Cleveland Cavaliers Birds of the Week: Volume 1

Birds of the Week is a weekly column cooked up by RDE senior writer Zak Kolesar. Every Friday, Zak will dig through the depths of Twitter to find what you may have missed regarding your Cleveland Cavaliers and the League as a whole. Wondering about the name? Think of Austin Carr’s famous “bird” calling (it’s something you missed!). If you find something interesting on Twitter that you want to see discussed on this column, tweet your ideas to Zak at @ZKoltrane or @RDECavaliers. Enjoy!

Cleveland’s Birds of the Week
1. Anthony Bennett, Matthew Dellavedova gettin’ fit?

It’s pretty common to see professional athletes doing yoga/swimming exercise nowadays; it’s great for the mind and body. This is something that may have flown under your radar or something that you could care less about, but this could be good news for last year’s No. 1 pick, Anthony Bennett. He struggled with insomnia and injury troubles throughout his rookie campaign, so yoga could be something that impacts Bennett in a very positive aspect. And having the No. 1 pick again this offseason has to be lifting some of the weight that was on Bennett’s shoulders this past season.

2. Jason Lloyd: Draft/Head Coach Podcast

Well-respect Akron Beacon Journal Cavs writer Jason Lloyd touched base with ABJ Digital Content Editor Dan Kadar to discuss buzz worthy Cavs topics. Lloyd discussed Cleveland’s search for an analytics-based coach, his thoughts concerning Kyrie Irving and Jabari Parker and his Finals prediction.

3. “We have not had a winning team and there are no consequences.”

Yikes. Sounds like something that you would hear a dictator or Mr. Burns say if their respective sports teams weren’t winning. This aforementioned quote comes from Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald and his proposed distribution of the county’s sin tax – a tax on cigarettes and alcohol. Now, this issue affects our readers who live in the land of the Cavs. Eighty percent of the money collected from the sin tax would be distributed to the three stadiums based on their on-field play. I have to agree with Fitz; if we’re not winning, why should we be rewarded with new stadium additions? Wining ultimately brings money and attracts high-profile players. It’s time this town had that appeal.

NBA’s Birds of the Week

4. What exactly are the Rockets trying to pull with Parsons?

It might be his agent trying to earn him some money, and a team like the Cavs could definitely be in play for a player like Parsons. If Cleveland goes with Embiid, landing Parsons, which is unlikely but should be discussed, would make the most sense for filling up the starting lineup. Irving/Waiters/Parsons/Thompson/Embiid would be a force to reckon with from the start. Parsons is a star, and sometimes his talents get overlooked due to where he was selected. I expect the Cavaliers to be very aggressive this offseason, so don’t be surprised if the Cavs contact Parsons in restricted free agency. Zach Lowe has a good take on the situation, so check it.

5. Chris Tucker, Norris Cole is money in the Finals.

Yup, it’s Cole season. Not talking about the boy from the Carolinas, but Cleveland State’s very own Norris Cole (aka the only good thing to come from the Heat possibly winning their third straight Finals. That’s all Cole knows in the NBA. That’s what Ira Winderman and many others have been pointing out since the Finals have been looming closer. Let’s give it up for the Cleveland kid if the Spurs can’t get it done in six.
Make sure to stop by next week for more birds, and remember to tweet Zak at @ZKoltrane or @RDECavaliers!