Red Right 88

Cleveland sports fan and sports writer

Name:
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

quit my job decided to drive west

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Great day

Perfect weather outside. Best day of the year so far and I spent it inside watching television. And oh what perfect day it was inside as well.

The Cavs got off to a hot start and beat the Pistons. LeBron was LeBron but interestingly enough I was distracted during much of the game. Who would have ever thought a Cavs-Pistons playoff game would not be as compelling as what else was on.

I had two tvs on of course and most the first quarter I was focused on another NBA game. Young Mr. Rose was awesome as he led the Bulls to an overtime win over the Celtics. This whole Garnett being declared out for the playoffs has rubbed me the wrong way. It is as if they have given themselves an excuse not to win. Maybe Garnett is really out and maybe he will be back portrayed as the hero in the Eastern Conference finals but this hey we will try to make the conference finals as our new goal is bullshit. I wish Garnett was healthy because I want the Cavs to beat them at full strength. I don't want to hear any of this well if he had been healthy crap. So it was very enjoyable to watch Paul Pierce miss a free throw that would have won the game in regulation. And frosting on the cake to see the Celtics fall in overtime.

Soon after the Indians game started. And it looked like more of the same early. Carmona gave up a two-run dinger in the first and I was like here we go. When the Indians started the second, the Cavs were near the end of the second quarter. When the Indians finished batting in the second, the Cavs were well into the third quarter. And what a beautiful half-inning it was. The Tribe scored 14 runs on the hated Yankees. It was almost enough to get over the called third strike on DeRosa on Friday. Almost.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as destroying the Yankees. The 22-0 whupping a few years ago will always remain special in my heart. But 22-4 with six home runs is cool in its own right.

Two wins over the Yankees and Pistons with the Celtics losing as well makes for a great day and worth missing out on the awesome weather.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The end is the beginning

I was on the road back from Wisconsin tonight. I caught up with Joe Tait in the middle of the second quarter. Nothing makes a drive faster than Joe Tait. And for a meaningless game, it sure was a ton of fun.

No LeBron. No Mo. No Z. No Wallace. No Smith. And the Cavs led at the half against a team that had to have a win.

In the second half, Andy and DeLonte joined the missing in action and yet the reserves gave it a run. In the end the Cavs lost but I think much more was won that will better serve the team than a tie of the best home record ever. Boobie found his confidence. Wally found his groove and the rest of team got to break a sweat.

I even like the fact DeLonte was pissed he didn't play in the second half.

But most importantly, the Cavs are relatively healthy for the real season. And I for one can't wait.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Good and Bad

More quick thoughts on the good and the bad of Cleveland sports.

Cavs

Bad
-Count me in the worried the Pistons --especially Rasheed or Rip-- doing something stupid in the first round and messing up the Cavs. This team has survived injuries throughout the year but it will be tougher in the playoffs.

Good
-Homecourt is always better than being on the road especially for a game seven.

-The Cavs celebrations go against everything I have always believed but strangely I am OK with them. Again it goes against my Clevelander instincts but the thought of screw what Boston or anyone else thinks -- we are who we are c'mon get us -- I am on board. Let them be offended. Forget about their hypcorisy. Forget being humble until you win. LeBron is the King and if he wants to wear his crown before he earns it, OK back it up. LeBron won me over with his comments the other day. It is the first time I heard him acknowledge what we as fans have been through over the years. He knows our suffering. He feels it. He knows it is on his back to change us.

Indians

Bad
OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG

Good
I have been in Wisconsin so following the game play by play on the Internet isn't as painful of having to listen to Matt Underwood describe this horrid mess.

Browns (I said I wasn't going to think or write about the Browns until August but the schedule came out and I can't help myself.)

Bad
Everything that has happened since one in the afternoon on December 23, 2007.

Good
But if we can survive the first half of the season before the week nine bye. We end with five home games and three road games all against three of the other teams as bad as us last season in the Lions, Chiefs and Bengals. I know can't help myself. Forever Charlie Brown.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Short and sweet

Quick thoughts

-On paper and in reality, the Cavs whupping of the Celtics means nothing. But it sure was fun.

-Ben needs to be OK. We don't need him to start and he really doesn't need to play more than 20 minutes. But his presence will make everything easier in the playoffs.

-I never would have believed that Paul Pierce would be the only Celtic I respect. But it is true.

-Thank God the Indians got off the snide. My stomach couldn't take much more.

-It was nice to see Wood mow down three in a row in the ninth. Save or not, I can't remember the last time the Tribe got three strike out to end a game from their closer.