Grading the Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao

While the Cavaliers use the All-Star break to rest up (well most of them anyways) we thought it would be a good time to reflect on the season so far, and issue some grades. In addition, we will detail what the Cavaliers will need from each player in order to hoist some team hardware this summer. Today the last grades in the series- First of the last?  Anderson Varejao

There have been many positive things said and written about Varajao this season. He’s gotten some national recognition for his defensive ability and contribution to Cleveland’s success. We’re probably all aware of his outstanding +/- stat, which currently has him the third highest rated player in the league behind only LeBron and Kobe. As we all know, statistics don’t always measure what Andy brings to the table- still let’s take a look.

Relevant Stats:

Games: 53 GS: 6 Min: 29.6 FG%: .550 FT%: .656  Reb: 7.90 Off Reb: 2.60 Ast: 1.0 ST: 1.00 Blk: 1.00 Pts:  8.4

Believe it or not Andy’s minutes per game are actually up this season. I was quite surprised by that to be honest with you. With all of the attention that the Cavs have gotten for having a plethora of big men, and even with Hickson’s increased role, Varejao is playing a minute more per contest than last year. He also happens to be shooting the ball better, and that isn’t just a matter of more dunks. Putting the stats aside for a second, Andy is carving out a niche with some of his shots- specifically reverse lay-ups. He has a knack for coming under the basket and laying the ball off the glass or just through the net while shielding defenders with the rim. It is very effective for him as a way of getting to the free throw line as well. Outside of that Andy is also shooting better from 10 feet and beyond. He’s not going to be confused with Jamison out there, but he has improved.

He is blocking more shots this season, which makes sense since we’ve seen a shift away from taking charges (or as Cleveland antagonists call it- flopping) and towards altering shots because of changes in the way refs are calling offensive fouls. (Or not calling them to be more exact.) His points per game are just about even with his career totals at 8.4 per game.

Role on the team-

When you break it down Andy really has one job- to get the team extra possessions. He does this with excellent defense, defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds and tap backs. Any scoring that Andy gives you is more a bonus than anything else. He is a high energy guy. At  the beginning of the season Andy was a starter. Credit Coach Brown for making the switch to start Hickson instead and return Andy to his most dangerous role of bench player. Andy provides depth at two positions, and that versatility is going to be important while Zydrunas is gone. Think about it this way, Varejao is one of the few players in the league that can effectively guard seven footers and athletic wing players. His defense on switches is outstanding too. Andy’s national recognition for defense came after he created a turnover guarding Brandon Roy on a switch. Andy’s offense comes mostly from put backs and cuts off LeBron drives. Credit him for knowing where to be so LeBron can find him. It would benefit Cleveland if he was able to establish the same type of relationship with Shaq.

How can Varejao best help the Cavs hoist the hardware this summer?

In the short term, Andy is going to have to play effective, and extended minutes at the center spot. With Zydrunas gone, he is the back-up to Shaq and it doesn’t appear that Shaq is interested in taming down his aggressiveness to compensate for the departure of Z. That means Andy has to stay out of foul trouble.

Come playoff time, Andy has to be the Wild Thing that we all have come to know and appreciate. He has to dive on the floor. He has to make the second unit effective. He has to get in position and get the tough rebound late in the game that gives the Cavs another possession. He has done it time after time before, so there is no question that he is up to the challenge. Like all the Cavaliers, he has to learn how to play with Antawn Jamison. Knowing where Jamison will be on the floor will help Andy and the Cavs get easy points when Andy tips the ball back in traffic.

Grade–

Andy has had a stellar season. Many have called him the second best player on the team. I would hesitate to anoint him that title even before Jamison suits up for Cleveland, though I will say that Andy is the type of difference maker all championship teams need. His production seems to have dipped a bit while Mo and Delonte were out, probably more a product of Shaq’s production going up than anything else- but it still worth keeping an eye on. Andy scores an A- from me. He does his job very, very effectively and is quite versatile. If the Cavs win it all this season Andy will be a big reason why.