Draft thoughts
Posted June 24th, 2007 by bwindhorst
I have been getting lots of e-mail asking me how the Cavs can get into the lottery, or at least the first round, of this week’s draft. Here’s what I can tell you. First, they’re not getting in the lottery so cease with the Mike Conley Jr. e-mails. Second, the Cavs feel like their first-round pick this year is Shannon Brown. As I’ve written here before, Shannon worked just as hard at his game as Daniel Gibson this season and I expect him to get a chance to play next season. I look forward to watching him at summer league in Las Vegas in a few weeks and you can bet that I will be giving you a full report about it. Remember, as high as Danny Ferry was on Gibson, they still took a risk of losing Gibson to get his hands on Brown first. Sure they’d love to have a pick in this draft but even at No. 24, where they would’ve picked had the Jiri Welsch trade never happened, we’re talking about a prospect pick and not an impact pick in all likelihood.
As for buying a pick, I am sure the Cavs will have the green light to try from Dan Gilbert. I think the two targets in the first round will be the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, both of whom have multiple picks. But if that happens, don’t expect it until the last minute on draft night. Both will want to hold onto it for as long as possible to keep options open. And remember, the Cavs will only look to make a move if there is a guy they like up there. They won’t just have a pick to have a pick at this point. Most of the players they’ve been bringing in for workouts in Cleveland — the latest guy I’ve heard is Dustin Salisbery from Temple, who was in yesterday — are mostly fringe guys. Why would potential first rounders waste their time coming to Cleveland, anyway?
As for the second round, the Portland Trail Blazers have four picks and a bevy of young talent already. Perhaps the Cavs could offer a future second rounder and/or cash for one of them. But, again, only if it is for a guy they really like and think can make the roster. Last year the Cavs used a second-round pick on Ejike Ugboaja, who probably won’t play for the team next season, either.
I have not put a whole lot of research time into this year’s draft, although I’ve seen a lot of the players. Last year in Japan I told some blog readers about Yi and other prospects including Marco Belinelli. In my personal opinion, Greg Oden is a no-brainer at No. 1 and my reason is Shaq and Tim Duncan have eight of the last nine trophies. But the guy I would really want as a GM is Florida’s Corey Brewer. I know his size is an issue because he’s 6-foot-8 and only 180 pounds, but I love that guy. He makes big shots and big plays and he is a good defender. That’s a guy I’d want if I need a complementary piece for my team.
The New York Daily News reported today that the Toronto Raptors may want to trade point guard Jose Calderon. I know for a fact the Cavs like him a lot. I also think the Raptors like Sasha Pavlovic — they want to collect versatile international players who can shoot and Sasha fits the bill — although, I’ll bet Luke Jackson wouldn’t be thrilled with that. But it’s all rumors, I’m just commenting on them, I have no sources saying the same thing.
Finally, today is a big day. It is the annual time when News-Herald beat writer Bob Finnan posts his famous year end series of behind-the-scenes stories on the Cavs beat. It is long, here’s Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. All year, when something crazy happens we think Bob will include, we refer to it as a "Finnaner Moment." Well, I can tell you Bob doesn’t always include everything. Last year he left off the story in Miami when he stopped watching the season premiere of The Sopranos because he saw a woman skinny-dipping in the roof-top pool of the hotel next door. This year, the story of the two foreign journalists who ordered and ate nachos with an obscene amount of chili, sour cream and salsa in the row in front of us in the first half didn’t make it in. In the fourth quarter, Bob leaned over to me and said: "These two guys are farting like hell and I know why."
It has gotten to the point where Bob forbids me to write certain things in my blog. Moments after this photo below was taken in San Antonio at a Mexican joint during the Finals, for example, he looked at me and said: "No blogs." Well, tough big guy, tough!
June 24th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Speaking of nachos!
June 24th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
wow, that head band goes well with damon jones shirt. by the way who is the big flame. or big fish?
June 24th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Since we’re talking about beat writers, I have a question: According to Ric Bucher, the Cavaliers do not allow the local beat writers to have any one-on-one interviews with James. If the local beat writers are given access to James, then the local beat writers must interview him as a group. By contrast, the Cavaliers will give national sportswriters one-on-one access. Is this true?
June 24th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Alan, it is not the Cavaliers who make the decision. LeBron has general media availability and there is almost never a situation when he’s available 1-on-1 for an extended period to the beat writers. However, his public relations firm does set up 1-on-1 interviews. Over the last two years they have declined my requests while granting many national outlets requests. This also goes for members of his management team. I cannot speak for other beat writers because I don’t know what they have requested.
June 24th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Hmm, sounds like Prima Donna James has a little PR problem. A little too full of himself? Too good to speak to local media 1-on-1, but never too busy to go national? It’s crap like this that reminds us, LBJ is just a spoiled little kid with a bunch of spoiled posse hanger-on’ers ridin’ his coattails and living off the king. Try some humble pie, big fella. It’ll get you far in NE Ohio, where we don’t go for those antics.
June 25th, 2007 at 5:22 am
Doc,
Continuing our conversation:
Look, I don’t care if you dislike Ferry or not. He’s earned some of your grief. But these exchanges started when you said something like, “If Ferry knew what he was doing, he should have drafted Gibson with the Cavs’ first-round pick.”
I’m sorry, but that’s crazy logic. You say low-round picks are a lottery, and then you criticize him for not winning it twice? That makes no sense.
This just seems like a person bending over backward to diss Ferry; it would be LIKE me criticizing Pioli for drafting Brady 6th when he has proven to have first round (heck, first pick) value.
Thus far, Ferry and his one draft are unassailable. I think Brown will have a role in the NBA (as a defensive specialist, at the least). Accepting that he didn’t produce this year, that’s one of two lower round draft picks. That’s a pretty fair return on his investment.
You’re right, Pioli earned his rep by other shrewd acquisitions. I’m content to judge Ferry the same way across time. Pioli won a title his second year as player personnel guy. Fair enough, Ferry went to the finals his second season as GM.
BTW, since we’re using the Pioli example, in 2000 (the year Brady was drafted), Pioli was a newbie at his Patriots job. Here are the players Pioli drafted ahead of Brady in his first draft: Adrian Klemm; J.R. Redmond; Greg Robinson-Randall; Dave Stachelski; Jeff Marriott; and Antwan Harris. That’s a bust draft without Brady. Remember, this is the guy we both like as a shrewd evaluator and acquirer of talent.
If you had been a Patriots fan after the 2000 season (in which NE went 5-11 — three games worse than the previous season and their worst record in eight years), would you have been similarly critical of Pioli?
June 25th, 2007 at 5:45 am
well, the beat writers would of enjoy watching james at the glenville rec. saturday, he came in a old model pimped out car, got out of the car turn up his booming sound system and then it blew out. and much to my chagrin all of the fellas were laughing at him. and he was so humiliated. it was an array of pimped out autombiles, people came from all over to see the 6′8 superstar as well as the local budding rapper “big al”, but like the man that he his Lebron did shake off the moment and continue to greet and shake hands with the people. It was awesome. and the funny thing about it, he was without his posse, he came by himself, So lebron is a humble guy and he is not all about himself.
June 25th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Kevin-
Your deluge of information has my head spinning like linda blair. But we have to maintain our senses. Ferry’s “unassailable” draft netted Gibson, a dude known more for an absurd nickname, until the post-season when he stepped up and knocked down some wide open shots. Fair enough. But Brown? He did zilch. Sure, he was injured, but what does he have on his resume other than “one of the ugliest players in NBA”. The point is, judging a GM based on a draft comprised of late first round and second round pick is ungodly shortsighted. He wasn’t hired to strike it rich with role players in the second round. His job is to surround arguably the most talented player in the league with viable support. And when you have an owner who spends like Mark Cuban, that means not misfiring when it comes to free agency. That means not shackling your salary cap maneuverability with untradeable contracts. Unless a miracle happens and Steve Kerr hands us Shawn Marion for Ira Newble, Varejao, and Drew Gooden’s neck muff, we’re in trouble this year. Listen if Ferry makes it happen this summer, I’ll wear boatshoes sans socks to the hospital for a month.
June 25th, 2007 at 9:34 am
That Reverend Pluto column on Jessie Davis was sickening, incidentally. Nothing like highlighting her “sinful ways” 48 hours after her body was found. It seems the good Reverend is the only one “dwelling on the fact she had one child with the husband of someone else and is pregnant with a second child from that same man.” What a sicko. And then to toss around a couple pithy bible verses to tie it all together. Why is he writing about these sorts of things? What happened has nothing to do with her personal life being “a mess”. Or her illegitimate children. Or what church she attended. An innocent woman was murdered. Period. Get rid of this guy. This goes way beyond the usual Charlie Frye worship-fest. The reverend pluto has gone too far i say.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Here are the last comments that didn’t make it over in the data export:
You’re exactly right, Doc. Pluto all but implied that she died because she committed adultery. He’s an idiot and whoever lets him write that column should be fired.
Posted by: larry d. | Jun 25, 2007 11:43:15 AM
Toronto giving up Calderon? That’s not happening. And a possible deal involving Calderon and Pavlovic? That’s almost laughable. Come on, Calderon was the best PG coming off the bench last year, and he’d be the starting PG on a lot of teams this year. They’re not giving him up for a medoicre player in Pavlovic.
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 25, 2007 12:02:00 PM
Whoever called himself long term memory is deserved of my response. Before the playoffs started I said that Gibson and Jones were essentially the same player. I meant it in their role on the team. They both would hang out in corners and wait for a kick out to shoot the three. The only reason I gave Damon Jones the edge is because he’d played in playoffs games before and made winning shots. I wasn’t knocking Gibson. I actually think Damon Jones is not a bad player (but on this blog Damon Jones is the ANTICHRIST so by default any Damon Jones comparisons basically is like calling a dude’s momma fat.) I always knew Boobie COULD drive to the hoop I just didn’t think he had enough confidence to do it regularly and in pressure situations, especially with LBJ on the court. What he showed me in the playoffs were 3 very important things that have nothing to do with his talent (which I already could sees). 1.) He plays very solid defense. He spent time on Billups, Hamilton, and Prince. And I never once saw him get beat off the dribble. He stayed in front and forced tough shots. I was unaware of his defensive commitment and grit. I always new he had quick feet, but you can see he was DARING chauncey to post him up. 2.) He has liquid nitrogen flowing through his veins. Ice water is out of style. This kid redefines clutch. I was at game 6. Close out game. Biggest game in franchise history. The game that we thought would be renamed “The shot CLOCK” since all the energy in the Q was sucked out at the start of the second. Nothing could get us back into the game, until Boobie crushed the hearts of everyone in Detroit with a barrage of huge 4th quarter 3s. That’s just one example. He hits his foul shots, he attacks the basket with confidence, and he is even showing signs of a decent midrange game. All this without hesitation. He laid an egg in game 3 against the Spurs and came out in game 4 and drained a few tough shots. That alone showed me he has a bad memory and is not going to let a bad game affect his confidence. 3.) He plays WELL WITH LEBRON. FINALLY! Someone who plays well with LeBron. Windhorst has made many mentions of this. They have great chemistry. I’ve always thought the players that LeBron made better were Marshall, Varajeo, and Damon Jones. Well they all pale in comparion to Boobie. LeBron loves to draw double teams and kick out to shooters. Finally there is a guy that really fits this mold well. Marshall and D Jones are too streaky and too one-dimensional. Boobie gets it right.
So, I apologize for not being so high on Gibson before the playoffs started. I always liked him, and I always knew he had a sweet stroke and COULD attack the rim, but I never knew he had those 3 intangibles, which I believe will make him a SOLID starting guard on this team.
Posted by: Tom | Jun 25, 2007 12:04:12 PM
Doc - “knocked down some wide open shots?” Come on, you’re better than that.
Unless by “wide open shots” you mean attacked the rim at will and went 38 of 43 from the Very Wide Open foul line. I know he has corey maggette’s body so we should assume he’s going to get to the line…And he’s a wiley veteran so we should ASSUME he’s going to shoot almsot 90%
The kid played great. Hater’s should just say “he had a few awesome games, but he was playing out of his mind and he’ll never do that again in the playoffs.” But don’t act like he didn’t play well.
Posted by: Tom | Jun 25, 2007 12:14:44 PM
Hi Brian,
I have a question that I would love for you to touch upon. Last year, Chicago swapped their first round pick with NY to get LaMarcus Aldridge and this year Chicago has the same ability to swap first rounds with NY. We are told that Chicago had the ability to swap first round picks written in the trade agreement with NY for Eddy Curry. However, doesn’t the NBA have a (Stepien) rule that prohibits teams from trading consecutive first round draft picks. It seems to me, that once Chicago opted to exercise swapping picks last year, that they would be prohibited (per NBA rule) to exercise their option for NY’s pick for this year. I realize that the trade agreement between NY and Chicago allows for the trade, but I would think that NBA rules trump this agreement. The only way I can envision Chicago still getting NY’s pick is if NY makes the pick and then traded the player to Chicago after the player is drafted. However, let me know if I am incorrect about this. Thanks!
Posted by: Colum McKenna | Jun 25, 2007 2:08:00 PM
“So lebron is a humble guy and he is not all about himself.”
Note: Never end a paragraph this way, especially when you began the paragraph with a description of Lebron showing up in a “pimped out car” with a “booming sound system.”
Posted by: huh? | Jun 25, 2007 2:13:33 PM
Colum, I believe the rule is that a team can’t be without a 1st round pick in consecutive years.
The Knicks had 2 last year. They swapped their picks, rather than trading them away.
Posted by: huh? | Jun 25, 2007 2:53:10 PM
The Stepien rule only applies to future first round picks. You may not trade future first round picks in consecutive years.
So during the 2006-2007 season you can trade your ‘07 draft pick and not have it apply here.
You are also required just to have a future pick, not your own.
Posted by: Dick Bavetta | Jun 25, 2007 7:44:16 PM
what you think about this blockbuster trade with the blazers/sonics?
PG- *Steve Blake/Daniel Gibson/EricSnow
SG- **Ray Allen/Martell Webster/Randy
Livingston
SF- LeBron James/Martell Webster
PF- ***Zach Randolph/LaMarcus Aldridge
C- Andy Varejao/Joel Pryzbilla
*Steve Blake acquired thru free agency
**Ray Allen/Randy Livingston acquired
for Larry “CAN’T SHOOT” Hughes/Dwayne
Jones/Donyell Marshall/Damon Jones and
1st Round draft pick and cash
***Zach Randolph/Martell
Webster/LaMarcus Aldridge/Joel Pryzbilla
acquired for Drew Gooden/Zydrunas
Ilgauskas/Sasha Pavlovic/Shannon Brown
and two future 2nd Round draft pick..
Posted by: JM-CAVS-FAN | Jun 25, 2007 9:24:12 PM
hey, huh, I was being sarcastic. Your name should be duuuuuuh
Posted by: stupid 4 being a fan | Jun 26, 2007 1:27:21 AM
Hey why do mr. tucker get his post answered personally by Brian Windhorst. thats not fare to us. I personally would love for Brian to ans. one of my post.
Posted by: just wanted to know | Jun 26, 2007 1:30:41 AM
Because Mr. Tucker IS Brian Windhorst.
Posted by: larry d. | Jun 26, 2007 4:59:22 AM
larry, actually I did NOT write that response. I won’t speak towards doc’s and your own Pluto snuff column posts, the topic is too dicey for even me, a guy who otherwise absolutely relishes bad taste. You two were fairly on-target, but I ain’t touching it. But you’re way, way, WAY off here. I did not write one letter of that response, I have never, ever written a thing in this blog that did not have my very own first and last name under it. Accordingly, I must assume it really was written in its entirety by our esteemed blog host. Seriously.
Posted by: Alan Tucker | Jun 26, 2007 7:38:01 AM
Nice trade JM. You should propose it on your radio show this afternoon on WKNR.
Posted by: Dick Bavetta | Jun 26, 2007 7:57:14 AM
JM-Cavs Fan:
You would have to be insane to trade away the entire nucleolus of a team that just went to the NBA Finals. I see where you are going, but remember it takes 2 to tango. Both (or all 3) teams have to feel like they are making out in a deal. This deal doesn’t help anyone but the Cavs. But it also handcuffs them for the future by trading away more draft picks. Z is unmovable and Shannon Brown is this years first round pick- he takes Damon Jones’ place in the rotation.
Posted by: m west | Jun 26, 2007 8:03:44 AM
Or, after re-reading your post, maybe you believe the original question was written by him, not be me, and he answered his own question. You’d be wrong again. I actually did find Ric Bucher’s comments fascinating, and I wanted an answer. Now that I have that answer, I think it’s totally outrageous that the local beat writers don’t completely change their tune and become more of a columnist, and less of a reporter. If there’s not an editor holding them back, then axes should be grinding and strong opinions should be printed in the actual newspaper for wide distribution, not few and far between mild-mannered opinions printed in a tiny Internet blog.
Obviously, James’ handlers believe that the local writers are weak and impotent, and that the handlers and all the local PR flacks, both the players’ and the team’s, can shape all opinion without any fear of retribution. Given the fact that the local sportswriters are no longer courtside, and are now forced to cover their own team by renting the Hubble telescope, the Cavs front office and ownership also believes the local writers are weak and impotent, and they can do anything they want to them without fear of retribution.
If local beat writers become a combination of a reporter and a columnist, and didn’t make their few columnist-like opinions softball quality, they’d get a helluva lot more respect from both the team and from James’ handlers. Because right now the team and James handlers are the schoolyard bullies, and the beat writers are coming home everyday with muddy clothes and a black eye. Victims of domestic abuse have nothing on these guys. The difference being these sportswriters have the power, if only they used it. My question, and I think it warrants a valid answer, is why don’t they use it?
Posted by: Alan Tucker | Jun 26, 2007 8:05:08 AM
I was just joking around about you possibly being BW’s darkside, or more honest-with-himself doppleganger, Alan.
But you’re right about the Beacon Journal–they’re getting pushed around because they’ve got a bunch of sycophants who are afraid to criticize the front office of any of Cleveland’s major sports teams. Pluto’s current column about Tribe economics is a perfect example.
As for his foray into the recent tragedy, at least nobody is saying his writing has been racially motivated. We’re sure a forgiving bunch!
Posted by: larry d. | Jun 26, 2007 9:29:07 AM
I want to clarify that I don’t mean to say BW is a sycophant. He’s too easy on Danny Ferry, but I’m talking about a newsroom culture that pre-dates him for decades.
And it’s probaby going to get worse with the new ownership.
Posted by: larry d. | Jun 26, 2007 9:49:42 AM
I had a vivid dream last night that the Cavs signed and sent Sasha Pavlovic to the Wizards for Antonio Daniels….no idea why I had this dream, I can’t STAND daniels.
Posted by: Tom | Jun 26, 2007 12:57:33 PM
“Lebron did shake off the moment and continue to greet and shake hands with the people. It was awesome. and the funny thing about it, he was without his posse, he came by himself, So lebron is a humble guy and he is not all about himself.”
You were being sarcastic when you wrote that? Yeah, right. I hate it when people get called out and they try to cover for their mistakes by saying, “I was being sarcastic.”
Hey, “stupid 4 being a fan,” your name should be “billy.”
Posted by: huh? | Jun 26, 2007 1:58:05 PM
June 27th, 2007 at 9:40 am
What a blog mess. This export thing has been as seamless as the laces in Ferry’s shoes.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Cavs.com has “the optimist”. AT is his BANE!
June 27th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
why do the suns want to trade amare, for an aging garnette, sound like something the cavs would do. oh, wait steve kerr did play for the cavs.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
whats wrong with this crap its still 2 hrs behind time. the draft is thursday what will the cavs do? do any body no, does anybody care? why in the heck is lebron playing summer basketball, is it to make up for his bad showing in the title game. I do not fault him but it was bad, or is it to keep his name going on so the people in china could get use to him, what ever the case i hope he stay injury free.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Brian,
Any last minute tips for tonight? Are we unlikely to see the Cavs make a move today or are they working the phones to see what’s out there?