Cleveland Cavaliers: Should Varejao Get A Ring Regardless?

Should Anderson Varejao be rewarded regardless of who wins the 2016 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers?

The 2016 NBA Finals matchup is set. There are plenty of stories in each season’s NBA Finals. However, being that this is a repeat of last year’s finals and that former Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is now with the Golden State Warriors, makes the total number of storylines increase even more.

One intriguing debate that should be considered is Varejao a champion regardless of who wins the championship? Varejao was a fan favorite to most fans when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers before the team moved on from him.

Varjeao was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this season before signing with Warriors. Despite injury issues over the years, he had a very solid career.

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Varejao was originally a second-round draft pick of the Orlando Magic, but he never played for them. Following the 2004 NBA Draft, Varejao was traded in July 2004 (less than a month after being drafted) to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland had acquired Varejao when Zydrunas Ilgauskas was in the later half of his career. Although Varejao was not as good as “Big Z”, he did do a good job following Ilgauskas’ footsteps.

In his 11.5 seasons with Cleveland, Varejao averaged 7.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game. Varjeao did a lot for the Cleveland Cavaliers organization during his time in northeast Ohio. He is a well-respected teammate and has a great relationship with many of the Cavs players, especially LeBron James.

What Varjeao did for the team is great and is appreciated, but if the Cavaliers win their upcoming series, Varjeao should not be given an NBA Championship ring. Had the Cavs’ opponent be the Oklahoma City Thunder perhaps such an opinion would change.