Garden State, garden variety
Posted December 19th, 2006 by Brian Windhorst
Newark, NJ — Going over a few things since we last spoke:
–The Nuggets stole Allen Iverson from the 76ers. Pretty much the 76ers tossed up their hands and took a package of a quality player, an expiring contract, and picks. This is the sort of deal that could make a major impact on the NBA. Like Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons three years ago, which was a steal as well. Or it might not work out with Carmelo Anthony, like the Chris Webber-Iverson attempt in Philly. The bottom line is this: Denver got a star without giving one up and the rest of the league can’t be happy.
–I’m told by a good source the only other team deeply in the running for Iverson was the Miami Heat. They publicly pulled out Monday, which is why the deal went through Tuesday. Yes, yes, yes, the Cavs had talks with the 76ers, but they didn’t go anywhere. Now, as for getting one of those three first round draft picks Philly now has, the Cavs may be interested in that business down the line.
–I’ve written a bunch about the Cavs issues over the last week or so, you can catch up here if you want. I’ve decided I am going to sit back and watch a bit as their schedule toughens up from now until the end of the month before I form new conclusions. Here’s what I know: They are a good defensive team, which in general they bring everyday but are a poor offensive team other than some nights when they get hot from the field, which usually happens at home. Getting a team to play good defense is harder than getting them to play good offense, so there is some hope. That said, the reason the Cavs score more at home than on the road is they rely too much on jumpers and emotion and less on fundamentals. I’m not sure that is going to change, but like I said I have criticized enough, I am in observation mode.
–Two interesting signs at Quicken Loans Arena that have shown up on the videoboard, hinting someone in the control room has a sense of humor. One read: "Hey (Adam) Morrison, shave your dirty Sanchez." Look it up on your own. The other read "Bruce (heart) Sasha." Pavlovic, I presume. I’m glad someone does.
–LeBron is tired, here’s my idea of what to do about it.
–Some of you may remember when I ranked the NBA cities last May, New Jersey was dead last. This is in terms of NBA travel, not for tourists or anything else (In case Mr. Soprano and/or NJ Dept. of Trade is reading). So I’m here and not thrilled, but am happy it is the Cavs only trip of the season here.
December 19th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
i wanna throw this out there: since the sixers *presumably* want to lose the most games possible to get as close to the #1 pick as possible, doesn’t it stand then that they will be trying to move andre miller very soon? and if that is true, wouldn’t we then be a franchise who would covet miller? we could give snow and sasha… hell, i dunno. but doesn’t this seem like at least a possibility? i’ve given up trying to get brian to comment on stuff here but larry and other smart commenters, whaddya think?
December 20th, 2006 at 5:25 am
Yes, Miller may be available and the Cavs do a few expiring contracts. It is possible. Ferry and Andre Miller are former teammates.
December 20th, 2006 at 5:59 am
I’d be thrilled to see the Cavs acquire Miller. Seems like he could be a real difference-maker in improving their offensive flow. The only (admittedly small) drawback is that Miller would probably cut into Gibson’ PT — I’m really eager to see him cut his teeth and get some experience.
December 20th, 2006 at 9:03 am
awww, brian, you’re the best!
can’t believe you fell for that trick! haha!
seriously, we appreciate ya throwin’ us a bone!
ok, bri, i’m gonna push my luck and see if you’ll answer this either in the paper or here: what are the odds of this happening, assuming that all we’ve said so far is true about the sixers wanting to move miller? i mean, are you hearing anything? would we have to give up a shannon brown or something like that of real value or might it possible that philly would want just newble and wesley and other expiring contract fodder?
and finally, is snow LITERALLY unmoveable because of his age, level of play, and most importantly, contract?
December 20th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
ok, so great minds think alike, right? here’s what john hollinger said today about the iverson trade:
“WINNER: CLEVELAND, MIAMI, AND DETROIT. Call them the “Flawed Contenders Club.” Each has aspirations to win the East, but all three have major weaknesses that will have to be addressed at the trade deadline. The Iverson deal just made that a whole lot easier, because Miller and Smith will both be available if the price is right — i.e., another expiring contract.
Miller especially could pique the interest of the Heat, as they’d gladly offer James Posey’s expiring contact and a few other trinkets in return for a point guard with a pulse. You could include some Western teams on this list as well, but one presumes a quid pro quo between Denver and Philly that the Sixers wouldn’t trade Miller back to the West.”
here’s hopin’ the cavs beat the heat to miller…
December 20th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
BW, I know you aren’t making anymore negative comments about the Cavs, so I am going to do it for you. Did anyone else notice how LBJ and everyone else turned up the intensity about 5x as much as they had the entire game? They were having fun. LBJ was driving, and dishing, and had a bunch more hop in his step after the 2:30 minute mark. I know BW said LBJ was tired, but if the Cavs played with half the intensity the entire game that they did in that last 2:30 when they were down 10 points they would have blown NJ out. They need to have fun and play with energy, and find a way to do it on the road, when they don’t have the fans and pyrotechnics to do it for them. The difference was so obvious, Brown and all of the players need to find a way otherwise this will continue to be a long and frustrating season.
December 20th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
kj, I am not sure about Miller. We need a real point guard and I dont want Miami to get him, but if we are going to make a trade we need someone to hit outside shots and provide some aggressive offense. Maybe Miller would allow hughes and lebron to do that, but I Miller would not be my first choice of people to go after. If there are no other options, the Cavs need something and I would go for it. By teh way, Earl Watson looks unbelieveable for the Sonics tonight in the first quarter…
December 21st, 2006 at 7:55 am
KC,
your point is well-taken, however, i am being realistic here and for a few reasons that i and brian mentioned here, it makes sense. and miller would run the fast break MUCH better than any current PG the cavs have. the guy is 3rd in the nba in assists, after all.
maybe we could get watson, i’d be ok with that i guess but he strikes me as not being as complete a PG as miller…
December 21st, 2006 at 8:00 am
KC, what is your definition of a real point guard? Miller has averages of 13 points and over 9 assists a night. Yet you want Seattle’s backup point guard?
December 21st, 2006 at 4:23 pm
I was not saying I like Watson better than Miller…I just happened to be watching watson be on fire while i was writing the post. I would obviously take Miller over any of the point guards we have right now. I would just not want to give up too much, and if we were willing to give up a lot, then I would want Ferry to look at all options. Who would you be willing to give up for Miller? My limit would be for an expiring contract and a shannon Brown, but I don’t think it would do it…
December 21st, 2006 at 5:52 pm
All of you have valid points, but you’re missing one big issue. Us as in the sixers dont have an efficient backup point gaurd, or one thats ready at least i.e. Louis Williams, but he hasnt developed fully yet. The only way we would give up miller is if we got a quality draft pick, and a mediocre guard in return. Cuz the way i see it. If the sixers keep miller and get oden next year we’ll have a terrifying line up.
Miller,Carney,Iguodala,Webber, and Oden. Then some good young backups with our two other first rounders. So like i said the only way we would give up miller is for a quality draft i.e. charlotte’s so we can get oden, and durant. Which is what billy king really wants, and thats why he got those other two first rounders so he could make a package to get charlottes first round pick.
December 22nd, 2006 at 10:09 am
Billy King must be dreaming if he thinks he can trade up in a significant way. I don’t think anyone’s trading any high lottery picks until Oden and Durant have been selected.
I’d love for the Cavs to get Miller but don’t think it will happen unless it’s a pure salary dump. I’m not sure if the Sixers would want to do that unless they can unload Webber. It’s good to have cap room but having $30 million in cap space hasn’t really worked out for teams in the past.
Plus, as Young76fan points out, the Sixers need Miller as bad as the Cavs do.
I was very disappointed the Cavs didn’t pursue Iverson harder, if they did at all. They should have been happy to package Verajao and Gibson with a couple contracts to get a Hall of Famer like AI.
Iverson would have given LeBron a good chance to average a triple double and the team surely wouldn’t be sleepwalking through games anymore.