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Your Cleveland Cavaliers.. NBA CHAMPIONS!!!

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After people buy @Chris Parker's new book, I highly, highly recommend buying Terry Pluto's The Comeback: LeBron, The Cavs & Cleveland. He spends almost the entirety of the book discussing the inter-years (2010-2014) and how management decisions by Gilbert, Grant, and Griffin paved the way for LeBron's return and the 2016 title.

Most of the book's sourcing comes from individual interviews with Dan Gilbert, Chris Grant, David Griffin, David Blatt, Ty Lue, Steve Kerr, and Mike Brown. This lets Pluto "get in the dirt" with decisions like how the organization chose who to draft, what really happened with the Love trade, coaching hires, etc.

It is a really fast read and I highly recommend buying it.
Does he also come clean about the nudge-nudge wink-wink circumstances surrounding Kyrie's decision to re-sign, or are we still going to pretend that we didn't have some kind of vague commitment from LeBron?
 
I'm not one to gravedig, but these mid-season months can drag and I want to relive the championship just a little bit longer. The question I'll pose is simple: If you could rank every game of the last two postseasons, how would you rank them? For me (in reverse order)...

30. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 4
-The Cavs won to clinch the series, but Love went down, JR was kicked out, and things looked really bleak going into the next round.

29. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 3
-I didn't get a chance to watch this one live, so the only thing that really stands out is the Kyrie three late. Game, otherwise, was somewhat forgettable.
28. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 2
-Another game that was kind of forgettable. Big thing that stands out is JR's explosion.

27. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 2
-Wasn't a blowout, but never really felt in doubt. LeBron to Love halfcourt oop, Irving to LeBron oop, Timo blocking and dunking everything.

26. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 1
-Another non-blowout no doubter. Memorable because... Kyrie shines in playoff debut, destroys Evan Turner's ankles.

25. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 1
-More annoying than anything, Detroit couldn't miss from three and hung around. The Cavs put them away late thanks to big plays from each of the big 3.

24. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 4
-Some may feel it's too low, but this game, despite the closeness of it, felt like a formality. Fun stuff: Kyrie's stretch in the third + half court buzzer beater.

23. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 3
LeBron stuffs Turner at the rim, Kevin Love dagger threes.

22. 2015 ECF, Game 2
A game I didn't get to see live, but followed along with online. Mostly notable for Shump's offensive outburst.

21. 2015 ECSF, Game 2
A much needed Cavs blowout after dropping game 1 to the Bulls. Shoutout James Jones.

20. 2016 ECF, Game 2
If we're being honest, this series was kind of dull. As a Cavs fan, I appreciated that the four wins were largely stress-free, but there just wasn't any drama. Nothing really memorable here.

19. 2016 ECSF, Game 4
Kevin Love's 3rd quarter explosion, Kyrie's ridiculous 4th quarter layup, LeBron series winning tie up.

18. 2015 ECSF, Game 5
Surprisingly low here. LeBron James' repertoire was on full display. Looked like Jordan in the post, Malone on the PnR, threw passes like, well, LeBron, and even had a crucial chase-down block on Rose. Funny moment: Delly's leg lock.

17. 2016 ECF, Game 5
A blowout from start to finish. Kevin Love came to play.

16. 2016 ECF, Game 1
Set the tone for the series. I've never seen a team dominate the paint the way the Cavs did in this one. Came to a head with LeBron's rim-rattling slam late in the 2nd quarter.

15. 2016 ECSF, Game 3
Some of the most fun I've had watching a game. The Hawks had a double digit lead in the third, but it never felt like the Cavs would lose. Channing Frye went off, and Kyrie carried them with LeBron on the bench. Channing Frye dunked.

14. 2015 ECF, Game 1
Injuries took Kyrie out early, giving Atlanta, supposedly, the edge. But JR Smith absolutely torched the Hawks, and he blitzed them in the third. Memorable: LeBron's "fuck it, let's go home" dunk in the 4th.

13. 2016 ECSF, Game 1
For three quarters, this had Cavs blowout written all over it, but Atlanta came back and made it interesting. HUGE three from JR late in the fourth put the Cavs back ahead, LeBron finished them late.

12. 2016 ECF, Game 6
LeBron finds his jumper and cracks 30 for the first time in the postseason. Bonus points for the emotion he showed after winning it + JR's line to the trophy postgame.

11. 2015 ECF, Game 4
Take the fourth quarter of game 6 of the 2007 ECF and stretch it out to a full game. That was this one. 48 minutes of reveling in what seemed incredibly unlikely just a month earlier. Kyrie looked good in his return, there was hope they'd pull it off.

10. 2016 ECSF, Game 2
25 threes? Seriously? This kind of shooting doesn't happen in 2K, let alone real life. An absolute party. Bonus: JR increasing the degree of difficulty for shits and gigs.

9. 2015 ECSF, Game 6
For me, this was the second sweetest game of the last two years. Ending Chicago's season on their home floor without Kyrie and Love? Fantastic. What stands out: Shump getting clotheslined then bullying Mirotic, Delly's 2nd half scoring spree.

8. 2015 Finals, Game 2
So unexpected. The Cavs started Shump, Mozgov and Delly. Two of those three were out of the rotation for last year's finals. The Cavs blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead, but still won because LeBron is a monster and Delly locked up Curry. Just an unbelievable win.

7. 2015 ECF, Game 3
A surprisingly exciting game. LeBron couldn't buy a bucket, but the Cavs hung around because of JR and Delly. Massive shots on both sides in the 4th quarter and overtime, culminating in LeBron's game winning 3.

6. 2016 Finals, Game 3
Another fun one, remembered mostly for Kyrie destroying anyone in his path. Play of the game: Kyrie to LeBron alley-oop.

5. 2016 Finals, Game 6
This was LeBron at the height of his powers. A masterclass performance. He dominated in all aspects and controlled the game the way few players can control it. A remarkable game capped off when LeBron swatted the shit out of Curry, then baited him into his 6th foul/temper tantrum.

4. 2015 Finals, Game 3
I wasn't there, so someone else would have to confirm, but the stretch in the third where they went up 20 was the loudest that building has ever sounded (on tv). Delly putting it away with the ugliest three-point play you'll ever see.

3. 2015 ECSF, Game 4
They were dead in the water in the third. Tony Snell was making jumpers. The Bulls were up double-digits. Then JR and Timo brought them back and put them up. The Cavs blew a lead... and LeBron saved them. Hearing that building fall silent was fantastic.

2. 2016 Finals, Game 5
The second half of this game was some of the most fun I've ever had watching a game. We all talk about wanting to play a great team game with passing and movement, but watching LeBron and Kyrie take turns putting the team on their back was special. And honestly, it was more fun. This was the two best players in the series staring down goliath and saying, "try and stop me." And they couldn't.

1. 2016 Finals, Game 7
No explanation needed.
 
I'm not one to gravedig, but these mid-season months can drag and I want to relive the championship just a little bit longer. The question I'll pose is simple: If you could rank every game of the last two postseasons, how would you rank them? For me (in reverse order)...

30. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 4
-The Cavs won to clinch the series, but Love went down, JR was kicked out, and things looked really bleak going into the next round.

29. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 3
-I didn't get a chance to watch this one live, so the only thing that really stands out is the Kyrie three late. Game, otherwise, was somewhat forgettable.
28. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 2
-Another game that was kind of forgettable. Big thing that stands out is JR's explosion.

27. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 2
-Wasn't a blowout, but never really felt in doubt. LeBron to Love halfcourt oop, Irving to LeBron oop, Timo blocking and dunking everything.

26. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 1
-Another non-blowout no doubter. Memorable because... Kyrie shines in playoff debut, destroys Evan Turner's ankles.

25. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 1
-More annoying than anything, Detroit couldn't miss from three and hung around. The Cavs put them away late thanks to big plays from each of the big 3.

24. 2016 EC 1st Round, Game 4
-Some may feel it's too low, but this game, despite the closeness of it, felt like a formality. Fun stuff: Kyrie's stretch in the third + half court buzzer beater.

23. 2015 EC 1st Round, Game 3
LeBron stuffs Turner at the rim, Kevin Love dagger threes.

22. 2015 ECF, Game 2
A game I didn't get to see live, but followed along with online. Mostly notable for Shump's offensive outburst.

21. 2015 ECSF, Game 2
A much needed Cavs blowout after dropping game 1 to the Bulls. Shoutout James Jones.

20. 2016 ECF, Game 2
If we're being honest, this series was kind of dull. As a Cavs fan, I appreciated that the four wins were largely stress-free, but there just wasn't any drama. Nothing really memorable here.

19. 2016 ECSF, Game 4
Kevin Love's 3rd quarter explosion, Kyrie's ridiculous 4th quarter layup, LeBron series winning tie up.

18. 2015 ECSF, Game 5
Surprisingly low here. LeBron James' repertoire was on full display. Looked like Jordan in the post, Malone on the PnR, threw passes like, well, LeBron, and even had a crucial chase-down block on Rose. Funny moment: Delly's leg lock.

17. 2016 ECF, Game 5
A blowout from start to finish. Kevin Love came to play.

16. 2016 ECF, Game 1
Set the tone for the series. I've never seen a team dominate the paint the way the Cavs did in this one. Came to a head with LeBron's rim-rattling slam late in the 2nd quarter.

15. 2016 ECSF, Game 3
Some of the most fun I've had watching a game. The Hawks had a double digit lead in the third, but it never felt like the Cavs would lose. Channing Frye went off, and Kyrie carried them with LeBron on the bench. Channing Frye dunked.

14. 2015 ECF, Game 1
Injuries took Kyrie out early, giving Atlanta, supposedly, the edge. But JR Smith absolutely torched the Hawks, and he blitzed them in the third. Memorable: LeBron's "fuck it, let's go home" dunk in the 4th.

13. 2016 ECSF, Game 1
For three quarters, this had Cavs blowout written all over it, but Atlanta came back and made it interesting. HUGE three from JR late in the fourth put the Cavs back ahead, LeBron finished them late.

12. 2016 ECF, Game 6
LeBron finds his jumper and cracks 30 for the first time in the postseason. Bonus points for the emotion he showed after winning it + JR's line to the trophy postgame.

11. 2015 ECF, Game 4
Take the fourth quarter of game 6 of the 2007 ECF and stretch it out to a full game. That was this one. 48 minutes of reveling in what seemed incredibly unlikely just a month earlier. Kyrie looked good in his return, there was hope they'd pull it off.

10. 2016 ECSF, Game 2
25 threes? Seriously? This kind of shooting doesn't happen in 2K, let alone real life. An absolute party. Bonus: JR increasing the degree of difficulty for shits and gigs.

9. 2015 ECSF, Game 6
For me, this was the second sweetest game of the last two years. Ending Chicago's season on their home floor without Kyrie and Love? Fantastic. What stands out: Shump getting clotheslined then bullying Mirotic, Delly's 2nd half scoring spree.

8. 2015 Finals, Game 2
So unexpected. The Cavs started Shump, Mozgov and Delly. Two of those three were out of the rotation for last year's finals. The Cavs blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead, but still won because LeBron is a monster and Delly locked up Curry. Just an unbelievable win.

7. 2015 ECF, Game 3
A surprisingly exciting game. LeBron couldn't buy a bucket, but the Cavs hung around because of JR and Delly. Massive shots on both sides in the 4th quarter and overtime, culminating in LeBron's game winning 3.

6. 2016 Finals, Game 3
Another fun one, remembered mostly for Kyrie destroying anyone in his path. Play of the game: Kyrie to LeBron alley-oop.

5. 2016 Finals, Game 6
This was LeBron at the height of his powers. A masterclass performance. He dominated in all aspects and controlled the game the way few players can control it. A remarkable game capped off when LeBron swatted the shit out of Curry, then baited him into his 6th foul/temper tantrum.

4. 2015 Finals, Game 3
I wasn't there, so someone else would have to confirm, but the stretch in the third where they went up 20 was the loudest that building has ever sounded (on tv). Delly putting it away with the ugliest three-point play you'll ever see.

3. 2015 ECSF, Game 4
They were dead in the water in the third. Tony Snell was making jumpers. The Bulls were up double-digits. Then JR and Timo brought them back and put them up. The Cavs blew a lead... and LeBron saved them. Hearing that building fall silent was fantastic.

2. 2016 Finals, Game 5
The second half of this game was some of the most fun I've ever had watching a game. We all talk about wanting to play a great team game with passing and movement, but watching LeBron and Kyrie take turns putting the team on their back was special. And honestly, it was more fun. This was the two best players in the series staring down goliath and saying, "try and stop me." And they couldn't.

1. 2016 Finals, Game 7
No explanation needed.

sorry the 25 threes game is easily in the top 10 cleveland games in the last 20 or so years. My favorite games

1. game 6 2016 NBA Finals
2 game 7 2016 NBA finals
3 Game 3 2016 NBA finals
4. game 2 2016 ECF
5 game 5 2016 NBA Finals
 
Outside of the Finals, I don't think any game was more fun/thrilling to watch than that 25 three-ball game against the Hawks, at least in the last couple years. All time I'd only add in LeBron in 2007 against the Pistons and LeBron's game-winner against Orlando.

That game was bonkers.

I would also kill for the AC/Fred version of Game 7. Does anyone know if it exists somewhere on the intertubes? And if so, do they show the shots from inside the watch party as they did the night of?
 
Cavs dont necessarily need bogut as the defensive big.. A bin find center in the d league would be adequate..

1. Dakari johnson
2. Jordan bachynski
3. Keith benson
4. Henry sims
5. Shawn long

Not the greatest but would give the cavs a different look on defense and provide a breather for TT.. Having 6 fouls to give would also help with the drummonds of the league..
 

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Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
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