What If It’s Not the Dolans?

With the baseball trading deadline coming up at the end of this month, there is tons of speculation as to whether or not the Cleveland Indians will make a move.

Many of those thoughts center around the team being able to take on additional payroll.

This is understandable since it seems the front office has put out an internal memo instructing all personnel to mention the team will lose money this season in all contacts with the media.

However, what if the problem was not the ownership? What if it was the judgment of Indians’ president Mark Shapiro and GM Chris Antonetti not to give certain players more money?

The reason for this idea is the cause celebre which Josh Willingham has become.

Almost everyone agrees Willingham fit want the Indians needed in the off-season perfectly.

He’s a left fielder and a right-handed bat, and one that hits for power no less. He’s on pace for 30 HR and 100 RBIs for the Minnesota Twins, showing he did not have to go a big market team.

He’s not making a ton of money either, a reported $7 million per year.

The stumbling block was that the slugger wanted a three year contract, which is one more than Cleveland was willing to commit to.

Did the no third year edict come down from the ownership or did it come from the baseball operations people?

As much as people criticize the Dolans, and we are no exception here, the money involved per year doesn’t seem unreasonable, and at the time, the Tribe didn’t have anyone signed for the 2014 season, so the ownership couldn’t have been concerned about overextending themselves for that year.

So, it is a plausible argument that the kibosh on the deal came from Antonetti, thinking perhaps Willingham couldn’t maintain that type of production for three seasons.

Time will tell whether or not the Indians’ general manager is correct, but even if he doesn’t, it is still worth the gamble for a team that expected it could make the post-season in 2012.

And it certainly wasn’t any more of a risk than giving $5 million in 2012 to a player that hasn’t had a completely healthy season since 2008, and hasn’t played in one game this season.

At the very least, and we mean very least, Willingham in 2014 could be what Sizemore is right now, a waste of cash.

If the Dolans didn’t squelch the deal, it really has to put doubt in fans that Antonetti is a GM to be trusted to make the moves necessary for the Indians to contend.

Yes, he took an enormous risk last season trading for Ubaldo Jimenez, and Jimenez has certainly contributed more this season than the two highly regarded pitching prospects he was dealt for.

However, since the Tribe made that deal, doesn’t it make going for it in ’12 completely necessary? And if that’s the case, don’t they have to go for Willingham, third year and all?

That’s why fans have to wonder who failed to pull the trigger on getting a right-handed slugging leftfielder who could have been signed at a reasonable contract?

It simply made too much good sense to get him, and think of what a tremendous impact he could have made for the Tribe.

Not to make sport of the Indians’ marketing slogan, but the entire non-move makes you think “What if?” on several fronts.

Below the Radar Needs for Tribe

Our nation’s birthday arrived on the same date as the halfway point of the baseball season for the Cleveland Indians and the Tribe finished up the first half at 42-39, putting them on pace to win 84 games this season.

Based on the relative strength of the American League Central Division, finishing with that record could put them in the race all the way to the end of the season, because it’s doubtful the winner will be able to garner 90 wins for the campaign.

The main weaknesses of the Indians are pretty well-known, and we have touched on them several times in the past month. They need a right-handed hitter and another starting pitcher.

Fans know it, the front office knows it.

However, there are some other subtle moves the front office needs to make for the Indians to stay in contention.

The first is to have a legitimate utility infielder on the roster, meaning a guy who can play shortstop reasonably well.

Whether that means Jason Donald stays, who knows, but Manny Acta can’t continue to go through the rest of the season using Jack Hannahan, who has appeared in three major league games at the position (one this year), as his reserve for Asdrubal Cabrera.

And he needs a better defensive option at second base too. Jose Lopez made an all-star team at 2B in Seattle, but at the point in his career, he’s more suited to be a corner infielder.

The reason for a legitimate middle infield reserve is to give some rest to Cabrera and Jason Kipnis during the dog days after the all-star break, so they can be productive for a possible stretch run.

It is understandable that Acta doesn’t want to take either out of the lineup, but they can be used at the DH spot so they can hit and not be out on the field.

Keeping two of the most productive bats fresh is a must do for the skipper, and he can’t do it without having someone who can play solid defense at 2B and SS. On that basis, Donald needs to stay on the roster.

The other need is to strengthen the bullpen so that Acta doesn’t have to use the trio of Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano, and Chris Perez in every game the Tribe has a chance to win.

These three are a major key to the Indians’ success, and keeping them fresh into September and perhaps October is very important.

Perhaps one piece is already in place in Esmil Rogers. Rogers arrived in Cleveland after compiling a 8.06 ERA in Colorado, but in nine games with the Tribe, he’s allowed just two earned runs in 11-1/3 innings, striking out 15 hitters and walking just one.

More help could come from veteran left-hander Rafael Perez, assuming he can return from the disabled list. Perez could give Acta someone he is comfortable with against the tough left-handed batters which populate the American League.

Right now with Tony Sipp and Nick Hagadone struggling, the manager would rather use one of his righties in that role, and sometimes that’s not fair to those pitchers.

These smaller scale moves are just as important as getting the right-handed stick and starting pitchers because it keeps the players who constitute the strengths of this team fresh, and at top performance.

They may not be the flashy, high impact moves, but taking care of these problems definitely help the ballclub.

On the Tribe’s Two-Faced Lineup

The front office of the Cleveland Indians took a calculated risk before the season, stocking the lineup full of left-handed hitters.

The rationale was that there are more right-handed pitchers than southpaws, and Progressive Field favors hitters who swing from the left side.

They may be right. After all, the Indians have the second most home runs hit by left-handed hitters in 2012, trailing only the Yankees.

The problem is the lineup has no balance, because the Tribe doesn’t have enough good hitters, something predicted here before the season.

A look at a normal Cleveland lineup shows the top four hitters in the batting order have batting averages between .272 (Jason Kipnis) and .295 (Asdrubal Cabrera).

That’s the good news.

The bad news is the balance of the lineup have averages between .221 (Carlos Santana and Casey Kotchman) and .201 (Johnny Damon).

Only the third base platoon of Jack Hannahan and Jose Lopez are in the middle, hitting .250 and .257 respectively.

The extreme split in the lineup was never more on display than it was Monday night against the Angels.

After Kipnis walked, Michael Brantley singled and Santana walked to load the bases, the bottom of the order came up to face LA ace Jared Weaver.

Damon grounded out weakly to third, forcing Kipnis at the plate. Kotchman popped out to the catcher, and Shelley Duncan struck out.

No runs scored in a situation where you have to get at least one, and should get two tallies.

When the bottom of the order hits, the Tribe can score some runs, as they did over the weekend in Baltimore. However, as anyone can see from the batting averages, that doesn’t occur very often.

The front office and the optimistic fans will gleefully point out every time guys like Kotchman or Duncan get two or three hits and drive in some runs.

If this deal were offered, who do you think would wind up on top?

Those fans would get $5 when the player of their choice has a good game, but give up the same amount when they take the collar, or go 1 for 5.

The point is those hitters at the bottom of the order don’t produce frequently enough to continue to play, and the Indians’ front office doesn’t seem to be in a big hurry to replace them.

The season is reaching the half way point on the 4th of July, and changes need to be made in the lineup.

Really, if the Indians replaced Damon, Kotchman, Duncan, and Aaron Cunningham with minor leaguers would they get less production?

In fact, three of them (Duncan excluded) have negative VORP (value over replacement player) meaning they are producing less than the average player at their position.

In a close race, there is no time for wishing and hoping that these players will start hitting at a high level, so GM Chris Antonetti needs to bring someone else in, either through a trade or by dipping into the minor leagues.

Before you laugh at the last comment, check out Matt LaPorta’s numbers in the major leagues in 2011 with Kotchman’s numbers. Don’t say there isn’t someone in Columbus that could help.

Travis Hafner will return to the team today and that should help, but how much? Hafner’s stats, especially his power numbers, have been in steady decline over the last few years.

He’s no longer a middle of the order threat, but he will add a hitter that can draw a walk and has occasional pop.

Something has to be done, because the circumstances that occurred Monday are becoming more and more frequent.

Tribe Fans Want Fight From Organization

Cleveland isn’t known for the success of its sports teams, but most fans want nothing more than to rise up and win against all odds.

Football is probably the most equal playing field for smaller markets with teams like Green Bay and New Orleans winning recent Super Bowls, yet even in that socialistic of sports, Cleveland can seem to put a legitimate contender on the field, which shows how poor the management has been since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999.

The NBA has had one smaller market team have success in the last 20 years. The San Antonio Spurs have won four titles in that span, and Oklahoma City seems poised to take over the mantle of small market contender.

The Spurs success has been tied to superstar Tim Duncan staying with the franchise, and the Thunder hope Kevin Durant does the same thing.

In that league, most of the bigger name players want to be in larger markets, the better to make their “brand” more popular. Cavalier fans are very familiar with that idea.

The Indians need to embrace the role of underdog and become a feisty pit-bull of a franchise, instead of one always talking about its problems. Former Browns’ GM Phil Savage must have had the Tribe management in mind when he spoke about the “woe is me” complex Cleveland sports fans have.

A little over a week ago, Indians’ president Mark Shapiro had a town hall meeting in which he spoke to a group of fans. He talked about trying to win this season, but of course, had to bring up the point that the franchise will lose money this season, a comment the organization seems to include no matter what public statements it makes.

First of all, the fans don’t care if the Indians lose money. They want to see a winning team.

It’s time to stop the negativism and become an organization that will fight, scratch, and claw to beat the big boys of the American League. It’s basically the same philosophy the Tampa Bay Rays have taken on since Joe Maddon became manager.

It’s why Jack Hannahan of all people, has become a fan favorite. He doesn’t take crap from anyone.

This change would mean trying to win every game, and jumping on problems immediately, not waiting a month to take care of them.

The Rays are always tinkering with their roster, mostly the last few spots of it, trying to pick up a hot hand, someone who may just be able to make one game’s difference in the standings. They aren’t the only team that does this, bigger market teams do the same thing.

On the other hand, the Indians have an outfielder on their roster that has just 4 hits in his last 42 at bats, and he’s been on the team the entire season.

The Cleveland bullpen has struggled lately as well, save for mainstays Chris Perez, Vinnie Pestano, and Joe Smith. No changes have been made there, either.

However, over the weekend, the St. Louis Cardinals, the defending World Series champions, switched three members of its’ relief corps. If the World Champs can do it, why can’t the Tribe?

Manny Acta fits right in with this attitude. After the horrible call made by Mike DiMuro on Wednesday night in Yankee Stadium, in which his starting third baseman was ejected, Acta defended the umpire’s blown call! Something about having a tough angle and a lot of fans in the way.

That’s just sad, and Tribe fans were justifiably angry with the lack of emotion from the manager.

This isn’t to say the fiery skippers have a better winning percentage, but for a franchise looking for some support from its fan base, a manager who acts like I don’t care the deck is stacked against me, we’re going to win anyhow, would be much more accepted by the ticket buying public.

After the incident, GM Chris Antonetti, and VP of Communications Bob DiBiasio were all over the airwaves trying to spin the skippers’ inaction and also deflect criticism for a team that has lost 20 of 32 games before winning the last two in Baltimore.

The GM just spouting more of the catch phrases the front office is famous for: “Core talent”, talking about the inequities of “the system”, etc.

The Indians front office should take this tact. Sure, it’s going to be tough to do, but when we win, we can stick it in the face of all of the disbelievers. Unless the organization gets a cleaning over the winter, that’s not going to happen, which is sad.

Cavs Take a Gamble in Draft

Apparently, Dan Gilbert’s new Horseshoe Casino has the entire Cavaliers’ organization in the gambling spirit, because GM Chris Grant did not take the safe route in the 2012 NBA Draft.

The safe pick would have been to take Thomas Robinson after the Cavs first choice, Bradley Beal was taken at #3 by Washington.

Robinson was the best player remaining on the board, and figured to be one of the three players left for the Cavaliers after Anthony Davis was made the first pick in the process by New Orleans.

The former Jayhawk wouldn’t have filled a need, since the Cavs have Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson, but you can never have enough big men.

Plus, Robinson was regarded by many scouts to be the safest pick in the draft.

However, Grant threw caution to the wind and went with the wing player the Cavaliers really need, guard Dion Waiters from Syracuse, who didn’t start for the Orange.

It’s not a huge reach because most mock drafts had Waiters going in the 7-10 range. But, there are plenty of questions about the new Cav’s game.

He’s a good shooter, strong, and can finish at the rim. He can create his own shot, something very few Cavaliers can do. A few people have compared his game to Dwyane Wade.

On the other hand, Waiters doesn’t seem to go to the basket that often, averaging only 2-1/2 free throws per game. He’s also just 6’4″, so will he be able to guard the #2 guards who have two to three inches on him.

Also, he played in Syracuse’s famed zone defense, so can he defend at the NBA level?

That’s a lot of questions for the fourth pick in a very, very deep draft.

Grant did make a solid move later in the evening, dealing the 24th choice in the first round and two second round picks to move up to #17, and taking the second best center this year, North Carolina’s Tyler Zeller.

Zeller is a legitimate 7 footer, and can run the floor, which should fit well with Kyrie Irving leading the fast break.

He’s also a good shooter, with range to around 18 feet and he’s good from the charity stripe as well, shooting 76% last year.

He does need to gain strength, though, like pretty much every collegiate big man. He will also have to learn to pass out of the double teams that will await him in the pro game.

All in all, it’s a pretty good gamble in the middle of the first round. Several mock drafts had the big man (The New Z?) going in the 10-12 range, so to get him at 17 is a good deal.

Cleveland also received G Kelenna Azubuike in the deal. He’s suffered through injuries the last two years, playing only 12 games combined. He did average 14.4 points per game for Golden State in 2008-09.

He tore his patella tendon in 2009, and had complications with the surgery to repair the injury. If he’s healed, he can be a rotation player for Byron Scott this season.

Another move worth the gamble.

Grant’s legacy is most definitely tied to the Waiters pick. If the guard develops into some version of Wade, he will be hailed as a supreme talent evaluator, if he doesn’t and Robinson turns into a solid pro, he will be vilified.

There have been reports that several scouts feel Grant made one helluva pick.

We’ll let what happens on the court make that decision.

Grant is hoping he hits blackjack at the Horseshoe.

Cavs Need Players, Not Projects

Thursday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers take the next step in building the future of the franchise.

Last year, they drafted Kyrie Irving with the first pick in the draft, and he was named NBA Rookie of the Year, and shows every indication that he will be an all-star in the league for many years to come.

They also added PF Tristan Thompson, who improved greatly from the beginning of the season to the end, but should still improve greatly (as should Irving) in his second year in the NBA.

He’ll be a starter in the league, but it would be a stretch right now to say he could ever be an elite player.

There is no question the Cavs need more talent. A look at their roster right now doesn’t show a lot of keepers.

Certainly, there is Irving and Thompson. Anderson Varejao is a quality NBA big man, but is also going to be 30 years old this September and has been injured the last two years. Alonzo Gee showed last year he can be a contributor, but looks to be more of a sixth man type.

Samardo Samuels is a good reserve big man, and Donald Sloan came to the team after Ramon Sessions was dealt, and looks to be able to back up Irving at point guard.

GM Chris Grant and Byron Scott hope Omri Casspi can help off the bench, and Daniel Gibson can contribute, but has a history of missing games due to injuries.

So, overall, the wine and gold seem to have a good bench, but they need to help the starting lineup. Thankfully, they have two first round draft picks to help address that.

That’s why Grant probably isn’t looking for projects with the 4th selection on Thursday night. He needs someone who can step right in and start on opening night. That’s why the Cavs are looking at Florida’s Bradley Beal, Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Kansas’ Thomas Robinson. They will get one of those players at four.

Connecticut C Andre Drummond has been mentioned by some draft gurus as the Cavaliers’ pick, but he’s a project who probably will not be ready to contribute in the 2012-13 season. Plus, he’s a boom or bust pick. Could be Dwight Howard, but could be DeSagana Diop.

Beal is the scorer the team needs, especially since Antawn Jamison is no longer with the team. They need someone who can put the ball in the basket. At 6’4″, he has a 6’7″ wing span, but isn’t considered an explosive jumper. All in all, he could make Cleveland set at the guard position for the foreseeable future.

Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t really a scorer, but can do everything else well. At 6’7″, he’s athletic, can run the floor, and is a good defender. He’s a good all around player, but isn’t a good shooter. He likes to take everything to the basket because he’s not confident in his jump shot, which he would need in the NBA.

Robinson is 6’9″, is strong and can jump. He doesn’t have polished post moves at this point. He does have the ability to get to the line and is a solid jump shooter. He’s a more offensively polished Thompson.

Besides Drummond, another guy who makes us raise an eyebrow is Harrison Barnes. Barnes was supposed to be the best freshman coming into college two years ago, but has never really dominated in the college ranks. He seems afraid to be great, which isn’t a good attribute for an NBA player.

Thursday night will be the next step for Grant and the Cavs’ organization. They need to find players who can start and be stars in the NBA going forward. This isn’t the time to take a player who may be good in three to four years.

Tribe Paying for Off-Season Sins

After last weekend, when the Pittsburgh Pirates took the last two games of a three game set at home, Cleveland Indians’ fans were irate about the lack of relief pitching and lack of production at the plate.

The Tribe won the next four, and all was right with the world.

Then, the Indians lost the last two games of a road series against the lowly Houston Astros and fans once again are concerned about the lack of relief pitching and lack of production at the plate.

See a trend here?

The Indians problems are not going away, and the team is paying for not addressing the huge need for a quality right-handed bat in the off-season. They reportedly did not want to give free agent OF Josh Willingham a third year on his deal, and that is proving to be a huge mistake for GM Chris Antonetti.

Wouldn’t Willingham look nice with a “C” on his hat, especially with his .274 batting average, 14 home runs, and 47 RBIs. By the way, those last two statistics would lead Cleveland in those categories.

Manny Acta’s squad is struggling, particularly against southpaws, because the players on the roster for that purpose in particular aren’t doing the job, and the front office is being extremely, perhaps overly patient.

The only role player on the team to hit lefties that can be considered doing his job is INF Jose Lopez, hitting .262 with 2 HRs against left-handed pitching. Check out these numbers:

Shelley Duncan             .211, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Aaron Cunningham    .167, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Jason Donald                .095, 0 HR, 1 RBI

In addition, Carlos Santana, one of the two switch-hitters among the everyday players in batting just .209, without a dinger and 10 RBI.

It makes you think that Lou Marson, with a .240 average (6 for 25) should be in there when a lefty takes the mound for the opposition.

Among the regulars, just Asdrubal Cabrera (.316, 3 HR, 12 RBI) and Michael Brantley (.281, o HR, 10 RBI) have respectable numbers.

So why doesn’t the front office make any changes? Isn’t the definition of insanity the act of doing something over and over again and expecting a different result?

Cunningham is quickly becoming this year’s version of Austin Kearns, as a player who no one can explain is still doing on the major league roster.

Apparently, Cleveland tried to deal for Kevin Youkilis, but with Chicago giving up two players from their major league roster, it was more than the Tribe (and we) would go.

The former Red Sox player wouldn’t have solved the Indians’ issue, but he would have been a start. Although he has struggled since last year’s All Star game, he is a proven hitter, with a lifetime .286 batting average.

Besides, if he would produce more than Lopez, Duncan, and Cunningham, isn’t that an improvement?

The Tribe front office spin is they would need more than one bat, which they do, but is that a reason not to take any action?

Sometimes it appears the Indians’ management is in some kind of fantasy world, spouting out stats like Casey Kotchman is 7 for 21 in his last six games.

So what! He’s hitting .230 over the last month and .225 overall. He’s just not producing enough for a contending team, especially at a position where hitting is needed.

By the way, over the last 30 days, check out these batting averages for the role players on the Indians:

Duncan .189
Lopez .186
Cunningham .150

Besides getting no production out of the right-handed hitters on the squad, the bench isn’t doing anything either. That makes it concerning for the starters going into the heat of the summer. Acta can’t give them a day off, because whoever he puts in, isn’t able to hit.

The Cleveland Indians have made their proverbial bed, and now are forced to lay in it. Unfortunately, the front office is comfortable, because they don’t seem anxious to get a new mattress.

Here’s What Tribe Won’t Do.

There is plenty of speculation on whether the Cleveland Indians will be buyers or sellers when the major league trading deadline comes around at the end of July.

Most likely, because of the division they are in, they will look to add to their current roster to stay in the AL Central Division race. It looks very much like around 85-88 wins will get you a division title and a trip to the playoffs. That means if they hang around the .500 mark for another month, which isn’t that absurd, they will definitely be in the thick of it.

It is funny to hear talk show hosts speculate on who the Indians would deal in order to improve the team. Here is a partial list of players who aren’t going anywhere.

Chris Perez
In the off-season, this was a possibility and one that was suggested here and by others. Now, it would be idiotic to deal a guy who is having a very good season, probably getting another All-Star berth.

Perez and Vinnie Pestano, another player it would be silly to deal, represent the only reliable pitchers currently in Manny Acta’s bullpen. If it seems like the Indians can only win when the duo pitch, it should. Perez has saved 10 of the last 13 victories for Cleveland.

When the Indians have the lead after seven innings, it’s a solid bet that Pestano and Chris Perez will close it out for the Tribe.

Any of the Indians Solid Hitters.
It makes no sense for GM Chris Antonetti to deal one of the few players currently hitting on the ballclub. This would mean SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Jason Kipnis, CF Michael Brantley, and RF Shin-Soo Choo. Especially because all of them will be back in Cleveland for the 2013 season.

Think about it, it really doesn’t help the team by trading a player who is productive to fill another hole. That is unless there is someone to take that player’s spot.

For example, if someone was interested in Jack Hannahan (probably there isn’t a big market for him, no offense to him), you might consider dealing him because you have Lonnie Chisenhall.

Let’s say Antonetti dealt Choo for a right-handed power hitter. Who plays rightfield?

The object of a deadline trade is to strengthen the team as a whole, not fill one spot by creating another.

Trade Francisco Lindor
Last year, Antonetti dealt two of his best pitching prospects to get Ubaldo Jimenez from Colorado. We can debate the merits of the deal for hours, but unlike the time the Indians traded back-to-back Cy Young Award winners, they will not trade their top prospect two consecutive years.

So-called experts who talk about trading the shortstop currently at Lake County, are showing they are idiots.

Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein saw Lindor in spring training and said in a few years, people will wonder why he wasn’t the first player taken in last year’s draft. He’s playing and succeeding (making the Midwest League all-star team) in a full season league, and he won’t turn 19 years old until November.

Besides, the player you likely will get in any deal this year will be an older player (early to mid 30’s) who can still contribute. You don’t trade a player with Lindor’s future to get a guy like that.

Antonetti is looking for a right-handed stick (a familiar need) and some help for his pitching staff. The Tribe have some useful players in the minor leagues to get some veteran help.

However, he is unlikely to disrupt his major league roster or trade a guy like Lindor to help get players of that ilk. It’s simply too high of a price.

James May Win, But NBA Needs Likeable Stars

The folks at ESPN have to be giddy today with their chosen franchise, the Miami Heat, just one win from the title the network so wanted them to win last season.

The “Heat Index”, the site crafted by the four letter network, will be glowing in neon colors after the team that superstars put together hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Isn’t it odd that when the Lakers had two of the biggest stars in the history of the sport, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, ESPN didn’t have a website dedicated to them?

And with the rise of the Oklahoma City Thunder, a very young team, you may be looking at the only title LeBron, D-Wade, and Bosh get in Miami. With the experience gained in this year’s playoffs, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and crew could be a tough out in the post season for the next few years.

However, the commish, David Stern, has been a little surly lately. When Jim Rome asked him about the draft lottery being rigged, Stern was angry, asking the broadcaster when he “stopped beating his wife”, the question no acceptable response can be given.

Rome simply asked what many people believe, which, of course, is why he asked.

What is odd to us is Stern’s cavalier attitude (no pun intended) about these opinions. You would think that if a small percentage of fans thought the outcome of the sport was predetermined, the man who runs the league would be upset, and address those concerns. Stern doesn’t seem to care.

This is not to say games are rigged. It would take a whole lot of cooperation from players and officials to make that happen. But the commissioner doesn’t take opportunities to allay the fears of the fans.

For example, many basketball fans suggest official Joey Crawford is a tad overzealous in calls for the favored team. Would it kill Stern to cut back on his slate in the playoffs? He shows up at all the big games, game sevens, etc., and therefore his calls are magnified.

The referees don’t help Stern either. There are many fans who believe the Thunder are getting the short end of the stick from the zebras. And it’s not just people in Cleveland either.

Especially when you have a situation last night when Westbrook went to the basket several times, yet shot just three free throws. In the meantime, James went to the line after pushing James Harden out-of-the-way.

The Thunder may not win this season, but they will be among the favorites next season. The San Antonio Spurs have won four championships in the last 15 years. Stern will tell you this is proof that small markets can compete in today’s NBA.

However, ask fans in Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Denver if they think their teams will ever have a chance to be a team that matters in the NBA. They would sadly answer no.

That’s bad for the league.

In football, despite the troubles of the Browns, every team has a chance to win the Super Bowl with good talent evaluation and some luck. In the past few years, we’ve seen downtrodden franchises like the Saints and Cardinals get to the championship game.

Even baseball has seen more parity. Yes, the Yankees make the playoff in most seasons, but have only won one World Series since 2000. That’s the nature of the sport, the best team can lose a series to the worst team at any time during the season.

Stern believes in the power of superstars. He’s marketed the game around them since the time of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. However, he needs them to be likeable stars, which Bird, Magic, and Michael Jordan were.

The Heat trio are hated by most fans throughout the country, it’s not just a Cleveland thing.

Does David Stern realize this? He needs guys like Durant, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and others to pick up the mantle of great players who most fans like.

They may have to save the league again from the me-first guys on the Heat.

McCoy Trying to Get Out of Cleveland

By and large, fans of the Cleveland Browns have Colt McCoy’s back. He is the kind of athlete people on the North Coast like.

He’s works hard, seems like a good guy, etc.

They even want to believe that McCoy’s problems as an NFL quarterback come from the poor performance of the offensive line, a lack of a solid running game, and wide receivers that drop the football.

The Browns front office didn’t make the decision to draft Brandon Weeden in the first round because they wanted to sell more jerseys in the team shop. The coaching staff obviously saw things in practice and game films to show he can’t and won’t ever be able to succeed as a starting QB in the league.

Team president Mike Holmgren alluded to this in his press conference last week when asked about the Browns’ receiving corps, saying they were open more than you think. A not so veiled reference to the fact that McCoy couldn’t get the ball to them when they were open, maybe because he was already in check down mode, or maybe because he felt he didn’t have the arm strength to get the ball there on time.

Regardless, the organization has played it the right way, saying there would be an open competition for the starting spot, and speaking about McCoy’s toughness and his ability to grow with experience.

However, it is fairly clear that McCoy is trying to orchestrate his way out-of-town, and he is doing it through his family, which although they don’t want to admit it, is one of the reasons the Browns soured on him.

Last year, when the quarterback suffered his concussion against the Steelers, McCoy’s father, Brad McCoy went public with negative comments about the Browns training staff, and was upset that his son was sent back into the football game.

He was naturally upset that his son suffered an injury, which is fine, he should be, but he should have kept his beef out of the media and handled it privately.

He didn’t do Colt any favors, either. Here he is trying to be a leader of a professional football team, and his daddy is taking up for him in the newspapers. It probably started giving Holmgren and Pat Shurmur ideas that he didn’t have the toughness required to handle the sport’s toughest position.

Now, McCoy’s younger brother, Case, a quarterback at the University of Texas, commented on Twitter that his brother will go someplace else and the Browns will go downhill. The guess here is that the younger McCoy didn’t make that up out of thin air. His sibling is frustrated about losing his job, and although there is nothing wrong with that, once again, he’s not handling it correctly.

It appears that McCoy isn’t the naive young man his fans feel he is. There are still a good portion of Browns’ fans who feel the passer received a raw deal from the team. This is exactly the reason, GM Tom Heckert has to send him elsewhere.

The Browns can’t afford to have a substantial group of fans calling for McCoy the first time Weeden has a bad game. Which, if you listen to the McCoy zealots, will be exactly what happens.

On the same hand, McCoy has figured it would be best for him to change teams as well. That’s why he’s using his family to force Holmgren and Heckert’s hand.

All of this means that fans can pile their McCoy jersey on top of those of Brady Quinn, Kelly Holcomb, and Tim Couch. He’s probably thrown his last pass as a Brown. Here’s hoping the next team that employs McCoy gets just him and not his entire family.