...with a potential delayed John Glenn appearance.
One night a little over a year ago, my brother's roommate walked into his apartment drunker than I've ever seen him. He could barely get out a sentence and eventually just ended the "conversation" by saying, "I'm fuckin' done," and went to sleep. But before he left, the one and only sentence he could could clearly get out was this as we watched late night sports center: "I love the Shaq Diesel." Love or hate this deal, that fact still remains.
Per usual, nobody seems to understand this deal correctly. Not to be a pompous gasbag, but I'm going to try to explain a couple misconceptions I feel exist about it.
1. Shaq is "injury prone."
Disagree...
at least as far as giant 7-footers are concerned.
I heard GM Daryl Morey on the BS Report say that Yao is the only proportional 7-6 guy in the world. Again, I disagree. If he was proportional, wouldn't his feet hold together for a whole season? A seven-footer should look like Shaq. This is how I explained it to my sister:
Most seven-foot Centers look like a normal person if you put them on Microsoft Word and stretched them upwards (I hope you know what I'm talking about or this won't make any sense). But, if you put an NFL Tight End or Running Back on Microsoft Word and grabbed the CORNER tool and stretched it would look like Shaq. Point being, of course it is difficult to maintain a giant body over an NBA season (or even at all), but the Shaq Diesel is such a shockingly good athlete, I have no doubts he would play in the NBA (or NFL) if he were a whole foot shorter. The Big Smokestack (throwin' it out there) skips regular season games because they are irrelevant to him and borderline irresponsible for him to play in if they don't matter. When he is motivated, he wins.
Shaq isn't injury prone, he's lazy prone.
2. Shaquille alone isn't going to bring Cleveland a title (and that somehow matters).
Well, of course not.
Every time the Cavaliers make a trade, the world judges the deal in this way: "Is (Insert Name of Guy Just Traded For) going to be LeBron James' sidekick for a title run?"
First of all, let's debunk the myth that the best way to win a Championship is to have two stars and a bunch of role players. I'm not sure that has really ever happened other than with Jordan/Pippen and Kobe/Shaq. Nowadays we are all shocked when a complete team wins a title, and every time a new way to win comes up, we think that is the new way to do it. Now what, you need a "big three" instead of a "Batman and Robin?" There is more than one way to win a Championship so stop trying to figure it out unless you're REALLY trying to figure it out.
But back to the perplexing media.
They even did this with the Wally/Wallace/West/Smith trade. ESPN speculated about whether Ben Wallace was going to be LeBron's "Robin." Are you kidding me?? Ben Wallace???? What a shockingly awesome development that Delonte West has been the most consistently helpful performer in that trade. I love that guy.
Again, back on topic...
They did it with Mo Williams (a great piece and a great trade, but obviously not a Pippen-caliber player or even a Ray Allen caliber player) and now they're doing it with Shaq. They think the Cavs think that Shaq is 30-year old Shaq...and they're wrong. We all watched Shaq last year. He's a fringe All Star and his stats are maybe even a product of his situation. But he's still Shaq, and I mean that in this way and this way only:
I do not mean that, "Hey, maybe he'll just dominate out of nowhere like he used to!" I mean that he is the gregarious no bullshit teammate who loves winning and works hard when it is prudent to do so. He also loves LeBron (who wouldn't? ...and has LeBron ever played with a teammate who really commands any respect at all? Not really) and (I can't believe that Stu Scott is the only one I heard mention this) he is probably the best big man passer in the game still. Given what we gave up, how is this not a great move? GREAT move.
Oh yeah, back on topic...
Shaq is not the beginning and end of this off season (and clearly neither is the draft, which we'll get to). From what inside information I have (which is literally none, this is a total guess), this should be one of the most entertaining off seasons in history for Cleveland anything fans.
Here is a combination of crazy facts:
- The economy sucks.
Not a lot of people want to spend money and a lot of people are desperate and free agents will sign for way WAY less than they would have a few years ago. This is what that fact means.
- The Cavs don't care.
Somehow, Cleveland isn't that concerned with this. So, a team that needs a lot of pieces is dealing with teams that need money and don't even want pieces and a free agent market that will be full of guys that are cheaper than normal is what we have. Why are they willing to spend? Because paying tens of millions of dollars in the luxury tax is much much better than losing LeBron ever. Literally anything is better than losing LeBron. If LeBron leaves, I'm not sure the Cavaliers don't get relocated within the hour.
The point of all this is that the Cavs are nowhere near a complete team, and that doesn't mean re-signing Wally Szczerbiak. They will use their Mid-level and Bi-annual exceptions even though they are over the cap and they'll be able to get weirdly good players for those prices because of the economy. At least, I hope so. The one place they seem to be looking to save money is in the draft.
Oh yeah, the draft.
I haven't watched that many drafts that closely, but I've never seen a funnier pick than Cleveland's 30th pick on Thursday Night. David Stern looked rattled. I was rattled. I guess they saved money drafting this kid FROM THE D LEAGUE OF SPAIN but it was still bizarre. I can try to rationalize that pick all I want, but I think that Danny Ferry just isn't very good at drafting. It's funny how GMs can have strengths and weaknesses in their games just like players, but it seems true. I have loved the trades Ferry has made in the past two-and-a-half years and he has been negotiating contracts like this guy, but man, I think he should hand the draft responsibilities to somebody else...I nominate LeBron (seriously). I'm totally fine with the Danny Green pick actually, but Cleveland really just didn't look that interested in this draft, leading me to believe that they have their minds on bigger things (I have to believe that).
I was originally (like two weeks ago) going to write what I thought about EVERY PICK but that seems ridiculous at this point (Glenn might do it). I'm just going to say who I liked and didn't like (like every other writer in the universe).
(Before I do this, I'd like to point out to everyone that ESPN.com has abbreviated "Wimbledon" as "Wimby" on their front page and I think it's hilarious.)
Things I liked:
I really liked what New Jersey did. They drafted a fantastic goofball and a sleeper really really good player. They also traded Goofball Jones, also known as Vince Carter, for Courtney Lee and a bunch of shit. I like it.
I actually hate what San Antonio did, but it's because it's smart and I hate how smart they are so I have to put it here. DeJuan Blair in the second round??? Trading three players who might as well all change their names to "Jack Shit???" Ughh, so smart...yet so simple. It's like they have Obiwan Kenobi as their GM ("You don't want to take DeJuan Blair, he's too fat," "We don't want DeJuan Blair, he's too fat").
I didn't mind the T Wolves' actions on Thursday. They took people they liked...why not? So what if they're all point guards?? Well, they'll probably have to trade almost all of them, but what they'll end up with is whatever they get for Rubio (which could be significant) and maybe what they get for Calathes, and they're left with Johnny Flynn and Wayne Ellington. That's great!! Also, on a side note, I liked Ty Lawson for Denver. Solid.
Now that I think about it, everyone the Wolves took was on my "I like these guys" list. WTF?!?!!!??!
I also don't hate what the Bucks did for some reason. Brandon Jennings amuses the hell out of me and Jodie Meeks is at least interesting. Let's see how those two pan out.
Disappointments:
I really dislike what Memphis did. Thabeet is very likely garbage. I liked Demarre Carroll, but not in the first round! Sheesh. They got decent value for Sam Young in the second round, but I still don't think he's very good. It's very possible that Memphis could walk out of a draft in which they had three picks with zero good players. Nice.
Sacramento and Toronto wasted their picks.
Just for the sake of disagreeing with a future Glenn post, I don't really love what Indiana did. Sure, you know what you're getting with Hansbrough, but what is it? A back up Power Forward? I guess that's fine, but Indiana kind of needed a point guard. I really wouldn't mind being proven wrong about Psycho-T though, I kind of like him.
Alright Glenn, Rob and Bowl, you all better write stuff on this.
(Quote of the year: In Transformers 2, after we find out the creepy slutty girl is a transformer, "That girl's a lot hotter now that she's a big metal weirdass." --Rob)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
2009 Draft...Who do ya Like?
In a draft in which I'm fairly certain does not contain a single player who I could see being the best player on a Championship contending team (I'm not sure how rare this is, but, for example, I would say that I can see Derrick Rose being just that), you really just take whoever strikes your fancy. So why not give my list of Likes and Dislikes for this year's draft, at least relative to where they are projected?
And, like any smart guy would do in a good news/bad news situation, I'm taking the bad news first.
Dislikes:
(In no particular order)
1. Jordan Hill - Arizona
He seems like a nice enough guy, but...
He has only played basketball for a couple of years, he's not as athletic as originally thought (according to workouts), he's not fundamentally sound, he doesn't have a well-developed mid-range jumper....I just feel like he played shockingly well and his stock skyrocketed (he's predicted in the top ten in most mock drafts and even in the top five in a few!!!) and we're going to look at him and be like, "Oh yeah, he's not really good at anything." He very well could be useful in the pros, but top five seems insane to me. Maybe in this draft, that's all anybody can even ask for.
2. Tyreke Evans - Memphis
More than length, athleticism...whatever, all I really ask for in a prospect is if I get the feeling that I can trust him. Give me the slightly worse athlete that knows how to play the game instead of the 6-6 "Point Guard" who has a ridiculous looking jumper and played for a coach who doesn't really coach anything.
Listen, let's be honest about something. This site is for my own enjoyment and nobody reads it. What I'm about to say might get me in trouble if I were a real person, but thank goodness I am not.
I look in the eyes of Tyreke Evans, and I just think, "Man, that guy looks like an idiot." I look at his jumper and his decision on what college to attend and, perhaps more importantly, how long to attend said college. I don't care how big you are, if you don't know how to play, you won't be good.
(Sidenote: Memphis is ALWAYS overrated. When you have guys like Chris Douglas-Roberts and Tyreke Evans, you can go undefeated in the regular season and the tournament will show how bad you are. The only year that didn't happen was two years ago with Derrick Rose, who was legitimately good. Remember how unimpressed you were with Memphis getting blown out by Mizzou in the tournament? You will be similarly unimpressed with Evans.)
3. B.J. Mullens - Ohio State
Do I really need to list this? I'd be willing to bet one of my future theoretical children that this kid is homeless by the time he's 30. Is that a good enough endorsement?
4. Sam Young - Pitt
This one I owe 100% to John Hollinger's Draft Rater. I can't link it because it now belongs to ESPN Insider. Somehow I got to read it in the morning while it was open to the public.
Hollinger brought up a good point. Sam Young is 24, which is interesting. You could take that as, "Hey, this guy's NBA ready!!" or, as Hollinger takes it, "Wow, this guy is 24 and still isn't that good." John's argument was basically that he is as good as he's going to get, and that's not good, and if there's anyone I listen to other than Bill Simmons and Brian Windhorst, it's John Hollinger.
5. All non-Ricky Rubio Foreigners
This does not include Nick Calathes. I like him. All I'm saying is that if my team drafts a guy who I've never heard of and whose name I can't pronounce, I'm pissed. It's really hard to translate foreign league stats to NBA stats, so why waste a pick on a 100% shot in the dark gamble? I hate it. If I hear, "...And with the 30th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...Omri Casspi out of Israel," I'm going on a rampage. Why don't you just go draft yourself instead.
Likes
(Again, in no particular order...)
1. Stephen Curry - Davidson
I know, I know...he's going to be a lottery pick, how can he be such a good value? Frankly, I'm not sure that he isn't the best player in this draft. Steph Curry is the perfect example of what I love, speaking of which, I actually would compare him to Kevin Love.
It might sound a little odd, but they are similar. They are both legacies in that their fathers are former NBA players. They've grown up around the game and they just seem to know it better than anyone they are playing with or against. Love and Curry both have physical limitations, but being three steps ahead of everyone else is a good place to be.
2. Johnny Flynn - Syracuse
Another guy who is going in the top ten but still not high enough. In a draft like this, if you get a guy who I am pretty sure can run a team effectively and make as huge of plays as he'll ever need to, why pass on him? ...Ever?
You know what else? Johnny has a cool name. You cannot underestimate that.
3. DeJuan Blair - Pitt
You know what? Even I am surprised that I have him on here.
Blair is a big fat goofball with knee problems from a team I never root for. But while I was thinking about what type of player I would want to start a team that has no direction, I thought of this guy. He has a big personality and a toughness that people seem to respond to. I don't even really think Pitt was good last year, but they kept beating UConn, who was VERY good, because DeJuan Blair just manned up against Thabeet (who was on the brink of making my dislikes list).
Drafting DeJuan Blair gives your team an automatic identity, which might be the most important thing in the world.
4. Nick Calathes - Florida
Because I have only seen highlights of Ricky Rubio and not full games, I'm not sure I can be trusted in my opinion of him...he seems pretty good. With that said, I'm not sure what the difference is between him and Calathes. From what I've heard, he has unbelievable court vision and point guard skills, while being 6-5 and possessing a great jump shot. If you're a good team or a team with not much money or both, you can get an American Rubio at the millionth pick and not pay him for a year while he plays in Greece. Not bad.
5. Any UNC Guard
This includes Ty Lawson (who actually ranked as the number 1 college prospect in Hollinger's system), Danny Green and Wayne Ellington.
I mean really, why the hell not? This team won the National Championship. The Cavs traded for Darnell Jackson in last year's draft who didn't even start on the National Champion Jayhawks and he contributed in his first year. If you have to take a chance, why not take a chance on a winner?
That's all for now. I want to comment on every pick of the draft just to have on record of who I was right and wrong about. John Glenn might chime in as well. Enjoy the draft.
And, like any smart guy would do in a good news/bad news situation, I'm taking the bad news first.
Dislikes:
(In no particular order)
1. Jordan Hill - Arizona
He seems like a nice enough guy, but...
He has only played basketball for a couple of years, he's not as athletic as originally thought (according to workouts), he's not fundamentally sound, he doesn't have a well-developed mid-range jumper....I just feel like he played shockingly well and his stock skyrocketed (he's predicted in the top ten in most mock drafts and even in the top five in a few!!!) and we're going to look at him and be like, "Oh yeah, he's not really good at anything." He very well could be useful in the pros, but top five seems insane to me. Maybe in this draft, that's all anybody can even ask for.
2. Tyreke Evans - Memphis
More than length, athleticism...whatever, all I really ask for in a prospect is if I get the feeling that I can trust him. Give me the slightly worse athlete that knows how to play the game instead of the 6-6 "Point Guard" who has a ridiculous looking jumper and played for a coach who doesn't really coach anything.
Listen, let's be honest about something. This site is for my own enjoyment and nobody reads it. What I'm about to say might get me in trouble if I were a real person, but thank goodness I am not.
I look in the eyes of Tyreke Evans, and I just think, "Man, that guy looks like an idiot." I look at his jumper and his decision on what college to attend and, perhaps more importantly, how long to attend said college. I don't care how big you are, if you don't know how to play, you won't be good.
(Sidenote: Memphis is ALWAYS overrated. When you have guys like Chris Douglas-Roberts and Tyreke Evans, you can go undefeated in the regular season and the tournament will show how bad you are. The only year that didn't happen was two years ago with Derrick Rose, who was legitimately good. Remember how unimpressed you were with Memphis getting blown out by Mizzou in the tournament? You will be similarly unimpressed with Evans.)
3. B.J. Mullens - Ohio State
Do I really need to list this? I'd be willing to bet one of my future theoretical children that this kid is homeless by the time he's 30. Is that a good enough endorsement?
4. Sam Young - Pitt
This one I owe 100% to John Hollinger's Draft Rater. I can't link it because it now belongs to ESPN Insider. Somehow I got to read it in the morning while it was open to the public.
Hollinger brought up a good point. Sam Young is 24, which is interesting. You could take that as, "Hey, this guy's NBA ready!!" or, as Hollinger takes it, "Wow, this guy is 24 and still isn't that good." John's argument was basically that he is as good as he's going to get, and that's not good, and if there's anyone I listen to other than Bill Simmons and Brian Windhorst, it's John Hollinger.
5. All non-Ricky Rubio Foreigners
This does not include Nick Calathes. I like him. All I'm saying is that if my team drafts a guy who I've never heard of and whose name I can't pronounce, I'm pissed. It's really hard to translate foreign league stats to NBA stats, so why waste a pick on a 100% shot in the dark gamble? I hate it. If I hear, "...And with the 30th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...Omri Casspi out of Israel," I'm going on a rampage. Why don't you just go draft yourself instead.
Likes
(Again, in no particular order...)
1. Stephen Curry - Davidson
I know, I know...he's going to be a lottery pick, how can he be such a good value? Frankly, I'm not sure that he isn't the best player in this draft. Steph Curry is the perfect example of what I love, speaking of which, I actually would compare him to Kevin Love.
It might sound a little odd, but they are similar. They are both legacies in that their fathers are former NBA players. They've grown up around the game and they just seem to know it better than anyone they are playing with or against. Love and Curry both have physical limitations, but being three steps ahead of everyone else is a good place to be.
2. Johnny Flynn - Syracuse
Another guy who is going in the top ten but still not high enough. In a draft like this, if you get a guy who I am pretty sure can run a team effectively and make as huge of plays as he'll ever need to, why pass on him? ...Ever?
You know what else? Johnny has a cool name. You cannot underestimate that.
3. DeJuan Blair - Pitt
You know what? Even I am surprised that I have him on here.
Blair is a big fat goofball with knee problems from a team I never root for. But while I was thinking about what type of player I would want to start a team that has no direction, I thought of this guy. He has a big personality and a toughness that people seem to respond to. I don't even really think Pitt was good last year, but they kept beating UConn, who was VERY good, because DeJuan Blair just manned up against Thabeet (who was on the brink of making my dislikes list).
Drafting DeJuan Blair gives your team an automatic identity, which might be the most important thing in the world.
4. Nick Calathes - Florida
Because I have only seen highlights of Ricky Rubio and not full games, I'm not sure I can be trusted in my opinion of him...he seems pretty good. With that said, I'm not sure what the difference is between him and Calathes. From what I've heard, he has unbelievable court vision and point guard skills, while being 6-5 and possessing a great jump shot. If you're a good team or a team with not much money or both, you can get an American Rubio at the millionth pick and not pay him for a year while he plays in Greece. Not bad.
5. Any UNC Guard
This includes Ty Lawson (who actually ranked as the number 1 college prospect in Hollinger's system), Danny Green and Wayne Ellington.
I mean really, why the hell not? This team won the National Championship. The Cavs traded for Darnell Jackson in last year's draft who didn't even start on the National Champion Jayhawks and he contributed in his first year. If you have to take a chance, why not take a chance on a winner?
That's all for now. I want to comment on every pick of the draft just to have on record of who I was right and wrong about. John Glenn might chime in as well. Enjoy the draft.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Budds Plan
In case any of you bastards out there were wondering, "What would Buddies do if he were runnin' things for the Cavs this off season?" I'm going to tell you.
As stated before, there are three ways for the Cavs to acquire players:
1. Trades
Since the mid season threat of a fire sale from Phoenix when everyone wanted Amare Stoudemire , I have been more interested in Shaq. Stoudemire plays absolutely no defense. That is his policy and we all accept him for what he is, but that doesn't mean I have to want him on my team.
Shaquille O'neal is the ultimate teammate. You can say that Antawn Jamison or Joe Smith are good teammates because they blend into the crowd, but Shaq is an inspirational character who makes you feel like you are at the center of attention (in a good way...not a T.O. way) no matter where you are. Of course Shaq has had problems with teammates, like Kobe Bryant for example, but that's good. Kobe was an asshole and Shaq wouldn't take his bullshit. That's what being the ultimate teammate is.
Bringing in Shaq would also give Cleveland one guy who is on the same respect level as LeBron...maybe even one higher, if that's even possible. LeBron is learning...Shaq KNOWS. It's almost ridiculous to ask a team with a young coach, a young star, and a young supporting cast to navigate their way successfully through the playoffs on their first try. Having Shaq, a man whose life is lived in those huge moments is an indescribably valuable influence on LeBron James and the rest. And that doesn't even get into his basketball value for Cleveland.
The word is, however, that Phoenix wants talent in exchange for Shaq. I'm just about fed up with this...
Listen Phoenix, you're poor and you suck. That's your situation. You have a 37 year old Center who cannot help you. Would you rather pay him or not? People are either going to give you talent who you have to pay...a lot, or cap relief. You can't have it both ways. Frankly, the deal you get from Cleveland will give you a minimum of $10 million and a possibility of $14 or $15 million depending on the likelihood of a Ben Wallace buyout. How can you do better than that? There is no way in hell we are giving you Delonte West. Get over yourself.
2. Free Agency
My number one option: Trevor Ariza.
Bill Simmons put it perfectly in his recent post-finals column. Players like Ariza are what made it possible for the Lakers to win it all (and really what allowed the Cavs to be good...I'll explain). Players who will sacrifice their egos to win it all. The Cavs' supporting cast did this, but it was easier for them because they are not nearly as talented as Ariza. In the old days, this would be the summer that Ariza gets a $65 million contract from the Golden State Warriors after how well he played in the playoffs. But in this economy, people are saying he just earned his way up to the full Mid-Level Exception (about $5.8 million starting salary). I would give that to Ariza without blinking. Lock him up for as long as you can, give him incentives for making All Star Teams and winning titles...maybe even promise that if he makes two consecutive All Star Teams, you'll restructure his deal. I'm not even sure any of this is legal, but at $5.8 million, this guy is a steal for a team on the brink.
My second option: Josh Childress
I have no idea what this guy's situation is or if it's even possible to sign him, but he would serve the same purpose as Ariza...I'm just not as in love with him.
3. Draft
Recently, I've been seeing in mock drafts that they expect Cleveland to just take the best scorer or athlete available. I'm still more into the idea that we need a back up point guard first.
With the 30th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...
Darren Collison.
I know, it's not that interesting...umm...yeah, it's not. But Collison is a guy who continued to sacrifice in college year after year when one-and-done players were coming through the system and getting all the love, but they kept winning. I'm basically assuming this has a lot to do with Collison. Nothing wrong with that.
In all honesty, if we could move up to somewhere around 18 and get Eric Maynor, I would be ecstatic...but we're assuming this isn't happening here on the Bullshit.
With the 46th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...
Demarre Carroll.
Sure, why not. Not an All Star (in fact, probably a D-Leaguer), but an athletic, aggressive, smart, good-natured, hard-working player who played all four years for a good coach and did what he was told and did it well. Sign me up. I know we think we don't need another Small Forward on our team because we have LeBron James, but that is delusional. In fact, I want a glut of athletic shooting guard/small forward type wings because eventually, LeBron will become a power forward. If I were in charge, I would play him about half and half this season and Small and Power Forward whether he likes it or not. If he wants to play past 30 years old, he'll be primarily a post player. Imagine a line up with our two sniper guards, Ariza at the wing, LeBron at the four and whoever else at Center. That team does not have trouble scoring and that team, in all honesty, doesn't need a great Center, does it?
I'll be writing a draft analysis in the near future, but there it is. Any thoughts?
As stated before, there are three ways for the Cavs to acquire players:
1. Trades
Since the mid season threat of a fire sale from Phoenix when everyone wanted Amare Stoudemire , I have been more interested in Shaq. Stoudemire plays absolutely no defense. That is his policy and we all accept him for what he is, but that doesn't mean I have to want him on my team.
Shaquille O'neal is the ultimate teammate. You can say that Antawn Jamison or Joe Smith are good teammates because they blend into the crowd, but Shaq is an inspirational character who makes you feel like you are at the center of attention (in a good way...not a T.O. way) no matter where you are. Of course Shaq has had problems with teammates, like Kobe Bryant for example, but that's good. Kobe was an asshole and Shaq wouldn't take his bullshit. That's what being the ultimate teammate is.
Bringing in Shaq would also give Cleveland one guy who is on the same respect level as LeBron...maybe even one higher, if that's even possible. LeBron is learning...Shaq KNOWS. It's almost ridiculous to ask a team with a young coach, a young star, and a young supporting cast to navigate their way successfully through the playoffs on their first try. Having Shaq, a man whose life is lived in those huge moments is an indescribably valuable influence on LeBron James and the rest. And that doesn't even get into his basketball value for Cleveland.
The word is, however, that Phoenix wants talent in exchange for Shaq. I'm just about fed up with this...
Listen Phoenix, you're poor and you suck. That's your situation. You have a 37 year old Center who cannot help you. Would you rather pay him or not? People are either going to give you talent who you have to pay...a lot, or cap relief. You can't have it both ways. Frankly, the deal you get from Cleveland will give you a minimum of $10 million and a possibility of $14 or $15 million depending on the likelihood of a Ben Wallace buyout. How can you do better than that? There is no way in hell we are giving you Delonte West. Get over yourself.
2. Free Agency
My number one option: Trevor Ariza.
Bill Simmons put it perfectly in his recent post-finals column. Players like Ariza are what made it possible for the Lakers to win it all (and really what allowed the Cavs to be good...I'll explain). Players who will sacrifice their egos to win it all. The Cavs' supporting cast did this, but it was easier for them because they are not nearly as talented as Ariza. In the old days, this would be the summer that Ariza gets a $65 million contract from the Golden State Warriors after how well he played in the playoffs. But in this economy, people are saying he just earned his way up to the full Mid-Level Exception (about $5.8 million starting salary). I would give that to Ariza without blinking. Lock him up for as long as you can, give him incentives for making All Star Teams and winning titles...maybe even promise that if he makes two consecutive All Star Teams, you'll restructure his deal. I'm not even sure any of this is legal, but at $5.8 million, this guy is a steal for a team on the brink.
My second option: Josh Childress
I have no idea what this guy's situation is or if it's even possible to sign him, but he would serve the same purpose as Ariza...I'm just not as in love with him.
3. Draft
Recently, I've been seeing in mock drafts that they expect Cleveland to just take the best scorer or athlete available. I'm still more into the idea that we need a back up point guard first.
With the 30th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...
Darren Collison.
I know, it's not that interesting...umm...yeah, it's not. But Collison is a guy who continued to sacrifice in college year after year when one-and-done players were coming through the system and getting all the love, but they kept winning. I'm basically assuming this has a lot to do with Collison. Nothing wrong with that.
In all honesty, if we could move up to somewhere around 18 and get Eric Maynor, I would be ecstatic...but we're assuming this isn't happening here on the Bullshit.
With the 46th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...
Demarre Carroll.
Sure, why not. Not an All Star (in fact, probably a D-Leaguer), but an athletic, aggressive, smart, good-natured, hard-working player who played all four years for a good coach and did what he was told and did it well. Sign me up. I know we think we don't need another Small Forward on our team because we have LeBron James, but that is delusional. In fact, I want a glut of athletic shooting guard/small forward type wings because eventually, LeBron will become a power forward. If I were in charge, I would play him about half and half this season and Small and Power Forward whether he likes it or not. If he wants to play past 30 years old, he'll be primarily a post player. Imagine a line up with our two sniper guards, Ariza at the wing, LeBron at the four and whoever else at Center. That team does not have trouble scoring and that team, in all honesty, doesn't need a great Center, does it?
I'll be writing a draft analysis in the near future, but there it is. Any thoughts?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Game 4 Psychology
The rumblings after Kobe's Game 3 failure, if you want to call it that, refer to this game as, "Not Kobe-Like" or, "This is not the Kobe we expected." I would just like to know why exactly we were supposed to think that what he did in Games 2 and 3...and even Game 1 were not exactly what Kobe is.
Kobe was insanely hot in Game 1...about as hot as the Magic were cold. A relatively low pressure Finals game (if that exists) and he shot out of his mind...and stayed in the game after it was already decided to get 40 points...but with that said, I don't want this post to be a piece of Kobe hatred (there will be too many of those by the time I'm done with this blog). What I'm trying to communicate is not that Kobe chokes, it's actually much more complicated than that.
Kobe, for all the lies that are told about him in the media, actually probably is the hardest working player in the league. Whether it's because he has no friends or any other reason, it's still true. And Kobe does bring the pain, if you will, on nights where many would coast. He builds his myth through hot shooting nights against good and bad teams (mostly bad), and on these nights, he is indescribably hot. Shots that no one makes...or takes...or even thinks about taking. Shots that, in the regular season, you see someone making and you just say, "Fuck it, he can have this one."
This strategy even works in the first few rounds of the playoffs. Some weaker teams honestly cannot stop him because he is a great player, but some teams can't stop a lot of players. We couldn't stop Corey Maggette. Kobe's situation is just to a greater degree. Utah could do nothing. They put Brewer on him who, if he were older and smarter, has the ability to play good defense on Kobe Bryant. The problem with the young athletic players on Kobe is that they get very discouraged with he hits those shots where you're thinking, "If he was on my team and took that shot, I would punch him in the sternum." One key to guarding Kobe is to not be offended by him hitting idiotic shots on you (or by his comments to Doug Collins afterwards). It also didn't help that Kobe could play 10 feet off of Brewer on the other end (All-Defensive Team Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant).
The next series against Houston brought with it a guy who could guard Kobe (contrary to what shouted at Doug Collins several times), a Center who could match the size of the L.A. front court, and a perimeter scorer who could match Kobe point for point. Unfortunately by the end of the series, the big man and the scorer were in suits on the bench and they had a 6-foot 6 guy starting at Center...and that series went SEVEN GAMES. Kobe had a mediocre series. He averaged around 27 points per game on 45% shooting but with only 3.7 assists. Not bad...but when the you need seven games to beat a team where you have the guys in uniform on the other team tripled in payroll, you're doing something not great. Still, they got through.
The Nuggets, talented as they were, were still not truly to be reckoned with once again. Idiots, all of them. A team that would use the "Fuck it" excuse IN THE PLAYOFFS. Chauncey Billups is a good player and a steady head, but he has always been a guy who loved pull-up threes in transition as a point guard. If you want a steady head on the Nuggets, you go to Chauncey first...and Chris Andersen second? I'm serious.
But this is what I'm getting at: in the playoffs, whether it's early or not until the Finals, you will meet another team playing with a purpose and desperation. I'm not sure the Magic know their purpose yet, but you cannot help but play with desperation in the Finals.
Here is my brother's quote about the Lakers: "If you punch, they will punch back and expect you to fall down. But if you punch back a second time, you can beat them." This is what Boston did last year and what Orlando is going to have to find a way to do this year.
During the season, you watch Kobe's games and look at his numbers and think, "This doesn't add up." He only shoots 34% from three? Judging by the highlights...and even watching the games, it seems like he makes a much better percentage. Well here's the trick: as discussed above, when he's in gunslinger mode he goes on hot streaks, but then drastically (and sometimes catastrophically) cools off (this happened in Game 3). In the regular season, the other team has already given up after the hot streak, and right before the time in which they should be mounting their comeback. But in the Finals, there's nothing else to do but try to come back, and that is why Kobe has failed in the past in the Finals "by himself."
What's the solution? Go on more and longer hot streaks? This seems to be what people expect. I've heard analysts say they expect Kobe to come out and have 40-plus points in Game 4. But the fact that this thought could even go through Kobe's head is the problem with Kobe.
The solution is NOT to shoot. Play like a normal person.
Brandon Roy of the Portland Trailblazers plays roughly the same role on an all around talented (and very tall) team like Kobe's, they're just younger and not quite as good (yet). With his less talented roster, Brandon Roy shoots almost five fewer shots per game than Kobe and shoots a better percentage in his third NBA season than Kobe ever has in any season in his entire career (48%). Is Roy a better shooter than Kobe? Does he get more hot more frequently? Of course not, he just takes better shots in a situation where bad shots by the best player would be more acceptable than in Kobe's situation because of the gap, be it slight or not, in talent. Point being, if Brandon Roy, or any player with any concept of how to strategically play basketball, were given the reigns to this Lakers team with the most skilled big man currently in the game (sorry Tim Duncan, you were injured too much this year), the most talented 6th man in the league by a landslide, etc....there is simply no way they think about taking 20 shots. In the first three games, Kobe took 34, 22 and 25 shots.
Listen, I would have been fine with this Lakers team winning the Finals. If Kobe would play well, pass the ball, genuinely congratulate his teammates, run the offense, I can't argue that justice was not served by Kobe getting a fourth title (and most likely a Finals MVP). The problem is, he hasn't learned anything. He's still inventing weird faces to act like the killer he is not, he's still trying to take over games unnecessarily, he's still pointing at players on his team who scored as if to say, "Hey good job, you did what I told you to do. Good thing you listen to me." That MVP ceremony might kill me to watch.
On the bright side, if Kobe comes on with guns blazing tonight, I might be watching a confused public try to decide who the hell on Orlando to which they're supposed to give the Bill Russell Award.
Kobe was insanely hot in Game 1...about as hot as the Magic were cold. A relatively low pressure Finals game (if that exists) and he shot out of his mind...and stayed in the game after it was already decided to get 40 points...but with that said, I don't want this post to be a piece of Kobe hatred (there will be too many of those by the time I'm done with this blog). What I'm trying to communicate is not that Kobe chokes, it's actually much more complicated than that.
Kobe, for all the lies that are told about him in the media, actually probably is the hardest working player in the league. Whether it's because he has no friends or any other reason, it's still true. And Kobe does bring the pain, if you will, on nights where many would coast. He builds his myth through hot shooting nights against good and bad teams (mostly bad), and on these nights, he is indescribably hot. Shots that no one makes...or takes...or even thinks about taking. Shots that, in the regular season, you see someone making and you just say, "Fuck it, he can have this one."
This strategy even works in the first few rounds of the playoffs. Some weaker teams honestly cannot stop him because he is a great player, but some teams can't stop a lot of players. We couldn't stop Corey Maggette. Kobe's situation is just to a greater degree. Utah could do nothing. They put Brewer on him who, if he were older and smarter, has the ability to play good defense on Kobe Bryant. The problem with the young athletic players on Kobe is that they get very discouraged with he hits those shots where you're thinking, "If he was on my team and took that shot, I would punch him in the sternum." One key to guarding Kobe is to not be offended by him hitting idiotic shots on you (or by his comments to Doug Collins afterwards). It also didn't help that Kobe could play 10 feet off of Brewer on the other end (All-Defensive Team Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant).
The next series against Houston brought with it a guy who could guard Kobe (contrary to what shouted at Doug Collins several times), a Center who could match the size of the L.A. front court, and a perimeter scorer who could match Kobe point for point. Unfortunately by the end of the series, the big man and the scorer were in suits on the bench and they had a 6-foot 6 guy starting at Center...and that series went SEVEN GAMES. Kobe had a mediocre series. He averaged around 27 points per game on 45% shooting but with only 3.7 assists. Not bad...but when the you need seven games to beat a team where you have the guys in uniform on the other team tripled in payroll, you're doing something not great. Still, they got through.
The Nuggets, talented as they were, were still not truly to be reckoned with once again. Idiots, all of them. A team that would use the "Fuck it" excuse IN THE PLAYOFFS. Chauncey Billups is a good player and a steady head, but he has always been a guy who loved pull-up threes in transition as a point guard. If you want a steady head on the Nuggets, you go to Chauncey first...and Chris Andersen second? I'm serious.
But this is what I'm getting at: in the playoffs, whether it's early or not until the Finals, you will meet another team playing with a purpose and desperation. I'm not sure the Magic know their purpose yet, but you cannot help but play with desperation in the Finals.
Here is my brother's quote about the Lakers: "If you punch, they will punch back and expect you to fall down. But if you punch back a second time, you can beat them." This is what Boston did last year and what Orlando is going to have to find a way to do this year.
During the season, you watch Kobe's games and look at his numbers and think, "This doesn't add up." He only shoots 34% from three? Judging by the highlights...and even watching the games, it seems like he makes a much better percentage. Well here's the trick: as discussed above, when he's in gunslinger mode he goes on hot streaks, but then drastically (and sometimes catastrophically) cools off (this happened in Game 3). In the regular season, the other team has already given up after the hot streak, and right before the time in which they should be mounting their comeback. But in the Finals, there's nothing else to do but try to come back, and that is why Kobe has failed in the past in the Finals "by himself."
What's the solution? Go on more and longer hot streaks? This seems to be what people expect. I've heard analysts say they expect Kobe to come out and have 40-plus points in Game 4. But the fact that this thought could even go through Kobe's head is the problem with Kobe.
The solution is NOT to shoot. Play like a normal person.
Brandon Roy of the Portland Trailblazers plays roughly the same role on an all around talented (and very tall) team like Kobe's, they're just younger and not quite as good (yet). With his less talented roster, Brandon Roy shoots almost five fewer shots per game than Kobe and shoots a better percentage in his third NBA season than Kobe ever has in any season in his entire career (48%). Is Roy a better shooter than Kobe? Does he get more hot more frequently? Of course not, he just takes better shots in a situation where bad shots by the best player would be more acceptable than in Kobe's situation because of the gap, be it slight or not, in talent. Point being, if Brandon Roy, or any player with any concept of how to strategically play basketball, were given the reigns to this Lakers team with the most skilled big man currently in the game (sorry Tim Duncan, you were injured too much this year), the most talented 6th man in the league by a landslide, etc....there is simply no way they think about taking 20 shots. In the first three games, Kobe took 34, 22 and 25 shots.
Listen, I would have been fine with this Lakers team winning the Finals. If Kobe would play well, pass the ball, genuinely congratulate his teammates, run the offense, I can't argue that justice was not served by Kobe getting a fourth title (and most likely a Finals MVP). The problem is, he hasn't learned anything. He's still inventing weird faces to act like the killer he is not, he's still trying to take over games unnecessarily, he's still pointing at players on his team who scored as if to say, "Hey good job, you did what I told you to do. Good thing you listen to me." That MVP ceremony might kill me to watch.
On the bright side, if Kobe comes on with guns blazing tonight, I might be watching a confused public try to decide who the hell on Orlando to which they're supposed to give the Bill Russell Award.
Friday, June 5, 2009
One Comment Mailbag
While waiting for my laundry to get done so I'll have clothes to wear to the rec today, I might as well answer Maggs' question about LeBron not shaking hands. Here is is:
LeBron apologized, but let's address what happened before that happened.
Is not shaking hands or leaving your team to address the media what you want to teach your kids to do? Nah. But what you also don't want to do is let your children learn literally anything about sportsmanship or playing basketball from watching the NBA, so whatever. Point being, even if this may not be the "right" thing to do, I am nothing but encouraged by it.
Here is the situation: LeBron is better, has worked harder, has PLAYED better, and wants to win so much more than anyone on the team that just beat him (especially Dwight Howard who, as we saw and will continue to see against the Lakers, is not skilled or tough), he honestly might have punched Rafer Alston in the face if he was forced to shake hands. Also, he asked for roster changes at the podium last year out of frustration which is extremely out of character for him and something he might want to avoid this time (another year where his team just wasn't good enough).
But it really comes down to this: LeBron does not respect the Magic. And why should he? As we saw them look completely unbeatable in the Eastern Conference Finals shooting ungodly numbers from three, we will see the exact opposite in the Finals. Dwight Howard is a huge young man who has absolutely no finesse, skill, leadership, post-moves...nothing. He was bigger and faster than our big men and he got every call and they beat us. LeBron worked all summer to lead team USA to a Gold Medal, then worked all season to squeeze 66 wins out of a team whose talent was only middle of the pack, then averaged almost 40 points a game, over 8 assists and rebounds on over 50% shooting of a series, and lost to a team that got hot and the refs decided to respect for a series. Are you shaking hands in that situation? Hell no! I'll shake hands if somebody was better than me, but nobody bested LeBron in that series, and he lost.
Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do, but who cares? How about an NBA player being hurt after losing? Don't we want these guys to want to win so bad that there is real bitterness and pain after a loss like that? If they don't, I don't even know what I'm watching. We criticize guys for not giving their all, but when somebody does and it hurts them so bad to lose that they can't speak to the media afterwards, we fine them.
And for Kevin Collier: First, he would probably do that if he was pissed. This is a guy who threw a beer cup at someones face who was heckling his karaoke. And second, wussy is shooting threes instead of playing the game. Wussy is complaining to the refs that a guy half your weight is fouling you because he's touching you with an open hand when you're standing still. Wussy is riding a hot streak to beat a great team and then completely choking against a better team.
And by the way, Dwight Howard said in an interview that he was offended by LeBron James not shaking hands after the game. What's worse, not shaking hands or being offended by someone not shaking hands? I know my answer.
LeBron apologized, but let's address what happened before that happened.
Is not shaking hands or leaving your team to address the media what you want to teach your kids to do? Nah. But what you also don't want to do is let your children learn literally anything about sportsmanship or playing basketball from watching the NBA, so whatever. Point being, even if this may not be the "right" thing to do, I am nothing but encouraged by it.
Here is the situation: LeBron is better, has worked harder, has PLAYED better, and wants to win so much more than anyone on the team that just beat him (especially Dwight Howard who, as we saw and will continue to see against the Lakers, is not skilled or tough), he honestly might have punched Rafer Alston in the face if he was forced to shake hands. Also, he asked for roster changes at the podium last year out of frustration which is extremely out of character for him and something he might want to avoid this time (another year where his team just wasn't good enough).
But it really comes down to this: LeBron does not respect the Magic. And why should he? As we saw them look completely unbeatable in the Eastern Conference Finals shooting ungodly numbers from three, we will see the exact opposite in the Finals. Dwight Howard is a huge young man who has absolutely no finesse, skill, leadership, post-moves...nothing. He was bigger and faster than our big men and he got every call and they beat us. LeBron worked all summer to lead team USA to a Gold Medal, then worked all season to squeeze 66 wins out of a team whose talent was only middle of the pack, then averaged almost 40 points a game, over 8 assists and rebounds on over 50% shooting of a series, and lost to a team that got hot and the refs decided to respect for a series. Are you shaking hands in that situation? Hell no! I'll shake hands if somebody was better than me, but nobody bested LeBron in that series, and he lost.
Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do, but who cares? How about an NBA player being hurt after losing? Don't we want these guys to want to win so bad that there is real bitterness and pain after a loss like that? If they don't, I don't even know what I'm watching. We criticize guys for not giving their all, but when somebody does and it hurts them so bad to lose that they can't speak to the media afterwards, we fine them.
And for Kevin Collier: First, he would probably do that if he was pissed. This is a guy who threw a beer cup at someones face who was heckling his karaoke. And second, wussy is shooting threes instead of playing the game. Wussy is complaining to the refs that a guy half your weight is fouling you because he's touching you with an open hand when you're standing still. Wussy is riding a hot streak to beat a great team and then completely choking against a better team.
And by the way, Dwight Howard said in an interview that he was offended by LeBron James not shaking hands after the game. What's worse, not shaking hands or being offended by someone not shaking hands? I know my answer.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Getting Better
I woke up this morning and the first thing I thought about was the Cavs (normal). And you know what? I felt good. Now all I have to do is figure out why.
I read this Windhorst article about the Cavs' "needs" and "assets." It got me thinking about where this team is and not only is it not in a bad position, it's arguably in the best position of any team in all of sports. It's essentially set up to be a dynasty. I know that might seem like wishful thinking but think about this:
Why was this year a special year for us? Why was this the year that we were going to win the title? While you're sitting there thinking about Mo Williams, think about how many other teams in league history would be thinking, "We got Mo Williams!! There's no stopping us now!!!" Never ever would that happen. That was a fabulous trade because of what we gave up (literally nothing) and what we got (our second best player). Is Mo or was Mo ever the missing piece to a Championship team? No rationally thinking person could believe that (and I'm not putting myself in that group). This is not supposed to be a negative or a knock on Mo Williams. Even after his somewhat disappointing performance in the playoffs, I still love him. This is just what he is. He's an emotional player who was running on full emotion blast in his first playoff appearance, an appearance in which he was supposed to be the missing piece to a Championship team for a Championship starved city with a larger-than-life player on it who he clearly admires and adores. Is that a enough pressure for you? He has worked hard in his career to become a very VERY good shooter and a skilled player but he isn't THAT good. He's still a great person for this team.
Let's take a look at some of the other roster spots on this team.
Wally Szczerbiak being paid almost $14 million and contributing very little (it's truly miraculous that he contributed anything at all. Another feather in LeBron's cap that he made Wally useful). Ben Wallace getting paid the most on the team, $14.5 million. When making their plans to build a title contender, do you think Danny Ferry and Co. thought that those two would be integral parts on team? Not in a million years. And, of course, they really weren't that important to this team, but they were in positions where they really should have been. These two people were acquired to: a. balance out the fact that we were dumping a few shit contracts and shit personalities onto teams and b. to leave, or be traded to other teams for talent. These players are not players, they are contracts. Yet, on this team, they were asked to be players. Yes, this 66-win team.
So far I have written about Mo Williams, Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace as big parts to this team, some of them starters (at times). If you lived under a rock this whole season, would you think I am talking about a 66-win Championship contending team? Do I even have to answer that?
Point being, it was a miracle...let me reiterate...AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE that this team won 66 games. And it's not that this team is bad or this organization is bad. It's really not that this team was the best team in the NBA and choked in the playoffs. This, if anything, is a group of great OVER achievers. What's happening is that we are at the beginning of a decade long plan to win multiple titles and we are heartbroken that we didn't win it on year one and a half of the plan.
Say you are an entrepreneur and you set out a 15-year plan and, if all goes well, you'll all be millionaires by the time you're 40. Then, you turn 28 and you realize you've made half a million dollars. Are you depressed about this? Are you asking your girlfriend, "Honey, am I cursed? What did I do wrong??" No. You're saying, "Hey honey, check this out. I might make $8 million bt the time I'm 40!"
All I'm trying to say is that we're on the right track. Sure it will be painful to watch the Magic play the Lakers in the Finals (very painful), but where are we right now? We have a 66-win team on our hands who have at least one useless player coming off the cap (Wally), one very trade able piece in Sasha Pavlovic, a guy with a huge contract who could either retire and give us a free $14.5 million or he could let us trade him for god knows what in this economy. We have an owner willing to spend money and yet we very well could be under the cap this summer. Do you know how many teams were under the cap during this season? That's right, one. One team. We have a coach and a GM who I think we can all agree that we trust, no? And, of course, we have the best player, teammate, person...everything in the league. A player who great players, great winners, want to play with, young and old.
If anything, winning it all this season would have proven that winning it all is easy. Our roster is in transition and we have one great player who is still growing. If a team comprised of LeBron at 75% of his eventual powers and an incomplete roster could win the title, it would honestly be a slap in the face to the competition the NBA provides. When we win it all (and then win it all again, and again, and again...), I want to feel like we've accomplished something. Like I've witnessed a team that has worked its way up, paid its dues, and is finally being rewarded. If winning it all was easy, wouldn't we be embarrassed as Cleveland fans that we haven't done it in so long?
When we finally do it, there will be tears. Tears from LeBron, tears from Delonte, from Mo, from Z...tears from fans. Heck, even Buddies might shed a few.
Just keep your heads up, guys, we'll get there.
I read this Windhorst article about the Cavs' "needs" and "assets." It got me thinking about where this team is and not only is it not in a bad position, it's arguably in the best position of any team in all of sports. It's essentially set up to be a dynasty. I know that might seem like wishful thinking but think about this:
Why was this year a special year for us? Why was this the year that we were going to win the title? While you're sitting there thinking about Mo Williams, think about how many other teams in league history would be thinking, "We got Mo Williams!! There's no stopping us now!!!" Never ever would that happen. That was a fabulous trade because of what we gave up (literally nothing) and what we got (our second best player). Is Mo or was Mo ever the missing piece to a Championship team? No rationally thinking person could believe that (and I'm not putting myself in that group). This is not supposed to be a negative or a knock on Mo Williams. Even after his somewhat disappointing performance in the playoffs, I still love him. This is just what he is. He's an emotional player who was running on full emotion blast in his first playoff appearance, an appearance in which he was supposed to be the missing piece to a Championship team for a Championship starved city with a larger-than-life player on it who he clearly admires and adores. Is that a enough pressure for you? He has worked hard in his career to become a very VERY good shooter and a skilled player but he isn't THAT good. He's still a great person for this team.
Let's take a look at some of the other roster spots on this team.
Wally Szczerbiak being paid almost $14 million and contributing very little (it's truly miraculous that he contributed anything at all. Another feather in LeBron's cap that he made Wally useful). Ben Wallace getting paid the most on the team, $14.5 million. When making their plans to build a title contender, do you think Danny Ferry and Co. thought that those two would be integral parts on team? Not in a million years. And, of course, they really weren't that important to this team, but they were in positions where they really should have been. These two people were acquired to: a. balance out the fact that we were dumping a few shit contracts and shit personalities onto teams and b. to leave, or be traded to other teams for talent. These players are not players, they are contracts. Yet, on this team, they were asked to be players. Yes, this 66-win team.
So far I have written about Mo Williams, Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace as big parts to this team, some of them starters (at times). If you lived under a rock this whole season, would you think I am talking about a 66-win Championship contending team? Do I even have to answer that?
Point being, it was a miracle...let me reiterate...AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE that this team won 66 games. And it's not that this team is bad or this organization is bad. It's really not that this team was the best team in the NBA and choked in the playoffs. This, if anything, is a group of great OVER achievers. What's happening is that we are at the beginning of a decade long plan to win multiple titles and we are heartbroken that we didn't win it on year one and a half of the plan.
Say you are an entrepreneur and you set out a 15-year plan and, if all goes well, you'll all be millionaires by the time you're 40. Then, you turn 28 and you realize you've made half a million dollars. Are you depressed about this? Are you asking your girlfriend, "Honey, am I cursed? What did I do wrong??" No. You're saying, "Hey honey, check this out. I might make $8 million bt the time I'm 40!"
All I'm trying to say is that we're on the right track. Sure it will be painful to watch the Magic play the Lakers in the Finals (very painful), but where are we right now? We have a 66-win team on our hands who have at least one useless player coming off the cap (Wally), one very trade able piece in Sasha Pavlovic, a guy with a huge contract who could either retire and give us a free $14.5 million or he could let us trade him for god knows what in this economy. We have an owner willing to spend money and yet we very well could be under the cap this summer. Do you know how many teams were under the cap during this season? That's right, one. One team. We have a coach and a GM who I think we can all agree that we trust, no? And, of course, we have the best player, teammate, person...everything in the league. A player who great players, great winners, want to play with, young and old.
If anything, winning it all this season would have proven that winning it all is easy. Our roster is in transition and we have one great player who is still growing. If a team comprised of LeBron at 75% of his eventual powers and an incomplete roster could win the title, it would honestly be a slap in the face to the competition the NBA provides. When we win it all (and then win it all again, and again, and again...), I want to feel like we've accomplished something. Like I've witnessed a team that has worked its way up, paid its dues, and is finally being rewarded. If winning it all was easy, wouldn't we be embarrassed as Cleveland fans that we haven't done it in so long?
When we finally do it, there will be tears. Tears from LeBron, tears from Delonte, from Mo, from Z...tears from fans. Heck, even Buddies might shed a few.
Just keep your heads up, guys, we'll get there.
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I know this is a late question, but what are your thoughts on Lebron not shaking hands or doing post-game interviews after game 6? Bill Simmons thinks is awesome or something. Kevin Collier thinks its kind of wussy. I think its pretty understandable but probably not the best choice.