Live Thread: Cavs vs. Hornets (#TuesdayisFryeday)

It only seems right that the final game of the 2018-19 Cavaliers season should fall on a Tuesday… though in this case, Friday might be more appropriate. It’s a bittersweet ending, not only for a year that doesn’t end with a post-season for the Cavs, but also as the team says goodbye to the retiring NBA Champion Channing Frye.

This year, the wine & gold had to deal with life after their best player on the court… but, next year they’ll have to deal with life without their best player off of it. That’s how irreplaceable Channing is as a locker room presence. From Lil’ Kev to french toast, Frye could always be counted on for finding a light-hearted way to keep his teammates loose in the face of either tension or adversity. Not to mention his ability to act as an extra coach on the bench for young guys… like the one who brought him breakfast this morning.

The game today is secondary. It behooves the Cavs to lose it, since they’d at worst finish in a tie with the Phoenix Suns for the second best odds at winning next month’s NBA Draft Lottery if they do. The outcome means more to the visiting Hornets, who are still alive for the final playoff spot in the East. Instead, today should be more of a celebration… of the fans who endured a difficult season to watch… of the young guns who will lead the Cavs into the future… of the vets who hung in there through injury… and of the man who’s smile and good humor were always infectious.

It’s also a time to say goodbye, not just to Frye, but also to some other potential faces who may be other places next year like Marquese Chriss, Nik Stauskas, David Nwaba… and the ghost of J.R. Smith. This may also be the final game with Larry Drew leading the team. LD deserves a ton of credit for how he handled the team in this difficult transitional year… and, he probably also deserves a shot at the job going forward. It remains to be seen if he gets that opportunity. And, finally, this will be the last game played in the arena known as “The Q” because it will hereafter be called the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Prediction: Expect the Hornets to come out ready to put the Cavs away so they can rest up for their last playoff push against the Orlando Magic tomorrow, and expect the Cavs to play heavy doses of Channing and the bench. In keeping with my ridiculous Tuesday lopsided predictions… I’ll say the Hornets sting the Cavs 137-99… but the Cavs still have fun with a Frye-day send off.

Catch all of the season ending action starting at 7pm EST on FSO… and, as always chime in below.