LBJ and the Cavs needs as the trade deadline approaches
god... if lebron left i guarentee the cavs would be the all time worst team....
anyways... the infinitely more valuable defender you speak of is anthony parker.... he already plays for them.
anyways i like the reference to byron scott...
also defense was played differently when magic played, not throwing so many zones and different defensive schemes... so i think that defensive comparison should be thrown out the window...
good post but kinda pointless.. they already have the exact player u speak of in anthony parker...
anthony parker is averaging 7 points a game
he's not exactly an athletic slasher shooter (Byron Scott)
i think eyenga was supposed to be that athletic guard
and then he went back to Europe
then they wanted to sign G/F Ariza
then Anthony Parker was the last option
Boobie Gibson was talking about how Mike Brown wanted to get a taller lineup on ESPN yesterday
and that's why he wasnt starting until recently
I appreciate what Anthony Parker brings to the Cavs, or any team for that matter. he is a solid teammate, defensively apt and a capable shooter. What AP is NOT is a dynamic scorer. Mo Williams has been miscast as a true point guard, when in actuality he seems to be more of a small 2, or scoring point guard in the Cavs offense. My point is if you are going to head in that direction why not get the BEST 2/3 available. Cleveland's ability to sign Free Agents may be directly linked to LeBron's ability to get them "SHINE". Similar to Magic, guys loved playing with him because he set the table for them in ways that made them look as fantastic at the finishing end, as he did on the pass. Magic could have been a more prolific scorer had he chosen to do so to the detriment of his team. If LeBron can show guys that he is in more Magic mode than MJ mode the draw to be near him would be even stronger. @ Esperanzafleet69 I agree the Cavs would be lost without Lebron, but I disagree with the statement that AP is anywhere close to Byron Scott, who was possibly one of the most underrated Showtime Lakers. Byron Scott > Anthony Parker, and its not even close IMO. Yes Antwan Jamison, would be the perfect pick up, but at what cost? What would the Wizards try and extract for their only "untouchable" and team captain? The point of the post was that in the Cavs 9 game win streak LeBron has been more facilitator (6 double digit assist games/1 with 9) than finisher and their improvement on offense has been visible.
When Parker gets those open base line 3s he doesn't miss. However he isn't good at creating shots for himself and is an overrated defender. He is a good role player though.
I don't think Lebron will ever actually move to the point, it would take away from his shot blocking (in the half court) and rebounding. You would have to have a really good small forward to move lebron from there. Could he do it, sure. Will he, i don't think so.
they need one scorer who can get them 20 ppg... i think that mo is overrated cause he cant really step up and bring his game to next level....jamison will be excellent,murphy also and i think they should try to go to one of the big names maybe even bosh.... but the fact is they should really need 20 ppg player
I propose that the injuries suffered by the Cavs, particularly at the PG position have positioned them to be a better team, not only at playoff time, but also in the long term future should they retain the services of LeBron. First, I believe the injuries to Mo and Delonte have forced the ball into Lebron's hands as a facilitator, they have no one else who can effectively initiate the basic offense the Cavaliers favor. Instinctively, LeBron is not the same as Kobe, selfless almost to a fault, the offense seemed forced as his team mates stood and watched the show as he pressed to score. He has been freed to operate at the position that comes most naturally to him PG or rather Point Forward. Now his team mates are aware every night that they are not only going to have to be present but capable. This is helpful to Cleveland because the variety of players available to help them in the future just grew simply by virtue of his switching positions in the lineup. With LeBron effectively running the point an athletic shooting guard who can guard "small" is now infinitely more valuable in the lineup. No longer do they have to masquerade as if LeBron were really destined to be a small forward. The number of SF/SG with range and defensive capability (Ray Allen/Caron Butler) that will be available at the deadline are abundant, more so than stretch 4's with deep range and defensive aptitude. Also the numbers support that Lebron is effective as a playmaker. Assist numbers (TO's in parenthesis) beginning January 19: 11 (3), 9(4), 12(6), 4(4), 11(3), 13(5), 11(1), 15(4). That is 86 and (30) or close to a 2.8 a/to ratio, while still getting 25+ and 7 rebounds. The numbers support his effectiveness as a PG. Further Lebron is far better as a HELP defender than Magic ever was. That said, do the Cavs adapt the strategy of the Showtime Lakers and turn the keys over to their 6'8"+ PG and look for a Byron Scott clone, i.e. an above average scorer with tough defense and embrace the anomaly rather than restricting it?