Follow up question:
No apology necessary and I would love to have a Mojito with you at the DM offices.
I feel a little warmer about said trade after your breakdown. Now, I have a related follow-up question.
Even considering that the Cavs’ backcourt is somewhat crowded and has some good balers the frontcourt has some very capable balers but the circumstance is somewhat weaker (either youth, age/health, depth), do you think the more pressing need for them is actually at the 2 or is it the 4 or at least somewhere in the frontcourt for some low block scoring/depth/defense?
I love AV and there are things BW (D, intimidation, rebounding) and Z (shot, O/D rebounding) can bring to the table but that also come with serious limitations but non have any low block scoring. Expecting that from the rookie Hickson is not wise. There isn’t much depth if one or any go down. It seems as if all the Cavs’ frontcourt guys are situational or role players. There isn’t one that is a complete, all-around, strong D/O, size, athleticism, health, scoring, etc. in the bunch.
Of course, the 2 position is exactly the same: role players, each guy has strengths and weaknesses and not one all-around good baler. But, the rest of the backcourt is very good.
What about AK 47 at the 4? He brings some scoring, athleticism, D. Or some others at the 4 or 5 I have heard thrown about: Okafor.
LeDirk
Dos Minutos responds:
My initial inclination is that Kirilenko is not a great fit for the Cavs because he struggles on the offensive end of the court - he isn't a good jump shooter, or creative with his dribble, and he has no post up game. He is actually the opposite of Carter - he is more adept at running cuts and receiving the ball on the move to finish inside.
On the other hand, the Cavs frontcourt is thin, and Kirilenko is an excellent and versatile defender. He certainly is a far better player than Ben Wallace at this point. If I couldn't have Carter and Kirilenko, I think I would go for Carter by a hair.
Okafor is a no brainer - he would give them a little low post offense, he is an excellent rebounder, and a goaltender at the rim. He may underperform his contract a little, but I don't think the Cavs have the juice to get him.
