Alright, it seems obvious to me that the Cavs don't really see a future in Ricky Davis when it comes to playing him with Lebron(I'm speaking to the recent doghousing of Davis by Silas, who's coached him before and knows Ricky's antics, and his general move from focusing on Davis to focusing on Lebron). There are other players who it seems don't really fit around Lebron. So Jim Paxson is probably going to start building a team around Lebron(I would hope so). Who do yall think would fit in good around Lebron, in terms of attributes and style? If I were the GM, I'd get players that would defer to Lebron, yet who would still bring something to the table. I'd trade Davis to the Grizzlies for Shane Battier, and get Jerry West to throw in Dahntey Jones to match salaries. Battier can move into the starting lineup at small forward as a great defensive player who can hit the open shot, of which there will be many playing with Lebron. Once Wagner gets healthy I'd have him moved into the starting lineup, and leave in Boozer and Z. They are great passers, and Boozer will really emerge playing next to Lebron. I'd dish Darius Miles for a backup low post scorer like Raef Lafrenz. Then I'd try packaging Jones and Kevin Ollie, with perhaps Chris Mihm for some shooters at the 2 and 3, guys like Casey Jacobson from Phoenix and Fred Jones from Indiana. And I'd cut Ira Newble loose. Diop seems like he's finally emerging, and seems like he could be the eventual successer to Z down low. But that's just me. What do yall think?
I am a huge Shane Battier fan and he would be perfect here (or on any team for that matter) Shane is a class act, on and off the court, he does what he is told, he puts team first, he is very intelligent. He would complement James because he runs the floor every single time and always knows where he is supposed to be. DeSagana Diop is our future starting center, that is no question. He is a beast around the basketball, he tries to grab every rebound and block every shot. He is learning how to score as well, I have seen hook shots with both hands and a solid 15 foot set jump shot. Miles I would not give up on yet, though it sure would depend on what I am getting in return. Raef Lafrenz I am not a fan of, I would keep Chris Mihm over him any day of the week.
Build around LeBron? What gave you that idea? Diop is finally showing some signs of being a good center. So many people were ready to write him off last year, the year before, etc. But what many don't know is that Diop only started to play organized basketball at the age of 16. He needs time. Yes, Battier would be a ideal fit. He would be the SF the Cavs could use, someone who plays defense, hustles, hits shots, etc. But I want him in Chicago, not Cleveland. Wagner and James figure to be the Cavs solution at the 1 and 2. But the question mark at the 3 lingers. Davis is only going to disrupt this team. And young teams are very impressionable......I wouldn't want Davis around my team, especially such a young team with no real vets to help guide the way. I wouldnt be suprised to see a trade in the future. Miles......I wont go there. He hasn't developed an NBA shot, making him primarily just an athletic player in the mode of Eddie Robinson(even though Miles has better defense and handling.....its a general comparison). I don't think Miles is the answer at the 3.
