There is only one other time I can remember this much panic surrounding a 60-win team: when Dallas was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs a few years ago by Golden State. Even that felt different. Maybe it’s Cleveland’s long-standing history with sports failures, or maybe it’s just nerves from LeBron James’ impending free agency. Whatever the reason, this much panic pretty much guaranteed that the Cavs would not stand pat and try it again next year with the same cast. That’s why it’s no surprise that Cleveland went for the biggest name available in Shaquille O’Neal. I’ve already discussed what I think of that deal, so I won't spend much time or energy going over it again here. Besides, this is about what the Cavs can do now that the trade for Shaq has been made.
For the Cavs, everything is about winning the title this year. Sure, in the draft they picked the guy from the Congo whose name I won't bother looking up. But next year's plan is simple: re-sign James and then figure everything else out. Ultimately LeBron's decision is out of the Cavs' hands, so all they can and should worry about it winning it all this year. They still have some work to do this summer to make that more likely:
1) Trade Anderson Varejao. The media consensus after the Cavs lost to Orlando seemed to be that Cleveland needed a more mobile, perimeter oriented 4 to match up with players like Rashard Lewis. While there is some truth to that, upgrading the 4 position should not be the Cavs' priority anymore. First, part of the reason that Cleveland's 4s had such a hard time guarding Lewis was because their centers were getting killed by Dwight Howard. While Shaq is getting up there in age, he's still about as strong as they come. The Cavs shouldn't have to help so much down low this season, which should ultimately help their perimeter defense as well. Second, there is a little known flaw in this roster that Danny Ferry built: Cleveland does not have a single player between 6'2" and 6'8" (or 6'9", whatever LeBron really is). Delonte West is currently their "big" guard, and LeBron their only option at the 3 other than Jawad Williams. Whatever deficiencies JJ Hickson and Darnell Jackson may have at the 4, the Cavs are in much better position shoring up their wings than they would be adding another power forward to the mix.
For the Cavs, everything is about winning the title this year. Sure, in the draft they picked the guy from the Congo whose name I won't bother looking up. But next year's plan is simple: re-sign James and then figure everything else out. Ultimately LeBron's decision is out of the Cavs' hands, so all they can and should worry about it winning it all this year. They still have some work to do this summer to make that more likely:
1) Trade Anderson Varejao. The media consensus after the Cavs lost to Orlando seemed to be that Cleveland needed a more mobile, perimeter oriented 4 to match up with players like Rashard Lewis. While there is some truth to that, upgrading the 4 position should not be the Cavs' priority anymore. First, part of the reason that Cleveland's 4s had such a hard time guarding Lewis was because their centers were getting killed by Dwight Howard. While Shaq is getting up there in age, he's still about as strong as they come. The Cavs shouldn't have to help so much down low this season, which should ultimately help their perimeter defense as well. Second, there is a little known flaw in this roster that Danny Ferry built: Cleveland does not have a single player between 6'2" and 6'8" (or 6'9", whatever LeBron really is). Delonte West is currently their "big" guard, and LeBron their only option at the 3 other than Jawad Williams. Whatever deficiencies JJ Hickson and Darnell Jackson may have at the 4, the Cavs are in much better position shoring up their wings than they would be adding another power forward to the mix.
For Cleveland to get something good, they will likely have to give something good, and Varejao is their best asset they can part with. Teams who might be interested in a sign-and-trade, depending on what Varejao is seeking, include Charlotte (for Raja Bell and filler), Oklahoma City (for either Desmond Mason or Damien Wilkins and filler), and Washington (with Andray Blatche or Nick Young paired with DeShawn Stevenson, if Stevenson and LeBron can get past their previous issues).
2) Play LeBron off the ball and at the 4 more. It sounds sort of funny with the minutes LeBron plays, but finding him a good backup might be the most important addition the Cavs can make this offseason. That's because finding someone else who can play the 3 is the key to Cleveland taking advantage of James' versatility. At somewhere over 6'8" and north of 260 pounds, LeBron can easily play either forward position. He also has the skills to play either guard position as well. From an athletic standpoint, James causes more matchup problems when he plays the 4 than he does at any other position. As strong as he is, Lebron does not really play in the post, which negates some of his physical advantages over guards. Plus, with Shaq in the lineup there isn't much room to post up anyway. Every 4 in the League would have a hard time keeping up with James' speed and likely would not have much of a size advantage if any, which is why the Cavs should find a way for LeBron to play some minutes at the 4 position. The problem is that you can't move LeBron to the 4 unless you have someone else who can play the 3 in his place.
Whether at the 3 or the 4, the other thing the Cavs need to do is play LeBron away from the ball more. In the playoffs when things got desperate, Mike Brown put Lebron at the top of the key in an isolation and told him to find a way to get it done. It worked for about 15 minutes of one game, but it's too much to ask any player to create everything for a team like that. What made Cleveland so dangerous and good in the regular season is that James was as much of a threat on the baseline as he was in the isolations at the top of the key. You were as likely to see LeBron cutting backdoor as you were to see him take someone off the dribble. The more you move LeBron around and play him away from the ball, the further out of position a defense has to stretch in order to double team him. The unpredictability of when and where he gets the ball makes James more difficult to cover, and the increased ball handling responsibilities should make players like Mo Williams and Delonte West more dangerous. One of the problems that both Cavs' guards ran into during the playoffs was that they were used inconsistently on the ball. There were times when Williams and West didn't touch the ball for four or five possessions at a time, and when they did their job was to get the ball to James. It is difficult enough to score in the NBA, much less when your primary responsibilities do not involve playing aggressively to try and score.
Having Shaq also helps a lot in this regard. The Cavs can now throw the ball down into the low block and turn James into more of a slasher. If Cleveland can find a 3 who can shoot and they play James at the 4, how do you double Shaq? You can't come off Williams and West because they shoot too well. It would be suicide to double off of Lebron. So it's important that whoever Cleveland plays at the 3 can shoot.
No matter how bad they looked in the playofffs against Orlando, Cleveland has a shot to win it all next year. Any team with LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and a bunch of shooter will always have a shot. But Cleveland needs to get some wings into the lineup to balance its roster and take advantage of LeBron's unique size. Otherwise, that hole between 6'2" and 6'8", where some of the prolific scorers in the League are, will be too much to overcome.
Whether at the 3 or the 4, the other thing the Cavs need to do is play LeBron away from the ball more. In the playoffs when things got desperate, Mike Brown put Lebron at the top of the key in an isolation and told him to find a way to get it done. It worked for about 15 minutes of one game, but it's too much to ask any player to create everything for a team like that. What made Cleveland so dangerous and good in the regular season is that James was as much of a threat on the baseline as he was in the isolations at the top of the key. You were as likely to see LeBron cutting backdoor as you were to see him take someone off the dribble. The more you move LeBron around and play him away from the ball, the further out of position a defense has to stretch in order to double team him. The unpredictability of when and where he gets the ball makes James more difficult to cover, and the increased ball handling responsibilities should make players like Mo Williams and Delonte West more dangerous. One of the problems that both Cavs' guards ran into during the playoffs was that they were used inconsistently on the ball. There were times when Williams and West didn't touch the ball for four or five possessions at a time, and when they did their job was to get the ball to James. It is difficult enough to score in the NBA, much less when your primary responsibilities do not involve playing aggressively to try and score.
Having Shaq also helps a lot in this regard. The Cavs can now throw the ball down into the low block and turn James into more of a slasher. If Cleveland can find a 3 who can shoot and they play James at the 4, how do you double Shaq? You can't come off Williams and West because they shoot too well. It would be suicide to double off of Lebron. So it's important that whoever Cleveland plays at the 3 can shoot.
No matter how bad they looked in the playofffs against Orlando, Cleveland has a shot to win it all next year. Any team with LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and a bunch of shooter will always have a shot. But Cleveland needs to get some wings into the lineup to balance its roster and take advantage of LeBron's unique size. Otherwise, that hole between 6'2" and 6'8", where some of the prolific scorers in the League are, will be too much to overcome.
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