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After the departure of the King himself, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been an absolute eye soar on the NBA hardwood. Since losing LeBron James, it’s like the whole organization is still flabbergasted. I know you’re going to jump on me and say that James was the franchise and his presence and play on the court was what Cleveland was all about. I know that. I get it. What I don’t get is how, after losing such a commodity, talent and icon can you just sit back and bicker about it.

The way James left the Cavaliers can and will be talked about for years to come. What’s not really brought up is how management and Dan Gilbert just sat there as if it were a made for television special and watched in awe. Instead of possibly being active in the trade/free agent market there was little if any desire to patch up the huge hole James left. Now, the guy I feel for on the short end of the stick of all this has to be Byron Scott. First year coaching in Cleveland and the Cavs were able to put up 57 points in an absolute buzz saw loss to the Lakers.

Lets take a look. First and foremost who did Cleveland go out and get that could possibly help their chances of at least competing this season in the Central Division let alone the Eastern Conference itself? No one. Here’s what I see. Mo Williams, Daniel “BOOBIE” Gibson, Anthony Parker, J.J. Hickson, Antawn Jamison, Joey Graham, Samardo Samuels, Anderson Varejao, Ryan Hollins and Jamario Moon. Well, that roster right now holds the worst record in the NBA at 8-30 and doesn’t look like it’s going to get much better for the Cleveland fans. Who can you possibly build around from those names that would actually make a competitive statement on a nightly basis? I don’t see any. Jamison is getting up there in age and has had a series of injury notes the past few years. Williams is the point guard who needs to score and provide the offensive punch, but is a bit inconsistent. So I won’t go with that scenario. J.J. Hickson, the best bet because he’s a young talent, but he averages just 10 points and five rebounds per. The rest speaks for itself and it certainly shows on the floor.

So maybe this is a huge wake up call for the Cavaliers franchise and Mr. Gilbert because at this point in time not even a life line could help out the hand of cards being dealt their way. Unless the draft is friendly and the free agent market is tested and I mean heavily tested, the Cavaliers are not going to be competing in the Eastern Conference this year or maybe next.

Peace Up, Threes Down

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By Brian Gray – Blogger, Jabberhead, SJ Contributing Author

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