CAVS.SPACE

A couple weeks ago, Indiana Pacers co-owner Melvin Simon passed away. Alongside brother and co-owner Herbert, the two helped keep the Pacers in Indianapolis back in 1983. The pair then led the team to continuous improvement for a number of years. Their management drafted Hall of Fame hopeful Reggie Miller and brought in other successful players as well as several prominent coaches, including Boston Celtic and Indiana State legend Larry Bird, Detroit Piston and Indiana legend Isiah Thomas, and Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. The team peaked in 1999-2000, when it moved into a new arena and later reached the NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Off the court, Simon was known primarily for his contributions to the real estate industry. In particular, he and his brother helped popularize indoor shopping malls. Simon and his family also contributed a good amount to education, charity, and politics. Simon did spend a short time working as a movie producer as well. He is the t

The Cleveland Indians have had a rough season. The Cleveland Browns are having a bad season right now. Games like Sunday's Browns loss to the Ravens makes me (as well as a myriad of Cleveland sports fans) eager for the start of the NBA season and Cavalier basketball. The Indians and the Browns have been putting up similar records the past few years: namely, a winning record here or there with a handful of losing seasons. While the Browns seem to change the Head Coach and the General Manager every 3-4 years, the Indians have ridden Eric Wedge since 2003 and Mark Shapiro since the end of 2001. Thankfully, the Cavaliers followed up a horrendous season in 2003 by winning the 1st pick in the NBA Draft and taking local prodigy LeBron James. After new owner Dan Gilbert hired current Head Coach Mike Brown and current General Manager Danny Ferry, the team made the playoffs for the first time in 8 years in 2006. Although the team advanced to the Finals in 2007, the team appears to have