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To Believe Cleveland Cavaliers Bounces Back, Fans Must Recall What?

By Ryan Rosko

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In this week’s edition of Factory of Sadness mailbag, I take questions on why fans should believe in the Cleveland Cavaliers and that they will bounce back, buying the Indians, and D’Angelo Russell‘s draft stock. You can read last week’s inaugural mailbag here. We want to hear from you! If you have a question, you can tweet us @FanSidedFoS or reach us on Facebook.

Why should I believe the Cavs can bounce back? Stephen M, Cleveland, OH

In a word, experience. LeBron James on any team always gives a chance for his team. There is no reason why the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot bounce back.  Coach David Blatt is going to have to make some adjustments. That is a given.

Blatt is an accomplished coach, but his experience is being tested.

Sure, Timofey Mozgov has stepped up his game, and Matthew Dellavedova has been doing everything and then some as well. The struggle comes with the injuries and the poor shooting as two key reasons. I understand why you and maybe others doubt Cleveland’s chances heading back to California, but they continue to prove otherwise the team can overcome many hurdles.

Who is to say they cannot jump over a few more?

James had his stats increase during the two playoffs when he won the championship and this year’s playoffs are no different even though his shooting has been no where close to what he has shot in the past. James is going to do everything in his power to bring a title home.

The experience James and other champions on the roster has had in the postseason, finals, and championships overseas is of no comparison to that of the Golden State Warriors. They have been involved in many situations, so Cleveland fans should be confident.

It is definitely going to be tough winning it all against the NBA MVP Stephen Curry, but remember James loves to play on the road.

Experience of the Cleveland organization, mainly James is overlooked by many but should be a huge factor these last two or three games. James, some of the coaches, and older veterans on the roster have been there and succeeded!

Are the Indians as currently constructed, an attractive option to potential buyers? Chris A, Columbus, OH

Yes the Cleveland Indians definitely are an attractive option. The team’s nucleus consists of Corey Kluber, Carlos Santana, Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis, and Yan Gomes. All of them are under contract till at least 2019.

Trevor Bauer, who needs a new contract, also would be in that nucleus if the team can sign him going forward. If a new ownership were to come in at a time in the relatively not too distant future, buyers would have the luxury of having a World Series winning manager in Terry Francona leading the team.

Under Francona, the team went to the one game playoffs in 2013. This year, despite many injuries and lack of production at times, the Indians should be a contender again if  they can stay healthy and make another run or two soon.

The one drawback buyers may have if/when they consider owning the Tribe, is that the team has struggled for years to get fans to routinely attend games. So far through 30 games Cleveland’s attendance average of 16,788 has shown again that something needs fix. The team’s attendance is second worse, with only Tampa trailing.

D’Angelo Russell nixed his 76ers pick. Does he deserve to be a top 2 pick? Grady D, Cedarville, OH

I would have to say yes, D’Angelo Russell does deserve a top two pick. Russell can play both guard spots, with SG as his more polished position. His skills and production have allow him to do more on the court than the typical PG.

In his one year at Ohio State he shot 41 percent from three, while averaging 19.3 ppg, 5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.

Russell could be trying to play the field and attempt to force teams not to draft him for another destination. Or maybe he was promised a certain pick by a team? To describe Russell’s draft stock it is more of a question if he can fit a certain team, rather than if he deserves a certain pick.

Minnesota could draft Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay, another star guard with the first pick and then trade Ricky Rubio. If something like that happened, the questions then is asked what does Flip Saunders want more in a guard?

The Lakers need a guard too but they also need a big man, so there is no guarantee he is going to be selected in the first two picks, despite being worthy of such a selection. With Kobe Bryant potentially retiring after next season, Russell would make sense. However, with how the Philadelphia 76ers roster is constructed, they may select him anyways.

If the draft was tonight, I would say he ends up in Philly despite not going through with the workout.

Next: Desperate Cleveland Cavaliers Need To Play Joe Harris

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