Ferry in dash to get Bibby
Posted February 21st, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
Didn’t go it to Toronto tonight, my first missed game of the season. But this was no off day, I was working the phones hard. I talked to several organizations and it has become clear the Cavs are going all out as to land Mike Bibby.
In my past dealings with Danny Ferry, I found him to be very calculating and cautious. He didn’t want to make a trade unless he was pretty sure he was going to win it. That is the Spurs way. With the Eastern Conference faltering this season and with all sorts of signs that the Kings really just want to rid themselves of Bibby, it seems Ferry has changed his tune. He’s willing to make a risky move if he thinks it will make the Cavs contenders. And apparently, he’s got Dan Gilbert’s backing.
Getting Bibby might slam the Cavs into the luxury tax this season and deep into the tax next year. But there’s no doubt the green light has been given. As I’ve written on numerous occasions, the Kings want Gooden and cap relief. From the people I talked to today, they also want a point guard too. Ferry has been working on it as hard as he can, but so far hasn’t been able to get the Kings to bite.
I think the ball is really in Sac’s court, they are making this trade to start to rebuild and rid themselves of Bibby and his contract. It will come to them to bend probably.
One thing that is very important here is that Bibby can opt out of his deal in the offseason. Though he might not because he’s making big dollars. A huge factor is that Bibby’s agent is David Falk, the guy who landed Ferry a 10-year deal back in the day. Trust that Ferry and Falk have talked about it a lot and obviously have a lot of trust built with each other and I’m sure the sides have an understanding about what Bibby’s intentions are.
Even if this doesn’t get done, remember two things: 1. Ferry worked hard to make a major deal. 2. This might very well get done next summer.
On the Toronto game:
–It was a super quality win, the second in-a-row and the Cavs did it with defense and scrappy play.
–Anderson Varejao and Eric Snow get gold stars for the second straight game. These guys have been just as important as Sasha Pavlovic and LeBron in this blitz of seven wins in 10 games. Snow made all sorts of plays that didn’t show up in the stats, including driving and drawing defenders and some great defensive plays. What can be said about Varejao, he’s playing some of the best ball of his career when the Cavs really need it.
–LeBron and Chris Bosh were both guilty of taking some bad shot down the stretch, but the Cavs supporting cast was better. That is a positive sign because the Raptors have a quality team and the Cavs were on the road and not at full strength.
–This game and tomorrow’s against the Bulls are important because there are tiebreakers at stake for playoff seeding.
–Larry Hughes average for bad shots in a game is like at 5 these days.
–Mike Brown may be calling fewer plays, which makes the Cavs feel better about themselves after they erred in calling out their coach publicly, but it is the defense that he’s instilled that has carried things for most of this run.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Nice post Brian.
I’m curious about your thoughts on adding Bibby. I really don’t see it working in that Bibby is more of a scorer than a true point guard.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:44 pm
No Marcus Banks. We dont want that contract. The Bibby contract scares me to, but I dont mind giving up Drew if we can get a PG like Bibby. I read somewhere Bibby had huge stats after the All Star Break last year. It is clear that Ferry fully knows that he needs a PG for this team. Like BW said, if it doesnt happen now, it will happen this offseason. While it would be great to have a PG for the run this year with the weak Eastern Conference, I dont want to make a desperate deal and hancuff us for years to come. Just remember how we consistently complain about contracts like Snow, Hughes, Newble, Z, DJ, etc. It is good to take a risk, but not a desperate risk.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:52 pm
In addition to bad shots, larry gets more shots blocked per shot attempt than anyone in the league. LEARN A FLOATER, LARRY!!
The guy is beyond bad. He can wine about the offense, the pace, his role….it’s time he just looks in the mirror.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:12 pm
With the recent play of Andy.. and then again tonight.
I think Danny Ferry is only going to try even harder feeling more comfortable about giving up Gooden.
Andy has proven he can start.
I have also been hearing lots of things as 3 team trades or even 4 team trades to get this deal done.
Also finnaly.. i guess people all around the NBA right now are saying the deal that is most likely to get done is the Bibby to the Cavs deal.
This is a very good sign. I hope it happends.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Drew Gooden is a consummate professional - I do not want to lose him. He’s going to continue to improve his game on both ends. We have LeBron for 3 years at the very least why sacrifice year 2 and 3 for this year?
I’m not expert (almost) but I’d say that as long as we have more than 1 guy that can CREATE HIS OWN SHOT, we can keep defenses off balance enough to beat any team. Varajeo is developing a nice little offensive package and his FT shooting is getting better. Pavlovic is GOING to get more minutes since he’s keeping people in front of him on defense and he has a very nice offensive skill set. The Cavs don’t need 4 guys on the court to be able to shoot from anywhere at all times - what they need is an offense that is DYNAMIC enough to make defenses pay - it doesn’t HAVE to be a PG breaking down defenses and feeding LeBron. Plenty of Championship teams have won with at least 1 offensive liablity on the court at all times. The problem isn’t that eric snow doesn’t draw any defense attention - it’s the combination of having him and 3 face-up jump shooters on the court at the same time. You play double LeBron off Snow’s man and as long and then the Cavaliers offense becomes as predictable as the weather in a snow-globe. Think about it - you can send guys flying at outside shooters overplaying the passes because you KNOW they are no threat to dribble-drive past you or around you to pull up. Everyone in the WORLD knows what D-Jones, D-Marshall, and Z are going to do if they catch a pass 15-out or more. If you are constantly doubling LeBron then Varajeo and Pavlovic are going to break down defenses. As long as Hughes is getting minutes (which it sound s like he’s going to continue to get) how much of an improvement are you going to see with Bibby over Pavlovic? Now answer that question again for 07-08 and 08-09. Pavlovic is the future, Bibby is the past. And the scariest part about all this trade talk is what we’re left with at the frontcourt: An aging/slowing Z, an energy guy that is going to demand BIG $$, Scot Pollard, and Donyell Marshall. What happens if any one of those guys gets hurt - THEN what? At least right now if LeBron gets hurt we insert Pavlovic and CAN beat teams… Varaejo and Pollard are very foul prone and Marshall isn’t in his prime anymore. We lose a double-double guy that we have locked up for a fair price to get ANOTHER GUARD that shoots under 40% with a bad contract…
February 22nd, 2007 at 4:02 am
I would never have thought I’d say this but I have to agree that trading Gooden for Bibby is a little scary. Right now the Cavs can count on two things–LeBron can score and Gooden and Verajao provide energy and rebounding.
Tom is also right about the offense, though I would include Gibson in the argument.
I know Gibson hasn’t been a playmaker (and the Cavs haven’t asked him to be yet), but he will be. With Hughes and LeBron, the Cavs need a couple guys who can shoot and who are quick enough to get past one guy. Gibson and Pavlovic both look to be that kind of player. Maybe not, but why not see what they can do over the next 30 games. If they improve at all, the Cavs will be better come playoff time than they were last year.
In any case, if there’s a three way trade, who are the Cavs going to give up to land another point guard for the Kings? If it’s a young guy, they shouldn’t do it. If it’s an old guy or two, maybe they should just consider making that trade one-up and forget about Bibby anyway.
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 am
A few things to consider…
Bibby is more of a shooter than a penetrator/distributor. Maybe he’d be more of a true PG with more talent around him. But maybe not. Gibson has a similar skill set, but not the experience or proven big-game production. Does Bibby and his $15M contract improve the Cavs that much over Gibson getting the same minutes?
I hope Snow isn’t a toss in on any deal. Varejao’s slam in Bosh’s grill gets the most attention, but Snow stripped Bosh three times in the fourth quarter alone last night, huge stops in a one-point game.
Going back to Brian’s earlier posts about the Gibson PG experiment, maybe the experiment was on the wrong subject. The consensus is the Cavs need a penetrating point guard, and that Hughes needs to be a slasher. So why not have given Hughes 10 games at PG before the trading deadline, to see if it could jump start his game and the team? If we add Bibby to Hughes and LeBron, that’s a ton of long-term money committed to wing players.
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 am
As long as they are hamstrung with Ilgauskas and his contract, they have a very tough road no matter what Ferry does. Overall, I like any effort to bring in a better point guard, although Bibby really isn’t a point guard, per se. But he’s a vast improvement over what they’ve got now. Even if the guy subsequently opted out, that would open some of the cap space that Ferry had squandered.
I don’t know what is “scary” at all about trading Gooden. Seems to me that was the underlying intent when he was re-upped in the first place. Couldn’t trade him at the time, simply re-upped so they could protect an asset for this very purpose.
And I HATE that ridiculous phrase, “provide energy.” Over the past 10 years or so, the cliche has grown like a cancer. It’s part and parcel of the requirement of being a compensated professional athlete. Providing energy? As opposed to what, taking a nap?
Lastly, what’s the deal with our blog host’s aversion to Canada? This is not at all new. If it wasn’t Reed going to Toronto for Windhorst, it was Pluto. If it’s not Pluto going to Toronto for Windhorst, it’s Thomas. I’ve heard of people hating gays with a passion, and it’s clear that Windhorst hates Canadians with a passion. Probably hates hockey and beer, too. How “aboot” it, Windhorst, you despicable Canadian hater.
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:56 am
Two questions:
1) What is the paper that LeBron gets coming out of the locker room at half times? (I’ve seen this recently in at least three games)
2) Who was the turbin-clad, bearded fellow that LeBron gave the hug to right when the game ended last night???
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:49 am
We have been covering this like crazy over at our site and Ive never seen the traffic that we have been getting.
There are rumors everywhere, but as you said in your blog, the ball is in SacTowns court and who knows if they like what everybody is offering.
I just wish something would get done already.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 am
Come to think of it, and my memory may be a little fuzzy, but I seem to recollect that even poor Stephanie Storm once had to make the trip because the blog host will not rub shoulders with our Friends up North. Windhorst is the Tim Hardaway of Canadian haters.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 am
I think the guy in the turbin is Lebrons free throw coach. I saw him rubbing his belly and making a wish at halftime.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:34 am
Or should that be Friends Up North, with the ‘u’ capitalized. Whatever. The point remains that it’s simply repugnant, reprehensible and disgusting, and has no place in sports journalism, let alone in a modern society.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:44 am
Just a quick comment on Hughes at the point:
If anyone watched last night’s game, you saw how Larry Hughes consistently had the ball against a weak defender, had the advantage, and then got himself into a bad shooting position and shot anyway. Hughes is frustrated for a variety of reasons, some of his own making, and his basketball IQ has taken a nosedive. He no longer wants to go to the rim, either because he’s worried about injury or because he doesn’t have the burst and the hops to finish strong at the rim. It seems that he’s not able to get past defenders at all anymore, which has eliminated any “slasher” element that he once had, and that’s led to him trying to step back and shoot over defenders.
The point is, he doesn’t penetrate, and he doesn’t pass, and I’m pretty sure that would make him a terrible solution at the point. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe a different level of involvement would have changed his game. But right now, the odds of Larry Hughes having success at the point are about the same as Braylon Edwards finding new success as a quarterback.
I still think that Larry Hughes has to contribute for this team to be a success, but it’s going to have to be as a wing player, and not as a point guard. Hopefully something will click and he’ll start bringing the energy soon.
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:25 am
First, I wouldn’t be leary of trading anyone on the roster other than Varejao and LeBron. If you come with the right package, then Varejao is on the table too, but that package has to be pretty damn big.
I like Gooden, but in trades, especially trade deadline to improve your team one has to give something up value up. The Cavs can’t give expiring contracts or draft picks, so they have to give some level of talent.
I think Bibby makes can take this team to another level. He has a track record of success in the playoffs. 16.6 points/5.2 assists. Sounds like the production needed from the point for this team. Worth his contract? Probably not long term, but if it brings a champoinship to Cleveland? Sometimes you have to do something stupid to put a team over the hump.
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:26 am
Oh, one other thing. Alan, maybe BW got popped for a little reefer going across the border in his youth and just can’t go to Canada anymore.
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 am
The first time Arenas/Daniels/Billups/Hamilton blows by Bibby in the playoffs, Mike Brown brings snow in on the next whistle - GUARNASHEED!
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:49 am
When observers say Bibby’s not a pure point guard I don’t know what they’re talking about. The Cavs still have Snow if it’s vital to have a point guard who can’t shoot a lick.
That said, trading Gooden would leave the team with Verajao, Marshall and Z. Z hasn’t proven he can handle the added pressure of the playoffs. Verajao will be in constant foul trouble when teams decide to go right after him. And Marshall’s pretty much what you’re left with when you eliminate the hackneyed idea of “energy.”
Maybe I’m wrong, but Bibby’s not going to be such a huge improvement if the team winds up being that thin up front.
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
I’ll have all of you know that I love Canada. I visit Vancouver just about every year and last year spent a week in the Canadian Rockies ATVing, white water rafting (an ill-fated idea considering I had to don a wetsuit), hiking and visiting a dam. However, Mr. Tucker is right, I am not much of a fan of going to Toronto and therefore I usually skip it at least once a year for various reasons including the customs setup at Lester B. Pearson International Airport. This year, because there was a preseason game, I skipped it twice. I am often rebuked by the Toronto media for this, including several rounds during All-Star Weekend in Vegas.
As for Bibby watch, all quiet on the Lake Erie front at the moment.
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:21 am
Pros: Bibby’s production
But many cons. Not a great defender, having a TERRIBLE shooting season, and a bad contract. We need that money to re-sign Varejao in the offseason. With the emergence of Sasha and Gibson, why mess with the chemistry and send Gooden away?
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:28 am
BW, as the lead singer of Rush, I find your hatred towards Toronto simply despicable. My bandmates think you need to get “ooout” more often.
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 am
looks like the trade will not happen, its 2:20 and yahoo sports said the trade is dead, its ferry fought, he should of got a pt guard in the off season, well we will lose in the first of second round of the po or they need to let gibson play the pt and stop giving the ball to leeebron when he cross the time line and he needs more minutes per game,
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
I say we bring in Pippen as more of a player/coach and then hire on Allen Tucker as head towel boy/water boy/floor mopper.
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:33 am
Oh, and rumor has it that Craig Ehlo is also looking for a 15 day contract.
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Good: Ferry has not added 11-14 mill
for a guy who shoots 38.8 and can’t
pass. We need Drew and we need Daniel.
They wanted Wild Thing or Sasha in addition
to Drew. Absolutely not.
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm
You cannot throw money at point guards
to win a championship. A superior big
man like Duncan, Shaq, Nowitski, Rasheed
yes. Mike Bibby no. This team needs to
win with rebounding and defense. And again
Larry Hughes is a good player and can play
some point. He needs to share some of the
offensive load with LBJ and he is trying to do just that.
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
There are only 2 players in the NBA who
would win the Cavs a championship this year
that would have a remote possibility of
being traded. They are J O’Neal and Garnett.
So have patience Ferry and BW and I will
shut up.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:30 am
Tom’s post above says it all. Here in Sacramento, everyone knows Bibby needs to go. He doesn’t run, he plays no defense, his best shooting years all well behind him, he pouts, and he has a ridiculous contract. No thanks - stay with Sasha and Andy and Gibson - let Damon Jones sit at the end of the bench with Pollard. Keep giving Andy major minutes and let Gooden board and get the garbage goals. I am beyond relieved that Ferry didn’t let himself get taken to the cleaners by Geoff Petre.