Jake Tsakalidis? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">According to a league source, the Cavaliers have targeted Iakovos Jake Tsakalidis to be their backup center behind starter Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The 7-foot-2, 285-pounder is a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies hold his rights, but would like to use him and power forward Stromile Swift, another restricted free agent, in a sign-and-trade with Golden State for Dampier.</div> full story
No, please God no. All he is, is a big body to display on the floor. His basketball IQ is as high as Earl Boykins' height and tends to get into foul trouble alot. Lookin at the bright side, he is about the same size as Z. Mabey by watching the master he will learn a thing or two.
Cavaliers Waiting On Dampier <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The entire NBA seems to be on hold until Erick Dampier makes up his mind. The unrestricted free agent center is negotiating with several teams in the league. But until he lands somewhere, none of the other big men seem to be going anywhere, either. Teams vying for Dampier include Atlanta, Memphis, Indiana and New York. Even though the Cavaliers are not entered in the Dampier sweepstakes, they seem to be locked in an impasse until he finds a home. One source said Dampier might sign a one-year deal for the mid-level exception this summer and become a free agent next summer. According to a league source, the Cavaliers have targeted Iakovos Jake Tsakalidis to be their backup center behind starter Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The 7-foot-2, 285-pounder is a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies hold his rights, but would like to use him and power forward Stromile Swift, another restricted free agent, in a sign-and-trade with Golden State for Dampier. Memphis president Jerry West is hoarding players like chess pieces. He has 16 guaranteed contracts now, not counting Tsakalidis and Swift. West can't keep more than 15 on the roster once the season starts. The source said the Cavaliers don't appear to be in any hurry to sign a backup center. They are willing to let the scenario play out with the Grizzlies. If Memphis can't get anything done or decide he's not in its plans, there's a remote possibility it could drop the restricted designation on Tsakalidis. Another restricted free agent available is Atlanta's Joel Przybilla (7-1, 255), but he's been injury prone in his career.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Infante:</div><div class="quote_post">No, please God no. All he is, is a big body to display on the floor. His basketball IQ is as high as Earl Boykins' height and tends to get into foul trouble alot. Lookin at the bright side, he is about the same size as Z. Mabey by watching the master he will learn a thing or two.</div> his years in phoenix...dreadful....
I would love for Cleveland to take Tsakalidas' deal off of our hands in Memphis. I had high hopes for Jake in the beginning of the season. I was pretty unfamiliar with his play, but I saw that he was 7-3 and had a body bigger than Shaq's. I thought that it would be impossible for a player of that size to not dominate. All he had to do was turn and dunk every play. The reality of it all was that Jake wasn't even a minor contributer though. He'd go out there and allow easy buckets on defense then turn the ball over on offense. I am praying Cleveland takes him.
Im not a big fan of Jake, but he would be an upgrade over Diop. We may have to settle for Jake, there aren't too many realistic options left for us. He'll come cheap and he still has some potential. I hope we can find a way to trade Wags and Diop or just Wags for a solid backup C.
Jake isn't a bad option. Remember we are not looking for a guy to play many minutes. We have Ilgauskas who will play around 35mpg. Then we have Traylor who will play some time at center. So that 13 minutes between Jake and Tractor on average at center. I dont mind another 7 footer, who can put the ball in the hoop (shoots decent clipo) unlike Diop. All we need is for Jake to continue to be over 7 foot and not be Diop on offense, and we have found our spare minutes man. Like mommy said above, Jake has small pockets of potential, which I dont expect him to realise, but he is another 6 fouls on Shaq.
Since you put it that way Karm, I guess he wouldn't be too bad to have on our roster. I guess it's just the off season fever I have, as all of us we want good players with a good name behind them to join our club. This move is actually a pretty realistic option for the Cavaliers.
The things is Infante, alot of people think we need a Erik Dampier or Stromile Swift off the bench. We do not. We need people who can come off the bench and contribute different things. With Z and Gooden logging up around 35mpg as we expect, it leaves around 30mpg for our bench to contribute to in our front court. Currently we have Traylor, Varejao and Diop splitting that up. Traylor is our first choice backup at both spots. Adding one more player to our depth chart, gives us adequate players to combat foul trouble and injuries. In the worst case scenario and we have an injury to Z, the three headed monster of Jake, Traylor and Diop will fill the void. Not that great, but not many teams have backup centers that can start and play 30 minutes. Also signing Jake, still gives us the flexibility of further moves using Wagner and or Newble/Diop.
Cavaliers Sign Jake Tsakalidis Cavaliers Sign Jake Tsakalidis to an Offer Sheet CLEVELAND, Sept. 9 ? The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free-agent center Jake Tsakalidis to an offer sheet, Cavaliers President and General Manager of Basketball Operations Jim Paxson announced today. Per team policy, terms of the offer were not disclosed. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement set forth by the National Basketball Association, the Memphis Grizzlies will have 15 days to match the offer. Tsakalidis, a four-year veteran, played in 40 games last season with the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 4.3 points on .504 (67-133) shooting from the field and 3.2 rebounds in 13.3 minutes. The 7-foot-2 center was the 25th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2000 NBA Draft and has career averages of 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes. He has career highs of 23 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots. Tsakalidis played four seasons with AEK of the Greek League including the 1999-2000 season when he averaged 9.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 22 games. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ok, this really bolsters the Cavs roster for the upcoming season. I really am starting to think that they could do some damage in the eastern conference this year. They have tons of size for a team being in the east, guys like Big Z (7'3), Diop (7'0), Jake (7'2), Boumtje Boumtje (7'0), Gooden (6'10), and Varejao (6'10). That is a ridiculous amount of size for one team's roster. But the big question is here is that can Paul Silas know how to use it all to make it effective? You tell me.
I LOVE this move! I saw him last year play against Big Z and he wasn't that bad I think this kid is can play a little. But again ALL we need is a bench! Where the cavs had problems was that 2nd quarter.. when the starters left the game for a rest & the snd team LOST all the leads, so then the starters had to play to many minutes.. then wore out in the second half of the season. ALL these move the cavs have made are A+++ Moves! These are all piece parts we have the super star!! Lebron.. so we wont have to pay big bucks ever for the main piece. we got that piece. we just need what we are getting. The Cavs are going to be really good this year!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jake Tsakalidis signed a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, ending Cleveland's bid to acquire the reserve center. The Cavs were looking to Tsakalidis to back up the sometimes injured Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The 7-foot-2, 290-pound Tsakalidis averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.3 minutes with the Grizzlies last season. He played in 40 games.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
Well, looks like we got to give Keon Clark or Corey Blount a try. Christian Laettner was waved, mabey he can be a possibility as well.
Since getting over the obvious shock of Carlos Boozer's deferral to Utah, the Cavaliers are quietly building themselves a strong frontcourt and may actually be a better team than last year's roster with Boozer. Time will tell, though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Infante:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, looks like we got to give Keon Clark or Corey Blount a try. Christian Laettner was waved, mabey he can be a possibility as well.</div> Believe me, you don't want Laettner. He is about as washed up as Tom Guggs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">Believe me, you don't want Laettner. He is about as washed up as Tom Guggs.</div> Washed up maybe, but is still a guy that can give you solid minutes, and vetern leadership. Any player like Tom G and Christian L could be called washed up do to how good they where in there prime. A lot of people forget they are still capable if healthy to have a good game here and there, and will do alot of things that dont show up on the stat sheet. Things in the locker room and to improve a teams attitude.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">Washed up maybe, but is still a guy that can give you solid minutes, and vetern leadership. Any player like Tom G and Christian L could be called washed up do to how good they where in there prime. A lot of people forget they are still capable if healthy to have a good game here and there, and will do alot of things that dont show up on the stat sheet. Things in the locker room and to improve a teams attitude.</div> Hahz.. I don't see how Laettner'z incidencez w' marijuana in the past couple years can be considered good for the locker room.. I'm not condemnin' weed use (I'm from BC nehowz).. but as a Cavs fan, I want that shiet to stay away from LeBron.. Weed, if nothing else, makes you lazy.. And James gotta stay as motivated as can be if he has any chance of being the player that Nike and the rest of us want him to be..
Ok.. to bad BUT bring on Keon Clark !!! Hey like I said before when you get lucky and get a "Jordan" type player in the draft.. all you need is pieces parts! ALL these guys we are getting this off season are going to make our 2nd team GREAT! Most of these guys only have to play 7-12 minutes a game just long enough not to loses lead and give our first teamers some rest. The Cavs are going to be very good next year!! Forget Boozer & all that.. we have a better team now! just watch. Boozer will be exposed. He was in the Olympics & watch now when he is the man.
