By Zack Cimini

Sinking to the bottom of the barrel as a team was expected by outsiders of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though there owner promised revenge and that they’d win a title before Lebron. If they even make the playoffs while Lebron is still a member of the Heat, that’d be astonishing.

Through the first portion of the year some of the Cavaliers expected to fill the voids of Lebron James have been a dissapointment. Starting with JJ Hickson. The versatile big man that left NC State has shown signs that he could take on a more featured role while playing with Lebron. Without him though he has looked lost on the court. Clearly he is going to need more time to mature and can’t be expected to create for himself. He is a put back scorer without a low post game or jump shot.

The veterans of the Cavaliers have taken poor shots and seem content at letting the season run its course with lackluster effort. A veteran coach like Byron Scott sees this and in order to be competitive starts to give minutes to players with hunger. Undrafted talents that can provide a spark and play tough to try and stick and land a long term deal.

This trend has been happening more and more as teams let ex-D-League players and undrafted athletes garner minutes. Over the last week two key players for the Cavs have been stepping up. One is ex-Michigan Wolverine Manny Harris. Harris started his career with the Wolverines as an expected NBA talent then fizzled as a junior and senior.

It looks like his skill set is perfect for the NBA. He has shot the ball well and with his long frame is showing value on the boards as well. The past two games he has kept himself on the court with his play and earned starts. Last night against the Suns he kept the Cavs in the game with the rest of the team bricking shots. He finished with a career high 27 points and 8 rebounds. Getting to the free throw line eleven times and draining four out of seven from three point range.

With Anderson Varejeo out, another no name guy to take a look at is Christian Eyenga. The Cavaliers drafted him in the 2009 draft, but spent that year playing basketball for a Spanish team. He is undersized at 6’5, but gets off the floor quickly. He is a competitor that will hustle for boards and give it his all. His done a solid job in limited minutes this past week. Expect his minutes to increase and for him to start sneaking up on fantasy basketball waiver wires as well.