Report: Cavs sign Damon Jones

[Kori Ellis]

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/plaindealer/

The Cavaliers and free-agent point guard Damon Jones agreed today to a four-year deal worth $15 to $16 million, according to several league sources.

Jones, who played last season with the Miami Heat, was the last of the top free agent point guards left. The Cavs had been talking to him for several weeks while the Heat negotiated with free agent Michael Finley, who eventually signed with San Antonio.

The addition of Jones will help the Cavs' poor 3-point shooting. Jones was fifth in 3-point field-goal percentage last season at 43.2 percent.

Jones, 29, will battle Eric Snow for the starting point-guard position.

[mavsfan1000]

If this is true the heat have no chance next year of winning a championship. Damon Jones was their most reliable 3 point shooter.

[ChumpDumper]

Oh man, the Heat have been severely owned late in free agency.

Ferry is kicking major ass.

[Kori Ellis]

So, JWill is the Heat's only PG at the moment, right?

[TDMVPDPOY]

wtf damon jones 15-16mill/4year? fuck how much is brown worth then?

[TheTruth]

damn. the heat really screwed the pooch putting all their eggs in the Finley basket. You the man, danny.

[Solid D]

Cavs have now enjoyed their best summer EVER, all things considered. Yes, the LeBron draft summer was historic, but based on the multiplicity of quality signings (minus the bad news about Varejao's shoulder), this is right up there with the Spurs.

Re-signing "Z", signing Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, and now Damon Jones...plus trading on draft day for the talented 7'-2" Lithuanian center Andriuskevicius. Derry Ferry has learned well from his dad and from Pop & RC.

[Marcus Bryant]

wtf damon jones 15-16mill/4year? fuck how much is brown worth then?


Exactly. But oh no, it really should matter whether Holt Cat is able to have a championship contender and have it throw off gobs of $ too.

Some of you must be paid by Holt Cat to kiss his ass here on the internets.

[Kip Fanatic]

So who do the Heat have left to choose from? D. Jones was one of Shaq's best friends on the team last year. Does anyone have a list of available PG's?

[Spurminator]

Hurts the Heat to lose him, but I don't think he's worth $4MM per year in any universe.

[Nikos]

Good pickup for the Cavs. He is exactly the type of guy they need in that type of offense with Hughes and Lebron's playmaking.

[ploto]

No more chance of trading Barry to the Cavs-- nor working out a three team deal with Barry to GS and Fisher to the Cavs.

[Trainwreck2100]

Heat must go to plan c

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

wtf damon jones 15-16mill/4year? fuck how much is brown worth then?

WTF? Damon did a lot more for Miami than Devin did for SA. Quit with the homervision.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I'm a little surprised that the Cavs were willing to give him that much. He had a hell of a year from 3 point range, and they do need a point guard and a good spot up shooter, so the marriage makes some sense. I'm just surprised at the price and length of the contract. If anyone benefited from all the wide open looks Shaq made happen it was Jones, plus he wouldn't be the first guy to suddenly look like a star in a contract year.

Nonetheless, the move itself was the right one for Cleveland. Props to Danny Ferry, and let's all have one more laugh at the Heat's expense, while we count down to Heatlamps and 3rdCoast showing up to explain how this will actually make the Heat even better, because Jason Williams won't be worried about competition for his starting spot, so he'll play with more confidence.

[timvp]

LeBron is going to be wicked next year. Marshall and Jones to open up the floor?

Scary.

[mavsfan1000]

LeBron is going to be wicked next year. Marshall and Jones to open up the floor?

Scary.
No kidding. Look what 3 point threats did to Wade's game last year. Put players like that around Lebron will be unbelievable.

[sa_butta]

The Heat are already weak on the bench, now they will just stink it up when the reserves come in. J-Will and Walker in at the same time is a nightmare in itself.

[Solid D]

LeBron is going to be wicked next year. Marshall and Jones to open up the floor?

Scary.

Plus, the #1 (Larry Hughes) and #3 (LeBron James) NBA steals leaders with over 5 steals/game between them last season.

[midgetonadonkey]

Anyone else see him averaging a trip-dub this season?

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Anyone else see him averaging a trip-dub this season?

Now that he finally has some worthwhile scoring help I expect his assist numbers could put him in the triple double range.

[50 cent]

WTF? Damon did a lot more for Miami than Devin did for SA. Quit with the homervision.

No joke.

[ShoogarBear]

Good pickup for the Cavs. He is exactly the type of guy they need in that type of offense with Hughes and Lebron's playmaking.
Yep. You might argue that the Cavs needed him more than they needed Hughes. Jones, Hughes, and Marshall are huge pickups.

Only down side is that Jones has a rep as a clubhouse malcontent (although there didn't seem to be much of that last year). Also, he choked big time in the playoffs against the Pistons (you could argue that he was the reason they lost the ECF).

[thispego]

hell yeah, Cavs are gonna be fun as hell to watch this season... League Pass... you're looking pretty sexy right now

[Horry For 3!]

Heat can get Gary Payton :lol

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Yep. You might argue that the Cavs needed him more than they needed Hughes. Jones, Hughes, and Marshall are huge pickups.

Only down side is that Jones has a rep as a clubhouse malcontent (although there didn't seem to be much of that last year). Also, he choked big time in the playoffs against the Pistons (you could argue that he was the reason they lost the ECF).

I don't think that Jones choked against the Pistons so much as it was that the Pistons shined a light on a big weakness in his game. He needed Shaq drawing all the attention to the paint to get his shot off. Pistons played Shaq straight up and the shooters never got a clean shot off. Jones will be effective if Lebron can find him on some penetration kickouts.

[ShoogarBear]

I don't think that Jones choked against the Pistons so much as it was that the Pistons shined a light on a big weakness in his game. He needed Shaq drawing all the attention to the paint to get his shot off. Pistons played Shaq straight up and the shooters never got a clean shot off. Jones will be effective if Lebron can find him on some penetration kickouts.
Jones was played tough, but he did get some open looks and choked on shots he was making in the regular season.

Plus he's a 85-90% FT shooter and missed some huge FTs in game 7, and a couple of other games IIRC.

The other big Heat choker was Dooling, I thought. A reasonable game from either one would have won game 7.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Jones was played tough, but he did get some open looks and choked on shots he was making in the regular season.

Plus he's a 85-90% FT shooter and missed some huge FTs in game 7, and a couple of other games IIRC.

The other big Heat choker was Dooling, I thought. A reasonable game from either one would have won game 7.

I'll take your word for. I didn't watch the ECF that closely and the commentators kept confusing so that I wasn't sure which Jones was doing what. Thankfully the Heat made some trades so that I won't have to worry about getting players confused because they won't make it to the ECF this year. :lol

[Solid D]

Yeah, but the Heat blew it down the stretch in Game 7. Damon gave up the lead with a bad pass with 2 minutes left, then Wade took a bad shot early in the shot clock and turned it over there with a minute remaining to really swing things the Pistons way. Granted, Wade had his rib injury to deal with and he only went 7-20, but it was basically playoff inexperience and mistakes that killed the Heat in crunch-time.

[SoupIsGood]

So how will their starting lineup look?

Z/Marshall/James/Hughes/Jones?

Not bad. If Mike molds them into at least a good defensive team, watch out.

[mookie2001]

scary as Juwon Howard...

[timvp]

I can excuse Jones for sucking versus the Pistons. The Pistons are death to point guards. Beno Udrih isn't the only player they destroyed:

2005 WCF: D. Jones held in check. He scored less against the Pistons in seven games than he did against the Nets and the Wizards in four games.

2005 2nd Round: Tinsley shoots 37.5% from the floor. Anthony Johnson shoots 30% from the floor.

2004 Finals: Gary Payton plays like the worst basketball player on the planet.

2004 WCF: Tinsley shoots 32.7% from the floor. Anthony Johnson shoots 30% from the floor.

2004 2nd Round: Pistons hold Jason Kidd to 28.4% shooting for the series, including 14.7% shooting from beyond the arc.


Having the two best point guard defenders in the league in Hunter and Billups is a huge part of the reason why the Pistons have been so good over the last two to three seasons.




P.S.

This is another example of why the smart basketball fan knows that Parker's play in the Finals was a huge part in winning the championship. Though Parker didn't shine, he didn't fold like all the other point guards that have faced off against Detroit.

[Solid D]

This is another example of why the smart basketball fan knows that Parker's play in the Finals was a huge part in winning the championship. Though Parker didn't shine, he didn't fold like all the other point guards that have faced off against Detroit.

Plus Pop figured out that Parker could defend Hamilton fairly well late in games and that change in defensive strategy paid off (except for that late silly foul in Game 7).

[ducks]

LeBron is going to be wicked next year. Marshall and Jones to open up the floor?

Scary.


do you think he will trust his teamates :rolleyes

[ShoogarBear]

IP.S.

This is another example of why the smart basketball fan knows that Parker's play in the Finals was a huge part in winning the championship. Damn, you just dissed a lot of people here.

Those are nice stats. You wonder how much of that was due to LB, who probably understands the point guard position better than any coach alive.

[jermaine7fan]

The Heat are screwed... they still don't have a quality backup to Jason Williams... who needs a backup more than about any other PG. They also still do not have a quality backup SG! Sure, Sprewell and Payton are still on the market, but could you imagine the chemistry problems with the following group of players:
Shaq - couldn't handle Kobe... wait for this year...
Wade - must have the ball to contribute...
Antoine - worst three point jacker in the league... and a bad attitude...
Jason Williams - completely failed chemistry in high school
and then add
Sprewell - gotta feed his kids... and his ego
Payton - loudest mouth in the NBA

There are zero quality players left on the market that will impact their roster in a positive way... maybe Steve Blake or Janero Pargo... who will probably go to another team too... the Heat are done as far as I'm concerned...
Shaq and Wade are HUGE injury risks and the rest of their team will not be able to gel...

My new top 8 teams in the East list...
1. Indiana... should have known my pick
2. Detroit
3. Cleveland... Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall on the kickout from the James penetration... if the three misses Big Z gets the board... passes to LeBron who dunks it! And of course Pacers and Spurs fans both know how smart a coach Mike Brown is... he did a lot for both of our teams... thanks Mike... you are in a great situation... you deserve it! I may even give Cleveland the edge over Detroit... even with their D... they will have fits with that starting line-up!
4. Miami
5. New Jersey
6. Chicago (if they retain Curry, if not... I bump them to 8th)
7. New York... they are my surprise team of the year
8. Boston

[timvp]

^^^ You might want to check the success your point guards have had against Detroit. Sarunas isn't going to fair much better.

Trust us, we have a slow, Euro point guard who can shoot, too.

[jermaine7fan]

^^^ You might want to check the success your point guards have had against Detroit. Sarunas isn't going to fair much better.

Trust us, we have a slow, Euro point guard who can shoot, too.
Tinsley does very well offensively against the detroit defense... when he is healthy or not... he can break the defense down and penetrate well against the Detroit D. His only problem against Detroit is he has a problem shutting Billups down... if he helps out on D... Billups hits a three... and Billups can back Tinsley down in a heart beat and put a semi-post move on him. All in all Billups gets the slight edge over Jamal... but Tinsley does damage to him too. Anthony Johnson does not have a problem with Detroit either... he is slow, but he has such a wide body that he protects the ball well bringing it up the court... and Sarunas... I think his biggest challenge will be against Detroit... they play very pressured D! But Sarunas could step up and put them to shame... we'll have to see about him... but the only time the Pistons worry me at the PG spot is when Eddie Gill is in there... which would have to be a pretty sad time if he has to play in big situations again this year... but Eddie cannot handle the ball against their D... he just can't

[ShoogarBear]

Tinsley does very well offensively against the detroit defense. . . Anthony Johnson does not have a problem with Detroit either
:wtf

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=481748&postcount=32

[ShoogarBear]

I have to admit I'm biased against both Jones and Dooling.

For game 7 of Heat-Pistons, I was with a hot chick at Gloria Estefan's restaurant, which is attached to the AA Arena. I figured if the Heat had won it would be nonstop partying that night in the MIA, which can be very, very good.

Instead Jones and Dooling clutched, and a stream of angry displaced New Yorkers flooded the streets. There was not much fun to be had. :(

[jermaine7fan]

:wtf

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=481748&postcount=32Both Tinsley and Johnson came back from injuries against Detroit... Anthony had only been playing for a week or two and Tinsley came back in the first Detroit game... Tinsley would have still been sitting out if it weren't the playoffs... both men were cold... but they still did pretty decent... I have seen every Detroit and Indiana game for the last three years... and trust me... our PGs fair very well against them when they are healthy. I have even seen one of the games from the front row!

[jermaine7fan]

Cleveland will be in the top three in the East:
C- Big Z
PF- Marshall
SF- LeBron
SG- Hughes
PG- Damon
bench
PF- Gooden
C- Varejao (once he's off the IL)
PG- Eric Snow
SF- Pavlovic
SG- Luke Jackson (didn't see him much at all last year... he coulda been a good rookie)

Cleveland has added:
Larry Hughes
Donyell Marshall
Damon Jones
and
Mike Brown

I believe I give them best off-season to date... this summer. Ferry possibly the GM of the year... so far. They are gonna be tough.

[SoupIsGood]

:wtf

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=481748&postcount=32

Tinsley's job isn't to score, it's to penetrate and create. Billups does not keep Tinsley in front of him very well. Jamaal was burning him this year, but LB and the Pistons adjusted their help defense and shut down his drives to the basket. Of course, they could do this because no one else on our team was scoring woth a lick. :pctoss

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know what games you are watching. But Tinsley sucks ass against Detroit.

Even during the regular season, not just those playoff stats.

[Spurminator]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?team=ind&sort=pts&order=true&avg=pg&split=8

His assists are up against Detroit, but everything else is laughable.

[jermaine7fan]

I don't know what games you are watching. But Tinsley sucks ass against Detroit.

Even during the regular season, not just those playoff stats.
Tinsley gets it handed to him from Billups... but he does some damage too... I have never sat back after a Detroit game and thought... man... Tinsley really blew it for us. Listen to me and Soup... he can penetrate on them... unlike an other Pacer... and he can hit the wide open three for us too. They definately have a problem stealing the ball from Tinsley... he dribbles very low to the ground... he is one of the best ball handlers in the league... he gets his turnovers on stupid passes.

[jermaine7fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?team=ind&sort=pts&order=true&avg=pg&split=8

His assists are up against Detroit, but everything else is laughable.
Tinsley is not supposed to be a scorer for us when we have all of our parts... if he can get assists and steals like that and score 5+ points a game... the Pacers will be fine against Detrash.

[timvp]

Both Tinsley and Johnson came back from injuries against Detroit... Anthony had only been playing for a week or two and Tinsley came back in the first Detroit game

Incorrect.

Johnson had been healthy since December.

Tinsley played the last three games of the Boston series.



I have seen every Detroit and Indiana game for the last three years... and trust me... our PGs fair very well against them when they are healthy. I have even seen one of the games from the front row!

You must be blind.

Let's break it down:

Tinsley against the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs:
37.5% from the field
20.0% from beyond the arc
6.0 APG but 3.0 TPG
Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz

Tinsley against the Pistons in the 2004 playoffs:
32.7% from the field
11.8% from beyond the arc
3.5 APG but 2.0 TPG

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2005 regular season:
30.7% from the field

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2004 regular season:
2.5 PPG on 33.3% from the field

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2003 regular season:
34.4% from the field.


Johnson against the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs:
33.3% from the field
30.0% from beyond the arc
Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz

Johnson against the Pistons in the 2004 playoffs:
30.0% from the field
22.2% from beyond the arc

Johnson against the Pistons in the last three seasons:
< 33.3% shooting



Do you watch basketball.

Question.

[CaptainLate]

No more chance of trading Barry to the Cavs-- nor working out a three team deal with Barry to GS and Fisher to the Cavs.

Good. I expect to see Barry in a Spurs uniform picking up Ring #2 in '05-06. :elephant

[jermaine7fan]

Incorrect.

Johnson had been healthy since December.

Tinsley played the last three games of the Boston series.




You must be blind.

Let's break it down:

Tinsley against the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs:
37.5% from the field
20.0% from beyond the arc
6.0 APG but 3.0 TPG
Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz

Tinsley against the Pistons in the 2004 playoffs:
32.7% from the field
11.8% from beyond the arc
3.5 APG but 2.0 TPG

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2005 regular season:
30.7% from the field

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2004 regular season:
2.5 PPG on 33.3% from the field

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2003 regular season:
34.4% from the field.


Johnson against the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs:
33.3% from the field
30.0% from beyond the arc
Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz

Johnson against the Pistons in the 2004 playoffs:
30.0% from the field
22.2% from beyond the arc

Johnson against the Pistons in the last three seasons:
< 33.3% shooting



Do you watch basketball.

Question.Can you post what Billups did on Tinsley and the Pacers? I am curious... You may be right on Johnson... I don't really remember... but I am fairly sure that Tinsley's first game back was against Detroit. Can you disprove that one for me?

[CaptainLate]

So how will their starting lineup look?

Z/Marshall/James/Hughes/Jones?

Not bad. If Mike molds them into at least a good defensive team, watch out.

But their bench sucks. Of course, everyone's bench sucks compared to ours. :spin

[SoupIsGood]

I don't know what games you are watching. But Tinsley sucks ass against Detroit.

Even during the regular season, not just those playoff stats.


I never said he did particularly well, or bad, but he can get in the lane on Billups. His penetration and Foster were the main reasons we won those two games this year.

[Kori Ellis]

but I am fairly sure that Tinsley's first game back was against Detroit.

Tinsley in the first round ...


First Round
3 3 26.7 8-25 .320 0-8 .000 2-2 1.000 .3 2.7 3.0 5.0 2.33 .33 3.00 3.70 6.0

[SoupIsGood]

Incorrect.

Johnson had been healthy since December.

Tinsley played the last three games of the Boston series.




You must be blind.

Let's break it down:

Tinsley against the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs:
37.5% from the field
20.0% from beyond the arc
6.0 APG but 3.0 TPG
Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz

Tinsley against the Pistons in the 2004 playoffs:
32.7% from the field
11.8% from beyond the arc
3.5 APG but 2.0 TPG

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2005 regular season:
30.7% from the field

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2004 regular season:
2.5 PPG on 33.3% from the field

Tinsley against Detroit in the 2003 regular season:
34.4% from the field.


Johnson against the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs:
33.3% from the field
30.0% from beyond the arc
Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz

Johnson against the Pistons in the 2004 playoffs:
30.0% from the field
22.2% from beyond the arc

Johnson against the Pistons in the last three seasons:
< 33.3% shooting



Do you watch basketball.

Question.


I'm actually wondering if you watch basketball, seeing as you rely so heavily on these stats...

[jermaine7fan]

But their bench sucks. Of course, everyone's bench sucks compared to ours. :spinActually their bench isn't too shabby once Varejao gets back from injury...
C- Varejao
PF- Gooden
SF- Pavlovic
SG- Luke Jackson - one of the top 15 draft picks... if I'm not mistaken... injured for most of last year... but should be pretty good
PG- Eric Snow

[timvp]

Can you post what Billups did on Tinsley and the Pacers?


Billups averages 18.7 points and 7.2 assists on his azz.

:smokin

[jermaine7fan]

Tinsley in the first round ...


First Round
3 3 26.7 8-25 .320 0-8 .000 2-2 1.000 .3 2.7 3.0 5.0 2.33 .33 3.00 3.70 6.0Thank you... bad memory for a 23 year old :lol

[Kori Ellis]

Actually their bench isn't too shabby once Varejao gets back from injury...
C- Varejao
PF- Gooden
SF- Pavlovic
SG- Luke Jackson - one of the top 15 draft picks... if I'm not mistaken... injured for most of last year... but should be pretty good
PG- Eric Snow

And don't forget, they are reportedly signing Jahidi White. He should be a big factor :)

[timvp]

our PGs fair very well against them


I never said he did particularly well, or bad

Come with a united front and then we can figure out who watches basketball.

[jermaine7fan]

:smokinI thought those were his reg. season stats... sorry... I said Tinsley could not guard him... but he can penetrate on him...

[jermaine7fan]

And don't forget, they are reportedly signing Jahidi White. He should be a big factor :)
lol

[CaptainLate]

And don't forget, they are reportedly signing Jahidi White. He should be a big factor :)

So are y'all saying we'll be seeing the Cavs in the Finals? I'll take that matchup anytime. Can you say '99 Spurs-Knicks? :elephant

[FINLEY POWER]

This is great, What are my Heat fans saying on their board? They banned me, I wonder why...

[jermaine7fan]

Come with a united front and then we can figure out who watches basketball.I know I watch b ball and I'm sure you do too. We need not unite... this is not a fight.

[jermaine7fan]

So are y'all saying we'll be seeing the Cavs in the Finals? I'll take that matchup anytime. Can you say '99 Spurs-Knicks? :elephant
I think Detroit and Indiana prolly still have them... bye, bye Miami though.

[SoupIsGood]

Come with a united front and then we can figure out who watches basketball.

:blah :blah

So it's my fault you can't tell who said what??

[Kori Ellis]

:blah :blah

So it's my fault you can't tell who said what??

:wtf

[timvp]

I'll declare a peace accord between Spurs fans and Pacers fans.

I expect you guys to face the Pistons in the ECF.

Good luck.

:smokin

[Trainwreck2100]

I'll declare a peace accord between Spurs fans and Pacers fans.

I expect you guys to face the Pistons in the ECF.

Good luck.

:smokin


will this accord be put up to a vote, or does it just need the agreement of your co-monarch?

[jermaine7fan]

will this accord be put up to a vote, or does it just need the agreement of your co-monarch?Do you not want peace??? Cause I do... I believe we are gonna make some history together in the next few seasons... I want a friendly rivalry... not one like we have with Detrash... I respect your team too much to hate them... even if they take my team out in the Finals for the next three or four years... I'll sign the treaty!

[jermaine7fan]

I'll declare a peace accord between Spurs fans and Pacers fans.

I expect you guys to face the Pistons in the ECF.

Good luck.

:smokinI agree with all of that... Good luck to you against whoever comes out of the East... cause I don't think you have any serious competition out west :lol

[Trainwreck2100]

Do you not want peace??? Cause I do... I believe we are gonna make some history together in the next few seasons... I want a friendly rivalry... not one like we have with Detrash... I respect your team too much to hate them... even if they take my team out in the Finals for the next three or four years... I'll sign the treaty!


But will it be a prosperous peace or an uneasy one which may result in bloodshed later down the road?

[Nikos]

Ugh Kori, what is with the avatar?

[timvp]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24788

[Dalamar_the_Dark]

I like the signing. I really think the Cavs are now contenders in the East. Lebron finally has some serious talent surronding him.

Ferry is not the GM of the year. Buford is.

There are point guards available. The nuggets could be looking to trade one of their PGs for a SG. No way they go into the season with Miller Watson and Boykins. unless unless Miller moves to shooting guard and they run run run run run and run. Then that Jeff Bzelick guy has my deepest sympathies for being pushed out of a job.

[picnroll]

Nice to see one of Pop's proteges, Ferry, succeeding. Also nice to see the Cavs putting some talent around LeBron hopefully frustrating the Lakers plan to poach another frachise player.

[yeahone]

i the people who said that everybody wants to play with shap has to rethink their saying,,damn,,you got 5 million and nobody wants t oplay with you...damn on shap...you are no longer the best gm in the league.

[yeahone]

I like the signing. I really think the Cavs are now contenders in the East. Lebron finally has some serious talent surronding him.

Ferry is not the GM of the year. Buford is.

There are point guards available. The nuggets could be looking to trade one of their PGs for a SG. No way they go into the season with Miller Watson and Boykins. unless unless Miller moves to shooting guard and they run run run run run and run. Then that Jeff Bzelick guy has my deepest sympathies for being pushed out of a job.

welll i think the cavs finally got the team which can make the playoffs all they were missing were a descent pointguard and now the got one...
Damon Jones
Larry Hughes
Lebron James
Drew Gooden
Z
thats a very good squad.

[yeahone]

Nice to see one of Pop's proteges, Ferry, succeeding. Also nice to see the Cavs putting some talent around LeBron hopefully frustrating the Lakers plan to poach another frachise player.

well we would have t owait until the season starts befroe we annoint prowess unto ferry....

[picnroll]

Cavs have a ton of offense. It's just a question how much D they can play.

[sickdsm]

Oh man, the Heat have been severely owned late in free agency.

Ferry is kicking major ass.


I dunno.

Prior to Damon signing Ferry's offseason has been considered a dissapointment by a LOT of people.

They only have ONE shooting threat. This is the same guy who prior to last year playing with Shaq was a career 36 % 3 pt shooter. Not bad at all but a reality check is needed. Z might be a good center when compared around the league but he's NOT a guy that will post the ball up and demand the doubles to come and dish it like shaq or tim will. Even if he was the ball will be in James and Larry's hands more often than not.


Ferry missed out on his Euro PG that somehow was considered a near lock to sign with them.

Ferry resigned Z instead of going for the cap space. I think overpaying Chandler would have been a better deal.

Ferry has not yet moved Gooden, which around the league has been seen as a priority.

Donyell Marshall, one of their big additions, is no spring chicken.

Their greatest need, shooting, wasn't even addressed ONE BIT until after labor day. Since failing to land there two main guys, Allen and Redd, they went after the best available player.

Don't get me wrong, this team should be greatly improved, but to have a young superstar such as LeBron on board, some very young role players and MASSIVE cap space? That opportunity doesn't come along once in a decade for most teams. Are they going to win a championship this year? No, unless Gooden gets moved for a missing link or two and other things happan.

So then what? You wasted your one in a lifetime cap space for two older guys and Lebron will need to be signed for a max deal shortly.

[timvp]

Their greatest need, shooting, wasn't even addressed ONE BIT until after labor day.

Have you seen Donyell Marshall shoot?

[sickdsm]

If you need to address shooting in a bad way and you address it with a 4/5, your in trouble.

[timvp]

Not true.

Sincerely,

Robert Horry

:)

[sickdsm]

Have you seen Donyell Marshall shoot?

Nope, never seen the dude ball it up.


Not like he was a wolf over a decade ago.

:p

[sickdsm]

The spurs didn't need to address shooting that bad.

[picnroll]

Varejao's injury messed up the Cavs ability to move Gooden.

[Trainwreck2100]

The lack of D won't hurt their playoff bid at all. If they somehow get 4 or 5 they may make the second round.

[xcoriate]

Whoa, its between Buford and ferry for GM of the year :)

[Trainwreck2100]

Ferry'll get it.

[timvp]

Actually, Riley will win it as long as the Heat have a 55+ win year.

[Trainwreck2100]

I don't know about that, Lebron is the NBA's posterboy and it may go a long way to give that organization a piece of hardware that shows they have a "bright future"

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

They've got a backcourt consisting of the #1 and #3 steal guys in the league, and y'all are worried about D?

[timvp]

steals != defense

[T Park]

^^ hahaha....

[MI21]

They would want to play a trapping, pressuring and playing the lanes type of defense.

Every player on the court can hit the 3 even Z occasionaly (might be stretching it, but he has extreme range for a C). They have 2 of the best slashers in the league. Hughes completely owned a few playoff games and LeBron is LeBron so in those 2 they have 2 of the Top 20 scorers in the league. They should have no problem scoring, the D will be a problem but I expect them to finish Top 5 in the East.

[ShoogarBear]

steals != defense
Word. And no way in hell is Larry Hughes one of the top two defensive guards in the league.

[1Parker1]

Word. And no way in hell is Larry Hughes one of the top two defensive guards in the league.


Wasn't Hughs named to the All Defensive First Team last season?

[MI21]

Wasn't Hughs named to the All Defensive First Team last season?

Yeah, that really doesn't mean a whole lot, because Kobe has earned First Team honours before and he generally isn't in the Top 10 defensively at guard (not saying he can't be, but most of the time he doesn't bother D'ing up untill 5 minutes are left).

[Admidave50]

Wasn't Hughs named to the All Defensive First Team last season?

That's right!

Here is the team:

C: Ben Wallace
F: Tim Duncan
F: Kevin Garnett
G: Bruce Bowen
G: Larry Hughes

[ShoogarBear]

Wasn't Hughs named to the All Defensive First Team last season?
Yes, that was my point. That is a complete joke.

[1Parker1]

Yeah, that really doesn't mean a whole lot, because Kobe has earned First Team honours before and he generally isn't in the Top 10 defensively at guard (not saying he can't be, but most of the time he doesn't bother D'ing up untill 5 minutes are left).


:wtf You don't think Kobe is in top 10 defensively at guard? Who would you say is better than him?

[wildbill2u]

Well, the Heat won't miss Damon Jones. Fortunately, they signed TWO guys who'll chuck threes up from anywhere. :lol

In fact, Williams and Walker would shoot 4s if they could. :rolleyes

[Manu20]

Updated: Sep. 8, 2005, 2:55 PM ET
Miami moves puzzle, disappoint Jones
By Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&id=2155597

For someone who has played for nine teams in seven years and never lasted anywhere more than one season, Damon Jones sure is having a hard time saying goodbye to Miami.

Jones, 29, will be introduced this afternoon as the new starting point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, right after he signs a four-year deal worth as much as $16 million. It's easily the longest and richest contract he ever has been offered. After giving the Heat one last chance to keep him, Jones flew to Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon and spent the evening being wined and dined by GM Danny Ferry and an assortment of Cavs officials.

No one has ever showered this much love on a guy who couldn't even land an NBA training-camp invitation his first two years out of the University of Houston, lasted until the fourth round of the CBA draft, and spent his formative years playing with the Black Hills Posse (IBA) and Jacksonville Barracudas (USBL).

This, then, should be the happiest day of Jones' professional career. Yet it's not.

Or at least it wasn't as of early Thursday.

"This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make," said Jones by phone, in between physicals early Thursday morning. "It's tough to talk about, even now. It won't really sink in that I'm a Cavalier until I put my name on that contract. It's still disappointing that I'm not going back to a team that was a minute and a half away from going to the Finals."

Now he joins a team that he described as "on the cusp of being good." He loves that he's coming in on the ground floor of an emerging franchise, that first-year coach Mike Brown scratched his way through the coaching ranks the same way Jones did as a player, that he's arriving with Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall, and that LeBron James can't posterize him again as he did with a fast-break dunk Feb. 3 on TNT.

"Instead of being on the other end, I can be the one throwing him lobs," Jones said.

But for all that, Jones knows that the Cavs aren't ready to contend and that a lot of question marks about their chemistry and cohesion will have to be answered before they are.

That's why he'd still be in Miami had the Heat simply been willing to increase his salary more than a few hundred thousand above the $2.7 million he would've received had he not opted out of his two-year deal. The Cavs, after all, reportedly are starting him at $3.5 million. It's hard to believe the Heat, had they reeeeeeally wanted to keep Jones, couldn't have matched that.

And to hear Jones tell it, he won't be the only one disturbed about his departure from the Heat. Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade repeatedly offered to exert their influence on Heat management to get Jones re-signed. One conversation with Shaq this week lasted 2 1/2 hours, he said, and got "very emotional."

"But I didn't want them to say anything," Jones added. "I wanted to be brought back for my contributions on and off the basketball court, nothing else."

Jones also indicated that coach Stan Van Gundy had his back. Despite the acquisition of Grizzlies point guard Jason Williams in this summer's ginormous five-team, 13-player deal, Jones had been told he would remain the starter. That could've been propaganda to get Jones back in the fold -- or it could point to the threat of fissures between Van Gundy and president Pat Riley that bringing in Williams, James Posey and Antoine Walker poses. Riley, as with all personnel chiefs, will want the new pieces provided every opportunity to demonstrate how wise it was to get them. Van Gundy, as with all coaches, will want to stick with the players he knows and can trust.

"Now that I'm on the outside looking in, it's going to be tough," Jones said. "They're going to be successful, but Stan is going to have a problem coaching those personalities."

Although Jones thanks Riley for the chance last season afforded him, he is baffled by the team's extreme makeover.

"I've been scratching my head from Day One," he said. "I can't give you a real reason why it had to be done. We lost to the defending champions with a whole lot of things that didn't get airplay. Udonis [Haslem] had a broken finger; Eddie [Jones] was having knee problems; Dwyane was hurt; and I got two cortisone shots in my ankle so I could play in Game 7. Pat Riley had a vision of, I don't know, the Showtime Lakers and a bunch of big names. I just wish we could've done what the Detroits and San Antonios and even the Lakers in their championship years did -- keep everybody together and build that championship continuity."

That, of course, is no longer his concern. Despite the Cuyahoga love, owner Dan Gilbert's money and whatever he might say, Jones leaves the lingering impression that he still wishes it were.

[batman2883]

This Cav's team is going to be very good this year, i see them giving a lot of teams in the East a lot of trouble.....when the Spurs freaking took over this team this offseason they did some mean business....one of the best pickups they had was larry hughes to play along side Lebron, then donyell marshall as well...now they have a set point guard, and i can smell trouble for some teams...but the Heat, Pistons, and Pacers will destroy the Cavs.

[Kori Ellis]

Now the Cavs are going for Alan Henderson ...

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/12595133.htm

Beacon-Journal - According to league insiders, the Cavaliers top target is Alan Henderson. The 10-year veteran played last season with the Dallas Mavericks , where he averaged 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 52 games. He played the previous nine years with the Atlanta Hawks , where Cavs assistant general manager Chris Grant, a former Hawks executive, got to know him well.

The 6-foot-9, 32-year-old Henderson is known as a good mid-range shooter but, more importantly for the Cavs, an active rebounder. He was second in the NBA last season in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes.

Getting a player like Henderson became imperative after forward Anderson Varejao went down with a severe shoulder injury that required surgery last week. He might be out until February.

But signing Henderson might be complicated. The salary won't be: He'll get $1,138,500, the veteran's minimum, of which about $400,000 will be picked up by the league. However, Henderson was arrested July 2 at JFK Airport in New York for having a loaded gun.

[Bruno]

Henderson, the missing piece for the run and gun offense ? :spin

[sickdsm]

Naw, we were told that was Griffen last year.


Every year there will be another hyped up Jason Williams for the run and gun but he'll end up not producing.

[mavsfan1000]

Henderson is getting old. I don't see him being much of a help for Cleveland. He is still good but not for long.

[Kori Ellis]

Looks like that Heat are trying to settle for Payton now that they lost Damon.

Payton still an option

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/12616211.htm

BY BARRY JACKSON

[email protected]


Free agent point guard Gary Payton, a nine-time All-Star, wants to play for the Heat. Shaquille O'Neal would like him here. Now Payton waits to hear whether Heat president Pat Riley is receptive to adding a 37-year-old point guard instead of a younger backup at the position.

Riley spoke with Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, late last week, and Goodwin said he hopes the conversations continue. According to an official familiar with the situation, Payton would have no problem backing up Jason Williams.

Riley has declined to specifically discuss remaining free agents. But he said finding a backup point guard would not be a problem. ''I think we will get somebody who can really help us, whether it's through free agency or trades,'' he said. ``We have been able to do very well with the backup point guards.''

O'Neal said Saturday he has spoken to Riley about various players -- he declined to identify them -- and expressed interest in luring Payton, who has never won an NBA title.

''We would love to have Gary down here,'' said O'Neal, who was Payton's Lakers teammate in 2003-04, when the Pistons beat Los Angeles in the Finals. ``He's still tenacious on defense, and I know he still wants [a title]. And I'm the only guy in the world who can get him one.''

Payton, 6-4, averaged 11.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals and shot 46.8 percent from the field in 77 games for Boston last season.

The Heat also intends to speak with Washington Wizards restricted free agent point guard Steve Blake, 25, in the next few days.

O'Neal said he was disappointed Damon Jones signed a four-year, $16.1 million contract with Cleveland. ''We're going to miss Damon,'' he said. ``He was a great shooter. . . . He got what he wanted, but he gave up a lot. No more night life, no more warm weather and no more a lot of media attention. . . . I guess this was his first shot at getting something big. I guess he had to take it.''

O'Neal didn't seem concerned about Michael Finley signing with San Antonio. ''We'll be fine,'' he said about Finley not joining the Heat. ``Pat and [GM Randy] Pfund have done a beautiful job of putting a new team together. A lot of people probably are going to be worried we have to start all over. But I've been here a couple weeks working with the guys and I know most of the guys, so it won't be a problem at all. . . .

``We've got to get farther than we did last year, and we will. . . . I'm used to change. Pat is what I will become if I become a general manager. Got to get it done now. Can't wait. . . . I call it the Jeff Gordon prophecy. Jeff Gordon changes his car every race he loses.''

With Eddie Jones, Damon Jones and Rasual Butler gone, three-point shooting has become a concern. ''I guarantee you Antoine [ Walker] is going to hit more threes,'' O'Neal said. ``I guarantee you Jason is going to hit more threes, and he's going to get more assists. [ Dwyane Wade] is going to get more points. Everyone is going to get open looks.''

[ChumpDumper]

Henderson is getting old. I don't see him being much of a help for Cleveland. He is still good but not for long.They only need him til Varejao comes back.