Coach Brown, Meet Cedric Jackson
January 27, 2010Cavs 109, T-Wolves 95: Just Like Old Times
January 28, 2010While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.
Sometime Thursday morning or early afternoon, the All-Star reserves will be getting a phone call or e-mail letting them know they’re invited to Dallas next month.
Mo Williams is hopeful, but after what happened last year, he’s not going to wait by his BlackBerry. His numbers are roughly the same as a year ago, his scoring slightly down but his assists slightly up as he facilitates more when Shaquille O’Neal on the team.
But after last season, when the Cavs also had the best record in the league at this point and he was passed over, Williams can’t help but expect a snub.
“To be honest, I’m expecting not to make it,” Williams said. “I’ve learned to expect the worst. I’ve been in this situation before. My hopes are not high, I’ll tell you that.” [Brian Windhorst]
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The Big League Stew Blogbook for the Cleveland Indians [‘Duk/Big League Stew]
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OSU Draft prospects… “[Thaddeus Gibson] added a solid 30-35 lbs to his frame since high school. This tells me he can keep adding weight if a team finds a need for DE. Everyone and their mother is claiming Gibby will be an OLB though – his combo of speed, size, and athleticism will be perfect for a 3-4 system. I always like seeing high school specs – 400 squat, 325 bench, vertical 35…and all on a 205 lb frame. As Law Buck pointed out, everyone knew he was gone after this year, but we can only surmise why. Maybe a combination of OSU’s success, his impending graduation in June, and the fact that outstanding athleticism will get you upped on draft boards quickly.” [Rivalry Esq.]
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The 8 Most Ridiculous Rotation Players of The LeBron Era: Part One [Cavs the Blog]
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And finally, “Paul Hoynes, I don’t think your stupid. You may enjoy the occasional chicken wing and miss out on something, like scooping Castrovince, which is fine. But some of the stuff that is the result of pen hitting pad is downright stupid. I appreciate the objectivity. Contrary to what many believe, the idea of a beat-writer or someone following the home team isn’t to be a hometown writer. I get it. But the season is going to be longer than the ice age? You are taking people to task with comedy so much, I have no clue if you are joking. If you realistically believe that we suck and that there is no hope. Because I believe there is hope. Hope sucks and it’s very small, granted, but in the AL Central, in baseball in general, anything is possible.” [Tribe Daily]
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Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
19 Comments
Love the Cavs the Blog piece. Eric Williams? really? I didnt even remember he played
I remember being so excited when the Cavs got Tony Battie. Then how disappointed I was about 2 weeks later.
I wonder if Damon Jones and Larry Hughes are going to make the list. Hmmmm…
Is Mo even going to be back from his shoulder injury by the All-Star game? I think he deserves to be on the team, I’m just saying…
One year ago I would never have believed I would be saying this, but…
What about Andy for the all-star game? Highest +/-, mentioned as potential DPOY, etc etc.
It will never happen because he doesn’t fit some presupposed mold, but his play warrants that he at least be added to the conversation.
@Swig
I definitely think he’s one of the best PFs in the league right now, but it’ll be tough for him to get into the All-Star game. If Chris Bosh is listed a PF (as he should be) then he’s going to get one of the reserve spots right there. Then you’re probably looking at a competition with Josh Smith and Gerald Wallace who do very obvious things for their team, and David Lee who, in my mind, is the only worthwhile player on the Knicks and who has been getting a lot of press.
I’m not saying any of those people (aside from Bosh) definitely should be on there in front of Andy, I’m just saying that’s probably going to be the conversation and since Andy does so many things that only show up in the +/- box and that aren’t flashy… it’s a long shot imo.
Totally agree Swig. Andy is deserving and I would love to see Andy in the All-Star game taking charges and playing hardcore D just to go against the grain and style of play in the game.
No links to Krolik please…he no goodz…
Thanks EZ, I don’t pay much attention to the rest of the league, thus failed to recognize the depth.
To counter-point (like oppie said) he can D up and minimize the impact from any of those players (except for Bosh). The issue being all that gets noticed for an all star game selection is points, rebounds, and flashy D like steals and blocks.
Anderson Varejao in the All-Star game, am I back on Cavs Fanatics.com or what? C’mon people I know the Cavaliers are winning and playing great despite missing Mo and Delonte but lets come down from that high and back to some reality. The fact is the Cavaliers have one All-Star, one All-World and that is LeBron James. Mo Williams is the next nearest player to an All-Star but he’s hurt so forget about it. He might be named but he won’t play. This is why Ferry needs to go out and bring in another stud/All-Star because no matter how great LeBron James is he can’t beat a playoff team nearly single handedly. See last year as proof!
Anderson Varajao is the best defensive forward in the Eastern Conference, period and is always a threat for a double double. I don’t understand why it’s unreasonable for him to be in the All-Star discussion.
The only reason people don’t view Andy as an All-Star b/c he’s not an offensive threat from the standpoint that he can’t create his own shots like a Bosh, Duncan, David West. On the defensive, there isn’t a better PF in the eastern conference and that shouldn’t be overlooked. Andy as an All-Star is without a doubt a reality, especially because he’s in the discussion for 1st Team All-Defense as well as Defensive Player of the Year by some.
The reason he won’t be in consideration is because the All-Star game is about high scoring, flashy dunks, and highlight reel passes and not about taking charges, hedging screens and protecting the rim. The game is about offense, offense, offense because that’s what the people want to see so those players are featured more times than not.
Hey I love what Andy brings to the Cavaliers as much as anyone but I’m sorry he’s not an All-Star and he’s certainly not the best defensive forward in the league or in the East. By default that means he isn’t in the running for the defensive player of the year award or even first team all defense not off the bench. I think people need to watch more basketball and appreciate other teams and players other then just their own. If you want to discuss Varejao for the sixth man award then that is different but I don’t see him winning that award either.
I realize it was only a mid-season award, but that’s 1 vote for DPOY right there, so people are obviously considering him as a potential candidate, which also puts him in the mix for 1st Team All-Defense.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100125
Per John Hollinger: ESPN
“Defensive Player of the Year: Anderson Varejao, Cleveland
Varejao has always been among the game’s best frontcourt defenders, but have you seen the guy this season? He’s moved beyond the Raggedy Andy flopfest of recent years to become a court-roving defensive monster. The shift in the game toward stretch 4s and pick-and-roll guards has only increased his value, as his freakish mobility for his size makes him one of the few players capable of both defending the post and smothering quick guards on switches.
A perfect example came against Portland on Jan. 10, with the Cavs nursing a six-point lead and less than four minutes left. Brandon Roy came off the pick-and-roll looking to explode to the rim, just like he’s done a thousand times before, but Varejao made the switch so quickly that Roy went right into his chest. Roy was stymied and stunned, dribbled the ball off his leg and out of bounds, and the Cavs were well on their way to leaving the building with a victory.
His value goes far deeper than one play, of course. According to basketballvalue.com, Varejao has the best adjusted defensive plus/minus in the league at minus-11.5 points per 100 possessions, which in rough terms means the Cavs are below average without him on the court and the best in the league when he’s on it. And unlike a lot of the Cavs’ plus/minus differences, this one wasn’t built on LeBron James’ coattails; Varejao spends much of his playing time with the second unit.
Several other players merit consideration here. Dwight Howard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has been no slouch, Ron Artest has quietly excelled in L.A., and Atlanta’s Josh Smith and Boston’s Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo all are worth a look. But in my book, none has been as good as Varejao so far this season.”
@boogeyman
“and he’s certainly not the best defensive forward in the league or in the East. ”
If you’re going to make that statement, and imply that I don’t pay attention to other teams in the league, please also include who you think plays better defense at the forward position?
The All-Star point is moot now, though, that Bosh and Wallace are rumored to be the reserve forwards.
Regardless of reality, until he retires KG will be thought of as the best defensive PF in the east. And he is a very good defensive PF.
@EZ really you want me to go through and provide a list because I know I can come up with one the problem is it’ll just be my opinion just like yours about Varejao being one of the best defending PFs. I don’t have as much of an issue with Andy being regarded as one of the better defensive PFs but certainly not Defensive Player of the Year caliber. And I’ll argue all day everyday that Varejao isn’t an All-Star PF. Btw I didn’t single anyone out when I said “I think people need to watch more basketball and appreciate other teams and players other then just their own” that was a general statement so if you responded to that then that’s on you not me.
LOL at Tribe Daily ripping Paul Hoynes’ writing and using “your” instead of “you’re” in the first sentence. Not saying he’s wrong, just enjoying that.