Byron Scott's latest manipulations of the lineup are merited, says Terry Pluto.
View full sizeThe recent struggles of J.J. Hickson are just one factor in the many issues surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers, says Terry Pluto, who admits his preseason optimism in the team was misplaced.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Mumbling to myself about the Cavaliers...
Question: Aren't you the moron who predicted the Cavs would win 46 games?
Answer: That was another moron named Pluto who used to talk to himself in paper. Now, I just mumble.
Q: About that prediction...
A: A reader emailed that the Cavs are on pace to lose 60 games. With a 7-15 record heading into Saturday's game at Houston, that's about right ... 58 to be exact.
Q: Weren't you the guy who wrote that with Byron Scott as coach, a total collapse wouldn't happen?
A: I still believe he is the right guy for the job. I love the coach who told me after Friday's practice: "I had to make some major lineup changes, I owed that much to the fans because of how we've been playing."
Q: Do you think benching Jamario Moon and J.J. Hickson while starting Daniel Gibson and Antawn Jamison will help?
A: Scott said, "I was sitting up at night, thinking about how we lost that last five games by something like 22 points. How could almost anything I do make it worse?"
Q: Doesn't that sound desperate?
A: It sounds like a coach who sat down and asked himself, "Who are my best leaders? Who works hardest in practice? Who has the strength of character to deal with this?" Then he decided to reward those players by putting them in the lineup.
Q: Doesn't starting Jamison and Gibson hurt the bench?
A: Who cares? When the starters stink, what good is a productive bench?
Q: Aren't some of the players such as Hickson and Moon unhappy?
A: Yes. And I repeat ... who cares? Scott believes in Hickson, but he also sees an immature 22 year old who needs to work harder in practice and on defense. In my Sunday notes, I deal more with this topic.
Q: What happened to the defense? How can they keep getting blown out?
A: I wish I had the answer. Scott told me, "I don't want guys to feel that they'll play no matter what." Scott said when he played for the Lakers, Pat Riley gave most of his players "a healthy fear" that they may lose their starting job. He wants that on the Cavs.
Q: Why didn't he just start Jamison in the first place?
A: In retrospect, Scott should have. The Cavs want Jamison in a major leadership position, and then they told the career 19-point scorer to come off the bench. By placing him in the lineup, they empowered him to talk to the players even more than he did before.
Q: Doesn't this just prove that the Cavs gave LeBron James no help?
A: Once James went the South Beach route, the Cavs decided not to retain Shaquille O'Neal, or sign anyone else with that $20 million. They dumped Delonte West, rather than deal with the talented but troubled guard. They didn't resign Zydrunas Ilgauskas because they are no longer a contender. O'Neal starts for Boston, Ilgauskas starts for Miami. West has done little for Boston.
Q: Your point?
A: The Cavs went from adding veteran talent and payroll with James to dumping it and creating salary cap room once he left. I'm not saying James had an all-star supporting cast, but had he returned, you would have seen more high-priced talent at the Q. They added young players in Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins, who aren't starters.
Q: Did you really think the Cavs would seem this shell-shocked?
A: Obviously not. The Cavs have some of their least athletic players at the most athletic positions -- shooting guard and small forward. James could create a shot with the 24-second clock ticking down. The Cavs also miss his defense, everything from shot blocking to shutting down the best player in key parts of the game.
Q: Who is supposed to take the tough shots on this team?
A: Some of the guys don't want that pressure. It's why Scott put Gibson and Jamison in the lineup. He believes they can help Mo Williams function better in the offense. It's now clear this team was hooked on James pulling them out of trouble.
Q: How can Chris Grant say he's not looking to do anything with the roster?
A: Because he's a general manager who doesn't want to sound in a panic. He is thinking long-term. He wants to add draft choices and young talent. He is open to dealing veterans. But right now, no NBA teams are seriously looking to deal. That can change in a few months.
Q: So they won't trade anyone?
A: The following veterans have expiring contracts: Anthony Parker, Jawad Williams, Leon Powe and Jamario Moon. Some of them will be traded. They'll listen to offers for Mo Williams and Jamison, but won't trade them just to take more hefty long-term contracts. This isn't baseball where you can blow up a team in the middle of a season, a salary cap makes that impossible.
Q: So they won't win 46 games?
A: OK, how about this? They won't lose 60, either.
Q: That's really bold of you.
A: That's the best I can do right now.