I've had some time to digest the Cavs loss now. We were at Paul's, so to have a Cleveland team lose while watching over there isn't exactly a new feeling. I'm not sure what went on last night because the Cavs layed an egg, almost from the start.

The early sign for me that they were in trouble was rebounding. The Cavs have been an exceptional rebounding team in recent years and it helps them get through some games where not a whole lot else is working. Final total: Orlando with 47, the Cavs with 34 rebounds.

Looks like Ben Wallace will retire. He was definitely not 100% in this series. The effort was there, but when he says "it's a young man's game now", he needs to keep his word on retiring. Can't have someone with limited offensive skills combined with self-doubt.

Wally Szczerbiak is done here. Two airballs last night and Game 7 against Boston last year are two black marks on his resume. Sasha Pavlovic probably joins him as an ex-Cav. Somehow became a savior in Game 2, ruining LeBron's celebration, BTW, then slinked back under a rock for the rest of the Orlando series, playing only 6 minutes the last three games. The trade for Joe Smith worked all the way to the Orlando series, where he lost a chunk of playing time. Only played 7 minutes total in Game 4 (a bad game) and 5, and took a DNP in Game 6...it's a mystery!

So, will the roster have a major overhaul? Daniel Gibson was awful, then hurt, last night. He took a -16 last night. I'd say he is a shaky returnee. We don't hear much about him being "LeBron's little brother" anymore.

Anderson Varejao gives the Cavs a lot of energy and actually had a really good season this year as a starter for a length of time. But when he fouls and doesn't get the flops called, oh, it can make for a long night. I believe he's a restricted free agent. Does he start next year, go back to the bench, leave, what?

Z was bad in Game 6. Could not handle Dwight Howard from the opening tip in Game 1. Showed some signs of life throughout offensively, but his defensive deficiencies, guarding the high screens and pick and rolls, caused everyone to work a lot harder on defense. He has a player option and I'm sure he's a starter next year.

LeBron was LeBron, as ever. A historic series, no doubt, but played sort of an odd Game 6. It had to be mentally and physically exhausting to carry everyone for the whole Orlando series. I don't hold too much against him for leaving the court immediately after the game. It's not like he can't text Dwight Howard an hour after the game or anything. The NBA will take care of not meeting with the media and fine him for that. No issue with him. A player for the ages.

Delonte West. His stock rose in my eyes. Tough player. He was a keeper in the Boston series last year and after a rough start in this series, he came around nicely. Took the tough defensive assignments without complaint and probably tried the hardest of someone not named LeBron James against Orlando. Look at the minutes played against the Magic: 47, 46, 43, 47, 41, 46. Nice moment when he congratulated his old college teammate, Jameer Nelson, after game 6. Not sure why he undressed to do it, but hey.

Brings us to Mo Williams. Thought to be the perfect compliment to LeBron...until about 11 days ago. Had a terrible playoff run. It was his first time through the playoff wars, so I'm not sure what to make of it. I do know that he will take the most heat of the players this summer.

Coach Mike Brown was stubborn against Orlando. He would not play LeBron on Lewis or Turkoglu for any extended period of time. It may have helped steal one of the losses, but Orlando shot so well in this series, I'm not sure what he could have done. Everything he tried, from fouling Dwight Howard to defending screens and pick and rolls, failed. Only bullet he had left at the end was Hack-A-Dwight and he chose not to do that. He will take lots of heat this summer.

The Cavs had a championship-worthy team, but fell short against Orlando. Losing Game 6, 103-90.

Meal of Links

Husband wants a rusty trombone for his birthday. Wife needs to look that one up.

The killing of an abortion doctor in a church in Kansas is dominating the news today. Here is an interesting read.

Larry the Cable Guy is not one of the Top 10 Most Influential Comedians this century. He's just not. Bill Burr makes me laugh.

Bill Burr



Exercise Yard

Joba Chamberlain starts against the Indians tomorrow. Mike Francesa is not impressed.

Visitor

None, on a beautiful Sunday.