Oct 30, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3, right) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters (3, left) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the fortieth installment of Right Down Euclid’s “Weekly Roundtable.” This Friday Jerry Bulone and Zak Kolesar sit down and discuss the latest trending topics concerning your Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA. The combination of rotating RDE duos answer three questions regarding the hometown Wine and Gold and two questions surrounding the league.

Today the discussion revolves around free agent wishes, Dion Waiters’ place in the Rookie of the Year voting, Trevor Magnotti’s draft profiles, the recent play of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors and Derrick Roses’ absence in the 2012-13 season.

Cavaliers Corner

First Question: Is there a free agent that you have on the top of your wish list for the Cavaliers?

Jerry Bulone: To be honest, not really. I guess I am just used to how the Cavaliers (and my beloved Packers) run things. You build through the draft and supplement with a free agent here and there. It is a time-tested strategy that if done right will produce amazing results. That being said, the Cavs No. 1 priority needs to be replacing Gee at small forward. He is a nice player, but no starter. He is much better suited for the bench. I think our future starter is much more likely to come from the draft however.

Zak Kolesar: I couldn’t agree with you more, Jerry. Small forward would be my targeted position in free agency, as we are not sure if we will land Otto Porter in the draft or retain C.J. Miles for the 2013-14 season. With the Houston Rockets in the predicament of having two of their small forwards – Chandler Parsons (whom I love) and Carlos Delfino – lost to free agency, I think either of those two would be tremendous additions. I don’t think the Rockets will depart with Parsons unfortunately, but that would mean Delfino will be let go. He’s not a starter in this league, but would add depth to a team struggling to find someone who can produce with starter minutes. The draft is the way to go with this position, but pulling an upset and landing Parsons would give us a starter, and Delfino would help greatly off the bench.

Second Question: Do you think Dion placed at a fair position in the Rookie of the Year voting?

JB: No. I am sorry, but Bradley Beal? Waiters had more points per game, assists per game, steals per game and played less minutes then Beal. He also shot the ball slightly better from the field. So what are we basing this voting on. It obviously isn’t stats – typical.

ZK: If it wasn’t fifth, it was going to be fourth. I’m on your side with this one again, Jerry. I thought a lot of what Beal did this season was a product of him being on the court next to John Wall. Once Wall returned to action, we saw Beal’s statistics skyrocket. They both played around the same amount of games, so putting their stats next to each other seems like a fair way of arguing who should have finished higher. The thing is, Beal didn’t even finish fourth. Out of that rookie group, I think that Andre Drummond will have the best overall career (not taking away anything from Damian Lillard or Anthony Davis), and he was the one who finished fourth. It was not fair, however, that Dion scored 73 fewer points than Beal in the voting.

Third Question: Which one of Trevor’s draft profiles has had you the most convinced on a player?

JB: It’s got to be the kid from Georgetown, Otto Porter. As I stated above, the Cavs main priority is to get Gee back to the bench where he can thrive in the role he is most comfortable in. Porter has all the skills that Gee does not. He is more athletic and is another slasher type that will fit great with Waiters and Irving. He does need to improve his shooting technique, but he will fit great with Mike Brown’s defense.

ZK: I thought his most convincing argument came in his Gorgui Dieng profile. I think he would thrive in the John Kuester offence that I described in this post as the big man in the rotation. He’s athletic, which would help with the pick-and-roll aspect of Cleveland’s offense. Also, he would provide a blocking aspect to a team that ranked 29^th in the league in that category.

NBA Roundup

Fourth Question: How far do you think Golden State will go and are you a believer in the Grizzlies?

JB: I am a believer in the Grizz. They are going against an undermanned OKC team without Westbrook. I like their chances. Conley and Gasol are good solid players, and Randolph is playing like a stud. How good is a team that can trade three players from their bench – one of them being arguably one of their best players – and still have a chance to go to the Western Conference Finals? As for the Warriors of Golden State, their journey will end with San Antonio. The Spurs (unlike the Nuggets) are the real deal. They have seen these “flash in the pan” offenses before and should slow Golden State down. Parker, the NBA’s most underrated point guard, will outplay the way overhyped Curry and, most likely it will be a wrap by Game 5 or 6.

ZK: When I watched Randolph bear wrestle Blake Griffin on the floor in Game 6, I decided that I would roll with the Grizzlies the rest of the way. With Westbrook out I don’t think that this puts the Thunder far away from making it back to the Finals, but Memphis would be the team that I want to see more of as the playoffs progress. Their energy goes unmatched against any other team in the Western Conference, and they have the best defense left in the playoffs. Both of those categories match two things that I look for when picking teams to go far in the postseason. I tend to disagree with you regarding the Warriors, though. Golden State won’t lose on the road in this series, and we will continue to see the evolution of Stephen Curry. I don’t think he’s overhyped. This is his legend-in-the-making postseason. There’s still more tape left in this film, too.

Fifth Question: If the Bulls advance, would you like to see D. Rose in the playoffs or is there no chance?

JB: I have no respect for Derrick Rose. The man has been 100 percent and a “full go” at practice for what seems like months. The Bulls are playing their butts off and their supposed “leader” isn’t mentally ready to return yet. If you can find a Vegas bookie dumb enough, take every red cent you own and bet it on Rose not playing a minute this year. He is that type of guy. It’s all about him, never mind that his team is fighting (and winning) and has a chance to go to the Eastern Conference Finals. Glad no one like that plays for the Cavs.

ZK: Pretty much. Same with guys like Kirk Heinrich and Luol Deng. Randolph has the right attitude. He knows that the team he is playing on now may not have a better chance to win than now. Rose knows that he will be in Chicago for sometime (UFA in 2017), so the need to win is not imminent, which is sad. The need to win should always be highest in the present, and that means that three of their most important players should be giving their best shot at playing on the court for a series against the Finals favorite Miami Heat. Chicago needs their scorers this series, and it looks like few want to step up.

Make sure to check back next week to see what Jerry Bulone and Chris Manning have to debate at the “Weekly Roundtable.”

Apr 24, 2013; Independence, OH, USA; New Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown (right) talks beside team owner Dan Gilbert during a press conference at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the thirty-ninth installment of Right Down Euclid’s “Weekly Roundtable.” This Friday Jerry Bulone and Dan Pilar sit down and discuss the latest trending topics concerning your Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA. The combination of rotating RDE duos answer three questions regarding the hometown Wine and Gold and two questions surrounding the league.

Today the discussion revolves around the team’s decision to bring back Mike Brown, trading for LaMarcus Aldridge, Tristan Thompson’s two third-place votes for the Most Improved Player Award, surprising playoff performances and a look at a possible upset.

Cavaliers Corner

First Question: Are you siding with the Cavaliers front office on bringing back Mike Brown?

Jerry Bulone: I have to admit that at first I was thoroughly upset. I was at a loss for words. However, I have had some time after the initial horror, and now I am actually OK with it. The main reason is because who else was there really to get? It was reported that Stan Van Gundy said no, Phillip said no, so who else? Do you really want to go the college ranks or unknown assistant route? I thought so at first, but now — no way. Now, let’s get Brown a really good young offensive mind to be an “offensive coordinator,” and lets go Cavs!

Dan Pilar: I didn’t like it when I initially heard it, and I still don’t like it. Mike Brown is just not a head coach. He’s a great defensive mind, no doubting that, but he has no clue how to run an offense and never draws up his owns plays. This hiring demolishes any chance of getting No. 23 back in 2014 because their problems were well documented in 2010. And if you think the Mike Brown coaching hire will help the Cavs, you have another thing coming. If LeBron liked Mike Brown so much, why did they fire him in a last-ditch effort to get LeBron to stay? The only thing I like about the hire is that when Brown was with the Cavs in his first stint, his teams always had a good chemistry: the dancing, fake-picture taking, etc.

Second Question: What is your opinion on the rumors surrounding trading for LaMarcus Aldridge?

JB: I am not a fan of this rumor. First, because it has ZERO chance of happening, and second, I am not ready to give up on Tristan and Dion Waiters (the two rumored in the deal). Plus, they would have to pay Aldridge $40 million over the next three years. He will be 28 in July, while Waiters and Thompson are in their low 20s. I will take my chances with Varejao, Speights, Zeller and Tristan.

DP: I like the idea of the trade, I just don’t know if it would actually happen. The price tag seems kind of steep, as we would be giving up two of our young core players and committing all that money to him. But I can imagine a big trade like this happening. The front office is going to do all that they can to get another big name player in Cleveland, because let’s face it, no free agents want to sign here. So I can imagine them going after a proven player to make this place more attractive for a free agent in 2014.

Third Question: How do you feel about Tristan Thompson receiving votes for most improved player?

JB: I think he deserved some recognition for the improvements that he made. However, I would not think it was dramatic enough to give him serious consideration for the award. That being said, I think he deserved more than a measly two points out of 1,080, good for 25th place. To me, that’s more of a slap in the face than anything else. There were people in front of him like Greg Monroe (who actually saw a decrease in a lot of his statistics) that should not have been there.

DP: He is more than deserving of the votes. I tend to disagree with Jerry when he said it was a slap in the face to only get two. He played on a team that got no national exposure, so no one actually was able to see his improved skills. He was definitely the most improved on the team, and he is only working to improve even more this offseason. Those votes are a tribute to how hard he has worked from last season to this season.

NBA Roundup

Fourth Question: Which playoff series are you most surprised with thus far?

JB: I would have to go with the Chicago series. I always saw them as lame ducks, with that whole “Derrick Rose, who is 100% healthy, but not playing” thing going on. It is good to see them still put up a good fight. I would love to see them advance in spite of Rose.

DP: I don’t know if any of the series have “surprised” me, but if I have to choose one, I’ll go with the Warriors-Nuggets. The Nuggets lost their leading scorer Danilo Gallinari late in the regular season, so that hurts. But the Warriors lost their big man David Lee and are a young, more inexperienced team than the Nuggets. They stole a game on the road when Denver had a 38-3 record at home this season, including winning their last 24. The Warriors can’t keep shooting like they have been, but now they’re going home to play in front of one of the best crowds in the league. Last time this city saw a first-round playoff series, the Warriors were an eight seed and they defeated the No. 1 seed Dallas Mavericks.

Fifth Question: Which team do you expect to possibly pull an upset?

JB: Despite my answer to the previous question, my money is on Memphis. I just am not buying what the Clippers are selling. Despite the fact that Memphis traded one of their best players, and some key bench players, I still think they can compete right up there with the Clippers, who, for the most part, are just a team of big names put together (much like that other team in LA).

DP: I just mentioned Golden State. I believe they can pull an upset. I’m excited to see how loud their crowd will get and see how Denver responds to that. I like Jerry’s Grizzlies upset pick, but I just can’t go against Chris Paul. He had a bad game Thursday night, but he’s the best point guard in the league. You know he’s going to come back strong.

Make sure to check back next week to see what Jerry Bulone and Zak Kolesar have to debate at the “Weekly Roundtable.”

Apr 7, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) talks with head coach Byron Scott during the game against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the thirty-eighth installment of Right Down Euclid’s “Weekly Roundtable.” This Friday Jerry Bulone and Trevor Magnotti sit down and discuss the latest trending topics concerning your Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA. The combination of rotating RDE duos answer three questions regarding the hometown Wine and Gold and two questions surrounding the league.

Today the discussion revolves around end-of-the-season grades, future expectations for Dion Waiters and Andre Drummond, players backing Coach Scott, Western Conference playoff race and predictions for Defensive Player of the Year.

Cavaliers Corner

First Question: If you were to grade the Cavaliers season, what letter would you give them?

Jerry Bulone: C-, and I feel I am being very kind. Lets look at what we accomplished Tristan Thompson, and Kyrie took good second year jumps in their development, we acquired another 1st round pick, Spieghts, and Ellington, and Waiters and Zeller appear to be for the most part “as advertised”.  However that’s where the positives end. The Cavs continue to blow lead after lead, are the 4th worst team in the NBA and now Coach Scott may finally have to pay. They also failed to unload Gibson, Walton (7 mil expiring contract), or Casspi for any compensation (though I am sure teams were not lining up to acquire them). So there are reasons to be excited about the future of this club, but as far as progress this season we are in the exact spot we were at this time last year—watching ugly basketball and waiting for the lottery.

Trevor Magnotti: C. Given the circumstances, the Cavs haven’t been awful by any means. Any team that loses their defensive anchor 30 games into the season, then has to play large portions of the season without their best player and their second-best perimeter scorer, is going to struggle. I liked what I saw from Irving and Thompson, have a lot of hope for Zeller and Waiters, and the future looks bright without Casspi, Walton, and Gibson on roster, and with the plethora of cap space and picks available. This season wasn’t supposed to be pretty. The Cavs are set up nicely for the future, and that’s what keeps this grade from being lower.

Second Question: Which rookie will have a bigger impact next season: Dion Waiters or Andre Drummond?

JB: I have to go with Waiters. Drummond has been good in spots, however Waiters was at one point a viable possibility for rookie of the year. Drummond was never that, he has mainly come off the bench and is an inconsistent scorer at best. He is a good defensive player averaging 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just 20 minutes a game, and may end up being the better player, but for now it’s Waiters.

TM: Drummond. He’s going to be a monster defensively, which is huge for this Pistons team that really struggles with the concept. If you can be this good defensively in your first NBA season, while you adjust to the complexities of NBA defense and the extreme talent increase on the offensive end, it typically shows up that you’re going to improve into an even better defensive player in your second season. I mean, look at this comparison in per 36 minute and advanced defensive stats. Drummond is already arguably a better defensive player than Dikembe Mutombo, one of the greatest defensive centers ever, was in his rookie season. Waiters has the potential to be a really good scorer for the Cavaliers, but generally guys that are this good defensively in their rookie year (And Drummond’s only 19!!!) turn into defensive studs. Put it this way; I think Waiters has the potential to be an All-Star. I think Drummond has the potential to be Defensive Player of the Year.

Third Question: How important is it that players like Tristan Thompson are endorsing Coach Scott during this tough end-of-the-season stretch?

JB: I don’t think it is that important, I mean don’t get me wrong, it can’t hurt but at the end of the day, I think Chris Grant and company already have their mind made up. When you start listening to players that’s when you get in trouble, and Grant is too smart for that. Bottom line this is a results based league, the players may say they have Scott’s back, but when you go out and blow a 20 point lead with nine minutes left in the game, actions speak louder than words. The notion that Scott may get fired is far from ridiculous, it’s a real (and I think likely) possibility.

TM: It’s nice to see. I agree with Jerry that it likely won’t have bearing on what the Cavs’ front office decides to do, but still, when a coach is on a hot seat, it’s better to see guys like Thompson being supportive of the coach rather than have the players blast the coach or avoid questions about it. I think Byron Scott is the right person for this team, for now. And really, if the players want him here, I think that management would be silly to cut ties with him while the players stick behind him.

NBA Roundup

Fourth Question: Lakers or Jazz?

JB: The only reason this even matters to me is because of the Cavaliers pick. The Cavs will drop 13 spots if the Lakers do not get in. My gut tells me the Lakers will sneak in, by the skin of their teeth, however I think Utah is the better team, and they are younger (a lot younger). I heard Charles Barkley on the Dan Patrick show talk about this very question, and as always he had a very strong opinion. He basically said, he never cares about who wins the eighth seed because “they ain’t gonna do nothing anyway, and this year is no exception”

TM: Neither? I guess I want the Lakers in because of the Cavs getting their pick, but I really dislike watching both teams. The Lakers are a freaking circus, and I don’t want even more coverage of this team than we get now. That, and Kobe not making the playoffs would be hilarious to me. The Jazz, meanwhile, aren’t entertaining at all to watch, and coach Tyrone Corbin’s lineup rotations are hilariously bad. Seriously? Marvin Williams has started 26 more games than Gordon Hayward this season? Honestly, the Spurs are going to steamroll whoever makes it in as the 8th seed, but there’s more in it for the Cavs if the Lakers get in, so I guess they’re preferable.

Fifth Question: End of the season awards: Who do you think will win Defensive Player of the Year?

JB: I am going to go with Serge Ibaka. He has always been a great defender and is leading the league in blocks with over three a night. Howard is still probably the better overall defender, but this year Ibaka has been a little more consistent (and far less dramatic).

TM: Marc Gasol, and I will not accept any alternative. Gasol’s defensive prowess isn’t quantifiable in the box score, but I encourage you to watch a Grizzlies game in the playoffs and focus on Gasol. His defensive rotations are superb. He’s a brilliant on-ball defender in the paint. His rebounding positioning is amazing. His team gives up almost seven more points/100 possessions with him off the floor. Gasol is the best defensive center in the league this season, and is my pick for Defensive Player of the Year, as well as my All-NBA 1st Team center. the guy deserves it.

Make sure to check back next week to see what Jerry Bulone and Zak Kolesar have to debate at the “Weekly Roundtable.”