The Decision Part II

19-63… that was the Cleveland Cavaliers record the year following the departure of Lebron James. This was the team that set the NBA record for most losses in a row with 25.

The following year after that miserable season Cleveland drafted Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick. Three years later Anthony Bennett would be walking across the stage when he was selected first overall by the same Cleveland Cavaliers. The unexplainable luck that has to happen for a team to get the first overall pick three times in a decade is incredible (I’m not counting the “Trust the Process” Sixers that deliberately tanked for the highest chance in the lottery). The only reason that one of the three first overall selections is still on the Cavs is because of divine intervention that comes in the form of Lebron James. If Lebron didn’t care so much about the city of Cleveland the Cavaliers would let three number one overall selections come and go in a matter of a decade. Now, the chances of that happening might be even greater than actually getting three number one picks in the same decade.

Imagine if Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Markelle Fultz (I know we don’t know what Fultz will be, but he can take the position of Anthony Bennett) just got up and left Philadelphia after driving “The Process” extremely close to a championship. If Embiid leaves after his second contract, you could reasonably compare it too Lebron’s departure back in 2010. Then, by just revisiting history Ben Simmons would be the Sixers version of Kyrie Irving and want to run his own team and leaving Philly a couple years later. Then of course, Fultz being the last memory of “The Process,” ultimately crushing the dreams of ‘6ers fans. I don’t think that Embiid and Simmons will do that to the city of Philadelphia if they could help it, but just imagine if that happened, and what that would do to NBA Twitter.

Other than my obsession with NBA rosters of the early 2010’s; why I am revisiting one of the worst teams in NBA history? Well, that’s because if/when Lebron James leaves for Los Angeles, or New York, or even the dark horse Philadelphia—the Cleveland Cavaliers will have the same roster (basically) as the 2010-11 Cavs. The Cavaliers have Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, Jeff Green, and Dwyane Wade all on one-year deals and will presumably walk when Lebron walks out on Cleveland again. That would leave Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, Jae Crowder, and Iman Shumpert as one possible starting group for the Cavs next season without any of the guys on those one-year deals.

“Well what about that Brooklyn Nets pick?” What about it? If you haven’t been watching, the Nets actually have some young talent on the roster and the Nets won’t be one of the bottom five teams in the NBA. The Nets are better than the Bulls, Suns, Mavs, Hawks and Kings. Also depending on how long the Pistons flame burns, or the hype around Lonzo lasts, the Nets at the end of the day have more talent than either of those teams. After that, you have the classic teams like the Magic, Hornets, and Pacers. Lining each roster up against each other from the long NBA season and the Nets matchup better than any of those teams meaning that the Nets would be the 11^th worst team in the NBA. Is that really good enough to give up Kyrie Irving? Is that really good enough to give up Kyrie Irving and have a two-month rental on Isaiah Thomas?

In an extremely top-heavy draft class having the 11^th pick will not be good enough to drive up the hype around the 2018-19 Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers will watch Marvin Bagley III, Trevon Duval, Michael Potter Jr. (the two-minute and done wonder), and even one of my favorites Robert Williams III.

If I am Koby Altman, I am auctioning off the Brooklyn pick to the highest bidder for the biggest haul, and I’m doing it as soon as possible. I would not want to have a pick around number 11 as I watch Trevon Duval, Marvin Bagley III, and Michael Porter Jr. go to another team and not having a say in it.

In a year where the Cavaliers might be losing the majority of their team, are handicapped due to the salary cap, and have no clear solution to the possible chance of Lebron leaving, why wouldn’t Cleveland turn a potentially high draft pick into a haul of players that the Cavaliers could use so they don’t end up 19-63 again. And when you really think about it; the Cavs have done nothing to prepare themselves for Lebron’s possible departure for the second time. Cleveland has learned nothing since “The Decision,” absolutely nothing. Other than this Brooklyn pick, Cleveland has done nothing to say goodbye to Lebron again, and that is problematic to this franchise. With players like Kevin Love, Jae Crowder, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith who will all have two years left on their deals after this year. There is nothing left to gel with these guys. IF Cleveland keeps this Brooklyn picks (where ever it lands) they will have that one player to put with the foursome of Love, Crowder, Thompson, and Smith. They will have to sign a bunch of veteran minimum players to try to put together a rag-tag group of players that will be one of the oldest rosters in the NBA next year. They could trade Love for 50 cents on the dollar for him and get a possible pick for him, but I don’t think they are any more moves for Cleveland can make after that.

All signs are pointing to Lebron leaving and if they don’t move Kevin Love—this roster is in for another crash course with a 19-63 season.

After the majority of the Thanksgiving weekend coming and going; it’s finally time to give the Thanksgiving game ball out and make my picks for the rest of Week 12. After two days of family time, it’s time yet again to sit on the couch and watch football. The Turkey Day football actually was a coming out party for a few players. Chase Keenum went 21/30 for 282 yards, two touchdowns, adding 20 more yards and a touchdown on the ground as well in his effort to tell the NFL he is a competent quarterback, proving once and for all that he can play in this league. Washington’s rookie running-back Samaje Perine ran for 100 yards on 24 carries against the 30^th ranked Giants rush defense. But, none of it was better than the Chargers quarterback (and one of my favorite players of all-time) Philip Rivers. Good ‘ole Phil went 27/33 for 434 yards and three touchdown passes. Rivers also went 1/3 on 4^th down because all of the Chargers kickers apparently got the yipes and forgot how to kick a football. The Chargers had to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive and that Week 15 matchup in Kansas City is looking more and more like the game that will decide the AFC West. Enjoy the tail end of your Thanksgiving weekend and Happy Holidays.    

Week 12 Picks