Update …
Just when I think that the Cavs are not going to make a deal comes news via Brian Windhorst and ESPN.com that the Cavs are in pursuit of Shaquille O'Neal. Wow. The Cavs reportedly offered Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic for The Big Diesel, but the Suns might want Wally Szczerbiak instead of Wallace. Wow. This one would take a bit to digest, but it shows how aggressive the Cavs are in pursuit of a move that might maybe could give them a championship. Wow.
2 p.m. UPDATE: Per a source, ESPN.com says the trade is unlikely.
At one point it seemed this way …
Just prior to reading about the Shaq idea, it seemed that the Cavs chances of making a big move were less and less likely. Anything can still happen, but it seems that Antawn Jamison and Marcus Camby are off the table – unless Danny Ferry somehow gains special powers of persuasion. The Cavs might be victims of Pau Gasol here. Gasol was the guy given to the Lakers last year by Memphis. Teams saw how ridiculously one-sided that deal was, and they just aren't willing to do another giveaway. The Cavs don't have the value to give up to acquire a Jamison or a Gasol. Again, anything can happen, but it's not looking likely.
ESPN.com raises the possibility of bringing back Carlos Boozer. I don't see it. The same story says Joe Smith wants a buyout from Oklahoma City so he can sign with the Celtics. That would be disappointing. The Cavs do not need Joe Smith to wind up in Boston. This story, though, says the Cavs might make a pre-emptive move to keep Smith from Boston. I'm all in favor. Smith could be the P.J. Brown-type Boston needs. He'd also look great back in a Cavs uniform. Barring a major deal, getting him back to play 20 minutes a game might be the Cavs best option.
As for Tyson Chandler … would the Cavs try to acquire a guy who already failed one physical? I really don't know. It's worth considering. But if he's damaged goods, it's not worth doing.
Shaq. Wow.
Pondering A-Roid … err … you know who …
Interesting story from the New York Daily News on how easy it is to get Primobolan , the steroid Rodriguez admitted using – though he called it "bali." (Why not call it Alka-Seltzer?) And apparently his "cousin" trained a world-class body builder. Which would indicate the guy knew a thing or two about what he was doing. So … how are we supposed to believe that Alex Rodriguez and this guy were involved in an "amateur hour" carnival back when A-Rod was "young and stupid." Methinks these pro athletes think the rest of the world is young and stupid when they float these ridiculous stories our way.
A-Roid II …
I mean, really, do they all think we're just plain stupid? The best remains the guy who once owned the Seattle Seahawks and tried to move them to Los Angeles to avoid earthquakes in the Great Northwest. Think about that. He was going to move his team to the San Andreas Fault to avoid earthquakes. That led me to say to former commissioner Paul Tagliabue that it sounded like moving a team to Buffalo to avoid snow. For some reason, he didn't laugh.
From everything I'm seeing (and hearing) as of 2PM, the Cavs aren't going to make a move because they don't want to lose Wally. Oh well. Let's hope the injury bug is behind them from here on out.
Hey Pat – next season make up the craziest rumor you can and float it out there near the trade deadline and see if it grows some legs, per espn.com, because that means its a fact, jack.
I'm a Windy fan, but ESPN – as much credit as they'll never give the Cavs, sure have jumped on
Pat, glad that Alan let you post some of your thoughts on his blog.
Come on, Elizabeth, Windy is Rumor Central, ever since he got the BJ beat. Nice enthusiastic kid, but too enthusiastic. When it comes to rumors, do the math: take ESPN, multiply ESPN's rumors by crazy pet monkey "Travis" who recently ate another person's face, and it equals Windy's rumors over the course of the past five years.
I do believe wanting to keep Wally's big expiring contract for yourself part and instead unloading Wallace's big extended dollars plus Dracula's son in exchange for a championship, but the rest of the year, reading the pages of Windy's wacky rumors is like reading Stan Lee.
Oh, and here's the crazy monkey:
http://littlurl.com/ao7hf
Hey, drew, it's a shame you can't post any of your own thoughts, too, and instead feel the need to defer and refer to me.
i don't know that there is enough server space, Alan.
There's only one way for you to find out, drew.
Please stop calling him A-roid.
how about a-hole?
http://littlurl.com/d1cwn
Forget the Shaq deal, he's too old and slow to worry about.
A-Rod and his ilk have forever damaged baseball.Great player or not,do it naturally or get the BIG ASTERICK.
Hey, why isn't A-Hole's New York Post headline loading? Let me try again with a much larger photo of his lying mug.
http://beta.sling.com/blog/1821/New-York-Post-Hits-Grand-Slam-With-A-HOLE-Headline
There's rumor central, but then ESPN just PILES ON Cleveland. I don't mind a rumor here and there, but after I heard JA Andande last night basically say that since the Cavs didn't make a move LeBron was leaving I about threw my TV out the window. No one picks apart the Celts/Lakers/Magic/Spurs like they do the Cavs. I guess I'm just frustrated…
Elizabeth, I hope it wasn't a plasma.