Friday, June 24, 2011

Just two new Cavaliers?

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered last night's NBA Draft with two picks in each round and managed to come home with just two players for next season's Swordsmen.

As expected, the Cavaliers tapped Duke's Kyrie Irving as the point guard and centerpiece of the rebuilding effort.
I would have preferred Arizona's Derrick Williams, but I have little issues with plugging Irving in at point guard.
Irving joins a crowded spot at the point that will need to be winnowed a bit before the season, but more on that later.

With center Enes Kanter taken off the board by Utah at the third spot, most had the Cavaliers taking Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas with their selection with the fourth overall pick.
However, with a contract situation that could have seen Cleveland not see Valanciunas for as many as two seasons, the Cavaliers decided to go with a player that they could plug in and develop now in forward Tristan Thompson of Texas.

The 6'9 Thompson is reported to be an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, but limited in his offensive game.
So limited that ESPN's Jay Bilas offered this gem that Thompson "needs to learn to score by putting the ball in the basket".
That brought a puzzled expression from the lovely Cherie, who was only half listening and wondered aloud about that being an important part of the game, isn't it?
Looking at YouTube of Thompson (I do not use videos for basketball players because the music is usually just mind-numbingly awful), the player that he brings to mind is Atlanta's Josh Smith and I'll take that with no regrets.

In the second round, Cleveland chose another power forward, but this one with perimeter skills in Richmond's Justin Harper.
When I saw this pick, I was intrigued but two thoughts came to mind- one is can Cleveland have this many power forwards? and the other was didn't the Cavaliers just trade for a perimeter shooting power forward in Luke Harangody? It was irrelevant as Harper was quickly shipped to Orlando for two future second-rounders.
Considering that this pick was the second pick in the round, I was surprised that it did not have more value.

Cleveland finished up with another Euro Milan Macvan, who not only is a- Wait for it..
Power Forward, but ESPN's European analyst Fran Fraschilla stated he doubted Macvan would EVER play in the USA.
Wonderful.....

Looking at the roster, the team seems loaded (by numbers, at least) at power forward and point guard, so I don't think the deals are finished yet.

Irving, Baron Davis, and Ramon Sessions are one guard too many at the point and the addition of Thompson gives the team an abundance of 6'7'-6"9 guys that range from aging Antawn Jamison to J.J. Hickson and further down the chain.
Look for at least two players to be moved for a shooting guard and or small forward to unblock the logjam and add to the two weakest spots on the team.....

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