Cavs blog by Bob Finnan
The Cavs had a first on Wednesday, winning a game with LeBron James on the bench. Sure, the Bobcats are not a playoff squad. But winning in Charlotte is not easy for anyone. The Cavs just seem to struggle in North Carolina.
The Cavs have now won 12 of the 15 all-time meetings against the Bobcats. They've also won three of four this year against them. But it's never easy, especially when James is on the bench.
They were 0-7 this year when he was unable to finish a game this year. Guard Devin Brown played very well, even though his shooting numbers (4 of 14) were off. It was one of Wally Szczerbiak's best games. He had just 11 points, but nine of them came in the fourth quarter.
Imagine if Wally suddenly starts making shots. Imagine what kind of boost that would be to the Cavs' offense. He's been getting wide-open looks. But he hasn't been able to knock them down on a regular basis. Even after Wednesday's 5-for-8 performance, he's still shooting just 34.8 percent from the field.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
All is right with the world
From News-Herald Staff Writer David S. Glasier:
As I write, it’s 2:45 on Monday afternoon, and the sun is out in downtown
Cleveland.
Normally, nothing about that statement would be noteworthy.
But on this particular Monday, the Indians are playing their home opener and
season opener at Progressive Field.
The first pitch, thrown by big left-hander C.C. Sabathia, will be made in 20
or so minutes.
Not only is the field bathed in sunlight, but the outside temperature is 64
degrees.
By standards applied to previous home openers on the south shore of Lake
Erie, this is quite pleasant.
Compared to last year’s home opener, stopped in the middle of the fourth
inning by a snow squall, this is tropical.
As is my custom — rain, shine or snow — I got downtown three hours before
the scheduled start of the home opener. That gives me a chance to hit the
streets surrounding the ballpark, take a long walk, get a bite to eat and
gauge the mood of the fans.
In 2008, the early arrival also is expedient. If you haven’t been downtown
in a while, traffic flow on East Ninth Street near the ballpark is a mess
thanks to the continuing Euclid Corridor project. At the intersection of
East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue, there is one lane in each direction.
Many fans are late getting into the ballpark because of the near-gridlock
conditions around the ballpark.
Memo to all Tribe fans planning to attend games this season at Progressive
Field: If you normally get off the freeway at East Ninth, take an alternate
route until you hear otherwise. I’d recommend the Innerbelt to Prospect
Avenue. You’ll hit some traffic on Prospect, but it won’t be as bad as what
you’ll experience on East Ninth.
Now that the traffic report has been delivered, let’s get back to setting
the street scene before Monday’s home opener. The fans I see and speak to
are in upbeat frames of mind because of the unexpectedly nice weather, and
because the Indians are supposed to be one of the best teams in the American
League.
Just outside the ballpark, in Gateway Plaza, hundreds of fans are soaking up
the atmosphere and listening to music played by Cleveland Vibe. I had a
chance to talk briefly with the band’s lead singer, Cathy Murch of Concord
Township, and bass player Mike Gluhanka of Mentor. I head them play songs by
the Four Tops and Grand Funk Railroad. They’re good. Check them out online
at www.clevelandvibe.net.
The restaurants and bars around Progressive Field are jammed, just as they
were during the Tribe’s playoff run last October.
Since I started writing this dispatch, the pre-game pomp and circumstance
has run its course. Sabathia has delivered the season’s first pitch, a
strike, and served up a two-run homer to White Sox designated hitter and
former Tribe favorite Jim Thome in the top.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is, the Tribe just answered with a three-run home run by right
fielder Franklin Gutierrez and a solo shot by center fielder Grady Sizemore.
Tribe leads, 7-2.
Baseball is back.
All is good with the world.
As I write, it’s 2:45 on Monday afternoon, and the sun is out in downtown
Cleveland.
Normally, nothing about that statement would be noteworthy.
But on this particular Monday, the Indians are playing their home opener and
season opener at Progressive Field.
The first pitch, thrown by big left-hander C.C. Sabathia, will be made in 20
or so minutes.
Not only is the field bathed in sunlight, but the outside temperature is 64
degrees.
By standards applied to previous home openers on the south shore of Lake
Erie, this is quite pleasant.
Compared to last year’s home opener, stopped in the middle of the fourth
inning by a snow squall, this is tropical.
As is my custom — rain, shine or snow — I got downtown three hours before
the scheduled start of the home opener. That gives me a chance to hit the
streets surrounding the ballpark, take a long walk, get a bite to eat and
gauge the mood of the fans.
In 2008, the early arrival also is expedient. If you haven’t been downtown
in a while, traffic flow on East Ninth Street near the ballpark is a mess
thanks to the continuing Euclid Corridor project. At the intersection of
East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue, there is one lane in each direction.
Many fans are late getting into the ballpark because of the near-gridlock
conditions around the ballpark.
Memo to all Tribe fans planning to attend games this season at Progressive
Field: If you normally get off the freeway at East Ninth, take an alternate
route until you hear otherwise. I’d recommend the Innerbelt to Prospect
Avenue. You’ll hit some traffic on Prospect, but it won’t be as bad as what
you’ll experience on East Ninth.
Now that the traffic report has been delivered, let’s get back to setting
the street scene before Monday’s home opener. The fans I see and speak to
are in upbeat frames of mind because of the unexpectedly nice weather, and
because the Indians are supposed to be one of the best teams in the American
League.
Just outside the ballpark, in Gateway Plaza, hundreds of fans are soaking up
the atmosphere and listening to music played by Cleveland Vibe. I had a
chance to talk briefly with the band’s lead singer, Cathy Murch of Concord
Township, and bass player Mike Gluhanka of Mentor. I head them play songs by
the Four Tops and Grand Funk Railroad. They’re good. Check them out online
at www.clevelandvibe.net.
The restaurants and bars around Progressive Field are jammed, just as they
were during the Tribe’s playoff run last October.
Since I started writing this dispatch, the pre-game pomp and circumstance
has run its course. Sabathia has delivered the season’s first pitch, a
strike, and served up a two-run homer to White Sox designated hitter and
former Tribe favorite Jim Thome in the top.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is, the Tribe just answered with a three-run home run by right
fielder Franklin Gutierrez and a solo shot by center fielder Grady Sizemore.
Tribe leads, 7-2.
Baseball is back.
All is good with the world.
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