Who has watched both NHL hockey and Cleveland minor league hockey? I have and there is no comparison. If I was running the Cavs, I would talk to the Columbus Blue Jackets owner and discuss split seasons with both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Cavs playing some percentage of their home games in the other arena. I believe total attendance would go up.

Ice hockey is a game to be seen and heard in person.

It also would provide an opportunity for the Cleveland team to get a new name.

The long-suffering Tulsa Shock are now suffering just a little bit less! Since we checked in with them on Friday—when they seemed on track to surpass the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the worst losing streak in NBA/WNBA history—the Shock have tripled their win count for the season.

Friday night, Sheryl Swoopes knocked down a jumper in the closing seconds to beat the Los Angeles Sparks, 77-75, breaking the Shock’s seemingly unstoppable 20-game losing streak. Last night, Tulsa followed that up with an 11-point victory over the Connecticut Sun. Their winning streak is at two games and counting. Next up, to avoid another place in the history books: With one more victory in their final six games, they’ll have a better winning percentage than the worst-ever 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers.

Consider this, even if you are one of the majority of humans who have never considered a single thing about the WNBA before: After setting the record for the WNBA’s longest losing streak this summer, and challenging the NBA’s all-time worst marks, the Shock have a chance to avoid being the worst team in the league this year. This is the “Family & Friends Room” of the WNBA’s regular season. The Washington Mystics are now 5-23 and on an eight-game losing streak of their own. They have six games remaining on their schedule; if the streak continues, they’ll end the season at 5-29. Tulsa, meanwhile, could theoretically end up at 9-25.

The Shock’s unwearied game reporter, Danielle Parker, did not yet file a game report for either win.

Shock beats Sparks to end 20-game losing streak [Tulsa World]
Take two: Shock wins again [Tulsa World]

Hey, Mary: I have two related questions. 1.) Was there ever any resolution to the Cavs’ attempt to get an extension on their trade exception? 2.) What kind of moves would we make if the extension was granted? — Jason, Bedford Heights

Hey, Jason: Before the lockout, the Cavs never heard about the extension, so I guess technically the issue is still pending. In my opinion, I think it’s unlikely they’ll be granted an extension, but who knows? Typically, the exception is used to acquire a player in the final years of a big contract, like Rip Hamilton last year. But the Cavs have been reluctant to add a player they don’t see as a good fit, just to use the exception. They’ve said all along they’d actively try to use it but would rather see it expire than make a bad move.

Hey, Mary: Can you clear up what kind of pick exactly are we getting from Sacramento? — Mitch Sutherland, Mishawaka, Ind.

Hey, Mitch: The Cavs got Omri Casspi and a first-round pick from Sacramento for J.J. Hickson, but the pick has lots of protection. It is lottery-protected in 2012, meaning if the Kings are in the lottery, the pick will roll over to 2013. In 2013, the pick is protected for the top 13 picks. In 2014, it’s the top 12 and from 2015-17 it is protected in the top 10. If the pick is not conveyed by 2017, then Sacramento will convey its 2017 second-round draft pick to the Cavaliers, protected Nos. 56-60. Yes, that’s correct — protected Nos. 56-60.

– Mary

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Omri Casspi will not sign with his former Israeli basketball team during the NBA lockout after all.

Casspi’s said on Twitter: “The two sides met today & came to the understanding that the tax issues are too big…”

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach David Federman said last week that Casspi was close to inking a deal with his team. Casspi played three seasons with Maccabi before being drafted in 2009 to play for the Sacramento Kings, making him the first Israeli to play in the NBA. Casspi was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers the day before the start of the July 1 lockout.

Casspi, who is in Israel, was scheduled to be part of the Israeli national team for the EuroBasket tournament but injured his knee during practice. He announced on Twitter that he would not travel with the Israeli team to Lithuania for its next tournament game. A victory in the European championships could help the Israeli team secure a spot in the 2012 Olympics. — jta

Sports

August 23, 2011

JTA

Omri Casspi. Photo from Chamber of Fear

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Omri Casspi will not sign with his former Israeli basketball team during the NBA lockout after all.

A message on Casspi’s Twitter page read: “The two sides met today & came to the understanding that the tax issues are too big…”

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach David Federman said last week that Casspi was close to inking a deal with his team, which Casspi played with for three seasons before being drafted in 2009 to play for the Sacramento Kings, making him the first Israeli to play in the NBA. Casspi was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers the day before the start of the July 1 lockout.

But ESPN reported Tuesday that Casspi is considering signing with the French team ASVEL, which is owned by San Antonio Spurs player Tony Parker; Parker has indicated that he may play for the team during the lockout. Casspi and Parker also have the same agent.

Casspi, who is currently in Israel, was scheduled to be part of the Israeli national team for the EuroBasket tournament but injured his knee during practice. He announced on his Twitter page that he would not travel with the Israeli team to Lithuania for its next tournament game. A victory in the European championships could help the Israeli team secure a spot in the 2012 Olympics.

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