Links To The Present: January 13, 2011
2011-01-13
“It can’t get any worse than this. I don’t know how much of this I can take but this by far is rock bottom.” [Antawn Jamison via Daryl Ruiter]
“The Cavaliers have now lost 11 in a row and 21 of their last 22 games. They will take Wednesday off, return to practice Thursday in Los Angeles and then fly to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz on Friday. The trip concludes with a back-to-back Saturday night at Denver.” [Jason Lloyd]
Mary Schmitt Boyer talks Byron Scott, the impact of Varejao’s injury, and whether or not the Cavs are tanking.
“Because James has never listened to anyone, ever, he tries to make it right while following his own instincts. And because he’s never listened to anyone, ever, he still thinks his instincts are spot on. And, as the last few years have proven, he couldn’t be more wrong in that regard. He starts in the right place, with feelings and actions we all can understand, and just blows it all to pieces.” [Kelly Dwyer]
Oh, and Ted Williams is headed to rehab, not a job in the Cavs broadcasting department (at least not right now). Good to see he’s getting his priorities in line.
On The Twitters
“This Clippers team is exactly what you hope the Cavs team looks like in 2 years. Full of young talent you can build around.” [realcavsfans]
“Word is DET plans to keep Troy Murphy IF Melo deal lives. Other teams already calling for Murphy but Pistons averse to buyout w/sale pending” [Marc Stein]
“RT @brianspaeth: Has every Heat-Clippers karma joke been used already?” [Scott Sargent]
I’d trade for Wallace in a second, especially if the Bobcats are stupid enough to throw in a 1st round pick. Yet his contract isn’t great but he’s a very good player in his prime. He also becomes an expiring contract in two seasons.
Further, I’m not so sure what a trade exception will actually be worth right now. A number of other teams also have large trade exceptions. If you can get an all-star caliber player AND a 1st round pick for it, its a no brainer.
Wallace is 28, not 30 (not sure if 2 years is a huge difference but thought to mention). He’s solid and should be for at least the next 2-5 years, by that time his contract expires and we could either try to re-sign him or may trade away his then expiring contract. This is a good trade because he can help the team now, will serve as a trade asset after next year, and we get a first rounder. It would be great if we could get a non-lottery protected pick though.
I take it back — Wallace is not a young talent, he is actually 30yrs. old…
Humm not sure what to think now, he’s a good player but for how much longer?
Wallace is not a guy you built a team around, but definitely a great add-on to any team. I say if we can get him, go for it. Why would you not? Yeah you might get lucky with a draft pick, but Wallace is a young, proven talent… PLEASE make it happen Gilbert.
“the salary cap space Wallace adds to the team isn’t a real concern of mine.”
Exactly. As long as Gilbert is bankrolling this team we don’t need to blow up everything for cap space. Just keep trading for talent and good picks.
Maybe I’m dumb but I’m not against the trade for Wallace.
We need to use the TE otherwise we lose it. Wallace will become an expiring in two years and will help us fill our hole at SF in the short term.
He was excellent last year and could be again. If we pick up a young star in the lottery then we might be competing for a playoff spot next season (assuming we keep hold of Andy and Boobie).
On top of all that there might be the cherry of a CHA draft pick.
The Cavs have some young talent with potential, but I try to be careful not to get overhyped about any of them. I do believe that Gee and Harris are can be solid players – maybe Eyenga too, but I’m not ready to start thinking of any of them as potential ‘stars’. I did that with JJ, and look at how he’s been playing. Yes, athletic ability can do wonders for your ‘potential rating’ and can give you moments of great plays/games, but that doesn’t necessarily convert to ‘star’. Teams tank by having the coach put in ‘bad’ line-ups or… Read more »
Well according to Yahoo! sports, the Bobcats and Cavs are talking Gerald Wallace trade. What do you guys think? Should we use our exception on Wallace?
http://fanaticvice.com/bobcats-and-cavs-talking-gerald-wallace-trade/
@ Kevin i dont think the front office has anything to do with tanking…i really think its on the players and in the NBA the players have so much more on the coaches…imagine ‘tanking’ in any other profession….person would be gone from the job easily…but in professional sports particularly the NBA players are all about quitting and ‘tanking’ so they can get a star…which could help or hurt them….players in the NBA have so much power these days they can practically do whatever they want and pretty much get away with it…i mean gilbert arenas brings guns to practice and… Read more »
How does the front office get the players to tank? I’ve never understood that one. What, do they promise them bonuses? What can they possibly say to them? “Yeah, we know this is going to hurt your career stats and desirability to be accepted by another team, but look at it this way: you may help us get a draft pick!”
“…whether or not the Cavs are tanking.”
I guess it’s hard to believe that a basketball team could ACTUALLY be this bad…
@ Justin
An upgrade is needed at virtually every position on this team, but the glaring hole is on the wing.
Eric Gordon is a third year player. But we are honestly not far away from being good again. If we stay with the Andy JJ Boobie Harris Eyenga Gee + top 5 pick + lottery pick isnt that at least a playoff caliber team? Maybe I’m delusional but with a star point guard and a lottery big man doesnt this team make a playoff run? How about adding Gordon and Griffin? or Rose and Brook Lopez? Thats a playoff team
The Clippers line-up as of today was indeed built within the past two years (excluding Chris Kaman, who is injured right now).
A team like the clippers in 2 years? i wish. it has taken YEARS of being terrible to be where the clippers are today.