The Hoop and The Harm

Somebody needs to give Danny Ferry something to do. Because it looks like he’s been spending WAYYYYYYYYY too much time playing with the Trade Machine.

After hours of negotiations, Ferry pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal that involved three teams, eleven players, and a draft pick in a drastic attempt to give LeBron a supporting cast. After all, a Cavalier who does not support the King is not really a Cavalier at all; if you don’t get it, ask someone who knows something about English History.

So what does it mean? Assuming no one ends up on the DL or in Mike Brown’s doghouse, this trade should provide a boost, but is it enough to vault them past the Celtics or the Pistons in the playoffs? Potentially, and here’s why.

- Statistically, Ben Wallace is having a down year. Age may be an issue, but let’s be honest, Wallace wasn’t the only Bull having a bad season. And being a 6′9″ center isn’t easy. Joining a team that already has a legit center in 7′3″ Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Wallace should spend most of his time at power forward, meaning that his height will no longer be an issue. Wallace is still perhaps the strongest man in the NBA, and now that he’ll be battling for boards againsts fours instead of fives, expect both his rebounding numbers (under 9 a game with Chicago) and blocked shots (1.6 bpg) to increase dramatically.

- Homecoming King? Although ‘King’ might not fly in Cleveland - I heard the nickname’s already taken - it should be a return to remember for Wally Szczerbiak. The former Miami of Ohio sharpshooter had his best years in Minnesota, thanks in no small part to Kevin Garnett. Once again alongside a superstar, Wally has a great chance to resurrect his career - he’s a 40% career three-point shooter and a former All-Star.

The Cavs also received Delonte West in the deal. West, who played in the same backcourt as Jameer Nelson when St. Joseph’s started 28-0, had been with Boston prior to this year. He was shipped to Seattle in the Ray Allen deal, but was buried on the depth chart there with both Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour also on the Sonics. He should help - on this team, how can a young point guard who can shoot from the outside NOT help?

Sure, Chicago and Seattle were involved in this trade, but they’re not heading to the playoffs this season. Cleveland, on the other hand, is trying to prove that they can play with anyone in the conference, if not the league. Remember, they are the defending conference champions, and they have the best player in the NBA who has two healthy pinkies. Will they make it back to the Finals? We don’t know yet. But we do know that lately, it has been unwise to bet against LeBron.

All the All-Star and trade related links you might have missed.

• Kidd is a Maverick, finally. Wanted to be absolutely sure this time. My previous opinion of the deal still stands.
• Bibby traded to a worse a team with a better shot at making the playoffs
• CP3 put on a show last weekend
• Sonics look to be getting the boot
• KG hopes to return tonight
  
• Anti All-Star team
• All-Star Game Recap, Lebron wins 2nd MVP
• All-Stars miss you Diesel!
  
• Superman!
• Isiah’s on the offensive, be afraid
• Melo wants Ron Ron
• Slam Online’s All-Star Coverage

Thanks to espn.com, nba.com, si.com, and slamonline.com.

Even though we at hoopandharm pulled the trigger a little early, I still think that this trade is going to happen. There is over a week until the deadline. I wouldn’t be surprised if this deal gets done by the middle of next week. I’m betting that George is going to be included. Here is an ESPN update.

One thing, for me, that was revealed with the trade to bring Kidd to the Mavs was that the Blazers are interested in keeping their group together. They talk a lot in the local papers about the team chemistry and how the “team” is the most important part of the future of the franchise. With all the major players in the Western Conference making blockbuster deals to prepare for the playoffs, the Blazers could have easily joined the fray.

Right now, in the middle of what may turn out to be a four game slide, any action by the Blazers could be justified by a trip to the playoffs. Even if the regular season ends with the Blazers on the outside of the playoff picture, which it is too early to guarantee, there has been enough promise this year for Blazers fans to feel good about the future. Kudos to management for not taking part in a three way deal, even if it means that the playoffs have to wait for at least another year. Who knows, they could get the #1 pick again.

Kidd to Dallas is a reality. While not as shocking as other recent deals, what shocks me is what Cuban gave up.

The Mavs have now lost most of their bench and will be down to only Dampier at the 5. I’m all for rolling the dice, but really? The main core of Nowitzki, Howard, and Terry do stay intact, which on paper is awesome with Kidd now in the mix. My major concern is that now, more than ever, you need be thinking about production from your center spot and that is something Kidd will not bring you. Avery can play with lineup combos, perhaps even bring Fazekas back up, but, while somewhat sporadic, the Mavs two-headed center, just lost one head. I would be worried about that loss of production if I was Avery Johnson. Let’s hope they have one more trade or free agent signing up their sleeve to completely solidify this lineup.

I’ll say this, there is a thin line between love and hate, and Cuban is definitely walking the line with this one. He could very well be run out of town if this doesn’t pan out and the post Kidd-era ends up with J.J. Barea at the point with no rings to show for it.

But the most important thing to Mavs fans today, the Kidd is back. Everything else will be completely irrelevant if this brings a championship to Big D. That is the one thing I really do like about this deal; it shows the Mavs are serious about NOW and that more than anything should please the fans.

JA Adande of the LA Times has some very good insight about the blockbuster deal that is bringing Shaq back to the west coast. How will this, coupled with Pau Gasol’s recent relocation, change the western conference? I think the most direct effect of these two trades will be that the playoffs will feature far less of the run and gun action that made last year’s so much fun to watch. Add Chris Webber to the mix of new west coast big men, and all the running teams are showing signs of slowing down. Luckily for teams like the Blazers and Hornets that have the future in mind, and not the present, all three new bigs may not be factors beyond this season or next. It is safe to say that Andrew Bynum is the Lakers center of the future and who really knows how many years Shaq has left.

Pau Gasol has been dealt to the Lakers. That one came out of left field. Details here.

First of all, the idea of Pau and Kobe together is awesome…. But I’m just so confused by how much the Lakers gave up for Pau. I get it, a bunch of no names and draft picks, doesn’t affect the core group, but is this year’s Pau really worth Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie, the rights to Gasol’s brother Marc, and first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. I don’t think so.

Pau is an all-star caliber player, and his play should be rejuvenated by this trade, but then what? Bynum comes back and then what? Where does Odom fit in with those two? Can all of these personalities co-exist with Kobe?

From the Grizz’s perspective, this deal makes perfect sense relieve cap space. Clearly, they need to re-build and that wouldn’t have happened with Pau there. It’s always a little sad to see a team trade away there franchise and admit to re-building. Right now Mike Miller is making his emo face. Sad.

I want Pau to work in L.A. really I do, outside of the immediate future, I’m just not sure that it will. All in all, it’s really not a bad deal for both teams RIGHT NOW, but in the long run the Lakers will regret this, the laundry list they gave up for the Spaniard was overkill. Just don’t he’s worth it. Is there a morning after pill for trades?

I hate this trade. Yesterday, the T-Wolves and Heat swapped a few players and I honestly can’t believe it. Why in the world would the Wolves want Antoine Walker? Yuck.

Apparently, Jerry Buss is still willing to wheel and deal with his superstar player. Story here.