Addressing the hole at center

[ChocolateButter]

Greg Monroe ?

I would much rather just run with Tyler Zeller as the starting center next season than waste the money to bring in Greg Monroe.

 

[AvonCavsFan]

Center is a strength of this team right now in my opinion.

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM/position/9

Anderson had 4th highest Real Plus Minus for centers in the league last year. And I imagine the offense Blatt will run will bring out even more in his game. If he gets enough minutes, we will be talking about him for all-star game this year.

And I will admit when I was wrong. I HATED the trade to get Zeller (and made it well known), but he started proving me wrong 2nd half of last year. I think he is going to be a perfect fit for what Blatt wants to do, he spaces the floor out to 18 feet and he is a much better presence at the rim than he is getting credit for. His block rate is comparable to Marc Gasol, Asik, etc (not saying he is as good a defender as those guys, but for cost vs production, his value is very good). And this is comparing a 24 yr old against 29 year olds.

No way I want Fry over Zeller. The only thing Fry is better than Zeller at is three point shooting. And give Tyler a few years and I bet that is added to his game. He was money from 10 feet out to the three point line last year:

If he cont. to grow off of last year, I think we are pretty damn set at Center.

(Also watching some video of Powell's workouts, I can't for the life of me understand how a kid that big that moves that fast, that looks that smooth on his jumper can fail--with some good coaching he may end up being a steal--only time will tell though)


Also when we played Andy and Tyler together last year, we were pretty damn good:

Av and Zeller: http://nbawowy.com/query/vhkthh9x4ofde7b9#/vhkthh9x4ofde7b9
108.6 ORating
99.4 DRating

AV and TT: http://nbawowy.com/query/spz8cwlfwuq5mi
108.4 ORating
108.4 DRating

Zeller and TT: http://nbawowy.com/query/tsuvukzfxuoez5mi
105.7 ORating
101.4 DRating

Some of these numbers are small sample size, but what I saw last year with my eyes (that we were much better team with Zeller and AV on court than with TT) match the advanced stats.

I love TT the person. He is just a bad fit on the team. He is not a good enough defender, rebounder to overcome the floor spacing issues he causes.

IF LBJ comes back I would like to see this minutes distribution:

AV (28) Zeller (20)
Bennett (28) Zeller (10) LBJ (10)
LBJ (24) Wiggins (14) CJ (10)
Wiggins (16) Waiters (20) CJ (12)
Irving (34) Waiters (14)

Depending on game situation find time for Delly, Karasev, Powell, Harris.

I honestly don't think we need Kevin Love or any other "star". This could be a Spurs Level deep team as is.

 

[Muffinalt]

I agree that AV and Zeller both would not be liabilities on offense. Especially with the likely style coach Blatt will run. Its on the defensive side where they can find trouble and that is why so many people want to upgrade the position.

 

[1B4IGO]

If you're not landing Gortat I see no reason to go after any others. Anderson and Zeller plus the kid we drafted are better than any of the other options we could realistically pick up. For a change let's see if we can develop our guys instead of bringing in someone who is marginally better if that.

 

[gratefuldead]

Not to totally hate on griffin but I think it was a big mistake not getting into the asik talks

Houston basically gave him away and he's exactly what we need

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Hill is 26; he's not still developing. He's also a 4. He only got 20 minutes/game on a terrible Lakers squad. There's no way he's your starting center. Pass.

Hill actually is still developing. He had a career high in minutes last year, playing more than twice as many as in any prior year save one, while generally improving his per 36. That's a good sign. Gortat is an interesting comparator, because he didn't become a starter until he was 27. Here's a comparison of their per 36 from last year -- which, again, saw Hill have a huge jump in minutes


Points FG% TRB Blocks

Hill 16.7 .549 12.8 1.5

Gortat 14.5 .542 10.9 1.8

Zeller's per/36 were: 13.7/.538/9.7/1.3
Hill's per 36 also were better than Andy's across the board.

I'm not saying Hill's a huge stud, or even that he's better than Gortat. I just think his improvement has gotten overlooked. And while he was listed as a PF last year, he really played both positions.

 

[mcfly]

Does anything think that a slimmer Bennett might be able to provide some weak side shot blocking?

 

[ChocolateButter]

Does anything think that a slimmer Bennett might be able to provide some weak side shot blocking?

Who knows, maybe? Would be great. But even then I don't think he is going to be the player that is going to be a major disruptor for us around the rim. Consistently changing opponents shots can be just as important as blocking them.

 

[CommD]

The problem with Varejao is that he cannot be counted on. This should be understood by now.

I believe Griffin gave up just a little too much in the Hawes deal by including Henry Sims, who showed in CLE and particularly in PHI that he is a serviceable center option and would real good on the CLE's roster with the Varejao/Zeller combo.

Does anyone know if Sims is eligible to re-sign with CLE as free agent given the trade? Thanks.

 

[el_capitan]

Not to totally hate on griffin but I think it was a big mistake not getting into the asik talks

Houston basically gave him away and he's exactly what we need

They got a mid first rounder for him. Not exactly "giving him away".

 

[gratefuldead]

larry sanders might be worth a look

i dunoo though, he needs a change of scene

was best defensive big in the nba

 

[DELONTEizDad]

TT was awful defensively at center last year, guys. We should never play him there again if we're trying to win games.

Could that have been who we he playing with, what he was being asked to do, or maybe improved upon with experience/coaching?

(Not trying to be a smart ass, do not remember paying close attention with him at the 5 much last year.)

 

[blommen]

larry sanders might be worth a look

i dunoo though, he needs a change of scene

was best defensive big in the nba

his attitude problems scare the shit out of me, tbh. I wonder how a guy like him would react to a coach like Blatt who won't take any shit from him what so ever.

 

[TwoPistols]

Playing Tristan at the 5 in an offense that is going to require ball movement, cutting, shooting, and basketball IQ is about one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. He is the complete opposite type of player you want.

As far as I'm concerned, the best options are:

1. Gortat - I would gladly overpay for him just so I can stop seeing all of RCF post about how the Cavs need a "rim protector"
2. Gasol - literally the perfect player for the type of offense the Cavs want to run
3. Roll with what we have - Zeller/Andy/HAYWOOD...pray Andy doesn't get hurt
4. Resign Hawes - this was a David Griffin move so I don't see why this wouldn't remain a very viable option

 

[sailfish]

larry sanders might be worth a look

i dunoo though, he needs a change of scene

was best defensive big in the nba

I was thinking the same thing. Larry Sanders could be a nice addition, depending on the compensation Milwaukee is looking for. I would be willing to trade Varejao & Thompson or a sign & trade of Spencer Hawes, but that's about it.

Another option is Utah, who has Enes Kanter and is apparently viewing Derrick Favors as a center as well. We could swing Thompson for Kanter or Varejao & Thompson for Favors. Hawes could also factor in as a sign & trade for Favors.

I wonder if Memphis would be tempted by an offer of Hawes (s&t), Thompson, and the 1st round pick they owe us for Gasol??

In free agency, the pickings appear to be pretty slim, but I'm still intrigued by Greg Oden. The biggest thing he did this past year was stay healthy. Who knows, maybe Oden can start to return to his prior form?