OT: Cavs/Bulls/Sonics trade

LUKE23 · Post #61 » by **LUKE23** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:04 am

Wallace is essentially done. The only thing that will help in Cleveland over Chicago is playing less minutes, but the guy is an absolute shell of his former self. Cleveland got better in the trade because they got rid of two dumb/underachieving players and brought in two shooters who will see open looks and more character guys. it doesn't put them ahead of Detroit or Boston though.

Until LeBron gets a legit #2 star they won't be a title contender. They won this trade though, although Ben is not the reason, getting two guys who can hit the three (Delonte and Wally) and another spot up shooter (Joe).

L&H_05 · Post #62 » by **L&H_05** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:03 am

I'm not worried about Boston and never was (even before the trade)... Boston is way to thin up front to compete with us if we're healthy..

I am concerned with losing Hughes' defense on Ray Allen though...

But I'm most concerned with losing Hughes' defense on Billups.. Round 2 will be tough, and could ultimately be our undoing... Larry made Chauncey's life hell the last two years in the playoffs.. Replicating that will have to be done in a different way and might not be doable..

But now that LBJ has more shooters and rebounders, I'm interested in seeing how the offense evolves.. The spacing and lanes for LBJ should be open a bit more..

LUKE23 · Post #63 » by **LUKE23** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:22 am

Boston is statistically the best defensive team in the NBA, and they showed it tonight against Phoenix (although Boston's offense was horrendous). Perkins is an underrated defender and huge guy, Davis can also guard post players and has a lot of size, along with of course one of the best frontcourt defenders in the game in KG. Rondo is also a great defender in the backcourt and Pierce is no slouch on D. Defense is not Boston's problem at all.

Boston's one weak spot is veteran play at the PG position, but Rondo can at least defend the position. I thought they would make a deadline move there but they did not.

I'd still rank Detroit ahead of Boston because of chemistry and depth and Billups, but Boston has star power with playoff experience (all three have been to conference finals) and they play great team D. Both are better than Cleveland, with or without the Chicago trade.

Post #64 » by **Tommy Udo 6** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:50 am

L&H_05 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

But you're looking at Ben in the Bulls situation... I guarantee he's a better player for the Cavs than the Bulls... Just from the standpoint that he'll be able to play exactly the same style here, and will be asked to do the exact same things here that he was doing in Detroit...

Playing next to Z should really free Ben up to defend, board and start the break... Set screens for LBJ and if he's free, LBJ will hit him with a pass, otherwise just hit the offensive glass...

Being apart of a strong and deep frontline should also limit Ben's minutes to keep him fresh...

And I agree about Joe, he should be the most consistent player out of the bunch...

I agree with this. Ben was a bad fit for Bulls - but in Cleveland he'll do much better.

Dont forget - Ben led Bulls in steals last season. With a guy like Z next to him, he will be able to roam more & be a nuissance to other teams defensively.

mg · Post #65 » by mg » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:08 pm

Even if Ben has lost some athleticism he'll still be an improvement over Gooden defensively. Drew is so dumb he could never understand basic defensive principles. Wallace could just go stand in the right spot on defense and it would still be an improvement. Apparently the entire Cavs organization all the way down to Coach Brown was giddy knowing that dumb Gooden was finally gone. Drew can provide bulk rebounding and scoring numbers but when it comes to team defensive concepts...fuggetaboutit.

L&H_05 · Post #66 » by **L&H_05** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:19 pm

LUKE23 wrote:Boston is statistically the best defensive team in the NBA, and they showed it tonight against Phoenix (although Boston's offense was horrendous). Perkins is an underrated defender and huge guy, Davis can also guard post players and has a lot of size, along with of course one of the best frontcourt defenders in the game in KG. Rondo is also a great defender in the backcourt and Pierce is no slouch on D. Defense is not Boston's problem at all.

Boston's one weak spot is veteran play at the PG position, but Rondo can at least defend the position. I thought they would make a deadline move there but they did not.

I'd still rank Detroit ahead of Boston because of chemistry and depth and Billups, but Boston has star power with playoff experience (all three have been to conference finals) and they play great team D. Both are better than Cleveland, with or without the Chicago trade.

Detroit is ahead of Boston IMO.. And both teams are better than the Cavs.. Hell, Detroit was better than the Cavs last year.. Simple formula for our success.. Defense + Rebounding + LeBron.. Everything is predicated on health right now.. If healthy, I'm willing to take my chances..

bulls6 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I agree with this. Ben was a bad fit for Bulls - but in Cleveland he'll do much better.

Dont forget - Ben led Bulls in steals last season. With a guy like Z next to him, he will be able to roam more & be a nuissance to other teams defensively.

Absolutely.. Ben mentioned it yesterday in his interview as well..Said people see the hair and the strength and they automatically pin him as a center..But in Detroit played the PF's on defense, where as Sheed was the guy defending the post in most scenarios outside of Shaq..He's looking forward to having the opportunity to playing the PF here..