Can Cleveland Cavaliers Survive with Smoke and Mirrors at Center?

[Cavatt]

If Andy and Love both were to go down at the same time that would be a major worry. TT can back both up, but not at the same time.com

 

[VAIN1]

Training camp can't get here fast enough id like to see if Haywood can offer anything in the way of 20 min or so a night. That would be a huge benefit to the roster depth with his size. It's not like he had reconstructive surgery never know what a motivated Brendan could give us as an insurance big.

 

[Kizzle]

The Heat did it lol why not?

But I wouldn't qualify a healthy Varejao as smoke and mirrors

 

[VAIN1]

Gustavo Ayon looks like he can be an offensive hub 6/9 for 12 points at the half I am getting more impressed by his game after watching him vs the US team. Wonder have the CAVS had any interest in the guy?

AV is going to shut a lot of his naysayers up but I'm a Homer and quite die hard.

 

[Kizzle]

Gustavo Ayon looks like he can be an offensive hub 6/9 for 12 points at the half I am getting more impressed by his game after watching him vs the US team. Wonder have the CAVS had any interest in the guy?

AV is going to shut a lot of his naysayers up but I'm a Homer and quite die hard.

I don't know his game but there must be a reason he can't stick to a roster

 

[VAIN1]

I don't know his game but there must be a reason he can't stick to a roster

First Row sports has the game on if you wanted to watch and this is my first time seeing him play. Granted this isn't the NBA it's still vs our best and he is shooting well.

 

[Tornicade]

Smoke and mirrors?

First opposing teams have to get to the rim for it to be a problem.

What was really telling last season is that splitter came off the bench against the heat.

lets looks at the top five teams at center efficiency wise . Im looking at teams instead of individuals to reflect depth at the position as well
Top 5
1. Kings
2. Pistons
3. Hornets
4. Lakers
5. Rockets
Bottom 5
1. Pacers (with roy hibbert)
2. Thunder
3. Bucks
4. Suns
5. Hawks
http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/teamstats/14/10/eff/1-1

Cleveland was 14th with Centers
AV ,Zeller, Hawes, and Bynum

Now look at the top 6 Opponent efficiency at center . Ive included the top center minute wise
1. Grizzlies (M Gasol)
2. Pacers (Hibbert)
3. Thunder (Adams,Collision, Perkins)
4. Raptors (JV)
5. Bulls (Noah)
6. Cavs (AV)

Bottom 6
1. Bucks
2. Lakers
3. 76ers
4. Jazz
5. Clippers

Without AV the previous season the Cavs dropped to 16 in opponent efficiency at the center position.

as to those who say well regular season doesnt mean squat its all about the playoffs

Team Off Efficiency Def Efficiency +/-DIF
FINALS
Spurs 3rd 7th 5.1
Heat 4th 8th 4
Semi finals
Pacers 15th 5th -6.2
Thunder 14th 11th -7.6
2nd Round
Clippers 7th 10th 0.6
Blazers 13th 9th -2.6
Wizards 10th 4th 1.3
Nets 9th 13th -2.3
Did not advance
Rockets 5th 6th 4.2
Warriors 1st 14th 1.4
Grizzlies 8th 3rd 9
Mavericks 2nd 15th 1.3
Raptors 6th 12th 0.1
Bulls 12th 2nd 6
Bobcats 11th 16th -8
Hawks 16th 1st 0

sorry about the lack of gridlines.. im still waiting for the excel add in

now we see some smoke and Mirrors. Charlotte and OKC

We also see in the finals. offensive efficiency beat out defensive efficiency. As Memphis and Chicago failed to advance.

OKC was able to advance being bad in both categories during the playoffs at the center efficiency.

 

[wuck]

From Terry Pluto:

The Cavs are very surprised by Brendan Haywood, who is in town and working out with the players at the practice facility. The 7-footer missed all of last season with a broken foot. The Cavs thought he may not be ready until January. But Haywood has been determined to play. In 2012-13, he averaged 3.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19 minutes a game. He is a shot-blocker, something the Cavs could use. He would be a bench player, assuming he stays healthy.

 

[shoes22]

It would be huge for our team if Haywood can play at all to start the season.

 

[Pioneer10]

Aaaah the amazing athletic healing power of "contract year" strikes.

He's got to know that he's going to be cut before he sniffs any of 10 million next year so this is his likely last chance to prove he's worth another deal this offseason

 

[mAo_mAo]

I am intrigued by Raduljica from the Bucks. He is also playing well for Serbija in the Fiba World.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Haywood's conditioning dropped off considerably when Dallas cut him loose, but I've hoped all summer Haywood's foot would give him 10-20 minutes off the bench on occasion. They don't need a true backup center every night, but they need a guy who can dust it off when the Hibberts of the league come to town.

 

[Tornicade]

Haywood's conditioning dropped off considerably when Dallas cut him loose, but I've hoped all summer Haywood's foot would give him 10-20 minutes off the bench on occasion. They don't need a true backup center every night, but they need a guy who can dust it off when the Hibberts of the league come to town.

on a side note With lance gone and paul george out for injury it will be interesting to see if Hibbert becomes a force on the offensive end.
that games has always been there but never seemed to click, if it does.The Pacers might not drop off as much as people expect.

 

[Kizzle]

Hi

on a side note With lance gone and paul george out for injury it will be interesting to see if Hibbert becomes a force on the offensive end.
that games has always been there but never seemed to click, if it does.The Pacers might not drop off as much as people expect.

Hibbert could come out dropping 25 and 15 and IND would still struggle for a low seed. They lost 2 of their best 2 way players. That is gonna kill them

 

[Pioneer10]

I think Miles will have a good season for them. Obviously not enough to compensate for their other losses but I think if they had kept George and Stephenson he would have been a very good add for them. Bird really has a good eye for talent.

Cant say I'm convinced the Cavs have anyone like that