Don't have to be that upset yet

Hydroponic3385 · Post #1 » by **Hydroponic3385** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:22 pm

Here's ESPN's grade of the Cavs for the 2008 draft:

Round 1: J.J. Hickson (#19)

Round 2: None

Grade: A-

Analysis: Hickson has been one of my sleepers in the draft. He has an NBA body and great athleticism, and he can play inside and out. His game needs to develop, but the raw tools are impressive. He could be a nice long-term replacement for Joe Smith. At No. 19, he was one of the few players left on the board with a chance of being a great player.

This grade doesn't take into account the 2nd round picks we later traded for (Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun). Even though these 2 don't mean much, at least Jackson has a chance to be a bench big in the future (perhaps a 5th big this year?), and if Kaun comes back from overseas in 2 years we'll see if he's any good. And as far as Hickson goes...it's not like Koufos was NBA ready either, and Arthur is so skinny. I definitely DO wish we could've bought a pick to land a CDR, Chalmers, or Walker in the 2nd round, but that's really the only thing I'm legitimately upset about with this draft.

Hydroponic3385 · Post #2 » by **Hydroponic3385** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:49 pm

Also, Hollinger ranked Darnell Jackson as #39 in the draft. That's pretty surprising.

And does anyone wonder if we'll invite Jamont Gordon to our summer league? He worked out multiple times for the Cavs, and he went undrafted (he was the top prospect left towards the end of the 2nd round).

Benedict_Boozer · Post #3 » by **Benedict_Boozer** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:14 pm

Upon further review the pick is OK. Maybe Ferry saw something in the workout, who knows at 19 it's a crapshoot. It's risky considering some of the talent that was still on board at 19.

The major problem I have is that the trades that were done on draft day killed our offseason targets in some respects. Guys on the block like Jefferson and Mike Miller were dealt, JO has been dealt, Redd is not as likely to be traded anymore now that it's obvious Milwaukee is trying to win now, etc.

It was like everyone in the East was making moves to get better except us. It's a long offseason but alot of the targets we were looking at are off the table now..

Hydroponic3385 · Post #4 » by **Hydroponic3385** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:25 pm

Maybe Gilbert is willing to break the bank and sign a Jamison type guy. A guy that everyone figures the Cavs could never afford cuz of the luxury tax, but at this point in time it's not like Gilbert should give a **** about paying more luxury tax. Would he rather lose hundreds of millions more if Lebron leaves?

And we can definitely get a very good player for a combo of Wally, Andy, (perhaps more expirings, or a Sasha type player), and perhaps a future 1st or 2nd during the regular season. Because I'm greedy and want to see the Cavs improve ASAP, I want to see us use whatever assets we have over the summer. But a trade of say Wally, Andy, Damon/Snow, and then either like Sasha or a future pick could net us a lot more in the middle of the season than over the summer.

Sign West, Gibson, and Hickson. Maybe Jackson or Wayne Simien can make the roster. Sign one other guy (Jamison, Posey, someone - Gilbert HAS to be willing to pay whatever it takes for at least one guy). And we'll definitely be doing a trade or two, but the "big one" may very well not come until much closer to the deadline. So let our team gel for a while, if we're healthy I don't think we'll be too bad. And then hopefully we get a big name player later on in the season.

scumbag86 · Post #5 » by **scumbag86** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:14 pm

Cavs fans need to settle down. Everything is going to be fine. We are going to have a full offseason to work with the same group of guys unlike last season. We were mismatching starting line ups every other game. We still have Lebron James and that guy is pretty damn good and he makes everyone so much better. You give him a chance to gel with a fully healthy team and I think it will make a huge difference. We are going to resign West and Gibson no doubt about it. Sure the team we have is not that good but we can't panic and make another trade. We have a lot of expirings to work with. Wait until at least the trade deadline to see what a fully healthy team can do. If the team does not show improvement then we can make a change. You got to see what they can do with a full offseason though first.

GOOOOO TRIBE · Post #6 » by **GOOOOO TRIBE** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:04 pm

we also need to worry about us doing nothin which in turns pisses the king of and we lose him and become a lottery team year after year

the edge · Post #7 » by **the edge** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:42 pm

GLOOOOOOM, DOOOOOOOOM, GLOOOOOOOM, people crack me up. To many people drinking the NY, NJ is the center of the universe kool aid. Lets get this straight, Lebron is from Akron Ohio, his tatoo reads 330,(his area code), not I Love NY or even Jersey. His licsense plate reads king of akron!?!
Bottom line is this; if the Cavaliers do everything in their power to keep this team a championship contender, he will stay in Cleveland. Could you imagine if he said he wanted to go to NY, NJ or some other place even when the team is competing for a championship? That would go against everything he has ever said?
Last time I checked, Lebron seems to understand he has a rep. to maintain unlike some younger atheletes these days. And I also would imagine he would like to be able to visit his home town every now and then if he did leave town. Unlike Art Modell who could never come back to town once he screwed the city over. Lebron James is the Cavaliers, the owner is willing to pay the luxuary tax and do what it takes to make this team a champion. This team that everyone would think sucks, was about 3 missed shots from taking out the Celtics, and would have smoked the soft Lakers.
Please don't come in here and say this team can't compete.
I get the feeling that the people that preach the gloom and doom in here are 1 of 2 types. Other teams fans who want the King, and Cleveland fans who are just used to comming up short. Times are a changing, get on board or take off, ehh.

Post #8 » by **B Mac** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:14 pm

Anyone who expected us to make any big trades this summer only set themselves up for dissapointment. While our expirings are valuable, they become MUCH MUCH more valuable the longer the season progresses. While it may appear all of our targets have been traded for the time being, you never know who may become available in just a few short months. Who would have thought last year at this time that someone like Melo would be being shopped? All it takes is one incident or one losing season and guys you never imagined could be options, suddenly become available. Lets just wait this one out and realize even without any trades we are still one of the best teams in the East.

CzBoobie · Post #9 » by **CzBoobie** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:09 am

Hydroponic3385 wrote:Maybe Gilbert is willing to break the bank and sign a Jamison type guy. A guy that everyone figures the Cavs could never afford cuz of the luxury tax, but at this point in time it's not like Gilbert should give a **** about paying more luxury tax. Would he rather lose hundreds of millions more if Lebron leaves?

You think Jamison is MLE type of player? Cause all we can offer is MLE, it's nothing about luxury tax, it's about leagues' rules.

mg · Post #10 » by mg » Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:03 am

B Mac wrote:Anyone who expected us to make any big trades this summer only set themselves up for dissapointment. While our expirings are valuable, they become MUCH MUCH more valuable the longer the season progresses. While it may appear all of our targets have been traded for the time being, you never know who may become available in just a few short months. Who would have thought last year at this time that someone like Melo would be being shopped? All it takes is one incident or one losing season and guys you never imagined could be options, suddenly become available. Lets just wait this one out and realize even without any trades we are still one of the best teams in the East.

Exactly...if Golden State has a lousy season you can bet they will be looking to unload Baron before the deadline. Larry Brown in Charlotte could be another one looking to trade assets once he sees his team on the floor. Right now players are being traded for other players and picks. Teams have to sell tickets. By the deadline teams will be looking forward to next year and our expiring deals and future picks will look much more valuable. Every season an Iverson or Gasol seems to unexpectedly come available..this season the Cavs will be in a position to make a deal. Right now teams are paying a premium price for a broken down Jermaine O'Neal. The Cavs could get a much better deal if they are patient.