Every Cleveland Cavalier fans worst nightmare is becoming more of a reality with each passing series the Miami Heat, and in particular Lebron James, win. Things looked promising for fans of the Cavs, like myself, when midway through the season it seemed as though the Heat were nothing more than three superstars struggling to find an identity. Both Lebron and Dwayne Wade were playing the same type of game and neither seemed to have any desire in changing what made them two of the top players in the NBA. You could see why so many NBA “experts” said the two of them would struggle to coexist. On top of that, Chris Bosh was regularly a non factor in games and looked as though the constant media attention and pressure was getting the best of him.
You can imagine how it pains me to say that those days are a definite thing of the past. Lebron and Wade seemed to have found a common thread in their games and opposing defenses are paying the price. Ask any player on the Boston Celtics how you go about trying to stop arguably the two top penetrating players in the NBA when both happen to be on the same team. In addition, Bosh has settled into a role that fits his game and no longer looks like he’s trying to live up to the hype of being a “superstar.” However, the fact that every other player has similarly bought into playing their own type of role could be the biggest reason why the Heat are only 4 wins away from playing for an NBA title.
Yes, it hurts just thinking about it. GO CHICAGO! -DM

It’s May 4th and the Cleveland Indians have the best record in ALL OF BASEBALL at 20-8 and are on a 7 game winning streak. Considering they were NEVER even in first place in their own division last year, it’s obvious why fans like myself are still very skeptical of this incredible start. It also might have something to do with the fact Cleveland fans have had to endure an almost unending bombardment of disappointment from their sports teams.
But could this team be different?
The Indians have one of the most surprising pitching staffs in the entire league, a lineup that seems to continually hit when it matters most, a solid and respected manager and their best player showing no signs of an injury that kept him out for almost all of 2010. Yes, they have all of the signs of a team that could, and should, contend in the American League. So why aren’t the seats filled at Progressive Field and fans talking about Grady Sizemore instead of a 330 lb defensive tackle from Baylor taken in the first round by the Cleveland Browns? It’s pretty simple. We don’t fully believe just yet. A hot start is just that- a start. Cleveland fans need more. They need a solid May and June and then you’ll see Progressive Field looking like it did back in the day when it was known as the Jake and was the hottest ticket in town.
Of course those teams still lost twice in the World Series and ripped our hearts out, but that’s for another day. -DM

March Madness may be going on right now in college basketball but you could say it’s BASE madness here at the shop. This time of year always signals a great time for us to stock up on our oak bases for the upcoming baseball season and of course for football season in the fall.
Our bases always get the short end of the stick when looking at one of our trophies and I figured I’d write a little something so they could get a little respect. Hey let’s face it, who the hell looks at the base when the sculpture part is sitting on top? But really the base deserves a lot of attention in the overall design of one of our trophies. After all, it does make up half of the product itself and is the place where hopefully your name will be forever displayed.
Not to mention that we only use solid oak for every base and cut, sand, assemble and poly each right here at the shop. It’s something that I take great pride in– the fact that every base is Brooklyn made and that we’re not getting these things whipped together in some crappy factory that only uses composite wood and laminates.
When a league decides to order one of our trophies they’re ordering the best fantasy sports trophy on the market, period. That means from top to bottom- sculpture to base.
Now if you don’t mind, I have to go back to polyurethaning.

Take care,
Dave

I realize I’m posting this as March Madness is taking place, but I wanted to make sure that I got my final four predictions in before it was too late. I filled out my bracket and I ended up with Ohio State coming out of the East and UCONN coming out of the West. On the other side I’m going with Kansas in the Southwest and Florida in the Southeast. I know that I’m not exactly going out on a limb here with any of these picks but I at least didn’t take all #1 seeds like most of my friends.
Remember- if you have an office league and need a killer trophy it’s time to bring in the Armchair Big Man! Imagine the bragging rights you’d have for the year with your name on that guy.

Our latest Wall of Fame Photo Contest entry.
Liza Gustafson.
Winner of the 4th String League Rodney “Papa Bear” Thompson trophy – The Braggart.

Our second annual Wall of Fame Photo Contest is almost over.
All entries must be in by March 31, 2011. Just take a photo of you, your league or league champ with your trophy and send it in to me. (Dave@FantasyTrophies.com)
The league that sends in the best photo will win a FREE trophy. The choices are between the Mini Armchair Quarterback, Mini Throwback or Ultimate Loser large base.
Good luck and get those entries in.

I’m thrilled to say that my newest line of mini trophies will be out soon. Here though is a sneak peek at the 3 fantasy trophies that a bunch of guys have been asking for. It’s great to finally be able to show these guys off. Much like the Mini Armchair Quarterback and the Mini Throwback, these 3 new guys are sure to be a hit with the owners in your league. And better yet, they’ll be around long after the big guy has left you for another proud recipient.
All Minis will be $99- contact me for details (Dave@FantasyTrophies.com)

Today is March 1st and it can only mean one thing. March Madness is upon us. Yes, the tournament that gets everyone in the office filling out their brackets with the hope of winning the office pool is almost here. Last year some of those offices decided to step it up a notch and play for not only pride, but for the Armchair Big Man trophy. A trophy that is tailor made for March Madness enthusiasts. I think you have to agree that this guy exudes basketball knowledge. A college basketball Buddha of sorts. The only question you need to ask yourself is if your March Madness office pool is worthy.

It used to be that you could follow your team and know the names of the guys on it because they’d been there for 7-10 years. Especially the super stars. Guys like Larry Bird, Magic, Dr. J, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton and David Robinson all played for the team that drafted them for pretty much their entire career. Yes, I’m reminiscing back to the “good ‘ol days” of basketball past. It’s hard not to do when a guy like Carmelo Anthony gets traded, in his prime, from smaller market Denver to the giant of all media hoopla, New York. I feel for Nugget fans. Being that I’m a diehard Cleveland Cavaliers fan I can obviously relate. Lebron James chose to take his “talents to South Beach” rather than stay in the city that he grew up so close to and the fans that loved watching him play. The only difference is that the Cavaliers got no value in return. The Nuggets at least get players and draft picks. However, everyone knew that Carmelo Anthony was out of Denver the minute free agency struck and he forced the hand of the Nuggets front office to get a deal done. Sounds very similar to the ever popular trade deadline in baseball doesn’t it? As that deadline nears every summer, smaller market teams watch as their best and favorite players get gobbled up by the contending, and most of the time, larger market teams.
Now I know I sound like a bitter Cleveland fan right now and that’s BECAUSE I AM! Sports overall is becoming harder and harder to watch if you’re a fan of a smaller market team. You know that the guys you’re rooting for and paying good money to go see are really only on a rental basis. The jerseys you buy for yourself or your kids should have tear-away numbers and letters so that we could at least save a few extra bucks.
So as Carmelo Anthony lands in New York, Nugget fans will have to pick up the pieces of what could have been. They’ll think of how great it was having a superstar in Denver and how blinded they were to ever think a player of Anthony’s ability would ever stay there. Most of all they’ll be pissed as hell.
Especially when they sit and think–Let the Danilo Gallinari years begin.

I’m officially in fantasy football withdrawal.
Like so many football fans, I’ve come to the realization that the season is OVER. No more QB rushing Td’s, cheap touchdowns in garbage time, your QB lighting it up or your RB just dominating the entire game.
Sundays are back to being that day to get things done around the house. I can no longer use the excuse that the Browns game is on and that I have a guy in the 4 o’clock game to watch. Oh, and the 8 o’clock game and the monday night game for that matter.
To make matters worse, basketball season is a joke this time of year and the All-Star game is unwatchable. Baseball season is getting close, but still a good month away. NASCAR is here but, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest NASCAR guy and I’m still trying to sink my teeth into it. Hockey for me is kinda the same way.
Yes, football season is my thing. DAMN I need the NFL draft to get here soon or I may lose my mind. I just need a hit of some football. -DM

I just wanted to post one of my latest videos on the blog since some guys I’ve talked with said that they haven’t seen it yet. Well, here it is. It’s pretty much what leagues end up realizing when they decide to play for one of our fantasy football trophies. -DM