Emotion Aside, Here's a Cavs Recap

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished their season a little over a week ago, and now we can analyze their season with a more objectivity.  The disappointment has subsided slightly, so it’s time to look at what GM Danny Ferry needs to do going into the 2009-10 season, a campaign that has the potential to be LeBron James last in the wine and gold.

First, let’s get rid of the doom and gloom concerning this team.  Had Boston defeated Orlando in the deciding game of the conference semi-finals, the Cavaliers would be playing in The Finals.  The Magic was the worst matchup of any team in the playoffs for the Cavs, and they lost.  Therefore, they need to make improvements to the squad so they cannot only defend the Celtics or any other traditional NBA team, but they need to guard a hybrid team like Orlando.

The more I think about the series, I really think the long layoff after the sweep of the Hawks really hurt the Cavs, and that may have been the biggest factor for the defeat.  Cleveland didn’t play well defensively in the conference finals, but they played similar teams throughout the year, and beat them by outscoring them.  The days off affected the shooting eye of all players wearing the wine and gold not named LeBron James.

The Cavs may have been able to outscore the Magic had they been shooting well from outside.  The layoff also had something to do with the stamina of some players.  They lost their wind during the break.  You cannot simulate NBA games on the practice courts. 

Anyway, Orlando showed that the Cavaliers need to improve in the off-season.  However, the entire roster doesn’t have to be overhauled like some radio talk show hosts have suggested.  There is some dead weight that needs to be trimmed from the team.

First, Wally Szczerbiak is a free agent and will not be back.  He picked a very bad time to age, which it appeared he did between the Atlanta and Orlando series.  Joe Smith would like to come back, and the Cavs may have him stick around depending on what happens with the rest of the frontcourt.

Anderson Varajao is a free agent, and I suppose I would like him back, but I would have to look at the other options out there.  Varajao is a plus defender, and works well with #23 to get good looks inside, but he is a limited offensive player.  If you could get a power forward who can score, defend, and rebound, you might take a pass on the bushy haired Brazilian.

Sasha Pavlovic and his wildly inconsistent game should be moved if it all possible.  Pavlovic isn’t fast, but he is a pretty good athlete.  He just isn’t a very good basketball player.  Daniel Gibson had a disappointing season shooting the ball, but he has to handle the rock better if he is going to get regular minutes.  At 6’2” (or less), he has to be able to run the offense without having the ball taken away.

Mike Brown likes big guards, but he was smart enough to know his best backcourt players this year were Mo Williams and Delonte West.  Still, I’m sure Brown would like Ferry to get a guard who has some size, thus moving West to a sixth man role, where he can play a lot of minutes at both the point and the #2 guard spots.  The coach likes these guys because they make it tougher defensively for the opposition.  That is exactly what they need to battle a team like Orlando.

Ferry also has to address the age on the front line.  Ben Wallace, despite what he said after the game, is not going to retire, but his expiring contract is a large trade chip.  Zydrunas Ilgauskas would probably be best used as 15-20 minutes per night player, to lessen the wear and tear on his body in what will likely be his last season. 

That means the Cavs will be in the market for another big man.  It would not be surprising if Darnell Jackson or J.J. Hickson earned a spot in the frontcourt rotation, but I think the team would like a low post offensive threat as a starting power forward. 

The perfect guy would be Carlos Boozer, who is a good defender and rebounder, and can score enough near the hoop to occasionally command a double team.

The best news is that the Cavaliers, from owner Dan Gilbert to James understand they need to get better.  There will be no complacency in the front office.  A club record 66 wins was nice, but until they have a parade down Euclid Avenue, no one at The “Q” will be satisfied.

It seems like a lot is needed, but really a big guard and a physical big man will do the trick for the 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers.

JK