Dream Team 2009
I have September 18th marked off on my calendar as National Hyperbole Day. Also, since this is my first post on Fear the Sword, I figure I need to make my pie in the sky optimism completely obvious.
This is the best Cavs team since 1992 - and the best Cavs backcourt for just as long. The Mo Williams signing, the Delonte signing and the best draft since Lebron pretty much guarantee an easy path to a 2nd round match against an aging Celtics team or a Pistons team with no identity.
Think about it. Just the backcourt for now.
Mo Williams, Delonte West, Boobie Gibson, Sasha Pavlovic, and Wally Sczcerbiak.
When did the Cavs last have that depth? In 97-98, the 5th guard was Scott Brooks. And we made the playoffs.
In Lebron's rookie campaign, the 5th man was JR Bremer. I think. I might rate him ahead of Dajuan Wagner or Kevin Ollie. No wonder we drafted Lebron to run the point.
Even 3 deep, knowing these young horses can each go 30+ minutes, when have the Cavs been as good as Mo, Delonte and Boobie? When we won 50 for the first time in the Lebron era, and topped the Wizards for the first of many times, Eric Snow played the 3rd most minutes behind Flip Murray (late season acquisition) and Larry Hughes (made of glass). Really, Damon Jones was in his heyday, and he still couldn't get more than 14 (clutch) seconds against the Wiz.
In '96-'97 we missed the playoffs for the first time in a while behind Terrell Brandon, Bobby Phills, and slam dunk contest hero Bob Sura. Gordon Gund should've started up some tanning salons on the side to lure Dan Majerle into staying. As it is, that threesome might stand up to the current one. Brandon was in his prime, putting up a Mo Williams-like 20 and 6. Phills was a solid contributor in his last Cleveland campaign, acting as the glue guy, alternating between scoring, passing and rebounding as needed. And Bob Sura could dunk, sometimes. More than Boobie can say.
And then there's Mo Williams alone. When have the Cavs had a guard as good? Andre Miller. Terrell Brandon. Mark Price. Price groomed Brandon. There were 2 painful years of Brevin Knight before Miller stepped in as a rookie. Now we're heading into our 7th season since Andre Miller left town for Darius "The SAT is racist" Miles.
The Cavs simply haven't had this strong of a backcourt since those days of Price, Ehlo, a young Terrell Brandon, Steve Kerr, John Battle and a green Bobby Phills.
Once we figure out if the front court is just as stacked, we'll know if this team has championship written all over it. And here's a hint: it is.
Go Cavs!
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Yeah, that backcourt does look very good. I was very excited about the trade for Mo Williams because I think that he can add the playmaking ability that this team has lacked outside of LeBron. I’m glad that we resigned Delonte West because he add depth to the position that we haven’t had in a long time, as you have written. None of these guys individually are great, but I think together they can put up good numbers for the Cavs this year.
The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay
by Buckeye Brad on Sep 19, 2008 5:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope you are right Matt. I personally am trying to temper my enthusiam for Mo Williams cause the shadow of Larry Hughes looms large right now. Cant wait to see all the newcomers and how it all plays out.
Glad to have a SN site for the Cavs!
by Juannieboy on Sep 19, 2008 8:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mo Williams
loves winning and will not have to change his game to fit this team. LH was a cry baby with multiply injuries and was an atrocious shooter. Williams can shoot the ball and will be the second option to a superstar something he will love. I knew someone would make this type of comparison but the numbers just do not compare.
Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
by E5 on Sep 19, 2008 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll admit that I am a little worried by the fact that Mo Williams doesn’t really get to the rim. Still, Hughes’s numbers were always inflated in Washington because of their fast break game, while Williams numbers are due to his filling it up from the perimeter. He shouldn’t fall over coming over to a system where he can do the same. The only difference will be more catch and shoot and less dribble and shoot.
by LeCavs Matt on Sep 20, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pluto pointed out
that starting west and williams together is one of the smallest backcourts in the league.
i’m more concerned about 4th quarters, when gibson will be in for his clutch shooting.
either gibson or williams will be guarding ray allen/rip hamilton.
by MJ32 on Sep 24, 2008 12:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The defensive matchups could change...
I think LBJ becomes the guy to defend the oppositions best wing player coming down the stretch of games, so playing Mo and Boobie in the backcourt isn’t that big of a deal. A small lineup like that could create matchup nightmares for the opposition.
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Sep 24, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i love the lineup on offense
but on defense, one of those guys will be checking a player 5-7 inches taller.
by MJ32 on Sep 24, 2008 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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