I realize that I should not necessarily be proud of this, but Delonte West's freestyle inspired me to hit my local KFC drivethru on my way home from work today - well that, and the fact that I didn't have any food in my fridge.  My trip was a bit different than Delonte's though.  For one, I ordered at 6:20 and left at 6:27.  Probably didn't take as long based on the fact that I only ordered the 2pc meal - a breast, wing, mashed potatos, and macaroni in case you were wondering.  And while I didn't have enough time, or talent, to bust out a freestyle during my seven minute wait, I did decide to rank the top five lines from West's. 

They are as follows, from 5 to 1:

Top 5 Lines from Delonte West's KFC Freestyle:

5.  check my mug, check my swag, I got hot sauce, in my bag

4.  and the apple pies, macaroni, cheez...raspberry - what - ice tea

3.  spent about forty seven dolla...at the KFC you betta holla

2.  juice in my lap, in the lac, ridin back, cadillac, top hat, shades on, ridin on, chicken main

1.  I said baby girl, my name is Delonte...and I dont do, the valet - I do mickey d's...any burger you want...with cheez

This dude's classic...word of caution on the language though:

You Tube 

Wednesday August 5th is Daniel Gibson day at Cedar Point.  While I can't think this will do much to increase attendance, I do think it is pretty ironic that he is the Cavalier player headlining at America's Roller Coast.  If his career to date could be described as anything, it would be that of a roller coaster.  As a Cavalier, he has shown the ability to both elevate his game to the proverbial top of the Millennium Force, as well as plummet so far out of sight you'd think he was riding the Demon Drop.    

As a rookie, Gibson averaged 13.5 points per game in the Eastern Conference Finals.  As a 3rd year player, in this year's Eastern Conference Finals, he averaged 3.7.  Drafted as a 2nd rounder that rookie season, he went on to average over 16 minutes per game in the regular season - outplaying the Cavaliers' 1st round pick (Shannon Brown) who averaged 8.8.  This past season, cemented in the Cavaliers' rotation, he averaged 24 minutes per game, but the production was far from consistently solid.  On December 6th, he played 31 minutes (at Charlotte) and scored 22 points.  Then on February 20th (at Milwaukee) he played 30 minutes and didn't score once (0-5).  For the month of December, this past season, he played just over 20 minutes per game and averaged 10 per contest; not bad.  But in the month of March he again logged just over 20 minutes per game, and averaged 5; not good. 

Its been up and down the past few offseasons too.  In July of last year Gibson signed a multiyear extension with the Cavaliers, figuring to be a key rotation player for years to come.  Since that time though, the Cavaliers have traded for PG Mo Williams, refused to part with G Delonte West, most recently signed G Anthony Parker, and drafted the three point shooting Danny Green.  His days as a Cav appear numbered.  But its not all bad for Gibson though, he's got a new girlfriend (Keisha Cole).  And if he ever does run out of the $3.7 mil guaranteed that he has been banking over the last couple years, he'll always have her, right? 

So if you get the chance to cruise down to Sandusky on Wednesday, check Gibson out.  He'll be at the 3 point challenge from 12-2, signing autographs.  And if you don't do autographs, feel free to stop by and thank him for this:

Because regardless of the ride he takes Cavs fans on from here, his 31 point effort in game 6 will never be forgotten, and he'll always have a place in Cleveland history...just like the Blue Streak.

Numbers (9) and (4) are against the Cavs...AC offers a 'wow' on number (9)

Hakim Warrick Signs With Bucks - Brian Windhorst / PD:

"The Cavs have made offers to several forwards this summer in an effort to add some depth to their front line, including Warrick and Sean May. The team might now look to re-sign Joe Smith. Another option is to go younger with better shooters in Rob Kurz or Steve Novak."

Leon Powe Coming to Cleveland?

Brian Windhorst also reported a few hours ago that the Cavaliers have extended an offer to Powe.  David Aldridge reported earlier that Powe does in fact prefer Cleveland to his other suitors.  I think Roger Lodge might call that a match.

David Aldridge from eariler via - Scott / WFNY:

"It may take Celtics restricted free agent forward Leon Powe months to return to the court after suffering a torn left ACL and damaging his meniscus in the playoffs, if he can come back at all. But several contending teams are interested in him, and the interest is mutual. In fact, Powe would like to join LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal in Cleveland next year in pursuit of another championship."

Oh and Larry Dolan dumped another $5.9 million.  Cleveland wishes you the best Victor, you are going to have a helluva career.

This time its not for the Cavaliers though, its for the Indians.  Indians owner Larry Dolan is doing everything he can to allign himself in the history of Cleveland sports right next to the infamous Cavaliers owner Ted Stepien.  In trading away back to back Cy Young winners, and slashing salary at any chance he gets, he is running the Cleveland franchise he owns directly into the ground. He will tell you its not his fault.  He will tell you that his hand is forced because of the fact that his club is a small market team, and as such, this market cannot provide the dollars needed to be successful. But if you look right across the street, you might see Dan Gilbert waving his One Goal towel around his head calling bull sh*t.

The NBA has a salary cap.  Baseball doesn't. What is interesting though, are the dollars Gilbert is spending on his Cleveland team - same small market - with respect to the rest of his league, as well as that baseball team right next door.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the 3rd highest payroll in the NBA. With the recent off-season moves - signing Shaq for $20 mil ect - on the books, the Cavaliers have a 2009-10 payroll totalling $79,975,195.  That payroll is more than the big market cities Boston, New York, Miami, Chicago, and Philadelphia are paying their teams.  The Luxury Tax for the 2009-10 season is set at a threshold level of $69.9 million. Which means, for every dollar that Gilbert pays over that level (in his case $10 mil) he has to pay dollar for dollar to the NBA in accordance with the tax.  That means esssentially, that Gilbert's payroll can be figured at $90 million.  $80 mil in payroll, $10 mil in luxury tax.

Larry Dolan - the brokest cat on Wall Street - now has the Indians payroll sitting at $59,294,641 with the shedding of Cliff Lee's (bargain basement) contract of $9 million.  That total ranks the Indians as the 27th highest payroll in the MLB, ahead of only San Diego, Florida, and Pittsburgh.  Dolan's payroll is calculated based on the salaries of his 21-man active roster.  Gilbert's payroll is figured on 15.  Despite that, Gilbert is paying out $30 million more than Dolan.  

The Yankees are paying over $207 mil for their roster.  But this isn't about the Yankees.  Its about Cleveland.  If the Cavaliers payroll - including the luxury tax - of $90 mil was compared to other non-salary capped MLB payrolls, the Cavaliers would have the 13th highest payroll in the baseball, just ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, and just behind the Chicago White Sox.

What this means are a few simple things.  Dan Gilbert should be viewed in this town for being maybe the best owner we have ever seen.  Larry Dolan should be viewed as one of the worst. It also means that if the Indians matched the $90 million that the Cavaliers paid out, they might be half decent.  Except they don't, and they're not.  Lets go Cavs. 

It looks like the Heat may be closing in on the willie wonka half of that nasty Odom and Boozer to Miami rumor , but the Candyman won't come free.  According to the latest rumblings, it may take a sign and trade to send the Rhode Island product to South Beach.

Odom Keeps Lakers Hanging in Balance - Marc Spears / Yahoo:

"The West GM said it might be in the Lakers’ best interest to seek a sign-and-trade if Odom decides to leave to ensure they get something back – possibly forward/center Udonis Haslem and injury-plagued forward Dorell Wright, who were offered to Utah in Miami’s unsuccessful effort to land forward Carlos Boozer."

I hope that trade happens to be honest, because I think it hurts both teams to some extent.  If the Lakers re-sign Odom they are the odds on favorite to win the West, and probably the whole thing again.  And if the Heat were to sign Boozer and Odom - and not give anything up - they would have to be amongst a handful of teams favored to win the East.  But while the Heat won't get Boozer, the addition of Odom only marginally improves their overall roster.  If you look back on the offseason, they come out close to a wash in the forward department.  They just lost Jamario Moon, and would then have to trade away Udonis Haslem, and in return they get Lamar Odom.  An upgrade to some extent, but by no means a major overhaul.  And the Lakers just lose here.  They lose Odom, and really don't have a place to play Haslem, with Gasol getting the majority of the minutes at PF.  Make the deal. 

Shaq made a bet with a member of his Shaq-tourage recently, wagering on his ability to gain access into the White House by simply knocking on the front gate.  He didn't get in.

Shaq Denied Entrance To White House - Via  DC Sports Bog / Dan Steinberg:

["If I show up, unannounced, at the White House, could I get in?" Turns out this was no idle speculation. It was an actual bet, between Shaq and one of his handlers, with the loser owing the winner 1,000 push-ups..."I went to the gate," he said. "They were nice. They said, 'Shaq, we can't do it.' I said, 'I understand.' Understood."]

You owe me a thousand Big Fella.

He did get into the WWE ring though, as I'm sure you heard, and was about the only thing worth watching.  Hasn't been the same since the Macho Man.

Shaq on Raw - Via Waiting For Next Year / Scott:

["I made it through the entire show. But the truth is, if it wasn’t for Shaq, I wouldn’t have made it."]

And while Shaq continues to make noise and news on the regular, LeBron James continues to make headlines as well, despite his summer of silence.  This time its contract talk, and Danny Ferry's dropping no comments as well.

LeBron Quiet on Contract Talks - Via Tom Withers / AP:

[`We've talked to (agent) Leon Rose, but beyond that I don't really want to comment,'' Ferry said after introducing newly signed free agent forward Jamario Moon.]

Via the CelticsBlog:  "I'm told by another source (these things are just coming out of the woodwork these days) that Leon Powe is considering an offer from Cleveland.  Apparently Dallas has an offer to him as well, but with Drew Gooden signing he might be leaning towards taking the Cavs offer.  He still has not received an offer from Boston."