Cleveland Cavaliers 2012-13 NBA Preview

Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers shown in an undated photo. (Photo by slimm978/Flickr.com)

Cleveland Cavaliers

2011-12 Vitals:

21-45, 5th in Central Division, 13th in Eastern Conference
93.0 PPG/100.2 OPP PPG

2012-13 Roster:

Kelenna Azubuike – SF
Omri Casspi – SF
Michael Eric – PF
Daniel Gibson – SG
Luke Harangody – F
Kyrie Irving – PG
Jon Leuer – F
C.J. Miles – SF
Jeremy Pargo – PG
Samardo Samuels – PF
Donald Sloan – PG
Tristan Thompson – F
Anderson Varejao – PF
Dion Waiters – SG
Luke Walton – SF
Tyler Zeller – C

Offseason Additions:

Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller, Jon Leuer, Kelenna Azubuike, Jeremy Pargo

Offseason Subtractions:

Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker, Manny Harris, Semih Erden

Projected Starters:

PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Daniel Gibson
SF – Omri Casspi
PF – Tristan Thompson
C – Anderson Varejao

Season Outlook:

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a budding superstar in place with Kyrie Irving. Unfortunately, they don’t have a number two option on the team. Anderson Varejao is a solid player who will work tirelessly but he can’t be considered an option.

Newly-drafted Dion Waiters could become that second option, although he still has to acclimate himself to the NBA game. If Irving and Waiters can find a way to co-exist on the offensive end and complement each other instead of mirror each other, they’re going to be much better off.

Hopefully Irving’s broken hand is a non-issue and no lingering effects are felt. Without him, this team would crumble as it did last season.

Best-Case Scenario:

Irving improves and Waiters shows he can be a reliable scorer and shooter in the NBA. The Cavaliers push for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference but narrowly miss out and chalk it up to excellent experience.

Worst-Case Scenario:

Irving suffers a sophomore slump and his hand gives him troubles throughout the year. Waiters and Irving clash as oppose to gel and the team gets another shot at a high lottery pick.