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I've been seeing folks bashing Varejao lately. Sure I know it gets hard to continually explain that Varejao is not just a flopper. Frankly, I don't think he's flopped very much at all this year. In previous years he'd fall at the slightest breeze while this year he's just been accentuating contact. Well here are some things that the National Media has said about him lately.

Second team: Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers (+0.19)
Varejao virtually defines the term "nuisance." His flopping gets all the attention, but he has value in a lot of areas -- he's quick enough to defend guards on switches, he can block shots and control the boards, and of course he's constantly hustling.

At 6-11 his length is a factor too, and he's become a good post defender even when he's not taking a dive. And while his plus-minus numbers weren't that great, there's probably a good reason for that -- he was splitting minutes with Ben Wallace and LeBron James, who weren't exactly chopped liver either.

This is about Varejao being 2nd team all defense.

Yeah, I expect other teams to hate him largely because he makes plays for the Cavs and the fact that he's not really an offensive factor (or so they believe) and therefore they really don't get his game (it's ignorance on their part). Personally, I like the guy and the Cavs would be in a world of trouble if he were injured. He and Delonte are 2 of the most important players on this team and yet, they are really just glue and hustle guys with tremendous versatility.

He is those type of players that opposing fan hates but absolutely loved by Cavs fans. (Even though, there were SOME bashing about him recently iirc)

I just like his overall activity on the game. He does the little things that boxscores does not keep count. I dislike Varejao when he plays against us but if he is on my team I would absolutely root for him haha. There is various misconceptions about him but in the end of the day who cares. The Cavs are winning and people's opinions won't matter.

Varejao is one of my favorite players.

Who's bashing Andy?

The thing with the flops is that the refs expect him to do it, so they pay extra attention and he still gets more calls than go against him. I think that's a testament to just how great a defender he is. Every great team has that agitating defender, and Andy does it better than most. Look at what he does to Rasheed--you can practically T him up stripping off his warmups when Varejao is going to guard him. He annoys the crap out of Rashard Lewis too, something Orlando fans rarely acknowledge.

Varejao plays bigger than his stats. He is like the anti-Gooden.

Personally I love his game and hope he is resigned this offseason.

I can understand opposing fans bashing Varejao, but I cannot see Cavs fans doing the same. He never gives less than 100%.

Exile23 wrote:I can understand opposing fans bashing Varejao, but I cannot see Cavs fans doing the same. He never gives less than 100%.

Anderson played GREAT this season and always plays his heart out. He definitely needs to be resigned this off season.

I love Varejao's attitude on the court, I hope he never stop his style of play. Ferry better resign him. GO ANDY!

Unfortunately I can't find the thread but someone that was claiming to be a Cavs fan was saying how Varejao's defense was overrated etc.

TheOUTLAW wrote:Unfortunately I can't find the thread but someone that was claiming to be a Cavs fan was saying how Varejao's defense was overrated etc.

only anti-cavs fan would question Andy defense imho....

TheOUTLAW wrote:Unfortunately I can't find the thread but someone that was claiming to be a Cavs fan was saying how Varejao's defense was overrated etc.

I know what thread that was. It was one I made asking what his value was in Trades and Transactions, and some guy was talking about how bad Andy's defense was. I'll see if I can find it.

edit:http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=896971&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30

Exactly, that was the thread I was looking for. The guy was at least claiming to be a Cavs fan. I'm not sure I've ever seen him post on the Cavs board however.

If anyone's ever sat close to the court and heard how hard he slams into the floor knows the beating Andy takes.
But the big thing is, just think about how raw he was his first year, and how much smoother he is now. Did anyone think he'd have this nice of an offensive game?
Last year I was on the fence about resigning him because he wanted big bucks, but now i think he's definitely a big piece of the puzzle.

The Cavs just wouldn't be the same with out Andy....

cause I think he is over-rated.

My outsiders perspective is that Varejao is sometimes guilty of taking the dumbest shots known to man.

NetsForce wrote:My outsiders perspective is that Varejao is sometimes guilty of taking the dumbest shots known to man.

kind of along the same lines as my thinking...i think he does a lot of great things for us but he also does some very stupid/"wtf were you thinking" type of stuff

I only really remember one bad shot, but man, it was just a stupid shot that it just completely overroad alot of good things he'd done. That being said, he's been great this year.

Come on Gilbert/Ferry, give Andy a $40-$50 million contract for 4 to 5 years...he is worth it...