While We’re Waiting… Browns Draft, Andre Miller, Troy Murphy Rumors
February 20, 2011Preview: #3 Ohio State vs. #11 Purdue
February 20, 2011
The All-Star Weekend has been nothing special for Cleveland Cavaliers fans thus far, so let’s take a look at what’s left in the 2010-2011 season.
Currently owning the NBA’s worst record at 10-46 at the break, the Cavs will hope to utilize several upcoming home games to gain some optimism heading into the offseason. After winning two of three games this past week, the team plays at the Quicken Loans Arena for six of its next seven contests beginning Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Only six more wins are necessary this season to avoid tying both the 1970-1971 inaugural roster and 1981-1982 squad for the worst record in franchise history. It’d also be nice to crack the 17 victory mark set just seven years ago as well, so let’s see what’s left on the table for Cleveland:
Thursday, Feb. 24 – The NBA trading deadline is coming up shortly, and much could be changed around the league by next Thursday. Anthony Parker is among many Cleveland players in the rumors, while the Carmelo Anthony discussions are dominating the news cycle right now. Although you have to feel bad for Denver, they could actually be the huge winners of unloading on Anthony before the season ends.
Friday, Feb. 25 – In what could be Anthony’s first full day as a Knick, the Cavaliers host the Knickerbockers next Friday night. It would be fairly fitting for Carmelo to have such an arrival in Cleveland, and I’d be intrigued by how the fans respond. Plus, the Cavs have won just two more games since their December overtime victory over NY.
Wednesday, March 2 – The home stretch continues as the Cavs host the NBA-leading San Antonio Spurs. It was ugly last contest as even Tiago Splitter got into the mix, so hopefully Cleveland can avoid embarrassment this time around.
Tuesday, March 8 – An always entertaining match up ends the six home games in seven contests stretch for Cleveland, as the Golden State Warriors head to town. Once again, the Warriors got the better of the Cavs in a fairly dominant fashion last month, so here’s to hoping Ramon Sessions can keep up with Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee.
Saturday, March 19 – Rematch time: Cavs travel to to face Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers. I’m sure the Clips are hanging their heads as the team that fell to end Cleveland’s historic losing streak, and they could be roaring for a strong home performance in this game. This ends a stretch of three straight Western road games for CLE, and could continue another bad stretch.
Wednesday, March 23 – While the Knicks head to town next week, the New Jersey Nets visit the Q next month. This could also potentially be Carmelo’s arrival date to an expected wave of boos, but nonetheless, it will be a meeting of two of the Eastern Conference’s worst teams this season. Boobie Gibson will certainly be looking to hang his head higher.
Tuesday, March 29 – Cleveland hosts Miami for the first time since that fabled night in December, and for the final meeting of the season between LeBron James and his former team. By this point in the season, the Cavs will probably have cross the 55-60 loss plateau with the Heat approaching such a number of wins, so don’t expect this game to be competitive in the least bit.
Wednesday, April 6 – Some hope remains for the Cavaliers to have a strong finish to the regular season, beginning with a home date against the second worst team in the East, the Toronto Raptors. Even having Chris Bosh the past several seasons never enabled this franchise to be that competitive, and now they are even worse this year. This should be an epic battle for ping pong balls as the seasons enters its final week.
Wednesday, April 13 – The season ends for Cleveland in a home game against the Washington Wizards. It seems fitting for Antawn Jamison to play against his former team, and that franchise has had their season end against the Cavs fairly regularly over the past decade. Watching John Wall also should get fans excited for the final entry…
Tuesday, May 17 – NBA Draft Lottery time. While the pickings might be slim because of the expected labor negotiations and an overall weak class of prospects, this is always a time of optimism for struggling franchises. I know I’ll be reminiscing of that rainy day back in May 2003 when everything changed in a flash for the Cavs and their fans…
(Photo above via Amy Sancetta l Associated Press)
