Wags would be a lot more valuable if he could play atleast some point. He's small but aggresive. I like how aggresive he is however, he makes a lot of dumb decisions and lacks vision. He also still has trouble going to his left. Wagner still disapoints me, not a big fan of his.
He should be able to be out there as a ballhandler with LBJ as the point forward! Just get Wags to bring it up and guard point guards!!! Well play some defense for once. We require someone like him for a spark off the bench. BTW : Eric Williams scoreless twice in a row!
He can be more than a spark off the bench, this guy was the cavs pick at NO.6 last year. He should be in their starting lineup, this is how it should look. PG-LBJ SG-DWags SF-Eric Williams PF-Boozer C-Z I think McInnis would be a much better spark off the bench, and hes getting old and Wagner is still young and is pretty much still a rookie considering he hasnt played a 82 game season because of injury.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting L.Sooch:</div><div class="quote_post">He can be more than a spark off the bench, this guy was the cavs pick at NO.6 last year. He should be in their starting lineup, this is how it should look. PG-LBJ SG-DWags SF-Eric Williams PF-Boozer C-Z I think McInnis would be a much better spark off the bench, and hes getting old and Wagner is still young and is pretty much still a rookie considering he hasnt played a 82 game season because of injury.</div> :thumbsdow I totally disagree with everything you said!
Dajuan is an introverted, yet emotional kid. Seeing his minutes decrease with every passing week has hurt his confidence. Many of those floaters and lay ups that trickle out are more an indication of his confidence and not the actual shot. His jumpshot has improved since last year and I would say he's top 3 on the team in long ball shooting. If for nothing else, I would use him as a phantom from the outside to help make teams think twice about packing the lane. When I watch Cleveland games, the lane gets more clogged with Cleveland than nearly any other team in the league. Dajuan can earn himself time by continuing to improve his jumpshot. Besides Kapono, who can consistently shoot from downtown? That's the point. To open up the court, the Cavs need another shooter and Juanny can earn his time there. But it's hard to judge a young player when you give him inconsistent minutes. If you knew you would receive consistent playing time, you would probably be much more calm and less cerebral out there. It takes maturity to resist the urge to shoot quickly, with the fear that when you go to the bench, you may not see daylight again. I understand why players shoot if they fear a few sprinkled minutes is all the run they'll ever get. From watching Dajuan all the way from high school, I know the talent is there. I'm a realist on Dajuan and not an excuse maker. I'm not blind. I know on the right team and the right style, he'd average more than he did his rookie year. The catch is he clashes with what the Cavaliers are trying to do. You often see Wagner moves without the ball a lot and really wants the ball, but the Cavaliers standing set often makes his movement in vain because the play is going the other way. I love watching Cavaliers game all the way but I haven't liked the offensive sets for this team in years (and this goes back before Dajuan being here).
Yeah I feel people are putting too much pressure on him. His shot from outside has improved a lot and he is not afraid to take a shot with the game on the line. The thing he does best is get to the basket, but as said in this thread countless times it's hard doing so when the middle is filled with players. Please Jason, don't be afraid to shoot it, I beg you. He can make this entire team better.
The first thing Dejuan needs to do is to play some resemblence of defense! His game right now is off the bench, and he needs to be confident as he will be looked to, to provide the spark.
I feel he does provide the spark. He is still doing all the same things that he has before. Except this time non of the shots are falling for him. Silias desperatly needs his offense. That is why Wag and Bron played a little bit together in the back court. But yet again Silias didn't like the ball pressure put on LeBron so he was forced back to put Ollie in.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KarmaCav:</div><div class="quote_post">he needs to be confident</div> That's the catch; Juanny isn't confident right now. He's doubting himself on every play. King James said the best thing he does is drive to the basket. Well, from seeing him play in high school, he drove to the basket faster back then (only because his confidence was off the charts, not because he was faster back then). Even the things Wagner does well are starting to slip. Silas needs to revive this young man. It reminds me of what's happening to Drew Gooden. Inconsistent playing time and lack of confidence is killing him. Yet in a perfect situation (with Howard gone or on another team), he could potentially be a 20-10 guy. So if Gooden ever reaches his potential and finds himself in a good situation, he'll put up awesome numbers and people will be like "I never knew he had that kind of talent or could be that good." But I won't. I'd shake my head like "I knew that could happen, I'm not shocked." I wish the Cavaliers had more movement in the half court, like a Utah team, doing picks off the ball (Cavs mostly only do on-the-ball picks) and be more of a fast break team. That'd revive Wagner.
There is a lack of off the ball movement, in which Wags could be very effective!!! Our bigs aren't very effective on the on ball picks, so we need to show some variety in our half court sets and play a few off ball picks! LeBron and Wags are the guys who should be working on this!
Let's remember he has not played enough games yet to equal a season, we can't judge him now, of course kid has a lot to learn. But driving to the basket is a problem this team has had all year, we need Wags doing that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Let's remember he has not played enough games yet to equal a season, we can't judge him now, of course kid has a lot to learn. But driving to the basket is a problem this team has had all year, we need Wags doing that.</div> We cant judge him yet, but we can be concerned! He certainly isn't untouchable, but if he is moved, we need an instant offense type guy in return! I'll get worried if by mid next season, his consistency hasn't improved!
The problem with Wags driving to the basket is that he either shoots it (usually a miss) or turns it over at the end. He reminds me of one of those Jordan-wannabes who didn't let the fact that they stopped growing at 6'2" discourage them from trying to score 30 anyway. I suppose that's a lot like Allen Iverson, however it's a bit different in Iverson's case because for years he was really the only offense on his team. Wagner, on the other hand, has plenty of scorers to pass to; I hope he'll realize that soon.
Thats because he runs to the hoop without hesitation. By the time he realizes he has no shot, he throws it to the 1st Cavs jersey he sees.
Wagner has a very quicquely firts step, it's crazy and good phisical qualities for a little man... But Silas doesn't have the same idea for the moment about the kid who scored 100 pts in HS and have the reccord of pyramid's Memphis Stadium when He was only freshman in NCAA... Last year when wagner had a good time to play, he showed his possibility... Mc Innis is very good in PG for the moment but in a coming future, I think Dajuan Wagner will play in the backcourt with James...
To be able to play meaningful minutes, he has to play some type of defense! His offense while erratic is fine, and will improve with experience. His defense though concerns me. There has been no sign that he has the ability to stick to his man!
Wagner's injuries have hurt his development but I have doubst as to whether he can rerally be a major piece of the Cavs future. The reasons have already been stated. Lack of size, inconsistent outside shooting, questionable defense and inability to play the point. Many of those things can be improved with more experience. If I'm the Cavs though, I might look to move Wagner this summer or at least check to see what I could get for him while he still has some value. He could bring a better shooter or maybe be part of a bigger deal to bring that potential "big timer" Silas wants.
I concurr!!.......I was astounded when the Cavs picked Wagner at #6. The options left on the table at that point were limitless. Stoudemire, Nene'......if they just had to have a guard.....Welsch, Flip Murry, etc..........!! The Cavs drafted him expecting to morf him into a point, but with very few exceptions, that effort has proven futile throughout the league. And now he has even refused to try it!! DeJuan might Thrive in an enviornment where they need a "scorer", but he's not a "shooter". I wish him the best, but the Cavs need to cut their loses with this kid............Tank
Wagners D has improved, but is still bad. His offense is too inconsistant for him to play consistant minutes. He is one of the better shooters on the team, but the problem is that he does not move well without the ball. So, for him to get shots, in general, he needs to have the ball in his hands a lot. If its his Jumper that will keep him in games, he needs to find a way to get open off of screens or slipping out. Right now, the offense needs to run through him if he is going to be productive. And that just does not fit in the system in place. He needs time toi adjust, but during a playoff push, it is unlikely he is going to get the court time he needs to really get into a flow. Alas, i think this season, like last season, is pretty much a wash for Wags. Here is to next year!
