If It Aint Broke . . .

Reactions to the trade frenzy that wasn't:

I love blockbuster trades. When your team is looking to buy, there is nothing more exciting than the thought of a major roster addition and all the hype that goes with it. But beyond my natural desire to feel the rush of a major trade, because the Cavs approached this deadline as an elite team with a major asset to move in a buyer's market, my expectations were through the roof. To put it mildly, I had been eagerly anticipating this day for months in the hope that it would be the day that the Cavs potentially took the next step from contender to favorite.

Well, we're now two hours past the deadline and we can be sure that, with the exception of the potential addition of a Joe Smith or Mikki Moore, the Cavs roster will remain unchanged . . . and much to my surprise, I'm thrilled. I don't know what happened in the last 24 hours but somehow, I went from being desperate for the addition of a marquee player to excited about the future that lays ahead as the current roster gears up for the playoffs. How did this happen? Well, I'm not 100% sure but I can basically attribute it to a few factors:

1. I was outraged by the demands of other teams:

Plain and simple, in this economy, any team that is at or near the luxury tax threshold and is not contending should be giving away big contracts solely for cap relief and should be damn thankful for the opportunity to do so. For the Cavs to be offering Wally to a team like Milwaukee, the Clippers or Washington is an absolute gift. These teams have no chance of contending any time in the foreseeable future and will be hemmoraging money all along the way. Really Donald Sterling? You're not interested in a free $10 million dollars in exchange for a guy who will have no material impact on your team's record or gate receipts? Fine, choke on it. Same to you Abe Polin and Herb Kohl. I don't fault Danny Ferry one bit for balking at any demand from a non-contending team that included any young players or picks. We're 41-11 and one of the few teams in the league willing to add a single dollar to our payroll. I think Ferry correctly determined that he had no reason to give in to the delusional demands of GMs that had no leverage, and for that, as much as I wanted another second-tier star, I applaud him.

2. I'm drinking the Cavs kool-aid:

I didn't want to watch the Raptors game last night for two reasons. One, at this time of year, I'm so fixated on the makeup of the roster that I turn a blind eye to any on-court happenings. Two, I knew they were going to win. That second thought it what's really important here. Yes, I know the Raptors are crappy. Still, it was a road game in which the Cavs would be missing two starters...yet, in my head, it was a foregone conclusion. Once I let that sink in for a bit, I started thinking back to the beginning of the season....when a healthy motivated Cavs team was absolutely demolishing everyhing in its path. More than most people, I have always been one to get wrapped up in the trade deadline...but I've also never had the good fortune to root for an awesome team. This team is really really good. They can legitimately win a title. There's a reason that Lebron wanted to keep the current roster intact (and I don't think he was just saying that for PR reasons). He thinks they're good enough to win it all. He's not the type of guy to say that just to be the good soldier. If he believes in this roster, why shouldn't I?

3. You can't completely ignore the money:

Cleveland is an impoverished mid-market city at the precipice of a frightening recession with an owner who just so happens to have his fortune tied up in the mortgage business. Gilbert, Ferry...the fans...none of us can ignore that fact. Now, I'm not for one minute suggesting that these economic realities mean that the team should do anything less than everything they possibly can to retain Lebron (the majority of the franchise's value)...but you still can't just turn a blind eye to the future financial ramifications of a trade. If you're going to pay an extra $20-40 million for a guy (salary X number of additional years on contract X 2 for the luxury tax) you'd better make damn sure that said player puts you over the top. If you're going to commit an extra $100 million to a guy, you'd better be even more certain.

I believe with full confidence that money wasn't the reason the Cavs didn't make a move today. But, and it's a very legitimate but, I'm sure it was a factor in the decision. How do you committ a small fortune to a player who is either a marginal talent upgrade or on the downside of his career without considering how it will impact your ability to re-sign your own players (Varajao), use future expiring contracts to fill more pressing holes down the road (Wallace), or pay the electric bill at the Q (obviously an exaggeration but you get my point). You can't ignore the money. Franchises that have done so in the past have consistently failed throughout the course of sports history. It's just not a good way to run a business, especially in these precarious economic times. Ferry and Gilbert have to build a winner to keep Lebron. I'm sure they're well aware of that fact. But if today is any indication, they realize that the best way to accomplish that goal isn't necessarily to go out and spend like drunken sailors with no regard for the economic ramifications of their decisions.

. . .

So, for those reasons, I'm happy that the Cavs stuck to their guns today. In regard to the deals that weren't, here are my thoughts: Camby was a no brainer if he could've been had for expiring money alone. Jamison was less of a no brainer but enough of an impact guy that his contract would've been worth the risk if the deal had just been for expiring money. Amare was another no-brainer but I don't think that deal was ever close to happening. As for the Shaq deal, I was somewhat indifferent although I can't imagine paying $40 million for a 37 year-old Shaq next year. Still, if, as rumored, the piece to be traded was Wallace rather than Wally's expiring deal, the additional cost might have been worth it for the extra offense Shaq would've brought to the table. As for Richard Jefferson, I've never liked his game and even though he can score, I'm happy the Cavs didn't bite on his 43% shooting and giant contract.

In terms of the other deals and non-deals of the day, I really only have a few comments:

1. Watching the Bulls work is insanely entertaining. Calling them a rudderless ship is an insult to rudderless ships everywhere. What on gods earth are they doing?...although in fairness, any day that you get rid of Larry Hughes is a good day in my book.

2. Dear Wizards: You still just don't get it, do you? Keep clinging to the idea that once everyone is healthy, you'll be a contender. As a Cavs fan, I'm just trembling at the thought of Arenas limping around firing up terrible shots while Blake Griffin, Brendan Haywood, and 30 somethings Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison look on in disgust. Great plan Wiz. Keep swimming the opposite direction while teams like the Cavs try to throw you life preservers.

3. Probably a smart move by the Magic getting Alston. You can't just take a 39-14 team and leave them for dead without at least trying to fill the void left by Nelson. Still, i'm not exactly worried. Alston is a chucker with a PER in the Pavlovic zone, not a guy who can really fill Nelson's shoes.

4. I read somehwere that Boston is pretty confident that they can land Joe Smith if and when he gets bought out. I have no idea what Smith's intentions really are but I can't imagine that he is really thinking about signing with Boston over Cleveland. If he is, maybe someone should let him in on a little secret: The Cavs are better than the Celtics.

That's it. Time to put this deadline in the books and get ready for what I fully expect will be the most exciting Spring and Summer of Cavs basketball ever. I'll say it one last time: I love this team and I sincerely believe that they can win this thing.

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When the Suns Trade Their Guy, That's Amare

Rumors abound around the Interwebs that the Cavs and Phoenix Suns are talking about a possible deal sending PF Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland in exchange for the expiring contract of Wally Szczerbiak, J.J. Hickson and a draft pick. While I usually dismiss these rumors as the longings of the ESPN Trade Machine analysts, I give this one credence because the conversations are being reported by the very reputable Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer. As you recall, Windhorst broke the Hughes/Wallace trade of last season and told Cleveland about Mo Williams' arrival, while Windhorst was driving home from the hospital after a long illness. Needless to say, when Windhorst reports something, I listen.

As a Cavs fan, it's hard not to get very excited about the possibility of Amare lining up next to Lebron, Mo, Delonte and Z. Amare is a bonafide star in the NBA. He has been named as an All-Star 4 times in his young career, 2005, 2007, 2008, and the present season. On the year Amare is averaging 21 pts, 8 rebounds, and over a block a game. And while I love the intensity of Big Ben, compare that to Wallace's numbers as our starting PF, 3 points a game, a little under 7 boards and 1.5 blocks - essentially an offensive blackhole. Amare is only 26 years old and will most likely be looking for an extension if he gets traded.

Let's step back and think about this deal. The Cavs get a young offensively dominate big man, for Wally's expiring contract, an exciting, but inconsistent, player in J.J. Hickson, and probably a very late first round draft pick. And with Wally most likely getting bought out and potentially even returning to the Cavs, Cleveland gets a 4-time All-Star for Hickson, (who at his developmental peak may be a Carlos Boozer type player) and unknown quantity in what is shaping up to be a weak draft class. So, the question becomes, what's more important - having an Amare Stoudemire on the team now or keeping Hickson's potential and the chemistry of the team intact. I think Hickson showed in the Lakers' game against Lamar Odom that he cannot be trusted yet. Windhorst on his weekly podcast indicated that Mike Brown currently does not feel comfortable playing Hickson in important game situations. It really boils down to come playoff time who do you want guarding Kevin Garnett or Chris Bosh - Hickson or Stoudemire? The answer is obvious. I like Hickson's potential, but you have to give talent to get talent. The Suns aren't going to give up Amare for the rights to Trajan Langdon.

There are some negatives to the Stoudemire deal. First, Yahoo is already reporting the deal has fallen flat, and if anything is to be worked out that a third team may have to get involved. However, at the same time, their article points out the realities that Steve Kerr and Danny Ferry are very close, having played together with the Spurs and the Cavs. A good working relationship may go a long way to smoothing out any holdups which may kill other deals. And, if this something both GMs want to get done, their friendship makes it all the more likely.

Second, the obvious weakness in Stoudemire's game is his defense. As explained by ESPN's John Hollinger, "He's a poor help defender and tends to pick up cheap fouls...fouls tend to be a big differentiator with him -- if he gets a quick two, he'll don a toreador outfit for the remainder of the half." Mike Brown prides himself on having a defensively sound basketball team. As a Sun, Amare wasn't really expected to play any defense with Mike D'Antoni's style of basketball. Can he come to the Cavs and pick up his defensive intensity? Well, the same criticisms were leveled at Mo Williams before he joined the Cavs, and it appears apparent things have worked out in that respect. Lebron and Mike Brown have been very successful at getting players to buy into the team's philosphy. Even Wally, known to wear a toreador outfit himself at times, has shown a knack for making the tough defensive plays and fighting for rebounds this season.

Another red flag is that Amare did have microfracture surgery on his knee during the 2005-2006 season, missing almost the entire year. I'm always a bit weary of committing money to a player with such a serious injury in his past. However, since his return, Stoudemire has played at the same level of basketball and has shown no signs of any ill effects - playing every game in the 2006-2007 season and 79 games last year. Making the All-Star team that last three years also has eased my concerns on this point.

There have also been some grumblings about Amare's desire to be the main man on any team to which he is dealt. Obviously, with the Cavs Amare will never fill that role with Lebron here. If Amare wants to be the top dog, I suggest he look to Memphis or a team of that caliber. I mean, Ricky Davis was the leader of a very bad Cavs' team. However, if Amare wants to win, get national exposure next to the best player in the game and help build a dynasty, then let's welcome him abroad. It's hard to imagine that Stoudemire won't be excited about teaming up with Lebron. I mean, look at the picture above - it's obvious he's praying to get a championship. Trust me, Amare, we're praying with you.

If the Cavs do indeed make a move for Amare, they must make sure that it won't greatly impact the team chemistry. The last thing the Cavs need is to destroy what appears to be one of the most cohesive groups in the NBA. With Amare coming over, the Cavs would have to consider how the rotation would be impacted. Would Wallace be alright with coming off the bench or would he take it as an insult? Would Andy be happy becoming the 4th big man as he heads towards the free agency? How does Amare mesh with Z? If Wally does indeed get bought out, how does a month off before returning impact his game? And mostly importantly - is Lebron on board? Every move has to be made with an eye towards keeping Lebron long-term. Lebron has to be asked, point blank - is Amare a guy you feel like you can play with for several years to come?

In the end, the goal remains to put the team in the best possible position to win a championship this season. Adding Amare, no question, seems to make the Cavs a better team than they are without him. Do I think this deal gets done in the end? I wouldn't hold my breath. Am I glad that Ferry is exploring every opition and avenue? I'd be disappointed if he wasn't. Just hearing the Cavs being connected to Amare and other big names on the market is evidence that the goal of this team is to do whatever it takes to win it all now - which is something Cleveland fans haven't experienced in a long, long time. Share your thoughts Cavs fans - this season may get a lot more exciting very shortly. (Images from Real GM, Dime Mag). Read the rest of this article

Cleveland, City of Lights, City of Magic

Clearing my head after a week away from writing:

Cavs:

1. I'm not going to rehash a forgettable afternoon of basketball but I think everything we learned can basically be boiled down to this: The Cavs do not match up well with the Lakers and if they're serious about winning a title, and not just one of the conference variety, they're going to have to add a piece. Even with West defending the perimeter and freeing Lebron to defend Odom, the matchups just aren't any good. The Cavs need a big man....check that...the Cavs need a talented big man. Joe Smith and Brad Miller need not apply. For the Cavs to be favored in a seven game series with the Lakers, it would take someone of the caliber of Camby or Amare to push them to the top. I don't know how optimistic I am that a deal like that will get done. Could the Cavs win a title even if they can't make a big acquisition? Of course. They're a very good basketball team. Are the odds in their favor? Nope. Right now there are four teams that could win it all (Cavs, Celtics, Lakers, Spurs). The Lakers are clearly the favorites and I wouldn't put the Cavs any better than about 5-1.

2. I'm not going to get on Lebron's case after one bad game. Everyone has a stinker once in a while. All I will say is this: Can we please stop blowing Chris Jent for whatever he's been doing all year with Lebron? Obviously, however many hours they've been spending in the gym together, it hasn't been enough to teach Lebron how to square up and shoot in balance. He's still a crappy shooter with crappy mechanics. That doesn't change the fact that Lebron is still the best player in the league. Just please studio commentators, spare us the Chris Jent platitudes.

3. Someone please explain to me what's going on with Donald Sterling. Is he serious about holding on to Camby until his awful 12-39 team is healthy enough to be slightly less awful? I'm sorry but I just don't believe that. You don't earn a reputation for being the cheapest owner in the league for 28 straight years and then just randomly up and decide to put winning first in the midst of a recession. Camby will be available. The Cavs MUST get him.

4. Count me among those who believe that the Suns might be blowing a little bit of smoke regarding Amare. Really? Robert Sarver lets Steve Kerr trade for the contracts of Shaq and Jason Richardson in the same year and now, all of the sudden, he's so deathly afraid of the luxury tax that he's going to trade away his best asset for expirings, picks, and a decent young player or two? That sounds like a smoke screen to me. My guess is Phoenix is pretending to undervalue him in the hope that the massive number of interested teams will drive the price up into a more reasonable range. They're not going to get full value for him but I doubt they'll be trading him away for cap relief alone.

Two more points while we're on this topic: 1) I've read that the only player off limits in Phoenix is Steve Nash. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from the most poorly managed franchise this side of Chicago. Instead of trading away an aging defenseless point guard for full value, they're going to hold onto him for another year until he hits the wall and becomes worthless. Didn't Steve Kerr watch the heist that New Jersey pulled off with Kidd last year? If Phoenix had a lick of sense, they'd trade Nash, bring in a real defensive coach, and rebuild around Amare. Idiots. 2) I love it when people like to talk about how Amare can't play defense. Let's clarify this a little bit. Amare doesn't play defense. Is that surprising given that his only coach up until this year has been Mike D'Antoni. Didn't we hear the same thing about Mo Williams before he came to Cleveland? And last I checked, Mo Williams wasn't 6'10 250 with absurd athletic ability. I'm pretty sure, if put on the right team under the right coach, Amare just might be alright on the defensive end.

Final word on Amare: The Cavs should offer Szczerbiak, Hickson, and two number 1's and call it a day. That isn't going to be enough to get it done but at least they'll have put together their best available package for him. And for any of you out there that don't want to give up on Hickson's upside for a malcontent like Amare, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you're an idiot. You don't want Amare and Lebron on the floor together at the same time? You don't think it just might cause a problem or two for other teams if the Cavs had 2 of the 3 greatest athletic specimens in the NBA (Howard being the 3rd) on the same line? Does Amare have some baggage? Absolutely. He has a serious tude and a microfracture operation under his belt. Still, it doesn't matter. If, and this isn't going to happen so I shouldn't even fantasize about it...but if Amare were to become a Cav, our televisions might explode. That's how insane it would be to see him and Lebron on the floor at the same time.

5. Please tell me you saw the Lebron/Kobe interview at halftime today. Watching Kobe pretend to be a decent guy is one of my top 10 favorite NBA related activities. Has there ever been a guy who is more desperate to be liked but is so obviously a total penis? Even when they showed the footage of Lebron busting Kobe's balls on the Olympic team, you could tell that Kobe wasn't fully in on the joke. As far as I'm concerned, the "Kobe is a good guy" ship sailed the day he outed Shaq for cheating on his wife just to take some of the heat off of himself. (Editor's Note: Any time someone claims that the day you officially became a bad guy was a day other than the one where you beat a rape charge or quit on your team in a playoff game 7, it probably means you're a really bad guy) I'm sure Lebron and Dwayne "Valtrex" Wade would just love to have a guy like that hanging around.

6. I feel bad for Mo Williams but truthfully, I'm glad he's not an all-star. What do you think would be better for the Cavs: Mo spending a few days partying and playing extra basketball in Phoenix or taking a few days or R&R followed by a return to work with a giant chip on his shoulder. I'll go with the latter.

Indians:

1. I don't really have any serious Indians thoughts this week so I'll make one up: Did you ever wonder what the breakeven analysis would look like for the Indians signing Manny? Wait, before you navigate away from the page, I'm not advocating that the Indians sign him nor am I saying there is any more than a 0.0% chance that it would happen. All I'm saying is that just out of curiosity, I would love to know how many additional fans per game the Indians would have to draw to offset, say, a 1 year $30 million deal for Manny. I'll set the over/under at 10,000 extra fans per game assuming proportionate increases in concessions and merchandise sales. I'd love to hear your thoughts/guesses on this one.

2. Alex Rodriguez was roiding in 2003!? Shocking. You know who else I suspect might have been roiding that year? Every other power hitter in baseball. I wish these stories would just go away and that's coming from a guy who hates A-Rod.

Browns:

1. One year ago this week, Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards were pro-bowlers. Now, I wish they were both....(exercising restraint)...somewhere else. Although, since I heard that Savage fully guaranteed Anderson's $5 million roster bonus, maybe the odds of that happening aren't as good as I once imagined. It's only fitting that Savage tucked away one final hidden turd for us to uncover after his departure.

2. I heard someone on ESPN radio the other day (and I think it might have been Mel Kiper but I can't remember for sure) stumping for the Cowboys to hire Savage as a consultant because the two are friends. Two things: 1) How can a (somewhat) reputable sports network let one of its purported exports openly stump for a friend to get a job on the air. Isn't that a violation of some sort of journalistic ethics? 2) Given how badly he butchered the Browns, how can you make a straight faced argument for Savage to get another high-profile front office job?

3. I don't like all of this Malcolm Jenkins draft talk. Don't get me wrong; Jenkins is one of the few departing Ohio State players whom I actually didn't hate. I think he'll be a very solid NFL corner. That being said, a rookie corner isn't going to do the Browns much good because they'll still have no pass rush. In the NFL, if you can't rush the passer, the secondary is a moot point.

Ok, enough Browns coverage. I've already wasted 3 minutes of my life that I can never get back. I think we're going to start replacing the weekly Browns coverage with some hard hitting Lake Erie Monsters reporting or perhaps a few updates on how the Gladiators are dealing with the cancelled season. Those two things are probably more relevant than anything the Browns are up to. I wish there was a place that we could all go just to boo the Browns together. They should be forced to designate one player or team official each day to sit in a public place to receive lusty boos from fans. Maybe that's how they can start re-earning my respect.

That's all for now. My apologies for being absent from the board for a while. I'm sure we'll have more frequent updates with the trade deadline approaching.

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