RealGM

When I look at the roster of the Cavs, they have Tristan Thompson, Bennett, Bynum, Varejao and Zeller.
All of these guys deserve playing time. Let's say Bennett get 24 mpg, Varejao 24, Bynum 26, Thompson 22. Even if I gave everyone 5-8 minutes less than their optimal Zeller can not leave the bench.
What's the situation here? I guess Cavs management went for too much depth.

Having too much depth is a good problem to have imo, considering we've had the opposite the past 3 years. The best players and those most deserving of the time will play, the others will not.

Tristan Thompson - PF/C
Bennett - PF (long-term, some SF)
Bynum - C/Injured
Varejao - C/Injured
Zeller - C


There's a lot of safety nets for guys to get minutes. Bynum may not be healthy at the start of the year, which would open up minutes for Zeller and Tristan at Center. Tristan at center for some minutes gives those PF minutes to Bennett. Then, Earl Clark is playing primarily SF this year, but if health hits the fan, he can step up to PF for stretches, too.

Ultimately, the Cavs are really well insured for a possible/eventual health issue to Varejao and/or Bynum.

^

Great post.

Roger Murdock wrote:^

Great post.

Gracias. Granted, Zeller could get buried if both Bynum and Andy are healthy for all, or most of the year, but that would have to be a good issue for Cleveland to have. If that's the case, I would imagine that you'd see Andy play some PF, and Bennett play some SF to get some more minutes, and to get Zeller some.

Ultimately, guys will separate themselves, positively or negatively to earn or lose minutes this year. It'll work it's way out. If everybody is healthy AND playing well, but just not enough minutes to go around, you'll see a trade where Cleveland can capitalize by netting another pick, or by possibly upgrading one of the spots, probably SF.

If Mike Brown was smart and all the bigs stay healthy, he should sit Bynum one game and Andy the other when the Cavs play back to backs. Or even if they are not back to back but if they have 4 games in an 8 day stretch. Reducing the number of games played for each and giving them rests throughout the season. Increasing the chance that they make it through to the playoffs.

I would make Zeller the 4th big about 60 times throughout the season. Giving Bynum and Andy 30 games off each throughout the season. Utilizing the depth and increasing playoff chances (if we get there) at the same time. With that though you are conceding playoff seed, but in our position I don't see us fighting for home court advantage anyway.

Too many good players is not a problem that's a problem.

Of course, your guys need to prove themselves in the NBA in terms of experience to productivity (Bennett, Zeller), or injuries (Varejao), or super-injuries (Bynum). Also, even if your guys all work out well, you've set yourself up great for some mid-season trades (with your draft picks), or post-season trades for some big star.

Your problem isn't talented bodies - assuming Bennett really can play, which I think he can, but I'm not 100% sure yet, since he's a rookie and you never know. Like the Pistons, it's how the talent fits and works together.

Righ? In Canada we spell it Rye.

Can't believe you would bump up a 2 week old topic just because of a very minor spelling error..

Sorry, I didn't realize it was a 2 week old thread until you mentioned it just now. I'm usually on the Raptors board where if a thread is on the first page it was updated less than an hour ago.

I would expect alot of Canadians will be checking your board due to Clevelands Canadian content. Hope you guys break out big time this year.

Rise Against wrote:Can't believe you would bump up a 2 week old topic just because of a very minor spelling error..

It was even worse than that actually. It was from over a month and a half ago.