Mike Brown

The Latest Reality Show: Terrell Owens Drama Airing in Cincinnati

by Josh Dhani on July 28, 2010


The latest reality show called T.O. Drama hijacks the airwaves in Cincinnati, beyond all the possible circumstances of dividing as a bonding core and plunging mightily at the earliest of September, becoming the epicenter of arguably the biggest tragicomedy in sports.

It’s a risky combination and the most perilous experiment in football, assembling together diva-like receivers with cancerous symptoms of dismantling a franchise’s morale and chemistry. As the most despised NFL star, Terrell Owens is the most controversial receiver with an egomaniacal behavior, demanding the football and crying when he’s not getting enough touches.

It’s baffling that the Cincinnati Bengals are getting the popcorn ready, to witness the most dangerous reality show, to witness a temperamental receiver cause confrontation and isolate a franchise with his self-centered attitude. In the meantime, Owens and Chad Ochocinco’s relationship is unconditional love, of course, as neither has played their first game together, but are evidently close friends and have an amiable bond.

At some point, realizing that Terrible Owens is a curiosity in football either when he’s unemployed or emerging as the famous nuisance on reality shows, we can revisit the previous teams that corroded because of Owens’ dysfunction and development as a saboteur. It’s a marriage of controversy, a relationship expected to weaken early in the regular season as mood swings and infighting chaos are looming ever so quickly.

For all the abuse San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, and somewhat Buffalo took, fans in any other town than Cincinnati are laughing at the clowns of the league for gambling on a dangerous and worthless S.O.B. Once, he was allowed numerous chances to enrich a miserable psyche and polish as the most talented wideout, gifted at running routes and physically bringing in an astonishing catch, but he’s a declining receiver with the knack to launch reality shows on VH1 and be represented as a celebrity bust, rather than a football bust.

So, it’s simple to discern that bringing in Terrible Owens are signs of trouble, and the most horrific blunder by reaching an agreement with a mischief maker. If you don’t think Owens agreeing to a one-year, $2 million contract with a potential $2 million more in incentives is crazy, well, you obviously haven’t seen him yelling at teammates or throwing hissy fits with coaches on the sideline or haven’t seen him generating tirades and blaming all his foolish stunts on the media.

When it comes to Terrible Owens, the arrival of an uncivilized star spells trouble. When it comes to Terrible Owens, reaching a deal is a warning sign of hazardous episodes and the demise of one troubled superstar, engulfed by publicity madness, drama, and baggage to downsize a team’s assurance. By now, we are burned out of Owens’ me-myself-and-I practices, irritating our consciousness and the way we perceive a petulant veteran who usually at times conduct himself as an inexperience rookie, as if he’s still finding his way in the league.

As usual, Owens will drain the executives, coaching staff, and teammates in the Bengals organization, particularly if the team doesn’t compromise within his stingy and greedy demands. Why is he worth the hassle? By entering his 15th NFL season, he has accomplished unforeseen feats, an explosive receiver with inconceivable agility and crafty footwork, ranking third in career receiving yards and touchdowns and sixth in receptions.

The good-case scenario is that he provides veteran leadership and performs at the highest level alongside teammate Ochocinco, to form a receiver tandem in limbo. But the worst-case scenario is that he tears down chemistry and spirit by initiating rampages and havoc inside the locker room for jealousy and insecurity of his peers and teammates, accumulating more touches or regards.

“It’s really, really interesting we can be on the same team and work together,” Ochocinco said Tuesday on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

To refresh everyone’s memory, he lasted two seasons in Philadelphia and always had heated feuds with quarterback Donovan McNabb by verbally attacking teammates and throwing tantrums on the sidelines. Remember, he cried and created a ruckus in Dallas, initiating tiring feuds that were advertised publicly when he feuded with quarterback Tony Romo, irritated because he wasn’t getting enough touches or participating in a high-powered offense.

Remember, his disturbing antics forced loyal owner Jerry Jones to release a problematic Owens, whose babyish disruptions were very ravaging within a franchise. Remember, he spent eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, exploding when he attacked Jeff Garcia and insulted his quarterback by calling him gay.


As a well-known diva, it was a risky move for the Bengals, who advanced to the playoffs last season and had enough talent and problems. It’s bad enough that owner Mike Brown is a dauntless businessman willing to take gambles and lobby for rebellious players. If anything, he’s not concerned with building a depleted franchise with unlawful players, but he prefers to win a significant amount of games and advance to the playoffs, having a troubled Larry Johnson and Matt Jones, including a mobile running back Cedric Benson, who benefited on the field while running into unlawful troubles off the field.

Without carefully considering, Brown accepts a mystic Terrible Owens and welcomes the wideout to the Bengals family, based on talent and not a poor reputation. All of which, quarterback Carson Palmer, who has worked with Owens and has been “highly impressed,” is the victim of T.O. attacks if he loses his mind and self-control.

It figures that Cincinnati is Owens’ last franchise before he announces his retirement, with the aging receiver’s style suddenly declining and approaching the late stages of his disillusioning career. It’s a tremendous opportunity for T.O. to mellow as the innocent sports figure and prove to all the populace that he’s not such a villain or franchise suicide, garnering a sense the world revolves around Terrible Owens.

He must discard all the diva acts, an annoying trend needless within a franchise on a mission, so maybe it’s his last resort for avoiding unemployment and salvaging job security and maybe it’s his last resort at thriving with a championship-caliber team and winning a title.

Then again, maybe he’ll be the crybaby that will mope over the amount of touches and receptions. Then again, maybe at the end of the season Marvin Lewis, who is responsible for babysitting Terrible Owens, may have to stroll to the nearest Babies “R” Us and stick a pacifier in Owens’ mouth for weeping and bickering.

“Yes, people can make mistakes,” said Brown. “It doesn’t mean that they go on the rest of their lives making mistakes. They can get their ship pointed in the right direction. This is a 36-year-old man. He’s been through a lot. He’s proven as a player and as a person.”

He’s a little baby and cries out loud. It’s common that he’ll excel and blend in well at the beginning, but as time carries on, he could become the attention-seeker and create havoc, especially when the team is performing poorly and losing a critical amount of games.

Oftentimes, he has blamed ESPN for defaming a troubled reputation and exposing erroneous images. Now, it’s the worldwide leader in sports fault, if he acts like a foolish dimwit, unwilling and blinded by the truth. It’s the actions of Owens, not a television network or Internet source that he deeply targets and holds accountable.

“The teams I’ve been on, if you ask in that locker room how I’ve been as a teammate and as a person, it’s contradictory to what’s been displayed out there,” Owens said. “I’ve never been in any trouble. I know right from wrong. I try to make the right choices and judgments when I’m out in the public.

“It’s not like I can’t play. There is some type of influence that they’re making in the minds of teams and owners and GMs. I feel like I have enough talent to be a starter on any team. That’s what’s so frustrating.”


At anytime, he could lose his mind, throw a hissy fit, and verbally attack teammates. At anytime, Owens’, Ochocinco’s and Palmer’s egos may helplessly collide. With the poor character of Terrible Owens, anything is possible. You never know.

If you are tuning in to the latest reality show, your regularly scheduled program could be cancelled, allowing Terrible Owens to return to “The T.O. Show,” or even Oprah or Dr. Phil for some advice on how to avoid dysfunction. As we all know, Ochocinco appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” and currently starring in a dating show called “Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch.” It’s easy to postulate that they are obsessed with popularity and attention, but also have mental and personal issues.

There’s a reality show in Cincinnati. It’s called the “Team of Dysfunction.”

Oh, Lord…

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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After Dreary Letdown, LeBron James Must Relocate To a New Address

by Josh Dhani on May 14, 2010


Ever seen a crowd in a petrified town nervous about the status of a gifted athlete, dignified for rejuvenating an insubstantial franchise in his hometown?

The enthusiastic fans are suddenly glancing at reality, with the possibility of LeBron James departing Ohio and signing his signature with a rebuilding team in a high-market city this summer in free agency.

A day doesn’t pass without speculation of James’ future within an association of big-name superstars and traditional franchises having the upper advantage because of depth, size, heart, and experience.

The mental state of presumably a devastating ending for James’ regime in Cleveland dooms a beleaguered and embarrassed sports town after a long-lasting calamity absorbs a curse.

When an athlete brainwashes us with Nike ads and puppet commercials and is named NBA’s Most Valuable Player back-to-back, it creates an ego and elevates fame, including an uncertain legacy. Ever since he bypassed college hoops for the pros, he was pampered by his hometown and given the nickname “King”.

He has become the global icon and the worldwide figure, admired for his popularity and creativity in a game he has emerged as the biggest event. His enthralling dunks and distributions of making his teammates more effective symbolizes all things the league advertises.

All of which he’s worshipped more than the average athlete, and has even solidified fame by winning individual awards, but is still devoid of a championship, faltering in critical games and relinquishing at the worst possible time.

So now, the worried people in Cleveland are holding their collective breaths, uneasy and concerned about James’ future.


Suddenly, the global superstar of the Cleveland Cavaliers has become the biggest curiosity in sports. And to think we debated, with much conviction on his next destination, it’s unpredictable where he’ll land come July 1.

Any team can bid, but only a few seem sensible and worth negotiating with. To name a few: Maybe he’ll sign with the Knicks, Heat, Bulls, or even the hapless Nets and be a part of the rebuilding project.

That way he’ll be doing his good friend Jay-Z a favor by representing New Jersey and rejuvenating a franchise once again, even though that would be stepping backwards.

Sometimes we need a change of scenery and he definitely is ready for a change to reduce heart breakers, after falling short each year in the postseason. Once again, his facial expression revealed disappointment and disgust, but this time he hugged and congratulated the Celtics when the buzzer sounded.

He walked towards the tunnel and tossed his headband into the stands, a moment when the world pondered and admittedly were convinced that his future with the Cavs ended.

If there are believers who thinks he’ll leave, Boston fans are among many believing he’ll not return next season. Late in the fourth quarter as time dwindled, the crowd chanted “New York Knicks! New York Knicks!”

It’s only common to believe that James won’t re-sign with the Cavs this summer after an agonizing ending left him distraught in one of the biggest collapses, adding to the nightmarish droughts and deterioration in a town with downcast moments. That was The Shot, The Drive, The Fumble, and The Choke—and now the LeChoke.

Unfair as it seems to point the fingers at LeBron, the fingers must point directly at Mike Brown, whose coaching philosophy descended and failed emphasizing enough energy or urgency this postseason.

He’s definitely a name on the hot seat this offseason. But a week ago, his job security seemed unharmed when the Cavs had a commanding 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against Boston. Aside from the temporary destruction of Boston, Cleveland dropped three consecutive games by a combined 51 points and abolished in a 94-85 elimination loss in Game Six to the Boston Celtics.

James, who scored 22 points on 36.8 percent shooting, walked out of the interview room reflecting back on a lousy, dreary performance.

From his unpleasant facial expressions, he revealed a furious stare and appeared burnt out of the meltdowns, willing to call it a career with the Cavs and try to surmount to triumph elsewhere. He exposed his own weaknesses when he attempted ill-advised jump shots and missed, but in the series he was forced to take outside and midrange jumpers as the Celtics shut down and trapped the interior with a deeper defensive mindset.

Pathetically, James’ squad was horrible defensive-wise and never had an answer for a speedy Rajon Rondo, who harassed the Cavs and dictated the flow fundamentally. Forty-eight days away of becoming a free agent, his availability is valuable to numerous franchises.

He fittingly would be a good addition in Chicago, where he’ll be surrounded with a flowering supporting cast and the talent of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

He could even unite with Dwyane Wade and build a forceful nucleus in South Beach. Or magnetize the business lifestyle and urban cities of New York, becoming the biggest attraction on Broadway and titillate Madison Square Garden.

Better, the Knicks fans have falling in love with James each time he stepped onto the hardwood in the world’s most prestigious venue. Previously, he has awed the fans with his mesmerizing spectacles, while the fans implored that James sign when he’s available. Each time, he was welcomed with warm receptions, and endeared for his spectacular display.

Wherever James ends up, he’ll have to come with urgency and determination unlike his lackluster performance of late.

He rarely commits turnovers, but turned it over nine times for his reckless and mindless muffs with the ball, at times overly dribbling or making risky passes in traffic and near white jerseys. But more staggering was that he carelessly quit on his team and his native town.

He mentally stopped playing and hustling, an uncharacteristic result and relied on his shaky supporting cast instead of demanding the ball and seizing the spotlight in a pivotal game. And it cost the Cavs. Maybe he was really injured after all, feeling the soreness in his damaged elbow.

In Cleveland, the fans are mourning and moistened by the agonizing defeat to Boston.

So, does he leave?

“I’m going to approach this summer with the right mindset,” James said. “With me and my team, we’re going to figure out what’s the best possibility for me. I love the city of Cleveland of course—the city and the fans. It was a disappointing season to say the least, but at the same time we had a great time together. So we’ll see what happens.”

He missed 13 of his 21 field-goal attempts and almost made it a quadruple-double with nine turnovers. As for his legacy, James will solidify his reputation by leaving Cleveland.

There’s many with suspicion as to whether the elbow injury softened his capabilities of playing with energy and toughness in which he wasn’t nearly imposing, but instead left the world in a mystery.

The collapse may force a distraught owner Dan Gilbert to fire Brown and dismiss general manager Danny Ferry. In the offseason, the Cavs will probably upgrade its roster. But for now, the entire town is crestfallen and James may depart in an unhappy ending and leave a city in dismay.

Farewell to the King.

He’s leaving for good.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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LeBron James Needs to Avoid Careless Lurks or Cleveland Doesn’t Rock

by Josh Dhani on May 4, 2010


So the raucous crowd was in attendance, at one of the noisiest venues to witness a prominent super star amaze them with dramatic showcases.

There were genuine moments provoking the crowd to roar wildly at the dignified King James when the Cleveland Cavaliers star stood at mid-court hoisting the MVP trophy.

In a town he calls home and adores dearly, the atmosphere at an energetic locale rocked, and swung the white towels in honor of LeBron James’ second consecutive Most Valuable Player award bestowed to him.

But it’s really interesting how quick the rumbling noise suddenly went silent and the crowd went speechless, without the entertaining puppet putting on a dramatic, breathtaking show.

As the season comes to a closure, the melodrama is heard often with James contract expiring at the end of the season.

He’ll be available to test the market, when he becomes a free-agent.

It’s too early to suggest his next destination or whether he’ll wear a Cleveland uniform for the rest of his career.

But if the Cavs falls short of winning a championship, it seems practical that he’ll depart to contend elsewhere.

For now, he’s worried about a legitimate pursuit in the postseason, getting the Cavs to return to championship form and pull it off for a town with much sporting infirmities, and plights that has left an entire city in misery.

All of their major sporting franchises are helpless, but the closer one aiming towards capturing exultation are the Cavs.

The objective is to erase sporting indignities of The Shot, The Drive, The Fumble and The Choke, an excruciating trend leaving an enthusiastic community in shambles.

After a party/reunion took place at the gym on the University of Akron campus, where he spoke humbly from a podium sending all his thanks and acknowledgment for winning the MVP award, he energized and alarmed a franchise and supporters to believe that this is the year to capture a title.

He’s a valuable forward. He’s a matured model. He’s the face of a franchise with tremendous respectability.

But the Cavs weren’t as believable or soothing to long-awaited supporters when they never played with fierce drive. Instead, Cleveland played as if they were confounded and motionless in pummeling the Boston Celtics.

This was an indicator that the Cavs needs contributions from its role players and bench, as James acts as facilitator and involves his teammates in a fast-break possession or sterling ball movement to make it easier to loft a mid-range jumper or drive inside for a smooth layup.

Based on the performance in Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavs were unbeatable and unstoppable in the Eastern Conference.

As it stands now, the Cavs are unprotected if they fluctuate against the Celtics, an aging and unhealthy team with legions of downsides.

If Cleveland starts to panic, it’s normal to have a level of concern about the Cavs, who have stumbled before against the Celtics and were sent home after a devastating loss.

And if the Cavs approach a series or a game careless and awkwardly, they’ll lose instantly, not necessarily to Boston, but to the upcoming opponent or even a team from the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.

Every game at this point must be played like it’s the last contest to ever be played.

It’s obvious that James is a bit unhealthy, feeling the discomfort in his right elbow. He suffered a sprained and bruised elbow in the last series, and was forced to attempt a left-handed free throw in which he was limited and had trouble shooting from the outside.

He had difficultly controlling the ball, worried about aggravating his elbow and preferred to protect his health, rather than driving the lanes imposing on his powerfully built body to draw the foul and be awarded free throw attempts.

The Celtics outshined and demoralized the Cavs in Game Two, humiliating them on their home floor.

They never had a response, and the loudness of fans quieted down becoming speechless as Boston controlled the rhythm and stole a pivotal game in a hostile environment.

Even though the Cavs nearly crawled back from a large deficit, the Celtics held on to win 104-86 and tied the series at 1-1.

With the decisive win, Boston took home-court advantage, traveling home with higher pride and certainty, and at a building where the Cavaliers have struggled mightily.

For once, the Celtics were scoring at will and obtained contributions from role players. But it doesn’t happen just offensively.

And a weakness was the defensive sketchiness that unraveled the Celtics in shutting down the middle and restraining opponents from driving to the rim, especially when Kevin Garnett was absence sitting on the sideline or severing a suspension.

It happened ironically, finding their groove at the right time and making proper adjustments to turn it into a competitive bout.

For each team, it may actually become a challenging and compelling series, lasting at least six games with a few dramatic finishes.

Realistically, the Cavs are too athletic, hungry, potent and good. And honestly, the Celtics are too old, worn down and sluggish.

In the wake of his MVP honors, LeBron scored 24 points, almost six points below his season scoring average and more than eight fewer than his average in the Cavs’ first six postseason games.

It’s not the Chicago Bulls, a franchise that was faced with turbulence and dauntless of eliminating a balanced core.

In other words, this isn’t the Bulls, but it’s the Celtics, a team that has experienced a title and much triumph by smoking victory cigars, watching confetti fall from the ceilings and celebrating with the fans on Causeway Street in downtown Boston.

Matters turned uglier when Cleveland fans booed and left early, frustrated and angry with the flaky performance on a night they merely loss the third game at home in its past 18 playoff games.

This made coach Mike Brown cringe, dropping the worst home playoff home loss since 2006.

“Tonight was real simple—they kicked our behind from the beginning,” he said angrily. “And we did not fight back until late. We’ve got to decide that we’re going to take the fight to them and take these games. Nothing is going to be given to us at all.”

James struggled early and never found his rhythm.

He missed shots and stumbled on abysmal shooting, only finishing on 7 for 15 with five turnovers, while his sidekick and tandem Mo Williams didn’t drain shots through the nets, finishing an awful 1 for 9 and settled for four points.

As for the Cavs, they only shot 40 percent from the field. And once again, everyone vanished. They were absence as it was easy to forget about Delonte West, who had four points in 31 minutes.

The latest in the news is that the Cavs are mortal, unless the bench and LeBron revive in time to take command of the best-of-seven series.

That’s hard to imagine when Cleveland had one of its best seasons, convincing the world that they are the hungriest and toughest out in the postseason.

Why wasn’t LeBron infuriated?

“We know we didn’t play well, that third quarter definitely was one of the worst quarters we had this year, offensively and defensively,” James said.

“But you look at it, at the end of day, the series is tied 1-1. These are two really good teams, and we’re looking forward to Game Three.”

The toughness was seen from the Celtics.

What we do know about the C’s is that they need outside shooting from the scorching Ray Allen, who scored 22 points.

For whatever reason, everyone is focused and turns all attention to KG, since he’s the inspirational leader and aggressor on defense. But Rajon Rondo out shined all players in a much-needed game with 19 assists as an explosive floor general.

For now, the Cavs are still likable to hoist the glamorous prize in June.

The nightmarish blow out loss won’t last forever, perhaps with a win in Boston. That shifts the momentum, but more than ever, it erases the dreadful memories and restores vitality making all supporters believe it’s the Cavs year.

If Cleveland wins, it rocks. If not, it would be an absolute failure.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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King James is Most Valuable, But for Cleveland Cavaliers It’s Now or Never

by Josh Dhani on May 2, 2010


There were times when a rambunctious crowd erupted a crazy frenzy at the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, and witnessed LeBron James sprinkled baby powder onto his hands and tossed it skyward to thrill a sold-out capacity crowd.

So there are the Cleveland Cavaliers in their finest season, generating enough buzz to pose as the next NBA franchise to be crowned champs. If the loyal population in an avid sporting town is still inquisitive to know exactly where LeBron may end up next season when he becomes a free-agent this summer, his status of testing the market is trivial.

Expected to alleviate town indignities, the Cavs are the nearest major franchise in a cursed sports town to revoke from humiliation that has dragged down soul for its dismal culture.

It’s wrongly inappropriate to dismiss the Cavs, a franchise led by more than a puppet, but a global superstar in James. He’s expected to be named the MVP for the second straight season, with leading a deep supporting cast and having a large impact on the Cavs optimistic pursuit to the NBA Finals.

Need I remind you that the town rocks, zests to taste a legitimate prize in June? At last, there’s much more to witness than rock stars performing at a nearby venue or touring the luxurious sites of the Rock and Roll museum, observing photos and memorabilia of the Beatles or Rolling Stones.

It’s the time of year when much blabbering and attention is given to a fascinating basketball franchise, with the excitement and captivation of LeBron’s intense performances. Ever since he was the overall selection in the NBA Draft years ago, he was absorbed heavily as a savior and earned praise for rejuvenating a horrid franchise.

In his domain, he has improved ticket sales and lifted the attendance level at a spacious venue, suddenly a noisy and active environment where the swinging towels and flags are a notable trademark. No disrespect to the Boston Celtics, but it’s now or never for the Cavs to prove worthy of winning a title and satisfy a long-awaited crowd.

Although this series should be exciting, Cleveland is more athletic, hungrier, earnest and younger than the battered Celtics. Although this series should be an intense battle and last seven games, they’ll prevail in a sudden death to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

What happened Saturday was an indicator that the Cavs are delivering a sense of normalcy in the postseason, translating its usual trends seen so often during the regular-season. It’s simply a great team at home, fueled on the crowd’s intensity and enthusiasm, which mostly results in a charming win.

If anything, it doesn’t take much to deliver a knock out punch against the vulnerable and beatable Boston. When the Cavs dispatched the Chicago Bulls in the first round, enough to irritate Joakim Noah, whose animosity encouraged them to pummel an unbalanced and tumultuous team, the Cavs were resilient and savvy at knocking out the Bulls.

The elements of well-coaching and intrepidity is a common philosophy to excel at the highest level in a competitive postseason. The unique possibility of the Cavs purging in the second-round is hard to imagine, fortunate to take on Boston.

It certainly is less daunting to fall to the Celtics, but fittingly, it’s more convenient to thrive and advance deeper into the postseason for a feasible meeting with the Lakers in the Finals. After all, it’s a unanimous bout the world desires witnessing, in which the man with the scowl would collide with the man with the tomahawk dunks.

More specifically, the dream matchup we are dying to see is Kobe and LeBron clash on the same court in what would be an epic classic, and even silence the obnoxious debates on which player is more prominent and worthy of MVP notability.


Right now, it’s no one other than LeBron, the noble superstar who’s hours before receiving his second straight MVP award. The delivery and leadership alone declares James as the front-runner with his versatility and energy to appease respectable fans of honoring his powerful influence.

He’s the reigning Most Valuable Player, but hails in an indigenous environment attached to ineffectual and inspiring star players. He symbolizes the heart of a beloved sports town, bowing to King James when he has a wonderful scoring night. All the people in attendance gratefully chanted “MVP! MVP!”

Nearly each game this season, he was the clutch performer in the fourth quarter and pleaded for the ball to close out a wild contest on a positive note. What superstar doesn’t take over in the late minutes?

As a native growing up in Akron, Ohio, he always dreamed of playing for his hometown team, a franchise he grew up rooting and now in good position of winning a title as an NBA star at home. He accepts the challenge, likes dazzling in the huge moments and feels comfortable with the ball in his hands.

It’s not that he distrusts in his teammates, but plays the leadership role when it’s necessary, and if he intends to excel an agenda before he tests the market, he knows the consequence of controlling the tempo while aiming to win a title.

Maybe it would bribe the All-Star forward to wear a Cavs uniform until he retires, urging the organization to sign LeBron to the richest deal in NBA history before New York pursues and offers James millions.


For now, he’s strictly focused on winning a championship and celebrating with his hometown friends, teammates and family. Before the series, the masses worried about his sore elbow, but relieved tension when he reported that it felt better and had loosened. He also said that he didn’t put pressure on it during the off days since he was forced to attempt a left-handed free throw Tuesday to close out the series against the Bulls.

The worldwide icon walked of the court in Game One against Boston calmed, after pulling off a convincing comeback to salvage a 101-93 win Saturday. If the supporting cast has a brilliant and productive run without vanishing, the Cavs can win the championship. But he’ll need contributions from all the role players, while he adds the finishing touches and afloat in the Eastern Conference with the commodities of a sizable frontcourt.

More substantially, the Cavs have tremendous depth in the frontcourt with Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson. Now that coach Mike Brown realizes he’s getting production out of Hickson, he’ll probably make some adjustments and juggle the starting lineup around, giving him more quality minutes.

A lot of fans are pleased with his toughness and work ethic underneath the rim, as well as Varejao, both attacking and creating trouble by smothering Paul Pierce.

Like the average individual, we all age. During the offseason, the Cavs acquired Shaquille O’Neal, the once-dominant center whose phrase is freestyle rapping, but also is clobbering the middle with his oversized athleticism. It seems he’s slower in running up and down the floor, but still blocks shots and throws down dunks when he’s inside the interior.

It’s conceivable to think that the Cavs are orchestrated by James’ coercion. The scoreboard read that he scored 35 points on 24 field goal attempts, with seven assists to finish the night. As always, he’s an expertise of the game, he’s a world-class athlete and he’s the Most Valuable Player, not only in the league, but as a member of the Cavs.

He’s the remarkable King James.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Time Ran Out On the Cleveland Cavaliers

by Josh Dhani on May 31, 2009


Written By: Graham Brunell

As the time slowly ate away at a devastated Cleveland Cavaliers team, we began to think that all of their achievements this year meant nothing. Why? Simple: they didn’t win a championship. Scratch that: they didn’t even advance to the Finals.

You couldn’t help but feel sorry for LeBron James, Most Valuable Player and All-NBA Defender, as he dragged himself off the court without even shaking Magic players’ hands or speaking to the media.

You couldn’t help but feel sorry for the 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers as Marv Albert remarked multiple times that “time was (or at that point in time, “is”) running out on the Cleveland Cavaliers.”

And as Mo Williams began to chuck up desperation jumpshots, we knew it was all over. From the time LeBron kept trying to move the ball into the paint to draw the foul on Dwight Howard, we could sense the upset Magic fans had dreamed of was becoming a reality.

When I and the rest of TNT’s viewers saw that Mike Brown just chuckled at every foul call in the closing minutes (most of which involved Anderson Varejao), we knew that he was feeling some disappointment. But he knew that he had a task at hand as coach: to put together a better team next year.

Sure the Cavs held the best record in the regular season, and yes, they were an undefeated team heading into the Orlando series. But the fact is, the only reason the Magic won was matchups. What matchups hurt them? Perimeter and post players, most of which falls on the forwards and the rest of the frontcourt, something the Cavs never had even after the acquisition of Joe Smith.

(From Cavalier Attitude)


One of my best friends from back in Ohio (who is not a Cavs fan, by the way) sent me a series of texts last month after the Cavs wrapped up homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs:

“Sooner or later, the Cavs organization will be exposed for having convinced people and themselves that they actually built a well-constructed team around LeBron. Ferry f***ed up big time with the Larry Hughes signing, and why the hell did he give Gibson close to the [midlevel exception] for four or five years? This team will be exposed sooner or later. I don’t know how the hell you all won 66 games, but you are not even close to being the best team in the league. Your team is a sham. And [your guys'] frontcourt is old and decrepit and if you still think that [Anderson Varejao] deserves $7-8 million a year [then] you should stop watching basketball.”

I laughed at the time. I’ll never forget it. I texted him back and told him he knew nothing about hoops and was just jealous because his Knicks had no shot in hell at LeBron.

Oh yeah, and I threatened to curbstomp him. Just kidding.

That may have been the only human being on Earth that thought the Cavs were a sham. What kind of person (who is right in the head) thinks that the team with the best record, the MVP, an All-NBA Defender, and the Coach Of the Year is a sham? Yes, from the beginning all of us had wondered how LeBron needed so little to do so much. But a sham? No, and don’t even try to say you thought that before this Orlando series.

And why would we? I mean, LeBron James IS compared to Michael Jordan (much to some people’s dismay) right? He finished the regular season averaging 28.4 points per game, 7.2 assists per game, and 7.6 rebounds per game. In the playoffs, he performed above what were already enormous expectations, averaging 35.3 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, and 7.3 assists per game.

And Mo Williams did transform into an All-Star, correct? Williams came up big for the Cavs during the regular season, averaging 17.8 points per game and 4.1 assists per game. He also averaged 16.3 points per game in the playoffs, and exceeded his normal production during the Conference Finals, averaging 18.3 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game. All of this came alongside of LeBron.

And Mike Brown was Coach Of the Year, am I wrong? And am I seeing things, or did the Cavs have one of best defensive teams in the league? The Cavs let up just 91.35 points per game, first in the league ahead of the Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Cavs also averaged 100.28 points per game, which was 12th in the league.

I could go on, and on… and on. The fact is, by midseason, we all had acknowledged that the Cavs were contenders, and most if not all of us were not going to doubt King James’ Cavs. We can only applaud the Orlando Magic for being possibly the only team in the league (although Boston did not have Garnett and Powe as you all know) that had the firepower to take down the Cavs.

So congratualations to the 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that gave Cleveland hope this year. A team that most Cleveland fans will be excited about for next year once they get over last night’s loss.

And LeBron, maybe you’ll get ‘em next year (that is, if the Celtics… oh fine I won’t ruin it).

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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