The Cleveland Cavaliers Thread

[MHSL82]

As explained in the Team-by-Team Thread, I am planning on making a thread every three days for a different team. The first few posts will be questions, requests for predictions, etc. There will be a poll unless I don't feel like making one. Some teams are less interesting than others.

Please participate in posting articles, predictions, etc.

So Far:

The San Antonio Spurs Thread - Defending NBA Champions.

The Miami Heat Thread - NBA Finals Runnerup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder Thread - Lost to the Champions.

The Indiana Pacers Thread - Lost to Finals Runnerup.

The Portland Trailblazers Thread - Lost to the Champions.

The Brooklyn Nets Thread - Lost to the Finals Runnerup.

The Los Angeles Clippers Thread - Lost to the Western Conference Runnerup.

The Washington Wizards Thread - Lost to the Eastern Conference Runnerup.

The Dallas Mavericks Thread - Lost to the Champions.

The Charlotte Hornets Thread - Lost to the Finals Runnerup.

The Memphis Grizzlies Thread - Lost to the Western Conference Runnerup.

The Atlanta Hawks Thread - Lost to the Eastern Conference Runnerup.

The Houston Rockets Thread - Lost to the Runnerup to the Western Conference Runnerup.

The Toronto Raptors Thread - Lost to the Runnerup to the Eastern Conference Runnerup.

The Golden State Warriors Thread - Last Playoff Team from the Winning Conference.

The Chicago Bulls Thread - Last Playoff Team from the Runnerup Conference.

The Phoenix Suns Thread - Best Record for Non-Playoff Team.

The Minnesota Timberwolves Thread - The Next Best Record for Non-Playoff Team.

The New York Knicks Thread - The Next Best Record for Non-Playoff Team.

The Denver Nuggets Thread - The Next Best Record Team.

The New Orleans Pelicans Thread - The Next Best Record Team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers Thread - The Next Best Record Team.

 

[gordontrue]

Sweet. Now we can actually get some discussion about the Cavs going, no ones been talking about them at all


My view on the Cavs can be summed up with "tempered enthusiasm". A lot to be excited about.... but a lot of unknown. With the addition of Love, anything short of a title will be widely viewed as a failure. But in the long-term... just 1 title in the next 5 years or so will be counted as an overall success... so coming up short in year 1 really isn't failure.

 

[logic]

This team clearly has the talent to go all the way. But they also have the burden of being expected to go all the way. It will be tough with new players having to get used to playing with each other; Love, Irving, and James are all used to being alpha, will they be able to temper their egos as well as the Heat and Celtics did when they assembled their teams? And two of those 3 aren't exactly known for their strength as two way players and you need a solid D to make it through the playoff grind. They also have a coach in the NBA for the first time. Makes a lot to come together, especially for a first year together.
On paper I have them winning it all, but championships aren't played on paper and I'm not betting my hard earned dollars on them in year 1.

 

[MHSL82]

Sweet. Now we can actually get some discussion about the Cavs going, no ones been talking about them at all

Ha! My plan all along when I started this thing (nevermind that I started it before his announcement).

 

[Battlelyon]

Ric Bucher has the Cavs being in fourth place in the East.

 

[Jims_Doors]

The thread title should read, "butthurt Lakers fans who are jealous of LeBron post here"

 

[Black Adam]

The thread title should read, "butthurt Lakers fans who are jealous of LeBron post here"

or"clowns who obsess over Lakers fans make dingbat comments"...

as far as the Cavs "aspirations" this season, i DO believe they can get to the finals. i just don't see them beating a deep Spurs team...

 

[HurricaneDij39]

The thread title should read, "butthurt Lakers fans who are jealous of LeBron post here"

And yet, not a single Laker fan had posted on this thread prior to your post.

We know this guy ain't a Cleveland fan the way he's trashed the city and its fan base over the years.

 

[Flauge]

or"clowns who obsess over Lakers fans make dingbat comments"...

as far as the Cavs "aspirations" this season, i DO believe they can get to the finals. i just don't see them beating a deep Spurs team...

Miami got ran out the gym and Wade and Bosh play defense. Good luck with Love and Irving out there. Cleveland will likely go.. they could win if it is OKC or someone else.

 

[Battlelyon]

Report: Cavs' Tristan Thompson will ask for upwards of $11M per season
By James Herbert | NBA writer
September 23, 2014 2:24 pm ET

Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson is seeking upwards of $11 million per season on his next contract, according to the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd. He's eligible for an extension before Oct. 31, and he'll be a restricted free agent next summer.

He will ask for the type of money previously given to Derrick Favors (four years, $49 million) and Larry Sanders (four years, $44 million). What will hurt Thompson's case, however, is the Greg Monroe saga. Monroe, by all accounts a better player than Thompson, was forced to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Pistons after failing to reach agreement on a long-term contract with anyone this summer. He will now be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Yeah, that's a lot of money, and he hasn't proved himself to be an above-average power forward yet. But there are a bunch of things at play here, most notably the fact that Thompson's agent, Rich Paul, also represents LeBron James. The assumption is that, since Paul brought James to Cleveland, the organization will reward him with a huge deal for Thompson.

The Cavs and Paul haven't discussed an extension yet, according to The Akron Beacon Journal, which also reported that "it's difficult to envision a deal not getting done eventually" if he plays out the season.

Through three years, the No. 4 pick of the 2011 draft has been a solid role player, but that's it. Thompson averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, shooting 48 percent from the field but not improving his jumper as much as he hoped after switching shooting hands. Next season, he'll probably come off the bench, but should see significant time at center and will likely look excellent playing off of James.

Remember how many open dunks a young J.J. Hickson got by simply moving into open space and catching James' passes? Thompson will be great in that role, and he could be productive enough that he'll have several suitors in free agency. Power forward will remain his natural position, though, and the league is stacked there. Unless he makes serious progress as a shooter or rim protector, he probably shoudn't be given a huge raise given the cheap alternatives available. It'll be interesting to see if Cleveland gives one to him anyway.

 

[shabazz916]

cavs will go all the way... the cavs have tons of young talent... miami was old.. the cavs will be able to play harder on defense because of the athleticism and youth

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Report: Cavs' Tristan Thompson will ask for upwards of $11M per season
By James Herbert | NBA writer
September 23, 2014 2:24 pm ET

Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson is seeking upwards of $11 million per season on his next contract, according to the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd. He's eligible for an extension before Oct. 31, and he'll be a restricted free agent next summer.

He will ask for the type of money previously given to Derrick Favors (four years, $49 million) and Larry Sanders (four years, $44 million). What will hurt Thompson's case, however, is the Greg Monroe saga. Monroe, by all accounts a better player than Thompson, was forced to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Pistons after failing to reach agreement on a long-term contract with anyone this summer. He will now be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Yeah, that's a lot of money, and he hasn't proved himself to be an above-average power forward yet. But there are a bunch of things at play here, most notably the fact that Thompson's agent, Rich Paul, also represents LeBron James. The assumption is that, since Paul brought James to Cleveland, the organization will reward him with a huge deal for Thompson.

The Cavs and Paul haven't discussed an extension yet, according to The Akron Beacon Journal, which also reported that "it's difficult to envision a deal not getting done eventually" if he plays out the season.

Through three years, the No. 4 pick of the 2011 draft has been a solid role player, but that's it. Thompson averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, shooting 48 percent from the field but not improving his jumper as much as he hoped after switching shooting hands. Next season, he'll probably come off the bench, but should see significant time at center and will likely look excellent playing off of James.

Remember how many open dunks a young J.J. Hickson got by simply moving into open space and catching James' passes? Thompson will be great in that role, and he could be productive enough that he'll have several suitors in free agency. Power forward will remain his natural position, though, and the league is stacked there. Unless he makes serious progress as a shooter or rim protector, he probably shoudn't be given a huge raise given the cheap alternatives available. It'll be interesting to see if Cleveland gives one to him anyway.

Everyone knew this was coming.
James has Gilbert by the balls in every basketball operational situation.

 

[Battlelyon]

Cavs trade Erik Murphy, John Lucas III, and Malcom Thomas to the Celtics for Keith Bogans.

Welcome to the Cavs, Keith!

 

[Battlelyon]

Another day closer to the Cavs winning the title!

 

[MHSL82]

4 more days, please vote for an option above. Thanks.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Another day closer to the Cavs winning the title!

Maybe hang the picture up in the Cavs trophy case?
See the fans in the reflection taking pics of it?
Thats about as close as Cavs fans have ever been to seeing the trophy

 

[Hambombs]

Lose in the eastern finals.

 

[MrHoople]

Sweet. Now we can actually get some discussion about the Cavs going, no ones been talking about them at all


My view on the Cavs can be summed up with "tempered enthusiasm". A lot to be excited about.... but a lot of unknown. With the addition of Love, anything short of a title will be widely viewed as a failure. But in the long-term... just 1 title in the next 5 years or so will be counted as an overall success... so coming up short in year 1 really isn't failure.

" so coming up short in year 1 really isn't failure."

I can agree with this. They will need time to pull it together to beat a team like the Spurs. But if they never win a title it would be a huge failure.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Bulls vs. Spurs.

But, unlike most years..

The ECF won't be a foregone conclusion.

If there is no dissention in the ranks between Kyrie/Love/Waiters re: stats or Thompson/Andy on who deserves to start, the Cavs could win it all.

I mean...the Spurs can't keep this up another year..can they?

 

[MrHoople]

Report: Cavs' Tristan Thompson will ask for upwards of $11M per season
By James Herbert | NBA writer
September 23, 2014 2:24 pm ET

Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson is seeking upwards of $11 million per season on his next contract, according to the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd. He's eligible for an extension before Oct. 31, and he'll be a restricted free agent next summer.

He will ask for the type of money previously given to Derrick Favors (four years, $49 million) and Larry Sanders (four years, $44 million). What will hurt Thompson's case, however, is the Greg Monroe saga. Monroe, by all accounts a better player than Thompson, was forced to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Pistons after failing to reach agreement on a long-term contract with anyone this summer. He will now be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Yeah, that's a lot of money, and he hasn't proved himself to be an above-average power forward yet. But there are a bunch of things at play here, most notably the fact that Thompson's agent, Rich Paul, also represents LeBron James. The assumption is that, since Paul brought James to Cleveland, the organization will reward him with a huge deal for Thompson.

The Cavs and Paul haven't discussed an extension yet, according to The Akron Beacon Journal, which also reported that "it's difficult to envision a deal not getting done eventually" if he plays out the season.

Through three years, the No. 4 pick of the 2011 draft has been a solid role player, but that's it. Thompson averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, shooting 48 percent from the field but not improving his jumper as much as he hoped after switching shooting hands. Next season, he'll probably come off the bench, but should see significant time at center and will likely look excellent playing off of James.

Remember how many open dunks a young J.J. Hickson got by simply moving into open space and catching James' passes? Thompson will be great in that role, and he could be productive enough that he'll have several suitors in free agency. Power forward will remain his natural position, though, and the league is stacked there. Unless he makes serious progress as a shooter or rim protector, he probably shoudn't be given a huge raise given the cheap alternatives available. It'll be interesting to see if Cleveland gives one to him anyway.

That's a lot of money for a guy that is pretty unproven. I see guys like Ryan Anderson making less that 9 million per year and this guy wants 11? Good luck getting that. They may be better off trading him.