LeBron makes his return (again)

LeBron will make his second return to Cleveland tonight when the Miami Heat play the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.

On Dec 2nd, Miami and LeBron James return to Cleveland and was greeted with loud boo's and chants. However,that didn't seem to bother Lebron,as he and the Heat scorched the Cavaliers,118-90.

The game was marked as one of the must see games of the year and tnt covered the game. The game was considered Cleveland's championship game, only to fall flat on their feet.

At that time the Heat were 11-8 and Cleveland was 7-9 but since that Miami win, Cleveland has been the worst team in the league and currently has the worst record (14-58) in the league.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and will look to make a deep playoff run.

Tonight will be Cleveland's last change this season to beat James and the hated Heat. Baron Davis,who came over from the Clippers at the trade deadline, is expected to make his first start for the Cavaliers.

Samardo Samuels is out for at least the next few games thanks to a wrist injury he suffered. The frontcourt of the Cavaliers is even thinner without Samuels. Anderson Varejao,Antawn Jason and Semih Erdan are still out with injuries.

Tonight, the fans will be passionate,begging for a victory over the former Cavalier. I expect to see a Cavalier team tonight with the most passion fans have never seen before.

Go Cavs.

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Lake Erie Monsters having a year to remember

The Lake Erie Monsters are quickly becoming the team to root for in Cleveland. The Monsters are the AHL hockey team played at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.

In their fourth season the Monsters have yet to make the playoffs or win over 34 games in one season. That is all beginning to change thanks to a fantastic season thus far.

After a five-game road trip,the Monsters returned home and beat the Rochester Americans 2-1. The win gave them their 38th of the season and 84 points, adding on to their record of most franchise victories in a season.

Shawn Belle and Travis Gawryletz helped Lake Erie win,each scoring in the third period.

However, the win also gave them a new franchise record for consecutive wins, which is now at six straight. Adding on to an already impressive resume, the Monsters are now sole possession of first place.

With nine games remaining in the regular season,the Monsters will look for the franchises first playoff appearance in team history.

The team continues play in Rochester Friday night for a rematch with the Americans. Lake Erie will try to continue what has already been a season to remember.

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Preview- Cleveland vs. Magic

The Magic will try to win their third straight game and sweep the season series against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.

Orlando (44-26) has won three of their last four games, however, they are four games behind Miami for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. With only 12 games remaining the Magic must take care of business against sub .500 teams like the Cavaliers.

The Magic have a great chance tonight, they have won four games overall in a row against the Cavaliers including their 103-87 home win on January 30th. Dwight Howard finished game with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

However, Howard struggled with foul trouble the last time the Magic played in Cleveland, finishing the game with 12 points and six rebounds.

Cleveland (13-55) is coming off a 1-2 road trip on the west coast. The trip included a 111-70 beat down from the Portland Trailblazers and a knife-wielding man on the floor of Staples Center before eventually failing to the Clippers,100-92.

Baron Davis returned with the team in Portland and played limited minutes because of back spasms. He did not play in his return to Staples Center and his status for Monday is unknown.

Cavs 85, Warriors 95: (Warriors backcourt too much)

The Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors 95-85, on a night were the Warriors backcourt was far too superior for Cleveland.

Starting guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry combined for 47 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. Ellis was the Cavalier-killer in the third quarter. He made a career high six 3-pointers and scored a total of 24 points.

Ellis, scored 17 in the third quarter and he made all of his 3-pointers in the second half. Stephen Curry added 23 for the Warriors (28-35), who now is 2-4 on their current road trip with a win over the Cavaliers (12-51).

David Lee, who signed a multiple million deal with the Warriors in the summer of 2010, added 14 points and 14 rebounds.

It was a much different story for Cleveland. The Cavaliers starting backcourt went combined for 5-22 from the field with only 14 points scored.

However, Baron Davis came off the bench and gave the Cavaliers an instant boost of energy. Davis finished with 19 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Baron continued to energize the Cavaliers and with him on the floor it seemed like Cleveland had new life.

Davis kept the crowd in the game, giving the fans several lob passes to Ryan Hollins and Christian "skyenga" and JJ Hickson.

Ryan Hollins had his best showing for Cleveland tonight. He scored a season-high 14 points while throwing down dunk after dunk in 24 minutes of action.

JJ Hickson scored 10 points and added seven board but left the game with a dislocated left pinky finger. For Cleveland fans it brought back memories from just a few weeks ago when Antawn Jamison broke his same left pink finger and is now out for the rest of the season.

However, JJ Hickson returned to the bench with his finger taped, but by then the Warriors had control of the game.

The Cavaliers had no answer for the Warriors backcourt. Ellis continued to knock down shots and when the Cavaliers focused on him the ball was just swung over to Curry who knocked down his open look.

But Davis continued to keep the Cavaliers in the game. He knocked down several shots and threw a few lob passes and the Cavaliers got within six points. But Ellis and Curry had an answer for everything Davis did.

Cleveland will play on a back-to-back night tomorrow against Brandon Jennings and the Bucks.

Preview: Cleveland vs. Milwaukee

The Cavaliers have won eight of their last nine meetings against Milwaukee and six straight at the "Q". However, that streak seems to be forgotten, being that Cleveland is in the middle of a 14 game losing streak.  The Cavs have lost 24 out of their last 25 games.

Cleveland will try to break a 14 game losing streak tonight against the same team Mo Williams beat with a game-winning shot at the buzzer.  Mo finished with 25 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers will have a completely different look this time around.  Williams, the hero from the last time the Bucks came to downtown Cleveland, will be on the sidelines cheering.

The starting line-up will most likely consist of Ramon Sessions, Manny Harris, JJ Hickson, Alonzo Gee and Antawn Jamison. A completely different line-up from the previous meeting when Williams hit the dagger at the buzzer.

The bench must continue to play well; they are averaging 36.5 ppg, which is good enough for 5th best in the NBA. Two Cavaliers to keep your eye on tonight are Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions. Jamison has scored at least 20 points in six of the last eight games and Sessions has averaged 14.9 ppg to go along with 6 assists in his last 11 games.

Tip is at 7:30pm, at Quicken Loans Arena.

Report: Brian Windhorst leaving Plain Dealer for ESPN to cover the Heat

Reports have surfaced that Brian Windhorst is "taking his talents" to South Beach to cover the Miami Heat.  This after ESPN offered him what I'm sure is a lucrative deal for his insider access of LeBron.  I'm not surprised, and I don't even really care.  Windhorst was always a LeBron lover.

Like LeBron, he chose to ditch the city that put him on the map.  Congrats Brian, we won't miss you.

Sincerely, the city of Cleveland

** I recently decided my comments about Brian were unfair and were rather rash and unfounded.  It's simply bad timing for another prominent name in Cleveland sports to be heading to Miami (and ESPN).  You can't blame him for choosing a bigger market and wanting to advance his career.  He deserves respect as does any other reporter.  I still stick by my statement that he is a LeBron lover.  And he might just regret this decision when the 8 seed Cavaliers upset #1 Miami in a playoff shocker of epic proportions.  Don't quote me on that.

The Wine & Gold Scrimmage - Friday, October 1st

This year’s edition of the wine and gold scrimmage will again be held at the University of Akron’s Rhode Arena, this Friday at 7:00 pm.   This will be a great opportunity to watch an entertaining intra-squad scrimmage.   The scrimmage is free with an entrance voucher. 

If you are interested in seeing the overlooked, underrated players on the Cavaliers' roster for the upcoming season, this is the best opportunity to do so.  It will also be an exclusive opportunity to see head coach Byron Scott take control of this team in the first public appearance of the season.  Unlike other teams that claim their goal and mindset will be to “run the ball,” Byron actually makes it happen.  This year’s team will be exciting to watch, as an uptempo pace is exactly what is needed.  No more watching an overrated player dribble the ball at the top of the key while the shot clock winds down.  Scott will have this team in shape and ready to run at every chance.  At the very least, this team will be fun to watch.

It will be interesting to see who can step up and take ownership of this team.  Obviously with the injury, Mo Williams will not be playing;  This will give Ramon Sessions an opportunity to show why he should be starting.  Will Jawad Williams make the proverbial leap to become the starting SF, or will Jamario Moon cement his starting position?  Does Ryan Hollins have the skillset to start at center in the NBA?  And will Anderson Varejao be able to create offense essentially on his own? 

This scrimmage will go a long way in determining who can play and who will be watching the games on the bench.  Personally, I’m excited to see Samardo Samuels perform either against or alongside JJ Hickson, both of which are talented but raw forwards in the Association.  I’m not sure if Eyenga will start the season on the roster or whether they will send him to the D-league to start out, but either way he has the talent and athleticism to become a special player in this league.

At this point with Williams out, everyone expects Jamison to take the role as veteran leader of the team.  Will he return to his All-Star form and average 20 points a game?  Looking at our roster, it certainly might be required of him.  The main question for Jamison will be whether or not he is coming off the bench.  The combination of Hickson, Varejao, Hollins, and Jamison will mean someone is not on the floor for the opening tip.  I’d like to at least see Scott try to play Jamison at the 4 and start Hickson at Center, with Varejao coming off the bench for his much needed spark.  I’m excited to see what the Cavaliers will be able to do this season; I don’t agree with anyone that says we won’t be able to compete. 

Like most people in this great city of Cleveland, I already have December 2^nd circled on my calendar.  But first things first, let’s have a good showing at the Wine and Gold scrimmage and set the bar high for the season.  We might be missing a superstar, but we gained a great coach and a new offensive philosophy.  We won’t have to worry about pleasing a self-absorbed primadonna.  I’m convinced we’re a playoff team, and you won’t be able to tell me otherwise.  Preseason starts in 8 days.   Is there anything better than Cavaliers basketball?

Cavaliers Update (Oh no Mo?)

In less than a few days the Cavaliers will open training camp without former leader LeBron James. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers will also open training camp without current leader, Mo Williams.

* According to Brian Windhorst's Twitter Page Mo Williams will be out until mid-October. “G Mo Williams suffered groin muscle injury in workouts. Had an MRI, which showed no tear. Expected to be out until mid-October.”

* Mo Williams experienced a right groin pain while working out at the Cleveland Clinic Courts located in Independence, Ohio. After examination from Dr. Richard Parker and an MRI results found inflammation. He is expected to participate in low-impact drills at training camp while also going through periods of treatment and rehab.

* More Mo—Mo Williams apparently was “misquoted” about considering retirement.

“Just need to put this out there to all my fans about the yahoo story about me retiring, since it's getting a little out of hand. I was misquoted or misunderstood however u want to put it. I will clear everything up Monday on media day. I was never considering walking away right now. And especially because LBJ left. It made a good story though. Though you know I will never walk away prematurely before my contract is up. That's absurd."

* The Cavaliers also just released their promotional schedule. Some promotions include: T-Shirt giveaways, McFamily Nights, Cavalier sweater vest night, Kids Day, CavFanatic night, Anderson Varejao Booblehead and many more. So make sure to check out the promotional schedule.

All for One. One for All.

Keep your heads up Cleveland

Cavaliers United is Live

This blog was created by Ben Jackson and Jake Dorow.  We are both currently interns at Quicken Loans in Downtown Cleveland.  Cavaliers United will follow the Cleveland Cavaliers in a post-LeBron era.  We will focus on game highlights, recaps, stories, and news relating to the Cavaliers.