When the game finished, I wasn’t even that depressed. Being down 22 midway through the 3rd quarter removed all doubt for me. After a good 1st quarter, it looked as if  the Cavs were 1/2 step behind the Magic until I realized the Magic were a 1/2 step  ahead of the Cavs. They smelled blood and went for the  kill. They were energetic, focused and damn, they were on fire. They started slow but finished strong. Isn’t that what good teams do? The Magic did the same to the Celtics in game 7 in Boston. All I can say is  congratulations to the Magic you were the  better team this  year, but really, Dwight Howard scoring 40 is inexcuseable.

All this series did was show Danny Ferry and the rest of the brass what we are lacking: a  top notch center.  Orlando,  Boston, and Cleveland will be the  top  teams and the bar has been set. Garnet and  Howard are amazing talents, not to metion back to back Defensive Players of the Year. Ferry has to get help at center to offset those guys. If he doesn’t we’ll be stuffed in these bridemaids dresses again for years to come. My vote is Yao Ming or some young backup center like Gortat from Orlando or Bynum of the  Lakers.

Finally (and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to bring this up) is the matter of Lebron James last night. Even though he scored 25, I don’t think he went  after the  Magic. He drove, and just when he got close to the basket, he’d kick out to West or Gibson. He looked unsure of himself and not aggressive at all. We lost by 13, 103-90, and the difference was 3 extra 3 pointers by the Magic and 6 extra free throws. I can’t help but think Lebron could have made up those 9 points somewhere if he’d played up to his usual capabilities. Afterall, James had been averaging about 35 points per game. Free throws. I just can’t explain why we were 11-22. Baffles me.

So we move onto the Indians and  Browns. Even though the Tribe  is  playing awful and  half the team is on the disabled list, we’re only 7.5 out of first. I’m not  giving up yet although I’m in no hurry to watch them on TV (unless I need a nap).

The Browns seem to be on the right track so far. It seems I look for any mini-camp news in the PD. I can’t believe I care what music is blaring through the loud  speaker system at camp, but I do. And why do I believe Mangini when he says he’s preparing the team for loud noises during the season? Yes, yes, we’re hanging on any football news and information we can get here in C-Town but I’m not completely buying into the coaching staff..yet. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.  Nick