Building the right way?

[KI4MVP]

For this thread, let's set aside the draft issues and just enjoy the development of our young players - especially Kyrie, Thompson, Samuels and Gee. Irving is a future superstar. We're going to win games, might as well enjoy it instead of fretting over lottery positions.

Based on the season thus far, this team as currently constructed is pretty clearly significantly better than last year's team. We are a layup from being 2-1 and should be favorites to win the next two games at the Q. The big unknowns right now are Casspi and what we can expect from guys like Eyenga and Erdin.

If Erdin can prove to be a capable backup C, we can trade Jamison, start Thomson and move Samuels to backup PF. In the meantime, Jamison needs to start playing better to increase his trade value beyond being an expiring contract and draw interest from contenders. He's certainly capable of shooting better than he has thus far.

 

[Chris]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

How does this need its own thread? We have to make a thread where we root for the team?

 

[KI4MVP]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

on a board where there are threads of "Oh God, we won", "The I Hate Jamison Thread", "Casppi's Poodelish Performance", "Is Sessions really that bad" (where many argue he is), etc., a 115 page thread about the draft, and where so many of the posts in other threads are fixated on lottery positions, I thought we needed one thread where the issues of draft positions were off limits so we could just talk about the good things we're seeing.

 

[NarlCavs]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

One of the biggest things for me is that it's completely clear that the team and entire organization has moved on from the Lebron era. This now feels like a new beginning. There's hope and some pieces for the future and the attitude and effort of the players is much better this year. Roster has been cleaned out quite a bit and the focus is on the future, not the past. Now we only need the media to get on board.

It is enjoyable watching young players continue to develop and that is what I'm looking at this year. (still looking for a high lottery pick next summer though)

 

[Gunther]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

One player I'm really enjoying watching is Andy. He's come back from injury fresh, he's showing really good footwork, and he's already making opposing players nuts with his energy and tenacity. The guy is just magnetically drawn to the ball. I love how he's made himself into a legit NBA center.

Sure, I know this season is all about developing the young guys, and I'm enjoying watching them as well, but Andy is the most fun for me to watch so far.

 

[The Process God]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

on a board where there are threads of "Oh God, we won", "The I Hate Jamison Thread", "Casppi's Poodelish Performance", "Is Sessions really that bad" (where many argue he is), etc., a 115 page thread about the draft, and where so many of the posts in other threads are fixated on lottery positions, I thought we needed one thread where the issues of draft positions were off limits so we could just talk about the good things we're seeing.

I started the Sessions thread, and, for the record, I was saying positive things about him and "the good things we're seeing" in him this year, so please don't lump me in.

 

[KI4MVP]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

I started the Sessions thread, and, for the record, I was saying positive things about him and "the good things we're seeing" in him this year, so please don't lump me in.

I didn't mean to lump you in, much of the thread didn't turn out like you intended, though, which is why I included it in the list. It just seems that so many people on here are already fixated on the 2012 draft that they have a built in bias against most things positive about our team. There is quite a bit of praise for our young players, though, but even that mostly doesn't translate to the realization that we're a better team this year because of that bias.

 

[Housh]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

It's kind of funny but yeah I'm rooting for wins first but if we lose I don't really care cause I know that's helping us too. Either way this is gonna be a fun season to watch.unless of course we win around 44 or something. That would suck

 

[Pavlovic3Ball]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

I think fans are hesitant for us to win because no one wants to be a "treadmill" team. Make the playoffs every year but get your ass handed to you. Some people are looking at the bigger picture here. Clean up with lottery picks (hoping we can hit om them). Not saying fans that want us to win, our wrong. Just different perspectives. I lean heavily on the tank side, obviously. I believe that with the way the NBA is changing, the only way the Cavs can be contenders again is by hitting on early lotto picks. But im not sitting in front of televison cringing anytime the Cavs make a shot.

 

[metalman213]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

i hope we get a high lottery pick, but at the same time i want us to be competitive in the games and establish a winning mentality. i know these things contradict each other, but i would love for us to lose 40 games in the same type of manner as last night. one things for certain: these cavs are fun to watch and it is a pleasure to watch kyrie and tristan develop

 

[Randolphkeys]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

I'd be surprised if serious basketball fans think that the team is trying to tank. They don't have to try... they don't have the right mix of players to seriously contend for a position any higher than perhaps 25th in the league.

The only players in the prime of their careers are Anderson Varejao and Boobie Gibson. One could possibly argue Sessions entered his prime this year by adding a jump shot. Everyone else on the team is two or three years away from their prime... either too green or too old and rickety. Being realistic about the goals for this season doesn't make you any less of a fan. If anything, it helps explain why a young player gets a shorter or longer leash in certain situations.

But outright cheering for the team to tank? That is pretty silly. The players on the floor aren't going to tank. It affects their marketability to other teams if they are on a terrible team and playing terribly, and it ruins their development for the long term good of the franchise. Just look at Sessions: Rumor had it he wanted off the Cavaliers team during the trade deadline, but the Cavs didn't get quality offers. When Sessions starts playing to the best of his abilities, then playoff teams will be willing to offer better compensation.

Its in everyone's best interest to play to win... but it might be the coaches' prerogative to care more about development than winning a single game here or there.

 

[6.19.2016]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

It's kind of funny but yeah I'm rooting for wins first but if we lose I don't really care cause I know that's helping us too. Either way this is gonna be a fun season to watch.unless of course we win around 44 or something. That would suck

I assume you mean "win 44" in the sense if they played 82 games they would be 44-38, i.e. they would be about 35-31 over a 66 game season and be mediocre?

Because if they went 44-22, we'd have to be excited about being a championship contender.

 

[KCOTT]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

wasn't going to root for the cavs, but after this thread i'm going to now

 

[Jon]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

But outright cheering for the team to tank? That is pretty silly.

It's an undertone pervading the board and most of the threads. As someone else pointed out, it's a defense mechanism. Fans can't stand the losing, unless it's for a purpose. So when that purpose is put in doubt they start screaming. Screaming about the team winning...

It's one thing to expect this team to win no more than 20 games, it's another to get upset and rant if there's any sign they might.

 

[Housh]

Re: Rooting for our team this year

I assume you mean "win 44" in the sense if they played 82 games they would be 44-38, i.e. they would be about 35-31 over a 66 game season and be mediocre?

Because if they went 44-22, we'd have to be excited about being a championship contender.

Oh yeah