Friday, July 15, 2005
An Update..kind of
As I read more and more stores from rumor mill about possible trades and aquisitions, I wonder myself what our starting lineup will be a few months from now.
I am now reading Daniels might go to LA then I hear he might be going to Portland, but of course when he talks to the Plain Dealer Cleveland is his main choice (Notice Daniels tried to pull the old 'I am from Columbus and I want to play at home' routine).
Then there is Drew Gooden. It's nice to see a reaction from him about these trade rumors (love at the end of the article that he admits the Cavs wanted Redd).
Also, looks like Haslem isn't coming in to take his place, but that's ok. But one thing I think we can all agree on (even me) is that Danny Ferry is doing..well a good job.
What's the feeling out there? Will Anderson start or Gooden, what about another Lithuanian starting..let me know:
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5 comments:
PG: Well, if can't be Mr. LeBlog, let's go with LeSarunas Jasekivics.
SG: Larry LeHughes.
SF: Danny Ferry- just kidding.
PF: Not Drew Gooden. Let's say Anderson "Wild Thing" Varejao, maybe with Stromile Swift off the bench?
C: LeZ!
PG - Snow, Earl "the Pearl" Watson and/or bring in the other Lithuanian.
SG - Hughes and Newble, but bring Damon Jones to run the point and SG (maximizing money in 2 for 1)
SF - you know who ... he played 40 min/game last year. do we need anybody else really? Sasha is good back-up
PF - Andy to start. Drew off the bench, but not initially. Let's see how Drew responds early, but if no energy by Dec 1, then to the bench he goes.
C - Z, Z2 and... bring back Tractor
Stromile would be sick here, but will he come to Cleveland and be affordable.
Let's not sleep on two other playas the Cavs have: Blake Stepp and Luke Jackson. According to Marty Burns of cnnsi.com, "the Cavs sported a league-best 5-0 record [at the Las Vegas Summer League]. Blake Stepp (12.0 points) and Luke Jackson (11.4 points, 5.0 rebounds) led the way for Cleveland, which also featured 7-foot-3 second-round draft pick Martynas Andriuskevicius. The Cavs, meanwhile, got some moral support from LeBron James, who twice showed up to watch games from the stands."
Luke is a dead-eye shooter who is far more athletic than his mop top "white boy" looks gives. Blake is probably not the most athletic of players. But if he is in the game with L-Bron, Hughes, or some other player who can guard a quick guard, then his ability to hit the 3-ball could be huge off the bench for about ten minutes a game or other spot situations. I think these two- especially Luke- could develop into the shooter this team needs. Think about it- if our PG, let's say Sarunas, gets a rest, we can bring in Luke to play with LBJ and Hughes. All three are good passers, and LBJ and Hughes can handle the rock. We would lose no shooting either in that switch and create matchup nightmares for opposing coaches.
Most likely, Martynas Andriuskevicius will play in the NBDL or Europe for a year until he is able to develop and then come back. He needs to put on about 25 pounds 'cause he's just a little too skinny for a guy his height.
What about Olumide Oyedeji? He's been looking strong in the last two games, averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds. He can play both power forward and center, so he's kinda like a taller version of Tractor. It may be just a hunch, but maybe the Cavs should consider him as a back-up for Z and whoever starts at PF next year.
I'm not so sure Anderson is ready to be effective as a starter. You gotta remember that he's like 20 or 21 years old. He's got a lot of energy off the bench because he knows that he has maybe 10-15 minutes a night to prove himself. I'm not sure how "Wild" he'd be in the starting 5.
I think you can make a comparison between Varejao's game and Rodman's game... they've even got the crazy hair in common. Neither have much interest in scoring and are willing to sacrafice their bodies for a single rebound/steal/block. They both are extremely emotional on the court, although Anderson doesn't seem to have the mental problems Rodman had. Anderson also doesn't have the stamina that Rodman had. When he sits down after one of his 10 min. stints, he's visibly exhausted.
Give him some extra minutes, like at the end of last year, and let him be a jolt of energy off the bench. I'm not sure Gooden can provide that off the bench. Gooden lacks consistency too, but at least he can go 35 minutes a game. If we can't land Swift or Abdur-Rahim, start Gooden, take his minutes down to 30 and let Anderson play 18.
AND SIGN SARUNAS JASIKAVICUS!!!
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