All you have to do is look at Waiters' game log from last year, and tell me we couldn't use that off the bench. OKC scored without giving up a thing.
we had a no-conscience gunner named Mo (and Jamal before that). When Waiters is shooting 36% from 3 he's useful, but when we have Wes and Nic (not to mention anyone else) there's not 30 minutes of wing play to go around. He's a below-average shooter, a below-average ORtg (barely), a below-average PER and brings no other skills (leadership, defense, passing) to the table. I wouldn't kick him off the team, but I wouldn't trade a ton to get him. I would've given up TRob only b/c it gives us an extra year of evaluation. Probably wouldn't have given a first.
Waiters is no different than Nick Young. Guys who when on bad teams put up numbers but once they are put onto a winning team they don't have what it takes to play off ball to better players.
I might be lumping you in here, so I appoligize if that's the case. But aren't you one of the guys who wants Jeff Green?
if Portland had one player on the bench with more than two games of 20 points or more, I might feel differently. This team is in serious need of a scorer, and bench scorers do not typically shoot at a high percentage.
I think Meyers Leonard AND Dion Waiters playing for the Blazers might be too much for MediocreMan to handle, so I'm against it on principle.
Not really, but no worries. I'm ok with the roster. I think we need to play more strategically. Obviously if we get a massive upgrade offer, then fine, but I like where we're at.
Here's how it went down. The reeling Cavs need a win against the league's worst team. In its 14 home games this season, Philly hasn't won even one. Waiters, visiting his home town of Philadelphia, buys many tickets for his friends to see him play. The Coach announces Waiters will start! He started months ago early in the season, but not since. The arena announcer gives the starting lineups as fans cheer their roster and boo the visitors. Waiters runs into the spotlight, then returns to the bench. The dozens of people who got free tickets cheer him. Now 1 minute 30 seconds till tipoff. Players like Love are out on the floor, getting ready. A messenger arrives at the bench. Oh, uh, you 3 guys just got traded. Waiters, Amundson, and Kirk--Get your asses back to the locker room. The article says about GM David Griffin's lack of class... The Cavs, with no time before the game to adjust emotionally, play in shock and lose to the worst team in the league. http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/292/waiters-cavs-farewell-an-odd-scene
We don't need Waiters. CJ and Crabbe are both better shooters off the bench, with much better attitudes, shot selection, and teamwork.
Wow. That's absolutely ridiculous. It's amazing how quickly Cleveland has gone from the feel-good story of the league to being on the verge of becoming a dumpster fire. It appears that no amount of all-stars can override inept management.
I can't see how OKC got better unless they are not yet done. Morrow fits in better with Westbrook than Waiters does. Between Jackson, Morrow,Waiters and Lamb.....I don't see much minutes. Are they going to move Jackson? Cleveland got the best of this deal. Basically they got a replacement for Waiters in Smith (Possibly an upgrade), plus a defensive starter in Shumbert to help offset Irving and Love's poor D. Their first team does not need more scoring.
And, if Smith doesn't work out, they still have dibs on signing Ray Allen. I'd be cool with that. I'd MUCH rather see Allen sign with CLE than OKC. He'd give OKC reliable scoring off the bench, something they THINK they are going to get with Waiters. Waiters may give them scoring, but it won't be reliable. They'll have to take the good with the bad. Allen, in spite of his age, would be a much better fit for them, especially in the playoffs. BNM
That's my thinking. OKC has some redundant trade assets. Don't they need some beef? How about TRob for Jeremy Lamb? Oh that's right, they wouldn't have his rights. (Oops meant to quote Pinwheel: I can't see how OKC got better unless they are not yet done. Morrow fits in better with Westbrook than Waiters does. Between Jackson, Morrow,Waiters and Lamb.....I don't see much minutes. Are they going to move Jackson?) (How do I do quote tags?)
The thing is, once a chucker always a chucker! If Waitets You only say that because CJ's in a Blazers uniform now and not Waiters.
I don't think OKC got better, maybe worse. But I'm still trying to get my head around any team getting the better of the deal when the get J.R. Smith.
