Which Cavalier Will Surprise Us This Season?

Just a conversation starter during this frustrating quiet period. Last season we had LeBron stepping his game up to a level I thought would take a few more seasons. We also had Varejao provide us will valuable contributions off the bench.

So who will it be this season?

I chose Ilgauskas shocking us. Zydrunas has not had the opportunity to dominate like he will this season since his rookie campaign. Finally he has shooters around him that can draw away double teams, and also a legit 3rd scorer with Hughes. An allstar berth for big Z is a given.

Luke Jackson - Would love to have him in my Denver squad, but I'm affraid my old mate Danny will want Nene in return. Jackson is silky smoothe and he will revel playing alongside LeBron, Larry and Zydrunas. He will quickly join Anderson as a crowd favorite.

Donyell Marshall

I don't know if the average basketball fan actually realize just how valuable a player like Donyell is.

I personally think he added another year or two, to the dynamic duo of Stockton and Malone while he was there in utah. The one thing I like about him is the way he moves without the ball.
It's not really noticed all that much by a forward, as usally it's the guards that get the praise for moving without the ball.

But the way Donyell moves is very deceptive.. His ability to play pick n roll or pick n pop is one of the best in the league from the forward position.

Plus he is just flat out one of the best in the nba from deep.. Having two all star caliber players slashing should make life cake for Donyell... Now if "Z" will pass out of the double teams ? that would make for even more oppurtunities for Donyell.

He's one of those players that once you get him on your team, you're like who is this guy ? and, How long has he been in the league ?

You only notice him when he's killing you on a given night, and then you don't hear about him that much... But he is a model of consistancy..

I loved this move by Ferry as it was truly out of left field... But if this season goes right ? he could just be the biggest signing for us this off season..

I guess I was not the only one torn between Snow and Luke.

I settled on Luke because Snow is not really a surprise. We know what he is able to do and we have all heard he is coming back to camp six pounds lighter and in great over all shape.

I think Luke will surprise a few with his hustle and defense.

The overall vibe in CAVSLAND will be better this year. There doesn't seem to be a cancer type player among them(although you never know about the new guys until you live with them). If the "shooters" do their job I pick Z as the suprise. I also think Lebron will suprise us with much improvement on defense and 3 pointers. LBJ wants that title of "best ever".

I think Z too. This team had ZERO outside shooting last year.....ALL YEAR! The Cavs became a very easy team to defend - collapse on Z, blanket Lebron, and dare someone else to hurt you. With the addition of Hughes, Marshall and Jackson I think teams will have a very difficult time defending the Cavs when compared to last year. Z will be so much more effective not having 3 guys riding his back....and if they do double him, he has a lot more choices to kick it out to this year. A dominant offensive Center has a huge impact on a teams defensive game plan.

It was hard to choose between Snow and Marshall, gave it to Eric since he should surpass the low expectations. Snow knows he's being handed a Cadillac team and he better make a monster commitment to keep his career alive. He will turn corners easier with the lost weight, should make his passes crisper. And you can bet he worked on his jump shot this summer. Pair his perimeter defense with Hughes' perimeter D, we should be OK. And if his 10-15 jump shot starts to fall it starts to look even better. I doubt he'll even try to shoot 3s this year though, without McInnis pushing him to. The most useful page he could take from JMac's book is reposting Z- pass in, Z gets double teamed and passes back out, Snow *should* use the option to dump it back in. For some reason he and Z have never trusted each other to do that! It would keep our offense open for Hughes and Lebron. This MUST happen for Snow's bad shooting not to be exploited!

Marshall. I put him here because I will be pleasantly shocked if this tweener works out, especially with Varejao out. I am very concerned how this guy is going to fit into our scheme, playing next to Z's very average defense. What we needed was a mobile weak-side shot blocker. We kept saying "We don't need Drew's offense," spent all this time looking for a Haslem-type bruiser, and come away with a lifetime Golden State Warrior-type player (stat sheet stuffer, no D). People here seem to think he has good defense, and I don't know why. I admit it's been a while since I've seen him on TV, but he's 32, and not getting any younger. His offense will be sweet, no questions there. All I can say is this will be weird as hell to watch.

I chose Drew Gooden. Some might say - he won't surprise, he was an almost double-double man and he showed up strong some nights last year.

Well, this year, he gets it. He will play defense within the scheme. He will hustle with wreckless abandon. Remember, he won't have Andy on his footsteps the first few months, so his comfort level will be higher (which is bogus, IMO). I think he will lead the team in rebounds - averaging over 10 per game and scoring around 15, but his defense will be improved, his mental errors diminished, and will prove himself to a new coach that will have his back. I think one of the reasons he was so up and down last year was Silas. This year, he will be the model of consistency, which will surprise us all.

LEBRON'S_PIPPEN said:

Donyell Marshall

I don't know if the average basketball fan actually realize just how valuable a player like Donyell is.

Click to expand...

What he said.

Z..

20-9-4(assists).

His shooting % soar with the presence of shooters and he will be able to dominate the block.

Z will make his contract look like a bargain after this year is done.

I had to go with Hughes. I think he will make the biggest difference from last season to this one. He'll take pressure off of LeBron, give Z more space, and can handle the scoring load if needed. I think the chemistry with LeBron and Larry will be great. I remember reading during Clevelands last game vs Wash, LeBron was tellin Hughes to 'come play with me'. I cant wait to see them play together!

LEBRON'S_PIPPEN said:

Donyell Marshall

I don't know if the average basketball fan actually realize just how valuable a player like Donyell is.

I personally think he added another year or two, to the dynamic duo of Stockton and Malone while he was there in utah. The one thing I like about him is the way he moves without the ball.
It's not really noticed all that much by a forward, as usally it's the guards that get the praise for moving without the ball.

But the way Donyell moves is very deceptive.. His ability to play pick n roll or pick n pop is one of the best in the league from the forward position.

Plus he is just flat out one of the best in the nba from deep.. Having two all star caliber players slashing should make life cake for Donyell... Now if "Z" will pass out of the double teams ? that would make for even more oppurtunities for Donyell.

He's one of those players that once you get him on your team, you're like who is this guy ? and, How long has he been in the league ?

You only notice him when he's killing you on a given night, and then you don't hear about him that much... But he is a model of consistancy..

I loved this move by Ferry as it was truly out of left field... But if this season goes right ? he could just be the biggest signing for us this off season..

Click to expand...

great points their. but we already know what donyell has to offer and that is his shooting. what will "schock" us is his defensive envolvement. we will notice when gooden is not in the game the other big man will not get into early foul trouble.

I voted for Luke Jackson. Mainly because he seems to have been dismissed by many Cavs fans and some are already labeling him a bust. Not sure if he'll be a major surprise this year but if he does contribute well it will be bigger than players like Z or Hughes doing well since they already have productive track records.

I always have liked the Jackson pick and still think he can be an effective player. I hope he and Sasha get full opportunities to play this year and don't get yanked around like they did with Silas last year.

you should of added mike brown to the list Karma. I was going to choose him, but since you failed to meet my demands..

Martynas! Another one you failed to mention! He will do nothing for the cavs, but I think you will see strong production from him down in the minors, giving us a strong hopef or the future that our center replacement shouldn't be a big worry. I think this would shock most people, and g.m.'s since he was getting pretty close to going undrafted.