Welcome to Monday a powerful new week! Such a great time for sports and so much going on means my “Sports Gourd” is overloaded and I would like to share quite a few items with you!
* To paraphrase one of Eminem’s finest “Will the real Cleveland Cavs please stand up, please stand up.” Out of the All Star break the Cavaliers had a heavy weight battle with the Nuggets, were embarrassed in Atlanta (yes, I turned it off and please cut the nonsense if you would say “you are not a fan”) and then took the fight out of the very physical Raptors. Evan Mobley is starting to blossom but please is there really a need for him to shoot 3’s? Can it be that the team still, even with the improvement by Okoro, does not have a viable “3” that can deliver the three ball constantly? Yes Isaac has looked better on the offensive end and I still wonder who he shuts down with his supposed “‘Lockdown ability” but he gets enough time to score more and at least be a threat standing in the corner. In his last 5 games he has 5,8,2,6 and 8 points. Can the team count on Caris or even Wade or Cedi to be consistent at that spot? The team will have a nice test Wednesday in Boston vs the Celts. Let’s hope they ace that exam.
* The quandary that is OHIO STATE hoops continues. They have looked awful losing 9 in a row and when at home to an empty arena. Yes, they have been unwatchable until Sunday and a solid win vs a good Illinois team. The losing does not make them unbearable, their play does along with being lost, outcoached, finding ways to lose and not closing/finishing games. I received a text from a media person out of town yesterday with 3 minutes remaining in the OSU win asking “how will they blow this one”! To me there is no doubt a change is needed with the HC however it will not happen as the University would owe the outgoing Head Coach 20 million dollars. YES there is a very good recruiting class coming in plus add Bronny James to it there will be no excuses next year. Here’s hoping Brice Sensabaugh sticks around as next year the team will be Sophomores and Freshman!
* SUPPORT CLEVELAND STATE! The Vikings will host a yet to be named opponent at the Wolstein Center Thursday at 8p. Wear your green and white and make some noise for this hard working team!
* If you like hoops I truly hope you have been heading out to some HS games (Boys AND Girls) as it’s tourney time and games are rockin’! Shucks it does not matter if it is a school in your area, there are so many great games and programs to follow! Need a suggestion? DM me @munchcleveland!
* I do not think I am the only one to get goosebumps hearing Hammie and Rosie calling the Guardians games! The fun started last Saturday and let’s hope our “Soundtrack to Summer” and beyond goes into November. How fitting was it that Steven Kwan singled to start the Cactus League season! I do need you to know that I will not be doing the pregame show this year on the Flagship. Not my call and I will improvise and bring you something an hour out from first pitch once the season starts “somewhere!” BTW I was clamoring for the team to get Josh Bell after the 2019 season. He is a Guardian now and there is more winning and fun coming to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario!
* It is obvious I am a pretty big indoor soccer fan and in turn a Crunch fan. There was another publication that insinuated the officials cost the Crunch their OT loss to Rapid City last weekend. PLEASE…you know how the whining about officiating grates my behind! That is for excuse-makers and whiners. Did the refs lose control by being intimidated by flops and verbal exchanges especially from the RCFC? Yes, they did but by no means did they cost the Crunch the game. BTW yes, the antics by Rapid City after their OT win were classless. Flipping off the home fans and yelling at them is not the way to roll. Point to the scoreboard and get off the field. I let that be known too and the Slavic Village / Lee Harvard in me came out at the end of the broadcast also. I was touched when a few Crunch players came up to me well after the game and thanked me for the support. Call me the “Bad Cop” if you desire but call me “Correct in my assessment of the situation.”
* College hoops have been crazy good except for the spectacle going on at Alabama. In no way shape or form should Brandon Miller be playing for the Crimson Tide. He delivered a gun used in a murder plus did you see his intro over the weekend? As his name was announced a teammate frisked him. Both should be gone from the team!
* As long as I am rolling, I feel for the people of Milwaukee. The Haslam’s have just purchased 25% of the Bucks. I will ask succinctly – do you want them to own anything you care about? Talk about selling your soul to the devil! This deal cost the Haslam’s $3.5 billion. Yup many will sell their cities out for less!
* In closing I need to share something else Haslam related and I stand by what I have noted along with Brent Larking of the PD and Cleveland.com. Jimmy must get up daily wondering how he is going to embarrass the city. I was driving home with my wife from a great lunch with my cousin and his better half at Muldoons on E. 185th last Friday. As I drove on the shore way past First Bribery Stadium a two story banner of a lowlife that preyed on and abused women stared at me from the side of the House of Dirty Money. Yes, I almost lost my great meal but it also hit me that Mayor Bibb had a view of that banner from City Hall! I did bring up removing the banner to members of his staff but was told “we do not dictate how the Browns market the team.” HOW ABOUT DICTATING DECENCY FOR OUR GREAT CITY! The Mayor has not had a problem being anti-police (although lately the heat of rising crime must be getting to him as he is changing his tune about cutting CPD and now wants to add more officers) but what about pleasing those who put you in office. I can guarantee you the majority of females are not happy with a creep like Watson not just being on the team but being showcased and those of us with morals (we are a majority) are not happy with the pervert being in our city! DO SOMETHING MAYOR! You cannot get him off the team, I understand that, but do not let his visage stare down at the city!
Truly hope your week is powerful and as always enjoy every sandwich. Adios Amigo…long may you run!
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