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Cavs Cavs Archive Cavs vs Bulls: Farewell Joe Tait
Written by Michael Kramer

Michael Kramer

Joe_Tait3I told you this would happen. Didn't I? I said the Cavs could very well win 5 out of their last 6 and screw the whole thing up. And look what's happened. They are undefeated since I wrote that and are now tied with Minnesota for the lead...or whatever you want to call the worst record in the league (lead is the best I can think of, but it doesn't really feel right, you know?)

Of course, the winning streak consists of 2 games, but still.

Tonight the Cavs are up against the Bulls who have a comfortable 4 game lead in the Eastern Conference. That means there is not a lot of pressure for them to win. A loss probably doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot. That doesn't mean they want to lose, though.

And I'm counting on that. We may end up losing (winning? Again, I'm not exactly clear on the correct nomenclature here) to the Timberwolves, but by God we will not catch the Wizards or the Argonauts.

The one good thing you can say about the Cavs going on a hot streak to end the season is that there will be no bitchslap from karma for tanking. The Cavs have lost 61 games, but damnit, they came by those losses honestly. No tanking. I'm a firm believer in Karma.

In fact, the only reason the Cavs won the lottery for LeBag in the first place (considering their over the top and shameless tank job) was that Karma knew what was in store 7 years down the road. This time we are going about it the right way.

This loss to the Bulls will be well earned and well deserved. And, if somehow they can extend that streak to 3 games, well, all the better. I can't trick myself into hoping for a loss during a game, no matter what my brain and extensive mathematical background in stats tell me. And that's exactly the kind of thing that karma is looking for in order to reward a team with, say, Kyrie Irving.

So GO CAVS...but not too much.

Let's get this party started:

OldHossRadbourn Old Hoss Radbourn

In my day, of course, a pitcher took his own life if the "suicide squeeze" was successfully employed against him.

That's tough news for Daniel Bard. Even tougher for my fantasy team that has Bard on it.

Actually, on second thought, that's still probably tougher on Bard. But it's close.

Now, to basketball

Joe Tait is being honored tonight. Well deserved. He gets his own really cool banner in the rafters of the Q. It makes me even more incredulous that LeBag apparently didn't even know who he is.

1st Quarter:

11:30 JJ Hickson starts the scoring with a strong dunk. I don't want to jinx it but the Cavs arfe on pace to throw a shutout.

11:10 Well, it was fun while it lasted.

10:20 Hickson with another put down. Cavs 6-4 all points by JJ.

9:40 Alonzo Gee (He's still on the team?) misses a point balnk shot.

9:00 Lual Deng hits a 3 and the Bulls are all of a sudden up 12-6.

Looking at this roster, I don't think the Cavs have a single player who would start on the Bulls. That doesn't bode well. It also isn't the type of thing that goes away in one offseason either. The Cavs are a long way away from real contention, no matter what the ping png balls do.

Tweet:

CLE_GAL Kathy

I love this pic! #GoCavs RT @TracyMarek: http://twitpic.com/4igrup- We love Joe Tait! @CavsFredMcLeod @cavs #cavs

That is fantastic. The Coz would be proud

The Cavs climb back in and halfway through the quarter it's all tied up at 14. We go to commercial and are treated to the story of a magic case of Coors Light that apparently turns your back yard into the most annoying pool party in the history of the world.

So go get yourself some Coors Light...or something. I guess.

Tweet:

PDcavsinsider M.S. Boyer,J. Valade

Joe Tait honored with watch and sweater from WTAM during 1st timeout. He is not a fan of all this attention, but he's managing.#Cavs ~ JV

Welcome Schmitty...There's always room for you in the Twe-cap. You're right too. Tait looked like he'd rather be anywhere else in the world other than in front of the camera.

4:40 Semih Erdin is on the floor. Let's see if he is the future center of the Cavs. He has a lot of work to do to overtake my favorite Cav...Ryan Hollins.

4:15 Noah trips over his own feet and Alonzo Gee get's the foul. For something.

Noah is still a very ugly dude. Very ugly

4:00 Boozer with a dunk and the Bulls have scored 7 straight and are up 21-14.

3:15 Ronnie Brewer goes down the lane for a layup and the Bulls lead is now 10. all of a sudden this is getting out of hand. I'd be getting bummed but that's the kind of thing that happens when you play a vastly superior team.

Doh Dah Dipiddy (c'mon)

2:53 Session gets in the game and hits a bucket while drawing a foul. He's going to the line and the Cavs have stopped the Bulls run at 10.

Tweet:

riTHICulus NaSchelle

Uh oh! This 33 Alonzo Gee on the #Cavs is kinda cute... Is he on twitter? Can someone find me his info so we can have sext?

OK, you knew there was no way I wasn't printing this tweet, right? I just want to know when McPeek starter a twitter account under "riTHICulus"

High five...High five...I'll be here all week.  Try the veal.

2:53 Sessions hits the foul shot and the Cavs are down 24-17

2:35 Rose goes down the lane to push the lead back to 9. Too easy. That's what he does, though.

Tweet:

FansiteSports Fansite Network

@MajorBradley breaks down #Lebron's staggering immaturity:http://goo.gl/gR4Xk @KingJames #Heat @MiamiHEAT #Cavs#@cavs #NBA @NBA #TrueHoop

I didn't even read this yet. But, anything about LeBag's staggering immaturity is worth passing on.

1:40 Sessions hits a tear-drop shot to close the gap to five 27-22

0:05 Sessions keeps it for the last shot and cuts the lead to three to close out the quarter. He's had 7 of the last 12 Cavs points.

End of 1st: Cavs 26 Bulls 29

2nd Quarter:

Tweet:

TonyIPI Tony Lastoria

Lonnie Chisenhall goes yard in the 3rd inning for his first Triple-A homer. #Clippers up 2-0. #Indians

And my Chisenhall Crush deepens.

10:20 Boobie hits a shot to cut the lead down to 1 point. Cavs down 31-30. The Cavs are hanging tough and playing hard, which is their MO at the end of this season.

Like I said, we have to put our hope in karma. If you don't buy into karma, I can't think of a single thing to make you feel good about the Cavs overtaking the TWolves.

I FIGURED IT OUT!

Luke Harangody looks like the guy who played Landry in Friday Night Lights. I wonder if his girlfriend is as hot as Tyra?

That's who it is, though. I know I said someone else on Tuesday, but it's Landry for sure. Lke Harangody is Landry. Done and Done.

7:20 Erden dribbles (or whatever you call a 7 foot white guy bouncing a basket ball with all of the coordination of a drunk Yak) into the lane and unleashes the worst shot seen on a basketball court since...well, since the last time I play, probably. It was kind of funny, really.

Tweet:

RetweetaBulls Ivan Ponyryov

Semih Erden is in foul trouble, just picking up his 4th foul. He contributed with 2 pts (1-2 FG) and 2 boards in 11 min. #Cavs

Looks like the Cavs can go small in the draft and not worry about it.

6:00 Cavs playing sloppy ball right now and the Bulls push the lead back to 7.

5:35 Hickson takes the pass in the paint and travels. At least it didn't bounce off his face. That's something.

5:00 All of a sudden the Bulls are running that Cavs off the floor and are leading 45-34.

4:25 Parker temporarily stops the bleeding with a jumper.

Tweet:

MikeGeyer3 Michael Geyer II

This fool on the #Cavs is about to foul out in the first half. No wonder they suck.

If you are looking for some insightful NBA analysis, follow Mike. This dude knows his stuff.

3:00 Another Cavs turnover in transition and Boozer with an easy bucket. Bulls now up by a score of 50-36.

Dang, that happened fast. I've never seen a team go from competitive to down huge margins faster than this team can.

2:00 Hickson with a nice catch and score from Davis. I think Hickson can be an All-Star with a good point guard.

Kyrie Irving?

1:26 Same thing. Hickson with a nice pass from Anthony Parker and score with the fould. Cavs down 54-42.

1:05 Cavs blow a break away when Hickson gets the charge.

0:40 Hickson (have I been typing his name a lot lately?) with yet another bucket. This time with a jumper off the backboard ala Tim Duncan.

0:01 Bearded Baron Davis hits the bucket and the half ends on a mini run by the Cavs. They are down by 8.

Noah with the 40 foot hook shot after the buzzer makes a shot that is way prettier than he will ever be. Doesn't count, though, so suck it Noah.

Halftime: Cavs 46 Bulls 54

Hickson has 14 points and 9 rebounds. The guy seems like he's almost averaging a double double each half lately.

Meanwhile Semih Erden has 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 fouls. That kind of sucks but I'm a sucker for numerical...

HOLY CRAP! You should see this ugly ass sweater that Jeff Phelps is wearing as a tribute to Tait. I guess it's worth it. Barely, though.

No, I take that back. Joe Tait is awesome. I'd wear anything that guy wanted.

Tweet:

MarkShapiro Mark Shapiro

Dominant pro debut for D Pomeranz tonight. 5.1 IP, 2H, 0BB, 9 K. Lots of baseball still ahead tonight but good start to the night.

So awesome. So so very awesome. 9 K's Great Googily Moogily.

3rd Quarter:

Tweet:

The1Tab Tab Bamford

The #Cavs should consider signing @KingJames mom - rumor is she could score on anyone in the league #skank #Bulls

Now that's just wrong. I'm not going to print that. No way. You should be ashamed of yourself.

11:00 Boozer hits a jumper and is answered by Parker to open the 2nd half.

10:00 Hickson with a fall away jumper and the Cavs are down 58-50. Still hangning around.

9:22 Hollins takes a transition Alley Oop from Baron Davis. It's about time. Hollins is my favorite player now for plays just like this. Timeout Bulls.

They're scared fellas! They're scraed I tell ya!

Tweet:

tldc Tricia Conner

Did Hollins just do something good? #cavs. He drives me crazy!

Tricia hasn't been paying attention lately. Get on the Hollins train Trish, It's great... and there' s plenty of room.

9:00 Gee for Three! 58-55 Bulls. Cavs closing in.

7:05 JJ damn near breaks the rim on a dunk.

6:45 IN THE FACE!!! JJ shoves one right back at Boozer. The only thing that would have made it better is if he broke Carlos's nose. Good stuff.

Tweet:

Moody4486 Mr Achmoody

#Cavs you can stop playing well at any time; we could really use that extra 6% come draft time

I thought I made myself clear Mr Moody. Not during the game dude.

5:43 Rose, Noah, and Deng all score and all of a sudden the Bulls lead is back to 9. It's insane how fast this Cavs team can go down into deep holes.

4:55 Deng makes a jumper and the lead is double digits.

3:22 JJ Hickson continues his assault on the rim and hammers home what seems like his 739th dunk of the night. I think I see the backboard crying. Cavs still down 70-61.

1:01 With 3 Cavs, and ONLY 3 Cavs under the rim and anywhere in sight, they somehow collude to knock the ball out of bounds. It's like the Three Stooges at the moment. Cavs down 13

End of 3rd Cavs 63 Bulls 78

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but this doesn't look good right now. We us some Ryan Hollins.

4th Quarter:

11:00 Sessions with another tear drop ala Tony Parker. We have Sessions ala-ing Tony Parker and Hickson ala-ing Tim Duncan...how come we aren't as good as the Spurs?

10:15 Boobie hits form 2 and the Cavs cut the lead to 13. Somehow I have a feeling it's not going to make a difference.

Tweet:

DameNiceee DAME

Im not mad if #cavs lose...lets get Kyrie Irving

SHHHHHHHHH....... Damnit man. Not during the game.

8:00 Sessions hits a jumper in the most boring quarter of basketball I've seen this year. Just brutally boring.

6:15 Boozer with a nice turn around to give himself 18 on the night and push the lead to 16. I hate that guy.

Tweet:

RailbirdJ Josh F.

I sure hope I can stay awake long enough to tweet the #Indiansgame. I can't stomach much more of this #Cavs game.

Only 5 minutes left Josh. Hang in there.

4:45 Landry misses a wide open 3. He's 0-5 tonight. Or, he's 0-5 since I figured out he looks like Landry. I don't care. I'm calling him Landry.

3:40 Boozer hits again and he has 20. Bulls up 89-73.

Did I mention that this is over? I don't think I did.

It's over.

Has been for some time now.

2:45 Davis closes it to 12, if that does anything for you.

2:22 Boobie hits for three. Cavs close to single digits 89-80

Isn't it crazy what can happen as soon as I declare it over? It won't matter in the end but it is kind of funny, isn't it?

Christian Eyenga is well on his way to his 2nd straight DNP-CD. Byron Davis don't screw around does he. Eyenga would do well to pay attention. Look what Hickson has done since he got out of the doghouse and started to listen.

1:46 Graham on a three point attempt comes closer to hitting me than the basket.

1:13 Alonzo Gee on the foul. And once again, the Cavs are playing harder at the end of this unwinable, unimportant game, than they played at the end against the Celts last year.

And you're damn right I blame LeBag for that.

Davis dribbles out for the last shot. Misses. And that's all she wrote.

Final Cavs 82  Bulls 93

This is not a tragedy. I always am rooting for the Cavs to win. Always. But it's undeniable that it's better for them that they don't. I just don't like the idea of tanking.

The Cavs didn't tank. They just got beat by a team that is much better than them.

For how long that situation stays as the status quo depends mostly on the draft and Phil Dunphy.

So, go out and get 'em Phil. All of Cleveland is counting on you.

And finally, fare the well Joe. 39 years of being the best radio man in the NBA is good enough. Relax, put on a sweater, put your feet up, grab a beer, and just watch.

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