The Cleveland Cavaliers still reeling since they were blown away by the Miami Heat.
Detroit Pistons' Charlie Villanueva, left, tangles with Cleveland Cavaliers' Antawn Jamison (4) while driving to the basket.The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't show up for the biggest game of the season last week when they were blown away by the Miami Heat.
Many things about the game disappointed the fans, including the fraternizing going on between the Cavs and LeBron James. News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes how the Cavs' players insisted the cameras were inaccurate in depicting what really went on. There's no love lost between James and many of the Cavs who still play here. Some, however, still worship the ground he walks on.
When it comes to rumors, Finnan writes:
-- The Cavs have not floated forward Antawn Jamison's name out there on the trade market — yet. There are only a few teams that would be interested in acquiring him — a contender looking for a stretch "4," and one that isn't scared off by his contract.
-- Unlike baseball, in which every team has to be represented, the Cavs are not expected to have anyone picked for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Actually, of the four players on the ballot — J.J. Hickson, Jamison, Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao — none are even close.
-- Varejao should thank LeBron James for helping to get him his big contract in the summer of 2009. He's proving to be severely lacking on the offensive end. However, he was a great finisher when James was passing him the ball. Of course, one could make the same argument for Hickson. He's in a funk right now.
-- The Cavs' intent is to use the $14.5 million trade exception, not to stand pat with the collective bargaining agreement expiring. No one knows what's in the NBA's future. A lockout is coming, but observers think there's too much at stake for it to stretch too far into the season.
Quitness
There was so much talk about LeBron James quitting on the Cavaliers and quitting on a Cleveland, and the fans let him know about with signs and even words last week when the Cavaliers hosted the Miami Heat.
But CBSSports.com reporter Royce Young writes that fans here should turn the tables on the Cavaliers when they return home on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.
Following the loss to the Heat, the Cavaliers went to Minnesota and lost by 34 to a team with only four wins.
It was a game you'd expect the Cavs to bounce back in. I mean, they had to still be stinging after the beating they took at the hands of the Heat and ready to rinse that blood off their hands.
Coach Byron Scott put it this way: "We played like the word that starts with an s and ends with a t," he said. "To me we're playing like the worst basketball team in the NBA right now.''
Game stories
The News-Herald: Losses are mounting.
Ohio.com: Frustration rules.
Cleveland.com: Detroit Pistons extend Cavaliers losing streak.
Freep.com: Lineup change helps Pistons defeat Cavaliers.