Rumors and perspectives
Posted June 21st, 2007 by bwindhorst
–There is a report in today’s Washington Post that says the Cavs are considering offering a contract to Wizards restricted free agent prospect Andray Blatche. Blatche is very young (20), 6-foot-11, and has lots of talent. He’s spent most of his first two years in the league sitting and watching, but his future is pretty bright. What I’m sure the Cavs like about him, whether they truly intend to offer him or not, is that he appears to be offensively gifted, especially as a shooter. I wrote a story about Blatche and how his rookie season was marred by a shooting for ESPN.com last summer. You can read it here (I think you need Insider, though).
While I think the Wizards would probably match just about any offer Blatche gets — the Post said the Nets and Cavs may offer a five-year deals starting at around $4 million — I think what you are seeing here is the Cavs working on contingency plans with Anderson Varejao. I think you’ll hear more about it, too. By the way, as food for thought, the Wizards are believed to be one of the teams that would have interest in Varejao. So let your mind wander with all this on the table. Especially considering the Wizards are expected to bring last year’s first-round pick, Oleksiy Pecherov, over from Europe this season. Pecherov, who I was impressed with at summer league last year, is a lot like Blatche. Not quite as athletic, but he’s young, very big (6-10) and is a better shooter. Perhaps there isn’t room for both Blatche and Pecherov, but there surely is room for Varejao in Washington. We’ll see.
–Apparently New York Post rumor man Peter Vecsey has been saying the Cavs may go after Rashard Lewis. It would take a sign-and-trade with the Seattle Sonics. I will not rule anything out, because as I said before, expect the Cavs to be aggressive in trying to get offensive talent this summer. Also, looking at guys like Blatche and Lewis would follow the way the Cavs have built their team. They want "long" players who can play multiple positions. Again, this is why Earl Boykins is a long shot to me.
Whether or not this is a valid rumor or not, it reminds us of a point. Most NBA teams right now aren’t in spending mode. Contracts are getting shorter by average and fewer teams want to use all of their mid-level exceptions. The Cavs, however, seem like they are willing to spend and that gives them a massive advantage. In the previous blog, I explained how they can creatively reduce other teams’ payrolls with their current roster.
In the past, GM Danny Ferry has used owner Dan Gilbert’s checkbook to make cap-reducing deals with Billy King, who is a close friend. Helping King get the 76ers under the luxury tax line two years ago got the Cavs Daniel Gibson when they made a cap-absorbing deal for a draft pick at the deadline. Well, two teams looking to reduce costs are the Suns and Sonics. They both have new general managers (Sam Presti and Steve Kerr, respectively) and Ferry won NBA title rings with both of them and has good relations with each. Also, both are in the other conference, making a big deal more likely. So when it comes to Lewis or Shawn Marion rumors or any other Sonics or Suns cash-dumping moves, expect that the Cavs could be very much involved.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:29 am
Ugh. i hope the cavs don’t plan on dumping me and my contract. 6′5 wing players who shoot 40% and make $10+ mil/per don’t exactly grow on trees, right?
June 21st, 2007 at 6:54 am
The Cavs need to get some offensive talent that is ready to contribute NOW. They need to take advantage of the momentum created by the Finals as well as fill as many of the weak links they have in the process…
Go Danny, Go!
FTS
http://www.fearthesword.com
June 21st, 2007 at 7:12 am
R. Lewis would be a gamechanger. If we can land him, were back in the finals.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:30 am
Lewis or Marion would be great pickups, but who would get them the ball? Without a legit NBA point guard, the offense will still be prone to the long lulls that have plagued the team for the past 2 seasons. Still - good to see the Cavs are thinking aggressively, and trying to improve.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:00 am
Either of those guys would upgrade the talent level but I’m skeptical their teams will give them up for nothing but cap space. And would the Cavs predominately play a big lineup, with LeBron defending guards, or a small lineup, with Lewis or Marion playing power forward next to our resident low post bully, Z?
Zach Randolph’s not a runner, but he sure can score down low.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:51 am
larry d.,
I don’t know how “small” a lineup with Lewis would be. He is, after all, 6′10″ — the same height as Drew Gooden.
June 21st, 2007 at 9:42 am
While I can see Lewis fitting in well with the team, I’m not so sure about Marion. Defensively he fits well but what about on the offensive end? He gets most of his points because Nash is so good at getting him the ball close to the basket where he can score because of his amazing athletic ability. How good would he be at creating his own shot in a more structured offense (if you would even call the Cavs offense structured)? I just don’t seem him being as effective standing on the perimeter shooting that ugly Teen Wolf jumper. Lewis on the other hand has always been a very good shooter…..
June 21st, 2007 at 10:34 am
Someone do this complicated math for me; how does a sign and trade for rashard lewis work? He’s going to get a near max deal. That means you have to convince the Sonics to take Hughes along with whatever package you want to make out of Gooden/Pavlovic/Varejao. Why would they do that?
June 21st, 2007 at 10:47 am
What would you think of drafting Nick Fazekas (6′10″ from Nevada)? We know Ferry was in the house at Akron when they played this season. Size and shooting ability.
June 21st, 2007 at 11:56 am
Doc,
Any Lewis deal would probably include Gooden and some combination of Wesley, Newble,and Jones depending on much Lewis’s contract is for.
June 21st, 2007 at 11:57 am
How does lewis fit in on this team? He plays the 3, same position as LBJ. The position LBJ is most comfortable at. Lewis nor LBJ currently have a good enough shot to play SG, and really arent big enough to play the 4 (plus I dont want LBJ banging against some of the PF in the league). Lewis trade really makes no sense. Marion makes a little more sense, as we get a good defender/scorer at the 4. I am wondering how much of his stats are based on playing with Nash, however. I think the cavs should really try and keep AV, his energy off the bench would be sorely missed next year. I think Ferry should first work on buying a draft pick from the suns or philly.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Lewis is 6′10 but only about 210 lbs. but in the East there isn’t much size he will have to bang against. Our main competition (Pistons, Wizards, Bulls, Heat, Raptors, Nets) don’t have any real bangers and the 4 position except Sheed but he is probably gone anyways. And yes I know Bosh is a 4 for the Raptors but he is the same size as Lewis.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Rashard Lewis can shoot the rock.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Hey, how cool would it be if we got both Marion and Bibby. I don’t think it will ever happen, but it’s an awesome concept to think about.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:47 pm
How is it that one guy can screw up a franchise twice??? Once in the Ron Harper deal and now as a GM? And here I thought Michael Jordon was the Cavs biggest obstacle to winning anything over the last 2 decades. Little did we know it has always been a prematurely bald white guy as the biggest obstacle - now new and improved!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:39 pm
The Cavs should definitely go after Rashard Lewis, and while they are at it, if Earl Boykins is available, why not? The little man can score, and with the space that Lewish and Lebron would create for the rest of the Cavs, Earl Boykins would be the recipient of open shots, which he can definitely make. As a matter of fact, I much rather have Boykins than Gibson.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:49 pm
The 2 weakest links on the Cavs Finals team were Gooden and Varejo. Both made passes (or non-passes) that a high school freshman would’ve known whether or not to make… Neither played like they knew they were in the Finals, instead playing like it was a backyard pick-up game to impress any ladies watching. Most of the missed lay-ups came from these 2, and short wide-open jumpers (and a few 3’s) were missed waaaaay too may times by Gooden. Varejo might bring energy, but proved too much energy can be a bad thing… Granted, almost everyone played with the first-time butterflies, but those 2 almost seemed to want to lose with their lack of decisive play. Larry Hughes could’ve been right there with them, but he had the foot injury and still tried to play- gotta give him credit for heart…
June 21st, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Marion would be a nice fit. I’d take Lewis depending on what for deal he wanted (i wouldn’t just shell out big bucks for another quick fix. Remember Larry Hughes when redd and allen were off the market? Lewis has had his injury problems just like hughes and wants 50 or 60 mil?) Any deal for any player is gonna cost Andy V, Shanon brown and/or Gibson. So I hope they make wise decisions to get players that fit with Lebron and are healthy.
What about Pau Gasol? He wanted out of Memphis and wants to play for a contender.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Cavs have a lot of options this summer. I would have to say that if they make the right moves they could get Earl Boykins for next to nothing. Dan Gilbert is willing to give up money to get him and he wants to come home and play im sure. He could play a solid part off our bench with Daniel Gibson at the guard spot. Getting Rashard lewis would be a perfect fit for the Cavs. Across the board would be a great puzzle piece for the next 5 years. He shoots 80% from the line 38% from THREE….. Can take someone off the dribble get to the hoop and the line perfect big slashing pair with the CHOSEN ONE. We need some toughness I would love to see Ron Artest here with a grind out deffender one known by Mike Brown who can face the basket and hit a shot. Mike Bibby would be the starting point guard the cavs need.
PG Mike Bibby, Earl Boykins, Eric Snow
Daniel Gibson
SG Ron Artest, Shannon Brown
Chosen One, Ron Artest
SF Chosen One, Sasha Pavlovic
Ron Artest, Chosen One
PF Rashard Lewis, Dwayne Jones
Dwayne Jones
C “Z”, Rashard lewis,
June 21st, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I dont want the Cavs to get Blatch or w/e and the Cavs need to resign Shasa to a 5 year deal and sign in trade Andy to Washington for Antonio Daniels Because where not getting Rashaad lewis but we do got a chance on Bibby and i also like the trade to Get Zach Randolp for Larry Hughes and Shannon Brown, and 1 more deal we should make is try to sign another big man who dont flop {Andy} and who can block and get big rebounds
June 21st, 2007 at 7:25 pm
How about MR BIG SHOT Chauncey Billups?
June 21st, 2007 at 9:40 pm
any chance to trade for KG? sign and trade with ‘wild thing’ throw in hughes? i don’t know how it would work with salaries.
i doubt we enough money and move makin’ skills to get mr big shot
i’d like bibby, boykins, daniels, randolph - any of em
June 21st, 2007 at 11:44 pm
swap Gooden + Draft pick or cash with Al Horford.
swap Hughes with Julian Wright + Draft Pick.
Starting lineup 2007-2008
PG Boobie
SG King
SF Pavlovic or Wright
PF AV or Horford
C Z
We need rebuilding for next decade.
June 21st, 2007 at 11:47 pm
swap Gooden + Draft pick or cash with Al Horford.
swap Hughes with Julian Wright + Draft Pick.
Starting lineup 2007-2008
PG Boobie
SG King
SF Pavlovic or Wright
PF AV or Horford
C Z
We need rebuilding for next decade.
June 21st, 2007 at 11:48 pm
swap Gooden + Draft pick or cash with Al Horford.
swap Hughes with Julian Wright + Draft Pick.
Starting lineup 2007-2008
PG Boobie
SG King
SF Pavlovic or Wright
PF AV or Horford
C Z
We need rebuilding for next decade.
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:47 am
Trade D. Marshall+Hughes+Gooden for KG
Starting 5 for 2007-2008
PG - Gibson
SG - Pavlovic
SF - King JAMES
PF - KG
C - Big Z
Will this fly???
June 22nd, 2007 at 1:13 am
Dear Cleveland Cavalier Fans,
Please come back to Earth. Some highlights from the Delusion Fest currently taking place:
“What would you think of drafting Nick Fazekas (6′10″ from Nevada)? ”
Uh, I would think that’s pretty impressive, considering the Cavs don’t have a draft choice this year.
—
“Hey, how cool would it be if we got both Marion and Bibby. I don’t think it will ever happen, but it’s an awesome concept to think about.”
You know what I think is an awesome concept to think about? Time travel.
You know what I think is NOT awesome to think about? Spending all next season watching Sean Marion play help defense as the opposing point guard drives past Mike Bibby on every other possession.
—
“The 2 weakest links on the Cavs Finals team were Gooden and Varejo.”
Yeah, unless you count Larry Hughes. Or Donyell Marshall. Or Sasha Pavlovic. Or Damon Jones.
—
“any chance to trade for KG? sign and trade with ‘wild thing’ throw in hughes?”
Finally! The Timberwolves have been waiting over a decade to unload that stiff Garnett. They’ve just been holding out for some team to offer them a backup PF that averages 6.8 points a game and a shooting guard/point guard that neither shoots well nor scores many points.
—
“swap Gooden + Draft pick or cash with Al Horford”
Good idea, since we have no draft pick. Also, I’m sure whichever team drafts Al Horford would gladly trade the young, promising forward for an older, much more expensive forward. That makes perfect sense.
—
“Trade D. Marshall+Hughes+Gooden for KG”
Because that’s how trades in the NBA work. You just round up all the players on your team that you don’t like, and stick them on a bus headed for a different city. A day later, that city sends you the greatest player in the history of their franchise.
What’s your next proposal? Sending Lebron James to Washington for Brendan Haywood, Mike Hall, and Calvin Booth?
—
“PG Mike Bibby, Earl Boykins, Eric Snow
SG Ron Artest, Shannon Brown
PF Rashard Lewis, Dwayne Jones”
This is my favorite one. The most implausible element isn’t that you’ve somehow merged the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers into a single team. And it’s not that Kingaliers were somehow able to sign Rashard Lewis. The most implausible element of this scenario is that you have Dwayne Jones listed as your backup PF.
Priceless.
June 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 am
Common Mr. Ground Control …
I did the ff. trades in NBA Live 2007 and they all were approved !!!
Gooden+Hughes+Marshall for KG
and;
Snow+Newble+DJones for Okur
and;
Wesley+Pollard+Varejao for Bibby
Then I merely signed a couple of free agents for my backup PF and C slots …
hehehe … a lot of fun doin it too …
Seriously though … why don’t you enlighten us on what would be a possible deal … OH GREAT MASTER GROUND CONTROL
June 22nd, 2007 at 4:16 am
The Cavs don’t need another forward. Marion and Lewis are good players, but the Cavs really need an offensive guard (1 or 2 position) If they hadn’t have given Z, Drew Gooden and Hughes all that money and had someone tradeable they might have been able to go after KG or even Kobe. Management must be kicking themself…
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 am
Ground Control - your post made me laugh out loud here at work this morning. Really enjoyed it. And yes, time travel would be a cool concept to think about.
Jake - not to disparage your comments but there is no reason to spend any of our personal times thinking up possible trade options for the Cavs. We don’t know the salary cap rules, exception options, and whatever else is needed to make a trade work in the NBA. Thats why those guys get paid to do it and we make trades in our own fantasy leagues or video games. And while it is true that they’ll probably get it wrong and half of us will complain and the other half will be okay with it - the real value won’t be known until 1-2 years down the road. So, let’s just wait and see what happens and then let the bitchin commence.
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:17 am
Reading all these rumors and faint hopes, I’m still holding on for a Larry Hughes and Andrei Kirilenko swap!
Utah needs an athletic SG and the Cavs can use AK’s old game and shot blocking as a second option.
Right now, Hughes really hasn’t given us much and he’s NOT the answer at PG! Time to move on, their salaries are very similar.
In the Utah playoff run Sloan used AK as the primary ball handler when Williams was out, he can do much of the same here with LeBron and hopefully snag a true point, via trade or FA.
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:21 am
Just to clear things up, the most tradeable piece the Cavs have is Gooden. He was only given a three year deal that was designed to be tantalizing as trade bait. Even Z’s contact is not that bad. Do I think it was too many years, yes, but would rather have him and his salary then Ben Wallace and some others.
However, I do agree that the Hughes signing was the worst of all of them. But two years ago, when it went down it was viewed as a good move. It just has not turned out that way yet. Maybe, maybe not but some team might be interested who know.s
The bottom line is the Cavs do not have a lot of pieces to trade, but they do have an owner who is willing to spend money (from what BW and others in the media have mentioned). Us trying to know exactly what they are going to do will be moot until something happens. Those who think Ferry is going to “screw” this franchise on purpse are foolish. He made some really good moves (Flip Murray, the deal with the Sixers, getting Shannon and Gibson) but he also made some mistakes. For only having two off seasons to work with, he has done a pretty decent job. IMO, he can only get better, just like the rest of this young team and FO
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:33 am
Speaking of Shannon Brown, it would be nice to see an update on his progress, if any. Is he a complete flop?
What would it take to get a mid or low first round draft choice? Maybe the Cavs should take a flyer on that Big Baby guy from LSU.
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:12 am
Even Z’s contract isn’t that bad??? You’ve gotta be kidding me. Three years left with a 15% kicker if he’s traded. Ilgauskas and his contract are as leprosy-laden as Hughes and his contract.
Love your rumors, Brian. Yep, there’s an excellent chance Marion and Lewis will be on the first Greyhound bus to Cleveland. After all, Ferry is friendly with everybody. After tea and crumpets, all the other GMs will just give away their players.
Please, can we stop with the fake scenarios?
And come on, larry. That LSU kid is the love child of Oliver Miller and Fat Boy Traylor with a cuter nickname.
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:23 am
I have to say I agree with Ground Control. As fun as the fantasy trades are they are just that, fantasy. They need solid players around LeBron not overpaid superstar wannabes like Lewis.
Their biggest need is PG, they have to have someone to run the show and shoot when LeBron drives and dishes. They also need another scorer not named Larry. He is just to inconsistent and injury prone. Here is what I suggest Mr. Ferry do.
Get rid of Eric Snow. Find someone desperate for a backup PG on a veteran team and try to get a 2nd round pick or something for him. Trade him to Memphis for Swift, they need a PG and so does the Heat. Swift would also give them the option to let Verajao sign elsewhere. Really, why would we resign him for a bunch of money. He is a high energy guy with no real offensive ability. Swift would play well with LeBron and between he, Gooden and Z would be a solid 3 man rotation for the next 2 or 3 yrs.
Next, sign Steve Blake. He can run a team, long armed defender who won’t take huge $ to sign. Gibson can continue to learn under him for 3 more years until we find out if he can start for good.
Sign a shooter. Matt Carrol from Charlotte would be a great fit. probably mid level exempt money or less for 3 years. Good 3 pt shooter and can play SG when Larry is at the point.
Resign Sasha. He is a solid wing player that should grow now that he has had some opportunities. He, gibson and swift would be a nice bench to go to. With Blake running the show you at least have a legit chance at competing avery night.
The team does not need that much more than it has now, except an offense.
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:41 am
So much negativity… so little time. In his assessment of everyone’s scenarios. I guess Jake forgot about the Cavs ability to by a draft pick to make some of those deals work. Anyway, I’m excited to see what comes about!!!
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 am
Sorry jake… it was ground control… my bad
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 am
You want a BIG trade. This one would actually work.
Hughes and Snow for Jason Richardson and Foyle.
The salaries would work and the cavs would get their legit 2nd scorer that has fallen out of favor with Golden State. Foyle gives them the big man they need when Varejao signs somewhere else and would have to be thrown in if they want richardson.
GS would get another toy to play with in their run and gun offense and snow and hughes have less years on their contract than richardson and foyle.
Could it work, yes. It probably shouldn’t though. You would have LeBron and Richardson destroying peopl until crunch time when damon jones or gibson can’t get them the ball. Still need a PG.
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:38 am
Gotta love that last sentence…”The team does not need that much more than it has now, except on offense.” Stevie Wonder does not need that much more when he’s picking his clothes in the morning…oh, except for eyes.
If you want something, you’ve gotta give up something. For Pete’s sakes, Gooden wasn’t even considered good enough to be given 28 minutes a game! Does anybody seriously believe a guy like Pavlovic is worth more to other GMs than the two second-round choices given up for Carlos Delfino? And what’s with this Gibson mania, and why do some people suddenly think he’s a priceless gem? What’s the deal with Shannon Brown, and why was he Ferry’s first-round selection? Snow is going nowhere until at least a full year from now, when his expiring contract finally has value. Same goes with Marshall. Hughes and his contract are toxic. Ilgauskas is staying, his crazy contract is Cleveland’s resident Hindu cow. And I think it’s preposterous that people are actually looking at Steve Blake and saying, “Five teams in four years, this white Harlem Globetrotter is the answer!” Maybe Damon Jones will buy Blake a lifetime supply of pink shirts.
We’ve actually got sportswriters typing what a friendly guy Ferry is. As if his charming personality is the key to the kingdom. Steve Kerr and Sam Presti are just going touch their toes and do a Ned Beatty for ‘ol Danny. Like Dionne Warwick warbled, that’s what friends are for.
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
That kerr has a purty mouth….
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:54 am
Did we all watch the same Finals? The Cavs don’t need any rookies out of the draft. Actually i think any pick they get in the draft they need to trade. They only had 1 player who had finals experience this year which would explain why they got man-handled in the finals. They need more leadership and people who know what they’re doing. A good shooting point guard but also someone who will give Lebron the ball is who they need to get.
June 22nd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
all you dummies should listen to tucker. after all, his predictions have been so dead-on. it’s uncanny…
June 22nd, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I was waiting for it … and now the real Tucker is back.
NBA Finals, people. NBA Finals.
June 22nd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Tucker…
Don’t be such a pessimist. I think we can all agree that the NBA is populated with a healthy number of incompetent general managers.
So there’s always hope that another GM’s stupidity will trump Ferry’s stupidity and Cleveland will end up on the better side of a trade. (Remember how Jim Paxson somehow acquired Gooden and Varejao from Orlando in exchange for an autographed Derrick Chievous jersey?)
Cheer up, dude. The same thing could happen this offseason, (assuming, of course, that the Cavs have’t exhausted their supply of Chievous jerseys or Larry Hughes arm-hose).
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Only now do I realize that the 2nd best thing about the Cavaliers playoff run (after the run itself) was that it allowed me to enjoy reading the comments in this blog without seeing the usual garbage dished out by Alan Tucker.
Were the playoffs actually your off-season? You are the worst kind of “fan”. So much worse than the dreamers who construct one-sided trades. All you say is that X is bad, nothing will ever improve until Y or unless Z, but then what happened this year: improvement. At least other people who bash the team offer some constructive comments. You offer nothing, and your arguments hold even less weight now than before the playoffs. Can’t wait till the playoffs next year, so that you go back into hibernation.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Only now do I realize that the 2nd best thing about the Cavaliers playoff run (after the run itself) was that it allowed me to enjoy reading the comments in this blog without seeing the usual garbage dished out by Alan Tucker.
Were the playoffs actually your off-season? You are the worst kind of “fan”. So much worse than the dreamers who construct one-sided trades. All you say is that X is bad, nothing will ever improve until Y or unless Z, but then what happened this year: improvement. At least other people who bash the team offer some constructive comments. You offer nothing, and your arguments hold even less weight now than before the playoffs. Can’t wait till the playoffs next year, so that you go back into hibernation.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Only now do I realize that the 2nd best thing about the Cavaliers playoff run (after the run itself) was that it allowed me to enjoy reading the comments in this blog without seeing the usual garbage dished out by Alan Tucker.
Were the playoffs actually your off-season? You are the worst kind of “fan”. So much worse than the dreamers who construct one-sided trades. All you say is that X is bad, nothing will ever improve until Y or unless Z, but then what happened this year: improvement. At least other people who bash the team offer some constructive comments. You offer nothing, and your arguments hold even less weight now than before the playoffs. Can’t wait till the playoffs next year, so that you go back into hibernation.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Wow - I guess you cared once for every round the Cavs won.
Let’s stop making this board about Tucker. We all know what he has to offer and what he does not. I admit enjoying his hibernation and predictable return.
I will be surprised if the Cavs trade for a 1st rounder, but not for a 2nd rounder. But will Ferry pull off a bigger trade?
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Larry,
I don’t know if it’s still a hot rumor, but the word a couple weeks ago was that the Cavs were going to try and buy one of the Suns three first round picks this draft. I presume it was one of the two lower picks, and I imagine that the Garnett rumors would involve at least one of those picks, so perhaps nothing will come of it.
To all,
I am a little perplexed. The Cavs clearly have room to improve, but they did pretty well this year, wouldn’t you say? They also have an awful lot of youth at an awful lot of positions. Presumably those players will continue to improve.
They have some contracts which — if Brian is right(and his argument is well-reasoned) give them a little more cap room than it might initially appear.
There are very few teams (five, I think) that are under the cap, so it should be easier to re-sign some of our restricted free agents (or at least sign-and-trade).
Finally, the owner has given the okay to exceed the cap.
All in all, there is much more cause for optimism than much of the gloom and doom on this board.
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:07 pm
They have youth to improve? If that’s the case, then just give Charlotte and Atlanta a trophy now. Actually, give about 25 franchises the trophy now. Why bother to play for one?
Legitimate skills and serious talent wins championships, not some nebulous nonsense like youth. Everybody has youth, including numerous horrid Cleveland teams over the course of the past 37 years. What they didn’t have was LeBron James.
And actually, kj (not to toot my own horn here), but my prediction turned out to be dead-on. I said they’d have a beeline to the conference finals. They did. I didn’t make a prediction about the series, but I did expressly write, halfway during the regular season, that LeBron had better hope they don’t make it to the finals, because he and the team would be totally humiliated on a national stage if James somehow carried them in there. Seems to me that’s pretty much what happened.
The bottom line is Cleveland has nobody anybody wants. And they really have no contracts to speak of to barter, and won’t have any until the summer of 2008. Finally they’ll be able to dump some of the deadwood, like Snow and Marshall. So I have some hope for the 2008-2009 season, assuming James and his agent don’t pull a Kobe next summer and demand a one-way ticket out of town.
Who cares if Gilbert has given the O.K. to exceed the cap this summer? For who, the great Steve Blake? There’s a reason he’s about to join his fifth team in four years. Can’t wait until Ferry locks up yet another vagabond to a long-term deal, and Coach Bill Duke platoons him at the point with Gibson.
The only way to really improve so as to seriously compete with the West’s vastly superior teams is to unload Ilgauskas. There’s just no other way. More than just his joke of a contract hogging cap space, the roster is completely married to his style of play. As nobody else wants his contract, the fans of Cleveland are going to continue to be stuck with the most unappealing style in the league. They have Secretariat for three more years, and they’re forced to turn him into a plow horse. It’s insane.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:11 am
Young players tend to get better, old players tend to get worse. It isn’t a difficult concept.
Gooden, Varejao, Pavlovic, Gibson, Brown. Each of those four will improve, the only question is how much. Gibson, in particular, is worthy of note, because he was so much younger (at 20) than the people against whom he was playing last year.
In each of those cases, we’re talking about parts. Still, how much do they need to improve (paired with LBJ’s continued improvement) for this team to be better? Not too much.
The Cavs won 50 games in a season in which they essentially replaced aging players Damon Jones, Eric Snow, and Donyell Marshall with younger, (as it developed, better) players. On that basis alone, I would expect the Cavs to improve record-wise next year.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:35 am
I love the scene in Predator where Mike Brown is ostensibly shaving, but he’s so pre-occupied thinking about his impending evisceration by the Predator that he gouges the razor into his cheek, making him bleed his own blood. And why did the Indian guy think he could take the Predator one on one with only a machete, while balanced precariously upon a log spanning a gorge?
Varejao is gone. The Rockets are going to throw ridiculous money at him, at he isn’t worth matching it. Bench guys who flop, panic in crunch time, have no offensive game to speak of and are the rage of all the area teenage girls shouldn’t be making more money than your starting power forward. So let him go. Or work a sign and trade for a draft pick at least.
I’m worried about 2007-08 season. The roster isn’t going to be much different. Unless Lebron shows up at camp with the ghost of Drazen Petrovic inhabiting his massive torso, we’re in trouble. Watch the Heat. Watch the Bulls. I’m afraid we’ll simply have to suck it up and wait for all these horrible contracts to expire and go for broke in 2009.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:40 am
This Munch guy on WKNR is un-freaking-believable. He actually centered an entire show around the possibility of getting KG or Kobe in here. And he was serious. He thinks it can happen. Guys kept calling him, telling him how ridiulous and sophomoric he was being, and he’d hang up on them. A complete delusional idiot. God I miss Mac, Jurko, and Harry in Chicago.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:57 am
any chance to get Iguodala and Al Jefferson?
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:16 am
LOL! Great posts Doc. I really did laugh out loud. And Munch is a complete moron, no doubt about that.
I hate to say it, but I agree with Alan. We will still be a very good team, thanks to James and a very good team defense, but I will be shocked if we add anyone of significance. And this premature Boobie lovefest is just weird. Are we that hard up for ANYONE to show promise? At least for me, I’ll need much more than a handful of good games and a handful of terrible games to get excited. Can he shoot? It seems so. But can he shoot consistently? The jury is still out.
I never was that excited about Shannon Brown. Another slasher with a suspect outside game? We already have the best guy like that in the league in James. We kind of already had that in Hughes, until he proved to be a terrible jump shooter who can’t, or won’t, even slash anymore. As a fan, my hope is that Shannon can actually consistently make jump shots, but I’m not so sure. This team’s problem is not getting open jump shots. Thanks to James, those are plentiful. The problem is making them.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:01 am
I love the new guys in here that try to wrap their logical minds around The artist formerly known as Alan Tucker. Always good for a laugh. I’m gonna defend Ferry a little bit here: You guys are all hypocrites. You mock LeBron because of his ego and his global Icon status, but at the same time you rip apart a professional who worked hard day in and day out for as a player and now as a GM. Joe Tait’s favorite player of all time was Danny Ferry because of how hard he struggled to fit in the NBA. As far as I know, only one rookie this year made a deep impact (can’t wait for the comet jokes from you HOOLIGANS) in the playoffs. Who drafted Gibson? Was it you Tucker? The kid made Chauncey look like a little girl. What other rookies made ANY impact in the playoffs this year? Tyrus Thomas laid an Egg. Garbajosa and Barnagni lost to the Nets with Home Court…let’s see Paul Milsap was money for 5 points a game…Marcus Williams stepped in nicely for Jason Kidd. His -20 point On court off court differential is misleading…oh wait no it’s not. Cavs were 11 points better per game with Boobie on the court in the playoffs. No other rookie came remotely close to that.
Don’t make excuses. Ferry drafted Gibson. He made a good pick. Ferry’s not a bad guy. He wants this team to win, and he’s smart enough to put a good team together. Have some faith.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
On that note - Tucker’s comment about Illgauskas is correct. In a related story, they’re making snow angels in hell right now. But seriously, this team is not built for Illgauskas’s style of play. He’s too slow to defend the pick and roll and he’s not a good low-post scorer anymore. The spurs REALLY made him look bad. The Cavs need a more agile center. That’s why I think they need to keep Varajeo. He’s starting to play some pretty good defense down low too.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
So Gibson is the answer, Tom? I’ll make the assumption that I’m the “new guy” since I agreed in part with Tucker. You’re already completely sold on Gibson? I’m not. Just a difference of opinion. I’m not saying he sucks or is NOT an answer, but he had too little time to really prove anything, imo.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:42 am
Gibson is the answer at one of the guard spots - yes.
EMPHATIC YES. If things go well he will be playing with LeBron for years to come.
You get a solid point guard who can make a good entry pass and add Gibson/Pavlovic LeBron Gooden Varajeo and that is a team that can compete with anyone - even in the West.
I personally think the Cavs need to get some cheaps pieces with raw skill sets and develop them. Half of the spurs team is full of althetic no - name foreign players that they developed into champions.
You fixed Sasha’s defense - now teach him to FINISH at the basket. Get him to stop leaving his feet so early. Develop Shannon Brown. THe guy is pure athleticism. All he wants to do is dunk on people. Let him go wild.
I like Pavs, Gibson, and Brown on this team.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I have an innovative suggestion that nobody has thought of, including the “Cavaliers braintrust” (much like “jumbo shrimp,” a ridiculously wild contradiction in terms).
Unload Varejao in a sign and trade, unload Gooden for whoever they can get, unload the smaller deadwood expiring contracts that can possibly be dumped. Then make James the power forward through at least the all-star break. Use the new available cap space to rent somebody for after the all-star break, when there’s always guys available on the market. Then barter the first set of larger expiring contracts in the summer of 2008.
Face it, this is not a good team. The Eastern Conference does wonders for appearance. Even Hillary Clinton would look hot in a room full of nuns, don’t you think?
And if Ferry is going to butter himself up with Coppertone and have a quaint picnic lunch with a point guard’s agent, then aim high for Mo Williams, don’t shoot low for Steve Blake.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Tom, Gibson has proven absolutely nothing. Frankly, I do not understand why some people are all atwitter about the kid. He had a few good games, and suddenly he’s destined for the Hall of Fame. He may end up having a decent career, but unless he learns how to be a point guard, I can’t see him as anything more than Damon Jones with thinner lips. Somebody who will always find a place on a team’s chair, if only because he has one singular skill that somebody needs.
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Damon Jones doesn’t play defense and Damon Jones doesn’t attack the basket. Damon Jones has no mid-range game.
Very bad comparison in my opinion.
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Whatever. From what I’ve seen from him so far, Gibson has a three-point shot, not much else. If a few decent playoff games is what it takes to be a champion in your eyes, then please build Gerald Henderson a monument. I can barely use Play-Doh, let alone make a statue.
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Boatshoes leaves his laces undone, trips, and falls on top of the gold nugget that is Daniel Gibson and you want to give him Executive of the Year? If he just knew Gibson was such a player, then why didn’t he jump on him in the first round?
And that revisionist history about his playing career, where he “worked so hard to fit in” is completely bogus. He was a freaking All-American at Duke! The Cavs traded one of the best young guards in the league at the time, straight up, to get him. And he flopped miserably. As a lottery pick. He struggled to “fit in” because he sucked. If you want to consider hoisting wide open spot-up threes as a white version of Donyell Marshall on the Spurs back in the day as his career redemption, then maybe we should be giving Ian Ziering an Emmy for resurrecting his career on Dancing with the Stars.
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:39 pm
doc, if you haven’t read it yet, check out Terry Pluto’s Sunday column, which was posted early. Holy cow. I seriously think it may be time for Terry to take one of those Beacon Journal early retirement packages. It’s really gotten out of hand. If I didn’t know he was such a devoutly religious guy, and that homosexuality is a sin rivaling adultery and murder, I’d swear that Terry and Ferry are a secret item.
Oh, and what people forget is Cleveland also gave up a draft pick which turned into Loy Vaught, an excellent power forward until he got hurt. Why did you bring that up again? Are you some kind of a sadist? What are you trying to accomplish? Would you also remind adult victims of child abuse of what they have to do through??? Why are you opening wounds, man???
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:42 pm
See, I couldn’t even write a correct sentence about child abuse, you got me so upset.
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
People are excited about Gibson because he’s already the team’s best shooter and quickest defender.
At some point, someone decreed that he wouldn’t ever be a true point guard (whatever that is). I don’t buy it. Gibson works hard and learns. For example, at the beginning of the season, he couldn’t make plays driving to the rim–he’d force up a shot no matter what. By season’s end, he was making very nice plays on drives. He already runs fast breaks well too.
I’d be curious to see how his rookie year compares to Price’s, or Brandon’s. Gibson’s younger than those guys were as rookies, he plays on a team that went further in the playoffs, and he probably did just as well statistically, if not better.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:01 pm
larry, is there really a difference if a kid is 21 years old or 22 years old? I’m not sure if that’s relevant.
But I do agree that he’s the best option they’ve got, and that overpaying for some yutz like Steve Blake won’t accomplish anything except take away from available cap space in the summer of ‘08. But I think if somebody like Mo Williams can be had, I’d say bye-bye Boobie in a heartbeat. For the same reason that Bryant got pissed when the Lakers drafted Bynum, they don’t have the luxury of time for Gibson to learn a new position. Hell, even if you look at the games he was playing 35 minutes, he still was getting two assists. Granted, that’s one more than Ilgauskas, but that’s still less that a starting point guard should have.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Although, now that I stop and think about it, Gibson will end up getting starter’s minutes regardless if he’s playing point. This discussion is fairly moot. Hughes is eventually going to get hurt, nobody needs a crystal ball to know that, and Bill Duke will have no other viable option but to give Gibson the minutes.
Too bad there’s nobody out there willing to give Ferry a second-round or low first-round pick for Ilgauskas. Or maybe there is, but we’ll never know.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Ahhhhhh, it is so refreshing to see our know-it-all friend Alan Tucker back on here! Woot. He was MIA when the Cavs were on a roll and dominating the Pistons, but now he has slithered back out of his hole just in time to tell us everything that is wrong with our Cavs and how they have no chance of ever winnning anything.
Welcome back Mr. Tucker. ROFL!!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Why are you posting, JoeHoops? You’ve broken your promise. Twice. When are you going to vow never to post again? That will make three. Just don’t cry wolf, you’ve read the story, I hope.
But since you raised my MIA, I had some family health issues to attend to. Seemed more important than basketball. But now I’m back and very eager to talk about Larry Hughes’ extremely painful Planters Peanutsitis, or whatever it is.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
JoeHoops, if you can take your mind off of me for a moment, take a look at Elwood and tell me he doesn’t look like a thirsty dehydrated child of Damon Jones and Sam Cassell.
http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?g=ca37ab08-03f7-4e32-8352-99079581d04a&f=ohakr&fg=copy
June 24th, 2007 at 3:25 am
“Boatshoes leaves his laces undone, trips, and falls on top of the gold nugget that is Daniel Gibson and you want to give him Executive of the Year? If he just knew Gibson was such a player, then why didn’t he jump on him in the first round?”
Doc, you’re better than that. If the Patriots knew Brady was that good, why didn’t they trade up to draft him number one in the whole draft, not wait until the sixth round? Why didn’t the Spurs move up in the draft to take Ginobili and Parker?
So now we’re upset that a player available in the mid-second round wasn’t taken higher? That’s a pretty difficult standard.
It is interesting that you criticize Ferry for making unwise financial investments in Ilgauskas et. al. in one breath, but then you criticize him for a frugal draft pick in the next.
You may not like Ferry, but the one thing for which you cannot criticize him is his draft history. He’s had one draft, and it looks pretty good. He drafted low, and came away with at least one productive player.
June 24th, 2007 at 3:37 am
“Damon Jones doesn’t play defense and Damon Jones doesn’t attack the basket. Damon Jones has no mid-range game. Very bad comparison in my opinion.”
Good god! Is this the same Tom that last month proclaimed that Gibson and Jones were essentially “the same player,” except you would “give the edge to Jones” because of his experience?
You’ve certainly done a 180.
June 24th, 2007 at 4:25 am
“Oh, and what people forget is Cleveland also gave up a draft pick which turned into Loy Vaught, an excellent power forward until he got hurt.”
So, Alan, if Loy Vaught was “an excellent power forward” as you posted above, then you should be thrilled with Gooden’s and Varejao’s performances. Varejao has been approximately the same player statictically as Vaught through the same age, and Gooden has been clearly superior. Oh, and Vaught did that playing for inept teams, so you have to figure there was a greater chance at establishing himself.
I mention this because I don’t hear a lot of love for those two players from you, but when a player from another team posts similar or worse numbers, you label him as “excellent.” By extension, doesn’t this also mean the Varejao and Gooden are also excellent? That would mean the Cavs had at least three excellent players on their team this year, yes?
There’s nothing personal in this observation, but it strikes me that, perhaps, you value in other players what you disparage in the Cavs.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:02 am
Larry,
It was an interesting question, so I looked it up. In the “guard” stats, here’s Price, Brandon, and Gibson (with two other Cavs guard draftees — Kevin Johnson and Brevin Knight — thrown in as well for comparison.
FYI — M (minutes per game); P (points); Sh (Shots); FG (FG % adjusted for three pointers); A (assists per game); T (turnovers per game); and Ag (age).
M P FG Sh A T Ag
KJ 24 9.2 46 7.5 5.5 1.8 21
TB 19.6 7.4 42 7.3 3.9 1.7 21
MP 18.2 6.9 44 6.3 3.0 1.6 22
BK 31 9.0 44 7.4 8.2 2.4 22
DG 16.5 4.6 54 3.9 1.0 .7 20
It appears Alan is right, in that Gibson appears to be less of a point guard than those players. He was the best shooter of those guys, but he took fewer shots.
Also, he had the fewest steals of any of those guys, even when adjusted for minutes. Finally, he was the only one on that list who didn’t make at least 80% of his free throws. Not sure what to make of that, since he went 38-43 in the playoffs. (He actually shot more free throws in the playoffs than he did all season!) Playoffs and regular season combined, he was at 80% of his free throws.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:04 am
That last post was aligned when I typed it in, but it got misaligned in the post. Sorry it is so tough to read.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:07 am
Corrected (I hope)!
Pl M P FG Sh A T Ag
KJ 24.0 9.2 46 7.5 5.5 1.8 21
TB 19.6 7.4 42 7.3 3.9 1.7 21
MP 18.2 6.9 44 6.3 3.0 1.6 22
BK 31.0 9.0 44 7.4 8.2 2.4 22
DG 16.5 4.6 54 3.9 1.0 0.7 20
June 24th, 2007 at 5:09 am
My ? is why can’t the cavs just cut Z or marshall eat the contract and get a center or 2nd string power forward from the cba or even a walk on from the undrated players, I cannot give you a name right now but there are good undrafted players in the nba. what about the guy with the funny name that the cavs had in camp last year, but now he is with golden state. the thing is cut one of the guys, true you still have to pay them, but get a player who could play and it will be cheap for a couple of years.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:10 am
3rd time’s a charm?
Play Min Pts FG% Sh Ast TO Ag
KJ 24.0 9.2 46 7.5 5.5 1.8 21
TB 19.6 7.4 42 7.3 3.9 1.7 21
MP 18.2 6.9 44 6.3 3.0 1.6 22
BK 31.0 9.0 44 7.4 8.2 2.4 22
DG 16.5 4.6 54 3.9 1.0 0.7 20
June 24th, 2007 at 5:12 am
4th try
Pla Min Pts FG Sh As TO Ag
KJ 24.0 9.2 46 7.5 5.5 1.8 21
TB 19.6 7.4 42 7.3 3.9 1.7 21
MP 18.2 6.9 44 6.3 3.0 1.6 22
BK 31.0 9.0 44 7.4 8.2 2.4 22
DG 16.5 4.6 54 3.9 1.0 0.7 20
June 24th, 2007 at 5:15 am
Oh if any one wants to see Lebron in person he will be at the Glenville recreation center,(thats in the ghetto) filming a music video. Just thought inquiry minds or Lebron fans wanted to know.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:17 am
ONly now, whats up with the triple post, are you a trinity?
June 24th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Wow, talk about a non sequitur. doc is talking about an absolutely ridiculous one-sided trade from 1989, and you’re inexplicably talking about Gooden and Varejao in relation to Loy Vaught, a dude who made that Ferry trade and his subsequent 10-year contract multiple times more nauseating than it already was. Never mind Harper, Vaught for Ferry straight-up would have been a horrific trade in itself. Hell, never mind Harper and Vaught, a hamper full of my niece’s dirty diapers in exchange for Ferry would have been an astonishingly terrible trade.
But since you brought it up, a young Loy Vaught, minus the bad back, would have looked rather good on the 2007-2008 Cavs. More muscle and toughness in that guy’s big toe than in Gooden’s and Varejao’s entire bodies combined. Coach Bill Duke (I prefer “Coach D”) could have played him at center, too, thereby allowing Ferry The Sequel to ship Z to Siberia via UPS. Giving a whole new meaning to the catch phrase, “What can Brown do for you?”
June 24th, 2007 at 5:51 am
James is going to be in the ‘hood making a music video? Gosh, that’s just peachy. Too bad he’s reluctant to use his waking hours to practice his free throws. What’s he doing, a cover of the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn?”
June 24th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Thanks for the stats, Kevin.
Gibson’s assist totals are terrible, which I knew. I still think they can be partly attributed to the role he was asked to play, lining up at the three point line so much, and to playing with LeBron.
Maybe the Cavs are being smart to bring Gibson along slowly, but I’m afraid they’re giving him too low a ceiling, if they’re thinking about going after someone like Blake.
I don’t see why Gibson can’t at least play alongside another guard who can handle the ball a little. LeBron’s going to be making most of the plays in any case.
June 24th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Andress-
I’m much better than you think. Listen, every team takes flyers on guys in the latter stages of drafts. Some pan out, some don’t. Scott Pioli isn’t considered one of the top GM’s in the NFL because of the Tom Brady pick. It’s the way he signs free agents, manages the cap, and his overall wise drafts. Everybody gets lucky. Even Butch Davis drafted Sean Jones. You honestly think that Mickey loomis of the Saints won executive of the year because MArques Colston went from seventh round prayer to all-pro? Give me a break.
So Boatshoes makes a good pick in the second round. I’ll grant you that. But no one makes their reputation in the NBA on the percentage of second rounders who turn out to be decent (and that’s really all we can say about gibson now). He’s squandered money, signed a bunch of guys who suck to ridiculous contracts, and we have no flexibility to do anything about it for another year. http://www.mauisurfcompany.com/boatshoes/buoydb.jpg
June 24th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Paul Millsap was highway robbery for the 47th pick. Gibson may turn out to be a decent player, but Millsap is eventually going to get a max free agent contract. You read it here first. That guy is going to be a beast. Give him starter’s minutes, I guarantee he would lead the league in rebounding. Down the road, Utah will have a decision to make. In a perfect world, Cleveland would return the Boozer favor.
June 24th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Larry,
I agree with you on Gibson. I was impressed in the playoffs at his ability to penetrate off the dribble, and he’s the quickest player on the Cavs. I love his future. But I’m pretty sure he isn’t a pure point. Yet, anyway.
He has a role on this team, and I’d bet it will involve a pretty big jump in minutes and production next year.
June 24th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
wow. again. tucker just *happened* to be righht on his prediction EVEN THOUGH he didn’t make one for the DET/CLE series. genius!
and glad to hear the “health” issue is cleared up. sure is curious it happened as the cavs were winning and ended when the cavs were losing. but, i’m sure we’re just be *cynical*, right? and god knows, if it’s one thing you hate ( and for that matter, *never* practice ), it is cynicism.
June 24th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Tom, I think we just disagree. Gibson, showed some promise and actually played great for a few games. But he also disappeared and played like shyt for a few games. As a fan, I am cautiously optimistic that he can indeed help James and this team, but as of right now, I am just seeing him POTENTIALLY as a BJ Armstrong type player. NOT an all star. I think there is not enough information to make a judgement on whether he will be a good to great player or not. I hope you’re right.
June 24th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I can remember one game in the finals–his first start–when Gibson played very poorly (or to be more precise, shot very poorly). Other than that, he played as well as anyone on the team against the Spurs.
Of course Gibson’s a little inconsistent as a rookie. I don’t know if he’ll be an all star or anything like that, but from where I sit, the need for a point guard is no greater than the need for a center, a power forward and a big scoring guard.
June 24th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Why don’t we just trade Lebron with Kobe? +/- other players … it doesn’t make any difference either way.
Crazy i know … but it is still free to dream right???
Kobe wants out … and from your posts Lebron is basically doomed in Cleveland anyway … peace
June 24th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
larry d., yet again you are the voice of reason on this fast becoming irrelevant comment section.
gibby can shoot, defend AND penetrate. i have to laugh at all the selective memories here. don’t remember gibby’s drive and dunk early in the year? the drive on shaq with the “and one?” the floaters in the lane against SA and DET.? he CAN drive and he will drive AND dish more next year, i assure you! now that the team and coaching staff has confidence in him, they will allow him to be the PG. not snow’s back-up or hughes’ back-up, etc., but the STARTING PG of the cavs.
and boy, for people like tucker who LOVE to dismiss players stats when it suits their silly arguments to then turn around and use gibby’s lack of assist totals to cast aspersions on gibby’s PG credentials in beyond laughable. newsflash! since gibby plays with LBJ, who will avg. over 7 assists next year, if we only get 3 dimes a game from him, that is *more* than enough to play winning basketball.
we need, as larry d. says, a reliable low-post scorer off the bench FAR more than we need worry about the PG position. quit giving credence to what what you read both locally and nationally about the cavs needing a PG, and just watch with your own eyes. you’ll be surprised what you might see…
June 24th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Alan,
I’m not looking to get into a border war with you on this, but if toughness is all we need — heck — let’s just start Pollard.
For the record, Vaught garnered no regular or postseason accolades (All-Rookie, All League, All Defense, All Star Game), his play didn’t contribute to winning teams either in the regular season (38% win percentage, two winning seasons) or in the postseason (lost all 5 series; 6-15 record, even when higher seeded twice), and his “muscle” stats are comparable to Varejao and Gooden.
Yet Vaught is excellent, and the other two couldn’t hold a candle to him. On what possible basis?
June 24th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I lean heavily towards the Jerry West way of thinking, Kevin. Trust your eyes and your brain, and disregard silly things like stats, which can be bent and manipulated to mean just about anything. If you don’t believe me, Google all the times a Cavs PR flack issued a press release proclaiming what a terrific assists-to-turnover ratio Jeff McInnis had under his belt. As if that was irrefutable proof that he didn’t suck.
Vaught was on the verge of being one of the best power forwards in the league, but then his career was ruined when his lower back exploded and disintegrated, leaving just a stain like a Spinal Tap drummer…uh, remind me again why we’re having this discussion???
June 25th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Alan,
We’re having this conversation because you raved about Vaught, and because you have been much less complimentary about Gooden and Varejao.
I just find it ironic that you wish we had a player like Vaught when in fact we have two.
June 25th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Comparing Loy Vaught to Drew Gooden and/or Anderson Varejao is like comparing a banana to a kiwi and a kumquat. Kevin, what in the world are you talking about?
doc raises the el stinko Ferry trade that devastated the franchise, I happen to mention it incredibly was even more el stinko than he pointed out, and then you suddenly start brewing the statistics stew over Loy Vaught and God knows what else. I’m no expert in statisticholism, but it may be time for an intervention and a 12-step program.