Cavaliers Pre-Draft Summit

[APerna]

It's time for the annual Pre-Draft Summit, led by myself (Andrew Perna). The pieces will be turned into articles, and will be part of a three-pronged attack of draft coverage on RealGM.

Thanks in advance for the answers, and please remember to try keeping the answers as tight and concise as possible.


1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 30th pick?


Thanks for taking the time, and contributing answers. We appreciate that you all help make RealGM what it is today!

[TheOUTLAW]

The Cavs could have addressed the front line issues that all Cavs fans knew we had. Trading Wally at the deadline was the big mistake eventhough the Cavs were playing lights out at that time.

LeBron's versatility was it's strength as well as the teams 3 pt shooting

The easiest person to overlook on the Cavs is LeBron. He was an absolute beast all season. If he wasn't the biggest surprise it likely was Mo, who I actually questioned as far as his ability to play well with this team (his pitiful play against Orlando notwithstanding)

Ineffective? Yeah, that'd have to be Ben Wallace.

The front office has done a decent job of getting people in without making extremely risky deals

The Cavs need youth and size on the front line

A center or a power forward

[Rise Against]

I'll keep it short and simple.

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?
Should have traded Wally at the deadline.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
LeBron James. Offensive rebounding. 3 point shooting. LeBron James.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Mo Williams. Anderson Varejao.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Ben Wallace.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Pretty confident that they'll make a trade for another star player. Hopefully Shaq or Amare?

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Youth, size, length, and depth.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 30th pick?
An athletic big who can defend in the post.

[Pula_86]

1. During the regular season the Cavs just did not have the pieces to make a trade. I don't think they could have really done anything at the deadline that would have changed the series. Orlando exposed problems at depth in the backcourt and that Cleveland has no front court. The NBA regular season does not really matter and this year proved it. You build your team for the playoffs.

2. Lebron James

3. Delonte West continues to impress me with his development. I wish he was 3-4 inches taller, but I love how scrappy he is offensively and defensively. Mo did not really surprise me because I felt he would get a lot of opportunities due to all the attention LBJ draws.

4. Varejao is the player whose value dropped the most in my eyes. He has always been a bit inconsistent, but I didn't see him improve on anything. He was played average defense and gave us almost nothing offensively. His energy, long thought to be his biggest asset, led to many reckless plays that hurt the team.

5. I am not very confident. Last off-season was probably the best by Ferry. He was too short sighted in resigning Big Z and Varejao for what he did and he has continually failed to address the front line. How could the Cavs not be in the discussion when Camby was given away for a 2nd round pick. Instead of taking a chance on a player he has been too happy with the status quo that has not worked for the Cavs.

6. PF, C, and a back court depth are all priorities. The front court if you twist my arm.

7. Taj Gibson if he is available at pick #30 or Dejuan Summers if he is available. I think both can make an impact as a backup next season.

[RevMan26]

I'll keep it short and simple.

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?
Should have traded Wally at the deadline.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
LeBron James. Offensive rebounding. 3 point shooting. LeBron James.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Mo Williams. Anderson Varejao.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Ben Wallace.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Pretty confident that they'll make a trade for another star player. Hopefully Shaq or Amare?

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Youth, size, length, and depth.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 30th pick?
An athletic big who can defend in the post.

Well said. Agree with all points.

[Gordon Bombay]

what frankie said...although i dont think we have the horses for amare

[InBoobieWeTrust]

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?
Small ball, Pavlovic at the 3, LeBron at the 4. LeBron on Lewis, not cross-matched on Alston.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
LeBron's ability to create offense, surrounded by shooters, and the teams overall commitment to defense.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Delonte West.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Daniel Gibson
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Extremely confident.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Athletic wing who can shoot and defend, Big who can score in the paint, backup PG.


7. Who would you like your team to select with the 30th pick?
I'd like to trade up for Sam Young, BUT Marcus Thorton would be a great consolation prize.

[Wizardspride]

I'll keep it short and simple.

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?
Should have traded Wally at the deadline.

Do you guys remember that rumored deal that would have sent Wally (plus fillers) to D.C. for Jamison?

You'll probably disagree with me but I believe that the Cavs woud have been playing in the Finals if that deal had gone down.

[TheOUTLAW]

I think that was more of a Washington based rumor.

[APerna]

Thanks gang. We'll add this tomorrow.

[Pula_86]

The Cavs might have been good enough to beat the Magic with Jamison, but I think the Lakers still win the title. The Cavs have no presence offensively, defensively, or on the boards with any of their post players.

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Offensively in the post? You're right.

Defensively? Andy's a good defender, but we aren't good enough to contain Howard.

Rebounding? You're wrong, that's one area where our frontcourt actually excelled.