Written by Andrew Clayman

---

With draft season out of the way, it’s time to take stock of the Cleveland sports scene’s updated cast of characters with another edition of the Power Rankings. And while I’d love to say that we have an American topping our list on Independence Day, that’s only half true-- as the proud, Australian-born Kyrie Irving continues to reign over his field of contenders. The real question this time around is, where will Kyrie’s newest teammates Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller debut—if at all—on the rankings? And how has a rollercoaster first half for the Indians affected where some of the top Tribesmen rank? Your sleepless nights struggling with these questions are finally over. It's time to dish out some star power scores.

But first, as with every episode of the CSPR, we'll quickly review the profoundly brilliant system of "power assessment" I have devised to rank our sporting heroes. Basically, every fella on our Top 25 list is ranked on STAR POWER-- a metric of success and popularity that breaks down into four subsections: On-Field Performance (OP), Local Recognition (LR), National Recognition (NR), and Marketability (M). For each one of these sub-categories, the player in question gets a 1-10 ranking, and the combination of the four scores is his STAR POWER RATING (with 40.0 being the highest possible SPR, reserved for the likes of Bob Feller, Jim Brown, and a pre-balding LeBron James). Now, time to see who is making a play for greatness (relatively speaking). It's the July 4th edition of the Cleveland Sports Power Rankings!

 Cleveland Sports Star Power Rankings: July 4, 2012

#1 Kyrie Irving  35.5
PG, Cavaliers | OP: 9, LR: 9, NR: 9, M: 8.5 | Twitter Followers: 205,242 | Previous Rank: #1
Uncle Drew’s running crew is certainly going to be younger and more athletic this year. Being better, however, is hardly a guarantee. The free agent replacements for departed vets Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker will likely prove more significant in the short term that the Draft Day additions. In the meantime, Kyrie remains the consensus #1 figure in Cleveland sports— the brightest star in a dim constellation.

#2 Asdrubal Cabrera  31.5
SS, Indians | OP: 8.5, LR: 8.5, NR: 8, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #2
A second straight all-star appearance for Droobs confirms that his surprise power surge in 2011 was no fluke. With all apologies to the Church of Jeter, Cabrera’s the best all-around shortstop in the American League right now.

#3 Trent Richardson  31.0
RB, Browns | OP: 5, LR: 9, NR: 9, M: 8 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #3
T. Rich says the harsh criticism from Jim Brown is just a friendly form of motivation. Smart move, Rook. Last thing you want is a geriatric O.G. going Ice Station Zebra on your ass before the first preseason game.

#4 Jason Kipnis  31.0
2B, Indians | OP: 8.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 6, M: 9 | Twitter: 36,671 | Previous Rank: #4
On the all-star snubbery scale, the JK Kid’s missing invitation ranks closer to “unfortunate” than “outrageous.” There are certainly players with comparable numbers from the dish. The overlooked factor, really, is Kipnis’ somewhat shocking 20-for-21 tally in stolen bases (he never had more than 12 in the Minors). Overall, his pace has him at 20 HR, 100 RBi, 100 R, and 40 steals. Pretty damn all-starish.

#5 Joe Haden  30.0
CB, Browns | OP: 6, LR: 8.5, NR: 6.5, M: 9 | Twitter: 90,331 | Previous Rank: #5
Browns fans would like nothing more than to anoint the amiable Haden as the heir to the Dixon and Minnifield throne—the next great shutdown corner. But after an uneven sophomore season, he has got plenty more to prove.

#6 Brandon Weeden  29.0
QB, Browns | OP: 5, LR: 9, NR: 7, M: 8 | Twitter: 52,561 | Previous Rank: #8
The chatter around the new Browns QB all sounds positive so far. As with T-Rich, however, a high power ranking built on expectations alone can slip away in a hurry. A few ugly games in September, and the grizzled old rookie might find himself hanging out with Colt McCoy in power rankings Siberia.

#7 Chris Perez  29.0
RP, Indians | OP: 8, LR: 8.5, NR: 6, M: 6.5 | Twitter: 47,649 | Previous Rank: #15
When it comes to rising up this list, Pure Rage’s second All-Star selection and 23 straight saves are actually secondary credentials to his big mouth. Surrounded by hair and constantly spouting antagonistic fan critiques, Chris Perez’s piehole has set off a firestorm in the Cleveland sports universe, elevating the Tribe closer to an all-time power ranking highpoint.

#8 Joe Thomas  28.5
OT, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 7, M: 5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #6
And then there’s boring old Joe Thomas. Just doing what he does. Blocking dudes. Digging his heels in. Protecting the upteenth inexperienced signal caller the Browns have installed behind him. Making Pro Bowls.

#9 Justin Masterson  27.5
SP, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 8, NR: 5.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #13
Since electing to regrow the Amish cheek fuzz from his breakout 2011 campaign, the Indians right-hander has accordingly regained his ace form, reducing his ERA from 5.14 to 3.92 in the span of 7 starts.

#10 Josh Cribbs  27.5
WR, Browns | OP: 5, LR: 8, NR: 6.5, M: 8 | Twitter: 115,614 | Previous Rank: #9
Palling around with one of Cleveland’s top 50 all-time white rappers (Machine Gun Kelley) is nice and all, but if Josh Cribbs wants to be front page news again, he’s got to get in the good graces of an old, cranky bald dude named Brad Childress.

#11 Anderson Varejao  27.0
C/F, Cavaliers | OP: 7, LR: 7, NR: 6, M: 7 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #14
Sticking with the hair theme, Sideshow Bob has survived another string of trade rumors around Draft Day, but it seems like most fans remain keen on moving the injury plagued Brazilian, who’s gearing up for the Olympics at the moment. Apparently, we don’t feel a great deal of loyalty to our affordable, veteran, high-energy, double-double guys.

#12 Shin-Soo Choo  27.0
RF, Indians | OP: 7, LR: 8, NR: 6.5, M: 5.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #16
It took a year and a half, but the “real” Shin-Soo Choo has finally returned from the baseball abyss, sparked in part by a surprise move to the top of the Indians line-up. Along with raising his average to a more Choo-like .290, he’s also rediscovered his power stroke of late, already matching last year’s HR total of 8.

#13 D'Qwell Jackson  27.0
LB, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 5, M: 6 | Twitter: 18,989 | Previous Rank: #12
According to his peers, D.J. is #96 on the NFL Top 100 Players List. If he stays healthy and plays on a team that draws even the slightest bit of national attention this year, that rating should rise, along with his power ranking.

#14 Dion Waiters  26.0
G, Cavaliers | OP: 4, LR: 8.5, NR: 6.5, M: 7 | Twitter: 41,463 | Previous Rank: --
And the new kid out of Syracuse debuts at a solid #14. Not quite Richardson and Weeden territory, but we can’t exactly fill our entire Top 10 with players who haven’t even played a game yet, can we? Well sadly, we probably could. In any case, Dion didn’t exactly win over the city as the fourth overall pick, and the ghost of Dajuan Wagner will follow him until he proves he wasn't a reach.

#15 Ubaldo Jimenez  25.5
SP, Indians | OP: 5.5, LR: 7, NR: 7, M: 6 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #24
Look who’s quietly making a little charge back into respectability! Despite losing 3 of his last 4 starts, Jimenez has shown signs of considerable improvement—missing more bats and just generally exhibiting better composure. There remains no player more pivotal to the Indians’ postseason hopes.

#16 Travis Hafner  25.5
DH, Indians | OP: 3.5, LR: 8, NR: 6.5, M: 7.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #10
Pronk has been kickin’ back in his home away from home – the DL—for the past few weeks, but he is set to return now for what almost certainly will be his last hurrah as the Indians’ DH.

#17 Phil Dawson  25.5
K, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 4, M: 5 | Twitter: 9,146 | Previous Rank: #17
Browns fans continue to hope that this will be the year that somebody—anybody—will knock Dawson off his pedestal as the team’s offensive MVP. It’s nothing personal against Phil, mind you. It’s just a little embarrassing is all.

#18 Tyler Zeller 25.0
C, Cavaliers | OP: 4, LR: 7, NR: 7, M: 7 | Twitter: 28,395 | Previous Rank: --
Taking the Cleveland fan’s temperature on draft night, it certainly seemed like the anger from the Waiters selection was at least cooled over a teeny tiny bit with the trade for #17 pick Tyler Zeller—a four-year man at NC with a solid 7-foot frame and a feathery shooting touch. If this Z is anywhere near as effective as the old Z, we got a steal.

#19 Vinnie Pestano  25.0
RP, Indians | OP: 8, LR: 7, NR: 3, M: 7 | Twitter: 18,331 | Previous Rank: #22
There’s never any love for the middle reliever when it comes to All-Star selections, but Vinnie is not quite so anonymous as he used to be. Opponents are hitting just .169 against him this season, down even from the .184 of his dominant rookie campaign.

#20 Greg Little  24.0
WR, Browns | OP: 5.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4, M: 7 | Twitter: 21,331 | Previous Rank: #19
Well, we’re still waiting for that big wide receiver addition that should be coming any old day now. So, I guess that leaves us to dream of Greg Little softening his paws a bit and becoming a legit go-to guy in the Weeden era.

#21 Byron Scott  23.5
Head Coach, Cavaliers | OP: 3, LR: 6.5, NR: 7.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: --
Cleveland’s most highly respected coach (at least from a national perspective) was in the spotlight again lately, as he’ll now be tasked with properly utilizing a controversial top pick (whom he highly supported) in Dion Waiters. If the Cavs fail to add veteran leadership in free agency, this ridiculously young team will depend solely on Scott to find their way in 2012.

#22 Michael Brantley  23.0
CF, Indians | OP: 7, LR: 6.5, NR: 4, M: 5.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: --
Making his first ever appearance in the power rankings, the Tribe center fielder hasn’t really been electrifying this season—just very, very reliable. Along with a 22 game hitting streak, he’s also been one of the few Indians lefties who’s hit lefties (.276), and his glove has been borderline golden—bronze at least—in center field.

#23 Tristan Thompson  23.0
C/F, Cavaliers | 4.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4, M: 7 | Twitter: 45,743 | Previous Rank: #21
A year older, wiser, and hopefully better, Tristan now projects as an explosive energy man off the bench, possibly the seventh man to Dion Waiters’ sixth man. At least, that would be preferable to watching Thompson and Varejao stepping on each other’s toes all season.

#24 Carlos Santana  22.0
C, Indians | OP: 3.5, LR: 8, NR: 6, M: 4.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #7
The biggest drop in ranking this time belongs to the Tribe catcher, who’s in the midst of an epic slump. Hitting .219 is often the result of a long swing and being homer happy, as Carlos clearly is. The problem is, he hasn’t actually homered in almost two months either. This is getting disturbing.

#25 Dan Gilbert  21.5
QB, Browns | OP: 3.5, LR: 8, NR: 4.5, M: 5.5 | Twitter: 61,954 | Previous Rank: #11
And the second biggest falloff goes to the Cavs’ selectively outspoken owner, who basically ate crow after the NBA Finals was settled, but elected to tip his cap quickly and disappear into the cover of night, rather than write a new letter in Zapf Dingbats.

Thus concludes another edition of the Cleveland Sports Power Rankings. Keep an eye out for the next rundown, when NBA free agency, the dog days of the Indians' summer, and Browns preseason games start shaking up the pecking order once more.