<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> One cannot even say that the Cavs had a honeymoon of a season last year because the regular season in no way set-up the eventual success this team would see during the playoffs. The Finals sweep notwithstanding, this team had perhaps the most unexpected spring out of any team not located in the Bay Area and all of the credit is due to a 22-year-old veteran going into this fifth NBA season. </p> LeBron James continually redefines what one player is capable of in this predominantly team sport. His abuse of Orlando, New Jersey and Detroit last spring was truly an effort worthy of the 'Witness' signs that dominate the landscape at the Quicken Loans Arena. </p> As is the case with any team that rolls through the playoffs in the manner that LeBron…I mean the Cavs did would be foolish to assume he doesn't have it in him…I mean they don't have it in them to do it again. While this team may be no closer to being able to knock off one of the Western powers, one must remember that even Jordan needed six years before he broke through and won his first title. </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"><tbody><tr height="8"><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table></p> All kidding aside, though, the Cavs as a team caught a lot of people off guard last year and it is somewhat troubling how little they've done this off-season to try and build on that momentum. Their on-again-off-again pursuit of the Kings' Mike Bibby makes a lot of sense from the perspective of Bibby being the perfect compliment to the way the Cavs use James, giving him the primary ball-handling responsibilities and letting the point guard act as more of a finisher. However, if the cost for Bibby is Drew Gooden, then it is a price the Cavs cannot pay. As trendy as Anderson Varejao is these days, he is no where near as well-rounded a player as Gooden, and the Cavs are far better off with the depth they have now up front than importing a potentially over-the-hill point guard that makes such an insane amount of money.</div></p> http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=217837&hubname=nba</p>
I think the Cavs are a team which can grind out results against the big teams, generally when it matters (aside from the Finals). They often make stupid mistakes against lesser teams, and that is something which they must improve upon. I would love to say that they will win the Eastern Conference Championship again, but I just doubt that. I think a more realistic prediction is defeated Eastern Conference Finalists, though they could still win it, especially as they have a young squad that will improve.</p> </p> I must say, though, that I am a guy who does not really rate Anderson Varejao. Sure, he's full of energy and hustle, but his Basketball IQ (other than drawing offensive fouls) is low beyone belief. He doesn't understand that he can't do some things that others can. He often thinks that he can make the big play when he can't. He should take a leaf out of Drew Gooden's book at step back during the clutch, getting rebounds and not much else. He has no jumper and is really not that great a player, which is why the Cavs must NOT overpay for him. However, he is a fan-favourite, which will pressure Danny Ferry into paying him silly money.</p>
I made my own "30 Teams In 30 Days - Cleveland Cavaliers" article today. It's bugging me that this other place is doing the same thing. Anyway, go check mine out, guys! The link to my NBA blog, where it's at, is the first link in my sig.
