Bring It On 2010
By Cody Norman
Cheers to the New Year my loyal (and not so loyal) readers!
The 2009 portion of this season has gone yonder and our almighty Cavaliers hold the best record in the Eastern Conference. They’ve won six straight and nine of their last ten.
Our Cleveland hoopsters will kick off 2010 Jersey style as they travel to the Garden State to take on the Nets on Saturday afternoon.
But first, let’s take a look at our favorite players’ horoscope for the New Year:
Mo Williams – December 19 (Sagittarius)
Did you just hear that gigantic cry of “hooray”? That was the sound of millions of Sagittarian lives getting better in 2010. Work is also going to present new roles and new opportunities, and will also give you chances to shine. And there will also be new demands from your friends and loved ones. But those same issues will help you sort out who is of real value to you, and what your real value is to them too. The hard work that you’ve sometimes had to put in during the last two years is going to start paying off for you. And for some of you, the rewards will be enormous. Can I hear a “hooray” out there?
Cleveland holds a perfect record in games that Mo topples the 20-point plateau. His value to this team is unarguable and his leadership is necessary for the Cavs to win.
Shooting an impressive 47% from beyond the arc, Mo Williams averages 18.5 points for the surging Cavaliers. His team fails to lose a game when he scores 20+ points and the Alabama-native goes into the 2010 playoffs with something to prove.
Mo torches the Celtics in the Conference Finals for an average of 23 points and 6 assists a night as the Cavs head to the NBA Championship to take on the Denver Nuggets. His numbers shrink to 21 points and 5 assists a night in the Finals but his effort helps hand Cleveland their first team championship in over 50 years.
Delonte West – July 26 (Leo)
Oh, big playful Leo — how the last couple of years have been dramatic (and often less than kind) for you! There’s little doubt that whatever you’ve gone through in the last year, the uppers have fueled your inherent charm and lovability, and the downers have gotten a little ignored.
The challenges will be slowly changing from big drama to smaller, more manageable issues. You’ve probably been too busy taking care of others to really take care of yourself lately, but 2010 marks a new direction in taking yourself seriously, and taking care of yourself with the due diligence and concern you usually reserve for others. Don’t think of it as becoming inwardly-focused; think of it as doing the necessary maintenance on yourself so you can do a better job of letting your light shine for others.
Delonte West played more minutes than anyone on the Cavaliers’ roster during the playoffs last year. He is, no doubt, an explosive weapon off of the Cleveland bench when he is healthy. As this season continues, Delonte begins to look more and more like the Delonte of old scoring 11 points a night down the stretch.
Brotha Red averages 10.5 points a night for the champs and locks down Chauncey Billups in the Finals.
LeBron James – December 30 (Capricorn)
Capricorn is actually ruled by Saturn, which not only represents difficulties and limitations (every planet has its bad side), but also represents the obstacles you have to overcome to get what you want out of life. In your Fourth House now, this means questions around your home life, and brings the chance to (literally) put your house in order. The next year’s difficulties will mostly serve as an opportunity for everyone else to admire how well you overcame them. And you will!
LeBron James has certainly seen his share of ups and downs as a member of the Cavaliers. Danny Ferry has surrounded the King with more talent this year than he has in any other year. And TheBron delivers.
In an MVP effort, LeBron James goes for 26 points, 9.5 boards and 10 assists a night during the NBA Finals.
Anderson Varejao – September 28 (Libra)
The symbol for Libra is Balance. In the next year, you’ll find yourself doing even more balancing than usual; you’re going to be pressed to decide if your internal sense of happiness should be the focus of life more than the outward signs of success. What you are likely to be weighing this year is a little more intangible (and a little more important) than those things.
Your best bet in the next year though will be to recognize your own inherent value — not just what you appear to be worth to others.
You wouldn’t know it from that three-point shot against the Hawks the other night but Anderson Varejao is not a shooter. He’s not a scorer. And he’s certainly not a big-time playmaker. But what the Wild Thing does better than anyone else (in the league) is making the hustle plays. Andy does the dirty work and gets very little recognition for it. The nice thing about all of that is, Andy is comfortable in the behind-the-scenes role that he plays for this team.
Andy’s unorthodox play frustrates many opponents in the 2010 NBA Playoffs and he manages to lead the team in efficiency rating as the Cavs pick up their first Championship.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas – June 5 (Gemini)
Your renowned intellect has been strained the last couple of years, as it’s been forced to find solutions to the many issues you’ve been dealt. In 2010, you’ll finally be gaining some traction on your biggest challenges, and solutions will flow to you with ease.
As Zydrunas Ilgauskas adjusts to his new role for the Wine and Gold, his game will continue to improve as well. Shaquille O’Neal has said several times that “together [Shaq] and [Z] are the best center in the league.” And their play down the stretch proves the Big Aristotle’s theory correct. Throughout the Cavaliers’ championship run, Z averages a steady 9 points and 7 boards off the bench in the postseason.
Shaquille O’Neal – March 6 (Pisces)
You’ll be receiving a lot more attention from others in 2010: loved ones, family and co-workers will all be drawn to you at times like moths to a flame. And as a result of the last couple of years worth of hassle, you’ll be a stronger person with better judgment, and much better able to handle the influx. Enjoy your new position at the center of your own social circle!
The Big Shaqalier is the one of two members of this year’s team that has an NBA Championship under his belt. His poise and maturity plays an integral role in the Cavaliers success. Cleveland will only go as far as their big men will take them. Shaq goes for an average of 14 points and 7 rebounds a night for the champs.