C:tB Reader 5-on-5 (All Star Break Edition)

For most of the NBA season, and really pretty much the entire calendar year, you guys get to read and sometimes hear us Cavs: the Bloggers wax, wane, pontificate and complain regarding all things Cavalier. With that in mind, it’s always fun and insightful to have some of the commentariat step into the limelight and share their thoughts and perspective on a bigger stage than the comments section can provide. So, here’s an opportunity to get to know a little bit more about some of our regular readers… including their level of Cavs fanaticism, the identity of their favorite wearer of the wine & gold (or blue and orange, or black and blue… as the case may be), what showdown they’d want to see this year, how they’d magically change the fortunes of this team, and which of their peers or bloggers they’d most like to knock a few back with while taking in a Cavs game. Without further ado… Simmo, Hot Sauce, TV63, Raoul and JMay are about to bring you some feature entertainment… in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…

1) On a scale of 1 (casual observer) to 10 (face-painted fanatic), describe your level of Cavalier obsession, and what got you there?

Simmo: Based on the fact that I’ve watched almost every Cavs game live so far this season, I’d have to grade myself at 7. I am still able to break off and attend to life matters without breaking into a cold sweat, but probably only since I know I can watch the game back on League Pass. That, and the fact I have taught my two-year-old daughter to say most of the players’ names means I can’t grade any lower.

My road to Cavs fandom is probably a bit different from most C:tBers. It started when my family moved to Cleveland for one year during 2014 from Australia. Apart from loving traveling to new places, I was particularly happy to go overseas at this time for two reasons. The first was that my countrymen had seen fit to install a complete idiot as our Prime Minister, so it seemed a perfect time to leave for a while. The second was that my main sports interest HAD been Australian Rules Football. Unfortunately I, like many followers of the club I was affiliated with, have had my club and love of the sport destroyed by a drugs scandal which started in 2012 and somehow continues to this day (just google “AFL” and ”peptides” if you want to know more). So I guess you could say I was a keen sports fan searching for a new team/sport to attach to. When we arrived in Cleveland, our cable guy started talking about Delly as he had installed cable for him too. I’d never heard of him until then. So there was an Aussie link, and perhaps that got me watching games to start with. My fandom blossomed partly because of the LeBron return (and the talent that followed him), but also from watching Delly’s progression from what I thought was a classic underachiever to steely-eyed missile-man. This was in spite of the only game we saw at the Q being extremely underwhelming (Dion’s last game as I recall). After the famous Cavs bowling game, they clicked as a team and became so much fun to watch. After the wild playoffs run, I knew I was hooked and signed up for League Pass as soon as we arrived back in Australia. Shortly after noticing how many Golden State jerseys were being worn over here, I had to then buy the Kyrie Irving swingman jersey. It was a moral imperative.

Hot Sauce: 10. I grew up in the Cleveland suburbs, and my dad had season tickets to the Cavs throughout my childhood. I remember going to Richfield to watch the Lenny Wilkens teams, and living and dying by the outcomes. I used to stay awake and listen to Joe Tait’s postgame on the radio (“Have a gooood night, everybody!“). I even remember those Fratello teams with Brandon, Kemp, Hill, Phills, and Mills. And then, of course, there was the deep (almost insane) passion of the LeBron Era 1.0. Our sports scene was so downtrodden when he arrived — the Browns were terrible after the “expansion,” the Tribe was starting to fall apart. But LeBron was so magical, and so antithetical to the paradigm of Cleveland sports — we finally had a true superstar on our side. Those first playoff runs were incredible for me — the Wizards series, the Detroit series, the Game 5 in Detroit, the Spurs finals, etc. I was lucky enough to attend Game 2 of the Magic series when LBJ hit the 3 at the buzzer to win. No one left the Q. All 20,000 fans just stood there and screamed “MVP, MVP, MVP…” for like 30 minutes straight. Incredible. My emotional investment in the team is not healthy or rational. But it is what it is, and it was forged over many years of loss and suffering.

TV63: Passion Scale: 8.5. My family objected, and said the scale is not high enough as far as they are concerned. Ha. What got me there? LoL… actually, it was after LeBron left and when the Cavs got Kyrie Irving. I was really sold on rebuilding the team with young talent. It was so exciting when we had four players in the Rising Stars Game. Kyrie Irving is still the most electrifying player in the NBA in my opinion.

Raoul: 8. Here is why I love basketball: I was fortunate to grow up on an East Side street full of kids. We played baseball, football, and basketball all the time. I wasn’t very good, but was tall, which aimed me towards basketball. I got more athletic and found the touch for jump shots. In my 20’s and 30’s, I played in pickup games about six days a week, often with Mid-Major men’s and women’s varsity players. I still played once or twice a week until I got titanium knees at age 64 (you can be the slowest guy in the gym, but you are still a point guard at a knee replacement clinic!). It is hard to quit, because you really miss hanging out with the gang at the gym, which is a true cross section of everyone in America.

Here is why I love the Cavs: I have pride in all things Cleveland, which has only grown stronger since I moved away at 19. In Southeastern Ohio, I often watch NFL with a group that is about 59% Steelers fans, and 40% Browns fans. We don’t get in any actual fights, and enjoy razzing each other and making outlandish bets (yes, alcohol is involved). Being a basketball player, the Cavs are my fave. I am pretty busy, so I don’t watch too many Indians and Cavs games. I listen to a lot on the radio, and follow some online while working, and of course with C:tB! When I go out for a beer, I count on the guys who watched the game to give me an immediate update.

JMay: I would consider myself a 9. I don’t think I can bump myself up to the 10, if only because I despise painting my skin. It’s just not comfortable.

However, I miss only a handful of games a year, and the ones I do miss usually cause me some anxiety while the game is going on. Especially if I can’t check my phone constantly for scores. In addition to that, a large portion of my free time is spent on Cavs: the Blog. As for what got me there, I remember the moment I became a Cavs fan. When I was 12 years old, my step-father won tickets to a Cavs game at an auction. We were sitting in the fold out chairs behind the hoop. I remember thinking, as Latrell Sprewell stepped to the line, “Man! They are so huge!” I was hooked. Back then they were still black and blue, now I pull for the wine and gold.

2) Who is your all time favorite Cav?

Simmo: My favourite player has changed several times — initially, it was Kyrie for his mad handles, but then nuclear Delly was engaged in the finals and he assumed top spot. However this year, I have to admit that the much-maligned JR Smith has my vote. The 2016 Cavs would be lost without his consistency, unconscious shooting, great defense and all-round athleticism (I’m trying to ignore the silly and badly-timed fouls).

Hot Sauce: LeBron. I know it’s fashionable to beat up on LeBron these days, but I still remember following him when he was in middle school, and always having pride in the fact that he was from NE Ohio. I lived in NY when he was just rising to national fame at SVSM (i.e., “The Chosen One” SI Cover), and I would tell all my friends about him — “There is this dude from NE Ohio who is the next Jordan.” No one believed me. The night we won the lottery to get him was one of my greatest sports moments of all time — as a Cleveland fan I had never experienced a good break. The Fumble, the Drive, the Shot, Modell, Mesa, etc. And then we win the lottery for LeBron!?!?!?! Unreal. Not to use religious language, but within the sports paradigm I was raised, it was truly “miraculous” — things like that didn’t happen in Cleveland. His arrival — the Chosen One from our own backyard — seemed fated. And now, years later, with his betrayal and heroic return, his championing of our hometown on a national stage, and the possibility of a championship for the ‘Land, the allure of LeBron’s narrative is as powerful as ever.

Addendum: I understand that lots of people think of LeBron as a phony or a prima donna. If you are one of those people, watch the video above. If you can’t see the passion in the man, his intensity, his drive and determination, then too bad for you. Athletes are scrutinized at every turn today, and LeBron Raymone James packed his bags from Miami to return to NE Ohio, to raise his kids there, and to try to win a ring for the region. He may have his flaws, but no Cavalier, past or present, is in his class #TheKing #AllIn #StriveForGreatness.

TV63: That is Soooo hard to answer. Long term memory favorite would be Mark Price. 1993 was a very fun year for the Cavs, and he led the way. Shorter term memory for me in the here and now is Anderson Varejao. He has to be the most mentally tough, loyal and hard working Cav player I have ever seen.

Raoul: Current gang: I have always loved Andy, Tristan, and Delly because they play hard and don’t act like stars. My girlfriend will even watch the game when Andy is playing! My new favorite is JR. I used to dislike him, but since he has come to the Cavs, he has quit being a knucklehead and is playing way above expectations. Old days: Getting Daugherty, Harper, Price, and Hot Rod in one draft was the ultimate. I had a brief encounter with Harper when he was a senior at Miami. Before a game, he was signing autographs for the kids. The field hockey team was selling towels with logos, and I tossed one at Harper just to razz him. I had not known that he was working to overcome a speech impediment and made it a point to talk to everyone. He picked up the towel and came over and asked what I wanted him to write on it. When he handed it to me, I said “Man, I hope the Cavs draft you.” All around great person and player.

Raoul with cutouts of Ron and Brad…

JMay: This one is tough. I’ll put it this way, I have a top three. Is that a cop out? Maybe, but I like them for different reasons. First on the list, Austin Carr. I am too young to have watched him play, though I’ve gone back and watched plenty of those games whenever I get the chance. But the reason I love Austin Carr is more because of who he is now. Honest, hilarious, and an underrated basketball mind, Carr adds a lot of enjoyment to watching Cavs games. I wouldn’t trade him for any other commentary guy. Next on the list, Andy. Andy is the exact type of player I want on Cleveland teams. He’s been fiercely loyal to the team, remaining so even during the dark days. He also works incredibly hard and is almost always overwhelmingly positive. And, finally, the new age favorite, Kyrie Irving. He really, really makes me angry sometimes with his insistence on dribbling the air out of the ball, but his highlights are seriously righteous. Absolutely dazzling to watch, he’s just so fun.

3) If there was one regular season game you could see or have seen in person this year, which would it be?

Simmo: It’s a bit OTT patriotism, but I felt rather jealous seeing a lot of Aussies in the Q crowd on the Australia Day game. It would have been amazing to be there. Serious FOMO.

Hot Sauce: It’s hard to get too excited about any regular season game this year, given how much we elevated our play in the playoffs last year, and given our pretty clear path back to the Finals. But if I had to choose one game, it would be the Lakers game. I have never been a big “Kobe guy,” but it would’ve been special to be there for his last game to send him off in style.

TV63: OKC, and I did get to go. I absolutely love the tenacity and teeth gnashing of Russell Westbrook and the smoothness of Kevin Durant’s 3-point shot. They have the complete package of physicality, high flyers and shooting 3’s. I just knew it was going to be an edge of your seat kind of game.

Raoul: Is Boston coming again? I think I hate Boston more than Chicago and Detroit. I don’t really hate the Spurs and Warriors because they play so smart. You can’t hate Toronto because they are Canadians. Are the Lakers still in the league?

JMay: Easy, the second Cavs-Spurs game, the one that we played in Cleveland. Of course, we all know how that game went. Regardless of the final score, growing up, Duncan was one of my favorite players. I would have wanted to see him play live. And since he ended up sitting that game, I would have been eternally angered with Pop, to the tune of a $250,000 fine.

4) If you had the power to magically change one thing about this Cavs team, what would it be?

Simmo: I would grant Mo Williams the power to play perfect defense. While most players have chinks in their armour that their coaches have to shield from the opposition, I’m pretty sure Coach Lue (and Blatt before him) has nightmares about what the top teams can do to the Cavs offensively while Mo is on the court. I have no idea what Mo’s net off-the-court rating is this year, but I remember him having the highest on the Blazers team in 2014. The team was at its best with him off the court. His stats may not show this since he’s been at the Cavs, but I feel like they should.

Hot Sauce: I wish the KI injury had never happened. First off, we may have won the Finals (I think we would have). But even if we didn’t, I think our chemistry would be so much better right now. With KI out for so long, LBJ and Love had to play differently. Now they both have to re-adjust to KI’s presence, and its clear that we haven’t found our rhythm yet (at all). Also, KI was playing so efficiently last year. The injury has clearly set him back. That said, I remain in the small minority of fans who are absolutely not worried about our recent struggles. I think they are a natural consequence of our lack of chemistry, the injury to KI, the coaching change, etc. I think by end of March, we will be rolling like we were at the end of last year — insanely efficient offense that mixes ball movement, open threes, and dominant ISO play by LBJ and KI when needed. But, I think we’d already be there if not for the KI injury. So I’d change that if I could.

TV63: “Magically?” Have more wishes? Hmmm… I’m torn between getting LeBron the perfect coach or getting a terrorizing center. But, I’m going with a Kick Bad-assery Center! The Cavs have never had that.

Raoul: If magic is allowed, I would give LeBron an attitude transplant that would make him ALWAYS play smart, and limit the ISO-ball to when it is needed. For a realistic thing that can happen: get Delly and JR resigned. I don’t know how many more years JR has. Maybe he can play a few and take over the Champ’s role as elder statesman. Delly is going to make a fortune real soon, and I am counting on Dan to step up to the plate as usual.

JMay: The one thing I would change about this team is the effort. I don’t care if, in the long run, taking games off means LeBron can be rested in the second half. I am so tired of watching lazy, half-dead players once every other week or so. I want to be the team that destroys their opponents so thoroughly that instead of thinking they can play with us every night, teams go into the game thinking they stand no chance. Just once, as a Cleveland sports fan, I want to be the team that does what Golden State is doing right now. I want them to run roughshod over the league, and that can’t happen if we don’t give, as Deadpool says in his new movie, “Maximum effort.”

5) What C:tB commenter would you most like to watch a Cavs game with?

Simmo: I’d want to sit with NOMAD, because:

a) I agree with many observations he writes, and when I don’t I can still see his point of view — his experience & common-sense approach is obvious.

b) He has excellent taste in beer.

c) I want to see if he talks like he types, or if he is actually softly spoken. I would bring my earplugs just in case.

Hot Sauce: I am torn between Cols and Nate. Cols and I would have a blast. However, I would love the opportunity to convince Nate that Kyrie and LeBron are better than Omri Casspi and John Leuer. And, that trading Sergei Karasev and Tyler Zeller to create cap space to sign LBJ was worth it. If things went well, we could even discuss Jonas and maybe Wiggins. (I kid because I love, Nate).

TV63: Hey, not fair. There are like three. When looking at the entertaining comments, pics and vines, it has to be EvilGenius! The most hilarious demonstration of this was the night he put up two dozen alternate coaching choices for the Cavs. I’m still laughing. Tom and Nate are up there too! If I couldn’t pick writers, (I had to really think about this) I would choose Arch because he is very knowledgeable about all the players, BUT under one condition. He couldn’t speak the word “Windy” OR else Moondog gets to take him down for the half-time show to do the Macarena dance wearing a 10-gallon cowboy hat with the words “Call Cols” written on it. Reasonable? Just joking, Arch. Yippee-ki-yay! Now, everyone is convinced I’m insane.

Take it away, Arch…

Raoul: Every single one of them! To mention a couple:

NOMAD, because I love talking to coaches. I always played extra hard in pickup games if there was a high school coach on my team (still trying to become a starter after all these years!).

Cols, because you can tell he is the kind of guy that everyone would be razzing and picking on, and (after about a six pack), I would be having a fun time telling them to F*** off. (Might be a little old for this).

EG, because he makes the best wisecracks and sly remarks!

JMay: I would say, and I think this is going to be a common answer, Cols. His outrageous positivity and insistence that the Cavs are the end-all, be-all, of basketball would make the game that much more fun. He doesn’t have any regard for logic most of the time. It’s as if he is watching a different game than the rest of us sometimes. Also, I imagine him being the loud, passionate sort when he watches the game, screaming at the players even though they can’t hear what he’s saying. That appeals to me. But really, no one in my life even likes basketball, let alone brings a level of obsession anywhere close to what I do, so I’d settle for just watching the game with any one of these commenters who care and watch as closely as I do.