So long, David Griffin

[Bob_The_Cat]

Given that several of the PGs the Cavs are floating out there are over 30 and coming off serious injuries, I hope the Cavs really kick the tires before signing anyone so that we don't see "the corpse of <insert name>."

Read an article saying that Nate Robinson was working out and lookibg to make an NBA comeback. Would almost be more interested to do a little tire kicking of him than some of the other names being tossed around.

 

[Ohio]

Griff was on the Really Big Show today.

When asked about about whether adding to the team payroll would be an option (rough quotes):

-Sure, but it's relative to the quality of player you're bringing back. I have to go back to them and say it's worth it to go deeper into the payroll

-In most deals I'll try to be cash neutral because most players we could bring would advance the cause enough to make it worth it

-There's never been a moment that ownership fought off to improve the team

 

[shoes22]

So in that interview @Rob mentioned, Griff was asked about his contract status and how it ends at the end of the year. As would be expected, he was quick to give a “no comment” on it.

Of course that’s an expected answer, but given how he’s kind of surpassed expectations in the job he’s in a pretty good position to “call his shot” in terms of salary if he really wanted to.

I hate to harp on this again, but given how negotiations can be, no one here should be surprised if Griffin walks away at the end of the year.

 

[godfather]

Griff was on the Really Big Show today.

When asked about about whether adding to the team payroll would be an option (rough quotes):

-Sure, but it's relative to the quality of player you're bringing back. I have to go back to them and say it's worth it to go deeper into the payroll

-In most deals I'll try to be cash neutral because most players we could bring would advance the cause enough to make it worth it

-There's never been a moment that ownership fought off to improve the team

Pretty much what I figured all along. We can throw a lid on this Dan Gilbert is suddenly being cheap narrative. Which I never bought.

This also proves to me that Delly was more Griffin's decision than Dan's. If Griffin went to Dan and said we must keep Delly, would Dan have let him go? No! They just didn't value Delly that much, and naturally Dan is not going to want to spend money on players that are viewed expendable given the luxury tax. That's not being cheap. That's just common sense.

So everyone complaining that Gilbert suddenly won't spend money, please, shut up.

I don't like Gilbert either really, but when it comes to his dedication to what he's willing to do for this franchise, I have zero complaints. If it wasn't for his willingness to spend to improve the team, there's no Kyrie Irving.

I give Gilbert more credit for that than Grant to be honest. Most owners would not pay so much money just to get a lottery pick.

 

[shoes22]

Question for everyone: Will the David Griffin philosophy of exclusively focusing on offensive-minded players when building out a roster eventually come back to bite us?

Remember, he was part of the Phoenix Suns organization for a long time so this stuff is probably ingrained in his psyche.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

Question for everyone: Will the David Griffin philosophy of exclusively focusing on offensive-minded players when building out a roster eventually come back to bite us?

Remember, he was part of the Phoenix Suns organization for a long time so this stuff is probably ingrained in his psyche.

The difference is we won something while they didn't, but I think our championship was an outlier, namely because we're blessed with having arguably the greatest player of all time...in no way do I think that method of team constructing is sustainable.

 

[TitleTown]

Question for everyone: Will the David Griffin philosophy of exclusively focusing on offensive-minded players when building out a roster eventually come back to bite us?

Remember, he was part of the Phoenix Suns organization for a long time so this stuff is probably ingrained in his psyche.

Shumpert was the primary target of the Knicks trade. A defensively minded player.

 

[TyGuy]

This team needs another playmaker and more defensive minded guys. Korver is seeming rather redundant when jr comes back. Our second unit is a disaster because we can't find a place to hide Korver.

 

[kookoo]

This team needs another playmaker and more defensive minded guys. Korver is seeming rather redundant when jr comes back. Our second unit is a disaster because we can't find a place to hide Korver.

I think it's too early to say we need to hide Korver when there hasn't been a single player (maybe Tristan) who has consistently defended well.

We do need a shot blocker though. If only Larry Sanders would get his shit together.

 

[shoes22]

Shumpert was the primary target of the Knicks trade. A defensively minded player.

While you’re right about the outcome of that... I think the unique circumstances of our team contributed more to that trade than Griffin’s own philosophy.

A combo guard like Dion Waiters just wouldn’t work with the way our team was constructed, and it was obvious a healthy Shumpert would be a better fit with the roster at that time. Plus we ended up getting another draft pick out of it to get that center we also desperately needed.

So while yes, Griff did end up acquiring players that provided value defensively, they’re not part of his core philosophy and I think he views them as more expendable pieces...seeing as Delly and Mozgov are no longer with the team, and I’d be willing to bet Shumpert has also been part of trade discussions at one point or another.

 

[TitleTown]

While you’re right about the outcome of that... I think the unique circumstances of our team contributed more to that trade than Griffin’s own philosophy.

A combo guard like Dion Waiters just wouldn’t work with the way our team was constructed, and it was obvious a healthy Shumpert would be a better fit with the roster at that time. Plus we ended up getting another draft pick out of it to get that center we also desperately needed.

So while yes, Griff did end up acquiring players that provided value defensively, they’re not part of his core philosophy and I think he views them as more expendable pieces...seeing as Delly and Mozgov are no longer with the team, and I’d be willing to bet Shumpert has also been part of trade discussions at one point or another.

When/where did Griffin admit to such a philosophy? Or is this just your theory?

A trade centered on Shumpert is a trade for a defensive player.

Delly and Moz not being on the team had nothing to do with offense/defense, it had to do with a price/value judgements.

The facts don't agree with your theory.

 

[shoes22]

When/where did Griffin admit to such a philosophy? Or is this just your theory?

I’ll have to go back to the tapes sometime, but Griffin has given long interviews about his team building philosophy and how a lot of what he does is based on the kind of system they had in Phoenix. I remember long discussions about this even when he first initially got this job and made the trade to acquire Spencer Hawes. It was his first official move as GM, and Spencer Hawes is an example of a prototypical David Griffin player.

A trade centered on Shumpert is a trade for a defensive player.

Are you talking about right now? Because this is not a known fact.

Delly and Moz not being on the team had nothing to do with offense/defense, it had to do with a price/value judgements.

The facts don't agree with your theory.

Mozgov I give you as there was no way we could pay him...but the situation with Delly was self-inflicted because we decided not to extend him in the 2015 offseason. He would have accepted a multi-year offer for a very reasonable price. Instead we RFA’d him again, knowing that the following offseason he could play his way out of our budget...and that’s exactly what happened.

You know what does support my theory? What players have we made an effort to acquire in their absence to replace what they provided on a defensive level? What has Griffin himself been emphasizing? All the interviews Griff has given recently in regards to player personnel and acquisitions have been about offense and addressing the offense.

 

[TitleTown]

I’ll have to go back to the tapes sometime, but Griffin has given long interviews about his team building philosophy and how a lot of what he does is based on the kind of system they had in Phoenix. I remember long discussions about this even when he first initially got this job and made the trade to acquire Spencer Hawes. It was his first official move as GM, and Spencer Hawes is an example of a prototypical David Griffin player.



Are you talking about right now? Because this is not a known fact.



Mozgov I give you as there was no way we could pay him...but the situation with Delly was self-inflicted because we decided not to extend him in the 2015 offseason. He would have accepted a multi-year offer for a very reasonable price. Instead we RFA’d him again, knowing that the following offseason he could play his way out of our budget...and that’s exactly what happened.

You know what does support my theory? What players have we made an effort to acquire in their absence to replace what they provided on a defensive level? What has Griffin himself been emphasizing? All the interviews Griff has given recently in regards to player personnel and acquisitions have been about offense and addressing the offense.

I can live with that description, but saying he adheres to a Phoenix Suns type of offense over defense (at all costs) seems a bit too strong.

 

[mhi]

My bet is the next pickup is a signing rather than trade. We aint got much left in terms of assets.

Also Korver is a free agent after this year. Hope it's not another Deng situation.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Our second unit is a disaster because we can't find a place to hide Korver

I seriously cannot understand where this Korver is a bad defender meme is coming from. I don't have fancy stats but I have watched every minute Korver has played since being here and he often looks like one of our better defenders on the court. Certainly not someone who needs hidden at all

You want to know why our second unit is a disaster? We have Frye playing the 5 and he's been cold lately. He absolutely bleeds points out on defense so when he's not hitting shots opponents can run up the score in a hurry picking on him

Channing is not a 5. Him playing 5 has to be close to defensive treason