New York Knicks sign Earl Clark

The New York Knicks have confirmed the signing of forward Earl Clark.

Clark,26, was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on February 20th immediately after he was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and became a free agent on February 22nd will be the player to provide the Knicks with the forward depth that they seek. The former number 14 overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft was averaging over 15 minutes per game this year for the Cavaliers and chipping in just over 5 points and 2 rebounds per game.

Clark can play both forward spots but will likely be used as a "stretch 4". The Knicks were desperate for frontcourt help after waiving Metta World Peace and Andrea Bargnani and Kenyon Martin on the shelf.

Clark probably won't be a difference maker but he can be productive in stretches as he proved last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He probably would've been better off signing with a contender though.

Luol Deng calls the Cleveland Cavaliers a "mess"

The hits keep coming for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just days after it was reported that Kyrie Irving wanted out of Cleveland, the New York Daily News dropped a bombshell today that Luol Deng is not happy that he was traded to a team that he describes as a mess.

Mitch Lawrence , who penned the piece, says that Deng told a friend recently “the stuff going on in practice would never be tolerated by the coaching staff or the front office back in Chicago. It’s a mess.".

It gets worse. Lawrence goes on to write:

He’s seen players get thrown out of practice, take off their uniform tops at halftime and threaten not to play, mouth off to caoch Mike Brown and generally act like spoiled brats. Entering Saturday’s game at Houston, the Cavs had lost seven of their last 11 games since the Deng trade.

There is no accountability, as Dion Waiters found out when he was kicked out of practice last week but still got his usual minutes against the Knicks. Brown isn't getting much help from GM Chris Grant, who is expected to be fired at season's end because of the losing and problems in the locker room.

The report also says that Cavs players partied well into the night the evening before a blowout loss to the Knicks that was aired on national television.

First there was Waiters calling out Irving and Tristan Thompson during a players only meeting. The rumor of Waiters giving Irving a black eye. Former Cav Andrew Bynum was upset that Waiters and Irving weren't passing him the ball and mad about his playing time. Then the out of leftfield rumor that Bynum was sleeping with a coach's wife.

The Cavaliers were thought to be playoff contenders before the start of the season. Now the Cavs look like they're on their way back to selecting in the lottery. If they can get rid of Waiters it could improve the atmosphere in the locker room. If not things will get mighty ugly at the Q (Quicken Loans Arena).

You would hate to think things are actually this bad in Cleveland but you know what they say, where there's smoke there's fire. And there's an awful lot of smoke coming out of Cleveland. If a stand up guy like Deng has bad things to say about the state of the team then something has to ring true.

I wouldn't blame Deng or Irving if they wanted to bolt Cleveland right now.

Was Andrew Bynum sleeping with a coach's wife?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a mess this season and now the situation involving Andrew Bynum could make it into a disaster, as a report has come out that the suspended center was given paid leave after having sex with one of the members of the coaching staff's wife and the news comes from Media Take Out and will need to be confirmed, but if true, that's a mess.

According to the report from Media Take Out, Bynum, who was first suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and then given paid leave after his unpaid suspension ended, supposedly had "relations" with the wife of one of the members of the Cavs coaching staff and while the name has been redacted, it is not Mike Brown the head coach, but another coach on the staff. The news from Media Take Out came from a source that claims she is a "girlfriend" of one of the Cleveland Cavaliers players and that's how she could confirm the details.

The report goes on to say that Bynum had sex with someone's wife and that is what led to him getting suspended and now it appears that the team will be trading him and teams like the Heat, Lakers, Knicks and the Bulls and the source said that the team should bring him back since it has nothing to do with basketball. The team has been frustrated by Bynum's play this season and he has now been "excused from basketball duties" and it's likely he has played his final game with the team.

ESPN.com reported on the situation and wrote that Bynum was initially suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team" and lost a game check and the report also says that it followed an "incident" at practice last week and then he was suspended before the home game against the Golden State Warriors and this apparently was a "culmination" of events that have been going on and now the Cavs are in a tough situation, as he has only the first part of his salary guaranteed and the rest of the $12.25 million will kick in January 7 and the team could trade him by then.

This season Bynum has played in 24 games and started 19 and has averaged 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 20 minutes a game and now if the reports are true, he is likely done in Cleveland and on top of that, his attitude has been subpar. This is just the latest issue for the Cavs, who have not been very good this season and are just 10-20 and the team has had problems with Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving, who has been called a ball hog by other players and now Waiters and Bynum may be on their way out.

Craig Ehlo arrested on domestic violence charges

Former Cavaliers star Craig Ehlo was arrested Thursday on charges of domestic violence and reckless burning during a domestic dispute, according to a report by the Spokesman Review:

Basketball standout Craig Ehlo, who spent 14 years in the NBA and last month resigned an assistant coaching position at Eastern Washington University, was arrested early Thursday on charges including domestic violence after firefighters found family members holding him down near a pile of burning clothes outside his rural Spokane home.

Spokane County sheriff's deputies arrested Ehlo, 51, on the felony charge of first-degree reckless burning and a separate charge of domestic violence, according to the Sheriff's Office. He was booked into Spokane County Jail shortly after 7:30 a.m. under his given first name, Joel.

Ehlo played for the Cavs, Hawks, Rockets and Sonics in his career, and is most know as the defender Michael Jordan hit "The Shot" over in the 1989 playoffs.

Byron Scott might shut down Kyrie Irivng

With a team going nowhere, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott is considering shutting down All-Star guard Kyrie Irving for the rest of the season.

The oft injured Irving has missed 14 games including three recently with a hyperextended knee. Irving said the knee was still bothering him after last night's win over the Utah Jazz. Scott doesn't want to risk losing Irving for anymore games and wouldn't have a problem keeping Irving on the bench.

"If Ky is hurting, I have no problem sitting him down," Scott said.

Irving doesn't plan on being in fancy suits the rest of the season even though the early break could help him.

"The only way I would get better is if I sit out for the rest of the season, and I'm not doing that," Irving said.

I believe Scott has the right idea. Irving is the franchise and he shouldn't risk him doing further damage to himself in a lost season. It's not like the Cavs are in the playoff chase so why not. As a competitor Irving wants no part of that kind of talk. But it's probably more beneficial to him if he sits out than playing at less than 100 percent for the rest of the season.

Irving has a lot of basketball left and shouldn't hamper his career for a few meaningless games.

Delonte West to join D-League team Monday

After changing his mind about playing in the D-League earlier this season, well traveled guard Delonte West has had a change of heart and figured the way back to the NBA was through the D-League.

West gambled that some team would be willing to sign him during the season after the Dallas Mavericks dumped him in the preseason. No one was willing to sign West who also had problems during his stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

With playoff time coming up and teams willing to sign proven, low cost veterans to round out their roster to 10 day contracts, West will report to the D-League's Texas Legends on Monday according to a report by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.


With NBA teams uneasy about taking a risk on his past behavioral issues, free-agent guard Delonte West intends to report to the Texas Legends of the Development League on Monday, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

West, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, had planned to join the Legends earlier in February, but never arrived. Since coming to realize the D-League is likely his only avenue back into the NBA, West has reconsidered, a source said.

West could help a contender out if his head is straight and that's a big if. But if he performs and shows no signs of rust some team might be able to look past that.

Cavs' Anderson Varejao out for the season

The Cleveland Cavaliers have endured their share of injuries this season. For starters, point guard Kyrie Irving missed a chunk of time to start the season. Now after missing power forward Anderson Varejao for about half of the first half this season due to knee surgery, they'll be missing him altogether.

The team reported that Varejao developed a blood clot that will keep him out for the remainder of  the season.

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao recently developed a blood clot (small right lower lung pulmonary embolism) and was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic last Thursday (January 17th). He is being treated with blood thinners (anticoagulants) and is expected to stay at the Clinic for several days, while undergoing treatment and observation. He will need to remain on blood thinning medication for approximately three months. While Varejao is expected to fully recover, he will miss the remainder of the current Cavaliers season.

It's a shame because Varejao had  been playing at a high level. He was a borderline All-Star and would've brought back a nice haul had he stayed healthy and the Cavs were to trade him. More important is his health and hopefully he'll be able to return to the with a clean bill of health.

George Karl thinks LeBron can eventually return to Cleveland

LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers a hot mess. It was an ugly breakup, with fans burning his jersey and the owner Dan Gilbert going on a rant saying that the Cavs would win a title before the "so-called King" would. Meanwhile James was in South Beach predicting multiple titles.

Even though the chances are remote, James left the door open for a possible return after realizing he handled 'The Decision' poorly. It could happen later down the line, but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen. It would be hard for the city and organization to embrace him again, but stranger things have happened.

  In a report by FOX Sports Florida's Chris Tomasson, former Cavs coach and current Denver Nuggets coach, George Karl says he can see James returning to Cleveland to play again.

 "I think LeBron is at that stage where he's challenging himself to motivate him to do something that's maybe more difficult," Denver coach George Karl told FOX Sports Florida before Friday's game against Cleveland at the Pepsi Center. "I could see him maybe doing that (returning to the Cavaliers)."

"I see (Kyrie) Irving maybe being a reason for that," Karl said of the reigning Rookie of the Year, who leads Cleveland in scoring with a 23.5 average. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I think it's a remote possibility. The stars would have to align right for that to happen. Miami would have to fall out of contention (not happening), James wants to go back home possible free agent in 2014), or he's close to retiring and wants to make amends with the Cleveland fans. If his return to Cleveland happens I would bet it's reason number three that it happens.

I don't see it happening, but they do say you can go home again.



  

Lakers wheeling and dealing

With the trade deadline looming, the Los Angeles Lakers have been doing some retooling to their roster. Earlier today it was reported that the Lakers sent Luke Walton and a first round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guard Ramon Sessions and  forward Christian Eyenga.

There also has been confirmation by Ken Berger of CBSsports.com that the Lakers will be sending Derek Fisher and a first round pick to the Houston Rockets for forward Jordan Hill.

What this does for the Lakers is give them a servicable point guard in Sessions that is capable of scoring, and they add a rugged big body in Hill that can give Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum a rest for a few minutes. He won't score like them but he can play defense and rebound.

In a Western Conference where the only legitimate threat is Oklahoma City, the Lakers appear to be getting a makeover for another run at the Finals.    

Quote Of The Week: Ron Artest

Everyone knows that Ron Artest says and does some crazy things. He's done it again recently when he was kind of praising new Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown.

“I think it’s good,” Artest said. “Mike Brown is a guy who got LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the championship with just LeBron and a bunch of old ladies in canes. I don’t know how he did that, I don’t know how he did that, but he’s a great coach — I played for him in Indiana. He was a great defensive mind. Rick Carlisle did all of the offense, and Mike Brown did all of the defense.”


Ouch! I know the Cavs were limited around LeBron but damn. That's worse than what ESPN's Doug Gottlieb labeled Michigan State before the NCAA Tournament, when he called the Spartans "Kalin Lucas and those other dudes". At least they got the distinction of being called dudes.

 (Thanks, Larry Brown Sports)

Austin Carr Calls Chris Bosh A "RuPaul" Look-A-Like

Cleveland Cavs announcer Austin Carr went a little overboard when assessing Chris Bosh's appearance. During tonight's game against the Miami Heat Carr called Bosh a RuPaul lookalike.

Yes RuPaul the well known drag queen. He must think like a few of my friends at work who think Bosh may be 'suspect'.

The Story That Won't Die

I'm sure you've heard what everyone else has. You know, Jesse Jackson's statement about Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. In a nutshell, he said Gilbert's reaction to LeBron James' departure from the Cavaliers reflected a slavemaster mentality. Sorry Jesse, I don't think it's that deep. While I don't agree with the way Gilbert reacted, I also don't think of major league sports owners as "slavemasters". Hell, James must be the most encumbered slave in the history of the United States. If making around $20 million is being enslaved, then put the shackles on me and sign me up. This adds another level of absurdity to this whole saga.

First, I don't agree with the way James put his free agent status on display. It was ridculous. Lots of people watched,but it was ridiculous. I don't agree with the way he left the Cavs in a lurch. If he knew he was going to leave, he could've told them sooner so they could proceed with a plan B. Now you know why Gilbert is so angry.

Which brings me to Gilbert. I hate to say it, but he acted like a bitch. I can understand he has to galvanize the fan base in Cleveland to sell tickets and make money. But with the fans already burning James' jersey, he did nothing but add fuel to the fire and possibly put James' life in danger anytime he sets foot in the State of Ohio. I do agree with Jackson in that regard. Gilbert knows he's lost about half the value of his team and they're about to return to the Cadavalier days and he knows it. He also knows he won't win a championship before James in Miami,but he has to be a showman to get someone to buy tickets there.

Now this is something Jesse Jackson shouldn't be involved in. It was front page and I guess he had to get involved and get in the spotlight in some kind of way. Comparing this to slavery is an insult to thosewho went through it and the descendants of those who went through involuntary servitude. Last time I checked playing in the NBA was the farthest thing from slavery, involuntary servitude, etc. Please,stay out of this one Jesse. Isn't there some hostages that need to be freed somewhere?

This story just doesn't want to die. All parties besides James, need to let go and move on.

Champagne Dreams Gone In The Wind

For the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and their fans their championship dreams are LeGone. Gone down to Miami, with the dozens of fans and thousands of others that have jumped on the bandwagon in South Beach. Right now is a desperate time for Cleveland and their fans. A group of people that have had the dagger in their heart over and over. The champagne dreams they had had with LeBron are now replaced with thirst and the taste of Steel Reserve.

From way back in 1954, when Willie Mays robbed Vic Wertz in the World Series, sports in Cleveland hasn't been the same. Sure they still can hold on to the black and white footage of Jim Brown running over the Colts back in 1964, but that's about all they have to hold on to. Let's see, there was 1981 when Mike Davis picked off Brian Sipe on that cold day in Municipal Stadium. How about The Drive and The Fumble in consecutive years, the latter which the fans of Cleveland ran Earnest Byner out of town. Never mind he was the reason the Browns were in the position they were because of him. There also was another AFC title game loss to the Broncos. There was The Shot, which brought Craig Ehlo into kids' bedrooms across America (posterized). Brad Daughtery's bad back, Danny Ferry being a bust. Art Modell moving the Browns franchise out of Cleveland. The city to reap the benefits of a Super Bowl winner, Baltimore. There was 1994, when the Indians finally righted the ship only to have a  the rug pulled out from a possible World Series winning team due to a strike/lockout. There was World Series loss to Atlanta. The memory of Joe Table (Jose Mesa) not being able to close the deal against the Marlins in 97. Or was it 98? The playoff loss to the Steelers in which the Browns wasted a sizable lead. The ALCS where the Indians blew a 3-1 lead against the Red Sox.

Cleveland's luck looked to change for the better when the Cavs drafted LeBron James. He led them to the brink of the playoffs, then went on to crash the big stage,dethroning the Detroit Pistons as kings of the East. He never made it back to the Finals,as the last two years proved to be disappointing, bowing out to the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics in six games both years. Which leads us to this. Owner Dan Gilbert says that the "curse" will go down south with James. Sorry Dan, this ain't the Bobby Layne Lions curse here. The champagne will be replaced with Steel Reserve and Cleveland fans will remain thirsty for another 50 plus years, because as I see it right now there is no hope with the Browns, Indians, or Cavaliers. Hey Clevelanders, at least you have the Buckeyes and old Jim Brown footage. How about this, you guys can come up here and pull for our perennial losers, the Detroit Lions. 

Gilbert Is Being Foolish

With the LeBron James "decision" brings the question, where is the loyalty in sports? Quick answer. Never has,never will be. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert found this out the hard way. Now he's acting like an angry ex wife whose husband has decided that he wants to move on because he knows things aren't going to work out.

Thing is,Gilbert tried a dirtbag move when he tried to pry Tom Izzo out of Mchigan State. Nevermind the fact that Michigan is the place where Izzo was born and raised and he bleeds green and white. He fired a coach and general manager that got the Cavaliers to their only Finals appearance in franchise history. There's no loyalty there. So,of course when James skips town, he questions his loyalty to the franchise, city of Cleveland, and the state of Ohio. Furthermore, selling James' Fathead for $17.41. The year 1741 is Benedict Arnold's birth year.

I can understand his frustration. He just doesn't have to act like a child that didn't get his way. Cavalier fans were already running around burning James jerseys and the way it was going it could've been a near riot.Then Gilbert writes his open letter to te fans to further stir up the hornets nest. I do see where he's coming from. Circling the wagons, rallying the fans, to keep some interest in his team. Especially since its value is losing millions as we speak. With the open letter, he might have saved a little value. But we all know that the Cavs are gonna be worth a 77 Pinto and a bag of hockey pucks when its all said and done. He could've done this differently. I don't disagree with what he did, just how he did it. He did this clumsily and it could cost him with high profile players in the future.

Gilbert is a businessman, a pretty good one from what I understand. I'm sure he's had to let some people go in this current economic climate. He should know this is a cutthroat world and sports isn't any different. He should go ask Mike Brown and Danny Ferry about that.