2013 Central Division Position Power Ranking: Small Forwards
5.) Cleveland Cavaliers
Mar 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Alonzo Gee (33) dribbles the ball against the Houston Rockets in the third quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Cavaliers 116-78. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Small Forwards:
– Alonzo Gee
Production: 2012-2013 season: 10.3 PPG; 3.9RPG; 1.6 APG
Value: 3-years – $9.75 million; $3.5 million this season
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 11.0 PPG; 4.1 RPG; 1.1 APG
– Earl Clark
Production: 2012-2013 season: 7.3 PPG; 5.5 RPG; 1.1 APG
Value: 2-years – $9 million; $4.25 million this season
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 8.5 PPG; 4.5 RPG; 1 APG
– Sergey Karasev:
**Production: 2012-2013 season: 17.8 PPG; 3.8 RPG; 2.2 APG (Overseas)
Value: 2-years – $3 million; $1.46 million this season (Rookie Deal)
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 5.3 PPG; 1.2 RPG; 0.8 APG
– The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a fantastic summer, adding some much-needed talent around star point guard Kyrie Irving. Their summer was headlined by the additions of free agent center Andrew Bynum and point guard Jarrett Jack. One position that the Cavaliers are in dire need of improving is the small forward position.
Last season’s small forward starter was Alonzo Gee, who did have a solid season, but going up against a healthy Luol Deng and Danny Granger, along with Josh Smith during division play may be too difficult for him to handle as a full-time starter. The Cavs did spend their number one overall selection in this year’s draft on a tweener forward who is projected as a power forward, but may find most of his time come at the small forward position due to the improvement of Tristan Thompson, a healthy Anderson Varejao, and the need to defend against the big-time forwards within the division.
Earl Clark, who made the switch from the glitz and glam of L.A. to the cold and bitter winters of Cleveland, is projected to split time at the small and power forward positions. Expect an increased amount of minutes for Clark because of the relationship between new head coach Mike Brown and Clark.
Another key addition to the Cavaliers wing positions was the international wing man Sergey Karasev, who was drafted 19th overall in this year’s draft. Karasev, is a high-scoring wing from Russia who may struggle to find minutes early in the season.
As of right now, the small forward position may be the Cavs biggest weakness, but may not be that way for long if Chris Grant has something to say about it.