2012-13 Cleveland Cavaliers
Draft Grades, Needs, Free Agents, Season Preview
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
2011-12: 21-45, 13th in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 12th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Anderson Vaejao/Tyler Zeller/Michael Eric
PF: Tristan Thompson/Samardo Samuels/Luke Walton/Luke Harangody/Jon Leuer
SF: Omri Casspi or Alonzo Gee/C.J. Miles/Kelenna Azubuike
SG: Dion Waiters/Daniel Gibson
PG: Kyrie Irving/David Sloan/Jeremy Pargo
Head Coach: Byron Scott (2nd season)
Cleveland's offseason was:
... a building block. The Cavaliers' front office did the smart thing by not blowing any of the team's cap space and spending money on overpriced veterans. Cleveland added a pair of young pieces in Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller. In case you are new to my writing, I love Waiters and think he has the potential to be a Dwyane Wade-type player in the NBA - although I must admit I was shocked he went fourth overall.
Zeller will be a serviceable big man in the NBA, though I can't ever see him developing into a starter on a playoff-caliber team. The Cavaliers were fairly quiet this offseason, which is not a negative for a team that was ultimately building from scratch last season and not looking to open up its wallet by overpaying free agents.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... Kyrie Irving stays healthy, Tristan Thompson develops his offensive game, and Waiters shows flashes of being a star. Irving proved last year that he has superstar potential and the capability of leading this franchise into the future. He was hampered by injury, including a late season concussion, which has some in Cleveland wondering if he is injury proned. If Irving can avoid the injury bug, he should become one of the bright young stars in the league.
I was vehemently against Thompson being the fourth-overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but when you look back at that draft class, it wasn't a terrible decision. He is solid on the glass, but needs to become more well-rounded on the offensive end to take the next step with his game. Waiters is in a similar position as he is terrific off the bounce due to his strength and athleticism, but is inconsistent with his outside shooting. These three players are the future of the Cavaliers franchise, so their play will bring either optimism or pessimism to the team's outlook for the next couple of years.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... injuries take a toll on the team once again. One thing Cleveland lacks is quality depth. Anderson Varejao missed a significant chunk of last season with a torn tendon in his wrist. I already mentioned Irving, and the team's top bench scorer Daniel Gibson was also sidelined for nearly half of last season. (By the way, it's a sad but true statement that Gibson is the team's top bench scorer.) Any injury to one of the starters will tremendously affect what is already a thin crop of reserves that don't exactly bring a ton of firepower to the floor.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
A pair of terrible contracts will come off the books in Luke Walton and Daniel Gibson, which will open up almost $11 million in cap space and give the Cavaliers a ton of cap flexibility to possibly pursue a veteran or two. The most interesting player to watch will be Anderson Varejao. He is serving right now as one of the lone experienced players on the roster, but given the team's youth movement, Cleveland could decide to deal him for some more young talent or assets in future picks. Varejao might even be moved prior to the trade deadline. Even if Cavaliers keep him, they could also end up with as many as three first-round picks which will accelerate the rebuilding effort in Cleveland.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 23
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Cleveland Cavaliers
2011-12: 21-45, 13th in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 12th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Anderson Vaejao/Tyler Zeller/Michael Eric
PF: Tristan Thompson/Samardo Samuels/Luke Walton/Luke Harangody/Jon Leuer
SF: Omri Casspi or Alonzo Gee/C.J. Miles/Kelenna Azubuike
SG: Dion Waiters/Daniel Gibson
PG: Kyrie Irving/David Sloan/Jeremy Pargo
Head Coach: Byron Scott (2nd season)
Cleveland's offseason was:
... a building block. The Cavaliers' front office did the smart thing by not blowing any of the team's cap space and spending money on overpriced veterans. Cleveland added a pair of young pieces in Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller. In case you are new to my writing, I love Waiters and think he has the potential to be a Dwyane Wade-type player in the NBA - although I must admit I was shocked he went fourth overall.
Zeller will be a serviceable big man in the NBA, though I can't ever see him developing into a starter on a playoff-caliber team. The Cavaliers were fairly quiet this offseason, which is not a negative for a team that was ultimately building from scratch last season and not looking to open up its wallet by overpaying free agents.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... Kyrie Irving stays healthy, Tristan Thompson develops his offensive game, and Waiters shows flashes of being a star. Irving proved last year that he has superstar potential and the capability of leading this franchise into the future. He was hampered by injury, including a late season concussion, which has some in Cleveland wondering if he is injury proned. If Irving can avoid the injury bug, he should become one of the bright young stars in the league.
I was vehemently against Thompson being the fourth-overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but when you look back at that draft class, it wasn't a terrible decision. He is solid on the glass, but needs to become more well-rounded on the offensive end to take the next step with his game. Waiters is in a similar position as he is terrific off the bounce due to his strength and athleticism, but is inconsistent with his outside shooting. These three players are the future of the Cavaliers franchise, so their play will bring either optimism or pessimism to the team's outlook for the next couple of years.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... injuries take a toll on the team once again. One thing Cleveland lacks is quality depth. Anderson Varejao missed a significant chunk of last season with a torn tendon in his wrist. I already mentioned Irving, and the team's top bench scorer Daniel Gibson was also sidelined for nearly half of last season. (By the way, it's a sad but true statement that Gibson is the team's top bench scorer.) Any injury to one of the starters will tremendously affect what is already a thin crop of reserves that don't exactly bring a ton of firepower to the floor.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
A pair of terrible contracts will come off the books in Luke Walton and Daniel Gibson, which will open up almost $11 million in cap space and give the Cavaliers a ton of cap flexibility to possibly pursue a veteran or two. The most interesting player to watch will be Anderson Varejao. He is serving right now as one of the lone experienced players on the roster, but given the team's youth movement, Cleveland could decide to deal him for some more young talent or assets in future picks. Varejao might even be moved prior to the trade deadline. Even if Cavaliers keep him, they could also end up with as many as three first-round picks which will accelerate the rebuilding effort in Cleveland.
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mosesgunn
06-24-2011
03:02 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx45.2
(total posts: 1)
 27
 22
Personally I liked the draft although I wished the Cavs took Kawhi Leonard with the 4th pick since he would fill an immediate need for a defensive wing with great upside on the offensive side at SF.
To answer your 'huh?' question on JJ Hickson and Antwan Jamison... Jamison is on the downside of 32 years old with very cranky knees and in the last year of his contract. Look for him to be dealt by the trade deadline. JJ Hickson is also in the last year of his contract although he would be a restricted FA (I think) so my thought is Tristan would be a rebounding/defensive specialist while JJ or Antwan are on the floor eliminating the need to have Varajao on the floor for extended minutes. If you look at his productivity, Varajao is most effective when he serves 20-24 minutes a game. Any more and he tends to break down. Both players will benefit from being in Byron Scott's Princeton offense.
mprofetta
06-24-2011
11:19 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.217
(total posts: 5)
27
47
Am I missing something? Why is Irving universally touted as the undisputed #1 prospect in this draft? He's not NEARLY the athlete that Rose and Wall are, the toe injury is an issue and Duke looked better with Nolan Smith running the point. I understand "upside" and "projection" and all that good stuff, but this kid has done NOTHING.
Matt
06-24-2011
11:08 am
xxx.xxx.xxx0.32
(total posts: 1)
25
26
Is the worst talent-pool of rookies ever? Outside of the top-two, all I see are role players at best.
Neal
06-24-2011
10:58 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.173
(total posts: 1)
28
22
Kyrie was the best pick, hopefully we deal Hickson and Andy V since we got Thompson
Dave P
06-24-2011
08:18 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.145
(total posts: 1)
22
27
I'm a big Kyrie fan, but I'm not sold on Thompson.
Cavs fan in Oregon
06-24-2011
12:59 am
xxx.xxx.xxx3.35
(total posts: 1)
23
128
I wish we had gone Derrick Williams #1 and grabbed Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker #4. I was hoping we could have traded back into the 1st round and grabbed Bismack Boyumbo too.
John
06-23-2011
11:02 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx5.57
(total posts: 1)
25
96
worst draft by a team I have ever seen. Half this team is now power forwards who cant shoot. Wow the cavs are dumb
adz1957@cox.net
06-23-2011
12:46 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.240
(total posts: 1)
25
113
The CAVS need a player like Derek Willims,hes 6"8 and can shoot three pointers nearly at will he also seems like a mature and articulate young man with good work ethic and a great attitude. cleveland needs a winner like that.
anthony
06-22-2011
02:56 am
xxx.xxx.xxx6.33
(total posts: 1)
17
22
Boogers and tits jus clap ur hands jus clap ur hands.
Walter
06-21-2011
05:02 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 1)
13
13
First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product.
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2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 23
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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