LBJ is a Super-Massive Fantasy Blackhole

To say that LeBron, arguably the world's greatest player, is a blackhole does not mean that he isn't talented and won't put up sick numbers. It only means that he is so massive that he sucks in all the talent that goes anywhere near him (even Shaq's fat ass, apparently...they should have had a "Shaq Versus" where he went up against a treadmill set to an 11-minute mile; he would have lost). The team is so dependent on James getting his, that the second and third wheels on the Cavs are not going to be fantasy forces. People seem to love Mo Williams and Anthony Parker and the like, but history shows that members of the Cavs backcourt rarely moonlight as meaningful fantasy contrubtors in any category other than 3PTM. This makes sense when you watch the Cavs play. LeBron seems to be constantly going one-on-four and Mike Brown's offense consists of the following three plays: 1) LeBron drives and either dunks on someone's face, humiliating them forever, or is fouled, where he inexplicably bricks one of his FTs, 2) LeBron takes a step-back 3, or 3) LeBron drives, sucks the defense to him and hits a teammate for an open 3. Here's a look at the Cavs' non-James leaders since the 2004-2005 season.

2004-2005
POINTS: Big Z, 16.9 PPG, 31st in the league
REBOUNDS: Drew Gooden, 9.2 RPG, 13th in the league

ASSISTS: Jeff McInnis, 5.1 APG, 23rd in the league

STEALS: Nobody in the top 50

BLOCKS: Big Z, 2.12 BPG, 8th in the league

2005-2006
POINTS: Big Z, 15.6 PPG, 46th in the league
REBOUNDS: Drew Gooden, 8.4 RPG, 18th in the league
ASSISTS: Eric Snow, 4.2 APG, 37th in the league
STEALS: Nobody in the top 50
BLOCKS: Big Z, 1.74 BPG, 16th in the league

2006-2007
POINTS: Larry Hughes, 14.9 PPG, 49th in the league
REBOUNDS: Drew Gooden, 8.5 RPG, 15th in the league
ASSISTS: Eric Snow, 4.0 APG, 37th in the league
STEALS: Larry Hughes, 1.27 SPG, 25th in the league
BLOCKS: Big Z, 1.26 BPG, 25th in the league

2007-2008
POINTS: Nobody in the top 50
REBOUNDS: Ben Wallace, 9.3 RPG, 16th in the league
ASSISTS: Nobody in the top 50
STEALS: Ben Wallace, 1.22 SPG, 33rd in the league
BLOCKS: Big Z, 1.64 BPG, 13th in the league

2008-2009

POINTS: Mo Williams, 17.8 PPG, 32nd in the league
REBOUNDS: Anderson Varejao, 7.2 RPG, 31st in the league
ASSISTS: Mo Williams, 4.1 APG, 40th in the league
STEALS: Nobody in the top 50
BLOCKS: Anderson Varejao, 0.81 BPG, 38th in the league.

Note: Big Z only played 65 games last year.

Nobody who has played either Guard spot for the Cavs has been in the top 25 in any cumulative category, other than Larry Hughes (25th in steals) and Jeff McInnis (!!!!!). Jesus. The only players who seem to have any discernible impact are rebounding specialists with limited offensive games like Ben Wallace, Drew Gooden, and Anderson Varejao and my former mainest man, Big Z. However, Big Z's numbers have been slipping in recent seasons. Last year, he did a lot of what Mo Williams and Delonte West did: sit outside and knock down open jumpers. Even more disconcerting, the Cavs have Shaq now, so Ilgauskas is getting limited minutes as a back-up Center.

So, I'd say avoid the Cavs like the plague if you don't have LeBron. Sure, Mo will get some points and hit some 3's, but that's it. He won't get steals, he won't get many assists. Shaq was drafted after Roy Hibbert in one draft I did, and nobody batted an eye. He's old, looks fat, will probably not play much in back-to-backs, might take 20 games off in January and February, and is currently averaging 9.0 PPG and only 24.8 MPG. 'Nuf said. You're better off looking to crappy teams with a bunch of gunners like the Grizzlies or the Clippers if you want to go anywhere in your fantasy league. The Cavs have the best player in the world and will likely go deep in the playoffs, but they make for a shitty fantasy team.