Tribe Musings - by Scott Goldberg

For me there are basically two types of Cleveland sports fans: 1) This is the year--no matter how bad the last two decades have been (Browns—lately, Indians—‘60’s and 70’s) or how many tragic failings (Indians—lately, Browns—the fumble, the drive), this is the year we reach the mountaintop (for the Indians that means win the World Series, for the Browns that means finish above .500); and 2) This team will definitely break my heart.  There are the rare fans that can combine the two, but I have generally been in category 2 since the year Sports Illustrated put Joe Carter and Corey Snyder on the cover of its baseball preview issue circa 1987?? Geez, I am old. 

This year feels like when you ate that carry-out even though you probably should have thrown it out sorta year.  Gone are the bats of Encarnacion, Brantley, and Alonso, and bullpen arms Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.  I'll admit I'm not going to miss Encarnacion--his numbers look good, but it always felt like his homers came when we were already up 5 runs and struck out when the game was on the line.  It also feels like Miller and Allen's best years are behind them--like 2016 when we should have beat the Cubs in the f-ing World Series.  Brantley is going to have a big year.  Hidden somewhere in the middle of the Astros lineup, he probably ends up having champagne poured over his head as the Astros win the World Series.  Alonso seemed to have a lot of big hits, but my guess is the return of Carlos Santana will be about a wash at first base. 

Other than bringing Santana back, the Indians have done little to improve their roster.  The theory seems to be that the AL Central is so weak that they need to do little to solidify their position at the top of the division.  This gives the Tribe the luxury to find out if some of their young players are ready to be every day contributors or go out mid-season and find a piece or two for the playoffs.  I trust the front knows stuff I don't about the make up of this team, but I thought the half burrito in the fridge from last week was still good and I was wrong, very wrong. 

Lindor and Kipnis won't be available opening day.  And although, the Indians survived most of last year without Kipnis (and could again this year), we need Frankie.  It's not just his bat (he is a fantasy stud) or his glove (at least above average--he's no Omar), but mostly it's his smile.  He is the leader of the team along with Tito and makes sure everyone is loose and having fun.  He is a joy to watch and it's clear his joy is infectious for both his teammates and the fans.  Then this week Jose Ramirez gets carted off the field.  Thankfully, the injury seems minor, but the Indian’s prospects change in a heartbeat if Jose isn't in the lineup. 

The bright spot should be starting pitching.  Apart from the Tribe shopping Kluber and Bauer this offseason (what the hell was that about) and Bauer's dissatisfaction as to how he was treated in arbitration, the rotation looks to be perhaps the best in baseball.  Let's just hope Tito can save them so they have something left for the post-season.  The bullpen was shaky at best last year, doesn't feel like they added much to improve, but my sense is they won't be any worse than last year. 

Couple of guys I see stepping up this year: Leonys Martin and Greg Allen.  Not totally sure why I feel this way, but tried to pick them up late in my fantasy draft and missed on both, so that tells me others might be thinking the same thing.  

It's spring--let the games begin.  Go Tribe.  Oh, and did you here the Browns got Odell….

Big $'s Thoughts on Kareem Hunt Signing and NFL Policy

(Big $ is a member of The North Coast Posse, who cover the Cleveland Browns beat for Pencil Storm.)

The last thing the world needs right now is another blowhard dissertation on the Cleveland Browns’ signing of Kareem Hunt. However I've got a computer, some time and a platform, so the world is out of luck.

So without climbing to a moral high ground or retreating behind an orange & brown wall of Homer-ism, here are some thoughts:

1.) This was inevitable and we should have all been prepared for the signing. Literally, this was easier to prognosticate than LeBron's move to Los Angeles. Browns General Manager John Dorsey is the guy who gave Hunt his shot in the NFL and has the base relationship that would allow for taking the risk. Dorsey has also set a precedent for working with players with issues of this nature. Do some research on Tyreek Hill and you'll see Mr. Dorsey has been around this block before. Lastly, Kareem is a Cleveland guy, so it was natural that the Browns would be a potential destination. All in all, once K.C cut him, Kareem in Cleveland was not an "if" scenario but a "when."

2. Referring to the third point above, being back in his hometown may not serve as a benefit. As more information comes out, it becomes evident that Kareem Hunt has - at the very least - lifestyle issues. One can surmise that some things probably followed him around Willoughby, which led to a high school player of his caliber settling on a MAC school. (I promise you, no one wants to play on Tuesdays if they don't have to.) Changing people, places and things are essential to kicking any habit: addiction, anger issue, etc. Surrounding himself with the same crowd - which couldn't keep their professional athlete buddy from flushing his future down the toilet at the hotel - could hinder any real change.

3. Lastly, the NFL is actually getting worse at addressing the epidemic of its players committing violence against women. The league is absolutely paralyzed by Commissioner Roger Goodell's control issues and has decided no real plan is an adequate response. Well NFL, it’s your lucky day. I like gambling on your product so much that I will offer you this plan to help save the day. (author's note: I’d also prefer that women quit getting physically and mentally terrorized as well.)

Big $’s Plan

Step 1:  Upon determination that a player has been involved in a physical altercation with a woman they are immediately entered into an intensive six- week cognitive behavioral therapy program to address anger issues, decision making, alcohol & drug concerns and any other issues contributing to the delinquent behavior. This program will be administered and monitored by an independent agency, who will determine person-centered plans of action for each offender. During this six weeks the player cannot participate in any NFL or team activities. The player's progress and commitment will be watched closely by the agency delivering the services. If they feel adequate progress is being made, the player can graduate to step two.…..

Step 2: At this time, the player can resume team activities/ practices etc,. However, they cannot play in games for four more weeks. While re-engaging into the team culture the player will continue to participate in daily activities led and monitored by the independent agency. If satisfactory progress is made, the player can return to games after the 10 week process.

Step 3: While the player returns for weeks 11-17 of the season, he will continue weekly meetings with the agency to ensure they are ready for full release. The agency can grant full release as they see fit.

This process is fully independent of criminal punishment and cannot be negotiated. It is fully expected that some players will not be able to fulfill the commitment,and the independent agency can suspend players from the program at their discretion. Said players would then have to re apply again after a year's time.

Obviously this is a rough skeleton, but if you're reading this Roger, I can very easily fill in all necessary details.

Well, that's enough on that, back to scouring mock drafts...…..

What's Raising Eyebrows in the NBA? - by Ben Galli

It’s hard to catch a dull day in the NBA anymore.  Mere days after the NBA announced the All Star game starters, and just a week after the Association’s forward thinking recent tradition of MLK Day games concluded, the bombshell of early 2019 dropped: Marquese Chriss, the 3rd year Rockets forward, he of the 1.9 ppg, demanded to be traded or get an increase in minutes off the bench.  But the most shocking news of the day would not be the biggest.

Although not much of a surprise (it was more a sense of when, not if) the news that owned the day was Anthony Davis’ agent (and LeBron’s), Rich Paul, announcing that Davis had no intention of signing an extension with New Orleans.  This pretty much forces the Pelicans to trade one of the top 5 players in the NBA, who at only 25 years old has a chance to be the next face of the sport. It’s pretty much between him and Giannis and Cedi, right? I mean the 6’10 big man is averaging a decent 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game.  That ain’t shabby, ya dig?

The bigger story, and a sad one for fans of non big market teams, is a mega superstar of a player forcing his way out of the Big Easy for the bigger markets of LA, Boston, or New York, the 3 locales rumored to have his ear.  On one hand, just like any other talent in any other industry, players should have the autonomy to decide where they want to work. But unfortunately, in a sport like basketball, one player can make or break playoff chances, ticket sales and even the very franchise itself.

Losing a LeBron hurts. Losing a Kyrie, a Durant, a Chriss, can sour the most hardest corest of fans into questioning why they should have shown any loyalty at all. It’s a major problem for the NBA and really troubling for non Lakers fans. In the case of the Pelicans, basketball has struggled in this city and losing hope for the future may be damaging enough to the prospects of staying in New Orleans that sports conspiracy lovers like Bill Simmons are starting to see a potential move to Seattle or Las Vegas for the franchise.

With all that said, I figured I’d do a bit of an update on some of the other goings on in the Association recently.

First a few thoughts on where Anthony Davis might go.  It seems fairly obvious that strings are being pulled to land Davis with LeBron in the nicer locker rooms at Staples Center.  The Pelicans have already released a statement implying tampering was afoot and there are the usual rumblings that grow louder on days like this of that wonderful word that I’m sure none of us ever tire of hearing:  Collusion!

The timing is interesting.  It came 10 days before this season’s trade deadline.  But Davis isn’t a free agent until after the end of the 2019-20 season.  Why now? Because the Boston Celtics, long rumored to be pursuing AD, appear to have the most talent and assets to unload in a trade for a superstar but cannot make any trades (not involving Kyrie Irving) until after July 1st due to the Derrick Rose Rule.

That gives the Lakers a big advantage and if they can overwhelm New Orleans with perhaps their whole slew of young, high upside talent, the reward is another player that will make Lakers fans even more annoying than previously thought possible.  But New Orleans and the rest of the NBA, sans Lakers, don’t want this to happen.

The Pellies can hold out for the off season to see what the Celtics and the Knicks, who should have a high draft pick, can offer while any number of teams can make a surprise offer to rent Anthony Davis for a year and a half.  No star has ever left a team after winning a championship. Can you imagine the two man bigs game Davis and Nikola Jokic can run in Denver?

Speaking of the Nuggets, they and Milwaukee have been the highest achieving teams this year.  Milwaukee finds themselves atop the Eastern Conference with MVP frontrunner Giannis the Greek while Denver has stayed ahead of or near Golden State most of the season at the top of the West. Although readers of this very blog predicted their success, both teams have surpassed the experts’ (this guy’s) expectations.  It’ll be interesting to see if either of them make a trade deadline move because although you don’t want to mess with success, neither seem to be taken seriously as a true contender without additional piece(s). Carmelo: Denver Redux anyone? And anyone have Michael Redd’s number?

I’d be remiss not to talk about the Beard in a post dominated by the Brow.  What James Harden is doing is pretty incredible and crazy as all get out. Say what you will about his style of gameplay but the man is scoring at levels only matched by Wilt freakin Chamberlain!  And until Sunday night’s game which saw the return of the Point God Chris Paul, Harden had scored a ridic 298 straight unassisted points. You read that right. That was 6 straight games where Harden averaged 49.6 ppg where none of his points came off of a teammate’s pass that put him in position to score.

Road to Zion Update: The Cavs have settled in nicely for their stank n’ tank strategy, joining the New York Knickerbockers, Chicago Bulls, and Phoenix Suns as the teams that are a cut below when it comes to putting their best product forward.  The Road to Zion is going to lead to Phoenix, New York, or Cleveland when it comes to announcing Draft Lottery winners in May. I think R.J. Barrett may receive strong consideration but I don’t think any of these teams will be able to withstand the wrath of their fans if they don’t choose Zion Williamson.  

NFL Conference Championship Picks and NFL Dumpster Dive - by Brian Phillips

I hope you haven’t been betting my picks. Jesus, what a mess.

1. I forgot to never fade the Patriots at home…. especially when they have two weeks to prepare. It was over but quick. How great did Tom Brady look! Grrrr.

2. The Colts’ performance baffled me. That said I think we’re learning that the Chiefs are improving on defense and especially at home.

3. I was on the right side for the Saints and Rams, but I missed how those games went by a long shot.

Oh well, to hell with all that. My role here is to mine some great YouTube videos involving our combatants for this weekend’s conference title games.

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints

Sunday January 20, 2019

This may seem like a dull Rams/Saints game on a random Sunday in 1978 and you would be right. The gold is in the commercial content I found picking up in the third quarter tied at 3-3.

Right off the jump we get the end of a Ford commercial. Before you buy a 1979 Pinto you should see this.

Fuck yeah! I want one too! Not so fast. That $3700 sticker price advertised in’ 78 is over $14,000 bucks today. I did however locate one for $850. It may have been sitting in a field for a minute.

Here’s the broadcast.

Hank Stram was on the color for CBS. Such a character, and not long from his final coaching gig at the helm of these same hapless Saints. (Hapless was a popular sports term for bad teams in my youth.) This will give you a great overview into the man and it will cost you no “coin of the realm.”

Not long after the Pinto spot we find a promo for a Kristy McNichol CBS TV movie called “Like Mom, Like Me.” Near as I can figure they’re both learning about their touchie feelies, and mom is probably screwing the not as good looking guy from the show Emergency. They used to make TV movies that would air once or twice and disappear forever. Anyway, this is a football game. Seems like they’re missing their target audience.

Okay fuck this game. At the 4:55 mark they reminded me my Seahawks were beating the snot out of the Raiders 24-0 and look at this! The late great Charlie Jones and Len Dawson were on the call from the Kingdome. You remember Len Dawson don’t you!

We pick it up just before the second half kick off with the Hawks up 21-0.

We think of the Raiders of that era as a machine, but they were merely pretty good in 78. The Hawks meanwhile were on their way to a 9-7 mark and the franchise’s first ever winning season.

Ok gotta move along. I’ll enjoy more of this one later. Always fun to kick Raider ass back in the day.

My pick: Saints 31 Rams 27

New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday January 20, 2019

My search for meaningful Patriots/Chiefs TV footage from back in the day has been fruitless so I’m going to go in a different direction.

The Chiefs have been so good this season it’s easy to forget they haven’t been in this position in a generation. January 23, 1994…. It did not go well.

Man I miss Dick Enberg. Chiefs fan does not miss Marty Schottenheimer.

To find Kansas City’s last win in this spot we have to go all the way back to the 10th and final AFL Championship game on January 4, 1970.

This is pretty amazing stuff. Posted last fall is the radio broadcast married with whatever game footage they could find.

The Chiefs would prevail that day 17-7 and go on to easily defeat the Vikings in the Super Bowl.

It’s easy to forget that the New England Patriots were not always an automatic entrant into the title game. After winning an AFL playoff game in 1963 (see last week’s post) the Pats wouldn’t find post season success again until 1985. They beat the Jets, Raiders, and Dolphins to qualify for Super Bowl 20 only to get swamped by the suffocating 1985 Bears 46-10. What do we remember about that game?

At any rate it was a good run for that Pats team led by quarterback Tony Eason and a with a great offensive line . As big a dick as he is Craig James was a really good back.

(Bonus at the 20 minute mark below. A VCR commercial. We’ve come a long way. And thank God for obsessive home recorders. There’s so much outstanding content floating around in the ether. Great for a long winter’s night.)

My Pick: Patriots 35 Chiefs 32

2018 Cavs and NBA Preview - by Ben Galli

Mom:  Earl?

Earl:  Yes, mom?

Mom:  Things are going to be different now.  He’s not coming back.

Earl:  He’s not?......  Was it me?

Mom:  No, he loves you Earl.  That’s why he went and got Lance Stephenson on his new team.

Earl:  Oh. (stares off into the distance with longing in his eyes)

Mom:  But you have a new mission, a new responsibility.

Earl:  (squints really hard)

Mom:  His name is Cedi.  And he’s from the future.

The NBA season is upon us and things are different in Cleveland.  LeBron is gone. So even though its Tyronn Lue’s third season with the title, this will be his first year as the actual head coach of the Cavs.  Kevin Love signed a 4 year contract extension to stay in Cleveland which came as a surprise to many. And the Cavs have decisions to make on what the end goal of this season is going to be.

The Cavs have already publicly stated that the goal this year is to be back in the playoffs.  But the reality of the NBA landscape for have-not cities like Cleveland is not so simple. The Cavs first round pick is top 10 protected due to the Kyle Korver trade with the Hawks.  If they make the playoffs, they lose their first round draft pick; the easiest way for most small market teams to improve. The last time LeBron left, the Cavs ended up with Kyrie Irving in the draft.  Tanking (the act of losing games on purpose to improve your draft selection) is not good for organizational culture but if it lands you Zion Williamson, who’s gonna argue against it?

The Cavs have some pieces that will be fun to watch but I find it difficult to have high hopes for this squad.  Kevin Love was the quintessential ‘good stats on a bad team’ guy in Minnesota, the last time he was the best player on a team. He has been criticized for his leadership or lack thereof while there which begs the question: Who’s gonna lead this Cavs team?  Tristan Thompson? I wouldn’t let him order me a ham sandwich. Lue doesn’t strike me as a someone that has full control of this team but that could be the LeBron effect.  It’ll be interesting to see who fills this void.

There are however a few young players that are going to make the Cavs enjoyable to watch.  All eyes will be on first round pick Collin Sexton out of Alabama. He’s a gamer that will show you glimpses of a bright future but at times have you shaking your head but in a good way when he tries to do a little too much.  Cedi Osman is back and he could be starting this year. Cavs fans already love him and him playing more will only spread his legend. And Larry Nance Jr. is a similar player with that scrappy ‘hustleability’ fans of Chris Jent tear up at.

Season Outlook:   The Cavs may very well try to make the playoffs but I think by the All Star break, they’ll find themselves on the outside looking in and tanking will commence.  

Here’s my predictions for this NBA season with assorted comments.

Eastern Conference

15. Atlanta Hawks

14. New York Knicks

13. Orlando Magic

12. Brooklyn Nets

11. Cleveland Cavaliers

10. Chicago Bulls

9. Charlotte Hornets

8. Miami Heat

7. Washington Wizards

6. Detroit Pistons

5. Indiana Pacers

4. Milwaukee Bucks

3. Toronto Raptors

2. Philadelphia 76ers

1. Boston Celtics

Boston is going to be really impressive to watch.  Can’t wait to see how boy genius Brad Stevens has these guys playing.  A full year of Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, and Jayson Tatum is going to be too much for most teams.  Boston will have some serious questions if this squad doesn’t make it to the Finals.

Toronto is better now with Kawhi Leonard but they have an unproven first year head coach with the added pressure of convincing Leonard to sign long term in Toronto.  Philadelphia has a proven coach and should improve with recent number 1 pick Markelle Fultz playing more. If Fultz plays up to potential, the Sixers could cause real problems for Boston.

Giannis reportedly worked on a 3 point shot and the Bucks improved at head coach so they should be better this year.  The Pistons will get a full year of Blake Griffin and I think he’s gonna dominate the Eastern Conference. The poor Knicks will be without their beloved Godzingis who has no set return date but rumors of Kevin Durant having interest in signing next year should get any fan base excited.  The Knicks can easily follow the Lakers’ strategy of tanking and storing up young talent to attract Durant. This year may not be the best, but there’s hope in New York.

Western Conference

15. Sacramento Kings

14. Phoenix Suns

13. Dallas Mavericks

12. Los Angeles Clippers

11. Memphis Grizzlies

10. San Antonio Spurs

9. New Orleans Pelicans

8. Denver Nuggets

7. Portland Trail Blazers

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

5. Utah Jazz

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

3. Los Angeles Lakers

2. Houston Rockets

1. Golden State Warriors

The West is loaded.  It’s going to be a battle between several teams for the last few playoff seeds.  And the hardest part was picking San Antonio to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1997.  Leonard to Derozan is a bigger downgrade than I think people realize but losing point guard Dejounte Murray really puts the Spurs in a tough spot.  Frankly it would be a bigger surprise if they did end up missing the playoffs.

For all the haters out there, Luka Doncic is going to make you love basketball again.  He’s if LeBron James and Toni Kukoc had a child. He’s got a little of LeBron’s all around game and Kukoc’s flair for being European. Dallas will be fun to watch but this year is about saying bye to Dirk Nowitzki. He’s setting the record for most seasons ever played with one team (21) and I don’t think he’s coming back next year.  Congrats on a great career.

But the biggest story in the NBA usually always revolves around one LeBron James.  And this year will be one of the biggest seasons in his career because he now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.  I’ve seen enough of LeBron and this young Lakers team to sit on the side of the aisle that argues these Lakers will figure it out sooner rather than later and will be one of the best teams in the West.  It’s the best ballplayer in the world with a bunch of hungry, unselfish, talented young kids that can already play defense plus some uniquely skilled (and minded) veterans.

But while it will be fun watching just how well these Lakers play with each other, barring injury, this year belongs to the Warriors.  It’s really hard to 3 peat and that may be their only real challenge. But as long as they want it, no one is beating them. Still, there’s a reason the season is played and we don’t crown champions before their time.

Finals Prediction:  Warriors over Celtics in 5.

Was the Raiders Game Fixed? The NCP Answer Your Browns Questions.

The North Coast Posse is a top five Browns twitter follow. @northcoastposse

The season is one quarter of the way in and the Browns sit at 1-2-1. Can this be considered a success?

Punter Supreme: Improvement: yes.  Success: No. Viewing a losing record as success just speaks to how bad the Browns have been.  More than anything, there is hope now. Not just blind faith as in recent seasons. We can see real improvement on both sides of the ball and it is creating some real excitement.  If the Browns win this week against the hated Ravens, I will boof an entire 40 oz. of Bud Light. Dilly Dilly to the B.

Big $: In professional sports, moral victories carry very little weight. Success is measured in wins and losses and the Browns record still reflects a losing culture. True success will come when they can truly start finishing games.

Which loss has been most painful?

Punter Supreme: So far, last week’s Oakland game was hard to swallow.  All the losses hurt, but taking an L after having a very rare two-score lead was difficult to watch.  

Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward are shaping up to be the best first round picks the Browns have had in a long time. How excited should Browns fans be about the future?

Big $: Having the Baker Buzz killed hurt more than the Tyrod losses. However, it may be the dose of common sense us Browns fans needed moving forward.

People drool all over the defense but they don't exactly close games out. How good are they? 

Punter Supreme: The jury is still out on this one.  Only 7 teams give up more yards per game, and only 3 give up more time of possession.  But they are a top-10 defense in terms of 3rd-down conversions allowed, and they average more than 3 takeaways per game.  The defense needs more consistency, but I think that will come as the younger players continue to develop. Even though they gave up 45 points to the lowly Raiders, they get a bit of a pass, because the offense had a few turnovers inside the Browns own 20 yard line that gave the Raiders a short field.

The Browns lost starting CB Terrance Mitchell to a broken his wrist last week, but the team has so much more depth in the secondary this season compared to years past that the unit should be able to fill the void he left.  

Was the Raiders game fixed?

Big $: Do you mean, “Was the game the Browns just played against the franchise that is currently en route to the gambling capital of the universe” fixed? NFL wagering is a billion dollar business and 3 points is thin enough that a call here and there can swing the tide completely. I think it would be naive to think that officials aren’t cognizant of how their actions could move stacks of cash. So in a nutshell, yes I do think there is a reason to believe foul play made an appearance in Oakland.

Looking ahead, what games do the Browns need to win for Hugh to keep his job? 

Punter Supreme: Hue has to win games in the division.  If he goes 0-fer in the AFC North, he is out for sure. If he losses games against other teams at the bottom of their divisions, like Houston and Atlanta, his seat will get hotter.  

Big $. I stated before the season that 2-5 would get Hue fired, and I stand by it, regardless of games won/loss.