Around the Association: 2009-2010 Cleveland Cavaliers - Now or Never

It wasn't enough.

Now?  BRING IN THE ORIGINAL SUPERMAN! 

Jump for some predictions about the Cavs.

Rewinding 2k8-2k9 Season: 66-16

This kind of hurts.  Instead of trying to take words to describe it all, I'm going to let my good buddy YouTube handle it.

Let's start with some LeBron love.

Top 10 LeBron James Plays of the 2009 Season (via NBA)

Now for some MVP honors.

LeBron James MVP Press Conference (via NBA)

Now for some Warrior fan torture.

LeBron James Game Winner (1.23.09) (via 23witty)

Followed by some Magic fan torture. 

LeBron James - Game 2 buzzer beater vs. Magic (05/22/09) HQ (via LiveTalkRADIO)

Finally some Cavalier fan death. 

Cavs vs Magic Game 6 2009 NBA Playoffs - 5/30/09 - Jalen Rose Analyzes on ESPN (via JalenTV)

'NUFF Said.

Projecting 2k9-2k10 Season: 66-18

How can I predict that they win exactly the same amount of games next year as they did this year?  It's quite simple really.  66 games is a lot of games to win.  Do I think they're going to be a better team?  Yes.  The addition of Shaq is HUGE and they're playing with twin towers down low with Big Z and Shaq D.  But it's also kind of silly to say they'll win more than 66.

I commend the Cavs in recognizing that they needed to make offseason moves despite having the best record last year.  Over the summer they managed to

• Trade for Shaquille O'Neal (Ben Wallace + Sasha Pavlovic)
• Resign Anderson Varejao to a contract worth up to $50 million
•  Acquired wings Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon
• Signed Leon Powe
  
• MOST IMPORTANTLY - brought in my man Rob Kurz!

It's obvious that the Cavs are looking at this as their last season with LBJ.  Will he book it to NYC?  I say yes.  It might be harder for him to win a championship at first, but if the Knicks manage to pull in another big name (Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudamire, Dwayne Wade) then LBJ can have his ring in less than 3 years. 

Big market, big fans, big arena, big player.  It only makes sense. 

With all of that kept in mind, do the Cavs have the talent and chemistry to pull it off this year?

I say yes. 

Shaq is a BIG factor and he's at the point in his career where he's ready to play #2 and win his last ring.  Last year's MVP is ready to bring one home for his home state before he books it.  The Celtics and Magic are stacked as well and it's really any man's game to claim the champion status.  I'm putting my money on the Cavs.

Golden Predictions

• Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA for the second year
• LBJ repeats his MVP status
• Shaq repeats his All-Star status
• LeBron + Shaq > Kobe + Pau
• Cleveland takes home the title
• King James dons a Knicks jersey in 2010