The Cavaliers won their third Central Division title in franchise history Wednesday night with a 99-94 victory over the Pacers (read Brian Windhorst's blog here for more on this story).I think this is worth mentioning because, as I just said, it's just third division title in franchise history and just the second in 31 years (First: 1975-67 season, second: 2008-09, third: 2009-10). In some sports, there are teams like the Braves, or the Yankees, or the Colts, who win their respective divisions every season and hanging a banner is nothing new. Yes, the Cavs have much higher goals than a Central Division title. But it still means something, if only for the rarity of the occasion and also the manner in which the Cavs accomplished it this season: there are still 13 games left. To be fair, it's also worth mentioning the other teams in the Central: Bucks (36-30), Bulls (31-36), Pistons (23-45) and Pacers (22-46). Some pretty bad teams there, yes.
- Here are the Cavs' next five opponents: at Bulls (Friday), vs. Pistons (Sunday), at Hornets (Wednesday March 24), at Spurs (Friday, March 26) and vs. Kings (Sunday, March 28). The Cavs could easily go 4-1 in that stretch, with the tough spot in San Antonio. The Cavs did just beat the Spurs, without LeBron, last week.
- I saw this on ESPN.com this morning: LeBron had 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against the Pacers Wednesday night. He passed Magic Johnson to become just the third player to have 49 or more games with 30-plus points, eight-plus rebounds and eight-plus assists. Just in case you didn't know: LeBron is pretty damn good.
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Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted to using cocaine in 2009 (read the ESPN.com story here). Washington tested positive, entered Major League Baseball's drug treatment program and offered his resignation, which club president Nolan Ryan refused to accept. Ryan said he did a lot of "soul searching" and decided to keep Washington on the job, as he signed through the upcoming season. "Just because somebody makes a mistake doesn't mean you quit loving them. We'll move forward."
OK. How nice, sympathetic and supportive.
Are you kidding me? There are so many things wrong with this. So many things. How about the fact that YOUR MANAGER DOES COCAINE. Mangers get fired for losing baseball games, some even get fired after winning seasons (see Mike Hargrove). This guy does coke! What is this, Scarface??
Washington said he used cocaine only once during the 2009 season. When asked if that was the only time he used illegal drugs, Washington said, "The drug we're talking about, yes." Once again, so many things wrong here. Now he is implying that he uses or has used other illegal drugs. People, if this isn't ground for firing this guy, what is? If you are a Rangers player, fan or executive, is this the guy you want managing your team? Running your club? How utterly ridiculous. What are the odds that Ryan, or whoever the Rangers' owner is decides to do more "soul searching" and can Ron Washington? I'd say pretty good odds. Quick, somebody get Vegas on the line.
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Former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson signed with the Cardinals on Wednesday. Arizona gave Anderson a two-year contract worth $7.25 million. With incentives, the deal would max out around $18 million. Former Southern Cal star and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart is projected as the Cardinals starter, as Kurt Warner retired following this past season. If anything, this move shows just how much confidence the Cardinals have in Leinart, who boasts a career 70.8 passer rating (Anderson's is 69.7). I hope my dripping sarcasm was evident there. If I was Matt Leinart, I'd go ahead and call it quits now. He's probably got some cash banked. He can probably find work on a reality TV show of some kind. If the Cardinals are bringing in the worst quarterback in the NFL and are paying him $7.25 million dollars, that tells me they aren't so sure Leinart is the QB of the future. That also tells me this franchise is in real, serious trouble. Apparently the front office did not see any game film of Derek Anderson. Or they can't read statistics. Or they didn't know Anderson was cut in favor of Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. Sorry, Cardinals fans. I feel your pain.
* Photo courtesy of The Plain Dealer
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