Hot off the twitter press is the news that Anderson Varejao will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a “split” in his quad muscle. Some are referring to it as a “knee-surgery”. There has already been an attempt to clarify that this surgery will repair a “split” and not a “tear”. Apparently a “tear” is more serious. Varejao played 38 minutes in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Toronto Raptors on December 18th – this, despite suffering numerous hard falls and receiving a flagrant foul from Amir Johnson in the 1st half. In the second half he was visibly hobbled and had trouble moving laterally. This was most evident as the Raptors exploited the Cavs lack of interior defense to the tune of 64 2nd-half points – blowing out the Cavs in possibly the worst loss of the season. Varejao was a DNP the next night against Boston with a “bruised right knee” and has been out ever since. It seems that the bruise was not healing properly and a second look revealed the need for surgery.
Here is the NBA Press Release on the Injury:
Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao was injured during the Cavaliers game against the Toronto Raptors on December 18th at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Diagnosis was a right knee contusion, specifically to the vastus medialis which connects to the medial (inner) border of the patella. As Varejao’s treatment and recovery process continued, an MRI revealed the contused area included a small longitudinal split in the vastus medialis. Despite continued, gradual recovery of the contusion, symptoms also continued in the specific area of the split. Another MRI revealed an increase in the split and symptoms persisted. Dynamic ultrasound imaging also revealed tissue from underneath the split was herniating and pinching with knee flexion.
A second opinion was recently obtained with Dr. J. Richard Steadman of The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, which confirmed Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker of the Cleveland Clinic’s recommendation for surgical intervention. Varejao will undergo surgery this Thursday (January 10th) at the Cleveland Clinic and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
Here are some tweets to get you up to speed:
“Varejao’s surgery will be Thursday. He received 2nd opinion at The Steadman Clinic in Vali, Colo. that confirmed need for surgery [Jason Lloyd - Akron Beacon Journal]
“Re: Varejao – surgery will be on leg, near knee. Quad muscle near right knee is split & “herniating and pinching with knee flexion,” per CLE” [Jeff Zillgitt - USAToday Sports]
“Cavs emphasized quad has lengthwise split, not horizontal tear. Scott called Varejao’s problems last 2 years “freaky injuries.”" [Marla Ridenour - Akron Beacon Journal]
“Byron Scott calls Varejao “heart and soul” of#Cavs, says no setbacks in his recovery, severity just discovered when he wasn’t healing well.” [Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade - Plain Dealer]
“Byron Scott on Varejao: “He’s our heart and soul. … Just disappointed for him and for our team.”" [Sam Amico - FSO]
“Smh man, worst news I’ve heard all day,#getwellandy” [Kyrie Irving]
“Scott on what he will say to Varejao: “I’ll go up, give him a big hug & tell him it’s going to be OK.”" [Marla Ridenour - Akron Beacon Journal]
“It has to be said- by not trading Andy the last 2 years, the Cavs rebuild is set back.” [Rick - WFNY]
“Cavs should have dealt Varejao 2-3 weeks ago at peak of value. They needed to sell high when he was healthy – he gets injured too often.” [Bill Simmons - ESPN]
“And nobody makes major trades in December anyway!” [Conrad Kaczmarek - Fear the Sword]
“Not saying the Cavs were 100% trading Varejao. Cleveland felt they could hold out for their asking price. Obviously it all went to hell.” [Probballdraft]
“Though Cavs were on the fence about trading Varejao, this almost certainly removes him from market. Was having a career year.” [Brian Windhorst - ESPN]
Cleveland luck. Highly valuable asset that could of been used as a trade piece to accelerate the rebuilding process gets hurt again for a 3rd time in 3 years. Chances will be slim that he’ll be a highly valuable piece in the future. Could net something but return value is greatly diminished. Some times you just have to strike when the iron is hot.
Ugh. Think I’ll start looking at some mock drafts to make myself feel better.
If we were seriously planning on trading him, then I’m moderately happy he is injured so that we don’t anymore. The better question: Do we keep him out the rest of the season like last year?
Nick – I suspect the vast majority of commentary will now surround the organizations inability to ‘strike when the iron is hot”. Bill Simmons already has the ball rolling.
A few things to note.
1.) “selling high” or “striking while the iron is hot” only makes sense if there is a willing partner in the transaction. Certainly, had the Cavs front office traded Varejao for a late 1st round pick – we would have invaded their offices with pitchforks. There aren’t even rumors of rumors that there were any offers or packages for Varejao.
2.) I almost guarantee rumors WILL materialize in the coming weeks from “sources” indicating that the Cavs were reluctant to deal Varejao because they “value him too much” or something that will make us all want to, again, take up pitchforks. Keep in mind that 3 years later the conventional wisdom is that Danny Ferry would not pull the trigger on a JJ Hickson for Amare Stoudemire trade. That has been rebuked by Brian Windhorst repeatedly and Steve Kerr himself. (somehow i can’t find a link).
3.) It could be a blessing in disguise. Imagine (and I believe this) no good offers or anything close to equal value surfaced/would surface for the Cavs. Then they wouldn’t trade Varejao anyway – and he’d be running around on a 20 win team risking a more serious injury. I’m certainly not a doctor, but the fact that they put him back in the game, they had no idea it would require surgery, and that it’s on his quad – all points to the fact that this isn’t one of thos Shaun Livingston type injuries where he’ll never be the same. Who knows – but had he been playing 38 minutes a night through the drudgery of this season, more chances something like that happens. Maybe sitting their best player (not going to win many more games) is the best thing for the rebuild anyway. Just some thoughts.
Depressing for Andy since this was seemingly his best chance to be an all-star. Get well soon Wild Thing!
“striking while the iron hot” is a cliche used by people who don’t understand probability and forecasting. the cavs strategy of holding Andy was perfectly defensible. they simply got unlucky. that is how life works sometimes.
i remain bullish on the Cavs. unfortunately, this year will remain ugly from a W/L perspective, which will be hard to watch. i was looking forward to Andy returning so that the hard work the young guys are putting in would be more regularly rewarded with on-court success.
Tom, hopefully you won’t need to rescue this from the comment monster.
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/01/29/sports/doc4f24c5b54a791761434038.txt
THANK YOU, SCUZZ! Man, doing my work for me. I appreciate the help.
huge bummer, i was slowly coming around to the trade andy camp because of tristan’s play. Though I’m sad we won’t be able to dream of all the assets we would get for him, I don’t think this is devastating to the cavs. I thought Andy’s game meant that he could be productive for us even in a few years when we’re contending. Andy’s about to have even less mileage on his legs now…
I have to say I vehemently disagree with Rick from WFNY. VEHEMENTLY. I’m not glad he’s hurt, but I’m glad he’s not leaving. The contention that they could have gotten assets that would have been in some way more valuable is silly hindsight. Hot Sauce has it right.
Now I just have to hope that Corey is right, and the Lakers pick really is unprotected.
“Now I just have to hope that Corey is right, and the Lakers pick really is unprotected.”
What’s this now?
On the bright side:
1. More chances for TT and TZ to develop.
2. I won’t have to waste time feverishly reading trade rumors on sketchy websites up until the deadline.
3. Varejao has time to work on his novel, if he has a novel.
Christ, the hindsighters are really out in full force, eh? Simmons is full of shit. There are no trades in Dec! This is really bad luck but adversity creates opportunities (see Thompson, Tristian). Tyler will have to get tougher.
Btw, the insanity that engulfs people when talking about TT and Dion is just amazing! I point you towards WFNY and their article about the Cavs rebuild.
Yea, I love this idea that the Cavs could have pulled the trigger in December. As if teams, knowing of his injury history, were out there offering some great deal for him this far from the deadline.
And if its 6-8 weeks, that’s right after the deadline, at the start of march? Are we saying no contender will be willing to take a chance on him? Still plenty of time to get right before the playoffs.
Not sure why the comment monster took umbrage with KJ there. Unless…[gasp] is it becoming self-aware??
@Jon – i certainly hope he has a novel. I need SOMEONE to tell me what the heck happened after game 3 in the 2010 Boston Series. Seriously. After THIS – http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201005070BOS.html
Outscored by 51 over 3 games. Then the decision. And now, halfway through the 3rd year of the worst 3 year stretch in franchise history.
SOMETHING had to have happened.
Yeah Rich. Hindsight is really bad in this case. I disagree with the sports guys’s tweets.
Question about Cavs picks this year:
Suppose the Kings conditional kick does NOT kick in but that the Lakers turn it around and make the playoffs. My understanding is that the Cavs will have TWO first rounders: their own and the better pick between Miami and LA.
If somehow both the Kings and LA turn it around and make the playoffs, then my understanding is that the Cavs will have THREE first rounders: their own, and the better TWO picks of Miami, Sac and LA.
Is all that correct?
Yea I think that’s right, Hot Sauce. I still expect the Lakers to make it. Portland will stumble and so will Utah. Eventually Kobe and Nash will just carry.
The kings…long-shot.
Simmons said he discussed this with Zach Lowe in a podcast a little while ago, but I seem to remember him saying something like, “Why would they want to trade him?” I could be wrong though. Anyone who’s not lazy want to check?
The Kings are going to Seattle with hopefully more competent ownership. That could mean they’ll put a real team together and we won’t have to wait years for their pick.
@hot sauce – what you are saying makes sense to me.
Hotsauce
They will have three picks: their own, Sac, the better of Miami and LA. They also have the Magics 2nd rounder.
Rich, I hope you’re right. Although, if Howards injury isn’t that serious (as he’s claiming), then I can see it. Especially if Utah does trade Millsap and Jefferson.
The hilarious thing about the Simmons tweet is he said they should have traded him 2-3 weeks ago. You know, when he was already hurt. Guy is a joke when it comes to reporting about non-Boston teams.
Andy. From not being good early in his career to finally being good but injured. Once he’s healthy, it’s time to move on from this guy.
Maybe I’m being over-optimistic, but if the diagnosis is he can be back, at the very latest, by early March, I still see contenders out there wanting him.
There was an argument on here the other day where Corey insisted from an unnamed Cavs source that the media was wrong, and the Cavs get the pick even if the Lakers are in the lottery. All the reports I’ve heard is that if the Lakers fail to make the playoffs, that pick reverts to the Suns. Regardless, the Cavs will have two first rounders, because if they don’t get the Lakers pick, they will get the Heat’s pick.
Simmons is a huge Varejao fan – so I would assume he understands how valuable Andy is.
I don’t understand the first bit about Front Office management. But the only way Andy was going to be traded in December for something remotely close to equal value (ie, they didn’t just GIVE him away) was if a REALLY desperate team (only the Lakers and Mavericks at that point) needed to shake things up quickly. Too early for other teams to start doling out budding stars to the Cavs. There is a reason most trades are finalized 8 minutes after the trade deadline passes.
I don’t think you’re being overly optimistic. He’ll have March to get back into playing shape, and April to play. If he plays well, there will be a demand for him. Not what it would have been 3 weeks ago, but a demand nonetheless.
Nate – Sam Amico reported it that way too if I recall correctly.
@Rich – But would they agree to trade for him by the deadline to compete this year? (mid February?) I don’t think so. Offseason perhaps.
From varejao’s new twitter account: https://twitter.com/VAREJAOANDERSON/status/289099457457446912
you always showed me and for all the support given me during the times i’ve been injured, you always stood by my side…
Clearly he was referencing CtB’s Dani
If it’s a team like the Lakers or, say, the Knicks, who know their window is basically right now, yea, I think they might be willing to roll the dice on Andy this year. Not that either of those teams are good trade partners for us, but just giving examples.
@Rich – Yeah but they have to add in the risk that he won’t be fully recovered from the surgery come playoff time. I mean he MIGHT – but they’d have to pull the trigger on a deal 2 months before that is realized. I think any deal before the offseason is probably not going to happen with Varejao.
Celtics could be another one. Their window is now.
Not buying it… probably just a fake surgery as a stipulation to a blockbuster trade going down soon
…if it’s for real then he’ll back just in time for our late season playoff push!
I’m glad he’s staying put. And glad we can put these rumors to be. He’s not gonna get traded for any decent value mid season while he’s hurt. Its just not going to happen, put it to bed scuzz. And Hot Sauce, the Kings have a 0.0002% chance at the playoffs, so stop worrying about such hypotheticals. We’ll be lucky if we get a pick from that trade at all (it expires after 2017, not the protection, our right to any pick).
Andy while healthy is a tremendously valuable player, and all they twitter know it alls are idiots if they think we should have shipped him out for a late first rounder in December, which is all we were gonna get for him. Things happen. If you want to be critical of anything about the way the cavs handled the situation it should be that they played andy 38 minutes a game for a terrible team. That is inexcusable. Not moving your best player who easily has 3 more years of productive, underpaid play left for a bag of peanuts is not only excusable, its clearly the best choice. He happened to get hurt. You know what? I’d still rather have him than what we could have got by jumping the gun on trading him in December. I feel bad for Varejoa for having to deal with such an unappreciative, self centered, woe is us fan base.
I’ll regret not being able to see him play this year, not our management not moving him cause he’s 30.
I’m with SwIrving.
@ KryieSwIrving
I didn’t really expect him to be traded. You still should be able to see him play this season. Even if he’s out for 8 weeks, he should be able to play late March & April.
so root for the Thunder to have the worst +/- of all time when Kendrick Perkins is on the floor, trade Andy to OKC after the playoffs for their Raptors pick, Jeremy Lamb and PJ3 and not have to worry about matching salaries mid season and taking on Perkins?
WIN
Nice expose by Zach Lowe on Thompson and Waiters. http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47075/with-anderson-varejao-injured-the-cavaliers-will-contend-for-the-no-1-draft-pick
@Jon Re: Simmons/Lowe Podcast – They both laughed at Celtics fans pining for a Courtney Lee for Anderson Varejao trade, remarking that Varejao is an all-star caliber player on a cheap contract – and that “it doesn’t work like that”.
Simmons: “WHY would Cleveland even consider trading him??”
Lowe: “I’ve written before – I don’t see what the rush would be….what I’ve always thought about Varejao is: [paraphrasing] Varejao is EXACTLY the guy I’d want rolling around practice with Thompson, Waiters, Irving. Exactly the kind of mentor – and Cleveland already has a ton of draft picks. Do they really need more?? … I don’t get the rush to trade Varejao”
Simmons: “One trade that makes sense. Varejao to OKC for Kendrick Perkins and Toronto #1….maybe throw in Jeremy Lamb too”
Lowe: [paraphrasing] It’s been thrown around. School of thought Varejao + OKC = Game Over. OKC an irrationally loyal team. Cleveland could take on Perk’s salary without it affecting them. They might be enticed by Toronto pick.
Simmons: [Varejao's injury history] “you’d be trading him at the all-time apex of his career…..[paraphrasing]If you are talking about selling high…they SHOULD be trying to trade their all-star center. But I’d want Jeremy Lamb and the Toronto Pick.”
Lowe: “That would be enticing. [paraphrasing] They talked about accelerating rebuild by trading a pick for Bynum last year. There was some impatience last year. There is an argument to made to trade a 30 year old at the apex of his career.”
Lowe: “It’s the kind of thing that would divide a front office for sure.”
Simmons: [paraphrasing] You add Varejao to that OKC roster – that is a TERRIFYING defensive team.
So Simmons most recent tweet saying “I told you so” is maybe in hopes no one listens to his podcast? Because the overall tone from both Simmons and Lowe is that Varejao is super valuable – not “trade him for anything!”
I’m gonna crow about Henson’s recent play and also Thomas Robinson sucking. I called both, Kevin!! Ha!
Just having a little fun here. Carry on…
Thanks for finding that!
My feeling about this whole thing can be summed up eloquently as, “Sucks, but oh well.”
Sorry, but this statement by KyrieSwIrving, is nuts
” I feel bad for Varejoa for having to deal with such an unappreciative, self centered, woe is us fan base.”
Really? Varejoa has been injured for a lot of his career. If he can’t stay healthy then he’s not all that valuable to anyone. While he was fun to watch when LeBron was here, he’s not exactly doing anything spectacular out on the court. I highly doubt that people are excited to watch the Cavs because OMG Andy Varejoa is playing.
He’s a good or even great role player who we elevate because he is on our team. He’s not irreplaceable and he’s not someone who is must watch TV.
Now that we officially have the inside track on the most ping pong balls since Andy’s out and Wall is coming back would you trade that pick for rudy Gay. Walton Gibson and the #1 lottery slot for Gay works. I think I do it but I’m not a huge fan of Gay. Andy will still be tradable for the next two years
We are not going to be as bad as Washington. 4-4 in the last 8. Tide is slowly turning.
I’m not trying to sound like a dick, but it’s Anderson Varejao. VAREJAO. You kind of lose your credibility when you spell it Verajoa or something like that.
I think it sucks that he got hurt, but now I’m glad that he can hopefully retire as a Cavalier
To be fair, that was an obvious typo, not a spelling mistake…he spelled it correctly but for switching ‘a’ and ‘o’ at the end.