Well, Cavs fans and CavFanatics … we’re almost there! It’s Austin, checking in on Draft Eve and wondering: Who’s it gonna be?
I can’t remember the last time we’ve had a Draft like this – with no real idea, among four of five players, who’ll be the top pick.
At the top of this Draft, it seems like the debate is over two bigs: Alex Len and Nerlens Noel, and two shooting guards: Ben McLemore and Victor Oladipo.
In terms of the big men, I think I like Len the best. Because, offensively, he has more upside and he already has some semblance of a low-post game and how to play with his back to the basket. Noel is a great athlete – he can run the floor, rebound, block shots.
But starting out with an ACL injury after already having one in high school gives me some trepidation. Especially when you have to put weight on him – I think they’re saying 25-30 pounds. I had an ACL injury and all my doctors told me to lose weight. But medical technology is light-years ahead of that now, so if he’s cleared and the Cavs love him, that could be the pick.
Either way, the defense needs to improve over where it’s been. And I think either guy helps that, big time.
Among the two-guards, McLemore’s more offensively polished. Oladipo is a bulldog on defense. You could take either of them and I think you’d be happy.
They both can shoot it. Obviously McLemore shoots it a little better and, statistically, he’s better than Beal was coming out a year ago. But Oladipo plays like a MAN, and he plays on both ends of the floor. And he’s a guy that can bring it every night – no fear. But he’s not as big as you’d probably like in a prototypical two-guard.
And how does either of them fit in with your team concept – with the players you already have? That’ll be the biggest question.
I’d also really like to see them come out of this Draft with a backup point guard so you can back Kyrie off a little bit. And put more concentrated minutes into him, keeping him a little healthier through an 82-game grind.
Same with Anderson Varejao.
You’d like to take some of those minutes off Andy. If you can keep some of the wear and tear off him and Kyrie – keep them healthy for an entire season – there’s no doubt in my mind we’re a playoff team. If you have that, with all the other guys we have, then you really have something for the future.
If I had my ultimate wish, I’d like to see a big, another guard for the rotation and some kind of a “now” guy – a veteran that we can plug in and play. If we can do that, we’ve hit a home run. It’s going to be tough. But the Cavs have all the assets – in this Draft and the ones coming up.
Teams are going to try to pry that first pick away, and I’m sure Chris will listen to every offer. But, to me, if it’s a deal with any doubt, I wouldn’t do it. Go ahead and pick your guy and go about your business.
And I think that’s how we’ve been built by Chris so far. Keep your focus; keep your eye on the target. We’re more than halfway through our rebuilding, so it’s time to stay on course now. We’ve gone too far to throw this plan out the window. So I think they’re going to stay the course on Thursday night.
On Thursday, I’ll be here at Quicken Loans Arena. We’ll be having a good time, keeping fans abreast of everything that’s going on. And we’ll do what we always do – have a nice little gathering, have a party and celebrate another successful Draft night.
Fred McLeod will be in New York, so John Michael, Campy and I will be on the court. They’ll bring the Q Tube down for fans to follow the action.
We’re gonna have a fun, productive Draft night. And the best part about it is: it’s free!
