Live from Game 1: In the court of the wine-and-gold king
Here we are at the Q. The placards on the seats say, "Witness," with "MVP" tossed in for good measure. The towels say, "One goal -- Cavaliers." (Photo by M. Bradley)
Cleveland — We come to you from Quicken Loans Arena, known locally as the Q. To enter the media door of the Q, you walk within 75 yards of the left-field foul pole at the Indians’ ballpark, which used to be known as the Jake (short for Jacobs Field) but is now, I’m guessing, the Prog (short for Progressive Field, which is the new official name).
If you’re looking for positive signs, that’s a pretty solid one. The only time an Atlanta-based professional team has won a title in one of the major North American sports, half the games were played at the Jake. The Braves lost two of the three, but without Pedro Borbon Jr. — remember him? — saving Game 4 of the 1995 World Series, our Atlanta-based professional teams might be 0-for-ever.
(About Borbon: The lefty reliever hadn’t worked in 19 days but was summoned by Bobby Cox when Mark Wohlers yielded a leadoff homer to Manny Ramirez and a subsequent double to Paul Sorrento leading off the ninth. Borbon struck out Jim Thome, struck out Sandy Alomar Jr. and retired Kenny Lofton on a game-ending liner. The Braves would win the Series three nights later.)
Is Pedro Borbon Jr. available tonight? Just for the ninth inning? Just if LeBron comes to bat?
I’m pretty sure I’m the only person in the Q who’s thinking about Pedro Borbon Jr. The name on everyone’s mind is … well, take a guess. His full-page likeness graced both the front of today’s Cleveland Plain Dealer — not the sports page, but A-1 — and the PD’s eight-page playoff section. His name is Leron Lee.
Just kidding. He’s LeBron James. He’s the best player in the world. He was named league MVP for the first time on Monday, and if you checked a poll on ESPN.com that posed the question, “How many MVP trophies will LeBron win?”, the majority response was, “More than four.”
More from ESPN.com: Of its 10 basketball mavens, not one picked the Hawks to win this series. Not one picked it to last seven games. Only J.A. Adande and Tim Legler see it going six. (Full disclosure: In my own little poll on AJC.com the other day, I cast the first vote. I picked the Cavs in five.) In his exhaustive breakdown, David Thorpe of Scouts Inc. also sees Cavs-Hawks going to Game 6.
This city, as you’d expect, is pumped. We Atlantans moan over the state of our franchises, but Clevelanders have it way worse. For one thing, they have to live in Cleveland. For another, they haven’t seen a pro title since the Browns beat the Colts 27-0 to win the NFL title in 1964. (Gary Collins caught three touchdown passes.) This, everyone here seems to think (including the cab driver who carted esteemed colleague Sekou Smith and myself to our hotel) this is the year.
But first, Game 1. Maybe the nine days’ off will slow the Cavs. Maybe the MVP celebration will dull LeBron. Maybe the Hawks can steal this one. That’s why we’re here — to see if they can.
A gracious GM: Just saw Rick Sund in the hallway. He thanked me for coming and thanked the AJC for sending me. Gee, I remember the days when the Hawks hated the thought of me writing a word about them. I need to rip somebody soon just to prove I haven’t completely lost it.
The voice of the Hawks: Jon Steinberg, a Hawks’ publicist, reports that Steve Holman will be calling his 1,700th consecutive game. Given that he incited civic furor in Miami, I’d say Holman is just coming into his, er, prime.
Some basketball stuff: Mike Woodson said Al Horford will start, which is no great revelation since he started and played 32 minutes on a sprained left ankle in Game 7 on Sunday. (I spoke to Horfy, and he’s in fine spirits. Josh Smith, by way of contrast, seemed quieter than usual. Know what that means? Nothing.)
Woodson also said he plays to start Maurice Evans but is planning to play Marvin Williams around 20 minutes tonight. That’s a fairly big deal, given that the Hawks beat Miami without Marvin playing one second in Game 7.
The commish, again: David Stern, who was in Atlanta for Game 5 of the Hawks-Heat series, is here tonight. He’ll present the MVP trophy to LBJ.
We pause here for a word from our sponsors: Because I hate sitting around ritzy hotel rooms doing nothing, I’ll be doing a live chat Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. The idea is to discuss this series, but if you want to ask me something about the UEFA Champions League I’d be happy to respond.
Non-self-promotion: Esteemed colleague Sekou Smith is about to go live on NBA TV. Given that he’s the best beat writer in the league, you all should run and watch.
China syndrome: David Stern just said NBA China gets more hits than NBA.com does in the States. Which is pretty amazing, if true. (Stern never tires of talking about his league’s global reach.)
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277 comments Add your comment
Brandon
May 5th, 2009
7:26 pm
Time To Rise and Shock The World…Lets Go Hawks!!!
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
7:29 pm
Mark, which are better odds? The Hawks winning this series or World Peace?
Macaroni Tony
May 5th, 2009
7:34 pm
let’s go hawks
leandro
May 5th, 2009
7:37 pm
from ARGENTINA!!!!! lets go hawks!!! joe this is your time to shine!!!!
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
7:42 pm
The Cavs are 11 1/2 point favorites in Game 1. They’re 23-to-1 to win the series.
Mine That Bird was, I believe, 50-1 to win the Ky. Derby.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
7:49 pm
Mine That Bird, Spirit The Hawk, Mark I think you are on to something. I am calling Vegas and betting my children’s college fund.
JC
May 5th, 2009
7:50 pm
From Honduras!!! Lets go Hawks. Give them The Business.
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
7:53 pm
Wouldn’t it be so freaking cool if, somehow, some way, our basketball Birds can put King MVP and his crew on their royal duffs? Hey, it could happen, in spite of what TNT’s Charles Barkley has to say.
Ken
May 5th, 2009
7:58 pm
“This city, as you’d expect, is pumped. We Atlantans moan over the state of our franchises, but Clevelanders have it way worse. For one thing, they have to live in Cleveland.”
Whatever hater. You know nothing about about living in the greater Cleveland area. To the surprise of many, people choose to live here.
Jesse
May 5th, 2009
8:00 pm
It’s time to shut up and play. If they can play they way they are supposed to this will be a great series…… If not, it’ll be over quick.
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
8:03 pm
Here they go with that LeBron crap. Make me puke!!!
Jeff
May 5th, 2009
8:04 pm
Hawks MUST come out as Enforcers and show the Cavs that we mean Business. When we foul…foul hard. Put LeBron down on his backside when he drives to the bucket. Show the Cavs that there will be NO easy buckets in the paint for LeBron or anyone else for that matter.
D-Whine Disposed
May 5th, 2009
8:08 pm
I still say this Cavs team is nowhere near as good, as a team, as last years Celtics. I think this one gets interesting for sure, and a Hawks series win would not shock me at all.
Go Hawks!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:09 pm
LeBron just got his MVP trophy. He told the crowd — which is wired — “I know you’ve been sitting in your houses the last nine days waiting to see who we’re going to play, and I’m ready to get on the court myself.”
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:13 pm
A sign above the Q’s floor says: “Welcome to Loudville.”
It is pretty loud. But would you have expected total silence?
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:14 pm
LBJ just did his fling resin-in-the-air thing. Crowd goes nuts.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:16 pm
LBJ dunks on the first trip.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
8:18 pm
That Cleveland is really going overboard with the King James thing. Mark I bet if you check, the Gideons put a “King James” version of the bible in your nightstand. Will this overload ever stop?
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:19 pm
Hawks 11-4. Bibby with a trey, then a steal, then a feed to Josh.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:21 pm
The NBA hyping its big names. That’s new, isn’t it? Hawks by four.
La Jolla Dawg
May 5th, 2009
8:21 pm
The TNT announcers seem genuinely bummed that Atlanta is up right now. Go Hawks!!!
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:22 pm
LeBron makes one of two FTs. Hawks by three.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:25 pm
Josh jams left-handed off a break. LBJ fumbles away a dunk, dribbles out beyond the arc and hits a trey. Hawks by two, 5:54 remaining in the first. LBJ on the line when play resumes.
The Hawks look fine to me. But Joe passed up a shot in the lane — he has only hoisted one, and that was forced — that turned into a three-second violation.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
8:26 pm
BIBBY NEEDS TO WAIT ON THE SCREEN….. AND GET MO EVANS OFF THE FLOOR… HAS HE EVER HEARD OF A PUMP FAKE
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
8:30 pm
David Stern and his boys would be very bummed if Cleveland goes down to the Hawks. What does anyone want to bet that LeBron shoots 88 zillion foul shots tonight?
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:32 pm
Cavs up now. Anderson Varejao tipped in a Mo Williams fast-break miss. Then LBJ stole the ball and Josh tried to foul him, running over ref Bill Kennedy at midcourt in the process.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
8:32 pm
jOE NEEDS TO CATCH THE DAMN BALL
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:33 pm
LeBron has 12 of the Cavs’ 19. He’s going to be pretty good one of these days.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
8:33 pm
JOE STOOD THERE AND WATCHED VERAJO GET THE TIP
Jeff
May 5th, 2009
8:34 pm
We seem to be playing very timidly on defense in the open court. As if we’re afraid of getting beat off the dribble….consequently the Cavs are hitting their open jump shots.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:35 pm
Cavs 23-19, Josh on the line for two when play resumes. LBJ just grabbed a loose offensive rebound and hit a 14-footer. He has 14.
Marvin was the first Hawk off the pine. Zaza’s also in. Marvin has already made a turnover.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
8:36 pm
LOVE THE BALL SCREEN AND ROLLS ITS CREATING PROBLEMS…. WE MUST HUSTLE FOR LOOSE BALLS
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
8:38 pm
Joe with the steal
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:39 pm
Funny thing they do at the Q: When an opponent is on the line and they’re wanting fans to boo, they flash the Steelers logo on the message board.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
8:42 pm
SET HIM A SCREEN THE GUY IS SMALLER AND QUICKER… I WOULD RATHER SEE FLIP TAKE THAT LAST SHOT
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
8:43 pm
What’s up? The Cavs didn’t double Joe on that last possession of the 1st.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:44 pm
Cavs 25, Hawks 21 after the first quarter. LBJ has 16 and is 5-of-6 from both the line and the field. He also has five rebounds. But no assists!
Josh has taken eight shots, including three jumpers (all three misses). But he’s attacking, which is what he should do. Johnson has four points, three assists.
Not a bad competitive quarter by any standards. A lot better than the blowout stuff we saw against Miami.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:45 pm
Nice observation, Anti. And if Joe isn’t attracting double-teams, the Hawks aren’t as effective. But the Cavaliers pride themselves on their defense.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
8:46 pm
Yeah Bradley, there is no South Beach in Cleveland with babes. Just a North Beach with some old women and walkers.
kj
May 5th, 2009
8:47 pm
we are not going to get the foul calls. we gotta get ahead and take command of this game
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
8:47 pm
Easier to keep your mind on the game.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:47 pm
Marvin’s out of sorts, as you’d expect. He just missed two shots and was called for a charge. Cavs up six points.
brewdawg
May 5th, 2009
8:47 pm
Evening folks. The Hawks are threatening to keep it close here, but the Cavs have gone up 6, and that can turn into 16 in one minute. Still, I’ve been impressed with the start. NOT impressed with the foul calls so far, but that’s another advantage of playing at home.
kj
May 5th, 2009
8:48 pm
if we can keep it close this quarter we have a good shot. normally we are more effective in the second half of games. Can’t let them get away with it. too many missed shots to start the quarter.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:49 pm
Cavs beginning to separate now. Ben Wallace just dunked off a Mo Williams pass, and now Delonte West makes two FTs after Zaza fouls. Hawks down 10.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
8:49 pm
POOR HELPSIDE DEFENSE BY AL HORFORD
kj
May 5th, 2009
8:50 pm
the key is going to be if we can maintain our composure. the cavs are on a little bit of a run right now but if we can withstand it and counterpunch we will be ok
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
8:50 pm
lemme guess, steelers logo on the big screen
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:50 pm
Ben Wallace just fouled Marvin — might’ve been clean — and Marvin landed on his bad wrist. He misses one of two FTs. Cavs by nine.
kj
May 5th, 2009
8:51 pm
maarvin went down. he will be out another 4 games now
brewdawg
May 5th, 2009
8:51 pm
12 points now, without Lebron on the floor. If it goes above 15, that’ll be that.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:52 pm
Danger time: West drains a three after Wally Szczerbiak passed out of a low-post double-team. Woodson calls timeout. Cavs 34-22, 9:24 until halftime.
kj
May 5th, 2009
8:52 pm
looks like the cavs are trying to put this one away early. I sure hope the guys learned to keep fighting by now. we really need our shots to start falling.
RealSquawk
May 5th, 2009
8:53 pm
Do we really need to double Wally Sczerbiak in the post? Isn’t Mo supposed to be one of our better defenders?
Next time Ben throws Marvin down how about we put Lebron in the second row?
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:54 pm
Look at the guys Cleveland brings off the pine: Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Szczerbiak, Daniel Gibson. This is a much better team than Miami.
But I’m guessing you all had figured that out on your own.
Cavs in four
May 5th, 2009
8:54 pm
Hawks are intimidated.
RealSquawk
May 5th, 2009
8:56 pm
There has to be a reason why he is missing dunks
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:57 pm
Big trip. Horford takes two offensive rebounds and Bibby nails a trey.
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
8:57 pm
JOE JOHNSON IS A BITCH. HOW CAN U BE A THREE TIME ALL STAR AND SO CALLED CAPTAIN AND PERFORM THE WAY HE DOES ON THE ROAD. THE TEAM FOLLOWS HIS LEAD AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE STOLE ACIE LAW’S JERSEY. WHAT A CLOWN. ITS TIME TO MAKE JOSH SMITH THE FOCUS OF THE TEAM. TRADE SCARY JOE OUTTA HERE.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
8:58 pm
LBJ back in. Josh makes one of two. Hawks down by 10.
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
8:59 pm
I mean no disrespect to LeBron. He’s something special, but I sure hope we don’t have to watch 55 minutes of him in video clips every game of the series. What’s next, a halftime feature of LeBron going to the bathroom and sitting on his throne?
RealSquawk
May 5th, 2009
8:59 pm
how many hawks have you watched? make Josh the focus?
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
8:59 pm
WOODSON IS A CLOWN, WE SWITCH HORFORD AND ZAZA ON LEBRON AND DOUBLE WALLY IN THE POST, HAD TO BE HIS IDEA.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:00 pm
Flip scores on a drive. Mo Williams hits one of two. Cavs by nine.
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
9:01 pm
ITS ABOUT HEART. AND JOE DOESNT HAVE ONE. HE HITS WIDE OPEN SHOTS. DOESNT CREATE, CANT DRIBBLE, AND ISNT AS GOOD A DEFENDER AS YOU THINK. I NEED SOMEONE WHO ISNT SCARED OF PLAYING BALL.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:02 pm
Great Josh change-hands drive on Ben Wallace. And then an Ilgauskas offensive foul. But Bibby misses. And LBJ beats Josh on a baseline drive and gets fouled. Cavs by seven, LeBron on the line when we resume.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:03 pm
Joe doesn’t have heart? Are you kidding?
Jim
May 5th, 2009
9:03 pm
BH can discern the character of human beings from how they play sports. An amazing skill!
RealSquawk
May 5th, 2009
9:04 pm
Anderson running the point? Lebron just had a uncontested conversation with the rim and got the foul.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
9:04 pm
AGAIN POOR HELPSIDE DEFENSE… HOW DOES LEBRON TAKE 6 DRIBBLES AND GET RIGHT TO THE FRONT OF THE BASKET? PUT HIM ON HIS ASS!!!!!!!! OR JUST PACK IT UP AND COME HOME
niremetal
May 5th, 2009
9:04 pm
Braveshater, that has to be one of the most idiotic pair of posts I’ve ever seen. Make Josh Smith the focus of the team? Are you serious? And you think JJ can’t create and can’t dribble? You obviously are talking out of your rear iris if you think any of that. What a fool.
Doug Edwards
May 5th, 2009
9:04 pm
NOW YOU KNOW!
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
9:04 pm
As soon as I get the words “Don’t foul, Josh” out of my mouth what does he do? Foul, of course, bless his heart.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
9:05 pm
AL HORFORD NEEDS TO WAKE UP….
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:05 pm
I’ve never been able to do that, Jim. Maybe I should take a class.
“M!V!P!” chant goes up as LeBron steps to the stripe. He hits both. Cavs by nine.
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
9:06 pm
GET AL HORFORD OUT OF THE GAME
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
9:06 pm
How are your seats for the game Mark? Closer than Acworth?
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
9:06 pm
JOE IS SOFT
RealSquawk
May 5th, 2009
9:07 pm
Zzzzzz and Lebron are they only players that can command a double team.
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
9:07 pm
I MEAN WHAT GAMES HAVE YOU ALL BEEN WATCHING, WHAT OTHER ALL STAR DISAPPEARS ON THE ROAD. RON ARTEST HAD 21 IN L.A., WHOOPS, ANOTHER TURNOVER. HOW MANY DID YOA HAVE, WHAT ABOUT RASHARD LEWIS, OR EVEN AARON BROOKS, WHAT ABOUT MELO IN NEW ORLEANS, JOE DOESNT COMPARE. ANYBODY CAN BE GREAT AT HOME IN THEIR COMFORT ZONE. WATCH THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
LeBron dunks after batting the ball from Joe. But Josh hits a jumper and Ilgauskas misses a hook. (He’d just made one.) Hawks down nine, 3:40 left in the quarter.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
This lovefest with Lebron and the tv is just disgusting, get a room!!!
kj
May 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
we gotta get the count down to about 4 or 5 before halftime. can’t let these guys go in with 6 or more point lead on us.
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
HE’S A GREAT ROLE PLAYER. NO NEED TO GET ANGRY, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
More like Marietta, I’d say, Cuz.
DW
May 5th, 2009
9:09 pm
Joe Johnson needs to step it up. Either beat the double team or make them pay for double teaming you. He’s only had two great playoff games in the last two years. One vs. the celtics and the one Sunday. Let’s trade him and get Ty Lawson in the draft or a center via trade.
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:09 pm
Josh cuts it to seven on a drive. Ilguaskas misses again. And Bibby sinks a 3-ball. Lead’s at four.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
9:09 pm
three points yeah….
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
9:09 pm
LIKE I SAID, JOSH HAS HEART, IF JOE HAD HIS MAKE-UP THEN WE WOULD BE A CONTENDER.
kj
May 5th, 2009
9:09 pm
if zilgaskas keeps shooting we have a chance
nunna yo bizznezz
May 5th, 2009
9:10 pm
i don’t see the fuss about woodson..we won in spite of his coaching..
how in the heck will u put in a player with A sore shooting wrist,and now he lands on it And shoots an air ball for his 1st free throw..
how can you dress 2 hurt under 80 percent players And not go with no one from the bench that your gm has brought in for you to play when u screamed you had no one to bring in off the bench last year..
rick sund said in his 1st press conference that woody would not have that As an excuse this year,And guess whAt..he is doing it already..and he is doing it with a gm who knows talent and has helped build winners in the past..has woody done that?? HECK NAW!!
HE BROUGHT IN RANDOLPH MORRIS IN ONE TIME THIS YEAR TO MATCH UP ON SHAQ,AND IT WORKED..
PLUS HE HAS A HORSE IN HUNTER,A STRAIGHT UP SHOOTER WHO NEEDS PLAYING TIME IN GARDNER..
WOODSON DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING..
AND EVEN IF WE WIN TONITE,HE NEEDS TO BE OUT OF HERE..WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN BETTER POSITIONING FOR THE PLAYOFFS AND WON MORE GAMES IF HE ONLY PLAYED MORE OF HIS BENCH PLAYERS AND GIVEN THEM GAMETIME EXPERIENCE..
BRAVESHATER
May 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
JOSH AGAIN.
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
Will someone please get a rebound? Anyone, at all?
D.Carter
May 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
WE CANT CONTINUE TO LET BIG Z GET THAT LOW…… JOSH ISNT SCARED…. JOE JOHNSON HAS A.D.D !!!!! NO HUSTLE AT ALL……..!!!!!!!!!
kj
May 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
we gotta pound the boards. The cavs are getting too many 2nd chance opportunities. hey mark, whats the board count?
mitch
May 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
Joe is a 1B not a 1A
Brandon
May 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
Poor rebounding…
Mark Bradley
May 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
Flip just threw the ball away on the break with the Hawks trying to cut it to two. Then LBJ followed a Varejao miss. But Josh scored on a hook. He has 17 points on 13 shots. He’s keeping them afloat.
niremetal
May 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
Mark,
Is Marvin hurt again? Or just resting?
The Hawksta
May 5th, 2009
9:13 pm
Josh is looking great tonight! LBJ has sized him up a couple of times like he knows Josh is feeling it and he wants to shake his confidence! We great players try to find any edge(lol)!