Cavs Send Irving to Celtics for Žižić, a Grinder, and a Little Dude

Published on 22-Aug-2017 by Alan Adamsson

Basketball - NBA    NBA Daily Update

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Cavs Send Irving to Celtics for Žižić, a Grinder, and a Little Dude

Talk about a haul!

This could go down in hoops history as a deal that almost matches the Boston Celtics trading the Ice Capades for Bill Russell.

Yes, that Bill Russell.

And yes, those Ice Capades.

It's doubtful Kyrie Irving's gonna be the next KC Jones or Bob Cousy in Boston, but serial dice-tosser Danny Ainge figures he's now got the team he wants to make a run at none other than Cleveland for the Eastern title.

In the process, dude jettisoned:

  • Isaiah Thomas, who -- for what it's worth -- out-statted Irving last season and became Boston's heart and soul,
  • Jae Crowder, the team-first grinder extraordinaire who became expendable when Gordon Hayward arrived to fill that role and more,
  • Brooklyn's first-round draft choice next spring, which oughta be pretty high, given how crummy the Nets are, and
  • Ante Žižić, the 7-foot Croation who went No 23 in the 2016 draft and who could be the NBA's next impressive EuroBig.

Whatever the Cavaliers paid when they hired new GM Koby Altman, it wasn't enough.

How in the name of Dr James Naismith did he take a player who everyone knew wanted out and parlay that into a team upgrade?

It's clear that Ainge was seeking that one more piece to take the next step in Boston's playoff arc. Whatever, dude worked himself into an all-in fixation on Irving, and it's easy to understand why.

Altman's objectives were more complex. Cleveland's future is in limbo until LeBron James sorts out his desires. This trade upgrades a supporting cast that may keep him in town. If it doesn't, then the makings are there for the Cavs to remain contenders in the lesser Eastern Conference.

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Maybe. It seems, though, that the Cavs won more.

Perhaps that's what's behind what appear to be orchestrated rumblings outta Beantown that Thomas was a troublemaker.

No. The little dude's just highly competitive. He doesn't mind putting the knife in if he thinks it'll give him an edge in games, practices, pick-ups -- ex-Husky Will Conroy once fired a ball at Thomas's face from close range in a Y game -- buffet lines, and wherever else.

And don't minimize Žižić.

He may turn out to be the long-term gem in this transaction. The EuroLeague is the best competition outside the NBA, and the kid's held his own there in fine fashion.

Former Cavalier head coach Dave Blatt just keeps on giving.

Who knows? Maybe he's even given the dude who fired him a reason to remain.