LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

[cincy14fan]

As the dust settles...

Is that even proper to say. Most people though there was a 50/50 chance that LeBron would stay in Cleveland coming into the new year, but with the 4 year deal he signed in LA it now is known that there was only ever one team he was going to play for and that was the Lakers. After no movement in the FA market, cause the Cavs can't, and picking up Sexton in the draft the Cavs would make one huge change going into the season....

That would be the firing of GM Koby Altman. While most will say that he did a good job with what he had to work with, albeit the Irving trade, which most fans are thinking we could still have Irving and Love as a base right now that is just a long distance memory. And talking on the current team the reality is that LeBron James has the last laugh. For how the team is could mostly be placed on James shoulders as he wanted certain guys and now the Cavs are in a deep hole, most would say not even a playoff team, still way over the cap, and doesn't have a pick in this years draft class.

With that they went with a two sport athlete in college, but sadly one of them wasn't basketball, in soccer and volleyball star Scott Sterling who had to retired after doctors feared if he continue to play would have catastrophic brain damage for how violent the spot of soccer and volleyball is.


Mode: MyLeague
Console: XboxOne
Minutes: 12 minutes
Play Or Sim: Play every game
Difficulty: All-Star
Sliders: T.B.A.
Updates: Last year wrote a recap of each game with monthly recap. Took way too long as I completed only a season and a half (although only posted 1 season basically) so looking to recap each game but just more writing and less pictures to make it go faster.

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

At the press conference to introduce Scott Sterling to the world as the new GM he was just sitting with his head down at the table. Reporters started to snicker that he was asleep or already was regretting this decision to take the job. After Gilbert done down talking he finally called out Sterling's name and he bounced up with his phone in his hand and walked up to the mic...

"I know you all have some questions for me, and I would like to say first that I was not sleeping while I waited nor was I regretting this decision. Actually was on the phone with my assistant GM and he was just texting me that it has been finalized."

"What do you mean finalized?" asked one reporter.

"Well I guess I should just skip the intro of who I am and what I been doing since my college days, but break down our current roster..." as behind him the wall would transform into showing the whole roster breakdown and their contracts.



"As you can see we are clear from the luxury tax right now which it has been since LeBron James came back to where the Cavs have been under. Sure we are 17 million over the cap and you can see we have a good mix of older players and younger players. Sadly we don't have a first round draft pick this year. So the first thing was to try to free up some minutes to our younger players and shed some contracts." said Sterling as the wall would slowly start to change to show just one Cavs player followed by another player who wasn't currently on the Cavs.




"This you can see that we think highly of our first round draft pick Sexton and think that Jordan Clarkson is good enough to lead our team at point this year. Ferrell is just insurance right now if one of those players go down or struggle through a stretch." said Sterling. "Also, cause of how much money they were taking off our books for the next two years they wanted a draft pick. We weren't willing to give up a first, but we were able to get the deal done with just one second. Honestly I thought it would take two second round picks."

...the backdrop started to change again...



Reporters start to buzz on this trade. "Listen I know what everyone is thinking, and yes you are right. This one is just to get the contract off our books. Nothing more or less and to a divisional team as well. Will it come back to hurt us? I would like to say no, but only time will tell. This team isn't in the best shape and right now I am trying to right a ship going into free agency after this year. Even if we don't make a splash we need to be in a sound position for the future."

With that the final picture would show up showing the current salary cap numbers after the trade.




"Right now our salary and salary cap has risen, but we have some trade exemptions that will ease the burden now for free agency and or more possible trades down the road." as Sterling for the first time would flash a quick smirk.

As the reporters were trying to take this whirlwind in that hasn't even seen the Cavs play a game this season and they have traded away two starters for easily two reserve players. One reporter would lean over and say to another, "is this the earliest we ever seen a team tank before?" The other reporter replied with "Nope. The 76ers did for a couple seasons in a row." and the first reporter chuckled with "Well by the time Sterling gets the ship right he will be let go and his successor will take all the glory..."

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Interview with GM Sterling

Reporter: Coming in with LBJ gone most people thought your team would miss the playoffs, and after two trades of two starters, it looks as if you team is in straight rebuild mode. Why tank if you don't even have a first round pick?

Sterling: I don't consider it tanking. Honestly we had a log jam at point guard and the team has high hopes for both Sexton and Clarkson. As for J.R. Smith while we will miss his outside shot, he is streaky and he is getting up in age. His trade sadly was too only shed his salary.

Reporter: So you think you have a chance to make the playoffs then after these trades?

Sterling: I don't see why not. The way I look at it you have four locks this season. Celtics, 76ers, Raptors, and Bucks. Unless those teams get hit with the injury bug or for some ungodly reason they want to trade off their best players then they won't be. This is also the East. So with four spots up to grab I don't see why we couldn't make the playoffs, and if we do the loss of our first round pick won't be that bad. Now if we do finish with the worst record this will totally be a different discussion, but for now I feel even with the trades we have a good shot at least claiming one of the four remaining spots.

Reporter: So not in the tanking mode, maybe not in a full out rebuild, but are you still looking at trades especially if you are in good position to make the playoffs?

Sterling: I think every team is up for trade talks at anytime and look to either rebuild their team, get ready for upcoming free agents, or grab expiring contracts. You can see since we got two trades before the season. As if we have untouchables I don't see any. If it helps our team I am willing to make the trade.

Reporter: Does that mean even Kevin Love or even the rookie Sexton who you guys have high hopes on are not untouchable.

Sterling: Correct. I am not saying we will trade them at the first decent offer we get. Listen Love is our best player and just signed a new contract. So it will take a lot to get us to trade him. As for Sexton he is young and unproven. If he takes off like Mitchell did last year then maybe he will become the face of the franchise and become untouchable, but right now we like our team and we are trying to get everyone to jell together and ready for the season.

Reporter: After losing LBJ in the off-season and only having Sam Dekker on the team at small forward how do you go on replacing a legend?

Sterling: Well Dekker isn't going to replace James and even if we throw in a committee at small forward, we are looking at Hood as well as a small forward, you aren't going to replace that production. However, if you ask if we are better off without James I would without a doubt saying we are.


Reporter: What do you mean better off without James?

Sterling: I am not going to say we are going to get back to the finals without James, or that we are going to get a title before James gets his next one. James is dominate and still is and we surely are going to miss him. But is this team better off without him the answer is yes. I will be releasing notes on our team for the upcoming season, but the way we have a vision for our team moving forward, even if James was on this team he wouldn't really fit into the plans.


Reporter: Thats a bold statement and looking forward to that press release. Is there any player that could immediately come in and make an improvement to this team?

Sterling: A starting small forward, but again we don't have the pieces to make that move right now. We have a plan right now and the first step was freeing up some cap space, get Sexton minutes to start the season, and open up some possibilities for creative freedom before the trade deadline if we are in good shape. I think we did that with the two trades despite not really getting anyone back, but this isn't a world where you get everything you want. But even before the first game tip-off I am happy with everything so far.


Reporter: Well congrats on being the new GM and good luck to you.

Sterling: Thanks, I hope our fans still see it even through all the bumps we will have this season.

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

New Season Outlook

Sterling knows that the team to beat is Golden State. He also knows that every team is going to try to imitate the Warriors. What is a fact is that the Cavs have nothing near that to compete with the Warriors or the top five-ten teams in the league. He broke that down with this quote talking about chasing the Warriors, "Like the greatest teams before (Celtics, showtime Lakers, Bulls) you need to have everyone have a role and play to their role. With the Warriors now. You have Curry who has limited range. You have Thompson is has a quick shot, and is a very good defender. Then you have Durant who is a sharpshooter and gives mismatches for his length, height, and speed on both sides of the ball. Green does the dirty work and is a floor general, with their center as just helping out on the pick in roll in years past but now have Cousins to now free up their outside shooters." Still he had good things to say mostly about his team and here was his breakdown of his roster and moving forward:

Point Guards:

Starter: Collin Sexton (19 year old, Rookie)

Reserves: Jordan Clarkson (26 year old, 5 year pro), Yogi Ferrell (25 year old, 2 year pro)

Expectations: Both Sexton and Clarkson can run the point. Both have very high grades from the staff, and now its their time to show what they have. While Clarkson has a big contract (12.5M this year, 13.44M next year) he is backing up the rookie. Neither are great outside shooters, but both are good at dishing the ball and driving. Ferrell was traded for just for insurance if one of those goes down with an injury. Clarkson would of been the starting shooting guard this year if he was more of an outside threat.


Shooting Guards:

Starter:Cedi Osman (23 year old, 2 year pro)

Reserves: Kyle Korver (37 year old, 16 year pro), David Nwaba (25 year old, 3 year pro), Antonio Blakeney (22 year old, 2 year pro)

Expectations: Osman gets the start over Nwaba just since he has been on the team longer and has shown glimpses last year. Also can see more potential in Osman than Nwaba. Korver is the second choice only since he is a deadeye from deep and they might have to resort to him late in games to help seal with his foul shooting or outside shoot. Nwaba is in his last year of is contract so needs to show what he has if he wants to pick up another contract with the team.


Small Forward:

Starter: Rodney Hood (25 year old, 5 year pro)

Reserves: Sam Dekker (24 year old, 4 year pro)

Expectations: Weakest position on our team. Hood isn't the best defender, but is a way better defender than Dekker. Actually only thing Dekker looks to be good is his ability to run and how athletic he is. Doesn't really bring anything else to the table. Hood had a rough transition last year and this year he is playing mostly at small forward. Hopefully it will go better or it will be a very long year for him unless they move him for an actually small forward.

Power Forwards:

Starter: Kevin Love (30 year old, 11 year pro)

Reserves: Larry Nance Jr. (25 year old, 4 year pro), Channing Frye (35 year old, 12 year pro)

Expectations: Good news is that Love and Frye can shoot the outside shot. Bad news both are very bad defenders and getting up in age. The youth is provided by Nance Jr. and is a fan favorite with his monster dunks. Without James and Irving it is Loves team and he will be the main focus for defenses.


Centers:

Starter: Ante Zizic (21 year old, 2 year pro)

Reserves: Tristan Thompson (27 year old, 8 year pro)

Expectations: Zizic gets the nod for the starting position for his upside and how Thompson was injured all last year. Both can rebound very well, and are decent on defense which is needed in the paint. If both can stay healthy and Thompson can regain his old self prior to injury it might be a two headed monster for this team.

Team Overview:

Without LeBron this team is younger and can run. While James took with him 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists with him to LA he also took with him a very slow pace offense. This team has youth (and some veterans: Love and Korver), so the team will look to push it out more. It is a double edge sword since they aren't the best defensive team so it might not be a full out sprint the whole game but should see a lot more pushing it than when James was on the team. Korver can shoot off the dribble or pass so it won't be that hard for him in transition.

GM Sterling had this to say on the team: "We have some holes on defense which might give us so trouble. We are young and some new pieces who are moving into starting roles so they will be looked more closely than last year so we need to make sure we stay focus on both sides of the ball. We don't have the dominate force or go to player on offense. While it is Love now we don't have a secondary go to guy so most defenses will be keying in on him and I bet there will be lots of doubles on him so the rest of his teammates will have to help pick up the scoring. If not its going to be a very long year or we will have to make more roster changes to our team. While it's not going to be a team that is not a favorite to make the finals, we do have some promising players that can play exciting ball."

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Reserved #4 Post

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Reserved #5 post

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Reserved #6 Post

[RolePlayer]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Looks dope

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Looks dope

Thanks. Lets hope I don't just get frustrated and just sim the first season or two. haha.

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Season opens with a loss for Cavs

Game 1 @ Toronto Raptors

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
Oct 17, 2018	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Cleveland (0-0)	26	31	20	30	107
Toronto (0-0)	22	33	24	33	112

Three Takeaway's from the game:

1. It's opening night. No need to panic despite the Cavs being up ten in the first half. If anything this is a positive sign for a club that isn't even suppose to make the playoffs against a team that should finish first or second in the East.

2. Love helped get us out to the early lead, but in the final quarter he would only shot 3-10 from the field with 1-6 in the final two minutes. He looked a little fatigue but on the other side Leonard was 5-5 in the final three minutes of the game and had 2 assists.

3. Sexton looked very promising in his first game. Sure he could of shot better from the foul line (4/7) but showed his offensive scoring in the first half while in the second seemed to be more about getting his other teammates involved.

Turning point in the game:

Coming out after half there was a five minute stretch which saw the Cavs lead go from going up from seven to being down by two. While the Cavs decide to keep it close it would be the pace that would hamper the legs for the Cavs late which saw a lot of long shots a the end of the game.

Player Of the Game:

Raptors: Kawhi Leonard. While he was pretty much shut down in the first half which allowed the Cavs to jump out to an early lead it would be his patient turn around jumper that would seal the win for the Raptors.

Cavs: Ante Zizic. Sure he was the third leading scorer and started the game 1-5, but when they needed a big rebound or points late to keep this game close he seemed to do it all.

Cavaliers Box Score:



Raptors Box Score:

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Slow start costs Cavs

Game 2 @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Cleveland Cavaliers at Minnesota Timberwolves
Oct 19, 2018	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Cleveland (0-1)	27	29	20	27	103
Minnesota (1-0)	36	26	20	26	108

Three Takeaway's from the game:
1. Sexton looked like he was thrown in the deep end of the pool at the start of the game. Had 3 turnovers and was 0-4 to start the game. He did finish though with 11 points, 6 assists, and 0 turnovers for the final three quarters.

2. Love was just harassed and double team the whole game and it showed as he only scored 8 points in just 26 minutes on just 4/15 shooting. While he was looking for his shot he didn't really get the team involved. He just wasn't a factor at all this game.

3. Hood did decently well on offense and did great on Butler in the first half as they held him to just 8 points on 2/10 shooting. Second half using screens and then post ups was a totally different tune as Hood seemed he couldn't do anything to stop.

Turning point in the game:

First seven minutes of the game. Towns got every rebound it seemed and the defense of the Wolves' would confuse to force five steals as well. Also didn't help that when the Cavs did get a shot it was a brick since they didn't hit a shot as the Wolves would lead 18-0 before the first bucket.

Player Of the Game:

Cavs: Jordan Clarkson. Was the spark we needed in the second half to get this team going as he would score only two points in the first half, but would have 6 assists while calming down the offense and got their team to start chipping into the huge hole the starters dug to start the game.

Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler. While it could of went to Towns (14 points, 19 rebounds) the person who stopped the late surge by the Cavs with matching each bucket in the fourth it seemed was Butler. He also came up with a steal and a block in the final two minutes to help seal the victory for his team.


Cavaliers Box Score:




Timberwolves Box Score:

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Young guns running give Cavs home opener

Game 3 vs. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
Oct 19, 2018	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Atlanta (2-0)	39	25	24	38	126
Cleveland (0-2)	29	37	28	34	128

Three Takeaway's from the game:

1. The Cavs have the legs to push the tempo all game. Problem is that doing so turns into offense vs offense since the rebounding and defense suffered from it as the Hawks storm back multiple times.

2. Cavs need to find the hot hand early instead of running set plays. Love was just 1-6 to start the game and the team was just 2-10 from running set plays. After pushing the tempo after miss shots and then just running set plays for an open man it seemed to fall into place.

3. Clarkson shows why he should be starting, but also the reason why he needs to keep coming off the bench as a point guard since we have no one else to run point.

Player Of the Game:

Hawks: Trae Young. It was between him and Bazemore. Both would keep giving their team points in desperate time, but in the end it was Young with his 7 points in the final minute before his team finally failed.

Cavs: Collin Sexton. Love would do the scoring, and one bad third quarter for Sexton (5 turnovers in the quarter, 6 total) almost gave it to Love. But the fourth quarter it would be Sexton running the offense as he would score 10 points with 6 assists in the final quarter.


Hawks Box Score:




Cavaliers Box Score:

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Cavs win back-to-back home games

Game 4 vs. Nets

Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers
Oct 24, 2018	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Brooklyn (0-3)	21	26	21	38	106
Cleveland (1-2)	37	24	27	34	122

Three Takeaway's from the game:

1. When the Cavs can actually make jumpers they are a very dangerous team. First game the Cavs didn't outscore their opponents in the paint and only had 53 points in the paint compared to 74 for the Nets.

2. Nets didn't look anywhere near competitive in this game. They were blown out from the opening whistle as they started actually with the lead and when the Nets used their first timeout the score was 14-5.

3. Cavs have a two-headed monster at point guard with Sexton and Clarkson and at center with Thompson and Zizic. All four of those players combined for 90 minutes and posted: 57 points, 18 rebounds, 20 assists, and 4 steals. Not too shabby.

Player Of the Game:

Nets: D'Angelo Russell. He is the star of the team and tried to carry the team, but the lack of defense as a team doomed them.

Cavs: Tristan Thompson. Coming off the bench he was the only Cavs player who ended up with a double-double. While he is trying to make a statement to be a starter, Zizic is still performing well.


Nets Box Score:




Cavaliers Box Score:

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Late game foul shooting seals win

Game 5 @ Pistons

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
Oct 25, 2018	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Cleveland (2-2)	26	30	26	30	112
Detroit (2-2)	20	27	23	29	99

Three Takeaway's from the game:

1. So the Cavs can actually play defense! First game the Cavs would hold their opponents in just double figures. It would be close as the Pistons would have 99 points with 1:23 seconds left in the game.

2. While the defense was great holding under 100, they are having problems stopping the guards from driving and scoring. Jackson would be the catalyst in this as he was second in scoring and Smith and Kennard would help chip in 19 points.

3. With the inability to stop the drive the big's for the Cavs to help stop. While it did stop Jackson and Smith from getting easy shots (13-30) it allowed Drummond and Pachulia to grab 11 offensive rebounds and also grabbed a total of 37 of the 60 rebounds.

Player Of the Game:

Cavs: Ante Zizic. He did all his damage late when Drummond was in foul trouble and in the final two minutes came up huge as he had almost every rebound and did seal the game with four late foul shots.

Pistons: Andre Drummond. 18 points, 22 rebounds (7 offensive), 2 assists, steal, and 2 blocks. He was everywhere on the boards, but in end the end fouls would limit his aggressiveness.

Cavaliers Box Score:



Pistons Box Score:

[cincy14fan]

Re: LeBron gets the last laugh - A new look Cavs Story -

Cavs take first place in division

Game 6 vs. Pacers

Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Oct 27, 2018	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Indiana (3-2)	31	23	35	17	106
Cleveland (3-2)	28	32	30	24	114

Three Takeaway's from the game:

1. When the game was on the line it would be the Sexton, Zizic, and Korver show as the triangle came out as they would seal the game going on a 10-3 run in the final four minutes of the game.

2. Clarkson showing he is a one man wrecking crew as he would score 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter. With all 7 of his made field goals coming in that quarter while missing his first attempt.

3. Dwayne Wade would be a good pick up as he would score all his points in the second half for the Pacers as he would do most of his work inside backing down Hood or Osman.

Player Of the Game:

Pacers: Darren Collison. Sexton and Clarkson are great on offense but against Collision on defense he would just destroy them to lead the Pacers in scoring with 23 points. Still he would also help dish out 6 assists in the game. The only problem that cost them late was him trying to do it all in which he turned the ball over the final quarter 4 times (had 7 turnovers in the game).

Cavs: Ante Zizic. Second game with a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Not only was he leading our team in scoring he did so very proficient as he was 11/14 from the game. He would help cause two of Collison's turnovers in the fourth quarter by double teaming him when he would try to drive baseline.


Pistons Box Score:




Cavaliers Box Score: