As we sit here now, less than 24 hours from tipping off the 2009-10 season, it is certainly reasonable to assume that this season is just one of many more that LeBron James will spend playing as a Cavalier.  There also looms the possibility its his last.  It also stands to reason that the addition of Shaquille O'Neal might not work out as well as we have hoped.  Then again, there's a pretty good chance it will.  Its possible that the tumultuous offseason had by Delonte West will serve as a distraction for this season's Cavaliers.  There's also a possibility it brings them closer.  Critics will argue that Mike Brown won't be capable of blending all of the new faces into a cohesive rotation this season.  And as this season plays out, I believe he's capable of proving them wrong.  There's a chance Mo Williams could fade again in the 2010 playoffs.  There's also a chance he thrives.  Leon Powe may come back healthy, or he may not come back at all.  Hickson might make a quantum leap forward, or he might keep forgetting the plays.  Daniel Gibson might be a consistent spark off the bench, or he might be an undersized streak shooter.  Zydrunas Ilgauskas may dominate the opposing second units, or he may be closer to retirement than we think.  The Cavaliers could win 60 plus games, or they could win 45.  Its like Kevin Garnett said when Adidas paid him to yell out impossible is nothing - Anything is poosssibbbbllllee! And while there are elements of uncertainty that surround any season in sports, this much is true for this one:  This is the most highly anticipated season for any Cleveland team in the last 30 years for good reason.  The Cavaliers have the ability to win the NBA championship.  They have a team and an organization that you can't help but get behind.  Their pregame antics will be hilarious, and they are going to play hard more often than not.  Its going to be exciting.  And if that game seven somewhere in June comes down to that - your best guy verse our best guy - our guy's better...at least for this year.

Cleveland Cavaliers player Delonte West and his wife reportedly got into a spat Saturday evening that ended with West's wife filing a domestic violence report.

The two reportedly fought at their apartment when Delonte tried to take her wedding ring off. Mrs. West left their home and headed to Cleveland Hopkin's International Airport, where she filed a domestic violence report.

The couple are said to be on the brink of divorce, which has been contributing to West's erratic behavior that includes a weapons charge and missed practices in recent months. In the latest incident, Mrs. West said the NBA star got physical in their apartment. Police didn't notice any visible injuries on her when the report was filed.

Tad Carper, Vice President of Communciatons with the Cleveland Cavaliers tells 19 Action News "the team was contacted and is aware of the situation but declined any further comment."

The group that brought you the "Notorious Cavs" last season is back on their proverbial grind.  Fresh out of the studio in anticipation of the 2009-10 Cavalier season, they're jumping right back into the game with "A Ring for the King" - set to the tune of Bone Thugs N Harmony's Ghetto Cowboy.  Its pretty much a classic...that's really all I can say.  Memo to the rest of the rap game: you might want to push your release date back...

Check them out on You Tube

Below is a list of offerings from last night's Cavaliers - Wizards preseason game that I was either Bullish or Bearish on...

Bullish: I like that the Wiz think they have a rivalry going with the Cavaliers...its comical

Bearish: I don't like that said 'rivalry' reminds me a lot of what we think the Browns have going with the Steelers

Bullish: I have completely bought into the Cavaliers big man rotation (Shaq, Andy, Z, Hickson) and if they add Powe...

Bearish: The Cavaliers do not have a capable back-up PG on the roster (Daniel Gibson is still most capable...attention EARL BOYKINS!

Bullish: Big fan of Mike Miller rocking those LBJ kicks

Bearish: Not so much a fan of Mike Miller's hair (did I hear the Cavs PA system playing Teenage Wasteland when he scored)

Bullish: To further my point about the frontline, I think Shaq looks real impressive thus far through camp

Bearish: Don't like that he hasn't glossed himself with nickname number 30 (Dennis Scott called him the Big Snowman on NBATV the other day, no word on if that is official)

Bullish: I like that Flip doesn't let DeShawn Stevenson into the game until midway through the 2nd quarter

Bearish: Don't like that DeShawn Stevenson is still in the NBA - he should go away and hide out with Jon Gosselin

Bullish: On that with only half the Cavalier team in uniform, the Wiz could only eeck out a win by a handful of points

Bearish: Worried some that LeBron, Mo, Jackson, and company missed the game with the flu...hope its just a case of swag and not swine

If you are wondering why the postings been light the last few days it has nothing to do with a certain post that was up, and then it wasn't.  It has more to do with the fact that I have been spending all my blogging time diming up anyone around the web that asks. 

In addition to the preview for MVN we did yesterday, I have a post up on Romy Aquino's Hip Hoop Junkies Site, To All the Raps We've Loved Before, updating Toronto Raptor fans on Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon's time spent with the Cavaliers thus far in Cleveland.  

If you want to read what I wrote click here, but if you want to just read something interesting about each of these guys from their days on the Raptors, read what Romy had to say in that same post, which is below:

Anthony Parker:  "Parker played three seasons with the Raps, starting mostly at the shooting guard in T.O.  He played a little of the point guard position last year while Jose Calderon was down and fell out of the picture with Bryan Colangelo.  BC thought that a big part of the disappointment from last year was due to the weakness at his position and planned on bringing Parker off of the bench had he stayed with Toronto..."

Jamario Moon:   "Jamario Moon was one of the Raptors' most entertaining and most frustrating players to watch.  Great athleticism, decent rebounder, good defense and a high flyer but also known for making a lot of bad shot decisions as a Raptor.  He was moved mid-last season with Jermaine O'Neal to the Miami Heat but is now with the Cavs alongside Anthony Parker..."

 

...in the next few days keep an eye out for Stepien Rules on Examiner.com.

 

Barry over at MVN contacted me and asked me to write the Cleveland Cavaliers season preview for their MVN Outsider's page.  I was happy to oblige, and an excerpt of my preview on the subject is below...

Stepien Rules - Cleveland Cavaliers Preview @ MVN:

The last time Cleveland won a professional sports championship in any sport the Kennedy - Johnson administration was in the White House. It was 1964, long time ago. Last season's Cavaliers looked poised to end the forty plus years of hopelessness and despair for a time, and then Orlando reminded the NBA world that the Cavaliers were pretty weak up front and had no bench. So what does Danny Ferry do? He adds a Shaquille O'Neal who looks fresh, hungry, and willing to do whatever it takes to get this team over the hump, along with a few other significant pieces throughout an off-season where he probably didn't sleep, and definitely burned up all his roll-over minutes.

This is the deepest Cavaliers' team - by far - in the LeBron James era. When the Cavaliers went to the Finals a few years back they were pulling key reserves off the bench named Damon Jones, Donyell Marshall, and Sasha Pavlovic...excuse, Sasha was a starting guard - alongside Larry Hughes. Eric Snow I meant to say. Anyways, this year they will be bringing off the bench Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon, and Anthony Parker or Delonte West - depending on who ends up being the starting two guard - along with a JJ Hickson in his second year who looks real good so far in camp, and theoretically Leon Powe at the All Star Break...

Click Here for the complete Stepien Rules Season Preview at MVN

If you haven't seen the new cavfanatic alternate jersey yet, its pictured below...

While its not a true throwback, merging the insignia of the Mark Price era with the colors of the Austin Carr era, its still awesome. 

In fact, if I wasn't approaching the age group where the wearing of jerseys is frowned upon, and button ups are recommended, I would consider buying one.  I would also consider buying one if I worked out and had big arms, or a barbed wire tattoo around my bicep.  But since I'm not young enough, strong enough, or cool enough to pull off a tank-top, I'll just let the Cavs wear them, and appreciate it when they do.

Hat Tip: '64 and Counting

Before you start saying to yourself, 'who is this Glenn guy and why is he posting on this blog?', I figured I would introduce myself to the readers of Stepien Rules.

My name is Glenn Moore and I am excited to be writing on one of the best Cleveland Cavaliers blogs. Little more about myself, I am the host of two sports talk radio shows on SportsTalkCLEVELAND.com. I host "Moore Sports In The Morning", which is live every weekday from 8am-10am ET and "The Dugout Sports Show", which is live every Saturday from 11am-1pm ET.

This is my first year covering the Cavaliers and I look forward to bringing you the most up to date news, audio, and video.

You can reach me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and follow me on Twitter, which is DugoutSportShow

The Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 92-87 Tuesday night in their preseason opener at the Q. 

A collection of my thoughts from the game are as follows...

* Jeezy's Put on for My City intro song from last season was replaced for game one of this pre-season with the Jay-Z, Rhianna, and Kanye West collabo, We Run This Town...at the Akron Tourstop back in August, LeBron did say that was his favorite song...its possible he has some influence in such selections...time will tell if it evolves into an anthem for this year's Cavaliers throughout the regular season.

* LeBron's shot selection and shooting percentage will undoubtedly improve this season over years past with the ability to throw it into Shaquille O'Neal when he needs to take somewhat of a blow on offense.  In years past, rather than taking it to the hoop, or passing to guys like Larry Hughes, I believe LeBron caught his breath sometimes by simply dribbling out the shot clocking standing at the top of the key, and then launching up an ill advised jump shot as the clock expired.  This year though, as he did a couple times Tuesday, LeBron will be afforded the luxury to stand in that same spot, catch his breath, throw it into Shaq, and let him go to work down the clock with his back to the basket a few times a game when necessary for a breather.

* JJ Hickson looked real good to me.  Get ready to hear the story about LeBron taking him under his wing this off-season about 3 thousand times this year, but regardless of that, it seems to have paid off some.  Hickson threw in 11 points by halftime, and 15 for the game, while hitting a variety of different shots from a twenty foot jumper, to a reverse move off the low block.  If he continues to improve, he could be a major factor for the Cavaliers this season.  I continue to believe that Hickson's skill set - if he develops - could be the perfect compliment to play off Shaq inside.

* Shaq looked fresh and I think Austin Carr was right about the fact that Shaq's playing multiple sports this summer helped loosen him up some by using muscles he hasn't had to use throughout his 18 year NBA career.  The Big Fella looks good in Wine and Gold...and Blue.

Shaquille O'Neal will be jumping it up for your Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at the Q as they tip off their preseason schedule against the Charlotte Bobcats. And when the most highly anticipated season in the last forty years of Cleveland professional sports is officially underway tonight, these are some things I'll be looking for...

First, is it on TV: While there are conflicting reports out there as to whether the game will be televised tonight or not, according to Fox Sports Ohio, the game will be aired at 7pm regionally. 

What does the starting lineup look like: Delonte West and Mo Williams were each held out of the Wine and Gold scrimmage but look for both to be active tonight. According to Mike Brown, via the News Herald - Bob Finnan:

"Right now I don't plan on holding out anybody...that could change (today) after shootaround."

If the Cavs are at full strength, look for Anthony Parker to start at the two, and Delonte West to come off the bench. Mo, Andy, Shaq, and LBJ should round out the starting five for game one of the preseason.

Shaq as Robin: Shaq's no stranger to Gotham city, but he's certainly never rocked the yellow spandex.  If the Cavs are going to take the next step this season, he is going to have to embrace the role of Robin to LeBron's Batman.  I think it works out swimmingly...but we'll begin to find out tonight. 

Boobie, Boobie: With the number one shaved into the side of his head outlined by a star, will Daniel Gibson be the guy we saw against Detroit a few years back, or will he be a guy that gets beat out by Danny Green for pt off the bench this season.  

How's Delonte West looking: There is a rumor floating around out there that Delonte West weighed in (15) pounds underweight last week when he arrived in camp.  With the emotional battle he's been working through over the last month, it will be interesting to see how he looks and plays tonight if he sees action. 

Over-under on Cavalier Bench fines:  As reported yesterday by Brian Windhorst:

"The NBA has issued a memo to its teams directing players on the bench to remain seated during games. Game officials will be keeping a closer eye and will issue faster warnings and possible technical fouls if not followed. Players are permitted to cheer, but standing during regular-game action and blocking the fans' views apparently isn't going to be allowed...That goes for Tuesday night's first preseason game at The Q..."

Over-Under for tonight on the amount of fines for breaking this new rule:  (2) 
Over-Under for preseason (8) games total: (10) Fines
Over-Under on how many regular season games it lasts before the NBA just gives up and stops enforcing this rule: (28)