2008-09 Recap
Record: 66-16 (.805)- First in Central Division
- #1 Seed in Eastern Conference Playoffs
What Went Wrong: The gaudy regular-season record may have made the Cavs overconfident -- general manager Danny Ferry opted to stand pat instead of acquiring help at the trade deadline. That looked like a poor decision in hindsight when Cleveland had trouble matching up with Orlando's big, athletic and versatile frontcourt in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Offseason Moves
Key Additions: Shaquille O'Neal (trade - Suns), Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Leon Powe (free agents), Danny Green (draft)Key Subtractions: Bel Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic (trade - Suns), Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak (free agents)
It's clear that the Cavs are -- to borrow a hideously over-used phrase -- "going all-in" and attempting to win a title while LeBron is still under contract.
Cleveland acquired Shaq -- the player many thought they should have brought in at the trade deadline -- for a bunch of spare parts and expiring contracts. He'll combine with incumbent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao, J.J. Hickson, and free agent acquisitions Leon Powe and Jamario Moon to give Cleveland the biggest and deepest center/power forward rotations in recent memory. Ex-Raptor Anthony Parker is an excellent shooter who should help spread the floor and give James and Shaq room to operate.
And general manager Danny Ferry might not be done tinkering with the roster. He has Ilgauskas' $11.5 million contract -- which expires after this season -- as ammunition if he needs to make a deal.
2009-10 Outlook
The Cavs have two goals for this season: win a title, and convince LeBron to re-sign.They seem well-positioned to make a run at the championship -- they posted the NBA's best record last season, and on paper seem even better this year. O'Neal has already won titles with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade -- why not another with King James?
A few potential issues loom. Guard Delonte West has been battling emotional issues and was arrested in September on weapons charges; his status for the season is unclear. The Cavs lost assistant coach John Kuester -- reputed to be an offensive guru -- who became the new head coach in Detroit. Coach Mike Brown doesn't have the strongest reputation, and could find himself on the hot seat if the Cavs don't get off to a hot start. And then there's LeBron's contract status, which is sure to be a major topic of conversation all year.
Even with those distractions, the Cavs will be huge favorites to win the Central, and co-favorites -- along with Boston and Orlando -- to win the East.
