February 20, 2024 • 38 mins
Cavs in-arena host Ahmaad Crump joins to show to talk about his All-Star Weekend in Indy and what goes into the process for him. Joe Vardon of The Athletic comes on in the second half to talk Cavs and NBA news.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome to Calves HQ presented by Betway.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thank you for.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Joining us on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse. Here
are your hosts, Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
From the Cavaliers production studios at Rocking Mortgage field House
in downtown Cleveland. Hi again, everybody, and welcome to CALVS HQ.
Great to have you with us on the All Star
Break Calves back in action on Thursday night right here
at rock and Mortgage field House. They'll be entertaining Orlando
and then a quick turnaround they'll head to Philly to
(00:44):
take on the seventy six ers on Friday night. As
the man said, Tim Alcorn along with Jim Jones and
Jim it may be All Star Break, but there's a
lot to talk about. We've got a couple of terrific
guests lined up. Of course, you hear his voice in
Rock Get Mortgage field House when he riles the crowd up.
A mod Crump in arena host for the Cavaliers will
(01:06):
be joining us and then later in the show, I'm
really looking forward to this conversation. First time we'll have
him on. Joe Varden from the Athletic, who covers the
NBA kind of on a national scale. He lives locally,
but we're gonna hear from Joe and a Mod crump.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, that'll be exciting, you know, a Mod. We go
back with a Mod from the beginning, right when he
first got the job, and his voice has always been
one of enthusiasm and hope, and he's become a mainstay,
not only for the Cavaliers and other voice work that
he does, but for the NBA at Hoole.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, and Joe varden Man, he covers the NBA, I
think like nobody else.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Yes, he does very sensible, makes sense type of stuff,
stuff that retired basketball players love to talk about.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
All right, Well, Joe's coming up in the second half
of the show. When we come back, we'll talk to
a MOD. He was out in Indianapolis for All Star weekend,
so we'll get his thoughts on what he saw and
took part in. So stay with us and Mods coming
up next. keVs HQ presented by Betway, continues after this
on the Medical Mutual Cavalier's audio.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
First, it's time to let him know it's kind of
be the stunning lineup for your.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Tamily.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
We have the guards he prepared the bill.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Never kidd.
Speaker 6 (02:34):
Were the guy he don't know he'd be on number
twenty five.
Speaker 5 (02:38):
Stay up, don't a bit the job.
Speaker 6 (02:42):
Now we have the former.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Cirk heap of Depaw number one man true, we are
the four heap of usc ne afore heavy.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
In the middle heath of Texas neber.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Thinety one jeep day Bickersta.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Now, if you think your mind is playing tricks on you, no,
we are not ready to tip off at Rocket Mortgage
field House. Of course we always join a mod when
we are in the Joe tape burst getting ready to
call Cavalier's basketball, and we always carry that for you
live on the Cavalier Audio verse. But of course you
know that voice and you know those introductions. We are
(03:30):
thrilled to have joining us a mod. Crump the in
house host here at Rocket Mortgage field House, and of
course those introductions have now become legendary in this arena.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
A mod.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Great to have you on Cavs HQ. We really appreciate it.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
You know, I have to hearing those intros. I'm ready
for the game that's happened at them all right, I'm
ready to get it gone.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Those calls are so electric and you can hear the
crowd just is they get into what will be the
start of the basketball game, and let's start there, because
everybody kind of works on a pattern and works on
a rhythm and so forth. How long did it take
you to develop those distinct introductions because DG's different than Mitchell,
(04:18):
who's different than Evan? How did you formulate that in
your mind? Because it's simply iconic now.
Speaker 6 (04:24):
Well, when I first started, you know, with the organization,
I listened to a lot of different great talents around
the league. There's a lot of different you know, announcers,
a lot of different hopes all around the league. I
wanted to find something that I was able to make
it my own and not try to emulate anybody else,
but still at the same time listening to other people's
(04:45):
ways how they can get the crowd fired up. And
then I took it upon myself. I was able to
have a couple of conversations with some of the players,
what do they like, what do they dislike, and things
like that and whatnot, and then I would come up
with a formula to say, hey, you know, maybe the
different work. And I took a gamble with it, and
it seems like you know, the players, they get a
(05:06):
kick out of it. The fans, you know, they get
a kick out of it. So I'm going to be
able to be say that I'm able to announce one
of the best teams in the NBA right now.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, and you've been on top for a while, especially
during those Lebron James years. You are to be commended
for your approach, for your style and your consistency, but
most of all for the character that you are. I
know you're a devout Christian and you're one of the
best people that I've ever met, and you are the
fans voice of the Cavaliers. For you to do national stuff,
(05:38):
I know that you do a lot of commercials in house,
but you also to do All Star Weekend. Talk a
little bit about the first time you did All Star Weekend.
Speaker 6 (05:46):
You know it was humbling and thank you for those
kind of words. My first time was twenty ten. I
got invited to do Dallas, Texas my first All Star Weekend.
I did Friday night, Saturday Night inside the Dallas Mavericks Arena,
and then Sunday the Offscar game. I got a chance
(06:06):
to host in front of Jerry's World, which is Dallas
at and T Stadium. One hundred and five thousand people
got a chance to watch the NBA All Star and
that was the first time that the NBA ever did
something that way. It's always in basketball arenas. Back when
we were Quicker Loans Arena. We were twenty thousand, five
hundred and sixty two. And you take five Quicker Loans
(06:27):
arenas and you put it inside one at and T Stadium,
and they was absolutely pandemonium, just getting the crowd a
chance to fire up. You know, that was a close game.
You know, I'm not sure what the NBA is doing
now as far as you know, yesterday what two hundred
and eleven points you know, going on, But back in
(06:50):
like twenty ten, you know, it was like a regular
NBA score. But they were playing hard, and the fans
when I asked them to get up and you know,
make some noise and get these guys going or whatnot.
You know, just to see one hundred and five thousand
people rise up, feeling that I'll never forget for sure.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Oh man, that's gotta be spine tingling. That's awesome.
Speaker 6 (07:08):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Now, you were at All Star weekend yesterday and over
the weekend out in Indianapolis. What was your role? What
were you doing out there?
Speaker 6 (07:18):
I was entering a host for the NBA ACCU Classic
presented by AT and T, and I was also entering
a host for the NBA All Star Game as well too.
For the ACCU Classic, it was myself and the whole
from Chicago, and for the All Star Game, it was myself,
the whole from Chicago and the entering a host for
(07:40):
the actual Pacers as well too. So it was a
lot going on where, you know, we were able to
be scattered in different parts of the arena and just
to be recognized by the NBA, to be able to
go into other stadiums and represent the Calves at the
same same time. It's absolutely great.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Hey, real quick before we take to break, let me
sneak one more inman. Tell us about that selection process.
Did you have to submit a demo and examples of
your work out? Did the NBA pick you per se?
Speaker 6 (08:11):
Well, the NBA, they have a team and they go
around different arenas they see, you know, the talent that
out there, and they look for a fit. They actually
look we use that word over here in Cleveland as well,
to fin you know, they don't look for anybody who
wants to make the show about them. They pretty much
look for people who can provide to what the show
(08:32):
that they already have going on already. So there's no
process where you have to fill out an application or
a demo. It's just whoever the NBA trusts and they're
seeing represent us to go all around the league. And
you know, they end up chosing five to seven NBA
hosts to host different events around. But to be to
(08:54):
be chosen to host for the actual game, that's the
honor there, well honor, and it's great to be honored
to host anything for off our weekend. But when you
get a chance to host Friday night, Saturday night, at
Sunday night where the whole world is watching, yeah, it's
absolutely unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
That's an incredible honor. And you do fit Rocket Mortgage
field Ice like a glove man. Just do an awesome job.
And Mont Trump is our guest on CAVS HQ. We'll
sneak in a quick time out, but we'll hear more
from the in arena host here at Rocket Mortgage field House.
We'll get more with the mod after this on CAVS
HQ presented by Betway on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audiovers.
(09:40):
You're experiencing Calves HQ on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audiovers
once again, here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Chones. Well, if
you've been to Rocket Mortgage Field House for a CALVS game,
you've experienced a mod crump. The in arena host for
the Cavaliers does a marvelous job and we're thrilled to
have them this week on cabs HQ, presented by Bet Wade.
(10:02):
Jimmy want to get things started with them out here
in segment two.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
A mat I'm interested in learning how the league has evolved.
Now you started in twenty ten and now you're in
Indianapolis in twenty twenty three, twenty four season. The limos,
the private jets, I know you are accustomed to that,
and the assistance and the valeris and all you know,
(10:26):
you know, you know, you know, no one walks in
the building by themselves. They've got a publicist, they may
have a valet, they may even have a trainer walking
with them. Talk to us about that transition, because that
has to have changed. It is twenty ten.
Speaker 6 (10:42):
It definitely has evolved, you know, talking to you, talking.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
To a c.
Speaker 6 (10:47):
You know, talking to Elmore Smith, hearing the stories about
how you guys used to travel. You know, it was
like commercial flights, only you had to sit in the
airport and you know, you had to wash your own
uniforms and things like that or whatever. Like you know,
just like you said, times have definitely changed, and you know,
(11:07):
I totally understand it. I totally get it. It's just
a different day and day and age that we actually
live in. But yeah, when I started in two thousand
and three with the organization, I definitely didn't see any
of that, and I'm pretty sure it was, but it
wasn't publicized. With the whole social media thing and everything,
every everybody's posted anything. You see what everybody is doing
(11:30):
twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, if
they're working out, if they're doing this, if they're doing that.
You know. So I think social media plays a lot
into the whole thing of you know, everybody, what type
of car that you're driving, what type of clothes that
you're wearing, what type of athourize you have with you.
You know. So my mom and dad, you know, they
(11:50):
used to always tell me that I'm an old soul
in a young young man's body. You know, he would
kill me. Yeah, I'm an old little young man body.
I mean, I'm just I got those old school principles,
you know, especially when it comes to upbringing with the
kids and things things like that, you know, if it's the.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Day and age that we live in now, Amon, I
want to circle back because you made a great point
earlier that the NBA doesn't look for people that make
it about themselves, but they make it about the fans
and about you know, the interaction with the fans. And
of course Jim and I are always somewhat busy up
in the Joe Tate perch, but we kind of get
a chance during our commercial breaks to see what you
(12:32):
and Nicole and others are doing down on the floor.
Are there any of those promotions, because you really do
interact with the fans that you really love that every
night you go, I can't wait till we get to
this one, because it seems as though the fans have
so much fun with some of the things that you're
doing down there. Is there one that you just love doing.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
There's so many of them. The one that stick sticks
out that we've been doing for years that it's just
a fan favorite is the key bang the y Yeah,
for the moments fans, I'm oh, man, I'm saying it's
for it's for cold hard cash. And I'm telling you
(13:11):
I'll never forget. I'm not a say it was a
pep a couple of weeks ago. I forgot the season
ticket holders now, but he's been a season ticket holder
for twenty five plus years, and he will always say, hey,
how can I play dealer? No deal? I want to
win five hundred bucks. I want to win five hundred bucks,
you know. So you know, now you know, we have
(13:31):
our team team members, they'll reach out to their season
ticket holders and they'll ask them, you know, hey, you
know you want to be a part of this, of
this contest. So they picked out the gentleman and he
waited twenty five years for this moment to be on
the floor, and they actually win five hundred dollars and
he walked away with fifty bucks and well fifty bucks,
(13:56):
and I on the side, I looked at him, I said,
remind me not to ever go to Vegas with I'll
telling you, you know, but but I think it came
to a point where, you know, Moondog, who was the
actual banker he offered him, you know, he offered him
close to like maybe two hundred two hundred bucks, and
(14:17):
he said, you know what, I'm going to go for it,
you know, And he ended up having fifty dollars their escape.
But I guess it was about the experience, you know.
But if he's been the season sigure holder for twenty
five years, you know, five hundred dollars probably was actually
nothing to.
Speaker 5 (14:31):
Him at that time.
Speaker 6 (14:32):
Probably, but it was just for the experience for him.
But yeah, he kept asking and asking and asking, and
he walked away with fifty bucks after twenty five years.
And I'm like, all right, well, thanks for actually being
a part of our family. So I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Two bucks a year for all those years.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
Well my investment, I tell you.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Well, all I can tell you is, as I said,
Jim and I are up in the per and we'll
hear the crowd laughing or interacting with you, and we'll
kind of look down. And the job that you guys do,
as I said, you and and everybody you just mentioned,
Moon and Dog there to keep the crowd engaged. Obviously,
a winning Calves basketball team does that as well. But
you and the entire group that really puts together outstanding
(15:21):
promotions and interactions with the crowd is just fantastic.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
You do.
Speaker 6 (15:27):
You know, we can't please every single body, and we
know that at the ultimate goal, people want to come
to watch the cass and they want them and they
want to see see to see them win. But in
the meantime, there are fans who do come down. Hey,
you just never know what they've been going through. So
we take it upon ourselves if we can give them
a T shirt or a high five or a smile
(15:47):
to let them know that, hey, whatever's going on in
your personal life, when you walk inside Rocket Morgan Field House,
we're gonna make you forget about that just for a
few hours on your face and watch them great basketball.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
That's awesome. Mod Crumpy No on this week's edition of
caves HQ. Mod keep doing the sensational work that you do.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Yeah, Seric, thank you so much, Jim tim I appreciate
you everything that you do for the organization.
Speaker 5 (16:10):
Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Crew joining us on Cavs HQ presented by Betway. We'll
take a quick time out on the other side, we're
gonna look at the NBA in totality a guy who
covers it for the athletic Joe Barden will join us.
He does an amazing job, so we'll hear from Joe
after this on Cavs HQ presented by Betway on the
Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 7 (16:40):
During February's Heart Month and as part of the Cleveland
Cavaliers t MVP team member volunteer program and support of
the American Heart Association, team members will help with support
and set up for the twenty twenty four go rant
for Women's twentieth Anniversary Luncheon taking place at the Renaissance
Cleveland Hotel. Team members will also help with support at
(17:01):
the luncheon through registration, silent auction, and much much more.
Calves in the Community is brought to you by Discount
Drug Mart. We'll be back with the second half of
calvs HQ, presented by Betway right after this on the
Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Here's Garland top of the key lob right in corner
to a coral ice, right in front of the Cavs bench,
a coral spinney d of the lane and thanking it
home Isaaca coral boy. He's having a nice night. He's
got sixteen games tied at eighty one.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Then he's having a great year.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Two tim Ice one of the lane in the LANEA
Allen books scores.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
I like that they frusting each other.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
To acorl now drives the baseline back to Mobley. Mobley
into the paint, will shoot over Drummond.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Nice guys up by Mogu.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Garland against Caruso. Garland steps right, three ball.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Hey, big suff that was contested, Rocket Mornitchfield, Houser Roughs
as d g hits the three blocome back.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Cavs HQ presented by Betway on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers
audio verse. Great, big thank you to the dynamic duo
on the other side of the window. Technical director Marty Allen,
Senior producer Kurt McLaughlin putting together that little highlight montage
from the Calves win over Chicago before the Cavaliers went
into the All Star break, and boy, the Calves are
(18:32):
red hot at thirty six and seventeen, sitting at number
two in the Eastern Conference. And will delve more into
what the Cavaliers have done with our next guest, his
first appearance on Calves HQ. We are thrilled to have
him does an amazing job covering the NBA for The Athletic.
If you don't subscribe to The Athletic, you should because
(18:55):
their coverage is phenomenal. And one of the guys that
leads the way is Joe Varden, who now joined us
on Calves HQ. Joe, it is great to have you
on our program.
Speaker 8 (19:04):
Thanks for having me. It means a lot to me
to do this, having been born an Akron and raised
here and you know, kind of grew up on the
Calves and listening to the Calves on the radio, you know,
and for the last ten years I've had Jim critiquing
my wardrobe to work, so.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
As well, that's a nice way to start this, Joe.
So well, as I mentioned before, we got started here. Boy,
we've got plenty to talk about. And of course, twenty
four hours ago the NBA All Star Game, and certainly
the last few years it's left a sour taste in
(19:45):
some people's mouths, the non competitiveness of it. Looking at
it from an NBA perspective, as I said, you cover
the league on a league wide basis. Boy, where do
they go from here?
Speaker 5 (19:57):
Joe?
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Yeah, I mean, like just to recap they had already
switched back to the old way of playing All Star
games for about five or six years. We had gotten
away from East versus West. We had like a playground
pick them style amongst the two leading vote getters, and
they would pick the teams as late as the day
(20:19):
of the game, which was which was awkward. And then
they even adjusted how we keep score for a while.
So they got rid of all that and they went
back to the way it used to be, with almost
like an edict or a caveat coming from the commissioner's office,
which was, look, you guys just needs to play harder,
you know that. I mean, I think that edict makes
(20:40):
makes me a little uncomfortable, especially because there's no real
way to enforce it. But at the same time, it
whatever they talked about, it just it didn't work. There
was actually even less defense played on Sunday night, and
we set a record for points in an All Star game.
(21:00):
We set a bunch of scoring records, and it's just
it's unsightly. I think that's the best way we can
say it. They're just watching the players like literally walk
when they don't have the ball, and like just sort
of all these shots from half court and just over
the timeline and like it just it's just not something
that's good to see. Like, I don't think anybody's asking
(21:23):
them to sell out and play like it's game three
of a playoff game. But I think we want. What
we want is for the five guys on defense to
get to a close out, to try to keep a
guy in front of them, keep a hand in the face,
you know, just to just so it just looks better.
I think I think that would that would go a
long way, given what we have right now.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Joe, I know you would agree that a lot of
this attitude is prompted by the guys that we call
the rulers of the league, the Lebron James, the Curry's,
the Kevin Rants, those type of players. This is so
different football went to flag football, right and yeah, I'm
(22:08):
telling you and I'm telling you. The Limos, the private Jets,
the assistance, the valets. I don't see it happening. I
don't see it happen. I think these guys are too
indebted to their brand and to other things going on.
They make as much money basically as the owners do. Now,
(22:29):
I don't see how you can get them to play harder.
I really don't.
Speaker 8 (22:33):
Yeah, I mean that is the question. How do you
do it? You know, one school of thought is to
put some prize money on the table. Oh my goodness,
it worked, you know, it worked with the n Season tournament.
I mean there isn't really you know, like the tournament.
It doesn't have prestige yet, right, Like, maybe it'll have
(22:53):
some next year because we've had one now.
Speaker 6 (22:56):
But it didn't.
Speaker 8 (22:57):
It didn't have any prestige. There were there were literally
playing for money. They all said that that was an
incentive and we got a great tournament out of it.
So that's one school I'm with you, like in so
far as when we talk about brand relationship. I mean,
that's part of what also drives All Star weekend. It's
a hugely important weekend for the NBA. So when we
(23:20):
talk about scrapping the game, I don't know that that
is an option either. I think, you know, they also
have to be they meaning you know, the NBA at large,
players and ownerships, they have to be compelled.
Speaker 6 (23:33):
To fix this.
Speaker 8 (23:33):
Now. I think the saber rattling coming out of the
Commissioner's office over the last six months about you know,
load management and sixty five games and playing more and
playing harder at the All Star Game. I think that
is coming from some pressure from potential TV partners.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
I do.
Speaker 8 (23:53):
But until fans start turning away and ratings drops for
these All Star games and the TV money drives up,
that's when we really see a change. People get serious
about it.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
So I don't know, you know, I don't know what.
Speaker 8 (24:07):
The fix is necessarily, but I don't know how close
we are to getting one either.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
Yeah, because but Tim, let me just add this to it.
The dunk contest, they booed them after the dunk winner.
I mean, after they realized who the winner was, they booed.
I mean, we're not getting the best dunkers in our
league to participate. Anthony Edwards is off to a terrible
start as an All Star. The guy is the highest jumping,
most forceful dunker in our league and doesn't jump in
(24:34):
the dunk contest. The guy from the G League wins.
Speaker 8 (24:36):
Again, we had two G leaguers in the contest.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
That's right, right, that's exactly right. Again, We're talking with
Joe Varden from the Athletic and Joe covers the NBA
in just a terrific way. For the athletic So Joe,
let's there's a lot more to talk about as far
as the All Star but that's down the road. So
as we call it the first half, we're long past
the halfway point. But what's the storyline now going into
(25:03):
the back half of the season. Now, what do you
see unfolding that you're really going to be keeping.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
An eye on?
Speaker 8 (25:10):
Yeah, I mean, I think at this time of the
year and with one of the things that the NBA
did that has worked, which is make you know, expand
the postseason, give more teams a chance to get into
the playoffs through the play in tournament, you know, jockeying
for position one through ten I think matters more than
it used is. So so for every team involved, any
(25:34):
team that that is within shouting distance of that tenth slot,
you know, that is going to be the number one
the number one storyline, you know, I think from a
Calvs perspective, being second in the East with I think
a three game lead, I think that's what it is
they need. They need to hold on to it. You know,
we we've loved how they've played over the last few years. Overall,
(25:57):
we've they've grown every year, but we also know that
in typically after the All Star Break, this franchise, this
organization has struggled, you know, going into the playoffs, and
then we saw what happened in the playoffs last year.
So for the Calves, they need to finish strong. It'll
be their first strong finish under JB. They'll have momentum
(26:20):
going into the postseason and that's what I want to
see for them. I want them to finish off the
second season.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Joe Varden from The Athletic our guest on Cavs HQ
presented by Betwag. Great to have joining us for the
very first time, Joe Varden. We'll take a time out.
When we come back, we'll have more with Joe, so
stay with us. Cavs HQ presented by Betway continues after
this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
You're experiencing Calves HQ on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones, and we're joined by
Joe Varden from the Athletic. Nice enough to stop buy
and pay us a visit on this Monday. Of course,
the Cavaliers and the rest of the NBA on the
All Star Break Caves back in action Thursday night at
home when they take on Orlando, and then a quick
plane ride over to Philly and a back to back
(27:17):
as the Caves and the Sixers. We'll go at it
on Friday night. But again, great to have Joe Varden
joining us and Jim I'll let you get started with
our guests here in segment two.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Joe, do you seem to get a flavor that this
push to put New York in the playoffs is just
so disrespectful to small market teams. The way they pushed
Bronson over the weekend, you would think that he was looking.
In fact, he had more press than Lebron James as
far as interviews. What's going on in our league?
Speaker 8 (27:48):
There is a there is an appetite for the NIXT
I would say, and like, okay, let's put this way, like,
you know, Jay Brunson, who's having a fine year. Let's
let's let's not you know sugarcoat that he is. But
he won.
Speaker 6 (28:07):
He he was.
Speaker 8 (28:08):
The second vote getter for the All Star Game among
guards from media members. Now, I did not vote for him.
I voted for I voted for Donovan Mitchell. It's not
because I live in Cleveland. It's because Donovan changed the
way he had to play, and his changes kind of
sparked what we've seen on this team. And and you
(28:31):
know he's the statistically he's there, but but it's what
it's what he did and why he had to do
it that to me made you know, it made me
think of him as an All Star starter. But Brunson
wins there. And then you know when they make the
trade for for Buck Donovich and also earlier in December
(28:51):
when they traded for ogn and Obie. You know, you
have people asked me to come on their shows talking
to me about Brunson for MVP and about the Knicks
as as titles contenders. I'm telling you it's out there
and and and from when the when we STI young
about the Knicks as the title contender, I have to
tell them, I'm I'm like, I just don't see that yet.
(29:14):
I mean, they you know, Brunson has emerged, but they
have a ton of injuries right now. Uh And and
you know, when that team gets healthy, Tims isn't going
to have hardly any time to put them together. And
they still don't have that top five player. You know,
Brunson would be the closest. But the last team to
win a title without a top five player, I think
(29:37):
was the two thousand and four Pistons. So you know,
I think the Knicks are formidable, but I think they're forced,
you know, I mean, I I don't think they're better
than the Calves. I admit I didn't think that at
the playoffs last year either, But I love to move
to Calves and made it, and I love the way
that they're playing right now.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
So Joe, let's follow that up. How deep of a
run is this team, meaning the Cavs capable of? And
how deep of a run do you think they will make?
Speaker 8 (30:11):
Two very good questions. You know, we remember that when
they first put this nucleus together adding Donovan, the company line,
whether it's from Kobe Altman or JB. Vickerstaff was we
will be ready to contend when Evan Mobley is ready
to contend. And what's been interesting is as the team
(30:32):
has evolved and Evan, you know, his game is improving
at all times. He is not the Kevin Garnett offensive
presence right now. He is not, he said, And so
does that mean that they are not capable of making
deep run? I actually don't think it does. I think
(30:55):
they have to try to play the way they are
playing now, which is asking Evan to play a little
bit more in space to give more room for some
of the other guys to get to the rim. That's
opened up a lot of things. How deep of a
run will they make? I think what we've seen over
the last two months is real. So should they be
(31:17):
in a conference final against Boston?
Speaker 6 (31:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (31:19):
They should. And I think that whether or not they
get there has a major impact on a lot of
the moves that happened after that. Who works here, what
contracts look like? You know, what superstars on this team
like that? All of that probably is writing on what
(31:41):
kind of playoffs runs this teammates.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
You know, when you look at Donovan. My first show
back to the Cavs booth, I asked him that question.
I said, what were your thoughts when you said on
the sideline and they were winning without you and Darius
and Evans? And he said, I just felt like I
could do more, you know, I could modify my game.
I said, this is the best basketball that you ever played?
(32:04):
He said, yes, it is. And I think he's more
comfortable because he's trusting his teammates that takes a lot
of pressure off of him. But Joe, I'd like your
thoughts on this whole Eastern Conference. You know, there's so
many injuries, and you mentioned the Knicks might not have
time to build a chemistry back, but what are some
of the other teams that are struggling that we're supposed
(32:26):
to be one, two or three?
Speaker 6 (32:29):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (32:30):
No, I mean, so, you know, we start with the
team that has been dominant all season, the Boston Celtics,
Like they deserve every bit of credit they get, and
probably more so for how they've built this roster, what
they have surrounded Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown with. They
are deep, they are disciplined, they defend so very formally.
(32:55):
But then after that, you know, we talked about the
Knicks already. We know about Philadelphia, you know, going all
the way from trading James, which probably was a good
thing for everybody involved, but trading him and then losing
Joel for possibly the rest of the season. You know,
he had meniscus surgery, Like there's no way around that,
(33:17):
that's what he did. And so what is the season
going to look like for the Sixers if he's ready
to come back by April first or April fifteenth, I
don't know. So you look there, the Milwaukee Bucks have
had They've had Nixon bruises, but the transition to Doc
(33:39):
Rivers has not been good. They're going to have a
mini training camp in Milwaukee on Wednesday, you know, sort
of before the season starts over again, like a chance
for Rivers to really implement some of the things that.
Speaker 6 (33:52):
He wants to do.
Speaker 8 (33:53):
I mean, he's been calling Adrian Griffins plays. They've been
running you know, Joe Brunnie's defense, those kinds of things. So,
you know, will Doc be able to reach a team
that has one of the best players, two of the
best players in the league, but a team that is
not built the way that the championship.
Speaker 6 (34:10):
Bucks will built.
Speaker 8 (34:12):
And then the last East team I was mentioned is
still the Miami Heat. They have that pedigree, they have
that sort of it factor when it comes to deep
playoff runs. And you know, this is another frustrating, mediocre
regular season on South Beach, but they have the attitude,
(34:33):
the fortitude, and probably the roster to make a run
if they if they can, you know, save themselves from mediocrity.
Speaker 2 (34:43):
Joe, before we let you go, final question I asked
you earlier about a storyline or something that you may
be following into the second half. What's something that people
should keep an eye on, what might be a surprise
out there in the second half, or like I said,
we're long past the halfway point, the back half for
the season.
Speaker 8 (35:02):
Yeah, I think I think you are. You're looking at
are the Warriors as bad as they had been for
a month and a half. We're finding that maybe that's
not the case. Maybe there's just a little bit of
magic left in the beef Kerr Steph Curry era. You know,
(35:24):
do the Lakers make yet another run? And what's going
on with Lebron? I mean last night he said, you know,
I wrote the story. He said, I don't have that
many seasons left, and he said, I am happy as
a Laker. I hope I retire as a Laker, but
I don't know. So you watch how that unfold. Yeah,
(35:44):
you know, what's his patience like? And yeah, I think
I mean those are you know, I think those are
two fascinating stories in the West. And then I think
you also think about the younger the younger teams there
in Oklahoma City, Minnesota. You know, Jim already mentioned Anthony
Edwards like he stinks as an All Star, but man,
he and that team sure play, but will their experience
(36:07):
get them when they get to the playoffs. So a
lot to look forward to, you know, cav Like you said,
we've got to see them hold strong over these last However,
many games are left in gear up for that run.
You know, I think we know how they're going to start.
We know the first guy or too off the benches
when JB has to shrink the rotation, who's going to
(36:28):
get left out? You know that I think that remains
to be seen.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Joe, this has been fantastic your your first appearance, but
I promise you not your last HQ. Now that we
got your number, my friend, we'll be staying in contact.
But this was fantastic. Thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (36:46):
Thank you Je any time.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Joe Barton from the Athletic joining us on Cavs HQ
presented by Betway. Again, if you don't subscribe to The Athletic,
you should be, because Joe and everybody just does a
remarkable job. Been covering not just the NBA but all
the sports all right, A quick time out when we
come back the finishing touches on this week's show, so
stay with us. We'll wrap it up after this on
the Cavaliers Medical Mutual Audio Verse. Well that's gonna do
(37:17):
it for this week's edition of Cavas HQ, presented by Betway.
Jim again, a huge thank you to a mod Crump
for joining us earlier. And then we just heard from
Joe Varden from the Athletic Ways some terrific insights. And
I thought when Joe said at the very end, keep
an eye on the West and some of those teams
that may still have a run in them, like Golden
State and like Los Angeles.
Speaker 3 (37:39):
Yeah, those teams. You know, there's still a big question
mark as far as our whole league is designed, because
like no year in the last fifteen maybe twenty years, Tim,
there's no front runner. No one is guaranteed to be
NBA Champs. This year, it's wide open for at least
eight to ten teams.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
Oh that's a great point, all right, Jim, will see
you on Thursday night in the Joe Tate Perch. Thanks
to Kurtin, Marty and of course the biggest thanks goes
to you the listeners. Hope you enjoyed it. Cavs h
Q presented by Betway and until we talk again. On
Thursday night from the Joe Tate Perch, tim Elcorn saying,
so long, everybody, here we go. Caruso far side, the inbounds,
(38:19):
got it into boots, boots out front, gave it to
white long three.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
Off the back of the rift of good. Cav's win.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Cavaliers win one o eight, one oh five
Welcome to Calves HQ presented by Betway.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thank you for.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Joining us on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse. Here
are your hosts, Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
From the Cavaliers production studios at Rocking Mortgage field House
in downtown Cleveland. Hi again, everybody, and welcome to CALVS HQ.
Great to have you with us on the All Star
Break Calves back in action on Thursday night right here
at rock and Mortgage field House. They'll be entertaining Orlando
and then a quick turnaround they'll head to Philly to
(00:44):
take on the seventy six ers on Friday night. As
the man said, Tim Alcorn along with Jim Jones and
Jim it may be All Star Break, but there's a
lot to talk about. We've got a couple of terrific
guests lined up. Of course, you hear his voice in
Rock Get Mortgage field House when he riles the crowd up.
A mod Crump in arena host for the Cavaliers will
(01:06):
be joining us and then later in the show, I'm
really looking forward to this conversation. First time we'll have
him on. Joe Varden from the Athletic, who covers the
NBA kind of on a national scale. He lives locally,
but we're gonna hear from Joe and a Mod crump.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, that'll be exciting, you know, a Mod. We go
back with a Mod from the beginning, right when he
first got the job, and his voice has always been
one of enthusiasm and hope, and he's become a mainstay,
not only for the Cavaliers and other voice work that
he does, but for the NBA at Hoole.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, and Joe varden Man, he covers the NBA, I
think like nobody else.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Yes, he does very sensible, makes sense type of stuff,
stuff that retired basketball players love to talk about.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
All right, Well, Joe's coming up in the second half
of the show. When we come back, we'll talk to
a MOD. He was out in Indianapolis for All Star weekend,
so we'll get his thoughts on what he saw and
took part in. So stay with us and Mods coming
up next. keVs HQ presented by Betway, continues after this
on the Medical Mutual Cavalier's audio.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
First, it's time to let him know it's kind of
be the stunning lineup for your.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Tamily.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
We have the guards he prepared the bill.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Never kidd.
Speaker 6 (02:34):
Were the guy he don't know he'd be on number
twenty five.
Speaker 5 (02:38):
Stay up, don't a bit the job.
Speaker 6 (02:42):
Now we have the former.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Cirk heap of Depaw number one man true, we are
the four heap of usc ne afore heavy.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
In the middle heath of Texas neber.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Thinety one jeep day Bickersta.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Now, if you think your mind is playing tricks on you, no,
we are not ready to tip off at Rocket Mortgage
field House. Of course we always join a mod when
we are in the Joe tape burst getting ready to
call Cavalier's basketball, and we always carry that for you
live on the Cavalier Audio verse. But of course you
know that voice and you know those introductions. We are
(03:30):
thrilled to have joining us a mod. Crump the in
house host here at Rocket Mortgage field House, and of
course those introductions have now become legendary in this arena.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
A mod.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Great to have you on Cavs HQ. We really appreciate it.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
You know, I have to hearing those intros. I'm ready
for the game that's happened at them all right, I'm
ready to get it gone.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Those calls are so electric and you can hear the
crowd just is they get into what will be the
start of the basketball game, and let's start there, because
everybody kind of works on a pattern and works on
a rhythm and so forth. How long did it take
you to develop those distinct introductions because DG's different than Mitchell,
(04:18):
who's different than Evan? How did you formulate that in
your mind? Because it's simply iconic now.
Speaker 6 (04:24):
Well, when I first started, you know, with the organization,
I listened to a lot of different great talents around
the league. There's a lot of different you know, announcers,
a lot of different hopes all around the league. I
wanted to find something that I was able to make
it my own and not try to emulate anybody else,
but still at the same time listening to other people's
(04:45):
ways how they can get the crowd fired up. And
then I took it upon myself. I was able to
have a couple of conversations with some of the players,
what do they like, what do they dislike, and things
like that and whatnot, and then I would come up
with a formula to say, hey, you know, maybe the
different work. And I took a gamble with it, and
it seems like you know, the players, they get a
(05:06):
kick out of it. The fans, you know, they get
a kick out of it. So I'm going to be
able to be say that I'm able to announce one
of the best teams in the NBA right now.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, and you've been on top for a while, especially
during those Lebron James years. You are to be commended
for your approach, for your style and your consistency, but
most of all for the character that you are. I
know you're a devout Christian and you're one of the
best people that I've ever met, and you are the
fans voice of the Cavaliers. For you to do national stuff,
(05:38):
I know that you do a lot of commercials in house,
but you also to do All Star Weekend. Talk a
little bit about the first time you did All Star Weekend.
Speaker 6 (05:46):
You know it was humbling and thank you for those
kind of words. My first time was twenty ten. I
got invited to do Dallas, Texas my first All Star Weekend.
I did Friday night, Saturday Night inside the Dallas Mavericks Arena,
and then Sunday the Offscar game. I got a chance
(06:06):
to host in front of Jerry's World, which is Dallas
at and T Stadium. One hundred and five thousand people
got a chance to watch the NBA All Star and
that was the first time that the NBA ever did
something that way. It's always in basketball arenas. Back when
we were Quicker Loans Arena. We were twenty thousand, five
hundred and sixty two. And you take five Quicker Loans
(06:27):
arenas and you put it inside one at and T Stadium,
and they was absolutely pandemonium, just getting the crowd a
chance to fire up. You know, that was a close game.
You know, I'm not sure what the NBA is doing
now as far as you know, yesterday what two hundred
and eleven points you know, going on, But back in
(06:50):
like twenty ten, you know, it was like a regular
NBA score. But they were playing hard, and the fans
when I asked them to get up and you know,
make some noise and get these guys going or whatnot.
You know, just to see one hundred and five thousand
people rise up, feeling that I'll never forget for sure.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Oh man, that's gotta be spine tingling. That's awesome.
Speaker 6 (07:08):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Now, you were at All Star weekend yesterday and over
the weekend out in Indianapolis. What was your role? What
were you doing out there?
Speaker 6 (07:18):
I was entering a host for the NBA ACCU Classic
presented by AT and T, and I was also entering
a host for the NBA All Star Game as well too.
For the ACCU Classic, it was myself and the whole
from Chicago, and for the All Star Game, it was myself,
the whole from Chicago and the entering a host for
(07:40):
the actual Pacers as well too. So it was a
lot going on where, you know, we were able to
be scattered in different parts of the arena and just
to be recognized by the NBA, to be able to
go into other stadiums and represent the Calves at the
same same time. It's absolutely great.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Hey, real quick before we take to break, let me
sneak one more inman. Tell us about that selection process.
Did you have to submit a demo and examples of
your work out? Did the NBA pick you per se?
Speaker 6 (08:11):
Well, the NBA, they have a team and they go
around different arenas they see, you know, the talent that
out there, and they look for a fit. They actually
look we use that word over here in Cleveland as well,
to fin you know, they don't look for anybody who
wants to make the show about them. They pretty much
look for people who can provide to what the show
(08:32):
that they already have going on already. So there's no
process where you have to fill out an application or
a demo. It's just whoever the NBA trusts and they're
seeing represent us to go all around the league. And
you know, they end up chosing five to seven NBA
hosts to host different events around. But to be to
(08:54):
be chosen to host for the actual game, that's the
honor there, well honor, and it's great to be honored
to host anything for off our weekend. But when you
get a chance to host Friday night, Saturday night, at
Sunday night where the whole world is watching, yeah, it's
absolutely unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
That's an incredible honor. And you do fit Rocket Mortgage
field Ice like a glove man. Just do an awesome job.
And Mont Trump is our guest on CAVS HQ. We'll
sneak in a quick time out, but we'll hear more
from the in arena host here at Rocket Mortgage field House.
We'll get more with the mod after this on CAVS
HQ presented by Betway on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audiovers.
(09:40):
You're experiencing Calves HQ on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audiovers
once again, here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Chones. Well, if
you've been to Rocket Mortgage Field House for a CALVS game,
you've experienced a mod crump. The in arena host for
the Cavaliers does a marvelous job and we're thrilled to
have them this week on cabs HQ, presented by Bet Wade.
(10:02):
Jimmy want to get things started with them out here
in segment two.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
A mat I'm interested in learning how the league has evolved.
Now you started in twenty ten and now you're in
Indianapolis in twenty twenty three, twenty four season. The limos,
the private jets, I know you are accustomed to that,
and the assistance and the valeris and all you know,
(10:26):
you know, you know, you know, no one walks in
the building by themselves. They've got a publicist, they may
have a valet, they may even have a trainer walking
with them. Talk to us about that transition, because that
has to have changed. It is twenty ten.
Speaker 6 (10:42):
It definitely has evolved, you know, talking to you, talking.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
To a c.
Speaker 6 (10:47):
You know, talking to Elmore Smith, hearing the stories about
how you guys used to travel. You know, it was
like commercial flights, only you had to sit in the
airport and you know, you had to wash your own
uniforms and things like that or whatever. Like you know,
just like you said, times have definitely changed, and you know,
(11:07):
I totally understand it. I totally get it. It's just
a different day and day and age that we actually
live in. But yeah, when I started in two thousand
and three with the organization, I definitely didn't see any
of that, and I'm pretty sure it was, but it
wasn't publicized. With the whole social media thing and everything,
every everybody's posted anything. You see what everybody is doing
(11:30):
twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, if
they're working out, if they're doing this, if they're doing that.
You know. So I think social media plays a lot
into the whole thing of you know, everybody, what type
of car that you're driving, what type of clothes that
you're wearing, what type of athourize you have with you.
You know. So my mom and dad, you know, they
(11:50):
used to always tell me that I'm an old soul
in a young young man's body. You know, he would
kill me. Yeah, I'm an old little young man body.
I mean, I'm just I got those old school principles,
you know, especially when it comes to upbringing with the
kids and things things like that, you know, if it's the.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Day and age that we live in now, Amon, I
want to circle back because you made a great point
earlier that the NBA doesn't look for people that make
it about themselves, but they make it about the fans
and about you know, the interaction with the fans. And
of course Jim and I are always somewhat busy up
in the Joe Tate perch, but we kind of get
a chance during our commercial breaks to see what you
(12:32):
and Nicole and others are doing down on the floor.
Are there any of those promotions, because you really do
interact with the fans that you really love that every
night you go, I can't wait till we get to
this one, because it seems as though the fans have
so much fun with some of the things that you're
doing down there. Is there one that you just love doing.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
There's so many of them. The one that stick sticks
out that we've been doing for years that it's just
a fan favorite is the key bang the y Yeah,
for the moments fans, I'm oh, man, I'm saying it's
for it's for cold hard cash. And I'm telling you
(13:11):
I'll never forget. I'm not a say it was a
pep a couple of weeks ago. I forgot the season
ticket holders now, but he's been a season ticket holder
for twenty five plus years, and he will always say, hey,
how can I play dealer? No deal? I want to
win five hundred bucks. I want to win five hundred bucks,
you know. So you know, now you know, we have
(13:31):
our team team members, they'll reach out to their season
ticket holders and they'll ask them, you know, hey, you
know you want to be a part of this, of
this contest. So they picked out the gentleman and he
waited twenty five years for this moment to be on
the floor, and they actually win five hundred dollars and
he walked away with fifty bucks and well fifty bucks,
(13:56):
and I on the side, I looked at him, I said,
remind me not to ever go to Vegas with I'll
telling you, you know, but but I think it came
to a point where, you know, Moondog, who was the
actual banker he offered him, you know, he offered him
close to like maybe two hundred two hundred bucks, and
(14:17):
he said, you know what, I'm going to go for it,
you know, And he ended up having fifty dollars their escape.
But I guess it was about the experience, you know.
But if he's been the season sigure holder for twenty
five years, you know, five hundred dollars probably was actually
nothing to.
Speaker 5 (14:31):
Him at that time.
Speaker 6 (14:32):
Probably, but it was just for the experience for him.
But yeah, he kept asking and asking and asking, and
he walked away with fifty bucks after twenty five years.
And I'm like, all right, well, thanks for actually being
a part of our family. So I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Two bucks a year for all those years.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
Well my investment, I tell you.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Well, all I can tell you is, as I said,
Jim and I are up in the per and we'll
hear the crowd laughing or interacting with you, and we'll
kind of look down. And the job that you guys do,
as I said, you and and everybody you just mentioned,
Moon and Dog there to keep the crowd engaged. Obviously,
a winning Calves basketball team does that as well. But
you and the entire group that really puts together outstanding
(15:21):
promotions and interactions with the crowd is just fantastic.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
You do.
Speaker 6 (15:27):
You know, we can't please every single body, and we
know that at the ultimate goal, people want to come
to watch the cass and they want them and they
want to see see to see them win. But in
the meantime, there are fans who do come down. Hey,
you just never know what they've been going through. So
we take it upon ourselves if we can give them
a T shirt or a high five or a smile
(15:47):
to let them know that, hey, whatever's going on in
your personal life, when you walk inside Rocket Morgan Field House,
we're gonna make you forget about that just for a
few hours on your face and watch them great basketball.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
That's awesome. Mod Crumpy No on this week's edition of
caves HQ. Mod keep doing the sensational work that you do.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Yeah, Seric, thank you so much, Jim tim I appreciate
you everything that you do for the organization.
Speaker 5 (16:10):
Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Crew joining us on Cavs HQ presented by Betway. We'll
take a quick time out on the other side, we're
gonna look at the NBA in totality a guy who
covers it for the athletic Joe Barden will join us.
He does an amazing job, so we'll hear from Joe
after this on Cavs HQ presented by Betway on the
Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 7 (16:40):
During February's Heart Month and as part of the Cleveland
Cavaliers t MVP team member volunteer program and support of
the American Heart Association, team members will help with support
and set up for the twenty twenty four go rant
for Women's twentieth Anniversary Luncheon taking place at the Renaissance
Cleveland Hotel. Team members will also help with support at
(17:01):
the luncheon through registration, silent auction, and much much more.
Calves in the Community is brought to you by Discount
Drug Mart. We'll be back with the second half of
calvs HQ, presented by Betway right after this on the
Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Here's Garland top of the key lob right in corner
to a coral ice, right in front of the Cavs bench,
a coral spinney d of the lane and thanking it
home Isaaca coral boy. He's having a nice night. He's
got sixteen games tied at eighty one.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Then he's having a great year.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Two tim Ice one of the lane in the LANEA
Allen books scores.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
I like that they frusting each other.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
To acorl now drives the baseline back to Mobley. Mobley
into the paint, will shoot over Drummond.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Nice guys up by Mogu.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Garland against Caruso. Garland steps right, three ball.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Hey, big suff that was contested, Rocket Mornitchfield, Houser Roughs
as d g hits the three blocome back.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Cavs HQ presented by Betway on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers
audio verse. Great, big thank you to the dynamic duo
on the other side of the window. Technical director Marty Allen,
Senior producer Kurt McLaughlin putting together that little highlight montage
from the Calves win over Chicago before the Cavaliers went
into the All Star break, and boy, the Calves are
(18:32):
red hot at thirty six and seventeen, sitting at number
two in the Eastern Conference. And will delve more into
what the Cavaliers have done with our next guest, his
first appearance on Calves HQ. We are thrilled to have
him does an amazing job covering the NBA for The Athletic.
If you don't subscribe to The Athletic, you should because
(18:55):
their coverage is phenomenal. And one of the guys that
leads the way is Joe Varden, who now joined us
on Calves HQ. Joe, it is great to have you
on our program.
Speaker 8 (19:04):
Thanks for having me. It means a lot to me
to do this, having been born an Akron and raised
here and you know, kind of grew up on the
Calves and listening to the Calves on the radio, you know,
and for the last ten years I've had Jim critiquing
my wardrobe to work, so.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
As well, that's a nice way to start this, Joe.
So well, as I mentioned before, we got started here. Boy,
we've got plenty to talk about. And of course, twenty
four hours ago the NBA All Star Game, and certainly
the last few years it's left a sour taste in
(19:45):
some people's mouths, the non competitiveness of it. Looking at
it from an NBA perspective, as I said, you cover
the league on a league wide basis. Boy, where do
they go from here?
Speaker 5 (19:57):
Joe?
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Yeah, I mean, like just to recap they had already
switched back to the old way of playing All Star
games for about five or six years. We had gotten
away from East versus West. We had like a playground
pick them style amongst the two leading vote getters, and
they would pick the teams as late as the day
(20:19):
of the game, which was which was awkward. And then
they even adjusted how we keep score for a while.
So they got rid of all that and they went
back to the way it used to be, with almost
like an edict or a caveat coming from the commissioner's office,
which was, look, you guys just needs to play harder,
you know that. I mean, I think that edict makes
(20:40):
makes me a little uncomfortable, especially because there's no real
way to enforce it. But at the same time, it
whatever they talked about, it just it didn't work. There
was actually even less defense played on Sunday night, and
we set a record for points in an All Star game.
(21:00):
We set a bunch of scoring records, and it's just
it's unsightly. I think that's the best way we can
say it. They're just watching the players like literally walk
when they don't have the ball, and like just sort
of all these shots from half court and just over
the timeline and like it just it's just not something
that's good to see. Like, I don't think anybody's asking
(21:23):
them to sell out and play like it's game three
of a playoff game. But I think we want. What
we want is for the five guys on defense to
get to a close out, to try to keep a
guy in front of them, keep a hand in the face,
you know, just to just so it just looks better.
I think I think that would that would go a
long way, given what we have right now.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Joe, I know you would agree that a lot of
this attitude is prompted by the guys that we call
the rulers of the league, the Lebron James, the Curry's,
the Kevin Rants, those type of players. This is so
different football went to flag football, right and yeah, I'm
(22:08):
telling you and I'm telling you. The Limos, the private Jets,
the assistance, the valets. I don't see it happening. I
don't see it happen. I think these guys are too
indebted to their brand and to other things going on.
They make as much money basically as the owners do. Now,
(22:29):
I don't see how you can get them to play harder.
I really don't.
Speaker 8 (22:33):
Yeah, I mean that is the question. How do you
do it? You know, one school of thought is to
put some prize money on the table. Oh my goodness,
it worked, you know, it worked with the n Season tournament.
I mean there isn't really you know, like the tournament.
It doesn't have prestige yet, right, Like, maybe it'll have
(22:53):
some next year because we've had one now.
Speaker 6 (22:56):
But it didn't.
Speaker 8 (22:57):
It didn't have any prestige. There were there were literally
playing for money. They all said that that was an
incentive and we got a great tournament out of it.
So that's one school I'm with you, like in so
far as when we talk about brand relationship. I mean,
that's part of what also drives All Star weekend. It's
a hugely important weekend for the NBA. So when we
(23:20):
talk about scrapping the game, I don't know that that
is an option either. I think, you know, they also
have to be they meaning you know, the NBA at large,
players and ownerships, they have to be compelled.
Speaker 6 (23:33):
To fix this.
Speaker 8 (23:33):
Now. I think the saber rattling coming out of the
Commissioner's office over the last six months about you know,
load management and sixty five games and playing more and
playing harder at the All Star Game. I think that
is coming from some pressure from potential TV partners.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
I do.
Speaker 8 (23:53):
But until fans start turning away and ratings drops for
these All Star games and the TV money drives up,
that's when we really see a change. People get serious
about it.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
So I don't know, you know, I don't know what.
Speaker 8 (24:07):
The fix is necessarily, but I don't know how close
we are to getting one either.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
Yeah, because but Tim, let me just add this to it.
The dunk contest, they booed them after the dunk winner.
I mean, after they realized who the winner was, they booed.
I mean, we're not getting the best dunkers in our
league to participate. Anthony Edwards is off to a terrible
start as an All Star. The guy is the highest jumping,
most forceful dunker in our league and doesn't jump in
(24:34):
the dunk contest. The guy from the G League wins.
Speaker 8 (24:36):
Again, we had two G leaguers in the contest.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
That's right, right, that's exactly right. Again, We're talking with
Joe Varden from the Athletic and Joe covers the NBA
in just a terrific way. For the athletic So Joe,
let's there's a lot more to talk about as far
as the All Star but that's down the road. So
as we call it the first half, we're long past
the halfway point. But what's the storyline now going into
(25:03):
the back half of the season. Now, what do you
see unfolding that you're really going to be keeping.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
An eye on?
Speaker 8 (25:10):
Yeah, I mean, I think at this time of the
year and with one of the things that the NBA
did that has worked, which is make you know, expand
the postseason, give more teams a chance to get into
the playoffs through the play in tournament, you know, jockeying
for position one through ten I think matters more than
it used is. So so for every team involved, any
(25:34):
team that that is within shouting distance of that tenth slot,
you know, that is going to be the number one
the number one storyline, you know, I think from a
Calvs perspective, being second in the East with I think
a three game lead, I think that's what it is
they need. They need to hold on to it. You know,
we we've loved how they've played over the last few years. Overall,
(25:57):
we've they've grown every year, but we also know that
in typically after the All Star Break, this franchise, this
organization has struggled, you know, going into the playoffs, and
then we saw what happened in the playoffs last year.
So for the Calves, they need to finish strong. It'll
be their first strong finish under JB. They'll have momentum
(26:20):
going into the postseason and that's what I want to
see for them. I want them to finish off the
second season.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Joe Varden from The Athletic our guest on Cavs HQ
presented by Betwag. Great to have joining us for the
very first time, Joe Varden. We'll take a time out.
When we come back, we'll have more with Joe, so
stay with us. Cavs HQ presented by Betway continues after
this on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
You're experiencing Calves HQ on the Medical Mutual Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones, and we're joined by
Joe Varden from the Athletic. Nice enough to stop buy
and pay us a visit on this Monday. Of course,
the Cavaliers and the rest of the NBA on the
All Star Break Caves back in action Thursday night at
home when they take on Orlando, and then a quick
plane ride over to Philly and a back to back
(27:17):
as the Caves and the Sixers. We'll go at it
on Friday night. But again, great to have Joe Varden
joining us and Jim I'll let you get started with
our guests here in segment two.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Joe, do you seem to get a flavor that this
push to put New York in the playoffs is just
so disrespectful to small market teams. The way they pushed
Bronson over the weekend, you would think that he was looking.
In fact, he had more press than Lebron James as
far as interviews. What's going on in our league?
Speaker 8 (27:48):
There is a there is an appetite for the NIXT
I would say, and like, okay, let's put this way, like,
you know, Jay Brunson, who's having a fine year. Let's
let's let's not you know sugarcoat that he is. But
he won.
Speaker 6 (28:07):
He he was.
Speaker 8 (28:08):
The second vote getter for the All Star Game among
guards from media members. Now, I did not vote for him.
I voted for I voted for Donovan Mitchell. It's not
because I live in Cleveland. It's because Donovan changed the
way he had to play, and his changes kind of
sparked what we've seen on this team. And and you
(28:31):
know he's the statistically he's there, but but it's what
it's what he did and why he had to do
it that to me made you know, it made me
think of him as an All Star starter. But Brunson
wins there. And then you know when they make the
trade for for Buck Donovich and also earlier in December
(28:51):
when they traded for ogn and Obie. You know, you
have people asked me to come on their shows talking
to me about Brunson for MVP and about the Knicks
as as titles contenders. I'm telling you it's out there
and and and from when the when we STI young
about the Knicks as the title contender, I have to
tell them, I'm I'm like, I just don't see that yet.
(29:14):
I mean, they you know, Brunson has emerged, but they
have a ton of injuries right now. Uh And and
you know, when that team gets healthy, Tims isn't going
to have hardly any time to put them together. And
they still don't have that top five player. You know,
Brunson would be the closest. But the last team to
win a title without a top five player, I think
(29:37):
was the two thousand and four Pistons. So you know,
I think the Knicks are formidable, but I think they're forced,
you know, I mean, I I don't think they're better
than the Calves. I admit I didn't think that at
the playoffs last year either, But I love to move
to Calves and made it, and I love the way
that they're playing right now.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
So Joe, let's follow that up. How deep of a
run is this team, meaning the Cavs capable of? And
how deep of a run do you think they will make?
Speaker 8 (30:11):
Two very good questions. You know, we remember that when
they first put this nucleus together adding Donovan, the company line,
whether it's from Kobe Altman or JB. Vickerstaff was we
will be ready to contend when Evan Mobley is ready
to contend. And what's been interesting is as the team
(30:32):
has evolved and Evan, you know, his game is improving
at all times. He is not the Kevin Garnett offensive
presence right now. He is not, he said, And so
does that mean that they are not capable of making
deep run? I actually don't think it does. I think
(30:55):
they have to try to play the way they are
playing now, which is asking Evan to play a little
bit more in space to give more room for some
of the other guys to get to the rim. That's
opened up a lot of things. How deep of a
run will they make? I think what we've seen over
the last two months is real. So should they be
(31:17):
in a conference final against Boston?
Speaker 6 (31:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (31:19):
They should. And I think that whether or not they
get there has a major impact on a lot of
the moves that happened after that. Who works here, what
contracts look like? You know, what superstars on this team
like that? All of that probably is writing on what
(31:41):
kind of playoffs runs this teammates.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
You know, when you look at Donovan. My first show
back to the Cavs booth, I asked him that question.
I said, what were your thoughts when you said on
the sideline and they were winning without you and Darius
and Evans? And he said, I just felt like I
could do more, you know, I could modify my game.
I said, this is the best basketball that you ever played?
(32:04):
He said, yes, it is. And I think he's more
comfortable because he's trusting his teammates that takes a lot
of pressure off of him. But Joe, I'd like your
thoughts on this whole Eastern Conference. You know, there's so
many injuries, and you mentioned the Knicks might not have
time to build a chemistry back, but what are some
of the other teams that are struggling that we're supposed
(32:26):
to be one, two or three?
Speaker 6 (32:29):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (32:30):
No, I mean, so, you know, we start with the
team that has been dominant all season, the Boston Celtics,
Like they deserve every bit of credit they get, and
probably more so for how they've built this roster, what
they have surrounded Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown with. They
are deep, they are disciplined, they defend so very formally.
(32:55):
But then after that, you know, we talked about the
Knicks already. We know about Philadelphia, you know, going all
the way from trading James, which probably was a good
thing for everybody involved, but trading him and then losing
Joel for possibly the rest of the season. You know,
he had meniscus surgery, Like there's no way around that,
(33:17):
that's what he did. And so what is the season
going to look like for the Sixers if he's ready
to come back by April first or April fifteenth, I
don't know. So you look there, the Milwaukee Bucks have
had They've had Nixon bruises, but the transition to Doc
(33:39):
Rivers has not been good. They're going to have a
mini training camp in Milwaukee on Wednesday, you know, sort
of before the season starts over again, like a chance
for Rivers to really implement some of the things that.
Speaker 6 (33:52):
He wants to do.
Speaker 8 (33:53):
I mean, he's been calling Adrian Griffins plays. They've been
running you know, Joe Brunnie's defense, those kinds of things. So,
you know, will Doc be able to reach a team
that has one of the best players, two of the
best players in the league, but a team that is
not built the way that the championship.
Speaker 6 (34:10):
Bucks will built.
Speaker 8 (34:12):
And then the last East team I was mentioned is
still the Miami Heat. They have that pedigree, they have
that sort of it factor when it comes to deep
playoff runs. And you know, this is another frustrating, mediocre
regular season on South Beach, but they have the attitude,
(34:33):
the fortitude, and probably the roster to make a run
if they if they can, you know, save themselves from mediocrity.
Speaker 2 (34:43):
Joe, before we let you go, final question I asked
you earlier about a storyline or something that you may
be following into the second half. What's something that people
should keep an eye on, what might be a surprise
out there in the second half, or like I said,
we're long past the halfway point, the back half for
the season.
Speaker 8 (35:02):
Yeah, I think I think you are. You're looking at
are the Warriors as bad as they had been for
a month and a half. We're finding that maybe that's
not the case. Maybe there's just a little bit of
magic left in the beef Kerr Steph Curry era. You know,
(35:24):
do the Lakers make yet another run? And what's going
on with Lebron? I mean last night he said, you know,
I wrote the story. He said, I don't have that
many seasons left, and he said, I am happy as
a Laker. I hope I retire as a Laker, but
I don't know. So you watch how that unfold. Yeah,
(35:44):
you know, what's his patience like? And yeah, I think
I mean those are you know, I think those are
two fascinating stories in the West. And then I think
you also think about the younger the younger teams there
in Oklahoma City, Minnesota. You know, Jim already mentioned Anthony
Edwards like he stinks as an All Star, but man,
he and that team sure play, but will their experience
(36:07):
get them when they get to the playoffs. So a
lot to look forward to, you know, cav Like you said,
we've got to see them hold strong over these last However,
many games are left in gear up for that run.
You know, I think we know how they're going to start.
We know the first guy or too off the benches
when JB has to shrink the rotation, who's going to
(36:28):
get left out? You know that I think that remains
to be seen.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Joe, this has been fantastic your your first appearance, but
I promise you not your last HQ. Now that we
got your number, my friend, we'll be staying in contact.
But this was fantastic. Thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (36:46):
Thank you Je any time.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Joe Barton from the Athletic joining us on Cavs HQ
presented by Betway. Again, if you don't subscribe to The Athletic,
you should be, because Joe and everybody just does a
remarkable job. Been covering not just the NBA but all
the sports all right, A quick time out when we
come back the finishing touches on this week's show, so
stay with us. We'll wrap it up after this on
the Cavaliers Medical Mutual Audio Verse. Well that's gonna do
(37:17):
it for this week's edition of Cavas HQ, presented by Betway.
Jim again, a huge thank you to a mod Crump
for joining us earlier. And then we just heard from
Joe Varden from the Athletic Ways some terrific insights. And
I thought when Joe said at the very end, keep
an eye on the West and some of those teams
that may still have a run in them, like Golden
State and like Los Angeles.
Speaker 3 (37:39):
Yeah, those teams. You know, there's still a big question
mark as far as our whole league is designed, because
like no year in the last fifteen maybe twenty years, Tim,
there's no front runner. No one is guaranteed to be
NBA Champs. This year, it's wide open for at least
eight to ten teams.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
Oh that's a great point, all right, Jim, will see
you on Thursday night in the Joe Tate Perch. Thanks
to Kurtin, Marty and of course the biggest thanks goes
to you the listeners. Hope you enjoyed it. Cavs h
Q presented by Betway and until we talk again. On
Thursday night from the Joe Tate Perch, tim Elcorn saying,
so long, everybody, here we go. Caruso far side, the inbounds,
(38:19):
got it into boots, boots out front, gave it to
white long three.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
Off the back of the rift of good. Cav's win.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Cavaliers win one o eight, one oh five
Hosts And Creators
Tim Alcorn
Jim Chones
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