Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Draft

Mike Green to Join Cavaliers Summer League Team

Press Release — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:57:42 -0700

Mike Green, who helped lead Butler to the best two-year men's basketball record in school history, has earned a roster spot on the Cleveland Cavaliers' summer league team. He will compete with the Cavaliers at the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 11-20, with hopes of landing an NBA roster spot in the fall.

Green, who led the 30-4 Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding and assists last season, is one of 13 players selected for the Cavaliers' summer roster. The summer team also includes Cleveland's 2008 draft picks, J. J. Hickson (19th overall) of North Carolina State and Darnell Jackson (52nd overall) of Kansas, plus former UW-Milwaukee player, Clay Tucker.

Green helped lead Butler to a two-year record of 59-11 and two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. This past season, the Bulldogs captured Horizon League regular season and tournament championships, won the Great Alaska Shootout, captured a second consecutive Wooden Tradition championship and posted a first-round NCAA Tournament win over South Alabama. Butler was ranked in the "Top 25" for a school-record 19 consecutive weeks, including a school-record five weeks in the "Top 10."

The lone Butler player to start every game over the past two seasons, Green averaged 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists as a senior. He was named the Horizon League Player of the Year in 2007-08 and was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2008 Horizon League Championship. He also was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2007 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. A first team Mid-Major All-American, Green received both the Chip Hilton Award and the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award at the 2008 NCAA Final Four.

Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Draft Team Needs

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:10:15 -0700

2007-08 Record: 45-37; 2^nd Central

Draft Picks: 19

Key Free Agents

G Daniel Gibson (restricted)

G Delonte West (restricted)

How they got here and what they need

Once again LeBron James put the Cavaliers on his back, and once again the lack of a supporting cast let him down, this time falling to the eventual NBA champions in the second round. While it was a hard-fought series that went the distance, the fact that they were in so many of the games with LeBron struggling but couldn't steal that one win underlines the need for more help. With Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace and Anderson Varejao the frontcourt is pretty set in terms of bodies.

But two of the key guards in the backcourt rotation (Gibson and West) are free agents this summer, and even if West were to return the Cavs seriously need a point guard. As much as we all love the joking nature of Damon Jones, he just isn't going to cut it coming off the bench in that role if Cleveland wants to win a title in the near future. If Gibson were to leave then a shooter would also be needed, but the lead guard is of utmost importance at pick nineteen.

Who they take

But there is a problem with that strategy: the point guard position is the weakest in this draft class, with no suitable options slated to be on the board at this point. So I'd look for GM Danny Ferry to shop this trade, possibly along with a veteran or two, in hopes of picking up a guard. But if not, the Cavs may have to go with Ohio State's Kosta Koufos, even though they don't need another big man.

Draft History (since 2000)

2007: No Picks

2006: Shannon Brown (25), Daniel Gibson (42), Ejike Ugboaja (55)

2005: No Picks

2004: Luke Jackson (10)

2003: LeBron James (1), Jason Kapono (31)

2002: Dajuan Wagner (6)

2001: DeSagana Diop (8), Brendan Haywood (20), Jeff Trepagnier (36)

2000: Jamal Crawford (8)

NBA Draft: Answer Man #3

Adam Stanco — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:44:00 -0700

Adam Stanco answers your questions.. and the one’s you should be asking. If you have a question, send it to BasketballWriter@cs.com

Any chance that Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton drop to the Lakers at 19? And if not, do you think it’s worth trading up or will Jordan Farmar become a reliable NBA starter?

(Submitted by: Azzie Mackenzie of Sherman Oaks, CA)

Since Law is more NBA-ready right now, he could play sooner on most of the lottery teams. However, Crittenton probably has a higher ceiling, meaning deeper teams are more into the former Georgia Tech star. After all, they can be patient with his development. Unfortunately, both will probably be gone by the time that the Lakers select.

As for your second question, Farmar could certainly be a “reliable NBA starter,” but a disgruntled Kobe Bryant probably wants his teammates to be a little more than “reliable.” Those who have followed my pieces all year know that I expect huge things from Crittenton. Just imagine if Rod Strickland was bigger and had a more consistent jump shot… that is who Crittenton could be.

The Lakers should trade up, but who would they trade with?

If the Hawks select Brandan Wright or Al Horford with their first pick, they might be looking at Crittenton at No. 11. The Sixers have their point guard in Andre Miller, yet since they have other two picks later in the 1st round, it’s unlikely that Philly would be interested in moving out of the lottery.

The Clippers will undoubtedly snatch Crittenton if he’s still available at No. 14, meaning the Lakers best bet would be to obtain the Hornets’ draft pick (No. 13). New Orleans has no need for a point guard and would probably swap with L.A. for a relatively low price.

The Pistons are old, the Bulls are young and the Cavs, well, we see LeBron needs help. Assuming Oden goes to Portland and Durant to Seattle, what do you foresee as the future for an already depleted Eastern Conference? What draftee could have a realistic chance to make an immediate impact in the East?

(Submitted by: L.S. of Storrs, CT)

Obviously a lot depends on who goes where, but there are two teams who could really make a jump up the standings depending on their draft pick.

Milwaukee is awfully close to being a contender in the East. Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and Michael Redd are a solid core, but all three struggled with injury issues last season.

The Bucks – who have the No. 6 pick – are apparently in love with Al Horford, but assuming he’s gone by the time they select, they’ll probably have a chance to nab Brandan Wright, Yi Jianlian, or Corey Brewer.

Wright should make an impact in the league, but it won’t be for a few years. Jianlin could be solid in year one and Brewer would instantly stand out in the East. But if Horford somehow slips to the Bucks, he could contend for Rookie of the Year honors.

However, the greatest impact rookie of all might just be Acie Law. If the Hawks decide to go with a big man with their first pick and choose Law at No. 11, the polished lead guard would team with Joe Johnson and have Atlanta on the right track much quicker than you’d expect.

Adam Stanco answers your questions.. and the one’s you should be asking. If you have a question, send it to BasketballWriter@cs.com