I was going to post this in the NBA forum, but since it has more to do with the teams than any handicapping, I figured it belonged in General.
Seems to be that the consensus on this trade is that Cleveland got fleeced. In a way, they did. According to the Sports Illustrated article that chronicled the Cavs' draft, they had various deals with the Clips that would have landed them Miles and a lottery pick or Odom and two lottery picks and even down to Odom and the number 8 pick. The Clips smartly passed on the obivously desperate Cavs and waited to finally make a deal that weighed grossly in their favor, at least in terms of current production.
It will be interesting to see how Cleveland spins this deal. In the SI article assistant coach Ron Ekker is quoted as saying, "I'm a little concerned about this talk of trading Andre. That can't be a basketball decision." Jim Paxson, the Cleveland GM, then reportedly explained that they wouldn't trade Miller unless they received two promising young players. He tacked on the bald-faced lie of, "...You say it's not a basketball decision, but in the future it is. We're only going to trade him if we can get two young players and Wagner and build for the long term."
They didn't get two promising young players, they got one. And clearly all the talk of wanting to keep Miller was rhetoric. They were desperate to unload Miller because he was leading the team to a losing record, fans weren't coming to games and he clearly had nights where he barely showed up (a dirty little secret that hasn't been publicized, but is obivous to anyone who watched parts of virtually every NBA game every night).
When he shows up, Miller is sensational. He is as good a scoring point as there is when he selectively shoots because he passing is so deft that defenders can't guard him the way they'd guard Starchild or Stevie Franchise. His game really reminds me of Gary Payton, except without the defense. He plays defense, but he isn't a spectacular defender.
Cleveland deserves criticism for trading away a sure top shelf point guard, but they are getting a spectacular package in return. The Clippers sold more merchandise last year than all teams besides Dallas and Miles was the primary reason why. Though it is reasonable to question whether losing the cachet of playing with Richardson and the trendy Clipper logo every night will hurt his popularity, the fact is that fans love Miles. He plays defense, he rebounds and he scores in transition. He was working on his post game last year, but his jumper is still awful. Remember, though, that McGrady didn't break out until his fourth year and Miles is only entering year 3. In fact with the possible exception of Kobe no high school player has made a truly significant impact before year 4.
With Miller, the Clips seem to be lethal. The only caveat is that pressure to win will be on Brand, Olowakandi, Miller and Richardson that they have never faced in the past. None of those player has experience on a team expected to finish above .500. Now they are expected to reach at least the playoffs, and possibly the second round.
With Miles, the Cavs seem to be DOA. Murray is now their best scorer, and he has had a spotty NBA career thus far. Ilgaskus is arguably the top center in the East when healthy, but who knows if he will ever be as good as he was in the early part of the 2000-2001 season. Beyond that, you have Miles and his documented deficiencies and Wagner. Wagner is reportedly a once-in-a-generation type scorer, but he is just two years out of high school. Add all of that up and the bottom line is that the Cavs were contenders for the bottom of the Eastern playoff picture with Miller, but now they be fortunate to win 30 games.
I am interested to hear what any NBA fans out there think of the trade. I think it makes sense in a lot of ways for both teams, but in many ways it also doesn't. The Clips just traded away one of the most popular players in the league in an offseason after he was a key cog in bringing record crowds and excitement to the team. The Cavs just traded away one of the top young point guards in the league for a player who has never averaged double digits in any statistic besides minutes.
What do you guys think? Who got the better end of this deal?
Seems to be that the consensus on this trade is that Cleveland got fleeced. In a way, they did. According to the Sports Illustrated article that chronicled the Cavs' draft, they had various deals with the Clips that would have landed them Miles and a lottery pick or Odom and two lottery picks and even down to Odom and the number 8 pick. The Clips smartly passed on the obivously desperate Cavs and waited to finally make a deal that weighed grossly in their favor, at least in terms of current production.
It will be interesting to see how Cleveland spins this deal. In the SI article assistant coach Ron Ekker is quoted as saying, "I'm a little concerned about this talk of trading Andre. That can't be a basketball decision." Jim Paxson, the Cleveland GM, then reportedly explained that they wouldn't trade Miller unless they received two promising young players. He tacked on the bald-faced lie of, "...You say it's not a basketball decision, but in the future it is. We're only going to trade him if we can get two young players and Wagner and build for the long term."
They didn't get two promising young players, they got one. And clearly all the talk of wanting to keep Miller was rhetoric. They were desperate to unload Miller because he was leading the team to a losing record, fans weren't coming to games and he clearly had nights where he barely showed up (a dirty little secret that hasn't been publicized, but is obivous to anyone who watched parts of virtually every NBA game every night).
When he shows up, Miller is sensational. He is as good a scoring point as there is when he selectively shoots because he passing is so deft that defenders can't guard him the way they'd guard Starchild or Stevie Franchise. His game really reminds me of Gary Payton, except without the defense. He plays defense, but he isn't a spectacular defender.
Cleveland deserves criticism for trading away a sure top shelf point guard, but they are getting a spectacular package in return. The Clippers sold more merchandise last year than all teams besides Dallas and Miles was the primary reason why. Though it is reasonable to question whether losing the cachet of playing with Richardson and the trendy Clipper logo every night will hurt his popularity, the fact is that fans love Miles. He plays defense, he rebounds and he scores in transition. He was working on his post game last year, but his jumper is still awful. Remember, though, that McGrady didn't break out until his fourth year and Miles is only entering year 3. In fact with the possible exception of Kobe no high school player has made a truly significant impact before year 4.
With Miller, the Clips seem to be lethal. The only caveat is that pressure to win will be on Brand, Olowakandi, Miller and Richardson that they have never faced in the past. None of those player has experience on a team expected to finish above .500. Now they are expected to reach at least the playoffs, and possibly the second round.
With Miles, the Cavs seem to be DOA. Murray is now their best scorer, and he has had a spotty NBA career thus far. Ilgaskus is arguably the top center in the East when healthy, but who knows if he will ever be as good as he was in the early part of the 2000-2001 season. Beyond that, you have Miles and his documented deficiencies and Wagner. Wagner is reportedly a once-in-a-generation type scorer, but he is just two years out of high school. Add all of that up and the bottom line is that the Cavs were contenders for the bottom of the Eastern playoff picture with Miller, but now they be fortunate to win 30 games.
I am interested to hear what any NBA fans out there think of the trade. I think it makes sense in a lot of ways for both teams, but in many ways it also doesn't. The Clips just traded away one of the most popular players in the league in an offseason after he was a key cog in bringing record crowds and excitement to the team. The Cavs just traded away one of the top young point guards in the league for a player who has never averaged double digits in any statistic besides minutes.
What do you guys think? Who got the better end of this deal?
