mikhail1973
10-30-2007, 03:28 PM
Season 2006/2007
Record 50-32
The best season in team’s history. No, not really, not that. Maybe the best play-off season in the team’s history. No, still not it. Not the entire play-offs, more likely one series. Maybe even a single game, not a series. And not by a team, but by one player.
Offseason
Draft
No picks
Key Trades
Acquired: Devin Brown and Cedric Simmons from Hornets.
Left: Scott Pollard and David Wesley.
Unsigned: Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao
Offseason grade: N/A
Season 2007/2008
The team hasn’t changed a bit. The same coach, same leader, and the same players (other than a couple of holdouts). Everyone who is predicting a fall for the team is in for a disappointment. The team is going to remain to be inconvenient to play against as it was during the past season and the season prior to that. Cleveland is not necessarily only LeBron. It is also a sticky defense and the ability to make the opposition play Cavs tempo, Cavs game. It is a very good home team that could explode in front of the home fans. This is when the team runs.
What are team’s issues?
1. A point guard and a shooting guard. The team fills the hole with oft-injured Hughes, veteran Snow and young Gibson. Cleveland media reports that Hughes worked on his shot this off-season. But it won’t solve Cleveland’s issues.
2. Only one question to Pavlovic – why out of 30 NBA teams he had to join the one where his natural position is being occupied by LBJ?
3. The front court has its limitations. Against weaker opposition they look good, but they are nowhere near as effective against stronger teams.
4. The team has no reliable scorer other than LeBron. If he is doubled he has nobody to pass to who can knock the shot down.
LeBron James is improving his game. He is working out all the kinks, all the technical errors, and improves his form. There are still some holes in his game which haven’t completely disappeared by they are getting lesser and smaller all the time. He always had athletic ability and court vision, now he is rounding into a more complete player. He moves a lot quicker and smoother, he rarely gets into the crowded area under the rim, he makes better decisions at the critical moments, and he can attack from any distance. Actually, he always attacked from all distances, now he is just a lot more efficient at it. And that’s exactly how he played for the US team this summer. The Spurs beat down was easily predictable, but a sweep-pill wasn’t any sweeter because of that. James wants to get back to the finals to take another crack at it.
Note of importance
Daniel “Boobie” Gibson. The guy blossomed during the playoffs. He is quick and fearless. Born and raised in Texas. During the sixths game against Pistons, when Pistons fans thought that it was all a bad dream and they were going to wake up any minute, this guy came off the bench and each of his 3-point makes (5 for 5) made Flip Saunders cringe as if he was electrocuted.
Bottom Line
Cleveland didn’t change, but conference did. So will the environment and playoff opponents. I don’t foresee another trip to the finals.
Playoffs – yes
Championship – no
Record 50-32
The best season in team’s history. No, not really, not that. Maybe the best play-off season in the team’s history. No, still not it. Not the entire play-offs, more likely one series. Maybe even a single game, not a series. And not by a team, but by one player.
Offseason
Draft
No picks
Key Trades
Acquired: Devin Brown and Cedric Simmons from Hornets.
Left: Scott Pollard and David Wesley.
Unsigned: Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao
Offseason grade: N/A
Season 2007/2008
The team hasn’t changed a bit. The same coach, same leader, and the same players (other than a couple of holdouts). Everyone who is predicting a fall for the team is in for a disappointment. The team is going to remain to be inconvenient to play against as it was during the past season and the season prior to that. Cleveland is not necessarily only LeBron. It is also a sticky defense and the ability to make the opposition play Cavs tempo, Cavs game. It is a very good home team that could explode in front of the home fans. This is when the team runs.
What are team’s issues?
1. A point guard and a shooting guard. The team fills the hole with oft-injured Hughes, veteran Snow and young Gibson. Cleveland media reports that Hughes worked on his shot this off-season. But it won’t solve Cleveland’s issues.
2. Only one question to Pavlovic – why out of 30 NBA teams he had to join the one where his natural position is being occupied by LBJ?
3. The front court has its limitations. Against weaker opposition they look good, but they are nowhere near as effective against stronger teams.
4. The team has no reliable scorer other than LeBron. If he is doubled he has nobody to pass to who can knock the shot down.
LeBron James is improving his game. He is working out all the kinks, all the technical errors, and improves his form. There are still some holes in his game which haven’t completely disappeared by they are getting lesser and smaller all the time. He always had athletic ability and court vision, now he is rounding into a more complete player. He moves a lot quicker and smoother, he rarely gets into the crowded area under the rim, he makes better decisions at the critical moments, and he can attack from any distance. Actually, he always attacked from all distances, now he is just a lot more efficient at it. And that’s exactly how he played for the US team this summer. The Spurs beat down was easily predictable, but a sweep-pill wasn’t any sweeter because of that. James wants to get back to the finals to take another crack at it.
Note of importance
Daniel “Boobie” Gibson. The guy blossomed during the playoffs. He is quick and fearless. Born and raised in Texas. During the sixths game against Pistons, when Pistons fans thought that it was all a bad dream and they were going to wake up any minute, this guy came off the bench and each of his 3-point makes (5 for 5) made Flip Saunders cringe as if he was electrocuted.
Bottom Line
Cleveland didn’t change, but conference did. So will the environment and playoff opponents. I don’t foresee another trip to the finals.
Playoffs – yes
Championship – no