I don't think the Cavs should make any big moves.  Stand pat.  You have a team which coasted through the East easier than it did the previous two seasons.  GSW was fully healthy for the Finals.  That's not likely to happen two years in a row considering its roster of players.  If the Cavs really want to improve, I have a novel idea...... how about working on those FREE THROWS??  65% from the line in a close out game won't cut it..... not when GSW shot 82% (and would've been higher if Curry didn't miss three of his, which never happens).  LeBron in particular needs to focus on that part of his game.  If he has a flaw, that's it.  Those missed free throws came back to bite us.

 

I'm staying with Lue only because this team needs a manager more than it needs a coach.  But Ty HAS to call a timeout when that run starts in the second quarter.  And he has to throw a fit when the refs swallowed their whistle on that 3rd foul on Durant before that run ever began, when he smacked LeBron across the face as LeBron was dunking the ball.  KLove was called for a flagrant for the same thing earlier this series. 

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the team other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

Wow, such an amazing team...73 wins last year and they went out and added the 2nd best player in the league who blew a 3-1 lead against them last year.  Such a difficult journey.  /s

 

LeBron realistically has 3-4 years left as THE MAN and I'm not sure he wants to stick around as 2nd fiddle to Kyrie (when he decides to show up, that is).

 

Don't know what they can do, realistically, besides hope some other team knocks off the Warriors.  They have ~$127m on the books ALREADY for next season, and that only counts 10 players.  The cap will be $101m or so.  Trade Love + for Paul George?  Tristan was trash in the Finals and he makes nearly $17m/season.  But how are you gonna upgrade his spot? 

Don't get caught up in building your team to beat someone you just lost to.  The LeBron era 1 Cavs did that to bad results.  We lost to Boston so we built a team to match up against Boston and we lost to Orlando.  Then we built a team to match up against Orlando and lost to Boston. 

 

Don't get me wrong, if you can upgrade at any position, go right ahead, but who did you have in mind to upgrade at PF over Love?  Whomever it is would need to keep the floor spaced like Love does and also grab the defensive rebounds.

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

Its too bad that the Cavs lost Bogat. I would like to see how he would've challenged Durant or anyone else under the basket.  having a true center helps the outside shooters.

Wow, such an amazing team...73 wins last year and they went out and added the 2nd best player in the league who blew a 3-1 lead against them last year.  Such a difficult journey.  /s

 

LeBron realistically has 3-4 years left as THE MAN and I'm not sure he wants to stick around as 2nd fiddle to Kyrie (when he decides to show up, that is).

 

Don't know what they can do, realistically, besides hope some other team knocks off the Warriors.  They have ~$127m on the books ALREADY for next season, and that only counts 10 players.  The cap will be $101m or so.  Trade Love + for Paul George?  Tristan was trash in the Finals and he makes nearly $17m/season.  But how are you gonna upgrade his spot?

 

Lebron will finish his career here and Kyrie words last night have me believing he may as well. The Cavs have a lot on the books but they can move a lot of it. 

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

 

So we are going to tear apart a team that has made three straight trips to the Finals to match up better against a certain lineup one team can employ?  Again, if you name me the PF we are going to get in exchange for Love, I'm all ears.  Keep in mind that, so long as we have Tristan, it can't be another paint clogger.  It has to be someone who can stretch the defense or else those lanes for Kyrie and LeBron to drive to the hoop will close up quickly.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better candidate who we have a realistic chance of landing.  Let's take a quick look at the top PFs in the league....

 

You're not gonna get Anthony Davis or Draymond Green.  Blake Griffin, Paul Milsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all just as big liabilities on D.  Derrick Favors is a post player who wouldn't mesh well with Tristan.  Serge Ibaka maybe?  I don't know that he is an upgrade over Love.

 

More than anything IMO, we need to upgrade the bench with a rim-protecting big man and a backcourt player who brings some scoring punch.   

Last night turned, in the 2nd quarter, on the Durant non-call on LeBron when he dunked on KD -- shoulda been an and-1.  Durant would have gone to the bench just when the Cavs were gaining momentum.  As it was, KD remained in the game and sparked an 28-4 run which put us in a hole for the rest of the game although we fought back valiantly, with some HUGE 3s by JR who should be back in the team's good graces the way he played since Game 3.

 

Amazingly, despite KD and Steph's onslaught, our starters outscored theirs 113-94... yeah, that means our bench scored a measly 7 points!!!!  So does that mean the Big 3 plus JR and Tristan are good enough to beat the Warriors and that, what we really need to do, is bring in and begin grooming a young, athletic bench; a bench with 2-way players?  Note last night that Kerr rode UNLV rookie Patrick McCaw in bigtime 4th quarter minutes in a game where the Cavs were very much alive until midway through the quarter.

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

 

So we are going to tear apart a team that has made three straight trips to the Finals to match up better against a certain lineup one team can employ?  Again, if you name me the PF we are going to get in exchange for Love, I'm all ears.  Keep in mind that, so long as we have Tristan, it can't be another paint clogger.  It has to be someone who can stretch the defense or else those lanes for Kyrie and LeBron to drive to the hoop will close up quickly.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better candidate who we have a realistic chance of landing.  Let's take a quick look at the top PFs in the league....

 

You're not gonna get Anthony Davis or Draymond Green.  Blake Griffin, Paul Milsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all just as big liabilities on D.  Derrick Favors is a post player who wouldn't mesh well with Tristan.  Serge Ibaka maybe?  I don't know that he is an upgrade over Love.

 

More than anything IMO, we need to upgrade the bench with a rim-protecting big man and a backcourt player who brings some scoring punch.   

 

I dont think we need another PF to replace love.  We need an athletic forward.  The matchups will take care of themselves.  Draymond is considered a PF, but hes really just an athletic guy that can play anywhere in the front court. There were long stretches of most of these games where Lebron was the tallest guy on the floor throughout the NBA finals.  And i say, yes...you have to craft a team to beat the Warriors.  They arent going anywhere.  If you do nothing, the results will be more of the same next year.

I'm usually the last one to cry about officiating, but it really seemed, esp I Games 4 and 5, that the refs really bent over to protect the Warriors.  (Green should have been ejected for his 2nd tech and, he and Pachulia (a real NBA thug imho) both deserved flagrants (especially Green for his wild elbow to Shump's noggin) -- instead, they gave that cheapie to Love -- West should have been tossed for 2 separate fights in one incident, but the whistled JR and Thompson sending Curry to the line)... and as I mentioned in my post above, the Durant 2nd quarter non-call turned the outcome of the game; I truly believe had Durant sat out most of the 2nd quarter had he should have, we likely would be looking forward to a Game 6 this morning.  Oh well.

 

It really seems the refs felt burned by the criticism that they supposedly overreacted by suspending Green for Game 5 last year and that this cost GSW the championship... personally, I feel that both claims are B.S.: Green should have been suspended because he's a hothead and, no, it didn't matter in the long run, because he returned for Games 6 and 7 -- including the closeout game in THEIR building -- and we still won.

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

 

So we are going to tear apart a team that has made three straight trips to the Finals to match up better against a certain lineup one team can employ?  Again, if you name me the PF we are going to get in exchange for Love, I'm all ears.  Keep in mind that, so long as we have Tristan, it can't be another paint clogger.  It has to be someone who can stretch the defense or else those lanes for Kyrie and LeBron to drive to the hoop will close up quickly.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better candidate who we have a realistic chance of landing.  Let's take a quick look at the top PFs in the league....

 

You're not gonna get Anthony Davis or Draymond Green.  Blake Griffin, Paul Milsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all just as big liabilities on D.  Derrick Favors is a post player who wouldn't mesh well with Tristan.  Serge Ibaka maybe?  I don't know that he is an upgrade over Love.

 

More than anything IMO, we need to upgrade the bench with a rim-protecting big man and a backcourt player who brings some scoring punch.   

 

I dont think we need another PF to replace love.  We need an athletic forward.  The matchups will take care of themselves.  Draymond is considered a PF, but hes really just an athletic guy that can play anywhere in the front court. There were long stretches of most of these games where Lebron was the tallest guy on the floor throughout the NBA finals.  And i say, yes...you have to craft a team to beat the Warriors.  They arent going anywhere.  If you do nothing, the results will be more of the same next year.

 

Again, our starters are good enough to win a title even against THIS Warriors team.  What we need to do is tear apart the bench and get younger/more athletic.

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

 

So we are going to tear apart a team that has made three straight trips to the Finals to match up better against a certain lineup one team can employ?  Again, if you name me the PF we are going to get in exchange for Love, I'm all ears.  Keep in mind that, so long as we have Tristan, it can't be another paint clogger.  It has to be someone who can stretch the defense or else those lanes for Kyrie and LeBron to drive to the hoop will close up quickly.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better candidate who we have a realistic chance of landing.  Let's take a quick look at the top PFs in the league....

 

You're not gonna get Anthony Davis or Draymond Green.  Blake Griffin, Paul Milsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all just as big liabilities on D.  Derrick Favors is a post player who wouldn't mesh well with Tristan.  Serge Ibaka maybe?  I don't know that he is an upgrade over Love.

 

More than anything IMO, we need to upgrade the bench with a rim-protecting big man and a backcourt player who brings some scoring punch.   

 

I dont think we need another PF to replace love.  We need an athletic forward.  The matchups will take care of themselves.  Draymond is considered a PF, but hes really just an athletic guy that can play anywhere in the front court. There were long stretches of most of these games where Lebron was the tallest guy on the floor throughout the NBA finals.  And i say, yes...you have to craft a team to beat the Warriors.  They arent going anywhere.  If you do nothing, the results will be more of the same next year.

 

Who do you have in mind?  LeBron won't accept a full time move to PF, so you need someone who is going to bang down low and play good interior defense (like Draymond).  You can make the mistake again of building a squad to beat one team, but you still have to play the other 28 who use more of a traditional lineup. 

 

I don't agree the results will be the same.  The Warriors two best players are injury prone but were both at full strength for these Finals.  Also, if we simply hang on to win Game 3, then the series is heading back to The Land 3-2 right now. 

 

The one guy I can think of who we have some fractional chance of swapping for Love is Paul George.  But I think the Pacers would be looking to rebuild and could get a better deal for him. And PG would likely replace Smith, not Love in the starting lineup anyways.  But that is a move I would make.  It would weaken us in certain respects, but improve us on balance by adding that third true superstar.

Amazingly, despite KD and Steph's onslaught, our starters outscored theirs 113-94... yeah, that means our bench scored a measly 7 points!!!!  So does that mean the Big 3 plus JR and Tristan are good enough to beat the Warriors and that, what we really need to do, is bring in and begin grooming a young, athletic bench; a bench with 2-way players?  Note last night that Kerr rode UNLV rookie Patrick McCaw in bigtime 4th quarter minutes in a game where the Cavs were very much alive until midway through the quarter.

 

I was saying the same thing. My assumption (and I believe others felt this way as well) was that when the Warriors signed Durant, their bench depth would suffer and the Cavs would have the advantage in that area. That turned out to be wildly inaccurate, as the Warriors bench was fantastic. The Cavs can no longer hold roster spots for LeBron's buddies.

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

 

So we are going to tear apart a team that has made three straight trips to the Finals to match up better against a certain lineup one team can employ?  Again, if you name me the PF we are going to get in exchange for Love, I'm all ears.  Keep in mind that, so long as we have Tristan, it can't be another paint clogger.  It has to be someone who can stretch the defense or else those lanes for Kyrie and LeBron to drive to the hoop will close up quickly.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better candidate who we have a realistic chance of landing.  Let's take a quick look at the top PFs in the league....

 

You're not gonna get Anthony Davis or Draymond Green.  Blake Griffin, Paul Milsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all just as big liabilities on D.  Derrick Favors is a post player who wouldn't mesh well with Tristan.  Serge Ibaka maybe?  I don't know that he is an upgrade over Love.

 

More than anything IMO, we need to upgrade the bench with a rim-protecting big man and a backcourt player who brings some scoring punch.   

 

I dont think we need another PF to replace love.  We need an athletic forward.  The matchups will take care of themselves.  Draymond is considered a PF, but hes really just an athletic guy that can play anywhere in the front court. There were long stretches of most of these games where Lebron was the tallest guy on the floor throughout the NBA finals.  And i say, yes...you have to craft a team to beat the Warriors.  They arent going anywhere.  If you do nothing, the results will be more of the same next year.

 

Again, our starters are good enough to win a title even against THIS Warriors team.  What we need to do is tear apart the bench and get younger/more athletic.

 

Well, they probably don't bring back either Williams or either Jones.  Korver is a FA and 36 - his salary last year was nearly $10m.  He was a great regular-season upgrade but was a ghost in the playoffs.  Mo Williams, Dunleavy, and a 2019 1st for basically a 6 month rental.  Great.

 

Jefferson will make $2.5m but he's slow and 36 as well.  Frye will make north of $7m at age 34.

 

There is no real backup PG and they're overpaying Shump and J.R. for what they bring to the table.  Tristan's going to make $16.4m next season and he just had two games with zero points in the Finals.

 

It's all good if Gilbert is fine with paying the luxury taxes that come with a team ~$30m over the salary cap.

 

The Warriors spent their money more efficiently...drafting Curry, Thompson, and Green gives them flexibility and the ability to offer more on new deals.  They also locked in Thompson and Curry on crazy-good deals before the cap skyrocketed with the new TV deal.

 

Speaking of luxury taxes...the Warriors have a bunch of pending free agents - Curry, Iguodala, Livingston, Pachulia, McGee, West, the rest of their bench basically (McAdoo, Barnes, Clark).  So they're going to have find a way to fill out their roster (only 6 guys with a contract for next season) while giving Curry a max or near-max contract.

I'm usually the last one to cry about officiating, but it really seemed, esp I Games 4 and 5, that the refs really bent over to protect the Warriors.  (Green should have been ejected for his 2nd tech and, he and Pachulia (a real NBA thug imho) both deserved flagrants (especially Green for his wild elbow to Shump's noggin) -- instead, they gave that cheapie to Love -- West should have been tossed for 2 separate fights in one incident, but the whistled JR and Thompson sending Curry to the line)... and as I mentioned in my post above, the Durant 2nd quarter non-call turned the outcome of the game; I truly believe had Durant sat out most of the 2nd quarter had he should have, we likely would be looking forward to a Game 6 this morning.  Oh well.

 

It really seems the refs felt burned by the criticism that they supposedly overreacted by suspending Green for Game 5 last year and that this cost GSW the championship... personally, I feel that both claims are B.S.: Green should have been suspended because he's a hothead and, no, it didn't matter in the long run, because he returned for Games 6 and 7 -- including the closeout game in THEIR building -- and we still won.

 

I agree 100%. The Warriors are a dirty team but somehow mostly avoided any serious discipline for their behavior. Every time there was a scrum, the refs found a way to either punish both teams equally, regardless of what happened, OR give the Cavs the more significant punishment. As the replays of the West-Thompson altercation were being shown, it was clear that West should have gotten T'd up twice, but I knew that somehow the officials would find a way to balance it out.

The Cavs can no longer hold roster spots for LeBron's buddies.

 

Who are you referring to here?  The only one I can think of is James Jones and it's hard to say that he is holding a roster spot that we could have used on someone more valuable.  He wasn't in the rotation.  The Warriors bench was mostly Iggy and Livingston.  Those were the two that killed us, really on both ends of the floor.  West gave some good minutes at times, but was also a liability on D for them, and I'm not putting much stock into that rookie who had his moments last night.  Their depth on the bench is questionable, and especially if one of their top 7 get injured.

 

Like I said above, adding a backcourt scorer and some front court muscle to the bench would be great, but I'm not holding my breath for anything which is going to drastically change the makeup of this juggernaut of a roster we already have..... at lest not until LeBron starts to slow down or retires.  The team is constructed around him. 

I think Love is a fine player but not part of the solution to beat the warriors with Durant.  They are going to move him and have to, IMO.  everyone on the time other than Lebron and Kyrie are spot up shooters. I think Cavs have to be more athletic than that

 

 

Love is fine against the other 28 teams in the league.  With the "position-less" Warriors who just switch the hell out of you, he's a liability.  He's not athletic enough to switch on the defensive end either, especially when the Warriors go small ball...he has to guard one of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, or Iguodala/Livingston/etc - all of whom are more athletic than him and at least 3-4 of whom can just shoot over him if he has to sag off.

 

So we are going to tear apart a team that has made three straight trips to the Finals to match up better against a certain lineup one team can employ?  Again, if you name me the PF we are going to get in exchange for Love, I'm all ears.  Keep in mind that, so long as we have Tristan, it can't be another paint clogger.  It has to be someone who can stretch the defense or else those lanes for Kyrie and LeBron to drive to the hoop will close up quickly.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better candidate who we have a realistic chance of landing.  Let's take a quick look at the top PFs in the league....

 

You're not gonna get Anthony Davis or Draymond Green.  Blake Griffin, Paul Milsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all just as big liabilities on D.  Derrick Favors is a post player who wouldn't mesh well with Tristan.  Serge Ibaka maybe?  I don't know that he is an upgrade over Love.

 

More than anything IMO, we need to upgrade the bench with a rim-protecting big man and a backcourt player who brings some scoring punch.   

 

I dont think we need another PF to replace love.  We need an athletic forward.  The matchups will take care of themselves.  Draymond is considered a PF, but hes really just an athletic guy that can play anywhere in the front court. There were long stretches of most of these games where Lebron was the tallest guy on the floor throughout the NBA finals.  And i say, yes...you have to craft a team to beat the Warriors.  They arent going anywhere.  If you do nothing, the results will be more of the same next year.

 

Who do you have in mind?  LeBron won't accept a full time move to PF, so you need someone who is going to bang down low and play good interior defense (like Draymond).  You can make the mistake again of building a squad to beat one team, but you still have to play the other 28 who use more of a traditional lineup. 

 

I don't agree the results will be the same.  The Warriors two best players are injury prone but were both at full strength for these Finals.  Also, if we simply hang on to win Game 3, then the series is heading back to The Land 3-2 right now. 

 

The one guy I can think of who we have some fractional chance of swapping for Love is Paul George.  But I think the Pacers would be looking to rebuild and could get a better deal for him. And PG would likely replace Smith, not Love in the starting lineup anyways.  But that is a move I would make.  It would weaken us in certain respects, but improve us on balance by adding that third true superstar.

 

i think PG or Butler would be great targets. They are versatile offensively and can get to the rim and create their own shots..keeping GSW very honest defensively....but defensively (specifically butler) would help a ton.  If they traded like Love and Shumpert or whatever the package is and got Butler...they could put Butler on Durant, Smith and Irving would take care of the guards and Lebron could guard Draymond.  Draymond isnts going to post Lebron up and bang down low more than a couple times when he is the 4th option. and it would be a mismatch for Draymond.  George could also help in a similar way.  Right now...Love, while he played very hard and i like him alot...his game just doesnt seem to fit in against the warriors.  He needs to pretty much hit all of his threes to be effective.  he did that early in the series, but certainly not late in it.

 

Furthermore, thats just the scenario against the Warriors.  against all the other 28 teams you can have JR be a bench guy and have a more traditional 4/5 with Tristan and sign some vet

^Sure.  PG and Butler would be great additions.  So would Westbrook, Harden, and Anthony Davis.  It's wishful thinking that you are going to get either PG or Butler without including Kyrie.  You are asking those teams to trade their superstar to a team in their division. 

^Sure.  PG and Butler would be great additions.  So would Westbrook, Harden, and Anthony Davis.  It's wishful thinking that you are going to get either PG or Butler without including Kyrie.  You are asking those teams to trade their superstar to a team in their division. 

 

yeah i mean im glad its not my job to figure it out...but they both know they aren't beating the Cavs until Lebron retires.  Neither Butler nor George can get by Lebron, so if you can get talent/cap relief/picks, whatever it may be...it could make sense.  Paul George is as good as gone anyway...may as well get something for him.

haha the cavs are looking for durant durant

 

 

 

but seriously -- i dont think its necessary to ditch love to get pg or butler. the cavs bench was far out played. lots of room for improvement there vs worrying about improvements via dangling the big three. not saying everything should not be on the table outside of lebron and kyrie, just that its not the biggest need. i dont know that a better bench would do the trick against gs, probably not to be honest, but its the logical starting place vs dismantling the cavs.

 

^^Id think the Pacers would go for Boston's #1 overall pick to help them rebuild over Love.  Or the Lakers may be willing to offer #2 plus Russell.  There will be better packages than we can offer. 

How about the idea of getting a more dynamic offense going? What could this team be like with an established, old school type of coach?

 

In any regard this team really needs to play much better defense.

How about the idea of getting a more dynamic offense going? What could this team be like with an established, old school type of coach?

 

In any regard this team really needs to play much better defense.

 

unfortunately, i just dont think thats Lebrons game.  I cant ever think of a time when a Lebron team looked like the Spurs as their MO.  There are times when the offense looks beautiful, but its not normally consistent and how they beat people.  Lebron teams usually beat people based on superior individual talent.  What they absolutely positively need is for the spot up shooters to hit their shots consistently.  They need to be relied upon.  Lebron + Kyrie will get them open looks if the opponents bring help defense.  Unfortunately the Cavs wasted way too many possessions in the three games in Oakland.  Absolutely cannot happen

^^Id think the Pacers would go for Boston's #1 overall pick to help them rebuild over Love.  Or the Lakers may be willing to offer #2 plus Russell.  There will be better packages than we can offer. 

 

We will see.  My gut tells me these young teams arent as interested in "win now".  Get assets to be loaded beyond the Cleveland/Golden State years. 

How about the idea of getting a more dynamic offense going? What could this team be like with an established, old school type of coach?

 

In any regard this team really needs to play much better defense.

 

unfortunately, i just dont think thats Lebrons game.  I cant ever think of a time when a Lebron team looked like the Spurs as their MO.  There are times when the offense looks beautiful, but its not normally consistent and how they beat people.  Lebron teams usually beat people based on superior individual talent.  What they absolutely positively need is for the spot up shooters to hit their shots consistently.  They need to be relied upon.  Lebron + Kyrie will get them open looks if the opponents bring help defense.  Unfortunately the Cavs wasted way too many possessions in the three games in Oakland.  Absolutely cannot happen

 

LeBron and Kyrie can't play the entire game though. Perhaps the poor bench play is personnel and not system related?

How about the idea of getting a more dynamic offense going? What could this team be like with an established, old school type of coach?

 

In any regard this team really needs to play much better defense.

 

unfortunately, i just dont think thats Lebrons game.  I cant ever think of a time when a Lebron team looked like the Spurs as their MO.  There are times when the offense looks beautiful, but its not normally consistent and how they beat people.  Lebron teams usually beat people based on superior individual talent.  What they absolutely positively need is for the spot up shooters to hit their shots consistently.  They need to be relied upon.  Lebron + Kyrie will get them open looks if the opponents bring help defense.  Unfortunately the Cavs wasted way too many possessions in the three games in Oakland.  Absolutely cannot happen

 

LeBron and Kyrie can't play the entire game though. Perhaps the poor bench play is personnel and not system related?

 

this turned out to be the case in this series.  Which is a surprise because you had two veterans williams and Korver who couldve provided huge lifts

^^Id think the Pacers would go for Boston's #1 overall pick to help them rebuild over Love.  Or the Lakers may be willing to offer #2 plus Russell.  There will be better packages than we can offer. 

 

We will see.  My gut tells me these young teams arent as interested in "win now".  Get assets to be loaded beyond the Cleveland/Golden State years. 

 

What "assets" are you thinking we can offer?  Boston has more young talent and much, much better draft picks to offer.  So does LAL.

 

How about the idea of getting a more dynamic offense going? What could this team be like with an established, old school type of coach?

 

In any regard this team really needs to play much better defense.

 

I'd say our offense was 'dynamic' enough.  86 points in a half in the Finals.  All sorts of records for three point shooting.  We had the highest PPG in the EC and the fourth highest in the league.... just five PPG behind the vaunted GSW offense. 

 

I'd rather work on the defense.  We played best against GSW when we got physical with them.  NBA upsets are almost always caused on the defensive end..... the greatest one I can think of is the 2004 Pistons beating that Lakers super team with Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton.

^^Id think the Pacers would go for Boston's #1 overall pick to help them rebuild over Love.  Or the Lakers may be willing to offer #2 plus Russell.  There will be better packages than we can offer. 

 

We will see.  My gut tells me these young teams arent as interested in "win now".  Get assets to be loaded beyond the Cleveland/Golden State years. 

 

What "assets" are you thinking we can offer?  Boston has more young talent and much, much better draft picks to offer.  So does LAL.

 

How about the idea of getting a more dynamic offense going? What could this team be like with an established, old school type of coach?

 

In any regard this team really needs to play much better defense.

 

I'd say our offense was 'dynamic' enough.  86 points in a half in the Finals.  All sorts of records for three point shooting.  We had the highest PPG in the EC and the fourth highest in the league.... just five PPG behind the vaunted GSW offense. 

 

I'd rather work on the defense.  We played best against GSW when we got physical with them.  NBA upsets are almost always caused on the defensive end..... the greatest one I can think of is the 2004 Pistons beating that Lakers super team with Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton.

 

^^for the response to me...i was referring to Boston and LAL's assets.  i believe their philosophy is to keep their long-term potential by keeping draft picks because getting them players right now doesnt get them by Cavs/Warriors.  Im not saying Cavs should get assets. Cavs should focus on making one or two deals  and hoping Lebron can convince an additional player to sign below market value. 

I suspect Boston is in win-now mode.  They finished with the best record in the East and are rumored to be looking to deal the #1 overall pick for an established star..... this makes sense given that the top prospects in this draft are all PGs, which Boston doesn't need. 

 

As for LAL, they will never pass up the opportunity to add a star to that franchise.  Never.  They know that all they need to be is moderately good to catapult back to the top of FA destinations. 

 

As for the Cavs assets, they are all difficult to move IF you expect equal talent in return.  I do expect us to be able to find a good player to sign for the mid-level exception and perhaps a ring-chaser to sign to the vet minimum.  Our #1 off-season priority should be locking up Griff.   

 

I'd say our offense was 'dynamic' enough.  86 points in a half in the Finals.  All sorts of records for three point shooting.  We had the highest PPG in the EC and the fourth highest in the league.... just five PPG behind the vaunted GSW offense. 

 

I'd rather work on the defense.  We played best against GSW when we got physical with them.  NBA upsets are almost always caused on the defensive end..... the greatest one I can think of is the 2004 Pistons beating that Lakers super team with Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton.

 

I'd say our offense is explosive, in the same way a 66 Camaro can run a straight 1/4 mile in record time. But not quite dynamic, like a Ferrari that's fast and can handle the curves.

 

Friday aside, iso-ball seems to have played right into GS's hands.

Well.... we have two of the best ISO players in the league and those two aren't likely to change their ways. 

Well.... we have two of the best ISO players in the league and those two aren't likely to change their ways. 

 

I hear ya. I just wonder if we could run some plays. Just because LeBron and Kyrie are remarkable scorers, they had to fight for every shot. It would be nice to get some more easy baskets. 

Just read a few articles and there is alot of wind blowing around out there.  There is speculation that if cavs would take the bad contracts of Monta Ellis from Indy or Wade from Chicago, those deals would be much more available for the cavs than we think.  Some people are even saying the Knicks would still dump Melo for not a huge pricetag.  I will be shocked if nothing is done, to be honest.  It pains me to say that because i love this team...but the Warriors are on a different level

 

I'd say our offense was 'dynamic' enough.  86 points in a half in the Finals.  All sorts of records for three point shooting.  We had the highest PPG in the EC and the fourth highest in the league.... just five PPG behind the vaunted GSW offense. 

 

I'd rather work on the defense.  We played best against GSW when we got physical with them.  NBA upsets are almost always caused on the defensive end..... the greatest one I can think of is the 2004 Pistons beating that Lakers super team with Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton.

 

I'd say our offense is explosive, in the same way a 66 Camaro can run a straight 1/4 mile in record time. But not quite dynamic, like a Ferrari that's fast and can handle the curves.

 

Friday aside, iso-ball seems to have played right into GS's hands.

 

Since the Camaro didn't debut until 1967, I have concerns with your race analogy.... 8-)

Listen pal, in my world the 66 Camaro exists. It's cool. And it's the second fastest car in racing.

Listen pal, in my world the 66 Camaro exists. It's cool. And it's the second fastest car in racing.

 

Is the '66 Firebird 400 first then?  :evil:

 

(In '67, a top end Firebird would beat a top end Camaro).

Listen pal, in my world the 66 Camaro exists. It's cool. And it's the second fastest car in racing.

 

Is the '66 Firebird 400 first then?  :evil:

 

(In '67, a top end Firebird would beat a top end Camaro).

 

I suppose that's the same kind of bias that affected the Bandit's choice in cars.

 

Keep Love. He's getting better on and for this team. We need bench help more than anything.

-Clark Kellogg

 

 

^Sure.  PG and Butler would be great additions.  So would Westbrook, Harden, and Anthony Davis.  It's wishful thinking that you are going to get either PG or Butler without including Kyrie.  You are asking those teams to trade their superstar to a team in their division. 

 

yeah i mean im glad its not my job to figure it out...but they both know they aren't beating the Cavs until Lebron retires.  Neither Butler nor George can get by Lebron, so if you can get talent/cap relief/picks, whatever it may be...it could make sense.  Paul George is as good as gone anyway...may as well get something for him.

 

Paul George just threw this whole scenario for a loop by telling the Pacers he is definitely gone in 2018 Free Agency.  So he basically said trade me now or lose me next summer for nothing.  His stated preferred destination is LAL (he is from Palmdale).  Any team trading for him is going to have to accept that he may very well be a 1 year rental.  That removes Boston from the equation, and they just swapped picks with Philly anyway. 

 

Given all that, there are probably three teams we can call the most likely destinations.  LAL could trade for him now, perhaps offering the #2 overall pick as part of the package, but I think they learned their lesson with Dwight Howard and may not want to take that bait.  It's one thing to lock him up for 5 years in 2018 and it's another thing to expect him to re-sign in 2018 after a year playing for that (now) dysfunctional franchise.  LAC is the other possible option, but who would they give up that the Pacers would want.  I don't know if Griffin for PG makes them better.  Then there are the Cavs, who could offer KLove and some loose change.  That might really be the best deal the Pacers get, considering the circumstances.  I'd think a third team, such as Portland or Phoenix, who would want KLove and could give Indy the young assets they desire, may get involved.  For the Cavs, it would be a gamble.  PG will be very expensive next summer and Love is still locked up for years to come at a reasonable price.  And even if we offered the max, there is no guarantee PG does not bolt for home (LA).  But it could be that we see our window, both for winning a championship and KLove's value, as starting to shrink.  Who knows if LeBron even plays beyond next season.  I have always said that he is going to retire before his skills diminish.  I don't see LeBron out there like MJ was with the Wizards.     

I think the window is right now. I think a lot of people hope Love will stay after his contract. Another year of losing in the finals will create a whole bunch of uncertainty and get guys feeling the pull elsewhere, along with the fact that Lebron is fighting Father Time. I actually see a scenario where the Cavs may not have to give up Love.  You are correct celtics are out.  I think the lakers are arrogant enough to think he will come next year regardless and may not make a trade.  I think the Cavs may be the only suitors for a Single year and that could drive the price down, otherwise the Pacers have to deal with a year of fans booing him in his home jersey and then him walking with nothing in return.  That being said if it has to be Love, I think you still do it. George can score and rebound and defends at a much higher level

Now hearing that the Cavs are in talks for Jimmy Butler. I think I'd prefer him to Paul George, especially considering Butler is signed through 2020 I believe.

Really incredible.  Griffin continues to tAkes risks and make efforts to make the team better. I absolutely agree with him and Gilbert better keep him around

Really incredible.  Griffin continues to tAkes risks and make efforts to make the team better. I absolutely agree with him and Gilbert better keep him around

 

And as I write this, Gilbert is letting griff walk. Unreal.  Stability is the common theme in great sports organizations, this move is puzzling and makes you wonder if Gilbert hasn't learned a thing in all his years...all of his success with this franchise is tied directly to Lebron.  Little man syndrome....

 

Hopefully Lebron was ok with the move

Or maybe not.

 

David Griffin and Cavaliers to part ways, Chauncey Billups interested

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2017/06/david_griffin_cavaliers_to_par.html#incart_2box

 

CLEVELAND -- David Griffin's tenure as the Cavaliers' general manager is ending owner Dan Gilbert announced in a statement.

 

The owner and GM responsible for bringing the first championship to Cleveland since 1964 and the first in franchise history decided to part ways mutually on Monday.

Really incredible.  Griffin continues to tAkes risks and make efforts to make the team better. I absolutely agree with him and Gilbert better keep him around

 

And as I write this, Gilbert is letting griff walk. Unreal.  Stability is the common theme in great sports organizations, this move is puzzling and makes you wonder if Gilbert hasn't learned a thing in all his years...all of his success with this franchise is tied directly to Lebron.  Little man syndrome....

 

Hopefully Lebron was ok with the move

 

Wasn't unreasonable at all of Griffin. We have an exorbitant payroll on which we pay a luxury tax, but the lowest paid front office.

^i don't think anyone is not on griffins side here. Gilbert taking a beating on social media and in the media.  It comes off really bad for him, micromanaging control freak type stuff. He's gonna piss the players off

Horrible horrible news. David Griffin did a fanastic job. Should have been rewarded with a new contract at the going rate.

Dan Gilbert is a control freak.  As ESPN is reporting, in his 12 years as Cavs owner, Gilbert has yet to extend a GM... Griffin only made trades to send the team to 3 consecutive finals and 1 title... I'm fearful this could reignite the LeBron-Gilbert feud with LeBron's contract up after next season.  This is just an absolute foolish move timing-wise given the current trade talks to try and make the team competitive with the Warriors who, at the moment, are clearly superior.

Supposedly LeBron didn't even know this was going to happen.

 

What the hell is Gilbert doing?

I think the decision was more Griff's than is being reported.  He probably saw this as his window to make his move.  Orlando is reportedly gonna give him the keys and a huge payday.  For us, better this summer than next.  Whatever happens next summer is going to depend on this coming season, not anything you are now reading from the NBA gossip girls.