2010 Offseason Analysis (An argument against the "Bosh Plan")

[MalTalm]

The point of the matter is, however, that having flexibility in 2010 is a great thing to have. It's a commodity, and it gives Danny Ferry a lot of room to make any adjustments he may need to maximize the potential of this team.

I'm not against trading away that flexibility in order to make the team stronger now and for years to come, but if we are trading away that flexibility and all that extra valuable salary cap space in the next two years, we really need to be surrounding this team with sure-fire pieces. We're a very strong Cavs team right now. Mo Williams filled a whole lot of gaps on this roster, and we're seriously only looking at refining this machine.

If we can get a young talent locked in long-term like a Gerald Wallace who would fill a dramatic need for this team, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But trading for a guy like Vince Carter? Maybe I'm alone on this one, but I don't think adding Carter would make this current team any better than they already are. It would be a rather lateral move. We aren't going to score any more points in a game than we already are, and even though he's bigger, he's still a defensive liability at the 2.

We can take Garnett out of a game, and we can shut down Rasheed Wallace. LeBron did a decent job most of the time keeping Paul Pierce in line, though that could be better, and Ray Allen was non-existent in the playoffs. I think we match up great against Boston. However, I worry that this team can't handle a scoring two-guard like Iverson or Bryant. Not that you'll ever stop these guys, but you need to slow them down and grind it out.

 

[Wes]

It's a tough question as to which plan of attack is better. As much as I would love to see LeBron and Wade/Bosh on the same team, I think I'm going to have to fall in to the "non-free agent" camp. First of all, like others have stated, it is going to be extremely difficult to rely on signing another superstar along with LeBron in 2010, and then if it does happen, it certainly seems that those two players will be surrounded by some less than stellar talent.

However, if the Cavs use their expiring contracts wisely, and make some smart, and fortunate trades over the next two years, they could end up with a guy like Jason Richardson, and maybe a talented big. It would certainly be a more balanced team, which hopefully LeBron would see as his best chance to compete for a championship year in and year out. Also, just to play devil's advocate, if LeBron chooses not to sign with the Cavs, they will then have money to throw at a guy like Bosh, and will still be able to surround him with a pretty balanced team, and the Cavs might not be too bad off (not as well off as if they had LeBron, but you get the point).

One more important thing to keep in mind. For those of you (like myself) who are saying that the Cavs should just use their expiring contracts, and trade for good players, there is still a decent chance that they may not get star-level players back in a trade. Sure, the Lakers got Gasol in a great deal, but there aren't going to be too many more of those. Just because the Cavs have some expiring contracts doesn't mean that they are going to flip them for other team's best players.

 

[Lee]

My thought is he was keeping it flexable for 2010 to be able to trade for talent signed past 2010 like mo williams fdor pennies on the dollar. I think we will see Ferry make some moves that will blow our cap for 2010. When ever has a team had cap space, used it, then won a championship? Never that I can think of. The bulls did it through draft (mj and pippen, grant, BJ, Perdue) some of which that got through trades, then trades, (cartwright, hopson) The only free agent they picked up their championship year was Bill Livingston. Last year Boston reworked their roster through trades. The free agents they signed mainly were complimentry. My point is, you dont win a championship through free agency. The only main piece that came through free agency for a championship team was shaq to LA, and we dont have hollywood so a star can make bad movies in cleveland. He didnt come because he wanted to play with Kobe.

Ferry isnt going to wait around for 2010 and let all of our assets expire, AV walk, etc... He is keeping flexibility, because flexable contracts are a commodity that Ferry is learning how to use an minipulte to improve our team.

 

[Jon]

LeBron did a great job against Kobe in the 2 games last year, but to use him you'd need someone who could fill in at SF. That isn't likely going to be the same person that can stay up with Iverson.

Ray Allen was off his game in the playoffs, we can't count on him missing all his shots in the future.

As for our offensive efficiency, we're on a 7-game winning streak. It's going to look good right now. As we come back to earth it's going to drop.

Now if I had to pick our biggest problems in this young season, I'd point to the slippage on D, followed by inconsistent bench production, and the 3rd quarter problems.

On D I think there could be some some improvement with Wince, because he would give us more size at SG and he could slide over and play SF. He'd free up West to go over and cover PGs that are giving us trouble without becoming puny at SG. On offense, he'd give us someone who would be able to take advantage of the attention LeBron draws.

His D is a big question mark, his heart is another, but guys like Salmons or Posey we could have had for the MLE. It's not everday we're going to have the chance to bring in someone with all-star talent.

 

[Cavatt]

You just can't guard Vince Carter and Lebron, and you throw Mo and Z into that mix and it starts getting ridiculous. I have a feeling we would pound the Celtics in that situation. What team has a better starting 4 than that and a Big Ben Wallace. That would be really intimidating for even a veteran team.

 

[Mdog1]

With another scorer at SG that can play even the same amount of D as West we are pretty set.

With all the teams saving for 2010 that don't get the superstar we are going to be in a great position to win a franchise high in games. Possibly 62 or higher if we build through trades rather than just wait for Bosh. The teams in the league will be terrible in 2010 because they will have traded away talent for cap space. This seems like a good plan, but what if the star doesn't come? You are just left with a ton of cap space to sign a couple of mid level players. That is not he recipe for a ship.

There was an article that said 18 teams currently have cap space. Well say 4 of those teams are the teams that can resign their player. Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, Pheonix. That leaves 12 teams to fight it out for the rest of the lower level players. So most players will most likely just resign with their teams, but some of the lesser players will take money and run. A lot of teams will get worse that year (just look at GSW and LAC this year), where as if the Cavs are building properly we will be in the best situation in the league for a championship.

Also if LeBron leaves and we are waiting for a player like Bosh then good luck on getting him. At least if we trade for long term pieces than we are in a good position to win without LeBron. And to me that is the most encouraging thing to trade before 2010.

 

[TAS]

Yes, you are correct. The plan is to go after big free agents, then after that (hopefully we can manage to get one) we resign LeBron for the max still. You are aloud to sign if you are over the cap for your own player.



Either would be great. However, I'd still take Bosh over Amare. Bosh has better post moves, more experience with LeBron, and the two are great friends. Also, I believe Bosh is the overall better player, and Amare just looks a lot better playing with Nash (He's still a stud, no doubt, but that is just my opinion).

Plus, Amare AND Bosh can play center. Both are the same height (6'10"), and ESPN fantasy lists both of them as centers. So if Hickson turns into a good player, just stick Bosh or Amare at center.



In search of a championship.

Bosh is a franchise player, they moved Vince Carter to build the team around him.

Dude. It's in freaking CANADA.

I mean OMFG.

& i am guessing Ohio is better :chuckles:

 

[Norm]

Yes, you are correct. The plan is to go after big free agents, then after that (hopefully we can manage to get one) we resign LeBron for the max still. You are aloud to sign if you are over the cap for your own player.



Either would be great. However, I'd still take Bosh over Amare. Bosh has better post moves, more experience with LeBron, and the two are great friends. Also, I believe Bosh is the overall better player, and Amare just looks a lot better playing with Nash (He's still a stud, no doubt, but that is just my opinion).

Plus, Amare AND Bosh can play center. Both are the same height (6'10"), and ESPN fantasy lists both of them as centers. So if Hickson turns into a good player, just stick Bosh or Amare at center.



In search of a championship.

Amare would pose a better match up with the bigger centers in the league if we needed either to play the C spot.

Yes, Bosh would be able to handle some centers, look at some of the potential Cs we would face in a couple of years (Oden, Bynum, Kaman) Bynum is upcoming, Kaman is a good big C, Oden has the book still out on him, but he looks to be a beast if he works out. I don't see Bosh being able to handle the bigger centers similar to these guys sizes.

Not saying Bosh wouldn't be a great pickup, but we still would need a big center. Amare would fit that better if it was between them.

 

[TAS]

Amare's true position is PF.

 

[3 Da Hard Way]

A lot of Toronto fans are scared of him leaving. And are not happy with what's around him right now.

I would like to apologize to Chris Bosh..For having to put up with having such sh*t teammates... Dude put up 40/18 today, literally kept us in the game, but our sh*t team lost it for us...

We don't deserve to have Bosh on this team.

if chris bosh ends up leaving in 2010, i wouldn't blame him and i'd still cheer for him. he's the first player i'd do that for. this guy plays with as much heart and determination as any other superstar but without the credit.