Q & A with WaitingForNextYear's Rick

Mark Travis: LeBron James, in my opinion, is the best all around player in the NBA. Do you agree?

Rick: We are biased in Cleveland of course, but I would agree that no other player has LeBron’s unique skill set. He moves and shoots like a guard, but has a build like a power forward.

MT: Over the past few years, LeBron hasn’t been as active as a passer, rebounder and defensive player as he is this year. What do you think his biggest improvement has been since his rookie season in the league? Is there anything you think he needs to continue o work on in his game?

Rick: Well, I don’t necessarily agree with your first assessment. His assist and rebound totals are right in line with the last two seasons. I believe his passing is more efficient this season because the players surrounding him are better than they have ever been. Anderson Varejao is really developing a nice pick and roll game with LeBron, and certainly having Mo Williams, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak spotting up for threes is better than Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones. Defensively there is a significant improvement. I believe that can be attributed to the time spent with the Olympic team. All those practices forced LeBron to be a better one on one defender. He always had the instincts to jump into the passing lanes, but this year he is much better. The attention is certainly being paid to his chase down blocks, but more credit needs to be given to his footwork. He is staying in front of smaller more agile defenders.

His biggest improvement since his rookie year? Really? Man, well his defense has to be the answer there, but only because he was an all-star caliber offensive player coming out of high school. He certainly has improved his game tremendously since then, but the defense is the biggest area.

There is plenty he can improve on. That’s what might be most frightening. His outside shot is still quite streaky. If LeBron could knock down three’s at a 38-40% clip (like Pierce or even Szczerbiak) that would be devastating. He still has plenty of room for improvement at the free throw line as well. But probably the easiest thing he could work on and perfect would be a low post game. Teams have to put someone smaller on him because of his speed and driving ability. If he learned to go to the block and perfect two or three moves?

MT: LeBron seems to be the leading candidate for this years MVP award. However, I think that if you take LeBron out of the lineup, the Cavs can still make the playoffs as a lower seed. On the contrary, if you take Chris Paul off the Hornets, they don’t come within 5 games of a .500 record. If the voters think of the MVP in that respect, do you think Chris Paul as the MVP is a mistake?

Rick: First, the Utah Jazz are currently sitting in the 9th spot in the West, 5 games over .500. They would be battling Miami for the 5th spot in the East. The Bucks are sitting in the last spot in the East 4 games under .500, so it’s kind of an apples to oranges comparison. The argument you make for Chris Paul is the same argument that could be made for LeBron for the last 4 years, but he hasn’t won the award yet.

MT: Can the Cavs beat the Lakers in a 7 game series if both teams are completely healthy?

Rick: Yes. Zydrunas can bang down low with Gasol. Varejao is much better when coming off the bench for his 28 minutes of furry, and Delonte West is our best perimeter defender. Z and Delonte were injured the last time the Cavs played L.A. In fact, the Cavs had beaten the Lakers in all four of their previous matchups.

MT: The Cleveland Browns disappointed last year to say the least. When I look at their team, I see a very good base. A solid young QB, with a second QB that can be used a trading chip. They have a stud wide receiver with Braylon Edwards and a reliable check down with Kellen Winslow. They have a rock in the defensive line with Shaun Rodgers and a play maker on special teams in Josh Cribbs. What do you think their biggest need is? Do you think they can fill this need in free agency or the draft? Who do you think the Browns should take with the 5th overall pick?

Rick: You didn’t see any Browns games not on MNF did you? I ask that because the Browns got half of their wins on Monday Night, and Braylon Edwards had almost half of his total yards for the season in those three games.

Derek Anderson should be moved in the offseason. Not that we are confident in Quinn, but we’ve seen enough of Derek. He still seems to have trade value as well. Shaun Rodgers played very well this season, but had no help on the D-Line. Corey Williams was a pretty big disappointment, but he played hurt and was being used in a different system (3-4) than he played in Green Bay. The Crennel 3-4 defense was predicated on the play of the linebackers, and they stunk quite frankly. D’Qwell Jackson is probably the only keeper in the group. Kameron Wimbley needs to be a defensive end in the 4-3 somewhere, and learn a few more moves. The secondary is young, and the verdict is still out on them. We will probably lose our best defensive back, safety Sean Jones to free agency.

What do we need? Linebackers, defensive backs, a running back, defensive linemen, and a wide receiver or two. Who do I think we will take? Good question. Given Eric Mangini’s track record of drafting Ohio State players, it wouldn’t surprise me if they took Malcolm Jenkins. Aaron Curry is the name probably most associated with the Browns if he falls there.

MT: If he slips to you, would you have a problem with the Browns taking the best player in the draft, Michael Crabtree?

Rick: So many needs might force the Browns to trade out of that pick, and they might find a motivated trader if Crabtree was available. If Edwards returns to form, Crabtree could give the Browns a Fitzgerald/Boldin type of combo however.