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By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 11:50 a.m. EDT, Jun 19, 2009
Call it a season of lessons learned.
The Cavaliers raced to the NBA's best record at 66-16, learning from prior seasons that in the rough-and-tumble Eastern Conference homecourt advantage could be the difference between going to the Finals or going home.
What did they learn this year?
In the playoffs it's all about matchups. The Cavs easily vanquished the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks in back-to-back sweeps, but when it came to the Orlando Magic in the conference finals, it was clear that the matchups weren't in their favor.
Dwight Howard dominated the interior and forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis shot lights out from beyond the 3-point arc.
The Cavs do not find themselves in an enviable position at this point. Because of that regular-season record, they have the last pick in the first round (30th overall) of the NBA Draft on Thursday. It's not exactly a spot where superstars are made.
Given the consensus among draft gurus that once you get beyond Blake Griffin of Oklahoma, the likely No. 1 pick to the Los Angeles Clippers, the talent pool drains significantly, the Cavs' chance of finding an immediate contributor goes down precipitously.
The first obvious need for the Cavs is a dominating big man and the mitigating factors here are the ages of the present primary contributors — Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas is the only definite on the team, owning the right to opt out of his contract once free agency begins, something he said he's unlikely to do because he wants to finish his career in Northeast Ohio.
Smith is a free agent, and his status isn't likely to be settled until well after the free-agency period begins July 1.
Wallace is the wild card, giving the impression that he wasn't pleased with the way he was (or wasn't) used during the final stages of the postseason and openly saying that he might retire. Doing so would force him to leave more than $14 million on the table, however.
The Cavs had high hopes for last year's first-round pick, forward J.J. Hickson, but he was too raw to make much of a contribution in his first season. Darnell Jackson will likely continue to be a role player.
As for Anderson Varejao, he will almost certainly test the free-agent waters.
The argument also can be made that none of those players is the answer to what the Cavaliers will need to keep pace with the Magic or a likely revitalized and motivated Boston Celtics team.
What will? They need a wingman at that power forward position.
Yes, Cavs coach Mike Brown's calling card is his stingy defense, but given the lack of scoring at that position this season, and an aging Ilgauskas, more offense is needed there. The Cavs got less than 10 points per game from their power forwards, so that might be an understatement.
Several mock drafts have the Cavs choosing from several forwards.
Additionally, the team might want to look for a serviceable backup for point guard Mo Williams and a shooting guard with size, but right now, those needs are less pressing.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj.
Possible draft selections for Cavs
Here are four players whom the Cavaliers might consider taking with the 30th selection in the first round of the NBA Draft on Thursday.
Derrick Brown
• School: Xavier
• Position: Small forward
• Height, weight: 6-foot-8, 220 pounds.
• Scouting report: The first thing that you notice in scouting reports is that Brown's wingspan is 71/2 feet. Cavs coach Mike Brown likes his players, when possible, long and athletic. Additionally, during his time at Xavier, he has improved his defense by becoming more aggressive.
Taj Gibson
• School: USC
• Position: Power forward
• Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 214 pounds.
• Scouting report: Several reports have characterized him as looking frail, but commend his ability to rebound, hit mid-range jumpers and his ability to take slower players off the dribble. Another long player that would fit Brown's mold.
Sam Young
• School: Pittsburgh
• Position: Small forward
• Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 223 pounds.
• Scouting report: Another great athlete with strength; he has the benefit and bane of maturity. At 24, he could be a finished product, but according to reports, that product is still raw in a number of areas, including the ability to create his own shot.
Rodrigue Beaubois
• School: International player
• Position: Point guard
• Height and weight: 6-foot-2, 182 pounds
• Scouting report: He has the quickness and defensive skills to play in the NBA, but this player out of Guadalupe lacks the outside shot and experience necessary to succeed in the league, according to reports. Some have the Cavs taking him, but others contend he's a reach even here.
Call it a season of lessons learned.
The Cavaliers raced to the NBA's best record at 66-16, learning from prior seasons that in the rough-and-tumble Eastern Conference homecourt advantage could be the difference between going to the Finals or going home.
What did they learn this year?
In the playoffs it's all about matchups. The Cavs easily vanquished the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks in back-to-back sweeps, but when it came to the Orlando Magic in the conference finals, it was clear that the matchups weren't in their favor.
Dwight Howard dominated the interior and forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis shot lights out from beyond the 3-point arc.
The Cavs do not find themselves in an enviable position at this point. Because of that regular-season record, they have the last pick in the first round (30th overall) of the NBA Draft on Thursday. It's not exactly a spot where superstars are made.
Given the consensus among draft gurus that once you get beyond Blake Griffin of Oklahoma, the likely No. 1 pick to the Los Angeles Clippers, the talent pool drains significantly, the Cavs' chance of finding an immediate contributor goes down precipitously.
The first obvious need for the Cavs is a dominating big man and the mitigating factors here are the ages of the present primary contributors — Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas is the only definite on the team, owning the right to opt out of his contract once free agency begins, something he said he's unlikely to do because he wants to finish his career in Northeast Ohio.
Smith is a free agent, and his status isn't likely to be settled until well after the free-agency period begins July 1.
Wallace is the wild card, giving the impression that he wasn't pleased with the way he was (or wasn't) used during the final stages of the postseason and openly saying that he might retire. Doing so would force him to leave more than $14 million on the table, however.
The Cavs had high hopes for last year's first-round pick, forward J.J. Hickson, but he was too raw to make much of a contribution in his first season. Darnell Jackson will likely continue to be a role player.
As for Anderson Varejao, he will almost certainly test the free-agent waters.
The argument also can be made that none of those players is the answer to what the Cavaliers will need to keep pace with the Magic or a likely revitalized and motivated Boston Celtics team.
What will? They need a wingman at that power forward position.
Yes, Cavs coach Mike Brown's calling card is his stingy defense, but given the lack of scoring at that position this season, and an aging Ilgauskas, more offense is needed there. The Cavs got less than 10 points per game from their power forwards, so that might be an understatement.
Several mock drafts have the Cavs choosing from several forwards.
Additionally, the team might want to look for a serviceable backup for point guard Mo Williams and a shooting guard with size, but right now, those needs are less pressing.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj.
Possible draft selections for Cavs
Here are four players whom the Cavaliers might consider taking with the 30th selection in the first round of the NBA Draft on Thursday.
Derrick Brown
• School: Xavier
• Position: Small forward
• Height, weight: 6-foot-8, 220 pounds.
• Scouting report: The first thing that you notice in scouting reports is that Brown's wingspan is 71/2 feet. Cavs coach Mike Brown likes his players, when possible, long and athletic. Additionally, during his time at Xavier, he has improved his defense by becoming more aggressive.
Taj Gibson
• School: USC
• Position: Power forward
• Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 214 pounds.
• Scouting report: Several reports have characterized him as looking frail, but commend his ability to rebound, hit mid-range jumpers and his ability to take slower players off the dribble. Another long player that would fit Brown's mold.
Sam Young
• School: Pittsburgh
• Position: Small forward
• Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 223 pounds.
• Scouting report: Another great athlete with strength; he has the benefit and bane of maturity. At 24, he could be a finished product, but according to reports, that product is still raw in a number of areas, including the ability to create his own shot.
Rodrigue Beaubois
• School: International player
• Position: Point guard
• Height and weight: 6-foot-2, 182 pounds
• Scouting report: He has the quickness and defensive skills to play in the NBA, but this player out of Guadalupe lacks the outside shot and experience necessary to succeed in the league, according to reports. Some have the Cavs taking him, but others contend he's a reach even here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:44 PM, 06/19/2009
It makes no difference who they draft. Even if there was an 8 foot 350lb player that could jump to the roof and dribble like the Big O, the Cavs cant develop young talent. Just look at Sasha, Boobie, and Hicks.
allentown, pa
Posted 02:08 PM, 06/19/2009
Forget hanging our hopes on the draft for help.The Cavs just don't have much luck in the draft. They need immediate proven players in order to win a championship before LeBron decides what he's going to do after next year. How about getting Jamison then go after Rasheed Wallace and Villenueva. They need a big shooting guard from somewhere to spell West and Williams. Of course there's always Turkoglu who helped kill the Cavs from the outside. All this would mean dumping or trading Ben Wallace, Wally, Andy, and Gibson.Hickson might as well go to. He didn't prove that much to me.This sounds drastic but the Cavs have to do something to fill those obvious holes of more points from the forwards and bigger and faster big men who can score also. Go get 'em Danny.
Walnut Creek, Oh
Posted 04:27 PM, 06/19/2009
Definately need a big man. Where was Joe Smith in the playoffs? Did he even play against Orlando? I thought they wanted him so bad,, and then he sits the bench when the going gets tough..Please, someone fill me in..
Snydertown, OH
Posted 04:37 PM, 06/19/2009
ramon57...Exactly. What is gonna come from the last pick of the first round that will take us to the promise land THIS YEAR?? And just like Cleveland, they don't realize that they need this RIGHT NOW. That or the window is closed.
independence, MO
Posted 08:51 PM, 06/19/2009
Cole Aldrich from Kansas. If the Cavs get him - it's a dynasty.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:50 PM, 06/19/2009
No to Jamison.
No to Rasheed.
Yes to Villanueva.
Yes to Yao.
Draft Derrick Brown or Sam Young. (Young is an NBA starter on 75% of teams)
Ben and Gibson for Villanueva.
Wally, Andy, and JJ for Yao.
Demote Mike Brown to assistant and hire Hubie Brown.
There is your recipe for a Dynasty. Proven players with a youth sprinkled in to sweeten up the future.
medina, oh
Posted 07:58 AM, 06/20/2009
All they need to do is get rid of "worthless" Wally, "can't jump or defend" Z, "can't shoot" Wallace, Smith, and Pavlovich. Then, simply get a center that can play basketball like an NBA center, two guards that are big enough to play in the NBA and can shoot the basketball, and another power forward to compliment James. In other words, they only need 4 new starters. Then, they might have a chance.
medina, oh
Posted 07:59 AM, 06/20/2009
Oh, I forgot.... they sure as hell need a new coach. One that can utilize the talent if they ever get it.
Fairlawn, oh
Posted 09:20 AM, 06/20/2009
Andy's a unrestricted free agent so you can't you hime as trade bait, unless yoou do a sign and trade deal. It takes a few yeears for a big to come into his own, and Andy's worth the investment. Did anyone even think about picking up A.I for a year or 2, and you can forget about Yao, the rockets would sell the franchise before they would give him up. We need to pick up Shaq and A.I and that would put us over the hump, and maybe pick up Kapono. As for a coach Brown have taken us as far as he's capable of going and since the spurs are getting ready to head into a rebuilding stage...we could use "pop".
Akron, OH
Posted 12:50 PM, 06/20/2009
No way to picking up AI. Can you say, team cancer.
akron, oh
Posted 06:07 PM, 06/20/2009
Get Charlie V., and make a defender out of him. Pick up a proven center that can hold his own under the boards. Those moves alone could bring us to compete in the playoffs with the big dogs.
Posted 11:22 AM, 06/21/2009
The cavs need to realize that they need allstar type of talent and toughness and versatle type of players so you go get that prototype player who can play different positions and not hurt you the theme for Mike Brown is defense right here is one for you and versatle and tough and a free agent at 7million a year give him 10mill let wally go who earns 14mill Ron Artest boom next the big not many out there who fits this bill well one is Rasheed Wallace he makes 12mill he is going to get at this time 10mill no better yes two guys with attitude and toughness which is what the cavs need they would cover the problem of D. Howard and the best player from the opposing team P.Pierce/Kobe for Mr Artest next you either go after turkolu or Mike Miller for your big shooter at the wing then your draft choice at 30 big good defense can shoot play two positions and comes from good program North Carolinas Danny Green at 6,6 big guard/small forward you let Ben Wallace out at 14mill and Sasha at 6mill you cover the contracts of the three u bring in Bron will only stay if one u get some around late 26/29 not at 37 and one life support away for retirement sorry Shaq the whole team would go into calapse with him because of the respect you have to give him no one will no who to give the ball to Shaq or Lebron it would clog the middle were LJ operates and he is not a good pick and roll for Lebron to old and foul prone
Posted 11:34 AM, 06/21/2009
now one other thing if u want youth and talent yes Charlie V or Boozer Centers Sasha Putltula of Atlanta or Rasheed/Omet Okur Utah the two are young and tough and versatle shooters M.Ried/M.Miller/H.Turkalu and the draft well i tell everyone the steal of the draft is going to be D.Green from carolina guest who is projected to take him no other than the best franchise THE LAKERS get it
Posted 06:19 PM, 06/21/2009
as long as we remain a playoff contender, we're not going to get high draft picks. the other half of the problem was that the current mgmt inherited a lack of draft picks.
the cavs won 66 games last year. yeah, the stars aligned in terms of boston not having garnett allowing orlando to get past them, and then having orlando shooting the lights out from the arc for the series (and despite that after 5 games, the total point differential was only TWO (2) points), but there's no need to do some sort of major overhaul.
it's like the cavs got florida-ized like the buckeyes, and now everyone is panicking.
santa ana, CA
Posted 10:34 PM, 06/21/2009
please please please don't get Shaq or Yao. Shaq is done and Yao stays hurt. if the Cavs are willing to go get Ariza and draft a big man they will show Lebron that they are serious about putting together a great team. to bring in some retreads with maybe 2 years left at best, would be a huge mistake because the Cavs would be in the same situation in 2 years.
I THINK THE CAVS SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR TO LEBRON ABOUT THEIR INTENTIONS WHEN THEY REFUSED TO RESIGN BOOZER. THEY LET LEBRONS NBA MENTOR GO AND ARE NOW REGRETTING IT.
TO NOW BRING A INJURY PRONE PLAYER OR A WASHED UP HAS BEEN WOULD PUSH LEBRON OUT THE DOOR.
