FanPost

Chasing the Nightmare



I read the posts and threads from this site religiously. I can see, and even feel, the ardor with which the writers and fans love our Cavaliers as I do. I am troubled by a theory that has been brewing slowly and now seems to be gathering steam. Abandon the OKC model for a quick fix now with at least the hope that it can lead to a playoff caliber team and the return of the Chosen One to Cleveland. There are serious and fatal flaws to this venture. Everyone wants the suffering to stop (or at least subside). We see Toronto, Brooklyn, Washington and Atlanta in the playoffs and we are envious. This is understandable but shortsighted. Before the season began, none of these teams had bright long term futures. Looking back now, do we think differently because they were in the playoffs. Toronto’s future depends in large part on its ability to resign their mercurial point guard. This is not a given. Brooklyn was built for one year. The year is over. Garnett, still a value to the team for a host of intangible reasons but his best playing days are long gone. Likewise, but to a lesser extent, Pierce. Williams was a huge disappointment and his future value questionable. Blatche may play elsewhere next year. His contract is up. Washington traded its future for a quick fix to the playoffs. At the time, very few thought it was a good idea. It wasn’t. That doesn’t change because they made the playoffs. A good number of their acquired assets may be gone before the next season rolls around. And this is likely as good as they will ever get with this roster if it does remain intact. Atlanta made the playoffs by default. Honestly would you trade the Cavs current roster with all of its shortcomings for the roster of any of these teams. I would not. And it’s not even close. The argument against the OKC model has always been that you really have to be "lucky" in the draft to follow this model. They drafted three very good players that now form the basis for their contending, exciting team for years to come. We are now poised, in no small measure also by luck, to also create such a team. We have the ability to draft a transcendent player yet the urge is to trade that selection and other young talents on the team for a quick fix and a chance at the Labron sweepstakes. Do we break up the long term wellbeing of the team for the short term hope that it would help lure the King back? Do you hire a coach with the hope that his presence would help lure the Chosen One back? First, the King is likely to decide not to come back for purely selfish reasons. He has an absolute right to make such selfish decisions. History tells us the next decision will be based on the same selfish motives that guided his past moves. The second scenario is a lot less likely but for the Cavaliers a lot more troublesome. He might actually decide to grace us with his presence. The price, abandon the plan we have been on for the hope of short term success. One thing we can all agree upon is that he has both his devoted fans and his fervent detractors. His return would be the most divisive and disruptive act that has ever befallen the fan base. It would create long term division and contention like we have never witnessed. And it would come at the expense of long term success that continuing the OKC model plan has and that is now within our grasp. We can draft a transcendent Center or a transcendent Small Forward. We can then buy the pieces we do not draft. Our future is very bright. Don’t gamble it away for short term rewards and the right to engage in a fool’s errand.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on FearTheSword.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff at FearTheSword

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