After last season's disappointing finish to the Cavs season, nothing less than an NBA Championship will suffice in 2010, not for the players, fans, or most importantly, the future of one LeBron James. Last season, with the best regular season record, the Cavs stood pat at the trade deadline, and it bit them in the playoffs as they were outmatched by Orlando. But after getting it wrong last season, GM Danny Ferry has finally made the move that could keep the Cavs at the top of the NBA heap, by trading for Wizards F Antawn Jamison.
With much of the starstruck media pining for a pairing of LeBron James with Suns F Amare Stoudemire, it seemed the Phoenix forward was destined to head to Cleveland. Danny Ferry though was smart to avoid the overhyped Stoudemire, even though it would've broughten the fellow young All-Star King James has craved. Jamison has always been the better fit for the Cavs for several reasons.
1) Jamison is a much more versatile player than Stoudemire with his ability to strech the floor by hitting the 3 (a 35% 3PT shooter) and doesn't need the ball to set up his own shot. Jamison's unique offensive skill set should blend in flawlessly with what the Cavs already have offfensively. Stoudemire is still a one-dimensional offensive player at this point in his career and, although he thrived with Steve Nash, wouldn't be as good a compliment as Jamison.
2) By turning down Stoudemire, the Cavs prevent the type of mismatches they faced in last year's playoffs against Orlando...specifically, Rashard Lewis. Jamison will be able to stick with Lewis on the perimeter much better than Amare Stoudemire. If the Cavs had thrown out both Stoudemire and Shaq defensively against perimeter teams like Atlanta/Orlando, they would have been vulnerable to pick and roll. I mean...did you see the Suns try to play defense with both Shaq and Amare? It made the All-Star game look a playoff game between Riley's Heat and Van Gundy's Knicks!
3) Despite Stoudemire's advantage over Jamison with youth and athleticism, Jamison is just as good a rebounder, averaging around 8 RPG over his career. Stoudemire himself is only averaging about 8.5 RPG, and don't forget Suns HC Alvin Gentry benched Stoudemire for his vanishing act 0n the glass earlier this season.
4) Taking advantage of the Wizards fire sale allows the Cavs to keep a hold of promising young PF J.J. Hickson. LeBron has developed a rapport with Hickson throughout the season and giving him up for Stoudemire would've been a steep price. By grabbing Jamison, the Cavs only give up Z's expiring contract and a first-round pick (probably last in the 1st round). So, not only will the Cavs keep a player with a lot of upside, they will most likely resign Big Z in 30 days after a buyout from the Wiz. Now Mike Brown has at his disposal at the 4 and 5 positions Shaq, Anderson Varejao, Big Z, Hickson, Jamison, and LeBron. That's depth and flexibility the Cavs haven't yet had in the LeBron era.
So, for once in the reign of King James, it seems GM Danny Ferry has cooked the porridge just right, not too cold, or too hot. Last year, Ferry kept the status quo and watched his team passed by at the end of the season. This year, he resisted the flashy, but square peg to fit into his team's needs by passing on Amare Stoudemire and trading for the less flashy, but reliable Antawn Jamison. Although the future of LeBron James remains up in the air, this move may have proven to LeBron that the Cavs are willing to do what it takes to deliver the King a consistent championship winner.
We'll keep track of the rest of the deadline dealing in the NBA, as well as our continuing curling coverage...where the U.S. captains have been less than perfect in crunch time. But, there's still time for all the Olympic teams, and you know our patriotic flame will not be extinguished easily! Until next time, it's USA all the way!
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