Moving Day

Today holds a big deadline in the NBA, and all of the trading was done by noon pacific. Two of the biggest trade pieces, Amar’e Stoudemire and Andre Iguadola both stayed on their respective teams, and many other moves sent mediocre players to new teams (many for the purposes of cap space for this summer’s free agents).

This NBA offseason holds one of the greatest free agent lists…ever: Lebron, Shaq, Carlos Boozer, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd.

Regardless, a few players changed teams, none more notable than Antwan Jamison joining the Cavaliers. This is significant because Lebron wanted Stoudemire more, and management didn’t give in. While there’s speculation that Jamison is a better fit for the team, and Amar’e would have been more expensive to re-sign, we all know that there’s one players in Cleveland that sells tickets and jerseys. News-Herald.com summarized this point perfectly:

“Everything the Cavs do, every move they make, every breath they take, must be done from the perspective of "What gives us the best chance to keep LeBron?"


From there, it's a short trip to: "What does LeBron want?"


If LeBron wants Stoudemire, then that should become the team's top priority. If LeBron wants Antawn Jamison more than Stoudemire, then acquiring Jamison becomes priority No. 1.


Heck, if LeBron wants Spud Webb, go get Spud Webb.


The whole basis of the Cavs' operation in the months leading up to LeBron's free-agent decision is, and should be, a desire to do everything organizationally possible to make LeBron want to stay in Cleveland. Implicit in that policy is the rather basic directive, "Give him what he wants."”

Everyone knows Lebron loves New York, and has said he wants to play there. If Cleveland wasn’t lucky enough to have had Lebron born and raised in Ohio, he would probably already be polaying in New York. Lebron knows he’s a superstar who’s bigger than any other player right now. He hugs Jay-Z after Knicks games, he is a celebrity who celebrities are in awe of.

It’s hard to imagine Lebron staying in Cleveland if they don’t win a title this year. That’s why management probably should have given him whatever he wants.

Other notable trades include “worst first overall draft pick ever” Darko Milicic for Brian Cardinal. Knicks get washed up Tracey Mcgrady, Rockets get the Kings up-and-comer Kevin Martin, and Sacramento gets… Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey, Larry Hughes (well done Maloof brothers, maybe this will be the trade northern Cal finds unforgivable).

The Mavericks pulled off the largest move of the year 4 days ago, getting essentially Caron Butler and Brendan Heywood for Josh Howard and throw ins. So far the Mavericks are 1-1 with these new players, but I’m sure they’ll end up disappointing Mark Cuban back into severe depression soon enough.

As ho-hum as all this trade talk is, I hope you could find some value out of this summary, and I’ll be back to rant on horrible northen Cal. sports soon enough.