Video: NBA TV previews the 2005-06 Cavaliers

The team took a hit this summer with Anderson Varejao set to start the season on the sidelines. Varejao underwent surgery to repair a dislocated right shoulder – an injury suffered during a World Championship qualifying game in the Dominican Republic – and a date for his return has not been set. The energetic and wild-haired forward will be missed by the team and fans alike. As a rookie last year, Varejao quickly earned a reputation, not to mention the fans’ admiration, for his hustle chasing down rebounds – he ranked fourth among rookies in rebounds per 48 minutes.

Based on Varejao’s history, look for him to have a significant impact immediately upon his return. He rebounded from a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss 15 games last season, averaging nearly 19 minutes per game to end the season.

Collecting a few of those extra boards while Varejao is out will be new addition Donyell Marshall, who figures to battle for the starting power forward spot with Drew Gooden. In addition to being a big body able to provide a scoring and defensive punch, Marshall gives the team another perimeter scoring threat. Marshall has consistently improved his accuracy from beyond the arc, nailing a career best 41.6 percent last season – including tying an NBA single-game record for most triples in a game (12) on Mar. 13.

Marshall, Gooden, Varejao and re-signed All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas comprise a decent front line – if lacking a little depth – but with the backcourt needs addressed and James shedding the weight of a city this year, there’s no reason the Cavaliers should be watching from home in late April.

Brown

The Cavaliers also need to rely on Zydrunas Ilgauskas, he's their low-post threat. They can play off him in the post and he's an excellent low post passer. With the addition of all those scorers, they should take advantage of that.

They're a better team because of their depth. With Hughes, Marshall, Jones and James they're really athletic. They should be able to make some steals and get out and run.

I would think they would try to get into more of an up-tempo game, but if they need to play in the half-court then it'll revolve around Ilgauskas in the post or running James off of pick and roll.

X&O WEAKNESS
They really don't have a great backup center. Martynas Andriuskevicius isn't ready to play. They're probably looking for a backup center, and they had one Anderson Varejao, but he's hurt. He was their next, best big player.

They did add Jones as a three-point shooter, but James and Hughes are more slasher-type scorers. Question is, do they have enough three-point shooting? They're not particularly long or big on their frontline with the exception of Ilgauskas. Overall, defensively, they need to improve.

COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Mike Brown is known as a defensive oriented coach. They'll try to be a good defensive team and with their speed and quickness, they'll try to overplay people in the open court and try to get some easy baskets. It's his first job and how he relates to the players will be interesting. He's young enough (35) so he should be a players' coach. The players would probably like to play for him. Again, he's new, so he's a little bit of an unknown.

-- Brian Winters (courtesy of the National Basketball Coaches Association)