Review the current squad.

Post #1 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Sat Mar 1, 2014 6:23 pm

The Cavs have been a curious team this season since I think most would argue that they have been playing below their talent level. Fact is, for several seasons the team has just not had enough firepower to hang with most teams but beyond that they have lacked in defensive effort as well. It seems that we all knew that a frontcourt of 2 bigs who were offensively challenged and a small forward who was a defensive specialist was possibly the worst combination. With the addition of Deng and Hawes the Cavs went from being poorly constructed to a fairly balanced team. Had this group been together all along we likely wouldn't have had the amount of lockerroom discord and losing streaks that went hand in hand.

How would we have done had this team been together all season?

What/who would you want to carry over for next year?

tidho · Post #2 » by **tidho** » Sat Mar 1, 2014 7:46 pm

I think we'd be comfortably in the playoffs with the squad we have now. We were able to add two legitimate starting calibur NBA players at very little cost.

Deng is a two way player, in short supply on this team, and Hawes seems to be a great fit with our guards. The latter is putting is some serious contract year effort right now too.

I've mentioned it a few times if we can get healthy, and choose to play team basketball, we're going to be a load for anyone in the playoffs.

Post #3 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Sat Mar 1, 2014 8:27 pm

That is what I was thinking. Health effects all teams, but with Miles, Varejao and Waiters on the bench one could argue that our bench has been severely weakened as has our shooting. Weu might actually be pretty decent.

gflem · Post #4 » by **gflem** » Sat Mar 1, 2014 11:15 pm

This team looked better last season after picking up Ellington and Speights. Along with Livingston the team had a bench. I would much rather have Ellington than Jack (and I liked the pickup of Jack at the time), and Livingston could play 3 positions giving Byron some flexibility last season.
With Hawes instead of Speights, Deng, Ellington and Livingston instead of Jack, the balance and flexibility of the roster would be even better. But to answer the question, they seriously underperformed before the deals this season, and if the roster was the same to start the season I think we would be solidly in the playoffs now.

Niko23 · Post #5 » by **Niko23** » Sun Mar 2, 2014 2:38 pm

Biggest question will be how much will Hawes want?

SmoothKobra · Post #6 » by **SmoothKobra** » Sun Mar 2, 2014 9:39 pm

gflem wrote:This team looked better last season after picking up Ellington and Speights. Along with Livingston the team had a bench. I would much rather have Ellington than Jack (and I liked the pickup of Jack at the time), and Livingston could play 3 positions giving Byron some flexibility last season.
With Hawes instead of Speights, Deng, Ellington and Livingston instead of Jack, the balance and flexibility of the roster would be even better. But to answer the question, they seriously underperformed before the deals this season, and if the roster was the same to start the season I think we would be solidly in the playoffs now.

This. Instead of signing Clark, Jack, and Bynum, we should have simply resigned Ellington, Livingston, and Speights. We probably could have resigned them all to 1-2 yr deals for less than it took for Jack--4 yrs 24 M. Without Bynum, we don't get Deng, but I still think we'd be better off. If we still get Hawes, I think that team is definitely in the playoffs. We have really missed bench production this year.

kiwibrindle · Post #7 » by **kiwibrindle** » Mon Mar 3, 2014 12:21 pm

Still need more outside shooting throughthe draft or FAs. Really don't see Deng resigning. Hawes is slow but is a keeper at the right price. Really thing the Zebo dismantling of TT was telling a few nights ago. Overall we are at best a .500 team. Get ready for a lot of this over the next several years.

Niko23 · Post #8 » by **Niko23** » Mon Mar 3, 2014 9:17 pm

You guys make good points about Ellington and Livingston. Those guys were solid for us last year.

willywazza · Post #9 » by **willywazza** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:10 pm

Jack has been such a disappointment.

Post #10 » by **jbk1234** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:30 am

TheOUTLAW wrote:The Cavs have been a curious team this season since I think most would argue that they have been playing below their talent level. Fact is, for several seasons the team has just not had enough firepower to hang with most teams but beyond that they have lacked in defensive effort as well. It seems that we all knew that a frontcourt of 2 bigs who were offensively challenged and a small forward who was a defensive specialist was possibly the worst combination. With the addition of Deng and Hawes the Cavs went from being poorly constructed to a fairly balanced team. Had this group been together all along we likely wouldn't have had the amount of lockerroom discord and losing streaks that went hand in hand.

How would we have done had this team been together all season?

What/who would you want to carry over for next year?

Jack and TT don't start for most teams in the league.

Post #11 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:37 am

I'm not sure that is true about Tristan but Jack wouldn't even start for us if Miles was playing.

kiwibrindle · Post #12 » by **kiwibrindle** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:56 pm

Forget he squad for a second. Brown has to go as the coach. I see no value offensively or defensively in his schemes.

Post #13 » by **jbk1234** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:30 pm

TheOUTLAW wrote:I'm not sure that is true about Tristan but Jack wouldn't even start for us if Miles was playing.

I didn't say all teams, I said most teams. If you gave all 30 teams the choice between their starting PF and Triston, at least 16 teams would take their starting PF.