| After an injury riddled season which saw the Cavs miss
the playoffs.This team is looking to return to and perhaps surpass the level of play of
the 97-98 season.With everyone back and the addition of this years two lottery picks the
Cavs will certainly be competetive in the upcoming season. |
Draft History
|
- 1985 Charles Oakley 9th
- 1986 Brad Daugherty 1st, Ron Harper 8th
- 1987 Kevin Johnson 7th
- 1988 Randolph Keys 22nd
- 1989 John Morton 25th
- 1991 Terrell Brandon 11th
- 1993 Chris Mills 22nd
- 1995 Bob Sura 17th
- 1996 Vitaly Potapenko 12th, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 20th
- 1997 Derek Anderson 13th, Brevin Knight 16th
Some very solid choices over the years and the lets just
hope this year the Cavs continue this trend. |
Team Needs
|
| A scoring minded small forward is something the Cavs
desperately need to balance their offence.This year there just happens to be one of those
his name is Wally Szczerbiak, but the most likely scenario is that Wally won't be
available at either the Cavs picks at # 8 and # 11.So the next most pressing need is a
point guard because other than Brevin Knight the Cavs don't have much there.Also a backup
big man would be useful, but its not urgent. |
Player Analysis:
|
Centers
|
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas Barring
injuries he has the potential to become one of the NBA's elite centers.Great rebounder and
has the ability to score when needed also posseses a solid defensive game. |
Power Forwards
|
| Shawn Kemp A stellar season
for the reignman imagine what he could have done without that offseason baggage.With the
right suporting cast around him and Ilgauskas back to carry some of the load the Cavs and
Kemp could have a big year. Andrew
Declercq A great aquisition for the Cavs provides front court
depth and gives a great effort night in and night out.Good rebounder and can bang it
inside also capable of playing the 5 spot.
Corie Blount (FA) Hasn't
really improved since entering the NBA , but he hasn't had the chance to show he has
seeing limited time off the Cavs bench.Likely to be elsewhere next season.
Ryan Stack (FA) Didn't get a
chance to show his stuff this season, but you can't teach height so he may be worth
keeping. |
Small Forwards
|
| Danny Ferry Likely His last
year with the Cavs as his contract expires, he never became the player that made him
worthy of the 2nd pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. Cedric Henderson (FA) The one weakness of the
Cavs is at small forward thats not to say that Cedric Henderson is not a good player he's
just not up there with the NBA's best.Provided decent output, but the Cavs need more from
the 3 spot.If he's willing to accept a bench role the Cavs should resign him.
Johnny Newman Signed in the
flurry of free agency during the lockout shortened period.Provided some bench scoring and
little of anything else.Does provide this young team with veteran leadership. |
Shooting Guards
|
| Wesley Person Given the
right look more often than not Wesley will knock it down.Not the slasher type 2 guard
meaning he rarely sees the charity stripe and he thrives of the open looks provided by the
double teams on Kemp and Ilgauskas down low. Derek Anderson Stuck behind the more
experienced Wesley Person at the off guard position Anderson saw minutes at both guard
spots.He'll need a starting job in order to show his true talents something the Cavs can't
provide for him at the moment.
Mitchell Butler (FA) Butler
is basically a role player on this team seeing limited time, but when he's on the court he
knows what to do the Cavs will likely resign him. |
Point Guards
|
| Brevin Knight Showed in his
first two seasons he has the makings of a true floor general as he is able to distribute
the ball and run the team. The one thing lacking from his game is offence and at
5'10" he has trouble with the leagues taller point guards. Bob Sura Injuries have seen him lose the
highlight producing ability he once possesed and as the Cavs are running low on point
guards they've attempted to convert Sura with little success.Unless he grasps the concept
of playing the point Sura will be buried on the Cavs bench.
Earl Boykins (FA) Appeared
in about half the Cavs games this year at 5'5" he's a defensive liability, but his
speed more than makes up for it. Don't look for the Cavs to resign him. |
My selection and why I made it
|
| Jumaine Jones Georgia In this draft where
there is no clear cut superstars like drafts of the past its simply a case of matching up
team needs and the best player available.With all the premier talent gone by # 11 I looked
to fill one of the Cavs needs and that was at small forward and to me Jumaine Jones one of
the most underrated players in the draft suited the Cavs better than the rest. |
Other Players Considered
|
| Knowing all the top talents would be gone by # 11 I only
considered a few other choices.. Ron Artest He lacks size at
6'6" to play against most small forwards in the NBA putting a question mark over what
position he will play, but his ability to run the show from the 3 spot made him tempting,
but overall not as suited to Cleveland as Jumaine Jones.
Aleksander Radojevic With the lack of any real big men in this draft Radojevic is something
very hard to come across, but to me he's not worthy of the # 11 pick.
William Avery Has good ball handling ability and is a good shooter maybe a little
inexperienced.Could have used another year of college. |
Who the team will probably take
|
| If Wally Szczerbiak were
available at # 8 then the Cavs would be able to take a risk with the # 11 and maybe draft Aleksander Radojevic.If that dosn't happen then its a case of my guess is as good as yours. |
Other moves the team should make
|
| I think the cavs should try and trade one of their
shooting guards for some help up front preferably a backup center.Other than that I think
the Cavs should sit tight and work with what they've got. |
