In responding publicly to a question at an event in NY yesterday about whether or not the Warriors would make the playoffs next season, Stephen Jackson offered the following comment - via Dime Magazine:

"Um…I don’t think I’ll be a Warrior next year. I’m looking to leave.”

Dime Magazine later sat down with Jackson, and posted the following exchange late yesterday:

"Dime: Is there anywhere specifically you want to go?
SJ: Either Cleveland, anywhere in Texas or out here with Al in New York."

If nothing else this is another interesting twist in what has become a very entertaining post season for Cavaliers' fans.  Is the interest mutual though?  I would guess not for a number of reasons, shear talent not withstanding.  Jackson is under contract through 2012 - 2013, and on his 35th birthday he is scheduled to make $10 million.  From an on-the-court-next season standpoint, Jackson would be a nice piece to add.  A true two-guardso to speak when compared with Delonte West and Anthony Parker (combo guards)...but he (SJ) comes with a number of question marks both on and off the court - will he pass, will he bum rush Cleveland fans in the stands, etc, etc - and I expect the Stephen Jackson to the Cavs fire to burn out before it ever really sets ablaze.  Interesting thought though.

If you are not following StepienRules on Twitter I suggest you do.  Why?  Well, because we are currently the 34th ranked account on the Cleveland Sports Twitter List, and we are not beyond pandering to improve our ranking.  

We only activated the account about a month ago, so in some respects, we're glad to make the Top 40...but you either get better or you you get worse, and based on the fact that it is a Top 40...frankly too much worse might just bump us off the list entirely...so drop me a follow...

Go to Stepien Rules @stepienrules ...you'll be glad you did.

The top 10 looks like this:

 1) Shaquille O’Neal @the_real_shaq

2) Cleveland Cavs @cavs

3) Mo Williams @mogotti2

4) Lebron2010.com @lebron2010

5) Donte Stallworth @D_Stallworth18

6) Brian Windhorst @pdcavsinsider

6a) Jay Crawford @jaycrawfordespn

7) Brian Spaeth @brianspaeth

8 ) Eric Knappenberger @cavswitness

9) Cleveland Leader @clevelandleader

10) Orange and Brown Report @theobr

I would call the free agency period an overall success for Danny Ferry and his Cavaliers - hands down.  But way back to what seems like years ago, there was an NBA Draft in which most Cavs fans hoped to find a player that could step in and contribute this season.  They didn't get that player with the 30th pick, however it appears in signing Danny Green to a two year contract this week that the front office thinks they may have gotten that guy with the 46th.  

But did the Cavaliers miss on an impact player amongst those drafted after Eyenga and before Green? 

Long way away from knowing that answer to be sure, but if the summer league performances serve as any indicator, a brief look into that answer might be below.  

Below are the NBA Summer League statistics of each player drafted after Christian Eyenga, and before Danny Green:

Vegas NBA 2009 Summer League Statistics:

46th Overall Pick - Danny Green: 5 Games, 20.4 MPG, 8.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.6 APG, 29% (3P)

45th Overall Pick - Nick Calathes:  DNP

44th Overall Pick - Chase Budinger:  5 Games, 22.2 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.8 APG, 72% (3P)

43th Overall Pick - Marcus Thorthon: 3 Games, 29.7 MPG, 20.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 29% (3P)

42th Overall Pick - Patrick Beverly:  DNP 

41th Overall Pick - Jodie Meeks: 5 Games, 32.2 MPG, 19.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 53% (3P)

40th Overall Pick - Derek Brown:  DNP

39th Overall Pick - Jonas Jerebko:  5 Games, 28.0 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 17% (3P)

38th Overall Pick - Jon Brockman:  5 Games, 21.6 MPG, 5.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0% (3P)

37th Overall Pick - DeJaun Blair:  3 Games, 25.0 MPG, 16.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0% (3P)

36th Overall Pick - Sam Young:  5 Games, 25.0 MPG, 13.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.6 APG, 50% (3P)

35th Overall Pick - DaJaun Summers: 5 Games, 32.4 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 27% (3P)

34th Overall Pick - Sergio Llul:  DNP

33th Overall Pick - Dante Cunningham: 4 Games, 31.5 MPG, 18.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0% (3P)

32th Overall Pick - Jermaine Taylor:  4 Games, 20.8 MPG, 11.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 15% (3P)

31th Overall Pick - Jeff Pendergraph:  5 Games, 27.6 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0% (3P)

30th Overall Pick - Christian Eyenga:  5 Games, 26.6 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0% (3P)

Cav-a-linkage is a new series here at SR which features Cavaliers' posts, news, or stories, that I read on a given day and found interesting..today those links are as follows:

Shaq Hate Continues To Pour Out of Phoenix - Scott, WFNY:

"I took the Steve Nash-Shaq Vs. news with a grain of salt...But the latest article to come out out Phoenix?  Well, let’s just say that someone isn’t too happy with the way things ended with the Big Cactus...The article [which criticizes Shaq as a teammate] goes on to discuss that O’Neal is no longer “Superman” and "continued to dig up how things went with Kobe Bryant."

From More Than A Game, Forever, Featuring Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kanye - Vince, 64 and Counting:

"A bunch of all-star rappers have gotten together to record a song for the new LeBron James doc, More Than a Game...The big deal about "Forever" is that it marks the first time Lil Wayne and Eminem have appeared together on a track.  The song, which gives top-billing to "Best I Ever Had" hitmaker Drake, also includes a verse by Kanye West. It's pretty good — but it's also kinda long..." [video at 64 and Counting]

I Disagree [ Cavaliers Ranked #1 In Yahoo Sports' Ranking of Best Teams Not To Win NBA Title] - Ben, Random Thoughts:

"Now, should this Cavs team be on the list? Probably. But over the 01-02 Kings (#2 on the list)? No sir. Does anyone think that the 03-04 Lakers squad (with Shaq, Kobe, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, #6) wouldn't have whooped last years Cavaliers?"

Cavs Wine & Gold Scrimmage - George, Ohio.com:

"The Cavaliers announced Wednesday that the Wine and Gold Scrimmage will return to the University of Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena for the sixth consecutive year. The intrasquad game will tipoff at noon, Oct. 3 and...represents the first time that fans will be able to see Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James together."

Excerpt of Post By StepienRules @ MWF:

"As your average run of the mill sports blogger, I don’t ask for much. The accommodations provided by my mother’s basement are more than adequate. And while I’m still far from my 40th birthday, I see no reason why I wouldn’t enjoy kicking it down here for the next decade plus.  That still doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for an opportunity to step out the house once in a while though.  So when Nike’s media department offered me a ticket to attend the private screening of More Than a Game at the Akron Civic Theatre this past Thursday, along with media credentials to cover the Nike Tourstop on Friday, I was more than appreciative.  Nike’s people were beyond pleasant, and it was great meeting them. Dunktape hijackers they weren’t..." 

To read full post go to Midwest Sports Fans: MTAG...From Blogger's Row

Coverage of  MTAG Screening at Akron Civic Theatre:

Private screening of Kristopher Bellman's More Than A Game: MTAG Tour Stop: Akron, Ohio

More Than A Game T-Shirt: MTAG Wear: Its More Than A T-Shirt

Seven Part Blogumentary on Nike's Akron Tourstop:

1.  LBJ and Movie Cast take Akron Stage: He Put On For His City

2.  LeBron references Dunktapegate...takes to Akron Courts: Nobody Dunked on Him This Time

3.  CP3 and LBJ:  Chris Paul Joins LBJ on Court 

4.  Custom Shoes Unveiled: Custom Shoes By LBJ's Tattoo Artist

5.  Akron Mayor Speaks on Perspective...LBJ Walks To Courts:  A Walk Through World History

6.  Did LBJ join the long list of Cavalier rappers?  LeBron in the Booth...Don't Do It!

7.  LeBron addresses crowd...Coach Dru Looks Back:  Last Stop on Nike Tour

There was a certain feeling that I got while covering the Nike More Than A Game Tourstop this past weekend about which way LeBron might be leaning in the summer of 2010.  It wasn't from anything he said, but more from the things he didn't even come close to saying.  And I didn't really want to even say what I was thinking.  I really didn't even want to think it.  Then LeBron sat down with Rachel Nichols and said this...I'm sure you've seen it by now.  But if you haven't, or if you want to watch it again, here it is:

If I can actually bring myself to say what it is I'm thinking about this whole thing I will do so later this week.  Right now, I just can't. If you insist on asking me the is LeBron is staying or going question in the meantime, just know my answer's going to be real similar to the one Drew Rosenhaus gave from T.O.'s driveway.

Shaq Vs - Episode Two - Tonight:

After losing to Ben Roethlisberger in Epsiode One, look for the Shaq-alier to even up the record by way of a beach volleyball win vs. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.  Word is that future Miami Dolphins'owner Serena Williams plans to help Shaq get ready for the match.  Over-unders and predictions aside, while I didn't expect Shaq to outduel Big Ben on the gridiron, I must say I have to like the chances of the seven foot tall O'Neal in a volleyball match against most anybody...but we shall see.  No word yet on who Shaq's temmate will be for the event, but if if ex-Nintendo stars Randy Stoklos or Sinjin Smith are available you can book this week's episode to O'Neal without even watching.

In the midst of an offseason which has featured Cleveland Cavalier rap news hitting the web on a routine basis, I was a little nervous when LBJ took to the DJ Booth this past weekend...pictured below:

For a second I thought he had 16 bars up his sleeve for Akron.  For a second I thought Fog Raw and MC Colonel Sanders were going to take the stage too.  I even thought a cameo from Joe Beast and Shaq Diesel was a possibility.  And for the next second I just hoped I was wrong.  There is no way it would come off cool if LeBron rapped.  Didn't work for AI, isn't working for Ron Artest, and it didn't work for Chris Mills and his posse way back in the day either.

But I think LeBron knows that too.  Because he just stood there for a second, nodded his head, and left before the thought of laying down a track ever crossed his mind.  Thankfully.

LeBron did say his favorite song out right now...We Run This Town - Jay - Z, Kanye, Rhianna

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron References Dunktapegate...Takes Court In Akron

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron James Puts On For His City 

More On Tour Stop:  Custom Shoe By LBJ's Tattoo Artist

More On Tour Stop:  A Walk Thru World History

Prior to the close of the Nike Tourstop this past weekend LeBron said a few words to those gathered around the court in Akron.

I was actually standing right next to Coach Dru Joyce while LeBron spoke, and even though he was right in front of me, I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying.  Sorry 'Bron 'Bron.  While I was standing there I couldn't help but think about a comment Coach Dru made on stage earlier in the day, about his thoughts, way back when, on this whole thing, one day playing out on the big screen. 

Coach Dru Joyce:

"We really didn't realize this was gonna be a movie until these guys were about three years out of high school.  Up until then, we didn't know, at that time we were just living our lives." 

More Than A Game hits theatres Akron, Cleveland, New York, and LA on October 2nd...the release to theatres nation-wide is scheduled to follow. 

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron References Dunktapegate...Takes Court In Akron

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron James Puts On For His City 

More On Tour Stop:  Custom Shoe By LBJ's Tattoo Artist

More On Tour Stop:  A Walk Thru World History

It doesn't take a historian to tell you that there was something sorta historical about LeBron, at this stage of his career, celebrity, and social status, coming home to take a walk through the crowds of Akron kids who live in the same neighborhoods, and go to the same schools, as he once did.

Prior to making that walk from the stage to the court on Friday, Akron's Mayor Don Plusquellic spoke about the significance of the day for Akron, as well as his prediction about LeBron way back when James was only 14... 

Don Plusquellic from MTAG Akron Tourstop:

"I've been telling mayor friends and people all over, since back when LeBron was 14, that LeBron James is the greatest basketball player to ever come out of...the world!"

That's not Ohio, United States, or North America...best player to 'come out of the world.'  And now he's the MVP. Got that mayor friends?