TRIPLE THREAT CLE: LeBron James

Showing posts with label LeBron James. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Podcast 11/14/17: College Football Shake Up, Browns & NFL Week 10, LeBron Vs. NY & More

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

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)

SoundCloud Stream Here

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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, 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

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DOWNLOAD: On MLB All-Star, Young Stars & Bad NBA Contracts (7/12/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
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DOWNLOAD: On NBA Free Agency, Chauncey Billups & Our 3-on-3 Teams (7/5/17)
SoundCloud Stream here
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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

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

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.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

After having over a week off, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally know who they will be facing off with in the Eastern Conference Finals...the number one seed in the Eastern Conference Boston Celtics. The Celtics are coming off of a seven game series against the Washington Wizards in which physical play and trash talk were the headlines for basically each game. The Cavs and Celtics split the regular season series

Overview:

The Cavs should come out on top...its just that simple. It doesn't matter if the Celtics have the home court advantage. Heck, if anything they might hurt them in game one and two. If the Cavs win just one of those games the advantage goes to Cleveland. So these first two games are basically must wins games for Boston. Could this series go more than five games? Sure but it seems unlikely. This Cavalier team is on a mission and as the defending champs with the best player in the world the Cavs are the overwhelming favorites.

LeBron James has been unbelievable in the first two rounds of the playoffs. James is averaging 34.4 PPG, 9 RPG, 7.1 APG, while shooting 55.7% from the field including 46.8% from behind the arch. This might be the best LeBron James we've ever seen. And we are talking about the same player who led each statistical category in the 2016 NBA Finals.

To Boston's credit the are a really good team. Lead by point guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas had a career year averaging 28.9 PPG while shooting 46% from the field, and was also one of the leading scorers during the 4th quarter. Outside of Thomas the Celtics have solid players like Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and long time Atlanta Hawk, Al Horford.

Where the problems lie for the Celtics is the lack of shooting they have, compared to the Cavs and someone to match-up against Tristan Thompson. Thompson is an "X factor" in this series. Thompson's ablility to crash the glass and switch and defend opposing teams guards. So Thompson is key in the Cavs pick-and-roll defense.

Prediction:

Cavs Sweep the Celtics and have another 7+ days off. Each game should be relatively close, but having LeBron on your team trumps all. LeBron James will be in his 7th straight NBA Finals and the Cavs vs Warriors III seems like an inevitability.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Radio Show 4/19/17: On Cavs & NBA Playoffs, Carmelo v Phil, Grasshoppers and More

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Radio Show 3/22/17: Sports What Ifs, NBA Rest & Which QB For The Browns

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

On Carmelo Anthony, the Cleveland Cavaliers & the New York Knicks Dilemma

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

While watching the Cavaliers take on the Wizards on Monday, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News comes out with an article "LeBron pushing Cavs to acquire Carmelo Anthony even if it includes Kevin Love: Sources". I usually take articles like this with a grain of salt. And hell, even LeBron called Isola and his article "trash". But this article and many reports of "Melo to the Cavs" got me thinking. How would Carmelo fit on the Cavs...and why in the world would the Knicks want Kevin Love?

Now we all have an idea how Carmelo would fit on this Cavalier team. Whether he or LeBron move to the power forward and the Cavs play small ball going forward. Also the addition to Melo would give the Cavaliers another ball dominate shot creator they've been lacking since the "Big 3" teamed up in 2014. But my questions to the idea of Melo for Love (or anyone on the Cavs) is why?

This team took a year and a half to understand how to play together. They had to fire their coach mid-season last year and are just over a calendar year in coach Lue's system. A system which uses Love's strengthens, which we can see by his stats (19.9 PPG 11.1 RPG 38% from three and shooting 15 shots per game, which is up by three from the previous two years in Cleveland) and being named as an All-Star. Love is also one of the top scorers in the first quarter (putting up 34 points earlier this year which is a NBA record). The way Lue tries to get Love going early is a spark the Cavs use day in and day out and it keeps the opposition honest throughout the game, knowing Kevin Love can take over at any point. And let's not forget to mention Love's ability to rebound which is one of the best in the league. His play next to Tristan Thompson only helps the Cavs ability to play with so many shooters. If the Cavs only had Thompson and Frye as 'true" front-court players it would force LeBron or Melo to attack the boards a lot more which could limit the Cavs in transition both offensively and defensively.

Adding Melo to a lineup with Kyrie Irving and LeBron only seems to look good on paper or on NBA 2k. Melo or LeBron aren't the spot-up shooters Love his and aren't the type of players who would consistently play down in the post like Love does. Sure, adding Melo would help in a number of ways. LeBron could take over as point guard of the second unit and give that second unit a legitimate scoring threat. And it could ease LeBron going forward, the Cavs could cut James' mins the rest of the season and in future years. But, it would still force LeBron to play inside more, which could hurt him more than what he's playing now. I understand LeBron would love to play with one of his best friends but trading for Melo seems to be a "robbing Peter to pay Paul" type of situation. Yes, adding another elite scorer is never a bad thing but let's not discredit Kevin Love and what he does. This team finally knows how to play together and they showed us all that its a championship team without a "playmaker" outside of Kyrie and LeBron. So why would they make such a drastic change mid-season.

The most complex part of this deal is Kevin Love on the Knicks. I just don't understand the thinking adding him. The Knicks already have multiple front court players. They just drafted Kristaps Porzingis 4th overall last year to be their guy paired to Melo, but without Melo and adding Kevin Love does that mean Porzingis will move to Center permanently? Spacing wise it might work out with both Love and Porzingis switching back and forth in the post but they'd still be lacking a Scorer can create for himself and teammates.

And its just not the Porzingis factor. The Knicks gave Joakim Noah a 4-year/$72 million deal this past off-season. And with his inability to stay healthy this season its not like Knicks have teams lining up to trade for him. Speaking of Noah's injuries, his replacement Willy Hernangomez has played really well in Noah's absences. Hernangomez is another young front-court player who was drafted last year. The Knicks traded two second round picks to get him and in his rookie season this year has averaged 6&5 in 15 minutes per game. And I didn't mention Kyle O'Quinn who's on his second year of a four year deal he signed in 2015.

So why all the love for Love in New York? Is it just to get Melo out of town or is it to potentially trade Love this upcoming off-season? Whether the answer to that question is one or the other, or a combination of both, Cavs and Knick fans should be extremely surprised if a deal is even made at all.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Krunch Time With Katelin: Why We Should/Shouldn't Panic About the Cavs

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Cavaliers just finished up a tough month of January where they went 7-8. It marked the first time since 2006 where a LeBron lead team had a month under .500. Even with that being said the Cavs and their fans should panic to any crazy level but there are a few areas that should have them a bit concerned.

So why should the Cavs be concerned?

1. The Cavs have been beating themselves up this past month. In many of these losses they've committed a ton of turnovers and missed free throws. For example, in their 116-112 OT loss to the Kings on January 25, the Cavs shot 17/34 from the free throw line and committed 18 turnovers. Or even in their loss against the Mavericks. The Cavs shot 71% from the line and committed 17 turnovers compared to the Mavericks who only committed 9 turnovers. Obviously the Cavs are one of the most talented teams in the league and these issues usually end up fixing themselves but their might be a correlation between free throws and turnovers and the second reason why the Cavs might be concerned.

2. The lack of a playmaker outside of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. This might be the main concern going forward for this team. And its just not for the playoffs but during late March and early April when the Cavs will be resting guys like Irving and James. An addition of a playmaker would help ease the minute load for James and Irving. James is averaging 37.5 minutes per game which is leading in the NBA. At 32 years old the Cavs would love to cut down James' minutes by a few especially since the calendar is getting closer to April.

Unfortunately for the Cavs, their help probably won't come until the trading deadline or later (buyout season). There are a few names the Cavs might/are targeting. Guys like Rondo, Deron Williams, and TJ McConnell would fit perfectly. They are all guys who can create shots for themselves and for others, Adding one of these players with the second unit of Shumpert, Frye, Korver, and Jefferson would give LeBron and Kyrie and opportunity to stay fresh for the 4th quarter. Also it pairing one of these guys with LeBron or Kyrie will give them and opportunity to play off the ball, opening up the three-ball for the Cavs' sharpshooters.

With all (or most) of the concerns being aired there are a few reasons why the Cavs shouldn't worry about this rough patch.

1. The Cavaliers are the defending champions and should be given the benefit of the doubt. LeBron is working on going to his seventh straight NBA Finals. He knows how to get his team back on track (if you really think they jumped track...I guess). This team is a veteran championship team and LeBron and company seem to pick their spots at times. January games matter to lottery teams but for teams like the Cavs, Warriors, and Spurs these games don't really matter. If anything, this is the time of year where teams are trying to get healthy and assessing their situations before the trading deadline. So many this struggle is more of a blessing than a curse.

2. The Cavs aren't 100% health wise. The loss of J.R, Smith and off and on injuries to Kevin Love are putting guys like James Jones and Deandre Liggins into rotation. Usually injuries are one of the reasons to be concerned but with this team it isn't. Even Kevin Love's back aches shouldn't be a problem during the playoffs. And the lack of a scorer and defender like Smith really hurts the Cavs right now. But with Smith back before the playoffs and the injury being only his thumb, it shouldn't take long for him to get back into playing shape before the playoffs.

3. The past three years the Cavs have had January struggles since the "Big three" teamed up. The first year was the two weeks off for LeBron and the J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Mozgov trade. And last year was the firing of David Blatt and promotion of Tyronn Lue. The Cavs aren't going to make a drastic change like in years before but we know for a fact this team plays its best during adversity. Hell, they came back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA finals against the best regular season team in NBA history, so who really cares about struggles in January?

Just let me know when the playoffs start.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Radio Show 11.9.16: On Browns, Raiders, LeBron James, College Playoff, Indians & More

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Radio Show 8.17.16: On Browns/Falcons, NBA Schedule, Olympics & #Fav7Films

Friday, August 12, 2016

Cliff's Edge 8.12.16: First Time for Everything #Cavs

By Cliff Gulley, @CLG2282

For the first time in his career, LeBron James is the highest paid player in the NBA. I know, it's hard to believe.

Yes, this is true. In his pervious 13 seasons, James has never been the highest paid player in the league based on money earned from NBA contracts. That all changed Thursday evening. LeBron made the announcement that he was re-signing with the Cavs via UNINTERRUPTED, a social media for athletes that James himself owns. Sports writer Brain Windhorst would announce the details of the deal soon after via twitter. The Cavs agreed with the all-world small forward to a 3 year deal worth a staggering $100 million.

I mean, of course we have seen $100 million contracts but never for only three years. The largest $100 million contracts were 5 years or more under the previous CBA.

In the first year of the new deal, James is set to make $31 millon for the 2016-17 season. Next year James' salary could top $33 million and make it the most lucrative contact year in NBA history.

This is a change of pace from the recent trend of essentially one year deals. LeBron is locked in for at least 2 season with a player option for the 3rd (2018-19) season. It comes to a surprise to a lot of people. James could have signed another two-year deal with the second year as an option and made over $40 million in the 2017-18 season after renegotiating.

However, signing the three year deal gives the Cavs them wiggle room to sign other key role players. From the looks of it, the retooling process is coming along well. It will also give LeBron a little more long term security. Not that he needed it. The deal is not officially signed yet but it seems that all parties have everything agreed to in principle.

LeBron is also pushing the Cavs to get a deal done with wingman and sharp shooter JR Smith. James looks to have the "Cavs band" back together again.

The Raven Report 8.12.16: LeBron James Re-Signs With The Cavs

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

On Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James eased many concerns around the city of Cleveland and the NBA, in general as LeBron James agreed to a 3-year, $100 million contract.

James, 31, for the first time in his 13 year career will become the highest paid player in the league in the first year of his deal, making $31 million. In 2017-18, LeBron will top out at $33 million, and as much as $35 million in 2018-19, which will once again make him the highest paid player for a single season in NBA league history. It will slightly top the deal that the Chicago Bulls gave to Michael Jordan in the 1997-98 season.

BREAKING NEWS: @KingJames announces on UNINTERRUPTED he will sign a new deal with the @Cavs.https://t.co/CXZ5qFK5o6
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) August 11, 2016

James' deal will officially be signed next week when he returns home for his annual LeBron James Family Foundation charity event.

ESPN sources have said that the third year of the deal will be a player option. The Cavs payroll for the 2016-17 season should once again be the highest payroll in the league.

The three-year deal actually came as a bit of a shock to many fans and even some media members, who grew used LeBron signing one-year contracts, to gain leverage every offseason. Some even believed, or still believe, that LeBron would continue to do one-year deals to keep the pressure on Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert to keep some sort of grudge going for the infamous letter from 2010.

Grow up. Every else has.

At the end of the above video, posted on Uninterrupted, James pleas for the Cavaliers to get the band back together and get J.R. Smith's contract done. I feel like this will become a fairly quick process, and the family, the band, the TEAM will be whole once again.

As for the future, not having to worry about a LeBron contract situation, or Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for that matter, is VERY comforting for Cavaliers fans. As the salary cap increases every year, it'll be nice knowing that the key pieces are already locked into a contract, which should make things easier and more comforting for GM David Griffin as he adds and replaces role players year in and year out. LeBron being here, along with Kyrie Irving, SHOULD be very appealing to free agents who want a shot to be on a winning team and getting to the NBA Finals, while learning from one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen in James. I love the idea of Kyrie continuing to be groomed by one of the games best. So when LeBron moves on, Irving will be able to take over and be the focal point, while continuing to grow into one of the most clutch and dominant players in the league, while the Cavaliers front office puts pieces around the core to keep this winning train going.

Things are different now. Things have changed. #NewCleveland

Friday, June 24, 2016

Radio Show 6.22.16: On #Cavs, #LeBron, #Kyrie & #StephCurry, #NBADraft & More

Monday, June 20, 2016

Krunch Time With Katelin 6.20.16: CLEVELAND = CHAMPION #Cavs

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Cleveland Cavaliers are NBA Champions...Cleveland is finally a CHAMPION! I don't have to go through the 52 year drought or anything like that, but while I sit here on my computer at 2:16 AM after the greatest game in Cleveland sports history I just wonder what this all means.

My entire life I've wondered what I would do if any Cleveland team won and to be frank I still don't really know. This city has been loser town USA, our entire I.D, has been heartbreak after heartbreak. I would ask myself why do I keep rooting for these sorry ass teams every day, after every coaching change, and again after every heartbreak.

But as I sit and reflect I think about what the Cavaliers had to go through this year...whether it was starting the season without the Best PG in the game, firing the head coach after one of the most embarrassing losses in the regular season, almost trading Kevin Love to Boston at the Trading Deadline... and most importantly coming back from 3-1 to defeat arguably the greatest regular season team of ALL TIME. It seems to be fitting this team gets CLEVELAND their long awaited championship.

Us Cleveland Fans are unique, we bitch about the dumbest stuff all the time, we have favorite teams within the city...hell we even have different cliques on twitter who hate pretty much hate each other which maybe will change with a new way of thinking. (I know I troll #IndiansTwitter so remain calm)

But what I do know... is that This Championship is for ALL CLEVELAND FANS!!!!

Whether you live here in Northeast Ohio or not, this is for you. This is for everyone who had a family member or friend that missed out on seeing a Champion in their lifetime but their fandom remains through you. This is for every fan who has live through all of the heartbreaks and still kept coming back for more, who always stuck by their teams whether you hope for 90 wins, 50 wins or just 6 wins this is for YOU!!!!!

But most importantly this Championship is for the next generation of Cleveland Fans. The next generation of fans who will hopefully not have to wait 52 years for the next championship, a generation that won't be synonymous of losing. But hopefully, that generation of fans can continue to help build up this city to its rightful status as one of the BEST DAMN CITIES IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!

Because...

CLEVELAND, OHIO...YOU ARE NOW A CHAMPION!!!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!