New Grind in Seattle; Milt Bradley Packs his Bags
October 16, 2010Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Wild (Game #4)
October 16, 2010It’s a long held principle of successful basketball that the man required to protect the paint and intimidate opposing penetrators cannot be named Loren. Thus, Loren Woods got the ax yesterday as the Cavaliers round out their roster as the season rapidly approaches. Woods had been out of the league for the past few years and was not expected to make the final roster. He made little impact in preseason camp and saw limited action in only one game. It was only a matter of time before the Cavaliers released him.
The roster is now down to 16 and only one more cut remains before the Cavs will have their roster set for the 2010-11 campaign. It appears that this final spot will be filled by either Danny Green or Manny Harris. Green has seen limited action this preseason while Harris has flourished under Byron Scott and his uptempo style. Harris is averaging 10.5 points in about 20 minutes per game this season. He has looked solid over the past week against both Dallas and San Antonio and provides enough range from outside that he would appear to be a legitimate option when the games actually start to matter during the regular season.
Harris, at 6’5, is a bigger guard who has always provided instant offense whether it was throughout his college career in Ann Arbor or during the various summer leagues and preseason camps. His ability to shoot from deep and reliability at the free throw line combine with his size to make him an NBA talent. Even though we are talking about players at the margins here, I think Harris has a future on an NBA roster.
Green has not made much impact at the professional level, although he has had limited opportunity as the Cavaliers chased a championship last season. The 2nd round pick out of UNC also has deep range and NBA level athleticism and will likely stick in the league at the end of the bench regardless of whether that is with the Cavaliers or not. I’d like to see Green get more of an opportunity in the remaining week of the preseason. He got a DNP-CD against Dallas and played only 7 minutes against San Antonio.
With both Anthony Parker and Antawn Jamison out tonight, along with the previously sidelined Mo Williams and Andy Varejao, the reserves should have plenty of opportunity to showcase their abilities tonight. With Woods now out, I expect Harris to fill the final roster spot with a chance to contribute come November.
5 Comments
Kinda sucks not to see a 2nd round draft choice ever get any burn with us and to give up on him after only a year. I would hate to see him go on to be Shannon Brown 2 with another team. But, Harris has impressed. It seems the writing’s on the wall for Green. Oh well.
Another great draft pick that doesn’t appear to pan out. Also so much for Woods being a big man who could help. The Cavaliers have nothing in the frontcourt so they better run, run like the wind!
Let’s be honest, Shannon Brown is way more athletic than Danny Green, and always had a higher ceiling. Green’s ceiling is as a role player who can come off the bench and hit a 3-pointer. He’s not a defensive stopper. He doesn’t clean the glass. He can’t really create his own shot and isn’t a big-time finisher at the rim. I think he has a place in this league as a shooter, but his shot will need to improve over time. I have to believe that Harris has already earned the spot over Green in Byron Scott’s mind. I can’t but help to be intrigued by Christian Eyenga… for a guy who is supposed to be a terrible shooter, he has seemed to hit his 3-point shots with consistency this preseason.
manny harris is the man!
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