2011-12 Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
Things couldn’t have gone much worse for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first season without the services of LeBron James. The Cavaliers finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 19-63. They set an NBA record with 26 straight losses in the midst of a 8-45. It was a difficult season for the fans and everyone involved with the organization, including first year head coach Byron Scott.
The immediate future doesn’t look great, but there is reason to be excited for Cavaliers fans. Thanks to mid-season trade that sent Mo Williams to the Clippers, the Cavaliers got the Clippers 1st round pick, which just so happened to be No. 1 overall. They locked up Duke’s sensational point guard Kyrie Irving and added some depth inside by using their other first round pick (No. 4 overall) on Texas forward Tristan Thompson. These two are the building blocks going forward, but it will likely take some time before they turn this team around.
Irving figures to come in and start right away and become the focal point of what the Cavaliers do offensively. The key to his success in his rookie season will be his ability to not only create shots for himself but get the others around him good locks. The addition of Irving will move Ramon Sessions into the backup role, despite a strong finish to last season. Sessions averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 assists last year, but some wonder how effective he will be in a reserve role.
Thompson is talented enough to start right away, but figures to play behind veteran Antawn Jamison to start the season. Jamison is a big question mark for the Cavaliers this season. He led the team in scoring at 18.0 ppg, but was a major liability on the defensive end.
Anderson Varajao will open the season at center after playing in just 31 games last year. Varajao plays extremely hard on the defensive end and is solid on the boards. However, if Cleveland is going to surprise at all this season, he has to stay healthy.
The Cavaliers traded away talented forward j.J. Hickson for former first round pick Omri Casspi, who is expected to come in and start right away at small forward. Casspi averaged right around double figures in his two seasons with the Sacramento Kings. The hope is that he can take that next step and become a big contributor as a full-time starter.
The starting small guard spot will be handled by either Anthony Parker or Daniel Gibson. It seems like the ideal situation would be to start Parker and use Gibson’s scoring ability off the bench.
Prediction – 5th Eastern Conference Central Division: I don’t think there is any doubt the Cavaliers will be a better overall team than they were a year ago, but I don’t know that their record will show it. I believe the potential is there for the Bucks to finish as high as 3rd in the division, as I’m not exactly impressed with what Milwaukee or Detroit has to offer. A more realistic approach has me thinking that the Cavaliers will struggle early with a rookie running the show and continue to get better as the season goes on.
Find out where we have all 30 NBA teams finishing in our 2011-12 NBA Predictions article.
If you are looking to make some money this NBA season, be sure to check out what Steve Janus has to offer. Steve finished No. 7 overall in the NBA last year, thanks in large part to a 37-17 run towards the end of last season!
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