The latest chatter from the Cavaliers' hard court from the perspective of Steve Michalovich
The Cleveland Cavaliers through the First Month of the Season – 11-28-07
Questions were alarming entering the season, but fans should be happy with early results
The uncertainty was certainly there. After the Cleveland Cavaliers made it to their first ever NBA Finals, the team seemed to unravel into dysfunction.
Their embarrassing opening loss to Dallas 92-74 to open the season on October 31 only accented what many across the country considered a team in disarray.
The summer was filled with desperate trade talks to remove Larry Hughes and his bloated salary, unpleasant contract disputes with two key components, Damon Jones soliciting to be moved, and a somewhat unhappy LeBron James.
Top it all off with General Manager Danny Ferry making practically no moves to give The James Gang more options – more specifically, backcourt help - in an ever-improving Eastern Conference, and this franchise endured a lapse of time no one could have predicted.
And who can forget James’ over-publicized showing at the Indians playoff game against the Yankees sporting a New York cap.
Not the kind of off-season Cleveland fans wanted to see after they seemed poised for another title run.
Sasha Pavlovic is back on the court and producing, while Anderson Varejao remains unsigned. His absence is greatly impairing the Cavs bench, as Varejao was the spark that fueled Cleveland’s motor. The oft-injured Hughes remains, but has been a non-factor with a bruised leg. Pavlovic’s presence has been even more of a godsend filling in swimmingly. Jones is getting minutes and appears happy, but Donyell Marshall will be out for about eight more weeks due to injury, limiting the frontcourt versatility. Eric Snow – another unsuccessful ploy at trade bait – is back healthy and should provide some veteran leadership. And the one move that Ferry did make – Devin Brown – has been a nice addition.
What does this all mean? Well, at 9-6, this season, with all of its adversity, has been a success.
Riding a current four-game winning streak and with their longest road trip out of the way, it’s respectable where they’re at. With no help from 2006-07 mainstays Hughes, Marshall, Varejao and Snow, James, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Daniel Gibson, Pavlovic, and Brown are meshing well. Tuesday night’s overtime win against possible Eastern Conference powerhouse Boston was refreshing to watch.
Fans should be mildly pleased, but not ecstatic. Some pieces need to come together, the team needs to continue to grow together and most importantly, LeBron James needs to continue at the tear he it at. His 31.7 points a game are by far tops in the league.
Bottom line: this season may be a rollercoaster ride, but if the puzzle assembles properly, we may see the Cavs playing in June.