Have you guys been checking out the latest news in the NBA lately? If not, then you should be keeping up as these developments have a major impact on fantasy basketball in the fall. Other than Ricky Rubio drama and the obvious Blake Griffin first pick by the woeful Clippers, the trades in the offseason have been interesting. It is like trash turning into gold. Its not even finding a needle in a haystack. Its magic!
So why do I have a picture of Pau Gasol? He is the first trade in recent times that follows this “gold from trash” pheonomena. You could say Mitch Kupchak (or was it Jerry West) started a trend. Some teams are dumping major salary to get under the cap due to economic times (or is it 2010 free agent bonanaza?) Other teams are taking advantage, using the trade to beef up their rosters making them contenders for the 2010 championship.
Here is the wrap-up of what has happened so far in the “trades sector.” Its hotter than a muggy summer day in Hotlanta:
1. Spurs trade for Richard Jefferson: With this trade, they automatically get a reliable and legitimate third scoring option after Duncan and Parker. If Manu Ginobli is healthy next season, this team is downright scary. As a Laker fan, this is horrifically disappointing, especially when Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are not resigned yet.
2. Shaq hanging out with King James: This deal is sick! Shaq will try to win a fifth championship and doing it with the future king of the NBA, Lebron. This deal is absolutely a win now situation. We all know how the Cavs got dismantled by Orlando’s Dwight Howard, so this deal makes perfect sense. Even if he plays only 30 games this season and all of the playoffs (thanks to jadamusss for that assessment), it’ll be worth it. Plus Shaq is “off the books” in terms of salary after next season anyway. An added bonus.
3. Poof, the Magic are all stars, literally with Vince Carter!: If Hedu Turkoglu resigns with the Magic, they will have players that have all played in the All-Star Game at one point or another in their career. This move is to continue the success they were riding on when the Magic got to the playoffs and it gives them another player that can create his own shot. The Magic are making sure they can neutralize the effect of the Shaq trade.
4. Amare Stoudamire to Golden State?: Though this trade has yet to happen, this would be another big one. Why? Amare being coupled with Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette would absolutely make the Warriors automatic contenders due to their offensive prowess. Amare already knows how to play in a fast paced system and would fit naturally in Don Nelson’s running game. This team, if this trade does happen, would score probably in the upper 90s to 100s almost every night. It would be fun to watch.
Trash for Gold. We’ll see if these plans work out or will the teams saving money by dumping salary win in the end in 2010? Only time can tell, but I”m looking forward to next season already. Can the Lakers play ball in this new landscape? I certainly hope so. Get to work Mitch!
I would like to thank a friend of mine, Marcus, who recently graduated from UC Irvine MBA for giving me the inspiration for this post. Actually, he’s always utilized this moniker in place of his real name to represent his online presence in our fantasy basketball league, but I have finally some time to put a reasonable post together.
Indeed, the Lakers are Kobe’s Lakers. He is the unquestioned leader and he believed that running “his” team would lead to the championship. Today we find that it is true, though I’m not so sure a healthy Boston Celtics team would necessarily foster the same result. The Lakers of 2009 are quite different from the Lakers 0f the early 200o’s. Obviously, one major difference is the leader of that team was Shaq. Kobe was only playing second fiddle at that time. That is important because the Lakers of old were a team of Phil Jackson’s image, the triangle offense, with Shaq in the middle, Kobe playing the versatile guard and Derek Fisher running the point. Continue reading
If the world of the NBA worked like TV commercials and ads, the Finals would have Kobe Bryant and the Lakers facing Lebron James and the Cavs. If the NBA worked my way, I would also hope that Kobe would make it to the NBA Finals as well. However as a trained scientist, I must accept the possibilities that an alternate reality may exist. No, no I’m not referring to Star Trek where a future entity comes back into the past to alter the course of history. (Oops, did I kill the story for some of you Trekkie fans?) I’m simply stating that the Finals might pit small market teams, Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic.
A couple weeks ago, this might have been unimaginable, but with the schizo nature of the Lakers and the Cavs needing a miracle shot from King James just to stave a 0-2 start to the Magic, anything is possible. I have to admit, the NBA Conference Championships are shaping up to be a doozy. I expect the Finals to be spectacular either way. Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard may be advertising underdogs, but they might blow the door wide open if they both make it to the Finals. What an alternate reality that would be?!
In respect of such a moment, I have posted two commericals on these budding superstars. Just don’t expect me to believe that’s going to happen. Go Black Mamba! Let’s tarnish the shine off those Nuggets!
You know those “most likely…” scenarios commonly found on high school yearbooks. I thought it would be fun to translate such scenarios to our current NBA playoffs and see what we can find. For your enjoyment fast in a dash:
Most Likely to Succeed: Lebron and the Cavs
Not too long ago we thought about Lebron James leaving Cleveland due to the horrific nature of his team. Who knew that all he needed was a drop of cough syrup in the form of Mo Williams. With that addition with better team play others, Lebron is poised to possibly capture his first NBA title. I know this is blasphemy from a Laker fan, but objectively speaking, King James is ready to rule.
Most Likely to be a Drama Queen: Los Angeles Lakers
Not too far from Staples Center is the headquarters of the movie capital of the world, Hollywood. Being situated so close to the stage, does it make you wonder if they had some pointers in manufacturing drama during the Western Conference Semis? If you ask me, they were probably trying to generate ticket sales from forcing and yes I said forcing a game seven. Why else do you think the Rockets could make it this far without Yao Ming even with Aaron Brook’s stellar play.
Most Likely to Surprise: Denver Nuggets
With a frontline sported by the likes of the Birdman Chris Anderson, a healthy Nene and a sick-nasty Kenyon Martin, the Nuggets have the opportunity to do what they’ve never done ever, which is make the NBA Finals. The calming and gentile influence of Chauncy Billups has gotten this offensive machine a rhythm to be reckoned with. I hope the Lakers have their eggs all in a dozen or they will be scrambled by Carmelo Anthony.
Most Likely to Threes: Orlando Magic
If Dwight Howard and the Magic are to have any chance of making the NBA finals (which is highly unlikely in my book), they need to shoot threes like nobodys business. JJ Redick is the key. They need a third powerful three point shooter other then Hedu Turkoglu and Skip to my Lou Rafer Alston. With Dukie basketball not translating well into NBA basketball, my guess is the King will kill the Magic in 5. Give the Magic credit, they’ll finally get a win against the untouchable Cavaliers.
We all know who is going win the east right? If the picture is of any hint, Lebron will reach the NBA Finals this year. He’s such a beast of a player. Its almost as if he were playing among children (and mind you these are grown men he’s playing against). Lebron is definitely the King for the foreseeable future after number 24’s reign is over (I wonder who that is?). Let’s check out the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs and determine which games are exciting as well as whose predicted (by yours truly) to win. The scale is going to be from least excitable game to most: Continue reading
As I was watching the San Antonio Spurs win a close one against the Los Angeles Lakers, I saw very fine clutch shooting by both teams: Kobe hitting that three with twelve seconds left and Roger Mason hitting that two with Derek Fisher fouling him earning an extra point at the free throw line. Too bad the Lakers lost. This got me thinking, who would you rather have the ball to make that winning shot at the end of the game? I’m sure you guys have debated this for yourself as well.
Roger Mason Jr? Well not exactly, however he’s been making some clutch shots lately (at least three games and counting now). I guess you could say that he’s filling in nicely for the now retired Big Shot Robert Horry. Some are even calling Big Shot Mason. I wouldn’t get ahead of myself that quickly. He’s only been in the starting lineup this past few months over Bruce Bowen (the man who can shoot threes but not free throws). Only time will tell if he lives up to the “big shot” billing.
Lebron James? Maybe. While I was watching NBA highlights on ESPN today, I saw Lebron miss a possible game winning shot at the end of regulation. In overtime, the Cavaliers lost to the inconsistent Bulls. He’s hit some good shots before, but as we all know there have been times where he’s been a bit “scared” and allowed another teammate to take the shot. Kind of odd don’t you think since he’s an “all-star.” So no, Lebron is not clutch just yet, but he could be one day. Continue reading
