Cleveland Cavaliers Team Preview 2010-2011 Season

By Mike Misek

Shortly after “The Decision” it became readily apparent that there are really two paths for the Cavaliers this season, the honorable also-ran or the unwatchable bottom feeder. Door number one would follow the path of the Rockets. With both Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady on the payroll but not healthy, Houston was placed in a situation where they simply were not going to be good enough over 82 games to get a playoff spot in the West. They were, however, a pesky team that competed honorably despite the fact that they were starting a 6’6” center and were reliant upon Trevor Ariza to create in the halfcourt offense. Door number two is the Nets. Shortly after dealing off Vince Carter for Courtney Lee and a ham sandwich, there was no doubt the team was writing off 2010 in the hopes of a speedy rebuilding in free agency. The team played like they were resigned to their fate. It is not so much that players stop trying, but they cannot summon the ability to fight back from adversity. Bad teams fall victim to a run during a game, and feel they have fallen into a “here we go again” trap. It is a mindset that made the Nets season a death march from the outset. JJ Hickson

These are the two paths for Cleveland. They are a team with some talent and a solid defensive core, certainly enough to win their fair share of games. While LeBron James made highlight reel defensive plays on a nightly basis, the Cavs have played solid team defense for the past four years. It is not a stretch to believe that with Anderson Varejao, [player: JJ Hickson}, Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Ryan Hollins that they can still win games played in the 80s and low 90s.

Conversely, it is also largely a veteran roster that knows when they are not good enough. They simply will not be able to win shootouts, and that might wear on them as the year goes on. Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker, Ramon Sessions, and Jamario Moon had all languished on bad teams before getting to Cleveland, and with the report that Mo Williams considered retirement after LeBron signed with Miami, it would seem that the Cavs are more likely to take door number two. These are players who have been in this spot before when their team was not good enough to win. It is not a team with an abundance of youth where there can even be a sense that they are building towards something. This is a mostly a veteran team with players who are likely to wonder how long they are going to be in Cleveland. Anthony Parker will be a free agent following this season. Mo Williams has the ability to opt out next summer. Antawn Jamison is 34 years old, and is not going to be with the Cavs the next time they are a contender.

The only two holdovers who would seemingly be a part of the team throughout their rebuilding is the 28-year old Anderson Varejao and 22-year old J.J. Hickson. Varejao will probably be around because he has an inflated long-term contract that limits his trade value. While Varejao is not worth the kind of money he is making on a team without LeBron James, the Cavs are not going to find another active 6’11” player who offers what Varejao does unless they draft him. Even then, young big men typically are not able to jump into a starting lineup and find immediate success. Armed with no draft picks from last summer, the team will likely have only two or three rookies. Christian Eyenga and Samardo Samuels will round out the back end of the roster, and it is possible Manny Harris can make the team given his strong preseason performances to date. The makeup of the team and the unfortunate situation the team has been left in does not bode well.

While it would be a wonderful NBA tale if the Cavs were a gritty defensive team that stole enough wins at home to stay respectable and win over a depressed basketball fanbase in Cleveland, it seems far more likely that come February that they will be battling for lottery balls and not victories.

Predicted Record: 22-60

Cavaliers  2010-11 Roster
NUM     PLAYER, POS, HT, WT, FROM
2       Mo Williams, PG, 6-1, 190 lbs, Alabama
18     Anthony Parker, SG, 6-6, 215 lbs, Bradley
15     Jamario Moon, SF, 6-8, 200 lbs, Meridian CC (MS)
4       Antawn Jamison, SF/PF, 6-9, 235 lbs, North Carolina
17     Anderson Varejao, PF/C, 6-11, 260 lbs, Santa Teresa, Brazil

21     J.J. Hickson, PF, 6-9, 242 lbs, North Carolina State
3      Ramon Sessions, PG, 6-3, 190 lbs, Nevada-Reno
1      Daniel Gibson, SG, 6-2, 200 lbs, Texas
5      Ryan Hollins, C, 7-0, 230 lbs, UCLA
31    Jawad Williams, SF, 6-9, 218 lbs, North Carolina
44     Leon Powe, PF, 6-8, 240 lbs, California
24     Samardo Samuels, PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, Louisville
8      Christian Eyenga, SG/SF, 6-6, 210 lbs, Kinshasa, DRC
12     Joey Graham, SG/SF, 6-7, 225 lbs, Oklahoma State
14     Daniel Green, SG/SF, 6-6, 210 lbs, North Carolina
6      Manny Harris, SG, 6-5, 185 lbs, Michigan
33     Loren Woods,     C, 7-2, 260 lbs, Arizona