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Dan Gilbert Will Make Bid To Host NBA All-Star Game In Cleveland, According To Reports

2012-05-15T23:03:36Z

Both Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan and Tom Withers of the Associated Press report that Dan Gilbert will make a bid with the NBA for Cleveland to host an All-Star Game in the next few years. The Cavaliers' majority owner apparently told the media of his plan on Monday afternoon at Cleveland Clinic Courts, shortly after the presentation of Kyrie Irving's Rookie of the Year award. Via Withers at AP:

Gilbert, who opened his new downtown casino Monday, said he plans to approach the league about hosting a future All-Star weekend. He hopes Cleveland would be able to get one ''in the next few years.''

The Cavaliers have not hosted an NBA All-Star Game since 1997, when the league celebrated its 50th anniversary by honoring the its top 50 players in history, most of whom spent the weekend in Forest City. For Clevelanders, the weekend was highlighted by Vitaly Potapenko's appearance in the Rookie game, Bob Sura's less than strong showing in the dunk contest, and Terrell Brandon's participation in the main event on Sunday.

Gilbert is hoping to ride the momentum of his new casino, opened on Monday night, and the forthcoming convention center, to spotlight the city's appeal for the weekend. 1997 was a highlight year for the city, hosting both the NBA and MLB All-Star Games in the new venues at Gateway, and also enjoying the buzz of the recently opened Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Cavaliers and Irving's Rookie of the Year Award, visit Fear the Sword. For all your NBA 2012 awards news and Playoffs coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA hub.

Indians Vs. Twins: Tribe Sweep Two-Game Set With Commanding 5-0 Win

2012-05-15T19:54:06Z

On Tuesday afternoon, the Cleveland Indians completed a two-game set against the Minnesota Twins in commanding fashion. After narrowly escaping Monday night's Game 1 on the back of a Shin-Soo Choo RBI single in the ninth, the Indians dominated both offensively and defensively in a 5-0 rout of the Central Division's worst team on Tuesday.

Cleveland's standout star was by-and-far starting pitcher Derek Lowe who pitched a complete game shutout allowing only six hits and four walks. He is now 6-1 on the season and is tied for the Major League lead in wins on the season.

Choo once again stepped up offensively hitting a solo homerun in the fifth inning, which was one of three hit in the fifth frame including back-to-back homers from Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana.

The Tribe now improves their record to 20-16 and have a 2.5 games lead in the Central Division.

Cleveland will open a two-game set against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

For more on the Cleveland Indians, check out Let's Go Tribe. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at Baseball Nation.

Kyrie Irving Wins Rookie Of The Year, Kia Sorrento

2012-05-15T17:11:30Z

One of the consistently awkward moments of the "Kia Performance Awards" presentations are when the winner of the honor receives a car that is quite clearly not targeted for his life of luxury. The NBA, and Kia, presented the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving with the 2012 Rookie of the Year award on Tuesday morning at Cleveland Clinic Courts. The Korean carmaker also gave Irving the keys to a brand new Kia Sorrento SUV, which he clearly does not need/want.

Like most players, however, Irving said he would donate the car and relayed a nice story about what he plans to to with the vehicle. He said he was giving the car to his former AAU program, the New Jersey Roadrunners, and told a brief anecdote about how his coach would pick up a young Kyrie and his teammates in a beat-up Windstar and cart them all around the New York metro area. Photo of Irving with his new Sorrento after the jump:

Via @Cavs:

Indians Vs. Twins: Starting Lineups For Tuesday Afternoon

2012-05-15T16:51:42Z

On Tuesday afternoon, the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins will finish out a quick two-game set as the two teams meet for the second time in as many days at Target Field. Coming off of a 5-4 win on Monday, the Tribe will look to finish out the sweep.

Here are the projected starting lineups:

Cleveland

1. Shin-Soo Choo, Right Field

2. Jason Kipnis, Second Base

3. Asdrubal Cabrera, Short Stop

4. Carlos Santana, Designated Hitter

5. Michael Brantley, Center Field

6. Jose Lopez, Third Base

7. Johnny Damon, Left Field

8. Casey Kotchman, First Base

9. Lou Marson, Catcher

Starting Pitcher: Derek Lowe; 5-1, 2.47 ERA

Minnesota

1. Darin Mastroianni, Center Field

2. Joe Mauer, Catcher

3. Josh Willingham, Left Field

4. Ryan Doumit, Designated Hitter

5. Brian Dozier, Short Stop

6. Chris Parmelee, First Base

7. Erik Komatsu, Right Field

8. Alexei Casilla, Second Base

9. Jamey Carroll, Third Base

Starting Pitcher: Jason Marquis; 2-2, 6.26 ERA

For more on the Cleveland Indians, check out Let's Go Tribe. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at Baseball Nation.

Kyrie Irving Wins NBA Rookie Of Year, Ready To 'Build Something Special'

2012-05-15T16:08:49Z

The NBA officially awarded Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award on Tuesday morning at the Cavs complex in Independence. The honor was a forgone conclusion -- the only thing left to ponder was when word would come down in May that a trophy presentation had been set, and whether or not it would be unanimous. He was the best player in a relatively weak rookie class, and the best player and instant floor leader on a team that was dramatically improved and chasing the playoffs until injuries hit in mid-March.

It's amazing how much things have changed in a year. Last May, the Cavaliers had just wrapped up a brutal 10-month period that included the departure of MVP and franchise cornerstone, LeBron James, and an 82-game march of embarrassment that hit a new low each week. And there did not seem to be much hope on the horizon. Realistic Cavs fans expected to languish in the lottery for a few years, hoping to hit on a top draft pick that could turn the franchise back into a playoff contender.

But there was a certain sense of foreboding about the immediate future, and the 2011 Draft. The Cavs had the second-best lottery odds but it was a historically weak class, by all scouting measures. Steering a franchise at rock bottom, Chris Grant was poised to add a prospect who would likely be an above average role player -- a nice piece from a bad draft, someone not capable of creating optimism or legitimately serving as a force to turn things around.

One year later, after a little luck with the Clippers' pick, the Cavs are in great position to build themselves back into a contender. Irving provoked the optimism and, after a ROY campaign, appears to be a legitimate cornerstone of the franchise and the next great point guard in a league full of them. With the third-best lottery odds in the upcoming 2012 Draft, the Cavs will certainly add another major piece in a little over a month. But Irving is the face of the franchise on and off the court, the point guard who will run this team and low-key personality who will run this city.

Irving took command from the first week, a go-to option in just the third game of the season after almost no preseason. He talked about that game against the Pacers as the top moment of the season, setting the tone for the successful year:

The third game of the season when we were at Indiana and going into the huddle, all of a sudden, coach just called a high screen-and-roll for me. And I was surprised…I just knew that when he told me it was a high screen-and-roll, I was like, I'm going to do my best to get to the basket. And his confidence in me from that point on, although I missed and we lost in overtime, it was just him having that confidence in me was a stepping stone for me.

In a 24-hour span, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert opened his new casino in downtown Cleveland and presented the ambassador of his franchise the Rookie of the Year trophy (and also heard about some injury trouble in South Beach that likely added schadenfreudian delight). He's probably pretty happy. It's a quick improvement from, "Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there." Nothing lasts forever and Irving may well leave one day, but the Cavs are lucky to have such a bright piece to build "around" or "with," whatever preposition Gilbert is using these days.

After a season of rookie thrills, highlighted by dramatic final-minute heroics in road wins against Boston, Denver, and Oklahoma City, there's quickly hope again for a franchise with its second ROY in the past decade. While Irving deflected a question citing the "former No. 1 pick who was here and then left" and on being the "new hope for the city," he thanked Cleveland in the first statement he made, saying the award was "not only for me, this is for the city of Cleveland." He also thanked the organization for their help creating the environment to succeed in his first year in the league, saying that this is the start of something special:

Most importantly, I'd like to thank the management, Dan Gilbert and Chris [Grant]. You guys had the vision to pick me. I remember when I was here for my first workout, it was the most nerve-wracking experience. And seeing you on the sideline and seeing how much you guys have done to [Cleveland Clinic Courts] and having a first-class facility, it just made me want to be a part of it that much more. I know what we're building here is something special, and we're in it for the long haul. So we're going to build something special here.

Irving indicated that he never felt the pressure to live up to any expectations, and that the organization and coaching staff around him was a big part of that:

I get to just be myself. And that's why it's so special here, because I came in here as a 19 year old kid and got to just be myself.

It's easy to say the right things at these awards press conferences, but Irving was still impressive and took the honor in stride -- a goal achieved but just part of a natural process that will be defined by team success. He was gracious and gregarious thoughout the presentation, continually goofing around with head coach Byron Scott. He seems to have a great rapport with Scott, and referenced the many similarities between the Cavs coach and his father, Drederick. While 2012 was a shortened season, Scott's club won only two more games than they did in 2010-11 and the Cavs are back at the top of the lottery. Yet everything is different 12 months later, thanks to the 2012 Rookie of the Year.

Kyrie Irving Wins Rookie Of The Year Award In Landslide

2012-05-15T14:28:02Z

Media outlets confirmed Sunday what common sense confirmed months ago: Kyrie Irving is the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year.

What was still unanswered, though, was the margin of victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard.

More: Kyrie Irving 'Ready To Build Something Special'

Turns out it wasn't all that close.

According to the NBA Guru Twitter account, the voting broke down thus:

Rookie of the Year Voting: 1) Kyrie (592 pts); 2) Rubio (170); 3) Faried (129); 4) Kawhi Leonard (47); 5) Shumpert (33)
— NBA Guru (@NBAGuru) May 15, 2012

Irving reportedly received 117 of 120 first place votes, narrowly missing out on becoming the fourth-ever player to win the award unanimously. Blake Griffin won unanimously last season, but before that it had been since David Robinson in 1990 that a player garnered each first-place vote.

Rubio did not receive a single first-place vote, while Kenneth Faried, Kawhi Leonard and Iman Shumpert each received one.

After winning the award, Irving told reporters:

"This is not only for me, this is for the city of Cleveland. So this award is for you guys."

Irving led all rookies (and Cavs) with 18.5 points per game and was second in assists with 5.4 per game.

For more on the Cleveland Cavaliers, go to Fear The Sword. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page, or check out SB Nation's YouTube channel:

Indians Vs. Twins: Derek Lowe Could Tie For MLB Lead With Sixth Win

2012-05-15T14:13:03Z

Coming off a dramatic, top-of-the-ninth win Monday, the Cleveland Indians look to make it back-to-back W's over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday afternoon.

And the Indians have the right guy pitching to make it happen.

Derek Lowe will take the hill for the Tribe. The 38-year-old righty enters the game with a 2.47 ERA and a 5-1 record. A win Tuesday would tie him with Tampa Bay's James Shields and St. Louis' Lance Lynn for the most wins in the majors. Neither Shields nor Lynn pitches Tuesday.

Lowe does have some odd peripheral stats for someone who hasn't lost since April 18. He has a 1.51 WHIP -- the same as last season, when he had a 5.05 ERA -- and has struck out just 13 batters in 43.2 innings, the same number that he's walked. Oh, and opponents are hitting .303 against him

Nonetheless, he has given up just five earned runs in his last four starts.

The Twins will counter with Jason Marquis, who is 2-2 with a 6.26 ERA. Bad as that is, four Twins regulars have higher ERAs.

Cleveland is still two games up on the second-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 Eastern.

For more on the Cleveland Indians, check out Let's Go Tribe. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Twins Final Score: Shin-Soo Choo's RBI In Ninth Helps End Cleveland's Losing Streak

2012-05-15T03:03:57Z

The Cleveland Indians ended their three-game losing streak on Monday night against the Minnesota Twins, 5-4.

The Tribe got a great start from Jeanmar Gomez, who left with a 4-1 lead and did not give up an earned run in seven innings. But the bullpen gave away his win in the bottom of the eighth inning when Josh Willingham doubled in a run off Vinnie Pestano and Ryan Doumit hit a two-run shot off Nick Hagadone to tie things up.

In the ninth inning off Twins reliever Matt Capps, Casey Kotchman, who homered earlier in the game to give the Indians a 4-1 lead, singled with one out. After getting to second on a wild pitch, Shin-Soo Choo took a 3-2 pitch to right field to plate pinch runner Lou Marson and give the Indians the difference maker.

Chris Perez picked up his 12th save of the season with a clean ninth.

The Indians and White Sox close out their quick, two-game series on Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. CT.

For more on the Cleveland Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. For more on theMinnesota Twins, check out Twinkie Town. For more news and analysis on Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.