Playoffs? Playoffs?

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Note: On NNR today Tony Williams Giants and Knicks beat reporter for Metro New York and I discussed the NFL and NBA in detail. The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

With the Browns win over the Bengals Thursday there has been a lot of talk of the Browns being a contender for the playoffs. We got Tony’s answer on the podcast. But for me the answer is “Maybe.”

The reason I am not sure is the loss to the Jaguars. If the Browns had taken care of business they would have a game and a half lead on the rest of the AFC North which at least this season is the best division in the NFL. The history of the Browns since they have come back is they play up to their opponents or down depending on if the team they are facing is better or worse. Playoff teams win those games.

Playoff teams are able to run the ball. The Browns did well against the Bengals D, but in the previous 3 games averaged under 3 yards per carry. That is not what Playoff teams do.

The third area that distinguishes playoff teams from pretenders is their ability to Read more at FryingPanSports

LeBron to Cavs fans: R E L A X

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Note: On NNR today David Kay of thesportsbank and walterfootball & I discussed the Cavs and NBA in detail. The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

David agreed that despite the slow start, the Cavs will be just fine. That is not to say that the team is without issues. However, Coach Blatt and the Cavs will work out the rolls of each player.

To begin with SG Dion Waiters needs to buy into his job as primary scorer off the bench. He has been the 2nd option with the Cavs but now is the 6th man. With the addition of Kevin Love, PF Tristan Thompson has to adjust to being on the bench at the start of the game as well. While he seems to get it Waiters seems to be resisting the idea.

There are other issues as well. One that will not be solved any time soon is the lack of a true big man at C. The Cavs brought in Brendan Haywood but so far that has not solved the problem. A second issue has been the 2nd unit’s inability to maintain the leads that the starters created. That should lessen over time as Read more at FryingPanSports

The trade for Love is a test for GM Griffin.

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Browns Season Simulation Monday on NNR. Please join us at 6 PM EDT on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

Make no mistake about it. LeBron James is testing his new GM David Griffin to get Kevin Love. If Griffin fails the test LeBron “could” consider opting out after his first or second year. That does not mean he will leave Cleveland, but it does mean that this test will determine if Griffin is still the GM in 2015-16 season.

There is no question that LeBron coming back to the Cavs is the best news Cleveland sports fans have had since the Browns drafted Jim Brown. In my opinion Love will not sign a long term deal with any team except the Cavs. Like Cavs fans, Love is sick to death of losing and wants to win. The best chance to do that is in Cleveland with LeBron and Kyrie Irving.

If teams see Love as a rental, his trade value will decrease significantly. For example Golden State is not likely to give up SG Klay Thompson to get Love for a year. But the question is will the Cavs be willing to wait to make a deal for Love?

I believe that … Read more at FryingPanSports

LeBron James has put serious pressure on the Timberwolves.

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Monday we will discuss the return of LeBron James and all the ramifications of that move with David Kay of walterfootball.com 6PM EDT on News, Notes & Rumors on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

First let me say I am delighted that LeBron James, the best basketball player on earth, is coming back to the Cavs in the prime of his career. Now there is pressure on Pat Riley and the Heat. But LeBron also put serious pressure on the Timberwolves.

Decision 2 has eliminated nearly all the possible trade options for the Timberkitties’ only asset—Kevin Love. It has also prevented any chance of a sign and trade with anyone other than the Cavs. Love wants to win a title and he has 0 chance to get that in Minnesota. He will only go to Cleveland. He will not sign an extension with any other team even if he is traded.

Without a chance of an extension, Love’s value in a trade is badly reduced. No team will give up something like Andrew Wiggins for a rental player. So expect the Cavs to try to make a deal now and if it does not succeed at the trade deadline as well. … Read more at FryingPanSports

LeBron James Opted Out.

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Thursday on NNR Evan Weiner. Friday David Kay reviews the NBA Draft. Join us 6PM EDT on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks

According to ESPN Sports Center, Lebron James’ agent informed the Heat that he will opt out of his contract. This is the biggest case of buyers remorse since somebody at Ford came up with the idea of the Edsel. There are two people that Heat fans can blame for LeBron’s decision—Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.

As I have said before during the NBA finals against the Spurs both guys played like manikins in a dress shop. Wade is a has been and Bosh is a never was. If Wade was anything close to healthy he would have helped turn the tide against the Spurs. Bosh was over rated in the draft, over rated when he came to the Heat and is only a star in his own eyes. He disappears during critical parts of the game. When a star needs to step up, he steps back.

The question is where will LeBron choose to go? There is a lot of talk in Cleveland that he might come back to the Cavs. As a former part owner of … Read more at FryingPanSports

The Heat have the LeBron and the Timid 2

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Paul Banks of the Sportsbank joins me at 6PM EDT on NNR. Join us on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

In game 3 of the NBA Finals it was LeBron James vs. the Spurs. It is beginning to look like LeBron is giving up on the Heat and the Timid 2. He had the lead in game 1 when he was struck by cramps. He left and so did Heat. The Spurs took game 1. In games 3 and 4 LeBron was the one and only factor for the Heat. As a result the Heat lost both of the home games. The title will belong to the Spurs and LeBron will be looking for help in the off season.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were taking up space for no particular purpose. On the defensive end both looked like dress shop manikins watching the Spurs pass the ball around. On the offensive end they were trying out for the title role in Invisible Man II. The “white out” became “walk out” a couple of minutes into the 4th quarter.

Some apologists will want to blame the little 9 rather than the big 3. But this series has pointed out the … Read more at FryingPanSports