Here at WFNY, some of our best post ideas come from our daily email conversations. In the spirit of openness, we wanted our readers to get a sample of what one of these banter sessions look like. A night after the NBA Draft lottery, we got into an interesting back and forth about what the Cavs should do, now that we know they will be picking fourth. The only consesus is that we don’t know what they will did. But then again, I don’t think GM Chris Grant knows either.
So without further ado, take a gander at some our our thoughts.
Kirk: From our discussion back at the NFL draft, Andrew, I’ll be interested in what you think long form on Harrison Barnes being a UNC follower. I don’t think picking him is the worst outcome from where they’re sitting, but I do sprint up to the podium if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal falls.
TD: I just saw Draft Express has us with Beal at 4. Thomas Robinson going 2 to Charlotte and MKG going #3 to Washington.
Andrew: I’m leaning towards putting my support behind T-Rob at 4. I’m really torn on that, because Robinson makes no sense on the Cavaliers, but I think there’s a big talent gap between him and Barnes. I am so not a Barnes guy at all.
TD: Im as big of a college hoops watcher as anyone you all know. I think Beal will be a very good pro and the type of two-guard the Cavs would love to have. He will be a great scorer at the next level. As for Barnes – you know the old adage about Paul Pierce right? The only man who could keep Pierce from scoring 20 pts a night was Roy Williams. The same applies to Barnes. I am telling you guys that despite his so so performance this year, he will translate better on the pro level, especially with a PG like Kyrie driving and kicking to him. Those two will make a sweet duo….
There is no bigger T Rob fan then me, the KU guy. That said, the Cavs need guards and wings badly. When you start Alonzo Gee and Anthony Parker at the 2 & 3, its time to draft over that as soon as you can. T Rob will have a very solid pro career, but you cant ignore the glaring weaknesses of this team and draft another power forward.
Andrew: I don’t remember Pierce at Kansas well enough to comment on his body language there. But I just don’t see it with Barnes. He is so passive and timid. He shies away from the moment in a way that frightens me to no end. There is no question Barnes has a world of natural talent. I’m not denying that. But I am just not confident that he will ever have that natural aggression you need from your SF in the NBA. I don’t like Barnes’ body language and demeanor on the court. At all. He let UNC down time and time again when they needed him to be himself the most. If he’s the Cavs’ guy, I’m really going to have to talk myself into him, and I hate doing that with the #4 pick.
That’s why I’m torn on it. If you’re the Cavs and you don’t think Barnes is going to be a very good player, and you’re not sold on Drummond, and you’re just ok with Lamb, but you love Robinson despite not needing him, I just might say take the guy you love anyway. Figure out the rest later. But you can’t miss on this #4 pick. You just can’t.
Brendan: FYI – quite surprised by this, but almost every mock I’ve seen has either Beal or MKG available at 4. I think Matt Moore (and now Chad Ford that I look) have them going before 4, but I’ve seen like 5-6 others – DX, Goodman, Ziller, Devaney et al – with either MKG or Beal around. Like I said, kinda surprised by that but would be nice.
TD: His season turned in the tournament when Kendall Marshall got hurt. That is all people remember about him. Not the 25 against Duke in a loss or other big games he put up nice numbers (27 on the road vs Va Tech after team was down at the half). There are concerns, sure. But he will translate better on the college level. Book it.
Andrew: I remember his poor shooting night in the early season loss to Kentucky, I remember his 6 point effort against Miami, I remember his stretch of 4 or 5 uninspired games at the end of the season. He was hardly great all season long. He had his moments where it looked like he was turning things around and putting it all together. But he usually followed that up by sliding right back into his haze for a stretch of games. If the Cavaliers pick him, I will pray you are right. I want to like Harrison Barnes. I just don’t see it. Just my honest opinion on him.
TD: I truly believe he will be a better pro player in the right system, like Byron Scott’s. I just imagine him on the wing nailing jumpers all day. I would also say I was not in love with him as a college player and thought he should be better than he was. Lets hope MJ takes him at #2 and we dont have to worry about it.
Andrew: We can definitely agree on that. That would be an amazing scenario. But the ideal scenario is the Bobcats tell us they prefer Barnes. So we have them draft MKG, the Wiz take either Beal or T-Rob, and the Cavaliers draft Barnes and then work out a trade with MJ.
Kirk: It’s funny how those with intimidate knowledge of the player are clamoring for the other guy.
Andrew: Haha, that’s a great point. Well, it’s one of those grass is always greener things I think. The more you watch a player, the more you see his faults. Maybe my opinion of Barnes is clouded by my disappointment in his inability to be what I thought he was going to be for Carolina. It’s possible.
Brendan: Will Harrison Barnes be a big upgrade over Alonzo Gee? Just askin’ (I think they’re pretty thrilled with the development of Gee, and would need to have all doubt removed – a la MKG – to go there.)
TD: I think ideally the Cavs would go in this order of want:
