Category Archives: Cavs

The results are in for Cleveland’s hottest athlete. Here’s who our readers chose:

At the beginning of December we ran a poll to have our readers vote on the best looking professional athletes in the city of Cleveland. The response we got was pretty awesome, our poll was spread all over Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit and we had tons of people visit the site to weigh in on some good looking dudes. I mean, who actually cares about their play on the field, right?

The staff here at Bottlegate (AKA all 2 of us) put together our own lists. You can view Austin’s here where he went above and beyond and wrote a thesis on each individual player. He even came up with a number system to calculate each player’s final score. Seriously, go check it out if you haven’t already, it’s really really good.

Before we reveal the Top 10 that you voted, I’ll give you my top 10 and a short explanation on why and how I picked them.

 

10. Johnny Manziel

Is he actually a good looking guy? Meh. He’s alright I guess. He makes the list because these are the girls he’s been linked to within the past year. The company he keeps vaults him into my top ten.

9. Spencer Lanning

Spencer was the last person thrown into the poll to round out the Browns selections. He actually performed very well. The only reason he makes my top 10 is because of this picture:

spencerlanning3

8. Michael Brantley

Frankly I don’t think he’s very good looking but during every Indians game my Twitter timeline is inundated with girls swooning over him.

7. Joe Harris

If the 2014 NBA Draft was based off looks alone, Joe Harris would have been the #1 pick.

6. Jason Kipnis

He just strikes me as a man’s man. Can probably fix the alternator on your car while chopping down a Redwood at the same time.

5. Corey Kluber

He’s in the Top 5 because of his beard and his beard alone. I strive to have that facial hair one day. Oh, and he’s pretty good at throwing that baseball thing too.

klub

4. LeBron James

“But Mike, LeBron isn’t hot. He looks like an old man” Blah blah blah. You know why LeBron cracks my top 5? Because this:

lebronnetworth2

lebronnetworth1

Related: Apparently I’m a gold digger. You learn something new about yourself everyday.

 

3. Miles Austin

Miles was famous in the non NFL circles because he dated some girl named Kim Kardashian while he was with the Cowboys. Never heard of her. Plus people tell me has nice eyes.

 

2. Kevin Love

Kevin Love fever has officially taken over the city of Cleveland. Kevin Love this, Kevin Love that. You’d think he was in the same league as Beckham the way these girls are drooling over him.

1. Jordan Cameron

It really isn’t even close to be honest.

1) He’s an acclaimed actor who made his on-screen debut on FX’s The League

2) He can dunk better than you

jordancamerondunk

3) His child is way cuter than your child

4) He’s better at rollerblading than you

http://instagram.com/p/qLJb9CICK4/?modal=true

 

5) He puts Buddy The Elf to shame

6) Oh hello 5 o’clock shadow nice to meet you

 

Here’s how you guys voted:

hottestbrown

How Jordan Cameron didn’t win unanimously is beyond me

 

hottestcavalier

Bloodbath City: Population Kevin Love & the Cavaliers

hottestindian

Zach Walters coming in second for Hottest Indian then not cracking the top 10 for overall hottest is the most confusing thing that I’ve read all year.

Cleveland’s Top 10 (with ties)

10. Mike Aviles

10. Yan Gomes

10. Michael Brantley

7. Spencer Lanning

5. Miles Austin (tie)

5. Joe Haden (tie)

4. Jason Kipnis

3. Joe Harris

2. Jordan Cameron

1. Kevin Love

 

And there you have it, Kevin Love is the undisputed best looking athlete in the Cleveland professional sports scene. It was a back and forth battle between Jordan Cameron and Kevin Love, with Kevin making a big push on the final day to claim the title. Thanks to everyone who voted. Stay tuned for more polls like these that we have up our sleeve.

overallhottest

Cavs Rewind + The Week Ahead

Editor’s note: This was originally supposed to be posted on Tuesday morning but your boy Mike here got sidetracked with holiday fever and completely forgot about it. I’m sorry.

By Will:

 

Cavs Rewind + Preview (12.15-12-28)

Thank god for the Cavs.  My Browns depression and disgust was cut short this week with the Cavs tipping off at 4:30 on Sunday and taking me back to my Cleveland happy place.  This week had three solid wins and one HUGE loss.  If it weren’t for a 29-point loss to the Hawks in Cleveland I would be feeling great about the team right now.  If we can avoid bad losses like that and keep winning three out of four on a consistent basis we will be on our way back to the promised land, playoff games at the Q. Not that the playoffs are even in question this year, I just like thinking about it as much as I can.

Charlotte Hornets:

We bounced back nicely in our first game after back-to-back losses, starting the game against Charlotte on a 21-0 run. I read that’s the biggest lead to start a game since like 1994.  Good work team.  Unfortunately we didn’t pitch the shutout and the Hornets managed to get back in the game and only trailed by 3 early in the third quarter.  Then our foot went back on the gas and the squad pulled away for a comfortable 9 point W.

Atlanta Hawks:

I didn’t see much of this game and I’m pretty glad about it.  I know Shelvin Mack went 6 for 6 on threes after he was like 3 of 27 on the season coming in.  We pretty much played no defense on Mack or anyone else in a Hawks jersey.  They shot 64.5% from the field as a team, including 57% from three.  Forget this one and move on.

Brooklyn Nets:

This kind of feels like a cheap win to me.  Brooklyn was missing Brook Lopez to injury.  Deron Williams left the game after only 10 minutes. Sergey Karasev started.  It just wasn’t really a fair fight from the start.  Especially when Mike Miller goes off for SEVEN 3’s on only eight shots. Miller stole the show in his first appearance in the starting lineup and made David Blatt look like a genius.  LeBron had 9 assists, many of them coming to Miller for open treys. Cavs won by 4 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score.

Memphis Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies came into this game with the second best record in the league and playing great ball.  Last week they knocked off Golden State, ending the Warriors 16 game win streak and then for an encore, beat the Spurs in a 3OT thriller.  With the way the Cavs have been up and down I figured this to be a loss but we showed up in a big way.  Kyrie outplayed Mike Conley in a big way and finished with 17 points and tie a career high with 12 assists.  LeBron also hit double digit assist with 11 to go along with 25 points.  Dion and Andy had 21 and 18 respectively and the Cavs won by 14 in their best team effort of the season.

Cavs finished the week at 16-10 and are currently 2nd place in the Central Division and the 5 seed in the East.

 

The Week Ahead:

Minnesota Timberwolves:

The reunion we’ve all been waiting for in Cleveland.  Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins return!! This game should be a fun one to watch between seeing the Cavs beat up on a bad team and the dunks we’ll get from the T-Wolves young leapers.  Cavs by 11.

Miami Heat:

Once you’ve suffered through your once a year trip to church, opened all the of starbucks gift cards from your extended family even though you don’t drink coffee, and put down about three plates of Christmas turkey or ham you can settle in for the NBA main event of Christmas.  LeBron, AND THE CAVS!!!!!!!!!, take their talents to South Beach.  GOD THAT FEELS GOOD TO SAY. Fuck you Miami, Fuck you Dan LeBatard, Fuck you fake Miami “fans.” Man I am excited for this game!!  I predicted before the season that Miami will beat us once this year but it won’t be this game.  Cavs by 46.

Editor’s note: Oops

 

Orlando Magic:

After the Cavs embarrass the Heat on national TV Thursday night (oops again) we’ll wash it down with a nice cake game against the Magic.  When the Cavs played Orlando in Cleveland earlier this year they waltzed to a 30+ point victory while I stuffed my face and guzzled beer in the club level VIP.  (PS if you’re going to a Cavs game this year, bid on tickets on FlashSeats – I got those VIP seats for $45 – asking price was $170). Cavs by 13.

Detroit Pistons:

The Pistons cut Josh Smith today (4 days ago).  I repeat, the Pistons cut. Josh. Smith. today (repeat: 4 days ago).  This team is a total trainwreck right now and in no shape to compete against talented basketball.  I just had a conversation about how weird that is considering they have Brandon Jennings, KCP, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond.  All talented guys, but with Jennings and (until now) Josh Smith they played way too much hero ball to win in the Association.  Cavs finish a week of blowout with a 14 point win.

 

If all goes well and we sweep the week we’ll be sitting at 20-10 and feeling pretty damn good.

Cavs Rewind + The Week Ahead

By Will

Cavs Rewind + Preview (12.8-12.21)

The Cavs split their four game last week winning the first two against Brooklyn and Toronto then losing in Oklahoma City and New Orleans.  It was a promising start when we blew out Brooklyn in the 2nd half Monday night in front of the Royal couple and followed it up with a huge come from behind win over the Raptors.  All good things come to an end though and the Cavs winning streak was snapped at 8 when they fell to OKC on the road.  LeBron did not play in the game due to a sore knee, and while the team played tough, Durant and Westbrook were too much and we couldn’t get over the hump in another comeback bid. LeBron came back against the Pelicans AND Anthony Davis left the game in the 1st quarter.  Easy win right?  Nope, Ryan Anderson went for 30 and we played no defense and lost.

Brooklyn Nets:

The Nets hung tough in the first half before the Cavs went off in the second.  It’s fun seeing this team click on all cylinders and destroy people.  Jay-Z still can’t believe LeBron made that fadeaway.

LeBron nearly caused an international incident by violating “royal protocol” and putting his arm around Duchess Kate.

Toronto Raptors:

The Cavs looked bad early in this game and it seemed like the winning streak was going to end at 7 games but the team fought back from 14 down in the 2nd half to pull off an impressive comeback capped off by LeBron’s record tying 3 from the top of the key (tied Mark Price for Cavs all time 3-pointers made with 802).  The Cavs got a big defensive contribution from Delly as they held the Raptors to 13 points in the 4th quarter.  LeBron had 35.  Dion stayed hot with 18 on 7-10 shooting.

cavsrapsbox

Oklahoma City Thunder:

LeBron missed his first game of the season after being ruled out on gametime decision due to a sore knee.  We still have Kyrie and Love, yes, but it doesn’t make it easy when your competition is Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  Big time scare at the end of the first half in this game when Kyrie landed awkwardly on his left leg and his knee buckled.  At first look most people thought ACL which would have been a disaster but Kyrie must have gotten some Lance Harbor halftime treatment because he came out and played the second half as if nothing had happened. I’m glad our season didn’t end.  The Cavs played the Thunder tough and were only down 4 with just over a minute left but Durant scored the final 8 points for the Thunder and put the game away in crunch time.  This was the Cavs first loss since November 22nd. I’m kind of scratching my head as to why we tried to put Kyrie on Durant in the final possessions.  I appreciate that Kyrie wants to step up and guard the other team’s best player but when that player is 6’10” maybe it’s not the best idea.  Durant just shot right over Irving for 4 of the final 8 points.

cavsthunderbox

New Orleans Pelicans:

I’m going to chalk this loss up to being the team’s fourth game in five nights.  LeBron sure appeared to be fresh having sat against OKC as he went for 41-5-5 but not much else went right for the Cavs. The defense looked awful and even without Anthony Davis the Pelicans were able to put up 119 points.  Tyreke Evans played like it was 2009, back when he was winning the rookie of the year, going for 31 points and 10 assists.

cavspelicansbox

The week ahead:

Charlotte Hornets:

We play our first of four games this week at home against the generally disappointing Charlotte Bobca…I mean Hornets.  This will be LeBron’s first time on the court against Lance Stephenson since Lance decided it would be a good idea to blow in his ear.  Lance was supposed to be a big signing for the Hornets this offseason but so far he’s been a big disappointment and there have even been rumblings they might try and trade him.  Cavs should get back on the winning track and handle the Hornets by 7.

Editor’s note: This game happened last night and the Cavs won by 9. 

Atlanta Hawks:

The Hawks have been one of the surprise teams in the league this year, off to a 16-7 start.  Looking at their roster I’m still not sure how.  I guess having a healthy Al Horford this year to go with Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Paul Milsap gives them a good core but there is no superstar late game finisher there.  I won’t guarantee a victory but we should win this game against the overachievers from Atlanta.  Cavs by 3.

Brooklyn Nets:

Cavs get their second look at the Nets in as many weeks.  After trouncing them by 22 in Brooklyn the Nets will come out and play hard but with rumors about D-Will, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson all on the trade block I doubt these guys will really play that well this season.  Cavs by 8.

Memphis Grizzlies:

It seems like we have at least one really tough game every week and this game is it.  Memphis is off to a great start this season with a record of 19-4 at the beginning of the week.  They are monsters on the defensive end of the floor and behind Marc Gasol can still score enough to pull out some tough victories at the end of games.  Tony Allen has always given LeBron trouble and Randolph and Gasol’s length could bother Love. If we do manage to take down the hot Grizzlies we will need Kyrie to break out of the slump he has been in and take it to Mike Conley.  Grizzlies by 6.