Streaking Rockets get Cavs and trade rumors
Posted February 19th, 2008 by bwindhorst
Rockets 93, Cavs 85
–Houston is playing very well. They’ve won 17 of 20 and nine straight. They have also held eight straight opponents to less than 90 points. They imposed their will on the Cavs tonight, from LeBron on down. He had a triple-double but in some ways it was the worst offensive game he’s played in weeks.
–Not sure some of the lineups Mike Brown played. As usual, he was focused on defensive matchups and therefore didn’t use Damon Jones much at all. But Damon is the kind of player you need against the Rockets because he can get free on the backside of their rotations. Instead it was Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall and Devin Brown getting free. Also, I guess Mike has just forgotten about that small fourth-quarter lineup without Andy Varejao. Seems like spreading the floor against a team like Houston that shrinks the floor would be a good idea. Didn’t happen.
–The Cavs have been spinning their wheels a bit. The schedule has been hard and the injuries have hurt, but they are playing a lot at the other team’s tempo. Like scoring 118 points in Orlando and then 85 tonight. When they were playing well they were dictating the tempo and winning lots of games the same way. When you play different every night you are scrambling.
–Overall, it was a blah game and all of you are more concerned about the trade rumors anyway. I spent a lot of time Sunday and Monday talking to general managers, agents, etc. and I wrote this story in today’s paper. Things have not changed to my knowledge. Again, as you will read below, in bidding wars the Cavs are probably going to lose. It sounds like Memphis has decided to make another salary-dumping trade with Mike Miller as the centerpiece, but I don’t know if the Cavs can offer the best deal. Same goes for Andre Miller, although the 76ers folks sound like they don’t want to trade him right now.
–If you are the Cavs, I think you may have to attempt to take a big swing when you assets are more valuable, which is next summer and next season. They have enough expirings to make big-time deals at that time. Just making a move to add a piece that doesn’t exactly put you over the top but harms your long-term flexibility is a tough call. I know most fans want something and they’ll rip Danny Ferry if he doesn’t get it. I know LeBron says he wants help now. But these are tough calls, nothing is a slam dunk.
Recap:
Pregame
Starting lineups
Rockets: Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Yao Ming
Cavs: Larry Hughes, Ira Newble, LeBron James, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Officials
Ron Garrettson, Violet Palmer, Mark Lindsay
–Rockets are hot, they have won eight straight games and eight straight on the road. They are a team that relies on slowing the game down. The Cavs must do two things, they must rebound well and they must push it in transition.
–The trade stuff is flying everywhere. I just spoke with a couple Cavs officials. They have some offers out there but they are not sure what, in anything, will come through. Their problem is that they cannot win too many bidding wars. Which means they may have to wait until the end to see if it anything is accepted.
Halftime — Rockets 42, Cavs 36
–Wow, what a terrible half of basketball. Neither team shot better then 32 percent. Lots of bricks and fumbles and the like. Two teams out of rhythm to be sure.
–LeBron is 0-of-7 from the the field and he’s mostly attempted jumpers. He’s having trouble getting space inside because the Rockets are packing the paint. The Cavs really need to start moving the ball a lot better and make Houston cover more ground. They have just six assists and LeBron has five of them.
–The Cavs had 10 fastbreak points in the first quarter and none in the second, which is why there is a difference in this game.
–The guys who took part in All-Star Weekend are struggling. LeBron hasn’t made a basket yet, Daniel Gibson is 0-of-3, McGrady is 2-of-11 and Yao is just 2-of-9. When Yao and McGrady are a combined 4-of-20, the opposing team really should be winning.
–As for the Grizzlies trade rumors, yes they are true. I’ve reported numerous times, including in today’s paper, that the Cavs have put in bids for Mike Miller. Again, it will all come down to what they are competing against. Taking on a guy like Brian Cardinal is a heavy price to pay. One of the reasons the Cavs didn’t get Mike Bibby was because they weren’t crazy about taking on a massive salary like Kenny Thomas that stretches to 2010.
Postgame
Stars
LeBron, 26 points, 11 assists, 13 rebounds
Rafer Alston, 22 points, six assists
Luis Scola, 15 points, eight rebounds
Yao, 16 points, 14 rebounds
Quotes:
Nothing really worth repeating.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
So, is Chad Ford on to something with the rumored offer of Newble, Marshall, Simmons, Shannon Brown, Dwayne Jones, a 1st and cash for Lowry, Miller, and Cardinal? Hard to believe that could get it done, but they may be desparate to get rid of Cardinal’s contract and they do save some cash.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
the reported offer seems too much for miller. I would rather wait another year and get a BIG time player.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Again and for the last time this garbage they are seeking is
not the answer. They need Artest and they need him now.
Gooden and Jones or Gibson would do the trick. Ferry is a
moron. Either that or go after O’ Neal if he is healthy. Gooden
just got stuffed. He blows. And Z is much too slow.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Jmoe: this is a pretty interesting article re Artest: http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/721778-p2.html
made me reconsider wanting to add him to the team. Mike Brown probably wouldn’t do much better than Theus.
we could add lowry, miller, and cardinal for the aforementioned players and STILL get another star next year with the remainder of our contracts coming off of the books (Amon Jones, Eric Snow, and Gooden add up to about 18 million). if danny ferry can pull that trade off he should go for it. the only thing that would really hurt is giving up the draft pick. this draft is going to be deep.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
not a fan of the make-up of this cavs team , but best bet is to wait for the off season to make moves . the season is almost over and you don’t want to add another bad contract to this team like brian cardinal’s . mike miller and kyle lowery is not worth cardinal’s contract on the books
February 19th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
@nick: Cardinal definitely puts us further into the cap for this season, but doesn’t his contract also expire next year?
That’s another 13 mil in expiring contracts for trades next season or in contracts that come off the books at the end of the 08-09 season and put us in a good position for summer 09.
Am I missing something?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
1. Cardinal’s contract has 2 more years left on it after this one. Trust me (or anyone else who follows the NBA), we don’t want this contract. If we’re not getting an absolute difference maker, we shouldn’t be mortgaging the future with contracts like this.
2. Jmoe I agree 100%. Rent Artest for the rest of the year on the cheap (meaning only if they don’t force Kenny Thomas into the deal) and try to win the East or just take your medicine, try to throw a haymaker at Boston or Detroit in the playoffs, and turn your front office attention to the summer. Anything in between is just going to set the franchise back. Guys like Mike Miller probably won’t make us good enough to get out of the East and they certainly won’t make us a top 5 team in the west. It’s pointless. We have Lebron. Any future move should be one that puts us in a better position to win the whole thing, not just another conference title. I understand that winning the East shouldn’t be taken for granted but Lebron changes the rules. The only goal that matters is the big one.
3. I know there is probably only a 1/20 chance that this is the case, but is anyone else wondering if there is a desperate NBA GM out there that might be dumb enough to take on Hughes’ contract given his recent play? If there is ANY package of expiring deals out there that could come our way in exchange for him, we should take it in a heartbeat. I know he makes us better the way he’s playing right now but when he’s shooting 30% and injured at the all-star break next year with another one left on his deal, we might wish we’d moved him when we had the chance.
4. Does anyone know how much cap space will be taken up by Gibson’s extension? I have no idea how much the guy is worth but I’m worried that some team will offer to overpay him for his shooting. Also, where will this put us in terms of the luxury tax assuming we aren’t able to dump any salary?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I believe the most Gibson can make is the MLE, per the Gilbert Arenas rule.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Should’ve looked it up ahead of time… Cardinal’s contract is yet another albatross. Never mind, I’ll wait until next February or summer 2009.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Yeah, there’s NO WAY we take B-Card. NO WAY.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Any chance the Suns would bite on Hughes? He’s more suited to their style and is playing fairly well. If they have a first-round pick for 2010, might end up being a good pick.
I’ve been rooting for the Cavs the last four decades. I’m OK with this team going into the tank. They’re way short on talent. If they end up with a 15th pick in the draft, that’d be a decent start to infusing this roster with some young talent that has pretty good upside.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I understand the cautionary tone, but I like the trade, and would make it yesterday. Who are the Cavs giving up - really? Marshall? Newble? Dwayne Jones? Cavs needs help now! I like Mike Miller. He needs to play better D, but he is still young, has good size, can rebound, handle the rock (some), and he can score. I think Lowry is a little undersized, but he is at least is a point guard (with upside). Cardinal can’t be any more of a stiff than Marshall (who make approx same salary only adding a year for Cardinal). What if the Cavs waited until next year and then lost LBJ or Z to injury during the 08-09 season? Then, they could have missed out this year and next year. Cavs management needs to be aggressive in bringing some help without completely sabotaging the salary cap. Sure, I would rather trade Newble and Brown for Delonte West or Ben Gordon, but who are we kidding - I don’t think Seattle or Chicago make those deals. Also, consider that if the Cavs don’t make a move now and they essentially bring the same team back next year, they will have a maximum of 15 (including singing their own draft picks) and they will be just as strapped because too many average role players (with expiring contracts) occuping roster spots limiting the teams ability to add a piece or two over the summer.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Good post Biff but a couple of things– Noah Lowry is a pretty good young point guard right now and along with Miller would be immediate upgrades a two crucial spots. Also, I don’t think that it’s wise to assume that because teams have been so eager to dump superstar players for crap for the last 15 months that it will continue that way forever. I don’t want Brian Cardinal on my team either but having that bird in hand may be better than assuming that team X may be willing to part with their superstar next year for the contracts of Marshall, Damon Jones, Snow etc.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I do hope that if we pull the trigger on this deal that Lowry signing an extension would be part of it.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Biff, if somebody is stupid enough to sign a one-dimensional shrimp like Gibson to say, something like $4.5 million next season, then that’s the equivalent of $9 million for luxury tax purposes. Is Gibson worth $9 million? Only in Ferry’s melon-head.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:13 am
where would artest play on this team? he is a small forward, just like lebron. he does not fit in with this team at all, especially b/c of how much of a headcase he is. he is not that good on offense, and we are already a good defensive team. just a bad idea. i like the idea of mike miller more, because he is such a good 3 pt shooter and would fit in great here, but i am still more inclined to wait a year to make a big splash. if we are patient, we can pull a pau gasol type deal, and by that i mean we can trade for a legit top player to team up with lebron, and not just settle for a mike miller. lowry is a good young player, but who knows if he will pan out. plus he is short, and we know management does not like short players on defense. if they do make that trade though, i wouldnt be mad, because we still might have the pieces next year to make yet another trade if we want to b/c we will still have a bunch of expiring deals
February 20th, 2008 at 12:14 am
OKwithCardinal Says :
cardinal contract does not expire at the end of this season , if so , he would be a much bigger asset for mephis instead of a problem that he currently is . mike miller and kyle lowery are not the players that are going to make the cavs world champions , so cardinal’s contract is not worth the risk . what the cavs truly need is a top flight , athletic player (mainly a 2 guard) who can get you 18-20 plus a night , create for others as well as himself , and run the second unit (ala pippen when jordan went to the bench) when lebron takes a breather . they need that more than they need a point guard .
February 20th, 2008 at 12:16 am
and we should be able to offer gibson more than other teams since we have his bird rights, but that is unless a team with extra cap space makes a large offer. gibson more than likely will stay if ferry is willing to pony up
February 20th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Of course Gibson should be resigned for 4.5M - that’s a decent salary for him, and he would be easily tradeable at that price if the Cavs didn’t want to pay it.
I can’t see trading Gooden and Gibson for 28 games & playoffs of Ron Artest. That’s what we’re talking about with him, because he’s already said he’ll opt out of his deal at the end of the year. If we could get him for nothing, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But Sacramento wants more than expiring contracts for him, and I don’t know if I want to spend Gibson to rent him - he’s a head case and an injury risk.
Cardinal’s contract sucks, but it’s not crippling - 1 year 6.3M, 1 year 6.7M. So figure we’re stuck with him for a year, and then he becomes an expiring contract himself. If he’s healthy, he’s a decent role player as long as he’s not depending on too much. I saw him play a lot when he wa with Golden State, and he is scrappy and can shoot pretty well. If we can make this trade without giving up a single major piece, I think we have to do it.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:37 am
BUT I HATE CLEVELAND FANS
I swear making it to the finals has made you all psychotic.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:38 am
imagine my name is I <3 LEBRON
February 20th, 2008 at 7:27 am
How is Gibson a decent salary for $4.5 million? That’s only for the first season. It’s not going to be a one-season contract. Besides, much like Cardinal’s agent, you’ve got to assume his agent will be looking for the midlevel exception, and there’s usually somebody out there handing out gifts to guys that don’t deserve them. What’s the midlevel exception going to be, somewhere between $5.5 million and $6 million the first contract year? Ridiculous. And when you’ve got Ferry as your GM, then you’ve got a combo atrocious negotiator and a terrible people person, which means Gibson’s agent is going to be the latest agent pissed off to high heaven by Ferry. So there’s probably not going to be any sign-and-trade, because it’s going to take Gibson’s agent to do it. Which means Gilbert and his mortgage minions are going to be stuck with even more of Ferry’s gift of the luxury tax. Take Gibson’s salary and double it.
I remembered reading an interest story about West’s signing of Cardinal by I guy in the Indianapolis star. I found the link.
http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2007/07/jump_the_gun_an.html
February 20th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Actually, now that I think about it, Cardinal’s game, in a lot of respects, reminds me of a certain NBA exective’s former NBA career. Grossly overpaid, the contract is way too long, can make a three-point shot, can’t do much else. Cardinal’s disappearing hairdo and pasty white skin reminds me a lot of that same executive, too. Perhaps they’re identical cousins, like Patty Duke.
I don’t know how Cardinal’s contract is a “heavy price to pay.” It would be a heavy price to pay if this was 2005 and Ferry had already ruined the roster with bloated long-term contracts. It’s only a “heavy price to pay” if Gilbert is trying to avoid more luxury tax. But the contract itself isn’t a killer. Besides, I kinda like Mike Miller’s geisha girl look. Very attractive. And he’d look a helluva lot better out there than Dracula Pavlovic.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:25 am
What position is Mike Miller going to play? Will he even start for the Cavs? Lebron plays the three. Hiughes is entrenched at the two. We’re starting Ira Newble at PF some nights and pasty Z is lumbering around at center. It seems to me, there’s a bigger need for a PG and another big man with some talent. Unless Hughes is included in the deal (no chance), I don’t see a real benefit to this trade other than the chance to add an androgynous wing player to the mix. I swear Miller wears mascara. And how is Gooden going to be confortable playing with him? Will the American Taliban make him wear a Hijab when he plays?
February 20th, 2008 at 9:26 am
If 4.5M for Gibson isn’t a decent deal, then what is? - how about some discussion other than just your usual ferry blah blah blah ferry blah blah blah ferry blah blah blah - do you have any idea how boring, tiresome, and inane it is? Anyone who reads this group, like, ever, gets that you think Ferry stinks. Many of us agree with you. Some of us agree with you, but can help but counterpoint because you are so over the top, and annoying. Some legitimately disagree with you. Some just tune you out. But we all get it, because you can’t go more than about four sentences without going there. Point driven home. In the name of hating Ferry, what you are saying is that there is no price the Cavs can sign Gibson at that you don’t think is a stupid contract.
That being said, the comparison of Cardinal to Ferry as a player is on the mark. A slow big man who hits the three. Both were hustle players with decent basketball IQs but slow, slow feet. And receeding hairlines. And bloated contracts. Maybe it’s just because I wasn’t watching him thinking about how much my favorite team gave up to get him, but I didn’t mind him so much watching him play for Golden State (unlike Ferry, who I absolutely could not stand playing for the Cavs). He was a fan favorite for the Warriors the one year he was there, and he can be useful in the right role, like Ferry was in San Antonio - but if we see him for more than 10 minutes or so per game, we’re in big trouble.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Cedrick:
Your point is well-taken about the market for expiring contracts but I think you and I both know there might be a certain sweet-shooting two guard hanging out in Wisconsin this summer on a team that is looking to tear down and re-build around Yi and Bogut. I would say it is a VERY strong possibility that Redd will be available this summer and I would much rather make a play form him than Mike Miller now, just to get us beat in the East finals.
As far as Lowry is concerned, I can’t say I’ve seen him play all that much but certain things make me think he’s not the answer we’re looking for. First, he’s short. Second, he’s the third point-guard on a terrible Memphis team. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Again, I know beggars can’t be choosers but if he’s not the point guard that will help us win a title, I don’t see a whole lot of good in taking on bad contracts to get him and Miller.
I have no idea what kind of deal Gibson will get this summer but if we’re up against the luxary tax line, my guess is it’s going to be a headache, at least until we are able to dump salary. If we don’t make a move in the next two days, at least we will have Newble freeing up about 3.5 million for re-signing Gibson. One thing I took from All-Star weekend, however, is that we can’t trade Gibson…not even for Artest. Lebron really likes him and rule numero uno for personnel moves is “don’t piss off Lebron.” Gibson has to stay, even if we have to overpay slightly.
Every time I click on ESPN and don’t see any Cavs rumors, it makes me happy….Only a few more months until we are in expiring contract heaven.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Doc-
I don’t know about Miller’s mascara, but Daniel Gibson looks like he has tattooed eyeliner!
I think we bring Miller off the bench. He’s won a sixth man of the yeard award, so he’s pretty comfortable and productive in that role, and he can float from the one to the three just like Lebron and Hughes.
If he can get up to speed, we might want to start Lowry at the point. Our bench crew then is Miller, Varejao, Gibson, and Pavlovic (I think we’d try to trade him for a little size if he wasn’t hurt). Simmons and Cardinal are the fourth and fifth big men, one for defense, one for offense, hopefully not for more than 10 minutes or so a game. We rotate Jones and Brown in, depending on whether we need defense or shooting.
If we make the trade, I just don’t want to see Pavlovic starting again this season. While he has turned himself intoa much better defensive player, his shot and confidence just haven’t been there. If not Lowry starting, then Gibson at the point, or start Miller along side Hughes and have either bring it up.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Biff I understand where you are coming from but lets say we do stand pat and for some reason, no major stars are on the move this summer. Do you want to go through more than half of the 2008-2009 season with Snow. Marshall etc. still on the team doing nothing? The Cavs would have a full fledged fan mutiny on their hands. I think that because the last 15 months has been amazing in the bigtime stars that have changed hands(Iverson, Garnett, Ray Allen, Gasol, Kidd, Shaq, {Just kidding, Shaq sucks!}), that we assume that it is always gonna be this way. I just don’t want to be caught with our cheese in the wind.
A couple of other things, 1) I think that you are selling Lowry a tad short. He is not a 3rd point gaurd on a bad team at all. He is averaging almost 30 minutes a night and putting up very respectable numbers, especially when you consider that he is only a 2nd year PG. He really may be ready to blossom on a team that actually has players on it. 2) i was looking at the stat breakdown between Mike Miller and “A certain 2 guard in Wisc.”. For the money, Miller is a WAY better addition than Redd. He makes half as much to put up slightly lower numbers and a much higher shooting percentage. I’m up in the air on the Cardinal thing, but no one can deny that from a talent standpoint, we would be RAPING the Grizz.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Miller is too pretty but he’s a great fit with LeBron in that he can do a bit of everything. Maybe Lowry’s a starting point guard too. I think the trade is a no-brainer if Memphis will go for it.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Ced:
Right but don’t discount the fact that Miller is goofy looking while Redd would be a real sexy addition. I’m kidding. You make good points. HOWEVA (Stephen A. Smith voice) I think you are overselling Lowry. He is averaging 8.5 and 3.6 this season. Somehow I doubt that those numbers are really going to set Cleveland fans hearts on fire. I agree, if we are getting him as a throw in on a deal built around Mike Miller, it makes sense. If nothing else, he can come off the bench to spell the point guard that we ultimately get to make our last guaranteed run with Lebron. All I’m saying is that I don’t think he solves our PG problems. He only played 10 games his rookie season due to a broken wrist so while I agree, he has some upside, he’s going to need some seasoning before anyone can know if he’s a legit lead guard.
Your Mike Miller vs. Mike Redd point is spot on. I just looked at the numbers. For the extra 6 points a game you get from Redd, you lose a lot in shooting percentage and 3 point percentage and he makes about 6 million bucks a year more and has an extra year on his deal. You’ve persuaded me. Miller makes more sense than Redd.
I suppose if all we have to do is take on Cardinal’s contract, the the deal makes sense. It just barely registers on the sexy meter which kills me.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am
And one more thing Cedrick, I think YOU SIR are selling one Mr. Donyell Marshall short. Do you really want to give up is size, athleticism, and out-of-this-world leaping ability? You’d feel awful silly if Mike Miller was only shooting say, 50% from the field next season while Donyell was leading Memphis to the playoffs behind his 3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. Just some food for thought.
Hollinger is saying he doesn’t think the deal will go through since Donyell only expires a year before Cardinal. Oh well, it would have been nice.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
hey doc, do you not realize that hughes has been starting at POINT GUARD for the past 25 plus games. just like he did last year.he would stay at point, miller would play two, bron 3, gooden 4, z would play five. it benefits us greatly. MIKE lowry, not noah, cedric, would play backup point and gibson would be more of a backup two until and if he develops as a point. i know this city loves gibson but he could be part of a bigger deal this summer too so look at it that way. He could be an attractive bargaining piece with those expiring contracts
February 20th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Biff-
I think that Lowry in many ways would be the key to this deal. As you know it takes a while for PG’s to learn the ropes at this level and this has been expedited with his tenure in Memphis. Also, Having Lowry would free up Gibson to be at the SG on the 2nd team (a more natural spot), and would be a safety measure in case some jackass G.M. decides to offer Boobie a 4 year 30 mil. contract this summer.
P.S.–DO YOU SEE A K AT THE END OF MY NAME!!!!!!!!!!!(kidding)
February 20th, 2008 at 11:46 am
excuse me i brainfarted its kyle lowry
February 20th, 2008 at 11:48 am
The Memphis paper says that the Clipp joint and Denver are the leading contenders for the Miller-Lowry combo. It just amazes me that a team like Denver has more assets than we do. This is the same team that has the following deals on their books:
Nene - 5 years 8.8 mil a year
Carmello - 5 years 13 mil a year
Camby - 3 years 11.2 a year
Iverson - 2 years 19 mil a year
K-Mart - 4 years 13.2 a year
I know its not about how many bad contracts you have as much as how many expiring contracts you have but it just blows me away that a team could spend money like this yet STILL be in a better position to make a deal than we are. Unbelievable.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Alan, I really enjoyed your last entry. It was the most fun I’ve ever had without laughing.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
My bad Dan, I don’t know why I kept thinking it was noah.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Boy K-Mart has a terrible contract!!! Even Hughes must be jealous
February 20th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Chad Ford didn’t seem real optimistic about the deal with the Grizz. He also seems to think there is an awful lot of salivating going on over Kyle Lowry, you know, considering he stinks.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Thoughts on the most recent home loss for the Cavaliers:
- The Cavs and the Rockets are surprisingly similar teams. And twice, the Rockets proved that if you’re making shots, you can shoot right over the Cavs’ D and have success. Rafer Alston has been an All-Star in these two games. Meanwhile the Cavs long-range shooters, being Gibson, Marshall and Damon Jones, went 1-5 from beyond the arc. In a game where the wing players were afraid of running into Yao Ming in the paint, the offense needed to find more (good) looks for the shooters. Last night’s offense did not accomplish that.
- Guys who clearly didn’t touch a basketball in 5 days: Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Devin Brown, Donyell Marshall. Brown might have been the worst, contributing almost nothing, but he’s been playing poorly for a while now.
- Bad leadership game for both LeBron and Coach Brown. LeBron didn’t put any pressure on the Houston defense down the stretch, and it led to a lot of bad shots, both for him and his teammates. Brown couldn’t get the team to focus. The entire team was lethargic, and that’s an indictment of the team’s leadership.
- I think the game would have went differently if Anderson Varejao was healthy. There were games like this in the first half, but often Varejao was able to generate enough energy with the second team to keep the Cavs in the game and give them a good chance to finish. Varejao’s return won’t make the Cavs unbeatable, but he would have helped against these tough West teams lately.
- One more Donyell Marshall ball-fake-then-drive move, and I might have an aneurysm. Same for Devin Brown’s all-right-handed drives into the paint.
Go Cavs. Shake off the rust quickly, a letdown in Indiana would be miserable. It’s been 9 days since the last W.
Mike C.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Cedric and Biff, great break down, great points from both ends.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
the cavs are soft still
should have made a power team around lebron
drew gooden is a small forward…he cant score inside the paint
i dont want mike miller i want artest
February 20th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
ringo, artest is not what this team needs.
The cavs are actually a pretty good defensive team and
their problem is the lack of shooters around Lebron.
The only shooter I think in Cavs shooting better than 40%from beyond the arc is Gibson. That’s horrible.
Mike Miller would spread the floor much for LeBron and he’ll have no problem catch and shooting unlike Artest, who demands the ball and will never accept his role as a role player who just defends and occasionally shoot open shots.
The Cavs team is very good without the injury and if they can get two quality players and a bad contract for non-rotational players, they should go for it.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I read every single one of these blog responses and while I agree that that the Cavs should go after the Mike Miller deal. I don’t think Danny Ferry is the blame here. Danny Ferry, if you recall, signed Marshall after he averaged 11 pts and 6 boards per game in 25 minutes per game, Damon Jones after he averaged 11 points, 4 assists, and shot 43% from beyond the arc, he had a career year with the Heat that season, and finally, Larry Hughes after he averaged 22 points, 6 boards, almost 5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. When Danny Ferry made these signings, everyone was praising him. Now because these three particular players haven’t panned out the way everyone had hoped, everyone wants to blame Danny Ferry. The only thing I blame Ferry for is the way he handled the Varejao situation. But let’s be realistic, does Varejao really deserve the kind of money he’s making now, the guy is a great energy guy, but we could have signed a 40 plus year old Dennis Rodman for cheaper, and he probably could have done more. Varejao should have been the guy that was traded last season, especially since they already had an idea of what Varejao was looking for. And now he has become yet another injury story. This team is riddled with bad luck, nothing more. They should have signed guys with more character than the likes of Varejao and Damon Jones. And who the hell is Pavlovic to be holding out, if I recall he’s just another bum who had a good 2 months last season, and look where he is now. Gimme a break people, Ferry isn’t the problem here, the players are.