Losing Delonte is a Back-breaker

[zol2332]

The guy is arguably our second best player. He is certainly our second best all-around player. He plays great defense, and creates his own shot and shots for others. This injury by far is our most testing all year. We'll see how long he'll be out, but a a non-displaced wrist fracture is usually 2-4 weeks. If we're talking the max of 4, then, I expect us to make a trade.

[TheOUTLAW]

No he isn't, but he's a huge glue guy

I really hope that we don't overreact and make a terrible trade like the ones I see around here so often.

[Mr2400]

i think this will force the cavaliers hand. Z being out for a while you can live with. But then you have ben missing a few games, and now delonte out for a couple weeks. If i was the GM, i'd make a deal to prevent the cavaliers from losing games and giving ground to boston/orlando.

[dingclancy]

^^^ It is what it is. I think there is no need for drastic measures. But boy suddenly the Cavs look thin.

[TheOUTLAW]

The Cavs really don't have depth at the 2, so losing the guy that plays that position hurts an awful lot.

But then, I can't think of a team that wouldn't look thin if they weren't down 3 starters.

[prekazi]

Just hope Delonte takes his time. We don't need homecourt advantage, I don't care about reg. season. Just be ready for the playoffs.

[PleezeBelieve]

lol didn't know these team forums existed. Funny.

Anyway, this Delonte loss is definitely a back-breaker. Its are lowest depth position plus Delonte was doing exactly what we needed from him. Dude turned over so many possessions defensively AND covertly was an offensive initiator that went over alot of people's head.

And that's not even including his elite 3-point shooting into the equation.

Worse loss they can have, other than losing LeBron. Even Mo wouldn't be as bad cause Delonte could swing over and play the point and Boobie would back him up. Just devastating.

[Rise Against]

What a wrong time to get injured.. Damn it.

[B Mac]

At least its still January.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Just hope Delonte takes his time. We don't need homecourt advantage, I don't care about reg. season. Just be ready for the playoffs.

I have to disagree. Mostly because I thought the same last year but it's awfully tough to win a 7 game series against a team like Boston without homecourt, and you can say the same for LA or ORL.

Then you think how dominant we are at home...dropping in the standings is going to really hurt our chances IMO. Doesn't mean it's impossible, but it will hurt.

Delonte was one of the few guys we can't afford to lose. He was huge for us this year, much more important than his #'s indicated. Just like how big he was in the 1st qtr of the CHI game alone..and how we imploded once he went down.

Gonna be rough....real rough the next couple weeks

[prekazi]

Did you read Delonte's comments about his injury. Man he's a warrior! He wants to come back right away.

I can't hide it anymore: I AM GAY FOR DELONTE WEST.

[Rise Against]

I love Delonte West... With all my heart.

A special world for you and me
A special bond one cannot see
It wraps us up in its cocoon
And holds us fiercely in its womb.

Its fingers spread like fine spun gold
Gently nestling us to the fold
Like silken thread it holds us fast
Bonds like this are meant to last.

And though at times a thread may break
A new one forms in its wake
To bind us closer and keep us strong
In a special world, where we belong.

I love the way you look at me,
Your eyes so bright and blue.
I love the way you kiss me,
Your lips so soft and smooth.

I love the way you make me so happy,
And the ways you show you care.
I love the way you say, "I Love You,"
And the way you're always there.

I love the way you touch me,
Always sending chills down my spine.
I love that you are with me,
And glad that you are mine.

[Gordon Bombay]

i think we're all in agreement that we love delonte...get that wrist better and continue to dominate the league when you come back

[Canomad]

we have to play the hornets and lakers through all of this to its gonna be tough.

[SportsInfoBar]

I think Delonte IS our 2nd best ALL-around player. He is a great defender, hits the boards for a small guy, knocks down shots, runs the point if needed and distributes the ball. He does a lot of the little things, the hustle plays.

[rjgraca]

Almost every team goes through a stretch of tough injuries each season which is why I never get caught
up in those 70 win season threads since that would mean that your team had almost perfect health too.

CAVs will still be on target for the best regular season in their history...IMO.

The CAVs just need to get Ben Wallace back from the flu and Lebron to get over his bad cold to make some adjustments to a grinding it out defensive struggle with opposing teams until 'Z' and Delonte get back.

[drsd]

Magic fan here:

What will the PG and SG rotation be without West?

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Pavlovic will replace Delonte. Everything else will stay mostly the same. Kinsey might get some minutes.

[mg]

Yep, I'm guessing Pavlovic will start in the backcourt with Mo. Gibson will be the backup PG and SG. LeBron and Wally can also play some SG.

I think Delonte's injury hurts the 2nd team more than the starting lineup. It was nice having West as another ballhandler out there with Boobie, Andy and LeBron when Mo went to the bench.

Even if Delonte is out until after the All-Star game he'll 'only ' miss 14 games. Hopefully the Cavs can get through this tough stretch of games at least .500 until they get healthy. No need to push any panic buttons. IF Wally gets traded Ferry needs to keep to his gameplan and bring in pieces that can help this year and into the future. No stupid bandaid trades please.

[B Mac]

It truly sucks that he's out for this part of our schedule with "big games" against NO, LA, and Orlando and Z also being out, but in the long run, it could always be worse.

Time for some of our other guys to seriously step up.