The talented crew over at Double Scribble is having their first gallery show here in Cleveland on October 20th. They have artists from all over the world on board to be a part of it, and every single person in Cleveland should attend to help celebrate.

The gallery show will feature work from native Clevelanders, and Double Scribble co-founders, Nick Kastner and Mike McGrath like this dope picture of Dion Waiters. 

Art of the Game, a celebration of Art and Basketball, will run through November 11th. It will be held at BUCKBUCK Studio, 3910 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland.

For more information check out their blog, and be sure to support your Cleveland Basketball Artists. See you there on the 20th.

Over the next couple weeks we will be projecting who finishes where in the Eastern Conference this season. From last place to first, Monday was the Bobcats, Tuesday the Magic, today the Raptors.

#13: Toronto Raptors

For the Toronto Raptors it will be another long season without making the playoffs. The other teams in their division got better while they spent their off-season doing nothing. The Raptors have been an average team every season, with the exception of a couple of years, and that is exactly what kind of team they will be this year.


Surrounded by the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks, it will be very hard for Toronto to get many wins in their division. All four of those teams are projected to make the playoffs, making the Raptors schedule even more difficult this season. 

According to ESPN, the Raptors’ starting lineup is:

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Terrence Ross
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Andrea Bargnani
C: Jonas Valanciunas

Like the previous two teams in my projected standings, I do not see where Toronto is going to get scoring from with this group. Yes, they will get their wins against teams like Orlando and Charlotte, but I do not see them competing with the rest of the teams in their division. Andrea Bargnani was their leading scorer last year and he didn't average more than 20 points per game. I do not see that changing much this season. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas has yet to play a game in the NBA, so who even knows how good of a center he'll be for the Raptors.

Back in August, Kyrie Irving told me that he would "be 150-percent by the start of the season". According to a Yahoo! report from Marc Spears this morning, he's right on track after breaking his hand earlier this summer. 

"Kyrie Irving was back at the Cleveland Cavaliers' practice facility on Monday, playing in his first five-on-five scrimmage since breaking his right hand more than two months ago.

After Irving had surgery in Cleveland on July 18, the Cavaliers took a conservative approach to his rehabilitation. He wore a removable soft cast and couldn't do any conditioning for three weeks after the surgery. Irving improved his left-hand dribbling skills while he was sidelined, but he couldn't do much with his right hand. "I couldn't tie my shoes," Irving said. "I couldn't put my belt on. There were a few things I couldn't do. I couldn't cook, open up juice. I had my best friend and my father with me all the time."

The NBA lockout delayed the start of last season until Christmas, so this will be Irving's first true NBA training camp. The Cavs can use the extra time. They have 12 players with three years or less of experience. In fact, the Cavaliers' starting lineup could potentially have two rookies in guard Dion Waiters and Zeller and two second-year players in Irving and forward Tristan Thompson.

"We are still trying to find out chemistry right now," Irving said. "But I definitely do feel like we have a lot of talent on this team."'

Shout out to our boy Samardo, who came back ready to grind this year. From The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto:

Over the next couple weeks, we will be projecting who finishes where in the Eastern Conference this season. From last place to first, yesterday was the Charlotte Bobcats, today the Orlando Magic.

#14: Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have officially gone from one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, to one of the worst. All because of one player: Dwight Howard. Unlike Lebron James, Howard allowed the Magic time to trade him because he eventually said he was not going to re-sign with them. Because of this, the Magic received a couple players and some first round picks as compensation for Howard in a multi-team trade. Unfortunately, the Magic will be in rebuilding mode for many seasons to come.


Although Orlando may have their core group of players back outside of Howard, losing the best big man in the game will make it a very long season for the Magic and their fans. Howard not only averaged a double-double, but he was also always one of the top defensive players in the game for the past few years.

But onto the current team, Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu will have to carry this team in order for them to win some games this year. Although they are capable of doing so, the rest of the supporting cast is not the greatest.

According to ESPN, the Magic projected starting lineup is:

PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Hedo Turkoglu
PF: Glen Davis
C: Gustavo Ayon

Honestly, I do not see where they can score enough points with this starting lineup to compete with most teams in the NBA. Also, now that they do not have the big man in the middle of the paint, teams will now be able to score against them a lot easier than before. I do not see this team winning more than 16-17 games this season.

Over the next couple weeks, we will be projecting who finishes where in the Eastern Conference this season. From last place to first, we start with the Charlotte Bobcats...

No. 15: Charlotte Bobcats

Once again, the Charlotte Bobcats will finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference this season. By being unlucky in the NBA Draft Lottery, the Bobcats missed out on Anthony Davis. By not being able to draft the projected superstar and the player that they could start building their future around, the lottery set them back yet another year.


Although Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (#2 pick) is a solid addition, he does not compare to what Davis could have contributed to this team. With the additions of Kidd-Gilchrist, Ramon Sessions, Ben Gordon, and Brendan Haywood, the Bobcats will be better than last year, but will still be the worst team in the East. Unfortunately for Charlotte, their 7-59 will not improve by much. With an entire 82-game season, I project the Bobcats to win between 10-15 games.

According to ESPN, the Bobcats projected started lineup is:

PG: Ramon Sessions
SG: Ben Gordon
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF: Bismack Biyombo
C: Brendan Haywood

Even though they have a solid veteran-leader at point guard in Sessions, I do not see where this group is going to get their scoring from outside of Gordon. Yes, Kidd- Gilchrist can create his own shots, but there is no way he is ready, as a rookie, to be one of the top scorers on his team. Although they have Kemba Walker coming off the bench, they cannot rely on their sixth-man to be a top scorer either, especially when he is playing behind Sessions and Gordon.

Terrell Brandon called me on Tuesday night. He was on his way home from the Barbershop he owns in Portland, OR. I had gotten a message into him earlier that day. The call came back from an unknown number. I offered a 'who is this?' in response. I may have sounded rattled by the unidentified contact. 

'Terrell Brandon, oh hey, what's up man, thanks for calling me back'. 

From there I stepped into the Wine and Gold DeLorean. Brandon dove. Or maybe it was the Powder Blue and Black version. Whatever the case, for the next half-hour I traveled back through Cavaliers' history with Terrell Brandon as my tour guide. 


His answers were honest, his recollections vivid. The passion he still has for Cleveland and its Cavaliers jumped through the phone with every story he told. 

The details from our conversation will be featured in Cavs Zine 3. 

I told Mr. Brandon this; describing briefly the Cavaliers Fan Magazine I was referencing. He said he was thrilled to be a part of it, and really appreciated the Cavs fans remembering and celebrating his career this way. It honestly meant something to him.

I'd come to find out that is probably because Terrell Brandon never wanted to leave Cleveland in the first place. He said he dreamed of playing 15 years as a member of the Cavaliers. He was devastated when he left. He loved the city, loved the fans, and had a personal relationship with everyone in the organization - from his teammates to the workers who filled Gund Arena. 

Despite that, in late September, 1997, Terrell Brandon would be forced to leave. He had spent his NBA career to that point a Cavalier, after being drafted 11th overall in 1991 from Oregon. Along with Brandon, the Cavs also sent Tyrone Hill and a 1998 1st round pick (top-10 protected) to the Milwaukee Bucks. They traded Vin Baker to Seattle, and the Supersonics dealt Shawn Kemp to Cleveland.

In an early October article discussing the trade, Sports Illustrated's Jackie MacMullen included the following line: "Embry is optimistic about how Kemp will fit in with the Cavs. "Actually, we look at it as a fresh start," Embry says. "I don't anticipate any problems with Shawn."'

The magnitude with which that prediction was wrong is something that will forever live in Cavaliers history. Mark Price we always remember too. But there was greatness in between those two moments. Terrell Brandon, for a time, was arguably the best at his position in all the NBA. The only other Cavalier you could ever say that about is LeBron James. 

Zydrunas was never better than Shaq, Price wasn't better than Isiah, Daugherty wasn't better than Ewing, and on it goes.

Terrell Brandon did tell me that he still receives mail from Cleveland fans on a regular basis. He hasn't been forgotten by those who truly understand his impact. They remember that NBA All Star Game HE hosted in CLEVELAND, OHIO. 

They remember the NBA universe surrounding the player featured on Sports Illustrated's cover in the weeks leading up to All Star Weekend. They remember how proud he was to serve as Ambassador for Cleveland that weekend, on a stage this city may never see again.

We will remember all of that about Terrell Brandon in Cavs Zine 3, and much more. I haven't even mentioned one tenth of our conversation. It was a discussion I was thrilled to be a part of, and an article I hope you get a chance to read. 

Terrell Brandon forever. Cavs Zine 3.

I really can't believe the NBA season has crept back around this quickly. It has though. In less than three weeks, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be inviting fans down to Quicken Loans Arena for their annual Wine and Gold intra-squad scrimmage. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, October 6th, at 5pm.

This will give us all our first look at Dion Waiters playing in the city of Cleveland. Tyler Zeller too, along with CJ Miles, Jon Leur, and whoever else. Will be interesting to see the new guys, as well as get an idea of what type of progress the returning vets made this summer.

Those guys probably won't be playing with Kyrie Irving that day though, so for however good they play we can all assume they'll eventually be a little better. I'd imagine they'll keep Kyrie out of just about everything they can in anticipation of having him one hundred percent and ready to go by opening night, but that's me speculating.

For whatever it is or isn't worth though, the Cavaliers email announcing the Wine and Gold game features pictures of Tristan Thompson, Alonzo Gee, and a few Cavs fans. No Uncle Drew.

Anyways, more from that announcement:

The Cavaliers annual prelude to the tip off of a new season starts with the team’s intra-squad scrimmage where Wine meets Gold to give fans their first look at the 2012-13 Cavs on the court. The Wine & Gold Scrimmage presented by FirstEnergy Solutions takes place on Saturday, October 6th at Quicken Loans Arena at 5:00 p.m. This special preseason event features everything that makes attending a Cavaliers home game an incredible fan entertainment experience— and it’s FREE!

Fans will be treated to the full-blown production of the Cavs’ award-winning game presentation featuring lights-out player introductions with Q-Tube flames. The Cavalier Girls and Scream Team will perform, mascots Moondog and Sir C.C. will stir things up, and in-arena host Ahmaad Crump will oversee all the fun. There will also be many other special fan activities and team interaction elements and giveaways both on and off the court during the evening. Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. so fans can enjoy concourse activities and $1 hot dogs and $1 sodas while taking in the excitement of being back at The Q for Cavs basketball.

Awesome that it's free. Great opportunity for fans to get down to the Q and check these guys out. Free tickets, and even if you are Antonio Cromartie you can still buy all your kids a hot dog and a soda each while you're there for under $20. 

If you ask Dion Waiters a question on Twitter, he will answer it. This was never more apparent than it was on Wednesday night. I'm not sure exactly how many fans tweeted at the Cleveland Cavaliers rookie guard yesterday, but it's reasonable to assume he answered just about everyone.  

When I first met Dion at Vegas Summer League, I asked him about why he's so willing to engage fans through social media. He told me, "I just try to show everybody love, talk to them as much as I can, interact with them, and just be a regular person".

On Wednesday he let fans know that he's a regular person who hasn't eaten at Hot Sauce Williams yet, likes taking game winning shots, and hasn't been to Cleveland's new Casino owned by Dan Gilbert.




He also said that he hopes to go support the Ohio State Buckeyes when they play a big game, and retweeted a guy who said he plans to paint Dion's number on his chest for the Cavs opener. 


As the night went on, Waiters noted that he's more Batman than Spiderman. He's looking for a favorite restaurant in Cleveland too, and dropped a "Waddup" on a person who's goal was to get Waiters to "at least notice" him.


He also said that he's still unsure about what he thinks of Anderson Varejao's hair, and that he's never been a waiter.

The ink is dry on Chris Grant's biggest free agent signing of the off-season. Alonzo Gee will be dunking in Cleveland for two more years, maybe even three.

In a deal structured to reward Gee for his development, while at the same time not over-committing in terms of years, Alonzo is scheduled to earn $3.5 million in 2012-13, $3.25 in 2013-14 and another $3.25 in 2014-15 if the Cavs exercise a team option they hold in year three.

That's a winning contract for Chris Grant based on where the market could've gone for Gee. At the same time, for Alonzo, a $10 million deal with $6.75 guaranteed over the next three years is also realizing the NBA hoop dream. A dream that had to seem pretty elusive at times only a few years ago in the D-League.

Gee, 25, cashed in by posting career bests in scoring (10.6), rebounding (5.1), assists (1.8), steals (1.3), free throw percentage (.788) and minutes per game (29.0) in 63 games (31 starts) during the 2011-12 season. In his 31 starts, the 6-foot-6, 219-pounder increased his averages to 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31.7 minutes per game.

“From the start of free agency, we made it clear that re-signing Alonzo was important to us and we’re happy we’ve been able to do that,” Grant said. “Alonzo has worked very hard to make the most of the opportunities he has had thus far and it has been great to see his development and growth as a Cavalier. We’re excited he will be part of our team as our young group of players continues to grow together.”

Off the court, Alonzo Gee has developed good relationships with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. I'm sure the Cavaliers two rookies from a season ago are glad to have Gee back in the fold, and he is too.

“I am excited to be back with the Cavs and be a part of what is being built here in Cleveland", Gee said in a statement released by the team. "I wanted things to work out for me to be here and I’m really happy that they did. I’m really thankful that the Cavs gave me an opportunity and I can’t wait to get back to work with Coach Scott and our coaches and my teammates.”

According to agent Bill Neff, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be officially agreeing to terms with free agent rookie Kevin Jones today. Hoopshype.com broke the following news earlier this morning:

"Undrafted free agent Kevin Jones will finally sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers today, agent Bill Neff told HoopsHype. Jones, a 6-foot-8 forward out of West Virginia, will get a partially guaranteed deal."The Cavaliers hung with Kevin during his (foot) injury, which is great," Neff said. "The injury set him back during the workout process. He is healthy now."Jones averaged 19.9 ppg and 10.0 rpg in his senior year with the Mountaineers and was named to the All-Big East 1st Team."

Not unlike Cavaliers power forward Luke Harangody, Jones did everything he could during his four year career in the Big East. The 20-10 stat-line he hung on the board was good enough to earn 2nd Team All American Honors, in addition to being named All Big East 1st Team. He graduated with a cumulative GPA better than 3.0, and was named to the Garret Ford Academic Honor Roll and Big East Academic All Star Team. He finished 29th in school history with 1,165 career points and 2nd in school history with 309 career offensive rebounds. 

The Cavs are betting on the idea that Jones will keep winning on and off the court at the professional level as well. His natural position is power forward, but I'd imagine they hope he can step out and play some SF as well next season. I'm not sure what this signing means with respect to Alonzo Gee, if anything, but Jones' story is a good one and I hope he ends up having a solid career. I think sometimes that potential and upside are over-valued to an exent where it diminishes the value of actual production from the true student-athlete during the draft process. Jones going undrafted sends the wrong kind of message. Glad to see he worked his way through that, and his injury, to end up inking this deal. 

Image: Syracuse.com