Losing streak extended when Cavaliers can't take advantage of final possession. Pistons are next chance at breaking skid on Wednesday.

DALLAS, Texas -- The end to the losses is coming, the Cavaliers are certain. They are closer now than ever, they swear. They have battled in their last four games, have taken the losses that much harder afterward.

But they still keep losing, including Monday night's 99-96 stumble to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

They were close again. They tied the game twice in the fourth quarter. They were searching for a 3-pointer to tie when the buzzer went off, Jamario Moon trying to swing the ball to Antawn Jamison instead of taking a shot as time expired.

But as in each of the three close games before Monday, each of the 24 losses that came before this one, as in 35 of the last 36 games, the end result was the same.

"It's like Groundhog Day every day," Jamison admitted of their epic losing streak.

It has become an unequaled streak of basketball futility. With 25 straight, they've eclipsed not only the former single-season record of 23 straight losses, but now the two-season record of 24, achieved by the 1981-82 and 1982-83 Cavaliers.

They've lost more than any major-league baseball team (Philadelphia Phillies, 23), more than any NHL team (Washington and San Jose, 17), and are on the verge of equaling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 26-game losing streak for the longest in professional sports.

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott hasn't slept well all season, he admitted. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban joked that if he endured a stretch like this one, he'd ask his wife to "hide all the knives." The team has had offers from psychologists to counsel the players, Scott said, but they're confident in their ability to turn it around without outside help.

After all, they are getting closer. They've either held a lead or tied the score in the fourth quarter in the last four games.

"I think it hurts more, now, because of the fact we're playing better on both ends of the floor," Scott said. "That's why I know in my heart it's going to end pretty soon -- because of the fact that our guys are getting better, and they're taking it a lot harder now. Watching guys in the locker room, you can tell they're just hurting to lose those games."

This time it came despite a solid defensive effort in the third quarter that limited the Mavericks to 18 points. They tied the game at 79 with 9:59 remaining, when J.J. Hickson (26 points, 12 rebounds) slammed in a breakaway dunk, then watched as the Mavericks rattled off a 12-2 run -- sparked by five points from Jason Terry -- to seize control.

They kept clawing late in the fourth, coming within 97-94 with 1:40 remaining after Jamison sank a 3-pointer. But they faltered immediately after that, as Hickson was called for an offensive foul.

Still, they had one more chance after the defense tapped the ball away from Dirk Nowitzki, Anthony Parker took a long 3-point attempt that bounced off the rim. Jamison rebounded, and tossed it to Moon ... who tried to pass it back to Jamison as the buzzer sounded.

"J-Moon just really wasn't aware," Scott said. "That's the bottom line. Because he had really a pretty good look."

The Cavaliers were battling not only the desire to stay out of the record books, but a hot Dallas team riding an eight-game winning streak. They so frustrated the Mavericks, however, that Dirk Nowitzki tangled with Ramon Sessions (19 points, 13 rebounds) in the game's final minute.

The Cavaliers came close, pestering the Mavericks. But close doesn't count.

"We've just got to keep playing like that, and it's going to happen," Scott said. "It's going to happen real soon."

What's going on at your high school? Go to cleveland.com/yourspace to send your pictures of varsity teams from your school. We'll publish the best picture each Tuesday in The Plain Dealer, and the entire photo gallery is featured on cleveland.com.

Owens riveted the world in 1936, when he won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics and gave lie to Adolph Hitler's vision of a master Aryan race.

View full sizeAssociated Press file photographJesse Owens became a worldwide star at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, winning four gold medals.

Owens riveted the world in 1936, when he won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics and gave lie to Adolph Hitler's vision of a master Aryan race.

Born James Cleveland Owens on Sept. 12, 1913, on an Alabama farm, Owens came to Cleveland as a boy with his family in the Great Migration. A Cleveland school teacher reportedly heard "Jesse" when he drawled "J.C.," and the nickname stuck.

As a senior at East Tech High School, he tied the world record in the 100-yard-dash. At Ohio State University, he became known as the Buckeye Bullet. In one astonishing afternoon in 1935, Owens broke three world records at one Big Ten track meet.

Cleveland welcomed him home from the 1936 Olympics with a hero's parade.

He was memorialized in November on Public Square, where East Roadway was renamed "Jesse Owens Way."

When will the streak end? Talk about the Cavaliers' NBA-record 25th straight loss and more all day on Digital Sports Network.

AP PhotoThe frustration continues for Antawn Jamison and the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers make, gulp, NBA history with their 25th consecutive loss, 99-96 to the Mavericks as they couldn't even put up a final shot. When will the streak end?

We'll talk about that - plus Cleveland State loses its second straight and what can the Browns learn from the Packers about beating the Steelers - all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

Today's lineup on Digital Sports Network:

Morning Sports Page: Daryl Ruiter, 7-9 a.m.

Locked and Loaded: Greg Kozarik and Brian Fowler, 9 a.m.-noon:

In the Trenches: Joe Lull, 2-5 p.m.

News, Notes & Rumors: Will Smith, 8-10 p.m. 

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports. Hear Terry's thoughts on the Cavaliers losing streak, the Browns' offseason plans and the Indians.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

Hear Terry's thoughts on the Cavaliers losing streak, the Browns' offseason plans and the Indians.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Terry's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

The Cleveland Cavaliers stand alone with this record streak.

APCleveland Cavaliers power forward J.J. Hickson (21) shoots against Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41).

Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have the NBA record with 25 consecutive losses, what does the future hold?

ESPN's Marc Stein writes how the Cavaliers are quickly becoming the first team to finish with the best regular season one year, and the worst overall record the following season.

The immediate future could mean Antawn Jamison gets traded.

Sources say New Orleans, for example, has a level of interest in Jamison, but also expressed skepticism that a suitable deal can be assembled before the deadline to send out the 35-year-old anywhere.

Cleveland also still possesses a $14.5 million trade exception created in the sign-and-trade transaction that official dispatched LeBron to South Beach, but importing more pricey vets like the Cavs did so often in vain during the LeBron era -- in hopes of convincing King James to stay in Cleveland -- doesn't sound too appealing now.

But with a little patience, the Cavaliers could change their future with the first pick in the NBA draft.

Just ask Dallas Mavericks owner Dan Gilbert.

Said the Mavs' Mark Cuban, who regards Gilbert as one of his longtime allies among owners: "It's got to be brutal for Dan, brutal for the players themselves. … [But] in 60 days, all of a sudden, your fans are talking about [whether] they get the first pick [in the draft] and who will they draft and what will you do with cap room. And that's exciting. It creates a ton of hope. No one remembers last year ever. Ever. In 60 days, it's last year."

Worst team

Are the Cleveland Cavaliers the worst sports team ever? Dashiell Bennett of BusinessInsider.com writes how the Cavaliers losing streak of 25 straight puts them in good bad company.

One more loss, writes Bennett,  the Cavaliers tie the record set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who lost the first 26 games of their existence in 1976 and '77.

So what are they to do? Well, ride out this season and the inevitable lockout — with that looming there's no point in making major changes now — take their No. 1 draft pick next year and start the rebuilding process. From a long-term stand point, they aren't in a terrible position: small payroll, good young coach, mix of old and young players, any of whom could be moved in trades. But until the CBA issues are resolved, they have choice but to remain terrible. (It's in their interest to be as bad possible, actually.)

Twitter

The Cavaliers' losing streak has made them the butt of many jokes on Twitter.

BREAKING - Geno Auriemma drops Cleveland Cavaliers from UConn womens schedule in 2011-12 due to damage on teams RPI

 

 

Game stories

Cleveland.com: Skid now 25.

Ohio.com: Cavaliers are biggest losers.

DallasNews.com: Mavs and Cavs not.

ESPNDallas.com: Cavaliers lose again.

Should coach Byron Scott worry about his job?

APByron Scott

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still the worst team in the NBA with 25 straight losses and 44 losses in their last 52 games.

LeBron James and several other players are missing from last year's team that led the league in regular season wins, and key players like Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao are on the sidelines this season with injuries.

But who knew the team would be this bad? The worst team in NBA history, the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, finished 9-73. That team fired coach Roy Rubin after a 4-47 start.

Is it now time for coach Byron Scott to go with his 8-44 record?

"This is a rough stretch, but they're doing the right thing by losing a lot and playing youngsters. The only way for most teams to acquire elite talent in the NBA is through the draft." - Marvin_H

View full sizeAP Photo | LM OteroJ.J. Hickson and the Cavaliers have lost 25 games in a row.

In response to the story In-game blog: Cavaliers vs. Mavericks -- Final: Mavs 99, Cavs 96, cleveland.com reader Marvin_H thinks the losing will pay off in the end. This reader writes,

"This is a rough stretch, but they're doing the right thing by losing a lot and playing youngsters. The only way for most teams to acquire elite talent in the NBA is through the draft."

It's not exactly the sort of victory the team is seeking, but it's good news nonetheless. Cavaliers Hall of Fame radio announcer Joe Tait was able to move home to continue his rehabilitation from heart surgery and other health problems. The Cavs will send further updates on his condition and status as appropriate. It is unknown at this time...

John Kuntz | The Plain DealerJoe Tait is now recovering at home.

It's not exactly the sort of victory the team is seeking, but it's good news nonetheless.

Cavaliers Hall of Fame radio announcer Joe Tait was able to move home to continue his rehabilitation from heart surgery and other health problems. The Cavs will send further updates on his condition and status as appropriate.

It is unknown at this time whether he will be able to return to the broadcast booth this season as he has hoped.

Tait and the Cavs organization wish to thank the many fans, broadcasting colleagues and the NBA community for all their get well wishes as he recovers.

PD reporter says earning a bye into the Horizon semifinals should be the Vikings' goal now. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, which is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Bill Lubinger. (Branson Wright is on assignment.)

The Cavaliers made history Monday night by losing their 25th straight NBA game. Should coach Byron Scott be worried about his job? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV, Plain Dealer college basketball writer Elton Alexander, says no, Scott shouldn't be worried.

Elton was in Detroit on Monday night to cover Cleveland State's basketball loss to Detroit. He talks about what the VIkings must do after dropping games to Butler and Detroit the last few days; and whether Cleveland State can still finish atop the Horizon League regular-season standings and earn a bye into the league tournament semifinals.

SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer reporter Jodie Valade, who was in Dallas on Monday night covering the Cavaliers.

Updated at 4:36 p.m. with details from player Arthur Christian RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Richmond Heights' boys basketball game scheduled for tonight has been postponed while the school investigates claims against its head coach.

Richmond Heights boys basketball coach Jason Popp, pictured during the team's Feb. 2 practice, is being accused of inappropriate behavior by his players. - (Thomas Ondrey / The Plain Dealer)

Updated at 4:36 p.m. with details from player Arthur Christian

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Richmond Heights' boys basketball game scheduled for tonight has been postponed while the school investigates claims against its head coach.

Superintendent Linda Hardwick said administrators from Independence, tonight's scheduled opponent, agreed to move the game to Friday. The game will remain at Richmond Heights.

Meanwhile, Hardwick said she will take time the next few days to investigate allegations raised Monday of inappropriate behavior by coach Jason Popp.

Members of the undefeated team and some family members called for the coach to be removed during a special meeting of the school board on Monday.

"We met with the board of education and voiced our concerns," said Carlos Slade, the uncle of junior guard Kareem Rock. "Seven of the 10 players were given a chance to speak."

Slade said the players also had threatened to boycott Tuesday's home game against Independence if Popp is on the sideline.

"The boys want an interim coach," said Slade.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Hardwick headed to a restaurant to have an early dinner meeting with three of the players' parents.

On Monday, a letter from parents was sent to Hardwick charging Popp with "inappropriate language, as well as racial and economic harassment." It went on to describe Popp's alleged comments. A copy of the letter was shared with The Plain Dealer.

Sophomore Arthur Christian, interviewed Tuesday afternoon, said Popp used profane language after Christian requested to leave practice last Thursday to attend his grandmother's birthday celebration.

Christian said Popp also used a racial slur directed toward the players before the Spartans' Jan. 18 game against Cardinal.  

"We are working diligently on this," Hardwick said earlier Tuesday. "I am trying to do what is fair and impartial to both sides. We have a coach whose career is on the line. Yet, we have these students coming forth with all these allegations and we are in the business of educating children.

"I want to resolve this as soon as possible. I don't want this hanging over our heads tomorrow, the next day or the next week. We are working towards accomplishing a fair and equitable decision."

Popp, in his fourth season as head coach and 16th year in the school district, said he had no comment and that any comment would have to come from Hardwick.

Richmond Heights is 15-0 and ranked sixth in this week's Division IV state rankings by the Associated Press. The team was a subject of a feature that was published in Friday's Plain Dealer.

Tribe's Carlos Santana cleared to begin hitting. Move is latest step on a plan to have the young catcher ready to play when spring training games start on Feb. 27.

View full sizeAP FileTribe catcher Carlos Santana, who underwent surgery on his lateral collateral ligament in his left knee after this August 2010 collision with the Red Sox's Ryan Kalish, has been cleared to begin hitting.

The Minnesota student who made a sign about Jared Sullinger mailed it to him today.

Andrew Wagner

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger took some heat from the Minnesota crowd on Sunday during the No. 1 Buckeyes' 82-69 win in Minneapolis, yet it turns out that even opposing fans end up liking the Buckeyes' freshman.

As he walked off the court at Williams Arena, Sullinger noticed a sign held by Minnesota senior Andrew Wagner that featured a black and white headshot of Sullinger decorated with lipstick and earrings and the words "Party in the USA," a nod to Sullinger's karaoke performance of the Miley Cyrus song that turned into a web sensation.

Sullinger asked for the sign. Wagner said no. After the game, Sullinger told The Plain Dealer, "I thought my mom would love it, to have it to hang up."

Now, Sullinger will get the sign after all.

After reading the story on Cleveland.com, Wagner wrote to Sullinger on Twitter, saying, "I would have given you the poster had you said it was for your mom."

Sullinger responded with, "It's all good. I like the poster, btw."

Sullinger, who is active on Twitter at @Jared_Sully0, then sent a message to his more than 13,000 followers that read, "Everybody follow @andrewwagner he made a funny poster of me."

In a remarkable gesture of good will, Wagner then told Sullinger he'd send him the poster and got Sullinger's address. This morning, he took the sign off its cardboard packing, folded it up and for less than $5 shipped it off to Columbus.
 
"He gave me a nice shoutout (on Twitter) saying he liked it and people should follow me. Nice gesture, so I sent it this morning," Wagner wrote me in a Twitter exchange today. "He was very classy and professional in dealing with the hostile crowd, he had a good sense of humor about the sign and it was for his mom."

Sunday after the game, which included several chants from the Golden Gophers crowd aimed at Sullinger, the national player of the year candidate told The Plain Dealer, "I love being the villain. It's fun coming out and people have pictures of you and you're getting booed and everyone is yelling at you at the free throw line. It's one of the things I love most about basketball, especially college basketball, is being the villain."

Sullinger may not be so good at being the villain after all.

Did the Super Bowl teach us anything about the Browns? What meaning does this Cavaliers' losing streak have in the big picture? Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Terry Pluto answers your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Note: Terry will be speaking Wednesday night at the Elyria Library (get directions) at 6:30 p.m.

Did the Super Bowl teach us anything about the Browns? What meaning does this Cavaliers' losing streak have in the big picture?

Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Of the young players the Cavaliers are giving minutes to, are there any that project as starters on good NBA teams?

• How will a potential lockout effect the Browns' offseason strategy?

• How will the Indians lineup perform this season?

• Are we expecting too much out of Carlos Santana?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player below.

Even Steelers fans want Cleveland to improve ... so they can get a head start on hating the Browns.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz,
The Plain DealerSteelers fans want the Browns to get better soon ... so they can get back to hating the team from Cleveland. Steelers' Larry Foote (50) and Lawrence Timmons show some of that love to Browns running back Peyton HIllis.

Ian Head, 40, flew in from Youngstown. He was near a bar with no seats where people were resting an elbow while clutching hot dogs with the other hand.

It’s not enough for him that the Browns have lost 14 of their last 15 against Pittsburgh.

“The team I can’t stand,” he said, “is the Ravens. But I still don’t like the Browns much.

“My brother has season tickets at Heinz Field. I buy a few games a year from him. Cleveland was one of the games I picked this year. I thought it would be a sure win.”

Head got his Super Bowl ticket from his brother, who entered a lottery. He said one in seven season holders actually got tickets.

He showed his ticket — face value was $800. He said they walked right by men offering $3,000 a ticket outside Cowboys Stadium.

Browns fans ... If you were 100 yards from the turnstile the day Cleveland finally reached the big game, would you sell?

Cavs' Daniel "Boobie" Gibson will shoot for treys in NBA All-Star Game competition.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter,
The Plain DealerDaniel "Boobie" Gibson will make his second appearance in the NBA All-Star Game's three-point contest this year, the league announced today.

"In 41 games (15 starts) this season, Gibson has averaged
career highs of 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 29.6
minutes per game.  He ranks 10th in the NBA in three point percentage
(.439) this season having made 79-180, including fifth among players
with at least 150 attempts.  Since entering the NBA in 2006, Gibson
ranks fourth overall (.426) among active players (minimum 250 makes).
Earlier this season he connected on a career-high seven three-pointers
made versus Utah on December 20th, 2010."  

Doug E. Fresh does the Dougie with fans in Cleveland.

APDoug E. Fresh

Can you Dougie?

The popular dance move, originally created in the 1980s by rap star Doug E. Fresh, has resurrected and has increasingly caught fire in the sports world.

From touchdown celebrations in the NFL, to pregame moves in the NBA, it seems like everyone can do the dance recently made popular in the song "Teach Me How to Dougie" by Cali Swag District.

It was their way to pay homage to Doug E. Fresh, who would put the dance on display during his videos and live concerts.

The dance moves consist of a few shimmies, snake moves - and here's the most important part of the dance: glide your hands from the front to the back of your head.

No Dougie dance is the same. It's all about your own style, and Fresh brought his Dougie swag to the Wolstein Center last Friday night while he was on stage during the "Legends of Hip-Hop" Tour.

"Cleveland is doing the Dougie," Fresh said. "They have it down pat."

Fresh said he is flattered by the Dougie's popularity across the country.

"It's inspirational and it's definitely a blessing from the creator," said Fresh, whose real name is Douglas E. Davis. "I'm definitely overwhelmed with the level of exposure, and love and appreciation for a dance I made up a long time ago."
 
There are several youtube.com videos of everyone doing the Dougie, from the Oregon Duck to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, to an impressive Dougie by NBA rookie John Wall (see below).

"I enjoyed it and I heard he has a couple of pieces to add too it," Fresh said. "But for the most part I think it's all good. It's a lot of fun. Wall took the [Dougie] to another level. Now I heard his coach Flip Saunders is supposed to do the Dougie."

Ex-Tribe reliever David Riske trying again, this time with Baltimore.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz,
The Plain DealerDavid Riske spent part of his career with the Indians as a closer, moved to middle relief and ended up leaving as part of the trade that sent Coco Crisp to Boston. He's had Tommy John surgery and received a minor-league contract offer from Baltimore.

If there were another Jim Thome in the house, Tom Couston would have likely spotted him.

"Back then he had a line-drive swing and hit the hell out of the ball," Couston said of when he discovered the future hall-of-famer at Illinois Central College back in 1989.

"He developed that lift in his swing later."

Couston was a scout for the Cleveland Indians, who -- by Couston's recommendation -- drafted Thome, an unheralded two-sport junior college athlete, in the 13th round of the amateur draft. The rest is history.

The movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" was released on June 11, 1986. The ballgame then must have been filmed either real early in the 1986 season or sometime during 1985. Looking at game logs from those seasons, we see that there was no game in 1986 in which Lee Smith (#46) faced the Braves at Wrigley Field. There were four such games in '85, though Smith left the Braves hitless in one of those. Of the remaining three games, it isn't hard to find the game we're looking for.

Ferris Bueller and his pals were at the June 5, 1985, tilt between the Cubs and the Braves. The foul ball that Ferris caught was hit by Atlanta rightfielder Claudell Washington (#15) in the top of the 11th inning. The game was tied at two (not scoreless, like the pizza guy claimed) and backup second-baseman Paul Zuvella (#18) was being held on first by Leon Durham (#10) after a leadoff single (the fourth hit of the game, and Atlanta's first hit since the fifth). Washington would end his at-bat with a flyball to leftfielder Davey Lopes. The next batter, Rafael Ramirez, would wind up hitting a two-run home run and the Braves would go on to win 4-2. The movie, however, cut away before that happened.

An NBA-record 25 losses in a row ... how did this happen? What should they do next?

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerFor much of the Cavaliers' 25-game losing streak, scenes such as this one with Jamario Moon reflected a disbelief that so much that had gone so right for so long could now go so wrong. Terry Pluto says there are many factors that have played into this wretched season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs have lost an NBA-record 25 in a row. Even more stunning, they've lost 35 of 36 games.

This from a team that opened the season with an upset of the Boston Celtics, the Eastern Conference champions. This from a team that actually was 7-9, a team coached by 10-year veteran Byron Scott, a team with one of the most free-spending owners in the NBA.

So how did this happen?

More important, what should they do next?

The Cavs' decision

This is not "The Decision" that LeBron James tortured Cavs fans with on July 8 when the two-time MVP announced he was "taking my talents to South Beach." It was a decision made by the Cavs at the start of the 2009-10 season, when they were unable to engage James in any serious talks about extending his contract.

Looking back, it's easy to say the Cavs should have known James was leaving because of his lack of interest in a new contract. Therefore, they should have traded him with one year left on his deal.

But go back a year. Imagine the response of the fans if they had traded James, without knowing for sure that he would leave. Imagine how James could have twisted that in his favor, insisting he still might have signed here, but wanted more time to think about it -- and the Cavs wouldn't wait.

Dealing him a year ago would have been a public relations disaster. It also might not have been simple, especially if James only wanted to play for a few teams. Look at all the problems encountered by Denver as it tries to trade Carmelo Anthony as he heads into his free-agent summer.

So the Cavs decided to go "all in" for a title, dealing for Shaquille O'Neal and later Antawn Jamison. They had the third-highest payroll in the NBA, nearly $100 million including luxury taxes. In the last few years, they traded draft choices and signed veterans to excessive contracts in an attempt to win a title and keep James.

They gambled and lost.

James' decision

Akron's native son did the Cavs no favors by acting as if he was open to signing with them -- and several other teams -- as he spent a weekend meeting with representatives from the Nets, Knicks, Bulls, Clippers, Cavs and Heat.

It now seems James, along with former Toronto star Chris Bosh, was planing to join Dwyane Wade in Miami -- planning this for months, if not longer. But Bosh and James kept their mouths shut about their future, leaving their old teams waiting and in poor position to replace them.

Free agency began on July 1. James made his announcement on the evening of July 8. Word of him heading to Miami didn't leak out until July 7. By then, the Cavs were taken out of the market for any major free agents.

James did more than leave, he left them with no real way to even come close to replacing him.

Being patient

View full sizeGus Chan / The Plain DealerFor better or worse, the Cavaliers hoped that the veterans who had won during the LeBron years -- including Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao -- could help the franchise transition to a new outlook this season. But injuries devastated that plan, with Gibson, Mo Williams and Anthony Parker all missing significant playing time and Varejao lost for the season with an ankle injury.

Rather than sign or trade for high-priced veterans near the end of their careers -- much as they did with Jamison -- the Cavs decided to take the hit. They would not keep O'Neal or Ilgauskas. They traded the emotionally troubled but talented Delonte West for two young players -- Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins.

They also settled for four future draft picks from Miami in exchange for James: Two first rounders, two second rounders and a $14 million trade exception.

They decided to open the season with veterans Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao, Anthony Parker, Daniel Gibson, J.J. Hickson and Jamison as their core players. If that group proved it could stay around .500 and compete for a playoff spot by the end of 2010, then the Cavs would make a dramatic trade to win now.

But if they began to lose, all plans would involve being patient and planning for the future.

Over and over, General Manager Chris Grant talked about "being strategic" and "being flexible" with the salary cap, not selling out the future to take away some of the pain today.

Break up the Cavs

View full sizeJae C. Hong / Associated PressWhen the short-handed Cavaliers were forced to give starting roles to youngsters Manny Harris (8, against the Lakers), Christian Eyenga, Alonzo Gee and Samardo Samuels, their fate was set.

Once James departed, some fans and media members thought the team should dump its best players and lose big. This is not baseball, where the lack of a salary cap allows richer teams to easily buy up stars from smaller-market franchises who are losing. Tribe fans know how this deal hurts.

But fate broke up the Cavs, as in a broken bone in the foot of Varejao -- Scott's favorite player and perhaps the team's most valuable because of his ability to play center and power forward, to rebound, defend and inspire his teammates.

During the 25-game losing streak, Varejao has missed 19 games, Williams missed 14, Parker missed eight and Gibson missed seven.

There have been nights when Jamison and Hickson are surrounded by Alonzo Gee, Manny Harris, Christian Eyenga, Samardo Samuels, Sessions and Hollins. That group is simply not NBA ready -- Samuels, Harris and Eyenga are rookies, Gee a guy who bounces between the D-League and the NBA.

Sessions is a promising player, but perhaps best as a backup.

For much of the losing streak, the players available on the roster looked destined to lose nearly every night.

What about coaching?

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerByron Scott never anticipated that so many of his veterans would be unavailable this season, and the youngsters have struggled to understand his offensive and defensive strategies. But the Cavaliers haven't quit -- as shown in repeated narrow defeats over the last two weeks.

If Scott were a rookie head coach, there would be more of a temptation to put some of the blame on him. But he has been through rebuilding situations in New Jersey and New Orleans. He has taken two teams to the NBA Finals in New Jersey, and was Coach of the Year in New Orleans.

You can criticize him for making too many changes to the offense and defense, but he also believes an up-tempo motion offense is how the Cavs must play in a post-James era. He also hasn't had a group of players healthy enough for an extended period to make his Xs and Os come to life.

Too many nights, he has guys just trying to figure out what it takes to play in the NBA -- and looking overwhelmed by the pace and physical demands of the game.

During this record losing streak, there has been little dissension. Certainly Jamison and a few others would welcome a trade to a contender, but no one is demanding it. There is little second guessing of the coaches.

Scott had a public spat with Hickson, sitting him for a game after a missed practice. But Scott's tough love has dramatically increased Hickson's desire to rebound -- which is what the coaches wanted. He's averaging 11.7 rebounds in the last 15 games. He was at 5.4 before Jan. 1.

Rather than quit, the Cavs actually have been playing better of late -- losing their last four games by an average of five points. They seem to be listening to Scott.

James is vindicated?

The national media takes a quick glance at the standings and concludes James is right, the Cavs stink -- so he can't be blamed for leaving. Injuries are ignored. So is the fact that owner Dan Gilbert would have continued to spend and add talent if James had stayed.

In fact, the Cavs believed they had a deal for Bosh with Toronto if James would have signed an extension.

Miami was 37-14 heading into Tuesday night. It was the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and the Heat have been indeed hot since wiping out the Cavs, 118-90, on Dec. 2. That dropped the Cavs to 7-11, Miami moved to 12-8.

But remember that no team won more games than the Cavs over the last two regular seasons. It was in the playoffs where they stumbled. It will be the playoffs where the final verdict on James' decision will be delivered -- not now or even in early spring.

Let's see if Miami is still playing basketball in June.

What's next?

View full sizeLM Otero / Associated PressAntawn Jamison is averaging over 17 points and six rebounds per game, to little reward in the win column. It will take a while for the hangover from this season to fade.

Losing a star and rebuilding is hard. Just ask Chicago, which has not made it past the second round since Michael Jordan left in 1998. You have to be both good in terms of scouting and coaching, and lucky that you happen to have a high draft pick when a great player is available.

So it's hard to project what will happen next season.

The Cavs are interested in adding draft picks and young players -- such as the deal for Sessions. They are active in trade talks. Mo Williams may have been of interest to some teams, but he has been hurt most of the season -- injuries ranging from a groin pull to an inflamed hip.

When Williams did play, he moved poorly on defense and his ballhandling was sloppy. He said his injuries prevented him from having his usual mobility. Varejao is out for the season with ankle surgery and is as close to an untouchable as the Cavs have on their roster.

Jamison has a contract that pays him $15 million next season, which makes it difficult to trade him. They may be able to move veterans Jamario Moon or Parker for second-round picks as they have expiring contracts.

But the key is to keep working with young players such as Hickson, Harris, Eyenga, Sessions and Samuels. If they have the worst record in the NBA, it guarantees them the best odds for the top pick in the college draft -- and they will pick no lower than fourth. In June, they have their own first- and second-round picks, plus a second rounder from Miami.

They also may be open to adding a veteran in a trade as they will have salary cap room.

So yes, it's wait until next year -- or at least the June draft.

Until then, it will be a very long season for the team and its fans.

Ramon Sessions has given the Cavaliers some extra punch while filling in for the ailing Mo Williams.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Was it a punch, or wasn't it?

Well, if you ask the Cavaliers, they definitely think Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki threw a punch at Ramon Sessions as Sessions came off a pick and got tangled up with the Mavericks' forward late in Monday's loss.

Sessions said he didn't see it when it happened, but caught a replay when he went back to the huddle.

"It's real obvious," Sessions said. "He threw a punch. Don't know why he threw a punch, but he did. It was just a play we were running. I came off a pick. He threw his fist. That's behind us. They called a foul, so we got two free throws out of it."

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerRamon Sessions has been aggressive and effective for the Cavaliers in recent weeks. "He's really pushing the ball the last few games," said coach Byron Scott, "and that's something we've been talking about all season long -- really getting up and down the floor."

Coach Byron Scott said the team sent film of the play to the league office.

"I thought it was a punch," Scott said as the Cavs prepared to host Detroit on Wednesday night at The Q. "They called the foul, but their explanation to me was that it was a foul, they didn't see a punch. I said, 'If you saw the foul, how did you not see the punch?'"

In some ways, it's not surprising that the feisty Sessions was involved. He has been providing the Cavs with some extra punch while filling in for the ailing Mo Williams.

Since Williams played just five minutes at Denver on Jan. 15, Sessions is averaging 15.7 points on .472 (67-of-142) shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 0.9 steals in 13 games.

"I'm just trying to be aggressive," Sessions said Tuesday. "That's part of my game, going to the rack against those big guys. I'm just trying to stay aggressive, knowing that we're not going to give in to anybody. We're going to come out and play hard each night and try to get wins."

Of course, a win has been elusive. The Cavs have lost a league-record 25 games in a row, the last four by a total of 21 points. Scott has noticed that Sessions seems to take the losses especially hard.

"All season long, Ramon has had that one look, but that look has changed, which I think is good," Scott said. "He has been a little more vocal, a little bit more aggressive on both ends of the floor. I think it has kind of trickled down.

"He has been playing well. He's finding open guys, making good plays. His turnovers have been down. He's really pushing the ball the last few games, and that's something we've been talking about all season long -- really getting up and down the floor. The Dallas game we did a great job of really getting into our transition and getting some easy buckets.

"We want to see if we can keep that pace up and continue for him to play that way because he's spearheading that right now. We want him to continue to be aggressive on the offensive end and look to push it every opportunity we have."

Sessions said he wasn't doing anything differently in order to cut down his turnovers, but the extra court time probably gave him a better feel for his teammates.

"I'm just trying to pick up the slack," he said. "Mo's a great player. Somebody's got to fill his spot. I'm just trying to run the team as best as possible -- if that's scoring the ball or getting assists -- I'm just trying to be a complete point guard out there and run the team as best I can."