Cleveland Cavaliers

The Las Vegas Summer League is a beautiful haven where hyped rookies and forgotten veterans ply their trade as they either confirm our suspicions or surprise us with unknown skill. They can fascinate us mercilessly with their huge games against no defense, or frustrate endlessly with their untapped potential. Well ladies and gentlemen, it's back! The NBA announced the schedule for its annual 10 day summer extravaganza, where 22 teams will actually compete within a new playoff format. The first five days of the event are scheduled here. I've bolded the Cavs' games for your convenience. Friday July 12COX Pavilion 1 PM -- New York vs. New Orleans (Game 1) 3 PM -- Atlanta vs. LA Clippers (Game 2) 5 PM -- Cleveland vs. LA Lakers (Game 3) 7 PM -- Charlotte vs. San Antonio (Game 4)Saturday July 13COX Pavilion 1 PM -- Golden State vs. Washington (Game 5) 3 PM -- Sacramento vs. Dallas (Game 6) 5 PM -- Chicago vs. Memphis (Game 8) 7 PM -- Denver vs. Milwaukee (Game 10)Thomas & Mack 3:30 PM -- Minnesota vs. NBA D-League (Game 7) 5:30 PM -- Phoenix vs. Portland (Game 9) 7:30 PM -- Miami vs. Toronto (Game 11)Sunday July 14COX Pavilion 1 PM -- New York vs. Washington (Game 12) 3 PM -- Charlotte vs. Dallas (Game 14) 5 PM -- Cleveland vs. Memphis (Game 16) 7 PM -- Atlanta vs. Miami (Game 18)Thomas & Mack 1:30 PM -- LA Clippers vs. NBA D-League (Game 13) 3:30 PM -- LA Lakers vs. Portland (Game 15) 5:30 PM -- New Orleans vs. Milwaukee (Game 17) 7:30 PM -- San Antonio vs. Toronto (Game 19)Monday July 15COX Pavilion 1 PM -- New York vs. Charlotte (Game 20) 3 PM -- Cleveland vs. New Orleans (Game 21) 5 PM -- LA Clippers vs. LA Lakers (Game 23) 7 PM -- San Antonio vs. Atlanta (Game 25)Thomas & Mack 3:30 PM -- Minnesota vs. Phoenix (Game 22) 5:30 PM -- Sacramento vs. Golden State (Game 24) 7:30 PM -- Chicago vs. Denver (Game 26)Tuesday July 16COX Pavilion 1 PM -- Minnesota vs. Miami (Game 27) 3 PM -- Sacramento vs. Toronto (Game 28) 5 PM -- Chicago vs. Portland (Game 30) 7 PM -- Denver vs. Washington (Game 32)Thomas & Mack 3:30 PM -- Golden State vs. Milwaukee (Game 29) 5:30 PM -- Phoenix vs. Memphis (Game 31) 7:30 PM -- Dallas vs. NBA D-League (Game 33) The game against the Lakers is probably going to be atrocious because they don't have any fun young players to watch. But the two games against Memphis and New Orleans should provide fun atmospheres with great young players abounding. Then on Wednesday the playoffs begin. Each team is guaranteed five games, even if they lose in the first round. I'll at least be out there for the playoff portion of the event, and Conrad may be out there earlier in the event so we should have excellent coverage. Among the Cavaliers in attendance should be whomever the number one selection is, another rookie whenever the Cavaliers decide to pick after their various wheelings and dealings are done, Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller, Kevin Jones, Michael Eric and a various selection of other rookies and veterans that the Cavs think may be able to make their roster. It's always fun to see who steps up and impresses, so we'll see what happens from July 12-22. All of the games will be televised on NBATV

This is a thing. So This random talking on FTS got me thinking about something, and some guys had already started but I'm going to go all in so let's rock!!! FTS Members as Harry Potter characters!!! FTS is Hogwarts, but at ours we allow people from all kinds of nationalities into our borders. So lets get into the members. 20.Luke Williams-Gregory Goyle via images4.fanpop.com Luke Williams is a goon(LOL), he has no free will, and the only time he ever tried to he quickly caved in, and followed the hive mind. 19-Vottomatic-Vincent Crabble via jonathanturley.files.wordpress.com No Words need to be said because no words can be said. 18.Joe31 via images2.wikia.nocookie.net -Dobby Joe was on the bad side once, but after some rough treatment he finally joined the good side. more on him later. 17.Kyrie_Swiring via images1.wikia.nocookie.net -Fred Weasley Kyrie_Swirving is hard to distinguish from Kyrie From Downtown, but he is one of the fun loving troublemakers who like to steal things(and names) from others. He is good and not always "there" but if we lose him everyone would be sad. 16.Kyrie From Downtown via images1.wikia.nocookie.net -Greg Weasley Same as _Swirving, they are almost impossible to tell the difference between, From Downtown shows he is the more mature one, and the most reliable of the bunch. 15.Patrick Elder via images3.wikia.nocookie.net -Cedric Diggory Patrick Elder. Smart, reliable,awesome, and grammar Nazi he was the most beloved person in FTS for the longest time, but was lost in a freak incident. We remember his glory, and see his ghost everyonce in a while. 14.NonDairyKreemer- via images4.fanpop.com Cho Chang- NDK as once very beloved, and always at the top of FTS. but when Cedric disappeared, he got sad and went into seclusion, and only shows up sporadically now. 13.Clevyxc-Nicolas Flamel. Old crazy, no pictures available, but to the people that have seen him they can't tell what he is(lol inside jokes with Clevy) 12. XFLfan2001 via images1.wikia.nocookie.net -Remus Lupin XFL. Smart, reliable, a good fighter but at times he can lose it, and just go epic trollsmashing mode on everyone on certain nights. He is a veteran of my conflicts, and he cannot be lost. 11.HoopsBoosh via 3.bp.blogspot.com -Captain Jack Sparrow. 10.GodZeller via images6.fanpop.com Hagrid-if you follow FTS, and have read or Watched Harry potter then you know, and I have nothing to say about GodZeller. 09.WitMi- via 3.bp.blogspot.com -Serverus Snape Witmi is awesome at times, or just a pure dick, iit is impossible to tell what side he is on but he is someone you don't want to tick off. 08.Big Sam Vecine -Dumbledoor. I must not ever say the Name Byron Mullens or Big Sam will go off, that name is pure evil to him so I must not say it or anything else that may anger him. .07-WorldWide Mourt via images1.wikia.nocookie.net -Neville Longbottom Worldwide Mourt was once useless, but etched a name for himself going forward which made him loved and reliable. He is the REAL BOSS OF FTS! 06.Aviate via 0.tqn.com -Ron Weasley Aviate is the loveable oof of FTS. He panics a lot, but when needed he may step up if he doesn't completely freak out about something. He and the kyries have a great bond. Ding Dong Ding Dong top 5!!! 5b.Analytics- via global3.memecdn.com -He who shall not be named When he comes around stuff goes off. Some Love him, some hate everything about him, he has had personal battles with everyone but he is never gone. 05b.Zach Rammer via 2.bp.blogspot.com -Ginny Weasley everybody should understand where this going by now. 04.Justin Rowan- via images1.wikia.nocookie.net -Sirius Black Was once good, then became a traitor, and became good again. He was locked up in Canada for a while but escaped and has been helping Harry ever since. 100% sure he will Die in a blaze of glory 03.Kendaru.Geter via images2

I like watching the Summer League games. It's too bad if we pick Noel we might have to wait until 2014-15 season before he's in game shape. Anyway, here some more info: The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again participate in the Las Vegas Summer League. This year the league will be run a bit differently. Each team will have three ‘preliminary’ games in order to be seeded in the first Summer League tournament. The Cavs three preliminary games are- Friday, July 12 vs. LA Lakers 8 p.m. EST COX Pavilion Sunday, July 14 vs. Memphis 8 p.m. EST COX Pavilion Monday, July 15 vs. New Orleans 6 p.m. EST COX Pavilion The tournament will begin on July 17th. Summer League I know some people say this is a weak draft but I see a few players I think will make immediate impacts for their teams. These players are Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke and Otto Porter. I can't wait to see them in Summer League. I also think a few surprises will also occur. Maybe Muhammad will surprise or Zeller and his leaping ability. I like watching the Summer League games. It's too bad if we pick Noel we might have to wait until 2014-15 season before he's in game shape. Anyway, here some more info: The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again participate in the Las Vegas Summer League. This year the league will be run a bit differently. Each team will have three ‘preliminary’ games in order to be seeded in the first Summer League tournament. The Cavs three preliminary games are- Friday, July 12 vs. LA Lakers 8 p.m. EST COX Pavilion Sunday, July 14 vs. Memphis 8 p.m. EST COX Pavilion Monday, July 15 vs. New Orleans 6 p.m. EST COX Pavilion The tournament will begin on July 17th. Summer League I know some people say this is a weak draft but I see a few players I think will make immediate impacts for their teams. These players are Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke and Otto Porter. I can't wait to see them in Summer League. I also think a few surprises will also occur. Maybe Muhammad will surprise or Zeller and his leaping ability.

View full sizeA dejected Manu Ginobili answers questions after he and the Spurs lost Game 6 of the NBA Finals in heart-wrenching fashion. Wilfredo Lee, AP MIAMI -- Through heartbreaking losses and hair-raising victories, through Game 7s of the...

Last night’s game was the most demoralized I’ve felt as a sports fan since The Decision.  I have always been a huge Spurs fan (even during the LeBron era).  I loved how the Spurs always had an answer for gimmicky teams like the Suns during the 7 seconds or less era.  I felt that the Spurs were the best team in the league last year entering the playoffs and ran into their own version of the 2009 Magic when Serge Ibaka drained about 24 straight contested long 2s.  I’ve always thought the Spurs discipline, passing, and experience was the perfect antidote to the Heat’s hyper-aggressive defense.  In private I refer to their defense as “shamelessly” going for steals. I hate the Heat.  Nothing has cooled the ravaging beast that lives deep inside me that surfaces whenever I sense praise, adoration, and respect being doled out for this unholy hodgepodge of ring chasers, their undeserved fan base, and of course, LeBron.  I won’t deny reality – LeBron is the best player in this game by a mile and the only player that can dominate and entire league armed with only solid role players.  As I watched LeBron say “Screw it. I got this,” lose his headband, and take over the fourth quarter I thought, this is the finals I should have been watching as a Cavs fan. This Heat lineup is no different.  Ray Allen?  Shane Battier?  Mario Chalmers?  Chris Anderson?  Chris Bosh the spot up jump shooter and “energy guy”?  Headbandless LeBron is Cleveland LeBron.  I’ve been watching the 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs!  Only instead of going against a juggernaut Magic Team with a dominant center the Heat got a three round bye against three sub 50 win teams in the weakest Eastern Conference in almost 8 years. There’s just nothing fair about this. With 28 second left and the Spurs up five, the camera closed in on LeBron face.  He looked mere seconds away from crying.  He was defeated.  Parker’s insane three was reminiscent of J.J. Barea draining that dagger right in LeBron’s eye just two years earlier.  According to Kevin Pelton’s PER Diem, the Heat had only a 1.4% chance of winning the game at that juncture.  Unlike 2009, luck was on LeBron’s side last night.  The Spurs missed free throws, LeBron missed two threes so badly that the rebounds were difficult to secure and bounced the Heat’s way and gave them extra chances.  Then, after Allen’s unlikely three (after the Spurs allowed four 3-pointers to be launched without fouling – remember they were up five and then three) the referees stopped the game to review the call, eliminating any chance the Spurs had to push the ball and get a decent look with more than five seconds remaining on the clock.  This needs to be a rule change – if the referees FORCE a timeout to review a play, the team in-bounding the ball should get it at half-court.  In the overtime, the Spurs were gassed and still had a chance to win.  The referees inclined not to bail out the reckless Manu Ginobili or Danny Green.  They were denied five free throws due to the nature of the situation.  Next time Tony Parker should just uppercut Ray Allen when he’s shooting with less than 10 seconds. The Spurs were about to change the course of league history.  Just like they single-handedly dismantled the 7-seconds or less era, they were about to prove that you do not build dynasties with genetic engineering.  You draft players, grow them organically, and overcome an enormous athleticism gap with chemistry and execution.  You win because everyone accepts a role and puts the team ahead of all else – on and off the court.  The Spurs were about to exorcise my Decision demons.  They were 98.6% of the way there.  A selfless, fundamental, relentlessly cohesive franchise was about to overcome a flashy, preening, gimmick featuring the world’s best play

Cavs have reportedly been exploring trade possibilities but there's a lmited market for teams wanting the first pick. A report says Kansas guard McLemore is somewhat out of shape.

A reported growth-plate injury in his left knee suffered during high school and before his recent torn ACL seemingly has caused Kentucky center Nerlens Noel's draft stock to drop. However, a Cleveland Clinic doctor says such injuries are common and not necessarily cause for concern in and of themselves.

The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw talks to CineSport's Noah Coslov about Cleveland fans' take on the NBA Finals and what a title for LeBron James would mean for his possible future in Cleveland.

The draft is rapidly approaching and workouts are in full swing, with the Cavaliers holding a very large workout coming up tomorrow. With only about one week left before the draft, I figured that I should release what my big board looks like for this upcoming draft. I'll also be releasing a mock draft either on the Wednesday prior to the draft or on draft day. So without further ado, here it is. Quick notes: -I'll be rounding heights to the closest full inch. So if someone is 6'10.5", they just got lucky enough to become 6'11". -I'll be keeping each blurb to around 50 words, so if I don't mention something about a prospect, don't yell. 1. Nerlens Noel, 7'0" 218 lbs, Kentucky Noel is just simply the best player in this class. From an advanced statistic standpoint, from a scouting standpoint, any way you look at Noel he is the real deal. Had he not injured his knee, I think we'd be looking at an Anthony Davis-style lock at #1 overall. His offense will be a work in progress in the pros, but he should have an immediate impact on the weak-side blocking shots in the NBA. The knee is a concern, but I'd take my chances on him at #1. 2. Trey Burke, 6'1" 187 lbs, Michigan This ranking is a little bit higher than most people have him, but he's the best pick-and-roll guard in the draft by a considerable margin and an excellent shooter that already has NBA three-point range. He is my pick for Rookie of the Year next season, and he could have a Damian Lillard-type impact if he lands in the right situation. 3. Otto Porter, 6'9" 198 lbs, Georgetown He's been considered the "safe" pick of this draft, and I'd agree that he's going to be an excellent player. From his passing to his defense to his shot, there probably isn't a more complete player in the draft. Having said that, he only turned 20 two weeks ago, so there's definitely room for improvement with his game. 4. Victor Oladipo, 6'4" 213 lbs, Indiana The best perimeter defender in this draft, Oladipo is going to be at worst a solid rotation player. Having said that, he's shown tremendous growth in each of his three seasons at Indiana, and there is reason to believe that his 44% three-point shooting could be for real. Definitely my top SG in the class. 5. Alex Len, 7'1" 255 lbs, Maryland A huge upside pick, Len could be the best player in this class or a bust. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle and think he ends up as a solid starting offensive center, which is probably worth a high lottery pick in this draft. I've talked about him at length recently here. 6. Anthony Bennett, 6'7" 240 lbs, UNLV Bennett is probably the most polished scorer in this draft, possessing range out to around 20 feet and explosive athleticism that allows him to attack the rim with authority. I just don't think he's going to be able to defend anyone, and he's kind of position-less because of the height. But the scoring ability makes him a high lottery pick. 7. Ben McLemore, 6'5" 189 lbs, Kansas Apparently falling because of substandard workouts, I've never been McLemore's biggest fan. He's not much of a creator for himself, doesn't exert his incredible athleticism defensively, and he seems passive on the floor. Having said that, he might have the most All-Star potential in this class if he ever figures it out. I just doubt he ever totally does, 8. Michael Carter-Williams, 6'6" 184 lbs, Syracuse Another boom-or-bust guy with All-Star potential, Carter-Williams shows an innate ability to get into the lane and to the rim. He's also probably the best passer in this class. If he could shoot, he'd be the clear #1 point guard. However, because of that I worry that defenses will be able to play off of him and hinder his ability to get to the rim. 9. Cody Zeller, 7'0" 230 lbs, Indiana One of the most fluid seven-footers I've ever seen, Zeller has an excellent post game and a developing 15-18 foot jumper. I worry about his ability to extend and finish over longer defenders, but if a coach can find a w

Will the Cavs find a trade partner on draft night? What's the worst thing they could do with the top pick? Chris Fedor answers those questions and more.