OK, we got Shaq, what about the draft?
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 25, 2009 11:27 AM CDT
in Roster Moves
37 comments
Now that the Cavs have traded for Shaquille O'Neal we'll look towards the NBA Draft (tonight at 7:30). After the season most people thought the Cavs would be looking for a true backup point guard, an athletic wing player, and more help in the post. Shaq obviously helps in the frontcourt but the Cavs may still need help there, especially with Varejao a free agent and Hickson suffering a setback from his back injury. Big men are hard to find later in the first round, though, so the Cavs may look for backcourt help there.
The strongest position in this draft is supposed to be point guard so there should be a few good ones on the board when the Cavs pick at 30. They could use a true point guard to backup Mo Williams since neither West or Gibson fit that role. The also would like to get a tall, athletic wing player to help on defense because the Magic exposed the Cavs in that area in the playoffs.
The Cavs may be able to move up in the first round, though, because some teams in financial trouble might want to sell their pick to save money, so we'll have to see if the Cavs try to make a move. There are many players who would help the Cavs that most people think will be drafted in the late teens or early 20's, such as Sam Young of Pittsburgh and Ty Lawson of UNC. Sam Young is a guy I really like; he's a 6'7" forward from Pitt who can shoot, rebound, and defend, and is exactly the kind of player that the Cavs need coming off the bench. Some people have compared him to James Posey, who helped Boston win the title last year. He was a four-year player at Pitt so he should be able to step in and help right away. If the Cavs can trade up to get him I'll be thrilled.
But if the Cavs don't make a trade and stay at pick #30, who would you like to get? I looked at many mock drafts and came up with a list of names who most experts think will be available late in the first or early in the second. Pick a name from the list and let us know why you want that player.
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Who cares?
Has it ever really mattered who you pick at Number 30???
by Cmndr.Spock on Jun 25, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Spurs drafted Tony Parker 28th
by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gilbert Arenas was drafted at 31
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on Jun 25, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Carlos Boozer at 34 if I remember accurately
(Not rubbing it in.)
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on Jun 25, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Cavs would be wise to pick Mills
But I’ve said as much.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on Jun 25, 2009 12:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
to elaborate, i think that mills is a very capable floor general, and the type of guy who would be effective as a back-up to mo. he played a ton at st. mary’s, appears to do all things well, and would finally provide a legit back up PG, not a smaller, converted 2-guard.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Defense win titles
Green is an excellent defender and any points from him is an added bonus.
by TMC in NC on Jun 25, 2009 12:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
UCLA Gaurds
Collison is the pick. Look at the Lakers gaurds. UCLA used to put out big men. Now they put out gaurds. If the Cavs don’t get him, watch whoever does.
by Bacdraft on Jun 25, 2009 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate UNC, but would be thrilled with Lawson or Ellington. I think Lawson is very underated and would be an awesome change of pace back-up PG.
I think that Wayne Ellington could be a Ray Allen type shooter. His shot is gorgeous.
Also I like the two kids from Louisville. Terrence Williams and Earl Clark could help on the defensive end right away.
by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 25, 2009 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I love UNC
and I think either one would be a great pick at 30.
by Hardcore Legend on Jun 25, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think so too
but you never know.
Ellington is so long and yet still quick. He’ll be a nice wing player, if on defense alone.
by Hardcore Legend on Jun 25, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
isn’t the biggest criticism of ellington that he’s not that quick, and his defense is suspect?
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
From what I have seen the kid has an incredible shot and is deadly spotting up.
But I agree with you, not much on creating his own shot and defense is not great.
by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 25, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellington
Wayne Ellington is the only high riser of the guards in this class that has the ability to create his own shots. There are always guys that come to mind that were great shooters in college, but never had to create their own shots, and consequently failed in the NBA. It is easy to score if double screens and back picks are set to get you a wide open look from the foul line, just ask Ron Mercer from Kentucky. Had a guy named Derek Anderson not torn his ACL, he and Mercer would have flip-flopped spots in the 1997 draft. Get the guy who can create, that is if no decent big man is still available.
by Bryan P on Jun 25, 2009 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is the fact that Sam Young just turned 24 a bit of a red flag to anyone? He obviously got an advantage by playing against guys younger than him, but if you’re taking him you’re not really looking for someone to develop into a great player. You know you’re getting what’s probably a decent bench player right away who can defend on the perimeter and probably hit some 3’s.
by 7foot3 on Jun 25, 2009 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
probably a decent bench player right away who can defend on the perimeter and probably hit some 3’s.
That’s a pretty good haul for the 30th pick in the draft if he becomes that, especially if the Cavaliers are looking for a player to contribute now.
You know Selig? Ombudsman.
by rolub on Jun 25, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, the Cavs don’t need a guy with “upside”, they need a guy who can help right now. You’re always going to find flaws with players chosen late in the first round.
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 25, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well I’ve seen mock drafts at nbadraft.net and draftexpress.com saying he’ll go 18, so I doubt you’re getting him at 30. But even so, the Cavs need a swingman who can defend now, and some more long-term big-man help. I’d rather try to sign a more proven swingman and draft like a Taj Gibson.
by 7foot3 on Jun 25, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a fan of Terence Williams from Louisville. He’s got a long, athletic body. He should be there at 30 as well.
But I just get the feeling that someone’s going to sell off a pick and the Cavs will scoop that up. They’re going all out this year.
One thing I would love to see, if the Cavs do buy a mid-round pick, is taking BJ Mullens if he slides into the mid-round. Take him and develop him for the future. Would be a steal.
by gahnki on Jun 25, 2009 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
you nailed it here. if williams is there at 30, snag him. i’d be more hesitant to trade up for him, just b/c i fear what the price would be…although, if it’s just a purchase of a pick, maybe that wouldn’t be so expensive.
mullens is right on my radar, man. if he’s around in the early- to mid-20s, i think you have to go get him.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Williams as well but all the projections I saw had him going in the low teens. I don’t see him getting past 20.
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 25, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw one mock draft that had him going to the Cavs. It may have been the Sporting News, but I don’t remember. I don’t usually follow the NBA draft beyond the Cavs so I have no real clue how this will shake out.
by gahnki on Jun 25, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t stand Mullens. One game with 10+ Rebounds? ONE?! He is SEVEN FEET TALL!
I know that Matta didn’t play Mullens a ton, but Mullens never seemed to ever just destroy an opponent. He never showed the athleticsm that was supposed to be “amazing”. Anyone else remember Jon Leuer of Wisconsin getting him to foul out in 12 mins?
I’m usually all for Buckeyes, but Mullens is garbage in my view, but I down big time for Williams from UofL. I really hope he falls to us.
by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 25, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mullens is not garbage at all. He was a victim of circumstance at Ohio State. OSU couldn’t afford to teach him, because they knew he was one and done. It simply wasn’t worth the effort to prepare Mullens like the other players.
Take him and teach him. The Cavs could potentially get an elite center who just needs developmental time. The center question isn’t going away for the future, and this could be great value if handled correctly.
Remember, if BJ Mullens was allowed to come into the draft out of high school he is almost assuredly a lottery pick. His rough freshman year just made him fall.
by gahnki on Jun 25, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohio St certainly could have afforded to teach him. We’ve seen plenty other one-and-done’s learn and develop, and more important develop the skills that translate to the NBA. He didn’t grab many rebounds for someone his size and according to Hollinger
pure point rating (a measure of how a player passes and handles the ball) is a pretty strong success indicator for frontcourt players . . . Mullens, who was the absolute worst at -2.85
by 7foot3 on Jun 25, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They did not teach him as far as working into an offensive or defensive gampelan. They used him as a role player. They were burned by too many previous one-and-done’s, and he needed too much work for them to really care. What you saw last year was the same player he was in high school trying to compete against third year players at other schools.
He was certainly taught fundamentals and such, but he was not integrated like the other one-and-done’s you are no doubt comparing him to.
He is raw and talented. Exactly the player the Cavs can afford to take right now. He’s not going to contribute at all for the first few years, but you can certainly have something later. And there aren’t exactly a great deal of athletic 7-footers running around.
by gahnki on Jun 25, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That may be true, but don’t the Cavs need a player who can contribute right now? Maybe a guy like Sam Young or Ty Lawson or Wayne Ellington who can step in and play right away?
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 25, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So he needed to much work to even contribute at the college level, but the Cavs have enough time to jump him past that to the NBA level? I don’t think so. They used him as a role player because he wasn’t talented enough to be better than that.
by 7foot3 on Jun 25, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think it’s a question of talent. the kid was a first-round pick on every board in the league. unless he’s fooled everyone in basketball, there’s talent there. he’s raw, he’s young, he’s a project…he’s a lot of things, but he’s not untalented.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 26, 2009 3:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They used him as a role player because he wasn’t talented enough to be better than that.
That’s just wrong. There’s nothing really more to be said other than the obvious fact that you don’t know what you are talking about.
by gahnki on Jun 26, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So we ended up with the poll’s 2nd choice at 2nd-round cost, and now have an additional investment (albeit with very uncertain returns) stashed in Europe. I honestly don’t see two rookies fitting on this team next season anyway, so it sounds good to me.
by APV on Jun 26, 2009 2:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Right, and we don’t have to pay anyone first-round money with a guarenteed contract. I wanted Sam Young because I thought he could contribute right away but obviously Ferry didn’t think he would. Hopefully Green can become a solid bench player.
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 26, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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