There were times last year when the man from the Congo was the only reason I turned on Cavs games. When you cheer for a team that looks like it is going absolutely nowhere, you really reach for a reason to get excited, and continue to care. And as many times as Christian Eyenga looked completely lost on the basketball court, as though he walked into Quickens Loans Arena and was handed a basketball uniform simply on talent alone, there were the flashes of someone who might actually turn into a basketball player worth keeping around. There was fantastic on the ball defense against LeBron James. There was a dunk over Pau Gasol. He could shoot a little bit.
The expectations this year were not incredibly high for Eyenga. He came into camp having grown two inches, and his body and athleticism would allow him to play either of the wing positions. As Alonzo Gee has said, at least offensively, there isn’t much difference between the wing positions in Coach Scott’s offense. Omri Casspi, was brought in, Anthony Parker and Alonzo Gee were retained, and Daniel Gibson remains a fixture of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Most Cavs fans would have been fine seeing 18 minutes a game, good defense, and improved shooting and ball-handling from Eyenga. Thus far, they have seen much, much less than this. The reports are that he didn’t show up to camp focused, glided through practice, and found himself playing uninspired ball for the Canton Charge.
This was incredibly frustrating. We know what Daniel Gibson can bring to the table in playoff situations. I genuinely love the guy, it is hard to see us beating the Pistons in the conference finals a few years ago without him. We know what Anthony Parker brings to the table. Smart defense, even if he isn’t as athletic as he once was (which wasn’t that athletic in the first place), good shooting (just don’t ask him to dribble), and a scapegoat for me to blame anytime anything bad ever happens, regardless of whether it even has to do with Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. We don’t know about what Christian Eyenga could do for us in games that matter.
But here is why we need to find out. The guy is 22 years old, is one the most athletic players in the NBA, barely speaks English, can barely communicate with his head coach, has a decent shooting stroke, is still growing, has shown an ability and a willingness to be a physical basketball player, and, perhaps most importantly, has the potential to be a truly elite perimeter defender. These are, I don’t think anyone would argue, incredibly important to find. There is a reason (though maybe not a good one) that a guy named Metta World Peace both has a huge contract and has won a world championship. Nearly every team in the league that competes for championships has elite wing scorers. Wade, Kobe, LBJ, Carmelo, Durant, Rose (hes a perimeter scorer, and watch what LBJ did to him in the ECF last year), even Danny Granger. Maybe Alonzo Gee will prove capable in checking these types of players, and it has truly been a blast to watch him play this year with his understated athleticism. But there is nothing understated about Eyenga when he shows up to play.
Why can’t Eyenga be Tony Allen? Why can’t Eyenga be Mickael Pietrus? I still hope. It might be 3 years, we might have to keep guaranteeing him a little bit more money than he is worth. But I think in the playoffs if 2013-2014, Eyenga could be following around LeBron in a game that matters. And it might end with Coach Scott being happy he showed patience.
Do we need a wing? Absolutely. But I'd much rather draft a big man.
The first question is, will there be a good big man available when we draft? I think it is extremely likely. Keep in mind, last year two of the top five draft picks were spent on European big men, and most people (including me) haven't even looked at Europe yet. I don't want another 19 year old rookie unless it's a phenom type like Irving or He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. And that's a major part of the equation. If we want to maximize the Irving Window, to steal a term from somewhere else, now is the time to get older rookies and younger vets who can play together.
That leads into the second question- we clearly need both a big man and a wing.
So why is Harangody getting time over Samuels ? He sucks! Why is Hollins playing? He cant even set a pick without moving or his stupid fouls. Why isnt Harris given a 10 day contract to get help at the SG position, his numbers are great in D league. Why do they keep Parker? Erden, who knows, hasnt played enough to know if he can be any help. Do they have any good big centers in D league for a back up to Andy? We dont need 4 PF, so get rid of Harangody, Keep Samuels as PF/C at least he busts the boards and gives some offense over Harangody. Get rid of Hollins too and use Samuels as 3rd center. Do whatever you can with Parker and get Harris back up here. At least he has youth,speed, defense and can put up some offense. Coach Scott has certainly seen enough that certain players need to go or playing time cut to nothing. Hopefully TT and Boobie get well and help resolve some of these problems, but some player still need to go. Harangogy,Hollins & Parker are on the top of my list. Eyenga showed some good defense against Miami elite talent and think with playing time will get in the flow more for offense. Is Scott being told to access players, win some games but not to many so we can get better drafts next year ? Who knows.
As i see it you have 3 players that bring it every game. Thats Irving, Gee and Verajao. I cant figure why Harangody is getting minutes over Samuels. He gives you more offense and will fight under the boards for rebounds. As far as backup center, who knows, one of them needs to step it up. At shooting guard, with Boobie out they should bring up Harris. He is avg 18ppg, 7rb and 3assists a game. Rather see him on roster over washed up Parker. With Harris you have youth, speed and ability to stay with your man on defense, unlike Parker. Also, why bring Eyenga up and not play him? He cant sharpen his skills sitting on the bench. We need him for his athletic abilities since this offfense is setup to push the ball. Hard to determine what you have in a player if you dont see him play against the competition. Jamison doesnt seem to be bringing it every game and hasnt been consistant.This team needs to get more guys getting rebounds. Andy is awesome in my opinion but he cant do rebounding by himself and think he should get a allstar nod the way he is playing. Gee is playing like a starter over Casspi hands down. Think its time coach Scott does a shakeup on the lineup. Sometime thats what it takes to get players motivated & play harder. Whats your opinion ?
Gives Cavs two extra first round picks from the Celtics in the stacked 2012 draft.
These picks are projected to be mid to later first round. (15-25 for both)
One of them is from the Clippers thy acquired in the Perkins trade and one is their own.
Jermaine Oneal is an expiring contract so the Cavs are just taking him on so the Celtics can add Verajao.
Aims:
1) Move Verajao to a playoff contending team who can use his hustle/size/youth and rebounding
2) Ensures that the Cavs get destroyed in the paint for the rest of the season and thus fall to the bottom of the conference which equals lottery pick/picks.
This sounds like tanking, but it takes the Cavs away from a middle of the road/ scraping to get to the playoffs team that will lose in the first round, to a guaranteed lottery pick.
Verajao is great, but he's not a game changer right now for the Cavs- he's a role player. He's winning the Cavs too many games and one could argue it's keep them from getting another top 3 pick in the loaded 2012 draft. (think of who they could pick).
I think this means the Cavs would have their own early pick (lottery pick), the pick from the Heat and two Celtics picks, plus their late first round pick if they drop that low.
So 5 picks in the first round of the 2012 draft.
Do you pull the trigger?
What about one of these picks+Jermaine+ a young big man from the C's instead of a second pick?
As everybody knows, Dwight Howard is a fantastic player. I also really liked how after the game tonight, he hunted down Andy and had some kind words and a hug for him.
As everybody also knows, Dwight Howard has said he won't be on the Magic next season. What was surprising was that he said he'd be willing to join the Bulls because of Derrick Rose.
So, here is my idle question:
Suppose that Orlando offered us Dwight for our first round unprotected pick and Antawn Jamison. Furthermore, suppose that thanks to Kyrie, Dwight was willing to sign an extension with us for a supermax contract.
Would you make the trade?
[Editor's note: Front Page'd]
It seems as though everyone has come to a consensus over the last couple years: there is only one model for NBA general managers to follow if they happen to be from a small/mid/cold weather market, and that is of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I dont mean to suggest that this isnt right, or that somehow OKC isnt in a terrific position moving forward with Westbook/Durant/Harden. They have solid perimeter defenders, they have solid interior defenders, they have perhaps the best pure scorer in the league, they have a pg who doesnt really seem to have a ceiling, and they are incredibly young.
But I am unsure that this is the only way to build, or that it is even possible to really emulate. For one, it isnt every day that Kevin Durant is available for anyone to draft. Second, a talent like Russel Westbrook isnt always available with the fourth pick in the draft. If the Thunder had won the lottery a couple years ago, we are looking at a team in OKC waiting around on Greg Oden. So it is hard.
The Cavs seem to have the first part of it down. Kyrie Irving looks like he is two years away from being a really transcendent basketball player. Whether he gets to the DHoward/LBJ/Wade/Bryant/DRose/Durant level, well, it sure looks like it will be close. Tristan Thompson, the jury is out. He looks, at a minimum, like a defensive force. And this is where Joe Dumars comes in.
I'm driving up from Pittsburgh this weekend, and will be catching the Mavs/Cavs game while I'm there. The game is pretty much the only reason I'll be downtown, though, and I was hoping for parking tips from some of you.
How expensive is parking at QLA?
Any markedly cheaper alternatives within 4-5 blocks? I don't mind walking a bit.
Any recommendations of good, cheap (at least in comparison to arena food) places to eat in the area?
It's a goal of mine to move out to London after I finish school. In my studies of the UK, I've come to adore their national anthem. Today I bring you my own version of the song with lyrics relating to our Cleveland Cavaliers.
As you read this, you're going to want to split screen these lyrics I wrote with this version of God Save the Queen. I hope you know the rhythm of the song and how each line sings. Otherwise, you'll likely be pretty lost.
Get ready to sing along after the jump.
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