I am really not trying to post on Cavalier rappers everyday. I had this link emailed to me when Delonte West came out with his freestyle, and I didn't even want to look at it because I knew I'd end up talking about it. However, I clicked on it yesterday, and couldn't help but posting it today. You may have seen it before, but if not, here it is:

If you feel your day is worse for listening to that jam, don't blame me.  Blame the music exec who felt it necessary to record and release a CD featuring 10-plus NBAers back in the mid-90's.  If you didn't like Sumptin to Groove Too - track 8 - maybe Jason Kidd's What the Kidd Did might be more your speed, or possibly Isiah Rider's cut, Junk in the Trunk.

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Since the NFL awarded Cleveland an expansion team in 1999 Browns returned to Cleveland in 1999, the Browns - v - Steelers rivalry games against each other have been rather embarrassing to the city of Cleveland one-sided.  Since '99, the Steelers hold an 18-3 stranglehold on the series, have won the Superbowl twice, and beaten the Browns the last 10 straight times they've played each other.  And they show no signs dropping one to Cleveland on any given Sunday, anytime soon.  

Which is why Tuesday night's premiere episode of Shaq Vs. is huge.  

Picture Via Newsday.com

When Cleveland's own Shaquille O'Neal - The Big Field General - squares off against Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger Tuesday night, I don't know - or care - what the competition is that will be used to determine the winner.  I have to think that since its Shaq's show, he has designed a way for him to have a legitimate chance to win, but even if he hasn't, he better find one.  We need it...real bad.  Because if Shaq doesn't get this one, it could be a very, very long time before Cleveland has any kind of gridiron success against the Steel City.  And if Big Ben throws his arm out trying to win...that wouldn't be too bad either.  

The postings here have been light since Thursday due to the fact that I spent the weekend in Chicago.  Thanks again to Kanye and Oprah for inviting me out to D-Wade's housewarming party.  I had a great time and learned a lot this weekend.  Most importantly, I learned that the reason they call Chicago the Windy City has nothing to do with the weather.  More on that later, but for now, I'll bring you back up to speed on the Cavaliers' stories we I missed:

Joe Smith Signs with the Hawks - Ric Bucher, ESPN:  "Joe Smith has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks for the veteran's minimum, a source told ESPN's Ric Bucher on Friday."  And I think we all know the real reason why.

Cavaliers Sign Rob Kurz - Scott, WFNY:  "Not long after being spurned by Joe Smith, the Cavaliers have reportedly given a non-guaranteed contract to forward Rob Kurz...He’s by no means an exciting addition, but one that is low risk with a potential for decent reward."

Shaq Versus Premieres August 18th - Newsday.com:  "O'Neal visits Roethlisberger's home and goes against the Super Bowl-winning signal caller in a challenge...In episodes to follow: O'Neal takes on swimmer Michael Phelps, tennis' Serena Williams, boxer Oscar De La Hoya, beach volleyball stars Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols."

More Than A Game Tour Stop: Nation's Capital:

Picture Via WFNY, Denny (click on link for additional pics and commentary on the DC Tour Stop):

It appears that the Joe Smith, aka 'Joe Beast,' era may be officially over in Cleveland.  And it may not have anything to do with the recent signing of PF Leon Powe, or Atlanta's attempts to bring in Smith, the 13-year vet. It seems that there are simply too many rappers in the Cavaliers' locker room these days for Smith's liking - and 'not enough mics to go around' according to Joe Beast. 

In a completely fictitious interview with Source Magazine, Joe Beast voices his displeasure:

Source Magazine:  When did you start to think that Cleveland was no longer an option for you?

Joe Beast:  Well, soon after they traded for Shaq I began to hear rumblings.  People saying that Shaq was going around telling guys that it was his show now around the facility.  Saying that Joe Beast fell off.  Talking about how Beast can come back and rap when he goes Platinum, like he did back in '93.

Source Magazine:  What was the reaction that you were hearing from guys on the team in regards to Shaq's comments?

Joe Beast:  Well, they were all cool to my face, you know, showing love to Joe Beast, but then MC Colonel Sanders came out and dissed me on his freestyle tape, and when I heard that, I started talking seriously with the Hawks.

Source Magazine:  Delonte West dissed you in his freestyle?  How so, wasn't he just rapping out Kentucky Fried Chicken?

Joe Beast:  On the surface he was, sure, just talking about chicken and what-not, but the line about 'extra hot sauce in my bag' was a direct shot at me.  D-West knows I can't eat hot sauce.  Everybody does, it gives me heartburn.

Source Magazine:  Did you speak with Delonte about the line?

Joe Beast:  No, but I'm coming for him on my next song.  Let's just say that.  And I'm coming after his buddy Fog Raw too...I got something for him as well on my next CD.

Source Magazine:  Mo Williams?  What did he do?

Joe Beast:  To put it to you simply, he straight copied my style.  You see that ice cream cone move he pulled in his video?  I came up with that idea, and told Mo last season I was planning on using it in my next video.

Source Magazine:  So the next stop for you looks like Atlanta.  Any reason for that other than the fact that they were a playoff team a year ago that showed some promise?

Joe Beast:  I'm going to give you three names:  Jermaine Dupri, Outkast, Young Jeezy.  I'll let you fill in the blanks.

Editor's Note: For an old school Cavalier Rap Classic, Check out Chris Mills' Sumptin to Groove Too circa 1994

Delonte West isn' the only Cavalier backcourt playa with skills on the mic...Mo Williams as Fog Raw in the house...Don't Criticize Hyperize...roll tape:

Fog Raw get it in...via: You Tube

ESPN's Chris Sheridan is reporting that the Cavaliers have signed Leon Powe to a (2) year $1.7 million deal that puts the Cavaliers in a tremendous position should Powe respond well to the rehabbing of his torn ACL in his left knee.  Back when these rumors were first surfacing, I was a bit indifferent to the possibility of signing Powe based on his injury situation.  However, locking him into a contract that pays him the league minimum for players with three years of service ($855,189) is a no-brainer.  Worst case scenario is that Powe never plays again, and if that does happen, leaving the league minimum on the table is well worth the risk. More to that point, is the fact that the Cavaliers hold the option for Powe in year two at $915,852, and if he regains his '08 form - coming off the bench to average 8 points and 5 rebounds per - he'll be a steal at that number.

Click Read More for more on Leon Powe to Cleveland... 

Via Will Brinson at FanHouse:

On the new VII's and how they compare to previous shoes:

"It's not simple, but it is simple. It's not simple for us, but for the guys who make it it is simple. The flywire all around and it makes the shoe, lighter and hold up for better wear and tear over the course of the season and the lighter the shoe the better. The full airbag gives it that comfort throughout the whole foot, not just the back of the foot or the heel or the front or the middle, so that technology – that technology that we have at Nike has given us options, has given us a way to create a shoe that we're going to see a lot of shoes follow it. "

I like the LBJ VII's but I don't think I will be purchasing a pair.  The reason is, for me, as a rec league basketball player about 10 years past his prime, and 5 years past a point where I could legitamately be proud of the type of shape I was in, all the technology that this shoe boasts isn't going to do for me what I need a shoe to do on the basketball court...allow me to play a full half - straight - without begging for a sub to allow myself to sit down, drink water, and talk my heart out of racing from my chest.  Maybe Nike will develop that technology with the VIII's, but until they do, I'll have to leave the LBJ's on the shelf for a youngster to buy.

After keeping tight lipped this summer, LeBron James addressed a variety of topics at a press conference Friday designed to announce the launch of his new shoe.  A highlight reel of his comments on those topics are below:

Making the most headlines from the presser were LeBron's comments on the recent contract extension offered by the Cavaliers on July 18. James can sign that extension anytime before June 30, 2010. 

His comments on the contract extension were as follows:

"I signed a contract in 2006 with an option, and it would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn't keep my options open. I'll let you fill in the blanks."

LeBron James on the recent suspension of Rashard Lewis for use of performance enhancing drugs:

"It's unfortunate, I know Rashard really well and I know he's not that type of guy who would do anything to get the upper edge on another player, that's first and foremost. You just have to use great judgment. We have guys with us every day who can find out for you if it [substance] is banned or not banned by the NBA. A mistake by him."

LeBron on Dunktapegate:

"If you do my ratio of me getting dunked on, to dunking on people, I think you can times my ratio by like fifty."

LeBron on the opportunity to play with Shaq:

"To get the opportunity to play with one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game, that's the fun part for me, I'm humbled by that."

Source: ESPN

Recently acquired Piston, Charlie Villanueva, posted the following tweet in regards to Detroit re-aquiring the services of Big Ben Wallace Saturday...his new teammate: 

CV31 4-time Defensive Player of the Year BIG BEN is baaack! Reported: Pistons resign Wallace. I like it, brings hard-nosed defense & rebounding. 19 minutes ago from web

While Villanueva is a talented player, he should stand no chance at becoming a general manager, coach, or scout once his playing days are complete based solely on this evaluation of talent.   

Ben Wallace certainly was a dominant, and inspirational player at one point in his career, but those days have loonnngg since pased.   After watching Big Ben this past season as a Cavalier, it has become apparent to anyone watching - except for CV31 apparently - that Wallace can no longer convert the traditional 'wide open dunk shot,' catch a pass without use of his chin, or jump off two feet over a phone book.  And defensively, once the best to ever do it, he is complete non-factor at this stage of his career.  Just ask Dwight Howard who dominated him all series long on the inside, and Rashard Lewis who hit game winners over him from the outside, in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Contemplating retirement after averaging 1.1 point and 2.7 rebounds per game this past post season, I hope for Ben's sake that heading back to Detroit is nothing more than a sign-and-retire-a-Piston move.  Anything more than that for the undersized big man who once dominated the painted area, would be tough for NBA fans to watch.

I wanted to take a moment out of this rainy Saturday afternoon in Cleveland to thank the sites 'round the web that took the time to link up the blogging efforts of us here at Stepien Rules this week.  First and foremost, since our launch nearly a month ago, we consistently appreciate the WFNY team checking out, and linking to, what we've had to say here from time to time, and this week is no different.  I'd also like to extend a hat tip to JE Skeets and the Ball Dont Lie squad for linking up our Daniel Gibson post on Monday, and The Big Lead for spreading the word on our ranking of the Top 5 Lines From Delonte West's KFC Freestyle on Wednesday. Much appreciated fellas.