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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Early entry candidates for NBA draft


NEW YORK, April 30, 2014 – The National Basketball Association announced today that 75 players, including 45 players from colleges and 30 international players season have filed as early entry candidates for the 2014 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.

Players wishing to enter the 2014 NBA Draft were required to submit a letter to the NBA to be received no later than Sunday, April 27.  Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16.

Following is the list of players from colleges and post-graduate institutions who have applied for early entry into the 2014 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 26, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.:

EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2014 NBA DRAFT


Player                                      School
Jordan Adams                            UCLA  
William Alston                          CC of Baltimore County Dundalk           
Mychal Ammons                        South Alabama 
Kyle Anderson                           UCLA  
Isaiah Austin                              Baylor  
Chane Behanan                          Louisville         
Sim Bhullar                               New Mexico State         
Khem Birch                               UNLV  
Jabari Brown                             Missouri           
Jahii Carson                               Arizona State    
Semaj Christon                          Xavier  
Jordan Clarkson                         Missouri           
DeAndre Daniels                        Connecticut      
Spencer Dinwiddie                     Colorado          
Joel Embiid                               Kansas 
Tyler Ennis                                Syracuse           
Aaron Gordon                            Arizona
Jerami Grant                              Syracuse                       
P.J. Hairston                              North Carolina/Texas (D-League)
Gary Harris                               Michigan State  
Rodney Hood                             Duke    
Nick Johnson                             Arizona
Alex Kirk                                  New Mexico     
Zach LaVine                              UCLA  
James Michael McAdoo              North Carolina  
K.J. McDaniels                          Clemson
Mitch McGary                           Michigan          
Eric Moreland                            Oregon State     
Johnny O’Bryant III                   LSU     
Jabari Parker                             Duke    
Elfrid Payton                             Louisiana-Lafayette       
Julius Randle                             Kentucky
Glenn Robinson III                     Michigan
LaQuinton Ross                          Ohio State        
Antonio Rucker                          Clinton JC (SC)            
Jakarr Sampson                          St. John’s                     
Marcus Smart                            Oklahoma State 
Roscoe Smith                             UNLV  
Nik Stauskas                              Michigan          
Jarnell Stokes                            Tennessee         
Noah Vonleh                             Indiana 
T.J. Warren                               North Carolina State      
Andrew Wiggins                        Kansas 
James Young                             Kentucky          
Ta’Quan Zimmerman                  Thompson Rivers (Canada)         
                                               

The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2014 NBA Draft:


Player                                      Team (Team Country)/Home Country
Eleftherios Bochoridis                Aris (Greece)/Greece     
Matias Bortolin                          Regatas Corrientes (Argentina)/Argentina
Nedim Buza                               Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia)/Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bruno Caboclo                           Pinheiros (Brazil)/Brazil
Berkay Candan                           TED Kolejliler (Turkey)/Turkey 
Clint Capela                               Chalon (France)/            Switzerland
Joonas Cavén                             Joventut (Spain) /Finland
Nemanja Dangubic                     Mega Vizura (Serbia)/Serbia      
Moussa Diagne                           Fuenlabrada (Spain)/Senegal      
Tomas Dimša                             Zalgiris (Lithuania)/Lithuania     
Marcus Eriksson                         Manresa (Spain) /Sweden
Danté Exum                              Australia                                  
Ilja Gromovs                             Ventspils (Latvia)/Latvia
Damien Inglis                            Roanne (France) /France
Nikola Jokic                              Mega Vizura (Serbia)/Serbia      
Michalis Kamperidis                   Filathlitikos (Greece)/Greece
Artem Klimenko                        Avtodor (Russia)/Russia             
Rasmus Larsen                           Manresa (Spain) /Denmark
Lucas Mariano                           Vivo Franca (Brazil)/Brazil        
Vasilije Micic                            Mega Vizura (Serbia)/Serbia      
Jusuf Nurkic                              Cedevita (Croatia)/Bosnia & Herzegovina
Mateusz Ponitka                         Oostende (Belgium)/Poland        
Kristaps Porzingis                      Cajasol (Spain)/Latvia    
Marko Ramljak                          Zadar (Croatia)/Croatia
Dario Šarić                                Cibona (Croatia)/Croatia
Ojars Silins                                Reggio Emilia (Italy)/Latvia                   
Alejandro Suarez                        Joventut (Spain)/Spain
Devon Van Oostrum                   Vitoria (Spain)/Holland 
Guillem Vives                            Joventut (Spain)/Spain               
Adin Vrabac                              Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia)/Bosnia & Herzegovina


Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Letter from NBA commissioner Adam Silver

Dear Fans,

This afternoon I announced that, following the completion of a thorough investigation into an audio recording obtained by TMZ, I banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, effective immediately. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. I also fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. These funds will be donated to charitable organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and its Players Association. 

The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and hurtful. I am extremely proud of this great league's diverse, respectful and inclusive culture, and we will not allow one individual's intolerant views to define us. Let me be clear: Mr. Sterling's views have no place in the NBA. 

This has been a painful episode for all members of the NBA family. I very much appreciate your understanding during this process. I also want to express my thanks and admiration to Coach Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, and the entire Clippers organization for their professionalism throughout this matter, and to Chris and Mayor Kevin Johnson for their leadership and partnership on behalf of the Players Association. 

And now I am eager to turn the spotlight back where it belongs: on the game we all love and on these thrilling playoffs, which have been some of the most exciting basketball I've seen in my 22 years with the league. I hope you enjoy the rest of the playoffs and The Finals. 

Sincerely, 

Adam Silver

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

NBA first-round playoff series


Here is the complete schedule and national television & radio arrangements for all First Round series. 
                                                                           National
                                                   Local   EDT     Broadcast
Western Conference             

San Antonio vs. Dallas

Game 1 - Sun  April 20  Dallas at San Antonio            12:00PM  1:00PM      TNT
Game 2 - Wed  April 23  Dallas at San Antonio            7:00PM   8:00PM      NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat  April 26  San Antonio at Dallas            3:30PM   4:30PM      TNT
Game 4 - Mon  April 28  San Antonio at Dallas            8:30PM   9:30PM      TNT
Game 5 * Wed  April 30  Dallas at San Antonio              TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Fri  May 2     San Antonio at Dallas              TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sun  May 4     Dallas at San Antonio              TBD      TBD       TBD

Oklahoma City vs. Memphis

Game 1 - Sat  April 19  Memphis at Oklahoma City         8:30PM   9:30PM      ESPN
Game 2 - Mon  April 21  Memphis at Oklahoma City         7:00PM   8:00PM      TNT
Game 3 - Thu  April 24  Oklahoma City at Memphis         7:00PM   8:00PM      TNT
Game 4 - Sat  April 26  Oklahoma City at Memphis         8:30PM   9:30PM      ESPN/R
Game 5 * Tue  April 29  Memphis at Oklahoma City           TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Thu  May 1     Oklahoma City at Memphis           TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sat  May 3     Memphis at Oklahoma City           TBD      TBD       TNT

L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State

Game 1 - Sat  April 19  Golden State at L.A. Clippers    12:30PM  3:30PM      ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon  April 21  Golden State at L.A. Clippers    7:30PM   10:30PM     TNT
Game 3 - Thu  April 24  L.A. Clippers at Golden State    7:30PM   10:30PM     TNT
Game 4 - Sun  April 27  L.A. Clippers at Golden State    12:30PM  3:30PM      ABC/R
Game 5 * Tue  April 29  Golden State at L.A. Clippers      TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Thu  May 1     L.A. Clippers at Golden State      TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sat  May 3     Golden State at L.A. Clippers      TBD      TBD       TNT      

Houston vs. Portland

Game 1 - Sun  April 20  Portland at Houston              8:30PM   9:30PM      TNT
Game 2 - Wed  April 23  Portland at Houston              8:30PM   9:30PM      TNT
Game 3 - Fri  April 25  Houston at Portland              7:30PM   10:30PM     ESPN
Game 4 - Sun  April 27  Houston at Portland              6:30PM   9:30PM      TNT
Game 5 * Wed  April 30  Portland at Houston                TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Fri  May 2     Houston at Portland                TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sun  May 4     Portland at Houston                TBD      TBD       TBD


NBA Playoffs 2014 - First Round Schedule
page 2 of 2
                                                                           National
                                                   Local   EDT     Broadcast
Eastern Conference             

Indiana vs. Atlanta

Game 1 - Sat  April 19  Atlanta at Indiana               7:00PM   7:00PM      ESPN
Game 2 - Tue  April 22  Atlanta at Indiana               7:00PM   7:00PM      TNT
Game 3 - Thu  April 24  Indiana at Atlanta               7:00PM   7:00PM      NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat  April 26  Indiana at Atlanta               2:00PM   2:00PM      TNT
Game 5 * Mon  April 28  Atlanta at Indiana               8:00PM   8:00PM      NBA TV
Game 6 * Thu  May 1     Indiana at Atlanta                 TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sat  May 3     Atlanta at Indiana                 TBD      TBD       TNT

Miami vs. Charlotte

Game 1 - Sun  April 20  Charlotte at Miami               3:30PM   3:30PM      ABC/R
Game 2 - Wed  April 23  Charlotte at Miami               7:00PM   7:00PM      TNT
Game 3 - Sat  April 26  Miami at Charlotte               7:00PM   7:00PM      ESPN
Game 4 - Mon  April 28  Miami at Charlotte               7:00PM   7:00PM      TNT
Game 5 * Wed  April 30  Charlotte at Miami                 TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Fri  May 2     Miami at Charlotte                 TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sun  May 4     Charlotte at Miami                 TBD      TBD       TBD

Toronto vs. Brooklyn

Game 1 - Sat  April 19  Brooklyn at Toronto              12:30PM  12:30PM     ESPN
Game 2 - Tue  April 22  Brooklyn at Toronto              8:00PM   8:00PM      NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri  April 25  Toronto at Brooklyn              7:00PM   7:00PM      ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun  April 27  Toronto at Brooklyn              7:00PM   7:00PM      TNT
Game 5 * Wed  April 30  Brooklyn at Toronto                TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Fri  May 2     Toronto at Brooklyn                TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sun  May 4     Brooklyn at Toronto                TBD      TBD       TBD      

Chicago vs. Washington

Game 1 - Sun  April 20  Washington at Chicago            6:00PM   7:00PM      TNT
Game 2 - Tue  April 22  Washington at Chicago            8:30PM   9:30PM      TNT
Game 3 - Fri  April 25  Chicago at Washington            8:00PM   8:00PM      ESPN
Game 4 - Sun  April 27  Chicago at Washington            1:00PM   1:00PM      ABC
Game 5 * Tue  April 29  Washington at Chicago              TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 6 * Thu  May 1     Chicago at Washington              TBD      TBD       TBD
Game 7 * Sat  May 3     Washington at Chicago              TBD      TBD       TNT

Additional scheduling information will be furnished as soon as possible consistent with the need to fulfill league obligations.

If First Round series are completed in six (6) games or less, the Conference Semifinals may move up to begin on either Saturday, May 3 or Sunday, May 4.

*If necessary
All games, except those televised on ABC, are available to be televised locally.

TBD - To Be Determined       R - ESPN Radio
As of (4-16-14/11:37 PM EDT)

Game 82: Nets at Cavs

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (33-49) 114, BROOKLYN NETS (44-38) 85
Quicken Loans Arena
Wednesday
Radio/TV: WTAM (1100 AM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED?: The 2013-14 season started and ended with a victory over the Nets. In between, there were some crazy happenings.

It was never boring. There was always something to write about, even with a 33-win team.

Should this team have made the playoffs? Darn right. But the Cavs failed to get in the postseason for the first time since 2010. There were parts of the season where they played very well. Others where they were an embarrassment to even watch.

Since Cavs Acting GM David Griffin took over the first week of February, the Cavs were 17-16.

There's talent on this club. It just took too long this season for it to blossom. Does Brown have to shoulder some of the blame? Absolutely. 

Will he be back next season? I believe that he will. He'll at least start the season. If they get off to a poor start, I think he'll be jettisoned. 

I believe he'll be back for a number of reasons. Perhaps, my gut feeling is way off. Cavs swingman C.J. Miles said before the game that it's hard to build a nucleus with a revolving door.

There will also be roster changes. Hopefully, not to the extent as last year when they brought in nine new players.

Teams can't keep making wholesale changes like that and expect to win.

The Nets dropped to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They'll face Toronto in the first round, starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Air Canada Centre.

In all honesty, it really doesn't matter who they play. If they are on their game, they can beat any team in the NBA. They have so much playoff experience in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson.

Nets coach Jason Kidd said he's blessed to have so many playoff-tested players, some who have won championships.

Like forward Luol Deng said on Tuesday, the Cavs should be preparing for their first-round playoff series with Indiana. But they're on the outside looking in once again.

Cavs guard Jarrett Jack tried to explain that the playoffs are a different animal. It's a whole new game. Teams play harder and there's no (or very few) slouches. He said he had a recent conversation with teammate Dion Waiters, who said the playoffs were probably a lot like the NCAA tournament. Jack said he told Waiters it was nothing like the NCAA tourney. He said you wouldn't be facing any No. 16 teams in the NBA playoffs.

Jack said Waiters and Kyrie Irving were talking about going to some of the NBA playoff games as fans to see what it was all about. Perhaps next year, they'll find out what it's like to play in the postseason.

UP NEXT: The NBA draft lottery on May 20.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Marcus Thornton (6-4, 205)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 236) vs. Andray Blatche (6-11, 260)
C Spencer Hawes (7-1, 245) vs. Jason Collins (7-0, 255)
SG Dion Waiters (6-4, 225) vs. Jorge Gutierrez (6-3, 195)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Marquis Teague (6-2, 190)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - G Scotty Hopson, F Luol Deng
Nets C Brook Lopez, G Shaun Livingston
OFFICIALS
Mike Callahan, Eli Roe, Zach Zarba

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Game 81: Celtics at Cavs

BOSTON CELTICS (25-55) 111, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (32-49) 99
Quicken Loans Arena
Saturday
Radio/TV: WTAM (1100 AM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED?: Try and convince me this team hasn't packed it in.

Cavs coach Mike Brown was asked after the game whether that has happened. He doesn't know how to answer the question.

His starters just abandoned him on Saturday. They've now lost by a combined 15 points to two of the worst teams in the league in Milwaukee and Boston. In the case of the Celtics, they're 0-3 against Boston this year. What's that all about?

The Celtics came into Saturday's game having lost 14 of their last 16 games. Despite being in tank mode, they knocked off Charlotte and the Cavs on back-to-back nights.

They were playing without two starters in center Jared Sullinger and point guard Rajon Rondo.

The two players that stepped in for them were fantastic.

Center Kelly Olynyk, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 draft, had 25 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs. I implore the Cavs to find a player as good in the 2014 draft.

Point guard Phil Pressey started in place of Rondo and dished out 13 assists. He has 26 assists in the last two nights.

His dunk in the first half was also a thing of beauty. He followed a shot that bounced off the rim. He grabbed it in mid air and threw it down with authority. Remember, this guy is 5-11, 175. 

He's the son of former Cavs assistant coach Paul Pressey.

It's only human nature to set your sights on the finish line. It's been a long season, and a difficult one at that. But one would think the Cavs would be able to slip past teams like Milwaukee on Friday no matter what. Of course, they've lost twice to the Bucks this season.

Cavs small forward Luol Deng was held out of the game with a sore back. Alonzo Gee started in his place.

The other injured players - guard/forward C.J. Miles (ankle), forward Anthony Bennett (knee) and guard Carrick Felix (knee) - are also out, likely for the duration. The season ends on Wednesday against the Nets.

The Cavs can't finish above .500 this year at home. They are 18-22 at The Q thus far this season. That's ridiculous. Even really bad teams win at least half their games at home.

UP NEXT: The Cavs host Brooklyn at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Jeff Green (6-9, 235)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 236) vs. Brandon Bass (6-8, 250)
C Spencer Hawes (7-1, 245) vs. Kelly Olynyk (7-0, 238)
SG Dion Waiters (6-4, 225) vs. Avery Bradley (6-2, 180)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Phil Pressey (5-11, 175)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - G Carrick Felix, G Scotty Hopson
Celtics G/F Keith Bogans, C Vitor Faverani, F Gerald Wallace
OFFICIALS
Dick Bavetta, Brian Forte, James Williams



Friday, April 11, 2014

Game 80: Cavs at Bucks

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (15-64) 119, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (32-48) 116
BMO Harris Bradley Center
Friday
Radio/TV: WMMS (100.7 FM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED?: You are kidding me, right?

Don't tell me the Cavs just lost to the worst team in the NBA. That makes twice this year they've lost to the woeful Bucks, who have half their team on their injury list. They are clearly gunning for the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, but, boy, they know how to put a jolt into the Cavs.

The Cavs were coming off one of their most impressive efforts of the season - a 122-100 verdict over Detroit on Wednesday. However, they played without small forward Luol Deng (back). But that shouldn't have mattered this much.

The Bucks snapped a six-game losing streak. They've won just 10 games at home. Two of those 10 wins have come at the expense of the Cavs. I figured the Cavs would finish strong. Heck, they could lose 50 games this season if they drop their last two.

The Cavs finished 14-26 on the road this year. They closed the road portion of their schedule by winning nine of their last 16 games away from The Q.

The Cavs appeared to have hit their stride. That was before they allowed 119 points to the worst team in the league. The Bucks shot 52.4 percent from the field. Their starting backcourt amassed 44 points, 24 by Brandon Knight.

It came on a night Kyrie Irving barely showed up. He started in the let's-get-everyone-involved mode. Then when he tried to turn it on in the late going, it wasn't there. He ended with 12 points and made just 4 of 12 from the field. Hopefully, he's not having difficulty getting motivated for these games.

Despite what you hear, they do mean something. The front office is still evaluating talent until the final buzzer goes off on the disappointing 2013-14 season.

Guard Dion Waiters paced the Cavs with 23 points and a career-high five steals.

Bucks power forward Jeff Adrien - all 6-7 of him - caused problems the whole night with his hustle and determination. He ended with nine points, nine rebounds and a block - I know, it doesn't seem like much - but he was very active around the paint.

After having 41 assists on Wednesday against the Pistons, the Cavs dished out just 18 assists against the Bucks. That ball movement wasn't there.

The thing that stuck in Coach Mike Brown's craw, however, was the Cavs' lack of defense. They appeared to try to outscore the Bucks instead of trying to stop them. Obviously, it wasn't enough and they blew a 14-point lead.

UP NEXT: The Cavs host Boston at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Khris Middleton (6-7, 215)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 236) vs. Jeff Adrien (6-7, 245)
C Spencer Hawes (7-1, 245) vs. Zaza Pachulia (6-11, 245)
SG Dion Waiters (6-4, 225) vs. Ramon Sessions (6-3, 190)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Brandon Knight (6-3, 189)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - G/F Sergey Karasev, G Scotty Hopson, G Carrick Felix
Bucks G/F Carlos Delfino, G Nate Wolters, F Ersan Ilyasova
OFFICIALS
Bill Spooner, Ben Taylor, Josh Tiven