets a stop or whatever the case is, 20,000 people go berserk. For him in that situation, there are not too many people that get that chance, that opportunity. [If somebody said] 'Yo, would you ever think this would happen to a guy like that?' And I would say the only time it would happen to him is if it's in his dreams. Like seriously, that's a real-life storybook for him. It's a storybook setting."
Dellavedova isn't the fastest, the quickest, the most athletic, but he's getting the job done and giving the Warriors fits in the process. It's much easier to measure skill and talent, but quite the opposite when measuring a man's heart. That's what I missed initially with Delly - his heart.
His willpower and pursuit of excellence are what got him to this point. Those who observe his tremendous work ethic aren't surprised by the results produced on this mega stage.
"Delly gives all kids hope about making it to the NBA," Cavs big man Kendrick Perkins said. "You got a kid who puts in arguably the most work on the team. The way he studies film. Every time I walk in there, he's the first guy there. He done shot and lifted and ate breakfast and shot again and all types of s--- before I got there. If you were to see Delly on a daily basis, you would see why all this is coming together for him."
Those controversial minutes that Blatt played Dellavedova during the season prepared him for this moment. It gave him the confidence that he can excel at this level against the great point guards in this game. Had Blatt refused to play him like some had called for, what position would the Cavaliers be in currently?
The organization used forward thinking in its use of Dellavedova. The Cavs didn't know they would need him to play close to 40 minutes a game come the postseason, but they knew they would need him. Blatt was right all along in sticking with his guy and it's paying off like never before.
Right now this is Delly's world. And we, me included, are all going along for the ride. And boy, it has been one reliable ride.
"The big thing is you can always depend on him in a pinch," Blatt said. "There are not a lot of people like that. There are not a lot of friends like that. I know a lot of people that are friends and I wouldn't depend on them. I couldn't depend on them. This is a kid you can depend on. He's always going to be there for you. Always.""
"
CLEVELAND, Ohio – When you're wrong, you're wrong. And for me, it's time to eat crow.
It's official: Matthew Dellavedova is one fearless, hard-nosed son of a gun. The mark he has made in these Finals has been nothing short of amazing. The Cavaliers' backup point guard has completely overshadowed the league's MVP, Stephen Curry, and it hasn't even been close.
• Related: Dellavedova hospitalized with severe cramping
Dellavedova is doing it with a relentless drive and determination that's overpowering the long-range marksman. The second-year player went for a postseason career-high of 20 points in a Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors to put the Cavaliers up 2-1 in the series.
Chants of "Delly, Delly" throughout the arena have become frequent, and the team hasn't missed a beat with Kyrie Irving gone for the season. No one saw this coming. I sure didn't, and for that, I must apologize.
In early March, I wrote about how head coach David Blatt was overusing Dellavedova and how he likely sees himself in the Australian. Blatt remembered that story and graciously invited me into his office for an exclusive interview after the Game 3 victory.
We sat on his sofa and that's when, as the young folks would say, he went in.
"And you were full of s---," Blatt said in hilarious fashion, referring to that article. "I've been waiting to tell you that for a long time."
His childhood friend from Boston was in the office as well and couldn't hold it together, bursting out in laughter.
"Chris is a man. He can take it," Blatt said with a smile. "And basically Chris is a real good guy, but sometimes, like other writers, when the sun goes down, they turn into a------."
Blatt was having fun. It wasn't anything malicious. It was just a couple of guys shooting the breeze, talking hoops. I asked what gave him the confidence to use Delly in crucial moments of games at a point in the season when the decision was unpopular. What was it that he saw that was unrecognizable to others, including me?
"I think the thing with Delly is that he has an impact above and beyond just what you see on the floor," he answered. "He's a character kid. He's a teammate He does the dirty work. He takes on the tasks that a lot of guys aren't willing to and he relishes it.
"It's hard to see it from the outside. It really is. I think it's a character thing. I really do. Plus he has a little bit more ability than people give him credit for. But he's not a thing of beauty and he's not ever going to wow you on SportsCenter except in unusual ways, but he's always going to be there."
J.R. Smith and Brendan Haywood were on the bench marveling at what Dellavedova was doing out there last night. While Dellavedova was locking down his man defensively, stepping in and hitting a 25-footer, knocking down clutch free throws, throwing alley-oops to LeBron James in transition and diving for loose balls, the two agreed during the game that this guy's story needed to be told in detail.
"We were just thinking on the bench that somebody has to write a book on this kid," Smith said. "Who would have thought he would be in the NBA Finals and 20,000 fans chanting his name? He's a rugby player and what not. To be in this situation, it's incredible.
"Every time he touches the ball, every time he gets a stop or whatever the case is, 20,000 people go berserk. For him in that situation, there are not too many people that get that chance, that opportunity. [If somebody said] 'Yo, would you ever think this would happen to a guy like that?' And I would say the only time it would happen to him is if it's in his dreams. Like seriously, that's a real-life storybook for him. It's a storybook setting."
Dellavedova isn't the fastest, the quickest, the most athletic, but he's getting the job done and giving the Warriors fits in the process. It's much easier to measure skill and talent, but quite the opposite when measuring a man's heart. That's what I missed initially with Delly - his heart.
His willpower and pursuit of excellence are what got him to this point. Those who observe his tremendous work ethic aren't surprised by the results produced on this mega stage.
"Delly gives all kids hope about making it to the NBA," Cavs big man Kendrick Perkins said. "You got a kid who puts in arguably the most work on the team. The way he studies film. Every time I walk in there, he's the first guy there. He done shot and lifted and ate breakfast and shot again and all types of s--- before I got there. If you were to see Delly on a daily basis, you would see why all this is coming together for him."
Those controversial minutes that Blatt played Dellavedova during the season prepared him for this moment. It gave him the confidence that he can excel at this level against the great point guards in this game. Had Blatt refused to play him like some had called for, what position would the Cavaliers be in currently?
The organization used forward thinking in its use of Dellavedova. The Cavs didn't know they would need him to play close to 40 minutes a game come the postseason, but they knew they would need him. Blatt was right all along in sticking with his guy and it's paying off like never before.
Right now this is Delly's world. And we, me included, are all going along for the ride. And boy, it has been one reliable ride.
"The big thing is you can always depend on him in a pinch," Blatt said. "There are not a lot of people like that. There are not a lot of friends like that. I know a lot of people that are friends and I wouldn't depend on them. I couldn't depend on them. This is a kid you can depend on. He's always going to be there for you. Always.""
LeShaq
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I just watched the live media availability for the Cavs and Vardon gave Blatt another one of his "how does it feel?" questions.
As expected, Blatt shot him down by saying something along the lines of "how it feels doesn't matter."
I feel bad for Chris Haynes that he has to work with these guys. I'm not saying Haynes is perfect, but he makes Vardon and Fedor look like scrubs in comparison.
As expected, Blatt shot him down by saying something along the lines of "how it feels doesn't matter."
I feel bad for Chris Haynes that he has to work with these guys. I'm not saying Haynes is perfect, but he makes Vardon and Fedor look like scrubs in comparison.
Hydroponic3385
Snitches get stitches
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Paul
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I don't know much about this stuff, but since LeBron is now back in Cleveland and you have all the additional exposure globally due to the Cavs' successes, would it be possible that more talented writers are hired to replace these guys?
Scar4343
Semper Fidelis
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So,
Joe Vardon does an article on LeBron's Off-season "decision" with the NBA Finals tied 2-2? Who even asked LeBron that question? Why ask it now and not when the season is over? I'm pretty sure everyone already knows the answer anyways. Yet another example of the "Vardon school of journalism", trying to create a story where there isn't one.
He doesn't play it up like all of the "Kevin Love is leaving" crap and pretty much admits LeBron isn't going anywhere but that begs the question, why is this a story then?
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/06/lebron_james_is_happy_where_im.html
Joe Vardon does an article on LeBron's Off-season "decision" with the NBA Finals tied 2-2? Who even asked LeBron that question? Why ask it now and not when the season is over? I'm pretty sure everyone already knows the answer anyways. Yet another example of the "Vardon school of journalism", trying to create a story where there isn't one.
He doesn't play it up like all of the "Kevin Love is leaving" crap and pretty much admits LeBron isn't going anywhere but that begs the question, why is this a story then?
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/06/lebron_james_is_happy_where_im.html
OAKLAND, Calif. – This is the Finals and the stakes for LeBron James and the Cavaliers are clear – just two more wins and they bring home the franchise's first championship.
Predictably, that's where James' focus is today, and not on the business decisions waiting regarding his contract this summer. A secondary, but no-less-symbolic reason he's not thinking about his contract: James said last week he's "happy" in Cleveland.
"Ha, I haven't even thought about that until you just said something," James told the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I'll tackle all of that after the season, but, yeah, I'm happy where I'm at."
James has the Cavs tied at two games each with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals with Game 5 set for Sunday. Winning a championship in Cleveland was one of his stated reasons to return to the Cavs after four years in Miami. He also said previously he wants to "build something great in the present and the future" and finish his career in Cleveland.
Nevertheless, James must choose this summer whether or not to pick up the one-year, $21.57 million player option on his current contract. Virtually no one – the Cavs included – expects him to do so, which means that at least for a few days James would be a free agent.
James' contract last season was designed with two basic principles in mind: flexibility to maximize his worth when NBA revenues explode because of the new TV contract, and, secondarily, leverage to ensure the front office is building around him properly.
Those principles remain in place, and leverage is no small thing for James given the enormous impact he makes on any team. The Heat, for example, went to four straight Finals with him and missed the playoffs this season.
Also in place, though, is James' happiness over moving his family back to Akron, where he can raise and send his children to school. His various, lucrative corporate partnerships – with Nike, Beats By Dre, Coca-Cola (Sprite) – each produced marketing strategies last fall centered around James' return to northeast Ohio.
For those reasons, virtually all of the signs point to James returning for another season, likely many more. What's left to be determined is how precisely that happens, though there is an obvious path for him to seek a new, one-year contract with a player option similar to the contract he signed last summer.
The difference in salary for next season between his two primary choices – picking up the option on his current contract or signing a new short-term deal – is about $400,000. He'd make roughly $22 million in a new, short-term contract next season, with a player option in 2017 for about $23 million.
The reasons to decline the player option this summer and seek a new deal are the extra year of security, protection the event of a catastrophic injury, and, again, leverage in any decision making for the front office if James desires it.
In 2016-17, when revenues from the NBA's nine-year, $24 billion TV deal start pouring in, James would likely make at least $7 million more that season if he declined a player option and signed a four-year, maximum contract.
In any case, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert figures to spend large sums of money on players next season. Cleveland is already projected to be roughly $27 million over the $67.1 million salary cap (and $12.3 million over the $81.6 million luxury-tax threshold). That's before a number of expected roster and contract maneuvers take place.
In addition to James, Kevin Love is expected to decline his player option worth $16.7 million and potentially seek a short-term contract worth about $19 million next year. J.R. Smith has a $6.4 million player option he'll likely decline for more money.
Tristan Thompson, who is represented by James' agent Rich Paul, is a restricted free agent and has likely played his way into a lucrative, long-term contract. Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova are also restricted free agents.
Predictably, that's where James' focus is today, and not on the business decisions waiting regarding his contract this summer. A secondary, but no-less-symbolic reason he's not thinking about his contract: James said last week he's "happy" in Cleveland.
"Ha, I haven't even thought about that until you just said something," James told the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I'll tackle all of that after the season, but, yeah, I'm happy where I'm at."
James has the Cavs tied at two games each with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals with Game 5 set for Sunday. Winning a championship in Cleveland was one of his stated reasons to return to the Cavs after four years in Miami. He also said previously he wants to "build something great in the present and the future" and finish his career in Cleveland.
Nevertheless, James must choose this summer whether or not to pick up the one-year, $21.57 million player option on his current contract. Virtually no one – the Cavs included – expects him to do so, which means that at least for a few days James would be a free agent.
James' contract last season was designed with two basic principles in mind: flexibility to maximize his worth when NBA revenues explode because of the new TV contract, and, secondarily, leverage to ensure the front office is building around him properly.
Those principles remain in place, and leverage is no small thing for James given the enormous impact he makes on any team. The Heat, for example, went to four straight Finals with him and missed the playoffs this season.
Also in place, though, is James' happiness over moving his family back to Akron, where he can raise and send his children to school. His various, lucrative corporate partnerships – with Nike, Beats By Dre, Coca-Cola (Sprite) – each produced marketing strategies last fall centered around James' return to northeast Ohio.
For those reasons, virtually all of the signs point to James returning for another season, likely many more. What's left to be determined is how precisely that happens, though there is an obvious path for him to seek a new, one-year contract with a player option similar to the contract he signed last summer.
The difference in salary for next season between his two primary choices – picking up the option on his current contract or signing a new short-term deal – is about $400,000. He'd make roughly $22 million in a new, short-term contract next season, with a player option in 2017 for about $23 million.
The reasons to decline the player option this summer and seek a new deal are the extra year of security, protection the event of a catastrophic injury, and, again, leverage in any decision making for the front office if James desires it.
In 2016-17, when revenues from the NBA's nine-year, $24 billion TV deal start pouring in, James would likely make at least $7 million more that season if he declined a player option and signed a four-year, maximum contract.
In any case, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert figures to spend large sums of money on players next season. Cleveland is already projected to be roughly $27 million over the $67.1 million salary cap (and $12.3 million over the $81.6 million luxury-tax threshold). That's before a number of expected roster and contract maneuvers take place.
In addition to James, Kevin Love is expected to decline his player option worth $16.7 million and potentially seek a short-term contract worth about $19 million next year. J.R. Smith has a $6.4 million player option he'll likely decline for more money.
Tristan Thompson, who is represented by James' agent Rich Paul, is a restricted free agent and has likely played his way into a lucrative, long-term contract. Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova are also restricted free agents.
Tornicade
2018 RBF League Champion
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since when is getting knocked down by a hip check "diving at someones knee. Delly stood back up and returned the favor by hip checking him back. I hope all these guys except pluto and lloyd get fired. Haynes, vardon, and fedor might as well be the three stooges of Beat reporting. Fedor get your eyes checked. Why would Delly be diving at green when curry has the ball.
with Chicago, Atlanta and Golden State. Delly has taken more cheap shots than anyone in the playoffs.
Once again Green missed his screen and hip checked Delly to the Ground.
with Chicago, Atlanta and Golden State. Delly has taken more cheap shots than anyone in the playoffs.
Once again Green missed his screen and hip checked Delly to the Ground.
DougHeil
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Yes. It's very possible. Frankly; quite likely.
