NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Need Inside Presence for Byron Scott's Offense
The Cleveland Cavaliers have never recovered from the LeBron James Saga. They are now a younger team looking to build their way back. The Cavs have one of the worst records in the league and haven't established a new leadership core post-LeBron.
At 8-21, they need a new direction. In addition, they hope to find an inside presence, one that suits coach Byron Scott's offense. With the trade deadline still two months away, GM Dan Gilbert will look to grant Scott's wish true. In order to do so, Gilbert needs to acquire a post-up player to dominate the inside game. For the time being, no big man on the Cavs' roster will suffice.
The post is an important part of Scott's Princeton offense. Yet, it's also a void that's been unfulfilled for him throughout his coaching career. Previously in New Jersey and New Orleans, Scott didn't have that envied post player there either.
It's pretty clear that the NBA has long been dominated by big men. Teams that possess that one dominant big man are usually better suited and their records show. Looking throughout NBA history, title teams almost always have won with dominance inside. Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'Neal, etc.
The Cavs' recent 10-game losing streak has been more than dreaded. Though they were expected to struggle without King James, the severity of it wasn't what they anticipated. Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson are serviceable at best inside but they're far from "dominant" big men.
Without the post presence that Scott is looking for, the team will continue to flounder. It's not the system nor the talent though because both are in place.
Currently, it appears as if the Knicks (already interested in Carmelo Anthony and Andre Iguodala) could be looking to add both Verejao and sharpshooter Daniel Gibson as a Plan B or C. Eddy Curry, although injured, and Anthony Randolph come to mind as potential trade pieces. If Curry's healthy, he could be that inside presence. But at this point, even that's a stretch.
One thing is for sure though. This system can't be a success in Cleveland without a premier inside player.
