Cleveland Rocks - '95 Season Preview
Feb 10, 2018 23:27:16 GMT
Post by saspurs on Feb 10, 2018 23:27:16 GMT
Cleveland hired an interim GM to try and revise the team, who has consistently been a 40-47 win team in the 90s. Good, but not great. Only five players were under contract, however, only ~7.5m was available in the FA market (GM decided to protect Walt Williams). So the first half of free agency went by, and Cleveland saw PG John Stockton still out there under the 8 figures range. We then renounced The Wizard, and did land John Stockton to lock in the PG position. We gambled then and dealt C Brian Williams to get $5.25m in cap space, to try and land a starting wing. Larry Bird was offered, but accepted 80% less from LAL, and unfortunately almost all the wings (15 in total) signed in round 17, which left Cleveland scramble. We got Detlef Schrempf who has good overall skills, sans defense, so the wing with him and Marques will be the pain point for the season. We hated to see Walt Williams go, as he was a consistent scorer for the team. But Stockton was too good to pass up. Will they make moves up the standings??
Returning Players
Roy Tarpley: The current moniker for the team......consistent dominating inside man, that will get 20-12-3 per game. Some discipline issues, but Cavs want him to be aggressive all the time.
Nick Anderson: With the Wizard gone, Nick will be expected to increase his offensive production. Very good SG with skills on both ends.
Marques Johnson: Easily the Cavs all-time GAH player......he couldn't be let go. Like Bernard in Denver, Marques needs to finish his career in Cleveland. For nostalgia, he will be the starter, but truly play ~18-20 minutes tops, sharing time with Schrempf. Most likely his final year in GAH, so Cavs fans come out to thank him for the career he gave the town.
Andrew Lang: Lang is a solid defensive big man. Will protect the paint, blocks shots, and give fouls. Given the rookie C, should see time as both him and 'Tag will have foul trouble often
Anderson Hunt: A guy that needs time to develop, Hunt could be a long time bench player. Has many good skills, mostly offensive, but can (with minutes) become a good option.
Greg Grant: Backup to Humphries last year, the very small point guard can handle and pass well. Defense is a huge drawback. Will battle Brooks to be backup to Stockton.
Drafted Rookies
Greg Ostertag: Big man with very good defensive skills. Will start now that Brian Williams was dealt. Should do what we need....protect the paint and let Tarpley worry more on offense.
Chris Whitney: Interesting 2nd round player. Has lights out 3-point skills, but not much else, and won't make the team. Maybe he can develop in DBL.
Players Signed In FA
John Stockton: Expected this guy to be signed for 15m per by someone and be off the FA pile by round 3. I couldn't wait any longer after round 7, and made moves to up the available cap, and used it all to get him. Maybe overpay, but Cavs have him now for the remainder of his career. Has every skill set you want at PG, sans the one...discipline. If he can average ~34mpg on court, I think we can be a successful team.
Craig Ehlo: Average SG with 3-pt skills, and the rest just 'glue guy' ratings. Will probably be 2nd at SG depth all year. Called on to defend MJ for the 'final shot' if we meet them in playoffs! (former real Cav)
Detlef Schrempf: Not looked at until we lost out on all the other SF options. But Detlef is not a bad player to have, and moving him to SF should work for the numbers he has. Good overall skills....but under-par on defense. Will get most of the SF minute son court to start season.
Roy Hinson: Inside post scorer with rebounding and blocking skills. Good backup option to Tarpley when fouls mount. (former real Cav)
Chris Mills: Decent numbers for a SF.....and although 3rd in depth, could easily jump in for minutes if we are struggling. (former real Cav)
Melvin Turpin: Liked his game in San Antonio when called upon. Works on both ends. Should hopefully help Ostertag develop, and will be used more if Tartly has any injury time for inside offense. (former real Cav)
Scott Brooks: Good handles but mediocre everywhere else. Basically brought in to help in Bulls games to control the ball and not give up 30 TOs.
Players Traded
Brian Williams: Very Solid C with skills on both ends, but was dealt to get cap room, as we already had a logjam at C. Could turn out to be a bad move long term, but the deal was done.
Players Not Returning
Jay Humphries: Had a good three years in Cleveland. Very much like Stockton in ways. But we decided to go a new route. Humphries of course probably landed gold by signing with the Bulls.
Johnny Moore: Reaching end of his career. Didn't see court much for Cavs
Walt Williams: Will the Wizard flourish in Detroit? Looks like he will be back to a bench player in Mo-Town. We wish him well
Adrian Caldwell: Mostly rebound/defense and nothing else. Found new depth for PF and he was not needed.
James Edwards: Once a all-star...he is now just collecting checks.
Overall Guesstimate: This team will go as far as Stockton can take them, meaning he needs to stay on the court and not suffer foul issues. Chicago is going to be ridiculously good again..and defense for them is staggering. They should win division again, and Indy should keep tabs on second. We should battle for a playoff spot at least, and maybe can find some luck if the starters gel.
Proposed Starting Lineup: Greg Ostertag - Roy Tarpley - Marques Johnson - Nick Anderson - John Stockton
ljw
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