04/20/24
July 30, 2002
Cavs trade Miller for Clips Miles.: But does this mean that Donald Sterling is going to ruin this (extremly talented) team, too? It seems that the Clippers are easily one of the most loaded teams in the league right now, but you never take them seriously because of their management. Do they stand a shot in the upcoming years?
Who, besides the Lakers, really does have a shot?
posted by jmevius to basketball at 10:17 AM - 11 comments
These are two very different issues :) I don't see how this trade could possibly be seen as another way for Sterling to 'ruin' the team; Miller is a talented and mainly unselfish point and Miles is exactly the kind of talented team-killer who has haunted many GMs in the past. It seems like a really smart move[1] on the clips part- it makes them a smarter, more disciplined team while still keeping them pretty young and athletic.
That said, it doesn't move them any closer to unseating the Lakers. I don't think anyone else has any shot as long as the big Two are healthy.
[1]Granted, they completely wasted their draft this year, so I don't think it's time to move Elgin Baylor into the pantheon of GM greats just yet.
posted by tieguy at 10:56 AM on July 30, 2002
I don't think they are worried about the Lakers. Really, no one is, most teams are just looking to make the playoffs, which they should make next year. They should at least beat out Utah for the 8th spot, maybe even higher. I like the move, Andre Miller averaged over 10 assists/game on a very bad team. He should average at least that on the Clips. He scoring average might drop, but they don't need that. They don't need him to score much at all till the 4th quarter where they lost a ton of games last year. I can't remember the number of times watching Clipper's games last year that in the waning moments of the 4th quarter I saw miles throw up a 15 foot brick. The only thing he could do well is play 3 feet from the basket. Yes, he has tons of potential, but the Clips made the right choice in trading for the now. They traded a back up forward, for a starting point guard who should have made the allstar team last year. I'd make that trade a million times over. Now if they can just find out what to do with all their other power forwards. I don't think Wilcox will see much PT this year. He is a couple of years away, at least. Ely should be comfortable in backing up Brand. The real question will be will Sterling pay all these folks. Kandi, Brand, and Miller will all want the max. Really Brand and Miller are the only ones worth it, but Brand won't get it. Miller should. Kandi will get it because he is tall and played well at the end of last season. If Elton would accept a 7 year/60million kind of deal they should be set. (and why wouldn't he? Would he rather be well paid for his services, or get the max on a team like the Bulls? I'm sure he remember's the Bulls.)
posted by corpse at 11:14 AM on July 30, 2002
The Clippers really needed a good guard. This trade makes perfect sense for them. As long as Lamar Odom is healthy, Miles is going to have trouble getting enough playing time to shine. They traded Jamison and Ekezie (both forwards) to the Cavs, which makes sense, especially because they drafted two big men (Wilcox and Ely). They need space for both of them to work behind the starters. The Cavs benefit by probably reducing their payroll and not doubling up at the guard position (though they've gotten rid of their only good player, Wagner not included), and picking up an athletic, young big man in Miles.
posted by insomnyuk at 11:16 AM on July 30, 2002
In other PG news, Baron Davis will resign with the Hornets.
posted by corpse at 11:55 AM on July 30, 2002
As positive of a move as this was for the Clippers, do you think Sterling can hold it together? From a team chemistry standpoint, now Miller, Olowokandi, and Brand are going to want/expect maximum or near-max deals in the very near future.
From an owner with a longstanding penchant for thrift, can/will he pay what it takes to maintain this talented core?
posted by jmevius at 01:14 PM on July 30, 2002
That sucks...I wanted to see Baron goto the Knicks, or a bigger name team. The Hornets will remain the dark horse for yet another year.
posted by BlueTrain at 01:25 PM on July 30, 2002
I can't believe Elgin Baylor has been allowed to field losing teams for this long. As for the trade, it helps the Clippers. Miller is the best point guard in the league. Giving up a young player with more hype than game (at least for now) could get them an eighth seed in the playoffs.
posted by shackbar at 05:47 PM on July 30, 2002
Dunno about Kandi or Miller, but I'm sure Brand would settle for less than the max if he thought the team had a future. Then again maybe I'm biased ;)
posted by tieguy at 07:10 PM on July 30, 2002
The trade is great for the Clippers (although not as great as the draft-day rumor that had them getting Miller for Lamar Odom and a #1). The question here of course is Donald Sterling, possibly sports' worst owner (as SI detailed in a feature a few years back), and his willingness to re-up all the players for what they're worth. Past history indicates this is unlikely.
posted by nath at 12:57 AM on August 01, 2002
My point exactly!
Do you see this as a turnaround, where now if he has something worth keeping, he will pay up? Or do you think this is just going to be a very good team that he ruins?
posted by jmevius at 11:39 AM on August 01, 2002
Clearly, everyone in the West and no one in the East. Especially: The Blazers, Kings, Lakers, San Antonio.