Ok… I know the NBA finals are going to be exciting now. I get that. Lebron “Luke-the-force-is-with-you” James vs the San Antonio “Deathstar” Spurs (who really thinks the good guys are going to win this time?) - great viewing.
But the off-season this year is looking so… interesting! First, the draft. How karmic was it that Boston & Memphis did not get a top 3 choice after two of the most obvious tanking performances I’ve seen by a professional sports team?!! I heard that in the morning on my way to work, and could not stop smiling all day!
We got Portland getting the first pick - and are almost certain to take Greg Oden & take a big step in the turn-around of the franchise once known as the ‘Jail Blazers’. The only alumni left from that group is Zach Randolph, and trade rumours surround him galore. Sure, the rebuilding of Rip City started before now - and the addition of Brandon Roy/LaMarcus Aldridge last year was a coup - but with Greg Oden in the mix, the sights will be set much, much higher. And deservedly so. Exciting times ahead for Portland.
With the losses (all surprisedly so?) of Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix, we can expect at least some retooling to occur within those rosters.
With Flip Saunders expecting to stay with the Pistons , that will probably ensure that fairly significant changes will occur to the roster. Rasheed Wallace has probably received his last technical in a Detroit uniform, Chris Webber’s probably due to retire, and the changes that occur might mean that Chauncey Billups departs too - via free agency.
Even with Mark Cuban declaring unconditional support for Dirk, I’d expect changes in Dallas. Dirk’ll stay, but Jason Terry is destined for somewhere else, Devin Harris deserves to have the ball. The Warriors exposed the deficiencies the Mavericks have at close to the basket - Dirk is simply more touch than brawn, and Eric Dampier’s ever-growing-contract is an elephant for the team to carry. Jerry Stackhouse is a free agent, and it will depend on the offers he gets. But bottom line: Dallas need a big guy, who can provide muscle… and not just talk about it like Dampier.
Phoenix are interesting. But for a hit by Robert Horry…
then maybe the Spurs aren’t in the finals.
Still, they didn’t make it - again - and that’s a problem. They have free agents (Sean Marks, Jumaine Jones, Jalen Rose & Kurt Thomas) and I guess only Jumaine Jones returns. Do they trade? Sean Marion’s name is often put out there, and Leandro Barbosa is eminently tradeable. I kinda hope that any movement in Phoenix is kept to a minimum. This is a quality roster, and they can get the job done.
Now teams that want to make moves? There are heaps… How about the Los Angeles Lakers? They’ve gotta be RIGHT up there as far as desire, but do they have the ability to make trades? Salary cap… injuries… the ’seeming incompetency’ of the front office - all seem to conspire against them doing any trades that amount to anything. However, if they want to have any chance of Kobe not leaving when his ‘opt-out’ clause becomes available, they have to get something done, and quick. Will they pull the trigger on Bynum this time (oh man… if they’d done so when J-Kidd was available…)? Will they be able to move Kwame ‘butter-fingers’ Brown? Certainly going to be interested in LA-LA Land over the Summer.
New York. Have a contract you wanna get rid of? Call Isiah’s clearing house! Every time a big name comes up as a possible trade, Coach Thomas puts up his hand… despite the fact that in reality, New York has very little to offer to get a team to actually TRADE. One thing is for certain: Isiah Thomas will do something this off-season that leaves us all scratching our heads.
what are the chances of dallas doing a deal for kobe?
they are one of the teams with players to spare
and i know the lakers would want to get kobe outa the west but thats just silly if there is a good deal on the table
and i hope phoenix dont change their roster as i think they will keep on improving with amare
I don’t know… I don’t think the Lakers move Kobe at all, as I said here:
http://withmalice.wordpress.com/2007/06/02/so-i-think-kobe-should-go-to-huh-days-of-our-lakers-ii/
Dallas? Pretty much would take Dirk, and Cuban has said he’s not trading Dirk.
And I agree on Phoenix - no major changes necessary, they were one errant hip-and-shoulder away from the NBA Finals!
cuban has said he wouldn’t trade dirk ,but do you think he would change his mind if kobe was offered(and i know a big if)?
Man… that’d be hard to walk away from I guess… but being a fairly constant reader of his blog, and web-stuff in general, I’d guess no - Cuban walks away from that. I think he’s really invested in his team (and I don’t mean financially - that’s a given).
How can LeBron not beat the Spurs? For more on why he’s a Jedi (with photographic evidence), check me out and gamewreckgame.blogspot.com
nice job homey…I just hope the Knicks don’t sign Sheed…
Bad news there shorty…
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-070603smith,1,4344066.column?coll=cs-bulls-headlines
Who can the Knicks REALLY offer tho’???
Kobe is not being traded. LA gave up Shaq for Kobe, they are not giving him up.
http://firedannyainge.wordpress.com
The finals is boring but the NBA wants to make James a star and they will if they have to kill themselves to do it.
They will not trade Bryant. Am sure of it. Kobe, is nothing but a drama queen.
I think you’re right, and Chicago has stated that they are not making inquiries on that trade…
Hi all!
Definitely nice and neat site you got there.
Bye
Hello
Very interesting information! Thanks!
G’night