Fear the Links - 2/13/10 - Amare? Rip? Antawn?

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 13, 2010 9:08 AM CST in Fear The Links

The trade rumors are flying. Whether or not you believe them, it seems to be a fact that the Cavaliers are trying hard to bolster their roster heading into the second half of the season. While I don't buy in to the "all or nothing" talk regarding this season for the Cavaliers the fact remains that this might be the best chance the team, and city, has had to win a Championship in a long time. It is imperative that Danny Ferry and the Cavs do all they can to take advantage of the opportunity.

Cleveland Cavaliers intensify trade talks for Phoenix Suns All-Star Amare Stoudemire - cleveland.com
According to multiple sources, over the past few days the Cavs have had advancing talks with the Phoenix Suns about All-Star forward Amar'e Stoudemire. It is not the only player they have interest in -- there are still long-term-target forwards Antawn Jamison of Washington and Troy Murphy of the Pacers out there -- but it seems the Cavs are focusing on Stoudemire.

Shaquille O'Neal's outburst perplexes Orlando center Dwight Howard - cleveland.com
When trying to assess exactly why one of his childhood heroes seems to publicly loathe him, Dwight Howard seems like a confused foreigner who accidentally offended the locals with a taboo gesture.

Scottie Pippen, two Olympic teams and the late Gus Johnson of Akron among basketball Hall of Fame finalists - cleveland.com
Two-time NBA MVP Karl Malone, six-time champion Scottie Pippen, and two of the great U.S. Olympic champions are finalists for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

LeBron James likes doing things his way, the same way, and it's about winning - cleveland.com
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is the NBA's reigning MVP and all indications are he's on a repeat path to the award this season.

Dirk Nowitzki to start All-Star Game, defend LeBron James - ESPN Dallas
Denver Nuggets coach George Karl will start Dirk Nowitzki for the West in place of the injured Kobe Bryant in Sunday's All-Star Game.

NBA players' association chief says league has torn up its CBA proposal - ESPN
The executive director of the NBA players' association said Friday the league tore up its proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement after a "contentious" 90-minute session.

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers appear on course for NBA Finals - NOLA.com
Entering the All-Star break, it already appears Cleveland's LeBron James will have his best shot of reaching the NBA Finals since 2007, and possibly win his first championship.

Trade talk defines Amar'e Stoudemire's All-Star start
Dallas was blanketed with a foot of snow but Suns All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire was knee-deep in trade speculation when he began his All-Star work here Friday afternoon.

Victoria Advocate | LeBron James partners with furniture retailer
Furniture retailer and manufacturer American Signature Inc. has announced a partnership to develop home furnishings with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James.

NBA stars' warmth shines through in Dallas-area volunteer work - Dallas Morning News
Betty Jean Wrighting, 84, stepped outside despite the near-freezing temperatures to thank someone she never expected to see painting her tiny South Dallas house.

NBA.com: Bryant's time on bench is Durant's gain in rankings
What's good for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers might not be, in this case, good for Bryant's Most Valuable Player ambitions.

For All-Star Game, everything’s bigger in Texas - NBA- nbcsports.msnbc.co
When it comes to the NBA All-Star Game, everything is bigger in Texas.

Report: Cleveland Cavaliers could be interested in Richard Hamilton - MLive.com
Today's Detroit Piston trade speculation is emanating out of Cleveland, where the Cavaliers continue to look for a stretch power forward. Reports have the Cavaliers focused on two particular players: Indiana's Troy Murphy and Washington's Antawn Jamison.

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NO.....

Please do not trade for Murphy, Hamilton, or Amare.
Jamison would work good but, i don’t think any of those other players would really help that much. Amare would help next year when Shaq isn’t around but, this year he wouldn’t make much of a difference.
The other 2 mentioned Hamilton and Murphy don’t upgrade the roster that much or at least enough to make a trade.
Hey Danny, if you can’t get Jamison than just hold off till the offseason. Don’t make a trade just for the sake of making one.

by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 13, 2010 9:34 AM CST reply actions

Amare wouldn’t make much of a difference? Are you kidding me? Go and compare he and JJ’s stats sometime. JJ does have an edge in defensive rating but Stoudemire more than makes up for that with his offense. Also the shift from a a lax defensive unit in Phoenix to the Cavs’s system should cover up Stoudemire’s short comings at that end.

by rockemsockem on Feb 13, 2010 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

He would help but, with Shaq around i don’t think he would be able to be himself. Next year when Shaq is more than likely gone he would help a lot more than this year.

I’m not disputing JJ not being as good as Amare just saying the current situation might not fit Amare as much.

by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 13, 2010 7:49 PM CST up reply actions

Also the shift from a a lax defensive unit in Phoenix to the Cavs’s system should cover up Stoudemire’s short comings at that end.

I’m not sure a change in systems is going to make up for his big shortcomings on the defensive end. Being on the Cavs will improve his defense somewhat, I’m sure, just not dramatically.

by Simmsinns on Feb 13, 2010 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

Shaq’s rating dropped eight points from last year to this year. Parker’s dropped five, Mo’s dropped 8 from Milwaukee to Cleveland. I think it’s reasonable to expect a significant difference if Stoudemire comes over.

by rockemsockem on Feb 15, 2010 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

What I am hoping for is that all this speculation is just smoke and mirrors. To keep the other teams guessing as to what we do, while we end up standing pat.

by talonk on Feb 13, 2010 10:22 AM CST reply actions

Get Amare for nothing (if possible). It could potentially end up being like another expiring contract!

by IBHMC on Feb 13, 2010 10:30 AM CST reply actions

I think if we get Amare the Celtics push for Jamison. Seems like the eastern power players are watching each other very, very closely.

"I don’t dance too much." --Mike Holmgren

by johnnyphoenix on Feb 13, 2010 4:39 PM CST reply actions

Just what the celtics need, another guy well into his 30’s. They were already old, then they got Rasheed, and now they’re interested in Jamison. I like him but he’s not a good fit up there. What are the chances kg AND pierce AND ray AND rasheed AND jamison are all fit at the same time.

by CavsLebronFan on Feb 13, 2010 7:46 PM CST up reply actions

I think that

we should go for Amare if we can get him cheap. Obviously messing up chemistry and/or our defense right now is a big concern, but I think a motivated Amare could step it up on defense. Could you just IMAGINE LeBron and Amare running the pick and roll together? What team could defend that?

by Ianoka on Feb 13, 2010 5:42 PM CST reply actions

I would almost garan-damn-tee chemistry wont be a problem...

on any team lead by LeBron. He is the catalyst that makes any individual players and the team better than the sum of the parts!

I'm Polish...what's your excuse?

by Juannieboy on Feb 13, 2010 8:28 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

BTW

No trade for Amare unless he signs extension for at least 4 years

I'm Polish...what's your excuse?

by Juannieboy on Feb 13, 2010 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

BIG Trade

Wizards traded Butler, Haywood, and Stevenson to the Mavericks for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross, and James Singleton.

I’m sure that pretty much guarantees Jamison is going somewhere.

by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 13, 2010 7:46 PM CST reply actions

And Dallas just joined Denver and Utah as the Lakers only real threats in the west, anything that makes their life harder makes me happy.

by CavsLebronFan on Feb 13, 2010 7:49 PM CST up reply actions

True. I actually think Haywood helps make them better more than Butler. Haywood is a good defender they can throw at Gasol and Bynum and he’s backed up by Dampier.
Butler is better than Howard but, with all they got scoring wise already i doubt Butler scores more than Howard did with them but, Butler will probably be more consistant with them than Howard was.
Dallas might have passed Denver though if not pretty close.

by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 13, 2010 8:27 PM CST up reply actions

Over at the Bullets blog they are so sad ( talk about "crybabies")

One poster said they had better get used to sucking for a “few years”. Not sure what he was watching over the last few years that didn’t suck. I’d like to pyle on but they banned me from provoking them anymore.

I'm Polish...what's your excuse?

by Juannieboy on Feb 13, 2010 8:41 PM CST reply actions

Are you kidding?

Granted that J.J.‘s defense is better, but how can you pass up an offensive force like Amar’e Stoudemire? He doesn’t lack defense all together. All J.J. did was play moderately good defense (even though his block on Dwight Howard the other night almost made me cry) and dunk the ball. Amar’e can do things when becomes acclimated with the system. It’s not to far off from the Run-N-Gun stuff that Mike D’Antoni ran when he was with Phoenix. We just play it with some actual offensive plays and defense on the other end of the court. LOL

The Cavs pick-and-roll automatically becomes a defensive nightmare for any team in the NBA. Your frontcourt now becomes; Lebron James, Amar’e Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal. Who doesn’t see that and think an NBA title is a greater possibility than ever before? At this point, the backcourt leaves something to be imagined. I think Anthony Parker should come off the bench. He isn’t greatly consistent, and I can’t stand him. Delonte West should be the starter.

by Tiny iZ Boss on Feb 14, 2010 5:01 PM CST reply actions