The Cleveland Cavaliers and Managing Expectations
The Cleveland Cavaliers are not going to make the playoffs. I think we all know that. They are in a five place tie for first place right now but that will likely be gone before the year expires. The team is rebuilding. There are only two players on the roster over thirty (Anthony Parker and Antawn Jamison) and they will likely be shipped off for draft picks by St. Patrick’s Day. The team is rebuilding. This club will play 66 games and will lose more than half of them. And that is okay.
If the desire of the fanbase was the determining factor in crowning a champion then northeast Ohio would be sick of parades. Unfortunately, talent always shines through and the Cavaliers are lacking in talent (remember, the team is rebuilding). So as the season approaches, Clevelanders are left with a curious problem – what should they expect overall from the Wine and Gold this season? While every person may hope to see different levels of progress and may measure such progress differently, I have a clear idea what I wish to see.
Here’s what I want this year:
1. The Cavs win more games than last year – 20 or more.
2. No one suffers a season-ending injury (I’m looking at you Varejao).
3. Over the course of the year, 15 positive plays make it into SportsCenter’s top 10.
4. One positive record is set (most blocks in a game, fewest turnovers, etc).
5. The team wins at least two overtime games.
6. Someone hits a buzzer beater.
7. Kyrie Irving and/or Tristan Thompson play(s) in the rookie vs. sophomore game at All-Star Weekend.
8. Anthony Parker and Antawn Jamison play well and are dealt for 2012 Draft picks.
9. The Cavs win a crucial game late in the season which seriously damages another team’s playoff hopes. For an example of this phenomenon, see “Schaudenfraude.”
10. The Cavs win on Jan. 24, Feb. 7, or Feb. 17. Three guesses who their opponent is those days.
11. The Lottery Gods are again kind, granting Cleveland another top 5 pick (or two).
Such a modest list may be a tough pill to swallow for many fans. It’s hard to believe that two years ago today we had Shaquille O’Neal on the roster, as well as that one guy from Akron, and were planning out where we would be watching Finals away games. One prime time special and 63 losses later those days are a memory. Many pundits wondered how the Cavaliers as an organization would recover. The answer is “slowly.” The SVSM alum was a once-in-a-generation kid but the Cavs did win games before he was drafted. I anticipate a return to the early 90’s style teams, in that it will be an actual team. There may not be as many isolation plays as before but now the team can step outside what’s-his-face’s shadow and develop their own game.
However, as good as the draft is, it is not a cure-all. Exhibit A: The Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves stopped being relevant on July 31, 2007 when they traded Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics for five players, two picks, cash, and the bar from “Cheers.” Since then Minnesota has been struggling to return to anything remotely resembling professional basketball. From 2008 to 2011, the Wolves picked 3rd, 4th, 5th, and second overall in the NBA Draft. Last year they won 17 games. They won 15 in 2009-10 and 24 in 2008-09. Clearly high positioning in a draft guarantees nothing on the court.
But let’s wait before calling ourselves the new Timberwolves. It’s going to be a long, ulcer-causing journey but we just need to be patient and manage our expectations. Don’t forget, the team is rebuilding.
Did I forget anything? Am I completely out of my mind? Sound off. You can reach the author @Corey_Barnes on the Twitter.
