Rookie Roundup – Reflections On The Season Thus Far
2012-02-20Every two weeks I’ll give a little recap of what our youngsters are up to, how they looked, and what to expect.
As far as our rookies go, it’s been a very, very, very slow two weeks. Other than last night, we’ve seen our rooks miss some games, play some bad games, play some good games, and do very little by way of spectacular. Both Tristan and Kyrie missed some time (Kyrie more than Tristan) and, on the whole, there was very little noteworthy action from the two. There have been some nice wins and some bad losses, and a whole lot of questions, at least about the future. I can’t remember a time where I’ve felt so apathetic about how my team has been doing.
Which got me to thinking – not only where do we go from here, but what are we now? In a season that is marked by the purgatory of rebuilding, how does the average fan react? We’ve spent so much time talking about the future, but how do we happily look at what we have, put it into the context of this season, and feel some contentment?
Obviously contextualizing this season comes with the reflection of last season. We can say one thing for sure – we have some real youth on our team, and things are certainly brighter than they have been, but even with that in mind things seem limited.
You can subtract Kyrie from the frustration because, at least in my mind, he’s a stud. I’m almost certain he’ll be an all-star at some point, and maybe even a star, and we know that the process of his growth makes this season somewhat worthwhile. But beyond that, what development has been made? Does anyone really feel like we have even a semblance of a team of pros?
After seven years marked by nothing but overpowering momentum and one year stained by rejection, where do we go with what we know we have?
The last two games have been a microcosm of the larger questions of this season. On Friday we were crushed by one of the best teams in the NBA, and on Sunday we beat one of the worst. As diehard NBA fans, most of us know that this is to be expected – we need to take our licks on the way to the top. But for those fans who don’t know the map as well as we do, the future must look a lot more uncertain and the present totally uninspired and like another year of disappointment.
I’m still very happy with the way this draft has turned out so far. Kyrie looks like he’s got a lot more talent than we ever could have expected, and Tristan Thompson, if willing to put in the necessary work, has the tools to be a solid contributor. This season is obviously dedicated to them, Alonzo Gee, Omri Casspi, and any other player who shows the signs of progressing to the image of a piece of the team that Gilbert, Grant, and Scott have. But beyond that, isn’t it ok to wish for a little more? As fans, aren’t we entitled to more than just purgatory?
Sorry for the existentialism. I promise for our next roundup, I’ll give you guys a mid-year report on our kids. Until then, my friends.
Everyone is making good points here, it’s nice to see the educated Cavs fans out and about. I am glad I found this blog! I agree the only players worth keeping on the roster are (in order) Kyrie, Andy, Tristan, Gee and maybe Boobie since he has a decent contract..but cannot stay healthy enough to produce. I was upset at first with the Justin Harper pick then trade but they’re definitely stocking picks which is good. The players from Tristan – Klay Thompson in the draft aren’t much of anything, but man it would be nice with hindsight to have… Read more »
The Cavs are biding their time. They may trade some of their guys for prospects. I personally would love to see them move Sessions and Jamison for picks and/or prospects, but those trades aren’t easy to make, and I suspect that Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol are the dominoes that everyone is waiting on. Once those two go, and we could very well be facilitators in those trades, there will be a lot of movement in the NBA. But it really doesn’t make a lot of sense for them to cut guys like Harangody and Samuels in order to bring… Read more »
One of the biggest questions I have is what’s the plan with Gee? Do we really think he’s that good? How much is the guy worth?
I’m also kind of curious about how you guys define this season? I know that we’re all aware of the path, but what do you tell me 68 year old uncle, or his 93 year old father? They’re less interested in what the future holds.
I guess I’m asking how we as fans contextualize what the future means for what we’re doing now.
I think the Cavs are clearly on the right path, the two questions I have are: 1) how long will they stay on the path? 2) how quickly will they move along the path? We made ‘smart’ draft decisons with Kyrie and Tristan. You can argue that maybe we were better off picking a wing such an K. Leonard (who is playing well for the Spurs and was one of the names mentioned as a possibility). But overall, both guys seem to have the ‘right’ attitudes and desire to get better. I’m not sure if ‘character’ played into why we… Read more »
It looks like some young help is on the way with Manny Harris reportedly being signed by the Cavs to a 10-day contract!
Kevin,
Your thoughts on the 14th and 15th roster spot, the prolonged gap at the 2 spot with Parker disabled, and the recent showcase of Uzoh are dead on accurate. There has to be something “pending” in the works, there just has to be. The Cavs have to find a solid long-term contributor at shooting guard. When the dust clears, I suspect all that you comment on, will somehow begin to make more sense. The draft is not the answer to the Cavs needs at shooting guard. There has to be a trade in the works.
My recent positive outlook is based on: A) Kyrie is really good B) Thompson and Gee appear to have a place on a future winning team C) The Cavs have a lot of upcoming draft picks D) They have no bad contracts Obviously in the present, watching a 30 win team (over 82 games) isn’t going to have the Q rocking every night. Two things I wish were different about this season, that would make it more interesting in the present: 1) The Cavs had drafted a wing at #32. Isn’t now as good a time as any to try… Read more »
I still don’t understand why people freak out over blow out losses. Does anyone remember the ’08-’09 campaign when the Magic DESTROYED the Cavs both times in Orlando? And don’t you think that team was a little bit better than the ’11-’12 Cavs we have now? The team is on the right track. Is it always enjoyable basketball to watch? Not really, but that’s where being a fan comes in. Through the good and the bad.
Tristan is looking like a young player who is adjusting to the pace and athleticism of the pro game. He seems to have the mind and attitude to improve and make an impact on this team.
He’s reminiscent of Serge Ibaka, physically and in style of play. I’m not saying he’s going to lay down double-digit blocks every few games, but he’s going to be a key piece of this team when it is competing even if he isn’t scoring 10 points a night.
Mallory, in the nicest possible way, you need to cheer up man! Life’s good, we have a player who seems to be blossoming into a clutch superstar before our very eyes, and another who is perhaps a touch disappointing but shows one of the most important qualities to my mind – willingness to learn. We’re better than last year, and set to get better again next year! Why the soul searching, brother?