West Holds the Key to Cavs' Success
Sports Reporter Comments on Cleveland Caveliers' Player Dilemma
Adam Sheets
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Sports
Basketball fans have been waiting since the playoffs ended last year for the Cleveland Cavaliers to redeem themselves after their defeat at the hands of Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Fans were even more optimistic when it was announced that Shaquille O'Neal, the greatest center of his generation and a man with four championship rings, would be joining the team.
Fans may not be feeling so good now, though, after a mediocre start found the Cavs going 3-3 to begin the season. One of the losses came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, who have not had a decent team since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen left in 1998.
Much of the Cavs' problems will work themselves out over time, as LeBron James and Shaq get used to playing with each other. Shaq has previously played on four NBA teams, leading three of them to championship appearances. Furthermore, he is always better when paired with a great scorer (Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade). There is no reason to think this will not continue in Cleveland.
His problem, however, will not be LeBron, but rather the other centers on the team. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is one of the great offensive centers in the NBA right now and a two-time All-Star. Anderson Varejão has the ability to eventually become one of the elite defensive centers of the league.
While this may seem like a blessing, it could in fact, hurt the team over time. With three centers worthy of playing time, Coach Mike Brown must find a way of making sure that he can play all three without hurting the team's record or its chemistry.
When Shaq and Ilgauskas are both in the game, the team does well at defending the low post, but that defense does not extend to the three-point-line. Likewise, when Varejão is in the game, the Cavs' offense is not as strong, although he is definitely getting better offensively.
It seems that now, six games into the season the three are finally beginning to get into a rhythm, of course it will take time.
Fans may not be feeling so good now, though, after a mediocre start found the Cavs going 3-3 to begin the season. One of the losses came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, who have not had a decent team since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen left in 1998.
Much of the Cavs' problems will work themselves out over time, as LeBron James and Shaq get used to playing with each other. Shaq has previously played on four NBA teams, leading three of them to championship appearances. Furthermore, he is always better when paired with a great scorer (Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade). There is no reason to think this will not continue in Cleveland.
His problem, however, will not be LeBron, but rather the other centers on the team. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is one of the great offensive centers in the NBA right now and a two-time All-Star. Anderson Varejão has the ability to eventually become one of the elite defensive centers of the league.
While this may seem like a blessing, it could in fact, hurt the team over time. With three centers worthy of playing time, Coach Mike Brown must find a way of making sure that he can play all three without hurting the team's record or its chemistry.
When Shaq and Ilgauskas are both in the game, the team does well at defending the low post, but that defense does not extend to the three-point-line. Likewise, when Varejão is in the game, the Cavs' offense is not as strong, although he is definitely getting better offensively.
It seems that now, six games into the season the three are finally beginning to get into a rhythm, of course it will take time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
LewisP
LewisP
posted 11/12/09 @ 11:06 AM EST
"...the team's success may ultimately rest on Delonte West's shoulders."
I agree with this statement. However, the Cavs should make plans to be without Delonte West this season. (Continued…)
Post a Comment