NLL Insider - Team by Team: Cleveland Cavaliers by vt, updated on Monday, October 27 2008, 01:38 am EST
Cleveland Cavaliers Review |
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2007-2008
Finish: 49-33
What went well
For the second season in a row, the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched their division. They played some strong basketball and the team is very, very deep. After spending a few seasons making virtually no moves, GM Alejandro splashed out and made the Cavalier a team of All-Stars.
Before the season kicked off, the Cavs sent paperweight Etan Thomas and up-and-coming Andrew Bynum to the Pistons for Emanuel Ginobili. With key free agents Chris Kaman, DeShawn Stevenson and Kirk Hinrich back in the fold, the Cavs were ready to compete again. With such a solid foundation, especially with Al Jefferson coming into his own, the Cavaliers looked like the team to beat in East.
Two weeks before the trading deadline, GM Alejandro made a deal that will irrevocably change the face of the Cavaliers forever. They sent off Ginobili, Mike Bibby, some picks and Zaza Pachulia to the Suns for Kevin Garnett. No more building for the future. The Cavs wanted to win it today.
What went bad
That didn’t happen. The Philadelphia 76ers stopped the team cold in a seven game squeaker in the Conference Finals. Were the three stars really worth KG? The team will never know. |
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The Stars
Al Jefferson, C -
Jefferson exploded in his first season as a starter for the Cavs. He averaged 28.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, netting the league’s Most Improved Player award. He is still unsigned, but as a restricted free agent he will definitely remain in Cleveland. Now he will make some real money and work just as hard to earn it.
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Monta Ellis, GF-
Ellis had an amazing season, but the offseason has been rough. The team has suspended him for 30 games for violating his upcoming new contract by getting into a moped accident. That accident overshadowed a great season. Hopefully, Ellis can rebound and play well again.
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Kevin Garnett, FC-
What are ridiculous season for KG. He played so well, but he was on the rosters of four teams! Something needs to be fixed in the NLL if this keeps happening to superstars. Now KG is unsigned. Will the Cavs bring him back?
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Looking to the future
The Cavs are in trouble with a capital T. The team comes in with about $30 million until reach the luxury cap. Now do the math KG ($24 million), Ellis ($11 million), Jefferson ($11 million). This doesn’t look good. The team has Chris Kaman buried on the bench and Kirk Hinrich and Andrei Kirilenko already making a mint. With new, tighter restrictions on the GMs, something’s gotta give in Cleveland.
At least the team has no rookies to worry about signing.
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