Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[OState29]

Agreed in part. The Cavs could have acquired O'Neal for Wally and Hickson. Would you do that deal now, knowing it could hurt 2010's chances of 2 max deals?

I'm not sure, but I do know Shaq wouldn't have been abused like Z.

To tell you the truth I'm not completely sure I would do the Shaq deal, but I'm sure that wasn't the only deal on the table. Ferry chose chemistry over players, although chemistry may win games in the regular season, players usually put aside off court beefs when they know the game is on the line. Chemistry doesn't make threes or stop Dwight Howard, while a player may have been able to do one of these two.

The fact is our frontline is not physical, with the exception of Ben (but he KILLS our offense), and our back court is too small. We'll see how Ferry adresses this over the summer through free agency, the draft, and/or trades.

 

[jlb1705]

Danny Ferry is the next to last person I would blame (after LeBron). Ferry assembled a roster full of players that did very well for 90 games in the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs. It's not his fault they crapped the bed against Orlando.

I don't agree with the idea that not trading Szczerbiak for somebody - anybody - has Danny Ferry on the hotseat. First of all, we're talking about stopping Dwight Howard here - there aren't many guys in the world who can do that. Very few of those players would actually be available (teams tend to hold on to those type of players) and of the ones that are available, how many are carrying franchise-crippling contracts?

Sure we're disappointed - but they're on the right track even though there are still obvious holes that were exposed. They need to continue making the smart moves, not the big moves to get better.

 

[NFBuck]

Saying Ferry is on the hot seat is one of the most ridiculous statements in this thread.

 

[BuckeyeMafia]

The Stoudamire and Shaq and Bosh talks start. Maybe Bosh and Stoudamire would fit, but no thanks to Shaq. Simply too much to give up for a guy with 2-3 years left. People are mad about not trading Hickson and I can't see why. Hickson has a chance to be a standout in this league, and it'd be Orlando-Shaq stupid to trade him. Phoenix is again in development and that's just what they want.

Personally I think we can win a title with our backcourt, including the bench. If they put Gibson to good enough use it can work. The frontcourt really doesn't need all that much fixing either, but a little depth and 1 star put us way over the edge. You look to have Z or Varejao coming off the bench (depending on if we pick up a better C or PF), along with Joe Smith, possibly Ben Wallace, JJ Hickson, and Darnell Jackson. I really would like to see Joe re-signed, Varejao not bitch about his contract, and whatever with Wally. They could potentially restructure Z. I really think they have a lot of pieces to get a Bosh (I mention him because he seems to be the easiest to get, the Raptors in complete rebuild mode and all) with. The problem is next year they WILL need a big man if they want to win with that backcourt. Jameer Nelson and KG coming back next year won't bode well for our chances at winning the East. Granted I don't consider the Celts that much of a threat, the Magic I do. They had to put way too much attention on Howard to deal with the shooters, and somebody to contain not stop him would make a series with Orlando much more winnable.

As far as LeBron, if they add another big name guy (a Bosh, Stoudamire, whoever) I really don't think he can leave, even if they don't have enough to win it next year. I think it really did us good not to win this year- considering the fact that we can't win 2 straight before 'Bron potentially leaves. In my mind, winning two straight- he might go somewhere else to try to win because two is a great enough accomplishment. Maybe my logic is flawed, but I like our chances at Bron and a title if we sign a new starting big man. Get rid of draft picks, whatever it takes. Just pick up something to make it look like we're trying to help him out.

 

[OState29]

Great article which I completely agree with.

Lebron needs help

 

[NFBuck]

Great article which I completely agree with.

Lebron needs help

I don't know. That article makes it sound like it sound like he has nothing around him and needs another star to me, which is a load of bullshit. Mo Williams and Delonte West had a very up and down series. It happens, but I'm very happy with them as a backcourt. They compliment LBJ perfectly. Help is needed up front, but I don't think they need another star the calibre of a Stoudamire or a Bosh IMO. They just need a capable defensive presence that can handle maulers like Howard. Of course I'd be ecstatic to get a Bosh, but I'm not sure if Stoudamire would mesh with LBJ or the way this team is built. This team isn't as far off as that makes it sound.

 

[purplehaze1213]

I don't know. That article makes it sound like it sound like he has nothing around him and needs another star to me, which is a load of bullshit. Mo Williams and Delonte West had a very up and down series. It happens, but I'm very happy with them as a backcourt. They compliment LBJ perfectly. Help is needed up front, but I don't think they need another star the calibre of a Stoudamire or a Bosh IMO. They just need a capable defensive presence that can handle maulers like Howard. Of course I'd be ecstatic to get a Bosh, but I'm not sure if Stoudamire would mesh with LBJ or the way this team is built. This team isn't as far off as that makes it sound.

Stoudamire has a suspect attitude. He's also expressed a desire to rejoin D'antoni in New York. So while he is easily the most explosive forward in the league, I would be hesitant to make a move for him.

 

[Merih]

A big fat no to Stoudemire. They need frontcourt length and defense; not so much scoring and lackadaisical defense. The Magic aren't going to dissapear. Orlando and Cleveland look to be the teams that everyone will need to get by for years to come if they hope to make the finals. Therefore Dwight Howard is not going anywhere. And as we saw, LBJ can go off in a game and it might not immediately signify a win for the Cavs. However when Dwight is going off (and he's only going to get better) the Magic look the part of a champion. An answer needs to be had for Dwight in the middle.

If we go with Stoudemire, then that signifies a change to an "out score you" type mentality. And when was the last time a team like that won a championship?

 

[NFBuck]

To further illustrate my point, if we had somebody, anybody that could neutralize Howard and allow more defensive flexibility outside of the paint, the Cavs are probably on their way to the finals. The definately win Games one and three...maybe four too.

Some of that series was Howard dominating inside and leaving Lewis, the Turk and Pietrus to fire away from outside...but they shot lights out most of the series, and who knew Howard would suddenly become a very proficient FT shooter? They weren't as far off as it seems. If we had Big Ben of a couple years ago or somebody like a Kendrick Perkins, we'd be set. Another scorer isn't needed. We just need a defensive presence in the middle to split time with Z. Z is still a very capable scorer, but getting abused defensively by Howard simply threw his offensive game off kilter.

Hopefully the Ben retirement rumors are true, because he's not even that worthwhile defensively anymore. He's slow as molasses. I'd love to see them make a run at the Birdman, who IIRC is an unrestricted FA. That dude is all over the place defensively. I do like how Andy stepped up his offensive game.

If we go with Stoudemire, then that signifies a change to an "out score you" type mentality. And when was the last time a team like that won a championship?

We'll see how Orlando does vs. L.A.

 

[fanaticbuckeye]

I feel like we're an interior post defender away. Guard and forward play I'm good with. Delonte and Mo at the 1-2 with LBJ able to bring the ball up is a nice combo. Undersized against Orlando sure, but if they werent doubling as much it may be a slightly different story. Boobie off the bench and depending on Wally and Sasha, its a pretty good lineup. Z is getting old and is outmatched underneath against good offensive post players. Andy is an okay energy guy, I can live with him, just cant completely buy into him yet. Hickson is who I want to see, he is a favorite of the forums but not playing so I dont know much about him. He doesnt appear to be a defensive threat to Howard definitely, but what about Gasol or Garnett?

edit: NFBuck made my point a little quicker.

 

[aurorabuckeye13]

LeBron just talked to the media in Independence... in a yankees hat... here comes the talk of him going to new york again

 

[NFBuck]

LeBron just talked to the media in Independence... in a yankees hat... here comes the talk of him going to new york again

I'm a natural pessimist when it comes to Cleveland sports. I cannot help it. I firmly believe that if the Cavs don't win a title next year, LBJ is going to be tough to get back. And if he leaves, that will be a devastating, possibly fatal blow to the franchise. I hope I'm wrong, but I just fear the worst. LeBron + MSG + the chance to restore a historic franchise = big, big money for all involved and titles IMO.

 

[Merih]

No, no Chris Anderson. If he loses 1 more inch in his vertical leap then 75% of his blocks are gone. I give it to him he has been a good player this year, but I think he's the type of player that fades into anonymity. Go get Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert, someone like that who is on the front end of their career.

 

[NFBuck]

No, no Chris Anderson. If he loses 1 more inch in his vertical leap then 75% of his blocks are gone. I give it to him he has been a good player this year, but I think he's the type of player that fades into anonymity. Go get Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert, someone like that who is on the front end of their career.

You may be right, I just have a slight bias towards him living so close to Denver and seeing him play so much this year. He's just a lot of fun to watch. Giving it more thought, he's kind of similar to Andy in many ways. I would like somebody like a Chandler or Dalembert.

Ferry has shown the ability and willingness to get creative and is a smart guy. Gilbert seems commited to winning a title for Cleveland and seems to give Ferry the freedom to make moves. They know the weaknesses, it'll be interesting to see what they do this summer...they have some very good bargaining chips.

 

[aurorabuckeye13]

I'm a natural pessimist when it comes to Cleveland sports. I cannot help it. I firmly believe that if the Cavs don't win a title next year, LBJ is going to be tough to get back. And if he leaves, that will be a devastating, possibly fatal blow to the franchise. I hope I'm wrong, but I just fear the worst. LeBron + MSG + the chance to restore a historic franchise = big, big money for all involved and titles IMO.

The Knicks aren't close to competing and are a joke of a franchise (see Danilo Gallinari/ Renaldo Balkman). Is he really going to reunite with Larry Hughes? Plus with him living close to here all of his life, and the fact that he is going to be a global icon and rich as hell wherever he is, he will stay in Cleveland regardless of whether the Cavs when a championship next year. However, if they don't have any homecourt advantage and tank next year and don't reach the conference finals thats different.