Cleveland Cavaliers Capture Missing Piece to Championship

The talk had been about how Amare Stoudemire was destined to be a Cleveland Cavalier. The 7'0" offensive machine was supposed to be the supplemental piece that LeBron James needed to win his first NBA Championship.

Instead, the Cavs snagged an All-Star and a true professional in Antawn Jamison. One of the good guy’s in the game, he is the definition of a pro. He has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA in the past 10 years.

He was traded for former Tar Heel teammate Vince Carter on draft day ’98. I would say over the span of their respective careers, Jamison is the better pick. Carter’s career has been plagued by injuries, lack of desire, and a frustrating shot selection.

A post-up, back-to-the-basket type scorer in college, the 6’9" Jamison tweaked his game for the pros. No longer considered tall, Jamison needed to start squaring-up against defenders and rely on his stroke. He has become one of the best mid-range jump shooters in the league and has also buried hundreds of three’s through-out his career.

You don’t have to run a play for Jamison, he plays within the offense and rarely takes a bad shot. He understands his limits and never exceeds them, a great quality for a veteran to have.

Jamison is averaging 20.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a game—pretty much on par with his career averages of 20 and eight. He represents consistency and resilience. Look at the numbers:

10 seasons averaging at least 19.6 points a game

Nine seasons of averaging at least seven boards a game

46 percent career field goal percentage

Played in 70 or more games nine times

The above displays Jamison’s efficient offense game, his desire to rebound and his toughness for playing through injuries on numerous occasions.

The deal sends Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, his expiring contract, and the Cavs first-round draft pick to Washington. The L.A. Clippers send guard Sebastian Telfair to the Cavaliers while acquiring Drew Gooden from the Wizards. Al Thorton goes from the Clippers to the Wizards.

The trade isn’t even a bold one for the Cavs as it is expected that Ilgauskas will be back in Cleveland for the playoffs. Essentially the Cavs gave up one of the last picks in the first round for a two-time All-Star that can take and make crunch time shots while providing a valuable rebounding presence. Exactly what the Cavs lacked.

This is also something that Stoudemire would not have provided. He would of clogged the lane with Shaq, just like in Phoenix. The Cavs were stuck in neutral before this trade. GM Danny Ferry and the team just mashed on the gas pedal.

A Finals matchup of the Lakers vs. Cavs now seems imminent.