Open discussion, Cavaliers offseason to-do list
In a tough game 7 loss in Boston, Lebron James scored 45 points and we lost the game. The only other Cavalier in double figures was Delonte West with 15 points. The other starters, Szczerbiak had 0 points Ilgauskas had 8 and Wallace had 3 points.
Most people think the Cavaliers need to create some sort of shake up in this offseason if they expect to win a championship and retain LeBron after 2010 when he becomes a free agent.
Lebron for the first time hinted that we need personal changes, “I think what we have is very good. We need to continue to get better, we know that. if that means some personnel changes that needs to happen, then so be it, we know we need to get better.”
What do you think the Cavaliers need to do in the offseason to improve the team?
About the Author: Tariq Ali, is the founder of CavsNews.com. Tariq grew up watching and playing soccer but his heart was always in Basketball. Tariq arrived in Cleveland in 1993 and turned into a Cavaliers fan since.
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Chad | May 20, 2008 | Reply
The Cavs need another allstar.
Sighn a unrestricted free agent, there are many of them at the mpment. Elton Brand is the one that really has the best chance of becoming a cavalier.
If that doesnt work make a trade, try to get redd or melo or another good alstar. They should get an allstar and another good player to suport lebron.
Speaking of lebron he needs to also work in this busy off season, Free throws, jump shots, his all around game.
The draft is coming up soon, get a center cause Z only has a few years left before hes done.
Now for the coaching, I like Mike Brown But either get a new coach, ( aj maybe…) or an offensive assitant coach.
I hope cleveland improves to a 55 plus win team next season so they can get home court longer in the playoffs.
Ferry, make a move know or in 2010 james will leave.
Tariq Ali | May 20, 2008 | Reply
First, the Cavaliers had a very good chance to beat the Celtics and the players and Lebron know that. That’s why Lebron was so upset after the game. The one thing the Cavaliers need to do is get used to each other and hopefully it won’t take ferry forever to assemble the team.
If there is one thing the Cavaliers learned from this experience is how important the regular season is. They need to play every game like it’s their last game and get home court. The Cavaliers know if game 7 was home they would have beaten the Celtics.
Lebron need to work on his ball handling, outside shot and how to move without the ball. He need to trust his teammates and point guard and leave the ball duties to him.
Ferry, if you want to make a trade only make it to bring an all star.
Tariq Ali | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Here is a great article Henry Abbott about Mike Brown:
“With some help, I wouldn’t bet against this Mike Brown system eventually working. The defense will be good, and the offense? They were two scores behind Boston yesterday. Two measly buckets, or two extra stops in that second quarter, and they’re in the Eastern Conference Finals, and everyone is writing stories about this genius Mike Brown.
Last summer, Brown picked the brain of inventive European coach Ettore Messina while LeBron James improved his jumpshot. This summer I’m sure they’ll make other changes — perhaps starting with a new offensive system. If they can make some small improvements, I’m quite certain they can get two good buckets out of the deal, and then everyone will be glad that Mike Brown is still the man in charge.”
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-205/Don-t-Fire-Mike-Brown.html
Hire Chud | May 21, 2008 | Reply
Trade Anderson Varegao before he is an unrestricted free agent. He is Young and is a “quality big”. I would Trade Sasha too. IMO he needs to be in an open free flowing offense and could use a fresh start.
The Bucks want to trade Michael Redd! Memphis has Mike Miller and they were interested in Andy this past summer.
If We have to package a first round pick with expiring contracts in order and maybe Andy in order to get Michael Redd, I think I would do it.
The Raptors are going to trade one of there point guards.
If the Heat get Beasly then they might Trade Shawn Marrion.
Maybe we could package Erik Snow in a deal to one of the teams that want him on there coaching staff. His contract is expiring too which is a Bonus.
We need to seriously get an offensive minded coach on the bench.
SHAMIEKA JAMERSON | May 21, 2008 | Reply
they need another point guard that can shoot and play defense, another center.Lebron needs to get his team mates involve early.
Super Sassy | May 22, 2008 | Reply
Continuting to allow the current roster to develop is half the battle… less the riffraff though. We could easily unload half the bench (plus Eric Snow is considering retirement) run with a thinner roster and have money to acquire someone like Shawn Marion. We need to pull out all of the stops and force a block buster trade without getting rid of what’s working- Delonte and Danile. I’m not feelin’ Baron Davis because of his injuries. Not feelin’ Gilbert Arenas because of his injuries AND his mouth. It really bothers me that we’re coming up off of over 27 million for Ben and Wally though. Though I like him, if we have Shawn we don’t need Joe. One way I hear Wally’s contract is flexible, another way I hear we’re bound. We’ll see what happens, but I’m not sure about Wally… he may be one of those playes that just needs a whole season to gel. One thing is true: WE MUST HAVE SHOOTERS!!! Like LeBron said… “If our shooters are shooting we can be a tough team to beat. You gon’ have to pick your poison with us- either play me one on one or let our shooters shoot it”. They can’t double team him if our shooters are hot. I don’t want to see Daniel or Delonte go for any reason. We already lost Drew and got nothing in return. We’ll work on gellin’ collectively and tweeking individually if we can’t clear enough cap space to make a play for an All-Star. We pushed the number one team in the league to 7 games and damn near won with one of our key players out with an injury. Minor tweeks will get us there. Keeping LeBron in Cleveland is just a matter of surrounding him with the right players. It’d be nice if we had a second All-Star, but it’s not REALLY necessary. In THIS situation if we can unload and pick up an All-Star… great. If we’re stuck with contracts and limited cap space we turn 2 or 3 great roll players into that missing All-Star and go for the ring.
Hire Chud | May 22, 2008 | Reply
Here is an idea of what it will take to get Michael Redd… Spread the word!
http://www.nba.com/celtics/draft/press062807-ray-allen-trade.html
Chad | May 23, 2008 | Reply
I agree
without redd the cavs are dead!
Lionel | May 23, 2008 | Reply
What the cavs need is jermaine oneal and a 2 guard wally needs to come off the bench
Lionel | May 23, 2008 | Reply
and also sasha needs to b traded he didn’t produce in the playoff. i don’t no y they resigned him anyway
cavtinez | May 24, 2008 | Reply
the bulls are considering eric snow for the head coaching job… why not package a deal with snow in it that will bring ben gordon to cleveland..? gordon is an outside threat which cleveland needs in situations wherein lebron is being triple teamed… power forward post also needs an upgrade… this may cost cleveland some future draft picks but if they could get al horford from the hawks, cleveland will have added muscle inside that is usable for years to come… if they can get mike miller, that’s another outside threat… if snow’s going, we’ll need to get a good pointguard to replace him… i’m thinking of getting kirk hinrich from the bulls as he can also shoot from the outside… melo, according to rumors, is also in the trading block so why not get him at all cost… there’s a lot of players in the current cavs roster who can be traded for quality players that could help cleveland to get the championship next season… getting quality players to help win a championship is a hard task but management has the entire offseason to figure out how to get this done…
boobie | May 25, 2008 | Reply
There are only two major moves that the Cavs need to do. Get Michael Redd and a quality PF that can post up.
Michael Redd could become Lebron’s Pippen, and to give up some expiring contract with a few picks would be worth it in the end. Plus we known that Redd can knock down shots, unlike larry hughes who could not hit water if he fell out a boat. The only question mark is his ability to play d, but the same were said about wally and hughes, especially hughes.
To get a posterizing threat is something th Cavs had not had for a real long time. Z and joe smith are seen as spot up shooter, and varjeo and wallace have no offensive ability what so ever. If it is possible sign Elton Brand, but if brand is not available there is ho reason why they should just settle for the injured prone jermaine oneal. we made that mistake when taking Hughes after losing out on redd and that really did not work. Instead look to create another trade, charlie v. on the bucks is young, full of potential and being shopped. He is a guy that could grow along side lebron, and would only require the cavs to make one trade to get both redd and a posting threat.
Also if there is a way to dump Wallace and his huge contract then pull the trigger. Wallace is not the player he use to be and is a huge offense liability. Varaejo should also be considered an expandable guy, he is nothing more than a less talented and taller flopping manu, and to watch this guy on the court is some time embarrassing. Sasha is another that should be kicked out, he was a no show during the season and the playoffs.
Many believe that a PG is needed but Delonte West performed very well, seeing how he came in mid way through the season. Plus, in a tight game lebron will still have the ball in his hands regardless of who the PG is. And Lebron is not a spot up shooter and having a PG put the ball at the right spot wont help at all. Lebron is a superstar and no matter what he will have the ball the majority of the time regardless of whose on his team. Same concept applied to MJ, Magic, Bird, Kobe, Iverson(in philly), and all the other non center/ power forward superstar.
jermol martin | May 26, 2008 | Reply
I fell we need to and a scorer in a micheal redd and a stronger big man like a elton brand we need to get better this off season i love the way delonte west played he’s a keeper. Key words this off season GET BETTER.
jermol martin | May 26, 2008 | Reply
We want Redd and elton we should really get that done. We need help
Or in 2010 LEbron is gone
brandon | May 26, 2008 | Reply
first things first we need a shooter so get micheal redd for varejao and wally. we need a PF so get elton brand and if we were to trade for him in a sign n trade we could get maggette too.
Possibly:
PG- West/ Gibson
SG- Redd/ Brown
SF- King James/ Corey Maggette
PF- Elton Brand/ Ben Wallace
C- Z/ (FA)
Dis would be sweet and is the most true thing NO LIE i have researched danny ferrys plans and dan gilberts and dis is probbally going to happen!
Eric | May 26, 2008 | Reply
Give whatever you have to and get Baron Davis. He has been healthy the past couple years, and is playing his best basketball. He is a legit scorer and passer. A big PG, can play D, shoot the trey, take you off the dribble and still has 4 or 5 years until you would think he would start to slow down. (29 years old now) Delonte I don’t think is a starter, but a quality backup PG. In the draft I really think we should get Brandon Rush. He can score the ball at will and would be a nice compliment on the other wing opposed to #23. Wally should retire b/c he is awful. Simply pathetic really…No way we keep his 13 million or whatever it is. Trade Sasha the space cadet as I like to call him. They keep saying he can shoot the three but all I see are bricks. He makes a lot of dumb plays and head isn’t always in the game. If Danny Ferry doesn’t get some players and LeBron opts out……the Cleveland Cavilier franchise will go under. Who would want to go see a Cav game without LeBron James? And Ferry would recieve death threats from millions, some of them real probably…
zack | May 27, 2008 | Reply
Its simple, the Cavs need more production from their front court. Z is soft, Ben Wallace hardly scores at all, everyone knows about Varejao’s lack of consistent offensive ability. Joe Smith is solid, but he isn’t a starter on a championship team. Dump Z, dump Wally, dump Big Ben and dump Varejao. Trade Wally and Ben for Michael Redd and Charlie Villanueva if they can work a deal out. Then Trade Z and Varejao for draft picks. Draft the Ohio state center and sign elton Brand.
Delonte West
Michael Redd
Lebron
Elton Brand
Charlie Villanueva
thats the starting line up with Pavlovic, Gibson, Damon Jones, and some rookies come off the bench
sounds like a pretty good team to me
Chad | May 27, 2008 | Reply
No, we dont dump Z. Hes been with the team for a long time and ferry gonna have him retire a cavs.
We prolly gonna pick up redd.
Doubt we get redd but im sure we can also pick up another decent player.
keep boobie hes a great shooter
west is my future allstar pg
mike | May 29, 2008 | Reply
word is that monta ellis wants to be traded. He would be a huge pickup this summer. he can start the break with increbile speed, score, and execute the offense like the true point guard that we have lacked since lebron showed up. who knows, maybe we can package ellis with baron davis in a blockbuster deal that would include trading expiring contracts as well as delonte, varejao… any thoughts?
Jeffrey | May 30, 2008 | Reply
i dont care who we get between Ellis, Brand, Redd or Baron Davis, cause i would trade our entire team cept lebron of course for one of them, and im sure they heat will get rid of marion if they get beasley cause the heat are not smart and marion would fit well into our system
mikayla gordon | May 31, 2008 | Reply
i think they need some more trades that involve sasha pavlovic and damon jones. the most im portant time to do so is in the draft also with the 19th pick in the draft James Gist would be a steal. I know they need another player that could run with lebron… James Gist is the perfect wit, he may need some off season training but if he does that i Have a Really good feelling about the 08/09 season
mikayla gordon | May 31, 2008 | Reply
WE need to get players like Micheal Redd or baron Davis, as much as i love Z if we can get an Elton Brand that would really help the teaqm and also James Gist is a really good fit if he works on his game and is a back-up for lebron… I heard Iverson was on the block We can try to pick him up as a free agent also trying to get Ben Gordon will also help the Team. Also to free up cap space trade ben wallace and Varejao
justin | Jun 4, 2008 | Reply
They need to get Michael Redd so he can knock down wide open three’s for lebron(mvp for 2009). They also need to get a big that is not scared to dunk on somebody in the paint.
isaac | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply
we need jermaine oneal on da team and micheal redd and then we will win a chamionship
trey | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
you are givin me chills right now seein ellis , baron and lebron on the fast breaK would be rediculous . thats what i call a BIG 3
james | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
I think that you need to look a your option like try to get melo or try to get gary payton and you can try to get gilbert arenas. If you want to win then you need to look at gilbet againg or chancy from detriot.
james | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
i think you should make a trade to try and het either chancy from detriot or get gilbert from washington wizard.
Bob | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
I think we should get Micheal Redd.But don’t trade West,Gibson,Z,Wally or Big Ben!
Bob | Jun 16, 2008 | Reply
I think they should not trade Damon Jones either! I think I might would give up Wally!
brandon | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
he does get his teamates involved the problem is that his teamates dont like making shots or obiously we wouldnt have trade talk going on
brandon | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
what the cavs really need is to first get kirk hinrich so they can have a stable point guard (and also because it might help slow the bulls down, because they are gonna be good next year no matter who they draft unless bad coachin), then go get either artest(for defense and attitude) or redd (for scoring and another presence,afterwards get either jamison,okafor,or (injury prone) o’neal,last off if you can just draft a young center if you still have your draft picks or trade down to get a center in the second round or just move one of the post players you traded for. They would also need some quality bench players too.
Dustin | Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Get Elton Brand!!! Whatever it takes!!
Jacob | Sep 1, 2008 | Reply
I think the Cavaliers should try to deal out some moves. No all stars but people who would help. we to win the finals. Here is my idea. Try out small if they think about and stuff go up higher with the offer. First off the Cavs have to many guards. They should trade Varejao and Szerbiak to Sacrmento or Golden State. They could get Ron Artest in this deal or stephn Jackson. I know they would add another guard in the Golden State trade but then if they get Stephn Jackson they can release eric Snow and maybe someone else just try to help LeBron and Mo a little more. Cleveland needs achampionship. Or good buy LeBron