After the 0-2 start I can't say that I entered panic mode, but I was getting a little worried.  Maybe a bit more worried than I should have.  The Cavs got into the win column last night beating the Timberwolves on the road 104-87.  A game they should have won to be sure, but they still won it.  And with the Bobcats up next - a team better than Minnesota but not as good as Boston or Toronto - the Cavaliers have a good chance to get to 2-2, drive another hour on that 18-hour car ride they were talking about, and allow the city of Cleveland to exhale.

A look back...Cavaliers 104 Timberwolves 87:

Playing Through Shaq:

The best thing I saw last night was when the ball went into Shaquille O'Neal, who drew a double team, and then found a wide-open LeBron James cutting to the basket for an electric finish above the rim.  I don't know if its just because we haven't seen it since last season, but I swear LeBron (24-9-6) looks quicker, and his finishes look stronger than they did a year ago.  Is that possible?  Anyways, the fact the ball went into Shaq as many times as it did last night was encouraging.  Why?  Because he's not drawing a double team unless he has the basketball.  And when he does, everything opens up, and the Cavaliers took advantage of that last night.  Sure Shaq's line only read 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, but if the NBAtracked hockey assists, hed have had a few more of those...like the time he found a cutting LBJ, who then found a cutting Varejao for an easy dunk.

Mo Williams:

Another good sign last night was Mo Williams.  Sure Jonny Flynn got his, but Jonny Flynn's gonna get his every night.  Watch out for this kid, he's going to be a star in this league for 10 years.  But offensively, was assertive, and he looked like an All Star, veteran PG last night for the first time this season (20-2-6).  And if he plays like he did Friday, on a consistent basis this season, he will be a legit second scoring option to LBJ, just like he was during the regular season last year.

Bench Production:

Benchwise, Boobie came in and shot it well.  He still shouldn't have a Superman emblem in his head, but if he comes off the bench going 4 of 8 for 14 points, it won't really bother me as much.  As for Ilgauskas, maybe calls to retire after two games were a bit premature.  He went for 15-5, and if the Cavaliers bench can consistently produce (29) points from their 6th and 7th man, look out.

A look forward....Cavaliers vs. Bobcats...Tonight at 7:30:

If the Bobcatsmade the playoffs this season occupying the 8th, 7th, or even 6th spot, I wouldn't be all that surprised.  I don't expect them to be a team to advance in the playoffs, but Larry Brown's club will get there.  They beat the Knicks last night 102-100, and are 1-1 on this young season.  Expect Raja Bell and Flip Murray to be inactive again tonight, but even with those two guys - who figure to be key pieces for this club - in street clothes, the Bobcats will roll out a top-seven certainly capable of giving Cleveland a game.  I don't expect them to beat the Cavaliers, and the Cavs should get to 2-2 tonight, but it will be a good test. 

The starting line-up should look like this for the bad guys:

1. PG - Raymond Felton
2. SG - Stephen Graham
3. SF - Gerald Wallace
4. PF - Boris Diaw
5. C -  Tyson Chandler

Key Reserves: D.J. Augustin, Vladimir Radmonovic

Score Prediction: Cavaliers by (9)...91-82

There are a lot of questions being asked about the Cavs right now, and none of them are, do you think they will win 60 games again? 

Those questions are more like...

* If Shaq and Z are forced chosen to play together, can the Cavaliers petition the league to implement a rule that mandates the opposing team to hold the ball at half court for 10 seconds to allow each of them to get back on defense? 

(and)

* If Jon Kuester was the offensive coordinator last season, and he's gone, but all the same coaches that were there with him while he implemented his system - all year long - are still here, do any of those guys have an extra playbook laying around?

(and)

* If the Cavs seemingly don't run any plays, how does J.J. Hickson forget them so bad that he can't get on the floor?

But I don't want to go into those questions, or others like them right now.  Its game 3, and we are only 2.4% of the way through the regular season.  So with that said, lets just stop thinking about that right now, and focus on the Minnesota Timberwolves...

Friday Night - on FSN's Sorta HD - Cavs vs. T-Wolves:

The Cavaliers tip-off game 3 on Friday night in Minnesota against the undefeated (1-0) Kurt Rambis led Timberwolves.  Sasha Pavlovic will be in the house, and in a 95-93 opening night win over the New Jersey Nets decided by a Damien Wilkens tip-in as time expired, Sasha did hit two big free throws during the final stretch, which saw the young T-Wolves overcome a 16 point second half deficit.  My preseason favorite for Rookie of the Year - Jonny Flynn - will be running the point for the Wolves, who's starting five looks like this:     

1. PG Jonny Flynn
2. SG Corey Brewer
3. SF Damien Wilkens 
4. PF Ryan Gomes
5. C Al Jefferson

The rest of their listed roster includes the following:Mark Blount, Brian Cardinal, Wayne Ellington, Jason Hart, Ryan Hollins, Nathan Jawai, Kevin Love, Sasha Pavlovic, Oleksiy Pecherov, Ramon Sessions

The Cavaliers starting line-up will look like this again Friday:

1. Mo Williams
2. Anthony Parker
3. LeBron James
4. Anderson Varejao
5. Shaquille O'Neal

Match-ups of interst:

* Jonny Flynn vs. Mo Williams:  I am no doctor, but Mo Williams'groin has got to be still bothering him...at least I hope it is.  He has looked extremely unexplosive and plodding, and the All Star has been severely outplayed on both ends of the floor by two PG's who weren't All Stars last year, thus far through the season (Rajon Rando, Jose Calderone).  If Williams isn't careful - or healthy -  Flynn - who went for 18 in his NBA debut - could be the third straight lead guard to get the better of him in as many games.

* Al Jefferson vs. The Cavaliers Bigs:  Jefferson has come into the season a bit banged up, and was held under double figures in game one, but if he gets his legs under him, the Cavaliers could be in trouble.  When healthy, he's as athletic, and as explosive as any big in the NBA.  The Cavalier bigs (Z, Shaq, Andy) on the other hand, are healthy, but nowhere near as athletic or as explosive as AJ. 

* LeBron James vs. The Whole Team:  Exciting game one win or not, the T-Wolves are stil a bottom feeder.  If LeBron James plays like he did in the first two games, he could win this one himself even if everyone else plays the same way they did through the first two.  

* Cavaliers Bench vs. T-Wolves Bench:The Cavs bench hasn't been too good, but I have to think they can outplay a reserve group that features Sasha Pavlovic and Brian Cardinal getting major minutes...if it doesn't, its time to panic.

Tip-off at 7:30.

While I didn't make any comments in the comment box for the Bloguin Power Rankings, I did submit my teams as I saw them from 1-30 on Monday night.  I will be getting a voter badge shortly, which is known in some circles as a babe magnet...I'm really looking forward to that.  Nevertheless, I did rank the Cavaliers as Number 2personally.  After all the votes were tabulated, they came out at a Bloguin power position of Number 3. Then they dumped their opener, and lost last night to the Raptors - who feature the RuPaul of big men? And through those first two games, they've looked pretty confused out there...LBJ notwithstanding.  When the polls open again for the Power Rankings take two, how far should the Cavaliers fall?  Right now, I'm leaning towards somewhere between 5-10...but we'll see...

For the Complete Bloguin Preseason Power Rankings Click Here.

The NBA season is (82) games long.  The Cavaliers played just one of those last night, and lost 95-89. 

I'm not one to overreact, but if I were, these are the things I'd say in response to the game one loss:

1.   The Cavaliers have already lost half as many home games as they did all of last season.

2.   Jumping out to a 13-2 lead at home only to end up losing kinda reminds me of a certain Orlando Magic home playoff game.

3.   Shaq may never make a free-throw as a Cav (he's 0-2)...how long before Cleveland fans start booing him at the stripe?

4.   If Delonte West doesn't come back the Cavs are screwed at both ends of the floor...Moon and Gibson can't fill his minutes.  

5.   The offense looks terrible...without Coach Kuester?

6.   Z looks old...real old, and Mike Brown appears to hate J.J. Hickson.

7.   Gibson's hair looks ridiculous.

8.   Jamario Moon doesn't really look like he can bring all that much to the line-up.  And Parker looked just so-so.

9.   Rajon Rando is a flat-out better player than Mo Williams.

10.  I think I saw one of LBJ's 4 Horsemen sitting court-side wearing a NY Yankees hat on opening night...actually I know I did.

But hey, like I said, I'm not one to overreact, and - all joking aside - there really isn't any reason to over-react at this point.  It would have been nice to get the first one, no doubt, but this is going to take some time.  The Cavaliers were basically just a team of guys who looked like they never played together before, and that's to be expected.  LeBron looked like LeBron, and eventually, if he just keeps looking like LeBron, I think everyone else will figure out what they need to do to best compliment him.  Looked like the defensive schemes are still a work in progress as well,  but I expect the Cavaliers to be on all cylinders at both ends of the floor by game 10.  And if they're not clicking by then, maybe then its time to...oh never never mind.  Lets just get ready for game two, and if you're an optimistic Cavaliers fan, don't listen to sports talk radio tomorrow. 

Below is a transcript of text messages I rec'd leading up to, and throughout the first half of the Cavs Game:

11:35 am - Bill: Gameday Baby!

5:55 pm - Paul: You going to the game?

6:03 pm - Re:Paul: No You?

6:13 pm - Paul: Yes. Four rows from the top.  Doesn't Stepien Rules get a press pass?

6:15 pm - Re:Paul: I wish...not quite...but people do send me Cavalier rap videos that they made at home.

Right After Tip-Off (7:34 pm)

Bill: Championship!

Parker just hit a 3 to push the lead out to 13-2 (7:41 pm) 

Kyle: Like Parker.  Team d needs to gel around 33

LeBron's blocked shot with 3 mins left in 1st Q (7:52 pm) 

Todd: Where's AC - Get that weak stuff....awesome block by LBJ

Shaq goes off the glass to make it 21-7

Joe: The Big Felllaaaaa

28-21 Cavs at end of First Quarter (8:00 pm)

Joe: I'll take that

Rasheed Wallace's 2nd (3) to tie it at 32...7:30 left in 2nd Q (8:15 pm)

Kurt: Slugs on offense.  not sure if moon or parker can score.

Paul Pierce Hits (3) to take first lead at 39-38...15 point turnaround

Joe: did I ever tell you about how much I hate Pierce

Jamario Moon misses a jumpshot

Bill: Moon must be told he's not a spot up shooter.  slash baby slash

Cavs offense slows, Boston pushes out lead (8:35 pm)

Bill: Gonna miss Kuester a little I think

Towards end of first half (8:38 pm)

Kyle: Coach Brown said transition d wasn't up to speed.  I agree.  Miss Delonte there.

At halftime...from my brother...Cavs down 51-45 (8:43pm)

Kevin: Dad thinks everyone should be fired but I like the way we look...bench looks rough tho.

At halftime (8:45pm)

Bill: Need Delonte for that 2nd unit big time!

...btw, I didn't tell anyone I was going to do that...hope you guys don't mind...out for now...

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.