Links to the Present: March 6, 2013
2013-03-06
Yeah..."whoops".
“Six weeks ago, Cleveland was 9-31, staring at a half-season without Anderson Varejao, their second-best player, and facing questions about whether they’d fatally blown two straight top-five picks on Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. They looked like a lock to make a serious run at “earning” the most Ping-Pong balls in the draft lottery.
Whoops.” [Zach Lowe – Grantland]
“Assuming the first pick will fall somewhere in the top five and the second around Nos. 16-20, we can start to take a look at the most likely draft prospects for the Cavs at each selection.” [Greg Swartz – B/R Slideshow]
“On Monday, he made it out of bed. “That’s a victory for me,” he said. “It was a rough day.” He said teammate Dion Waiters has the same ailment he had. Waiters also missed Monday’s game and wasn’t at practice on Tuesday. He’s listed as questionable for the Utah Jazz at 7 Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.” [Bob Finnan – The Morning Journal]
[Update] Waiters and Gibson out with flu tonight.
“The Cavs development path often gets compared to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Whether this makes sense is another question entirely, but for the record, I don’t think it does. Kevin Durant’s and Russell Westbrook’s and James Harden’s don’t grow on trees. But because this is Kyrie Irving’s second year, let’s take a look a look at the jump OKC made from year two of Durant, to year three.” [David Zavac – FeartheSword]
“When the Cavs execute Scott’s strategy, they’re an exciting team with a big upside. Perhaps even more important than that is the fact individual players have made strides under Scott. Just compare Thompson and Waiters now to what they were at the beginning of the year. Cavs fans who have issues with Scott need to ask themselves a question. Namely, will Kyrie get along with another coach as well as he does with his current one? Irving really likes being a Cavalier, and Scott is a big reason why.” [Sam Amico – FoxSportsOhio]
I don’t understand this obsession with adding a guy like Iguodala, Millsap or Otto Porter. This team has a chance to draft a dominant big man and then add the best SF in the league next offseason…I don’t see why anyone would want to jeopardize that just for the chance of adding a borderline all-star SF this off-season.
Get a real center and let the kids grow up some more. Maybe trade for a superstar. But at least aim high. Need stars, not borderline all-stars.
I would be more than okay with them taking Saric and him being stashed overseas for a few seasons. Once he comes over he’d be on a very cheap rookie contract when the Cavs have little cap wiggle room.
“…team that isn’t tanking but not yet winning too often. It’s really the perfect situation right now.”
Umm…last i checked, that’s the worst possible situation. You either want to win a lot (i.e., be a contender) or lose a lot (and get a good draft pick). Being in between is in no way a good thing.
Saric may not be ready for the bright lights of the NBA but a 6’10/ 6’11 SF that can shoot the 3 and needs to work on his driving is a great fit for Kyrie and Dion who are both on the short side and both are slashers that can penetrate and dish. A tall lanky young 3 that can shoot and defend ala Dirk would be a nice touch.
I’m starting to think we should be careful not to finish ahead of Washington. They have PG, SG, and C sorted and a hole at SF (unless you consider Ariza a long term option). You have to think they’d seriously consider picking Otto before we do.
A first round of Noel (3-6) and Dario Saric (15-20) is very enticing. Not sure what C’s could be there at the 16-20 range. That’s what I’m looking for right now with all that changing on the north end of 100 times before the draft.
Chad Ford answered a Cavs question in his draft mailbag:
Julian (Buffalo, NY):
I personally feel that that Cleveland Cavs are a solid draft pick away from having a thunder like future. Irving is a star, Thompson and Waiters are becoming good players and Zeller is a solid big off the bench. What do you think?
Chad Ford (1:44 PM):
If they can land someone like Nerlens Noel or Otto Porter in the draft, they are going to be VERY dangerous down the road.
Sam Amico reporting that kyrie Irving is happy here makes me worry that Kyrie is considering retirement just to get out of Cleveland.
Nate, I think it’s way more important to get the Lakers’ pick so we can roll that with other picks to move up in the draft, if possible.
@Nathan: The Lakers making the playoffs isn’t that hard to believe for me right now. Remaining SOS has the Jazz playing the 5th hardest schedule in the league from here on out, with 7 of their next 8 games against winning teams. Meanwhile, the Lakers have the 6th easiest schedule in the entire NBA from here on out, with only 3 out of 9 games against winning teams in that same time frame. Barring any major upsets or the Jazz suddenly playing “good” again, even if you give the Jazz the benefit of the doubt against some teams that are… Read more »
@ Nate – The Cavs should play to win. They don’t necessarily need the top pick to get the guy they want. Who that is remains to be seen, but my guess (or hope) is Noel.
@ jimmy – Agreed. Not sure he’s coming out though. He hasn’t had a great season shooting. He might be better off with another year at Baylor.
i like austin with 2nd 1st rounder
FYI Nate, Tanking as it is commonly referred to around here ended after last season. This year they were a young improving team that isn’t tanking but not yet winning too often. It’s really the perfect situation right now.
Quite the Dilemma tonight. Do the Cavs sacrifice their own position to help the Lakers make the playoffs, or do they tank to ensure a good draft pick?
FOOLISH for anyone to think B. Scott won’t be here for the long term to see these guys mature and develop prob. over the next 4-6 years at least.
“Assuming the first pick will fall somewhere in the top five and the second around Nos. 16-20”
…What? First of all, 3 1/2 games separates us in the 3rd position and Philly in the 11th position. And Philly’s kind of tanking hardcore right now. Our draft pick could easily land anywhere from 3 to 11. Secondly, he’s assuming the Lakers make the playoffs? That’s a 50/50 proposition at best right now.