Game 8: Cavs @ Nets | Nov. 13th | 7:30 PM EST

[Ruken]

This game doesn't bother me all that much. This is not a full roster. There are 6 players max on it that will matter for the Cavs hopeful ascension to a playoff contender and ultimately championsip contender.

I think and worry ZERO about what Miles, Samuels, Walton, Casspi, Leuer, Sloan and really even Boobie do. If occasionally they have a good game, cool. If they blow leads and suck, as they will most of the time, it's a bit of a bummer as I want the important young guys to know how to win, but it helps drive the Tank. I certainly don't blame Byron Scott ANY for the play of the above mentioned journeymen.

All that matters on this team right now are these six guy: Kyrie, Andy, Dion, Zeller, Tristan, and Gee

All that matters going forward is what we add in the next draft and offseason to complement them. There is no reason we cannot add important pieces through the 2013 draft and a key FA signing and, along with all the young guys development, compete for the playoffs next year.

We're missing three main things: A competent back up point guard who can lead a second unit, a talented swing man who is more experienced than Gee who can play at both the 2 and 3, and an offensively gifted post player who can also pass out of the post.
The back up PG should be our 9th guy
Tristan and Zeller developing as the 7th and 8th dudes, first two bigs off the bench.
Gee as our 6th man(although I can handle him starting if we get a skilled PF to start opposite Andy)

So through the draft or FA we need to add premium talent at the PF position and at the 3(or large SG who can play both positions)

I feel really good about this team going forward. This year isn't going to be pretty most of the time.

Gotta suffer through this season and maybe a top 5 pick again. But it is key after whoever we draft this year to make a FA splash with all the cap room we still have. This team could make a huge leap next year. That said I still think as the season progresses we will see marked improvement.

[Pyro]

These threads are a fucking riot this year. I fucking love you guys. I know I'm hard to deal with, and I know some of you hate me, but I don't care. What a season.

[cafemerald]

I love our team. I just wish/hope Varejao has about three more years left. He seems to add to his game every year. That should extend his effectiveness as his athleticism starts to fade.

Our bench sucks, but two years of free agent signings should fix that. This season is just gravy. If we get another top five pick, great, if not... that will mean we are developing. After being optimistic early... I think our bench will lose us a lot of games. Unless we get someone big at the trade deadline, I really don't see us getting out from bottom 8.

But who cares. This team is headed up, and has the assets and flexibility to handle not getting a top 5 pick.

[Tornicade]

Scott said Varejao, gee and Gibson are the only ones who play defense. ultimately giving up the worse FG % in the league is why the cavs are where they are. the bench offensive production may be an eyesore but the overall team defense is what is losing games.

[Rich]

Scott said Varejao, gee and Gibson are the only ones who play defense. ultimately giving up the worse FG % in the league is why the cavs are where they are. the bench offensive production may be an eyesore but the overall team defense is what is losing games.

This is pretty much true, but notice two of three are starters. The bench just doesn't suck on offense, it's laughably bad on defense too. They do nothing right. Samuels and Leuer are like blind men out there on defense. Casspi, as we saw tonight, can't stay in front of a senior citizen. And Luke Walton is Luke Walton.

[randymoss1881]

Yeah, let's trade him and get some crappy pick so we can draft a young, raw, athletic big man who may, or may not, develop into a decent NBA player.

or we can grab a waiters, zeller, or irving. Thats pretty good scout job right there

[Dungong]

I didnt think we'd have a worse bench this year than last year after getting two solid guys in the draft, but these guys are atrocious. Casspi's regression has been remarkable. "Big" FA signing CJ Miles is a total let down so far. And with Zeller out the bench bigs are a useless bunch.

The good news is that you can actually sign a decent bench in FA signings if you want to any given year, and a team only needs to really be 8 deep, so even though it seems that theres a whole army of incapable dudes chomping at the bit to lose any given game in a new way, theres really only two pieces missing from having decent depth.

Also, was anyone else wondering to themselves how Stackhouse is still playing then entire game?

[Tornicade]

I dont think Casspi has really been given a real shot. one game and tidbit minutes here and there isnt going to allow him to get into any flow.

Give casspi ten to fifteen minutes a game for 5-10 games and then do an evaluation on him.

[Len]

I dont think Casspi has really been given a real shot. one game and tidbit minutes here and there isnt going to allow him to get into any flow.

Give casspi ten to fifteen minutes a game for 5-10 games and then do an evaluation on him.

What about last years sample size?

[Green Lantern]

Scott said Varejao, gee and Gibson are the only ones who play defense. ultimately giving up the worse FG % in the league is why the cavs are where they are. the bench offensive production may be an eyesore but the overall team defense is what is losing games.

So no name (Irving ) was left off..some were clamoring that Scott favors KI..not so.
However I know about defense..and as Scott said it's mental..you have to want to play it. It's a mindset.
There are no gritty D-minded players on this roster save AV.
Now to me that goes to Grant who has to bring in some strong defensive presence.

[CavsFaninNJ]

Also, was anyone else wondering to themselves how Stackhouse is still playing then entire game?

I wondered that at the same time that I wondered how Blatche can shit on us

[Huber.]

Good idea. I'll feel like a winner if I watch the blowout from home instead

You're welcome.

[CavsFaninNJ]

You're welcome.

Thanked and... Thanked, literally. Good call. I fell asleep at halftime.

Ill judge whether to head way down to philly (my second home) or not to see dion's homecoming by saturday's game. But they're too risky right now. Might just play it safe and watch on tv.