Cleveland Cavaliers

via fc09.deviantart.net Hello FTS, I have seen the term “Win Now” thrown around far too much on this site for the last 2 days. This term is used incorrectly on almost every account. I will, as usual, be the shining light of knowledge in the shrouded darkness of ignorance that is the internet. Set the fork in your soup aside and we can grow as a community and learn about what that term means for a lottery team. I believe the misuse of this term is due to the “Win Now” mentality expressed by the organization during the final years of the LeBron era. During LeBron’s last two seasons, the Cavs gave away every possible asset in order to try and secure that 1 or 2 last piece that would be needed to push them over the top. Subsequently, when LeBron left, the cupboards were completely bare. We traded draft picks, young players, and severely overpaid role players in a last ditch effort to secure a championship. “Win Now,” as it applied to that team, does not hold the same meaning for the current Cavaliers organization. To fully understand this phenomenon, we need to understand what “Not Winning Now” means. A great illustration for this is the opening day roster for the Cavs this season. The following people were getting paid millions of dollars by the Cavaliers on short term contracts Luke Harangody Jon Leur Jeremy Pargo Luke Walton Daniel Gibson Omri Casspi These players existed as “roster filler” we needed warm bodies, but we did not want to pay any of them any money. None of these players were options as long-term role players. Chris Grant assembled a roster that would lose a lot of games on purpose. I repeat: ON PURPOSE. The roster was designed to allow our young players room to grow, while simultaneously losing as many games as possible to preserve our draft position. In the NBA, being middle of the road is a worst case scenario. You need to be a top playoff team or bust. Anything in between does not work. via maxcdn.thedesigninspiration.com A paradigm shift for the Cavilers trying to “win now” does not mean over paying role players, or trading away assets, it means future rosters will not be designed for the specific intent of losing games. No longer losing on purpose is “Winning Now” for lottery teams. We will sign better role players, use our cap space, and stop signing D league players. Given the talent on this team, this is enough to merit the 8 seed in the East.

Leading up to the 2013 NBA Draft on June 27, Nick Mancini will be profiling the top 20 players available. The Cleveland Cavaliers currently own pick Nos. 1, 19, 31 and 33. Follow Nick on Twitter @nickmance. No. 20. Tony Mitchell – North Texas, Sophomore SF, 6’-8”, 220 lbs 2013 stats – 13 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.7 BPG As I write this, after the Cavs won the Lottery, I keep thinking; this won’t be as easy as the last two times they won the top pick. But besides that top pick, they are also sitting at 19, where I think they have a great chance to get a guy who could provide an impact in 2013-14. Rounding out the top 20 prospects this year is Tony Mitchell, a small forward from North Texas. Mitchell, who could have declared after his freshman campaign, surprised many by returning for his sophomore season. He didn’t put up the numbers many expected and actually regressed in most statistical categories. But he still remains a solid prospect. Mitchell has great size for a “3” and is an excellent athlete. For a player standing 6'8", he has great speed and quickness with a solid motor. He uses his athleticism to get most of his points and has no problem playing above the rim. He also rebounds the ball extremely well and is a solid shot blocker. Defensively, he can really be a force. He has the size to guard the post and the quickness to guard the perimeter. Add that to his shot blocking ability and there may be something interesting. But, as is the case with many players entering the league, he is very raw offensively. He doesn’t have the best jumper nor does he have great range. Many times this season, he seemed to drift mentally and was content to stand around the perimeter. It also doesn’t help he missed significant time due to academic issues. Teams will definitely look into those issues. Mitchell is truly an interesting prospect. In one aspect, his athleticism is off the charts. But looking at him physically, teams will wonder why he didn’t dominate the Sun Belt Conference. If he performs well in workouts, he should be a fist round pick. With the Cavs sitting at 19, Mitchell will probably be there. I’m not sure he’s the right fit for them at the “3” even though the desperately need one. If they get a small forward in this draft, I would prefer one who is a more consistent scorer who can step out and make a jump shot. We all know, the Cavs need someone who can hit some open shots. I’m not sure that someone is Mitchell.

Note: A fanpost not about the lottery?! What is this black magic!? Hello, my name is GodZeller, and I am a Cleveland Cavaliers fan. 2012/2013 marked my second ever season following the Wine & Gold, and my first as a member of the world's most exclusive gentleman's club, FearTheSword. I thought I'd celebrate this with a little thing I like to run on some other sites called Buy and Sell. Basically, if you agree - buy the statement and argue your case, if you disagree - sell it and give your reasons. Simples. Below are some delightful statements for you to ponder whilst we wait for a 7ft flat topped Adonis to sweep us up in his hunky cartoonish arms.... .... Anyways ... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. After the controversy surrounding Noah's overturned tip in, the NBA goal-tending rules need reassessing in favour of put backs and tip ins. 2. George Hill is the most underrated PG in the NBA 3. The Trailblazers have the worst logo in the entire league 4. Brook Lopez is a better player than Dwight Howard 5. Chris Bosh deserved being picked for the All Star game, but shouldn't have started. 6. The Seattle trauma is the best thing that ever happened to the Sacramento Kings 7. If Chris Paul had moved to the Lakers, they would have won the Championship this year 8. And finally, Kazcmarek or Zavac? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'll post my answers below. I plan on doing some more quizzes, competitions and random bits and bobs throughout the offseason, providing people care enough and aren't too busy talking about draft strategies and possible trades. Have fun all, GodZeller Note: A fanpost not about the lottery?! What is this black magic!? Hello, my name is GodZeller, and I am a Cleveland Cavaliers fan. 2012/2013 marked my second ever season following the Wine & Gold, and my first as a member of the world's most exclusive gentleman's club, FearTheSword. I thought I'd celebrate this with a little thing I like to run on some other sites called Buy and Sell. Basically, if you agree - buy the statement and argue your case, if you disagree - sell it and give your reasons. Simples. Below are some delightful statements for you to ponder whilst we wait for a 7ft flat topped Adonis to sweep us up in his hunky cartoonish arms.... .... Anyways ... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. After the controversy surrounding Noah's overturned tip in, the NBA goal-tending rules need reassessing in favour of put backs and tip ins. 2. George Hill is the most underrated PG in the NBA 3. The Trailblazers have the worst logo in the entire league 4. Brook Lopez is a better player than Dwight Howard 5. Chris Bosh deserved being picked for the All Star game, but shouldn't have started. 6. The Seattle trauma is the best thing that ever happened to the Sacramento Kings 7. If Chris Paul had moved to the Lakers, they would have won the Championship this year 8. And finally, Kazcmarek or Zavac? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'll post my answers below. I plan on doing some more quizzes, competitions and random bits and bobs throughout the offseason, providing people care enough and aren't too busy talking about draft strategies and possible trades. Have fun all, GodZeller

WOOOOOO!  Have you all stopped celebrating yet?  Because I haven’t!  Amazingly enough, as you all know, the Cleveland Cavaliers have again landed the #1 pick (2/3 years!) in the NBA draft. No one really expected the Cavaliers to end up picking first, so with the announcement came a slew of new questions.  Essentially…What next?! Robert, Colin, Nate and I hopped on the line to discuss what having the #1 pick means for this Cavs team.  Is Noel going first?  Is a major trade coming?  Who should be taken with the 19th pick?   Who do the Cavs sign this off-season?  Are they in win-now mode? These questions, and many more (most awkward moment of the lottery?) are answered. As always, we can be found on SoundCloud at: https://soundcloud.com/cavstheblog/0032-nick-gilbert-is-a-lucky And on iTunes at:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cavs-the-podcast/id528149843?mt=2

via i2.cdn.turner.com In the words of Magic Johnson, "The basketball Gods are smiling down on Cleveland". Yes they are! After suffering through a devastating lose of the best player of this generation in humiliating fashion, the future looked gloomy and filled with mystery. Looking back on that night July 8, I can recall sitting in my brothers basement watching "The Decision" and feeling so lost after hearing Lebron's decision. Thinking to myself "What now?" We had Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Antawn Jamison, and Andy V as our starters in the next season. We were the laughingstock of the entire NBA/country. Fast forward 3 years and I can say that it sure feels good to be a Wine and Gold fan. By winning the Draft Lottery, the Cavs not only won the first pick in the draft, but they have the chance to improve the roster in so many ways. Drafting Nerlens Noel is the for sure way, but free agency is now a real possibility for the Cavs as well as making a blockbuster trade for a proven star. We can take any one of these directions to improve, and every route will lead to a major piece to our puzzle (if the situation is managed correctly, of course). Lets examine what possibilities lie ahead for the Cavs, and determine which you guys think is the best option. Option: Draft Nerlens Noel, sit him for the year, get one more top pick in 2014 Many of you will not like the idea of picking high again next year. However, lets look closer at the idea of picking again in 2014. Nerlens Noel will not be ready for start of season, and he expects to be back by January next year. So, if the Cavs were to hold him back as long as possible and we finish season with a bottom 5 record, we would be guaranteed at least a top 5 pick. In 2014's draft, getting a top 5 pick is just as good as hitting this years lottery. I will say that the whole "this draft is weak" thing is so overblown. How many times did we hear 2011 draft was weak, then we snagged Kyrie, who along with many others such as Klay, Tristan, Parsons, Faried were all studs. Then, in 2014 you have a young roster of Kyrie, Nerlens (who I think will be one of best shot-blockers off the bat), 2014 lottery pick, possibly Dion if not traded, possibly Tristan, and whatever surrounding pieces. That would be a young contender for years to come. The Cavs really have nothing to lose in this draft as long they are exciting to watch next year while losing Im good with one more losing season if it means we get a top pick next year. Plus, with Nerlens sitting out and other variables, we would have a built-in excuse as to why we didnt make the playoffs. Option: Trade pick for proven star A real possibility is that the Cavaliers will move the pick for a proven star. With so many assets in players, draft picks, and cap space, their seems to be something big coming soon. One name that consistently comes up is Kevin Love, who I love (pun intended). I am extremely saddened that GM David Kahn got fired before this draft because I am convinced by his track record that we could have stolen Kevin Love easily with this pick alone. If we needed to throw in a player, we give them Shaun Livingston (the man seriously has a love for collecting PG'S). On a serious note, I think the Cavs could acquire Kevin Love and Derrick Williams for the #1 pick,#19, Alonzo Gee, and Andy. I do believe that either Dion or Tristan would have to be involved for Minn to accept so if I had to choose one I would say give up Tristan and keep Dion. Kevin Love would fit perfectly next to Kyrie Irving in the P-N-R, allowing Kyrie more space to get into the lane and kick or finish. His assist would go up at least to 8-10 a game, with other capable shooters being added to the mix. Also, maybe Derrick Williams will become a serviceable 3 until we find a better solution. I have heard Demarcus Cousins name floated out there, but the fact that he has such a bad reputation dating back to college is not a good thing

Kentucky coach John Calipari's respect for the Cavaliers front office is one of the reasons he hopes they take Wildcats center Nerlens Noel in the NBA draft.

It's an understatement to say it's time for the Cavs to stop being happy-go-lucky losers, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

Cleveland Cavaliers stats Cleveland Cavaliers stats Here is my problem with taking Nerlens Noel at 1. He'll make an impact on defense but on offense his game will be limited to say the least. He could get some boards and put backs but his game needs a lot of work, too much so to justify taking him #1 overall especially with a bum knee. I think Greg Oden as a free agent could be aquired at a minimum to fit that need and would bring more to the table sooner than Nerlens with little risk. Alternativly we could also couple some of our picks together to move up in the draft and get a solid big man in this years draft. I think we should use the pick on Ben Mclemore. He is crazy athletic and is already as good a defender as Otto Porter and i think can be built into a great defender with some work. On the offensive end i think he's so much better than Porter it's scary. His jumper is silky smooth, he has a huge vertical and he can dribble well enough to get to the hole as well as create his own shot. Sure he disappered at times last year but he's a freshman. It happens. Drafting Porter just because he fits a need is a terrible idea and gets teams in trouble (see Sam Bowie). Mclemore's ceiling is way higher and makes him the best player in the draft IMO. Another argument i hear for Porter is that we took Dion Waiters last year so we can't take Mclemore because he plays the same position. Having a good 6th man coming off the bench is a huge asset in thsi league and i think Dion's game makes him perfectly suited for it. He can come in and provide a huge boost with Mclemore or Kyrie on the bench. Alternativly we could move McKlemore to the 3 and have Dion at 2 and play small ball which has been proven can be sucessfull in the NBA. To summurize if it was up to me (which it's clearly not, not trying to say i'm a GM by any means)in my opinion I think we should take Mclemore at #1, pick up Greg Oden/ couple picks together to move up and get a big man, and pick up a 3 guard in free agency 2014/ aquire one in a trade. Just wanted to get some opinion's on this/ Mclemore in general. ----- Poll Would you be ok with Ben McLemore at #1 Yes No draft Noel No draft Porter No trade the pick 7 votes | Results

The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw joins Cinesport's Noah Coslov to discuss what winning the NBA draft lottery means for the Cleveland Cavaliers and what they should do with the pick.

Most say Kentucky center Noel will join the Cavs, though Kansas guard Ben McLemore and Georgetown small forward Otto Porter get mentions, too.