SB Nation Cleveland: All Posts by Scott Sargent

The secret world of NBA daps: The choreographed pregame rituals that have become an integral part of pro basketball

2013-05-01T14:49:58Z

The darkness fades and gives way to the fluorescent lights overhead. A man — nearly seven feet tall — jogs toward a group of similarly sized men. He approaches one with both hands raised. Their fists meet with a brief collision before the two men step back and engage in a high-five that includes two slaps of the palm, a backhand, another slap of the palm and an elbow. The entire process ends with a pirouette, a meeting of their right elbows and a leap into the air where their hips touch. The men grin and carry on as if what just transpired was involuntary, pure instinct.

Before every contest is a ritual moment, one rarely televised, but nearly as vital to the event as the national anthem or opening tip.

Getty Images

Before every contest in the NBA is a ritual moment, one rarely televised, but nearly as vital to the event as the national anthem or opening tip. Individually, players may have their own superstitions, ranging from special pre-game meals to which pair of socks they don on a given night. Once these men join together on the floor, however, all individuality evaporates into a thick mist of camaraderie and chemistry, asserted in a theatrical and choreographed ceremony.

When the lights go out, the moment begins, first expressed through high-priced video production, bright lights, the bone-rattling bass of a choice hip-hop track, and a city specific shout-out. Adrenaline levels rise and it is this exact moment — regardless of the setting, rooting interest or win-loss record — where fans come together as one in anticipation of what is about to unfold before their eyes, be it a decisive victory over a division rival, the upset of a more talented foe, or a crushing loss.

But first, this: Once the lights come back on and the high-decibel introductions are over, there are 90 seconds when each team floats together with seamless grace, nearly oblivious to anything else. Each player is subconsciously aware of where the others are, and each waits his turn to join in on a kind of hardwood dance, precise as a ballet, with flourishes of fist-bumps and high-fives, forearm bashing and courtesy bows, a well-orchestrated rite most players could perform blindfolded. To most fans, these elaborate gestures between teammates are just another evolutionary part of the game’s modern-day culture — one that includes increasingly exuberant sartorial choices, competitive friendships and countless pairs of Beats by Dre headphones. To others, these moves are merely signs of encouragement and support. But to most players, these moves are nothing shy of requisite, bordering on involuntary, ripe with meaning.

They are the players’ pre-game inspiration, their way of showing solidarity, of the one becoming part of the many, aka the "dap."

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The origin of the term dap is rooted in mystery, but is universally understood among NBA brethren to be a greeting that, regardless of setting, doubles as a sign of respect. Word-of-mouth history suggests that the term, an acronym for "dignity and pride," was first introduced by African-American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Conversely, overwrought critics have recently offered that the dap is a sign of the deconstruction of formal Western culture, erasing the more formal — and far more obligatory and meaningless — handshake. A dap can be as simple as the mutual knocking of a fist or as complicated as a series of hand-to-hand gestures coupled with moves rooted in pop culture significance. Whatever the mechanics, and however animated the moves, the dap is rarely spontaneous. It is predetermined, orchestrated and usually executed flawlessly by the men who, for the next 48 minutes, hope to reach the same level of perfection on the basketball court.

The dap is rarely spontaneous. It is predetermined, orchestrated and usually executed flawlessly.

The pre-game dap is rarely identical, skin-slapping snowflakes, colorful, animated and utterly unique physical graffiti, marking out their territory in the game. The dap has taken the brusque formality of the handshake and the "break a leg" good luck wish, turned both inside out and added one more key element: swagger.

"Swagger" is as prominent in today’s NBA game as the pick-and-roll or help-side defense. While perceived by some to represent a form of arrogance or aggression, many players in the league use it as a gauge of confidence. With confidence comes peacocking, and with peacocking comes presentation. And in those 90 seconds — the window allotted by the NBA thanks to a recent rule designed to limit time spent gallivanting about the baseline before the game — the presentation unfolds in a variety of ways.

Daniel Gibson, a guard on the Cleveland Cavaliers, is one of the many players in the league who serves as his respective team’s choreographer. While his rituals begin while the lights are cut — he plays air drums while the Cavaliers’ starting five is introduced and then runs around the pre-game huddle like a small child who cannot see over his or her larger peers. Once the music changes and the warm-ups come off, he morphs into the antagonist of a hardwood "Harlem Shake."

Gibson begins his particular routine by standing proudly on the baseline near the Cavs' bench and is greeted by teammate and superstar-in-the-making Kyrie Irving. The two players first simultaneously rock back and forth and take a slight jump backwards before lunging at one another for a series of low-fives with alternating hands. Once these are complete, both players stand upright, point their right hands to the sky and shake their heads with childlike smiles gracing their faces. Before Gibson releases Irving to the next teammate, he turns to his left and is met by power forward Tristan Thompson. The two players exchange sets of fives (or tens, depending on the technicalities) before elevating their hands for a set of overhead fist-pounds followed by a chest-bump. Without taking more than a step, Gibson next finds himself with Cavaliers’ small forward Alonzo Gee. The two engage in their own form of handshakes before spinning away from one another with a series of small leaps. After giving a five and a chest-bump to new teammates Marreese Speights and Chris Quinn, Gibson sidesteps into veteran small forward Omri Casspi and the two players enact a quick Kung-Fu-esque pattern of would-be strikes and blocks. They finish with a ritualistic bow of respect and an open-palmed thumb to the forehead — American Sign Language for "father." Gibson then turns to longtime teammate Anderson Varejao. The two greet each other with alternating double-fisted blows to the chest and a "bro" hug. Gibson then caps off the entire routine with a hip-bump to teammate Luke Walton. But not just one hip-bump — there is no minimalism in the world of pre-game dap, oh no. The two players engage in two quick hip-bumps before feigning as if each man is walking away — they then quickly turn and sprint toward each other for a third, and final, bump.

"It’s about that swag. It’s about that flavor."

"It’s all about finding out what each player is about," says Gibson with his trademark smile. "It’s about that swag. It’s about that flavor."

According to Gibson, the dap traditionally takes a considerable time to create but remain fluid; they can evolve if they become stale. This evolution is often ruled by superstition; some players stick to a certain gesture if the result of the subsequent game is a victory or an exemplary individual performance, while a loss or bad shooting night can lead to a change. A seven-year veteran, Gibson has executed countless pre-game daps with players ranging from two-time MVP LeBron James all the way down to players whose time in the league has been limited to a 10-day contract. Every player, regardless of his status, takes part.

Frequently used gestures include anything rooted in the sport of boxing or the martial arts or other pursuits specific to an individual player. When current Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin broke onto the scene, he and former teammate Landry Fields drew up a dap that blended book reading — Lin attended Harvard — with a respectful bow — because Lin is of Chinese descent. Today in Houston, Lin and teammates James Harden and Chandler Parsons engage in a three-way dap involving karate-like strikes capped off with, naturally, a ritualistic bow. Gibson’s favorite dap this season, however, is the one he created with rookie shooting guard Dion Waiters. The two players merely do a double fist-bump and then wiggle their arms as an homage to the J.J. Evans character portrayed by comedian Jimmy Walker from the ’70s sitcom "Good Times."

A litmus test for swagger, these daps are created before or after practice, in the locker room or on the court, during pre-game shootaround or while spending a night on the town after a game on the road. Their own biographies and the world of pop culture provide an unending stream of inspiration. Good times, indeed.

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David Liam Kyle/Getty Images

Gibson’s pre-game routine is just one of the many within the league. They occasionally include not just players, but even security guards, ushers, coaches, trainers, play-by-play men, family members, assorted hangers-on and fans. As a sign of team chemistry — and to keep from interrupting a successful sequence — injured and inactive players often continue to participate. Many players claim their dap is rooted in high school, beginning behind the scenes in the privacy of cramped prep locker rooms, without all of the lights and fanfare, performed only for each other. As each climbed higher on the basketball-playing ladder, however, the handshakes and hip-bumps became that much more intricate and visible.

Gibson’s former coach, Byron Scott, considers himself something of a bit of an NBA historian. He sometimes finds today’s players baffling, not only for their friendship with opposing players whom they are supposed to loathe, but also for their lack of knowledge concerning basketball's past. At one point last season, he became incensed when a few of his players had never heard of longtime point guard and five-time NBA All-Star Sidney Moncrief. Scott, however, understands that today’s players do not share the same mindset as his teammates during the days of Jack Nicholson and the Showtime Lakers. Today’s players are often more concerned with building their own brand and trade more in tomorrow than yesterday. While it may be tough for him to embrace their behavior, the paternal Scott knows that some battles are just not worth fighting.

"I think our players are more into entertaining than we were in our day."

"I know when I was in Indiana in the early ‘90s, the lights didn’t go down, but Reggie Miller had a couple of little handshakes that we did, but that was about it," said Scott of the evolution of the pre-game. "When I got to Jersey as a coach [in 2000], the lights didn’t go down, but when I got to New Orleans, you started to see the Megatron or whatever and guys doing their little rituals.

"I think the chemistry thing is probably the thing I would think that would be the big reasons. I think some of it from a basketball standpoint has to do with entertainment. I think our players are more into entertaining than we were in our day; I think the league has obviously evolved around entertaining."

Entertainment, as Scott notes, is unquestionably an integral ingredient of today’s NBA experience. The league itself even pieces together the most interesting pre-game dap and handshakes and put them on their official YouTube channel. In the latest version of NBA 2K13, the officially licensed video game, players engage in a handful of pre-game rituals ranging from mere handshakes and hugs to something a little more involved such as Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade doing pull-ups from the rim or Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett head-butting the stanchion.

The pre-game ritual of Reggie Miller described by Scott is one of the trailblazing daps in the history of the league. In 1994, when the Pacers were in their playoff heyday, Miller created a complex routine that involved his teammates, including bashing elbows, multiple fist-pounds, a chest-thump, under-leg claps, a kick, a moonwalk, two spins and then concluded with the violent, Hulk Hogan-like removal of his warm-ups.

In 2009, a pair of Golden State Warriors unveiled what may have been one of the most discussed pre-game daps of all time. The ritual created by guard Monta Ellis and forward Corey Maggette lasted almost a full minute. While facing one another, the two players started by shuffling their feet 15 times before, in unison, doing the same thing twice more at half speed. Then, while still facing one another, both Ellis and Maggette would hop — again, in unison — back and forth along the baseline 16 times before faking three low-fives, ultimately engaging in a single low-five before standing upright and executing one of the more complicated, multi-step handshakes known to man. Ellis would then throw two fake jabs at Maggette who would, naturally, act as if he had been hit. Then the two men would hug and be on their way.

If a team does not complete their choreography before the minute-and-a-half mark, the referees assess a delay of game penalty.

As these rituals began to expand in complexity as each player and team tried to top others, like two rappers doing battle, they took longer and longer to play out — Gibson’s Cavaliers were among the chief violators when James was a teammate. As a result, the league decided to put its freshly shined, wing-tipped foot down and exert its authority. Beginning in the fall of 2012, the NBA instituted the infamous 90-second rule, which means that once introductions are completed, officials add 90 seconds to the game clock, signaled by multiple blares of the buzzer. If a team does not complete their choreography before the minute-and-a-half mark, the referees assess a delay of game penalty. Two delay of game penalties, in turn, result in a technical foul. Given that it is not unusual for games to be won or lost by a single point, this new rule was effective from the start even as it drew the ire of top stars like Miami’s Wade and James, and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.

"To be clear, the goal wasn’t to speed up the games but to start on time," said NBA representative Tim Frank. "The actual time of game wouldn’t change because that starts when the ball goes up. This focus is on the time leading up to the tip.

"We feel that [with this rule] we have had success in doing that. We have had only 11 delay of game warnings this season. So, clearly, when you consider we’ve played almost 1,200 games to this point, it’s pretty clear the focus has had its desired impact."

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Gibson’s fellow choreographers include other guards like Miami’s Mario Chalmers and Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday. Both of these younger, more energetic players can be found amidst their pre-game scrums, pinballing their way through the chaos while flawlessly executing their dap.

Chalmers has kept his rituals since his high school days at Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Ala., when the point guard created elaborate handshakes with two of his closest friends. He then took both his game and his dap to Kansas for the Jayhawks, where he hit game-winning shots in the NCAA tournament. After joining Miami in 2008, Chalmers developed daps with fellow guards Wade and James Jones. Today, he spirals through the entire Heat roster before a game, even including the team’s security guards and courtside broadcasting crew within his routine.

"We all have different handshakes and things that we do, it’s all about personalities."

In 2011, Chalmers became an Internet celebrity when a pre-game handshake with LeBron James went viral. In it, the two players casually walked up to one another and began flailing their arms until they executed two low-fives before flailing some more and thrusting their hips toward one another. Meanwhile, veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas walked between them as if they were invisible to everyone but themselves.

"Chemistry feeds a lot into it," said Chalmers. "We all have different handshakes and things that we do, it’s all about personalities.

"It’s a little bit of trial and error. The one with LeBron, we came up with; the one with D-Wade, I came up with. It’s just thinking of something, seeing if the other person agrees with it and going from there."

Holiday echoes Chalmers’ sentiments in regard to dap being all about chemistry and camaraderie. He calls his individual handshakes "special," a kind of sacred bond between teammates. Close friends with Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner, Holiday has individual handshakes and gestures with both.

In Indiana, the choreographer is not a shifty point guard but 6’9 center Jeff Pendergraph. Although Pendergraph is just in his third year in the NBA, he is chairman of the Pacers’ department of motivation, creating elaborate routines with some of the team’s biggest stars including point guard George Hill and All-Star small forward Paul George.

"I’m the guy who got it started — I’m the one initiating it," said Pendergraph of the pre-game daps. "I lead the pre-game huddle. All of the stuff we do to get everybody going, I don’t know if it’s choreography, but we definitely just try to get everybody going. It stems from that pre-game huddle — every guy, we all have a little thing that we all do together that we do before the game.

"It doesn't change game to game, but it does evolve every year. The only thing that’s different is the pre-game huddle — it’s not scripted, it’s whatever comes to mind. The stuff that I do individually with the guys, it’s stuff that we might have done on accident one game, or something that we did during practice or while hanging out with each other one day that we like and just stuck with it, and it’s what we do with each other during the game."

Pendergraph, like many of the other choreographers, is part of the NBA’s younger generation who has not only grown up with dap, but seen the pre-game show evolve over time. He, too, found himself in a cubicle-sized locker room in high school, trying to "get everybody going," and he views the rituals as public displays of team chemistry. When the Cavaliers give high-fives with the backs of their hands, it has specific meaning. According to veteran guard Shaun Livingston, it refers to "leaving no fingerprints on the crime scene." When the Heat thrust hips and the Los Angeles Clippers put on pre-game dunk contests, per Pendergraph, it demonstrates team unity and togetherness.

"A lot of best friends have funny handshakes," said Pendergraph. "Something that they always talk about when they see each other. That’s kind of like our thing, it helps build that togetherness."

The generational gap intimated by Scott, however, is not specific to the dynamic between players and coaches. Despite the current trends, there are some teams in the league that prefer to focus more on the task at hand — the game — than anything fabricated in the name of entertainment. While he may represent a dying breed, Brooklyn Nets swingman Jerry Stackhouse prefers to prove his worth on the court after the tip-off rather than on the sideline before it.

Despite the current trends, there are some teams in the league that prefer to focus more on the task at hand — the game.

USA Today Images

Before a recent late-season contest, as the latest from hip-hop artists Drake and 2 Chainz echoed throughout the Nets' locker room, several of the younger members of the team sat outside of their lockers at the far end of the facility. At the near end, closer to the training room door, a seasoned Stackhouse sat idle outside of his locker, filling out forms to allow friends and family to gain access to the bowels of the arena. While the Russell Westbrooks of the league opt for flamboyantly bright patterned shirts and hipster glasses, Stackhouse wears beige head-to-toe — a cable-knit sweater and a pair of slacks. If the younger generation represents the peacock, Stackhouse represents the bland walls of a corporation — statuesque and strictly business.

The Nets, despite moving to New York and being partially owned by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z (née Shawn Carter), are one of the less active teams when it comes to exotic rituals and pre-game dap. During opening night this past fall at the beautifully pristine Barclays Center, instead of fighting off a gauntlet of teammates, each awaiting a specific handshake, the team came out of the tunnel unadorned, one-by-one.

"I think our lack of an elaborate show is typical of who we represent," said Stackhouse. "Being in Brooklyn, more of a hardcore-type borough, we keep it in between the lines. You look at the teams that get excited like that — the Los Angeleses, the Miamis, more of the high-profile-type cities — I think we keep it simple. We have a routine that we do, we support each other and dap each other before we go out on the floor, but we have a rhythm. It’s a bond, but we’re not over the top with it. I think we just try to be consistent."

Stackhouse’s mentality is indicative of his roots. His coach at North Carolina, Dean Smith, taught him to act as if he had done it before. While he may have let his emotions get the best of him after a particularly monstrous dunk over the Duke Blue Devils in Cameron Arena, those days are in the rearview mirror. Since that dunk, Stackhouse has played in Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta and now Brooklyn. Today, the 38-year-old punches his timecard and proceeds accordingly, ignoring the chaos and heeding the lessons of Smith. If he happens to dunk on two opponents, so be it. While he’s aware of the ever-growing juggernaut called "swagger," it is an ingredient that he would much rather cook without.

"I think the word ‘swag’ has taken on a life of its own," said Stackhouse. "Some people feel like it’s a way they can market themselves or bring attention to themselves — maybe more attention than they deserve. So whether it’s right or wrong, in my mind it’s wrong, but in society’s mind it might be OK and be accepted. I have a lot of old-school values, I don’t knock it. But I understand it’s the evolution of the game."

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It is difficult to envision a day in the modern NBA where "swag" is no longer a chief item in most players' skill set. Before his rookie debut in 2010, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall broke out a lengthy version of "The Dougie," a nearly unavoidable dance craze at the time. While many fans enjoyed it, the show drew the ire of some who chastised the player for acting in a way that was not earned — he had, after all, not yet played a minute in the NBA. And when the Cavaliers were in the midst of their perennial playoff runs, LeBron James and Gibson often took part in an elaborate, fake family photograph session before each tip-off that took several minutes to unfold. The move was deemed "clownish and classless" by at least one impatient member of the national media.

Byron Scott is not the only recent or current NBA coach who generally pays no attention to the pre-game dap. Brooklyn's interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo completely ignores what goes on in front of his bench before games, regardless of how business-like it may be. When pressed for his thoughts on the matter, Wizards coach Randy Wittman, protégé of Bobby Knight, treated the topic of pre-game dap as if his team was just assessed one of the 11 delay of game warnings. "You’ve got to be kidding me," he said when probed on the topic.

Siding with the league and the new mandate, Scott feels that the new rule is fair for both sides. "I think what the new rule has done is it’s speeding up the process in terms of ‘Let’s get it done and get the game going,’" he said. "Before, there would be one guy at the scorer’s table, and he’s doing something. One guy’s over here with his partner and they’re doing something. Meanwhile, officials are out there with the ball waiting. That minute-and-a-half, guys still get it done. It’s just quicker now — more efficient and quicker."

In a game where everything is marketed, the pre-game dap, often taking place before the camera is turned on, is something owned by the players, and for the players.

For today’s players, "getting it done" is the point. They have seemingly taken the quintessential pat of the rear end and cranked up the dial exponentially. In a game where everything is commercialized and marketed, the pre-game dap, often taking place before the camera is turned on, is something owned by the players, and for the players, and still relatively free of marketing and commercialization. Priceless possessions, pre-game daps are something that some fans (and coaches) may never understand simply because of their apparently out-of-proportion significance to the players who use them. When he played for Cleveland back in 2008, eccentric point guard Damon Jones pointedly told The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg not to ask questions about the pre-game gestures. "I can't tell you anything about the handshakes, I'd have to kill you," he said. "I do a handshake with each individual guy, and that's sacred." He was not kidding — not entirely, anyway.

In the end, while the league has tried to reign in these ever so cherished daps, and confined the practice to 90 seconds, the league has not been able to stop the practice and is almost powerless to do so. Even as dap is restricted by time, it becomes ever more creative and elaborate.

Just as Jones referred to the pre-game dap as "sacred" several years ago, Holiday uses the exact same adjective today. While today’s players covet championships and individual accolades, they also take great pride in each other. Every arena in the league might use pyrotechnics or strobe lights in their pre-game introductions, but only in their pre-game rituals, in the dap, can players express their individuality and demonstrate to one another what it means to be a teammate in today’s NBA. While dap may not jive with the "old school," and causes the league — paranoid about anything it cannot control — some consternation, the practice is unlikely to go away. And in a game and a sport in which everything has a price tag, today’s players make certain their pre-game display of dignity and pride — secretive, sacred, subversive, and served with a side of swagger — is theirs and theirs alone.

Producer: Chris Mottram | Editor: Glenn Stout | Copy Editor: Kevin Fixler

Josh Smith on All-Star status: 'All I can do is keep playing'

2012-12-30T15:00:31Z

(Editors Note - This is a guest post from SB Nation Cleveland's Scott Sargent who caught up with Josh Smith prior to Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.)

CLEVELAND -- Josh Smith is a man without answers. He knows that his Atlanta Hawks are not a team with national allure. He knows that The ATL -- despite Dominique, Spud, Andre 3000, and Luda all sharing eight lanes of rush-hour traffic -- is not among the country's biggest markets. He shares the spotlight with four other men who average double-digit scoring totals. He knows that while his team is 18-9 and a mere two games shy of the Eastern Conference's best record, they will always be the other team in the Miami Heat's division.

In Friday's early-morning shootaround, he can be found running drills with his frontcourt mates, keeping the words of his head coach Larry Drew in the back of his mind -- "Stay aggressive, be you, play your game." He ends the morning's festivities by laughing it up with a few teammates while two separate units practice free throws at each end of the court; Smith gets a rebound and spins the ball in a manner where it rolls across his wiry shoulders and lands in the waiting hands of center Al Horford after one bounce. But when the shootaround is over, Smith tosses on a grey Hawks hoodie, throws the hood up over his head awaiting the elements of a Cleveland, Ohio winter and begins to offer questions to questions.

"I don't know what I can do to get the eye of the national fan," Smith says regarding his perpetual less-than-stellar placement among All-Star vote-getters. "All I can keep to is playing the way I've been playing, progressing as an individual and as a player. I'm not really worried about what's going to happen, but when it does, it will definitely be well appreciated."

It is obviously an unmentioned way of saying "recognition." An All-Star appearance. His name blaring over a loudspeaker amidst pyrotechnics and strobes. Being afforded the opportunity to don an Eastern Conference uniform alongside the best the NBA game has to offer. Smith, while he will say that he doesn't speak much about the All-Star game -- "We just go out each and every game and focus on what we can do to keep meshing as a whole" -- it is evident that the power forward thinks it is his turn to get the nod.

Smith mentions his family, those who love him regardless of good game or bad game, individual accolades or another season of snubs. His mother and father, brothers and sisters, wife and children, and even his close friends who may as well be blood. They're the ones who see what he does not just on the court during the course of a regular season where he has averaged a PER of 19.3 over the past six seasons, but during two-a-day workouts in the offseason and the late, late nights shooting in the gym.

"They want to see me succeed," says Smith. "My family sees the hard work that I put in each and every day, especially in the offseason. They see my production and how I get better on the court and the numbers I put up each and every game -- they're numbers that a lot of people don't get a chance to see.

"They get to see that in me and they definitely want to see that what I've been doing as a player pays off and that I hopefully make it one day."

Drew, Smith's coach, echoes these sentiments. In the Hawks' recent double-overtime win against the Detroit Pistons where Smith finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds, it was the forward's work on the defensive end that left his head coach's mouth agape.

"I don't know what more [Josh] can do to get the recognition he derseves," said Drew. "He guarded all five positions through the course of a single game. Not many guys in the league can do that."

Not every game Smith provides is 48 minutes of All-Star audition. While many of his box scores may be a fantasy basketball owner's dream, the ever-athletic 27-year old leaves enough head-scratching moments that merely serve to benefit his detractors. After scoring just one point over the fourth quarter and two sepearate overtime periods in the win over the Pistons, he and his head coach had a bit of a sit-down where he was made aware of his poor shot selection.

In the very next game, Smith shot 2-of-12, eight of his attempts coming outside of 16 feet. He would be found on the bench for the entire fourth quarter with a strained hip despite his team down seven points at the start. The result was a come-from-behind win on the road, all while Smith was a spectator.

Sure, the recent win had its moments: a two-minute stretch late in the first quarter where Smith found Horford for a two-handed dunk, stripped a ball from Cavs center Tyler Zeller (a steal would be credited to teammate Kyle Korver), taking a charge and then driving for a left-handed lay-in that left him seated in a bay of cameramen. There would also be a crucial blocked shot that resulted in a three-pointer from Kover mid-way through the third quarter as the lead was being flipped like a halftime show acrobat.

But the moment that will stick out will undoubtedly be the fourth-quarter benching due to an in-game injury that may have indirectly proved to be addition by subtraction. These types of moments, coupled with a per-game point total south of 20, lead to Smith having more of a cult following than national acclaim. After all, in the recent release of All-Star vote totals, Smith is slotted just ahead of frontcourt names like Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrew Bynum -- neither player has played a minute on an NBA floor at this point in the season.

While Smith's style of play -- defensive focus married with highlight reel dunks and insane leaping ability -- may not turn the heads of those scrolling through the league's scoring leaders, it has undoubtedly been one that, while frustrating at times, has been among the league's most consistent on both ends of the floor. His aknowledgement of the market size in which he plays may or may not be foreshadowing for his future -- he is, after all, an unrestricted free agent after this season. The mentions of his family may just be means to state that while the All-Star Game is not important, it very much is. But assuming that Smith can stay healthy and keep helping his team amass wins that have them among the best in the league, he appears willing to let the cards fall where they may.

"I played with a guy in Mike Bibby who should have made a couple All-Star games [during his days with the Sacramento Kings] but didn't. He always kept focused on being a better player for his team. That's what I'm concerned about right now. That's what I'm focusing on: how can I continue to get better and help my team."

Scott Sargent is contributor to SB Nation Cleveland and the co-founder and contributing editor to WaitingForNextYear. He can be emailed at scott@waitingfornextyear.com. Follow him at @WFNYScott.

Shaun Livingston signs with Cavs, can he stick as Kyrie Irving's backup?

2012-12-27T14:38:34Z

The night Shaun Livingston walked across the stage of Madison Square Garden during the summer of 2004, Clippers hat loosely affixed over a sea of cornrows, Kyrie Irving was just a 12-year-old kid running post-dinner drills in his driveway. A true point guard with immense talent and measurables -- a seven-foot wingspan, for instance -- that made scouts salivate, Livingston came equipped with top-shelf court vision, could seemingly glide down the entire court in just a few swift strides, and maintained ball-handling skills that could only be found on inner-city blacktop courts. In his essence, Livingston possessed an arsenal that a scrawny and shy Irving was working tirelessly to obtain.

The wiry Livingston would commit to Duke University only to later decide that making the jump straight from his high school in Peoria, Illinois would be the best path for his long-term success. He would be one of eight high school players taken in the first round -- Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, JR Smith and Al Jefferson are just a few others who would make the leap; it was undoubtedly the height of the prep-to-pro wave. Irving would commit to Duke University due to collectively bargained mandates which force NBA-bound athletes to register for at least one year of classes regardless of readiness.

Livingston would take to the league as a raw-yet-waiting-to-burst talent. The NBA-caliber offense would have to develop, but his ability to run the floor and effortlessly slip the ball through reaching would-be defenders only to find teammates for easy baskets was awe-inspiring. Living in lore with the help of YouTube, we can find highlights of Livingston slashing through an opposing defense only to deliver a crisp pass to then teammate Chris Kaman. The burly center would be so wide open thanks to Livingston's crossover that the perfectly delivered pass would deflect off of his hands forcing him to regroup. The defenders had been so wowed by Livingston's choreography that once Kaman finally obtained possession of the basketball, the nearest opponent was still a step and a half away leading to an easy two points. And that size -- good God, that size.

Irving came equipped with his fair share of question marks. He's not as tall as many -- including himself -- would prefer. He only played 11 games at Duke. What Livingston had in terms of a work-in-progress offensive skill set, Irving is among the worst at his position when it comes to defending on the ball.

Eight years and one gruesome knee injury later, the two paths collide as the 27-year-old Livingston was claimed off of waivers by the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team in dire search of someone who can provide depth behind their everything-but-bubblewrapped 20-year-old star. Both men speak softly of living day-to-day -- Irving is attempting to improve; Livingston is attempting to prove that he is worthy of the three-year contract he was afforded in 2010. There were grumblings that Livingston was outplaying Jeremy Lin when both players were with the Houston Rockets earlier this summer, but with Lin being the a 6-foot-3-inch marketing machine, Livingston was waived in order to not bring on any undue controversy. Just three months later, the same player was waived by the worst team in the league, the three-win Washington Wizards.

If any player in the 2004 draft class understands the business aspect of the game, it's Livingston. While Howard and Jefferson and Smith have grown to seemingly map out their own respective futures, Livingston has been forced to deal with the harsh realities of a player who has had to scrape merely to survive on the end of an NBA bench.

Given the flexibility possessed by the Cleveland front office, there's a very good chance that Livingston's tenure with the Cavaliers is short-lived -- they are, after all, his eighth employer since 2008. Irving commands 35 minutes per evening and the ball is in his hands roughly 30 out of every 40 possessions. But just as Livingston has has a career most notably known for the night his knee was torn to shreds, Irving has played in just 70 games while missing 22 with injuries to his head, shoulder, and -- most recently -- a finger. This tally does not even include the missed summer league and preseason play due to a broken hand and the missed flight following a fractured face. Of course, there's also the toe injury which limited Irving's collegiate career to just 11 more games played than Livingston. Alas, the Cavaliers would certainly love to limit the opportunities that their star could once again wind up in the team's world class infirmary.

The once-flashy Livingston has been forced to recreate himself into a heady guard who can utilize his size advantage in the post while using his ability to analyze angles without the ball, weak-side slashing leading to incredible efficiency -- an integral ingredient in a Byron Scott-coached offense. Over the course of his recent vagabond career, Livingston has shown flashes of brilliance, but has quickly followed them up with a stark reminder that the man who takes the floor today is a shadow of the kid who was selected fourth overall on that mid-summer night in New York. For now, Livingston will be forced to watch Kyrie Irving attempt to lead a young team to victory. For now, Livingston will be forced to sit idly while Irving changes directions and spins with the utmost of ease, only to find a wide-open teammate for an easy two points. For now, Livingston will be forced to watch as Irving utilizes all of the tricks that once had him labeled as the future of a star-crossed franchise.

But maybe, just maybe, Shaun Livingston will get his chance -- another chance -- to show that he still has some gas left in that 175-pound tank. The narrative is ripe for a happy ending. The end result will likely be at the peril of the cruel business-based realities of the NBA. But if there is to be any ounce of luck and good fortune thrown Livingston's way, the present -- serving as a safety net to a kid seven years his junior -- would surely be an opportune time.

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Newsmakers: Tom Heckert, Browns front office shuffle dominates headlines

2012-12-21T17:28:26Z

Plenty of new names added to the list this week as the Browns season begins to draw to a close and the changing of the guard in Berea becomes even more inevitable.

1. Pat Shurmur, dead man walking, Cleveland Browns (last week: 1)

Talk about a fall from grace: It was only a week ago where we were discussing the much-maligned head coach of the Cleveland Football Browns retaining his head coaching position that was all but gone. Unfortunately for the 47-year-old play-caller, a soul-crushing loss to the Washington Redskins -- led by a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut as a starter -- all but sealed his fate in Berea.

Playing out the course of the year provides a sticky situation. Naturally, every single down is about the future -- what players are a part of the future, who can make an impact? But with Shurmur likely on his way out, he could be deciding the long-term fate of players who will not be playing for him in as little as two weeks. Given that two defensive starters have recently been added to the injured reserve and one crucial member has been waived, there will be plenty of opportunities for players to prove themselves. Letting Shurmur decide who will get those opportunities, however, seems to be a lost cause in every sense of the phrase.

Quote of the week: "We lost a football game, plain and simple. There's no big picture view of that, other than the fact that we made too many mistakes, and we did not make enough plays to win the football game. That's the situation."

2. Tom Heckert, collateral damage, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Surprising everyone -- potentially even his superiors -- the Browns general manager took to the podium in Berea to clear the air: if he is indeed not a part of this franchise in 2013, it will not be due to his decision to step down.

Providing the Browns with the vast majority of their starting units via the last three NFL Drafts, Heckert is one of -- if not the -- reason that his team has been able to progress the way it has over the course of the last 12 months, winning more games against a considerably tougher schedule, with a considerably younger team.

While he may not share the same vision as Browns CEO Joe Banner, even the most stubborn of controlling business men can't deny the impact Heckert has made on this current cast. Then again, the fact that Heckert's major addition during his first year with the team in defensive back Dimitri Patterson was waived this week -- during the first year of a three-year contract extension, nonetheless -- cannot bode well for the future.

3. Alec Scheiner, team president, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Not much is known about the new President of the Cleveland Browns, but the fact that he's coming from Dallas -- where everything is bigger, better and brand-oriented -- is undoubtedly a positive. During his brief introduction to the city of Cleveland, he pandered a bit to the history and nostalgia that continues to be the face of the Cleveland Browns. But if Scheiner was brought in to do anything, it's to get the Good Ship Cleveland steered back in the right direction after a decade of traveling in circles through deserted waters.

Scheiner has already promised to make the fan experience at Cleveland Browns stadium more exciting and inviting, controlling the controllable while letting the football minds focus their efforts on the on-field product -- a dichotomy not exactly embraced or executed well by the team's former President Mike Holmgren. Between Scheiner, Joe Banner and current Browns executive Vice President Brian Wiedermeier, it is obvious that the team is focusing a lot of resources on this side of the product, something that has been long overdue.

4. Kyrie Irving, point guard Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: 2)

After cushioning a fall with the left side of his face, Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving arrived in Gotham City with a thick black protective mask, left his cape on the bench, and proceeded to drop a career-best 41 points on the upstart New York Knicks. The Cavaliers would lose the game on a missed free throw from Anderson Varejao but it was Irving, regardless of the outcome, who was the story of the night, providing a slew of spin-moves, cross-over dribbles and a variety of other shakes and bakes which rendered would-be defenders looking downright silly.

On the other side of the coin, it is Irving who continues to draw criticism for his defensive efforts -- or lack thereof. Cavs head coach Byron Scott has tried multiple schemes and has switched small forward Alonzo Gee on the opposition's point guards where necessary, but this has provided very little in terms of the team's win total. Irving is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars of the NBA's future, let alone Cleveland's, but until his defense improves, he will continue to be viewed below those like Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.

5. Nick Swisher, free agent outfielder, Cleveland Indians? (last week: unranked)

While the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants come equipped with World Series appearances and truckloads of money, the Cleveland Indians opted to woo Nick Swisher with two meals and meetings with such notables like Ohio State's men's basketball coach Thad Matta.

The Indians are reportedly offering Swisher, 32, a four-year contract worth upwards of $40 million; they can also guarantee him an everyday spot in the lineup. Will it be enough to woo a player who would arguably be the biggest-named free agent to come to Cleveland -- in any sport -- within the last several years? Odds cannot be in the Tribe's favor.

6. Brandon Weeden, quarterback, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Still looking for that signature game, Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden has seemingly provided more questions than answers as the team heads into the offseason. With a regime change likely, it remains to be seen whether or not the front office would be willing to eat a recent first-round selection right out of the gate, or delay their decision, potentially pushing the clock of competitiveness off another year.

Weeden was said to come armed with maturity and composure and all the other intangibles that are not as common with rookie quarterbacks. Instead, Cleveland has been shown questionable decision-making and a lack of risk-taking (read: confidence). He'll have two weeks -- on the road, unfortunately -- to help the Browns front office make a call. For Weeden's sake, let's hope it's the right one.

7. Dion Waiters, shooting guard, Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: unranked)

After missing nearly three weeks of play with an ankle injury, the Cavs' most recent fourth-overall draft choice has returned to the hardwood to help an otherwise offensively challenged team add to their win total.

The results have been mixed as Waiters has combined to shoot 10-of-28 from the floor in back-to-back nights, turning the ball over a combined six times. He's adding assists and getting to the basket -- 3-of-4 at the rim in the late-game loss in Boston -- but does continue to take some ill-advised three-point shots.

The duration of the season will likely be about development. The end result will be up to Waiters and the staff.

8. Mike Lombardi, rumor mill mainstay, Cleveland Browns (last week: 8)

With each additional amount of speculation surrounding the future of Tom Heckert, the momentum behind the swirling smoke known as Mike Lombardi continues to mount. What started out as easily dismissed rumors has become scary, scary potential.

It is widely believed that if Heckert is indeed relieved of his duties that the Browns would not hire another general manager who would have full control of the roster; Lombardi's role would conceivably be solely focused on player personnel and scouting, leaving the contract negotiations to Joe Banner. Hopes are that this is all a nasty rumor and all of this speculation is rendered moot...

9. Josh McDaniels, potential head coach, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

...But if it isn't, the man who would likely be pegged as the successor to Shurmur is a former head coach of the Broncos and the current offensive coordinator of the powerhouse New England Patriots. He may have been the man responsible for Tim Tebow. He may have also been the offensive coordinator in St. Louis the year Pat Shurmur left. But the upstart McDaniels is still only 36 years old and continues to learn under the tutelage of Bill Belichick. Also in McDaniels' corner: Jimmy Haslam III's relationship with New England owner Robert Kraft.

10. Brian Brennan, retired wide receiver, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Shameless plug, but I recently penned a feature-length profile on the man who caught the go-ahead touchdown in the 1986 AFC Championship game. Brennan, long retired from the game of football, has taken on a completely different career path; one that's taken him completely away from the field and into the private sector as a white-collared executive. It's a transition that many Browns fans are unaware of and is a story undoubtedly worth reading. Thanks in advance, folks.

Honorable mention: Jimmy Haslam III, Joe Banner, TJ Ward, Dimitri Patterson, Josh Cribbs, Phil Dawson, Byron Scott, Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller, Chris Perez, Terry Francona, Chris Antonetti, Mark Shapiro, Jim Tressel

Scott is a co-founder of WaitingForNextYear, where he writes about all three professional Cleveland teams. He's been voted "Ohio's Best Sports Blogger" for his work at WFNY. In addition to his writing, he's also made radio and television appearances on 92.3 The Fan, ESPN 850 WKNR, 100.7 WMMS, FS Ohio, WKYC, and SportsTime Ohio. Scott will be covering all things Cleveland, providing feature writing and weekly snapshots of what mattered and where we're headed in the world of Cleveland sports.

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Sargent's Quarters: Browns Tom Heckert out, Mike Lombardi in?

2012-12-18T14:37:50Z

First Quarter: Tip of the Iceberg

When Tom Heckert arrived in Cleveland, one of his first additions to the roster of the Cleveland Browns arrived in the way of cornerback Dimitri Patterson. Following the team's recent fall-from-grace loss to the Washington Redskins, Patterson was shown the door -- he had signed a three-year contract this past March.

While the individual circumstances surrounding Patterson may not be indicative of his (former) general manager, Patterson's pink slip may very well be a sign of things to come for the rest of the regime that thought it would be a good idea to have the nickelback get abused for an entire contest in the wake of Joe Haden's suspension.

There is no telling what the future may hold for Heckert, but if there was a totem poll of the to-be-canned, one can safely bet that the face on the top has greying sideburns and a befuddled look -- the sort of look one gets when their shotgun-friendly quarterback is forced to play from under center and gets yet another pass batted down in a crucial situation. At this point, it is Pat Shurmur, like Patterson, who is attempting to build film for his next job. He won't likely get another head coaching gig for quite a while, but some will argue that he should not have had this one. House money.

Second Quarter: The Three Maskateers

When Kyrie Irving took a hit from the frontcourt of the Milwaukee Bucks and cushioned his landing with the left side of his face, there was an understandable gasp resonating from the lungs of Cavalier fans -- and investors -- across the country. When he arrived in Madison Square Garden looking like the Dark Knight thanks to his newly fitted black plastic mask, dropping a career-high 41 points in the interim, those gasps turned into laughs.

Irving joins teammates Tyler Zeller (orbital) and Tristan Thompson (nasal fracture) as members of the Wine and Gold who have to earn their burn while wearing windshields on their respective mugs. Zeller and Thompson each took time to get used to their masks; Irving, if judging by the box score, was a bit more comfortable.

While it is worth wondering if the NBA rules committee may have an issue on its hands when three members of the same team are fitted with masks and nary a flagrant foul was called, the Three Maskateers -- who just happen to be three core members of this team -- will be counted on to get this team over the hump that has given them their current 5-win record. Dion Waiters being back will help. Let's just hope he doesn't need a mask of his own.

Third Quarter: Bauer Power

To get a top shelf pitching prospect, it was assumed that Chris Antonetti would have to part with All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. One week later, both Cabrera and Trevor Bauer -- the third overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft -- are both (proud?) members of the Cleveland Indians. Yes, Shin-Soo Choo, a player who was arguably the most consistent hitter on the Tribe roster over the course of the last four seasons, is now calling Cincinnati home. Odds were, however, that he would be calling a city other than Cleveland home in just a few short months, so to acquire an arm like Bauer's for a rental in Choo is a coup in every sense of the word.

Bauer will likely slot in at the second or third spot in the Indians' rotation, but it would surprise absolutely no one if it were the 21-year-old, eccentric righty who was squaring off against the Justin Verlanders and CC Sabathias of the world come July or August of this season.

Cynics will point at all the flaws, wondering if a highly-touted kid with Bauer's mental make-up can mesh within a locker room that saw its fair share of struggles just a season ago. Those cynics will be made into fools once the bat-missing Bauer is in Cy Young talks within the next three seasons. He's that good.

Fourth Quarter: "Lombardi" better be Italian for "Just kidding!"

As the Browns change gears and start looking at what they have going into this offseason, the smoke surrounding the player personnel department in Berea will continue to billow out past George Finnie Stadium. Multiple reports state that former Belichick gopher Michael Lombardi will get yet another crack in Cleveland as current CEO Joe Banner wants to have the personnel yin to his business man yang. Who better than the Cosby-sweater wearing Lombardi?

The answer: Anyone. To usher Tom Heckert out of Cleveland after three consecutive drafts that have netted the Browns starters at nearly every position on the playing field, and bring in a guy who has attempted to get a crack at a job for the last decade with nothing to show for his efforts would be death knell to all of the goodwill that had been amassed since Jimmy Haslam was approved as majority owner this past October.

It's understandable that a CEO -- just like a team president -- would want his guys working with (under) him. But there is something to be said for the direction that this Cleveland Browns team is heading; it remains to be seen what they can do if provided a motivating and educating head coach. A complete blow-up will only leave Cleveland with a slew of skepticism and boat load of what-ifs.

Scott Sargent is a co-founder of WaitingForNextYear, where he writes about all three professional Cleveland teams. He's been voted "Ohio's Best Sports Blogger" for his work at WFNY. Scott covers all things Cleveland, providing feature writing and weekly snapshots of what mattered and where we're headed in the world of Cleveland sports.

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Newsmakers: Indians trade Shin-Soo Choo & land Trevor Bauer, Pat Shurmur saving his job?

2012-12-13T17:07:06Z

The Indians make a "blockbuster" deal, immediately adding a new top prospect and power arm to the rotation. But it's still Pat Shurmur's world as the Browns make a late-season push to save his job.

1. Pat Shurmur, head coach, Cleveland Browns (last week: 1)

Pat Shurmur has somehow managed to take a team that was in the discussion for the next winless season to being (mathematically) in the playoff hunt with just three games to go. Relevance is not something that has been commonplace when it comes to Cleveland Browns football, and Shurmur -- with the help of Jimmy Haslam III's new television show and a relatively fortunate schedule -- has spearheaded a team that has shown that they can beat who they are supposed to beat while hanging with those who they are not.

The Browns will need plenty of luck, something that has also not been commonplace, along with plenty of help from three other teams -- the Steelers, Bengals and Jets -- if they are to in fact make the postseason. Even if they are left on the outside looking in, Shurmur has transformed himself from Dead Man Walking to a head coach who some fans would like to see get a third year with the team. With such a young core (72 starts by rookies alone) and the high level of recent play, especially during a period where things could have grown extremely toxic, this is a transformation that no one saw coming. Especially Haslam and team CEO Joe Banner.

Quote of the week: "That was the hardest, roughest looking slide I had ever seen. [Brandon Weeden] took a chunk of turf out of there. I thought they were going to stop the game and bring out a dump truck. Being a baseball player, I thought it would look a little easier."

2. Kyrie Irving, point guard, Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: 8)

After an 11-game stretch where the Cavs managed to win a mere two games, the physicans within Cleveland Clinic Courts miraculously decided that point guard Kyrie Irving -- who was out with a fractured index finger -- could be cleared to practice and play in his team's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. The result: A 28-point, 11-assist box score and a win for the Cavaliers, sending Kobe Bryant and the Lakers home wondering what had just hit them.

Irving, still just 20 years of age, admitted to being a bit anxious, needing his teammates to calm him down at times. But when the game was on the line, it was the reigning Rookie of the Year with the ball in his hands, continually facilitating an offense that had run stagnant in his absence, creating space and ensuring that his teammates have the best shot attempts at their disposal. In a game that forced Bryant to score 42 points merely to keep the Lakers within spitting distance, it was Irving that was the most dynamic player on the court.

Byron Scott said that Irving's "true test" would come on the second night of the team's back-to-back set in Indiana. It's safe to say that he, as expected, has some work to do when it comes to conditioning. That said, he's still among the NBA's most promising young players. Oh, and he plays in Cleveland.

3. Trevor Bauer, starting pitcher, Cleveland Indians (last week: unranked)

Fewer sports-related items are more captivating than completed trades. Fewer items are more discussed than multi-team trades that include highly-touted prospects. As luck would have it, not only were the Indians a part of such a deal, seeing nine players find out they would have a new employer in 2013, but it would be the Tribe who would receive the player with the highest ceiling in the quirky, hard-tossing Bauer.

The four-pitch righty will be in the team's rotation from Day One. For a pitcher to be selected third-overall in his respective draft, fan more than a batter per inning, and be fast-tracked to the majors is remarkable on its own. For the Indians to be able to pry such a talent for what amounts to -- at most -- one year of Shin-Soo Choo is a very uncharacteristic coup by a front office typically left holding the bag at trade deadlines.

Speaking of...

4. Shin-Soo Choo, former outfielder, Cleveland Indians (last week: unranked)

A solid teammate and an even better person, no one in Cleveland wanted to see Shin-Soo Choo traded. The writing, as they say, was on the wall -- he was not going to be in Cleveland come 2014, and with an injury-riddled campaign in 2011, his value wasn't extremely high.

While everyone assumed it would take an All-Star in shortstop Asdrubal Cabera to land a potential Cy Young candidate in Bauer, the Indians managed to get the job done by shipping off a would-be rental in Choo. That said, he's easily the best player in the deal (in the short term) and could reasonably be expected to put up a 25/25 season with Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds. He was the most reliable player in Cleveland last season, being moved to the lead-off spot based solely on him being the most consistent on-base threat; he responded mightily and never once complained about a move that would only serve to decrease his RBI total. Now, he'll be rewarded by getting to hit in front of Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto on a regular basis AND still get paid in the offseason. Not a bad deal.

5. Chris Antonetti, general manager, Cleveland Indians (last week: 3)

The man deserves credit. After an entire autumn of being tossed under the bus for his negligence at the trade deadline, Antonetti has come out swinging ever since he hired Terry Francona to manage his team.

After missing out on Shane Victorino and Kevin Youkilis, Antonetti managed to sign a 40-home run threat in Mark Reynolds and acquire an arm who could conceivably be among the league's best within the next three seasons. The fact that free agent outfielder Nick Swisher is still considering Cleveland's offer -- despite having interest from three perennial playoff teams -- speaks volumes.

He may have been the reason for the team's decline, but Chris Antonetti is doing everything within his power to make up for it.

6. Josh Gordon, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Thought of as a huge risk just a few months ago, Josh Gordon is slowly flashing more and more potential each time he steps on the field. Once thought of to merely be an athlete who can run fly patterns and 10-yard come-back routes, Gordon is showing that the second-round supplemental pick used to acquire him may have been the most integral move made through all of the Browns' offseason -- his development has him looking like a No. 1 receiver who is still only 21 years of age.

7. Asdrubal Cabrera, shortstop, Cleveland Indians (last week: 6)

While Asdrubal Cabrera is still slotted as playing the crucial infield position for the Indians in 2013, it seems the Tribe did nearly everything the could to unload him. Cabrera was offered to the Philadelphia Phiilles in a deal that never materialized. He was later rumored in a deal that would net Bauer, but that deal ended up sending Choo to Cincinnati.

The market for a shortstop who can hit 20 home runs and make highlight reel plays is never dry. With another year of control, however, the Indians are by no means in a hurry to deal the All-Star; his current involvement in rumors merely shows how much value he has to other teams -- as they say, you have to trade value to get value. It is expected that, at some point, Cabrera will be dealt with the Indians receiving prospects, be they starting pitching or quality bats. For now, we wait.

8. Michael Lombardi, media vagabond (last week: unranked)

Lombardi has gone from a guy who is most recently known for his Bill Cosby-like sweaters in the NFL Network's "Cleveland '95" documentary to suddenly having his name attached to being a high-ranking official within the Cleveland Browns front office on a going-forward basis, much to the dismay of 95 percent of the fan base.

Sure, Lombardi has ties to Bill Belichick. He may also have lineage to the history that many in Cleveland cling to like a security blanket. But to replace Tom Heckert -- a general manager who is responsible for two of the best drafts since the team came back in 1999 -- would be an utter mistake. We just have to hope that...

9. Joe Banner, CEO, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

...is listening. A business man at heart, Banner is the CEO and the CEO obviously wants to have his men in place. That said, as a CEO, it's also Banner's job to realize what he currently has in place and how it has reacted amidst a season of considerable turmoil.

Banner has stated that his decisions will be made on a macro level, but there is no one person in Cleveland who has looked better in a big-picture scenario than Tom Heckert. It won't be long before we see whether or not the future is driven by agenda.

10. Anderson Varejao, center, Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: 2)

Still putting up huge numbers, it would be utter blasphemy to pick a one-week wonder to place among Cleveland's top 10. Varejao, as expected, looks like a completely different person with Kyrie Irving back in tow -- his motion to the hoop is met with a perfectly executed pass each and every time. His motion without the ball has allowed Varjeao to get back on the assist train, racking up five more against the Lakers.

At this point, if Anderson Varejao is not a reserve come February's All-Star game, it's a complete shame. A shamockery, even.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Greg Little, Travis Benjamin, Byron Scott, Dion Waiters, CJ Miles, Jonathan Hankins, Jason Donald, Drew Stubbs, Mark Reynolds, Nick Swisher

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Sargent's Quarters: Kyrie Irving returns from injury, Browns streak to 3 straight

2012-12-11T14:30:16Z

First Quarter: Break up the Browns

It was not all that long ago when fans and local media alike were talking about the potential of going 0-16; countless early-round draft selections and alleged offseason growth combining to aid in a regression from what was a lockout-shortened season.

Several games and a bye week later and the Cleveland Browns have their name listed as "in the hunt" for a playoff spot with just three weeks remaining. It's a mathematical pipe dream, but the fact that the Browns, coming off of a 4-12 season and rostering what should be an illegal amount of first-year players, are nationally relevant heading into Week 15 is something not even the biggest optimist (let's say, that rotund gentleman who wears the skin-tight super hero costume to home games) could have seen this train coming down the Orange and Brown tracks.

The likelihood of the Browns winning out -- what with the upstart Washington Redskins and the AFC West-winning Denver Broncos waiting in the wings -- is extremely unlikely. The odds of three more wins coupled with the requisite losses by other AFC teams is even more of a long shot. That said, even if the Browns win one of the next three games and finish 6-10, its a marked improvement off of last season's four-win slate, and against a considerably tougher schedule.

If anything will have gotten the Cleveland hope train rolling, it will be the bushels of coal provided by the last eight weeks of competitive -- and winning -- football.

Second Quarter: Welcome back, Kyrie

Originally given a four-week timetable to return from a fractured finger, the reigning Rookie of the Year harnessed his inner Wolverine and quickly healed one week earlier than expected. Not helping matters: The Cavaliers have gone 2-9 since Irving's injury, one of which was a shocking win over the Philadelphia 76ers thanks to a career night from Jeremy Pargo.

Irving acknowledges that his team, now coming off of five consecutive losses, has been a bit of a whipping boy for the rest of the NBA. "Now it's time to whip some other teams," Irving said in his first day of full-clearance practice.

As elated as the city of Cleveland may be to have Irving -- the team's leader in points and assists -- back, no one person may be more grateful than Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott who has had to deal with the brunt of these losses regardless of how hard his obviously overmatched team has played. Things got so heated this past weekend that Scott was fined $25,000 for commenting on officiating.

Irving will be back in uniform as the Cavaliers play host to the underwhelming Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavs have a knack for stunning LA teams on their home court, doing so to the Lakers and Clippers in consecutive seasons. While Irving had a bit of a run-in with Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant, leading to smack talk and a viral YouTube video revolving around some one-on-one hoops, the main focus will be on sending Bryant's team back to LA with even more of a negative headline attached to their name.

Third Quarter: Reynolds Wrap

He may not be Zack Greinke. He certainly isn't the still-unsigned Josh Hamilton. But with a gaping hole at first base and designated hitter, the Cleveland Indians landed their first quality free agent of the offseason by agreeing to a one-year deal with right-handed slugger Mark Reynolds.

As the Indians' leading home run hitter in 2012 was Carlos Santana with 18, signing a guy who can club 40 home runs if given the at-bats -- regardless of batting average -- is a considerable addition to a team otherwise bereft in the power department. There's a chance that Reynolds could wind up leading the league in strikeouts if he stays healthy enough to amass the plate appearances. But if he does so, that also means that he amassed enough appearances to be worth the $6 million incentive-laden contract that he was given.

Reynolds will easily march in to Spring Training as the most-feared power hitter in the Indians lineup. He'll likely bat fourth or fifth and will be tasked with driving in runs for a team that had a hard time doing so a year earlier. There is still hope that Chris Antonetti and company can lock up an additional hitter or two while wheeling and dealing for some arms. For now, however, fans of the Cleveland Indians will have to simply be happy that their team has done something -- anything -- to improve off of the roster they had heading into the 2012 Winter Meetings.

Fourth Quarter: Urban Reloading

A lot of talk has transpired over the last several weeks, focusing on Urban Meyer merely being able to add to the Ohio State Buckeyes team which went 12-0 during the 2012 season, making the 2013 version of the Scarlet and Grey that much more lethal. Not considered, at least in several circles, was the possibility of several key players opting to leave Meyer's playground for a chance to cash in at the next level.

Jonathan Hankins, a junior, first-team All-Big Ten defensive lineman, has declared his eligibility for the 2013 NFL Draft. Given that Hankins will likely go among the first 15 picks in the draft (ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has him ninth overall), his declaration comes as little surprise. What will be a bit of a surprise, however, is a decision by third-year cornerback Bradley Roby. Staring at a second- or third-round selection if he declares, Roby would make eight starters on the defensive side of the football that will have to be replaced by Meyer, either from within last season's top recruits, or by dipping into the talent pool this winter and spring.

Roby could see a Hankins-like ascent if he decides to stay in Columbus, but even if he stays, Meyer -- along with defensive coaches Luke Fickell and Mike Vrabel -- will have his work cut out for him if his Buckeyes team is going to even come close to replicating the results from the head coach's first season at The Shoe.

Newsmakers: Pat Shurmur delivers 2 straight, Joe Thomas rips Peyton Hillis

2012-12-06T19:09:21Z

Scott Sargent returns with a December batch of Newsmakers. The Browns head coach remains in the top spot, but this time, there's a positive spin.

1. Pat Shurmur, head coach, Cleveland Browns (last week: 1)

Two in a row! Not only did the Cleveland Browns manage to equal their win total from all of 2012 during their trip to Oakland, they won two consecutive games for the first time since September of 2011. Once again, it wasn't pretty -- the boys in Orange and Brown allowed the Raiders cut their deficit to three points as the clock essentially struck zeroes.

But credit Shurmur for having faith in three rookies who would play key roles in a what was a 90-yard drive to put his team up by two scores. Credit to Shurmur whose defense executed the prevent defense as flawlessly as possible. Credit to a head coach who, despite all of his flaws, managed to win a game on the west coast and give his team the potential to win their third-straight this Sunday at home.

He may not instill a lot of confidence in fans, but Pat Shurmur is making a strong case for his employment with the Cleveland Browns beyond 2012; at the very least, he's auditioning for jobs subsequent to his time in Cleveland. It may be too little, too late but too little is undoubtedly an improvement from nothing. Silver linings, people.

Quote of the week: "Each game, you find a way to either win the game or lose the game. I'm happy for our guys."

2. Anderson Varejao, center, Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: 9)

An absolute shame that we had Varejao ninth in the last edition, the one affectionately known as Wild Thing has been everything his name lends him to be -- leading the league in rebounding, Varejao is in the top 10 in NBA PER and is pulling down boards at a rate only topped by Dennis Rodman back in his heyday of collecting Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Averaging more than 15 points and 15 rebounds per game, Varejao is the only player in the league to be able to claim this accomplishment; he's one of nine to even average a double-double.

Prior to the team's game against the Chicago Bulls, head coach Byron Scott said that there is absolutely nothing else that the team could ask from him. Ask any other head coach in the league if they have any players like this and Varejao would see his name alongside a very rarified group.

3. Chris Antonetti, general manager, Cleveland Indians (last week: unranked)

Like many of the men he employs, Chris Antonetti has traveled to the MLB winter meetings and has proceeded to strike out swinging. Outfielder Shane Victorino turned down more guaranteed money from the Indians to sign with the Boston Red Sox. Jason Bay turned down an offer from the Tribe to go play with the Seattle Mariners. Eyeing up Kevin Youkilis, once again, the veteran corner infielder is staring at an offer from the New York Yankees. A lot of these pitches may be well off of the plate, but Antonetti is hacking away nonetheless, with the best outcome being a foul tip.

The Indians' general manager is also the center of what could wind up being the biggest trade to go down during the winter meetings - a four-team deal involving multiple All-Stars and highly-touted prospects. Will he be able to get the deal done? With so many teams involved, the consummation is obviously well beyond his sole control. But in a city where perception reigns supreme, if the Indians come out of yet another winter meeting with nothing to show, the attendance numbers and television ratings will only continue to plummet.

There are only a few pitches left. Can Antonetti make them count?

4. Romeo Crennel, head coach, Kansas City Chiefs (last week: unranked)

No longer a Cleveland personality, Romeo Crennel became one of a national scope following the tragedy which occurred Saturday morning at Arrowhead Stadium. Crediting his strong upbringing, Crennel was able to not only keep his team focused in the wake of losing a teammate, but the otherwise barren team came away with the victory.

Incidentally, it is the Chiefs who will heading to Cleveland this Sunday, providing a bit of a reunion for the former Browns head coach; he will bring former Browns quarterback Brady Quinn and former Browns running back Peyton Hillis with him. Emotionally charged (or potentially emotionally drained), Crennel will try to win back-to-back contests. He was called a "rock" by Quinn for what he has meant to their collective franchise. Regardless of what fan opinion was of RAC upon his firing, it's tough to not admire the man for everything he stands for, even if it doesn't amount to a slew of wins on the football field.

5. Joe Thomas, left tackle, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

It would come as no surprise if there are diehard fans of the Cleveland Browns who have never heard Joe Thomas speak in his five seasons with the team. He's the Teller in a room full of Penns.

It is for this reason that the All-Pro offensive lineman's thoughts on the aforementioned Hillis rang loud, the 312-pound volcano erupting on Wednesday afternoon. Thomas dubbed Hillis' time in Cleveland as "toxic," going as far as stating that he would have no one on his side if the team was forced to choose. Rarely does another player call out a peer for contractual reasons, but Thomas, at this point, gets carte blanche for his few-and-far-between words.

It also comes as no surprise that Thomas, just one day after his commentary on a former teammate, was named Walter Payton "Man of the Year" for the second time in three seasons.

6. Asdrubal Cabrera, shortstop, Cleveland Indians (last week: unranked)

It was less than one year ago when Asdrubal Cabrera sat at a podium within the bowels of Progressive Field, a new contract extension freshly signed, stating that he would like to finish his career with the Cleveland Indians.

Fast forward to today and it is Cabrera who continues to see his name bantered about as an asset that will likely be used to obtain additional depth, specifically among the pitching ranks. As discussed above, the All-Star shortstop's future will be in the hands of Chris Antonetti. For two straight seasons, Cabrera has shown up to training camp overweight; it also provided seasons of the shortstop having considerable decline into the autumnal months. It's obvious the team has other ideas when it comes to the future at the 6-spot. It was fun while it lasted.

7. Trent Richardson, running back, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Another week, another touchdown for the Browns' third-overall selection. While Richardson did not carve up the Oakland Raiders defense as much as hoped, he was an integral ingredient in the 90-yard, fourth quarter drive that helped seal the win for the Orange and Brown.

Surely, the season had by Tampa Bay's Doug Martin is to be acknowledged, but to assume this discrepancy will be the case through the players' respective careers is extremely irresponsible. Richardson has stepped in during his rookie season, provided numbers and off-field leadership. The future remains bright and T-Rich will continue to be one of the men holding the lights.

8. Kyrie Irving, point guard, Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: 2)

Though the Cavaliers started out well without the reigning Rookie of the Year, things have taken a bit of a turn for the worst as they sit with a 4-15 record. There are rumblings that the team is being overly conservative with their start, taking the losses as they come with sights set on the future.

Still two weeks away from rejoining his team on the court, Irving has been approved for light workouts, including the occasional pre-game shooting. Following two-straight 10-point losses which include dreadful first-quarter play, this two weeks cannot expire fast enough.

9. Jimmy Haslam III, majority owner, Cleveland Browns (last week: unranked)

Owner, operator and lead mind behind "Road Tested," the Travel Channel reality-based show surrounding the Cleveland Browns. While the editing is heavy and the premier was all over the map, one thing is for certain: Haslam is bound and determined to rebuild a brand long been ignored. Whether national folks can relate to Road Tested or not means very little. His team is on television and any additional exposure is a good thing when building awareness. And with awareness hopefully comes additional talent. And with the talent comes wins.

Not a terrible formula.

10. Dion Waiters, shooting guard, Cleveland Cavaliers (last week: 3)

Like Irving, Waiters has spent the last couple of games on the shelf thanks to a sprained ankle suffered late in a double-overtime contest. Unlike Irving, the team has failed to step up in his absence, putting up sub-par offensive numbers and featuring a different starting lineup in each of the last two games; a third lineup is not out of the question.

He's listed as day-to-day, but had a walking boot on under his suit pants on Wednesday evening. When Waiters returns remains to be seen, but the Cavaliers will continue to struggle without him despite his up-and-down freshman campaign.

Honorable mention: Brandon Weeden, Sheldon Brown, Josh Gordon, Braxton Miller, Urban Meyer, Shin-Soo Choo, Vinnie Pestano, Terry Francona,

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