R.I.P. DJ :(

We knew with his expiring contract that it was just a matter of time before DJ became an ex-Cavalier. Well, the inevitable happened today. As we welcome Mo Williams into Cavalierland, I have to admit I will miss DJ. The Hawk was fun obviously, but I really did enjoy DJ's personality and all his dumb antics. And of course the shot in Game 6 in Washington in 2006 will forever be etched in our memories. Best of luck to you up in Milwaukee DJ. Have fun being the Central Division doormats. And remember, don't get in the way when LeBron gets ready to throw one down again.

We'll always have this memory of DJ in the wine and gold uniform

Calling Coach Brown...

Well, DJ didn't play again in Game 5, and not coincidentally, the Cavaliers lost a chance at home to close out the Wizards. Obviously I've had a beef with Coach Brown over DJ's lost playing time for a while now. And while it's fun to jokingly (well, half-jokingly) blame it on the karma of the lost Hawk, I'm honestly getting tired of DJ not getting a chance. I understand the Szczerbiak experiment. And I understand trying Devin Brown for a while. But it's not working.

Look, I appreciate Devin Brown's hustle and hard work. He's one of only two Cavaliers that's not afraid to drive strong to the hoop (and I think you know who the other more famous one is). And I know we had to give Wally a shot. But Caron Butler ate him alive last night. If you want someone out there who isn't a strong defender, can't it at least be a guy who you know can drain shots under the pressure of the postseason? I'm begging you Mike Brown, give Damon another chance before this season goes up in smoke. Let him help beat the Wizards again.

DJ is dying to follow up this shot with another dagger in '08

A distubing trend

Honestly, when I started this blog I never imagined that DJ would be the odd man out of the Cavs rotation. Wednesday night marked the 4th straight DNP-CD for Damon. You know he has to be getting frustrated (as evidenced by the PD article in my previous post and this one from the Brian Windhorst). I understand that Boobie needs to be integrated back into the lineup. He is an important piece of the puzzle. And I understand going with Sczcerbiak and West for long stretches. We need all these guys on the same page in the playoffs. But to me, that includes DJ as well. He was enjoying his best season as a Cavalier and was really stretching the defense and making them pay for sagging on LeBron. I don't understand cutting him out of the rotation completely.

Damon - my best advice to you is to bring back the Hawk. The fans love it. I love to write about it. And you were in the rotation and playing well with it. Then you went and messed up a good thing and karma is punishing you. But karma can give as well as take. Bring back the Hawk and restore order in Cavalier Land. I'm asking you for your own good now.

Remember how happy you were back then? There's a way to bring that back...