Death to the Ad Page Redirects, and Thanks for a Great Three Months!

By: Scott Barkett

"Just try and redirect my browser away from The Bottom Up!"

It has been an amazing first three months here at The Bottom Up.

We could not be more thrilled with the feedback we have received from loyal podcast listeners and those who read our written pieces. Even better, the fine folks at RealCavsFans.com have partnered with us over the past month or so to run our more Cavs-centered podcasts over on their shores as well. Needless to say, that has been a fantastic way for Logan and I to build our audience and engage with a larger cut of the Cavaliers fan base.

Also, we have been lucky enough to have a couple of our blog posts make it into WaitingForNextYear.com's daily "While We're Waiting..." blog roundup, which has also helped us to broaden our audience and increase our traffic.

This experience has been, as a good friend says, aces...

...except for one thing....

Episode 16

Georgetown's Otto Porter

The one where we plot out Cavs draft scenarios, and Phil Jackson answers one of life's most enduring questions.

Topics: Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery and Cavs draft scenarios depending on their pick, Knicks vs. Pacers, the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals, and a discussion about Phil Jackson's Jordan vs. Kobe analysis from his new book.


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Cavs Draft Options and the Chris Grant Lemonade Stand Deluxe Combo Special

By: Scott Barkett

When life give you lemons, you draft European players

A Tale of Two Scenarios

As a near constant stream of overly dramatic music blares from my laptop speakers, my roommate calls out from the other room, “Who are you watching now?” I have poured through every DraftExpress YouTube video possible, and with the draft lottery days away, my anxiety as a Cleveland Cavaliers fan is skyrocketing.

DX’s Mike Schmitz does an amazing job of putting highlight videos together. For those unfamiliar, each video begins by highlighting all of the strengths a player has, before finishing with the weaknesses. And so, as another highlight tape rolls on my computer screen—backed by a soundtrack fit for Gladiator, of course—my excitement is inevitably decimated once the second half of the video trains the halogen beams on the flaws.

This is not Schmitz’ fault, though. He has to tell it like it is, and this is a draft that teases and intrigues more than it comforts and excites. Still, I cannot help but feel as if my praise for Schmitz’ work comes more from Stockholm syndrome than it does from pure enjoyment.

Episode 15

The one where it's Boogie time for the Cavs, and Cousin Niko wants to go bowling in Cleveland.

Topics: Bill Simmons' Trade Value column, Boogie Cousins trade--worth the risk?, Nikola Pekovic to Cleveland in free agency?, D. Rose fatigue and placing blame, Amare's return tonight for the Knicks.


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Episode 14

The one where the contender pretenders look to pick up the pieces, and Sacramento makes the NBA a Godfather offer.

Topics: Sacramento's creative offer to the NBA that helped keep the team from leaving, the contender pretenders (Clippers, Nets, Nuggets, Lakers) and what's next for them, making our picks for the second round of the playoffs.


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Episode 13

The one where we break down the NBA playoffs so far.

Topics: Giving thanks to those supporting the blog so far, NBA playoffs first round discussion.


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ESPN the Magazine Turns 15

By: Scott Barkett

Hard to believe it, but ESPN the Magazine turned 15 today. As a 23 year old, scrolling through old covers feels like going through a time capsule of all my sports memories. I highly encourage all those who revel in nostalgia to Google "ESPN the Magazine 1998 covers" and go from there.

One early cover stands out over all of the others. Behold:

New The Bottom Up podcast on the way tonight. See you then!