Cleveland Cavaliers P.M. links: So, Anderson Varejao doesn’t even deserve being included in the all-star ‘snub’ category?
Related News
National writer snubs Varejao by even excluding Cavs' center from all-star "snubs" list. More links to Cavaliers stories.
Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCavs center Anderson Varejao is mentioned by some observers as an all-star candidate because of his superb play, and ignored by others despite that quality of play.CLEVELAND, Ohio — No matter what some players do, certain levels of recognition seem beyond their reach.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao‘s value to a team can not be fairly measured by mere numbers. That will probably become even more apparent as the NBA’s March 15 trade deadline nears, and we likely hear of contending teams’ interest in Varejao.
Apparently, ESPN.com’s Marc Stein doesn’t appreciate Varejao’s play. Stein writes about the reserves he would pick for the Eastern and Western conference’s all-star teams. Stein leaves Varejao off the list. Well, that’s OK. Stein, though, doesn’t include the Cavs’ mop-topped center when he mentions other players worthy of all-star recognition. Worse, he doesn’t even list Varejao among the “East snubs” — other players that Stein feels bad about leaving out.
Ryan Braun writes for “Cavs: The Blog” about Cleveland’s 91-88 homecourt win on Saturday night over the defending champion Dallas Mavericks.
Braun notes Varejao’s recent statistics, including his 17-point, 17-rebound (let alone off-the-charts, non-stats-type contributions) performance against Dallas, and writes that Varejao “has never had a run like this in his entire career.”
Well, maybe, or maybe not, that’s true about the numbers, but we can confidently claim that Varejao has had much longer stretches, like, say his entire career, of being an impact player.
Braun, though, shows that he gets it when he writes:
But more than that, as always is always the case with Andy, stats don’t tell the half of it.
His energy is changing the complexion of games right now. As important as Kyrie has been in improving the Cavs offensively, I would credit Varejao at least as much. His constant movement on the offensive end is surprisingly effective in opening up passing lanes and his offensive rebounding — tops in the league right now at 4.7 per game — is giving the Cavs opportunity to hang around in games they’d otherwise have shot themselves out of.
The Cavs won the game tonight because they took 26 more shots than the Mavericks, a result of their 17 offensive boards (7 from Andy) and 21-9 turnover advantage (only 1 for Kyrie). Remove those advantages from the equation and consider that Cleveland shot 39.8% to Dallas’ 47.8%… Without Andy Varejao, tonight’s game isn’t close.
Varejao, by the way, is fourth in the NBA with 11.9 rebounds per game, just one-tenth of a board per contest behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Bynum, who is playing 2.6 more minutes per game than Varejao.
The Cavaliers (9-13) are off until Tuesday night, when they visit the Miami Heat (18-6).
Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Tom Reed’s story that the Cavs are making the case for Varejao to be named an all-star; Reed’s Cavaliers-Mavericks game story; Bill Livingston’s column on the warm reception Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki got from Cavs fans; Tom Reed’s Cavaliers Insider; his update on the status of the Cavaliers public address announcer; his “Days of Wine-n-Gold;” his “Hey, Tom!;” answering readers’ questions about the Cavaliers; “Terry Pluto’s Talkin;’ “ Tom Reed’s NBA Insider; and more.
Cavs conversation
NBA notes – beginning with some decisions facing Cavs general manager Chris Grant — by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
Video of interviews with Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, center Anderson Varejao and coach Byron Scott following the Cavaliers’ win over the Mavericks.
Cavs notes, including former Cavs guard Delonte West returning to Cleveland as a Dallas Maverick. by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Opinions and rumors, by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
Anderson Varejao is the NBA’s most valuable role player, Noah Poinar writes for the Bleacher Report.
Cavaliers defeat the defending champions. By Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Cavs-Mavs game story by Rick Noland for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.
Cavs 91, Mavs 88. By Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
Latest Headlines
- Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy: ‘I’m working harder than ever’
- Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy: ‘I’m working harder than ever’
- Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy: ‘I’m working harder than ever’
- John Wooten, former Browns offensive line great, elected to College Football Hall of Fame
- Colt McCoy’s father was catalyst for necessary change in NFL’s sideline medical procedures, Bill Livingston writes
- Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden ready to start competition for starting job
- Mary Kay and Dennis report on day 2 of Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp (video)
- Mary Kay and Dennis report on first day of Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp (video)
- Brandon Weeden’s footwork looks good early in Cleveland Browns minicamp, says Dennis Manoloff (SBTV)
- Insensitive Tweet after Derrick Rose’s injury at odds with trend toward increased player safety, Bill Livingston writes
- Watch PD Sports Insider: Recap Cavs season with Mary Schmitt Boyer and Tribe talk
- Cleveland Browns’ Scott Fujita denies involvement in bounty system, reserves right to appeal
- Opposing coaches on Brandon Weeden: Pressure may affect QB’s accuracy
- NFLPA files grievance against league for Roger Goodell’s handling of bounty penalties
- ‘PD Sports Insider’: Brandon Weeden talks about being drafted by Cleveland Browns
In The News
Cleveland Browns players T.J. Ward and Jabaal Sheard mentor boys at Bolton Elementary
T.J. Ward and Jabaal Sheard
Cleveland Browns A.M. Links: Former coach praises John Hughes; Scott Fujita will miss three games; Brandon Weeden online today
John Hughes will play a
Cleveland Browns’ Scott Fujita, 3 others suspended for bounty program: Text of the NFL statement
NFL statement says Fujita "pledged
Assessing the draft effort of Cleveland Browns’ AFC North rivals
The Browns helped themselves in