The As to the Qs, part two
Posted July 30th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
I had the notion for a really good play for Lebron. Maybe you can pass it on to Mike Brown and the boys. See if they can utilize it for this year. Picture this. Gibson at point. Lebron playing 2 or 3. Gibson brings the ball down to either wing. Lebron runs off of a screen in the paint to curl onto the block or the elbow. Lebron is now isolated with Gibson with the ball. 2 man game just like the Lakers did when Kareem was hurt in the Finals and Magic played center. He scored 42 with this play. Gibson passes Lebron the ball. THE OTHER 3 PLAY GARBAGE MEN AND COAST TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COURT. Lebron, in isolation has several choices. He can keep his back to the defender and look for passing lanes as 1 of the GARBAGE MEN cut to the basket. Or he can swing and face up on his man. 1 dribble and a step and he can explode to the basket or shoot the short J. He can drive and dish to 1 of the set up GARBAGE MEN or Gibson for a 3. The possibilities could be endless with this play. Old school basketball. Lebron goes to the line about 5-10 times a game.
Well, first off, I think you’d have trouble telling the other guys they were garbage men. Second, the Cavs do run this play. And about 90 percent of the time, LeBron doesn’t establish post position and floats out near the 3-point line to receive the “entry” pass, then turns and starts dribbling.
If I had an idea for an Cavaliers/NBA product should I get it patented before I present it to the team/NBA? I think I have something good that will definitely boost season/package ticket sales.
That or e-mail Dan Gilbert at greatideas@cavs.com, he might buy it off you. Last year he bought the Flashseats idea off a couple of guys from the east suburbs.
Could you break down the Salary cap structure real easily for me? I have a hard time explaining it to my buddies, as I swirl around in monstruos NBA-linguistic terms that don’t make sense for them. The Bird clause, trade kicker, mid level exception - those kind of things need a good explaining.
Well, the cap isn’t really easy but here goes. The NBA has a so-called soft salary cap, which means it can be exceeded. It can be exceeded, however, under five so-called “exceptions.” They are the “Bird” exception, the mid-level exception, the bi-annual exception, an injury exception and a trade exception.
The most important is the “Bird” exception, named for Larry Bird when he was with the Celtics. If a player has been under one contract for at least three years, the team who has the expiring contract — aka “Bird rights” — may go over the salary cap and pay the player up to the maximum contract. If a player has been signed for two years, teams have what is called “early Bird” rights. They can exceed the salary cap up to the average player’s salary, which is about $5 million right now. The Cavs will have early Bird rights to Daniel Gibson next summer.
The mid-level exception changes every year and can be used to sign one or more free agents. This year it is $5.3 million. All teams over the salary cap, or within $5.3 million of the cap, get the exception. The bi-annual exception must go to one player and can only be used every other year. This year it is worth $1.8 million and the Cavs can use it. These contracts can only be for two years. Trade exceptions are created when trades are unbalanced within the trade rules. Say a player making $10 million gets traded for a player making $7.5 million (which is legal) the team who got the $7.5 million player gets a $2.5 million trade exception. It can be used by itself in another trade. Sometimes teams can just trade salary-cap space for players, creating large exceptions. This is what the Charlotte Bobcats and Orlando Magic did this summer. When a player gets injured and is out for the year, teams can apply to the league for injured player exceptions, which can be used like trade exceptions but can be combined with players. The Milwaukee Bucks used an injured player exception (for Bobby Simmons) to get Earl Boykins last season.
And finally, a trade kicker is a clause in a player’s contract that provides a bonus if he’s traded. The most it can be for is 15 percent. Eric Snow had a trade kicker in his contract, he got a 15 percent raise when coming to Cleveland. Deep breath.
I have a question on exactly how much owners are dishing out for their respective teams. I realize that to buy a team costs an incredible amount of money, but where does that money go? (I’m guessing it’s to the previous owner, but I’m not positive). And once an owner actually purchases a team, do they invest any more money in player salaries, etc.? What exactly is the owner’s role financially after purchasing a team?
The money goes to the old owner in full or in pieces, depending on the agreement. Most of the time these days, people barrow heavily to buy the team and then service the debt while the equity grows. Just like an interest-only mortgage, eh, Mr. Gilbert? But the NBA requires a significant percentage of cash be brought to the table as well. Then, yes, they must pay for everything including player salaries, etc., etc. Often the operating money for the team comes from the arena, which most teams get the revenue from. The Cavs lost money for years, but the Gund Arena Company made money on concerts and other events. The lease Gilbert got when he bought the Cavs is as valuable as owning the arena outright. Teams without arena deals just don’t sell, which is why the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t sell last year. Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen has since bought the arena, no word on whether Philly owner Comcast would be willing to give up control of the Wachovia Center, before they were not and therefore the Sixers did not sell and were taken off the market.
Brian, we were seeing major trades for the last ten years because of all of the salary issues. Why have all of these trades dried up? The Ray Allen deal was really the only one the last year. Could the Cavs make a major deal before February 2008?
Well there were no big trades during the season, but since the season ended three players with max contracts — Zach Randolph, Steve Francis and Ray Allen — have been traded. I think this is pretty active on the blockbuster front. Yes, I believe the Cavs will make a major deal in the coming months. But it is still playing out. Right now there are rumors Kevin Garnett and his $23 million contract and $6.7 million trade kicker are getting traded to Boston.
Tell Dan Fegan that the market is way too full next year just sign Anderson Varejao to a 3 year 18 million dollar deal and go for the big money in 3 years.
Mr. Fegan knows the market. His style and history, though, is to get a big deal for his clients and get a big deal now. He’ll continue to pursue this avenue.
What’s the status on Boykins? I know he’s a shoot first point guard, but look at Hughes. I mean is Boykins defense really that bad?
I like Earl and I like what he can bring to a game. The Cavs don’t think he’s a great fit perhaps due to defense, but that could change if he doesn’t have a team in six weeks.
Wondering whether LeBron prefers Pepsi or Coke and his favorite tv shows
LeBron has a $12 million deal with Coca-Cola to promote Sprite and Powerade. He is a big fan of Sopranos but also likes cartoons.
That’s all for the moment, be back later.
July 30th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Brian,
Too bad the Cavs were not able to land Luis Scola, the reputed “best player in Europe.” I saw some video on him and it looks like he has some nice post moves, McHale-like, that would have given the Cavs an inside option that they do not presently get consistently (from takeyour pick: Gooden, Varajao, Z). I sensed that Ferry saw Scola as Gooden’s replacement in a three-way or tandem trade for Bibby. Why couldn’t Ferry pull something off there before the Kings signed Moore? And after that, why was Jackie Butler an impedement to Ferry landing Scola in a seperate deal with the Spurs; is Butler’s contract that awful?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:02 am
San Antonio wouldn’t have given up Scola if they thought he had any real talent to make an NBA impact. They gave him up for absolutely nothing but salary relief. Odds are he’ll be another run-of-the-mill foreign stiff. As if the NBA doesn’t already have enough of them. Besides, just look at this guy. He’s Sammy Davis, Jr. with a Spanish accent. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the glass eye to fall out of his head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIMNFb9qXgw
July 31st, 2007 at 9:44 am
Scola’s small case of fisheye is nothing when compared to Dujaun Wagner’s, Alan. And as far as I know, his colon is in pretty good shape.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:59 am
Point well-taken, larry. I have not read any reports on Scola’s colon, but if his crapper is all in one piece, then I suppose that glass eye thing may prove to be extremely beneficial. I pity Gooden on those two nights he’s going to have to guard him. Scola will seem to be going left, when actually he’s going right.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:38 am
By the way, I enjoyed the answer to that last question about LeBron’s favorite TV shows. Will “The Franchise” include an explosive chapter on LeBron’s disdain for old skool “Jonny Quest?” That in itself will be worth the hardcover’s list price of $24.95.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Alan - props on Amelia Earhart’s short-wave radio comment from a while back.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:29 pm
What did I say about Amelia Earhart’s shortwave radio? My memory ain’t what it used to be, you lost me, Tom.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Yawn…
July 31st, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Genius, take a nap if it makes you groggy. I cast my vote for as many posts as possible about a one-eyed Spanish clod, Wagner’s colostomy bag and LeBron’s hatred for Jonny Quest. It sure beats the pants off any BS of the Week involving Bibby being traded to Cleveland or Anderson signing with Memphis or whatever other really stupid hot rumor is being yanked from parts unknown and then passed on to readers as legitimate news.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
You know, the sad thing is no matter what the situation, the fake coma guy would find something negative and annoying to say. Even if the Cavs win the NBA championship, his personality is such that he could never compliment or congratulate them on any aspect but would still find things to criticize. Hey guys look at me, I’m an attention whore and this is what I have to say! As soon as one person would reply to his dribble, he’d feel like he achieved something in his life. Imagine him as a Red Sox fan 3 years ago, with them ending the curse finally…”well, the coach is still a weiner and the guy who covers them, forget about it, that last coma victim I attended to during the World Series (sorry I wasn’t able to cry out for attention during the 4 game sweep) could do a better job of writing about the team! Oh, and Ortiz, if he was any good, he wouldn’t just be a DH and Manny should stop being a lazy good for nothing looking out just for himself and the almighty dollar…and the rest are a bunch of losers who only won because of Schilling. Epstein should quit right now if he can’t get anyone good in free agency, a GM who knows anything would already have an all-star at every position….” Poor delusional coma guy.
How could coma guy have nothing substantial going on in his life that all he looks forward every day is this blog and how to criticize everything there is about it? When someone pays him any attention, he is right there with a response, never for a second leaving this blog less he miss a chance to grab more attention for himself. You would hope a fake coma crisis would appear somewhere once again to take him away from this addiction of his. I think its the only thing that can help him at this point. Good luck coma guy!
July 31st, 2007 at 11:32 pm
So what’s the rumors about Gooden to the Warriors and a 3rd team involved about? It’s the word of the day- have you heard anything Brian???
August 1st, 2007 at 12:24 am
Joe “Rick” Taint, my personal stalker. Good to see you again, it’s been a few days. I missed you, babe.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:40 am
I wonder how the Garnett deal is affecting Ferry, or if he’s still clueless that his roster consists of only one guy. As it now stands, if Garnett, Allen and Pierce can keep their health, Boston should be able to take the Cavs without much trouble. I like Rondo at point guard, too, I think he’s going to be pretty good. If Ferry’s feet aren’t sweating profusely, they should be.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:11 am
If the Cavs roster includes only one guy, then most of the league’s teams have zero guys. There are not many teams with a bunch of LeBrons.
I don’t think that it is a sure thing about how the three superstars of the Celtics will work out. On paper they sound great. On paper and on the court are two different things. Basketball is still a team game with 5 guys working well together including a decent bench to give them a breather.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:51 am
If those three can keep off the disabled list around playoff time, it will take an entire series of James’ Game 5 to beat them. I’d also take Rondo before I take any of the guys masquerading as Cavs point guards. And there’s no way in hell that Garnett will ever be caught giggling on the bench in street clothes, like James with Jones and Wesley.
You’re right though, the Celtics’ bench as presently constituted is pretty lousy. But during a playoff series, if those three aren’t hurt and are playing, I don’t think it really matters what an East bench looks like, do you? Who needs a breather? Seriously, if you have to take a guy of the bench to play, what’s the playoff difference between a Donyell Marshall and a Brian Scalabrine? One looks like a really ugly woman, the other looks like one of the regulars at an Irish bar. But should either one be playing professional basketball?
August 1st, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Not quite.
A player making 7.5 million can be traded for a player making up to (7.5*1.25)+0.1 = 9.475 million
Trading a player making 10 million requires taking back at least
(10.0-0.1)/1.25 = 7.92 million, giving a trade exception of 2.08 M
August 1st, 2007 at 12:22 pm
You stated, “Yes, I believe the Cavs will make a major deal in the coming months”, what are some of your thoughts on that? Since there have been talks with the Warriors about Gooden, is there any way we could pry Baron Davis away from them, or is Ferry in such a tough situation that he’s going to get nothing better than an Earl Boykins?
August 1st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Hey coma guy, what do you know about game 5?? Weren’t you off attending to some coma victim….allegedly?
Also, I assume during those times when you’ve not had any coma emergencies (allegedly), you’ve been able to catch up on every single game of Kevin Garnett’s career to know he has never once giggled on the bench with a teammate? You sound absolutely positive of that so it must be true. Mr. Garnett doesn’t seem to have quite the relationship with his old Timberwolves teammates to be able to share a laugh or a joke with them even one time during the course of a basketball game over a 10+ year career. That’s focus, incredible focus. Sounds like the kind of focus one would have when watching over and taking care of a coma victim, allegedly. A truly admirable quality.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I watched the Pistons series when I came home to my DVR, Taint. Game 5 is still on there, I’ve watched it three times now. If I knew how to connect it to a computer, I’d even send it to you, it’s that good. James really annoys me sometimes, like when he does that Jesus thing with chalk, but that was an unbelievable performance. It’s on there along with the last eight episodes of “24″ I haven’t bothered to watch yet, in addition to four episodes of “Family Guy.” Frankly, Taint, when Bill Simmons wrote that “24″ was really starting to suck in a major way, I kind of put off watching it since March. I’ll get around to it, these early DVR boxes don’t have much storage capacity, and if the Indians stay in the race, I’ll eventually want to put some of the games on there. Come to think of it, I think I’ll have a “24″ marathon this Sunday. Actually, thank you very much for asking, I’ve been putting it off.
With your obsession over me simply consuming you over the course of the past three years, I suppose it’s only a matter of time before you walk up to me while my face is engorged with a slab of ribs at Damon’s, and say, with your come-hither look, “You’re with me, Leather.” No guarantees I’ll say, “Yes.”
August 1st, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Whaaa? “alan t.” thinks that other guys, who have NOT stayed healthy recently, will stay healthy and guys he hasn’t seen play are better than the Cavs players he has seen play! Whatever were the odds of THAT happening?
In all seriousness, there are still major questions surrounding the Celtics as currently constructed. In fact, they are considering Brevin Knight and Keith McCloud, that’s how bad it is for them at PG, despite alan’s “belief” that Mr. Rondo is better than any player on the Cavs roster save for LBJ. Which is all the more funny because the Celtics have actually been disappointed in his recent development and summer league play. But I’m quite sure alan knows FAR more about his man-crush rondo than does the Celtics front office…
Oh, and for those that care about Cavs basketball, I have it on good authority that Ferry was somewhat “in” on the Garnett “sweepstakes.” I heard they were trying to involve a third team and it failed, FWIW. BUT that will hopefully put to rest the MYTH that Ferry is just sitting in his office anticipating re-signing Ira Newble. Perhaps our gracious host, Mr. Windhorst will shed further light on this “story?”
BTW, by “reporting” this I’m not giving Ferry some kind of pass and saying”good job” just because he tried to get Garnett. he needs to complete a deal before I’ll be happy. Rather, I want the belief by some of you here that Ferry and the Cavs are doing NOTHING to improve the team to die a quick death.
Oh, FYI, Mrs. Genius had a visit by LBJ to the store in which she works and i can report that LBJ and his “crew” were very nice to store staff and accommodating to autograph seekers. I know, I know, it’s cheesy to say but this is the second good thing I’ve heard from a person who had direct contact with LBJ and his “posse” and in this age of the Vick’s and the Bond’s, i think it’s charming that our home-grown “hero” seems so, well, normal. At least in his interactions with the “public.” Yes, you may all mock me, and perhaps rightly, so for my non-cynical “take” on LBJ. I am guilty and await “the slings and arrows!”
The Genius has…spoken!
August 1st, 2007 at 1:07 pm
There you have it folks…coma guy has gone off the deep-end. Did any bit of his most recent “look at me” attention-seeking rhetoric make an ounce of sense? As you pointed out in a previous blog entry, this is about the Cavs and the Cavs only…what does 24 or your DVR have to do with anything?
Proves a point though…when he has negative things to say, he will check on and post to this blog non-stop but when there is absolutely nothing he can say to criticize anyone or anything, coma emergencies are the cause…allegedly.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:07 pm
You asked me, Taint, how I watched the Cavs game, along with patented stupid remarks about comas and what have you. I, in turn, went off on a tangent which indeed was all about me. But I’m still waiting for you to wiggle up to my table and say, “You’re with me, Leather.” You obsessed cutie, you.
And Genius, I didn’t say Rondo was better than the Cavs roster. I said he’s better than anything pretending to be a point guard on the Cavs roster. Which is like comparing turds, I know, but the overall point is the Celtics are now also Ferry’s problem, don’t you think?
Did you know that the Cavs are literally the only franchise in the entire NBA that has neither added nor subtracted a player this off-season? The only one. I keep reading BW talking about Ferry intending to make a “major” deal, but what is his definition of “major?” Sorry, Gooden and Jones for whoever and whoever will not be what anyone would consider to be “major.”
August 1st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I didn’t know Mrs. Genius worked at Christie’s Cabaret. (You walked right into it bro) You must be proud. And I’m glad that awful “myth” that Boatshoes has done nothing has finally been put to rest. You mean KG was available for a promising young power forward and a collection of interchangeable parts and Ferry may have been “somewhat in” on the talks? Bravo Boatshoes!
August 1st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Any word on what Gibson is doing in the offseason to home his skills? Is he in anyones camp?
August 1st, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Look at me! I hate Alan Tucker! Look at me, everyone. I won’t comment on basketball, just how much I hate that Alan gets the spotlight.
Anyone out there? Anyone?
August 1st, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Not true Jr.
If you happen to go back to when I first started posting, it was all about basketball and if you happen to go read my posts directed only at coma guy, I’ve constantly been harping on him to stay on topic, understand what this blog is about and find something else in his life that will take away from his unnatural desire to find meaning in his life thru this blog. Considering the nature of this coma guy, I feel I’m just not quite reaching thru to him, much to the detriment of myself and others who only come to this blog to get what little information there is to get in the offseason. His obsession to post 20+ times a day and be 100% negative in everything he says is, well, its just sad really, isn’t it?
There are others who bash the GM, the coach, the organization, even Lebron but to take it to the level that coma guy has, its truly a person screaming out for help. The sheer hatred and anger he has towards EVERYTHING this blog is about just makes you hope he has no family and truly is living in his momma’s basement - just imagine how much hatred he would have towards another living being if they wronged him in any way. All I want is for him to get the help he sorely needs.
Thanks for the input Jr. but your feeble attempt at copying something I posted 3 blogs ago was a swing and a miss. Hey, a baseball reference! Perhaps its time basketball takes a backseat in the OFFSEASON - I guess I will come back to this spew (hopefully with one less poster) when its back in season. Toodles all!
August 1st, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Alan - you are wrong. Scot Pollard had a one-year deal, therefore, he has been subtracted from the team. Happy? (Rhetorical question, I know.)
Harry has … spoken!
August 1st, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Jeebus, why do i even bother to post when true “geniuses” like “Doc” are around to enlighten all of us. Oh, the chuckle we all get when he refers to Ferry as “Boatshoes!” Get it? Ferry rhymes with Sperry! Sperry makes a boat shoe! Guffaw! Can you stand it? Woody Allen and Larry David must be alerted to this new comic genius on the scene, post-haste!
Listen, you mindless cretin, i posted that Ferry was in on the talks for Garnett ( which made the Cavs one of only 5 times to be in on the talks in a serious way, btw ) as a FACT to refute the fools on here who insist on claiming that Ferry is doing *nothing* to improve the team this off-season when NONE of you now a damn thing about it! I’m all for criticizing management when they deserve it ( see Wesley, David par example ) but you buffoons have no earthly idea what the Cavs are trying to make happen or what deals they may or may not be “in on.” I tried to share that a good source has it that Ferry tried very hard to land Garnett. Does he deserve nothing but scorn for this? It boggles the mind how exceedingly stupid you Ferry-bashers appear…
“alan t.,” you think Rondo is better than Gibson, eh? Really? Why don’t ask whatever basketball authority you like who they would take RIGHT NOW, Rondo or Gibson.
The Genius has…spoken!
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 am
Thanks, Taint. You’re obsessive psychoanalysis if me would be worthy if you were a shrink instead of simply obsessed with me. Who’s crazier, a guy that’s crazy, or the crazy guy obsessed with the guy that’s crazy? I guess it’s all relative. Still waiting for your pickup line of, “You’re with me, Leather.” You hottie.
Actually, Harry/Genius, it’s my understanding that Pollard is a restricted free agent. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t really matter. The point is Ferry, in what has become an annual summer tradition like as a kid catching poison ivy from petting his dog’s ass, believes his own hype. And that’s a problem.
And who would I take right now at point guard? Well, considering Rondo has played the point his entire life, and Gibson was so lousy playing point at Texas that he actually was switched to shooting guard halfway through his sophomore year, I’d take Rondo. I really like that kid. Not only was he a good assist guy in college, but he was also an outstanding rebounder. He’s lighting fast, flashy and exciting, can leap crazy heights, and is a very good defender. Gibson has better shooting range, but right now, the Cavs have absolutely nobody outside of James that even knows what a “pass” is. If I had to make a prediction, I predict that Rondo will have a superior NBA career, and I sure wouldn’t mind it if he swapped uniforms with Gibson. I hate that term “breakout year,” but count on this being Rondo’s “breakout year.” In fact, I’ll even go so far to say that he’ll be in demand on the free agent market when it comes time to re-up his contract, far more so than Gibson.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 am
Nope, he is gone, not restricted, he’s too old for that jazz. And the point is, you said they hadn’t subtracted anyone, and i said you were wrong. That was the point — not whatever you deem it to be after you are wrong.
Go Cavs.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:08 am
OK, that was your point. Not really much of a point.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:23 am
Hey guys, it’s been a while. Just woke up from a coma, you know how that goes. Anyhow does Bill Simmons even have another fan besides Tucker? Reading his columns reminds me of when I used to write for my elementary school newspaper. Today he had something to the effect of “Woo hoo celtics! You’re an idiot McHale for making that trade!” And this guy is Tucker’s messiah. And who else has a door-size poster of Rondo besides this idiot? It doesn’t take a shrink to see how hopeless and pathetic Tucker’s life is, all it takes is someone who’s non-comatose.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:40 am
I still think you’re in that coma, JoeHoops. Based upon the research, apparently people in comas still dream. I think you’re dreaming that anybody gives a crap.
Although, let me explain a bit of Simmons’ appeal to you, besides the wit and the sense. He’s a huge Boston fan, very biased towards Boston, and he admits it. Damn proud of it, as a matter of fact. Now compare and contrast this with say…oh, I don’t know…Terry Pluto, for example. He’s a huge Cleveland fan, very biased towards Cleveland, and not only doesn’t admit it, but he sincerely doesn’t even realize it. Not singling Pluto out, the same can be said of many columnists out there.
Hope this helps.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:19 am
Actually, I had no idea “Sperry” made a brand of boat shoes. In fact, I would question any man’s testosterone levels who possesses this knowledge. I call Ferry “boatshoes” because he is exactly the sort of pale, skinny, waspy, yuppy, Duke-educated tool who feels more comfortable lounging around in boatshoes without socks. Perhaps even with the blue jeans rolled up a bit to show a little hairy white ankle. Beyond the frivolities of a man’s choice in shoe wear, the simple fact remains that this squad remains unchanged from the last day of the season while all the other eastern teams have made moves to bridge the gap. Someone has to be held accountable.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:31 am
Doc, I believe that technically Pollard and Dwayne Jones are presently unrestricted free agents, so I suppose, at least at the exact moment I am writing this, technically, in a technical contractual legal sense, the squad has technically changed from the last day of the season. I’m not sure if the iffy status of your 14th and 15th guys truly means the squad has “changed” in the “classic” sense, but technically, in the technical contractual legal sense, I suppose technically you’re very wrong, as I suppose I was technically very wrong earlier, and I am technically humbled. Accordingly, I want to take this sullen technical opportunity to personally apologize to the technical douchebag that thought he was being technically clever by technically pointing it out. Once Ferry technically figures out if he’s going to technically re-up those two guys to technically occupy those very critical 14th and 15th roster spots, it’s technically a brand-new ballgame.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
What a surprise, “Doc” doesn’t know something! My whole world is crumbling at the mere thought…
Yes, it really sucks that a team that won the Eastern Conference is unchanged. It sucks because geniuses like “alan t.” and “doc” are certain that the Cavs will get no discernible benefit from their experience this year. Oh, sure, i know that Ric Bucher from ESPN said “getting to the Finals is an intangible boost to a team’s ability to execute under pressure during the regular season. That has to be worth four wins…” but surely “alan t.” and “doc” know more than a mere person who covers the NBA for a living? After all, they have already PROVEN they know more than Ferry, right? I mean look at “alan t.”’s brilliant comment that Rondo is an “excellent rebounder!” Why that’s EXACTLY what the Cavs need from their PG, right? Sure, they were one of the best rebounding teams in the whole league last year but I think we can ALL agree that one of our biggest needs is more rebounding from the PG position, right?
Exhibiting his genius more, “alan t.” says that Gibson was sooo bad at Texas he was forced to switch positions. Sure, we could point to the FACT that Gibson was Big 12 Freshman of the Year or that he was a Freshman All-American as a PG and set the school record for most 3-pointers in a season but that’s just facts getting in the way, eh? One could be a stinker and point out to “alan t.” that Rondo avg. about one more assist that Gibson did in college or that he avg. nearly 3 points a game less or that he shot 57% from the Ft line but again, who am I to dare question a genius like “alan t?”
I anxiously anticipate more basketball wisdom from such learned “men” as “alan t. and “doc.”
Oh, one more bit of food for thought, kiddies. The Cavs had the BEST record in the Eastern Conf. last year against the West Conf. AND the best record in the East against .500+ teams. So, one could more than reasonably assume that those numbers will rise with the vast winning experience they gained last season. Thusly, the #1 seed in the East is almost assured even if they make NO moves to the team this year.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Back to the whole Rondo/Gibson debate, I’m not sure most GMs in this league would prefer Rajon “Rest & Relaxation” Rondo to Gibson. Granted, Gibson’s stock plummeted from his stellar freshman year to his sophomore year–and this was due to suspect decision-making–but at the same time, remember that his coach was Rick Barnes.
I’m not saying Rick Barnes makes Mike Brown look like the next Red Auerbach, but at the same time, I’d actually prefer Brown to Barnes as the Cavs’ coach. Not a ringing endorsement, but the decisions that Barnes made–as well as Barnes’ innate ability to minimize the performance of his players at the end of games–were just astoundingly poor. Barnes had no conception of players’ roles, and in some games seemed to try to keep the ball out of Durant’s hands. Barnes would go to DJ Augustin, who as far as decision-makers goes, makes Damon Jones look like Magic Johnson at this point in his career.
So point here is that Gibson’s difficulties in college should not solely be attributed to his own shortcomings. Beyond that, in the “what have you done for me lately” category, Rondo’s season last year smacked of mediocrity. Gibson’s 31 points in a critical game 6 in the ECFs while, at worst, a flash in the Cleveland pan, demonstrate that Gibson’s capable of stepping up when needed.
By contrast, Rondo’s (coming off a stellar 0 NCAA championships himself) participation in Boston Tank Fest 2007 during his rookie year does nothing for me. Indeed, Willie “Smush” Parker” lit up the Toronto Raptors in his rookie year for 17 points in the final game of the season, during the Cavs Stink Fest pre-LeBron. But the beautiful thing about potential is that with each day, it gets a little less valuable. The stink of William Avery (Duke stud PG), Troy Bell (stud BC PG), and Jerryl Sasser (don’t know where, but a 1st-round PG) give great heed to “potential.” Indeed, aside from Rondo’s great “decision-making” that made him a part of one of the league’s worst franchises last year contrasts poorly, I think, with Gibson being a part of (and contributing) to a 50-win team. Guilt/success by association, perhaps, but it’s gotta mean something.
Sorry for the long post, people, I’m on vacation and with little else to do than read blogs and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Yes, but Rondo is now the starting point guard by default, with no pressure to score. He’s going to get real starter’s minutes. When he got minutes last year when Boston was tanking it for Oden and Durant, this dude killed. Save this post, in a few years, this guy is going to end up being one of the better point guards in the league. Assuming he doesn’t get hurt, this season I have him pegged to average at least seven assists a game, four/five rebounds a game, and will be among the top-3 in the league in steals.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I enjoy Buffy as much as the next guy, but you need to plan your vacations better, Will.
Genius, did you simply forget your signature or are you giving it up? I…love it, so please bring it back. However, I’m wondering if your mysterious but reliable source can tell us what Ferry was offering in his serious discussions with the Timberwolves.
The Cavs will improve this year because Gibson will be better and LeBron will have a more consistent season after being a little humiliated in the finals. Hopefully, Brown will continue to bench some of his less productive veterans as well.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Just wanted to say thank you for the column in general but particularly for that salary cap primer.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Larry, fair point. I was going to go to Gary, Indiana for a two-week getaway, but for some reason it fell through. Rats.
Alan, I don’t know that the fact that he’s a point guard to default with no pressure to score will really escalate Rondo’s career. First, although it could be the media talking, Boston’s scrambling to find a true “starter” at PG suggests the Boston Brass doesn’t have much confidence in him (this is admittedly the same Brass that created Tank Fest 2007).
Second, while I respect your prediction that he’ll become a better PG in the league, I have yet to see him develop a reliable shot. He’s better than Eric Snow (has to be) on shooting, sure. But so is pretty much everyone else. Morevoer, that he killed (how well? I’m too lazy to look it up, but know he averaged about 7ppg on the season) in Garbage Time is hardly an indication as well–Ricky “Wrong Way” Davis was a 20 ppg scorer in this league, killing opponents, while the Cavs went on to lose 80% of their games.
Third, tops in steals doesn’t necessarily mean tops in defense. Neither Rondo nor Gibson will ever be sumo wrestlers with their wiry frames, but Rondo’s willingness to get into the passing lanes doesn’t mean he’s going to be a stopper. At least Snow can defend multiple positions–Rondo’s going to have trouble with anyone bigger than Earl “the Pear” Boykins on the block. Heck, Brevin Knight, one of the aforementioned possibilities to take the helm at the Boston PG spot, was among the top three in the league in steals as a rookie, but I’d still put our own Eric Snow far ahead of him on defense.
Comparatively, Gibson’s shown pretty good headiness in staying in front of his man, and not too great a tendency to play in the passing lanes (unlike Mr. Hughes, also a league leader in steals three years ago). Offensively, I’m sure we agree Gibson’s far and away the better shooter, in terms of percentages, range, form, and clutch performance (not that Rondo couldn’t perform in big games, it’s just that it’s impossible to do that when your team’s on a 20-game losing streak). And while Danny G is not quite the next coming of Mark Jackson, he’s also no Drew Gooden, and had a knack for being on the right spots on the floor offensively at the right times. He was able to push the tempo more than Jones or Snow (naturally), and seemed fairly effective on the break, especially with his ability to spread the floor with the shooting.
Granted, if Rondo can nail a wide open shot consistently next season (he will have plenty of opportunities), count me among those who will admit he’s wrong. But right now I can’t say that Rest & Relaxation Rondo, solely because he was drafted higher and had a better college career, can be put ahead value-wise of Daniel Gibson, who had one of the better playoff performances of rookies that I can remember in my short little life.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Larry, fair point. I was going to go to Gary, Indiana for a two-week getaway, but for some reason it fell through. Rats.
Alan, I don’t know that the fact that he’s a point guard to default with no pressure to score will really escalate Rondo’s career. First, although it could be the media talking, Boston’s scrambling to find a true “starter” at PG suggests the Boston Brass doesn’t have much confidence in him (this is admittedly the same Brass that created Tank Fest 2007).
Second, while I respect your prediction that he’ll become a better PG in the league, I have yet to see him develop a reliable shot. He’s better than Eric Snow (has to be) on shooting, sure. But so is pretty much everyone else. Morevoer, that he killed (how well? I’m too lazy to look it up, but know he averaged about 7ppg on the season) in Garbage Time is hardly an indication as well–Ricky “Wrong Way” Davis was a 20 ppg scorer in this league, killing opponents, while the Cavs went on to lose 80% of their games.
Third, tops in steals doesn’t necessarily mean tops in defense. Neither Rondo nor Gibson will ever be sumo wrestlers with their wiry frames, but Rondo’s willingness to get into the passing lanes doesn’t mean he’s going to be a stopper. At least Snow can defend multiple positions–Rondo’s going to have trouble with anyone bigger than Earl “the Pear” Boykins on the block. Heck, Brevin Knight, one of the aforementioned possibilities to take the helm at the Boston PG spot, was among the top three in the league in steals as a rookie, but I’d still put our own Eric Snow far ahead of him on defense.
Comparatively, Gibson’s shown pretty good headiness in staying in front of his man, and not too great a tendency to play in the passing lanes (unlike Mr. Hughes, also a league leader in steals three years ago). Offensively, I’m sure we agree Gibson’s far and away the better shooter, in terms of percentages, range, form, and clutch performance (not that Rondo couldn’t perform in big games, it’s just that it’s impossible to do that when your team’s on a 20-game losing streak). And while Danny G is not quite the next coming of Mark Jackson, he’s also no Drew Gooden, and had a knack for being on the right spots on the floor offensively at the right times. He was able to push the tempo more than Jones or Snow (naturally), and seemed fairly effective on the break, especially with his ability to spread the floor with the shooting.
Granted, if Rondo can nail a wide-open jump shot consistently next season (he’ll have plenty of opportunities), count me among the first to admit I’m wrong. But at this point, even though Rondo had the higher draft status, I can’t say that he’s got more potential than Gibson, a guy who came to play in the postseason–spread the floor, hit critical shots, and made some savvy defensive plays when it mattered.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Sorry for the double post. I should cut down on the Red Bull while posting. Apparently it gives you both wings and jitters.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:34 am
Actually, Will, funny you should mention Brevin Knight, because I see Rondo as a better, taller and faster Brevin Knight, only with longer arms and with Fat Lever-like rebounding skills. I think Rondo is eventually going to be really, really good. For trivia buffs, there’s also a Cavs connection here, because the Celtics got him from Phoenix in exchange for the Cavs’ first-round pick in the Welsch deal.
There’s no dispute that Gibson is a much better shooter than Rondo. No argument. But the only reason Gibson is finding a place on the Cavs is because Ferry stunk up the joint with his free agent decisions. Gibson is not a point guard, but he can shoot. So Gibson is effectively filling the role that Damon Jones was supposed to fill, and Marshall and Hughes are such clangers, that Gibson’s shooting skills are almost desperately needed. So for the Cavs, Gibson is probably a better fit, but he’s certainly not a point guard. However, Rondo is. If the Cavs had shooters, Rondo would be a terrific fit on the Cavs, and would give them that point guard they desperately need. Ferry really compounded the point guard problem, because they now truly need a guy who can perform both roles really well, like a Mark Price. A guy who can dribble, penetrate, and especially shoot. But how how Mark Prices are out there?
I honestly believe that Rondo is going to develop into a terrific point guard, with attributes like great rebounding not usually found in a point guard. Just like Fat Lever had. I think Rondo is going to become an assists and rebounding and steals machine. If he can practice and practice and become a decent shooter, he’ll eventually have it all down the road, including a fat free agent contract. He’s going to do great for the Celtics, it’s become a perfect team for him. At least that’s my prediction, for what it’s worth.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:52 am
Hey, the fossilized remains of Charles Oakley just announced they want to come back and play in the NBA. They even mentioned the Cavs as a possible destination.
What do you guys think? Personally, I have a hard time believing a cantankerous 40+ year old forward can keep up with today’s younger players, (see Pippen, Scottie).
However, I’m in favor of the Cavs giving him a tryout, if for no other reason than he once punched Jeff McInnis in the face. (Where was this guy in 2004/05?)
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:04 am
I think Ferry might prefer Keith Lee over Oakley, if the organization can track him down. I hear his knees haven’t been bothering him so much for the last 15 years or so.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:33 am
Sorry, I don’t fear the Celtics. Not with that bench and that coach. It’s still going to be the Pistons and the Cavs in the ECF, assuming everyone stays healthy.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Actually, Larry, Keith Lee is alive and well and somewhat bloated, and presently living in Memphis. So Ferry’s in luck. No doubt he’ll give him the Ilgauskas 15% trade kicker, too.
http://www.mcsk12.net/MCS-Insider/Vol-40/Volume-1/Kudos.html
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
A few comment on Bill Simmons, Rajon Rondo, and the Boston Celtics.
- Bill Simmons is a Celtics fan, true enough. And it constantly influences his opinions on the NBA, to the point where none of his analysis can be taken seriously. It might be entertaining, it might even be right from time to time, but it’s too biased to be very informative. He has ripped LeBron James, despite the fact that he carried his team to the Finals. But if LeBron played for the Celtics, he’d be crowning him the next “Basketball Jesus.” He wants to “fix” the NBA, but he was willing to look the other way while his team was tanking-like-no-one-has-tanked-before. It’s not enough that he admits that he’s a Celtics fan. It colors his opinion on everything, and no amount of disclaimers can change that.
- I’m pretty sure that Rajon Rando will not be an exceptional point guard, because he can’t shoot. Look, maybe Jason Kidd can pull that off, but Kidd is a once-in-a-generation player who can throw up triple-doubles in his sleep. Rando’s rebounding rate is great for a point guard, but it’s nowhere near that of Kidd. Neither is his assist rate. At best, Rando will be a poor-man’s Andre Miller. Otherwise known as Eric Snow. Admittedly, Snow used to be a very servicable point guard in the L, but hardly worthy of the praise that Simmons (and alan t.) have showered upon Rondo, long before he’s truly contributed. I think the Celtics now have two wing players who are going to be touching the ball a lot. And they’re going to want to get the assists that go to Garnett. I just don’t see how a no-shot point guard who isn’t going to touch the ball very much is going to have a major impact on the game. The shots he gets are going to look an awful lot like the shots Eric Snow gets, and the outcome is going to look similiar as well.
- That being said, I will steal this from TrueHoop, who stole it from Section F Sports. http://wisinsider.blogspot.com/2007/08/rondo-believer.html. In general, the case is that point guards that are given the starting role in their second year play well. I won’t disagree. We’ll see what happens this season. Like someone said above, Ricky Davis can average 20 points in this league, that doesn’t mean those statistics are going to translate into wins.
- All I know is that people are a lot more excited about Rajon Rando than they are about Marcus Williams of the Nets, and that has a lot more to do with his team’s Q rating than it does performance on the court. http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm.cgi?req=1&cum=0&p1=rondora01&y1=2007&p2=willima03&y2=2007
- Is Daniel Gibson better than Rajon Rondo? That’s a totally different question. The Cavs need Gibson because they don’t get their long-range scoring (or much scoring at all, for that matter) from other places on the court. If the Cavs had a Ray Allen on the team, then Gibson’s skills would be less useful, and his deficiencies would be more of a problem. At the same time, a pass-first point guard is much less useful in the Cavs “system,” because LeBron is going to have the ball in his hands most of the time. Personally, I hope Gibson can be a useful player for the Cavaliers, but I think he’s going to disappoint. I hope I’m wrong.
- I think that the T’Wolves got about 50 cents on the dollar for Garnett, but the league’s trade and salary cap restrictions didn’t give the T’Wolves much choice. Still, those same rules allowed Minnesota to keep Garnett for as long as they did, so it’s hard to complain about them now. The Cavs are in the same position, as the rules that give them a chance to keep LeBron James are the same rules that are hamstringing their ability to improve through trades or free agent signings.
- Anyone giving Danny Ainge credit for this trade should be shot. Ainge is a bad GM, and taking advantage of McHale doesn’t change that. McHale is a terrible GM. And I still think the League had a hand in making this happen.
- Finally, I hope that this move will star to put the onus on Eastern Conference teams to make the moves that they need to make. That means trading your superstars for better young pieces, and it means going over the salary cap when you have to. And it means not signing players like Larry Hughes and Rashard Lewis to max contracts just to limp into the playoffs. The wide-open East isn’t so wide-open any more. I think this will ultimately improve the quality of the teams in the East, and the league will be better for it. And not just because Kevin Garnett is in Boston.
Go Cavs. Sorry for the long post, it’s a fun diversion in the summer months.
Mike C.
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Mike, Simmons didn’t “rip” James. All he wrote is that James was on cruise control for the first half of the season. He was.
But who really cares. I’m overdosing on Xanax worrying that Ferry might let Dwayne Jones get away. Give him the mid-level exception, Danny! Before it’s too late!
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:12 pm
WoW, Fats Lever, now that is a blast from the pass, man i would not mind him on this team now. “thanks alot alan t.”
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
fats lever, brevin knight, earl watson, Isaih thomas, jason kidd, magic johnson, tiny nate, “I DO NOT CARE, GET ME A DAMN PT. GUARD, NOW, NOT YESTER DAY, NOT TOMORROW, BUT, NOW, DAMN IT, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Doesn’t surprise me a bit that Tucker, in addition to all his other pathetic shortcomings, is a benzo addict to boot. I’d suggest something like klonopin though, much less addictive and longer half-life. Be careful though…too many of those, and you’ll end up in, yup you guessed it, a coma.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Just for the record, I’m not Rick.
Nor, Mr. Tucker, have I ever been anything like obsessed with you. I’m just a regular reader of the blog who grew weary long ago of your mean spirit, absurd sense of entitlement, and babbling stupidity.
As someone who makes a living as a practicing journalist, I’ve long wondered why Mr. Windhorst hasn’t banned you from this site long ago. It may be that your spew helps his hit numbers, blogwise, but at what cost? You are an obnoxious asshole. Worse, you’re an obnoxious asshole with nothing to offer in terms of insight. You both lower the discourse level and keep better posters away.
As for all the coma hoo-ha, I remember your heartless, soullesss response when Z’s wife lost their twins. Any tragedy befalling you and yours is richly deserved.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Rick, Taint, whatever, whoever. An alias a day keeps the doctor away. Thanks for adding to the sports discussion.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Hey, Tucker…
Looks like Euclid Avenue hookers might attract a few free agents after all.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080201855.html
Get out your calling card, Ferry. It’s time to do a sign-and-trade with the Wiz!
August 4th, 2007 at 12:46 am
This is no big deal. It would have been a bigger deal if Blatche was involved in a Dave Stewart transvestite hooker bust. James Worthy was once caught with a Houston hooker, and he was a lot better than Blatche. The Cleveland Chamber of Commerce brags that Cleveland has the finest prostitutes in all the land. If Ferry had any negotiating skills, he’d use this fact to recruit some decent free agents.
Speaking of free agents, couldn’t Eddie Jones have helped the Cavs in some way, shape or form? What is Ferry doing this summer? Gotta love the ridiculous rumors being leaked to the local media to make it appear that he hasn’t been on a permanent vacation. Yeah, sure he was bidding for Garnett. Highly plausible. What did he do, offer McHale the power trio of Ilgauskas, Gooden and Ryan Tucker?
August 4th, 2007 at 8:48 am
The man has had a slow but active summer. Even as we sit here, hunched in the glow of video screens in our mothers’ otherwise dark, air-conditioned basements, he’s kicking the tires of Troy Hudson. Give him a break.
August 4th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Hilarious. About two weeks before Hudson’s contract was bought out, I wrote that Ferry would eventually be kicking Troy Hudson’s tires. And sure enough, here we are, Ferry is kicking Troy Hudson’s tires.
I never in a zillion years thought it would be possible, but I’m starting to miss Jim Paxson.
August 5th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Hilarious. JoeHoops predicted during the eastern conference finals that Tucker would come back as soon as the Cavs had lost. And sure enough, that’s exactly what happened. I wish Ferry would slash Alan Tucker’s tires.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:49 am
JoeHoops, Ferry ain’t a slasher. You are.
August 5th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Yo - Snow and Z for Yi and Redd. Redd comes home, the bucks get a superstar (and Snow) and Yi can market HUGE winning championships with Lebron…
August 5th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Yes, Cleveland has a huge Chinese population, particularly in the Golden Pagoda on Mayfield Road. There’s gotta be at least 15 in there.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:28 am
hmm well regardless of whatever else is going on, one thing is for sure, lebron always has time for his business. but i’m not really sure i agree with him on this one…I think Ginn is going to be nothing special really. The Dolphins reached for this guy, and he just doesn’t seem like he’s going to be anything more than your average everyday wideout.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2960595
August 6th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
dude, i am all about money, i did not say ted will be great, but in his first year he will be marketable. watch and see. believe me i know money$$$$$$$$$, I am LEBRON JAMES
August 6th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
rondo has no jump shot, but so what - he’s a point guard, not a 2. he distributes well for a young player and plays great defense. with boston’s current roster, they don’t need rondo for his offense - they just need him to stay healthy.
gibson is a good, young player and assuming he gets more minutes, he’ll continue to improve. but he’s not the starting point guard on a championship-level team (especially one that has virtually no offensive schemes whatsoever). cavs need someone to run the offense, set tempo and let LBJ run around and create shots.
they are two different players in entirely different situations. trying to compare them is like trying to compare a blueberry and a fart.
August 7th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Today is a great day for those that can’t stand to see the Cavaliers’ roster stay the same. Scot Pollard has signed with the Boston Celtics!
Undoubtably this is the beginning of a landslide of “over-the-hill” players leaving the Cavs. Life for the basketball fan will then be great. Because the Cavs can then go out and get a bunch of new “over-the-hill” players that they can afford under the salary cap to take their place.
The unhappy fans that can’t stand a roster filled with players that won the Eastern Conference Championship will now have a whole new bunch of players to be unhappy with. That will keeep our minds off of the real reason to be unhappy —– the lack of a Cleveland Cavalier offense.
August 7th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I see that Matt Barnes just re-signed with Golden State for just over $3 million. I wonder how Ferry’s tire-kicking session with Troy Hudson went.
August 11th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Before you get excited about Troy Hudson, take a look at his statistics. He is not better than what the Cavs already have. Brown just needs to make better use of the existing roster. There are players, presently on the roster, that can play better than the existing Cavs offense allows them to.
Hope the GM and the coach get together on a more complex approach to offense. If Brown could successfully teach these guys a very complex defense, someone can teach them a harder to defend offense. Could that be the new assistant coach, whoever that is?
August 12th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Chirp, chirp, chirp. Very disappointing off season for the Cavs so far. It’s a sad world when Troy Hudson is the best rumor people can drum up. *sigh*
August 13th, 2007 at 8:28 am
WE SUCK BIG TIME, GET ME OUT OF HERE, HEY JAY-Z I WILL BE WITH U LATER
October 17th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Young Lesbians Having Sex…
Sorry, it just sounds like a crazy idea for me :)…