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Anderson Varejao = horrid?

  • tuskytuffguy
    Personally, I just don't get what value he brings to the Cavs. He can't handle a ball when he has it, can't take a pass unless it's a soft toss, and alot of times even flubs those, and just simply flails his body around like a rag doll. It's like watching Joakim Noah, only sometimes worse. I'm convinced that if Andy didn't play for the Cavs or some other front-runner, noone would ever have a damn clue who he is. Downright makes it painful for me to watch the Cavs when he's in. I mean, sure, he might block a shot or get a rebound here and there, but that's nothing special, anyone in the NBA can do that.

    What say you, fellows, am I right or wrong?
  • Lovejoy1984
    Wrong.

    The stuff that Andy brings to the Cavs cannot be measured in stats.
  • hangonsloopy
    He is vital to this team. His energy and ability to get in players heads is unmatched.
  • bigdaddy2003
    I can't stand him. He's definitely not worth what he is getting paid.
  • ytownfootball
    Hate Noah...but he gets a TON of rebs.

    AV gets into the oppositions head so bad it's not funny. He hustles when no one is looking and when it's needed to spark a slow stretch. Nice tip-ins, great on the backdoor, works well w/LBJ...

    worth every cent

    He can be annoying but that's part of the point with him.
  • Darkon
    hangonsloopy wrote: He is vital to this team. His energy and ability to get in players heads is unmatched.
    I don't know about the vital part. But I agree with the rest. I believe he is trying to play the role of a Dennis Rodman. Although Rodman was one of a kind.
  • Hb31187
    Hes a hustler who enjoys flopping and whining about calls
  • SportsAndLady
    AV is the man...you take him off the Cavs, and it would be a bad, bad thing.

    It's not all about the stats, gentlemen.
  • Lovejoy1984
    I don't know how closely you guys believe in John Hollinger, but he had Lebron as the MVP, deservedly so, but also he had Andy as the DPY through mid season.

    Defensive Player of the Year: Anderson Varejao, Cleveland

    Varejao has always been among the game's best frontcourt defenders, but have you seen the guy this season? He's moved beyond the Raggedy Andy flopfest of recent years to become a court-roving defensive monster. The shift in the game toward stretch 4s and pick-and-roll guards has only increased his value, as his freakish mobility for his size makes him one of the few players capable of both defending the post and smothering quick guards on switches.

    A perfect example came against Portland on Jan. 10, with the Cavs nursing a six-point lead and less than four minutes left. Brandon Roy came off the pick-and-roll looking to explode to the rim, just like he's done a thousand times before, but Varejao made the switch so quickly that Roy went right into his chest. Roy was stymied and stunned, dribbled the ball off his leg and out of bounds, and the Cavs were well on their way to leaving the building with a victory.

    His value goes far deeper than one play, of course. According to basketballvalue.com, Varejao has the best adjusted defensive plus/minus in the league at minus-11.5 points per 100 possessions, which in rough terms means the Cavs are below average without him on the court and the best in the league when he's on it. And unlike a lot of the Cavs' plus/minus differences, this one wasn't built on LeBron James' coattails; Varejao spends much of his playing time with the second unit.

    Several other players merit consideration here. Dwight Howard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has been no slouch, Ron Artest has quietly excelled in L.A., and Atlanta's Josh Smith and Boston's Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo all are worth a look. But in my book, none has been as good as Varejao so far this season.

    Honorable mention: Ron Artest, L.A., Rajon Rondo, Boston; Kendrick Perkins, Boston; Dwight Howard, Orlando; Josh Smith, Atlanta
  • Mulva
    bigdaddy2003 wrote: I can't stand him. He's definitely not worth what he is getting paid.
    Agree with this.

    He has some value, but he's not worth anything close to the contract they gave him.
  • Hb31187
    Kind of like Birdman....if he wasnt on my team...id hate him with a passion
  • wildcats20
    HighRoller74 wrote: I don't know how closely you guys believe in John Hollinger, but he had Lebron as the MVP, deservedly so, but also he had Andy as the DPY through mid season.
    I'll give you the first one, Bron is IMo by far the MVP this year. In the end there is no way Andy will be the DPY. It will go to one of the usual suspects.
  • h2thaizzo
    It's funny that people say "he isn't worth the contract they gave him". He makes slightly more than the MLE, which is what the "average" NBA player would usually be worth. AV is definitely better than average. There aren't many players that can play both the 4 and 5 positions defensively the way he does. He is never going to be a top option offensively, we know that, the Cavs know that, he knows that, but he feeds off everyone else on this team. He takes advantage of his open opportunities better than almost anyone in the league. Anytime Shaq is doubled, and Andy is on the floor, Andy finds an open spot and gets an easy hoop. 13 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, I'd take that every night.
  • Lovejoy1984
    wildcats20 wrote:
    HighRoller74 wrote: I don't know how closely you guys believe in John Hollinger, but he had Lebron as the MVP, deservedly so, but also he had Andy as the DPY through mid season.
    I'll give you the first one, Bron is IMo by far the MVP this year. In the end there is no way Andy will be the DPY. It will go to one of the usual suspects.
    I agree, it'll almost definitely be someone else, just thought it was interesting given this thread popped up.
  • devil1197
    AV is worth every penny he gets, which isn't a large contract around the MLE.

    This team needs AV.
  • jspitaleri
    ^Well said... he does contribute on the stat sheet at times... tonight was a good game for him... but everything else he brings to the team makes him worth the money he is making.
  • wildcats20
    HighRoller74 wrote:
    wildcats20 wrote:
    HighRoller74 wrote: I don't know how closely you guys believe in John Hollinger, but he had Lebron as the MVP, deservedly so, but also he had Andy as the DPY through mid season.
    I'll give you the first one, Bron is IMo by far the MVP this year. In the end there is no way Andy will be the DPY. It will go to one of the usual suspects.
    I agree, it'll almost definitely be someone else, just thought it was interesting given this thread popped up.
    Having not seen the rankings, that does surprise me that Andy is leading his DPY right now.
  • 2quik4u
    even tho i hate the guy, he is worth the money
  • Cleveland Buck
    He is one of the best defenders in the league, one of the best rebounders, plays with such energy it is contagious, and knows how to find open spots playing with LeBron. He is worth every penny, and I wouldn't want to see him anywhere else.
  • Hb31187
    One of the best defenders in the league?
  • Cleveland Buck
    Hb31187 wrote: One of the best defenders in the league?
    Yes.
  • Hb31187
    puff puff....pass?
  • Cleveland Buck
    No one that he is guarding ever gets an easy shot. Ever. He is an outstanding help defender. He can check guards on switches. He has even improved his shot blocking. I don't know if I could name 5 better defenders in the NBA.
  • Hb31187
    Lol hes a good defender...but common man
  • wildcats20
    KG, Marcus Camby, Bron, Kobe, Chris Paul