Players, teams that may make noise before trade deadline
The NBA is a week away from a trading deadline that has more to do with improving budgets than improving teams.
Well, sure, a handful of championship contenders will explore ways to nip and tuck themselves into better shape and possibly add a missing piece that'll give them an edge come spring and summer. That's always the case in the days leading up to the annual NBA swapping bazaar. Except this year is different.
This year, teams are studying salary averages a lot harder than they are scoring averages. This trading deadline will find plenty of teams trying to dump high salaries and bail from long contracts. This is a coupon-clipping, payroll-snipping, pocketbook-zipping trade deadline.
The teams looking to participate fall into one of three categories: Salary-dumpers hoping to clear cap space for the summer free agent market, cash-strapped teams hoping to chop salary to save money and balance the budget, and title-hunters looking to get-rich-quick by stealing a good player for next to nothing in return. In these risky economic times, and with a labor negotiation upcoming, everybody's trying to take advantage of the situation, one way or another.
As with all trade deadlines, there will be roughly 1,000 players speculated to go this way or that, and by the next day, the landscape will remain virtually unchanged. At least that's what history says. Still, in discussions with general managers, agents and scouts in the last few days, a handful of teams and players will be shopping or be shopped between now and then.
Everybody wants Camby. He's attractive because his salary is reasonable ($7.6 million), his contract is expiring and he's still a high volume rebounder and solid shotblocker. Several title-contending teams have called the Clippers about Camby, hoping to rent him for a half-season and perhaps re-sign him. But the Clippers want value in return, not someone who'll eat cap space and keep them from buying a free agent this summer.
They're carrying too much bloated weight, with Elton Brand (3 years, $51 million) and Andre Iguodala (4 years, $58 million) owed big money beyond this season, while attendance and results are down significantly. Philly knows an honest rebuilding attempt can't begin until at least one of those contracts is jettisoned. But what team wants to flirt with luxury tax issues by taking either player?
He's got the expiring contract, but nothing else. Nobody knows what he has left, and few teams will give the Rockets anyone of value for him, unless it's a salary dump. If there was a decent offer on the table, he would've been swapped by now. Besides, at this point in his career, can a T-Mac deal be defined as a blockbuster?
They're about to reach the fork in the road of their season. The Grizzlies are winning, yes, but face a big decision on Rudy Gay. He's a restricted free agent this summer and some team could blow him away with an offer that the cash-strapped Grizzlies can't touch. Does Memphis risk the season and trade him now to get something in return, or keep him and try to strike a deal in July?
With Chris Paul done for the year, the Hornets could take this time to trim costs and spare themselves the luxury tax. West is owed two years and $15.5 million, making him much easier to trade than Peja Stojakovic and Emeka Okafor, a pair of cap-killers.
The wrecking ball is coming to the Wizards sooner or later. They can get a jump by shipping Butler, the most reasonable trade bait on the club, since the Wizards want to keep Antawn Jamison. Of course, the big issue is Gilbert Arenas, but that'll have to wait until his sentencing next month and the Wizards take a closer look at the fine print on his contract, should he end up doing time.
If they really want a shot at Dwyane Wade and perhaps a B-list free agent this summer, then they'll need to free up additional cap room by seeking an expiring contract for Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas, two expendable players.
The phones are still ringing, but the Suns haven't gotten a decent offer yet. No good team will give up talent for Stoudemire unless they're certain they can re-sign him. Don't be surprised if he finishes the year in Phoenix.
A rival GM said he'd be shocked if the faltering Celtics made a major deal involving Ray Allen and his expiring contract, stressing that contending teams don't close shop so suddenly. True enough. While swapping Allen for a decent guard (Iguodala? Kevin Martin?) does make sense on some levels, the Celtics will likely ride out the Allen-KG-Paul Pierce era through one more postseason.
A few months ago, they each had a foot out the door, at least it seemed that way. But now the Jazz are winning big. And the Raptors are gaining ground on the Celtics in the division. Suddenly, winning a playoff round doesn't seem so far-fetched. Neither team seems willing to spoil the fun by pulling the plug on the season.
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Cavaliers tops Heat
James hit two free throws after a scary tumble and blow to the head with 4.1 seconds left for the winning points, and Wade missed a jumper over the reigning MVP's outstretched arm at the buzzer as the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 92-91 on Monday night.
"It came down to one possession," said James, who matched Wade with a game-high 32 points. "Whoever got the last stop was going to win the game. Luckily it was us."
Wade had 30 at halftime, then only two the rest of the way -- and missed two big free throws with 41.2 seconds left, part of a 1 of 6 showing from the line by the Heat in the fourth quarter.
It cost Miami dearly.
"We put ourselves in the right position," Wade said. "Just mistakes tonight that I made that I normally don't ... cost us."
As great as the back-and-forth between Wade and James was at times, the last half-minute might be all anyone remembers from this one.
Guarding his good friend for the first time all night, Wade blocked James' shot with about 28 seconds left, giving Miami the ball and a one-point lead. But on the ensuing possession, James -- defending Wade this time -- came up with a steal when the league's defending scoring champion tried a wraparound pass, drove in from halfcourt and created what became a frightening scene for both teams.
James and Wade went toward the hoop together, with Quentin Richardson defending as well. Both James and Wade landed awkwardly, and James writhed in pain for about 2 minutes as the entire Cavs' bench came out to check on their fallen leader. He got up, walked Richardson's foul off and made two free throws with 4.1 seconds left for a 92-91 lead.
"For him to get up after that collision and knock down two free throws the way that he did, he's got ice water in his veins, baby," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "Ice water."
And in the ensuing huddle, Brown wanted to call a double-team on Wade. The coach was overruled.
"I got D-Wade," James said.
Wade's shot bounced off the iron, and it was over.
"The good, the bad, you're up, you're down," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I'll take it all with this team."
Shaquille O'Neal scored 19, Daniel Gibson had 15 and Anderson Varejao finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland.
Wade had 10 rebounds and five assists for Miami. Jermaine O'Neal finished with 18 points, Michael Beasley had 16 and Rafer Alston and Udonis Haslem each scored 10 for the Heat.
Jermaine O'Neal had 14 in the first quarter, Wade had 13 in the period, and Miami was off and running with a 34-24 lead after the first 12 minutes.
That was only the warmup act.
The second quarter was pure theater, Wade vs. LeBron.
So good was the show that hardly anyone noticed that Wade's teammates missed 15 straight shots over a 15 1/2-minute stretch, including 0 for 12 in the second quarter alone. Miami missed 12 straight before Wade made a step-back jumper with 3:37 left in the half put Miami up 40-39, and he followed that up with a 3-pointer while getting fouled by Jamario Moon to ignite the crowd.
James answered, a 3-pointer of his own making it a one-point game again.
It was on.
"The competition," Spoelstra said, "was fantastic."
Wade made a jumper and couldn't contain his grin as the building roared, knowing it was seeing a glorified game of 1-on-1 between two of the game's elite. James cleared everyone else out against Richardson, rebutting with a fallaway jumper of his own.
They were just getting started.
"Two really, really good friends, one of my best friends that I have, just two great competitors not wanting to lose to each other," James said. "But at the same time, knowing that we're putting on a show not only for each other, but for the fans and whoever was watching the game."
Wade missed a free throw with 29 seconds left until intermission, ran down the rebound and gave Miami another possession -- which he capped with a 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left, flashing dueling "3" signs behind his back after sealing the fourth 30-point half of his career. Undeterred, with 1.2 ticks remaining, James hit -- what else? -- a 3-pointer, cutting Miami's lead to 54-50.
The teams scored 46 points total in the second quarter. James (20) and Wade (17) combined for 37 of them.
And when it was over, the scene in the Miami locker room told the story.
"Tough one, right?" Beasley asked Richardson, who only nodded in silence.
Game notes
All four instances of Wade scoring 30 in a half have come at home, two of them against Cleveland. ... The teams combined to miss their first 10 shots of the second quarter. ... Creative sign of the night: With a nod to this summer's expected free agent bonanza, a fan held up a placard during a second-quarter time-out with the Facebook logo, saying James had changed his status from "in a relationship with the Cavs" to "in a relationship with the Heat."
source: The Associated Press
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Who should be the MVP? Kobe Wade or Lebron
The current NBA season is highlighted with perhaps one of the tightest MVP race ever. Leading the pack are NBA All-star and Olympic gold medalists, Kobe Bryant (LA LAkers), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers). The three are having their best season ever.
24 Despite good numbers, Kobe Bryant is said to be less-favored in terms of winning the crown-crowd wise, including myself. I think Kobe is a certified go-to-guy however I'm putting into consideration the roster that the Lakers have. With Gasol, Odom, Bynum (injured) and a veteran point guard in Derek Fisher, Kobe has the core to make him a better player. With a loaded line-up, the Lakers are definitely title contenders. I don't think Kobe has to be at his best in order to pull a win for the Lakers. But the "Black Mamba" comes up big in clutch time.
3 Dwyane Wade is the best comeback story of the year, player wise. After a miserable record last season, the Heat is in solid position for the playoffs this year. Thanks to no less than, Dwyane Wade. After an early exit last year due to injuries, Wade started to make noise of his comeback during the Olympics. Wade had a stellar stint in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Yet, it was only a glimpse of what he's about to do in Miami this year. With improved shooting, Wade has been unstoppable offensively. He's explosiveness has improved a lot-no shades of his past injuries. What makes Wade story sweeter is the fact that Miami is a shallow team plus a rookie coach in Erik Spoelstra. Wade has carried the load for Miami. I hope this team stays long in the playoffs although I don't expect them to be in the conference finals. But "Kudos" to D-Wade!
23 If Cleveland makes it to the NBA finals, hands down it'll be Lebron James. I've seen most of Cleveland games this season and I can say the entire team anchored on King James have vastly improved. No wonder why they hold the best record in the league. James has been "Mr. Everything" for Cleveland, registering triple-doubles. On the side, it has been Cavs point guard and new recruit Mo Williams who have made Cleveland a better squad and made James a stronger player. Mo brings a lot of new dimensions to Cleveland especially on the offensive end.
To answer the title. I would say it's Lebron James but I certainly wouldn't mind Wade winning it.
Sizzling Wade
Dwayne Wade has shown no signs of slowing down after being sidelined last year for several injuries. After being a part of the USA team in the Olympics, he has continued his brilliant performance in the NBA. Despite a relatively weak line-up, Miami is in good position for the NBA playoffs. All thanks to Dwayne Wade. Wade has gone into a rampage. He's logging MVP numbers every game.
Boston is the latest team to bow down to Wade and the rest of the Heat, 99-107. Wade exploded for 32 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 assists. With a depleted lineup, Boston struggled to keep up with the Heat's offense. Boston played minus Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine.
Miami has also been performin well after acquiring Jamario Moon and Jermaine O'neal form the Toronto Raptors in exchange for forward Shawn Marion. But certainly, Dwyane is the heart and soul of this squad. In their last 7 outings, check out Wade's numbers:
Last 7 Games (5 wins)
PPG 38.4
FG % 56.9
APG 10.6
RPG 6.4
SPG 3.6
Dwyane Wade is Back
Shaquille O'neal coined him as "The Flash" but such name failed to marked on the minds of Wade's fans, and perhaps even to Dwyane. Smothered with injuries resulting to a miserable NBA season, Wade is back big time.
Among the players in the current TEAM USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Dwyane Wade has been the most impressive. I think everyone is just glad to see the 6-4 spitfire guard playing to his potential. His quickness is quicker, elevation is higher, shooting is sweeter, defense is tighter, just a better Dwyane Wade coming off the bench for the so called Redeem Team. Despite playing off the bench, he is the team's leading scorer after two games. With thunderous-acrobatic jams, lightning quick drives, active defense, and all net jump-shots, D. Wade is playing in full gear.
Dwyane Wade is one of my personal favorites in the NBA today. What he showed in Miami's championship series against Dallas was simply remarkable. Now, with a healthier and much improved Wade, Miami can definitely flip their fortunes from last season. Wade will certainly carry the team on his stronger shoulders. I just hope no more injuries for this very tremendous player.
