Cleveland Cavaliers 2009-10 Thread

[mvblair]

I would have commented much earlier, but I've been gone for two weeks.

The Magic are just a better team than Cleveland. LeBron can only guard one man at a time and Delonte West and Mo Williams are too small to match up with Rashard Lewis and Turkoglu. ....But in the playoffs it's about match-ups and the Magic are just a better team

This is the sad fact. The Magic were a better team and their players created match-up hell.

The Magic space the floor and pass the ball better than the Sacramento Kings of 6 years ago. Watch the replays: when Howard has the ball in the paint, there are four other players on the three-point line. The one Cavalier who could make a good double-team was usually LeBron, who guarded Courtney Lee, Turkoglu, and JJ Redick, never made the double-team. I fault Mike Brown for that.

So, if Varejao double-teamed, Rashard Lewis was open, the help rotated to Lewis, and Lewis passed the ball to somebody else who was open.

I also fault Mike Brown for putting Delonte West and Szczerbiak on Turkoglu. Turkoglu was too big for West and Szczerbiak was cold.

But the truth is Orlando crushed us every game. Our wins were lucky.

Their plan wasn't fantastic. It wasn't original. They just passed the @#$% around the perimeter. They made their shots.

After Game 1, Mike Brown should have done something different. Something. Anything. We could have tried hack-a-Howard, we could have tried double-teaming early in the shot clock before their offense set, we could have tried Joe Smith, we could have tried putting Pavlovic on the floor more, and we could have tried forcing our offense into the paint more.

Still, I think our team is pretty good. Rather than Mo Williams and LeBron, our true base is Big Z and LeBron. Big Z is still a very good center (don't listen to Rik). Williams and West played worse than usual, as did Z.

Oh well.

There's always next year.

 

[joel23]

I know Cleveland Cavaliers is not verygood team. And only one superstar Lebron James. Look at the Lakers have more contribute by supporters like Fisher, Gasol, Vujacic, Farmar are considered lower rated players. That's why they have Ben Wallace, Wally S., West, Ilgauskas could not contributed. Im suprised Coach Brown that Varejao have playing more minutes even he's tired for guarding Howard and Lewis. He's garbage player and did banging out opponents and lack of focus. Orlando Magic too is not verygood team. Very lucky Magic to entered the Finals because they beaten Celtics w/o Garnett and Powe.

 

[mvblair]

Im suprised Coach Brown that Varejao have playing more minutes even he's tired for guarding Howard and Lewis.

Varejao's playing time surprised me too. I think Brown should have played Joe Smith more. Smith, like Ilgauskas, can pull the defense away from the basket, making lay-ups more possible!

 

[LordOfLeyte]

Varejao's playing time surprised me too. I think Brown should have played Joe Smith more. Smith, like Ilgauskas, can pull the defense away from the basket, making lay-ups more possible!

Sometimes gameplans on personnel can simply go wrong or backfire. Mike Brown opted for a venture in physicality and hustle in Varejao but guarding Hedo or sometimes Howard off the switch withered his energy in hustle and physicality.

 

[donmar]

I think we should give Mike Brown a chance... he's a great coach... in my opinion, the team already have good role players... and I think what really lacks the team is another superstar... Lebron is still young and having all the pressures of his team on his shoulder would be too much... I mean you can see it when they loss to the Magic... I don't blame him for not congratulating them... I mean the guy carried his team all the way only to loss at the end... I guess he will learn from this but if he got somebody beside him who can offload some of those burden then maybe they could've win...

 

[Michael]

Give him a chance

Give him a chance

I agree. Lebron is still way too young to carry this team on his shoulders. The Cavs lucked out getting as far as they did. Give Brown another year or two. If he doesn't get results then we need to cut him off.

 

[Lebron23]

Cleveland Cavaliers 2009-10 Thread

2009-10 Unofficial Roster

C- Shaquille O'Neal - 7'1"
F- Anderson Varejao - 6'11"
F- LeBron James - 6'9"
G- Anthony Parker - 6'6"
G- Mo Williams - 6'1"

Bench

C- Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 7'3"
PF- Darnel Jackson - 6'9"
PF- JJ Hickson - 6'9"
SF- Danny Green - 6'6"
PG- Delonte West - 6'3"
SG- Daniel Gibson - 6'2"
PF- Leon Powe - 6'8"
SF - Jamario Moon 6'6"
PF- Rob Kurz - 6'9"

 

[Lebron23]

Cavaliers should hire Ettore Messina. No disrespect to Coach Brown, but he's a horrible Offensive Coach.

 

[rikhardur]

Cavaliers should hire Ettore Messina. No disrespect to Coach Brown, but he's a horrible Offensive Coach.

Unfortunately not possible anymore, he signed for Real Madrid.

 

[Lebron23]

Unfortunately not possible anymore, he signed for Real Madrid.

I Like Coach Messina, and I think he can really help the Cavaliers to beat the Celtics, Spurs, Magic and Lakers next season.

Coach Messina has one of the best offensive strategy in Europe. And I am sure Shaq, Ilgauskas, and LeBron would love to see him coach the Cavs next season.

 

[Lebron23]

The dominoes starting falling in the NBA on Day Two of free agency. Some of the players the Cavaliers had significant interest in appear to be headed other places but they are still very much in the free-agent game.

According to a league source, the Cavaliers have begun homing in on Toronto Raptors free-agent guard Anthony Parker after both Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza appeared set to go to other teams.

Another source said the Cavs also have spoken to another Raptors free agent, former All-Star Shawn Marion, though it was not clear late Thursday if the two sides had gotten serious. Both players are unrestricted free agents.

Artest, who was one of the Cavs' top choices, told CBSSports.com Thursday that he was going to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers instead of the Cavs. He reportedly will get the Lakers' mid-level exception for three years, a deal that could be worth $18 million. The Cavs could have offered the same, but Artest, who has a home in L.A., preferred to go to the West Coast.

A few hours later, ESPN.com reported Trevor Ariza had essentially flipped spots with Artest and decided to commit to signing with the Houston Rockets for their mid-level exception. The Cavs had pitched themselves to Ariza on the first day of free agency as well.

The Rockets, Lakers and Cavs all had the same amount of money to spend.

Another league source said the Cavs also have been in contact with Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Linas Kleiza. The 24-year-old is the type of "stretch" big man the Cavs have been interested in. He averaged 9.9 points for the Nuggets, who might not be able to retain him as they attempt to stay out of the luxury tax.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/07/top_choices_slipping_away_cavs.html


The Cleveland Cavaliers are pursuing Linas Kleiza, Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker.

I don't want Shawn Marion on my team because his productions went down after he got traded to the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors.

Marion would be a great addition to the New York Knicks because he loves playing under the Run and Gun Offense.

Linas Kleiza is a great acquisition because he's a very good outside shooter, and when the Nuggets gave him some quality minutes he's capable of scoring 20 or more points.

 

[eliooo93]

If Anderson is not staying, the Cavs need to find a PF. Z and Shaq can't play at the same time.

 

[Lebron23]

If Anderson is not staying, the Cavs need to find a PF. Z and Shaq can't play at the same time.

An Athletic PF that's 6'9' and above.

Hakim Warrick, Chris Wilcox, Brandon Bass, and Shawn Marion are still available on the Free Agent Market.

 

[eliooo93]

I think Shawn Marion would be a good addition but i'm not sure he can play the 4 easily.

 

[yonkon]

LeBron James,so great basketball player

LeBron James,so great basketball player

LeBron James, so great basketball player.you are handsome than kobe,,

 

[Lebron23]

Cleveland Cavaliers meet with Channing Frye

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday July 06, 2009, 6:06 PM

CLEVELAND -- Wednesday is the first day free agents can sign with NBA teams. The Cavaliers may not have any deals on that day, but they are getting closer as they continue to narrow their focus.

After making a free-agent scouting trip to Los Angeles on Sunday, Cavs GM Danny Ferry came home and hosted free-agent power forward Channing Frye on Monday at the team's practice facility in Independence. Frye is the type of "stretch" forward the Cavs are interested in during the free-agent period as they look to find big men who can hit jumpers when teams collapse on LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

At this point, the Cavs are looking at several power forwards in addition to Frye.

One, of course, is Anderson Varejao, whom a league source said is truly the Cavs' primary target in free agency as they attempt to re-sign him. So far, the Cavs and Varejao have had some constructive talks.

Another they've had interest in, Shawn Marion, likely is headed elsewhere. A league source said Marion may be closing in on a deal with a team, but it isn't the Cavs. Several outlets reported Monday he was nearing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Cavaliers also have been in discussions with Detroit Pistons free agent Antonio McDyess, who is being courted by numerous teams.

Also still on the list and very much in contention is Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Linas Kleiza. His agent, Bill Duffy, said Monday the interest is mutual. The sides are expected to continue to have dialogue.

As for Frye, he said he enjoyed his visit to Cleveland, and it is one of the handful of teams he's considering. Frye also has been in talks with the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. Yahoo Sports reported Monday the Suns are the leader. Frye went to college at the University of Arizona.

"I do think I'm a good fit. I think having a big that can create space for LeBron, Shaq and Mo [Williams] can't hurt," Frye said via e-mail. "I feel like all the teams have a great opportunity for me to play and for me to contribute, especially [in Cleveland] -- to be a part of history."

Playing time is of special importance to Frye, who is 6-foot-11 and just finished his fourth year in the league. He was on the All-Rookie Team with the New York Knicks in 2005-06 when he averaged 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. But when he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers after his second season, he fell down the depth chart as Portland's roster was stuffed with young players.

Last season, he was slowed after needing surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle, and he had his lowest-output season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 63 games. Last week, the Blazers decided not to issue him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

He is known as a finesse player, who is especially effective in pick-and-pop situations on offense, which would be helpful because the Cavs run a lot of free-lance pick-and-roll plays with James and Williams.

The Cavs, according to a source, also have been in touch with another of their own free agents, Wally Szczerbiak. The Cavs have Szczerbiak's "Bird rights," so, as with Varejao, they would not have to use either the $5.6 million mid-level exception or the $2 million bi-annual exception on either player.

Szczerbiak, who is coming off a solid season with the team, is an option to be re-signed or could be used in a sign-and-trade deal at some point.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/07/nba_source_cleveland_cavaliers.html

I don't like Channing Frye, and if the Cavaliers sign him I hope he average 10 ppg and 8 rpg, so that the Cavaliers could trade him before the NBA Trading Deadline.

I though he had a potential to become solid starter in his first 2 seasons in the NBA, but this guy was sitting on the Blazers bench last year.

Frye should go to Europe, and increase his stocks. I'd take Anderson Varejao over Channing Frye.

 

[Lewis]

cavs should get Paul Milsap or Lamar

and David Lee is still in the Market but he will probably ask for too much money.

then There's also: Joe Smith and maybe Matt Barnes

What do people think of Marquis Daniels as a possible addition for the Cavs? He’s a athetic 6-6 SG who also played PG and SF at times for the Pacers last year. Daniels has always been a solid contributor when called upon, yet always finds himself buried wherever he is. Daniels is a solid defender - over a steal per game - and is coming off of a double-figure scoring season thanks to Dunleavy’s injury.

 

[Lebron23]

The Cavaliers re-sign Anderson Varejao, and they sign Anthony Parker. I don't like this signing because Varejao has proven that he's a one dimensional PF.

I hope the Cavs trade him before the NBA trading deadline.

 

[Lebron23]

Anderson Varejao agrees to 6-year deal with Cleveland Cavaliers, who add 6-6 free-agent guard Anthony Parker

by Brian Windhorst / Plain Dealer Reporter

Wednesday July 08, 2009, 10:48 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers have made their big moves in free agency.

After making a splash by trading for Shaquille O'Neal, the Cavs have come to terms with one of their core players and are close to adding a key piece.

The Cavs have agreed on a new contract with forward Anderson Varejao, agent Dan Fegan said Wednesday. In addition, a league source said the Cavs have come to terms on a deal for free agent guard Anthony Parker. He could complete the that deal within the next few days.

Varejao, the team's versatile big man who became a starter last season, is set to get a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $50 million.

Much as with the contracts the team signed with Delonte West and Daniel Gibson last summer, the final year of Varejao's deal is believed to be only partially guaranteed.

"Andy wanted to stay in Cleveland," Fegan said. "He feels there is unfinished business -- to win an NBA championship."

Varejao had interest from several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder, and other potential sign-and-trade offers from other teams without salary-cap space. Fegan said several teams were willing to offer Varejao contracts that averaged $10 million per season.

But he and the Cavs were able to construct a deal to keep Varejao over the last week, a significant step after the two sides were unable to reach a deal in 2007 that led to a holdout. The deal will also keep Varejao's cap number to a little more than $7 million in the 2010-11 season, which could still allow the Cavs to be players in free agency next summer depending on where the salary cap goes.

Cavaliers guard Anthony Parker brings a 6-6 frame able to combat taller wing players, which fills a need exposed by Orlando in the NBA Eastern this spring.
Varejao is coming off the best season in his career when he started 42 games and averaged 8.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. His value is deeper than those numbers because he can play both power forward and center. In addition, his quickness makes him effective in pick-and-roll defense and in how the Cavs use their defensive rotations.

Parker, 34, played for the Toronto Raptors for the last three seasons after starring in Europe. The 6-6 wing averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 39 percent from 3-point range.

He fills a major need the Cavs have for a tall wing player and was one of the team's top off-season targets at the position. They have been in talks with him since the first day of free agency. They talked to the Raptors about a sign-and-trade but when Toronto decided to sign Hedo Turkoglu, the Cavs moved on to deal with Parker directly.

Parker is an athletic player who is effective at creating his own shot, which he did often in Europe when he became the Euroleague Most Valuable Player, and as a spot-up shooter. He has also been an effective defensive player guarding tall wing players, which is what the Cavs most need.

Over the last three seasons he's started 226 of 235 games but may come off the bench for the Cavs behind West.

He is the brother of former University of Tennessee and current Los Angeles Sparks' star Candace Parker.

Summer league info: The Cavs will be starting play in the Vegas Summer League this weekend and will play six games over the 10-day event. Both draft picks from last month, first-rounder Christian Eyenga and second-rounder Danny Green, are set to play. Cavs roster players Darnell Jackson, Jawad Williams and Tarence Kinsey are also slated to be on the team. J.J. Hickson may spend time there doing some rehab but is not expected to play as he recovers from a back injury. The rest of the team's summer league roster is expected to be released soon.

 

[Lebron23]

Ferry overpaid Vareflop.