Apr 22, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (top) puts up a shot against San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) during the second half at the AT

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced their NBA schedule on Wednesday, and the seven game schedule includes game in Canton in the home of Cavs’s D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge.  The schedule is as follows:

2012-13 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS PRESEASON SCHEDULE

*Denotes Cavaliers home game at neutral site. All times Eastern.

The most interesting game on the schedule to be is the game against Indiana on October 23th. By that time, the roster should be complete, and it will give the fans their first real look at the 2012-2013 Cleveland Cavaliers. Also, it’s against the Pacers, who be the best team in Central division this season. So, at the very least, it should be an interesting game.

Feb 8, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao (17) tries to block a shot attempt by Los Angeles Clippers small forward Caron Butler (5) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Anderson Varejao – Most want to trade Andy for a first rounder because he has a high market value right now, but I believe he is a perfect veteran player for a team full of young guys.  Each year Andy is at the top of the list for offensive rebounds, creating more opportunities.  Nothing inspires young players more than those hustle plays.  Andy is the heart and soul of this team and in my eyes, whatever the Cavs are offered wouldn’t be enough for him.

Tristan Thompson- Most Cavs fans may still be questionable about Thompson, but I believe he was the best rookie big man last year.  Kenneth Faried came on strong at the end of the year, but Thompson had some great games early in the year, and finished the year just as strong as he started it.  He didn’t look too motivated at the end of last year, but as a rookie, who lost as many games as we did, I don’t blame him.

Samardo Samuels- A force to be reckoned with in the paint, but inconsistencies on the court and problems with the coaching staff have caused him to lose minutes.  His weight loss has been a hot topic at Summer League.  He is relentless around the rim and brings a great attitude to this team.

Jon Luer- Great pick up by the Cavs.  He creates an outside presence for our big men and must be guarded on the perimeter.  Hasn’t stood out too much in his short NBA career, but he will be a great compliment to our current big guys who are more of the grinder type in the paint.

July 19, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tyler Zeller (40) drives during the first half of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Tyler Zeller- Great pickup by the Cavs front office.  A true 7-footer that can run the floor better than any other big man in the league.  He has a nice elbow jumper, similar to the great Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Kyrie and Zeller can work together to create a great pick-and-roll game, but don’t expect it early in the season.  I believe the 2012 ACC Player of the Year will fit nicely with this offense.

Mar 23, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tyler Zeller (44) shoots as Ohio Bobcats forward Reggie Keely (30) defends during the first half of the semifinals in the midwest region of the 2012 NCAA men

Center is an interesting position in the modern NBA. The need for a dominant, back-to-the basket big man isn’t as important as it was in days of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. It’s not even as important as it was in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, when Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, and other centers dominated the league. In the current NBA, the leagues elite players (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, etc.) are mostly wing players. The exceptions (Dwight Howard, maybe Andrew Bynum) are far and few between. Nevertheless, the position is still important. Otherwise, teams like the Portland Trailblazers wouldn’t take Greg Oden over Kevin Durant, and then offer a not quite elite Roy Hibbert a four year, $58 million offer sheet in the span five years. Now onto the Cavs and their current centers.

Current Centers: Tyler Zeller, Anderson Varejao, and Tristan Thompson

-       I expect this position to change a lot this season. Varejao started here last season, but he’s better suited to play power forward. That leaves the rookie Zeller, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, to man the position. Tristan Thompson can also play center when needed, but like Varejao, he’s better suited to play the four. Depending on what line up is in the game, and what team the Cavs are playing, any three of these players could man the position.

-       Key Stats: Zeller – 16.3 points per game, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks per game, 55.3% shooting. Zeller’s stats last season at North Carolina were among the best of any big men in college basketball last season. He also shot 80.8% from the free throw line, which is phenomenal for a center. If he can play close to that in the NBA, he’ll be a great addition to the Cavs roster.

Some Centers Available: Roy Hibbert, Brook Lopez, Chris Kaman, Ben Wallace (former Cav), Spencer Hawes, Robin Lopez, Aaron Gray

Best Fit for the Cavs: None

There is no need for the Cavs to sign any free agent center. They have a young one in Zeller, a veteran hybrid in Varejao, and a young power forward in Thompson who can play the position when needed. If Zeller hadn’t been drafted, making a move for some one like Hawes or Gray would have made sense. If the Cavs want to add a center, Sasha Kaun (whose rights they own) would be a good move depending what his status is with CSKA Moscow in Russia.

Best Case Scenario: Zeller preforms well right off the bat, Varejao fills in when needed, and Thompson only plays center sparingly. Center thus becomes a strong spot on the Cavs roster.

Worst Case Scenario: Zeller busts out, and Varejao gets hurt, leaving Thompson to play center. This would be disastrous for the Cavs.

What Likely Happens: I expect Zeller to have a solid, but not great, rookie season. Varejao fills in when needed, and when he has to, Thompson plays well. Center is a non-issue for the Cavs.