LeBron in the Post More?

Shapecity · Oct 14, 2008

At first glance, the Cavaliers looked like a team that didn’t have a glaring weakness.

That could be wrong.

Many have wondered how the loss of veteran big man Joe Smith would affect the Cavs. After starters Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ben Wallace and top reserve Anderson Varejao, the Cavs could be a bit thin up front. Because of the way Coach Mike Brown might divvy up the minutes, it might not matter.

The Cavs might cover up for that possible weakness by having LeBron James shift over from his customary small forward spot to power forward for a few minutes a game.

"We have 96 minutes for those two spots," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "LeBron could slide over to the ‘4.’ If LeBron’s minutes are really limited, we might be able to get someone else a few minutes. That’s a fine line that we’ll walk. We ran into that a lot last year trying to play four bigs."

Veteran Lorenzen Wright and rookies J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson are next on the depth chart. Once the regular-season starts, though, none of them are expected to log much – if any – playing time.

Trading the 6-foot-10 Smith was an unfortunate happenstance. He became such a valuable player for the Cavs in the postseason. But in order to get a player of Mo Williams’ caliber, Smith had to be sacrificed in the three-team trade. He’s now playing for Oklahoma City.

"It’s unfortunate that Joe had to go in the deal," Brown said. "Joe Smith will make any team better."

Hickson, the Cavs’ first-round pick from North Carolina State, doesn’t appear to be ready to play prime-time minutes.

Hickson just turned 20 years old, and is struggling a bit on the defensive end.

James said he’s taken the 6-9 Hickson under his wing.

"I see his potential," he said. "I see the type of player he can become. He’s a rookie. I told him to try to learn from your mistakes and try to get better.

"He’s very young. You can tell he hasn’t been playing the right type of basketball his whole life. But being here, it’s going to help. I can help him with all the intangibles of the game."

Brown said he’s not sure who is ahead of the pack among Hickson, Wright and Jackson.

"I’m bouncing back and forth," the coach said. "Sometimes it’s Lorenzen because he’s in such good shape and has a lot more left in the tank than we originally expected.

"Then sometimes you look at J.J. because of his talent. And then sometimes, it’s D.J. He was phenomenal in practice today. I have to go back and look at the tape to make sure my glasses didn’t deceive me. I felt like he was all over the place."

Brown said he commended the 6-8 Jackson in front of the whole team after practice yesterday at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

"He’s one of the best screeners I’ve been around," he said. "His activity on the glass on offense and defense is second to none. He’s opening my eyes."He might not know what the heck he’s doing all the time, but there are bodies flying all over the place. He’s always in the mix with something."
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Source: Mourning Journal

This is the next area of LeBron's game he needs to develop. I'd love to see him add a back to the basket game and not play behind the arc as much.

The Dream · Oct 15, 2008

lebron with a post up game would be a wrap, because then defenses couldn't double him so easily..................hope he continues to work on it and perfect it.

bbwchingy0007 · Oct 15, 2008

chingy0007 said: ↑

Secondly, I’d love for Mike Brown to play small ball for decent portions of the game. I don’t think he has much of a choice, given the aging nature of the frontcourt, but a system putting LeBron at the 4 along with Boobie, Williams, West/Pavs/Wally and maybe Varejao at Center could provide a great turn of pace for the Cavaliers, who currently rely too much upon a long, drawn-out game. Hopefully, playing LeBron at PF will force him to further develop his post game, which could make him yet more untouchable in the League. Who knows, with the right development, a few years from now LeBron could be the next stage in the development of the PF position. We’ve had quick PFs, we’ve got PFs with range on their jumpshots, but LeBron has the potential to be a traditional, powerful PF who can rebound hard, set screens, make plays in the post as well as being quick and with a great jumpshot.
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Me ftw!!!

Moo2K4 · Oct 15, 2008

It'd make sense, seeing as how he doesn't have a great jump shot at the moment.

DynastYWarrioR6 · Oct 15, 2008

chingy0007 said: ↑

Me ftw!!!
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Self-promotion eh? Two can play that game!

(Someday)

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LeBron in the Post More?

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

The Dream mama there goes that man!

bbwchingy0007 BBW Member

Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

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LeBron in the Post More?

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

The Dream mama there goes that man!

bbwchingy0007 BBW Member

Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

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