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http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/preview_bigs_081002.html
They only talk about the Vets though. Must be a seperate issue for the rookies for later.
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The Cavaliers strong suit has always been their collection of big men. It is one area of the team during the LeBron James Era that has never been a liability.
From Carlos Boozer to Drew Gooden to Ben Wallace – the power forward position has been a solid spot for the Wine and Gold. Of course, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is an institution. And he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his rock-solid career in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers come to Camp this season with a new-look frontcourt. Z and Big Ben are guaranteed starters and Anderson Varejao will almost certainly be the first big off the bench. After that, there’s some sorting out to do. And Training Camp is the perfect place to do exactly that.
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Zydrunas Ilgauskas – The dean of the Cavaliers frontcourt enters his 11th season manning the middle for the Wine and Gold. Big Z has seen it all in that time.
He’s missed two entire seasons – and the better part of two more – due to foot injuries. The irrepressible Ilgauskas has been around for two All-Star Games, seven head coaches, three uniform changes, and a team that – between his rookie season and LeBron James’ arrival – averaged 26 wins a season.
Last year, a newly-shorn Ilgauskas had one of his best seasons as a pro – averaging 14.1 points and a career-high 9.3 rebounds per contest. Big Z came to Camp in great shape after a strenuous offseason program last summer, and looks to be in excellent condition again this year.
The addition of Mo Williams means Ilgauskas will be asked to do a little less scoring. (Although that also means less double-teams.) The presence of Ben Wallace also takes some of the defensive pressure off the 33-year-old big man.
Big Z is the last true post-up center in the Eastern Conference, and he’s surrounded by talent. The Cavaliers would be ecstatic if the Large Lithuanian could replicate last year’s performance.
Ben Wallace – Along with Dikembe Mutombo, Big Ben Wallace is the only four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the history of the award.
Acquired in the 11-player deal last February, Wallace immediately brought an element to the Cavaliers frontcourt that had been missing. With Wallace alongside Ilgauskas, the Wine and Gold were able to pair up two of the East’s best rebounders side-by-side. The daunting duo give them length and nastiness.
Wallace will never light up the scoring column. In 22 starts with Cleveland after coming over from the Bulls, the 12-year veteran averaged 4.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per contest. He was plagued by back problems late in the season, but is healthy and ready to go in 2008-09.
Big Ben not only provides toughness and intimidation, but also the gravitas that comes with an NBA Championship. He’s the only player on the roster with a Ring, and he hopes to be looking for his second one nine months from now.
Anderson Varejao – At this time last year, Anderson Varejao was back in Brazil – embroiled in a sometimes-nasty contract squabble with the Wine and Gold.
He came back with a bang in early December, but an ankle injury suffered against the Lakers sidelined Andy for over a month. Relegated to just 48 games, Varejao did make a big leap in his rebounding numbers. He’d averaged 6.2 rebounds per game for his career, but improved to 8.3 rpg last year.
Although many fans – and possibly Mike Brown – hold their breath when Anderson’s feeling ambitious on the offensive end, the 6-10, 240-pounder does have some offensive tools. The mop-topped Brazilian will never be confused with Oscar Schmidt, he did average 6.7 ppg last season.
With the talent and scoring punch that’s surrounding Anderson, he’s not asked to put up big numbers. If he simply does his (wild) thing – playing solid defense, getting under opponents’ skin, crashing the boards – the Cavaliers will be more than happy.
Lorenzen Wright – The former No. 7 overall pick back in ’96, Lorenzen Wright comes to Camp cast in the Joe Smith role.
The 32-year-old appeared in only 13 games last season, splitting time between Atlanta and Sacramento. Despite last season, the 12-year vet appeared in no less than 65 games in the five years previous. He started 77 games for his hometown Memphis Grizzlies in 2005-06.
Wright might seem like a frontcourt luxury right now, but the Cavaliers’ battle with the injury bug in 2007-08 is proof enough that depth is critical in order to compete consistently over an 82-game schedule. Wright’s minutes might also be dictated by how much the rookies are able to contribute.
Lance Allred – The former Utah and Weber State standout was a D-League call-up late last season and played sparingly down the stretch. Allred appeared in three games, logging 10 minutes in the season finale against Detroit.
The cerebral center is an insurance policy in what’s, right now, an unproven group of frontcourt reserves. He’s impressed coaches with his intelligence and work ethic, but if he’s logging big minutes at any point during the season, it would mean that the Wine and Gold are alarmingly thin. Still, Allred’s shown that he’s a relatively skilled big man in the NBDL and overseas. You don’t get to this level and make the playoff roster without being so.
They only talk about the Vets though. Must be a seperate issue for the rookies for later.
-------------------------------------
The Cavaliers strong suit has always been their collection of big men. It is one area of the team during the LeBron James Era that has never been a liability.
From Carlos Boozer to Drew Gooden to Ben Wallace – the power forward position has been a solid spot for the Wine and Gold. Of course, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is an institution. And he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his rock-solid career in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers come to Camp this season with a new-look frontcourt. Z and Big Ben are guaranteed starters and Anderson Varejao will almost certainly be the first big off the bench. After that, there’s some sorting out to do. And Training Camp is the perfect place to do exactly that.
<HR>
He’s missed two entire seasons – and the better part of two more – due to foot injuries. The irrepressible Ilgauskas has been around for two All-Star Games, seven head coaches, three uniform changes, and a team that – between his rookie season and LeBron James’ arrival – averaged 26 wins a season.
Last year, a newly-shorn Ilgauskas had one of his best seasons as a pro – averaging 14.1 points and a career-high 9.3 rebounds per contest. Big Z came to Camp in great shape after a strenuous offseason program last summer, and looks to be in excellent condition again this year.
The addition of Mo Williams means Ilgauskas will be asked to do a little less scoring. (Although that also means less double-teams.) The presence of Ben Wallace also takes some of the defensive pressure off the 33-year-old big man.
Big Z is the last true post-up center in the Eastern Conference, and he’s surrounded by talent. The Cavaliers would be ecstatic if the Large Lithuanian could replicate last year’s performance.
Acquired in the 11-player deal last February, Wallace immediately brought an element to the Cavaliers frontcourt that had been missing. With Wallace alongside Ilgauskas, the Wine and Gold were able to pair up two of the East’s best rebounders side-by-side. The daunting duo give them length and nastiness.
Wallace will never light up the scoring column. In 22 starts with Cleveland after coming over from the Bulls, the 12-year veteran averaged 4.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per contest. He was plagued by back problems late in the season, but is healthy and ready to go in 2008-09.
Big Ben not only provides toughness and intimidation, but also the gravitas that comes with an NBA Championship. He’s the only player on the roster with a Ring, and he hopes to be looking for his second one nine months from now.
He came back with a bang in early December, but an ankle injury suffered against the Lakers sidelined Andy for over a month. Relegated to just 48 games, Varejao did make a big leap in his rebounding numbers. He’d averaged 6.2 rebounds per game for his career, but improved to 8.3 rpg last year.
Although many fans – and possibly Mike Brown – hold their breath when Anderson’s feeling ambitious on the offensive end, the 6-10, 240-pounder does have some offensive tools. The mop-topped Brazilian will never be confused with Oscar Schmidt, he did average 6.7 ppg last season.
With the talent and scoring punch that’s surrounding Anderson, he’s not asked to put up big numbers. If he simply does his (wild) thing – playing solid defense, getting under opponents’ skin, crashing the boards – the Cavaliers will be more than happy.
The 32-year-old appeared in only 13 games last season, splitting time between Atlanta and Sacramento. Despite last season, the 12-year vet appeared in no less than 65 games in the five years previous. He started 77 games for his hometown Memphis Grizzlies in 2005-06.
Wright might seem like a frontcourt luxury right now, but the Cavaliers’ battle with the injury bug in 2007-08 is proof enough that depth is critical in order to compete consistently over an 82-game schedule. Wright’s minutes might also be dictated by how much the rookies are able to contribute.
The cerebral center is an insurance policy in what’s, right now, an unproven group of frontcourt reserves. He’s impressed coaches with his intelligence and work ethic, but if he’s logging big minutes at any point during the season, it would mean that the Wine and Gold are alarmingly thin. Still, Allred’s shown that he’s a relatively skilled big man in the NBDL and overseas. You don’t get to this level and make the playoff roster without being so.