"The Turnaround"

The Cleveland Cavaliers began the 2014-15 season, with extremely high hopes, because they finally had the greatest player on the planet, back in the fold. The entire city, in fact, the entire region, was rejoicing in the triumphant return of one LeBron Raymone James, to his roots. Cleveland was not only willing to forgive, "The Decision," but they were also primed and ready, to finish what was left undone five seasons ago. Cleveland was ready to "Witness" an NBA Championship!

Then, the season began. Even with their vaunted superstar back in maroon and gold, the team that went 33 - 49 a year ago, and saw the ouster of Coach Mike Brown, was once again, looking like yesterday's garbage. Under new coach David Blatt, they were barely playing .500 basketball, and acting like a bunch of individuals, who could not grasp the team concept. They just couldn't get it together. Night after night, the Cavs sputtered, and all the sports "Talk," was of "Mass team dissension." "Kevin Love wants out." "King James only signed a 2 year deal, so if this continues, where would he "Take his talents," next?" "David Blatt has already lost control of the team." "Who is really in charge around here, Blatt, or James?" The confusion and disarray, just went on and on and on...

They were going down in flames, and there seemed to be no end in sight. Had LeBron made a huge mistake, by "Coming Home?" Even yours truly, The SPortz Yak​, thought they were a bit of a joke back in December. Many believed that the addition of James, instantly made the Cavs an Eastern Conference juggernaut, but the way they were playing, I gave them little to no chance, to even make the playoffs.

Then of course, on Jan. 13th, there was, "The Shove," which I jokingly called, "The LeShove." Across the land, people were clamoring for Blatt's head on a platter. "He's not a leader." "He can't handle the egos." "He doesn't have the respect of his players." The consensus about a month ago, was that his days were numbered in Cleveland. I didn't believe it was a huge deal, as I have seen players step between Coaches, and Officials, plenty of times in the NBA, as well as in other sports. Still, things had sunk about as low as they could go, in Cleveland.

At that point, the Cavs were 19 - 20, and seemed destined to struggle all season. They could not gel as a unit, and it became more and more difficult, for them to even compete. There was frustration around every corner. If Cleveland's favorite son, wasn't their savior, and if David Blatt wasn't the right fit, in that first chair on the bench, then what would become of Cleveland's beloved Cavs? If I may steal a line from the great Packer's QB, Aaron Rodgers, "R-E-L-A-X" Cleveland.

Since that Jan. 13 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Cavs have gone on a 13 - 1 run. They currently stand at 32 - 21, good enough for 5th overall in the Eastern Conference. With 29 games remaining, they now appear to be firing on all cylinders, and preparing for the post season. No disrespect to the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Chicago Bulls, but some believe they're once again, the favorites to win the East. I think favorites might be a bit overzealous, but if they can stay healthy, this team currently looks like it can definitely make a deep playoff run.

So here's the million dollar question. If the Cavs don't win the Eastern Conference, and go on to the NBA Finals, is the season a bust? Or do we chalk up the first 40 games, and/or, an early playoff exit, to "growing pains?" Have the Cavs saved David Blatt's job, even if they don't win the East, or the Championship? Was his job ever really in jeopardy?

Obviously, there is still a lot of season to play, but suffice it to say, reports of the Cavs demise, have been greatly exaggerated. They're starting to figure it out, and the supporting cast is learning how to play together. Kevin Love is averaging 17 points, and 10 rebounds, per game. J.R. Smith, is putting up 12 points, and 3 assists, and Kyrie Irving is absolutely lighting it up, dropping in 22, with 51/2 dimes. These Cavs are Rolling.

Their next run is tomorrow night, Feb. 11th. They will play host to the 22 - 29 Miami Heat. A team struggling in it's own right, but still eyeing the playoffs. Chris Bosh(21 pts/7rbs), and Dwayne Wade(21pts/5asst), would like nothing better, than to walk into LeBron's new, old house, and shut him, and the Cavs down. They already knocked them off 101 - 91, back on Christmas Day, in Miami, and they're confident that they are every bit as strong as anyone else in the Conference. The Cavs fully intend to hold serve tomorrow night, in front of the hometown faithful. It should be one for the ages, tomorrow night in Cleveland Ohio.

Tomorrow

Heat

@

Cavaliers

7:00 PM

#SPzY

#LetsGetBetter
#NBA

Just Keep Writing... Just Keep Writing.

I'm officially fascinated by Author, Dean Koontz, who was featured today, on CBS This Morning. Listening to him talk about his writing, reminded me of how critical I always am, of my own writing. He used the term, "self doubt," when talking about his "perfectionist" ways. He said, "I can't move on to the next page, until the last one is perfect." He also talks about his ability to write, as a "gift that he was given."  I've always felt that way too. Not everyone has the ability to tell a story, and/or use words, in great ways. The man has written over 100 books. I've written 0. Clearly, his gift is greater than mine. Or else, he's simply taken greater advantage of his gift, than I have. Perhaps the latter, is more accurate.

Truthfully, I'm feeling a bit ashamed of myself, after watching his story this morning. It's not  the starting part I struggle with... it's the FINISHING part, that keeps me from ever putting a whole book together. I never feel the story is good enough for human consumption, and I shoot it down myself, before anyone else ever sees it. I wish I could ask him, how he gets past that.

I think that may be my biggest problem of all. I write for a while, then I decide I don't like it, so I stop writing....... I tend to forget, I'm not writing for just me, but for other people. I am so critical of myself, I talk myself right out of publishing some things I have written. Again, I need to learn how to get past that.

I have found one recurring theme, among all successful writers. They ALL say, "You MUST keep writing." It's like what the great Philosopher, "Dory," said in Finding Nemo. "Just keep swimiming. Just keep Swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming... What do we do we swim, swim."


Sooo...  BACK TO WORK!! I must keep writing. Be on the lookout for new articles on the #NFLPlayoffs, and the #stlblues, from The SPortz Yak, and Thank You for your continued support!

#SPzY
#LetsGetBetter

BEAT IT KROENKE!

I'm not angry. I'm not even sad. I expected nothing less from Stan Kroenke. Today, I am more hacked off, for the simple fact that St. Louis could have had the Jags, or the Panthers, or the Texans, when expansion last happened. We could have had our own team, with roots planted firmly in our red, Missouri clay. We could have built a unique bond with our own franchise, to live and die with, similar to the fan bases in Green Bay, and Kansas City. Instead, we rented the sorry ass Rams for 20 years. I believe the intentions were good, in the beginning. I think the move was GREAT for St. Louis. It was a town longing for the #NFL. We were willing to put up with a really bad team, as long as we had football on Sundays again. It's amusing how people forget... The Rams were terrible when they came to St. Louis. That is why LA ran them out of town, in the first place. Nobody in LA was going to watch them play, because they were simply awful, and they couldn't even fill the Coliseum. I remember how empty that place was back in the early 90s. See current 2014 Miami Dolphins home games, for a mental reference.

Then, the unthinkable happened. The Rams got good! Really good! It was AWESOME! We got to watch the best team in football, right here in St. Louis, and we got to have an amazing parade down Market Street, which I was smack in the middle of, after winning Super Bowl 34. For the first time ever, St. Louis was truly relevant in the NFL.

If they were going to stay here, it was right then, that they should have built a new stadium. Or done some major renovations to the Dome. It could have been done back then, because you still had "Old Busch," which could have been used for home games, while they made improvements, or rebuilt the stadium, or built a new stadium. They could have extended the lease, and had one of the top tier stadiums in the NFL, which was always in the terms of the original lease. Again, its funny how people forget these things. Obviously, that never happened, and here we are today. It's difficult not to deduce, that this plan was in the works for years, and it became crystal clear with Kroenke's big announcement yesterday. This ownership, never intended to stay in St. Louis.

Some might say, the writing has been on the wall since Georgia died, because this owner does not care about St. Louis, or even the NFL. He cares about Money. He's a business man. Owning a football team, in his world, is like stacking up hotels on Boardwalk, for the rest of us. It's all about money.

So let Stan move his team back to LA. They're almost impossible to watch anyway, so I'm actually okay with them leaving town. I'm just that tired, of watching their pathetic brand of football every Sunday. At least the Big Red, The "Cardiac Cardinals," competed a little bit. This team can't even get to .500. I wonder how long LA will put up with losing? Even with a fancy new stadium, the shine will eventually wear off. There is WAY too much to do out there, for people to pack the house for 10 straight years of losing football. Sure, there will be excitement for a while, but unless the product improves drastically, people in LA will once again, become disinterested in Stan's product. Then what happens? Another relocation?

Honestly, I feel almost indifferent about the big announcement yesterday. I didn't want to believe it, because sometimes you just hope that business people, also care about the communities. You hope they care about sports, if they're going to get involved in team ownership. Stan Kroenke cares about dollars. He played his Monopoly game very well, and St. Louis, was just another piece of property, to be bought, and sold. Excuse me, sold out. It's hard to blame the Rams Organization as a whole, but when they leave, I will no longer be a Rams fan. In fact, I won't even be a fan in "Lame Duck" 2015. I wasn't a Rams fan before they moved to St. Louis, so it won't be them that I will miss. I will miss the NFL, and I hope they will take another shot on this city in the future.

As for the Rams, I will simply say, Thanks for the memories. Thanks for stopping by. Appreciate the Greatest Show On Turf years tremendously. Looks like you've worn out your welcome. Time for you to go home now. Good riddance Mr. Kroenke. You don't deserve to walk around this town sharing a name with "The Man" anyway.

#SPzY