UPDATE: Official Cavs D-League Affiliate in Canton!!

     As reported yesterday, The Cleveland Cavaliers today unveiled their new D-League affiliate team in Canton, OH. Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert may own and operate the team, but it's up to us, the fans, to name it.

     "Having the ability to own and operate a D-League franchise in Canton once again illustrates our ownership's outstanding commitment to creating a culture of success," Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant said. "Player development is at the core of our process and being able to operate our own franchise so close to home will place us in the most strategic position to take an active part in the player development process."


     Of the 30 teams in the National Basketball Association, the Cavaliers are only the 5th team to directly own and operate their own D-League affiliate.  Last season, the Cavaliers shared the Erie Bayhawks with the Toronto Raptors as both teams' D-League affiliate.  However, the Bayhawks have recently signed an exclusivity agreement with the New York Knicks.  In response to that exclusive contract, Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert made moves to install a new D-League team in Canton, which will replace the New Mexico Thunderbirds in the 16 team Developmental League.  The new, as of yet unnamed team, will play their home games at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, which is located at 1101 Market Ave North, Canton Ohio.


     Said Canton Mayor William J. Healy, II, "This is an incredible opportunity for the citizens of Canton to experience professional basketball in their hometown, and I am grateful that the Cavaliers recognized Canton as an ideal market for their next generation of basketball operations."

   So, Cleveland fans, the next step in this new D-League franchise's life rests with us.  We can submit our suggestions for a team nickname at www.CantonNBA.com or on twitter, @NBACanton, and Facebook.  I assume that the most popularly submitted/best nicknames will be compiled into a poll at a later date for fans to vote on a definitive name for the fledgling franchise.  Stay tuned to Cleveland Star for more information as it becomes available.


What do you think this means for the Cavaliers franchise as a whole? What will you be suggesting as a possible nickname for this new member of the Cavaliers family? Let us know in the comments below! 

Cavaliers To Form A D-League Franchise?

BREAKING NEWS:

Rumors are circulating the twittersphere about a "Major Announcement" by the Cleveland Cavaliers set for tomorrow afternoon in Canton, OH.  Waiting For Next Year and the Cleveland Plain Dealer speculate that Dan Gilbert could be on the verge of announcing a Cavaliers-affiliate Developmental League team based in Canton, OH.  Prior speculation, which indicated that such a team would either be Akron or Youngstown based, seem to be debunked by the Cavaliers setting the location for this major announcement in Canton.  Nothing else is known about the announcement or the rumored team.  Stay tuned to the Cleveland Star tomorrow for breaking coverage on the major event!

5 reasons why Dwight Howard should come to Cleveland.

There are a lot of rumors floating around about Orlando looking to move Dwight Howard before his contract expires next year. I guess they don't want to get Lebroned by Howard and have nothing to show for it.  Everyone is throwing around places like Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, and even the Bay Area has been added to the conversation recently.  The ideal situation for the All-Star NBA center could be in Cleveland and here are the reasons why:

Trepal Photography 

1.  State-of-the-art facilities.  Cleveland Clinic Courts building is a high tech practice and training facility, with the luxury and comfort of a woodland retreat.  The site features two main practice courts, a 3,000 square foot weight room, player lounge, kitchen, theater, hydrotherapy room, medical exam rooms linked to the Cleveland Clinic, and offices overlooking the wooded surroundings.  For a virtual tour follow the link to Cleveland.com.

Cavs fans in Snuggies! Cult meeting following the game. 

2.  The Fans.  Cleveland fans are the best around.  If Cleveland had a water polo team (do we? I have no idea),  the city would show up to support it.  Our star athletes, the few we have had, are completely idolized.  There is no where else a professional athlete will feel more embraced by the community.  We remember the Lebron circus, with children and adults crying over his departure. Cleveland fans are loyal and get attached to their players.  Dwight come spend the prime of your career in a city where you will be absolutely loved.  


3.  Young athletic team.  With the moves the Cavs have made recently, they are getting younger and more athletic.  Kyrie Irving with star point guard potential, Tristan Thompson an explosive high energy player, and Omri Casspi a small forward with size that can stretch the defense with his shooting, would flourish with the inside scoring and defensive abilities of Howard.  If the Cavs could also pull in a high scoring shooting guard in free agency like J.R. Smith, Jamal Crawford, Jason Richardson, or Michael Redd (we have been talking about him for years), the team could be highly competitive this year. 



4.  Proven coach.  Byron Scott has had success in the NBA as a player and coach.  He has won multiple championships playing with the Lakers and in his last year as a professional player he won a championship for the Greek team Panathinaikos.  As a coach Scott took over two struggling teams, the Nets and the Hornets, and turned the franchises around.  He took the Nets to the NBA Finals and the Hornets to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.  He is also known for developing and bringing the best out of his point guards.  Kyrie Irving under Scott's guidance could become a great distributor for a center like Howard.



5.  One of the best owners in professional sports.  Dan Gilbert is willing to do whatever it takes to bring a championship to the Cavs and the city of Cleveland.  He has taken a holistic approach to improving his Cavaliers franchise, from building the best facilities for his team to investing in the city itself.  He also caters to his star athletes, as we all know, which would allow Howard to be very involved in team operations.  There is not another NBAowner out there more dedicated to winning than Dan Gilbert.




Dwight Howard to the Cavs may be more fantasy than anything else, but Cleveland will always be a better destination than Detroit.

Jamison talks about what he experienced during the previous lockout.

In an article posted on newsobserver.com, Antawn Jamison discusses coming into the league as a rookie during the 1998 lockout.  The article turns into a sob story about the difficulties of going months without basketball, not knowing what he had gotten himself into, not being mentally prepared for it, and how he was affected by it the entire season.  Jamison goes on to say that this time around the players are better organized and more prepared. 


Antawn Jamison is one of the most humble and respectable players in the game today, but it is important for all players to recognize their audience during interviews.  It is not easy for the average NBA fan to relate to a dispute between billionaire owners and millionaire players.  Especially, during an economic recession, a well paid professional athlete should be careful throwing around phrases like "it was the worst ever." 


What it comes down to is that the NBA is still a business, and both sides want the largest portion of revenues possible.  Hopefully, sooner than later, the lockout will be resolved without damaging the growing popularity of the sport and alienating the fans.


For the full article follow the link to newsobserver.com.