As the NBA Lockout lingers on, NBA fans look for something to look forward too. Fans don't know who the will get in Free Agency, when the season will start, or if their will be a season at all. While we wait for these questions to be answered Cavs fans can see what their roster will look like next season. The rotation will be an important part of the rookies growth in their careers, and this is how it will play out.
The starting lineup on opening day will most likely not include either of the two rookies, Tristan Thompson and Kyrie Irving. Assuming the Cavs wait until the season starts to trade Ramon Sessions, he could be the starting PG on day one. Kyrie Irving will most likely get hardly any training in before the season because of the lockout. It is unwise to throw a rookie to the lions in this condition. Most people will not be enthralled with this pick either. Rookies who go number 1 overall should have high expectations and start right away. Unfortunately for Cavs fans the lockout does not help them and this is the right decision. Baron Davis could start at the PG, but Byron Scott will see that Davis let himself go a little during the lockout and is not ready to lead the team. That doesnt mean he can't be the starting SG though. Shooting Guard is now easily the Cavs worst position. 36 year old Anthony Parker will not cut it being a starter, but he will prove to be a veteran presence off the bench. Manny Harris is the only other option and he is a long way from being considered the starter.
Small Forward might be the easiest choice for a starting position. GM Chris Grant just traded a promising PF, JJ Hickson, for SF Omri Casspi. Casspi only averaged 8.6 points last season but he is still light years ahead of Christian Eyenga, who is still progressing. The Cavaliers have about 4 Power Forwards right now, if you don't include Anderson Varejao. This starting position could be very interesting if Tristan Thompson got a whole training camp to workout with coaches, but since the Lockout is preventing this Antawn Jamison will get the starting nod. Luke Harangody and Samardo Samuels are quality backups though. The center position will be unanimously Anderson Varejao. Every Cavs fan, including Byron Scott saw way too much of Ryan Hollins last year, and nobody wants a repeat of that.
Opening day starting lineup will look like this:
PG. Ramon Sessions
SG. Baron Davis
SF. Omri Casspi
PF. Antawn Jamison
C. Anderson Varejao
1st of the Bench: Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Parker, Daniel Gibson.
Don't be surprised to see a starting lineup of this by the Trade Deadline:
PG. Kyrie Irving
SG. Baron Davis
SF. Omri Casspi
PF. Tristan Thompson
C. Anderson Varejao
1st off the bench: Anthony Parker, Daniel Gibson, Ryan Hollins, Christian Eyenga.
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