Addressing the hole at center

[Clum-Z]

Screw Hibbert! Shoot for the best center in the league, Cousins!... I just wanna dream little bit longer.

 

[roozy]

Yeah how would that even work, with Hibbert's salary and all.

 

[Simmy]

 

[AuxiliaryPie]

Sam has been quiet lately it seems

 

[Pioneer10]

If you lose Waiters you're backcourt is suddenly Irving, Delly, Miller, and crap. Doesn't look too appetizing for a team trying to win a title in a perimeter oriented league and even worse when you consider Irving's injury history. With the way the Cavs played last year with Delly and Waiters clicking when Irving was out: out of the big 3 he's the one I suspect we can still win a tough playoff series even if he's out hurt.

With that in my mind, I highly doubt the Cavs are going to move Waiters until they get to see what he can do this upcoming year.

 

[shoes22]

According to Windhorst and others, the Cavs have indeed inquired about Roy Hibbert. It's unclear if Dion was part of a proposed trade package as was rumored...but I assume he was, because it's not like the Cavs have many other tradeable assets.

 

[NasstyNate]

If you are able to turn your 4th option into one of, if not the best defensive center in the league, you do it without hesitation. Frankly, I am shocked that more people here are not on board. We have three of the best offensive players at their position in the league and a near league leader in 3pt percentage. Dion is basically house money. Hibbert's defense gives this team so many more wins than Dion, that I half seriously think the NBA would block the trade for basketball reasons. Hibbert behind Kyrie/Lebron/Love is 95/96 Bulls level good. Make the damn trade.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Hibbert doesn't give you anything if he isn't being fed the ball, and running offense through Hibbert with James, Love, and Irving on the floor is cause for people to get fired. For $15 million a year? No thanks.

 

[NasstyNate]

Hibbert doesn't give you anything if he isn't being fed the ball, and running offense through Hibbert with James, Love, and Irving on the floor is cause for people to get fired. For $15 million a year? No thanks.

Who said anything about running the offense through Hibbert? This is a dream situation for him. He doesn't have any pressure on him except for playing defense, of which he is the preeminent force in the league.

 

[bobcat22]

Who said anything about running the offense through Hibbert? This is a dream situation for him. He doesn't have any pressure on him except for playing defense, of which he is the preeminent force in the league.

Hibbert collapsed last year because he wasn't getting fed the ball. He called out guys for being "selfish" and needs to be engaged offensively in order for his defense to shine. That's his biggest problem. He hasn't learned that he should take pride in scoring 7 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and playing lockdown D. He wants to be a dominant center on both ends, but his offensive game isn't good enough to do that. Plus, he's a terrible rebounder for his size. No thanks.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Who said anything about running the offense through Hibbert? This is a dream situation for him. He doesn't have any pressure on him except for playing defense, of which he is the preeminent force in the league.

That's the same situation he had in Indiana. And if they didn't throw it down to him regularly he gave them absolutely nothing.

 

[NasstyNate]

Hibbert collapsed last year because he wasn't getting fed the ball. He called out guys for being "selfish" and needs to be engaged offensively in order for his defense to shine. That's his biggest problem. He hasn't learned that he should take pride in scoring 7 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and playing lockdown D. He wants to be a dominant center on both ends, but his offensive game isn't good enough to do that. Plus, he's a terrible rebounder for his size. No thanks.

Well I believe that he is not a finished player and can learn that mentality on a team led by Lebron. Do you believe that players are unable to grow or change?

That whole Pacers team was a travesty and in free fall in the second half. Hill is not a good facilitator, and their best point guard was their shooting guard. Plus, they do not have three point shooting and their coach doesn't seem particularly interested in offense anyway. All of that adds up to not a situation where a young, unpolished center is able to succeed offensively. These things happen.

We have the two best rebounders for their position in the NBA and Varejao. We will be fine in that regard.

 

[Cavatt]

Hibbert does not fit the team. We have some good post defenders. We need a shot blocker who can run the floor. That's not Hibbert. Especially if you have to give up Dion. Closes one hole opens another.

 

[NasstyNate]

That's the same situation he had in Indiana. And if they didn't throw it down to him regularly he gave them absolutely nothing.

The situations could not be any different. Indiana had a bunch of one on one players and an antiquated offensive system. They were trying to be the late 90s Knicks. We, on the other hand, have a modern offense led by perhaps the best facilitator in the game (Lebron), a guy who has shown that he is willing and able to set up his teammates (Kyrie), and lethal outside shooting.

I can make the same critique about Dion that you guys are making about Hibbert. I believe that both can change.

 

[bobcat22]

Well I believe that he is not a finished player and can learn that mentality on a team led by Lebron. Do you believe that players are unable to grow or change?

That whole Pacers team was a travesty and in free fall in the second half. Hill is not a good facilitator, and their best point guard was their shooting guard. Plus, they do not have three point shooting and their coach doesn't seem particularly interested in offense anyway. All of that adds up to not a situation where a young, unpolished center is able to succeed offensively. These things happen.

We have the two best rebounders for their position in the NBA and Varejao. We will be fine in that regard.

OK fine, but he makes 15 million a year. To get him, you have to trade Waiters, Haywood, Thompson and Amundson to get the salaries to work. Do you really feel comfortable giving away all that without even seeing what this team can do yet?