Is there really any doubt?

Things certainly don't look good for the Cleveland Cavaliers right now.  After being humiliated at home last night, the Cavs now need to beat Boston two times in a row to win the series.  Is it possible?

Sure, anything is possible.  However, LeBron James and his teammates are going to have to show a lot more heart than they did in Game 5.  What a putrid performance.   

James definitely didn't display any sense of urgency on the court or while answering questions after the game.  In fact, he just chalked it up to a bad game...one of three that he has had during the past seven years.  What a cop-out. 

For Cavs fans it's deja all over again as LeBron & Co. are about to be bounced from the playoffs for a second consecutive year.  After last season I wrote that "NBA Coach of the Year" Mike Brown deserved to be fired after the Cavs were eliminated from playoff contention.  This year will be no different.  Brown is completely overmatched and if Boston seals the deal then both Brown and James are as good as gone.  

The New York Knicks are obviously the likely destination for James and right now I'd set the odds like this:   

Knicks:  2:1***

Bulls:  5:1

Cavs:  7:1

Nets: 10:1 

***Update:  The Cavs are toast and LeBron will likely be in a New York Knicks uniform next season.  Odds are now even money...





While most of the media focus today will be on LeBron and the Cavaliers, another NBA story shouldn't be quickly dismissed.  Earlier this week, disgraced referee Tim Donaghy outed Bill Kennedy and said that comments made by Doc Rivers about Kennedy's sexual orientation affected how Celtics games have been officiated over the years. 

Is Donaghy a dirtbag?  Yes, but should his assertions be quickly dismissed?  I don't think so.  While all of his statements shouldn't be considered the gospel truth, the fact of the matter is that he was able to win over 80% of his professional basketball bets. Obviously, that is a staggeringly high percentage.  

It brings to mind another disgraced sports figure whose claims weren't taken seriously:  Jose Canseco.  Looking back at the steroid scandal in Major League Baseball, it now simply can't be denied that Jose Canseco was the one guy who brought the PED House Of Cards tumbling down. 

Canseco has clearly been vindicated.  Will Donaghy be next?