R.I.P. Robert “Tractor” Traylor

Robert Traylor

Horrible, horrible news to report.  Cavs Alum Robert “Tractor” Traylor was found dead today (Wednesday May 11, 2011) apparently of a heart attack.

Tractor had a number of problems off the court, but was a fun player and person.  He will be missed.

He was only 34 years old.

ESPN Article:

Former NBA player Robert “Tractor” Traylor was found dead Wednesday on bedroom floor of his oceanfront apartment in San Juan, Puerto Rico, police said.

Traylor had been missing for three days before friends went to visit him and found his body, according to police and Vaqueros de Bayamon, his team in Puerto Rico.

He apparently died from a heart attack, the team and police said.

Traylor was not active for Vaqueros, as he was rehabbing a heel injury. He underwent a surgical procedure on his heart in 2005.

Traylor, 34, was a McDonald’s All-American and played college basketball at Michigan. He was selected No. 6 overall in the 1998 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks, who traded him to Milwaukee for the Bucks’ two first-round picks, Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity.

In seven seasons with the Bucks, Cavaliers and Hornets, he averaged 4.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 438 career games.

The Vaqueros requested that Wednesday’s game against Indios de Mayaguez be canceled in memory of Traylor.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Cavs vs. Wizards (no Wall tonight)

Cavs in DC

Cavs are in DC to take on the Wizards tonight.  Wall won’t play due to a suspension from getting into a fight with Cavs alum Z.

LeBron Releases the Most Self-Absorbed Commercial in History

Apparently, he’s the victim.

LeBron, in your own words: “GET OVER IT”.  I have.

GO CAVS!

Gotta Love the Onion

Mark Price Quietly Shooting Free Throws Somewhere

Poll: Should Shaq Stay in the CavsHistory Banner?

[polldaddy poll=3574040]

So the CavsHistory banner is kindof reserved for Cavs greats. Its basically our Mt. Rushmore. Should Shaq stay or go? If you want him out, leave a comment on who should replace him.

Mt. Rushmore

Big Z Thanks Fans, Asks for Understanding

On the heels of the longest tenured Cav in history signing with the Heat to chase a championship, Zydrunas takes a path less traveled… he asks for understanding.

Check out the ad he placed in the Plain Dealer on Sunday:

Dear Cleveland....

As always, Z is a class act.

Cavs Sign Forward Joey Graham to Two Year Deal

Cavs have signed Joey Graham (twin of Cav Alumni Stephen Graham) to a 2 year $2.1m deal.

Twin #1 (Stephen)

Wayne Embry likes him… and he knows talent (or did).

I hope he does do well, but these seems very Ira Newble-ish to me.

Press release via Cavs.com below.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard/forward Joey Graham to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

Twin #2 (Joey)

“We’re excited to add Joey to our roster. He adds a tough, veteran presence on the perimeter that will complement the pieces we have in place,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “With his strong work ethic and discipline, we feel he is a great match with the culture we have built and continue to build.”

Prior to joining the Nuggets, the 6-foot-7 guard/forward played four seasons with the Toronto Raptors. In the 2008-09 season, Graham posted career highs of 7.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 19.8 minutes over 78 games (10 starts). In the 10 starts, he averaged 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 28.3 minutes.

“Joining Cleveland marks an exciting, brand new start for me,” said Graham. “This is a great opportunity and I’m excited to come in and help the team as much as possible.”

In his career, the five-year veteran has played in 338 games, including 76 starts, and averaged 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds. He has shot .815 from the free-throw line and .485 from the field.“

Will add him to the site when he plays a game

R.I.P Former Cav Lorenzen Wright

Lorenzen Wright

Really sad to report that former Cavs Lorenzen Wright was first missing and now found dead in the woods in southeast Memphis.

I will always remember Wright as the person who reminded LeBron to thank his girlfriend to acknowledge his girlfriend in his first MVP speech.

He was a solid veteran NBA player, but didn’t see too much time with the Cavs due to our deep bench.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal has the story.

What They’re Saying…

David Aldridge of TNT talks about how Byron Scott is the guy to take us forward with what is left.  He paints a picture that Scott has the pedigree and the experience. But what how it all plays out is anyone’s guess.

The AP submitted a little story about how us broken hearted Clevelanders are taking out their anger in a constructive way.  By giving LeBron gear to homeless shelters in South Florida.

Joe Gabriele of Cavs.com wrote a story about the new shape of the Eastern Conference.  The Cavs and the Heat were dropped into the “Extreme Makeover” category. Something to consider if you bet on sports.

Britt Robson of Sport Illustrated wonders how some of the big signings are going to turn out.

Mark Stein doesn’t think Shaq will be welcome to join the Super-Heat in Miami.  Apparently, some of the bridges he burned while leaving for Phoenix are still burnt. But he still thinks the big guy is still the biggest name left on the FA market.

D-Block

Looks like our old buddy Darnell Jackson may be playing for the Kings and not with the King next year.

Remember how Penny Hardaway was coming out of retirement, maybe to play with the heat?  Well, that only took five days.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas Joins the Miami Heat

via the PD & @PDCavsInsider

MVP Rookie Challenge MVP

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the heart of the Cavaliers franchise for the past 14 years, is moving on.

Ilgauskas will sign with the Miami Heat to join former Cavs teammate LeBron James, Ilgauskas‘ agent told The Plain Dealer today.

Ilgauskas will accept the veteran’s minimum of $1.3 million for next season.

The Cavs offered Ilgauskas a guaranteed contract, but he elected to go to Miami, where his wife Jennifer has family, and attempt to win a championship with the re-stocked Heat.

“It was a hard decision for him,” said Herb Rudoy, Ilgauskas” longtime agent. “He has 14 years invested in the Cavs and he wants to win a championship. He’s going where he has the best chance to win a championship.”

Ilgauskas is the Cavs franchise’s all-time leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocks (1,269) and

Stood Tall for 14 Years

is second in points (10,616). He made All-Star appearances in 2003 and 2005 after recovering from reconstructive surgery on his foot.

Last season was a difficult one for Ilgauskas as he moved to the bench for the first time to back up Shaquille O’Neal. Then he was traded in February as part of a deal for the Cavs to acquire Antawn Jamison. He took a buyout from the Washington Wizards and returned to the Cavs a month later but had lost his rhythm and his spot in the rotation and he did not play strongly down the stretch.

He averaged 7.4 and 5.4 rebounds in his final year with the team.

One of the better offensive rebounders in NBA history with 2,336 of them, Ilgauskas also still is effective with his mid-range jump shot. The Heat has been looking for big men after letting its starting center, Jermaine O’Neal, leave in free agency.

The Cavs and Heat were one of six teams to show interest in Ilgauskas. Both were believed to be willing to offer him the same contract.

Goodbye Z