The Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 92-87 Tuesday night in their preseason opener at the Q. 

A collection of my thoughts from the game are as follows...

* Jeezy's Put on for My City intro song from last season was replaced for game one of this pre-season with the Jay-Z, Rhianna, and Kanye West collabo, We Run This Town...at the Akron Tourstop back in August, LeBron did say that was his favorite song...its possible he has some influence in such selections...time will tell if it evolves into an anthem for this year's Cavaliers throughout the regular season.

* LeBron's shot selection and shooting percentage will undoubtedly improve this season over years past with the ability to throw it into Shaquille O'Neal when he needs to take somewhat of a blow on offense.  In years past, rather than taking it to the hoop, or passing to guys like Larry Hughes, I believe LeBron caught his breath sometimes by simply dribbling out the shot clocking standing at the top of the key, and then launching up an ill advised jump shot as the clock expired.  This year though, as he did a couple times Tuesday, LeBron will be afforded the luxury to stand in that same spot, catch his breath, throw it into Shaq, and let him go to work down the clock with his back to the basket a few times a game when necessary for a breather.

* JJ Hickson looked real good to me.  Get ready to hear the story about LeBron taking him under his wing this off-season about 3 thousand times this year, but regardless of that, it seems to have paid off some.  Hickson threw in 11 points by halftime, and 15 for the game, while hitting a variety of different shots from a twenty foot jumper, to a reverse move off the low block.  If he continues to improve, he could be a major factor for the Cavaliers this season.  I continue to believe that Hickson's skill set - if he develops - could be the perfect compliment to play off Shaq inside.

* Shaq looked fresh and I think Austin Carr was right about the fact that Shaq's playing multiple sports this summer helped loosen him up some by using muscles he hasn't had to use throughout his 18 year NBA career.  The Big Fella looks good in Wine and Gold...and Blue.

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Shaquille O'Neal will be jumping it up for your Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at the Q as they tip off their preseason schedule against the Charlotte Bobcats. And when the most highly anticipated season in the last forty years of Cleveland professional sports is officially underway tonight, these are some things I'll be looking for...

First, is it on TV: While there are conflicting reports out there as to whether the game will be televised tonight or not, according to Fox Sports Ohio, the game will be aired at 7pm regionally. 

What does the starting lineup look like: Delonte West and Mo Williams were each held out of the Wine and Gold scrimmage but look for both to be active tonight. According to Mike Brown, via the News Herald - Bob Finnan:

"Right now I don't plan on holding out anybody...that could change (today) after shootaround."

If the Cavs are at full strength, look for Anthony Parker to start at the two, and Delonte West to come off the bench. Mo, Andy, Shaq, and LBJ should round out the starting five for game one of the preseason.

Shaq as Robin: Shaq's no stranger to Gotham city, but he's certainly never rocked the yellow spandex.  If the Cavs are going to take the next step this season, he is going to have to embrace the role of Robin to LeBron's Batman.  I think it works out swimmingly...but we'll begin to find out tonight. 

Boobie, Boobie: With the number one shaved into the side of his head outlined by a star, will Daniel Gibson be the guy we saw against Detroit a few years back, or will he be a guy that gets beat out by Danny Green for pt off the bench this season.  

How's Delonte West looking: There is a rumor floating around out there that Delonte West weighed in (15) pounds underweight last week when he arrived in camp.  With the emotional battle he's been working through over the last month, it will be interesting to see how he looks and plays tonight if he sees action. 

Over-under on Cavalier Bench fines:  As reported yesterday by Brian Windhorst:

"The NBA has issued a memo to its teams directing players on the bench to remain seated during games. Game officials will be keeping a closer eye and will issue faster warnings and possible technical fouls if not followed. Players are permitted to cheer, but standing during regular-game action and blocking the fans' views apparently isn't going to be allowed...That goes for Tuesday night's first preseason game at The Q..."

Over-Under for tonight on the amount of fines for breaking this new rule:  (2) 
Over-Under for preseason (8) games total: (10) Fines
Over-Under on how many regular season games it lasts before the NBA just gives up and stops enforcing this rule: (28)

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Braylon Edwards had zero catches on Sunday afternoon, despite a couple balls being thrown directly threw his hands.  He then went to a night club, and reportedly beat up a 130 pound friend of LeBron James.  LeBron spoke on it today.

Via Brian Windhorst - PD:

He's (Givens) a good friend of mine. The situation is sensitive right now. But it is unfortunate. Hopefully my friend is doing well at this point.  It is unfortunate when something like this happens at someone's work place. My friend, that is where he works, and it is unfortunate that it happened there.  I've never crossed paths with Braylon before but it seems like there is a little jealously going on with Braylon and me and my friends. I have no idea why. I've never said anything to Braylon at all. For him to do that I think is very childish. My friend is 130 pounds, seriously it is like hitting one of my kids or something like that. It doesn't make sense but the right people will take care of it. 

To say that Braylon Edwardsdid something like this surprises me as much as the Browns losing did yesterday.  If this is true expect Mangini - the same coach who fined an unnamed Browns player over a thousand dollars for forgetting to pay for a hotel water bottle - to come down hard on Edwards,even if the law doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if Mangini suspended him for multiple games.  There will be no star / impact player factor weighed into his decision either, because simply, Braylon is neither a star nor an impact player.  It would be like suspending Darrian Chiverinni at this point in Braylon's career, no offense to the Chiv. no comments

Kristopher Bellman's More Than A Game documentary is scheduled for release at selective theatres tomorrow.  I saw the movie about a month ago, and if I were a movie critic named J.R., I would give it two thumbs up...if I were Ebert and Roper I'd give it four. Sorry about that...just go see the movie, its good, I swear...

An excerpt from my review at the Akron Civic Theatre screening is as follows:

"If you think that MTAG is just about inner-city hoop dreams made good, or its a LeBron James documentary, you're incorrect. This is a movie about friendship, loyalty, and dreams. Its far from basketball-centric, and I believe that anyone who watches it can relate to its message.  If you think you know everything there is to know about theLeBron James / SVSM story, this movie will show you that you don't.  And if you don't think that this movie will inspire you to some degree, it will.  I heard the guy behind me talking before the movie about how he had seen it in Chicagoalready and cried.  I thought to myself, I'll probably like this movie, but c'mon...no way I cry.  And then I cried...go ahead, make fun of me, I don't care."

For a comprehensive look back at the Nike MTAG Akron Tour Stop click here.

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As Cleveland waits for Shaq to announce his new Cavalier Nickname - because we don't have that much else to do - I wanted to take an opportunity to list (26) of the nicknames I could remember, or find, that O'Neal has given himself in the past.

This list of nicknames does not include referring to Eric Dampier as 'Erica,' the Sacramento Kings as 'Queens,' our transforming his name into words like 'Shaq-tastic,' or random acts of 'Shaq-ness.'

Credit Basketbawful for their 2007 post on the subject: Shaq's Top 13 Nicknames .  If you think this list is funny, you would find the detailed effort provided by Basketbawful hilarious.

In no particular order, a list of 26 nicknames Shaq has given himself in the past:

The Big Twitterer - for his propensity to tweet

Manny Shaq-iaou- Shaq Vs. Oscar De (Manny Pacquiaou)

The Big Aristotle - a reference to his greatness, which enabled him to win the MVP Award

Shaq Fu- From his rap days with Fu Schinkens

The Big Deporter- For eliminating - or deporting - foreign born players Rik Smits and Arvydys Sabonis from the 2000 Playoffs

Wilt Chamberneazy - Tribute to Wilt the Stilt

The Big eQuotatious - for deliverying consistently funny quotes or soundbites

The Big Maravich - for making (9) free throws in a row against Portland once in the playoffs

M.D.E (Most Dominant Ever)- after averaging 40 ppg in the Finals

The Big Baryshnikov - comparing his footwork under the hoop to the Russian dancer

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To:  DWest@betterhavemydonuts.com
From:  Clevelandfans@haventwonsince64.org
Subject:  We support you, but you have to get it together, right now

Delonte,

We have a lot of love for you in this town.  We know you've been the only player not named LeBron James to deliver in each of these past two post seasons.  We know you can guard just about any perimeter player in the NBA.  We know you can hit the three, and we love when you go so hard to the basket that it causes AC to say 'that's how you take the ball to the hoop when your from DC, Fred.'  Off the court, we think you might be the funniest professional athlete to play here, ever.  We've watched your Jim Rome correspondent piece ten times, and we have even ranked our top five favorite lines from your KFC Freestyle.  When you left camp last season, and publicly admitted your battles with depression, we were moved by your willingness to put yourself out there, and inspire as many people as you did.  As last season went on, we were happy for you, not only because it was your best season in your career, but also because it appeared you were winning those personal battles.  When you got arrested, nobody around here was mad.  We knew your battle wasn't going to be won easily.  We knew there could be set-backs. We cared and were worried about you personally, but we were still not worried about you as a member of the Cavaliers.  We knew you'd get through it, learn from it, and be better for it in the longrun.  But after you skipped practice today, we have to admit, we're a lot little worried.  You see, this is kind of an important season around here.  We haven't won a championship in forty five years, and if this season blows up in our face, and a certain someone leaves as a result, we might not win one for another forty five.  Did you see the Browns' game Sunday? So what I am saying here is this: you have to get a hold of yourself, and you have to do it today, we really need you to.  Whatever support and help you need Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers will provide it for you, but you have to take them up on it.  This city will continue to respect you, support you, and love you, but you are going to have to respect us too.  We don't have another forty five years to wait, and we need you right - body mind and spirit - right now.  We have too much riding on this thing. 

Sincerely,

Cleveland Sports Fans   

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It turns out the Barley House needed that Red Carpet afterall.  Nice showing by Cleveland last night for the Shaq party that included a guest list of Bernie Kosar, Kelly Pavlik, Dominique Moceanu, Josh Cribbs, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao and Austin Carr in addition to the guest of honor, as well as some Akron Aero players Indians players. 

On a sidenote, it also appears there is no truth whatsoever to the rumor that Austin Carr walked around the Barley House last night, approached guys who were drinking Bud Light Lime, and told them to 'get that weak stuff outta here,' while requiring them to drink for a three-count...even though nobody would have been mad at him if he had.

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I went out to Madison, Wisconsin this weekend to visit my brother and came away from the trip in full belief that I like everything about that town except for the drive...We had breakfast at Einstein Bagel this morning and on my way in Ralph Nader walked right past us...no lie...I didn't say anything to him though, but my Dad did.  He went with 'Hey Ralph, thanks for your help with the Corvair, I had one.'  Mr. Nader just looked at him in response, smiled, and nodded his head.  It got me thinking though, on the long ride home, that what I should have said is 'Hey Ralph, we need your help in Cleveland...with the Browns.'  There really isn't a group of consumers in more of a need for a high powered advocacy campaign than Cleveland Browns' season ticket holders...I feel terrible for those people.  As far as the Cavs go, I decided that I'm cool with the number four power ranking .  There is really no need to wear that number one ranking into the season...I like the idea of the Cavaliers rumoring to be interested in signing another guard.  They could use one, that's what I was getting at last Monday with the Stephen Jackson post, and while I just raised the question, and don't really want to see the Cavs move say a Z for Jackson, picking up a Tyronn Lue or Bobby Jackson for nothing but a few more dollars out of Dan Gilbert's pocket seems like a no-brainer type move, all Delonte West stuff aside.  For another part of the trip I was still trying to figure out what Channing Frye was actually thinking when he decided to wear that sweat suit with the fanny pack for his appearance in the 50 ballers drunk with random chicks post from earlier this week...I was also happy for Ron Harper and Anderson Varejao because even though they made a couple cameos in the post, they didn't look as bad as that, or as weird as Matt Harpring did. Thats all for now.  I did have issues with the Magellean navigation system on the ride back as well, but that's a topic for another day. 

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If Stephen Jackson didn't get hit with a $25,000 fine last Tuesday for publicly requesting to be traded to Cleveland - as well as a handful of other teams - he just might have chimed in this week with a 'so what's up Cleveland, how about now?'  Admittedly, I didn't read too much into the comments he made to Dime Magazine back in August when he first made them.  But then again, back in August, Delonte West was still rolling with hot sauce in his guitar case bag. 

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Amar'e Stoudemire does not believe the Cavaliers' addition of his former teammate makes them the team to beat in the NBA.  In the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, Amar'e sat down with Dan Patrick for his regular column, 'Just My Type.' 

A transcript of the exchange is below:

Dan Patrick:  Is Cleveland the team to beat now that LeBron has Shaq?

Amar'e Stoudemire:  No, I think the Lakers are still the team to beat.  Especially with Ron Artest.

Now I don't think it is necessarily surprising that he said the Lakers are still the team to beat, because, well, they are.  However, typically athletes don't answer those questions as definitively as that.  A response I'd expect would be, 'they are certainly better with Shaq, and I would rank them right up there in the top 3 to 5 - not naming any of those other 2-4 teams - and ending the comment with something like, however the Lakers are the champs and still the team to beat.  But he didn't say that.  He just said no, and his team just traded Shaq, and there've been rumblings out of Phoenix that Shaq was a bad teammate, some say Nash wanted him out, and they didn't make the playoffs with Shaq, so take the comment however you want.

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