Cleveland Cavaliers 11-12 season thread

• wes_mantooth

  

  Not saying that it will happen(it won't), but how would everyone feel if they ended up slightly below .500 and eek out a playoff spot? To me, it would be terrible...tough to rebuild with that late of pick.
• Mulva

  

  wes_mantooth;1044352 wrote:Not saying that it will happen(it won't), but how would everyone feel if they ended up slightly below .500 and eek out a playoff spot? To me, it would be terrible...tough to rebuild with that late of pick.

  It would be terrible at first. But after we smacked the Heat out of the playoffs it would be glorious.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Yes because we don't have a legit at a title. The NBA isn't built that way, that would turn us into the Raptors/Pacers of the past decade. Worst place to be in professional sports. There are so few ELITE players in the league (as why only 8 players play for a team it seems). If you have a chance to get an elite player through the draft you have to do it.
• Pick6

  

  Commander of Awesome;1044402 wrote:Yes because we don't have a legit at a title. The NBA isn't built that way, that would turn us into the Raptors/Pacers of the past decade. Worst place to be in professional sports. There are so few ELITE players in the league (as why only 8 players play for a team it seems). If you have a chance to get an elite player through the draft you have to do it.

  yup, especially since its unlikely that they are going to decide to come to Cleveland on their own lol
• Commander of Awesome

  

  I dont want to be in position to have to rely on FAs. Build through the draft.
• hoops23

  

  Commander of Awesome;1044410 wrote:I dont want to be in position to have to rely on FAs. Build through the draft.

  And make a few key trades here and there.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  [h=3]Gilbert Believes Cavs Will Be Able To Keep Irving, Thompson In Free Agency[/h]Jan 08, 2012 12:03 PM EST

  

  Two years after losing LeBron James, Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert said he thinks his team will have a better chance to keep rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson when they reach free agency.
  “The draft picks we have now, as far as organization goes, we’re here from the beginning,” he said. &#8220eople forget we were not here from the beginning of the previous era. We came in Year 3 (for James). We weren’t able to establish a foundation and a relationship at the beginning. It’s a whole different thing now and I really think it will be very different when this core of guys comes up for a contract.
  
  “Who knows exactly who will be here and who won’t, based on what happens in the NBA. (If) we keep doing the right things in the organization, keep making the arena and the franchise a great place for players to play and we start winning, things will take care of themselves.”
  
  Gilbert, a key figure in collective bargaining negotiations, admitted to favoring a franchise tag that would restrict or prohibit players from entering free agency.
  
  “That certainly was discussed. I think it probably would’ve been a good thing overall for the NBA,” he said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t part of the agreement. But I think we did get some things that will make it better for the small market and mid-market teams.”
  
  Via News-Herald
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• Pick6

  

  ^^ Not trying to be a dick, but of course he is going to say that. I hope we can keep them as well. Both seem like they aren't frontrunners who have a huge ego like Lebron, and I think they will appreciate the love that the Cleveland fans will give them.
• Mulva

  

  8 games into their rookie season is a little early for me to start worrying about what they might do in free agency.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Mulva;1044520 wrote:8 games into their rookie season is a little early for me to start worrying about what they might do in free agency.

  
  Lol seriously
• hoops23

  

  Well, he was asked the question.
  
  The good thing is, Kyrie really seemed like he wanted to be drafted by the Cavs. He established a relationship with Gilbert from day 1.
  
  When I heard that Thompson spent a lot of time as a youth in Cleveland and considered it a "2nd home" it made me a bit more comfortable.
  
  Kyrie, T2, and Barnes are all great friends... It might be a great thing to get them all in a Cavs uni if possible.
• hoops23

  

  PORTLAND, Ore. -- Omri Casspi was having a miserable start to Tuesday's night game against Charlotte at The Q -- committing a turnover, air-balling a 3-point shot and missing the first of two free throws.
  
  
  As the Cavaliers' small forward, who's struggled with his confidence, prepared for a second foul shot, teammate Kyrie Irving approached. Like a catcher visiting the mound to help his rattled pitcher locate the strike zone, Irving spoke to Casspi for several seconds. He encouraged him, challenged him and punctuated his pep talk with a slap to Casspi's chest.
  
  
  The 19-year-old point guard was playing in his fifth NBA game.
  
  
  "That's probably something I wouldn't have done in the opener," Irving said.
  
  
  Save for a pair of clunkers against the Toronto Raptors, the Cavaliers rookie is justifying his No.1 overall selection in the draft. He is averaging 14.1 points and 5.3 assists, pushing the pace at every opportunity, slashing to the basket and showing the ability to hit perimeter shots. Irving has played a large role in the Cavaliers' surprising 4-3 start.
  
  
  But it's moments like the one with Casspi that add a layer of excitement to his development. He is exhibiting leadership qualities the belie his age and experience level.
  
  
  "It seems like each and every game he's starting to get a little bit more comfortable in that role," coach Byron Scott said. "I still think it's going to take him time to really feel that he can be the leader that we want him to be, which is understandable.
  
  
  "Chris Paul was the same way. He had problems yelling at P.J. Brown or saying P.J. should be here because he had been in the league so long and was a veteran. That's just respect, and I think Kyrie has that same respect for guys like Antawn [Jamison] and AP [Anthony Parker] and Andy [Anderson Varejao] who have been in this league for a long time and had success."
  
  
  Irving is showing leadership actions as well as words.
  
  
  Although the position of point guard requires Irving to direct others, it doesn't demand taking the last shot, the way he did in the dying fourth-quarter seconds against Indiana in a Dec. 30 overtime loss. As the Cavaliers broke their timeout huddle, however, almost everyone in Bankers Life Fieldhouse sensed the moment belonged to Irving.
  
  
  By comparison, LeBron James did not begin attempting final shots until midway through his rookie season, after the Cavaliers traded Ricky Davis and Darius Miles. Irving has demonstrated on several occasions he isn't afraid of failure. It's a trait that has not escaped the attention of veterans Jamison and Daniel Gibson -- or his coach.
  
  
  In discussing Irving, Scott often references Paul and his rookie-of-the-year season (2005-06) with New Orleans. Scott coached that team and saw his club make a 20-game improvement in the win column.
  
  
  Irving still looks to the bench for instruction, Scott said, the way Paul did early in his first season.
  
  
  "[There's] nothing wrong with that," the coach said. "[It was] halfway through the season when I told [Paul], 'you know everything that we're doing.' You call the play, just to give him more confidence. Kyrie's not there yet, so there's a lot of times where I'll just whistle and call the play for him."
  
  
  Of course, Paul was 20 as a rookie and had played two full seasons at Wake Forrest. Irving's college career consisted of 11 games at Duke.
  
  
  He is going to hit some walls -- you can see him sometimes tire during games -- and the Cavs are fortunate to have such a strong backup in Ramon Sessions. But the idea of Irving needing mentoring the way Baron Davis had envisioned it seems unnecessary. He is poised and mature, embracing the challenges of running an offense and becoming the "head of the snake," as Scott terms it.
  
  
  The coach hopes there's a time when Irving won't have to score as much for the Cavaliers to win. He's tied for the rookie scoring lead with New Jersey's MarShon Brooks. Until then, Scott wants Irving to remain assertive. As his impromptu meeting with Casspi demonstrated, that can take many forms.
  

• Commander of Awesome

  

  Mulva;1044520 wrote:8 games into their rookie season is a little early for me to start worrying about what they might do in free agency.

  Yeah I agree, I think its a joke that the reporter even asked the question. SMH at the media today.
• Wooball

  

  Last night's game reinforced my belief that this team is going to lose a bunch this year. Parker and Casspi is the worst 2/3 starting combo in the league, and it's probably not close. Samardo Samuels is a black hole and against a good defensive team is a human turnover. He needs to improve his post passing. I'd expect to see more and more of Semih Erden now that he is healthy enough to play.
  
  Tristan Thompson came to play last night. If/when he develops just an OK 15' jumper he will be very tough to handle. I would like to see more of him and Kyrie on the floor together. Irving has a knack for finding his bigs in position to finish, and TT can surely do that. Nice that the 2 rookies played well against the best team they have faced this season.
• wildcats20

  

  Wooball;1044656 wrote:Last night's game reinforced my belief that this team is going to lose a bunch this year. Parker and Casspi is the worst 2/3 starting combo in the league, and it's probably not close. Samardo Samuels is a black hole and against a good defensive team is a human turnover. He needs to improve his post passing. I'd expect to see more and more of Semih Erden now that he is healthy enough to play.
  
  Tristan Thompson came to play last night. If/when he develops just an OK 15' jumper he will be very tough to handle. I would like to see more of him and Kyrie on the floor together. Irving has a knack for finding his bigs in position to finish, and TT can surely do that. Nice that the 2 rookies played well against the best team they have faced this season.

  They played one of the best teams in the League so far and lost by 20.
  
  What did you expect?
• Wooball

  

  wildcats20;1044795 wrote:They played one of the best teams in the League so far and lost by 20.
  
  What did you expect?

  I expected them to get blown out. I was just stating that they are in fact still bad and will lose a bunch. Which they need to do in order to add another piece to the rebuild.
• wildcats20

  

  So I just looked at their schedule...
  
  Who the hell did they piss off? 7 straight road games? Only have played 3 home games. Wow.
• wildcats20

  

  IMO...
  
  They "should" win the next 2, Utah and Phoenix. They won't win in LA, but it won't be like last year. And they should beat Charlotte.
  
  I'd say a 4-3 roadie would be a definite win for the Cavs.
• ohiobucks1

  

  0-7 would be a good roadie..
• wildcats20

  

  lol
• Mulva

  

  When I looked at the schedule I came up with 8-12 after January. Utah is 4-0 at home. I'd be surprised with a win there. Young team, but I love what they're doing.
• hoops23

  

  ohiobucks1;1046517 wrote:0-7 would be a good roadie..

  LOL reps if I could
• dazedconfused

  

  wildcats20;1046509 wrote:So I just looked at their schedule...
  
  Who the hell did they piss off? 7 straight road games? Only have played 3 home games. Wow.

  just take a glance at february...it swings the other way in a hurry
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Utah is a tough place to play, I doubt we win there.
• Pick6

  

  I am a fan of Casspi when he is playing well (might be one of the few on here who watched him play at Sac), but Gee needs to be starting. He is much improved and playing way better than Casspi so far this season.
  
  
  Also, Kanter doesnt look very good. Havent seen any "flashes" out of him like you see out of TT and Kyrie.