Team Dreamin' 2011: Cleveland

At No Regard, we love basketball. We love the spectacle and strategy of the game, but sometimes the league's lack of imagination confounds and disappoints us. Call us optimists, visionaries, or kids who watched too much Space Jam, but we have ideas. Damn are we gonna share 'em.

Sad Zydrunas on his first game back.

Before I dive into this I want it to be known that I don't for one second pretend like I know how it feels to be a Cavs fan right now. Witnessing Lebron mumble, "Talents to South Beach" for a die-hard Cleveland supporter must rank among of worst experiences a fan could go through. I've been racking my brain for an analogy to illustrate what it must feel like for Cleveland folk but I have nothing harsh enough to fit the bill.

As soul-crushing as this month has been, it's quite apparent that Cleveland is the most intriguing story of the upcoming season. Nobody has any idea what's going to happen with them. They could go so many different directions. Here's our suggestion though, and we think it's a novel one:

Do whatever it takes to land a first round playoff match-up with Miami.

Cash-Money Commish

In cartoons, it is not surprising to see a character's eyes change to dollar signs when presented with a large sum of money. This will actually happen to David Stern if Miami and Cleveland close next season as the #1 and #8 seeds in the Eastern Conference.

Forget about how incredible it would be to see Bron play against Cleveland in Cleveland during the pursuit of his first championship. Forget about the deafening boos and Big Z's tears when the bitter crowd curses him.

Imagine though, Andy Varejao in a newfound starting roll, stepping into the lane to crush LeBron on his first drive of the game. Varejao will make no apologies for an attempted career-ending injury. Sorry 6, it's nothing personal. Oh wait, it's extremely personal. It's the most venomous hatred in modern sports. The Cavs are currently coping with the unprecedented trauma of their abandonment, but it is also turning them quickly into the League's most lovable orphan. As we barrel toward the oncoming season, one thing is certain. Andy V does not give up lay-ups on Cleveland soil. You'll have to earn those points on the line. If you can still walk.