Varejao Wants to Break Up With the Cavs
In large part thanks to LeBron James’s massive talent and indomitable will to win, the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to surprise everyone and make it to the NBA Finals last season. It wasn’t all LeBron’s doing, of course; he had plenty of help. Anderson Varejao was one of LeBron’s main helpers.
Able to take advantage of coach Mike Brown’s gritty, defensive approach, Varejao turned himself into an invaluable component on an elite team. And that’s when the trouble began.
Following a successful season where he emerged as a hard-nosed player with a bright future, Varejao demanded big money from the Cavs, and when they wouldn’t give it to him, he refused to show up for work. Frustrated with the lack of progress in the negotiations, Anderson Varejao now says he no longer wants to play in Cleveland.
“I just want to be treated fairly and I don’t think Danny [Ferry]’s done that.”
“I wanted to come back,” he said. “I love the fans and I really love my teammates. But there are others there that have made it very difficult. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t want to play there anymore. I’m just hoping for a sign-and-trade at this point.”
Varejao, who’s bitter that there are people on the Cavs making more money than he is despite their lack of production, went on to say that he’s willing to play in Europe and try his luck in the League again next year as a restricted free agent.
At this point, a divorce looks like the best option for both parties.
34 Responses to “Varejao Wants to Break Up With the Cavs”
Nov.27 at 12:01 pm
Jared says:
i hope he never gets back in the L…ingrate, must be real hard being a professional basketball player. They’re so underappreciated…
Nov.27 at 12:08 pm
DIO says:
@Jared :so u r basically saying that lewis deserved the $118…
Nov.27 at 12:09 pm
Chief says:
Noone cares about you Varejao. Maybe if he got rid of the hair. that’s all I’m saying
Nov.27 at 12:10 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Do we know how much money he wanted? This is all a little ridiculous. I can understand some players wanting more money, but for Sideshow Anderson to do it like this, he very clearly has an over-inflated sense of self-worth. If he wants more money, he should work on his game, and prove that he can take a simple shot without looking like a clown.
Nov.27 at 12:11 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Also, I want more money or I’m going to truehoop.com
Nov.27 at 12:16 pm
Ron says:
What is this the NFL???? He does have a point when Eric Snow and Damon Jones are making more than him, and Larry “I’m hurt” Hughes is getting about 10 mil per to do nothing. I see where he’s coming from, but you don’t just say I won’t play until we fix this. You are paid what you’re worth when you sign the contract.
Nov.27 at 12:16 pm
Chou says:
Varejao is g*y. Oh, wrong topic..
Nov.27 at 12:20 pm
Benoit Benjamin says:
I agree with you all, fellas, but heck, he just had a great season and wants as much money as Nene who hasn’t played in two years. I guess I could understand the guy. But it’s been too far. He should go play back in Spain. He’ll be missed in Cleveland though.
Nov.27 at 12:24 pm
neaorin says:
This is how the NBA works, Anderson. The CBA, the salary cap, guaranteed contracts and all that jazz. I’m sure your big-shot agent took the time to explain it to you, right? If you don’t like it, go get a 9-to-5 job like the rest of us. Which reminds me I should be working right now.
Nov.27 at 12:25 pm
Sesa says:
He doesn’t prove his worth yet. I believed there are other teams who willing to use his service. His so-called loyalty had blinded him for other opportunities.
Nov.27 at 12:31 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Well played, Chou. I’m struggling to figure out exactly what Sideshow did last season to warrant any of this talk. A “great season” Benoit? I wouldn’t call it great. Adequate, good, or he-didn’t-screw-up-too-bad are all ways to describe it.
Nov.27 at 12:34 pm
Kevin says:
i would take Udonis Haslem over Varejao anyday jus coz then at least you wouldn’t be playing 4 on 5 on offense, even if Haslem has his share of mental lapses and isn’t as athletic as Varejao..
Nov.27 at 12:36 pm
namik says:
The lack of self-awareness in the NBA can be shocking. $10 million for falling over and acting like a world class (female) dog??? Some people have it easy. And why do they need him anyway? LeBron could prolly fit a couple of charges drawn to his nightly trip dub. That kid is amazing.
Nov.27 at 12:46 pm
peteb80 says:
“His adjusted plus-minus numbers last season said he was the 22nd-best player in the league.” Kinda speaks against those stats. The player with the 22. highest salary in the NBA is Michael Redd, making 14.5 million this year.
Nov.27 at 12:50 pm
Homie says:
The reason they’re adjusted plus minus numbers is he’s not a good enough player to get more minutes. I guess Chad Ford has never heard of the law of diminishing returns, either. If he puts up 8 and 7 in 23 minutes (or whatever it is) I strongly doubt he puts up 15 and 12 in 35+ minutes. Garbage. He’s not worth a penny more over the midlevel exemption.
Nov.27 at 12:56 pm
RV says:
namik: he’s not asking for 10 million….he probably wants around 8, which is still a lot. I understand feeling underpaid compared to your coworkers….but, where else do they give you guaranteed money for years to come??
Nov.27 at 1:06 pm
FLUD says:
He’d have a tough time crackin’ serious minutes with most teams. That stat crap….well, where’s the stat that says how bad he looks when playin’. Coz he’s horrible. All gammy and efforty. Play the year. Bust your ass and then make your move (but that’d be smart)
Nov.27 at 1:25 pm
Sparker says:
i think you guys are weirdly tough on av. he had a good season on a team that went deep, he’s young, and he’d get solid minutes from virtually any team in the league just for his energy, size and boards. i heard or read somewhere that it’s dangerous to underestimate players who are capable of disrupting the flow of a game; and he’s one of those relatively rare players (and yeah, yeah, you can save the jokes about him disrupting his own team). if i was toronto, i’d certainly pay for a guy like him, although maybe not quite the price he and his agent (the real villain in this soap opera?) is asking. he even fits the euro-profile they seem to be looking for
Nov.27 at 1:26 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i pasted this quote on another post but i think it’s probably more appropriate on this post:
Sean Taylor, who played as a safety for Washington, had a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the league.
“I just take this job very seriously,” he said in an interview during training camp.
“It’s almost like, you play a kid’s game for a king’s ransom. And if you don’t take it serious enough, eventually one day you’re going to say, ‘Oh, I could have done this, I could have done that’.”
Nov.27 at 1:36 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
In other news, Garbo is done for the season, and the spanish media and team officials are blaming the Raptors for the fact that his leg didn’t heal, and that he didn’t get the recommended surgury to fix it. Idiots. I can’t hate Garbo for wanting to rep his country, but I can stare daggers at the team officials and doctors in Spain who enabled him. And they still got the silver.
Nov.27 at 2:02 pm
whitechocolate says:
At least damon jones hits big shots in the playoffs. I will blame Sideshow Anderson for the cavs losing the finals. (although even if varejo had made that stupid shot in game 3, Mr. Stern would have done something to make sure the Cavs got swept.)
Nov.27 at 2:24 pm
Captain America says:
No furry like a woman scorned
Nov.27 at 2:29 pm
A Pimp Named Slickback says:
f^&k em!
Nov.27 at 3:47 pm
malanacream says:
He’s maybe asking too much, but i can’t see other player in the league who plays with the same intensity that he does.
I like his game though, he plays for the team, he doesnt care about stats and stuff like that. Hes gonna do what the coach ask to him.
Okay, I’m from Brazil lol.
Nov.27 at 3:53 pm
deestarbuckz says:
I love my Cavs and miss A.V.’s energy but the man asked for 6 years/$60 million… you have to be joking. For a role player? No way, no how… GO CAVS!!!
Nov.27 at 3:53 pm
Todd D. says:
I agree with Varajao’s stance. If your co-workers made more and produced less would you continue to work under those circumstances? If you have any self respect I think not. This could be good for the Cavs if they can deal him for a worthy player and now that Varajao’s a proven talent his stock is high.
Nov.27 at 4:12 pm
RV says:
Todd, he’s not exactly flippin burgers for $6/hr either, any guy who’s managed to make it to the NBA, get minutes, and earn millions can’t have too many problems with self respect. He has to consider 1)many of those overpaid contracts were signed prior to his negotiations and may even before he was a Cav so you can’t compare them side by side, 2)if he starts sucking next yr and the yr after, is he going to give them back money because its fair? 3) he’s getting guaranteed money, why hold out for money you probably won’t get when you’re getting very decent offers
Nov.27 at 5:22 pm
John E. Sanford says:
I understand AV’s perspective, he is overstating his value, but he feels he should paid a certain amount based on his performance. I don’t give a f*ck either way, but it’s not like his owner doesn’t have the money he wants.
Nov.27 at 6:43 pm
M banga says:
hes a bum
Nov.27 at 6:44 pm
Dark says:
Varejao can get outta the league and stay the hell out. There are so many guys in the league with smaller contracts that teams would rather have than Varejao. SLAM, please don’t waste any more internet space writing about this guy.
Nov.27 at 6:52 pm
J.B says:
man,
i can flop just like him.
only iam 5″9.
does those couple of inches make him worth those millions.
think not…
Nov.28 at 3:54 am
ak47 says:
Varejo should go to LA!
Nov.28 at 4:59 am
jrod76 says:
Varejo should stop crying!!! He’s lucky he plays in L!! Win a championship first Varejo before you start asking for that money!!!
Nov.28 at 7:43 am
Son of Shawn says:
Varejao, you can call Sprewell maybe he can feed you