Cavaliers’ GM Danny Ferry isn’t afraid to take a gamble, a refreshing difference from the other people who run teams in this city. He went out and acquired Shaquille O’Neal after the disappointing loss to Orlando in the conference finals.
He gambled on Mo Williams last season when many thought he was just another shoot first point guard, but he was the correct piece on a team that has LeBron James setting up much of the offense.
Now, it appears that Ferry has done it again, signing free agent forward Leon Powe to a two year contract even though Powe will not be able to play until after the All Star break.
It seems like one criteria that the Cavaliers use in judging talent is how they play against the wine and gold, which when you think about it is pretty smart. The Cavs are one of the league’s best teams and if you can play well against them, you can be a contributor for them.
The Cavs used this philosophy in getting Williams, who gave them fits while playing in Milwaukee for the Bucks, and it looks as though they are going it again with Powe, who had some of his best games for the Celtics against Cleveland.
The Cavaliers never had an answer for Powe’s inside game. He seemed able to score no matter how many bodies wearing Cleveland jerseys were in the paint with him. Obviously, this skill impressed Ferry and Mike Brown, and they were anxious to get the former Cal product into the wine and gold.
Powe will spend the first half of the season rehabbing his knee, which suffered a torn ACL during the last season’s playoffs. If his rehab goes well, Powe will bring a fresh, big body to a team and league that has already played half its games. It would be like making a deal at the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, Ferry keeps stockpiling big men, which is always a good thing. The more depth up front a team has, the better. I’m sure the team hopes second year men J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson will continue to improve, but they can’t be sure of that, particularly with Hickson’s back problems. So it would not be a surprise to see the Cavs re-signing veteran Joe Smith.
With both O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas in their thirties, the Cavs need depth so they can limit their minutes and perhaps give either one an occasional day off. The GM is doing just that. It appears he is eliminating any obstacle in bringing a championship to Cleveland. Maybe other Cleveland teams should take note.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 