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| Thursday, September 13 Users: With Ilgauskas, Cavs can play ESPN.com |
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People forget, but the Cleveland Cavaliers won 47 games only three seasons ago. Of course, that was the last time Zydrunas Ilgauskas played more than a handful of games. The Cavaliers have a future star in point guard Andre Miller, as most agree, but will they have their center? It could be the biggest key to whether the Cavs can win more than they lose.
Your Cavs Feedback If Ilgauskas can stay healthy and all of the other players contribute with decent numbers, the Cavs could very well be a playoff team. Andre Miller is the star of the future for that team, and will make everyone else better. He could be an All-Star if he can get some production from his teammates. The East doesn't have a lot of good centers, and Ilgauskas could put up big numbers if he stays healthy. The Cavs could very well be the surprise team in the East.
Brian Nelson
The question should be when the Cavaliers are going to trade for a pure shooter to accompany the surprisingly solid Andre Miller. And with the health of Ilgauskas in doubt, Chris Mihm and Michael Doleac will have to break out of their dime-a-dozen shell. If the Cavaliers do a little wheeling and dealing and find guys who can score consistently outside of their point guard, then, yes, I think they are a playoff team.
Chris Chellis
Even with a healthy Ilgauskas the Cavs are not playoff bound. Sorry. They just don't have the right mix of talent to get the job done. When was the last time this team had a real superstar? Mark Price? Of course there's no denying Miller's talent, but how long is he going to want to play on a team full of rehashed veterans? Cleveland should give this squad one more go and if it doesn't pan out, cut their losses and start over. Maybe trade for a high spot in the draft or they could see if Arvydas Sabonis might donate one of his good feet to Ilgauskas.
Matt Barrett
There is a good chance that if Ilgauskas DOES stay fit, and doesn't get any trouble with his feet, they will be a big contender for probably the seventh or eighth spot in the East. But I don't like the chances of him staying healthy, especially with the way that left foot of his keeps on getting injured. After saying that, thinking about who will play center doesn't really look good for the Cavs. Their best option, Michael Doleac, isn't really a great center, and his numbers last year weren't very hot. However, the preseason acquisitions of Tyrone Hill and Jumaine Jones from the Sixers is definitely a good thing. Hill is a great rebounder and Jones is definitely set to be a star in the future.
David
The Cavs are a playoff team if they get rid of Ilgauskas, and start trying to develop some of their younger big men. I have been a Cavs fan for 15 years, and "Big Z" has been holding them back for at least the last four. They need to realize that he is a lost cause, and start looking for answers in different places. I suppose as fans this will have to be one thing we just need to wait out.
Jon Cross
If Ilgauskas can play, are the Cavs a playoff team? That sounds more like a joke than a question to me. With Ilgauskas, the way he has shown that he can play, the Cavs are in the top four in the East. Miller and Z are stars, and everybody else on the team -- although potentially not even solid starters, are good contributors.
Ran Flasterstein
If Ilgauskas returns and is able to return to form and continue his progression as a top 5 NBA center then the Cavs are no doubt a playoff team. When he was a rookie the Cavs won 47 games with Shawn Kemp and the rest of the starting lineup consisting of Cedric Henderson (rookie), Wesley Person and Brevin Knight (rookie). That team had Vitaly Potapenko, Danny Ferry, Bob Sura and Derek Anderson coming off the bench playing major roles. Now, other than Derek Anderson you can barely give those players away and none of them are NBA starters. The bottom line is that Ilgauskas is a difference maker when he is on the court. It is proven out by the Cavs winning percentage when he does and doesn't play regardless of the other four players on the court.
M. Young
Why are we even discussing "IF Ilgauskas can play?" There is no reason whatsoever to think that he can stay healthy. This guy breaks his feet tying his shoe! ONE season out of the last five with more than 24 games? And all because of broken feet?? Yo, Ilgauskas! GOT MILK?
Jason Hsu
Maybe last year, but with the dramatic steps forward taken by some of the East's other non-playoff teams, such as Atlanta, Boston and New Jersey, as well as the expected improvement of Indiana, the Cavs wouldn't have even a remote chance at making the playoffs this year. I say that even operating on the assumption that they will have a fully loaded and healthy roster for all 82 games. They just aren't good enough. Although the additions of Jumaine Jones and Tyrone Hill (an excellent trade) help, this still is undoubtedly the least athletic team in the East and perhaps the league. In addition to this lack of athleticism, the team lacks veteran leadership and significant playoff (or even playoff contention) experience. The best thing that can happen to the future of the Cavs franchise is to finish just ahead of the Bulls, which is exactly what is going to happen.
Robert Duckels
I believe that the Cavs have a pretty good chance of making the playoffs if they stay healthy. They would have to get it earning a lower seed. The key for them is obviously Miller, but I believe that the ex-Sixers have to step it up. If Jumaine Jones and Tyrone Hill have good seasons, then they will have a good season. I look for Jumaine Jones to be that second or third scorer for them.
Samm
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