Pointing out a few things to GM Ferry
By Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND - No Cavaliers general manager has come to the job with as much in his favor as Danny Ferry. That's because no Cavaliers GM had a legitimate superstar such as LeBron James to serve as a magnet for free agents.
Nor has any Cavaliers GM had $28 million to spend under the salary cap on a team that has come within a game of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.
So let's give Ferry a seven-point plan to success:
1. SIGN ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS: Put down a four-year, $42 million offer. Give the 7-foot-3 center some love, because he has not felt much lately. That's especially true because there were rumors that owner Dan Gilbert was not a big fan of the All-Star center.
Lately, Gilbert has been more upbeat about Ilgauskas. He should make Ilgauskas feel wanted, even if they decide against signing him. The Cavaliers might want to use him as part of a sign-and-trade deal with a center-hungry team such as the Dallas Mavericks. So keep the lines of communication open.
2. ILGAUSKAS IS GOOD ENOUGH: It's easy to dwell on his weaknesses, just as was the case with another Cavaliers finesse center named Brad Daugherty. Then Daugherty was out with a back injury, and suddenly the 20 points and 10 rebounds that he averaged during his five All-Star seasons looked great in the rearview mirror.
Is Ilgauskas good enough to help a team advance in the playoffs? Can he complement James? Does he like Cleveland?
Yes -- and James likes playing with him.
3. WHO'S BETTER? That's the real question with Ilgauskas. Where will they find a replacement? Some fans have mentioned Samuel Dalembert, but he's a restricted free agent and the Philadelphia 76ers are likely to match any offer he receives.
Ilgauskas not only averaged more points (17 to eight) than Dalembert, he averaged more rebounds (8.6 to 7.5). Ilgauskas is slow defensively, and he can be foul prone.
Part of the problem was the horrible defense from the guards -- and, sometimes, James. Guys just drove to the basket untouched, and when he tried to defend the rim, Ilgauskas committed awkward fouls.
4. Z & THE SHOOTING GUARD: The Cavaliers need a shooting guard who can do just that -- shoot.
Word is Michael Redd will be glad to sign with the Cavaliers for something very close to the maximum contract. He's from Columbus and Ohio State. He has been lost in the basketball wilderness that is the Milwaukee Bucks. His ego is such that he'd be content to play next to James.
But if the Cavaliers want to maximize the value of an outside threat like Redd, then Ilgauskas can help. He scores enough inside, requiring defenses to double-team him near the basket, which should create open outside shots for Redd and others.
5. LOOK HARD AT LARRY HUGHES: There are four premier free-agent shooting guards. Ray Allen heads the list, but he's expected to stay with the Seattle SuperSonics. He also is the least likely of the four to mesh with James.
I love Joe Johnson, who averaged 19 points and shot better than 50 percent from the field and 3-point range in the playoffs. But he's a restricted free agent, meaning the Phoenix Suns can match any offer he receives. It's hard to imagine them letting him go.
I prefer Hughes to Redd, because Hughes is a much better ballhandler, rebounder and defender. He also scored 22 points a game for the Washington Wizards, along with 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He'd bring some grit to a very soft team.
Redd is a superior outside shooter, and certainly, there is no reason to mourn if the Cavaliers come out of free agency with Redd.
6. CHANGE AT POWER FORWARD: Little has been said about this, but the Cavaliers need to find a power forward whose primary focus is rebounding and blocking shots. Drew Gooden puts up solid rebounding numbers, but he sees himself as an offensive player, and he also really struggled with team defense. He's not a very physical player.
Why not see if Anderson Varejao can start and tell him just to rebound, block shots and hustle -- forget scoring. Then bring Gooden off the bench where his scoring can be more of an asset while some of the starters rest.
It also was a mistake not to pick up Tractor Traylor's $1.8 million option for next season. He's a backup, but a strong one who brings some physical presence.
7. HELP AT POINT GUARD: The great thing about $28 million in cap room is Ferry might be able to sign Ilgauskas and a star shooting guard, yet keep shopping for a solid point guard.
There's lots of talk about Bowling Green product Antonio Daniels, who had a solid year as a backup with Seattle -- 11.2 points, 4.1 assists, 44 percent shooting. He's also an above-average defender.
That's a key.
Jeff McInnis was an embarrassment on defense. Eric Snow is above average but struggled to score. A combination of Snow and another solid point guard should fix the problem -- especially since James can start the offense from his small-forward spot.
If the Cavaliers have a real shooting guard along with Ilgauskas and James, the point guard doesn't have to be a big scorer. But he better pass and defend.
