It’s not always easy to keep perspective. Like when the 410 lb. orca whale purchasing $30-worth of Burger King for himself double-checks with the cashier that the soda he was served is Diet. But we here at Razzball know how difficult maintaining perspective can be, especially when you’re drunk and trying to sketch moving objects. So from now until the start of the season, we’re bringing you the 2010 Fantasy Team Previews, which will focus on each NBA team in hopes of painting a clearer fantasy picture. Who’s starting over who? Who might surprise you and who might make you want to hurl yourself off a bridge in a few months. Enjoy! Next up – The Cleveland Cavaliers
Gained – Bitterness, hatred, despair, Ramon Sessions
Lost – Shaquille O’Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West … that is all.
Probable position depth –
PG – Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions
SG – Anthony Parker, Daniel Gibson
SF – Jamario Moon, Joey Graham, Jawad Williams
PF – Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao, Leon Powe
C – J.J. Hickson, Ryan Hollins
3 Concerns Heading Into the Season –
1. Is there anyone who knows the pain of being a Cavalier better than Craig Ehlo at this point?
Probably. Ehlo at least made the playoffs five times in his seven-year tenure with the Cavs. This current crop of unfortunate bastards? They’ll be lucky to sniff 30 wins this season. From a fantasy pee-oh-vee, grab your Williamses, your Jamisons, maybe even your Hicksons, then get out and avoid looking over your shoulder at the mess that’s left. This team is going to be as sorrowful as the Nets were in the first half of last season and the Wolves were in the last half.
2. Is J.J. Hickson gonna click, son or just be kinda ick, son?
I said this a few months back: “Double-J improved steadily in his sophomore season, starting 73 of the 81 games he played. And while he only played 21 minutes and fought for his touches while on the floor (earning only an 18.9 USG% last season), he was a defensive force and an offensive weapon when given the chance.” I think Hickson has the skills to become a fantasy relevant option, but I fear Byron Scott. He was fired from his last gig, in part, because he didn’t give his young guys a chance. Hickson is a young guy who needs a chance. These dots connect themselves.
3. What’s Anderson Varejao worth to fantasy owners?
It depends on whether he’s healthy (which he isn’t at the moment) and whether he remains the first man off the bench at the PF position or if he starts at center. He’s more valuable to fantasy owners playing in his familiar spot at the four. There won’t be a huge upswing for Andy either way, but he’s likely to be worth more in deep leagues than he’s ever been before.
Fantasy Disappointment in ’10: J.J. Hickson. There’s been murmurs of Hickson developing into a Roy Hibbert/ JaVale McGee-quality big this season. And while I DO think he’s in for his best season (not a difficult accomplishment), I don’t see that improvement being as big as those other two. Outside of deep leagues, leave him in the free agency pool until he shows signs compelling you to grab him.
Biggest Fantasy Contributor in ’10: Antawn Jamison. He started his 2009 season injured. The he returned in a blaze. Then the finger guns came out and the Wizards were done for the year. Shortly after that, Jamison was sent packing and played poorly in a system run quite differently than the one he was used to. Okay. Part 2, clear the house. New season, new roster, healthy Jamison. I don’t think his 20/8/2 and 1.5 blocks+steals is out of the question and although Mo could be a better source of stats, I’m fearful that he’s going to shizz the bed this season.
Deep Sleeper: Jamario Moon. I know you want it to be one way, Cleveland. But it’s not. It’s Moon’s way. Bee-tee-dub, as much as “Moon’s way” sounds like pig latin for “wound,” it’s not. That’s just your subconscious trying to communicate your own feelings back to you.
