While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.
“After four seasons of toying with package deals of mediocre support, the Cavs pulled the trigger on acquiring a legitimate top-flight player to pair with the King. Though names like Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace and Delonte West are all considerable talents who have done good work for the Cavs, they’re not the players the Cavs needed to put them in position for a title. The Cavs needed, more than ever this season, to show LeBron James they were willing to do anything to win a title. They needed to give James the equivalent of the Gasol trade. And Wednesday night, they did.” [Matt Moore/NBA FanHouse]
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“Don’t show up at Verizon Center looking to see [Zydrunas Ilgauskas] firing up three-pointers from the right corner. He’ll be here about as long as Drew Gooden, who was in the passenger seat Wednesday night when Jamison drove away. Gooden clearly needed a ride to Dulles to catch a flight to Los Angeles, where he’ll presumably join the Clippers who were the third party to the Washington-Cleveland deal. Actually, Big Z probably won’t show up in Washington at all. The Wizards can buy him out and he can sit out 30 days, then rejoin the Cavaliers for the playoffs. You think the Cavaliers are crazy enough to not have a veteran big man backing up Shaq?” [Michael Wilbon/Washington Post]
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“How many different ways can I say that, after the Cavs deal for Washington’s Antawn Jamison? He is exactly the type of veteran power forward this team needs, in terms of talent and character.” [Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer]
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“This looks like a fine deal, right now. I don’t know how these teams will feel about this trade down the line, because there might be a whole lot to regret. [...] Antawn Jamison is a fine player, he stretches the defense, can rebound, can stay out of the way, and he rarely turns the ball over. But Stoudemire is an offensive powerhouse, the leading scorer on the league’s best offense, and someone who could run a devastating pick and roll combination with LeBron James(notes) for years.” [Kelly Dwyer/Ball Dont Lie]
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“Big Z’s devotion to this franchise and all he’s done for the team is one of the reasons we watch sports. In the silly world of sports that we spend so much of our time worrying about, Big Z not returning to the team he’s done so much for as they try to win their first championship would be a true tragedy. I know basketball’s a business, but that first banner wouldn’t feel quite right without Z. I’m not usually one for sentiment, but I’ll miss big Z, even if it’s just for 30 days.” [John Krolik/Cavs the Blog]
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“Cleveland not only landed Jamison — one of the best forwards in the L (averaging 20.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) — but also keeps the ever improving JJ Hickson. Hats off to you, Danny Ferry. OK, LeBron. You now have all the horses you need to win a championship. No more excuses.” [Marcel Mutoni/SLAMOnline]
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“Danny Ferry’s a crook, and if I’m ever in the same room as him I’m leaving my wallet in the car. First he dumped Larry Hughes and got some value (Delonte) in return. Then he moves Damon Jones for Mo Williams, then Sasha and Ben for Shaq, and now Z (with the chance he comes back) for Jamison essentially. And now his work is done.” [Brendan Bowers/Stepien Rules]
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“If Big Z re-signs with the Cavs in 30 days, they will have basically stolen Jamison…for NOTHING. For all the Stoudemire talk, Jamison is arguably the better player. He’s a better rebounder and defender and probably fits into the Cavs scheme more so. And on top of that, they didn’t even have to throw in rising talent J.J. Hickson like they would’ve in the Stoudemire deal.” [The No Look Pass]
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“My question is now to Mike Brown: How are you going to give all these guys their minutes and keep them all happy and productive? We will see how Mike Brown addresses that issue.” [Lake Erie Soldiers]
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“Now, take all of these problems and combine then with everything else we already knew about Amare’s baggage. Now compare that with Jamison, who presents only two risks…” [Cleveland Frowns]
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And finally, I was a part of a solid podcast last night with a handful of other Cleveland bloggers that discussed the Jamison trade as well as the first half of the Cavaliers season. Check it out… [Dugout Sports Show]
(Image courtesy of ESPN.com)
