As a Cleveland Cavs fan, I am finally going to admit, though I tried so hard not to: You will never hear the words "Cavs" and "playoffs" in the same sentence for a extremely long time. This whole team has fell apart this year. And by the end of this year, even more things are going to fall apart. Examples: The only good player anymore is Anderson Varejao. But he's leaving next year. He deserves to. His career doesn't deserve to get ruined because his teammates lack energy. Derp.

This may be an unjustified rant, vitriolic garbage, perhaps all of the above. But after watching this, I seem to be developing a bitter taste in my tongue whenever I see or hear Bosh's name.

If you are too lazy to click the link, a Raptors insider says that Bosh is not interested to be the Robin to anyone's Batman. Let us assume there is no subterfuge behind that statement, so as to curtail the "You're too gullible" statements that I am sure some people will throw out. Edit: The video is no longer up, but I said and quoted for realsies.

There are cases in recent and not-so-recent history that either builds the statement as a successful formula for championship contention, or spells doom for the player and franchise.

I present to you 4 cases of power forwards who were given the "franchise player" tags, and their respective results:

Pau Gasol: Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, his draft rights were subsequently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, where he flourished into the savvy vet we see today. Hailed as Rookie of the Year and amassing impressive stats (check his wiki, I am not going to spoon feed you), he led the Grizzlies to three playoff appearances, all ending in the first round: sweeps by San Antonio, Phoenix, and Dallas.

Kevin Garnett: Heart and soul of the Celtics triumvirate, he stayed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for 12 seasons, leading the team to eight consecutive playoff appearances, each ending in the first round save the last one, where they lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Charles Barkley: Sir Charles is one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, but alas, his quest to hold the Larry O' Brien trophy was always foiled by Eastern elites during his tenure in Philadelphia, Michael Jordan while he was a Suns member, and the Utah Jazz during his stay with the Rockets.

Tim Duncan: The lone exception to the failed power-forward-centric team construct, Duncan has won 4 rings, all on odd years. His first came with the assistance of the other half of the Twin Towers, the Admiral, but the 3 recent ones were won with him as the focal point of the squad. Now chasing a 5th championship, another ring on his finger would certainly put him in the discussion of the greatest power forward in the history of the sport, if he is not already in that mix.

So as you can see ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to prognosticate Bosh's chance of capturing a championship with him as the focal point of his team based on the small sample I presented, the odds are not in his favor.

So if indeed this "inside source" is genuine in his statements, please Mr. Bosh, enjoy your first round exits with a smile. If you decide to stay in Toronto for 12 seasons, contrary to your belief that you are Batman, you will always be the Robin to Canada's golden boy, Sydney Crosby. You will always be a sideshow to the center stage attraction, to the most beloved sport of the majority of canucks, hockey. Eat your pride and choose your allegiance with the Flash or the King (most preferably with the King), lest you be labeled as "First Round Fodder" for the majority of your career.

I'm serious about this: I was sitting in the crapper this morning and I had an epiphany about how to lure Dwyane Wade to play in Cleveland. Apropos to this offseason, LeBron should show his fellow superstar what Miami did: absolutely nothing. At least Toronto tried (and failed, in my honest opinion) to improve their roster by making it a true, blue Eurosquad, in an effort to persuade Chris Bosh to stay. Now, Miami's owner's rationale for standing pat this offseason is that he has yet to see Wade's autograph on a shiny new contract. So for him, the star player must cater to the franchise, ala KG (Although it was a tad bit different for KG: his decision to stay in a franchise with a bad front office.)? Is it/should it not be the other way around? (More recent examples: Cleveland since '03 [at least, a more concerted effort], Mitch Kupchak trying to soothe the soul of a petulant, teammate-deprecating Kobe Bryant, the Spurs organization with Timmeh, etc.) I guess LeBron could present the same argument to Bosh as well: Sure, the front office tried to get you backup, but that is only half the equation; you have to get it right too. And how long are you going to wait until they get it right?

Of course, there is that issue with the salary cap. Steve Jobs took a $1 salary when he returned as CEO to Apple. While of course symbolic, he did this because it was his belief that his fame and glory would not arise from the steadily-fattening bank account he would amass, but in the growth and advancement of the company, or something along that line. Now, how does the "Steve Jobs approach" translate into LBJ's world? It is not in the number of MVP awards he wins (well, at least not the end all be all) or the seasons with at least 9000 points, 500 rebounds and assists (Did I get that right? It is the one where the Big O has 8 or 9) where his legacy lies, it is in the number of championships he wins (even though we tirelessly argue with Kobe's groupies that this is a team accomplishment, not an individual one when they use it in the tired Kobe vs. LBJ debate). Would the fact that he won X amount of championships with the help of 2 megastars tarnish his legacy? (It most definitely will in the eyes of haters, which is why I hope the Cavs win it this year.) How about Magic and his merry men, MJ and Scottie, the original Boston Big 3? What do you think boys and girls? Was it like God telling Noah to build the ark or should I go get a colonoscopy?

Zach Randolph. Where the madness never end happens. Maybe the biggest cause for the "Jailblazer" nickname being conceived. Some people say he is a team killer, a cancer, etc. Some even go as far as calling him the "most worthless double-double machine in history." He has played for four teams now, and after his stint in Portland, he opens the press conference introduction with the same line every time: "I want to start a new chapter in my playing career." He is still averaging a double-double with Memphis, and put this in Ripley's Believe It or Not folks but, it seems our little boy is growing up. No complaints or reports so far from the Memphis locker room regarding the much-maligned player. The Cavs are being said to look for a stretch four, and the names being brought to the forefront are Antawn Jamison, David West (at least when it comes to me), and Anthony Randolph. Now you know where I am going with this, huh? So what do you think ladies and gentlemen? Does the reward outweigh the risk, or does Zach's incorrigible, ill-timed threes and storied past too similar to a Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay film?

Cheers, Cavs fans.

Fact(-ish): The Cavs are undersized in the guard positions; (-ish) they sorely miss the presence of Delonte West of yesterseason.

Debate: If in Danny Ferry's mind's eye saw that the solution to this conundrum was to attain the services of a new guard, which would have the slightest possibility of acceptance from the fans and an actual chance at success on the court: Allen Iverson or Tracy McGrady?

Both are unwanted right now (at least that is what they are implying about TMac) and come off the books next year (not so sure about Tmac again, but for the sake of the argument let us say he is), still viable on the offensive end although shells of their former selves, somewhat a liability on defense (although poor 1-on-1 defense can be reinforced with great team defense as in Wally S. last year), and both mercurial to a point they make perfect replacements on a thermometer/barometer.

Looking forward to the input and flaming, people.

Cheers.

I've been visiting this site for a while now, though I've never had the urge to post, until now. I must state that I'm NOT a troll, these are just observations, so please, no hissy fits ladies.

First off, the Cavs' seem to have foregone their M.O., and unless Shaq and Coach Brown do something about the former's atrocious pick and roll defense, saying the Cavs have severe problems come playoff time is an understatement.

Second is the big acquisition himself. His P&R D was an accumulation of bad habits from early on his career, but what bothers me most is his stark offensive inefficiency. Most of his shots should have been dunks, though his age can be partially blamed for that, but those little baby hooks he's been missing 5 feet from the basket are not helping the team.

Big Z isn't doing a lot better unfortunately. It seems as if his jumpshot went back to Lithuania. I'm thinking he's dealing with a lot more than he's leading us on to when it comes to playing in the second unit.

IMHO, those two will not cut it, and I see no immediate solution. If I wanted an injured, aging big man, I would have gone with J.O. (is a trade for him possible BTW? He's looking good early on.)

I forgot to mention firsthand that I reside in Canada, so while I root for the Cavs, the Raps are in my heart. This seemingly useless fact I shared with you is indeed important because I've been watching Anthony Parker ever since he was the starting SG for the Raps. He had a decent game against (10.31.09) Charlotte, but there is palpable deterioration with him.  He's 34(?) and no matter how much you rationalize how he played overseas ergo he does not have much mileage in him, it won't change the fact that he is 34 playing in such an athletic, strenuous league. Sorry we wore him out first.

And please, someone tell the Moonman to stop shooting those jump shots. Tell him to remember his roots that is the Harlem Globetrotters and start f***** driving!

In conclusion,  since the big teams made their big acquisitions, I always thought that the Cavs made the wisest choice. I thought the Lakers and Celtics would crumble by way of their mercurial acquisitions, that the Spurs got a disinterested has-been, and the Magic getting Mr. Half-heart. So far a smooth ride for them. As for the Cavs, not so much. I'll reassess when Leon Powe comes back, but sad to say, I think the fine city of  Cleveland will most probably eat another slice of humble pie. Again, not a troll, but I won't be surprised to see scathing comments. I just hope that LBJ and his squad prove me wrong.