Thoughts On NBA at midseason
 

Lakers- As presently stands, there is not a team in the NBA that can beat them in a 7 game series. Period. A trade before the deadline can always change that but it would have to be one hell of a trade. The "trade" of Artest for Ariza wasnt designed to match up with teams in the west, it was for the potential matchups in the finals ie Cleveland (lebron), Boston (pierce), Orlando (Vince). At this stage, Ariza is the better offensive player and probably a more athletic defender than Artest. However, he certainly isnt physical enough to guard those guys like Artest is.

Wizards- Like it or not, they are married to Gilbert. You just cant buy out 80 million dollars and you certainly can't trade that kind of baggage away. Gilbert's op-ed was just the start. He will be a wizard for the foreseeable future. I say that you get what you can for the rest of them and you rebuild.

Dallas- Going to spend more money and make another worthless trade before the deadline to prop up this "contender". Forget it. The team is old and will be out early...again.

Denver- Gosh this team is good. Chauncey Billups never gets the credit he deserves. A shame they got this good at the wrong time. They defend the post well but they just can't score from it. At the end of the day, that is the difference between them and the lakers. Still, they have advantages over the lakers in overall athleticism and the all important point guard. It will be another fun western conference final.

San Antonio- They got as much juice out of that lemon as they could. If anyone mentions them as a contender though...

Boston- They are looking old right now. They are injured a lot and losing a lot of games in the second half. Rondo still can't hit a jump shot. Still talented enough to contend in the east but they just don't seem able to beat Orlando.

Orlando- At the end of the day, letting Hedo go was all about the money. Do you really want to pay 31 year old Hedo Turkoglu 50 million over 5 yrs? Trading for VC in his place is an experiment. He has one year after this one left on his contract and if it doesnt work out, the expiring contract becomes trade bait next year and you are back in the free agent pool. VC can still take over a game as evidenced the other night. "half man, half retired" is the line of the year.

Cleveland- This team is not as good as last year and Shaq better be saving it for the playoffs. Lebron is still the man but in a 7 game series, who is going to step up and make some shots? Jamario Moon? Anthony Parker? Delonte West??? (sorry cannon). They need a trade for Caron or Jamison or BOTH! Shaq and Delonte for Caron and Jamison. Now THAT would be a trade and it would work cap wise.

Atlanta- The wild card of the east. Still not ready though.

Um, dala, did you forget that KG is serving a one-year suspension? lol



Kinda miss the guy a little…

And in those 8 games, they played ny, nj, indy, minn, and the clips and 6 of those games were at home. Lebron could have had Steve Byk and Andy Serling in the backcourt and they still would have won those games. GPK could have played center (sorry kev, i had to).

Lebron KNOWS this team can't win and thats why he is pushing so hard for the jamison trade. Shaq isnt a presence against the likes of Howard. Howard kills him.

Lebron is openly lobbying for the trade. Perhaps the newspapers in Idaho haven't gotten word of this yet but it is no secret. If he was confident in the team as it stands, why would he lobby for a trade? Again, perhaps this is some kind of common sense found on a yet to be discovered planet but here on Earth what makes sense is that he ISNT confident at all.

Orlando is hot and cold right now as they went through some major roster adjustments in the offseason. You want to use ONE game to prove a point? LOL Okay...I was wrong. Shaq can defend Howard.

Lakers are obvious favorite, Kobe taking some time off has proven their depth. Don't see anyone in the West challenging them. Cavs need to make a trade, they need another scorer, Jamison would fit nicely, Murphy could also help...we'll see if they can pull the trigger. Celtics are suddenly old...Rondo a star but the big three can't get healthy, will they trade? Magic lack chemistry!

I think LA is the mornng line fav but certainly beatable. Kobe may have decided to cruise through the regular season and in his defense he is beatup but he needs to provide an awful lot of the backcourt scoring once the games mean something. I think they will regret the Artest move.

Denver at full strength is going to give them all they can handle. Lawson coming off the bench lets them rest Billips and those two are a tough matchup for LA. Given they should benefit from last years playoff experience and are the younger team they are clearly second best in the West. They do still struggle on the road which is a problem.

San Antonio's top guys are either injured or seem to have lost a step. Ginobili especially and Jefferson hasnt been a difference maker (but when has he been?)

I dont believe in Dallas and Utah simply doesnt have the horses. Wes Mathews is an impressive rookie for the Jazz. I still remember the game when Xavier McDaniel tried to strangle his father, Wes sr. Think Utah is happy paying Kirilenko 16 million this year?

The surprise team is Ok City who would play Dallas in the first rd if the season ended right now. They don't have enough guns to do too much damage in a long series but they will let you know they were there. Durant has contined to progress and they have a good nucleus of talent around him though the frontcourt is still small. One of the interesting stats is that they are 15-10 at home and 15-11 on the road. Only Dallas and La have more roads wins than the Thunder do.

Memphis has played well (for them) though have shown signs of fading. Amazingly enough Z. Randolph has been producing and being a good teammate (if not punching anyone or getting arrested qualifies).

In the East there are only 4 teams worth talking about. Cleveland, Orlando, Boston and Atlanta. Dala discounts Cleveland but Shaq does negate Howard to an extent and gives them a low post presence. While they may yet make a trade, if healthy the team they have presently should get out of the East because Orlando isnt as good with Vince Carter as they were with Hedu and Courtney Lee, Boston cant stay healthy and looks older and slower with each passing game and Atlanta is athletic but isnt a real threat.

Cleveland could use another wing shooter but in reality who couldn't? There just isnt anyone out there and the Shaq/ Delonte for Caron/Jamison proposed here makes sense in a fantasy league only. First of all there is zero chance that the Wizards would trade for another guy with gun issues in the wake of the Agent zero deal. Secondly Shaq would probably just not report to Washington. Not to mention that Cleveland should intend on using Shaq's expiring contract space to sign Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade in the summer. Cleveland should focus on someone like Kevin Martin who can create his own shot and whose defense can be hidden by the Cavs. Really if they could work a deal for Jamison alone (maybe for Z Ill's expiring contract?) that would solve two problems for them and allow them to match up better with LA in the finals. (Problems being JJ Hicksons minutes and a tall player who can hit an open jumper and be able to more effectively defend Pau)

Where do you get that from?

http://espndb.go.com/nba/finals/stat.../dwight-howard (look on the right side of the page under ESPN research)

Lebron wants to win and jamison would make them better and Washington is going to have a fire sale. That doesnt mean LeBron has decided that they cant win without him but obviously he would rather have him on his side.

Why would Lebron lobby so hard for a trade thus taking away any leverage cleveland would have if he didnt think a trade is essential? This is common sense. Its not as stupid as saying Delonte West is anything but a very average NBA player but at the same time confident players don't lobby for trades. If it were just a matter of Jamison making a team better, why doesnt EVERY contender's superstar lobby like Lebron is?

Cleveland is playing good ball but they are kind of like the Indianapolis Colts of the NBA.

By this title, I was expecting, ''Duh."

I was joking about the trade. First of all, the only reason shaq would go is because of Agent Zero's wife. Secondly, Washington wants more than expiring contracts for both of those guys. To get under the luxury tax threshold, they will get rid of one or the other but not both for nothing. The word is that right now Ernie is asking too much for Jamison and that Butler will probably end up in Dallas.

I have heard a lot of people talking about Wade coming to Cleveland. I can't imagine that. Bosh is possible but Lebron will have to do some selling.

Z ill's contract is a problem. LOL. I remember someone talking about that last summer.;)

Lastly, X man went to Witchita St and always had a aura about him as a man not to be fooled with. I remember when Webber and Howard played in Washington and we were sitting courtside (at cap centre, you could hear them breathe it was so empty) and you could hear Xman completely emasculating both of the wanna be young thugs. Hilarious.

The only leverage in the NBA when it comes to trades is money. of course you knew that.

Why doesn't everybody's superstar lobby for Jamison? Who else needs a guy like him? Orlando? No. Boston? No. The Lakers? No. Denver? No. They already have players that have a similar game to Jamison. You act like LeBron is running a telethon to raise funds to find a cure. Where are you seeing all this lobbying?

They arent gonna get much for those two. Z's contract isn't a problem, it is an asset. Why would you think it is a problem? They have to give Washington something in return for Jamison and cap space would seem to be better than paying a 34 year old guy big money for a bad team. I mean seriously who else would the Wizards want that has value?

Why in the world wouln't Bosh want to play with James? Add him to Cleveland and you have a new, prohibitive favorite. He solves a lot of thier problems and doesnt need the ball in his hands all the time. I don't think Wade would be happy being a complimentary player, especially now in his prime years.

We weren't talking about Eric Snow. (who by the way is by far the worst male analyst on NBAtv, Cheryl Miller is absolutely the worst)

Boston couldnt use Jamison? Sure they could. As could Orlando. Lakers are set. Denver couldnt use a 6-9 forward that can shoot threes, rebound and score in the low post? He wouldnt help atlanta? Get real.

I don't understand your initial statement about leverage and money. Can you clarify?

Dahla could put both to sleep.

Read back. You called Z's contract a problem a few posts ago. You said a trade for Jamison would take care of two problems in one. Come on...have you turned into John Kerry?

Bosh might come to Cleveland but it would take a sell. A lot easier to sell him on Miami I would think than on Cleveland. Maybe the whole weather thing. Maybe Miami might be just a slightly nicer city for a rich, single young man to live. Besides, Bosh could get closer to equal billing with Wade. In Cleveland, he would be much more second fiddle to Lebron.

Boston needs another aging, power forward making lots of money? What KG and Rasheed arent enough?
Orlando needs another perimeter player? Dont Vince carter and Lewis take enough jumpshots for ya?
Denver? How does he fit in the rotation with Martin, nene, carmello and Birdman?
Atlanta? You think Atlanta is going to add that kind of salary for a guy who is not a difference maker?

You seemingly dont realize that none of these teams have a need that jamison is worth trading for. The guy is old, makes a lot of money and you are stuck with him after this season. Cleveland is the only team that absolutely needs a player of his skill set and would be willing to spend the money.

You said it. Thank you. Case closed.

Now what were you saying about money and leverage?

I did nothing of the sort. Where did I say his contract was a problem? I said Jamison would take care of two problems 1. Someone to take minutes from Hickson who is lost most of the time and 2.Jamison would be a better matchup on Gasol than anyone else on cleveland.

Wade owns Miami. Bosh is a complimentary player and he knows it. Miami has big problems. No one is going to the games, the owner wont spend any money, they have no one worth a damn on the roster outside of Wade. (Beasley wont ever be more than a 17-9 guy who is a headcase)

Case closed? The Lakers absolutely needed a guy to run the point for them. Think if Jason Kidd was available for an expiring contract Kobe wouldn't have been all over that? does that mean they arent good enough?

Cleveland has the leverage simply because there are no other teams that have a need for a player with Jamisons skills that have any incentive to add salary. Perhaps Dallas because they may make a move just to do something but who else is there? Supply and Demand. There isnt much demand.

It wasnt clear and i read it wrong.

the owner will spend money for a contender and Riley is the ultimate pitch man. Who does cleveland have that is anything better than what miami has when you back out wade and lebron?

So it comes down to Lebron's sidekick in cleveland or Wade's in South Beach for the same money. You tell me where you would go.

Houston wants him too. a lot of teams want him but the wiz want too much.

The Lakers would NOT trade for Jason Kidd right now. Too much risk of chemistry issues at this point. Maybe if he were available in the offseason they might have bit but not now. Don't be silly.

Cleveland is a better situation. He fits great with the players they have. Miami is a mess. Wade isnt happy, they stink, and they are trying to sell off guys. If Wade sees that they arent getting an impact guy you think he stays?

Houston? Why would they add salary for Jamison? Other than to get rid of TMac?

Chemistry? The lakers would take Kidd right now in a heartbeat. There is no risk. What is Shannon Brown or Derek Fisher gonna get mad?

Where is Wade going to go? . Miami doesnt stink. They are about .500 and getting Bosh and maybe one more player will make them contenders.

Its not all about team success when players make these descisions. Heck, they both could end up in new york.

Chemistry on the court. The lakers are the prohibitive favorite and adding a point guard midseason that has never played in the triangle isnt smart. Adding another player that needs the ball isnt smart. I know Kidd isnt selfish but he still needs to the ball to be effective and the triangle isnt the easiest offense to learn.

The Lakers are riding high and arent going to add another point guard to the mix even if they could get him for free.

Chicago. It makes a lot of sense. Miami does stink. they are not a good team, they have gaping holes everywhere. Being 26-27 in the East is not good.

NY doesnt have the space and unless Isiah suddenly gets an NBA job and trades for jefferies, that wont change.

NY does have the space. Plus Jeffries and Curry are expiring next year. They wouldnt have to get too creative to make it work. Chicago has less space than the knicks.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm

Donnie Walsh has done a great job!

Curry and Jefferies wont opt out this year unless they are completely insane.

Chicago is shopping Thomas and will find a taker. They have tried to trade Hinrich forever but want too much.

The difference is that Chicago has Derrick Rose, Joquain Noah, John Salmons, Deng, and Gibson (and hinrich if they cant move him). That is a pretty good bunch of players especially compared to the Knicks returning guys. Jefferies, the italian, Hill, Curry, wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas is not an impressive bunch. Outside of the Italian there is no bonifide NBA starters in that group.

The problem with Cleveland getting Jamison is the Wizards will insist on getting Hickson in that trade. If it was simply for Z, the Cavs would have done it at any time the last 6 months. Hickson is 21 and has massive upside. The Cavs have lacked people like that in the entire LeBron era. I agree with Cannon that Hickson is completely lost at times, but if they want to keep LeBron they are going to have to have at least some young talent to grow around him. I'd like to have Jamison honestly, but absolutley no way I give up Hickson to get him. The guy has untapped ability and just turned 21. It would be an ignorant move to trade him and that's what getting Jamison means I think. I wouldn't do it.

More importantly you have Hickson under contract for about 6 million for the next 3 years while you would have to pay Jamison 28 million for the next 2. Would I trade Ilgauskas (his contract basically) straight up for jamison if i were Cleveland? Sure. If they wanted Hickson too I would hesitate to do it, if only because Jamison doesnt have a great track record in staying healthy. He would strictly be a high priced rental but Cleveland feels they have to win this year and AJ would be a nice fit for Cleveland THIS year.

They don't need to opt out...thats the point. New York could still take both salaries. And just think what they could do the following year when 17 million more goes away.

Miami has a bunch of money. They have no bad contracts and Riley is running the show. They could pick up a bunch of role players to go with beasley, wade and bosh.

In chicago, you named a bunch of players that need the ball. You would have serious chemistry issues. Im not buying chicago.

I would have preferred to stay out of this thread, but I was flabbergasted by dala's statement that the Cavs were better last year. It made zero sense to me. I realize Shaq is 1/20th of the player he used to be, but having him instead of Ben Wallace?? Come on. That's a huge and significant upgrade. Losing Pavlovic and Sczerbiak is a huge upgrade no matter who raplaces them...Parker, Moon etc. It's another upgrade. LeBron, Varejao, Hickson are all better than they were last year. The only major issue where they have gone down from last year is Delonte West's personal craziness. He's slipped and has been pretty much a non-entity most of the year and it hasn't really affected them. Don't even know if he'll be available come playoff time with court dates and everything.

What noone talks about is the Leon Powe reports are all postive about where he stands physically. He's precticing without issue. He's going to be added to the roster the second half. Another physical presence. With or without Jamison, they are undoubtedly better than last year. Whether they can win a title I have no idea. But I think they have more of a chance than last year whether they acquire Jamison or not.

You need to control your flabber.

I know you dont' think they can win it all which is fine. I don't really know either. I'm pretty dumb on face value. Just face the obvious truth that despite you thinking they can't win, they are undoubtedly a better team this year. You are so wrong by saying they were better last year it's beyond stupid. Yes, stupid.

and in the end I presented logical reasons why they certainly appeared to me to be a better team this year, and you countered with nothing. Zero. So my only conclusion is you are wrong and you know it.

Yes, stupid. They are better this year.

Relax my friend. I apologize if I insulted you.

Thank you. I'm not insulted about anything. I know this team. I follow this team. I saw issues last year. I really don't see as many this year. I don't. And they have improved and they have the best player on the floor every single game they play. Yes, even when they play the Lakers!!! (and you know it!)

and in the end I presented logical reasons why they certainly appeared to me to be a better team this year, and you countered with nothing. Zero. So my only conclusion is you are wrong and you know it.



Dammit!!....Stop chewing your prey!!



=:>

Youre getting all worked up and you are obviously emotional where I am indifferent to the subject. You make a compelling case and I agree with what you say. My original premise that they are not as good as last year was off the mark. It isnt the first or the last time that will be the case.

Lebron is the best player in the league at this point and anyone that disagrees is just in denial. They still aren't good enough to beat the lakers and if Boston adds a piece and gets healthy they won't get out of the east.