The Cavaliers had a highly successful season from 2006-07, reaching the NBA Finals, only to be swept by the San Antonio Spurs on basketball’s biggest stage. They put together outstanding performances, beating the Pistons in 4 straight games to make the Finals, including the epic game 5 in which LeBron James scored the Cavaliers’ final twenty five points. This article will be an insight into how well the Cavaliers’ individual players played throughout the season and playoffs, followed by a view to what they need to improve during the offseason and how they could go about doing it. <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 70 Games (70 Starts), 25mpg, 15.0ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.0apg, 1.6bpg, 0.3spg.</font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 78 Games (78 Starts), 29mpg, 11.9ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.6apg, 1.3bpg, 0.6spg.</font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 20 Games (20 Starts), 32.5mpg, 12.6ppg, 9.7rpg, 0.9apg, 0.8bpg, 0.4spg.</font> Zydrunas Ilgauskas was always going to be a crucial part of the Cavaliers’ team for this season, and that he was. He managed to rank sixth among all centers in offensive rebounds per game, providing the Cavs with much-needed second chance opportunities, as well as providing a legitimate threat from the post right out to around fifteen feet. Whilst his scoring touch was not quite up to the standard that I may have thought, he was still a good threat for the Cavaliers. And to highlight his value to the team, the Cavs were 31-15 when Ilgauskas had 13 or more points. I feel that he could have done better, especially in the scoring and blocking categories, but he shot sensibly and rebounded hard, so it was not a poor season. Zydrunas Ilgauskas: B <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 80 Games (80 Starts), 26mpg, 10.4ppg, 8.5rpg, 0.5apg, 0.6bpg, 0.6spg.</font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 80 Games (80 Starts), 28mpg, 11.1ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.1apg, 0.4bpg, 0.9spg.</font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 20 Games (20 Starts), 30.3mpg, 11.4ppg, 8rpg, 1apg, 0.4bpg, 0.5spg.</font> Drew Gooden was definitely a player who could make or break the Cavaliers throughout the season. He had the potential to be a very strong player, who possesses good power as well as a nice mid-range jumpshot. This enabled him to pull down rebound after rebound as well as put a few points together. His importance to the side was similar to Ilgauskas’, as the team were 31-17 when Gooden scored 12 or more points. However, it was their combined post presence that really provided value for the Cavs, as when the Cavaliers’ frontcourt grabbed more rebounds that the opponent’s frontcourt, the Cavs were 42-14. Gooden really did have a good season, and I feel there is more potential to be drawn from him, and this past year is a fantastic block for him to build on in the coming years. Drew Gooden: B+ <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 82 Games (82 Starts), 43mpg, 32.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 7.1apg, 0.9bpg, 1.73spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 78 Games (78 Starts), 40.9mpg, 27.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 6.0apg, 0.7bpg, 1.6spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 20 Games (20 Starts), 44.7mpg, 25.1ppg, 8.1rpg, 8.0apg, 0.5bpg, 1.7spg. </font> LeBron James had a fantastic season, that much is sure. But his incredible ability did not always dominate games, highlighted by the fact that he failed to score 50 points in a single game. Whilst this seems strange to expect such things of him, many of the League’s other premier wing players (Kobe Bryant, Michael Redd, Ray Allen) wall managed to complete this feat, and LeBron, like those, has a relatively weak supporting cast. Nevertheless, LeBron displayed his dominance in March, averaging 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7 assists as well as by completing one of the most dominant and most incredible playoff performances of all-time, scoring 48 points in a double-overtime Conference Finals victory over the Detroit Pistons, scoring the team’s last 25 points. None of this is to say that LeBron had a poor season, not by any stretch of the imagination (as his grade will show), but as a player of his stature and ability, he needs to average 30 points per game. That all said and done, he has joined Oscar Robertson as the only two players to have ever completed three straight seasons of 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. LeBron James: A <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 22 Games (0 Starts) 1mpg, 0.2ppg, 0.1rpg, 0.1apg, 0.01bpg, 0.04spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 67 Games (28 Starts) 22.9mpg, 9.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.6apg, 0.2bpg, 0.8spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 20 Games (20 Starts) 30.8mpg, 9.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.6apg, 0.2bpg, 1.0spg. </font> I’ll be honest: I was not expecting this kind of a season from Sasha. At all. It took him a little whilst to break into the upper end of the rotation and gain solid minutes, but when he did, he grabbed it with both arms and forced his way into the starting lineup. He is, however, not the most valuable player to the Cavaliers, although when he plays in excess of 25 minutes, they are 37-17. I shall reiterate that I was taken completely by surprise by Sasha’s performances this season so, despite it not being the most breathtaking season of all time, it was still a very good one for him. Sasha Pavlovic: A- <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 63 Games (59 Starts), 35mpg, 16.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.3apg, 0.5bpg, 1.72spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 70 Games (68 Starts), 32.1mpg, 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.7apg, 0.4bpg, 1.3spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 18 Games (18 Starts), 35.5mpg, 11.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.4apg, 0.4bpg, 1.4spg. </font> Larry Hughes surprised me by actually completing 70 games in one season. We were due that from him, but he has had awful luck with injuries for many, many years. And that is why he is overpaid. For example, the Cavs have so far paid him $23,707,912 for just 106 regular season games (133 games including playoffs). That works out at either $223,659 per game, or $178,254 per game depending on how you look at it. He has played 3878.6 regular season minutes in 2 seasons (4853.3 including playoffs), working out at an astonishing $6,115 or $4884 per minute depending on how you look at it again. This therefore is $366,900 or $293,040 per hour (yes two hundred and ninety three thousand and forty dollars per hour). Comparatively, in the same timeframe, LeBron James has earned $10,449,890 for just over 8000 minutes, working out at $78,374 per hour. And LeBron has been worth every penny. Larry has not had an awful season in terms of numbers, unless you put his salary into the equation. Then, it is absolutely awful. No question about it. Larry Hughes: F <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 71 Games (10 Starts), 22mpg, 7.8ppg, 5.5rpg, 0.6apg, 0.5bpg, 0.7spg.</font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 81 Games (6 Starts), 23.9mpg, 6.8ppg, 6.7rpg, 0.9apg, 0.6bpg, 0.9spg.</font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 20 Games (0 Starts), 22.4mpg, 6ppg, 6rpg, 0.6apg, 0.6bpg, 1spg.</font> Anderson Varejao’s season has been full of energy and full of support from Cleveland. His average of just a shade under 7 rebounds per game in under 25 minutes is what is earning him attention from around the League, with the figure of $40 million for 5 years, starting at $6 million being mentioned along with his name and the Memphis Grizzlies. The Cavs reserve the right to match any offer sheet signed by Varejao with another team, but it is not without its difficulties. The Cavs do not want to let Varejao go for nothing, but a sign-and-trade would be difficult to complete as Varejao with be under the rules of Base-Year-Compensation, meaning that, in a trade, the Cavs could only receive back 50% of his salary. So, rather than $6 million, he would be worth just $3 million in a trade. If the Cavs keep him, he will be earning a lot of money, but not starting, and he would put the Cavs over the luxury tax, meaning he would effectively cost them double. He has been a key contributor to the Cavs, but I feel that they need to let someone else go if they are to keep him. His energy has seen him become a firm-favourite for the Cavs, and I still feel he will continue to improve, and eventually be a solid starter in the League. Anderson Varejao: B <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 75 Games (2 Starts), 20.1mpg, 8.2ppg, 5.5rpg, 0.5apg, 0.3bpg, 0.5spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 81 Games (0 Starts), 16.8mpg, 7ppg, 4rpg, 0.6apg, 0.5bpg, 0.5spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 19 Games (0 Starts), 10.7mpg, 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg, 0.3apg, 0.2bpg, 0.2spg. </font> Donyell Marshall is a player who I, originally, felt would be worth his 3-year $16 million contract, as he had shown his abilities in Toronto the previous seasons. Since then, however, I have been sorely disappointed. Marshall has really struggled for the Cavs; he was employed to help out on three-point shooting, but has not come through in clutch situations, as was apparent in this season’s Finals when he and the rest of the team were dismal at shooting three-pointers. When he plays well, however, the Cavs have a tendency to win: when he scores 7+ points, they win 71% of their games. This season, in fairness, was better than last season, though he played less minutes, but it is still not up to par alongside his contract. Donyell Marshall: C- <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 82 Games (82 Starts), 26mpg, 3.9ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.1apg, 0.1bpg, 0.8spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 82 Games (45 Starts), 23.5mpg, 4.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.0apg, 0.2bpg, 0.7spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 19 Games (0 Starts), 12.8mpg, 1.7ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg, 0.1bpg, 0.6spg. </font> Eric Snow is a player who I am quite fond of, dare I say. Other than his extortionate salary, though. He is a solid on-ball defender who has a great knowledge of the game, and is often seen as an assistant coach in Cleveland. In my opinion his play is far better than is often perceived, but these perceptions are made due to his salary. In fact, when he plays more than 22 minutes, the Cavs are 31-18, showing that he does help the side a lot. However, in order to be consistent with my other grades, I must factor in salary to the equation, so for that Snow must get a poor grade. However, I must make it clear that I do think Snow is a solid contributor to the side, and his wisdom can only help the development of LeBron, Sasha, Shannon and Daniel Gibson. Eric Snow: E <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 40 Games (0 Starts), 4.1mpg, 1.6ppg, 0.8rpg, 1.9apg, 0.1bpg, 0.5spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 60 Games (16 Starts), 16.5mpg, 4.6ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.2apg, 0.1bpg, 0.4spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 20 Games (2 Starts), 20.1mpg, 8.3ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.1apg, 0.2bpg, 0.6spg. </font> There was no shortage of press coverage on Daniel Gibson after his two outstanding performances in the Eastern Conference Finals. Whilst it was fully deserved, I wonder if it will hamper the youngster’s career. Or rather, whether it will increase the expectations of him to a level which he cannot consistently achieve. He showed that he is an avid three point shooter, but not the true PG that the Cavs truly need. His ability to drive to the basket in the Playoffs, as well as his defensive intensity surprised many. The importance of his three-point shooting is evident, as of the 26 occasions when he shot greater than .437 from downtown, the Cavs won 18. He has shown promise and will really help to spread the floor for LeBron and, if you base the grading solely on the Eastern Conference Finals, he surely gets an A, but this review is about the entire season. Daniel Gibson: B <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 82 Games (3 Starts), 16mpg, 4.2ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.6apg, 0bpg, 0.3spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 60 Games (0 Starts), 19.6mpg, 6.6ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.6apg, 0bpg, 0.3spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 11 Games (0 Starts), 12.6mpg, 2.4ppg, 0.8rpg, 1.0apg, 0bpg, 0spg. </font> Damon Jones, like Donyell Marshall, was signed for what was a supposedly outstanding three-point shooting ability. However, since his arrival in Ohio, he has not performed as well as he did in Miami. And with a further year to go on his contract after the 2007-08 season, I doubt if there will be much improvement this year. He has done OK this season, nothing great, nothing awful, but he will likely be the fourth-string PG this coming season, falling behind Gibson. And $4+ million is too much to be paying your fourth-string anything. What’s more, it has been reported that Jones wants out, so don’t be surprised if he does not start next season in Cleveland. Damon Jones: D- <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 65 Games (18 Starts), 21mpg, 5ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.5apg, 0.02bpg, 0.7spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 35 Games (5 Starts), 10.1mpg, 2.1ppg, 1rpg, 1.1apg, 0.1bpg, 0.3spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 0 Games (0 Starts)</font> Wesley did not play nearly as often as I thought he might, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him gone as part of a trade for next season. His veteran presence was meant to help the rookies learn the game, but he failed to re-capture his flair from his Houston days. David Wesley: Incomplete. <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 59 Games (2 Starts), 8.4mpg, 3.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, 0.03bpg, 0.7spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 23 Games (5 Starts), 8.8mpg, 3.2ppg, 0.9rpg, 0.4apg, 0.1bpg, 0.3spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 1 Games (0 Starts), 0.0mpg, 0ppg, 0rpg, 0apg, 0bpg, 0spg. </font> Shannon Brown was probably the player who showed the most promise going into the season. The player the fans were truly buzzing about. As it happened, Brown’s season was hampered by ill-timed injuries, ‘internal issues’ which he blames for the lack of playing time, as well as other players taking advantage of chances that he would have got if healthy (Sasha Pavlovic in particular). One can only guess what the ‘internal issues’ were, but they are likely either with the Coach or with LeBron. I hope that the relationships are not irrecoverable, as he has a very good potential and could be a really great player in this League. Shannon Brown: Incomplete. <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 21 Games (0 Starts), 3.9mpg, 0.9ppg, 0.9rpg, 0.1apg, 0.1bpg, 0.1spg.</font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats –15 Games (1 Start), 8.6mpg, 3.1ppg, 2rpg, 0.1apg, 0.0bpg, 0.4spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 6 Games (0 Starts), 1.7mpg, 0.0ppg, 0.2rpg, 0.2apg, 0.0bpg, 0.0spg. </font> Newble was his usual self on court with solid defense, but not a lot else. For me, he does not offer enough to the Cavs to justify his $3.4 million contract for next season, and he could be included in a trade for salary purposes. Ira Newble: Incomplete. <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 65 Games (2 Starts), 11.7mpg, 2.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 0.2apg, 0.3bpg, 0.6spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 24 Games (0 Starts), 4.5mpg, 1.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 0.1apg, 0.0bpg, 0.2spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 3 Games (0 Starts), 1mpg, 0ppg, 0rpg, 0apg, 0bpg, 0spg. </font> Scot Pollard: Incomplete <font color="#06527C">My Predicted Stats – 10 Games (0 Starts), 5mpg, 0.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 0.1apg, 0.17bpg, 0.02spg. </font> <font color="#B90457">Actual Stats – 4 Games (0 Starts), 4.5mpg, 0.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 0.0apg, 0.0bpg, 0.0spg. </font> <font color="#A58C6D">Playoff Stats – 0 Games (0 Starts </font> Dwayne Jones: Incomplete. Now for the second part of the article: The Offseason. Basically, the Cavs have a few tricks up their sleeve: the MLE, LLE and a $2.1 million Trade Exception gained in the trade featuring Luke Jackson. This would allow them to make offers of around $6 million and $2 million to Free Agents, as well as to receive $2.1 million more in terms of salary in a trade than they give out. This could help in a potential sign-and-trade featuring Anderson Varejao, who falls foul of the BYC legislation. Their major need is a true Point Guard, but they could also do with a good backup for LeBron James. The main candidates for the PG are as follows: <ul> [*]Derek Fisher. Fisher is looking to move to a city with good facilities to accommodate his seriously ill daughter, and Cleveland is home to the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, which is highly regarded. He is expected to sign with the Lakers, but Cleveland is a viable option for him. His contract desires would probably be around the MLE mark. [*]Chucky Atkins. He, too, would be a decent option for the Cavs, but he is expected to meet with Denver soon, but it is thought that he could end up in Miami. He could be an intriguing signing for the Cavs, but I fear that the outcome would be all too similar to David Wesley. However, the uncertainty regarding his destination means that the Cavs will be in with a chance of securing him. [*]Steve Blake. He is thought to be seeking MLE money, but it is unlikely that the Nuggets will allow him to leave, after a solid season last year. [*]Brevin Knight. He is another potential player who could end up in Denver. He is also the player who I would most like to see in Cleveland, as his passing ability is truly what the Cavs need right now. However, he will probably be seeking a long deal, as many veterans do, and is likely to be overpaid slightly. Not to fear, though, Danny Ferry has overpaid for many a player… [/list] Two candidates for a backup to LeBron James/SG spot are: <ul> [*]James Posey. He is seeking MLE money, but the Heat will need to acquire another great SF/G if they are to allow Posey to leave. [*]Morris Peterson. Peterson is reported to be interested in playing in Cleveland because they are ‘championship contenders’. He could also cover for Larry Hughes when he gets injured. Or, better still, when he is traded away from Cleveland. He, too, is seeking MLE money. [/list] So, in my view, the Cavs have a few options: <ul> [*]Trades, involving Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden or Donyell Marhsall along with players like Damon Jones or David Wesley. This would allow the Cavs to pull in salaries of around $13.5 to 22 million including their trade exception. This would allow them to acquire a good Point Guard as well as backups. [*]Signing a player with the MLE. Depending on whether or not they trade, and who they acquire, they should look to sign either a PG or a swingman to add to the side. [*]Sign and trade Anderson Varejao along, perhaps, with Marshall to the Grizzlies. They may be able to acquire Pau Gasol, depending on the backups involved. It may be difficult, but it depends on just how much the Grizzlies want Varejao.[/list] One thing that I, personally, want to happen is for Larry Hughes to be traded away from the Cavs for a more consistent, tougher guard who will be more reliable to play a lot of games. However, very few teams will be willing to take on his contract. I am certain, though, that the next season will be full of ups and downs for the Cavs and, as much as it can torment the fans, it will be a journey full of success and, hopefully, could result in a ring, if Ferry plays his cards right, and the Cavs get a bit of luck along the way.
Great writeup Chingy. I think the Cavs had a great season, but could go down as the worst finals teams ever.
<div class="quote_poster">chingy0007 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They quite possibly will. To improve though, which moves do you guys think they really need to make?</div> I think we can all agree that Hughes needs to be shipped out but we need something good in return which isn't going to happen so it seems unnecessary to do it.
Incredible thread and writejob by chingy. Excellent job ! I think that you guys should be extremely happy with your last season. Yeah, okay Cavs are in the weak east, but I would have never believed that Cleveland would beat Detroit. James was also great in the postseason. Especially in the assists and rebounds. Ofcourse Spurs was very tough to beat, but getting swept in the finals is kinda embarresing. But I wish the Cavs good luck in the next season and I'll hope you guys will have another good season.
