In watching the '13-'14 version of the Cleveland Cavaliers I want to say that I've never been as frustrated in any one season in all my years of watching professional sports. I predicted 53 wins for this team and they will come nowhere near that. A whole list of issues have plagued this team. I think the hole as the #3 position was a bigger issue that I wanted to acknowledge, not being able to play with the malcontent Andrew Bynum, forgettable parts like Gee, Jack and Clark, chemistry and flat out bad coaching. It all came to a head with the firing of Chris Grant and for all he did well, it was indeed the right thing to do going forward after it was found out about some of the things he wanted to do with the team.
With all these issues and disappointment it's apparent that the Cavs need another offseason in which to get to where they want to go and I have some ideas on how to get there. I will preface by saying this: My plan doesn't include getting any superstars. I don't include surperstars in this offseason because 1) not often are they available 2) difficult to satisfy them or the team in compensation without hurting the rest of your team 3) those players might not be the right fit or might want to go to a team on the brink. You have those who feel that in order to win a title you have to have a star studded team. Don't get me wrong it would help but depending on the makeup and composition of the team you can beat those teams with good to very good players and this plan will come up with that, IMO.
Taking Care of your Own House:
Kyrie Irving: First thing to do is to sign Kyrie Irving to a long term deal. We all know the issues with the team and Kyrie was cupable in those problems as well. He needs to take some responsibility for his part, come up with a reasonable plan or set of expectations for him and the team to move forward. Show him the plan on how the Cavs are going to move forward in building the team around him and have that to culminate to a long term commitment.
Spencer Hawes: I would definitely make it a priority to resign Spencer Hawes. He has made a noticeable impact on this team by opening down low Tristan to operate, great passing and decent rebounder.
Alonzo Gee: I realize that Gee brings some hustle and defense to the team but I would look to move in a different direction with a high upside development player.
Other Decisions:
Anderson Veragao: Andy has meant so much to this team with the hustle plays, rebounding but it's time to move in another direction. The injuries appear to have caught up to him along with playing too many minutes. Two things here. Andy should've never been a starter. His hustle is best utilized as energy guy off the bench. Also, Cavs should've been traded years ago when LeBron left. Reportedly, Grant lamented on not trading him back then. What the Cavs front office was thinking when they didn't trade him, IDK but it was clearly a mistake. This is what happens when you listen to a fan base who refuses to change with the times and want to identify with the 20th century old ways of doing things. I would advocate trading him for as much as possible but realize that you won't get half of his value.
Luol Deng: I like Deng and wish he would stay. I would offer him a fair and reasonable deal but nothing to what he reportedly wants which is 10 M/yr. Deng offers value to this team but it also appears that he is losing some athletic ability, not a great shooter(good enough though) and seems as though they years of a ton of minutes are catching up to him. Offer him a reasonable deal and if he moves on then so be it. One last thing on Deng. I think the system he had in Chicago took much more advantage of his skillset than the one with the Cavs.
Mike Brown: I advocated getting Mike Brown back and after ten games regretted everything I said. I think Brown has been too stubborn, too unwilling to try different thing and did some of the same things he did when he was first here. I wouldn't shed one tear if they decided to fire him after the season. I can go on and on on his failures and unwillingness to learn from previous mistakes. As we speak I would lean toward keeping unless I can get the HC that I want, who I know will come in and make a significant impact on this team. I do believe the team is buying into his defensive mindset and that is big plus for him and I wouldn't want to make a change for the sake of making a change.
The Issues:
Looking at the Cavs in no particular order the issues are the coaching(system in best utilizing the players on offense), shot blocker, reliable #3 who can play both on offense and defense and scoring off the bench if you intend to use Dion in the starting lineup. For the sake of this blog we will suggest that the Cavs will use Dion in the starting lineup.
Ideas on tackling the Issues:
I think the Cavs have all the makings of a team that if coached right, with proper offseason moves can be that special team that we thought we were going to see and here's my plan moving forward.
I realize that Dion and Kyrie are going to be my starting backcourt, I let Deng walk, I resign Hawes. This leaves me with a huge hole at the #3.
Options to feel these holes. Trevor Ariza via free agency, Trading Andy for Jeff Green or finding a way to get Wilson Chandler. I came up with these guys because I know that these guys can shoot and can play solid defense when needed. Ariza is the best defender of the three but of the three the worst on offense . For the sake of the blog I would make the trade for Jeff Green using Andy or a 3rd team . This would give the Cavs that consistent 15ppg guys who they can rely on.
After this move my starting five would be: Hawes, Tristan, Green, Dion and Kyrie. I think with Kyrie, Dion and Green you have Kyrie who will consistently give you 20-25 a night and with Green and Dion you will get 15-17 ppg. Keep in mind this isn't the superstar team that others try to emulate from the Heat.
Since we have moved Dion to the starting lineup this will leave a giagantic hole on the bench in terms of scoring. Keep in mind that on the bench I will have returning Zeller, Bennett, Karasev and Jarrett Jack(only because I don't think they can trade him) for sure. I for one expect Bennett to come in and be a force off the bench next year. He appears to be someone with immense offensively talent and a better rebounder than one might think but like so many young players it will take time for him to come around on defense on a consistent basis.
Moving on to completing the bench. I need to fill the hole left by Dion going to the starting role so I have three names that come to mind. Not in any particular order Jaryd Bayless, Nate Robinson and Jordan Crawford. I would be fine with either one of these three players to fill the Dion role off the bench. For the sake of the blog we will with Jaryd Bayless to fill the Dion role. Bayless is a combo guard that can shoot from long distance and appears to be a decent defender. I think we could get 10-12ppg from him on a consistent basis.
The Cavs will have the ability to get a really nice player in the
lottery as well this year. Of course this selection will depend on how
high the Cavs pick and currently they have the #8 pick and that being
the case I would select Rod Hood from Duke. Who is a smooth player who
can shoot the lights out. Not going to ask him to come in and start or
play a bunch of minutes but would ask him to come in and make a
contribution off the bench when called upon. Yes, I'm aware of those
who will call him a bust because he's not starting, but that won't be the case.
One last move needs to be made and that is of a shot blocker/rebounder. I've always loved Ekpe Udoh since he was at Baylor. I think he would give us the big rim protector and rebounder so desperately needed with this team. Keep in mind that he won't be asked to come in and play a bunch of minutes but would serve a purpose to give minutes in using all three Centers.
So in putting together my '14-'15 Cavaliers the starting lineup will be
Hawes
Thompson
Green
Waiters
Irving
Bench consists of:
Zeller
Udoh
Bennett
Hood
Karasev
Bayless
Jack
Felix
2nd rounder
I think with good coaching this team would be a force provided that some of the players like Waiters, Bennett, Thompson and Karasev continue to improve. I am aware of those who will dismiss this team because it doesn't have the star power but we can go thru the finals of the NBA and see champions and runners up who didn't have star power but were good at what they do, deep and had good chemistry
