This team became the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference by season's end, despite having average talent at best. For the entire season, they gave up the 5th fewest points in the NBA and 2nd fewest in the Eastern Conference. They were the second best rebounding team behind the effort of Zyndrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejao, and LeBron James. They combined for 68% of the team's total rebounds per game. LeBron James had an unreal statistical season Sasha Pavlovic emerged as a key member of this team and started the final 24 games for the Cavs. During that time, he averaged over 12 points per game. The most important part of the season that set up their playoff run was the final day of the year. The Cavs win plus the Nets victory of the Bulls clinched the 2nd seed for the Cavs and put the Bulls in the 5th seed. It meant that the Cavs would play the Washington Wizards in the first round and without Washington's 2 best players, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler (injuries). They rolled through Washington, then beat New Jersey in the 2nd round. They rode LeBron through the Eastern Conference Finals before being swept by San Antonio in the Finals.
What Went Wrong?
As good of a coach that Mike Brown is on defense, he is equally bad as a coach on the offensive end of the floor. It was LeBron's greatness that allowed him to put up the numbers that he did. Mike Brown was often unable to draw up plays and create an offensive scheme to get LeBron the ball in situations that were beneficial for him. He often had to overexert himself throughout games to find places to score the ball with ease. Larry Hughes, who was supposed to be LeBron's Pippen, He missed 12 games and played injured most of the year with a bad ankle. When he did play, he was unable to be very effective and averaged just 14.9 points per game and 3.7 assists. The point guard position was a complete waste of space for the Cavs. It took 3 point guards (Eric Snow, Damon Jones, and Daniel Gibson) to average 15.4 points and 6.8 assists. When the Cavs made it to the FInals, their lack of offensive ability as a team allowed the Spurs to tighten their defense and absolutely smother Cleveland.
Off-Season Overview
While it looks like there hasn't been much going on in this off-season for the Cavaliers, there actually have been some pretty serious things happening within the organization. The team still as of October 18 hasn't been able to come to terms with its own restricted free agents, Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. They refused to sign the qualifying offer and were unable to work a deal with other teams because they couldn't get a decent market projection in terms of worth. The Cavs brought in Devin Brown to beef up the pathetic back court and traded for former first round pick Cedric Simmons as a backup plan to Varejao not re-signing (assuming he sits out the year).
Players Added- Guard Devin Brown (Free Agent, New Orleans), Power Forward Cedric Simmons (Trade, New Orleans)
Players Lost- Center Scot Pollard (Free Agent, Boston), Guard David Wesley (Trade, New Orleans)
Phil Barnett's Impact Players-
It’s hard to believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers played in an NBA Finals last year, it’s even harder imagining them in the Finals this year when it seems like they didn’t belong last year. It’s going to be interesting to see how well this team does without any major acquisitions to the squad.
Breakout Player: I love Sasha Pavlovic. He has patiently waited for much of his career and will finally have an opportunity to get quality playing time this season. Pavlovic can be aggressive and fearless with the ball. He can shoot and is physical. He’ll have a good year.
Disappointing Player: Don’t look for Daniel Gibson to perform all season like he did in last years post season. Gibson had a good run, but he isn’t a natural point guard and cannot create well enough off the dribble to be considered a two guard. His regular season numbers should be much like last seasons.
FantasyInsideronline.com Fantasy Sleeper-
Cedric Simmons, Power Forward- This guy could be huge for fantasy owners if Varejao doesn't re-sign. He immediately would become the first big man off the bench when Gooden or Ilgauskas come out of the game. This guy can be a rebounding machine and a tough guy to cover. Think of David West with more determination to score in the post. If Varejao doesn't rejoin the Cavs, grab this guy in the late rounds.
Best-Case Scenario
There's a repeat of last year. The defense is still stellar and they still out rebound most teams. Pavlovic and Varejao swallow their pride and come back for their offered one year deals. Daniel Gibson actually emerges as the best point guard of the team instead of winning that title by default. LeBron James plays with the same ability that he did in the final 4 games of the Pistons' series and Larry Hughes becomes his Pippen. The Cavs role through the East playoffs again and give themselves a chance to win in the Finals.
Worst Case Scenario
The defense slips and the offense stays where it was last year. LeBron burns himself out carrying this team by the time the playoffs come. Daniel Gibson keeps playing like Daniel Gibson of the regular season last year and the team still doesn't have a productive point guard. Varejao and Pavlovic decide to sit out the season due to a lack of a long-term deal with the team and their lack of depth becomes a problem. The Cavs miss out on home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and can't advance because of it.
Talkhoops.net Prediction- 3rd in Division, 5th in East
It probably won't be very far from the worst case scenario. I don't see Larry Hughes ever being as effective with this team as he was with the Wizards. He doesn't fit into Mike Brown's system very well. Daniel Gibson will probably be relegated to the bench after playing poorly in the first part of the season. The offense isn't going to get any better than it was last year because the team didn't make any moves to improve the talent on their roster. The East is much better this year and I don't see the Cavs getting another favorable playoff seeding that sets up such an easy road. Cavs will finish outside of homecourt advantage and probably go no further than the 2nd round at best.