CLEVELAND.COM

The NBA season is long - some say too long.  That's an important thing to keep in mind today after the Cavaliers 95-89 loss to the Boston Celtics.  Obviously there is plenty of reaction so let's get right to it....

Not exactly a gala debut: Cleveland Cavaliers open with lackluster 95-89 loss to Boston(Brian Windhorst)
The new-look Cavaliers are still stuck in shrink wrap. In the much-anticipated season opener with the rival Boston Celtics Tuesday, the Cavs discovered some new problems and remembered some old ones as they were simply out-played in a 95-89 loss.

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Opening Night is finally here!  FTS will be there with all the sights and sounds from The Q.  Be sure you are ready.  The Discussion Thread will be up and running 30 minutes before Tip-Off.  I will be posting updaes on Twitter as well, so be sure to FOLLOW ME!  Until then, here are some links from around the web to help you get your Wine and Gold fix!

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It sure is good to have Cavaliers basketball back.  After a tough summer for the Indians, and a tough start for the Browns, having the Cavaliers back seems to come at the perfect time.  Fear The Links is your daily cup of Wine and Gold coffee, giving you all your Cavaliers' links from around the web.  Have a submission for Fear The Links, or a question for me - EMAIL ME!  FearTheSword@gmail.com

CLEVELAND.COM

LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal get in a little teamwork as Cavaliers win exhibition opener, 92-87, over Charlotte Bobcats(Brian Windhorst, Cleveland.com)
If their first time on the floor together was any indication, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal fully intend to become a formidable 1-2 punch.

The game wasn't real, but the anticipation sure is for the Cavaliers(Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com)
It's still hard to believe, Shaquille O'Neal in a Cavaliers uniform.

Exhibition game vs. Greek team may take back seat to lawsuit(Brian Windhorst, Cleveland.com)
Exhibition games are supposed to be for practice not for international incidents, but the latter is brewing in Cleveland. Next Monday, the Cavs are scheduled to welcome Olympiakos, a Greek team from the Euroleague visiting the United States on a goodwill tour. But Olympiakos has more business than just basketball in Ohio and as wild as it may seem, there's a chance they could lose everything they bring with them from uniforms to computers to travelers' checks.

Rookie Danny Green playing with another winner(Cleveland.com)
If the Cleveland Cavaliers are to achieve their goal of an NBA championship this season, it's going to take more than the nine or 10 guys who will be in the regular rotation.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West again misses practice, unexcused by the team(Cleveland.com)
Mike Brown has a new mantra this season. It has to do with the team adopting a bunker mentality to avoid outside distractions. Again, it is not a new philosophy, but it is targeted. The star power and contract status of LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal figure to draw massive and potentially disruptive attention this season. The tactic is being put to the test right away, thanks to Delonte West, who skipped two-a-day practices again Wednesday. If you are keeping score, and the Cavs certainly are, West is now 0-for-4 in showing up for workouts.

Are the New York Knicks trying to influence LeBron James through his friend?(Cleveland.com)
This is either New York City paranoia or the New York Daily News really has the scoop when it comes to LeBron James' destination when he becomes a free agent in July.

West skips second day of practices(Ohio.com)
Day Two in the will-he-or-will-he-not-show-up-at-practice saga of Delonte West came Wednesday and the Cavaliers sounded unfazed by West's absence.

Parker stepping up as West no-shows(Morning Journal.com)
No one realized how important Anthony Parker might be to the Cavaliers when he signed as a free agent.

Cavs anxious for West's return after two no-shows(Morning Journal.com)
The Cavaliers players said they would welcome Delonte West with open arms. Unfortunately, he remained holed up in his Cleveland apartment for a second day on Wednesday.

Grappling with demons, last thing West needs is to be demonized - CBSSports.com(CBSSports.com)
For reasons that we may never fully understand, Delonte West was spending one of his last days of summer vacation cruising around his home state of Maryland on a three-wheel motorcycle. In his possession was one loaded firearm for each wheel.

On West, Bargnani and Colangelo(The Globe and Mail)
Mental illness is serious business and I don’t pretend to be an expert or anything close, but it’s been interesting to follow the Delonte West situation from afar.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Brian Windhorst looks at the Leon Powe signing. 

Akron Beacon-Journal

• Patrick McManamon has a good article which includes quotes from Mike Brown discussing his strategy in the Orlando series which has been questions by many after the loss.

The News-Herald

• Bob Finnan also looks at the Powe contract, and adds in his notes that the Cavs might be looking at Joe Smith or Rob Kurz for their final roster spot.

Columbus Dispatch

• Michael Arace gives an educated look at LeBron's options next year, unlike most of what you hear in the national media.

Around The Internet

• At TheClevelandFan, Sam Amico says LeBron's problem is that he's too honest with the media and he should just offer a "no comment" when discussing his contract.  He also gives his power rankings heading in to the start of the season.  And Erik Cassano writes about the media attention which will surround LeBron until he signs his next contract. 
• RockKing at WaitingForNextYear says that Leon Powe gives the Cavs needed depth in the post but also adds that they shouldn't overlook Joe Smith.
• John Krolik at Cavs: The Blog writes his thoughts on the Powe signing.
• Bradford Doolittle at Basketball Prospectus analyzes the 2009-10 NBA schedule.
• Charley Rosen at FoxSports.com writes about the best defensive players in the league.
• NBA.com has an excellent look at how the current Cavs team came together. 
• Austin Carr has a blog!
• And last but certainly not least, the blog Cleveland Frowns gives their best shot at the lyrics to Delonte West's freestyle rap about KFC.  Hot sauce in my baaaaaag!

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Brian Windhorst writes about Hakim Warrick spurning the Cavs for the Bucks (and more money) and says the team is still looking for more help at power forward.  He gives a few other team notes in his beat blog.
• Michael Curry at Cavs HQ weighs in on the LeBron v. Kevin Durant debate, which has circulated many basketball blogs.  Simple analysis: statistically not even close.  Durant is a better shooter, but that's it -- LeBron easily beats him everywhere else.

The News-Herald

• Bob Finnan has a nice article on Jamario Moon.

Around The Internet

• Smooth at Cavalier Attitude has a preview of the Cavs' 2009-10 schedule which he says he got from a "league source." 
• John Krolik at Cavs: The Blog writes about Darnell Jackson.
• ESPN.com's TrueHoop blog looks at an interesting question: will Yao Ming's absence this coming season hurt the NBA's global audience (which is largely centered in China)?
• This is also not about the Cavs, but FoxSports.com's Charley Rosen gives his list of the NBA's most overrated players. 

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Brian Windhorst passes along a report from a Spanish website that Christian Eyenga has signed a 3-year contract with his Spanish League team.  There are no details about the contract or any possible buyouts included.  The Cavs' original plan was to keep him in Europe for a couple years but after his strong performance in the summer league there was thought that they might try to sign him now and let him split time between the Cavs roster and the D-league.  Now it looks like he'll be staying in Europe for at least this season.
• Bill Livingston previews a book about LeBron's high school years called "Shooting Stars", co-authored by Buzz Bissinger who wrote "Friday Night Lights".  The book details the years at SVSM through LeBron's eyes and all the turmoil he went through with his buddies. 
• Terry Pluto looks at the Cavs' moves this offseason and thinks they'll be a stronger contender in the playoffs next year.

Around The Internet

• Sam Amico at TheClevelandFan writes about the Cavs' moves to improve the bench.
• RockKing at WaitingForNextYear breaks down Jamario Moon's game.
• At Cavalier Attitude, Amar Panchmatia says Moon is the right fit for the Cavs and says Varejao's contract is not nearly as bad as it seems.  Also, Ron Artest tells the New York Daily News that he was close to signing with the Cavs.
• Cory Holibaugh at BleacherReport analyzes the Cavs' offseason and wonders why people think they haven't done anything to get better.
• Fran Blinebury at NBA.com breaks down the offseason moves of every team in the Central Division.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Brian Windhorst writes about Christian Eyenga's impressive summer league performance and looks at the possible moves for him going forward.  He also has his weekly Hey Brian Q-and-A.

Akron Beacon-Journal

• Patrick McManamon thinks Jamario Moon would be a nice addition to the Cavs.
• George Thomas looks at how the recession will affect NBA contract extensions.

The News-Herald

• Bob Finnan writes about LeBron's contract options this summer (and next) and the Cavs' contract offer to Jamario Moon.

Around The Internet

• Jamario Moon may be headed to Cleveland soon:  Ira Winderman at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel thinks the Heat will NOT match the Cavs' offer sheet.
• Sam Amico at TheClevelandFan gives his wrap-up of the Cavs' summer league action.
• Rick at WaitingForNextYear Jacob Rosen thinks the Cavs should look for a backup PG in free agency.
• At Cavalier Attitude, Smooth discusses how Jamario Moon fits with the Cavs and recaps the summer league action.  He was most impressed with Christian Eyenga and Jawad Williams (a common theme I've heard lately).
• John Krolik at Cavs: The Blog also writes about the possible signing of Moon and how the Cavs might use him.