Tuesday, July 12, 2005

 

Zydrunas Ilgauskas remains a Cavalier

In response to Lugosh's post, and Z's recent signing, I'm giving the Cavs more room. Zydrunas is a good player. He can score, and while not a great defender, his length changes shots in the paint. Despite his reputation as fragile, Big Z has averaged 80 games per year and better than 30 minutes per game over the last three seasons. He can even step outside and shoot a 15 footer for you.

Cleveland just signed Z to a 5 year deal between $55 and $60 million. While a touch on the high side, Z just turned 30 and should be able to honor the contract with 5 legitimate seasons of quality play.

So where does that leave Cleveland?

C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, DeSagana Diop (is a Free Agent)
PF: Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejao
SF: Bron-Bron, Ira Newble, Aleksandar Pavlovic
SG: Larry Hughes, Luke Jackson
PG: Jeff McInnis (is a Free Agent), Eric Snow

Robert "Tractor" Traylor, Scott Williams, and Dujuan Wagner are also FA.

The Cavs definitely, DEFINITELY, need help at PG. But otherwise, they are good now - especially in the east. If Z stays healthy, he, and Varejao and Gooden can get it done up front. Varejao is one of those crazy Brazilian energy guys. Pavlovic proved to be a decent 3 point shooter. And I think Luke Jackson may be too, though he did not play enough last year to know. It is a shame that Cleveland had to give away their first round pick this year, in the year of the PG. But there will surely be someone available for them to take, or give the mid-level exemption to, that will definitely be better than either McInnis or Eric Snow.

Comments:
LeBron at the Point? Not a bad idea Lugosh. I think you'll see LeBron handle the ball plenty on offense, but you will need his length and ability to guard the SF on defense. That is where McInnis and Snow are real liabilities. Although if you moved LeBron to PG permanently - that would be a real interesting move.
 
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