Pioneer10

Well just to throw it out there with all the bad stuff going on: West has been playing well lately.

Since he sat out the Detroit game he's averaging
14.5 ppg
6.75 apg vs 1.25 to/pg
53.7 FG%

This was the West most people were expecting. I would say overall the starting lineup has gelled with West in there as we've broken out to good starts in the last several games. The bench though and the rotation afterwards have really cost in terms of becoming a finishing team. We've become the opposite of what we once were.

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Benedict_Boozer

I love Delonte. Outside of the occasional turnover or stupid foul, he has done everything we looked for at the PG spot.

He is definitely part of our young core.

I agree the rotations outside of the starers are killing us. Particularly the lack of consistent minutes for Joe Smith. Having so many options is actually hurting us because Mike B. doesn't know what to do, and doesn't let anyone get into any kind of rhythm.

Also it is bizarre that prior to the trade we were the comeback kings. We could be down 14+ in the 4th and every single time we would always comeback and make it a game. Now it's like even if we're up, we will be lucky to pull it out.

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Futuristxen:

"This season has been one giant pile of suck. It's been just good enough to keep paying attention. But horrible enough that you were better off if you didn't."

futuristxen

It's becaue the fourth quarter is about execution. And we don't have enough team familiarity for that. Before Lebron wouldn't even have to look where guys where he would just know. But now he has to look, and that's an extra tenth of a second. And then guys don't know how to space the floor sometimes for him.

In addition Mike Brown has played Ben Wallace and Andy in the fourth together and that allows teams to aggressively double Lebron while having a third guy shadow him for the pass.

At any rate, I love Delonte. He's the best point guard we've had here in Lebron's career. Good player. He and Joe Smith alone have justifed the trade. Delonte>>>>>Hughes; Joe>>Drew

Wally so far has been less than Donyell Marshall though. Which is just sad.

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hendrix2430

Hm, not so fast. I like Delonte and Joe, but I'm not sure they are better than Hughes and Drew...

Wally has been MUCH better than Donyell. His shot has been falling as of late, but it's the intangibles that makes Wally such a surprise for me. He puts in a lot of effort, and doesn't make many mistakes...AND, he is a better defensive player than I had been giving him credit for. I don't think there is any contest who the best ball player is between the two.

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Benedict_Boozer

Yeah Wally is definitely better than Hot Donny, though that's not saying much.

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Futuristxen:

"This season has been one giant pile of suck. It's been just good enough to keep paying attention. But horrible enough that you were better off if you didn't."

billfindlay10

The last few games of the season are crucial for the Cavs to gel and get rotations set. If the team can find a groove they will be dangerous in the playoffs again. Delonte playing well will help take pressure off more than a few players.

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futuristxen

Sarcasm?

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hendrix2430

... Ya think? I do think they are better players WITHIN this system.

But individually, based on pure talent, I would say Hughes and Drew are slightly "more talented" than Delonte West or Joe Smith, respectively.

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futuristxen

Oh yeah for sure. Larry Hughes is "more talented" than a ton of people in the league. Drew Gooden on just talent is probably a top 10 power forward. He's more talented than Carlos Boozer. But alas.

Delonte is pretty talented though. When you consider the range of skills he possesses.

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Pioneer10

Delonte's hops on defense is impressive.

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