11/24/24
January 21, 2004
Darius Miles gets his first bong.: The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded D-Miles to the Trailblazers for Jeff McInnis and Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje. Miles was fined earlier in the week for missing practice. Interesting movement afoot...
More inside...
posted by lilnemo to basketball at 07:39 PM - 13 comments
Good points about the Cavs transition. But I'll bet you're wrong about this being his FIRST bong.
posted by jeffmshaw at 08:36 PM on January 21, 2004
I think you're right about how close Darius Miles is to falling out of the league, which is shocking considering his talent. I used to watch him a lot when he was a Clipper, and he would occasionally show Kobe-like brilliance. He's gotten worse every year, and I don't know why. What coach might be able to take him to the next level? Hubie Brown? Doc Rivers (assuming he gets a job quickly)?
posted by dusted at 09:23 PM on January 21, 2004
jeff: that was intended for tobacco use ONLY.
nemo: good points as always. Something IS wrong with DMiles. Maybe he can be saved, but Portland seems like such the wrong place to send him to get his act together. Here's hoping.
posted by forksclovetofu at 11:16 PM on January 21, 2004
D Miles is a sad story. Send him to Larry Brown who will bury him on the bench but if he's willing to listen, pay his dues, and practice, will turn him into a defensive machine and eventually a player. The most stunning thing about the Miles trade is it means the Clippers really outsmarted the Cavs in getting Miller (even though they didn't keep him).
posted by Mike McD at 01:44 AM on January 22, 2004
Guys, you're not focusing on the most important part of this trade: Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje. Boumtje-Boumtje. Sweet.
posted by Bernreuther at 11:45 AM on January 22, 2004
Something IS wrong with DMiles. I think I know what it is...
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:49 AM on January 22, 2004
I think its funny that at that IMDB link Cavs fans left angry comments about Miles considering that he filmed this movie after his first season with the Clippers (just before being traded). The most stunning thing about the Miles trade is it means the Clippers really outsmarted the Cavs... Historically the Clips have always allowed the rest of the league to set the bar for free agent contracts, which would lead you to believe that the Clippers are a moribund franchise. This is untrue. Sterling is a cheapskate, and a horrible owner, true. But Elgin Baylor has done pretty well. Players very rarely have as good a season (statistically) as when they are with the Clippers. Generally the few "good" players the Clips have had and let go (ie: Danny Manning, Charles Smith, Ken Norman, Derek Anderson, Maurice Taylor) tend to fall out of the league after a few years. The only notable exceptions being Troy Hudson, Earl Boykins, and possibly Lamar Odom. Curse maybe?
posted by lilnemo at 12:18 PM on January 22, 2004
After watching that Rockets Knicks game the other night, I wouldn't say Maurice Taylor has fallen out of the league. :P
posted by swank6 at 11:24 PM on January 22, 2004
True but he's been suspended, ballooned up to around 300 lbs., and his stats have dipped. His contract may be close to untradeable at $27.5 million over the next 3 seasons. I don't know too many teams willing to pay that much for a PF who doesn't average double digit rebounds or 20 ppg.
posted by lilnemo at 12:21 PM on January 23, 2004
If those three years are guaranteed (are they?), you think Taylor gives a shit?
posted by billsaysthis at 01:13 PM on January 23, 2004
...three years are guaranteed (are they?)... Yup, no option for him or the team. you think Taylor gives a shit? Not a whit. And thats the point that I'm making. The Clippers actually made the right move by letting him go. Chris Wilcox or Melvin Ely could average Mo's numbers if they got his minutes.
posted by lilnemo at 01:43 PM on January 23, 2004
You give me $27M, even accounting for agent fees and taxes, and I'll be waving to you from the beach outside of Perth. Put me on IR, cuz I'm done!
posted by billsaysthis at 04:01 PM on January 23, 2004
It's interesting how quickly Lebron has become the core of the Cav's. Every notable "building block" player that the Cavs have landed over the last four years is gone:
Also of note is how Paul Silas has moved LeBron out of the PG role, the experiment didn't even last to midseason(?), although Lebron will still be initiating the offense from the wing (I'm sure). Paxson has done a fine job of fitting a roster around Lebron on the fly. Jeff McInnis shares the role of combo guard that Silas had intended for Wagner (whom has spent alot of time on the IL). Boumtje-Boumtje hasn't gotten alot of PT but he's a defensive presence and should help bring Diop along. As for the Blazers, I'm not quite sure what bringing Miles in will do. The Blazers have already shown that they're incapable of developing high-school talent (Jermaine O'neal), and Miles hasn't shown that his game will develop any further. This gives the Blazers some cap/roster space at best. And Miles is dangling ever more closely to falling out of the league. Tidbit to ponder: With the Cavs gaining a bit more scoring power and size is Ilgauskas closer to being dealt? Z has done a great deal for the Cavs ( and vice/versa) but he doesn't really seem to fit Silas' framework. This Cav's squad looks a lot like his Hornet's squads: