Gooden's gone. Good.

[TommyPoints]

If I recall correctly we have played the Cavs with both teams being at full strength only once. We had the game won with Ray shooting 2 free throws for the win and he missed both. So we go into OT and end up losing it. What I remember was Gooden being one of the main reasons we lost the game. Good riddance.

[GuyClinch]

This trade is great for us.

1) The Cavs lost a TON of perimeter D. Ira Newble is actually an excellent perimeter defender - and Hughes while inconsistent is very good when he wants to be.

They replaces them at the wing spots with West - who was lit up for 37! points tonight by Mo Williams. that guy cannnot stay in front of NBA points. he is just totally outclassed. And of course Wally - a guy like West that tries his *ss off but just lacks the physical abilities to really check guys like Pierce or Ray Allen.

2)Ben Wallace is not a huge upgrade over anyone on defense anymore. Years ago he was a difference making defender but those days have passed. Now he will just eat minutes - while providing almost nothing on the offense end.

3) The combined changes should make the Cavs very easy to defend. You have a guy that can leave Wallace and help out on other guys - and you have basically three other guys that can't create a shot.. Even worse when Lebron goes to the bench they are really going to be hurting without even one decent shot creator..

Cleveland erred in their thinking I believe. They thought that the key to Lebron was to surround him with jump shooters. However they might consider that Lebron might benefit from a few guys that can break down the defense and create some shots for him. It's much harder to defend versatile complete players like we have then one dimensional shooters and one creator.

It was the same thing with Pierce and Wally. Pierce actually fairs better with our new guys who can break people down like Rondo, Ray Allen and KG...The fact that Wally is a deadeye shooter didn't really make his life that much easier.

I think this Bucks loss could be the start of some big things for opponents against Cleveland. I haven't looked at their strength of schedule but if it's difficult they will likely hover around .500..

Pete

[Fencer reregistered]

Ray Allen and KG combined are better offensively than Wally and Al Jefferson combined -- who woulda thunk it?

Ray is better than Wally at what Wally does well and better than Wally at what Wally does badly. When KG's shot is falling reasonably well he's a comparable offensive player to Al, because of his passing.

[GuyClinch]

What the statistics don't show that well is that RA and KG are both excellent all-around players. That pass that RA made in the paint was the best pass of the night. KG will make passes like that on occasion as well.

Wally and Jefferson rarely pass - never mind a good pass out of them..
But going back the Cavs - this puts so much pressure on Lebron to make things work..and if that wasn't enough doesn't it put the Cavs is a bad position for next year? Do either Wallace or Wally expire? No right?

I don't understand this move. They should have been trying to shed contracts not pick up Wally and Wallace. Gilbert Arenas could fit nicely with Lebron. I know what your thinking - ball hog - but like Ray Allen he can do alot of different things on the court..and he would defer to Lebron.

Pete

[humblebum]

I think that there have been some really great arguments set down in this thread as to why the Cavs may actually have weakened themselves through this trade. The arguments are so good my opinion has changed.

I see West as simply duplicating Damon Jones/Boobie.

Joe Smith is a good offensive replacement for Gooden but will he be able to find enough minutes behind Wallace (who I doubt will be satisified with a lesser role), Z, and Varejao?

Wallace is no longer a real gamechanger defensively, has no offensive game, and will command big minutes. Is he really the type of defender that gives KG problems?

Wally will definitely help to space the defence and he could really make the Cavs a more dangerous team offensively by creating more space for Z to operate in as well as creating bigger driving lanes for Lebron. But as has been said this move still keeps all of the offensive onus of creating opportunities to score on Lebron. More times than not his greatness will allow him to do this though, so it's tough to count them out on O. I also still like their offensive rebounding potential.

Defensively with Wally it really comes down to the Cavs help Defense which has been really good in the past. If the help defense isn't great than the Cavs could certainly take a step back.

[I love heinsohn]

Even worse when Lebron goes to the bench they are really going to be hurting without even one decent shot creator..

LeBron is going to be playing 45+ minutes a game in any close playoff game. Maybe this matters a little in the regular season, but not a big deal in the playoffs.

I'm with you on most of the rest of your points...

[DowJones]

It amazes me that you guys think Drew Gooden is a great player. Do you know that in his last game against Boston he had a whopping 4 points and 4 rebounds?

Gooden was Gooden against Boston this year. He had 1 great game, 1 average game, and 1 horrible game.

[Gant]

It amazes me that you guys think Drew Gooden is a great player.

He's the greatest player since Naismath coerced those gullible football players into abusing that peach basket. For you to imply differently is an affront to democracy, free will, and everything our founding fathers held dear.

In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "In a future century, without Drew Gooden life will have no purpose."

I only hope Drew Gooden can find it in his heart to forgive you.