Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[Buckeye Nut]

Originally Posted by buchtelgrad04

Cavs Going After Artest

If he can keep a cool head, I'd love to acquire him.

I agree. I'm not of fan of his past antics, but I don't remember him doing anything crazy in Houston so maybe he's gotten past all that. As a player I think he's very underrated because everybody wants to talk about the fighting and everything else. He's an outstanding defender, can score, can rebound, always hustles and plays hard, is extremely strong and has good size. Artest and Lebron would give you two lockdown defenders which means Vince and Rasard get shutdown if we meet the Magic again, or it gives you two guys that can alternate guarding Paul Pierce if we face Boston and the same thing goes for Kobe if we'd meet the Lakers in the Finals. Looking at Ron Artest simply has a player there's nothing not to like about acquiring him.

[Flocka]

Originally Posted by buchtelgrad04

Cavs Going After Artest

If he can keep a cool head, I'd love to acquire him.

So that means LeBron would move to PF?

I don't like Artest. His offense this year was better than his defense. (which is not a good thing) Artest is not that good of a defender when the refs don't let him rape the guy he's guarding. This is why Battier guarded Kobe for most of the series.

LeBron does know Jay-Z who can help catapult Ron's rapping endeavors. This is obviously deeper then basketball people.....

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by OState29

That's why he would force a S&T, he get's paid top dollar and comes back to the lower 48.

I just don't see Toronto helping him bolt. If he wants top dollar he has to stay north of the border. I can't imagine the Cavs offering to sign and trade Lebron even if he says that he won't resign. Why make it easier for your best player to leave even if it is in your best interest. The only chance the Cavs would have with Bosh (if they don't have enough money to sign him next summer) is if the Raptors suck again this year and are willing to cut bait. Z, JJ, and draft picks would get it done.

[buckeyemania11]

Sources: Trevor Ariza leaning toward leaving Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN

Cleveland is making a hard push for Ariza, and the Cavaliers' coaching staff was speaking with him on Wednesday. While Cleveland can only offer the mid-level as well, Ariza's disappointment with the Lakers' stance has moved other suitors ahead of his current team.

The Rockets, Clippers, Raptors and Blazers are also showing interest in Ariza. Portland and Toronto could each offer more than the mid-level exception.

[NFBuck]

Detroit is getting desperate. Gordon, while a nice player, is so hot and cold it's ridiculous and CV is a complimentary player joining a roster of complimentary players. They struck gold five years ago with a team that oozed chemistry due to their similar skill sets...now they're just reaching and overspending. Enjoy irrelevance [censored]s.

[Buckeye Nut]

Originally Posted by NFBuck

Detroit is getting desperate. Gordon, while a nice player, is so hot and cold it's ridiculous and CV is a complimentary player joining a roster of complimentary players. They struck gold five years ago with a team that oozed chemistry due to their similar skill sets...now they're just reaching and overspending. Enjoy irrelevance [censored]s.

They're going to be a better team, but you're right on both counts. Billups was the guy that made that team what they were for six straight years and neither CV or Gordon are the Chauncey Billups type of leader that they need.

As for the Cavs, Ariza would be an amazing pickup if they can pull it off. He's another young guy that would be a great compliment to LeBron.

[exhawg]

Do we have a shot at Ariza or will the Lakers just trump the MLE?

[Brutus1]

Lakers told Ariza, they won't go higher than the MLE. They're (Lakers) also interested in giving their MLE to Artest. Artest was already offered the Cavs MLE and has not yet accepted. It's believed if the Lakers offer it to him, he would jump on it. He loves the Bright Lights of the big city.

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by Brutus1

Lakers told Ariza, they won't go higher than the MLE. They're (Lakers) also interested in giving their MLE to Artest. Artest was already offered the Cavs MLE and has not yet accepted. It's believed if the Lakers offer it to him, he would jump on it. He loves the Bright Lights of the big city.

It would suck if they both went to LA, so hopefully the Lakers are only willing to spend enough for one of them. I'd be happy with a split. The Cavs would still need to find a PF with a midrange game or bring back Joe Smith. If the Cavs use the MLE on a SG/SF type I wonder what Lebron thinks about playing the 4? That would be the only way to spread the floor when Shaq is playing.

[Brutus1]

They can only offer the MLE. It's one or the other, not both.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by exhawg

It would suck if they both went to LA, so hopefully the Lakers are only willing to spend enough for one of them. I'd be happy with a split. The Cavs would still need to find a PF with a midrange game or bring back Joe Smith. If the Cavs use the MLE on a SG/SF type I wonder what Lebron thinks about playing the 4? That would be the only way to spread the floor when Shaq is playing.

if artest takes the lakers MLE, then they won't extend it to Ariza. apparently LA wants to resign odom to big money.

[Brutus1]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

if artest takes the lakers MLE, then they won't extend it to Ariza. apparently LA wants to resign odom to big money.

Odom can be awesome at times, but he's never, ever shown any consistency. That would worry me if i'm looking to give him a BIG contract.
He's like a ghost: he disappears.

[Flocka]

RealGM: Basketball Wiretap Archives: Ariza To Receive Big Payday From Blazers Or Raptors

According to a Twitter post by Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, Trevor Ariza will become a very rich man at the hands of the team that loses out on Hedo Turkoglu.

League executives believe Portland or Toronto, whichever team does not sign Turkoglu, will offer Ariza between $32 million and $40 million deal

[OH10]

Some team is going to overpay for Ariza. There's no way he becomes a Cav.

The Cavs will have to wait it out a bit this free agency until all of the big spenders are finished and see what is left.

[paddio]

What about going after a guy like Matt Barnes? I think he may be a more realistic option. He is a pretty good athlete and can knock down the outside jumper. I just don't see Ariza or Artest takin our MLE.