Izzo Watch Part 2

[Binkster]

You would take Ellis because you have no concept of good team basketball. Zero, zip, nada.

The only thing he is premier at is missing shots and making his team worse.

Monta Ellis is not a better fit next to Lebron than Mo Williams. Amazing what perception does to reality. Mo actually played well in the playoffs..he was our 2nd best player by a LONG shot, but lets not let the FACTS get in the way: http://basketballvalue.com/teamplay...summary&sortnumber=21&sortorder=DESC&team=CLE

Look at the net plus minus and how important Mo was. Shaq is the guy who killed us, just killed us. Subtract Shaq, play Andy + Moon more and we beat the Celtics.

I understand the concept of team ball. I also understand that it is impossible to distribute the basketball when you don't have a team around you. Solution? Keep on shooting Monta.

I never said he was a better fit than Mo per say. Talent wise he is better than Mo Williams.

 

[Jon]

I want to return to the days of 1986-87.

Brad Daugherty - draft
Ron Harper - draft
Mark Price - draft day trade
Hot Rod Williams - draft
Johnny Newman - draft

Unfortunately that was all set up by Ted Stepien's near destruction of the franchise and the fact Gordon Gund wouldn't agree to buy the team unless the league made sure we were compensated with draft picks.

Oh, yeah, and the fact Philadelphia traded away the #1 overall pick for Roy Hinson. That ain't happening again ...

 

[MYoung23]

I understand the concept of team ball. I also understand that it is impossible to distribute the basketball when you don't have a team around you. Solution? Keep on shooting Monta.

I never said he was a better fit than Mo per say. Talent wise he is better than Mo Williams.

Scoring isn't Golden State's problem so maybe Ellis shouldn't chuck it like he is being paid by the FGA.

 

[chiefwahoo]

i just can't see what move can be made that would turn this team (outside of lebron) into a title contender. we have no young assets or capspace to get a star. we do have multiple small expirings but teams aren't just going to give up stars in their prime for pure salary dumps

I guess I can see your point if you are assuming that LeBron is leaving. I've never really had that feeling at all so it's hard for me to go the hypothetical "rebuild mode" side should the worst happen. Admittedly, my argument against that hypothetical situation is a weak one. It will be a lot easier to move on when LeBron just says he's staying. But most of us knew these next few weeks were going to be pretty unbearable. It's unbearable for me as a fan to see the team getting bashed from a lot of different angles by the so-called experts. But it's more unbearable for me as a mod (and presumably the other mods) to have to sift through the panicky drivel that is bogging down most of these threads these days. Should have scheduled my week in Mexico for June instead of July.

 

[daddywags]

The way I see it, LeBron doesn't consider himself a part of the Cavs organization anymore, and he hasn't since game 6 of the Celtics series ended. There is a reason he tore off his jersey as soon as he left the court. He wanted to win a championship in Cleveland (more for Akron than for Cleveland, I'd guess), but he's also been looking forward to this free agency summer for a long, long time. People are surprised he won't help us decide the future of the franchise, but why should he help us any more than any other team that can sign him this summer? He didn't overtly help Chicago or New Jersey pick their coach, why help Cleveland? That said, I think behind the scenes he has done as much as he believes is possible. I think he's let Izzo know in a round-about way that there is a good chance he will re-sign with Cleveland. Izzo, understandably, wants to hear it straight from LeBron's mouth - but LeBon isn't going to go that far because he wants to be perceived as a free agent, not as a Cleveland Cavalier. LeBron's allowing Windhorst to write that he's 100% behind an Izzo hiring is a big thing, IMhO, and about as far as LBJ's willing to go. We'll all do better these next few months if we realize that LeBron's not a Cavalier anymore; nor is he a Bull or a Knick or Net. He's a free agent and his "team" is the group of advisors he has built around him.

 

[MYoung23]

Unfortunately that was all set up by Ted Stepien's near destruction of the franchise and the fact Gordon Gund wouldn't agree to buy the team unless the league made sure we were compensated with draft picks.

Oh, yeah, and the fact Philadelphia traded away the #1 overall pick for Roy Hinson. That ain't happening again ...

The point is the post is smart drafting.

I shouldn't have had to explain this.

 

[daddywags]

Unfortunately that was all set up by Ted Stepien's near destruction of the franchise and the fact Gordon Gund wouldn't agree to buy the team unless the league made sure we were compensated with draft picks.

Oh, yeah, and the fact Philadelphia traded away the #1 overall pick for Roy Hinson. That ain't happening again ...

Right. That team was definitely not built by us crapping out and getting top 5 picks three years in a row. We had ONE top five pick on that team. And we had to trade for it.

 

[Mdog1]

If Chris Grant doesn't blow draft picks like Paxson it won't be.

I want to return to the days of 1986-87.

Brad Daugherty - draft
Ron Harper - draft
Mark Price - draft day trade
Hot Rod Williams - draft
Johnny Newman - draft

But hey, if you some grand scheme to build a championship contender sans James without blowing the team and rebuilding with draft picks and cap flexibility by all means email it to Dan Gilbert.

I want to return to the years that Smooth mentioned personally. We have blown too many drafts for my liking. Our team could have had Joe Johnson/Amare/Jeferson/Granger and many other good players. Hell our team right now could be Johnson/Amare/Kaman or sometihng like that.

 

[chiefwahoo]

The point is the post is smart drafting.

I shouldn't have had to explain this.

I get what you're saying and I agree. It's just hard for me as a season ticket holder for the last 7 years to imagine the possibility of having to rebuild from the ground up. Not saying that Grant couldn't pull it off - I honestly have no idea. But I wouldn't want to go through the pain of having to find out.

I remember waiting at the auto show in my younger days for Ricky Davis to show up so I could get a picture and an autograph. Of course he was like two hours late. That solitary example pretty much sums up what it was like to be a Cavs fan then and I shudder to think we would have to go through that again. I've come too far to go back there again.

 

[Bison11]

Even if we trade Mo for someone not as good as Mo, or equal talent, that is not necessarily a bad move. That player just might be a better fit with what this team has. Thats why in basketball it is so hard to build a winner. You have to have the perfect guys to play with each other.

 

[Binkster]

Scoring isn't Golden State's problem so maybe Ellis shouldn't chuck it like he is being paid by the FGA.

It is the coaching by a guy like Don Nelson who allows all of his players to run around like wild banchies out there. No defense. No direction. A kid like Monta throws up as many shots as he would like with no discipline and no correction, at all.

He is like an untrained puppy. Someone just needs to take him by the hand and correct him.

Guys like Izzo or Scott can probably do that.

 

[Sirius]

Wojo Recap on Rome:

He isn't going to make it easy on Cleveland though. He will force them to improve the team by not tipping his hand.

I get that Lebron wants to handle this like a businessman. As an accomplished and experienced businessman, I don't accept the following statements:

1. That being uncooporative and blatantly non-commital is the best way to force the Cavaliers to improve.

2. That forcing the Cavaliers to improve is the best way to achieve actual improvement.

3. That being blatantly non-commital enhances Lebron's bargaining position with other teams in a significant way.

4. That any advantage gained by Lebron is not outweighed by the damage to his brand.

Finally, my one piece of business advice to Lebron: fire your advisors.

 

[Spectre]

The way I see it, LeBron doesn't consider himself a part of the Cavs organization anymore, and he hasn't since game 6 of the Celtics series ended. There is a reason he tore off his jersey as soon as he left the court. He wanted to win a championship in Cleveland (more for Akron than for Cleveland, I'd guess), but he's also been looking forward to this free agency summer for a long, long time. People are surprised he won't help us decide the future of the franchise, but why should he help us any more than any other team that can sign him this summer?

He doesn't have to help us decide the future of the franchise, but given that LBJ said the Cavs have an edge over other teams in signing him, why the hell wouldn't he even be willing to have a conversation with his top team's potential coach? Even if he revealed nothing new, they could at least get a feel for each other. Izzo gets to know LeBron, which helps him decide on the job. LeBron gets to know Izzo, which helps him determine if the Cavs are still a good fit under new management. Seems like a win-win... unless all you care about is the build-up of the uncertainty for the grand finale and less about whatever the hell happens after. It's starting to get laughable how obvious it is that LeBron is first and foremost a showman.

 

[Hoop James]

Why wouldn't he show up to a kids camp?
That tweet means nothing.

I think the longer it goes, it means he is coming to Cleveland.

I agree. If the answer was no, he would just come out and say no and be done with it. However, since he is stalling and fulfilling his prior commitments, I think he may actually be leaning towards accepting the offer. The worst thing he could do right now is say he is leaving MSU when he has this camp going on. He would look hertless and hated for it.

On the other hand, if he fulfills his commitments and then takes the time to give his reasons and how he thought long and hard about it blah blah blah, he can save face.

Who knows for sure how it will all turn out, but I think Izzo is coming, just as I think LeBron is staying. My conspiracy theory mind thinks everyone involves knows both of these facts, but are not saying anything to respect the wishes of Izzo and James.

 

[AvonCavsFan]

I understand the concept of team ball. I also understand that it is impossible to distribute the basketball when you don't have a team around you. Solution? Keep on shooting Monta.

I never said he was a better fit than Mo per say. Talent wise he is better than Mo Williams.

The statistics do say his team was BETTER with him OFF the court. So your solution of having him shoot more is wrong. He is a terrible player, and he is not more talented than Mo. If we traded for him, I would burn my season tickets twice.