Podcast!
2012-05-01Howdy loyal readers! Now that the season is over, I figured it was time to record another Podcast summing up the highs and lows of a pretty crazy season. In addition to our general ramblings, we’re going to do another edition of Readers Requests (that my new catchy name for you guys asking us questions)
In the comment section below, please write in any questions you’d like us to answer – about the Cavs, the draft, the NBA in general, Ryan’s on-again off-again relationship with Natalie Portman…really, whatever you’re interested in hearing us discuss – and we’ll pick the best few to talk about during our podcast.
Please submit by 6:30 tonight.
@ scuzz. Sorry. Wasn’t clear; I meant really moving up in the draft. What u noted doesn’t apply to what I meant. Though I guess OKC traded to late-ish first to move up to 11 to get Aldrich a few yrs ago, so I guess it’s possible.
What is the Cavaliers’ management’s overall goal on FA this offseason? Would someone Like Amare or even Howard be possible?
I think the most important thing for the Cavs is to get a solid big with some offense who can be relied on to get some easy buckets in the paint courtesy of Irving. Therefor in the draft I think the Cavs should go after Beal. Hopefully Casspi develops, or we can trade around for a mediocre wing? A lineup of Howard-Verejou-Casspi-Beal-Irving with TT as sixth man seems pretty darn good to me. Playoff-contender good in a year.
Hoopsdogg – are there any specific FAs you want us to discuss?
Also, we’ll be giving out a special award for the funniest/most entertaining Cavs-related question from you guys.
I think a lot of these will be fought over this summer and many will stay with their current teams, but I would consider going after:
Lou Williams
Brandon Rush
Nic Batum
Roy Hibbert
Omer Asik
Less fitting Ryan Anderson, and as a backup maybe Budinger, gift be better than Casspi
Talking too much about the draft really doesn’t make sense until the lottery. I’d like to hear what free agents are most intriguing (especially ones that are playing now), and what free agents we should avoid like the plague. This includes our own free agents, and free agents for next year too (James Harden…)
Ryan – I’ll be picking around 3 questions and we’ll have a whole podcast dedicated to the draft – don’t fret!
Why don’t you give us a couple players to consider discussing? I’m curious for everyone’s take on FA’s we should target (beyond Mayo and Gordon)
@ Kj
It happened in last years draft.
Minnesota receives: No. 28 pick (Norris Cole), second-rounder Malcolm Lee and cash considerations.
Chicago receives: No. 23 pick (Nikola Mirotic)
google “nba draft day trades” then add a recent year and you’ll see more examples.
@Mallory I don’t think you’re going to be able to only take one draft question. It is fully 90% of Cleveland’s attention span at the minute. I would like to hear what you think the greatest need on the team will be and a few scenarios for how the cavs fill it whether through the draft or free agency. Also, I’d like to hear your predictions for those we will keep from the current Roster, grades on how they did this season, and how we will fill it out for next year. I think some free agency commentary would be… Read more »
Richard –
I’ve literally been thinking about this all day. This will almost definitely be a topic we’ll discuss during the podcast.
In order for us to take on Amare, we’d have to get a young guy or multiple picks in return (maybe Landry Fields + a first round pick?) and in return we could send Casspi or something (who would be a REALLY good compliment for the Knicks and would allow Melo to move to the four and give them a weapon on O who can play some D too, unlike Novak)
RICHARD NO!!!
However, Jamison does seem to have some juice left and could be a nice bench addition for a contender. Where do ya’ll see him landing and could it potentially swing some title hopes?
I think if the Thunder got Jamison, they could move Harden in starting line-up and not lose that scoring punch off the bench.
Assuming we’re far enough under the cap and we can absorb the whole thing…is there any situation where you entertain doing NY a favor and effectively give them a second amnesty by taking on Amare’s albatross of a contract?
He’d replace Jamison’s offensive production, he’d expire by the time the rookies need extended, and pick and roll with STAT would help Kyrie’s development as a pure point.
Can we all agree that no matter what the Cavs do during the lottery ESPN will most likely give them a bad draft grade?
Also, if the Thunder were to beat the Heat in the Finals, wouldn’t this be the worst case scenario? Beaten by the older generation and then eclipsed by the younger one.
I think Mayo is much more likely than Gordon. NO is unlikely to let him go at any cost. I thought we might have had a chance gettin Batum but it sounds like it’s gonna be either Portland or SA.
Btw, people mention packaging picks to move up in the draft but when does that ever happen? I can’t recall. Now, in a package including a veteran player or a player already drafted yeah but I cannot think of an example of someone moving up in the draft just by packaging picks…
Do the Cavs have need at the center position, or do they view AV or TT as players capable of playing center? If they do need a center, what draft prospect/free agent should they look at?
Which current Cavs players do you guys see Chris Grant retaining? Does Luke Walton get bought out and released? (I hope so). Do they use their option on the oft injured Daniel Gibson? Did Samardo Samuals and Donald Sloan show enough to be part of this team going forward?
@Scuzz – I think you’re right. I think you take MKG and either offer Eric Gordon the farm or hope to sign some 2 with range. But that team would be heavily reliant on Kyrie as a shooter to space the floor. Fortunately he’s got such great range on his shot and will fire away anytime defender goes under the pick. If we get Beal, Kyrie can be more of a facilitator. I think there are less MKG’s than Beals in the NBA. So go with the rarer skillset.
Just a heads up, guys, we’re going to do a draft podcast once we know the order – so we’ll probably only take one draft question (unless that’s all we get…)
Are the Cavs entertaining the possibility of packaging some of their picks to move up? If so, who might they target with such a move?
Can you see a guy like Eric Gordon or OJ Mayo sign with the cavs without overpaying too much? Would be worthy to draft a big man with our pick and go after a in free-agency?
Since we’ll be drafting somewhere in the top 6, who are the 6 players you’d most want to see the Cavs draft?
Also, which late first round pick are you really excited about?
@ Tom
I guess you’d have to take MKG. But they darn sure better get a SG that can shoot later on. Varejao, TT, MKG, none of these guys have much range on their shot. Opponents would pack the paint, and their half court offense would be miserable.
What would be a better draft strategy for the Cavs: keeping all four picks, or packaging one (or both) second rounders with the Lakers pick to move up? I know it’s tough to answer this now, but if the Cavs can fill some of their needs through FA (backup center, backup pg, SG), maybe it would be better to get as many impact players in the draft as possible instead of using the extra picks for depth. For example, draft Bradley Beal with the top pick, then trade the Lakers pick & both second rounders to move up to 15-16… Read more »
If the Cavs are fortunate enough to draft second, who do they take? Beal, or Kidd-Gilchrist? I like Beal more, but I think top-notch SF are harder to come by and there are always pretty good SG that can fill it up. What do you guys think?