subject: Training Camp Preview (Part 3) [print this page] Welcome to yet another edition of my four part segment on previewing the Cavaliers, while training camp is in session. Part three will be focusing on the big fella's, the man in the middle, the force down low, or as I like to call them, the centers.
Last season the Cavaliers had two future Hall-of-Famers depart town to go play elsewhere. Shaquille O'Neal left to play in Boston, chasing another ring to add to his arsenal. Zydrunas Ilgauskas left Cleveland after 12 seasons with the Cavs to go play with LeBron in Miami. That is two future Hall-of-Famers with over 40,000 points and 16,000 rebounds combined that just left town!
That leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers with two BIG problems if you know where I'm getting at. At the moment the Cavaliers have only two true centers on the roster, so let's take a look at them in depth.
Centers:
Ryan HollinsThe young Ryan Hollins will finally look to find a home with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Entering his fifth season the Cavaliers will be his fourth home. Hollins will look to use his advantages over the past centers from a few years ago.
"I bring a different tempo; I'm slender, quicker, more athletic. Those guys are two of the top All-Star big men in this league and they've done so much in their time. But I'm going to bring that youth, that energy and hard work and try to create a name for myself."
That he will, Hollins brings a more athletic standpoint than Ilgauskas and Shaq. He is faster, taller, and more athletic. Hollins will look to use his gifts as an advantage under Coach Scott's wing. With Scott's offensive system of an up-tempo style, Hollins will look to use the running as and advantage.
"Coach already has a system that he wants to play, and I'm definitely blessed to be a part of it and kind of fit that mold," Hollins stating. "He's not going to say, Let's walk the ball up the floor.' He's saying, Let's go, let's run. Let's get into pick-and-rolls.' And that's definitely the strong part of my game. When it's time to execute (in the halfcourt), let's execute. But definitely knowing that the first push is to run is going to be huge."
Hollins is coming in from his best season yet in Minnesota, where he averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds. He will look to continue to improve and also flourish under the "Princeton" as he will be needed from a slim frontcourt.
Anderson VarejaoLast season Andy was recognized as one of the games top 10 defenders. Just three seasons ago, Anderson Varejao was known as the "flopper" and a player who would get underneath a players skin. Varejao was a player that everyone hated and probably still does. However, Varejao was one of the best players for the Cavaliers last season. He was an astonishing +514 PER (Player Efficiency Rating). That +514 was third-best in the entire league. The "Wild Thing" turned into more than just an annoying "flopper". But this season will be different; players will be looking for him to be the man leading in the middle. He will no longer Shaq and "Big Z" to look-up to. He must step-up his game and show to everyone that he can play without LeBron.
Look for the Cavaliers to use Leon Powe, JJ Hickson and Antwan Jamison in the center position at times this season as well. The Cavaliers could decide to go with a small line-up. A team who will like to get up and down the floor fast, could use smaller players. Either way you look at it, good things are coming and the could be very soon.
