For Cleveland: Say this for Danny Ferry -- when he swings, he swings for the fences. He hasn't been able to get a deal done for the past two seasons in part because he's been going for big moves like this, which are harder to pull off. But when it works ... man, does it work.

 

This one works, big time. Answer me this: Would you rather have Hughes (12.0 player efficiency rating) or Szczerbiak (16.0)? Brown (8.5) or West (10.1)? Marshall (8.5) or Wallace (12.1)? Gooden (12.8) or Smith (17.4)?

 

The last one is the only comparison for which you'd even hesitate, because Gooden has been better the past few seasons. But Smith crushes Gooden on PER this season, and isn't prone to mental gaffes the way Gooden is.

 

Now consider how this all fits into the larger puzzle. LeBron James now has teammates who can actually shoot! No, seriously: Wally World is at 42.8 percent on 3s this season and 40.7 percent for his career; West hits 37.0 percent for his career; and Smith is reliable from 17 feet and can space the floor. All three will help the Cavs space the floor and reduce the number of five-on-one defenses LeBron has to face.

 

As for Wallace, there's even some upside to his addition. Not for his shooting, of course, but for all the other stuff he brings. I have had at least one scout tell me his poor results this season have been partly because he just wasn't playing hard; one wonders if the relocation will improve his spirits. And unlike Phoenix with Shaq, the Cavs didn't give up an All-Star in order to find out the answer to this question -- they just need Big Ben to play with some energy for 20 minutes off the bench as the fourth big man.

 

All told, this trade is a huge coup for Cleveland. The Cavs had to take on more salary (and a bigger luxury tax burden) to do it, so credit owner Dan Gilbert for busting out his checkbook. But they've been trying for two years to trade Gooden and Hughes

 

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=TradeGrades-080221

 

Read more about all the trades here. That is just the view on the Cavs part of the trade. It is an insider article, but I think they have a free preview on.

Ben has been a huge flop in Chicago... not sure this is good for the Cavs.

 

Well the headband is coming back and so is Big Ben.:lol:

^And both are behind the Pistons.

 

Disagree completely. The Celtics are better than the Pistons when completely healthy.

Well the headband is coming back and so is Big Ben.:lol:

 

Ben has been wearing the headband this season. He will have friends with the headband though in Cleveland with guys like LeBron, Varejao, Daniel Gibson, etc.

Cavs lineup should look like this when all players are there and everyone is healthy:

Center-Ilgauskas

PF-Wallace

SF-LeBron

SG-Pavlovic

PG-West

 

Then the bench has Szczerbiak, Joe Smith, Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Damon Jones, Eric Snow.

Pretty solid and an upgrade in my opinion. They only thing they really lack is a great perimeter defender, but West, Pavlovic, LeBron, and Eric Snow could be adequate in that respect.

Newble wasn't a presence for perimiter defense and physical play? How will Wally fill that roll?

 

This feels like a lateral move to me. A move to make a move but I guess we will see. I'm not sold on Big Z and Big Ben being a viable combo. Seems like a bit of an odd mix.

 

Having said all that, if this makes Lebron happy then its worth it. The Cavs' success ultimately lies in his hands anyway.

 

Newble was horrible and I'm glad we got rid of him. This trade helps us a lot and we didn't have to give up much to get it done.

I really like this move. I see them really meshing well together.

My two cents...

 

I like the trade...I've never been high on Gooden or Hughes. Hughes was a talented player but way too inconsistent and unreliable...Gooden is the same, only less talented, and he always seemed soft to me. The other two guys were non-factors.

 

They get Wally, who isn't as talented as Hughes, but might be a nice fit for the Cavs because of his shooting. His strength is knocking down open jumpers, and Lebron James can get him the ball in those spots. Big Ben gives them more toughness than Gooden and provides a much more physical presence...which should help them defensively and on the boards. They may lose something offensively, but Gooden was never a reliable guy. A rejuvinated Wallace will be far more valuable, especially for playoff basketball, IMO.

 

Finally, and most important, IMO, how does this affect Lebron? Does this give him a boost and "refresh" him to some degree now that the Cavs have made a move? If it does, then they come out ahead even if the trade is even. Lebron carried the Cavs to the finals last year...don't underestimate them.

 

I think this trade helps the Cavs, especially for playoff basketball. They rode Lebron James, outside shooting and defense to the NBA Finals last year...IMO, Big Ben strengthens them defensively and rebounding and Wally helps them shooting...they'll be a tough out for any team they play.

Gibson/West or Billups---Edge DET

Lebron- Prince----Edge CLE

Wally or Hamilton----Edge DET

Wallace or McDyess--- Tie

Big Z or Wallace---- Edge DET

 

I guess the Cavs have the edge on the bench but the Pistons have always been a team oriented towards their starters.

 

I will still take the Pistons, especially since the core has been together so long.

 

That doesn't mean much, IMO. Lebron is such a great player, he can make up a lot of the difference between other guys. If the mesh as a team, they could beat Detroit again this year.

My two cents...

 

I like the trade...I've never been high on Gooden or Hughes. Hughes was a talented player but way too inconsistent and unreliable...Gooden is the same, only less talented, and he always seemed soft to me. The other two guys were non-factors.

 

They get Wally, who isn't as talented as Hughes, but might be a nice fit for the Cavs because of his shooting. His strength is knocking down open jumpers, and Lebron James can get him the ball in those spots. Big Ben gives them more toughness than Gooden and provides a much more physical presence...which should help them defensively and on the boards. They may lose something offensively, but Gooden was never a reliable guy. A rejuvinated Wallace will be far more valuable, especially for playoff basketball, IMO.

 

Finally, and most important, IMO, how does this affect Lebron? Does this give him a boost and "refresh" him to some degree now that the Cavs have made a move? If it does, then they come out ahead even if the trade is even. Lebron carried the Cavs to the finals last year...don't underestimate them.

 

I think this trade helps the Cavs, especially for playoff basketball. They rode Lebron James, outside shooting and defense to the NBA Finals last year...IMO, Big Ben strengthens them defensively and rebounding and Wally helps them shooting...they'll be a tough out for any team they play.

 

It really bothers me that so many people are overlooking Delonte West. At both of his stops in his career with Boston and Seattle he has been in crowded backcourts. Despite being in those crowded backcourts, the coaches have had no choice but to play him significant minutes. He is a big, somewhat physical PG who can shoot the ball and run a team. He isnt Jason Kidd or Mike Bibby like LeBron wanted, but he is an upgrade over Eric Snow, Damon Jones, and Larry Hughes as a PG.

 

Joe Smith is no slouch either. He was starting most of the time for Chicago and can help spread the floor more for LeBron b/c he can hit the open mid range jumper and is a decent defender. He may not have lived up to being a number 1 pick, but he was still a number 1 pick.

It really bothers me that so many people are overlooking Delonte West. At both of his stops in his career with Boston and Seattle he has been in crowded backcourts. Despite being in those crowded backcourts, the coaches have had no choice but to play him significant minutes. He is a big, somewhat physical PG who can shoot the ball and run a team. He isnt Jason Kidd or Mike Bibby like LeBron wanted, but he is an upgrade over Eric Snow, Damon Jones, and Larry Hughes as a PG.

 

Joe Smith is no slouch either. He was starting most of the time for Chicago and can help spread the floor more for LeBron b/c he can hit the open mid range jumper and is a decent defender. He may not have lived up to being a number 1 pick, but he was still a number 1 pick.

 

I meant to mention West in my post. :thumb:

 

And, to be honest, I just forgot about Joe Smith. Nothing great, IMO, but with the same minutes, he'd probably give you as much as Gooden. I like the trade from the Cavs perspective...at worst, it would be a wash, but more than likely, they improved their team. If they mesh well as a team, and the supporting cast does it's job (they don't have to go above and beyond their ability, just take care of your job), Lebron can put them over the top. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Cavs beat the Pistons or Celtics or both in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Lebron took them to the finals with less last year, IMO...