West Holds the Key to Cavs' Success

Sports Reporter Comments on Cleveland Caveliers' Player Dilemma

By: Adam Sheets

Posted: 11/12/09

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.

The biggest issue with the team, though, is not the center position. It is Delonte West. One of the best players on the team last year, West led the team in steals and contributed almost 12 points a game. However, he has been plagued by personal problems in the off-season stemming from his arrest on gun possession charges.

He did not play in the first two games of this season, which explains why the Cavs were not shooting well and why the defense was lacking. After sitting out of the season opener, West has played in three games so far this season averaging close to 10 points, as well as a number of steals, assists, rebounds in very limited playing time.

Obviously his off-court problems have not affected his on-court skills, but the real question is will he be allowed to play?

West, or more accurately the courts, holds the key to the Cavs' success this season. West could get off with as little as a $2,500 fine, or he could face three to five years in prison. Even if he does not have to face jail time, the NBA can suspend him indefinitely.

In his absence, Maurice Williams will have to step up and fill in for West on the offensive end. The same goes for role players like Daniel Gibson and the veteran Anthony Jackson.

Gibson is coming off an injury last year and fans are hoping he will be able to play at the level he did two years ago. Jackson's statistics from last season demonstrate that he is an effective passer, a good defensive player, and somebody who can contribute on the offensive end.

All of these players have great potential, but what is yet to be seen is whether or not they use it.

There is no doubt that LeBron will once again have an MVP-like season this year and the center position will be a great strength for the Cavs. Maurice Williams will likely continue to get better and may even make his second straight All-Star appearance.

However, the team's success may ultimately rest on Delonte West's shoulders.

West has not yet answered the question of why he was carrying three guns and an 8 ½ inch knife when he pulled over for a traffic stop, but Cavs fans had better hope he has a good excuse, or the team may yet again fall short of a championship.