Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[Napoleonbuck]

I'm not to worried about the Nets right now. They're a horrible, horrible team. If Lebron truly cares about winning, then the Nets are the least of my concern. If all he wants is the money, then more power to him. I just can't imagine Lebron going to the Nets simply for the pay increase.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by exhawg

Hibbert might be better than KK the first year, maybe two, but then KK will blow him away. Lebron has 2 years left on his deal so if I'm Ferry I'm looking a year or two down the road when I draft a player. Imagine a lineup (not starting) of West, Boobie, Redd, Lebron, and KK in 2 years. Unstoppable.

Originally Posted by Napoleonbuck

I don't really think we need defensive help that much in the post.

Besides, if there's one thing I'd trust Mike Brown to teach KK, it would be defense. Not to mention you'd have Ilgauskas mentoring him for at least a few years. With all this said, I don't think Kosta comes close to falling to the Cavs.

If we're going to go for a big, I would like it to be an offensive big. Someone who will be a legit threat to score. I'd prefer Hickson since I don't think we'd have a chance at Kosta.

I'm sorry I know that KK played for the Buckeyes but I guess I will have to wait a couple years of him playing in the NBA before I think he is going to be as good as some of you think. Personally, I just don't see it. I know that Mike Brown can teach defense but you can't teach height and reach. The one thing I will take to the bank is that I do not think KK will be able to hold his own against a another 5 player in the NBA if you are going to compare him against Hibbert. I really do not one Cleveland to draft either one but as they are both there when Cleveland's choice comes I would hope that they would take RH before KK. Hopefully they will make a move up and draft a player who can help next season.

[Piney]

Originally Posted by Napoleonbuck

I'm not to worried about the Nets right now. They're a horrible, horrible team. If Lebron truly cares about winning, then the Nets are the least of my concern. If all he wants is the money, then more power to him. I just can't imagine Lebron going to the Nets simply for the pay increase.

I am right with you. Don't worry about the Nets until 2010. Cuz if the Cavs are winning it will be VERY hard for LeBron to leave.

Besides, if I am Dan Gilbert I slap the Nets with a huge lawsuit for tampering.

[buckeyemania11]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I'm sorry I know that KK played for the Buckeyes but I guess I will have to wait a couple years of him playing in the NBA before I think he is going to be as good as some of you think. Personally, I just don't see it. I know that Mike Brown can teach defense but you can't teach height and reach. The one thing I will take to the bank is that I do not think KK will be able to hold his own against a another 5 player in the NBA if you are going to compare him against Hibbert. I really do not one Cleveland to draft either one but as they are both there when Cleveland's choice comes I would hope that they would take RH before KK. Hopefully they will make a move up and draft a player who can help next season.

I think right now I would rather have JaVale McGee or Jason Thompson than Roy Hibbert, DeAndre Jordan could possibly fall to 19 as well I wouldint mind him either

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by Napoleonbuck

I'm not to worried about the Nets right now. They're a horrible, horrible team. If Lebron truly cares about winning, then the Nets are the least of my concern. If all he wants is the money, then more power to him. I just can't imagine Lebron going to the Nets simply for the pay increase.

Wherever LeBron goes, he instantly makes them a title contender. The Cavs have about as bad of a roster as you can have around a supertsar. If LeBron goes to the Nets they are instantly as good as the Cavs have been. The only way to change that is to bring in a legitimate weapon.

Developing rookies and hoping the team improves upon last year is a joke. I understand we might be hamstrung until the trade deadline, but if Danny Ferry truly believes what he has been saying to reporters the last couple of days, we might as well say goodbye to this franchise after 2010.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

ESPN Radio is reporting that the Nets have traded Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for Yi Jianlian & Bobby Simmons. Simmons' contract (you guessed it!) expires the same time as LeBron's.

If Ferry thinks standing pat is going to be good enough to continue to improve as a team and keep LeBron in Cleveland, then us fans are in for a huge disappointment in two years. With Yi's contract expiring next year - and provided they don't re-sign him, the Nets have just added another $12 million in payflex to make a bigtime run at LeBron.

actually, this trade is interesting for a far different reason.

the rumored holdup in the Redd trade was that Yi and AV were both represented by Fegan, and he didn't want his clients competing for pt with each other. well, that is now out the window.

the Bucks still need a PF, and if they traded Redd, they'd need a 2 guard.

i'd assume they'd draft a 2 guard in the draft if they were trading Redd.

well, wally world can play the two and has an expiring contract as well. so, the aforementioned trade to Cleveland would clear a lot of cap space, get them a young PF, and another draft pick so they can get younger.

it almost seems to be a perfect fit, which is exactly why it won't happen.

[Napoleonbuck]

Originally Posted by billmac91

Wherever LeBron goes, he instantly makes them a title contender. The Cavs have about as bad of a roster as you can have around a supertsar. If LeBron goes to the Nets they are instantly as good as the Cavs have been. The only way to change that is to bring in a legitimate weapon.

Developing rookies and hoping the team improves upon last year is a joke. I understand we might be hamstrung until the trade deadline, but if Danny Ferry truly believes what he has been saying to reporters the last couple of days, we might as well say goodbye to this franchise after 2010.

Not true at all. If Lebron were to go to the Nets right now, they're at best a six seed or so. They're going to be HORRIBLE now and in the near future.

Now way they're instantly as good as the Cavs have been. A lot of the Cavs success has been built around their defense in addition to Lebron. No way the Nets would be as good as the Cavs have been/are.

I love Lebron, but if he's serious about winning like he says he is, then he shouldn't go to the Nets.

[jlb1705]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

actually, this trade is interesting for a far different reason.

the rumored holdup in the Redd trade was that Yi and AV were both represented by Fegan, and he didn't want his clients competing for pt with each other. well, that is now out the window.

the Bucks still need a PF, and if they traded Redd, they'd need a 2 guard.

i'd assume they'd draft a 2 guard in the draft if they were trading Redd.

well, wally world can play the two and has an expiring contract as well. so, the aforementioned trade to Cleveland would clear a lot of cap space, get them a young PF, and another draft pick so they can get younger.

it almost seems to be a perfect fit, which is exactly why it won't happen.

I was wondering how this move might affect the Cavs' efforts to get Redd. I was actually thinking that they might be inclined to hold onto Redd and make a run toward the playoffs with him and Jefferson. I don't know if that would actually work for them, but I could see where they would try that. Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense for them to trade for a player like Jefferson who has three years left on his contract.

[jlb1705]

Originally Posted by Napoleonbuck

Not true at all. If Lebron were to go to the Nets right now, they're at best a six seed or so. They're going to be HORRIBLE now and in the near future.

Now way they're instantly as good as the Cavs have been. A lot of the Cavs success has been built around their defense in addition to Lebron. No way the Nets would be as good as the Cavs have been/are.

I love Lebron, but if he's serious about winning like he says he is, then he shouldn't go to the Nets.

This isn't about right now though. This is about two years from now. And since the Nets suck so bad right now, it's not unreasonable to see them picking in the lottery the next two years and teaming up those guys along with this year's lottery pick and maybe Yi as well, with LeBron. Plus, they have done such a good job of stockpiling expiring contracts, they may be able to be in a position to do in two year what the Cavs are struggling to do right now - make a big trade of FA signing to go along with LeBron.

Let's face it, LeBron was almost too good too soon for the Cavs. Most other teams that were as bad as the Cavs pick a good or great player at the first pick, and are still not good enough to get out of the draft lottery for a couple years, giving them to the opportunity to pick more good players near the top of the draft to team up with them. The Cavs never got that chance, thanks to LeBron being so good (and Jiri F. Welsch). The Nets are going to have a few good young players on their team by the time LeBron's contract runs out. If they do it right, they will be a team on the rise.

It is not at all unreasonable to see a scenario where the Nets have assembled as stronger supporting cast than the Cavs in two years' time - even with as bad as they suck right now.

I'm not trying to cast gloom here - I'm usually not one to beat the LeBron-is-gonna-leave drum. However, if Ferry isn't starting to hear footsteps behind him (so to speak) they he's covering his ears. If he does his job, then everything will be fine. If he thinks he's already done enough, then we're in trouble because the Nets are out working him.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

I was wondering how this move might affect the Cavs' efforts to get Redd. I was actually thinking that they might be inclined to hold onto Redd and make a run toward the playoffs with him and Jefferson. I don't know if that would actually work for them, but I could see where they would try that. Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense for them to trade for a player like Jefferson who has three years left on his contract.

well, they wanted out of bobby simmons' contract for starters.

if the bucks take a wing player at #8 and not a big, then things get interesting. as it stands now, their frontcourt depth is pitiful, and they have been looking to dump villenueva for quite some time. are you going to take a guy that you've been doing everything in your power to run out of town and make him a starter and think you're ok up front? especially when dan gadzuric is your only other big.

if the bucks take lopez, or another big at #8, they are obviously not going to deal Redd, at least until the trade deadline when they are out of contention.

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

actually, this trade is interesting for a far different reason.

the rumored holdup in the Redd trade was that Yi and AV were both represented by Fegan, and he didn't want his clients competing for pt with each other. well, that is now out the window.

the Bucks still need a PF, and if they traded Redd, they'd need a 2 guard.

i'd assume they'd draft a 2 guard in the draft if they were trading Redd.

well, wally world can play the two and has an expiring contract as well. so, the aforementioned trade to Cleveland would clear a lot of cap space, get them a young PF, and another draft pick so they can get younger.

it almost seems to be a perfect fit, which is exactly why it won't happen.

Well said

[aurorabuckeye13]

I agree with people's sentiments about Redd... we will have a much better idea after the Bucks pick at #8. One thing the Cavs should do regardless or what happens in the first round is buy a second round pick (maybe from the Sonics?) and infuse some more youth onto the front line.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by aurorabuckeye13

I agree with people's sentiments about Redd... we will have a much better idea after the Bucks pick at #8. One thing the Cavs should do regardless or what happens in the first round is buy a second round pick (maybe from the Sonics?) and infuse some more youth onto the front line.

I could see the Bucks asking the Cavs to make a pick for them so they can work the trade deal. Basically the Bucks end up with 2 first round picks, Anderson Varejao, and Wally.

We'll see over the next couple of weeks though.

[aurorabuckeye13]

There are also rumors on cavs.com (not the best source) that maybe the trade would be mo williams instead of redd. Personally, I like Redd ALOT better than williams...

[jlb1705]

Well, the Bucks picked Joe Alexander (F).

I'm not really sure what to make of this re: Redd. Now they have Alexander and Jefferson at the 3. Could anybody see them playing Alexander at the 2?