While We’re Waiting… Thankful for Jeremy Pargo

Today, as a special version of While We’re Waiting, I wanted to go team-by-team as I share what I’m thankful for here in November 2012. For more WFNY thanks, stay tuned at 10 a.m.

Cleveland Cavaliers

I’m thankful for a very pleasant Thanksgiving Eve surprise in new Cavs point guard Jeremy Pargo: “Pargo’s 28 points was surprising enough, but it was doubly impressive considering that he was matched up against Jrue Holiday, who is one of the better point guard defenders in the NBA. Pargo had no trouble getting his shot, though, as he shot 11-19 from the field and 4-8 from three. He also added four assists and five rebounds.” [Jordan Sargent/SB Nation Cleveland]

I’m thankful for some relative optimism regarding the 2-8 start to the Cavs season:: “But the real subject of this has to be advanced stats’ utter and complete devotion to the games of Alonzo Gee and Tristan Thompson. Yes I just gave an inanimate object, statistics, human traits. I’m actually about to do it again. Thompson and Gee don’t have the prettiest of games, but advanced stats don’t care. They are blind. They only want results.” [David Zavac/Fear The Sword]

I’m thankful for a really great Cleveland basketball site going deep on the ‘waiting’ period without Kyrie: “Cavs fans are like the drunk, ornery crowd at a concert where the headliner is late. I wasn’t of the mind that this team could or should compete for a playoff spot, but, even with my low expectations, I was looking forward to watching the Cavs play some intermittently exciting basketball this season.” [Colin McGowan/Cavs: The Blog]

Cleveland Browns

I’m thankful for fans and writers arriving at the common sense evaluation of the Browns’ stupid Steelers giveaway: “Perhaps this is what happens when a team loses 16 of 17 to its “rival,” including the past four in a row. It has reached the point that the Steelers admitted that they have stopped looking on the Browns as a rival; former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter said that several years ago. … Now comes the white flag.” [Pat McManamon/Fox Sports Ohio]

I’m thankful for amusing innuendos emerging from Browns press conferences: “[Richardson’s] style contrasts with that of backup Montario Hardesty, who shot through holes to gain 23 yards on four carries in Dallas. Offensive coordinator Brad Childress defended Richardson, saying the rookie’s more cautious approach has benefits in the zone-run blocking scheme because it gives the offensive linemen more time to attack the linebackers.” [Marty Gitlin/CBSSports.com]

I’m thankful for hopefully not seeing anymore of these crazy anti-Shurmur posts in 2013: “There’s nothing more to gain from analyzing and criticizing Pat Shurmur for what’s happening with the Browns. Twenty-six games have painted the picture pretty well, and there’s nothing more to be said; he isn’t the guy. He’s a poor leader, a poor mentor, a poor strategist, and a poor ambassador for this Cleveland Browns brand.” [Jeff Rich/River Burn]

Ohio State Buckeyes

I’m thankful for wild and crazy traditions: The clear-cut best Buckeyes site made its way to Mirror Lake. Here’s the video they captured. [Johnny Ginter/Eleven Warriors]

I’m thankful for lovely sites thinking our inconsistent QB has a chance at the Heisman: “Miller is one of only two players on this list currently playing for undefeated teams. The difference between Miller and Te’o is that Te’o is playing for a national title while Miller is done after this weekend. The Big Ten has been down, which is why Miller isn’t getting nearly as much Heisman love as he was before, but his strong play this season should earn him an invite to New York.” [Graham Watson/Dr. Saturday]

I’m thankful for amazing three-part series breaking down the greatest rivalry in sports: “There is no doubt that Woody Hayes knew the score when it came to Ohio State football. Hayes knew you had to win enough to bring home Big Ten and national championships, and he knew that you had to beat Michigan.” [John Porentas/The Ozone]