One of the GREATEST days of all of our lives and @CavsFredMcLeod called it all with his buddy A.C! ???❤️ https://t.co/q8r7go14IB
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 10, 2019
(Cavaliers) It is with the most extreme sadness that the Cleveland Cavaliers share that Cavs and Fox Sports Ohio play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod died suddenly Monday evening. The entire Cavaliers organization mourns the loss of their great friend and teammate. Fred’s deep love for Cleveland and the Cavaliers was clearly evident in everything he did in and around the community and on-air during his more than 1,000 Cavalier game broadcasts. He was a true, heart-felt ambassador for the team, fans and entire greater Cleveland community.
The Cavaliers extend our deepest condolences to Fred’s entire family, including his wife Beth, mother Marilyn, sister Lynn, and his three children, Sean, Jenna, Molly and each of their families.
Fred was born and grew up in nearby Strongsville, Ohio. He was the Cavaliers television play-by-play announcer on FOX Sports Ohio since the 2006 season. He was about to embark on his 14th consecutive season, and 15th overall, as he served in the same capacity with the Cavs during the 1979-80 season.
In addition to his play-by-play duties, Fred also served as the Cavaliers’ Executive Producer for Multimedia, providing fans behind-the-scenes access on Cavs.com, Cavs HQ, Twitter and Facebook with daily updates and interviews during the season.
One of the most accomplished and respected announcers in the NBA, Fred recently celebrated his 36th season of broadcasting games, having also spent 22 seasons announcing Detroit Pistons games, prior to returning home to join the Cavaliers in 2006. Fred spent the 1979 MLB baseball season in Cleveland as well, as a TV announcer for the Cleveland Indians. His diverse and extensive sports broadcasting career also included time with the NFL’s Detroit Lions and MLB’s Detroit Tigers.
Fred was a multiple regional Emmy Award winner as part of the Fox Sports Ohio Cavs broadcast crew, along with his beloved game broadcast partner Austin Carr. He was also a proud recipient of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences’ prestigious Silver Circle Award in recognition of lifetime achievement in television.
Fred was a Point Park University (Pittsburgh) graduate, where he played baseball and pitched in the NAIA College World Series.
Statement from the Gilbert family regarding Fred McLeod:
“Fred McLeod was truly a one-of-a-kind person and friend. Words cannot express our feelings as we think about the many special memories we have of Fred and a relationship that spans four decades. We will miss him tremendously.
Fred was not only a great broadcaster and communicator that informed, explained and entertained, but he passionately embodied the Cavaliers ‘All for One. One for All.’ DNA in every aspect of his life.
He had the gift of connecting with everyone he interacted with and leaving them feeling happier, stronger, more positive, and valued. Fred has left an impactful, lasting legacy in Cleveland, Detroit and beyond.
Our family extends our deepest and warmest sympathies to Fred’s entire family, including his wonderful wife Beth, mother Marilyn, sister Lynn, and his three children, Sean, Jenna, Molly and each of their families."
The Cavs have released their 2019-2020 regular season schedule that tips off in Orlando on October 23rd.
Three days later the Cavs welcome the Pacers to Rocket Mortgage Field House for the home opener on the 26th. The only nationally televised game for Cleveland is in DC against the Wizards on November 8th.
LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers come to town on March 26th, the same day as the Indians 2020 season/home opener when the Tribe take on the Detroit Tigers.
Click here for the full 2019/2020 Cavs Schedule.
Click here for the full 2020 Indians Schedule.
ESPN story on the Cleveland Cavaliers agreeing with Michigan's John Beilein to a five-year contract to become franchise's new coach. https://t.co/9BUMn57B19
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 13, 2019
On this Wednesday edition of the Sam and Brad Show, the guys catch up with the Akron RubberDucks' Adam Liberman to discuss the team's "signing" of Bryce Harper to a 330 million duck bills contract(00:20). Brian Dulik of the Medina Gazette and Associated Press stops by to talk with the guys about all things in area sports (05:42), and Paul Keels of the IMG Sports Network talks with the guys about the Ohio State Buckeyes following their big win over #22 Iowa(16:41).
On this Monday edition of the Jasen Sokol Show, Jeff Schudel of The News Herald and The Morning Journal joins Jasen to break down the latest in sports (00:17), Larry Magid of CBSNews.com talks about the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (12:49), and Monday's Dope of the Day is revealed (17:35).
A report from the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday afternoon is that head coach Tyronn Lue will be taking some time off from the team to address undisclosed health issues.
The following is Coach Lue's statement from Cavs.com:
"After many conversations with our doctors and Koby and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season.
I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year. Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is.
While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to start in the midst of a season. My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the Championship we are all working towards.
I greatly appreciate Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman, our medical team and the organization's support throughout."
Reports are that Cavs assistant coach Larry Drew will take over the coaching duties while Coach Lue gets healthy.
LeBron James commenting, saying, "I knew he was struggling, but (Lue) was never not himself," adding, "It's probably long overdue, but health is the most important thing."
After leaving Saturday night's game with a then undisclosed knee injury, an MRI has revealed that Cavs All Star Power Forward Kevin Love required surgery.
In a statement released Tuesday, the team said that Love underwent arthroscopic surgery to "remove a loose body" from his left knee. The surgery was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City by Dr. David Altchek with Dr. James Rosneck of the Cleveland Clinic present.
Post-surgery recovery, according to the team, is estimated at about 6 weeks. The Cavs say they'll update his status as appropriate.
The Cavs have recently made room on the roster by trading Center Chris "Birdman" Andersen. They did acquire former second-overall pick Derrick Williams who has been playing well at Power Forward for the team.
The Cavs take on the Timberwolves, Love's former team, on Tuesday night in Minnesota and then the Pacers at the Q in Cleveland Wednesday night, before the All Star break.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded Center Chris "Birdman" Andersen and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for a protected second round pick.
Andersen, who joined the Cavs last summer, was placed on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL during practice back in December, 2016.
The move, essentially, clears a roster spot for the Cavs if they decide to add another player. Their current needs are a back-up point guard and another "big man."
Read the official press release from the Cavs below:
CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded center Chris Andersen and cash considerations to Charlotte for a protected second round pick, General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. Andersen, who signed as a freeagent on July 21, appeared in 12 games this season with averages of 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds.
After an extended stalemate that has now cut well into the Cavaliers preseason (there's only one game left), the team and guard J.R. Smith have agreed to terms on a new contract.
Smith made the announcement via LeBron James's Uninterrupted website Friday night, thanking his teammates and Cavs fans for sticking it out with him throughout this "rough patch of time," as he put it.
The team has not officially released those terms that were agreed upon, but several outlets are reporting the deal with for four years and worth $57 million.
Also during the short video announcement, J.R. made it known that he and his wife are having another baby!
Cavs start their season at home against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, October 25th, when players and coaching staff will receive their 2016 NBA Championship rings and the organization will hoist the NBA Championship banner to the rafters of the "Q."
The Larry O'Brien Trophy has made the rounds since the Cavs locked up the 2016 NBA World Championship, defeating the Golden State Warriors. Now the championship trophy can boast a bird's-eye view from the Goodyear Blimp, after a trip in the iconic conveyance.
It's the first time the blimp has given a ride to any professional sports championship trophy.
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue their winning ways with a 7 of 7 sweep at the annual ESPY Awards, courtesy of ESPN.
Before any awards were handed out, however, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony took to the stage with a statement on violence in America and the racial divide; imploring athletes across the country to do their part in fighting injustice and violence in the country:
(Video Courtesy of ESPN and ABC via YouTube)
As for the awards the Cavaliers took home:
- Best Team
- Best Game, Game 7 of the NBA Finals
- Best Moment in Sports, Winning the NBA Championship
- Best Coach, Tyronn Lue
- Best Finals Performance, LeBron James
- Best NBA Player, LeBron James
- Best Male Athlete, LeBron James
It's the first major sports championship the Northeast Ohio area has seen in 52 years, so naturally thousands and thousands of fans flocked to the IX Center and Cleveland Hopkins Airport in Cleveland to witness LeBron James and the rest of the World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers bring it home.
The festivities at the IX Center parking lot kicked off early, with the team expected to touchdown aroun 12:30 p.m. The mood was vibrant and the crowd was excited, hoping to get within eyeshot of the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The energy level was maintained by the Cavaliers Dance Team, the Scream Team, the Q-Stix, and in-game announcer Ahmaad Crump, who was the emcee for the event. Despite the heat (it was about 86 degrees on the first day of Summer), the crowd was hyped and stuck it out throughout the day.
Then, the Champs landed... And the crowd erupted with collective chants of "Let's Go Cavs!" and "MVP", for Akron's own LeBron James.
As the mobile staircase rolled up to the plane and the door opened, one-by-one the Cavaliers players made their way to flat ground, back in The Land.
In true fairytale fashion, LeBron was the last player to exit the plane, holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy high above his head, for every Cavs fan to witness. While donning an "Ultimate Warrior" T-shirt, no doubt a jab at the now second-best team in the country, the Golden State Warriors, LeBron swelled with pride as he was finally able to keep his promise and bring his hometown a World Championship.
"Just a kid from Akron."
LeBron James will always be "a kid from Akron," but those who share his hometown feel differently. He's the kid from Akron who led his basketball team to an NBA title -- ending Cleveland's 52-year sports drought.
Inside St. Vincent - St. Mary High School, hundreds of fans came out to watch LeBron and his teammates capture the NBA title inside the Lebron James Arena.
"I'm completely speechless. I love that he said he's bringing the trophy home," said Stacey Hentosz.
Emotions were high inside the same court where LeBron made headlines as a young superstar. One man fell to his knees to reveal an emotional celebration following the win and LeBron being named Most Valuable Player.
Willie McGee, SVSM athletic director and LeBron's former high school teammate, said it was only fitting to hold a watch party at LeBron's alma mater. McGee said LeBron has given back a lot to the community and it was the community's turn to offer support.
After recent reports of fake tickets popping up for the NBA Finals game, Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine is warning fans to pay extra close attention.
Dewine said in most cases, people bought the tickets on Craigslist but didn't get anything in return. Some cases also included scammers who printed out counterfeit tickets.
The Attorney General's Office recomends fans to "be skeptical" when they come across an offer that appears to good to be true.
Spencer Davies of Amico Hoops and FOXSports Ohio Joined the Sam Bourquin Show to talk about the Cavs 38 point win over the Raptors in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals. Sam and Spencer also discussed if we could expect a Raptors victory in game six, “ You could expect a Cavs win tomorrow but the difference is the Cavs are going to be completely focused on closing it out.” Davies said. Davies also believes that the learning experience of losing games three and four in Toronto could help Kyrie elevate the Cavs in Game six.