Re-visiting the issue of the weakness of our front-line, especially when matched-up against the Cavs, this article give some insights into the Cavs moves this summer.
The team also saw big men such as Pau Gasol, Yao Ming and Dwight Howard get easy position near the rim because Zydrunas Ilgauskas was not strong enough to hold them off. That led to the O'Neal deal. Brown knows that O'Neal and Ilgauskas both have trouble defending the high pick-and-roll near the top of the key, but believes the Cavs can deal with it thanks to their team defense. He's glad to have the massive O'Neal under the basket.
The Cavs are also looking to add another big even-though they have JJ Hickson & Darnell Jackson.
The Cavs are looking for a fourth big man to fill out the rotation. Brown has O'Neal and Ilgauskas at center. Anderson Varejao also can play in the pivot against some teams. But he is the only power forward in the rotation. Forget any rumblings about Ilgauskas and O'Neal playing together for any serious length of time. They are too big, too slow. That is why the Cavs are looking to Jackson or Hickson to improve and grab some minutes.
Good news on J.J. Hick son. The power forward is playing five-on-five, full-court scrimmages with friends at North Carolina State, his alma mater. So far, no problems with the back injuries that kept him out of action after the middle of March. Hickson had a bruised spine, then developed back spasms. He won't turn 21 until Friday. Hickson played only one year at N.C. State, so the gifted 6-9, 242-pound power forward has plenty of time to improve. He played only 705 minutes in 62 games last season, but shot 51 percent from the field. He can jump and block shots. His only semi-regular duty was in 14 January games, when he averaged 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19 minutes, shooting 55 percent.
Brown also said Darnell Jackson has had a productive summer and he expects the Kansas product to compete for a regular spot in the rotation. Brown likes how Jackson understands defensive concepts, sets picks and can make a medium-range jumper. In the summer league, the Cavs played the 6-9, 253-pounder in the low post, almost like a center. But Jackson struggled at times playing near the rim with his back to the basket.