2009 Offseason Whirlwind

Man, this week had been filled with some HUGE trades. Let's talk about 'em. For my thoughts on Richard Jefferson going to San Antonio, check out this entry. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL TO CLEVELAND and SASHA PAVLOVIC AND BEN WALLACE TO PHOENIX Okay, so this may possibly be the biggest trade of the offseason... and the people are making me dislike Cleveland all over again because they're pencilling in L.A. and Cleveland for the 2010 NBA Finals. Sure, O'Neal makes them tougher inside but he's not the entire solution. First off, we wonder if they can co-exist. Second, let's see how they mesh. LeBron loves to drive in and there's going to be a 7'1", 350-pound guy inside the paint at all times. But what really needs fixing is that they need more than just isolation plays. And, in turn, better decision-making. This stuff falls on the coach. Part of what doomed Cleveland is that they took some terrible, terrible shots. LeBron's not the greatest three-point shooter in the world and, at times, he would just chuck one up without warning. His teammates would do the same thing. Basically, while they can score, they weren't an efficient scoring team against Orlando. And while Shaq adds power to the frontline, they still need a wing scorer/slasher that can create. Yeah, I didn't explain that very well when we did our inaugural 8th Seed podcast (check THAT PODCAST out, by the way... and I'm not afraid to admit that I actually sucked it real bad in that cast). As for Phoenix? Steve Kerr said that they're "a team in transition". That's never good news to the fans. With Amare Stoudemire being thrown around in trade rumors (which I don't get because they can still win 50 games with this team), I just wonder if Phoenix has decided to start all over. What a waste. I would think Steve Nash would want out, too, for a better shot at a title. For other viewpoints of this trade, check out this Chicks Who Love Hoops blog entry. VINCE CARTER TO ORLANDO and COURTNEY LEE, TONY BATTIE, AND RAFER ALSTON TO NEW JERSEY I don't think this trade is as bad as some people make it out to be because I think Orlando is a strong enough team. However, Carter does need to adjust to being the #2 or #3 guy. He certainly fills their need on the wing position but will his head be in it? Carter's also been known to disappear a bit in the postseason. But who knows? While he was pretty good last season, maybe this motivates him even more? A change of scenery? What kind of Vince Carter are we getting here? As for the Nets' new pieces? Courtney Lee is pretty damn good and it sucks that he had to go. But he and Devin Harris will form a real good (HOT) backcourt. They might peddle Rafer Alston around because I'm sure he doesn't want to be an expensive back-up and Tony Battie is Tony Battie. New Jersey did accomplish freeing up MORE cap space after the shedding of Vinsanity's contract. I think it works out better for Orlando if they can get Hedo Turkoglu back. Turkoglu was the jack-of-all-trades for Orlando (rebounding, passing, ball-handling, clutch shooting). If he leaves, I think Orlando will really miss him. JAMAL CRAWFORD TO ATLANTA and SPEEDY CLAXTON AND ACIE LAW IV TO GOLDEN STATE Well, Crawford was just on his way out of G. State. Don Nelson and Crawford clash a lot. So Jamal had to go. But to get those bit pieces from Atlanta? I thought they could've done better. Where is Golden State going? Now this represents a little conundrum for Atlanta. They sure as hell got more talented but where will Crawford fit in the equation? Is he willing to come off the bench as a potent sixth man (a la Jason Terry and Manu Ginobili)? MIKE MILLER AND RANDY FOYE TO WASHINGTON and ETAN THOMAS, DARIUS SONGAILA, OLEXSIY PECHEROV, AND THE 5TH PICK (RICKY RUBIO) TO MINNESOTA Washington's a talented team that was just decimated with injuries last year. I believe they're a playoff team when healthy (ESPECIALLY Gilbert Arenas). Anyway, they fill their need in outside shooting with Mike Miller. I think Randy Foye's numbers were a bit inflated in Minnesota but he'll be a serviceable back-up guard (maybe even start if Arenas STILL isn't healthy). They are getting a bit crowded in the backcourt, though... Minnesota just really cleaned house and was lucky to have Ricky Rubio drop to their laps for the 5th pick. But I'm trying to figure out their stance after they drafted Jonny Flynn right after Rubio. Their new players will help in the frontcourt but it's not like they'll set anything on fire. By the way, the New York Knicks' draft pick, Jordan Hill? She sounds hot. Follow me on Twitter for some hot, sweaty basketball (everything, really) conversations. The name is @TheNoLookPass.