Hooped Up

Lose a Wallace, gain a Wallace. After losing free agent Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics, the Pistons re-gained another free agent Wallace today by signing Ben Wallace to a to a one-year, $1.3-million deal.

Since leaving Detroit for a bag of cash with, 60-million bucks in it waiting for him in Chicago. Big Ben has been on a steady decline, and hasn’t looked like the guy that was once a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time All-Star and the Pistons’ all-time leader in blocks.

And that’s not because he cut his trademark afro. If you’re a Pistons fan, go crank some Slum Village and reminisce on the old days fully now because Ben Wallace in Detroit just feels right.

Via Detroit Free Press

Shaquille O’Neal, Antawn Jamison and now Vince Carter has popped up in trade rumour talks to Cleveland.

The Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed Vince Carter again, sources said. As financial losses mount for New Jersey’s ownership, it appears more likely that the Nets will try to move Carter and the two years and $33.6 million left on his deal. The Nets would have to take Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic in return.

If the Cavs and Nets completed this deal, life for LeBron James becomes easier instantly and for Vince Carter and his legacy things could be looking up. Lets see how this one plays out.

Via Yahoo

The Orlando Magic proved that the Cavaliers need a big mobile forward with active legs and Antawn Jamison fits that description perfectly. Now can the Cavs and Wiz make a deal?

While plenty of media outlets are speculating about a potential deal between Cleveland and Phoenix, we’ve heard some talk of a possible trade between Cleveland and Washington actually. The deal would essentially be a cost-cutting move for the Wizards, sending Antawn Jamison and filler (Mike James) to the Cavs for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. Wallace seems likely to retire, and Pavlovic is on a non-guaranteed contract for next season. It’s not clear whether the Wizards would need to surrender the #5 pick.

I have no idea why the Wizards would want to do this trade, but if Cleveland can make this deal happen it would be on par with and maybe even slightly better than landing Shaq.

Via DraftExpress.com

The Phoenix Suns are still interested in solving their payroll problems by shipping Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland.

Whether getting a 37-year-old center would be enough to enlarge LeBron James’ comfort zone with the Cavs and keep him in Cleveland long-term is another conversation.

The same trade was in play in February and now the Arizona Republicsays it remains essentially the same. The Suns, wanting to avoid paying the luxury tax, dump O’Neal’s $20 million salary on the Cavaliers. Phoenix cuts its salary cap number by taking on Ben Wallace — who may be ready for a buyout — and Sasha Pavlovic, who is in the final year of his contract and has only $1.5 million guaranteed.

USA Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers need Ben Wallace injured like, they need — Ben Wallace injured. 

“Center Ben Wallace will be out 8-10 weeks after suffering a fractured right fibula in the first half of Thursday’s 93-74 Rockets victory over the Cavaliers in Toyota Center. Wallace will be in a walking boot for the next several weeks, though he said he hoped he could return to the lineup before the playoffs begin in April. The break will not require surgery and an X-ray of the injury showed a small break on the left side of the bone. Wallace will not need screws put in to re-set the bone; if that happened, he would be out for the rest of the season.

“It’s broke,” a calm Wallace said after the game. “I saw the X-ray. I know what that little white line means on an X-ray. It’s broke.”

Surely, somebody from Cleveland is sending over fresh baked cookies to the homes of  Robert Horry and P.J. Brown as we speak to start negotiations.

Via NBA.com

While receiving an honorary degree from his alma matter. Phil Jackson had this to say regarding the best athlete he has ever coached when asked as reported by the OC Register.

“No, the player Jackson called the greatest that he has coached is that wedding dress aficionado and Newport Beach police’s favorite basketball bad boy, Dennis Rodman. That’s right. No need to rub your eyes.

“He could probably play a 48-minute game and play the 48th minute stronger than the first minute of the game,” Jackson told the crowd at UND. “He was that terrific an athlete.”

Read More »

In a blockbuster, three-way trade involving Cleveland, Chicago, Seattle and including 11 players, the Cavaliers acquired center Ben Wallace from the Bulls and forward Wally Szczerbiak from the SuperSonics, two players to possibly get James and the Cavs through the Eastern Conference and back to the finals.

Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry, unable to finalize major deals in the past, pulled off a colossal one in the final hours before Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

The Cavaliers sent guard Larry Hughes, forwards Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons, and guard Shannon Brown to Chicago for Wallace, one of the game’s top inside enforcers, and forward Joe Smith.

Cleveland acquired the sharpshooting Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West from Seattle for forwards Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall.

The Cavaliers will also get Chicago’s second-round pick in 2009. The SuperSonics will receive guard Adrian Griffin from the Bulls.

SI

I love a great block party!

Dapper yet disappointed, Bulls forward Ben Wallace said the knee is “feeling better” and that it especially improves as the day progresses. Ice, stimulation and quadriceps stretches ease his morning stiffness and soreness.

“The frustrating part is being separated from the team,” Wallace said. “I have to sit on the sidelines with this blazer on.”

But Wallace wouldn’t speculate when he would return. The Bulls practice Thursday in Seattle and then play Friday in Seattle and Saturday in Portland.

“He’s better, just not quite ready,” coach Scott Skiles said. “We’ll see if he can do more [Thursday]. If things aren’t bothering him, maybe the Saturday game.”

Chicago Tribune