Now Batting for Your Cavaliers…
By Cody Norman
I don’t know about you all but I am a huge Cleveland Indians fan along with being a Cavs fanatic. And Monday afternoon marked the beginning of a new baseball season for our Tribe as they matched up against the Chicago White Sox. They lost 5-0 and never really threatened to score a run. But that’s OK. Cleveland is full of young guns and this year is about getting better, not winning games per say.
Those young guns gave a solid effort in the loss and gave me a little inspiration for today’s post. There’s a good chance that when playoff time rolls around, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown will turn to a nine man rotation. So what would the Cavaliers look like if they participated in Opening Day 2010? And what would their walk-up song sound like?
Here’s my take:
1- Mo Williams –
I’ve been saying it for a few months and I’ll say it again: When Mo Williams goes, the Cavaliers go. Like a leadoff hitter, Mo’s job is to get the game going and make the game easier for his teammates. When he does that, it takes the pressure off the guys behind him and allows the meat of the Cavalier lineup to deliver the game winning hit.
Walk-up song: Wanna Be Starting Something (Akon)
I said you wanna be startin’ somethin’,
You got to be startin’ somethin’.
I said you wanna be startin’ somethin’,
You got to be startin’ somethin’
2- Anderson Varejao
Everybody pays attention to the leadoff man. And everybody worries about a potent 3-4-5 combo. But often in baseball, the number two hitter is overlooked. Anderson Varejao is arguably the team’s second MVP but is constantly underestimated and overlooked because he doesn’t light up the stat sheet. While Mo has gone through his troubles over the last month or two, Andy has picked up his play and stepped into the leadoff role to give the Cavaliers every opportunity to win each and every ballgame since the All-Star break.
Walk-up song: Stronger (Kanye West)
Work it, do it, makes us
Harder, faster, better, stronger
3- Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal should be back in time for the playoffs and will step right back into the three hole to provide a solid 1-2 punch for opposing teams. He is a future Hall of Famer and proved prior to his injury that he has some quality minutes left in the tank.
Walk-up song: The Beast (Tech N9ne)
Get filthy
Must make mo’ doe
We will be shakin’ yo flo’
Came against me that’s a no, no, yo
Cause I’m a beast.
4- LeBron James
The clean up man certainly has to be LeBron James. Especially after that closing performance against the Boston Celtics on Easter Sunday. LeBron is averaging nearly 30 points a night for the Cavs while handing out 8.5 assists and snagging 7.3 rebounds. He has been nothing short of incredible as of late and steps up to knock one out of the park when it really counts. Let’s see what he’s got when the playoffs come around, huh?
Walk-up song: King of Kings (Motorhead)
Behold the King
The King of Kings
On your knees, dog
All hail.
5- Antawn Jamison
Jamison has made a rather seamless transition from one of the league’s worst teams to the NBA’s best. He has rebounded the basketball and scored consistently to aid the Cavaliers in the absence of Shaquille O’Neal. He has been hitting in the three spot since he was traded to Cleveland but will be moved down to the five hole when Shaq comes back. He’s still an extremely important piece to this year’s Championship run and will provide that third (or fourth) scoring option for Cleveland.
Walk-up song: Do My Thang (Lil Wayne ft. Juelz Santana)
Every time I do it, I do my thang,
do my thang, do my thang
Every time I do it, I do my thang,
do my thang, I does my thang.
6- Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Yes, Big Z is getting older and slower every single day. But he is still an extremely important piece to this Cavalier team. They are going to need a solid 20 minute effort to back up Shaquille O’Neal at center, especially if they meet up with Dwight Howard and the Magic again this year.
Walk-up song: Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)
We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
Cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love – we’ll give it a shot
Whoa! We’re halfway there
Whoa! Livin’ on a prayer.
7- Anthony Parker
Anthony Parker will head the bottom third of the Cavalier lineup but will get the bulk of his playing time because of his defensive efforts. AP adds length to the Cleveland back court and allows LeBron the opportunity to not have to guard the other team’s best player. Parker has done a very solid job against guys like Kobe, Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade this year. I don’t expect that to change come playoff time.
Walk-up song: The Last Line of Defense (Dilated Peoples)
Yo, you better plan ahead, gather your thoughts
I’m not gonna be the one wit no chair when the music stops
The Orange Agent has just moved to your block
An’ gone head huntin’, blame Herbie Hancock.
8- Jamario Moon/Jawad Williams
Jamario Moon and Jawad Williams will platoon in the eight spot and will get a limited amount of minutes depending on match ups. Jamario Moon has the ability to jump out of the gym and flush home a monstrous slam to ignite a home crowd and deflate an opposing arena. And Jawad Williams can shoot the basketball at a high percentage and provides LeBron with another shooting option along the perimeter.
Walk-up song for Moon: Alley Oop (The Hollywood Argyles)
(Alley Oop) He’s the toughest man there is alive
(Alley Oop) Wearin’ clothes from a wildcat’s hide
(Alley Oop) He’s the king of the jungle jive
Walk-up song for Williams: Shooting Star (LMFAO)
Woooooahhhh!
Look up in the sky
It’s a bird, it’s a plane.
Nah baby girl
That’s a shootin’ star with your name.
9- Delonte West
The ninth batter is often considered the second leadoff man. And we have all seen how much of an impact Brotha Red has on both ends of the floor for the Cavaliers. He is one of few guys that can create offense for himself and is a great set up for LeBron when he’s on his game. Let’s not forget that he led the Cavs in minutes played during last season’s playoff run.
Walk-up song: Can’t Be Touched (Roy Jones)
Can’t be touched
Can’t be stopped
Can’t be moved
Can’t be rocked
Can’t be shook
We hot
When will you guys learn?
Don’t you just love baseball season?