WFNY Podcast #15
February 19, 2009Hitchcock Gets 500th; Jackets Out-Shoot Leafs
February 20, 2009While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.
“With the market favoring teams willing to take on money, the Cavs were aggressive in the final 24 hours of league-wide talks to see if they could pull a coup with their checkbook. But their suitors, which included the Phoenix Suns and Shaquille O’Neal, either pulled back or demanded some of the players the Cavs deemed untouchable.” [Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer]
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“Perhaps it’s because he coaches in one of the least sexy markets in the NHL. Personally, I’m more inclined to think that even though he has shed hundreds of pounds from his junior coaching days, Ken Hitchcock still doesn’t get the love because he doesn’t cut the most svelte figure behind an NHL bench. Whatever the case, why don’t more people talk about this guy as one of the greatest coaches of all-time?” [Ken Campbell/The Hockey News]
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“[It] seems Clevelanders have forgotten one key biographical item about their GM: He was one of the dirtiest players in the league. He was the Todd Bertuzzi of the early to mid-90’s NBA. And he did not mess around.” [Cursed Cleveland]
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“Well, we’re now two hours past the deadline and we can be sure that, with the exception of the potential addition of a Joe Smith or Mikki Moore, the Cavs roster will remain unchanged . . . and much to my surprise, I’m thrilled. I don’t know what happened in the last 24 hours but somehow, I went from being desperate for the addition of a marquee player to excited about the future that lays ahead as the current roster gears up for the playoffs.” [Biff/CMCR]
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“Reporter: Who are some of the toughest defensive players that you’ve faced?
James: Tayshaun Price, Ron Artest, Shawn Marion are all really good defenders. Bruce Bowen is really good. Shane Battier is really good also. So is James Posey.” I’m calling shenanigans on that one….Shawn Marion? Really? Must have been before Wednesday night’s game. [Hoops Addict]
23 Comments
Shaquille O’Neal in a Cavs uniform? I wouldn’t want to see it. I have disliked the man for so many years and, somehow, his personality does not seem to fit… anywhere.
As the linked article explains, the Cavs still have till March 1 to fish for the proverbial missing big man.
Shaq is one of the most well-liked guys in the entire NBA. Almost everyone Shaq has ever played with LOVES the guy. LeBron and Shaq also happen to be very, very good friends. His personality would have fit in the Cleveland locker room perfectly.
“the Cavs still have till March 1 to fish for the proverbial missing big man.”
I just hope that they can find a way to give the untouchable Hickson at least 20 minutes a night to gear him up for the post season…
Thanks Danny and Dan for taking your shots, it remains clear of your committment to win championships whatever the cost. It’s clear you guys were looking at getting an impact talent or staying the course. I would have loved to have seen Shaq here if we could have gotten him for Ben and Sasha……it would have been a salary wash and he’d come off the books next year. It wasn’t to happen so we’ll take the cap space that we’ll have in 2010 and I know you guys will go for broke in regards to a young talented power forward. Pairing such up with Lebron and Mo will be unbeatable.
Also…….I’d like to commend Danny Ferry for the letter sent to season ticket holders expressing same. Very clear what the Cavs organization is all about. Contract that to to voice message I received from Eric Mangini in regards to renewing Browns season tickets-it seemed he was forced to do it and was so dispassionate and emotionless that it just didn’t make the point.
Go Cavs.
Rock-I totally concur.
The prospect of Shaq playing here made me giddy.
No trade is so much better than a bad trade. I’m sure Ferry made the right decision. I wouldn’t say I’m “thrilled” nothing happened, but I have a ton of confidence in this team and am excited for the rest of the season.
Bringing in Shaq just never made any since at all. The guy is a liability on both ends of the floor at the end of games, and how in the world do you mix him in the lineup? You’re going to play him with Z?
I think I’d rather have Hickson playing than Mikki Moore. He doesn’t do anything for me. Except for that one year with the Nets, he’s been pretty much useless in my eyes.
#7
“the guy” is one of the most productive players in the league. Not sure where you get this “liability” idea from.
You don’t think Brown could find a way to use a guy who has won 4 titles?
Went to celtics at jazz last night. Kosta koufos did not play. Brevan knight did though. Jazz win = celtics loss = cavs win.
If you need me, I’ll be skiing Alta all day. Booya!
Two thoughts:
1. It’s time for all the “I love our chemistry” people to see if this concept will work. I prefer a roomful of crazy guys with talent (see late ’90s Tribe) over the guys who get along well (present Tribe). I do like this Cavs team but I was willing to sacrifice a little chemistry for some more talent.
2. Getting Shaq would have been a coup. At this point in his career you want “Playoff Shaq”. You could have solved some of the missing minutes at the 4-spot with LBJ there… But much ado about nothing… Maybe Shaq as a MLE in 2010 f/a class?
Ok, check this.
LeBron says “keep JJ”. If LeBron had no intention of staying in Cleveland why would he do that? He wouldn’t. He would say “go get Shaq, etc” because it would give them the best chance to win THIS YEAR. Who cares what the team looks like in 2010 if he’s gone, right?
I think I saw IRB skiing on a webcam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SdgFCm9Nw0
i love our team as is and im glad no move was made. shaq wouldve been selling out to win a title. if we win it this year it will have been becuz of the sheer will of lebron and that makes it sweet. LETS GO CAVS we need to be fired up for the rest of the year.
Talent over chemistry huh? How has that worked for the Knicks (isaih tried to put an NBA Live team together) and the Cowboys?
wally szczerbiak..our 13 million dollar eigth man. untouchable lol
@Adam
I agree we have a good chance to win this year, but the “by the sheer will of Lebron” overlooks the excellent play of Z, Mo, and Delonte. Winning in ’07 would have been by sheer will of Lebron, but this year we have quite a good team. It isn’t all on his shoulders anymore.
Randy, would you happen to have a link to Danny Ferry’s letter that you could post? I’m curious what he said in it.
@RockKing. OK, well, you have informed me where I was ignorant about Shaq’s reputation. I take that point. In all, though, I agree with the comments of those who feel a one-off with Shaq is less desirable if it means losing promising talent as we have in Hicks. If it’s not Shaq’s personality that doesn’t fit, its his potential for continued relevance and durability. But, then, perhaps I just cannot get over my personal dislike for the player.
@phil, I actually had very mixed feelings about the proposed trade. I didn’t intend to sound in my comment like I was saying that the Shaq trade would have definitely been good…..I just meant that there’s no way his personality would have been an issue here. I was much more concerned about his role on the defensive side of the ball.
Amare out for the year it looks like according to the Espn for an Eye Surgery…
Maybe that had something to do with the Suns not wanting to trade Shaq
Mark_NYC: I just have the paper copy of the Danny Ferry letter that was sent to season ticket holders. If the guys here who run this blog don’t have access to it somebody let me know……..I’d probably have to type it in but wouldn’t mind if others would want to read it.
My point was that the CAVS organization is such a breath of fresh air, they do things right, they CARE about the fans (trust me……..I have nosebleed seats and get treated like someone in the first row)-they just get it and are totally committed both in words and in deeds. I have no doubt Dan Gilbert will hang a flag at some point soon, and I’ve felt that way for several years now.
Bridgecrosser: Problem is, I broke the OTHER arm. Otherwise, a quite accurate video.