Cleveland Cavaliers: Preview and Predictions for 2010-2011 Season

Starting Lineup/Rotations                                      

PG Mo Williams                                                      

SG Anthony Parker                                                  

SF Jamario Moon                                                    

PF J.J Hickson                                                        

C Anderson Varejao                                                

Backups

PG Ramon Sessions

SG Daniel Gibson

SF Joey Graham

PF Antawn Jamison

C Ryan Hollins

Bench Warmers

Leon Powe*

Manny Harris

Christian Eyenga

Samardo Samuels

Jawad Williams*


*Will get minutes or playing time

The Offense

Now that Byron Scott is the head coach of the Cavaliers he will use a high-tempo running-style offense. This could be good for Cleveland and we will get to see what they can do with a different offense rather than standing around like they have for the past couple seasons.

Cleveland will score a lot of points and it will fit better to styles of players like Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions and Jamario Moon. The style could be a problem for players like Antawn Jamison, Leon Powe and some of other veterans though.

The Defense

Now Cavs fans, this is not the same D you saw when Mike Brown coached but it won't be as bad as Golden State's with Don Nelson. It will be a middle-of-pack defense that will give up anywhere from 99 to 105 points a game depending on how the scoring goes on certain nights. However, with the Cavs offense you will see games in the 110s or 115s.

Strength

I believe the Cleveland Cavaliers' best strength is their balance. That's right. They have veterans but also have a good amount of young talent. They can go big and they can go small. To me, a balanced team is a huge key to winning games

Weakness

The biggest problem Cleveland will have this year is having a guy to go to in the fourth quarter, and also winning games on the road. We all know the weakness is not having a guy like LeBron to bring you back into games and I don't know if Cleveland has any other players that can step up in that situation. Also winning road games will be tougher without a superstar to carry you on his back sometimes.

Key to Success: Byron Scott

If Coach Scott can get this team to play together with motivation like he is trying to then the Cleveland Cavaliers will be a pretty good basketball team. Cavs players need to have that hungry feeling to prove the doubters wrong. If not they will be a 30-win basketball team.

Breakout Players: J.J. Hickson and Jamario Moon

J.J. Hickson is very talented and now with LeBron gone will get to touch the ball more than ever and will prove to everyone why Cleveland drafted him. The same goes for Jamario Moon who is taking LeBron's spot in the offense and loves this offensive system. I expect a good year out of him.

Predictions

If they get off to a good start...

42-40 and eighth seed in the Eastern Conference

If they get off to a bad start...

Will trade veterans away

29-53 and a Lottery Pick