Cavaliers seriously fumbled 2011 potential

[rjgraca]

At first I couldn't understand the Thompson pick, but after doing some research... it appears that they didn't reach that much. ESPN usually takes a crap on the CAVs and they liked the Thompson pick which will probably trigger roster adjustments/ trades down the line. From what I have read, JJ Hickson is looking for max type of next contract after next season which I am not sure he is worth it.

I know some fans had a hard on for Jonas (I am not one of them). Sure Jonas has a high return potential, but he also has the same high risk bust potential.

I am amused that the OP puts that much emphasis on 2nd round picks.

They also saw the chemistry between the players. Rather than drafting a foreign prospect like Jonas Valanciunas - which was heavily considered - the team knew that Irving and Thompson were already close friends, could relate with one another and would be able to go through this process side by side.

After Irving was picked, he was ushered into the media room and his press conference dragged on throughout several selections. As the fourth overall pick was announced, Irving was being asked a question, but kept leaning over to the television to see who would be joining him in Cleveland. After seeing Thompson was the selection, Irving smiled and his eyes lit up.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Irving said. "Tristan is a great friend of mine, and just having another fellow freshman being drafted to Cleveland and playing with him, I'm really excited. He's also a young player, and having somebody alongside you that will go through the rookie ups and downs with you, it will make the transition into the NBA that much easier."


http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=20262

[mg]

It appears Leon Rose was playing games with the Cavs..he got what he wanted since both TT and JV were both top 5 picks. With that said I would dump Rose if I was Jonas..apparently it was more important for Rose to get even with Gilbert and it may have cost Jonas a draft slot.

With that said I believe TT was the better pick for the Cavs. At the press conference Kyrie said he and Tristan are like 'brothers.' No offense to JV but he barely speaks English..I believe Tristan is the better choice on the court and especially off the court to grow with Kyrie.

To be honest I'm more upset about the Cavs trading away the 32nd pick..

[Triumph36]

It appears Leon Rose was playing games with the Cavs..he got what he wanted since both TT and JV were both top 5 picks. With that said I would dump Rose if I was Jonas..apparently it was more important for Rose to get even with Gilbert and it may have cost Jonas a draft slot.

With that said I believe TT was the better pick for the Cavs. At the press conference Kyrie said he and Tristan are like 'brothers.' No offense to JV but he barely speaks English..I believe Tristan is the better choice on the court and especially off the court to grow with Kyrie.

To be honest I'm more upset about the Cavs trading away the 32nd pick..

I think the bold is just silly.

First, tons of NBA players barely have a basic grasp of English and they actually grew up in this country. You're going to criticize a LITHUANIAN player for not speaking English well? Guess what, AV and Z couldn't speak English well either.

Second, the team should not be drafting butt buddies, they should be drafting the most talented players. Who gives a **** if TT and Irving are "like brothers" if there was a superior player on the board at #4? It's not like Jonas comes with tons of character red flags, which would obv change things.

And finally, I don't agree with TT being better on the court. Jonas is more polished offensively (but still v raw), has higher upside, and plays at a more premium position.

[ScramboD8]

I like the picks. The only three players I really was exited about and had seen playing went before the fourth pick so I'm happy about the 1 and 4.

I don't know about 32 tho, and it'll be really interesting to see how Harper develop in this league.

[Piston Boris]

2nd round picks do not make or break a draft, they rarely pan out.

Building a championship team is best done through the draft with trades and free agency bringing in supplemental pieces.

No matter what the sport, championship franchises like the Red Wings, Pittsburgh Steelers, etc. find value in all rounds and do their homework to find diamonds in the rough that other front offices overlook.

[TheOUTLAW]

I seriously doubt that you can compare the NHL and NFL drafts to that of the NBA. More than half of the players in the first round on the NBA draft don't pan out which is far higher than any other sport. It is truly comparing apples and oranges and therefore is a ridiculous comment on your part.

[Piston Boris]

I seriously doubt that you can compare the NHL and NFL drafts to that of the NBA. More than half of the players in the first round on the NBA draft don't pan out which is far higher than any other sport. It is truly comparing apples and oranges and therefore is a ridiculous comment on your part.

I'm fine if you don't agree with me.

Cross sport comparisons aren't exact.

NBA second round draft picks and unsigned rookie free agents who contribute provide great value to their teams, though.

[DayofMourning]

I believe the Cavs made a mistake by taking an undersized power forward instead of a legit big man in Jonas. I'm nothing close to a Cavs fan, but I was pulling for them to come out big winners in the draft due to some good maneuvering to get two picks in the top four.

I don't dislike Tristan, but I'm a firm believer that big men need to be exactly that, big. Tristan has the build of a SF, and will have to make some big adjustments in his body type and his offensive ability to be a factor as a complete player.

I believe that Jonas' rebounding, athleticism, and outstanding size is rare, and should be taken heavily into account. He runs the floor well, knows how to get open for passes to come his way, and rebounds very effectively despite his lack of muscle. His FT form is wonderful for a player his size, and projects to him being a potent offensive option on pick and pops, and drive and dishes. Regardless of his contract situation, I'm surprised they passed on the big man.

In the end, Tristan will be a good player for the Cavs and his attitude and athleticism will make him a productive player. I like his personality and hope that he starts something good for the Cavs. Maybe a big man will find his way to Cleveland in the future.

[camahl]

I believe the Cavs made a mistake by taking an undersized power forward instead of a legit big man in Jonas. I'm nothing close to a Cavs fan, but I was pulling for them to come out big winners in the draft due to some good maneuvering to get two picks in the top four.

I don't dislike Tristan, but I'm a firm believer that big men need to be exactly that, big. Tristan has the build of a SF, and will have to make some big adjustments in his body type and his offensive ability to be a factor as a complete player.

I believe that Jonas' rebounding, athleticism, and outstanding size is rare, and should be taken heavily into account. He runs the floor well, knows how to get open for passes to come his way, and rebounds very effectively despite his lack of muscle. His FT form is wonderful for a player his size, and projects to him being a potent offensive option on pick and pops, and drive and dishes. Regardless of his contract situation, I'm surprised they passed on the big man.

In the end, Tristan will be a good player for the Cavs and his attitude and athleticism will make him a productive player. I like his personality and hope that he starts something good for the Cavs. Maybe a big man will find his way to Cleveland in the future.

Legit? Hes an un proven euro... people be talking about this kid like hes the second coming of Shaq

[mg]

It appears Leon Rose was playing games with the Cavs..he got what he wanted since both TT and JV were both top 5 picks. With that said I would dump Rose if I was Jonas..apparently it was more important for Rose to get even with Gilbert and it may have cost Jonas a draft slot.

With that said I believe TT was the better pick for the Cavs. At the press conference Kyrie said he and Tristan are like 'brothers.' No offense to JV but he barely speaks English..I believe Tristan is the better choice on the court and especially off the court to grow with Kyrie.

To be honest I'm more upset about the Cavs trading away the 32nd pick..

I think the bold is just silly.

First, tons of NBA players barely have a basic grasp of English and they actually grew up in this country. You're going to criticize a LITHUANIAN player for not speaking English well? Guess what, AV and Z couldn't speak English well either.

Second, the team should not be drafting butt buddies, they should be drafting the most talented players. Who gives a **** if TT and Irving are "like brothers" if there was a superior player on the board at #4? It's not like Jonas comes with tons of character red flags, which would obv change things.

And finally, I don't agree with TT being better on the court. Jonas is more polished offensively (but still v raw), has higher upside, and plays at a more premium position.

Who's to say the Cavs thought Jonas was the 'superior player'?

To be honest I thought the Jonas talk was a huge smokescreen before the draft. My gut tells me Kanter was the real target at 4 (Scott almost gave that away during the press conference). After Kanter was gone then TT was the next best player on their board.

BTW, I believe it is a very good thing that TT and KI are such good friends. Unfortunately the NBA has turned into the AAU..just look at the butt buddies in Miami.

[Baseline Runner]

One opportunity that Thompson could give us that JJ seemingly cannot is the ability to effectively pair him with a center that is lacking on the defensive end. In theory, someone like Bargnani or Jefferson should pair well with Tristan.

Or we can just go with a perimeter oriented, run and gun team with two defensive beasts down low. Kyrie will likely be one of the best shooting point guards in the league and if we get two more scorers at the SG and SF spot we can be like a more up-tempo version of the 2000-2008 Detroit Pistons or the nineties Pacers. Those teams got most of their scoring from outside shooting and the 1-3 positions while locking up the paint and boards with great defensive big men.

[realfung]

Well, talent wise, you guys got some now.
Need to develop them, but all the HOF talks please hold on.
Even Rose cannot be put into HOP by now.

[Triumph36]

One opportunity that Thompson could give us that JJ seemingly cannot is the ability to effectively pair him with a center that is lacking on the defensive end. In theory, someone like Bargnani or Jefferson should pair well with Tristan.

Or we can just go with a perimeter oriented, run and gun team with two defensive beasts down low. Kyrie will likely be one of the best shooting point guards in the league and if we get two more scorers at the SG and SF spot we can be like a more up-tempo version of the 2000-2008 Detroit Pistons or the nineties Pacers. Those teams got most of their scoring from outside shooting and the 1-3 positions while locking up the paint and boards with great defensive big men.

So you want to model the team after two teams who have a combined 3 finals appearances in almost 20 years....yeah, no thanks. This reminds me of people saying you don't need multiple stars to win and citing the Pistons as an example. Why follow the model that most teams do when you can go against the grain, I guess

That's yet another reason why I dislike the Thompson pick. You need to pair him with a scoring center. Scoring centers are very hard to find. Scoring centers who aren't aids on defense are even harder to find. Scoring PFs are....quite easy to find.

[Mefisto]

How did you pass on Valanciunas, it gonna be biggest fail in Cle history.

[TheOUTLAW]

What is up with these first time posters showing up to drop an unqualified opinion? Biggest fail in Cleveland history? What kind of nonsense is that?

[Triumph36]

The Boozer idiocy was easily worse than passing on Jonas.

I do think the Cavs will seriously regret passing on Jonas, though.

[mcfly1204]

I would say that drafting Puke Jackson is a far bigger f*up than taking Thompson over Valanciunas.

[Kaner]

If Jonas' upside was significantly better than TT, it would have been a no brainer...I really don't see Jonas being able to deal with guys like Dwight, Bynum, etc...maybe he can check guys like Varejao and Robin Lopez, but locking in Jonas at C would lock us into mediocrity at that position for years...some of you guys just wanted a Center for the sake of having a center. That's not how you rebuid. I even saw quotes like "if you have the choice to go big, you go big"....well, we went big. It's not like Jonas has this polished offensive skillset, YEA he gets fouled a lot and shoots well from FT%, but he also gets almost 8 fouls/40 min. adjusted. He is a HUGE project that right now that is decent at everything but not great at anything, and at least TT is great at defending the rim.