Solomon Alabi: Cavs future Center?

heathmalc · Post #1 » by **heathmalc** » Fri May 7, 2010 4:58 am

Alabi was considered a potential lottery pick when then college basketball season started, however, he never seemed to live up to the expectations that were put on him. Despite his "underperforming" year, he still improved his game. He scored more (facing-up with a mid-range shot out to 17 feet, or posting up and scoring with either hand with his back to the basket). He didn't overwhelm with his scoring, as he only averaged about 12 points, but he did improve from last year, although his floor time was almost the same. He also didn't rebound as well as Florida coaches would have liked, but he did get 6, and block 2 shots a game. His free-throw percentage increased dramatically, as he became a 80% shooter from the charity stripe, while the year before he was a mid 60's guy. Alabi has only been playing basketball for about 7 years, so he has some learning to do. This is one of the reasons he will likely be a late first rounder, or early 2nd rounder. Despite only 7 years of basketball play, he has improved every single year he has played... all of that, and he's 7'1, 245LBS. Obviously he needs to adds some muscle to that frame, but the fact that he is athletic, and loves to run the floor, and is a big energy guy... makes his future look very good. He looks like he might end up being the steal of this draft. David Thorpe also mentions Alabi in his draft-blog, and mentions him as a possible steal. I think he is going to be more than a "possible" steal, I think he may end up being one of the best centers in the league. If you get a chance...goto UTube and check out some of the videos on this kid.

The Cavaliers do not currently have any draft picks in this draft. However, I do believe they will get one from OKC or Memphis. If Alabi is around when the Cavs' purchased pick is called... then expect the Cavaliers to snatch him up.

mcfly1204 · Post #2 » by **mcfly1204** » Fri May 7, 2010 12:51 pm

Alabi has been projected to go anywhere from 21st to the early second round. I would expect someone to pick him up in the first, and do not see why Cleveland would buy a first to use on a guy that they would either have to pay and not play, or stash overseas for a few years. Maybe if we already had a pick, but I don't see Alabi as a likely scenario.

cedric76 · Post #3 » by **cedric76** » Fri May 7, 2010 4:17 pm

Varajeo is ur man,forget about Shaq

heathmalc · Post #4 » by **heathmalc** » Fri May 7, 2010 4:20 pm

mcfly1204 wrote:Alabi has been projected to go anywhere from 21st to the early second round. I would expect someone to pick him up in the first, and do not see why Cleveland would buy a first to use on a guy that they would either have to pay and not play, or stash overseas for a few years. Maybe if we already had a pick, but I don't see Alabi as a likely scenario.

He will not have to be stashed overseas... and would likely get regular PT during his rookie year. I have watched this kid play, and he may miss some rotations, and may not box-out properly, but he is not the type of player you'd need to wait 3 years to see. His offensive ability is already better than Dwight Howard's and if he had 15-20 more LBS of muscle, he'd be a top-2 pick. Actually, he'd not play overseas anyway... if anything, he'd be sent to the D-league for a while. However, if the Cavaliers have a chance to get him with a purchased pick anywhere near the "20th" pick or lower... they'd be crazy not to grab him...unless they are extremely confident in Sasha's maturity... which they may be. At any rate, I'd ask you to remember me telling you about this kid...as he will command a huge paycheck after his rookie contract is up (barring any injury)... and there will be many a team that hits themselves in the head for passing him up.

heathmalc · Post #5 » by **heathmalc** » Fri May 7, 2010 4:23 pm

cedric76 wrote:Varajeo is ur man,forget about Shaq

Varejao will likely be traded this summer. He is not the future for the Cavs at Center...or PF for that matter. Great defensive player, and awesome energy guy... but he is more valuable to the team as a trade chip. I'd say it's 65-70% likely that he is moved this summer.

(BTW... since nobody else is saying this... you heard it from me first. :wink:

)

mcfly1204 · Post #6 » by **mcfly1204** » Fri May 7, 2010 4:45 pm

heathmalc wrote:
cedric76 wrote:Varajeo is ur man,forget about Shaq

Varejao will likely be traded this summer. He is not the future for the Cavs at Center...or PF for that matter. Great defensive player, and awesome energy guy... but he is more valuable to the team as a trade chip. I'd say it's 65-70% likely that he is moved this summer.

(BTW... since nobody else is saying this... you heard it from me first. )

65-70% chance Varejao is traded this summer?... to make way for Solomon Alabi? Good one.

Post #7 » by **B Mac** » Fri May 7, 2010 4:51 pm

Cant you at least wait until the offseason to post your nonsense?

Post #8 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Fri May 7, 2010 5:30 pm

heathmalc wrote:
cedric76 wrote:Varajeo is ur man,forget about Shaq

Varejao will likely be traded this summer. He is not the future for the Cavs at Center...or PF for that matter. Great defensive player, and awesome energy guy... but he is more valuable to the team as a trade chip. I'd say it's 65-70% likely that he is moved this summer.

(BTW... since nobody else is saying this... you heard it from me first. )

Where in the world do you get this stuff?

mcfly1204 · Post #9 » by **mcfly1204** » Fri May 7, 2010 6:07 pm

TheOUTLAW wrote:
heathmalc wrote:
cedric76 wrote:Varajeo is ur man,forget about Shaq

Varejao will likely be traded this summer. He is not the future for the Cavs at Center...or PF for that matter. Great defensive player, and awesome energy guy... but he is more valuable to the team as a trade chip. I'd say it's 65-70% likely that he is moved this summer.

(BTW... since nobody else is saying this... you heard it from me first. )

Where in the world do you get this stuff?

Probably Leon Powe's elbow, I heard he is looking for some serious PT next season.

TheChaser · Post #10 » by **TheChaser** » Fri May 7, 2010 9:41 pm

I'm a Florida State fan, and I'm telling you, this guy just doesn't seem to really have the "stuff". I don't see him starting in the NBA.

DirtyDez · Post #11 » by **DirtyDez** » Sat May 8, 2010 7:24 am

What is ur guys 'center' situation next year? Shaq/Z can't be the long-term answer if LBJ wants multiple titles... I know they're high on Hickson but could he + West/Parker be moved for a legit, young stud at center?

kenneth9265 · Post #12 » by **kenneth9265** » Sun May 9, 2010 3:38 am

The Cavaliers needs a big man (center) badly but it is not Shaq, Andy (not as a starting center) or this guy Alabi...

heathmalc · Post #13 » by **heathmalc** » Sun May 9, 2010 6:22 am

To McFly & Outlaw (& whoever):

I just think that the Cavs will trade either Hickson or Varejao... and since LeBron seems to like Hickson so much, I think it may be Varejao. Yeah, my % thing might be crazy...but maybe not. Remember 2 seasons ago, you were all wanting him gone...now you thin he's untouchable.

I think the Cavaliers are going to try and make a move for one of these free-agents (I'm hoping Bosh - aren't we all?) At any rate...that is why I think he or Hickson will be traded. Afterall we do have Powe & Antawn at PF too... and Powe is young, and is a very good player...and cheap.

As for Alabi.... I just think that he is going to be severely under-rated by a lot of teams, and that a team like the Cavs (or another playoff contender) will luck into getting him... sort of like Blair, this past year with the Spurs.

As for our Center position... Kaun will likely be coming over to the Cavs; and he will have some say in what the team ultimately does with the position...depending on how much his game has improved....we'll see this summer in the Vegas league.

RRT · Post #14 » by **RRT** » Sun May 9, 2010 7:31 am

You never know with the draft, obviously it's common for a great college player to flop in NBA, or vice versa. So yeah you could be right. What I don't like bout Solomon is he's underweight and pretty weak for a center. But if Shaq stays, and works with him, all that can change.

Another thing is, we need a center that bangs inside, not a jumpshooting one, Z is great but cmon.

mcfly1204 · Post #15 » by **mcfly1204** » Mon May 10, 2010 2:24 pm

I would bet that Cleveland does not resign Z or Shaq this summer. I can see Cleveland starting James/Jamison/Hickson in the front court, with Powe and Varejao coming off the bench, or they will start a James/Hickson/Varejao front court with Jamison and Powe coming off the bench. I agree that Cleveland will need a defensive minded center that wants to bang, but I think some options will arise for that, worst case, they resign Shaq for a small deal.

RRT · Post #16 » by **RRT** » Mon May 10, 2010 10:21 pm

mcfly1204 wrote:I would bet that Cleveland does not resign Z or Shaq this summer. I can see Cleveland starting James/Jamison/Hickson in the front court, with Powe and Varejao coming off the bench, or they will start a James/Hickson/Varejao front court with Jamison and Powe coming off the bench. I agree that Cleveland will need a defensive minded center that wants to bang, but I think some options will arise for that, worst case, they resign Shaq for a small deal.

I can pretty much bet you anything Shaq is gon get resigned, and Z is gon get an offer.