[PHXSUNDREAMPICK13Participant]

Cavs finally make the roster moves needed in adding Wade by moving Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder plus 2 second rounders and cash for a 2015 drafted Greek PF and a 2009 drafted Ukrainian SG.  Atlanta will waive both players. 

Updated roster depth:

PF… J Crowder, C Frye 

SF… L James, J. Green, C Osman

C…. K Love,  T Thompson, A Zizic (listed as PF, plays like a Center) K Perkins

SG…D Wade, K. Korver JR Smith, I Shumpert, 

PG…D. Rose, J Calderon, I. Thomas (If he can come back staying healthy)

 

1st thought to come to mind is the better defenders are at the end of the depth chart and might see 10 or less minutes if any time.  The loss of Jefferson is def. a hit in the defensive presence he brought to the second unit.  Also, his departure will come to mind when certain players are sacrificing minutes and crunch time and dont have RJs voice to hear how hes sacrificing too.  He proved a durable, tough, and most steady player they have had for the $$.  

2nd thought is Kay Felder looked like Isaiah Thomas out there this preseason.  Speedy, shifty, driving to the bucket, and nailing open looks.  Not seeing many threes attempted by Felder but looked like a more than serviceable pg who needed to be insurance for their super fragile point guard corp.  Another loss that might hit later on.

Last thought is the mindset of beating the Warriors.  They’re assembly of talent this year seems like more matchup problems against GSW than last year.  Paint patrol becomes absent with Love replacing Thompson.  Durant, Curry, and Green will be ridn to the basket even easier.  Also, Crowder = Jefferson but Crowder + Jefferson would stablize both units on defense and help provide a stop or two against the nearly unstoppable offense of the Warriors.  Easy scores for the Warriors makes the matchup completely impossible. 

X factors for the Cavs this season are Isaiah Thomas and Lebron.  Thomas needs to lead the second team full of three point shooters.  Could be nearly as lethal as the Warriors "death lineups"  Lebron is the other x factor as his game is going to have to enhance the 1st team.  Playing and facilitating from the paint could be something he could go back to since he left Miami.  He played both roles but played as needed for the team.  Needs to develop more as he ages and find roles that best enhances the team.   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Evan_MilbergParticipant]

Cavs definitely had an embarrassment of riches by adding Rose and D. Wade. Shame a great locker room and on-court leader like Jefferson had to get traded, but it was pretty much inevitable. Hope Felder sticks on Atlanta’s roster – they’ll need all the help they can get.

On another note: Woj just reported Perkins has been waived. SBNation added that Perkins may join the Cavs’ coaching staff.  

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 The RJ and Frye Podcast is in serious trouble, what a shame. 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

The trade went down as I was in the middle of listening to the JR Smith episode. Bittersweet moment for sure, because RJ even hints that he knows his time is coming.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I hope you’re right and the Cavs kept him in the loop. His service to the Cavs and his selfless play deserved better than a handshake on the way out. I would hate to think the Cavs just dumped this on him. 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 Dude.  It’s a business, not a knitting club.  If you can be replaced with someone who will get you more wins, then that is what will happen.  The whole "I hope he was kept in the loop" manyra is ridiculous.  Teams don’t have to Keep anyone "in the loop".  plenty of players, stars and roleplayers, get mercilessly shipped around every season.  Just ask IT, Demarcus Cousins, etc.  RJ is a professional and I highly doubt that his feelings will be hurt by getting shipped.  It’s part of the game and he knows it.  He’s a millionaire (or should be if he has any financial sense) and he is set for life.  Bottom line is that the NBA is a business and it’s never personal.  If you can get teams wins, you get paid.  If someone else can do your job better than you can, you get shipped.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I understand it’s a business, but there are different ways you can do business. That was my point. Sure, they could’ve done it the cold, businesslike way, but it shows appreciation and respect to someone who has been a valued member of the squad to keep them in the loop. I’m not for a second saying they shouldn’t have traded him, but there were 2 ways they could’ve done it. 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Towards the end of it they were asking JR about how he felt when he got told he was being moved to the bench.

They were rambling a bit, but then it got to how egoless the team is and how much everyone is willing to sacrafice. Then RJ jokingly says something along the lines of; My sacrafice is about to lead me out of town. The co-host asks "wait, did it happen already?" So he definitely knew. I agree with a true pro like that, I feel he’s owed the respect of letting him know what’s going on ahead of time.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Just cause it’s a business doesn’t mean you can’t expect some common decency, especially for someone that did well for you. No one said they were dirty for trading him but they hoped he was at least treated respectfully. How is that so ridiculous to ask? I swear all this “it’s a business” talk has gotten ridiculous since IT got traded

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Alot to unpack here mostly revolving around your overating of a 36 year old Richard Jefferson who could barely stay on the court during the playoffs, hasn’t been able to hit threes consistently in 2 years, and should clearly retire.  Him and Jae Crowder are not even remotely comparable at this point.  The Cavs are a veteran team who surely don’t need another veteran role player just for the locker room.  And its Jeff Green who effectively took his role as he was playing mostly PF last year.  They also have Shumpert to play 15 mpg and provide perimeter defense. 

No this team will not miss assigning Kay Felder to the D League tho I did think they should keep him to learn from Isaiah because thats too perfect.

 

Also your depth chart is a little off like Channing Frye is clearly a C and starts at C for them at times.  Jeff Green is also clearly a PF for them, and the wings are interchangeable.

 

This team is super interesting because theyre suddenly built way different from last year.  They’re deeper, smaller and way faster.  They have way more playmakers on both sides of the ball and alot of interchangeable parts.  They are imo way better equipped to take on GS.  They have a team that GS don’t really wanna push the pace on because they cant stop guys like Rose, Zeke, and Wade in transition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 RJ has always been a class guy and there is talk he may well link up with Jason Kidd at the Bucks. RJ could have retired as a champion but was asked to return.

I had wondered whether a young rebuilding Hawks side might have made use of his experience until nearer deadline day and then seen what offers they may have got for him or done a deal whereby he gives them say 4 months then they cut him and he can look to jump to a contender just prior to play offs.

 

 

 

 

 

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