Random Cavalier Thoughts...

[Pioneer10]

Random Thoughts: I can't wait to have AV back. We should truly own the glass with Z, AV, Marshall, and the contract year Gooden. Don't want to see another half like in Orlando where we got lacksadaisacal and let the Magic outrebound us.

More boards=More shots for all our offensive weapons

 

[Dungong]

Eric Snow should get called for steps almost every time he gets the ball in the back court, no doubt. Lebron should get called for carrying a lot more too (he'll get 1 call every other game or so). But this is the same story for most of the NBA, heck Z got away with 3 steps then a dunk vs the magic, no dribble involved, just jogged up the key and dunked it.

As for Snow's shots, its not like hes taking the ball up himself dribbling a bit then putting up a pull up jumper like Lebron or Larry. Basically ALL of Snow's attempts are coming off 3rd or 4th passes when he's wide open because he's the guy the opposition rotates off from. There were a couple lay-ups hes had this season too, but you can't fault the guy for taking lay-ups. Basically, if Snow can keep shooting 50%, that means teams cant just leave him wide open all the time, which is basically what we want from our 5th option.

What exactly are Ira and AV going to do when they come back? Magic Jackson has surpassed him I'm pretty sure, but I don't see a healthy Ira just stuck on the inactive list. Also, what minutes does AV get? Marshall has proven that he deserves minutes, Gooden is playing well this year (he'll have the occasional off night), and Z is playing like Z plays. The only thing I can think of is Henderson goes to the end of the bench, Z gets a little bit more rest than he has, and AV gets something like 5-8 minutes a game.

Best 3 point shooter so far for the Cavs? Damon Jones at 40.6% Opposition's AVERAGE at the arc? 41.9%. The Cavs have improved their 3 point shooting for sure, but their defense against the shot seems lacking.

Can the defense guard the pick and roll this year? Well, better than last year, we're not getting burned all the time by it. Brown has an interesting method of defending it though, which puts Z outside the 3 point line a lot on defense, but hey, so far, so good.

Luke Jackson - needs to take some tips from Damon on the offensive end and just chuck when he's open. Damon has NO hesitation in this department. Jackson is looking like he could be a turnover causing machine on the defensive end

 

[CleveRocks]

I like the defensive efforts at home, and Gooden's focused play in general. His stats are not stellar, but he is being a defensive demon and is playing team ball in a contract year. Not every player would do that. Goober is showing how unlike the Boozer he is, and should get some props for it...

 

[insshc]

yes i've been absolutely, thoroughly impressed by gooden so far... what a bonus

 

[Wine and Gold]

My random thought is, I think Anderson Varejao will really take to this defensive package that is being installed by Mike Brown and Hank Egan. I think it caters to a 'big' such as himself that has extremely good feet and ...when he gets the system down, could benefit our weakside defense considerably.

Anderson Varejao is being looked at as the eventual replacement for Zydrunas a few more years down the road. They see him as our future center who will give us that strong defensive presence in the paint, with the quickness needed to execute our interior defense flawlessly. He could eventually be a guy that leads the league in rebounds for a majority of his career ...

I can't wait to have him join this team this season, and see what dynamics he brings to this team as he slowly gets accustomed to his responsibilites ....he could make a huge impact possibly this season, but definitely long term.

The one aspect that could change his future role on this team, is what eventually happens with Drew Gooden's contract situation. If, by chance, he moves on to another team, then we would likely see AV become our starting PF next season ...but time, and Drew's play ..will ultimatley make that determination. If Drew does show that he can grasp this defensive system and grow and mature with it on the court as this season progresses ...I don't see the Cavs letting this guy go to another team. But, if he stagnates in his development and doesn't show continued improvement in his understanding and application of this new system as the season moves ahead ..then we may end up seeing Drew used in a sign and trade type situation ...one that could involve the New York Knicks and Eric Snow ....but that wouldn't be pursued until offseason. Just mentioning it in passing now ...but remember where you heard it. It's a situation that is on the back burner right now, but could be moved to the front burner after the season concludes. It is something that was casually talked about a few times between Ferry and Thomas, that I do know.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

Another random thought....

Has anyone noticed how open the lane is when Z gets the ball down low. He's able to make thae sweeping hook move without running into 3 people. They haven't gone down to him too much...I think players are still feeling out the offense. Once we get one of those games where we hammer it down to Z and knocks down 3 or 4 in a row, teams will rotate down, and the kick outs for 3 will begin.

Have we hit a 3 yet this year from a post kick out? I dont think so - they've all trigger pulls, swing pass around the key, or drive and dish...

 

[aaronr]

Another random thought....

Have we hit a 3 yet this year from a post kick out? I dont think so - they've all trigger pulls, swing pass around the key, or drive and dish...

I can't remember Z hitting someone on the perimeter, this year or last for that matter. It's funny, because he has a very good drop pass to a perimeter man cutting behind him toward the basket, but his ability to pass from the post to someone standing on the perimeter seems non-existent.

My contribution to random thoughts is, if true, very good news. A long-time friend of mine who is in a position to know says that Varejao's shoulder is healing well and that he'll be back in action long before anybody has let on publicly, almost certainly by January and maybe even in December. That will give us a solid, three-deep bench which we'll need heading down the stretch.

 

[Karma]

The kick out pass has been rare, but Z did feed Damon Jones last game for a three ball as I recall commenting on how that was the first time I remember that occuring.

 

[aaronr]

Good for Z. I missed the last two games because I was traveling, so I'm glad to hear that Z hit a man on the perimeter. I also thought we'd see more of that from Lebron, that is, dishing it outside after penetrating and drawing perimeter defenders toward him. I thought Lebron would actually up his assists because of that this year, but so far that hasn't been the case. Not sure why he's assisting and rebounding less. Maybe it's just that he's not playing as many minutes, which is fine with me.