What Do We Want Exactly?
November 2, 2010The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 11/02/10
November 2, 2010Three games in and the Cleveland Cavaliers are 1-2. Riding their high from their home-opening win over the Boston Celtics, the past weekend has shown that not all is exactly roses with the 2010-11 roster as there are glaring weaknesses and all-to-frequent lapses on both ends of the floor.
But while the team will likely use the next month or two two get more of a feel for what they have, what they have not had over the opening week is production from a man who was to be not only a leader in the locker room, but a leader in the box scores in Antawn Jamsion.
Jamison opened up this Cavaliers season by telling the media that he knows Byron Scott’s Princeton offense like the back of his hand. He was not only going to help his teammates learn the ropes, but it was something that he was comfortable enough with that many thought he could average upwards of 20.5 points per game – a mark which would be highest on the Cavaliers roster. Thus far through the 2010-11 season and Jamison has averaged 6.3 points on 31.8 percent shooting, 13.8 percent lower than his career average, bottoming out in a 1-for-7 night in a losing effort against the Sacramento Kings.
But unlike the numbers that constitute most of Jamison’s career average, Antawn is coming off of the bench this season, spelling the 22-year old (and potential future of the Cavaliers) J.J. Hickson at the power forward slot. It was thought that Jamison could play both forward positions, but through the three-game sample, Jamison has been outmatched at the small forward spot due to a lack of quickness.
Jamison’s recent lack of quickness may be due in part to the knee swelling which he has experienced during the season’s onset. A game-time decision in Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, Jamison is not willing to blame his recent struggles on his knee.
“Antawn is not the type of guy that would blame anything on an injury,” said head coach Byron Scott.
Scott stressed that he has the utmost confidence in Jamison’s ability to improve and contribute at levels he has played through his career. Some sources throughout the league feel that Jamison is coming off of the bench so that he can audition for what would be a reserve role with a contender. Though Antawn has said all of the right things to the media – including calling Cleveland “home” – it is no secret that he would still like to earn another chance at playing for a title. Teams like the San Antonio Spurs could use Jamison’s services later this season, but he would be a sixth-man at best. The catch therein is that ‘Tawn would have to perform as a reserve to not only have other teams be interested, but for the Cavaliers to maximize the value they would receive in return for the 34-year-old veteran.
Another catch is that “maximizing return” may be in the eye of the beholder. Sure, a stretch forward is a premium position; it took Danny Ferry years to find one who could contribute. But in the same, the Cavaliers traded their 2010 first-round draft pick, the 30th selection overall. Consequently, any draft selections or a player-pick combination would have to be considered modest return.
While he is bound to improve from his current per-game averages, Jamison’s “it is what it is” comments regarding his bench role coupled with his perceived poor body language has lead to some early concerns over his future with the Cavaliers. Yes, the veteran forward has the potential to be a double-digit scorer for this team. However, playing a position which is currently manned by a player in development does not bode well for regular minutes.
One key of the Princeton offense is having a strong post player with court vision and above-average passing ability. Players who have flourished in such a system are Brad Miller in Sacramento and David West in New Orleans – not exactly “stretch fours.” However, as mentioned, Jamison played in a Princeton system with Washington and fared pretty well.
Going forward, it will be up to coach Byron Scott to maximize Jamison’s playmaking capabilities and up to the player himself to get fully healthy and make the most of the hand he is dealt. All parties involved feel that this will happen in due time.
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
14 Comments
The guy just doesn’t want to be here, plain and simple. Can’t really fault him for it, given the circumstances he came here under. He seems like a class guy, but at 34, it’s gotta be very difficult to be in his situation and not be down about it.
@1 – but, Jamison is smart enough to know that he needs to have a ton of energy and perform well now in order to get to a better situation.
teams like SA, Dallas (sneaky good spot for him), Houston, and some other hopeful contenders that do not reside in TX won’t trade for him if they don’t think they are going to get a contribution.
he’s been my #1 on the ‘trade away’ list since that fateful day in July. hopefully he plays well enough to garner some returns.
Obviously, first goal is to get him back to a potential-reaching level. Secondary would be whatever the team feels is best for respective futures.
That said, I think he’s a perfect fit in SA, Dallas and…. Orlando. Seems like a ideal sub for Lewis given skill sets. Just my opinion, of course.
AJ is hurt and he is old. It sucks to get out of bed every morning with creaky joints and bad knees and feet. Im sure he’s pretty darn depressed about his physical health – and that attitude doesn’t help you heal.
His game sucks right now. He’s a descent player to have if you have one or two super stars already, but terrible if you don’t. He can’t shoot jumpers, and can’t get to the rack. Nor can he play D. The Cavs should have made a did if there was one available before teams had a chance to see him play.
Scott – It’s an interesting question and I think there are some injury concerns with Jamison right now which could clear up. But if he gets back to playing well, I’m having a hard time finding a contender to trade him to. Shall we launch the NBA Trade Machine? I think so…
SA – I agree, nice fit. But they have no one who could be traded back with a similar size contract who they would part with if they’re really contending. Then if you try to take back guys like Anderson and Splitter, you’re not only up against a salary problem, but also the Spurs need to carry 13 guys on their roster, right? Can’t be a 3 for 1 swap where the dollars match. I don’t see SA happening.
Dallas – Some big contracts, but none I really want. Is Chris Grant trading Antawn for Deshawn Stevenson? Tyson Chandler? Both are sizeable expiring contracts, but does that help the Cavs’ rebuilding project? Shawn Marion? At 4 years left and over $7 mil. per year, um yeah… no thanks. And they’re not trading Caron Butler. I just don’t see it.
ORL – Are the Cavs taking back Rashard Lewis and a pick for Antawn and Parker? I think the money works, but Lewis has 3 years left on an atrocious max deal and he’s 31. Ugh. How about Brandon Bass, Mikael Pietrus and a pick for Antawn? I might sign off on that because Pietrus is an expiring contract and Bass will be next year. Or do you want some J.J. Redick for 3 years at $7.25 mil. per year? J.J. and J.J. starting for the Cavs? Marketing baby!
It just seems to me that Jamison’s contract will be tough to move without feeling like we’re getting fleeced in the deal. I’ve tried other “contenders” too. I even tried using Jamison in the famed 3-way deal to get Melo to NYC. Not pretty. It’s just hard to make a mutually beneficial deal on this one, especially if Antawn continues to stink.
That said, I’d rather have Hickson getting reps for the Cavs than anything else and if that means Jamison fades away to nothing and leaves the team at the end of next season, so be it.
Trade him to the Heat for Z and their first rounder with the promise of cutting Z…but keep our fingers crossed behind our backs!
“Some big contracts, but none I really want”
That’s the catch – they may not *want* these guys, but if they’re expiring, they ultimately *do* help the rebuild. As mentioned, the Cavs traded a first-round pick for Jamison. They’re not going to get much back in return given that the other team has a bit more leverage. Cleveland is the new Washington.
“Cleveland is the new Washington.”
Oof…where’s that ledge when you need it?
@Scott – Oh my, you’re right… Geez, we’re the new Wiz? I think I just threw up, only I’m too numb to know for sure…
I agree that they’re going to have to take something they don’t want. If that’s an expiring contract or two, OK. I just can’t stomach taking on a player like Stevenson, even for half of one season. Especially when the only value left for the Cavs is a draft pick somewhere in the 20-30 range.
[…] So in theory, if the Cavaliers execute their motion offense with good efficiency and push the ball whenever humanly possible, they should be able to score some points on the Hawks. Of course, that’s all on paper. There’s still the small problem of, you know, actually executing. A healthy and productive Antawn Jamison would be a benefit to the Cavaliers as he has put up 20.73 points per game against Atlanta the last 3 years (11 games), but we still just don’t know what’s up exactly with Antawn. […]
I really think the Lakers could be a good place for AJ.
They need another 4 besides Ebanks or Caracter. They have some young assets and some contracts to offer.
one thing that bothered me here.
we are not the Wizards. we didn’t overpay an underachieving corps and hope they would somehow magically become a championship contender.
honestly, Ferry ended up making 1 trade too many (Jamison) and since he got him for virtually nothing (2nd round pick + 1 month without Z), it is impossible to against it (for decision at the time).
but, we have financial flexibility moving forward, a few young pieces, and some assets to acquire more young pieces / draft picks.
what I don’t want to see is us following the Pistons/Wizards blueprint (or to a lesser degree the Pacers) of overpaying for mediocre talent to make sure we don’t bottom out. that is my biggest fear.
He’s killin my fantasy team!