Cleveland owes Dan Gilbert

Dan Gilbert has been called "suspect" and "meddling" and even incompetent by some. It's been said he's just a Detroit homer trying to build Pistons2 in Cleveland. Although considering what Cleveland fans feel they have to endure with the Indians owner not being able to shell out the cash that major markets have to hang on to marquee players, the city should collectively send Mr. Gilbert a nice floral arrangement today. The mans dropping dollars left and right trying to bring a championship and upgrade the team. Throw in the fact that he's been opening offices for his Quicken Loans empire in the city opening up a ton of jobs where the economy is about as promising as the WNBA and maybe it's time for the guy to get some good press.

Yesterday the guy agreed to drop an addition ten million or so this season (between salary and luxury tax) to make his already bloated payroll more competitive. He probably realizes that this isn't enough to make them title favorites either but it does make the team better, so throw the guy a hallmark card or something. The guy's committed to helping a city that's struggling in a lot of different ways. No one has mentioned this yet and I think it's important someone point this out.

After the first couple months of owning the team there was some collective nervousness among the city. There was way too much being reported on the new owner, and rightly so. He made some early mistakes. I think he learned quickly from those mistakes and as a Cavs fan I can happily say he's the most invested owner of any of the Cleveland sports teams. It's unfortunate the Cavs always ride in the backseat to the Browns and Indians. Just a dynamic of the city I guess.

Cleveland is used to quiet owners who run their franchises quietly from behind the scenes. Dan Gilbert took some getting used to from that respect. He's always at the front of things and why shouldn't he be? He's proud of his franchise and proud of everything he's achieved. I don't think that's a bad thing.

The man is invested in the city. The NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement prevents small markets from being outbid for players by the major cities with the salary cap and luxury tax (it doesn't always work, but it helps). Of course, even with dollars being equal, some cities have more allure than others. Cleveland isn't going to attract any players with the famed weather or nightlife. The Cavs owner realized this early in his tenure and has done everything to make the city more appealing. He's spent millions renovating the arena and building state of the art practice facilities to lure players into what many consider an unappealing town.

On top of this he's hitched his other business interests to the city. Now Quicken Loans, ranked by Fortune as the second best place to work, has a major base of operations in Cleveland. He's providing good jobs in a place where there aren't very many good places to work. Maybe now the city can start focusing more attention on it's most promising franchise and most promising owner and entrepreneur.

I would appreciate it if some of you Clevelanders who visit this space would show your thanks for the Cavs owner in the comments section. I just don't see him get a ton of credit for what he does.

On to the actual trade:
Everyone knows the details of the 11 player trade. The closest thing to a loser in the trade was probably Chicago, and they still got rid of Ben Wallace so they do win in that regard.

The mood in Cleveland seems to range from cautiously optimistic to overjoyed. As a Cleveland fan I'm not really in either camp as far as optimism or jubilation. Instead I'm going to plug the company line they've been preaching for years now; have patience. Even after turning over half the roster a minute before the deadline, have patience. This move sets up next year even more than this year, but I'll get to that shortly.

As for how it affects the Cavs... they upgraded some areas and downgraded some areas. Outside shooting was significantly upgraded and that's something the Cavs have been desperate to do for a long time now. Like 5 years long time. Now they have four guys who range from deadly to very good behind the arc.

The interior defense received a significant upgrade. Just by losing Drew Gooden it was a significant upgrade, but Joe Smith is going to be very valuable to the team and if Ben Wallace can give them anything this could be the toughest front court in the NBA.

According to SI and an unnamed GM Wallace doesn't fit next to Ilgauskas. I couldn't disagree more. Wallace's best days were playing along guys who could defend the post well and let him freelance. Okur and Rasheed Wallace were usually defending the primary low post option. In Cleveland he can go back to that role. I'm not expecting him to repeat his days in Detroit, but he should easily outperform his play in Chicago.

As far as Wallace is concerned on offense I've seen a lot of talk about playing 4 on 5, comparing him to Eric Snow, and concerns about his free throws. While I don't love picking up Wallace I think it's important for everyone to understand how the Cavs offense works. They use James and Ilgauskas to draw double teams near the rim and pull defenders out of position. That's why the weak side is always so wide open and the Cavs are able to get offensive rebounds at such a high rate. I think Ben Wallace is well suited for this role. I actually expect his scoring to go up some. He should see 4 easy dunks and put backs a game created mostly off Lebron's driving.

Where the Cavs are going to be questionable now is the perimeter defense. Delonte West does make up some for the loss of Hughes, but where the real bulk of Hughes absence is going to fall is on Lebron. He now has to key the perimeter defense for the Cavs and slow down the oppositions best wing player. Of course, if Wallace returns to form he's a player who could erase a lot of mistakes in the past. It's not something Cavs fans should count on though. Eric Snow should expect to see some spot minutes to help slow down the premier perimeter players of the NBA.

The part of the deal I'm most excited for is Wally Szczerbiak. He makes a ton of money. His contract expires next year. Yeah, his outside shooting is nice, I guess. But think about what he's going to bring back next year! The Cavs are in the position next year that the Lakers were in this year. Szczerbiak and Snow combine to expire for about 20 million. That alone can bring back any star type player from a struggling franchise. I'm looking at you, Jason Richardson, Michael Redd, and unfortunately you too Vince Carter.