2011 NBA Draft Results: Cavaliers' Picks Were 'Defensive'

Cavaliers' head coach Byron Scott explained Cleveland's strategy in last Thursday's NBA Draft in this column on Cleveland.com via Terry Pluto

The main reason for taking Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson?

"Defense," said the Cavs coach. "We must get better on defense."

Scott sees some similarities in Irving and New Orleans' Chris Paul. In discussing Irving, Scotttalked about Irving's:

"court vision ... his change of pace dribble ... his crossover dribble ... his ability to run a team ... and he can flat-out shoot."

Changing gears to discuss Thompson, Scott said:

"He can defend the post, and he can defend the pick-and-roll out on the court," said the coach. "He wants every rebound. He blocks shots. We consider him the best running big man in the draft, meaning he can get a defensive rebound -- and then get down the court for a dunk."

Scott said that the Cavaliers would work with Thompson to improve on Thompson's 49% free-throw shooting, noting that the Cavs "must rebound better. We must defend better. We must be physical. He (Thompson) can help us get there.

I recommend the entire article for further insight into the thought-process behind the selections that simultaneously made the fanbase happy and scratching their heads.