The Cavs are the second team without a first round pick (their pick
was traded to Golden State for Tyrone Hill). In the real NBA draft,
they do not pick until th 42nd pick, here they pick 29th. Their GM
is:
Mark Wensell
and he selects:
Eric Mobley, C, 6-10. Pittsburgh
=========================================================================
TEAM NEEDS
----------
1993-1994 was not a lucky year by any stretch of the imaginationg for
the Cleveland Cavaliers. Injuries laid low a potential championship team.
The Cavs were supposed to sweep up the Central, but instead were swept
again by the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. The only good
points of the season were the development of some of the younger players
and a good coaching effort by head coach Mike Fratello guiding them back
to playoff land. I compare the Cavs difficulties to those of the Hornets,
so you have to give some credit where credit is due. With this low draft
pick, the Cavs are going to have to go after the best player available but
it would be a plus to find (in order of priority)
- A solid backup center to allow Brad Daugherty some resting time.
- A shot blocker at either of the backup power positions.
- An aggressive small forward who can play some defense.
Note that I am assuming that Nance and Daugherty will return healthy next
season. On paper, this is a very complete team with few weaknesses, but
if one of the two aforementioned players cannot return to form, this team
is looking at another early out in the playoffs next year (if they make it
that far without them).
CENTER
------
Brad Daugherty was only able to play in 49 games due to injury this
season. However, he still averaged about 37 minutes per game. Healthy,
Big Brad is still a formidable force in the NBA, but the Cavs must address
finding a capable backup center. John Williams did a nice job filling in
when Daugherty was on IR, but he is the only viable backup. Without
Daugherty in the lineup, the Cavs went from contending for the eastern
conference championship to contending for early elimination. His low post
game has the polish and efficiency to warrant the double team. His
passing ability can then really make the opposition pay. Statistically,
he had a noticeable dive from last year. He averaged around 17ppg (20 ppg
last season), 48.9% fg percentage (57% last year) and 3 assists per game
(down from 4.4 assists per game). However he still averaged about 10
rebounds per game. Daugherty is one of those players that really makes
those around him better. His absence was probably most noted by Mark
Price who could then be double teamed constantly. A reliable backup would
allow Daugherty to play more agressively and to avoid injury due to
playing extended minutes.
John Williams did an admirable job filling in for Daugherty and Nance
as the only formidable backcourt option. He had a lot of big games down
the stretch, but unfortunately got injured in the playoffs. Hot Rod
really does have a nice all around game for a big man. He has a great
first step for his size and good moves around the basket. He can block
shots and snag his share of rebounds. While he played a lot of minutes
this year at center, I look for him to move back to PF and maybe into the
starting role if Nance cannot return at full strength.
Jay Guidinger and Tim "Ten Day Contract" Kempton are supposed to be
the backups but really only are good for garbage time. Kempton gave a
nice effort in the playoffs, so he may stick next year if they cant find a
backup for Big Brad.
POWER FORWARD
-------------
Injuries again nullified one of the Cavaliers mainstays -- Larry
Nance. Nance only played 32 games (although he played around 27 minutes
per game) and one begins to wonder if Father Time is finally catching up.
He was scoring 11 ppg and blocking 1.6 shots per game. He snagged
rebounds at the rate of 6.9 a game. His absence was another blow to the
playoff expectations of the Cavs. His all around game really forces teams
to respect him when he is on the floor, his absence put a lot more
pressure on Price and Daugherty.
With Nance, Williams, Higgins and Hill available this position is
probably in as good a shape as any on the Cavs. Higgins played about 15
mins a game but didnt do anything spectacular. Tyrone Hill gave the Cavs
10 points and 8 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. He isnt really a shot
blocker, but he contributes toughness and quality minutes to the
frontcourt.
SMALL FORWARD
-------------
The weakest position for the Cavs is the small forward. The position
was open for Chris Mills to take over, but while he had an okay rookie
season, I dont think anyone is ready to give it to him yet. Mills still
seems out of place and tenative on the court. I think he has a lot of
potential and could be a solid contributer in the future. He did dish out
more assists than turnovers (good for a rookie), scored over 9.5 ppg and
pulled in an admirable 5 rebounds per game.
Bobby Phills has to be one of the pleasant surprises of the season,
logging quality minutes at both the small forward and the two guard. He
really turned it on near the end of the season and stepped up to become
one of Fratello's top options. He made his way into the starting line up
and consistently scored double figures. He is really more of a wing guard
than a true small forward. He got some time here because Fratello had to
have him on the floor as much as possible.
Danny Ferry had his opportunity to shine this year and for a while
actually seemed to make some progress as Fratello gained some confidence
in him. By the end of the season however, it was back to garbage time. I
think the only good thing he could do for the club would be to get himself
abducted by aliens (I think the Cavs could still use his full salary slot
:) ). Seriously, he can hit the jumper but his is too much of a tweener
to contribute at either power or small forward. He is too slow to defend
any real small forward and cannot bang the boards inside.
SHOOTING GUARD
--------------
Gerald Wilkins had a pretty good year scoring 14ppg and even got some
decent rebounds (3.6 per game). His defense is his most marketable skill,
but he is pretty capable of getting to the hole and can get on a streak to
drain some from outside. He shot 37% from 3-point land, but the only real
complaint is that he is inconsistent. Sometimes he can light it up for
20, but the next night he may get 6. He could also cut down on the
turnovers a bit.
Bobby Phills could probably win a lot more time here if the small
forward position is strengthened. He is pretty explosive and has a lot of
potential. Two-guard is his most natural position. John Battle really
did not contribute much in the 50 games he played.
POINT GUARD
-----------
Mark Price is still one of the best point guards in the game. He can
create his own shot and will punish any defense that lets him get a look
at the rim. He dished out 7.7 assists per game, got 17.6 ppg, shot 48%
from the field and 40% from 3pt range. Offensively, Price is one of the
premier guards in the league. Defensively, he is a bit of a liability as
quicker point guards like KJ and Gary Payton give him fits although you
cant fault him for the effort. The absence of Daugherty and Nance really
put the pressure on Mark Price and he came through with a fine season.
Terrell Brandon did a good job backing up Price at the point this
season. He did a better job of distributing the ball than last year and I
think that a lot of teams would pick him up if they had the chance. He
offers quality backup minutes and seems to have a lock on shoring up the
strongest position on the Cavs.
MY SELECTION
------------
Eric Mobley, 6-11 C, Pittsburgh
Mobley has all of the traits you look for in a backup center. He
can block shots and rebound. As a backup, his tendency to accumulate
fouls would not be a problem.
OTHERS CONSIDERED
-----------------
I really considered taking the BPA of any center or small forward
left at this point in the draft. I think that Montross, Mobley and
McIlvaine were the ones I thought were most like likely to be here late in
the draft. I didn't consider Salvadori because he was not really
effective against Div I opponents, so I dont see him making the transition
to the NBA. But, I am sure that someone will pick him up with a second
rounder.
Monty Williams or Kendrick Warren were hopeful for the small forwards. I
was really impressed with how Williams played against Duke and I think
that he could be a real sleeper in this draft. I was really surprised
that Eddie Jones is still here this late in the draft -- Williams and
Jones were very hard to pass up.
WHO THEY WILL PROBABLY SELECT
-----------------------------
This is a very hard call, as it depends on the injury situation whose
details are best known only to the Cavs management. IMO, I think that the
Cavs will look for someone to slip down to them in either the small
forward or center positions. There are several quality players at each
position that could slip (Jones, Williams and Mobley). The Cavs could go
for one of the small forwards and try to get a backup center through
trades or free agency.
OTHER MOVES
-----------
I think that Williams, Daugherty and Price are the least likely to be
traded. Anyone else could be fair game but I dont think that Nance,
Battle or Ferry will bring much. The only reason I mention Nance is that
the age/injury combination makes few teams ready to pull the trigger on
that kind of deal. I dont see the Cavs doing much with the free agent
market as they are so far over the cap (their $23.7 mil payroll is tops in
the league this season -- the cap is $15.175 mil). Some might be
concerned that the team is missing their window of opportunity so a
shakeup cannot be ruled out.
========================================================================
Draft Summary:
1. Milwaukee Bucks
GM: Bobby Davis
Pick: Glenn Robinson, PF, 6-8. Purdue University.
2. Dallas Mavericks
GM: Theo Wendt
Pick: Jason Kidd, PG, 6-4. Cal.
3. Detroit Pistons
GM: Eric Iverson
Pick: Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
GM's: Kevin Hansen
Toni Morgan
Pick: Donyell Marshall, SF, 6-9. Connecticut
5. Washington Bullets
GM's: Jim Nagle
The Crossjammer
Pick: Juwan Howard, PF, 6-10. Michigan
6. Philadelphia 76ers
GM's: Brent Halliburton
Pick: Yinka Dare, C, 7-0. George Washington
7. Los Angeles Clippers
GM: Paul Osmond
Pick: Carlos Rogers, PF, 6-11. Tennessee State
8. Sacramento Kings
GM's: Don Hearth
Daniel W. Huang
Pick: Clifford Rozier, PF, 6-9. Louisville
9. Boston Celtics
GM: Ellie Cutler
Pick: Lamond Murray, SF, 6-7. Cal
10. Los Angeles Lakers
GM: Kosh
Pick: Jalen Rose, SG, 6-8. Michigan
11. Seattle Sonics
GM: Aaron Gill
Pick: Wesley Person, SG, 6-6. Auburn
12. Miami Heat
GM: Rob Clough
Pick: Sharone Wright, C, 6-11. Clemson
13. Denver Nuggets
GM's: Rick Grubin
John Exby
Pick: B.J. Tyler, PG, 6-1. Texas
14. New Jersey Nets
GM: Matthew Mitchell
Pick: Dontonio Wingfield, PF, 6-9. Cincinnati
15. Indiana Pacers
GM: Richard Burton
Pick: Charlie Ward, PG, 6-0. FSU
16. Golden State Warriors
GM: Mike Moore
Pick: Eric Montross, C, 7-0. UNC
17. Portland Trail Blazers
GM: Mike Northam
Pick: Jim McIlvane, C, 7-1. Marquette
18. Milwaukee Bucks
GM: Bobby Davis
Pick: Brian Grant, PF, 6-8. Xavier
19. Dallas Mavericks
GM: Theo Wendt
Pick: Kendrick Warren, SF, 6-8. Virginia Commonwealth
20. Philadelphia 76ers
GM: Brent Halliburton
Pick: Voshon Lenard, SG, 6-4. Minnesota
21. Chicago Bulls
GM: Andy Knipp
Pick: Eric Piatkowski, SG, 6-7. Nebraska
22. San Antonio Spurs
GM: Varun Singh
Pick: Khalid Reeves, PG, 6-1. Arizona
23. Phoenix Suns
GM: Curtis Hill
Pick: Aaron McKie, SG, 6-7. Temple
24. New York Knicks
GM: Alan Sepinwall
Pick: Arturas Karnishovas, SF, 6-10. Seton Hall.
25. Atlanta
GM: Mark Mitchell
Pick: Billy McCaffrey, SG, 6-4. Vanderbilt.
26. New York Knicks
GM: Alan Sepinwall
Pick: Gaylon Nickerson, SG, 6-3. NW Oklahoma St.
27. Orlando Magic
GM: Tom McGuian
Pick: Bill Curley, PF, 6-9. Boston College
28. Charlotte
GM: Richard Shoffner
Pick: Derrick Phelps, PG, 6-4. UNC
29. Cleveland
GM: Mark Wensell
Pick: Eric Mobley, C, 6-10. Pittsburgh
Next up:
30. Utah
GM: David Pugmire