Links To The Present: April 7, 2011
2011-04-07
I have to keep it short today, you guys. I was just notified that I got into an M.A. program, and I need to run over to campus to shake hands with an academic advisor and register for classes and such.
Kyrie Irving has declared for the draft.
WFNY has a couple of great pieces. Scott Sargent analyzes the effects Baron Davis has had on the Cavs’ offense, and Craig Lyndall explains why tanking is weird.
CByers has a substantial article on why this terrible Cavaliers season still means something.
“Minnesota has lost 11 consecutive games and the Cavs have won three of their last seven – pulling them within one victory of matching the Timberwolves’ current mark of 17. What’s more, while Minnesota’s final four games are against opponents with at least 37 victories, three of Cleveland’s final five games are against teams with 26 or fewer victories.” [Anthony Maggio]
And Mary Schmitt Boyer’s weekly podcast, in which she talks tanking, Kyrie Irving, and Baron Davis.
I’ll be back tomorrow, hopefully with some thoughts substantive thoughts. In the meantime, I have to go talk to a guy who has an M.S. from Brown and a Ph. D from Columbia. I’ll probably feel pretty stupid in the process.
Reply to dougfast:
Fixed that for you: does Minnesota need ANOTHER pg?? I think they should draft one every year based on hilarity.
does Minnesota need a pg??
Tanking may have served us well last time but I agree with alex. I can’t make up my mid on who I would want but if barnes and Williams enter the draft I would take any of the top three. I think the other pout guards that we could possibly get with our pick from LAC, while maybe not as good as Irving, would be fine of that is what our team needs.
I also think there is a chance Barnes spurns the draft this year.
I just think that in principle, a league in which teams intentionally lose games is an ignoble one. Think about looking at that league from an outsider’s perspective. What kind of apathetical, meaningless drivel would that look like? It seems pathetic. It makes me shudder. Regardless of any hypothetical long-term benefits, the thought of tanking makes me ashamed. I just can’t imagine real competitors being okay with losing. I want every Cavs player to hate every loss and to try his best never to experience the feeling of losing again. Gross.
I don’t see the point in tanking honestly.
I know people say Kyrie Irving is the best player in the draft, but in my opinion the Cavs need SG and SF more than PG.
Remember, Minnesota is tanking to get the worst record. Do we really want to mimic the most inept franchise in the NBA?
Also, we’re only missing out on 5%. I know every bit helps, but I’m more concerned about Harrison Barnes and Derrick Williams entering the draft than 5%.
Good luck with the interview!
As for losing/tanking/winning, I’ll say do whatever makes the team better…
If that means keeping Davis with JJ and Hollins in the next couple of games, so they can continue to gel, then so be it.
If it means tanking to have a better chance at the draft, then do so, I don’t care.
What’s another couple of L’s this season??