The second major trade leading up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline was completed this afternoon, as the Clippers sent Marcus Camby to the Blazers in exchange for Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake, and cash.
The trade comes at a crucial time for Portland, whose two big men, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, are out for the season with injuries.
In order to cope with the injuries, 37 year old Juwan Howard has been starting. Although Howard has been exceeding expectations, there were barely any expectations to meet. He was signed by the Blazers to be a mentor for its young and inexperienced team, but since January, has been thrust into a starting role, complete with over 30 minutes per game—something he has not endured since the 2005-06 season.
Camby, the onetime “Defensive Player of the Year,” seems to fit the Blazers’ system quite well and will certainly provide them with more tools than Howard.
As the Blazers (currently eighth) battle for a higher seed in the West, Camby’s defensive presence could be the key in overtaking a few of ...
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Article written by Keith Schlosser