Please answer this question. Who was that guy wearing the Ira Newble jersey last night? Slashing, hitting the boards, actually finishing strong? While I wish he would produce like this more often, given the injures to the Cavaliers this week, we needed a game like this out of him – and we needed it badly. In 37 strong minutes, Newble gave us 18 points (on 8-of-12 shooting), eight boards and two steals. And more importantly, a Cavaliers win.
Newble’s versatility is finally getting recognized, but it can also be the bane of his existence has he really doesn’t have a clear-cut position. It obviously was the small forward, but we have a guy there that’s pretty good. When asked, Coach Mike Brown admitted that Ira’s more a free-flowing player that adjusts to the game situation as well as his surroundings.
“I have no clue what Ira’s position is,” Brown said. “I just tell him to go play. He’s just playing basketball for us and giving us big minutes.”
Big minutes indeed. Now hopefully, these guys can rest up before the Denver/Orlando back-to-back that will start on Sunday evening.
Well that worked out well, didn’t it? When Scott Elarton left the Tribe a few seasons ago after producing one of the best fifth-starter season’s in recent memory, a lot of fans were upset at Mark Shapiro not countering Kansas City’s $8 million offer. Well, after Elarton had shoulder surgery in 2006, he has since been released by the Royals, and picked up by Cleveland on a minor league deal. It is reported that he will not be likely to make the big-league staff, but we’ve seen more random things happen. Right, Fausto?
An intra-league trade has finally went down with Erik Bedard heading to Seattle for a slew of prospects. Assuming Adam Jones (not that Adam Jones) does not have the rumored hip issues, this could wind up being a huge deal for Baltimore’s future, while giving Seattle another solid arm to go with Felix Hernandez. Let’s face it. The O’s weren’t winning the AL East any time soon, but Seattle can definitely challenge for the West. Meanwhile, Jones and Nick Markakis could be two of the better up-and-coming outfielders in the game, and they’re now on the same team.
Now back to hoops for one quick question. Kevin Garnett was applauded handsomely last night as he returned to Minnesota for the first time since being traded to Boston. Now, while this is the ultimate nightmare thought at the moment, say Danny Ferry trades LeBron James within the next two seasons. Does he get applauded when he returns? I’d like to think so given all of the wins that he has provided the city. Does a trade differ from simply signing somewhere else? Give me your thoughts in the comments.
Have a great weekend…
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