Hope is not lost in Cleveland

[vinnie]

If Cleveland wins 40 games next year it will be an achievement.

[Witch-King]

In the words of Gandalf the White...."There never was any hope. Just a fool's hope."

lol, Silly Gandalf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7egAVqmH4Q

^I found it amusing how sports writers, in an attempt to adequately describe the devastation to the city of Cleveland if LeBron James were to leave, specifically Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer compared the event of LeBron James leaving the Cavaliers to '...a nuclear bomb hitting Cleveland'.

...Now, I am by no means a fan of nuclear warfare; in-fact my alter-ego could be described as somewhat of a pacifist. 

Either way I can't see how Cleveland fans/on-lookers can claim to have anymore 'hope' left after first being defeated by the Celtics in the playoffs and now losing their franchise player to the Miami Heat.

I made a post during the playoffs where I compared the city of Cleveland to the fictional city of Minas-Morgul, and that was before they lost to us in the secound round 

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=37147.msg741757;topicseen

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=37561.msg759114#msg759114

^well, there is always the chance that the Cavs have the edge against the Heat, or are at least able to win one game when the two teams meet again this upcoming season. Personally, I can't wait for the welcome-back party when the Heat play the Cavs on the road -- I mean, the Cavaliers could only score LeBron James because they were a lottery team to begin with, and there is the small possibility that they might return to their mediocre roots again next season...

[LarBrd33]

Hmmm...  I actually like the Gilbert Arenas idea for them if they could move Mo Williams for a big man.  Might as well. 

[Moranis]

Atlanta won 53 games last season. They weren't mediocre. They were a good team.

You're right, they did win 53 games. I think they overachieved.

Rookie coach, a thin roster (really only 7 or 8 deep), cheap ownership group, and a tepid fan base.

Unless they do something big in the next few weeks, I don't see how Atlanta wins much more than 40 games this coming season.

Hawks are a pretty solid team they just aren't built for the post season much like the Cavs.

Bibby, Crawford, Johnson, Smith, Horford, Williams, and Pachulia is a pretty solid rotation (not to mention they are still in the running for Shaq and could bring Childress back).  Add in young guys like Jordan Crawford and Pape Sy along with Jeff Teague and Mo Evans, and I can't see how they take a step back.  In fact everyone on that team except Bibby and maybe Jamal Crawford are still getting better (or at least won't be worse as a result of age anyway).  And the Hawks have gotten better every single season for the past six seasons (13 to 26 to 30 to 37 to 47 to 53) making the playoffs the last three seasons.  The Hawks are a clear playoff team and should win 50 games again.

[Finkelskyhook]

Yeah Lebron is gone & they'll probably cry for another week or 2 but they can build a nucleus. #1 they got byron scott who I think is a good coach. There's other free agents that are good that aren't getting any press. If I were Cavs my thing right now would be reuniting Richard Jefferson with Byron scott. You got Richard Jefferson (or possibly the other jefferson Al), they can make moves & try to get their hands on Arenas via trade (probably only would have to give up picks & telfair), Pick up AI & Al Harrington. Right now as is their roster has NO-one that sparks interest or has a name that can be marketed. So that's why I'm High on the idea that cleveland can become a "wasteland" of guys who are/were allstars with a chip on their shoulders. Even if it doesn't work and they aren't a winning team , they have nothing to lose , they weren't expected to win anyway...

Proposed starting 5

PG- Gilbert Arenas/Mo Williams/gibson
SG- Allen Iverson/West/Parker
SF- Richard Jefferson/Moon
PF- Antawn Jamison/Harrington/Hickson
C- Varejao/Ilgauskas

Championship Squad...NO
Scrappy team that would be tough with the "running" style of Coach Scott.... YES indeed
Good way to fill some seats with departure of James (getting Allen Iverson).... Oh yeah

Great idea until you talked about Iverson.  He isn't going to fill any seats if he doesn't show up...RE: Last season and the season before.

I think it's a 7-8 seed if they take what they have and sign somebody like Jefferson.  If they can get a 20ppg scorer to go with Jamison they'll field a competitive team.

Iverson might, for some reason, fill a few seats if he shows up.  But he'd be the ultimate signal that they're tanking.  Iverson would guaranty them no shot whatsoever at the playoffs.

[Eric_Suede]

Let me ask you naysayers this. What does cleveland have to lose? What guys currently on their roster excites you that makes you think "ok this guy can try to pick up the torch & carry the team". What young Pup can they pick up that makes you think they can build a future around? What young player would put people in seats next year? Al jefferson?
 I'm telling you guys. Cleveland picking up past their prime players with a "name" is the way to go. At least for next season. I'm not suggesting they overpay these guys, but it wouldn't hurt to bring in Richard Jefferson. No he's No Lebron but he's familiar with byron's system & he'll get the playing time. Same would be true with Allen Iverson, He would probably start. No big time free agent wants to go to a small market like the Lebronless Cavs. I say the time is now to go "Dumpster Diving" they may luck up and have a decent team. The alternative Puppy squad will bring them right back to were they were in the Ricky Davis Era. Remember when Ricky Davis & Darius Miles were considered "the future" lol I'm telling you the "young player" method doesn't work.  

[RebusRankin]

They stink and are screwed.

[Eric_Suede]

Yeah Lebron is gone & they'll probably cry for another week or 2 but they can build a nucleus. #1 they got byron scott who I think is a good coach. There's other free agents that are good that aren't getting any press. If I were Cavs my thing right now would be reuniting Richard Jefferson with Byron scott. You got Richard Jefferson (or possibly the other jefferson Al), they can make moves & try to get their hands on Arenas via trade (probably only would have to give up picks & telfair), Pick up AI & Al Harrington. Right now as is their roster has NO-one that sparks interest or has a name that can be marketed. So that's why I'm High on the idea that cleveland can become a "wasteland" of guys who are/were allstars with a chip on their shoulders. Even if it doesn't work and they aren't a winning team , they have nothing to lose , they weren't expected to win anyway...

Proposed starting 5

PG- Gilbert Arenas/Mo Williams/gibson
SG- Allen Iverson/West/Parker
SF- Richard Jefferson/Moon
PF- Antawn Jamison/Harrington/Hickson
C- Varejao/Ilgauskas

Championship Squad...NO
Scrappy team that would be tough with the "running" style of Coach Scott.... YES indeed
Good way to fill some seats with departure of James (getting Allen Iverson).... Oh yeah

Great idea until you talked about Iverson.  He isn't going to fill any seats if he doesn't show up...RE: Last season and the season before.

I think it's a 7-8 seed if they take what they have and sign somebody like Jefferson.  If they can get a 20ppg scorer to go with Jamison they'll field a competitive team.

Iverson might, for some reason, fill a few seats if he shows up.  But he'd be the ultimate signal that they're tanking.  Iverson would guaranty them no shot whatsoever at the playoffs.

Iverson has charisma, of which everyone on the cleveland roster lacks. Even if they did pick up Al Jefferson. Again I started this with the mindset of how the owner would try to recover the money he lost. Besides I can tell you're one of the guys who think AI is totally finished but I'm being honest when I say I think AI would do well in a Byron Scott system. If not AI they need a NAME. Personally I don't see any "name" player (washed up or otherwise) that'll go to cleveland except "wasteland" players who feel within themselves they still can compete at the highest level and want to prove the world wrong.... IE Iverson & McGrady. Who in the "future" can they realistically save money & hope to get? They better take advantage Now and capitalize on the fact that people even realize cleveland has a basketball team. Doing what the naysayers say and blowing the team up in favor of puppies, Demonstrates "tanking" moreso than Anything AI could do to this team.

[nickagneta]

Yeah Lebron is gone & they'll probably cry for another week or 2 but they can build a nucleus. #1 they got byron scott who I think is a good coach. There's other free agents that are good that aren't getting any press. If I were Cavs my thing right now would be reuniting Richard Jefferson with Byron scott. You got Richard Jefferson (or possibly the other jefferson Al), they can make moves & try to get their hands on Arenas via trade (probably only would have to give up picks & telfair), Pick up AI & Al Harrington. Right now as is their roster has NO-one that sparks interest or has a name that can be marketed. So that's why I'm High on the idea that cleveland can become a "wasteland" of guys who are/were allstars with a chip on their shoulders. Even if it doesn't work and they aren't a winning team , they have nothing to lose , they weren't expected to win anyway...

Proposed starting 5

PG- Gilbert Arenas/Mo Williams/gibson
SG- Allen Iverson/West/Parker
SF- Richard Jefferson/Moon
PF- Antawn Jamison/Harrington/Hickson
C- Varejao/Ilgauskas

Championship Squad...NO
Scrappy team that would be tough with the "running" style of Coach Scott.... YES indeed
Good way to fill some seats with departure of James (getting Allen Iverson).... Oh yeah

So hope in Cleveland resides in thinking Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas can play nice together and suddenly become something they have never been in either of their careers, unselfish players that make all their team mates better?

Best to just go jump in Lake Erie now and be done with yourselves Cleveland fans. There is no hope for you making a title contending run anytime in the next decade.

[Eric_Suede]

Yeah Lebron is gone & they'll probably cry for another week or 2 but they can build a nucleus. #1 they got byron scott who I think is a good coach. There's other free agents that are good that aren't getting any press. If I were Cavs my thing right now would be reuniting Richard Jefferson with Byron scott. You got Richard Jefferson (or possibly the other jefferson Al), they can make moves & try to get their hands on Arenas via trade (probably only would have to give up picks & telfair), Pick up AI & Al Harrington. Right now as is their roster has NO-one that sparks interest or has a name that can be marketed. So that's why I'm High on the idea that cleveland can become a "wasteland" of guys who are/were allstars with a chip on their shoulders. Even if it doesn't work and they aren't a winning team , they have nothing to lose , they weren't expected to win anyway...

Proposed starting 5

PG- Gilbert Arenas/Mo Williams/gibson
SG- Allen Iverson/West/Parker
SF- Richard Jefferson/Moon
PF- Antawn Jamison/Harrington/Hickson
C- Varejao/Ilgauskas

Championship Squad...NO
Scrappy team that would be tough with the "running" style of Coach Scott.... YES indeed
Good way to fill some seats with departure of James (getting Allen Iverson).... Oh yeah

So hope in Cleveland resides in thinking Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas can play nice together and suddenly become something they have never been in either of their careers, unselfish players that make all their team mates better?

Best to just go jump in Lake Erie now and be done with yourselves Cleveland fans. There is no hope for you making a title contending run anytime in the next decade.

Worth a shot. Better than the alternative. AI, Arenas both have a chip on their shoulder. Both have Names. At the very least can sell tickets. Something noone on cleveland's roster can do right now.

[nickagneta]

Yeah Lebron is gone & they'll probably cry for another week or 2 but they can build a nucleus. #1 they got byron scott who I think is a good coach. There's other free agents that are good that aren't getting any press. If I were Cavs my thing right now would be reuniting Richard Jefferson with Byron scott. You got Richard Jefferson (or possibly the other jefferson Al), they can make moves & try to get their hands on Arenas via trade (probably only would have to give up picks & telfair), Pick up AI & Al Harrington. Right now as is their roster has NO-one that sparks interest or has a name that can be marketed. So that's why I'm High on the idea that cleveland can become a "wasteland" of guys who are/were allstars with a chip on their shoulders. Even if it doesn't work and they aren't a winning team , they have nothing to lose , they weren't expected to win anyway...

Proposed starting 5

PG- Gilbert Arenas/Mo Williams/gibson
SG- Allen Iverson/West/Parker
SF- Richard Jefferson/Moon
PF- Antawn Jamison/Harrington/Hickson
C- Varejao/Ilgauskas

Championship Squad...NO
Scrappy team that would be tough with the "running" style of Coach Scott.... YES indeed
Good way to fill some seats with departure of James (getting Allen Iverson).... Oh yeah

So hope in Cleveland resides in thinking Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas can play nice together and suddenly become something they have never been in either of their careers, unselfish players that make all their team mates better?

Best to just go jump in Lake Erie now and be done with yourselves Cleveland fans. There is no hope for you making a title contending run anytime in the next decade.

Worth a shot. Better than the alternative. AI, Arenas both have a chip on their shoulder. Both have Names. At the very least can sell tickets. Something noone on cleveland's roster can do right now.

They are better off dismantling the team and sucking wind for 3-4 years in hopes of once again winning the lottery and landing another trans-formative star.

First thing I would do is do everything I could to dump Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison on anyone that will take them for expiring contracts and first round picks.

Second, I would trade Anderson Varejao for younger players. If Minnesota would do a trade for Kevin Love, I would do that. If not I would see if San Antonio would want him for George Hill and DaJuan Blair. If not then New Orleans for David West and Darren Collison. Something along those lines.

Third, I would do everything I could to tank games from the get go. This franchise will need top 5 picks for the foreseeable future. Looks like the 2013 draft class could be exceptional.

That's how they will get better. They need to build in the mold of the Thunder and hope for a little luck and be smart about their drafting and always keeping tons of cap space available. But to do that they need to break stuff down now and get bad now!!!

Fire sale the current team but be smart about it and come out of it with some assets like a young PG of the future(Ty Lawson, Darren Collison, George Hill, Jonny Flynn, Ricky Rubio), a young SG(Anthony Morrow) and/or lots of first round picks, wherever in the first round they may be. Look what the Thunder have done accumulating picks and packaging them to move up and down to grab the player they most desire.

Adding washed up has beens that have egotistical, selfish, inefficient offensive game that can not play defense is the single worse thing this franchise could do.

[wdleehi]

They stink.


They have little cap room.



And of course, they are in Cleveland. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

[Witch-King]

**^watches on youtube**

[Lucky17]

Here's what the Cavs have, assuming West is released to free up cap space:

PG- Mo Williams/Gibson/Telfair
SG- Parker
SF- Moon
PF- Jamison/Hickson/Powe
C-  Varejao

With $13 million in cap space yet to use.

I would keep Jamison until next year, when his contract enters its final year. Can he play SF? I'd think about moving him there, to allow Hickson to get as many minutes as possible.

I'd look to move Williams with expiring contracts (Telfair, Moon, Parker) to acquire picks and prospects at the PG and SF positions. Build around Hickson and Varejao, and hope to catch lightning in a bottle via the draft.

I'd look to bring back Ilgauskas as well, for one more year. Psychologically speaking, I think it would be good for the team and the fan base to devote next season to a farewell tour of Z, the consummate Cavalier (his loyalty to the organization making him the perfect foil to LeBron).

Use remaining cap space throughout the course of the year to essentially rent out to other teams, acquiring draft picks and prospects.

In a top-heavy East, Byron Scott can motivate this team to overachieve and contend for a playoff berth. With luck, they might even face Miami in the opening round. What great drama that would be.

[pearljammer10]

Yuk indeed. As much as i still dislike the Cavs I would love for them to make two big trades for big names that had been "on the block" (Cp3, Melo etc...) Rub it in Lebrons face and then beat the heat in the playoffs...

Even better, (and morelikely to happen in my opinion). The Cavs play better this season without LeBron on the team!