Quick Hit

I am amazed at this story on ESPN.com that the Miami Heat are in talks to acquire both Lamar Odom and Carlos Boozer. Not only because it throws the Heat and, more importantly Dwyane Wade, closer to a championship again. But because it would be the quickest rebuilding process in a long time. To get two pretty much all stars and if they get Allen Iverson also then three. Yes they all have little issues with them: Iverson is quite old and his demeanor isn't the best, Lamar can be the same way not to mention he has been a lifetime underachiever and Boozer also has had his share of hits to his credibility (ex. re-signing with the Cavs) and has had several injuries lately. But to rebuild like this would be kind of like the Celtics did a few years ago and they all fit in and are needs for the team.

I would be minorly disappointed because I'd like Wade to resign with another team that I like a little better (although that Heat team would certainly become would of my favorite teams). Somewhere like Chicago as long as they get themselves something in the middle there to dominate other centers and power forwards. Regardless it is exciting to see quick fixes that seem like they will work out for the future as well as the now.

posted by: Jason

The Journey

I am going to embark on a little fact finding mission to figure out why the Cavs haven't won a title yet. Half of the work has been done with LeBron James being on the team and all. I am going to figure out if it is because they are searching to find James' Scottie Pippen and not a whole team or if the Carlos Boozer thing really did fuck us over that much or if it is due to poor drafts or what. My feeling is that it is a cocktail of all these problems and more. But Dwyane Wade already got his ring and rather suddenly. I don't count Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony in this debate because i feel they are not quite as good of players as LeBron or D-Wade.

posted by: Jason

/my Cavaliers Wish List Plan To Win A Title

So I have an inkling of an idea that Danny Ferry is fucking retarded and only wants to surround LeBron with veterans on the decline of their career. He could have built a nice young team around him and I won't even say it's his fault Carlos Boozer is a giant fucking tool who left us for no reason but money. Basically they are still fixable, this ship keeps getting harder and harder to put back together but they are fixable. The three things that I had hoped the Cavs would do or try to do that they didn't do so far are: Moving up in the draft and snagging Stephen Curry who LeBrownie seems to adore and is going to be a great pro, drafting a young athletic power forward like Alade Aminu who is still available, and signing Channing Frye a 14 PPG player who fits exactly what we were missing to guard Rashard Lewis in the Eastern Finals.

Alright they missed out on a few more golden chances, so be it. Here is the new to do list. We need fixed fast so the young player idea gets thrown out the door, somewhat. Also instead of getting washed up superstars (egos), I am looking to get in their prime, potential All-Star type players so this team can be kept together for the future. Step one is another legit offensive weapon. Stop looking for LeBron's Scottie Pippen, we need a team and on this team we need another offensive threat that is more than a just another shooter. Monta Ellis is pissed in Golden State, they drafted Stephen Curry, seem to still want Baron Davis back and have been on the downfall since that second round playoff run. So the game plan is to trade Mo Williams and Z for Monta and Corey Magettes' shitty contract and any other needed fixings (hopefully can snag Brandan Wright if we throw in some picks). I don't know how that poison pill thing Monta has works so if you Williams and Z is too much money to give them than give them whichever they want. But let's say they take both for my sake. Also giving up one of our young power forwards or newly drafted 2 guards doesn't bother me. Monta becomes another great scorer for us who is more than just a shooter and playing point guard for this team is much easier considering you have James to give it to. And even Corey Magette would become a great bench player for us cause he is a scoring punch off the bench who can sub in for long periods of time considering he has been an efficient starter in this league. At the worst he is an expiring contract in a couple years.

Next is my problem with Delonte West. If they have to keep him, that is actually fine. He plays pretty damn well for the team and is still cheap. However in my desire to still get younger and even cheaper and most of all better, I would take a look a Courtney Lee. He was just traded to the Nets who just drafted Terrence Williams and also have Chris Douglas-Roberts. That is a very young back court considering Devin Williams started for his first full season last year. Getting some experience and defensive prowless like Delonte has may be intriguing. So trade Delonte and maybe a young power forward or one of the guards we drafted and the other pic we have for him. If they want Boobie instead of Delonte than make the trade anyways. Courtney Lee seems to me like a Rip Hamilton like player, he shoots well, can drive the lane, is fearless (got knocked out by Dwight, kept going at LeBron on fast breaks and showed him up after the first block from behind) and has good size. The best part is he still is a great defender, on a rookie contract and a second year pro!

This last part is probably the key part and the most/least likely. The problem isn't convincing Al Jefferson to come to Cleveland and win a championship, the problem is signing him and LeBron in the same offseason or making a complex sign and trade deal. Basically our center and power forward position has been old and/or lackluster for all of LeBron's time here. I think Shaq will help a bit this year, but he is not a long time solution. So next year let's sign the best young, low post scorer in the league. He also rebounds well and seems like his defense could come around and if not his girth alone creates problems for Dwight and Kendrick Perkins and all those centers.

Last thing to do is fill out the roster with at least one young athletic power forward (Alade Aminu, Brandan Wright, maybe even Channing Frye is still attainable) and a young either athletic or defensive or shooting small forward (Patrick Ewing Jr., Mikeal Gelable, Linas Kleinza) to give LeBron a breather every once in awhile and in case Magette goes south. So the line up in 2010 becomes Monta Ellis, Courtney Lee, LeBron James, Anderson Varjeo, Al Jefferson. That is a championship team as long as they get that decent bench of role players too. Basically it also sets up up for a decent run and the weakest spot, power forward, could either see Andy or one of the younger players develop and if not it is a decent offensive/defensive rotation with him and another athletic player. Not to mention the best part of this plan is that if we only get Monta or only are able to sign Jefferson instead of getting both, it is an immediate upgrade and only helps our future situation. Also, Danny, please go after Jefferson in 2010. He is a legit post scoring center and will be cheaper than Chris Bosh. The likelihood of finding a center of his talent is way less than finding another athletic power forward.

posted by: Jason

So the NBA Draft...

Haha, well I am somewhat sorry. I will tell you that there seems to be no winners and that the Cavs were the biggest losers by drafting the same exact shitty player twice, at a position they don't even need. So the draft couldn't get me to write another post, the start of free agency couldn't either but Toronto stealing Hedo from the Blazers does? Of course it does because it positions them for a nice little run in to the second round of the playoffs. And who knows maybe Andrea Bargnani thrives under center this year and starts grabing more rebounds while Jose Calderon keeps reminds us why he gave TJ Ford the boot a few years ago (I know that isn't the hardest thing to do) and Chris Bosh starts playing like a superstar, and DeMarr DeRozen is as good as he seems like he will be and most of all Hedo keeps up his pretty damn good stats like the past two seasons. Do you realize that their starting backcourt's average height is 6'10 1/2. They'll need to play a certain type of ball but it will be something that this current Cavs team won't be able to beat if you still consider them the best of the East. They still need to fill out the rest of the bench and two almost perfect players for this team are still available: Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza. Linas is a great scoring package off the bench who can sub in for three positions and play in that line-up for an extended period of time if needed. Not many people are interested in Dahntay after his little incident guarding Kobe however, he is still a great defender and a great stop-gap until DeRozen is ready, and the defense on this team is quite sub par so he will be needed. Then all they need is a decent big man just in case. Aaron Gray would be a good pickup but what they really could use is a little more girth and strength than any more finesse.

Also why didn't the Cavs go after Channing Frye hard? He is exactly what they need a perimeter guarding power forward with plenty of length not to mention he has scored 30 points in this league and averages 15 PPG despite being exiled in Portland the past couple seasons. He could actually start for them!

posted by: Jason