Anyone Impressed With the Cavs?

[Neurotic Guy]

They are impressive but I don't think the age issue can be brought up as a knock against the C's without the same being discussed about the Cavs.  Granted, their best player is young (and great), but they are old at center (37 and 34) and the loss of either center will impact their chance against any of the other 4 major contenders. 

[Jon]

Aside from the whole Shaq thing, the "problem" with Parker and Moon is that they don't help them all that much.  They're both good, don't get me wrong, but where's the upgrade?  If West can't keep it together, all Parker is doing is taking his place, not upgrading it.  So that's not an upgrade from last season.  And even if West does get it together, there probably isn't room for West, Parker, and Moon to all get substantial minutes in a playoff rotation, so the one who gets bumped really only makes them better if an injury occurs.

[Fafnir]

Aside from the whole Shaq thing, the "problem" with Parker and Moon is that they don't help them all that much.  They're both good, don't get me wrong, but where's the upgrade?  If West can't keep it together, all Parker is doing is taking his place, not upgrading it.  So that's not an upgrade from last season.  And even if West does get it together, there probably isn't room for West, Parker, and Moon to all get substantial minutes in a playoff rotation, so the one who gets bumped really only makes them better if an injury occurs.

Both are better fits to match up on the wing than Delonte was. So the Cavs will no longer be forced to use an extremely undersized backcourt. It also gives them more depth at the wing.

I think that's two signifigant upgrades.

[GKC]

Aside from the whole Shaq thing, the "problem" with Parker and Moon is that they don't help them all that much.  They're both good, don't get me wrong, but where's the upgrade?  If West can't keep it together, all Parker is doing is taking his place, not upgrading it.  So that's not an upgrade from last season.  And even if West does get it together, there probably isn't room for West, Parker, and Moon to all get substantial minutes in a playoff rotation, so the one who gets bumped really only makes them better if an injury occurs.

Most importantly, they can backup LBJ as well, which he did not have a good backup for last year. Considering the negative +/- they generally have with LBJ is off the floor, it has definitely helped them in the depth department.

Remember how dehydrated Lebron got during the playoffs? He felt he HAD to play almost all 48 minutes of the game, and this allows him a little breathing room. It's the same reason why we wanted a good backup for PP and Ray.

[NextCeltic34]

Who? Cavs who?

[Bahku]

Who? Cavs who?

Precisely.

[bucknersrevenge]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

[GKC]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

You really think he doesn't matter? A good defender at his size, shoots 40% from 3, rarely turns the ball over, and has a good AST% as well as AST-TO ratio at his position.

An efficient 12 points per game with some good hustle.

And ask most celticsbloggers, we'd be happy to see him back here. Maybe he didn't play as well then because it was, oh, four years ago. He played well in the playoffs, with very low averages (4 points 1 rbs, 1 ast) in only 16 minutes a game, but still managed to shoot at an extremely high percentage (52% from the floor, 46% from 3).

And if the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed he would have not make any difference they would not have signed him in the first place, let alone make them their starter.

[crownsy]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

It makes a difference when the player they have to fill delonte's role of 3rd gaurd and defensive nuisance is boobie gibson.

They are not deep at the 1 or 2. Delonte was a good defender who they could trust to limit the opposing teams SG or PG. now, they don't have a defender off the bench to fill that role.

[slamtheking]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

It makes a difference when the player they have to fill delonte's role of 3rd gaurd and defensive nuisance is boobie gibson.

They are not deep at the 1 or 2. Delonte was a good defender who they could trust to limit the opposing teams SG or PG. now, they don't have a defender off the bench to fill that role.

That would be the same Boobie Gibson a number of people here were clamoring for a couple of years ago. 

When Cle doesn't win the title this year, they'll be pointing their fingers at a number of problems.  A backup combo guard won't be the primary cause of their failure.

[Fafnir]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

It makes a difference when the player they have to fill delonte's role of 3rd gaurd and defensive nuisance is boobie gibson.

They are not deep at the 1 or 2. Delonte was a good defender who they could trust to limit the opposing teams SG or PG. now, they don't have a defender off the bench to fill that role.

I think Delonte will be back to playing in time to fulfill their backup point needs.

[Bankshot]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

It makes a difference when the player they have to fill delonte's role of 3rd gaurd and defensive nuisance is boobie gibson.

They are not deep at the 1 or 2. Delonte was a good defender who they could trust to limit the opposing teams SG or PG. now, they don't have a defender off the bench to fill that role.

That would be the same Boobie Gibson a number of people here were clamoring for a couple of years ago. 

When Cle doesn't win the title this year, they'll be pointing their fingers at a number of problems.  A backup combo guard won't be the primary cause of their failure.

Cracks me up how people think Delonte makes that big of a difference.  You'd think he was an all-star player.  Isn't Delonte being replaced by 33 year old Anthony Parker even if he was ready to play?

[Reyquila]

Yes

[Fafnir]

This is weird. I keep reading "Delonte, Delonte....they miss Delonte!" Really?? So the Jim Abbott of the NBA is all the sidden that much of a difference maker? When did this happen? I don't recall that being the case when he was here. I'm not gonna debate whether he's a better player than Daniel Gibson because quite honestly who cares? If the Cleveland Cavaliers actually believed Delonte West's crazy *** makes that much difference they have much bigger problems.

It makes a difference when the player they have to fill delonte's role of 3rd gaurd and defensive nuisance is boobie gibson.

They are not deep at the 1 or 2. Delonte was a good defender who they could trust to limit the opposing teams SG or PG. now, they don't have a defender off the bench to fill that role.

That would be the same Boobie Gibson a number of people here were clamoring for a couple of years ago. 

When Cle doesn't win the title this year, they'll be pointing their fingers at a number of problems.  A backup combo guard won't be the primary cause of their failure.

Cracks me up how people think Delonte makes that big of a difference.  You'd think he was an all-star player.  Isn't Delonte being replaced by 33 year old Anthony Parker even if he was ready to play?

Delonte is an average NBA player at his position. Which is nothing to sneeze at considering that he's not overpaid and can play two positions competantly. Just goes to show you how good LeBron is.

But you're right people shouldn't think he's a difference maker.

[moiso]

Delonte is head and shoulders better than Boobie Gibson.  Delonte and Parker are pretty equal, but Delonte can run the point much better.  Delonte West, with his head right, helps the Cavs a lot.