This is a test post just to see where it is place in the paper.li layout. The idea would be to create a Youngstown news summary with links.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Youngstown News Summary
This is a test post just to see where it is place in the paper.li layout. The idea would be to create a Youngstown news summary with links.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
The Browns, Cavs and Indians are in Cleveland!
This is just a test post. The blog itself has been dormant for five years, but this test post is to check the feed for other sources.And yes, the Browns, Cavs and Indians are in Cleveland.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Latest Stories on BleacherReport.com
Thanks for checking in. Been staying busy at BleacherReport.com. Over the past couple of weeks I've kept writing about the NBA and the Cavaliers in particular.
Today I posted an analysis of the Cavs performance minus LeBron James, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In addition to the Cavs, I've written recent stories about the Lakers, Mavericks and Bucks.
I'm now a national NBA writer for BR, and my first assignment was to compare Paul Pierce and Ray Allen of the Celtics, and who had the better shot at the Hall of Fame. I did it as a slideshow.
Also did a humorous slideshow about LeBron's plan to switch uniform numbers.
The archive of all of my articles is here.
This week I'll handle another national assignment for BR, writing about the MAC Tournament. My first post will be Monday.
Watch for another national NBA piece there on Tuesday, with perhaps a touch of humor to that one, as well.
Today I posted an analysis of the Cavs performance minus LeBron James, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In addition to the Cavs, I've written recent stories about the Lakers, Mavericks and Bucks.
I'm now a national NBA writer for BR, and my first assignment was to compare Paul Pierce and Ray Allen of the Celtics, and who had the better shot at the Hall of Fame. I did it as a slideshow.
Also did a humorous slideshow about LeBron's plan to switch uniform numbers.
The archive of all of my articles is here.
This week I'll handle another national assignment for BR, writing about the MAC Tournament. My first post will be Monday.
Watch for another national NBA piece there on Tuesday, with perhaps a touch of humor to that one, as well.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
More on BleacherReport.com
Since my last post in January, I've penned another 15 articles for BleacherReport.com, covering such diverse topics as the Cavaliers and trade rumors/realities; the Browns and negotiations with Josh Cribbs; the Akron Zips and college football signing day; Mike Dunleavy's departure as coach of the L.A. Clippers; and, believe it or not, the Houston Rockets.
See my archive here: http://bleacherreport.com/users/167634-tom-delamater/archives/newest?rel=nofollow
Also, I had a cool opportunity to write a piece about LeBron and the Cavs for AskMen.com, an online men's magazine:
http://www.askmen.com/sports/fanatic_250/281_the-ball-is-in-lebrons-court.html
Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
MVP Repeat? LeBron James Tops Bosh, Kobe, Durant, Wade in Sizzling Week
If there isn’t a textbook on how to win an NBA Most Valuable Player award, LeBron James may be writing one.
The season has a long way to go, and this year's award is by no means his (yet), but James set the bar a little higher this past week. If anyone is to prevent him from repeating as MVP, they’ll have to turn in a stretch of Herculean performances between now and May.
Not only did LeBron win the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for November and December, he’s the frontrunner for January, having just been named the conference’s Player of the Week for the second time in the month and fourth time this season.
Going back to the 2008-09 regular season, James has won four consecutive player of the month awards, the first individual ever to do so. A fifth would be an exclamation point of unprecedented proportions.
Not resting on his laurels, LeBron turned things up a notch over the Cavaliers’ last four games, outdueling four of the game’s best players in a perfect 4-0 week.
On Jan. 19, James just missed a triple-double as he compiled 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in a 108-100 win over Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors. Bosh had 21 points and 10 boards.
Two nights later, after learning that point guard Mo Williams would be lost for up to six weeks with a sprained shoulder, James recorded 37 points, nine assists and five rebounds as the Cavs topped Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, 93-87. Bryant led the Lakers with 31 points.
Just two nights after that—having lost Williams’ replacement, Delonte West, to a broken finger in the Lakers game—LeBron scored another 37 as the Cavs outlasted Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City, 100-99.
Sharing ballhandling duties with Cleveland’s third option at point, Daniel Gibson, James notched 12 assists and had nine rebounds. Durant had 34 points and 10 boards, but his last-second shot that could have tied the game for the Thunder was swatted out of the air by (who else?) James.
Finally, on Jan. 25, it was another defensive gem by LeBron that clinched Cleveland’s 92-91 win over Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat. James stole a behind-the-back pass by Wade and drove the length of the floor where he was fouled by Quentin Richardson.
James went down hard after getting tangled up with Wade in mid-air, but gathered himself and drained two free throws to provide the winning margin. He then got a hand in Wade’s face on a last-second attempt that was too long, and the Cavs were victors yet again. LeBron finished with 32 points, matching Wade’s total, while adding nine rebounds and four assists.
Over the four-game stretch, James averaged 33.5 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds a game. It was a remarkable week by any standard; even more, it left his most prominent competitors for the MVP award shaking their heads in begrudging admiration.
Part of the reason for his success is that he’s attacking the basket and making things happen. James averaged a shade under 16 free throw attempts per contest during the four-game streak.
It’s not just this stretch that has the league buzzing; it’s been a season-long trend. As Patrick McManamon wrote in the Akron Beacon Journal, James is averaging more points than last season (a league-best 29.9), more productive on the road (where he’s recording 31.4 points per contest), and is averaging a career-best 7.8 assists a night.
It’s worth noting that the Cavaliers didn’t play particularly well in any of the four victories this past week, yet still found a way to win.
With Williams and West out, Shaquille O’Neal stepped up his game and contributed a season-high 22 points against Oklahoma City, and then 19 more against Miami.
Gibson, meanwhile, overcame a shaky start against the Thunder to score 13, then added 15 in the win over the Heat.
It’s that kind of depth and versatility that makes the Cavs a force to be reckoned with this season.
Instead of stumbling following the loss of their top two point guards, Cleveland responded with poise and teamwork, thanks in large part to James’ leadership and dominant level of play.
Those are signs of a championship-caliber team and an MVP-worthy player. The Cavaliers must still prove themselves as the former, but James is showing that last year’s MVP award was no fluke as he makes a compelling case for a repeat honor in 2010.
(This article published on BleacherReport.com)
The season has a long way to go, and this year's award is by no means his (yet), but James set the bar a little higher this past week. If anyone is to prevent him from repeating as MVP, they’ll have to turn in a stretch of Herculean performances between now and May.
Not only did LeBron win the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for November and December, he’s the frontrunner for January, having just been named the conference’s Player of the Week for the second time in the month and fourth time this season.Going back to the 2008-09 regular season, James has won four consecutive player of the month awards, the first individual ever to do so. A fifth would be an exclamation point of unprecedented proportions.
Not resting on his laurels, LeBron turned things up a notch over the Cavaliers’ last four games, outdueling four of the game’s best players in a perfect 4-0 week.
On Jan. 19, James just missed a triple-double as he compiled 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in a 108-100 win over Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors. Bosh had 21 points and 10 boards.
Two nights later, after learning that point guard Mo Williams would be lost for up to six weeks with a sprained shoulder, James recorded 37 points, nine assists and five rebounds as the Cavs topped Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, 93-87. Bryant led the Lakers with 31 points.
Just two nights after that—having lost Williams’ replacement, Delonte West, to a broken finger in the Lakers game—LeBron scored another 37 as the Cavs outlasted Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City, 100-99.
Sharing ballhandling duties with Cleveland’s third option at point, Daniel Gibson, James notched 12 assists and had nine rebounds. Durant had 34 points and 10 boards, but his last-second shot that could have tied the game for the Thunder was swatted out of the air by (who else?) James.
Finally, on Jan. 25, it was another defensive gem by LeBron that clinched Cleveland’s 92-91 win over Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat. James stole a behind-the-back pass by Wade and drove the length of the floor where he was fouled by Quentin Richardson.
James went down hard after getting tangled up with Wade in mid-air, but gathered himself and drained two free throws to provide the winning margin. He then got a hand in Wade’s face on a last-second attempt that was too long, and the Cavs were victors yet again. LeBron finished with 32 points, matching Wade’s total, while adding nine rebounds and four assists.
Over the four-game stretch, James averaged 33.5 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds a game. It was a remarkable week by any standard; even more, it left his most prominent competitors for the MVP award shaking their heads in begrudging admiration.
Part of the reason for his success is that he’s attacking the basket and making things happen. James averaged a shade under 16 free throw attempts per contest during the four-game streak.
It’s not just this stretch that has the league buzzing; it’s been a season-long trend. As Patrick McManamon wrote in the Akron Beacon Journal, James is averaging more points than last season (a league-best 29.9), more productive on the road (where he’s recording 31.4 points per contest), and is averaging a career-best 7.8 assists a night.
It’s worth noting that the Cavaliers didn’t play particularly well in any of the four victories this past week, yet still found a way to win.
With Williams and West out, Shaquille O’Neal stepped up his game and contributed a season-high 22 points against Oklahoma City, and then 19 more against Miami.
Gibson, meanwhile, overcame a shaky start against the Thunder to score 13, then added 15 in the win over the Heat.
It’s that kind of depth and versatility that makes the Cavs a force to be reckoned with this season.
Instead of stumbling following the loss of their top two point guards, Cleveland responded with poise and teamwork, thanks in large part to James’ leadership and dominant level of play.
Those are signs of a championship-caliber team and an MVP-worthy player. The Cavaliers must still prove themselves as the former, but James is showing that last year’s MVP award was no fluke as he makes a compelling case for a repeat honor in 2010.
(This article published on BleacherReport.com)
Recent Articles from BleacherReport.com
You can read some of my recent BleacherReport.com articles by clicking on these links:
NBA Trade Rumors: Amar'e Stoudemire to the Cleveland Cavaliers? (Jan. 25)
Changing of the Guard: How Will Cavaliers Offset Loss of Delonte West? (Jan. 22)
The Once and Future King: LeBron James Overpowers Kobe Bryant and the Lakers (Jan. 22)
Mo Williams Out At Least a Month, Testing Cavaliers' Depth and Resolve (Jan. 21)
Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James, Round Two: The Way Things Ought to Be (Jan. 21)
Shaquille O'Neal's Call for NBA Stars to Benefit Haitit Is a Slam Dunk (Jan. 20)
Cleveland Legend Jim Brown to LeBron James: Stay with the Cavaliers (Jan. 19)
LeBron James and the Dunk Contest: Why Give the Haters Something Else to Hate? (Jan. 19)
Hope you enjoy them!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Consistency Is the Key, Reason for Cavs' Top Ranking
LeBron James was blunt and straightforward when asked Thursday night to assess the Cleveland Cavaliers’ performance this year.
Interviewed on Fox Sports Ohio, James said his team's progress was "okay" compared to last year’s edition. He qualified that by saying they had figured some things out since the start of the season.
Austin Carr of Fox Sports interpreted: The Cavaliers have learned to play with Shaquille O’Neal, and it’s starting to show in their teamwork and execution.
James also said the difference between last year’s team and this year’s model is consistency.
He then declared, quite matter-of-factly, that the Cavaliers are still improving.
Or, as Campy Russell of Fox Sports put it: They’re bigger, faster and stronger than a year ago—built to win at home and on the road.
James’ words represented a realistic appraisal by an increasingly savvy veteran. The assessment of Carr and Russell, both former NBA players, provided a seasoned perspective of almost two decades of combined pro basketball experience.
A look at the Cavaliers heading into Thursday’s game supported the views of all three.
Certainly, Cleveland’s season to date compared favorably to those of the two most recent league champions, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs entered Thursday’s action with a 30-10 record. They were 14-3 at home and a solid 16-7 on the road. Interestingly, they had compiled a .750 overall winning percentage while playing only 42.5 percent of their games in their own arena.
The Lakers were a comparable 30-9. But 24 of those games were at home—a whopping 61.5 percent of their schedule. They were a predictable 21-3 in those contests, but only 9-6 in their 15 games away from the Staples Center.
The Celtics, meanwhile, were 27-10 going into Thursday. Similar to Cleveland, most of their first-half schedule—56.8 percent—had been on the road, where they were a superb 16-5. However, they had managed only an 11-5 record at home.
Much has been said this year about the Lakers’ early-season schedule. They played 17 of their first 21 games at home, a key factor in their blazing 18-3 start. Contrast their favorable slate with the more balanced schedules of both the Cavs (10 of 21 at home) and the Celtics (11 of 21 at home) over comparable periods.
The Lakers have come down to earth a bit in the 17 games since then, turning in a more modest 11-6 record over that span.
So where does it leave us? Where just about everyone predicted—with those three teams atop the NBA at the season’s midpoint.
While Bleacher Report’s most recent power rankings left the Lakers in the number one spot, writers at some of the most respected sports sites on the Web saw things through a different lens.
David Del Grande of CBSSports.com, Marc Stein of ESPN.com and Chris Mannix of CNNSI.com all placed Cleveland at the top. So did writers as diverse as Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News and Geoffrey C. Arnold of The Oregonian, illustrating the respect for the Cavaliers’ play from coast to coast.
Regardless, the Celtics and Lakers have made it happen where it matters—on the court—over the past two seasons.
The Cavs are too familiar with being the best on paper, leading the league in that manner from wire to wire a year ago. Their goal is the real thing, an NBA championship.
In the final analysis, power rankings mean little. They’re a best guess of where teams stand at any given time.
However, Cleveland’s performance on the court—both at home and on the road—has placed them squarely in the mix as the second half of the season gets underway.
Interviewed on Fox Sports Ohio, James said his team's progress was "okay" compared to last year’s edition. He qualified that by saying they had figured some things out since the start of the season.
Austin Carr of Fox Sports interpreted: The Cavaliers have learned to play with Shaquille O’Neal, and it’s starting to show in their teamwork and execution.James also said the difference between last year’s team and this year’s model is consistency.
He then declared, quite matter-of-factly, that the Cavaliers are still improving.
Or, as Campy Russell of Fox Sports put it: They’re bigger, faster and stronger than a year ago—built to win at home and on the road.
James’ words represented a realistic appraisal by an increasingly savvy veteran. The assessment of Carr and Russell, both former NBA players, provided a seasoned perspective of almost two decades of combined pro basketball experience.
A look at the Cavaliers heading into Thursday’s game supported the views of all three.
Certainly, Cleveland’s season to date compared favorably to those of the two most recent league champions, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs entered Thursday’s action with a 30-10 record. They were 14-3 at home and a solid 16-7 on the road. Interestingly, they had compiled a .750 overall winning percentage while playing only 42.5 percent of their games in their own arena.
The Lakers were a comparable 30-9. But 24 of those games were at home—a whopping 61.5 percent of their schedule. They were a predictable 21-3 in those contests, but only 9-6 in their 15 games away from the Staples Center.
The Celtics, meanwhile, were 27-10 going into Thursday. Similar to Cleveland, most of their first-half schedule—56.8 percent—had been on the road, where they were a superb 16-5. However, they had managed only an 11-5 record at home.
Much has been said this year about the Lakers’ early-season schedule. They played 17 of their first 21 games at home, a key factor in their blazing 18-3 start. Contrast their favorable slate with the more balanced schedules of both the Cavs (10 of 21 at home) and the Celtics (11 of 21 at home) over comparable periods.
The Lakers have come down to earth a bit in the 17 games since then, turning in a more modest 11-6 record over that span.
So where does it leave us? Where just about everyone predicted—with those three teams atop the NBA at the season’s midpoint.
While Bleacher Report’s most recent power rankings left the Lakers in the number one spot, writers at some of the most respected sports sites on the Web saw things through a different lens.
David Del Grande of CBSSports.com, Marc Stein of ESPN.com and Chris Mannix of CNNSI.com all placed Cleveland at the top. So did writers as diverse as Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News and Geoffrey C. Arnold of The Oregonian, illustrating the respect for the Cavaliers’ play from coast to coast.
Regardless, the Celtics and Lakers have made it happen where it matters—on the court—over the past two seasons.
The Cavs are too familiar with being the best on paper, leading the league in that manner from wire to wire a year ago. Their goal is the real thing, an NBA championship.
In the final analysis, power rankings mean little. They’re a best guess of where teams stand at any given time.
However, Cleveland’s performance on the court—both at home and on the road—has placed them squarely in the mix as the second half of the season gets underway.
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