Time for a Rudy Gay safari?

[godfather]

So, with Liggins playing like he has lately....

Shump for Gay

Shump for Gay was, is, and will always be a no-brainer, no debate or questions asked. Even given how well Shump is playing suddenly.

But unfortunately it changes nothing that we still don't have an enticing enough deal they'd want IMO.

If only we kept Delly... A Delly, Shump, and draft pick might have been in play.

Rudy is playing at a really high level. He's going to have a lot of suitors if he's available.

 

[Ohio]

Shump for Gay was, is, and will always be a no-brainer, no debate or questions asked. Even given how well Shump is playing suddenly.

But unfortunately it changes nothing that we still don't have an enticing enough deal they'd want IMO.

If only we kept Delly... A Delly, Shump, and draft pick might have been in play.

Rudy is playing at a really high level. He's going to have a lot of suitors if he's available.

How about Cedi?

 

[The Oi]

@Deezus @bushwick_bill

 

[godfather]

How about Cedi?

I'd imagine he'd have to be included without question if they'd entertain Shump. The kid is getting better.

I do think Cedi has raised his stock though for the record. It's better than it was a year ago. He's turn into a legit three point shooter, and that was his biggest weakness.

It might even be possible, but probably not likely the Cavs wouldn't want to trade Cedi.

The Cavs want him playing over here next year. That tells you how legit he's become.

 

[Snarly]

Shump for Gay was, is, and will always be a no-brainer, no debate or questions asked. Even given how well Shump is playing suddenly.

But unfortunately it changes nothing that we still don't have an enticing enough deal they'd want IMO.

If only we kept Delly... A Delly, Shump, and draft pick might have been in play.

Rudy is playing at a really high level. He's going to have a lot of suitors if he's available.

Yeah but Sac ownership is full of morons so anything is possible with them. Knowing Sac though they keep him since they have no idea how to do anything right.

 

[Kbiz]

You have to ask yourself if swapping out Gay for Shumpert in a GS series would give us an advantage. IMO, defensive versatility is much more important than additional scoring in that matchup, especially with the addition of Durant on the warriors.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

You have to ask yourself if swapping out Gay for Shumpert in a GS series would give us an advantage. IMO, defensive versatility is much more important than additional scoring in that matchup, especially with the addition of Durant on the warriors.

Some people here think that Gay is suddenly going to become a lockdown defender against Durant.

 

[Kbiz]

Some people here think that Gay is suddenly going to become a lockdown defender against Durant.

He's a scorer and a streaky one at that. The one advantage he brings in a GS series is additional spacing, allowing LBJ to operate more at the 4. GS will have to expend more energy on D while guarding us but that's about it.

He played on a team that was one of the most fundamentally sound defensive teams in recent history and he still doesn't give two shits about defense. That's not going to change here.

 

[godfather]

Some people here think that Gay is suddenly going to become a lockdown defender against Durant.

I don't think anyone can lockdown Durant. Durant is usually just a victim of himself, that doesn't mean you still don't need someone capable of guarding him.

And for the record, I don't think Lue wants LeBron to do it either... So who does that leave?

If Liggins continues to show improvement, maybe him. But anyone else is pretty laughable. Durant will go to down on them.

 

[gourimoko]

Some people here think that Gay is suddenly going to become a lockdown defender against Durant.

Gay would likely guard Draymond... LeBron would have no choice but to guard Durant with the way he's playing this year. And Gay should have literally zero problems defending Draymond Green; particularly around the perimeter and off the dribble and in the P&R.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

LeBron would have no choice but to guard Durant with the way he's playing this year.

That's not a viable option. Maybe for one game, but not an entire series.

 

[CBBI]

That's not a viable option. Maybe for one game, but not an entire series.

I mean no disrespect by this...

But who will LeBron guard otherwise? You're certainly not sticking Love or Thompson on that island to die.

When the Cavs play the Warriors and each team's starters are in, LeBron HAS to guard Durant. There's no other choice. I can't imagine in a hypothetical scenario that Gay would start, but maybe so.

 

[gourimoko]

That's not a viable option. Maybe for one game, but not an entire series.

This makes no sense.. How is LeBron guarding Durant "not a viable option?" It might be our only option if Durant is getting hot..

Not sure who you're thinking is going to guard the Warriors best player, by far, otherwise... Thankfully, Irving and Steph is somewhat of a wash; but, we have no answer for Durant if James chooses not to guard him.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

And just how do you expect LeBron to contribute on the offensive end if he's guarding Durant for an entire series? The only chance we have of beating the Warriors is by punishing them inside, and Kyrie can't do that alone...we NEED LeBron's supreme rim attacking abilities.

32-year old LeBron isn't going to be that offensive force if we stick him on Durant in a 7-game series.

Truthfully, I don't know what the counter is...either pray for an injury or hope that the real (aka, playoff) Durant and Curry show up.

 

[gourimoko]

And just how do you expect LeBron to contribute on the offensive end if he's guarding Durant for an entire series?

That's not really the question you should be asking based on the matchup. The issue is, can we get by with Durant essentially being unguarded... Think about what you are saying.

The only chance we have of beating the Warriors is by punishing them inside, and Kyrie can't do that alone...we NEED LeBron's supreme rim attacking abilities.

I think you're looking at this the wrong way; there's no reason to assume that because James is guarding Durant that he will simply stop attacking the basket. It's not an either or thing; and to be honest, our defense is the only way we'll beat the Warriors -- we're not going to just win by hoping to outscore them.

32-year old LeBron isn't going to be that offensive force if we stick him on Durant in a 7-game series.

Surely he won't be as good offensively as he would be if he were taking defensive possessions off; but the point here is that we have no other person to guard Durant. You.. seem to not be taking that into account; that's the entire reason Golden State made the offseason decisions they did, was to force us into this matchup.

Truthfully, I don't know what the counter is...either pray for an injury or hope that the real (aka, playoff) Durant and Curry show up.

Not really into prayer as an answer to a rational problem; Curry has been pretty good in the playoffs, all things considered -- but Irving/Delly have been pretty good on him defensively.

Same could be said in the past of James/Durant, hence the desire to have Durant go through James to score.

The Warriors are making their offense run almost completely through Durant; that could have detrimental effects in the Finals if James can really close the door on him. Hence the desire to have Irving and Love, particularly Love in the low post, go ham offensively with James focused on creating offense for others and playing defense.

They're going to put Green on James defensively, and I'd rather him not get banged up in the low post or on drives if it means he won't be able to guard Durant...

Anyway, as I and others have suggested, the solution to this problem is likely a pickup by the Cavs of a versatile wing player that changes our dynamic. A Tyreke Evans, Rudy Gay type; not necessarily a defensive stopper, but, someone who can put a body on Draymond and on the offensive end this would prevent the inevitable Kyrie double team.