A Perfect Fit
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On Monday afternoon, the Wine and Gold announced their latest renovation – landing free agent swingman Anthony Parker.
Despite registering 66 regular-season wins and sweeping the first two rounds of the playoffs, the disconcerting loss to Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals left the Cavaliers with somewhat of a “checklist” heading into the off-season. And on Monday, they checked off one of their biggest needs – a long, athletic, two-guard who can defend long, athletic two-guards.
Just two days after taking the stage at Cleveland Clinic Courts to commemorate the inking of Anderson Varejao, this time it was Assistant GM Lance Blanks who flanked the team’s newest addition – the 34-year-old Parker, who looked happy to be with his new stateside squad, especially one that boasts LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.
“For me, it’s always been about who really saw me fitting in with what they were trying to do from the beginning,” said Parker. “And in this process, Cleveland has been that team that’s shown the most interest, the team that pursued me the hardest and that saw a vision of me fitting in with what they’re trying to do.”
The 6-6, 210-pound Parker started 71 games for the Raptors in 2008-09 – averaging 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and career highs in assists (3.4), steals (1.3) and minutes (33.0). The older brother of U. of Tennessee and L.A. Sparks star, Candace Parker, he was one of just 11 players in the NBA to total at least 750 points, 250 rebounds, 250 assists and 100 steals last season.
And it doesn’t hurt that he had his best game of the season against the Magic – going 13-of-16 from the floor for 26 points in a January 4 win over the Cavaliers’ newest nemeses.
“We had begun looking at Anthony some time ago,” explained Blanks. “He had a lot of success overseas and in Euroleague play. I actually went over three or four years ago and spent time with him. One of the things we look for – and Anthony alluded to it – was ‘fit.’ And not only the person, but the player, we felt fit very well.”
Though not the sexiest free agent signing, the versatile Parker – a player the Cavs have coveted for years – fills a big need in Cleveland. Whether he takes the floor as a starter or comes off the bench, he immediately adds size to a backcourt that was lacking exactly that. With Sasha Pavlovic often mired in Mike Brown’s doghouse, the Wine and Gold routinely went to battle with the 6-3 Delonte West as their biggest guard.
“I think if you’ve played the game long enough – unless you’re one of those special players – at some point, you’re going to have to (come off the bench),” smiled Parker. “It’s something that, early in my career, I would have been happy to come off the bench. So, it’s certainly not going to be too hard to adjust to that role.”
Parker took the circuitous route to the NBA. After being drafted No. 21 overall out of Bradley by the New Jersey Nets in 1997, he was quickly part of a package deal that sent him to the Sixers. After being plagued by injury problems and lack of playing time, Parker tried to jump start his NBA career with a season overseas.
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“Up to this point, (playing overseas) has been my best basketball experience,” he asserted. “I was fortunate enough to play on three Euroleague championship teams and had some great times. I went over there with the intention of getting back to the NBA as soon as possible. But once I got over there, it was just a great, great experience.”
Even his return to the NBA was unique. During the 2005 preseason, his Maccabi Tel Aviv team did the unthinkable – topping the Toronto Raptors, 105-103, as Parker drained the game-winner with less than a second remaining to top his future club. It was the first time in 17 years that a European team topped an NBA squad.
That following July, Brian Colangelo signed Parker to a free agent deal, and he immediately paid dividends in Toronto. He averaged double-figures in all three seasons above the border while also becoming the Raptors’ iron man; he’s played in 235 of a possible 246 games upon his return to the NBA.
“One of the benefits of going overseas is that I don’t have that 82-game-plus schedule to deal with, and God has blessed me with parents with good genes and people call me a ‘young 34,’” said the smooth-shooting swingman. “Physically I feel great. The only time I’ve had any problems, health-wise, has been sprained ankles and things like that.”
Parker now resumes Phase II of his NBA career in Cleveland, where he joins rookies Danny Green and Christian Eyenga – as the newest members of the Wine and Gold’s backcourt.
The Cavaliers checklist included a big man who can play Dwight Howard and other bigs straight-up and, by Draft night, had filled that need. They took a pair of young, athletic swingmen later that night in the Draft and just days ago retained free agent Anderson Varejao – giving them some much-needed youth and stability to an aging frontcourt.
On Monday, the Cavaliers added a long, defensively-skilled two-guard to the mix. They may or may not be finished with their off-season renovations, but it seems clear that they’re already a better team that shattered franchise records one season ago. And Anthony Parker seems thrilled to be a part of it.
“To be a Cleveland Cavalier right now is extremely, extremely exciting,” beamed Parker. “I didn’t think I’d have this opportunity because just a couple years ago, I was overseas. They’re a team that’s contending – which is even better – and just the type of organization that they are. It was just a fit all the way through.”
