Donald Sloan could be the back-up PG for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season when training camp opens. Byron Scott has said that Dion Waiters will get some time spelling Kyrie Irving at the one, but after that there aren't too many options.

There's been talk of the Cavs bringing in a veteran free agent point guard this off-season, but nothing's happened yet. Names like Johnny Flynn and Derek Fisher have been tossed around out there, but I'm not sure either guy is better than Donald Sloan right now. That, coupled with the Irving injury, has given Donald Sloan an extended opportunity to show the Cavs organization what he can do out here in Vegas. 

I caught up with D-Sloan this week and he talked about all that, as well as his initial impressions of playing with Cavs rookies Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller. 



 

Dion Waiters had his best performance to date out here in Vegas on Tuesday against Phoenix. He attacked the basket with force all night long, played the role of facilitator at times, and looked generally more comfortable than he had in his first two games. His first two Summer League games. The jumper didn't quite fall as much as it eventually will, but he got to the basket at will. He hasn't played alongside Kyrie Irving yet either as a reminder.

I had a chance to catch up with the Cavaliers 4th overall pick out here in Vegas this week, and that conversation is below. 





StepienRules: How would you introduce yourself to Cavs fans in Cleveland, what would you want them to know about you off the court? 

Dion Waiters: I'm a hard worker. I'm passionate, I love the game, I bring enthusiasm, just everything. I leave it all out there, I play the game like it's my last.

StepienRules: You spent some time in Cleveland since the Draft, what are your general impressions just of the city, interacting with some of the fans, and the people that you've met around town? 

Dion Waiters: Nice, quiet, laid-back, real calm. They're real passionate about their sports out here, that's one thing I know. It reminds me of Syracuse a little bit, so it's cool.

StepienRules: You're real active on Twitter, you're always retweeting after the games. What are some of your favorite tweets that you've gotten recently and what are some of the good things you've heard from Cavs fans so far?

Dion Waiters: I can't tell you my favorite retweets because I retweet so much. I just try to show everybody love, talk to them as much as I can, interact with them. And just be a regular person, show them I'm a regular person just like they are.

Tyler Zeller has been impressive throughout the Cavaliers trip through Vegas Summer League. He's bigger and more athletic than most people thought he would be entering the League, and his offensive game is almost as polished as his interview skills. This guy's walking into his NBA career as a pro already, and it was good talking with him for the first time earlier this week out in Vegas.

I asked TZ about his initial impressions of Cleveland and how he's felt competing out here so far as a member of the Cavs. I also talked business with the former Academic All American from North Carolina, and asked Tyler if Dan Gilbert has hit him up yet for any advice. 

 


StepienRules: What are your initial impressions of Cleveland so far?

Tyler Zeller: The people are fantastic. They are avid fans and they are very, very nice. I haven't really gotten into the city of Cleveland much, I've got two tours of it, but I really haven't done anything yet. We've been more in Independence where the practice facility is. That's a fantastic practice facility, I went to the Q one time and that's phenomenal also. So I know I'll move there in August / September, and I'll get more experience then.

StepienRules: How are you feeling out there moving around with just your initial impressions of the NBA game?

Tyler Zeller: Yeah I feel decent. Anytime you're a rookie you got to get used to a different system, different terminology, different rules, so that's probably the hardest part. They got me a couple times, like the no sub after a made free throw, so just different rules that I didn't know. But other than that I feel pretty comfortable.

StepienRules: At North Carolina you were a two-time Academic All American, and where did you intern at?

Tyler Zeller: Morgan Creek Capital Management.

StepienRules: Has Dan Gilbert approached you for any business tips yet?

Tyler Zeller: I don't think he needs any help, I think he's doing very well himself. He's a business guru, and I'm very impressed with what he can do.

I am heading out to Vegas Summer League later on today. If I feel cool enough while boarding my flight, I might even tweet out "wheels up" prior to take-off. That little airplane image may even be included in said tweet. Whether I announce my trip as such or not though, do keep up with me here at Stepien Rules and on Twitter over the next few days if you get the chance. I'll be catching up with your Cleveland Cavaliers as they continue to make their way through the summer league circuit, and who knows who else while I'm out there. Last time I was in Vegas I bumped into Pete Rose, so maybe I'll link back up with him at somepoint. Thanks for staying tuned, plenty more throughout the week.


On Kyrie's Hand: I'm looking at Kyrie Irving's recent hand injury like this - I am more encouraged by the fact that Kyrie is so competitive he'd smack a padded wall out of frustration over a turnover during a meaningless off-season practice with so much force he'd fracture his hand, more than I am worried about the impact of this actual injury. Long sentence, I know. But all this injury means, for now at least, is that the Cavs won't be rolling out the greatest Summer League team ever assembled after all. It would've been good for Dion Waiters and Irving to gain some backcourt familiarity over the next couple weeks, but they'll make up for that in about two practices once the season begins. If Irving is able to return for the start of training camp, which is expected right now, there's no real issue here. Mistakes happen, move on, he'll learn from it and stop punching walls in the future.

Waiters last night: Just prior to tip-off against Charlotte, I set the over/under on total points for Dion Waiters at 12.5 on Twitter. It's Summer League, guys don't really score like they do in real games. There's four ten minute quarters, teams substitute freely, guys don't go for thirty all that often. People tweeted at me with 14 over picks. Way over, most people said, but Waiters finished just under with 10 points on the game. If Cavs fans are disappointed by that performance though, they're making a mistake. He was right around where he should be getting into double figures. He missed some shots he'd like to get back, but the important thing is how uber-aggressive he was from the jump. He came out firing, and that's what I hoped to see more than anything else from Waiters. The timeout he called at the end wasn't good, but the shot he hit just before it was clutch. All those other shots he missed last night will eventually fall.

This video is awesome. Shout out to Duke Blue Planet for putting it together. Kyrie Irving is challenging Kobe Bryant to a game of one-on-one, loser donates $50,000 to the winner's charity. Kobe is hilarious in this thing too. He calls Kyrie a high school kid throughout, says he's about the same size as Lil' Bow Bow, and tells him his Dad will be mad at him for losing $50K to Bryant.

Here's that video (h/t SLAM):



Kyrie is right though, Kobe. What's 50K to a boss? We gotta get this game scheduled.

We’re almost two weeks into NBA’s annual free agent frenzy. Well except for last year. For as much flack as the NBA gets for all of the superstar whining, and the big city fraternizing, it really is exciting as hell. It’s amazing how much the landscape ebbs and flows, and how thirsty NBA fans are when it comes to the offseason transaction game. Even though the Cavs have been relatively quiet there’s a lot going on with our young superstar, the Cavs, and around the League. Here’s some of my thoughts from the Association since the first of the month:

On Kyrie... Of course I can’t even discuss the NBA, the Cavs, or anything else sports related without starting with our 20-year old phenom. The last time I checked in there were whispers about Kyrie putting on a bit of a show in Las Vegas while scrimmaging against Team USA. Well, in the digital age a whisper can go viral pretty quick, as in the very next day. If you’re on Twitter and follow any NBA personality at all you’ve seen and heard about Kyrie putting Kobe, Durant, Westbrook, and James Harden on the wrong end of an “And 1” highlight reel. You’ve heard Chris Paul, Kobe, Lebron, Coach K, and even the director of USA basketball itself Jerry Colangelo gushing about Kyrie Irving and the impression he’s made at the Team USA camp. Combine this recent hype with his performance at All Star weekend, the runaway ROY campaign, and the success of his Uncle Drew Pepsi Max endorsement it’s easy to draw the following conclusion: he’s ready for primetime. 

Now, a lot of things are going to have to fall in line for the Cavs as a team to become a compelling story nationwide next year so I’m not asking for the NBA to go a 2008 Cleveland Browns kind of over the top here. However, I do think it’s realistic for us to play some games on ESPN, maybe a few on TNT, and definitely some on NBA TV. It’s time for the NBA to showcase this kid. It’s a star’s League, and as some of it’s current stars are busy smearing mud all over their faces, it’s probably time to inject some “young blood.”  I’ll go as far as to say if Kyrie has to play this year in relative obscurity again I’ll just assume the NBA wants him to leave. It’s a ridiculous stance I know, but someone would really have to sell me on the reason why he’s not getting any publicity. He’s exciting on the court and engaging off of it. One thing’s clear from his comments. He wants the spotlight. Even more of a reason to be bullish on this kid’s future.

We caught up with the North Carolina Blog Carolina March for a few minutes to talk Tyler Zeller with the blog manager T.H. Naturally, hedge fund management and sub-six minute miles were discuss. Go here to check out Carolina March and here to follow on Twitter.

StepienRules:  I was impressed by the way Zeller handled himself at his introductory Press Conference. How do you think he'll adjust to making the transition from college to being a pro from a maturity standpoint?

Carolina March: Maturity-wise, there's nothing to worry about. In addition to spending four years in the near-professional Carolina program, he interned at a hedge fund last summer and was the 2012 Capital One Academic All-American of the Year. He also overcame two years of fluke injuries in his first two seasons, which will focus your priorities pretty quickly. I don't expect any problems with his transition.

StepienRules: As far as NBA player comparisons for Zeller go, who / what do you think would be a best case scenario for him in the League? Who would be a worst case?

Carolina March: I've never been good at finding similar players to compare a draftee to, but I think his ceiling is something like Carlos Boozer's career. Worst case scenario, of course, is a freak injury that keeps him from ever taking the court.

StepienRules: Why should Cavs fans be excited about Tyler Zeller?

Carolina March: He runs the floor like few big men I've seen.

Kris,

What's up man, how are things? I'm not sure if you're going to end up playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, but Twitter has been saying you might. Which is why I thought now might be a good time to talk. Yep, it's about that first time we met. I know it's been eating you alive on the inside too. It's all good though, that's why I'm writing you this, so we can clear the air.

You were pretty rude that first time we met, but I understand more now where you were coming from. You see, I don't watch reality television, and somebody already has the People Magazine every time I go to the dentist. I didn't understand the totality of what you were going through with that show and everything. I shouldn't have even asked you about doing that interview this past season, my bad on that. 

The thing was though, Hump, I did go up to you before your game in Cleveland and ask about it first. Real professionally, remember? I introduced myself to you, and told you I was looking to do a brief Q+A about your thoughts on the season. I even knew enough about the other stuff to specifically say I would only ask basketball related questions. Truth is, I wouldn't have even known what to ask about the other stuff because I never watched your show before. 

I actually tweeted during the game you played in Cleveland that it made no sense for Cavs fans to being booing you because of whatever happened on your show. You don't know that, because you don't follow me on Twitter, but that's cool too. I did have your back. Even after you punked me, I still believe that you are a bizarre person for Cleveland sports fans to boo. I actually gave you credit for hooking up with her in the first place, and still do if I'm being honest about it. 

But getting back to what happened, why you rubbed me the wrong way about the whole thing, was that you told me pregame that you were down to do the interview. You were even real cool about it actually. You slapped me five, gave me that handshake that made me think we were friends, and told me to check in with you after the game. I thought we were all good, and to be honest I was kinda pumped. But I think you might have been messing with me in retrospect.

So anyways, after you told me you were down, and the game ended, I rolled back over to your locker postgame. You were eating that plate of food, remember? Staring directly down at it while I walked over and stood in front of you. You had that PR guy assigned to your locker standing there. Not a happy person that guy. And if you didn't want to do an interview, right then is when you should've said it. Or he could've said it. Not a big deal. But I know you know that now.

It was a great time at the Ohio Homecoming Battle for Ohio Game this weekend. I'm already looking forward to the 2nd Annual meeting between Team 216 and Team 614 in Cleveland next year, and expect it to be even bigger. It's a great event, put on by great people, and you could feel the momentum building towards Cleveland's game inside St. John's Arena on Saturday. Tristan Thompson's voluntary participation this weekend is an important reason for that momentum too. I mentioned this while on the air with Joe Lull at 92.3 The Fan on Saturday following the game, but just wanted to reiterate. 

Tristan was the fourth pick in the NBA Draft. The last exhibition game he participated in was the Rookie / Sophomore Challenge at All Star Weekend. He's from Canada and went to college at Texas. He did not have to drive 2-plus hours to Columbus in order to be the lone Cavaliers representative for Team Cleveland in the game on Saturday. He did though, because the community he now represents as a member of the Cavs is important to him. Next year, when the game is in the 216, and Team Columbus gets that call to make the same drive Tristan Thompson made to their city, guys are more likely to do it because he just did. I appreciate all that, and think it shouldn't be lost on Cavs fans right now amidst the free agent hysteria.

I talked with Tristan while we were down there about the Draft and what he's up to this summer, and our conversation is below.


StepienRules: How did you end up deciding to play in this game, and how was the experience for you?

Tristan Thompson: Coming down here, repping for Cleveland, it was great. I was glad the guys reached out to me on it and I was happy to get involved with the community in a game like this. Without the fans we’re nothing, and I really appreciate the love they show, and the love they showed to everybody down here.

StepienRules: How's your summer going, what are you up to, and have you had a chance to reflect back on last season at all?

Tristan Thompson: To think that just two years ago I was a McDonald’s All American in High School, and now I’m here with an opportunity to help build something special with the Cavs, it's just something I don't take for granted. So I’m just trying to do everything I can to get better this summer. I think we had a great draft, added two great draft picks with Zeller and Dion, and I’m excited about what we can do moving forward. I think we added two great players in the draft who are also great guys, and I'm just working everyday to get better.

StepienRules: Have you talked with Dion [Waiters] or Tyler [Zeller] since the Draft, had a chance to spend any time with them lately?

Tristan Thompson: Yeah, I have. They're both in Cleveland full-time right now, and I'm in Cleveland, so we’ve all been doing individuals, and working out with the strength and conditioning coach lately. We're just trying to build that chemistry right now. We’re trying to build something special here, so we feel like each day we’re able to be around each other just makes us better.

StepienRules: What are your thoughts about playing alongside Tyler in the front-court together, do you feel like your game's compliment each other?

Tristan Thompson: Whenever you can play with a 7-footer like Tyler it makes your life easier. With him now I can play the four. I also think with him being long, me being athletic, we can both make shots, all that will create a some space inside for us. I think we’re going to be two young front-court guys in the NBA who are going to play well off each other as we continue to grow, and I'm excited about it.

It’s pretty well documented that night two years ago today wasn’t really fun. Not only was he leaving with objectives unfulfilled but also with our franchise’s relevance. All of which paled in comparison to a city having it’s excitement taken away. I’m 31-years old and have lived through two legitimate sporting eras.  The 90’s Tribe and the Lebron Cavs. I’ll remember and cherish both for years to come, however on that night it was pretty difficult to put it into proper perspective. My first thoughts after he actually went through with it were “wow, the Cavs are going to be bad for a really really long time.” The excitement that would come over me, my family, my friends, and my city around playoff time each year just died a pretty tragic death. 

The ensuing year felt pretty much like I thought it would. Painful. Culminated by getting our doors blown off by those Heat in front of a national audience while our fans were spewing hate and bitterness all over the Q. I tuned out Cavs basketball for months afterward and the NBA all together. Having only a team to root against, the fun had been completely sucked out of the NBA experience.

Then came the trade. February 24th, 2011. The first day I felt a sense of excitement again. The day Grant and Gilbert started out on a truly defined direction. Tear it down and build it back up the right way. Show patience. Take no shortcuts. As we all know, we sent Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and their UNPROTECTED lottery pick. Gilbert basically showed the world how much purchasing a lotto pick costs. Alright, so now I had two teams to root against and more importantly a process to follow and to root for. Without a contender we were stuck with a team in which winning would be counter productive for a few years but had that process to get excited about. That one move gave me and my friends something to dissect and banter about. Cavs basketball: the future version. How can we rise back up?

Then, the lottery. Little Nick Gilbert, his tiny frame chalk full of resiliency and courage, energized the franchise and the fan base. That asset grab at the previous trading deadline turned into the first pick of the NBA draft. Cleveland was fully injected with that seemingly one thing that keeps the NBA alive in small to mid markets: hope.

Grant and Co. followed up the Draft with a relatively silent free agency period. Sticking to the plan of patience. We came in to the 2011-2012 season not knowing what to expect. Should we win? Should we lose? Is this kid gonna be ok? Could he be great?