These Cavs are Deep

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first exhibition game on Tuesday night and no one blinked an eye.  Such are the expectations for the wine and gold this year after last year’s makeover and the acquisition of Mo Williams during the summer.  This year’s edition of the Cavs looks to be contenders for a division title and perhaps even the top seed in the Eastern Conference.  But, one thing that has been overlooked about this basketball team is its depth.  That should enable Mike Brown to play an up-tempo style and put more pressure in his defense.

Most of the depth is in the backcourt and small forward spots.  Even though most of these guys aren’t star players, and they certainly have weaknesses, most of them have shown they can be contributors in the NBA.  I’m talking about Williams, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, Daniel Gibson, Sasha Pavlovic, and Terence Kinsey.  Pavlovic screwed up his entire season by holding out during training camp, but remember he was the starter at shooting guard when the Cavs went to The Finals in 2006-07.

Adding him and Williams to the backcourt that finished last season creates more than ample depth.  Plus, Kinsey comes to the team with some size (6-6) and a solid defensive reputation, which is something the other big guards do not bring to the table.  Williams and West will spend most of their time at the point, which leaves four guys vying for time at the two guard spot.  Gibson’s minutes are pretty much guaranteed because of his past performance, so Szczerbiak, Pavlovic, and Kinsey give Mike Brown a lot of flexibility in his backcourt.

It also helps that Szczerbiak has experience playing at the small forward spot, where LeBron James spends most of his time.  It has been discussed that the Cavaliers may use more of a small lineup this season, using James at the power forward and either Szczerbiak or Pavlovic at the small forward.  With more teams in the NBA going to smaller, quicker lineups, this has to be a plus.  Another advantage is the match up problem James would enjoy against any power forward.  He is simply too quick for any of them, and likely just as strong.

Giving #23 some minutes at the #4 spot also covers the lack of depth at power forward and center.  Currently, the Cavs have Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace, Anderson Varajao, and Lorenzen Wright as experienced big men, but only Z can be regarded as any offensive threat.

That’s why it is important to get first round draft pick, J.J. Hickson ready to play as soon as possible.  I know Hickson will not be ready to play the type of defense Brown demands from all his players, but he needs to get playing time right off the bat.  Give him six minutes in the first half, and 2-4 minutes after halftime, preferably in the third quarter, when the game isn’t on the line.  Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer said Hickson might already be the team’s best low post scorer. 

At this point, it appears the 15-man roster will only have maybe one player that Mike Brown will be hesitant to put into a game.  The 2008-09 edition of the Cavs looks to be not only talented, but deep.  That will give their coach more options as the season goes along.

JK