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Post by fatmenace on May 30, 2009 21:13:24 GMT -6
Can this group win next year or does Lebron need better talent around him?
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Post by finkle on May 30, 2009 22:12:57 GMT -6
need more size
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Post by gk on Jun 1, 2009 19:36:11 GMT -6
ready to come out of my shell/mental breakdown....
They certainly need a defensive presence inside. That's clear. But big men that can move are at a bit of a premium. I for one thought Zydrunas' jump shooting would help neutralize Howard on one end and between him and Varajao cause enough problems that they could mitigate the damage. It sorta worked every now and then, with Howard getting into foul trouble in several of the games.
The problem was Varajao had to sort of float between Howard and Rashard Lewis. And there's no way Varajao can guard Lewis on the perimeter. While Sasha Pavlovic is clearly not the answer, it's telling that the team defense improved when he was out there.
So it's not just the lack of one big guy. It's the Howard-Lewis / Illgauskas-Varajao combo that spelled death for this team. When Mike Brown sent Ben Wallace out there to guard Lewis on the last second play in Orlando, that was a major clue that they had no answer. That's actually the player I worry about more. And I don't really see how they can replace two starters while staying within the cap. There was the Shaq rumor. As it turns out, he probably could have greatly helped - but the salary cap implications made it a non-starter. A player like Chris Bosh or (*gritting teeth*) a healthy Carlos Boozer would be serviceable at the defensive end and could post up on Lewis at the offensive end.
Still it's probably a dangerous situation to totally alter your team because of one opponent that gave you major matchup problems.
Varajao might come off the books - a restricted free agent who might command more than he's worth. Ben Wallace has an expiring contract and might retire, so there's some free cash or trade bait. But the matchup problems that were exposed by Orlando will not be a one-stop shopping fix. But Bosh or Boozer would fit. There's also an outside chance Darnell Jackson might develop into Ben Wallace minus a bit of defense, plus a bit of offense. I'd have liked to have seen him a bit more in the regular season last year so we know what he was capable of in the playoffs. He might not be the answer, but he'd be a cheap in-house alternative. Shoot maybe JJ Hickson could develop into Lewis' foil. Or put Lebron against Lewis and find a Sasha Pavlovic-ish type player who can play long against Turkoglu
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Even with all those matchup problems, even with the Magic shooting lights out from three, even with Rafer Alston banking in 3s, even with Howard shooting the best he ever has from the line, even with Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Illgauskas not being able to hit anything, even with all that, it still took a few spectacular shots by Rashard Lewis to win this for the Magic. So everything went wrong for the Cavs and everything went right for the Magic. The result was a close series. Clearly the Cavs need improvement, but blowing up the team is a bit reactionary.
But I do expect the Cavs to grab a big name interior presence. But they need to make sure that player is versatile enough to play a smattering of perimeter defense.
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Post by finkle on Jun 1, 2009 22:41:45 GMT -6
the size problem wasn't just down low....it seemed like rashard lewis and turkoglu both had 4-5 inches on the guy covering them.
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Post by gk on Jun 2, 2009 20:05:55 GMT -6
Well Lewis played the 4 most of the time, which Varajao matched up with size-wise, but not speed-wise. As for Turkoglu, Delonte West was giving maybe 6 or 7 inches, but actually played him quite well. Turkoglu had some moments, but was pretty much a non-factor overall. I think he had one game where he went 1-10.
Having a player like Lebron who can play the 2, 3, or 4 should make it relatively easy to solve matchup problems, given enough time. Danny Ferry, you have 11 months.
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Post by fatmenace on Jun 6, 2009 19:38:55 GMT -6
Before this series, I thought for sure Lebron would stay in Cleveland. But after watching his one man show, if they don't surround him with legitimate stars, he's gone.
I know it's cliche, but Jordan needed Pippen (who was a legit stud).
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Post by gk on Jun 7, 2009 20:20:13 GMT -6
I understand the idea behind the "Lebron's teammates suck so he'll leave" theory.
What I don't understand is how that places him in New York.
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Post by fatmenace on Jun 7, 2009 20:38:44 GMT -6
I don't either. They're miles worse than Cleveland.
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Post by gk on Jun 7, 2009 21:25:23 GMT -6
If the Knicks "miraculously" land the #1 overall pick next year, the city of Cleveland is going to collectively carry torches and pitchforks to Stern's house.
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Post by gk on Jun 15, 2009 14:46:38 GMT -6
Some names:
Charlie Villanueva
Josh Childress
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Post by gk on Jun 15, 2009 14:58:03 GMT -6
Josh Smith
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Post by gk on Jun 29, 2009 18:25:38 GMT -6
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Post by fatmenace on Sept 30, 2009 23:56:44 GMT -6
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