Tonight at 7:30PM EST, The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Boston Celtics as both teams get the 2009 – 2010 season underway.
Here’s the latest Team Report from Yahoo! Sports:
When the Cavaliers were rudely ousted from the playoffs last year by the Orlando Magic, general manager Danny Ferry knew what he had to do. Ferry knew he must find a center to deal with Orlando’s powerful center Dwight Howard. He also realized they needed to find some defensive-minded athletic wing players.
He was able to trade for Shaquille O’Neal and sign free agents Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. Those parts were added to a 66-win team, best in the league. Now the Cavs feel they are poised to make a serious run at their first NBA championship.
They already have perhaps the best player in the league in LeBron James. Of course, he’s coming off a season when he averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists en route to his first Most Valuable Player Award.
They also have two other former All-Stars on the roster in point guard Mo Williams and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They have a talented and deep roster that is battle-tested. Just making it to the Eastern Conference finals this year won’t do. Expectations have grown so large, if they don’t win a ring, it could be a disappointing season.
On paper, they don’t have many weaknesses, even though the Delonte West situation might fester all season. He’s been dealing with personal problems throughout training camp.
COACHING STAFF: Head Coach — Mike Brown, 5th year overall, all with Cavs (211-117). Assistants — Mike Malone, Melvin Hunt, Chris Jent, Hank Egan.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 66-16 (1st in Central), Lost in the Eastern Conference finals to Orlando.
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 63-19 (1st in Central), beat L.A. Lakers in NBA Finals.
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: The offense might go through C Shaquille O’Neal, a big change from what it has been in the past. New offensive coordinator Mike Malone is exploring ways to best utilize the big man. F LeBron James has never played off a player of this caliber before, so it’s something to keep one’s eye on.
Expectations are high… Let’s look at that prediction from Yahoo! — 63-19 (1st in Central), beat L.A. Lakers in NBA Finals
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The “McNabb” of the NBA. He’s 25!! Are you serious? If this story is actually true, are will this site continue to bash LeBron because one of his peers and teammates is “banging” the man’s Mom!