The only way out of the East with this

group is to run. They really cant defend

on the perimeter or under the basket. They

will have to play the passing lanes like last year, tire teams out and go to the

basket. Gibson is a pleasant surprise

fearless, physical and quick. Time for lots

of on the job training. Z will have to run or sit. Same with Marshall. Snow and Wesley

to the garbage can. Need another quick guard

somebody doesnt want. Delonte West? Earl Boykins?

I know King James wanted to keep Z, but the kid was 19 at the time and in no position to play GM. Had the Cavs done the right thing, then used the cap room to sign a big man who could get up and down the floor and a point guard who could do likewise, we wouldn’t all be on here grousing.

Call me when Z is no longer wearing the maroon and gold (and Snow, btw, would follow him right out the door, because he can’t run an up-tempo offense, as we saw on Sunday).

Of course, by then, James may be gone, too, and all because of one — albeit incredibly bad — decision. What a sad day it will be when it dawns on this organization (and sadly, its fans) that they somehow managed to blow the James Era.

You can’t blame Mike Brown, though the whispering started last spring (”Brown’s learning” or has done “a good job for a first-year coach”). It was Ferry who brought in guys like Marshall, Jones and Wesley on the promise that they can wait around on the three point line, watching LeBron or waiting for a kick out from Z. Wesley even said so when he signed.

The result is an uneven roster, clogged with old guys who can’t get open and make a 15-foot jumper. Who wants to run a precise offense if it results in missed shots 65 percent of the time? And why listen to a coach when he’s always characterized as incompetent or inexperienced in regard to offense?

Unfortunately, but tellingly, the players who slow the team down are the untradeable ones. Ferry’s in a bind but my guess is he’ll find another “shooter” before the deadline, getting raves in the media for uncovering another 8 pt.-a-game nugget.

Then he’ll fire Brown this summer when the Cavs get upset in the first round. Maybe that’s just what happens when you hire the coach before the GM.

If they wanted to go small and quick against teams likst Washington, Phoenix, Dallas, etc. they could.

If they wanted to go big and slow the pace against San Antonio and Miami, they could.

However, yesterday was a prime example of Mike Browns biggest flaw. The starting 5 was struggling to start the game so Brown took out Snow and Z, while bringing in Jones/Gibson and Andy/Donyell. We were able to keep up with Phoenix for the rest of the first half.

Then to start the second half, he goes back to the original starting 5 and we start out slow again. Personally, I would have kept Snow and Z on the bench since having them there worked the first half.

I think Brown is to dead set on having the same line-up and rotation every game and does not seem to be willing to adjust and go against it. So what is Snow only plays 8 minutes and the Cavs win. So what is Gibson and Jones only play 12 minutes combined and the Cavs win. Brown cannot worry about pleasing everyone and work on winning the games. That will certainly help.

If Brown can use better use rotating the roster, this team can beat anyone.

“It was interesting to watch the Suns beat the Cavs on Sunday for their 17th straight win. For those who think LeBron James should be in the top 10 in MVP voting, forget it until something changes in Cleveland.

It’s said that great players make their teammates better, and Nash is the prime example. Over the last two seasons, virtually all his teammates have had career years.

James is becoming the anti-Nash. The other top players in the Cavs’ rotation—Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow and Donyell Marshall—all are averaging below their career scoring averages this season.

James is having some issues as a finisher too. He has shot 57 percent from the line in the last seven games, and the Cavs are last in the league in free-throw shooting.”

Is this a reflection on Lebron, or is it an indication that their offensive system is subpar?

I think it’s obvious that he’s fatigued. Last season, he was able to shift into another gear in the fourth quarter, and I haven’t seen it much this year. Only in the Orlando game at home in December have we seen that kind of performance from him. Granted, only a few players in the history of the league can will their team to a win like he has.

While Nash waves on the way by and dishes

to Amare who posterizes Z. When Bron and

Gooden cover the low block and allow Z to

clean up the mess they are effective. When

Wesley, Jones, and Bron/Hughes are trying

to guard Nash, Bell, and especially Barbosa

it is almost comical. Wide open 3 after wide

open 3. If they are going to play him at guard which again is stupid given his strength, leap, and weakside awareness they

might as well pay racehorse because they cant defend underneath or outside with him

out of position. And yes you folks are correct Sasha needs to play.

larry is disgruntled with the O and so is LBJ, to a lesser extent. this is bad news for brown. he CANNOT win in that “fight.” this, coupled with what seems to be an inability of LBJ and hughes to mesh on the court makes for a LOT of instability on a team who’s fightin’ for a #1 seed…

oh, dave, we want NO PART of marcus banks, trust me. he’s fast but has no game. dontcha think if had even had a little game he would get SOME run with phoenix? but i would LOVE to get ak-47! he would be a great compliment to LBJ, IMHO…but can we get him? i doubt it…

The Cavs targeted Redd, Allen & Johnson and struck-out. So they tag Hughes.

The question has been why.

I was calling for Cutino Mobley.

He’s a bit older and was cheaper plus a better all around player that would fit this team better. (He’s a career 43% shooter with a 39% from 3 & plays defense.)

Anyway, that’s water under the bridge now.

So what do they do now?

Need some team speed!

You need to create a 2nd threat, since Z can’t be an option.

Need to get the ball out of LeBron’s hands early on and put him in positions to create.

Need some team speed!

Need a shot blocker.

I’ll play Danny Ferry —

I want the AK-47 from Utah!

I’d give Hughes, Shannon Brown & $2.1 trade exception to Utah for AK-47 and Gordon Giricek.

Kirilenko can be a 2nd option and block shots, moving LeBron to SG.

Hughes can give Utah a SG they need plus we’ll take their unwanted in Giricek.

Also, Utah saves money in the long term.

Second; I’d call Phoenix and ask about Marcus Banks (He’s got $3.6M+++ til 2010). Will they take Newble’s contract which expiries in 07/08 or take a package of Pavlovic & Wesley.

Just a couple thoughts!

Livingston should have known well enough not to take Hughes seriously, because Hughes is both a) frustrated and b) part of the problem offensively. When was the last time Larry beat anyone down the floor? How is changing the offense going to get him to the basket before the defense? This guy used to go to the hoop with reckless abandon; now he goes to the hoop knowing that he’s not going to find a hole in the defense. He had three offensive fouls yesterday, all because he tried to go through the defender instead of around. Where were you on that one Bill? Larry Hughes’ opinion about the offense has about as much weight as Eric Snow’s right now.

Brown is having some major difficulties, and implementing that offense was a big risk, because it demanded movement from players who aren’t very good at the catch and shoot. There has been the same lack of focus in developing the offense as there was in developing the defense last year.

But if the Cavs really want to get themselves in trouble, they should start listening to guys like Bill Livingston.

Go Cavs,

Mike C