TRIPLE THREAT CLE: Cleveland Cavaliers

Showing posts with label Cleveland Cavaliers. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Podcast 10/24/17: On Browns Blame Game, Vocal NFL Players, NBA's First Week & More

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Podcast 10/18/17: On Cavs & NBA Opening Night, MLB Playoffs, College Upsets & NFL Week 6

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

2017-18 NBA Predictions

Randy Groce, Cleveland Cavaliers & NBA Writer (@Brownsareaweful)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Wizards
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Rockets
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Cavs
MVP: Kawhi Leonard, changed to LeBron James
Most Improved Player: Joel Embiid
Rookie Of The Year: De'Aaron Fox
Cavs Wins: 57

Cliff Gulley, NBA Writer (@CLG2282)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Wizards
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Thunder
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Cavs
MVP: LeBron James
Most Improved Player: Dante Exum, changed to Jaylen Brown
Rookie Of The Year: Ben Simmons
Cavs Wins: 62

Pat Luhta, MLB Writer & NCAA Football Writer (@PLuhta)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Celtics
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Thunder
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Warriors
MVP: John Wall
Most Improved Player: Rodney Hood
Rookie Of The Year: Josh Jackson
Cavs Wins: 58

Jason Disantis, Ohio State Writer, UFC Writer (@JasonInCLE)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Wizards
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Thunder
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Warriors
MVP: LeBron James
Most Improved Player: Kristaps Porzingis
Rookie Of The Year: Lonzo Ball
Cavs Wins: 57

Pat Tregoning, NCAA Basketball Writer (@PatNShaker)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Wizards
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Rockets
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Cavs
MVP: James Harden
Most Improved Player: Myles Turner
Rookie Of The Year: Ben Simmons
Cavs Wins: 57

Katelin Marshall, Cleveland Browns & NFL Writer (@KatelinKnowsCLE)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Celtics
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Thunder
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Cavs
MVP: LeBron James
Most Improved Player: Myles Turner
Rookie Of The Year: Lonzo Ball
Cavs Wins: 55

Jaison Roberts, Pittsburgh Steelers Writer (@Kratoslives)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Wizards
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Spurs
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Cavs
MVP: LeBron James
Most Improved Player: Derrick Rose
Rookie Of The Year: Jayson Tatum
Cavs Wins: 70

Brandon Albright, Wrestling Writer (@B_Rock1978)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Celtics
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Spurs
NBA Finals: Cavs v Spurs, Winner: Spurs
MVP: Russell Westbrook
Most Improved Player: Brandon Ingram
Rookie Of The Year: Lonzo Ball
Cavs Wins: 57

Raven Williams, Editor, Entertainment Writer, Host (@nevaRWilliams)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs v Wizards
Western Conference Finals: Warriors v Thunder
NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors, Winner: Cavs
MVP: Kawhi Leonard
Most Improved Player: Devin Booker
Rookie Of The Year: Dennis Smith Jr.
Cavs Wins: 61

Full Court Press: 2017-18 NBA Preview

By Randall Groce, @Brownsareaweful

A lot has changed since the season ended last June. Six all stars from last year are now on different teams. Paul George went to the OKC Thunder. Paul Millsap went to Denver. Jimmy Butler is in Minnesota. Gordon Hayward moved on to Boston. Kyrie Irving joined him about a month later, which caused Isaiah Thomas to go to Cleveland. Did you get all of that?

After the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to claim their second title in three years, many wondered what impact that might have on the direction teams would go about in building teams this past offseason with so many big name free agents available. In the East, the question is do you build to win immediately to try and take down the Cavaliers, or slowly put together a roster that will be ready to win once LeBron finally retires. A team that seems to have done both are the Boston Celtics.

In August, the Celtics acquired Kyrie Irving in a trade with the Cavaliers in exchange for fellow all-star Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and one of Boston's 2018 first round picks, by way of Brooklyn. The Cavs also added Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Jeff Green, and Jose Calderon. Good luck trying to dethrone them.

Three teams that seem to be waiting on LeBron to move on are the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks. They basically stood pat this offseason. The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping for good health. Everyone else in the East got worse. I'm not using hyperbole. Literally every team other than the six listed above got worse. Charlotte picked up Dwight Howard, so yea...they got worse too.

Now the Western conference is a completely different story. The fall of the Warriors empire doesn't seem likely to fall anytime soon, so waiting them out would not seem like the smart move. Instead, most of the teams in the West made moves this off season that will make the Warriors' path to the Finals a lot more difficult than it has been the last three seasons.

Carmelo Anthony and Paul George are now teammates with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook in OKC. On paper they pose the greatest threat to the Warriors. Again, on paper. Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets, which will allow the runner up in last year's MVP race, James Harden to go back to his natural position of shooting guard. The Spurs didn't gain a new all-star, but they have Kawhi Leonard and Greg Popovich. They'll be around when it matters.

Denver, Minnesota, Utah, and Portland will probably round out the rest of the playoff teams in the West but Sacramento, Phoenix, and the Lakers have pieces that'll be fun to watch while Dallas, New Orleans, and the Clippers try to sneak into the final playoff spot.

I must admit, when the 2017 Finals ended I was convinced there was really no reason to even pay attention to the upcoming season. What's the point? Cavs-Warriors part 4 was basically written in stone. While I still think that will be the match up next June, fans will on a nightly basis have exciting games to pay attention to. If you don't follow any team in particular the crop of young guys that just came in this season will be fun to watch as well. Dennis Smith Jr. in Dallas will probably win the Slam Dunk competition next February. De'Aaron Fox running the show in Sacramento on a team that features vets Vince Carter and Zach Randolph. Lonzo Ball dealing with the hype and pressure of playing in LA. Jayson Tatum will try to fit in with Kyrie and Gordon Hayward, and Josh Jackson will be the all-around player Phoenix is missing.

This season is going to be FUN. This is going to be a eight month journey. All that I am asking is that the regular season and the playoffs are just as entertaining as the off season was.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Podcast 10/10/17: On MLB Postseason, Browns Troubles, NFL Week 5 & Media Accountability

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Podcast 10/3/17: NFL's Week 4, the MLB Postseason, College Football, NBA All-Star Changes & More

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Podcast 9/26/17: On the Browns & NFL Week 3, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade & More

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Podcast 8/30/17: On Browns Moves, Cavs/Celtics & College Football Kickoff

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Podcast 8/16/17: On LeBron James, Browns Preseason, NFL QB Rankings & More

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

You can now download the latest episodes of "TripleThreatCLE.com's Podcast"!

Subscribe to us, on New Cleveland Radio iTunes here!

DOWNLOAD: On LeBron James, Browns Preseason, QB Rankings & More (8/16/17)

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DOWNLOAD: Browns Preseason, Cavs Uniforms, All-Time Uniforms & TV Reboots (8/9/17)

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DOWNLOAD: On Kyrie Irving and Sports Hall of Fames (8/2/17)
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DOWNLOAD: On Kyrie Irving's Trade Request, LeBron's Power & The Cavs (7/2417)
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DOWNLOAD: On Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Unappreciated Players & Fast Food Chicken (7/19/17)
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DOWNLOAD: On MLB All-Star, Young Stars & Bad NBA Contracts (7/12/17)
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DOWNLOAD: On NBA Free Agency, Chauncey Billups & Our 3-on-3 Teams (7/5/17)
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DOWNLOAD: On Chris Paul Trade, Phil Jackson, NBA Moves & Lavar Ball (6/28/17)
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2017 Episodes Of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show
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2016 Episodes of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Podcast 8/9/17: Browns Preseason Game, All-Time Favorite Uniforms & TV Show Reboots

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

You can now download the latest episodes of "TripleThreatCLE.com's Podcast"!

Subscribe to us, on New Cleveland Radio iTunes here!

DOWNLOAD: Browns Preseason, Cavs Uniforms, All-Time Uniforms & TV Reboots (8/9/17)

SoundCloud Stream Here

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DOWNLOAD: On Kyrie Irving and Sports Hall of Fames (8/2/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here
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DOWNLOAD: On Kyrie Irving's Trade Request, LeBron's Power & The Cavs (7/2417)
SoundCloud Stream Here
--
DOWNLOAD: On Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Unappreciated Players & Fast Food Chicken (7/19/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here
--
DOWNLOAD: On MLB All-Star, Young Stars & Bad NBA Contracts (7/12/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
--
DOWNLOAD: On NBA Free Agency, Chauncey Billups & Our 3-on-3 Teams (7/5/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
--
DOWNLOAD: On Chris Paul Trade, Phil Jackson, NBA Moves & Lavar Ball (6/28/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here
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2017 Episodes Of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show
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2016 Episodes of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Podcast 8/2/17: On Kyrie Irving and Sports Hall of Fames

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

You can now download the latest episodes of "TripleThreatCLE.com's Podcast"!

Subscribe to us on iTunes here!

DOWNLOAD: On Kyrie Irving and Sports Hall of Fames (8/2/17)

SoundCloud Stream Here

------
DOWNLOAD: On Kyrie Irving's Trade Request, LeBron's Power & The Cavs (7/2417)
SoundCloud Stream Here
--
DOWNLOAD: On Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Unappreciated Players & Fast Food Chicken (7/19/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here
--
DOWNLOAD: On MLB All-Star, Young Stars & Bad NBA Contracts (7/12/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
--
DOWNLOAD: On NBA Free Agency, Chauncey Billups & Our 3-on-3 Teams (7/5/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
--
DOWNLOAD: On Chris Paul Trade, Phil Jackson, NBA Moves & Lavar Ball (6/28/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here
--
2017 Episodes Of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show
----
2016 Episodes of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Podcast 7/19/17: On Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Unappreciated Players & Fast Food Restaurants

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

You can now download the latest episodes of "TripleThreatCLE.com's Podcast"!

Subscribe to us on iTunes here!

DOWNLOAD: On Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Unappreciated Players & Fast Food Chicken (7/19/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here

------
DOWNLOAD: On MLB All-Star, Young Stars & Bad NBA Contracts (7/12/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
--
DOWNLOAD: On NBA Free Agency, Chauncey Billups & Our 3-on-3 Teams (7/5/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
--
DOWNLOAD: On Chris Paul Trade, Phil Jackson, NBA Moves & Lavar Ball (6/28/17)
SoundCloud Stream Here
--
2017 Episodes Of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show
----
2016 Episodes of Triple Threat CLE Radio Show

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Radio Show 6/21/17: It's Our 100th Show, Cavs Shake Up & NBA Rumors

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Radio Show 6/14/17: NBA Finals and What's Next For The Cavs & Warriors

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Full Court Press: There's Still Hope and Time For The Cavs

By Randy Groce, @ImissWiggins

Coach Ty Lue said no. Lebron said no. Most "experts" and analysts have said no. The question that's being asked is, "should the Cleveland Cavaliers slow the game down and run more half court sets?" Well, I'm not an expert, coach, or a current player but based on what I witnessed in the 2015 and 2016 NBA Finals the Cavaliers absolutely need to slow the game down. Two years ago without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love the Cavs won two games against the Warriors. Last year fully loaded they beat the Warriors in seven games. So far this year after two games the Cavs have yet to win a game. The difference between this year and the other two Finals' appearances, LeBron controlling the game from the paint.

So far the Warriors' defensive gameplan has been well executed. Let LeBron score, (he was gonna do it regardless)stay glued to the shooters (JR Smith, Kyle Korver, Kevin Love), and either trap or shade a second defender to Kyrie Irving. The gameplan that's been deployed against Kyrie should look familiar. Doc's Celtics and the Spurs have used that strategy against LeBron a few times during his career. It works well against Kyrie because he's not a pass first point guard. He sees it as a challenge and tries to dribble around or through it instead of making the smart basketball play. So far the ball pressure has either made him turn the ball over or take a bad jump shot.

Let's get back to the point of this article. LeBron working out of the post the last two NBA Finals has allowed him to put up some of the most ridiculous numbers we have ever seen from a player on such big stage. What it forces the defense to do is either play him one on one. No small forward in the league can contain him in the paint, so that's either an automatic two points or a foul. Or, it forces the defense to send help and leave some one open. The latter is what has me shaking my head and wondering what the hell is going on?

This is by far the best crop of shooters LeBron has ever been surrounded by. You would think that working down low in the paint while waiting for the double team would be his number one mission. Kick it to an open shooter and then as Mike Breen would say, "BANG". It would also allow the role players to gain some type of confidence if they can hit an open shot or two. We've heard many times before that role players have a more difficult time on the road, so why not do everything possible to make their jobs easier.

Please, don't take what I'm saying as criticism of LeBron. He's doing everything he can, while getting minimal assistance. The problem is the Cavs are loaded with specialists, guys that are only shooters or "hustlers". The Warriors have a stable of guys that simply are very good if not great at basketball. Oh, and they play excellent half court defense. LeBron in the post and ball movement on the perimeter is the remedy for the Cavs issues. We've seen it work in the past, but for some reason they're trying to match the Warriors pace of play which hasn't done much except for tiring them out faster.

It also wouldn't hurt to dust off Derrick Williams and get him off the bench since he's one of the few guys on the team that's under 30 years old and can defend. There's no shame in losing, especially if the opponent is better than you but at least make sure you use every single weapon and strategy to your disposal.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Radio Show 5/31/17: On the Cavs/NBA Finals, Indians, Summer TV/Movies & More

NBA Finals Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors Part III

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

Finally, after a long drown out NBA season we finally have the last two teams left...and its the Cavaliers and the Warriors for the third straight year. Both teams are healthy heading into the finals and everything is lined up for another epic battle.

How Golden State Can Win:

There is no denying Golden State is a talented team. The team that won a NBA record 73 games last year added arguably one of the top five players in the game in Kevin Durant. The Warriors are a dangerous team in transition. And during the playoffs they are currently undefeated. The Warriors rank first during the playoffs in Points per game and assists per game, and second in field goal percentage and total rebounding per game.

There are a lot of factors for Golden State this series. Draymond Green is currently averaging 14 points eight rebounds and 7 assists per game. He's also shooting 50% from the field and 47% from behind the three point arch. Klay Thompson has been struggling during the playoffs. Only averaging 14 points on 38% shooting and 36% from three. Even if Klay continues to shoot poorly his effort on the defensive end can make up it. And lets not forget about Steph Curry. He is one the best shooters of all time and he can get hot at any moment of the game. He's averaging 28 points during the playoffs on 50% shooting from the field including 43% from three.

If the Warriors shoot like they have been and can crash the boards as a team then there is a very good chance the Warriors can pull a win.

How the Cavaliers Can Win:

Its hard to say the Cavs don't have a chance during the finals. They have the best damn player in the world in LeBron James. During the playoffs the Cavs rank first in field goal percentage and first from behind the three point arch. They have struggled on the glass even though they have Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, and LeBron.

As long as LeBron James keeps on doing what LeBron James does which is Averaging 30+ points per game, 7 assists and 8 rebounds all while shooting 56% from the field and 42% from three. His effort on the defensive end and the leadership he brings are all things that honestly can't be quantified. And if you have LeBron on your team...you can never be counted out.

Kevin Love finally seems comfortable in the Cavaliers' system. He's averaging 17PPG and 10RPG, while shooting 47% from three. Hopefully Love will be able to play a bigger impact than he did during last year's finals. Yes, he did suffer a concussion and ended up missing a game because of it, but even when healthy he didn't play well until game seven.

And lets not forget about "Mr. Fourth Quarter" Kyrie Irving. The Cavs are undefeated when he records a double-double. Irving is averaging 24 PPG on 46% shooting and 36% from three. Irving has really come into his own this season. Playing a majority of the games this season and has just started to reach his prime.

The Cavaliers main "X Factor" in the finals is Tristan Thompson. His ability to switch onto smaller perimeter players in pick-and-roll defense is second to none...heck he might be the best in the league doing it. And the energy he brings on the offensive glass is key because it will give the Cavaliers extra possessions. Hopefully Thompson can cancel out Draymond Green because Green is the heart and soul of the Warriors. Just like last year, if you can get to Draymond you can get to the Warriors as a team and "Double T" is the key to that.

The Cavaliers' bench is another "X Factor" in this series. Whether its Kyle Korver, Deron Williams, or Iman Shumpert they need to continue to shoot well and also play great defense on the perimeter. Preventing the Warriors to catch fire from behind the arch meaning defensively they can't play one pass away.

Prediction:

Cavs win this series. I know its a "homer" pick but it is hard to pick against LeBron James. The man is on a mission and honestly we might be seeing the best basketball being played...EVER. His leadership he brings and his supporting cast might be one of the best in NBA history. If his Cavaliers team can win four more games an argument can be made for this team as the best NBA team of all time. This is an exciting match up and it should wrap out this rivalry very nicely.