Monday's News: Vision - and revision

[SwingMan]

Suns look at history for view of future (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1125suns1126.html)
2004-05 team great; 2007-08 even better

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/pics/1126sunscov.jpg
Leandro Barbosa congratulates Steve Nash after defeating the Heat earlier this month. The Suns are 11-2 again and 2004-05 memories are surging back.

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 25, 2007 07:01 PM

For the Suns, it took the insight of hindsight to have its most optimistic foresight.

Beyond rekindled buzz and newfound entertainment, the 2004-05 Suns were never valued for what they nearly accomplished until this year's Suns came along and matched the 11-2 start of 2004.

That Suns success was chalked up to a new style that worked well for the regular season. It was qualified as a young team that was not ready or capable to win a title even if Jerry Stackhouse's flagrant foul had not sent Joe Johnson crashing face-first into a six-game playoff absence.

Now the Suns are 11-2 again, and 2004-05 memories are surging back. Adding Grant Hill has allowed the Suns to do things offensively with a big perimeter player and defensively with switches that they did with Johnson three seasons ago. Phoenix ranks fourth in the NBA in steals and blocks, making the staff and Steve Nash call this the best defense since he returned.

With its toughest month of the schedule ahead, it seems improbable that this team could match that team's 31-4 start, but two assessments are clear: The Suns think they should have won the championship in 2005. And the Suns believe this team is better.

"I thought we were the best team in the league," D'Antoni said of 2004-05. "Anytime you beat Dallas the way we did, 4-2, without Joe (for Games 3-6), we were good. . . . We have a chance to be as good or better than that team."

D'Antoni said this team's defense is the best since the franchise's revival and moves the ball better on offense than the 2004-05 team.

"Our ceiling is a lot higher," Suns assistant coach Phil Weber said, also noting that this team has been more banged up in November than the previous three. "We're nowhere near where we need to be offensively and defensively, and we've won eight in a row."

Weber said the Suns did not know it at the time, but the 2004-05 team was this era's best one. This team can't shock opponents like then, but Weber noted that its rotation is one main player deeper than 2004-05, when Leandro Barbosa sat in the playoffs.

Nash, Amaré Stoudemire and Shawn Marion remain. The wings have changed from Johnson and Quentin Richardson to Hill and Raja Bell. Brian Skinner plays the role Steven Hunter once held. These Suns bring Barbosa and Boris Diaw off the bench for heavy minutes instead of just Jim Jackson.

Barbosa turns 25 on Wednesday, as Stoudemire did this month and Diaw did in April. The hope is that the team grows up into a champion because experience and travails are usually prerequisites for championship rings.

"This team is more experienced and intelligent," Nash said.

For Phoenix, that could put it atop the league.

"If Joe doesn't get hurt (in 2005), I think we were the best team in the league," assistant coach Alvin Gentry said.

Plucky 13

The Suns' best 13-game starts:

Season Record - Then what?

1980-81, 11-2 - Kept going to 32-8, finished at 57-25 and were upset in the playoffs by Kansas City.

2004-05, 11-2 - Kept going to 31-4, finished at 62-20 and reached the Western Conference final.

2007-08, 11-2 - Faces what looks to be the toughest monthlong stretch of its schedule.

Monday's game

Suns at Warriors

When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland.
TV/radio: My 45/KTAR-AM (620).

Golden State update: The Warriors (5-7) are 4-1 since Stephen Jackson returned from a seven-game suspension. Kelenna Azubuike moved into a starting job this season, averaging 14.6 points after going undrafted and being called up from the D-League in January. He took the spot of Monta Ellis, who averaged 23.3 points against Phoenix last season and scored 31 off the bench Saturday.

[SwingMan]

Suns just fine with no spotlight (http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/102721)

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/images/photos/2007/11/25/arwow45o.jpg
NO ROOM TO MOVE: Steve Nash plays tight defense on Cleveland’s Damon Jones during second period action Nov. 4 at US Airways Center.

Matt Paulson, Tribune
November 25, 2007 - 8:06PM

For the first time in years, the buzz around the NBA isn’t centered in the West. The overhauled Boston Celtics have stolen the national spotlight with their 11-1 record, but the Suns quietly are sitting atop the West once again (they’re tied with San Antonio).

They are 11-2 — matching the best 13-game start in franchise history — but their accomplishment has been met with little national fanfare.

“That’s fine,” point guard Steve Nash said. “We’re not out here for praise. We’ve gotten enough praise over the last three years. We want to win a championship.”

So far, Phoenix’s record mirrors that of the 2004-05 team which ran its way to a 31-4 mark before finishing with a league-high 62 wins. An injury to starting shooting guard Joe Johnson ultimately derailed the Suns’ chances in the playoffs, but coach Mike D’Antoni believes that was the best team has coached in Phoenix.

So how does this year’s squad compare?

“I think we have a chance to be as good or better than that team,” D’Antoni said.

“I think offensively we probably move the ball better. We’re used to each other for a couple years now. I’m more comfortable calling certain things. I think we’re better experience-wise. But we’re not there yet, so we’ll see if we can get there.”

Two other factors also support D’Antoni’s belief: improved defense and depth.

Phoenix ranks fourth in the league in both steals (8.9) and blocks (5.7) and those averages are higher than they have been in any of the previous three seasons.

“We’ve added Grant (Hill, a defensive player of the year in college) and Brian Skinner and hopefully some experience, so it should be the best defensive team we’ve had,” Nash said. “We should be better as the season goes on.”

Team depth also appears to be better. Phoenix has played only five games this season with its top seven players available.

“We’ve got a lot of weapons to choose from,” D’Antoni said. “We’ve been able to (overcome) some injuries to keep it going. It’s pretty cool.”

Also working in Phoenix’s favor is the fact it has played a relatively light schedule. Only five games have been against opponents who are currently .500 or better and of those, only Orlando (12-3) is close to the Suns record-wise.

Still as Nash pointed out, “You can only play who you’re scheduled against.”

Things will get a little tougher this week with games at Golden State – where Phoenix traditionally struggles – and home dates with a healthy Houston team and Orlando. A five-game road trip follows, but a true measure of the team won’t come until mid-December when the Suns play three road games in five days at New Orleans (10-5), San Antonio (11-2) and Dallas (9-4).

Until then all the Suns can hope to do is continue winning.

“We’ve done the job (so far),” Nash said. “We’ve just got to continue to be hungry and improve. . . .

“You’re going to have ups and down, but as long as over continual periods of games and weeks and time, you’re improving, then we’ve got a chance to be the best team I’ve been on.”

Suns at Warriors

When: 8:30 p.m. today
Where: ORACLE Arena, Oakland, Calif.
TV: KUTP (Ch. 45)
Radio: KTAR (620 AM)
Records: Phoenix 11-2, Golden State 5-7
Line: Phoenix by 5 1/2

Series history: Phoenix leads 121-76 all-time but trails 45-52 on the road where it is just 4-6 the last five years.

Warriors report: Golden State is 4-1 since swingman Steven Jackson returned to the lineup following a seven-game suspension to start the season for off-the-court troubles. Jackson pleaded guilty in the summer to a felony count of criminal recklessness for firing a gun outside an Indiana strip club last fall. Those four wins came on the road against Eastern Conference teams with sub-.500 records. Point guard Baron Davis, who posted a triple-double Friday at Washington with 33 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds, is fourth in the league in assists (8.8) and ninth in scoring (24.1). Forward Matt Barnes left the team over a week ago to be with his mother who has cancer and isn’t expected back until next month. Guard Troy Hudson hasn’t played since the second game of the season due to left hip inflammation.

[Mori_Chu]

The way our team has played so far, it is *way* premature to put us up there with 04-05 or even last year's team. We have played well in stretches and have a nice record. But most of these are games we should have won, and we haven't generally won them very convincingly.

I do agree with Coach that this year's team has the potential to be just as good as 04-05.

[Andy_S]

The way the team has played according to our record, it is not premature at all. What is premature is to pretend that 12 games into the season means more than a pile of crap on the doorstep in a flaming bag -- or that it meaned anything in those seasons either.

But as far as the first 12 games of each of the last three seasons goes, yes, we should be up there.

[tbrkingofthesouth]

“That’s fine,” point guard Steve Nash said. “We’re not out here for praise. We’ve gotten enough praise over the last three years.

No WE have not Steve, but you have with your 2 MVP's...Shawn Marion deserves more praise DPOY and Amare deserves more praise

[zara_drummer]

“That’s fine,” point guard Steve Nash said. “We’re not out here for praise. We’ve gotten enough praise over the last three years.

No WE have not Steve, but you have with your 2 MVP's...Shawn Marion deserves more praise DPOY and Amare deserves more praise

Ugh, you actually think Nash went out there and was looking for all that praise when he won the MVP??

I understand you want Marion to get DPOY but Nash is the last guy who is out there sniffing around for acceptance from the anyone...

[SpecialSauce]

pst zd your thanksgiving eve event is long gone :)

[Dustbuster]

“That’s fine,” point guard Steve Nash said. “We’re not out here for praise. We’ve gotten enough praise over the last three years.

No WE have not Steve, but you have with your 2 MVP's...Shawn Marion deserves more praise DPOY and Amare deserves more praise

Amare deserves more praise? For what? He has played only half of that that spread, and he was justly rewarded for coming back strongly from his surgery by receiving All-Star and 1st team NBA honors. What more do you think he deserved over that period? MVP?

And sure, Marion deserves some credit for his defense, but he has been an All-Star for three straight years. His overall quality of defense is a debatable issue. He is a very flexible defender, but certainly is not a "lock-down" one on one defender.

Stevie deserved his MVP's, and he deserved it last year too. Marion and Amare were both here in 03-04 (BTW, we stunk!) - but the difference came in 04-05 when Nash came to town.

I think Nash's comment was very appropriate - and I like the focus.

[Ring_Wanted]

DB, I was going to answer the same about Amare. In my opinion he has what he's due.

Marion, on the other hand, I think he deservers more for his D. 82games had him as the best defensive player a couple of season ago, and he has to be selected to the 2nd D team yet. Maybe he's not a Bowen type lock down defender, but I have seen do a very good job on any kind of players from Parker to Dirk, and that has to count for something. Also, It's not easy to be the only above average defender along with Bell and have to guard so many possession as we generate for opposite teams. In my opinion, a 2nd All D team is a must, and I think All NBA D is well deserved too. DPOY, I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised or protest if they gave him the award. Still, I'd probably give it to Duncan or KG before.

[Split_T's]

If Marion plays like he did last night on D, he should be the DPOY. Anyways, I think nash was referring to the team getting praise not individuals.

[tbrkingofthesouth]

stop twisting what I said...Nash has 2 MVP's, but one should have an * beside it b/c PJ Brown got a MVP vote from someone who really didn't want Shaq to win. I don't know if I'm telling you people something that you didn't know. I hate how they vote for the MVP it stinks. Dirk MVP get real Steven Jackson outplayed him. Nash is good hell great. He is MVP material, but not multi MVP material that is reserved for champs like Shaq MJ Bird those types. Nash is a media darling. They really love him. Nothing wrong with that, but I wish we had some rings to go along with those MVP's

[Dustbuster]

stop twisting what I said...Nash has 2 MVP's, but one should have an * beside it b/c PJ Brown got a MVP vote from someone who really didn't want Shaq to win. I don't know if I'm telling you people something that you didn't know. I hate how they vote for the MVP it stinks. Dirk MVP get real Steven Jackson outplayed him. Nash is good hell great. He is MVP material, but not multi MVP material that is reserved for champs like Shaq MJ Bird those types. Nash is a media darling. They really love him. Nothing wrong with that, but I wish we had some rings to go along with those MVP's

And you think this is Nash's fault? Nash has his weaknesses, yes, but I don't think there is a more cerebral, better player on the planet. And no one has dominated from his position in the way that he does for a long, long time. And no one, I mean no one, in the league, makes other players or his team better than what Nash does. I wasn't really a huge Nash fan when he came here, but he has earned my respect.

His only true opponents for the award in recent years have been KG and Duncan, and KG has not had the team success. Both of those players make their teammates better, and that is the definition of "value".

An MVP is not about the best player in the league (not that there are many better players than Nash), but about value. And Nash brings that in spades...even more than someone like Kobe. Dirk certainly did not deserve the award last year over Nash, but there were just too many that had an issue with putting Nash in the pantheon of the "three in a row" MVPs.

[Dustbuster]

stop twisting what I said...Nash has 2 MVP's, but one should have an * beside it b/c PJ Brown got a MVP vote from someone who really didn't want Shaq to win. I don't know if I'm telling you people something that you didn't know. I hate how they vote for the MVP it stinks. Dirk MVP get real Steven Jackson outplayed him. Nash is good hell great. He is MVP material, but not multi MVP material that is reserved for champs like Shaq MJ Bird those types. Nash is a media darling. They really love him. Nothing wrong with that, but I wish we had some rings to go along with those MVP's

BTW, how exactly did I twist your words?

[duck44]

stop twisting what I said...Nash has 2 MVP's, but one should have an * beside it b/c PJ Brown got a MVP vote from someone who really didn't want Shaq to win. I don't know if I'm telling you people something that you didn't know. I hate how they vote for the MVP it stinks. Dirk MVP get real Steven Jackson outplayed him. Nash is good hell great. He is MVP material, but not multi MVP material that is reserved for champs like Shaq MJ Bird those types. Nash is a media darling. They really love him. Nothing wrong with that, but I wish we had some rings to go along with those MVP's

So you are blaming Nash?

The MVP is based on the season not the playoffs. Are you suggesting Stephen Jackson should have gotten the MVP? :roll:

[tbrkingofthesouth]

no guy, but how can Steve Jackson outplay the "MVP" in a 7-game series..No it's not Nashty fault..I love Nash, but Dust you are forgetting about J-Kidd he did all those things Nash did and he even led his team to the Finals, but did not win MVP..Nash is a media Darling...BTW Is that PJ Brown getting a MVP vote news to you guys?

[Split_T's]

you do realize that PJ brown got one fifth place vote for mvp, as did Shawn Marion and Marcus Camby.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/suns/2005-05-08-nash-mvp_x.htm

[Ring_Wanted]

Kidd should have won the MVP in his first year in NJ, but the fact he didn't can't take away the unreal season Nash had in 2004/05.

That year Shaq was getting MVP consideration not due to his great season, but because of his career and because many believed It was a crime he didn't have more than one award . Is that fair? I don't think so. Nash deserved his 2 MVPs, and probably the third in a row. It's not his fault that he doesn't fit the classic mold of superstar or that no other player has had a better season, for one reason or another, than he has the last three years, to go along with great regular season success by his team.

[jkalldaway]

the kingofthesouth wins the dumbest post of the year award. WOWWWW. Nash is multi-MVP material...he is MV3 material if you ask me. The guy is absolutely unbelievable. Your point about PJ Brown is not relevant either when you look at the list of vote getters that year. Nash came to a new team, took them to the best record in the league and possibly changed the way the game is being played even now. Your argument about the post season is irrelevant because voting is based on the regular season. If you want to argue about the way they vote, that is fine, but don't rag on Nash for winning under the current method. In addition, if you want to talk about media darlings don't compare Nash to shaq. The media loves shaq, always has, they go to him for their soundbites, and they usually get a good one.

[OrlandoGardener]

no guy, but how can Steve Jackson outplay the "MVP" in a 7-game series..No it's not Nashty fault..I love Nash, but Dust you are forgetting about J-Kidd he did all those things Nash did and he even led his team to the Finals, but did not win MVP..Nash is a media Darling...BTW Is that PJ Brown getting a MVP vote news to you guys?

Kidd is a terrific passer, rebounder and runs the break well. He used to be a great defender, too.

He was never the best shooter in the L, though, and he was never as versatile as Nash on offense. He has never been the off court leader that Nash is, either, and I'm not convinced that he makes his team better in all of the ways he could.

Nash is the best passer in the L, half court or full, he is arguably the best shooter in the L, he is the best locker-room guy in the L, he has one of the best work ethics in the L, and he is one of the most adaptable team mates in the L. His team has lead the L in scoring for all most all of the decade, and he has as many playoff wins as anyone not on the Spurs in that span. Teams all over are trying to emulate his style of play. How is he not a multi-MVP guy?

Oh, because the media like him, unlike true stars such as Shaq, MJ, and Bird. :roll:

[BKinSJC]

Nash won the MVP vote that year by 34 points, points being given 10-7-5-3-1 (1st through 5th place). Nash was named on all 127 ballots; one idiot, apparently, did leave Shaq off his ballot completely.

However, even if that one idiot had given Shaq a first-place vote, it wouldn't have decided the MVP race, just gotten Shaq to within 24 points. So what. king's just trolling without any legitimate argument to back up his position.

[LazarusLong]

No it's not Nashty fault..I love Nash, but Dust you are forgetting about J-Kidd he did all those things Nash did and he even led his team to the Finals, but did not win MVP

To repeat ... MVP voting takes place before the playoffs.


stop twisting what I said...

TBR: Seems to me you started this entire business by twisting Nash's words.

Unless I miss my guess, Nash is playing down the fast start and related accolades, and focusing on the hoped-for final (Finals) result.

have a nice day ...

[SpecialSauce]

stop twisting what I said...Nash has 2 MVP's, but one should have an * beside it b/c PJ Brown got a MVP vote from someone who really didn't want Shaq to win. I don't know if I'm telling you people something that you didn't know. I hate how they vote for the MVP it stinks. Dirk MVP get real Steven Jackson outplayed him. Nash is good hell great. He is MVP material, but not multi MVP material that is reserved for champs like Shaq MJ Bird those types. Nash is a media darling. They really love him. Nothing wrong with that, but I wish we had some rings to go along with those MVP's

I don't have anything to say, I just want to quote this one more time so everybody can get one last laugh out of it.

[SwingMan]

A little Varejao update anyone? :D :


Varejao on Cleveland: 'I don't want to play there anymore' (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3128446)

By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
Updated: November 26, 2007, 6:43 PM ET

Last season, Anderson Varejao played a key role as the Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference title -- he was arguably the Cavs' best young player behind LeBron James.

This season, Varejao is playing in a gym more than a thousand miles from Cleveland in Vitoria, Brazil, while the Cavs struggle to replace Varejao's defensive intensity in the middle.

What's he doing? Working on his jump hook. Trying to stay in shape. And most importantly, waiting.

He's waiting for the lucrative contract he thought he'd sign this offseason.

And waiting for Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry to "show me that he values my contribution to the team," Varejao told ESPN.com by phone in a rare interview.

"I just want to be treated fairly and I don't think Danny's done that."

Varejao expected to be helping the Cavs defend their East crown by now.

"I wanted to come back," he said. "I love the fans and I really love my teammates. But there are others there that have made it very difficult. It's gotten to the point that I don't want to play there anymore. I'm just hoping for a sign-and-trade at this point."

Ferry isn't ready to give up on bring Varejao back.

"We fully understand that negotiations can be emotional," Ferry told ESPN.com. "As for Anderson's potential to remain a Cavalier and put this behind us, we value his presence in this organization, on and off the court, and that has not changed."

Varejao, who turned 25 in September, was a vital part of the Cavs' run to the NBA Finals. As the Cavs' sixth man, his basic stats were modest: 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. But he led the league in drawing charges, and his energy and interior defense were invaluable to the team. His adjusted plus-minus numbers last season said he was the 22nd-best player in the league.

The question for the Cavs is, how much do you pay for those less tangible contributions?

That question has been at the heart of one of the most unusual free-agent contract squabbles in NBA history.

(One of the handful of similar cases happened when Ferry himself refused to sign with the team that drafted him, the Los Angeles Clippers, decided instead to play in Europe and eventually forced the Clippers to trade him to, yes, Cleveland.)

As of now, Varejao has been unable to get another team to sign him to an offer sheet. Because Varejao is a restricted free agent, the Cavs can match any offer he gets, and Ferry has threatened to do just that.

This summer that scared off at least one team reluctant to tie its own hands by making an offer that would ultimately result in Varejao merely returning to Cleveland.

The Memphis Grizzlies flirted with making Varejao a big offer in July, but when the Cavs threatened to match and leave Memphis empty-handed, the Grizzlies went after unrestricted free agent Darko Milicic instead.

Several other teams told ESPN.com they would have offered Varejao their full midlevel exception (starting at $5.356 million per season), but Varejao has not been willing to sign for that amount because he believes (a) the Cavs would match, and (b) he's worth more.

The Cavs' popular forward wants considerably more than the team is offering. He turned down the Cavs' one-year, $1.2 million tender offer. (To retain a restricted free agent, a team must make a tender offer.) He also refused Cleveland's opening offer of five years, $20 million, and then its latest offer of five years, $32 million, with a starting salary slightly below the midlevel exception.

But Varejao said media reports that he's asking for a contract averaging $10-11 million a season "just aren't true. There are a lot of things being written that are wrong. I know they aren't talking to me or my agent."

He said he and his agent, Dan Fegan, have been more than willing to work out a fair deal with the Cavs. Varejao said he offered to sign a one-year deal at a discount, or to sign a longer-term deal.

Varejao further said he would be willing to take the dispute to an arbitrator, for a resolution similar to those found in Major League Baseball. That would minimize the role of Fegan, who is known as a very tough bargainer.

"Much has been made about the negotiators in this process, but for the record I have been prepared since training camp to submit our differences to a third-party mediator so that both parties can be assured of more objectivity," Fegan says.

The Cavs have rejected all of those counterproposals.

Ferry says the Cavs' offer is fair.

"We believe the Cavs' offers are very much in line with what is widely perceived throughout the industry as fair market value. We have also included bonuses that would serve as upside protection for Anderson," Ferry said.

"We are working to make decisions that are best for short- and long-term interests of the organization, yet clearly stepping up and offering him long-term security at a very fair market value."

Varejao said that if the two sides can't agree on a long-term deal, they should agree on a one-year deal that allows both sides to explore their options next year.

From the Cavs' point of view, a one-year deal is counterproductive because it would make Varejao an unrestricted free agent next year, and the team's right to match any offer would disappear. In that case, Varejao could just walk away.

But Fegan says that if Cleveland is willing to pay Varejao "fair market value," the Cavs would then be in the best position to sign him next year.

"It defies logic for the Cavs to accuse Anderson of demanding too much money on a long-term deal while at the same time refusing to allow Anderson to sign a one-year deal for less money, especially when they retain his Bird rights next year." Fegan said. "It begs the question: If their offer is truly fair, what are they afraid of?"

The result has been a standoff that shows no sign of ending.

On each side, the frustration level has been rising the past few weeks, as Varejao is left in limbo in Brazil, and as the Cavs have struggled coming out of the gate in training camp and the regular season.

In October, Ferry made a surprise visit to see Varejao at his parents' home in Brazil in an attempt to convince him to sign.

The move backfired.

Ferry showed up without telling Fegan, and working around an agent is a no-no in the NBA. While GMs are allowed to talk with players without an agent present, it is customary that all contract talk goes through an agent.

"I was shocked," Varejao said. "He showed up and wanted me to sign a contract. I told him he's got to talk to my agent. He didn't even up his offer. I guess he thought if he just showed up, I would just sign whatever he gave me."

Ferry walked away with no deal and with an angry free agent on his hands.

He defends his decision to appeal directly to Varejao.

"From the start of free agency, we told Anderson and his agent that the ability to communicate with him directly was going to be very important to the process," Ferry said. "The trip was done because our communication with Anderson was no longer available to us."

Since that incident, there hasn't been much trust or movement on either side.

While many around the NBA believe that Fegan is driving negotiations, Varejao says he is responsible for his own bargaining position.

"This is me, nobody else," Varejao said. "He takes the offers to me and I decide. He's told me he'll get a deal done for less. I've told him no. It's me. [The Cavs] told me how important I was to the team. I just want to be treated fairly."

Other GMs in the league, while acknowledging that Fegan is a tough negotiator, said that Ferry is equally tenacious.

One serious risk, on Ferry's side, is that the team's most important player, James, might see this impasse as another sign of the Cavs' inability to improve the team.

Varejao says that the Cavs' players support him, and that his conversations with James have been positive.

"He just says, 'We love you and we're waiting,'" Varejao said. "He keeps telling me he wants me back but to get the best deal I can and to take care of my family. He's a great teammate. He always supports us on and off the court."

That sentiment was confirmed by a source close to James, who said, "LeBron wants Andy back. He wants him to get a fair deal. I think his frustration isn't with Andy, it's with the fact that for the past two years, he's been waiting for more help and he hasn't gotten it. This is just a step in the wrong direction."

Over the past few weeks, several NBA general managers have told ESPN.com that Fegan has been searching out potential sign-and-trade deals, in which Varejao would agree to terms with another team and then be traded to that team. In recent days, there have been indications that the Cavs are open to the possibility of a sign-and-trade.

Two GMs told ESPN.com they believe Varejao would agree to a five-year, $45-million deal in a sign-and-trade, if such an offer were made.

"If that's the price, or close to it, I think Danny [Ferry] will get some offers that make sense for the Cavs," one GM said. "I'm not sure he'll get equal value, but right now he has nothing and I don't see it changing."

If Varejao leaves, it will be a bitter ending for both parties. But at this point, that might be the most workable option.

"I'm willing to go and play in Europe if that's what it takes," Varejao said. "I know it's a risk and I'll be a restricted free agent next year, but at least I'd be happy. I don't think I'll be happy in Cleveland knowing that I was [almost] the lowest-paid player there for three years and am still paid much less than players on the team that I outperform. Life's too short to be unhappy."

We've still got $11 million ($8.1 mil for Kurt, $2.9 for JR) in trade exceptions, folks.....

[DrSublime]

wow
if the suns used the trade exception to snag Varajeo i would be sooooooo stoked and i would praise Sarver for SPENDING wisely.
he would be the perfect big next to Amare, Marion and Diaw (for the RIGHT "5-6 mil a year" price)

[SpecialSauce]

I would love Varejao's energy on this team, but don't count on it. He's a glorified Brian Skinner for 10 times the price, and I doubt Sarver would even think about it.

[cap]

We've still got $11 million ($8.1 mil for Kurt, $2.9 for JR) in trade exceptions, folks.....
The whole reason we made those trades in the first place is that we’re not willing to spend that money.

And “tough negotiator” Ferry isn’t about to make a deal for a TE, anyway. He’ll insist on talent, or possibly settle for picks. And no, Marcus Banks doesn’t qualify as talent.

[SwingMan]

He would to a team as hard up for point help as Cleveland.

As I've always maintained, timing is everything - look at Boston.....

[JediSkywalker]

He would to a team as hard up for point help as Cleveland.

As I've always maintained, timing is everything - look at Boston.....

Every time I look at Boston, I get mad,thinking of what might have been. Right now I don't think we can beat the Celts, but we might by the time they get here. Nothing would please me more than to beat those guys.

[darrkin]

Its a looonnng season. Good game GS see ya later....SA lost at least!

[JediSkywalker]

Its a looonnng season. Good game GS see ya later....SA lost at least!

The Mavs and Utah also lost, so we have not lost any ground. However, GSW could create problems for the Suns in the long run unless they learn to play tough defense.

[SpecialSauce]

He would to a team as hard up for point help as Cleveland.

As I've always maintained, timing is everything - look at Boston.....

If he wanted Banks, he would've bit long ago. It's no secret that the Suns have been trying to get rid of him for a while.