Varejao Ready For starting Duties

[E-Light]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/11456275.htm

You might have your rebounding power forward... his name is Anderson Varejao, and the 6-foot-10 Wild Thing loves to run, challenge shots and go after rebounds. He is a terrific complement to James and Ilgauskas, because he doesn't care about scoring. It might make sense to start Varejao next to Ilgauskas. Bring Gooden off the bench where he can use his offense more, especially since the backup center probably will not be a scorer.

I think this idea would work best IF the Z is back next year. Putting drew next to Z was a problem this year. But, matching Z with a garbage guy who defends, rebounds, and is a good help defender, now there's a match made in heaven.

Some other goo bits of info from pluto too

 

[Kypus]

This guy is such a great 6th man I'd hate to lose that. He'll have a huge role next year, whether he starts or not.

What I don't want to hear is, "Anderson needs to gain 25 lbs to compete in the physical Eastern conference", which was Shawn Kemp's excuse to pork out and lose his game/knees.

Some upper body toning and maybe 10-12 lbs. of muscle, but no need to rob him of his best asset, speed.

 

[E-Light]

This guy is such a great 6th man I'd hate to lose that. He'll have a huge role next year, whether he starts or not.

What I don't want to hear is, "Anderson needs to gain 25 lbs to compete in the physical Eastern conference", which was Shawn Kemp's excuse to pork out and lose his game/knees.

Well, if andy gained 25 pounds, he'd weigh in at 255. Hopefully that would be all muscle weight, and not fat like kemp. We want andy to get stronger, not nessesarily fatter, or at least that's what I want! Players who get heavier as long as it's muscle weight don't usually get slower.

 

[aggressivestyle]

if Z isn't back and AV gains the weight then we should just be a running team. Lebron,Snow and AV are all the types that thrive from this anyways. Get a good SG that can hit the 3 and we got a running team!

hopefully sasha gets better with his 3 ball. and newble continues to work on his and plus we got luke and we need to get a young PG as wellthen we actually should be a good team!

 

[Glen Infante]

This guy is such a great 6th man I'd hate to lose that. He'll have a huge role next year, whether he starts or not.

What I don't want to hear is, "Anderson needs to gain 25 lbs to compete in the physical Eastern conference", which was Shawn Kemp's excuse to pork out and lose his game/knees.

Some upper body toning and maybe 10-12 lbs. of muscle, but no need to rob him of his best asset, speed.

Put Drew on the other hand and you have yourself another great 6th man. As we all seen, Drew is well capable of performing off the bench as he did this season. I like the idea of him coming in for that offensive energy.

 

[Red Cap]

Drew Gooden will not be happy as a 6th man like what happened in Orlando. We all know how poor his basketball IQ (or even his real IQ) is. If he will be out of the starting line-up, then just trade him for other needs. He is a double-double machine, but having his attitude and basket ball IQ, I doubt he would become better. Might as well trade for some talent and picks while his value is high.

And about Anderson Varejao starting, it's not such a bad idea. But with his style of play, he is best suited for an off the bench role. He is the energizer of the team. Say like, Chris Andersen. He does his best when opposing team players are worn out. Though he may worn them out even when he play many minutes, but I am not sure about his stamina. He is also just average on defense, and tends to go for the block, making it easy for opposing opponents to fake him and make him foul.

 

[Karma]

I dont think Anderson should start just yet. He still has plenty to learn before he is thrusted into a role. He does get dominated quite a bit, but alot of that comes down to inexperience. Another summer to work on his game and another season under his belt, he will put pressure on whoever is starting for us. But for now, lets utilise his raw energy off the bench where it is best suited until his game catches up to his enthusiasm.

 

[Dungong]

Andy starting really depends on what other pieces are around him. The guy gets nothing but garbage/transition points, so in the half court set, hes really not going to score in the run of the offense. If there is a guy like Snow there, who basically isn't going to score in the offensive sets either, that puts huge pressure on the other 3 guys to score. If those three guys are Z, Lebron, and Redd/Allen/Joe Johnson, then I think it would work.

But good points were brought up, Gooden can't come off the bench and be effective, its not a role he'll play well. That leaves AV starting at center next to Gooden (if Z leaves). I don't think he quite has the size or experience to do this yet, but hey maybe he could become a Ben Wallace type guy eventually.

But i think it would be good if he gets 20 mins or so coming off the bench. At least 20, he can back up the center for spots, especially vs small teams.

 

[King]

I would still start Gooden. I think AV would fit great in the starting lineup next to Z because he would be able to do all the dirty work and he wouldnt be concerned about scoring a lot. But I dont think Drew would be happy sitting on the bench again. For now AV can stick to being a sparkplug off the bench. Or if we are really set on him starting next season would could get some good players and/or draft picks in return for Drew.

 

[Karma]

Maybe the Cavalier's are high on Varejao, and may think to move Gooden. Not that Gooden deservs to be moved as he had quite a season here. But if Drew could be used in a trade that brings back another missing piece, then maybe we bring Varejao to thew starting 4 spot. Obviosly Z would need to be resigned in this situation. Just a thought......

 

[WildThing]

I hope we can start Varejao, and have Drew off the bench. That way, he wouldn't be so... lazy and inconsistent sometimes.=p

 

[Deadlock]

I dont think Varejao is ready to start. He comes off the bench with a lot of energy which we are going to need next year. Plus he still plays quite sloppy and I just don't think he is ready for that starting position yet.

 

[Rimage]

I think putting Drew on the bench is a mistake. I like him as a starter. Varejao will perform just fine coming of the bench. I don't see who making him a start will make anything better. He will more than likely get into foul trouble because of his erratic play. Plus you gotta worry about players and what will irk them the wrong way. Gooden will think he is being pushed out yet again. Varejao has absolutely no qualms about coming off the bench.

I say leave Drew in the starting line up. He is doing awesome.

 

[E-Light]

I'd rather have varejao start to set a defensive tone. With Z, and gooden the opposing team eats us up with just ball rotation. You can't have gooden's liable defense, and Z's slowness together on the court especially in key defensive positions protecting the paint. gooden consistently gets eaten up by every starting power forward in the league that he tries to defend.

Foul trouble wouldn't matter anyways since both gooden, and AV can split minutes. 2 early fouls is pretty meaningless at the power forward position for us.

 

[Red Cap]

But the question is: What would Drew feel when he is benched? He is pretty immature, and he might whine, thus making him a non-factor off the bench. If he accepts it, then fine. But that's very unlikely.